There's nothing worse than being at the office and seeing the daycare's number flash on your phone. Your stomach drops and you're filled with dread. You know that 99% of the time that it's not going to be good news. And I love how they start the call with pleasantries "How are you?". How do you think I am... you're calling me at work which means something is wrong! So of course without answering the question I respond "What's wrong?' To the dreaded response... "Your daughter has been crying since she woke up from her nap and just threw up everywhere, all over herself. How fast can you get here?". Crap, Friday at 3:25pm and I work far from home/daycare - you know traffic will probably be bad and it will be a super long mental drive until you can get there and offer some mommy comfort. Luckily, the traffic gods were with me yesterday and I made it in 20 minutes - record breaking! Of course when I got there she was crying and looked absolutely pitiful.
We did get the notice the day before about gastro going around the daycare... but you just cross your fingers and pray your child will escpae this round. Gastro is the worst - mainly because you know that it will most like filter through the rest of the house. Not to mention the grossness and messiness of it all. But I do have this down pat after having some practice...
Here's the trick in avoiding running to the toilet and usually not making it, or worse, vomit in the bed. I take the largest stainless steel bowl in the house, line it with paper towel, and put it right next to them. The paper towel avoids any potential "splashing" and makes clean up much easier (just slide it all into the trash). So far, since instituting this process, we have luckily had no accidents to clean up. And, there is almost always enough times between throw ups to clean and re-line the bowl.
So here's keeping my fingers crossed that the rest of us escape unscathed this weekend. But on the bright side, if I catch it, it will jump start a new diet LOL. Always gotta look on the bright side ;-)
Showing posts with label Mom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mom. Show all posts
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Fitting Exercise Into My Crazy Busy Life
So quick update on the TrueStar vitamins - it appears that I have a little more energy in the last couple of days... however, I'm not quite sure if it's the placebo effect (since I was told it would take about 3 weeks to really start noticing the difference)... or maybe the excitement of my new blog giving me an adrenalin rush! Either way, it feels good not to be dragging my butt for a change :-)
Speaking of dragging my butt, I have a long history of working out, not working out, working out, not working out... well, you get the picture. Growing up, I was a competitive figure skater and trained about 4 hours a day, 6 days a week. I quit just before turning 17. That being said, I found it difficult to find a regular workout routine that worked long term - mainly because I felt that unless I was working out 1.5-2 hours at a shot, it wasn't worth doing. So finding time to do this became a challenge while in University. Eventually, I accepted that an hour workout would do the trick. But even then, life often intervened and I would either be great and workout regularly for a period of time, but then things would come up and I would miss some time. So then I would go long stretches without working out. I was constantly "starting over". This went on for YEARS! I'd feel great when I stayed committed, and guilty, blubbery and out of shape when I slipped.
I think I have now finally found a long term solution. It took many years to get here, but I found that limiting my workout to 20-30 minutes, 5 days a week was actually do-able. It's enough to elicit changes in my body, keep me feeling healthy and strong, as well as mentally on target. I do, however, wake up at 5am to do this - the only time I feel I can fit it in! It's a lot easier to wake up and know that in less than 30 minutes the workout will be done (mentally it was too challenging to think of doing an hour and so it was too easy to hit the snooze button). I work out at home and have a variety of workout DVDs - including many with weights, pilates and an exercise ball. I like Mari Windsor, Denise Austin, Kelly Coffey-Meyer, Jillian Michalels and I just ordered a new one from kettleworx.com - I like these because they are full body, pretty intense, but still easy to do workouts. I am not the most coordinated so I stay away from any with tricky choreography or lots of dance moves. And the best part of doing it at 5am - no excuses that something else has come up, and it's done for the day!
I have also incorporated 10 minutes of stretching every day - it really helps with circulation and actually re-energizes me. Who knew? Last trick... I try to get up once an hour and take a 2 minute walk around the office.
Would love to hear how the rest of you busy working moms maintain regular exercise. It's hard, but so essential as we get older (especialy need that extra energy to keep up with the little ones!). So any tips and tricks welcome!
