We May Have Reached a Milestone

Okay, so if you've been with me for awhile, you well know the struggles I had potty training Isaiah. And what with my nephew already trained, I'm slightly discouraged that Braylon isn't, at 27 months. That being said, I'm slightly apprehensive about pushing him. I know we're supposed to let them train when they are ready. But he really has shown signs of readiness. And it seems today we may have reached a milestone. He woke up this morning refusing the diaper, so into big boy underwear he went. And so far so good. He asked three times this morning to use the potty, once to poo, and I took him once when I thought it'd been awhile since the last time he'd gone. All four times there were results. He's back in his undies post nap, and so far so good again! In fact, I JUST took him and he chimed, "Yeah, me!" after looking to be sure he had done a "big pee" in the potty. (I can't believe my blogging life focuses so much on potty training and so little on thoughts flying through my head, but that's for another time.)

He's just such a different kid than Isaiah was. It's incredible the spectrum, really, that must exist, as in many ways my oldest two are polar opposites. He's such a ham, honestly. Isaiah too, but Braylon gets anyone going and just soaks up positive attention. Take yesterday, making "KISS" faces with Bert at Max's luncheon. Or the things he says to us as we're trying to get him to sleep.

I've really noticed a change in him by far the most the last while. Particularly in terms of his words. Before, he really let Isaiah speak for him, and really only I understood what he was intending to communicate. But now he's speaking sentences, understandable to most. He's counting to ten (well, sort of to twenty, actually, but he does 10 with no mistakes... he misses fourteen when counting to twenty). He's trying quite hard to carry on conversations now, and wants you to know exactly what he means to say.

It's other things as well. He has never been one for cartoons (where Isaiah can sit for hours, were he allowed, in front of the tv watching cartoons, Braylon doesn't avert one single glance in its direction). He's a very active boy, who just likes to play. And lately he's been into things more sophisticated. Take, for instance, how Greg noticed yesterday that, where a normal toddler would (and he himself used to) simply whack at a ball or puck with a hockey stick or golf club, he now tries hard to stick handle. At 2. On the floor of course, as I've yet to convince my boys to appreciate the ice like I do. It's phenomenal, really, watching how he carefully taps the ball to see just how much control he needs. (Maybe I should have him coach me, as I'm jumping into a new sport: ball hockey, next week and, did I mention, am completely uncoordinated when it comes to sports involving hand-eye coordination... that's why I play soccer and skate!!).

I'm interested to see where Caleb will fit in. He's really changing these days as well, but that will be for another post! I think two in one day, considering I've not blogged for ages (again, I know), is good for now!

Still Going "Strong"

So, as many of you who read my blog know, I've been doing the P90X since the beginning of March. Initially my husband and I planned time for our workouts to happen together, but that quickly became impossible to keep up with three kids and a changing routine for Greg every two weeks. I quickly found myself, along with Tony Horton and his rotating fitness models, having to stick to my guns and continue reserving a chunk of time to head downstairs and exercise. Now, when I say exercise, I'm not so sure this is entirely what I was looking for. Not only is Tony incredibly annoying by disc 2, with his cheesy lines especially, but the program features certain exercises that I'm not sold on. But when I say I'm going to do something, and still have at least 15 lbs. to go until I can fit back into my pre-pregnancy clothes, I'm going to do it. And some of the "bulking up" I don't mind, as since turning 30 parts of my body, in particular my under arms, have begun to sag (yes, despite carrying three children day in and day out). However, there are parts I force myself to do, and I'm still not entirely convinced that I will achieve the results I am looking for through this particular program.

For one, as a friend of mine pointed out, there is no opportunity to plug in my personal information and goals so that I can better design the program for me. Where a personal trainer would sculpt a workout best for what I need at this point in time, this workout series is really quite generic, with generalized suggestions of what you should be doing (mostly in terms of reps). I'm totally guessing as to which weight would best suit the specific exercise, and how much I should push my body to accomplish in one day.

On the up side, people have mentioned they've noticed a physical change... which is good, mostly. It's sort of depressing in that I must really have been carrying a good deal of baby weight around for people to see such a result already, considering I have quite a way to go (it's a 90 day program). But, like I said, I've been sticking it out! And it's something, as right now I can't exactly get out of the house every day to work out at the gym. By the way, I suppose I really should have agreed to taking a "before" photo, as the program and Greg both suggested. But I was far too modest to take a picture of myself so out of shape seven weeks ago! That means I'm halfway done right now, as each phase is four weeks long.

