Yup, That's My Kid

Logan loves to sing, and I love to hear him sing. But there's one song in particular that gives me the greatest joy to hear. He got a Little People disco CD for his birthday and his favorite song on there is Turn the Beat Around. He will ask to listen to "Turn it Upside Down" as he calls it, over and over and over. First of all he always yells "Mike" when the song starts and I have no idea why. I don't know who or what "Mike" is, and that makes it all the more hilarious. But the thing that makes his love of that song really special to me is that back in 8th grade I had the Gloria Estefan version stuck in my head. It was so much stuck in my head that I started singing it during reading class. Instead of giving me detention or sending me to the principal's office, my good-natured teacher just sent me to the music room for the duration of class. Which my 8th grade AW self LOVED. My friends STILL tease me about that day and that song, and clearly my affinity for the song must be in my DNA and Logan must have gotten that gene.
*sigh*
I love my little boy.

Reality Check

I was looking at pictures on Facebook last night. Mistake. Or not. I cannot believe how big I look in Logan's birthday pictures. I'm not totally delusional, I know I'm not thin, but WOW. Just WOW. At the same time, it's motivation. I don't EVER want to look that way again. I've lost about 15lbs since then, plus I just generally look more toned, as my gut isn't nearly as prominent now (thank you step class and resistance bands).

Still, it's time to up my game. Those pictures just brought home how much work I have to do. I've been eating OK, but I could definitely tighten it up a bit more. I need to be documenting my intake. I was doing it religiously, but I've been slacking. I go to step class every week. It's my "me" time. This week I tried Zumba and I liked it. I plan on doing that weekly as well. I still need to fit in 1-2 more workouts per week. I would LOVE to start running again, but given my current situation it's just not in the cards right now.

Seeing those pictures was TOUGH. It made me sick to my stomach. I just need to keep my eye on the prize.

Nashville!

What a great weekend! Mom and I went to Nashville so I could do a prep course to get certified in OB/GYN. The class was only 4 hours a day in the afternoon, so we had quite a lot of time to explore. We stayed at the Loews Vanderbilt (across the street from Vanderbilt U) and it was gorgeous (and expensive). We never would stay in a place so fancy, but my company was picking up the tab (and the rooms were half off for the conference anyway). There was a spa inside, which sadly we did not visit, but our room had big, cushy towels, and we each got our own fluffy robes. There was even an art gallery inside. There is so much to do in Nashville, we are planning on going back because we didn't even scratch the surface.

Friday evening we went to Ruth's Chris steakhouse for dinner (after we hit the workout room). My mom doesn't eat steak, and there was no seafood she was interested in so she got the vegetarian meal, which is code for pick any 3 side dishes. I got the filet, which was amazing, as were my mom's side dishes, especially the sweet potato casserole. Yum, yum!

Saturday morning we visited the Country Music Hall of Fame. I don't really listen to country music, but it was still really cool, and I now know more than anyone should about the lives of Hank Williams and Hank Williams jr. Then we walked around a bit, I got my picture taken with a large wooden ice cream sundae, and 2 life sized Elvises, and we went to lunch at Hard Rock. During class, some of my classmates mentioned they were going to the Ryland Auditorium for a show that night. Mom and I were able to get tickets (great seats). It turned out it was the Grand Ole Opry. We had the best time. Crystal Gale was there, and in case you're wondering her hair still drags the floor. I kept waiting for her to step on it. There were many acts, some old as dirt, all entertaining. On the way home we stopped at Ruth's Chris and got the chocolate explosion to go. To.die.for.

Sunday morning we lounged around, then hit the fitness center where I did 26 minutes on the elliptical. And yes, I'm damn proud of it. When I used to belong to Gold's I don't think I could even do 10 minutes. Despite being the size of a small whale, I'm actually more physically fit than I've ever been in my 20's. We had lunch at the hotel cafe and mom did the private tour of the Ryland while I finished my class. The class was helpful, especially the workbook that you get. Plus it's nice to meet others in your field. Everyone I met was very nice.

I am so glad to be home, but I <3 Nashville and can't wait to go back!

Back on the wagon

I started off the year faithfully working out 3 times per week. I kept that up until sometime in March when the bottom fell out of my life. This week I am back. I worked out 3 times and will try to squeeze in another session tomorrow. I'm back and it feels damn good.

Logan-isms

Yesterday while we were eating lunch, Logan held out his piece of bread toward me and asked "you wanna try it?" Well, needless to say I about died laughing. I don't think he knows what it really means, he just knows people say that to him while offering him food. He also enjoys saying "no problem" except what he really means is just "no." I know every stage is cute, but I am LOVING this stage. He is just so conversational and he's starting to "get" it. My little ray of sunshine in an otherwise stormy season.

Happy Birthday Logan!

Dear Logan,
Exactly 2 years ago when Dr. Fleming was yanking you out with forceps, I never knew how much you'd make me laugh. You are hilarious. Today your "gorgeous I say!" and "what to do now?" melted my heart each time, along with your big beautiful grin. I never knew that you would amaze me every.single.day. You are ALWAYS coming up with something new and watching you learn new things (and witnessing your love of learning) is so fulfilling.

I also never knew that you'd be so good at pushing my buttons. Child, you are just so naughty sometimes. Luckily you love to give your mommy hugs, kisses, and nuzzles to make up for it.

Before you, I never knew how a person could completely take over my head, my heart, and my soul. You are always in my thoughts. I have loved you so much, ever since I first found out you were coming, and I didn't think I could love you any more than that moment Daddy laid you beside me so I could admire how much you looked like me. :-) But my love for you has grown every day, and I'm thrilled that you've been in my life these past 2 years. I'm so lucky to be your mommy. Happy birthday Buddy Boy! I can't wait to see what the next year has in store for both of us.

Love,
Mommy

Left Out

I've had a problem for as long as I can remember. I always have to feel in the loop, in the thick of things. I hate feeling left out. It was one thing to feel that way in high school or perhaps even college, but I find it ridiculous that I'm almost 30 (and a mother no less) and I still care about whether I've been left out or not. I try to tell myself "hey you have your own life, who cares what other people are doing" but it doesn't work, I still obsess. Besides, my life sucks right now, so it's not like that's a selling point anyway. I guess I just wonder how much longer I am going to have these thoughts.