Speaking of dragging my butt, I have a long history of working out, not working out, working out, not working out... well, you get the picture. Growing up, I was a competitive figure skater and trained about 4 hours a day, 6 days a week. I quit just before turning 17. That being said, I found it difficult to find a regular workout routine that worked long term - mainly because I felt that unless I was working out 1.5-2 hours at a shot, it wasn't worth doing. So finding time to do this became a challenge while in University. Eventually, I accepted that an hour workout would do the trick. But even then, life often intervened and I would either be great and workout regularly for a period of time, but then things would come up and I would miss some time. So then I would go long stretches without working out. I was constantly "starting over". This went on for YEARS! I'd feel great when I stayed committed, and guilty, blubbery and out of shape when I slipped.
I think I have now finally found a long term solution. It took many years to get here, but I found that limiting my workout to 20-30 minutes, 5 days a week was actually do-able. It's enough to elicit changes in my body, keep me feeling healthy and strong, as well as mentally on target. I do, however, wake up at 5am to do this - the only time I feel I can fit it in! It's a lot easier to wake up and know that in less than 30 minutes the workout will be done (mentally it was too challenging to think of doing an hour and so it was too easy to hit the snooze button). I work out at home and have a variety of workout DVDs - including many with weights, pilates and an exercise ball. I like Mari Windsor, Denise Austin, Kelly Coffey-Meyer, Jillian Michalels and I just ordered a new one from kettleworx.com - I like these because they are full body, pretty intense, but still easy to do workouts. I am not the most coordinated so I stay away from any with tricky choreography or lots of dance moves. And the best part of doing it at 5am - no excuses that something else has come up, and it's done for the day!
I have also incorporated 10 minutes of stretching every day - it really helps with circulation and actually re-energizes me. Who knew? Last trick... I try to get up once an hour and take a 2 minute walk around the office.
Would love to hear how the rest of you busy working moms maintain regular exercise. It's hard, but so essential as we get older (especialy need that extra energy to keep up with the little ones!). So any tips and tricks welcome!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Date Nights With My Husband - Part 2
So apparently my earlier post today needs some further clarification. Firstly, "date night " = "sex". So now that we have that cleared up...
My husband wanted me to explain that one of the reasons date night works for me as the woman/wife is because he gets the best of me when he gives to me. So on date night, he helps me relax and switch from "working mom" mode to "mistress mode" by giving me a wonderful neck, shoulder & head massage. Yes, I know I am extremely lucky and I really, really appreciate it. Thanks honey! So his point, to address the anonymous comment on my earlier post, is that if the wife got something special from the husband, and the husband got great sex in return, then maybe he would only want to seek his "outside interests/hobbies" on non-date nights. So find something you both need fulfilled, be kind to one another, and perhaps it will create some magic for the two of you.
My husband wanted me to explain that one of the reasons date night works for me as the woman/wife is because he gets the best of me when he gives to me. So on date night, he helps me relax and switch from "working mom" mode to "mistress mode" by giving me a wonderful neck, shoulder & head massage. Yes, I know I am extremely lucky and I really, really appreciate it. Thanks honey! So his point, to address the anonymous comment on my earlier post, is that if the wife got something special from the husband, and the husband got great sex in return, then maybe he would only want to seek his "outside interests/hobbies" on non-date nights. So find something you both need fulfilled, be kind to one another, and perhaps it will create some magic for the two of you.
Scheduling "Date Nights" with my Husband
I was wondering given that this was only my second post whether to get right into this topic... then I thought a few things: (1) a healthy marriage is so fundamental to the happiness of the rest of my life (and the whole family), (2) most of us find time with our spouse slips on the priority list and often takes a back seat to more practical everyday life things, and (3) my husband wanted to write an entire book entitled "Monday, Wednesday & Saturday" (or it could be "Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday - depending upon that season's TV line-up). So I thought, why the heck not?