Now, usually, unless I miraculously work it out to squeeze the workouts in while Caleb naps, I have all three munchkins downstairs, typically interrupting my workout at frequent intervals (though usually because Isaiah and Braylon, though best of friends, play together terribly these days and often need refereeing every few minutes). So what is supposed to be an hour/day commitment quickly turns in to 2 or so. Which means I don't keep up with the Ab Ripper addition that you're supposed to do 3 times/week, as once I'm done the first workout, I can't possibly squeeze in an extra 15 minutes (which equates to about 30 or 40 with kids). So that's been disappointing too, as my core is the most out of shape.

Now, don't get me wrong. I am completely fine with my post-pregnancy body. Honestly. In fact, I've embraced the fact that my belly button will be a crater rather than it's original small sunken cavity. And I've come to accept that I may be a little jiggly in places I wasn't before having kids. I just want to be slightly more fit. I don't seem to have the energy to keep up with my kids, nor do I have the funds to recreate my wardrobe in a larger size, to be honest. Most importantly, I feel better when I exercise, and it makes me want to eat better (though I've still not given up on certain bad habits... considering I just scarfed down some Mini Eggs leftover from Easter... but one thing at a time...).

And so, after making chocolate favours for Caleb's baptism this evening, the plan is to head down to begin week eight (planned well to have my "Beach Body" in time for summer, eh?... totally kidding, I'm not sure I'll ever sport a bikini again... but the workout series is part of the whole Beach Bodies corporation, hence the joke). The first workout of the week is the worst - he makes you do a variety of pushups and chin ups - but once you get passed it, the rest of the week is a lot easier, at least for me. So here's to maintaining some sort of fitness, trying to get a little healthier one small step at a time!

Leave of Absence

Well, I did it. I applied for, and received permission to take, a leave of absence from work. Granted it doesn't take effect until September 2013, but it's the best I can do. And despite some griping from my husband - who thinks I rarely work as is, since I've been off on back-to-back-to-back mat leaves, basically - it's the best solution for us. (By the way, I'll leave that well enough alone for now, since most of you who read my blog fully know just what being a SAHM entails. It's not as if we sit around all day with our feet up doing absolutely nothing.)

So I am getting a full year off... in 4 years' time!!! I'll be off the year Braylon is in SK and Caleb in JK, which means I will be able to be home with them each on their days off (assuming Strathroy - if we even live here still - does not yet get full time kindergarden programming by then, which may be the case... either way, I'm off!). I'll be able to take all of my kids to school, participate in their school activities (fields trips and such), and not have the overwhelming responsibilities that come with my job, for once. (Can you tell I'm already dreading returning in September? How will I possibly plan lessons and mark for 3 courses, commute 2+ hours daily, and take care of 3 kids? With Greg on 2 weeks of afternoons every two weeks too? Argghh, can you sense the stress?)

It's definitely a financial concern, though, because I'll be taking a pay reduction in order to be "paid" the year I don't work. And considering I haven't received full pay for a full year since 2005, I'm not sure how this will pan out. I suppose, in a way, we've been living off a reduced rate since Isaiah was born, so I'm used to budgeting with financial constraints. However, we're sick of living so tight, and taking this extra year off means tying into four more years of doing so.

But I truly feel it is what is best. I'll hopefully finally be able to take courses to better myself as an educator that year as well, not to mention move up the grid. And I'll be less restricted time-wise for travelling, so should Greg manage to get full time at Toyota by then, and therefore be given holiday allowance, we could take a vacation outside of prime time. That would be nice! And best of all, did I mention, I'll be home with my kids! WOO HOO!! Honestly, I really wish I could stay at home with them to be their primary caregiver from now until that point. I know it's not feasible, as in my career giving up my position means giving up teaching entirely, really. Quitting in my board - even with the intent to return at some point - is quitting for life; there are far too many others chomping at the bait to take your spot. In many ways it is a downside of teaching (and I don't mean to gripe about the disadvantages of my job, as I know there are many perks as well, such as our summer holidays and fabulous pension plan). But it's true, it's not just some job I can leave for a few years and pick back up, maybe just somewhere else... it doesn't work that way. Which is in large part why we chose for me not to consider dropping to part time either, as it may be years before I receive my full time entitlement again (not to mention commuting to Woodstock to teach 66% with no guarantee my lines would be am or pm sounded slightly ridiculous anyhow). And as transferring closer has been unsuccessful thus far in my 6 years of employment, I resolve to accept the fact that, for now, I'm meant to teach at WCI.

And so that's what the future seems to hold. We've no clue where we'll be... Greg would move in a heartbeat to Woodstock, but it's me that is holding back (not that I'm tied to Strathroy, by any means, I'm just not sold on Woodstock). But I know I'll be home with my boys, which is time I'll never get back, so I'm glad to be spending it with my boys rather than at work (even though I actually do like my job!). Already the time has flown by - they grow up so fast...

Not Enough Hours in the Day

So there are definitely not enough hours in my day lately. I am finding it difficult to keep up with blogging, obviously, but it's also just so darn busy with three boys so close in age. Don't get me wrong, I love being home, but it's a challenge to find time to devote to each of them. And sometimes my parenting is far from ideal.

But I do like that, now that we've "sprung forward" there is more daylight... and add in the mild weather we've been having, and at least we're taking advantage of what hours we do have in the day to spend them outside. We've been out for walks, and playing with the ride-on toys.

I am, however, finding it difficult to spend an hour of each day doing my workouts, though three weeks in and I'm still keeping up with them. Despite returning to both skating and yoga this winter, my post pregnancy body the third go has really struggled to find a shape anywhere near what I'd like. So I've been doing the P90X workout since the beginning of March. I'm trying to stick with it, even though there are parts I really don't like. We'll see how quickly results come!

Anyhow, a bit of an update...

Well, the boys are growing quickly. It's amazing, really. Their personalities are really starting to emerge, especially in Caleb and Braylon. Braylon is incredibly "strong-willed"! He is much different than Isaiah ever was at this age. He is certainly goofy, very active and loves to be physical, especially rough housing with Isaiah. His words have been coming along, with sentences developing and vocal responses becoming more sophisticated.

Isaiah is finally fully potty trained. He had a severe aversion to pooping in the potty, which we finally conquered a few weeks ago. And he tends to keep his nighttime diapers dry if I get him to pee just before falling asleep. I'm hesitant to take it away because I'd rather not deal with a wet mattress!

Caleb is, although no longer sleeping through the night, growing and changing daily. He really wants to get moving, but he hates tummy time so crawling is nowhere in sight. He's a good eater so far, though there are veggies he'd rather I not serve him! I think he's going to be much like Isaiah, although he loves both of his brothers.

Anyhow, the boys aren't letting me write much without distraction - the colouring at the desk beside me has already gone awry - so I'd best sign off for today. I will one day write more... there are actually a few things to catch you up on!

Life is Too Short

It is with sadness that I blog today as my next door neighbour, Teresa, passed away yesterday after a hard fought battle with cancer. I really didn't know her all that well, to be honest, but what I do know is that she was an amazing woman. She was one of those people in this world who are genuinely good and nice, kind and loving. It is nice to be reminded that those sort of people still exist, and here she lived right next door! Despite what she had been handed, she was always cheerful and smiling. She carried herself with grace and poise, and was made of a strength very few are. As a true testament to her character - the soul of a being so kind and strong - is the tremendous support the community is offering her family as they deal with her death. She honestly touched the entire community, it seems, in one way or another. We all knew her, in some capacity. We all have only good to say of her, which is astounding. She had such a joyous spirit in her; she was always smiling and cheerful, even when fighting for life.

I can't even begin to imagine what her daughters are feeling - I have never for one moment considered life without my mom, who is very close in age to Teresa. I do know they are going to be amazing women, thanks in large part to their mom. And I know their mom will live on in them. I see her in each of them. They are each of them thoughtful, each of them optimistic, each strong and confident.

Her passing definitely serves as a reminder that life is too short. We really do need to make the best of it while we are here. Together. My husband and I fight far too often. We need to sit back and enjoy one another's company, enjoy growing old together, with our children. I stress about a lot of things. I need to relax. I have little patience and I tend to lose my cool too easily. I yell. I need to take things in stride and breathe. In honour of Teresa, I am going to make a concerted effort to improve daily, if only by a small margin.