My husband and I have "date night" 3 times a week. We look at it like a contract - neither one of us will break the commitment unless we absolutely have to (i.e. one of us is traveling for work, one of us is sick, etc.). Now I am VERY much a planner - total A type personality. My husband on the other hand, totally NOT a planner and can't stand if I try to make plans well ahead of time in pretty much any other aspect of our life. We first established our little schedule because with very small childern I was often not only too tired, but also still in "mommy mode" and had a hard time making the switch in my head to "mistress mode". My husband, however, never seemed to have to swich modes - he was always there! So I made the suggestion - I think at first he may have been resistant (can't fully recollect since it's been a few years now and my foggy working mommy brain can't hold so many details) but then guess what? Not only did it work, but he now thinks the idea is BRILLIANT. So brilliant in fact, that he wanted to write a book about it (ya, right, as if that was going to happen).
Let me tell you why it works... firstly, it avoids disappointment on his end - I won't ever say no on a date night. Secondly, on non-date nights he can't make me feel bad about taking some time for myself (like reading my book or watching bad TV). Thirdly (and most importantly), it maintains the closeness and intimacy so crucial to our relationship.
Some of you may question the spontaneity of the whole situation and whether it takes the "romance" out of the relationship, but does real life really run on romance? When you live such a busy life and have so many competing priorities, is it even possible to live as you did when you were dating? In my opinion, not likely.
So tell me ladies, how does it work for you? Leave it up to romance, or plan it all out???
My husband and I have "date night" 3 times a week. We look at it like a contract - neither one of us will break the commitment unless we absolutely have to (i.e. one of us is traveling for work, one of us is sick, etc.). Now I am VERY much a planner - total A type personality. My husband on the other hand, totally NOT a planner and can't stand if I try to make plans well ahead of time in pretty much any other aspect of our life. We first established our little schedule because with very small childern I was often not only too tired, but also still in "mommy mode" and had a hard time making the switch in my head to "mistress mode". My husband, however, never seemed to have to swich modes - he was always there! So I made the suggestion - I think at first he may have been resistant (can't fully recollect since it's been a few years now and my foggy working mommy brain can't hold so many details) but then guess what? Not only did it work, but he now thinks the idea is BRILLIANT. So brilliant in fact, that he wanted to write a book about it (ya, right, as if that was going to happen).
Let me tell you why it works... firstly, it avoids disappointment on his end - I won't ever say no on a date night. Secondly, on non-date nights he can't make me feel bad about taking some time for myself (like reading my book or watching bad TV). Thirdly (and most importantly), it maintains the closeness and intimacy so crucial to our relationship.
Some of you may question the spontaneity of the whole situation and whether it takes the "romance" out of the relationship, but does real life really run on romance? When you live such a busy life and have so many competing priorities, is it even possible to live as you did when you were dating? In my opinion, not likely.
So tell me ladies, how does it work for you? Leave it up to romance, or plan it all out???
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
I'm a burnt out working mom...can you relate?
Today I received my first shipment of TrueStar vitamins... this is the catalyst for the creation of this, my first ever blog!
Let me back up for a moment. I am 42 years old, married to my husband Anthony for 6.5 years, have a son Myles who just turned 6 and a daughter Charlotte who will be 4 next month. I am also the Director of Marketing for a company called Mayfair Tech Inc. (we do muscle toning, calorie burning shapewear, tights and apparel - if you're interested, check out ShaToBu - "shape", "tone" "burn").
I wake up at 5am every day Monday through Friday to workout. I drop off my daughter at day care at 7:15am and get to the office at 7:40am. I leave at 4 and rush home to pick up my daughter (thankfully my son's school is 1/2 block from our house), feed them dinner, give them baths, have some cuddle time, put them to bed at 7:30 and then collapse in front of the TV. I have chronic back pain that I am finally trying to treat with a chiropractor after suffering for many years. Are you tired yet just listening to me? I'm pretty certain that there are many other women out there like me. Time keeps flying by and I am always tired!
So at my last visit to the chiropractor (who scolded me for shovelling snow this past weekend and further messing up my back) I complained over how burnt out I am and not really seeing an end in sight. He asked me if I take vitamins and when I said yes, he asked what kind. I was taking Centrum (the version that's supposed to give you more energy) and Calcium (history of osteoporosis in my family). He told me there is a book that is published every year that rates the vitamins on the market and that Centrum is pretty much crap. I asked him which ones actually ranked at the top every year and he suggested TrueStar.
The TrueStar website is really cool. When I first went on it had me take a very thorough questionnaire to find out exactly my issues and concerns. Of course, the list that popped up of suggested vitamins was a little overwhelming, but I decided on the True Basics Plus for women (the optimal wellness pack) and True Energy (supposed to help with stress and fatigue). I'm told that it may take a few weeks to actually feel different, but I'm game! Did I mention... these are NOT cheap. But if it can significantly change the quality of my life, I'm game to try. I bought enough for 3 months. I figured that this would give me a really good trial period (and they had a special - buy 2 of the same, get the 3rd free).
So why the blog? Well, I thought if I'm feeling this way, that there are probably many more working moms out there who are also trying to deal with the stresses of work and a demanding career, raising small children, maintaining a happy, healthy marriage, managing their homes, trying to exercise and eat healthy, and even trying to find a little "me" time.
My goals is to find other women like me so we can help each other with tips and suggestions, sound off to one another and just feel like I'm not alone in this... so welcome to the Working Mom Burnout Blog!
P.S. I'll keep you posted on how the vitamins work!
Let me back up for a moment. I am 42 years old, married to my husband Anthony for 6.5 years, have a son Myles who just turned 6 and a daughter Charlotte who will be 4 next month. I am also the Director of Marketing for a company called Mayfair Tech Inc. (we do muscle toning, calorie burning shapewear, tights and apparel - if you're interested, check out ShaToBu - "shape", "tone" "burn").
I wake up at 5am every day Monday through Friday to workout. I drop off my daughter at day care at 7:15am and get to the office at 7:40am. I leave at 4 and rush home to pick up my daughter (thankfully my son's school is 1/2 block from our house), feed them dinner, give them baths, have some cuddle time, put them to bed at 7:30 and then collapse in front of the TV. I have chronic back pain that I am finally trying to treat with a chiropractor after suffering for many years. Are you tired yet just listening to me? I'm pretty certain that there are many other women out there like me. Time keeps flying by and I am always tired!
So at my last visit to the chiropractor (who scolded me for shovelling snow this past weekend and further messing up my back) I complained over how burnt out I am and not really seeing an end in sight. He asked me if I take vitamins and when I said yes, he asked what kind. I was taking Centrum (the version that's supposed to give you more energy) and Calcium (history of osteoporosis in my family). He told me there is a book that is published every year that rates the vitamins on the market and that Centrum is pretty much crap. I asked him which ones actually ranked at the top every year and he suggested TrueStar.
The TrueStar website is really cool. When I first went on it had me take a very thorough questionnaire to find out exactly my issues and concerns. Of course, the list that popped up of suggested vitamins was a little overwhelming, but I decided on the True Basics Plus for women (the optimal wellness pack) and True Energy (supposed to help with stress and fatigue). I'm told that it may take a few weeks to actually feel different, but I'm game! Did I mention... these are NOT cheap. But if it can significantly change the quality of my life, I'm game to try. I bought enough for 3 months. I figured that this would give me a really good trial period (and they had a special - buy 2 of the same, get the 3rd free).
So why the blog? Well, I thought if I'm feeling this way, that there are probably many more working moms out there who are also trying to deal with the stresses of work and a demanding career, raising small children, maintaining a happy, healthy marriage, managing their homes, trying to exercise and eat healthy, and even trying to find a little "me" time.
My goals is to find other women like me so we can help each other with tips and suggestions, sound off to one another and just feel like I'm not alone in this... so welcome to the Working Mom Burnout Blog!
P.S. I'll keep you posted on how the vitamins work!
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