Trying Toddler Times

Mr Magoo is in the process of toilet training...still. We started the process properly at the start of April, and to be completely honest with you I thought we would struggle for a couple of weeks but would fly through from there. Boy was I wrong! We are struggling most days 6 weeks later...Some days are better than others, and I must admit that there have been a few other adjustments during this time (like me starting full time work) that have made the toilet training rather difficult.

I understand that it is common for boys to train later than girls, and also to have more trouble, but I really thought that our boy who is so bright when it comes to other developmental aspects, would just click with this after the first few successes. This was not to be though. I think he is just too stubborn for his own good (don't know where he gets that from? ;-)). He knows when he needs to go - he has gone a day here and there with completely dry undies all day, all while telling us when he needs to go, actually going (by himself, of course), putting his undies and shorts back on the right way (I've heard that this is often the hardest part), and even washing and drying his hands without prompting.

What I don't understand is how he can do all this, but still be happy to sit and play in wet undies every other day??? Please tell me this won't last forever - the washing pile has just about doubled in size (as he HAS to wear undies and shorts even if it's just us at home), and this Mummy is feeling very drained (as is his Daddy, I'm sure!).

We have been using a reward system with stickers and lollies (depending on whether he does a wee or poo, if he needs to be prompted to go etc) as nothing else seemed to work, but I would love to hear suggestions of ANYTHING else that may help speed this process up...if we haven't tried it already, I will be sure to give it a go!

Take care,

Kelly xxx

Am I Taking On Too Much?

I often wonder if I take on too much at any one time. I go through phases in which I am so motivated, and come up with many ideas (or find them online) of ways to change - to change my unhealthy habits to healthy ones, to improve the many different home routines, to find more ME time or whatever the issue that's at the forefront of my mind at a particular time. And then when I can't keep up with it all, I feel like I have failed.

I need to slow down. I mean, I have only been working full time for a month, and given that Hubland  is on the final leg of his thesis (the current due date being about 6 weeks away), the last thing I want is for him to have to pick me up after a crash that I have caused. There are some things that need to continue. I am not giving up on my health and fitness journey - it is much too important, and I have already come so far (4kg's down in the last 4 weeks - woohoo!!!). Obviously, the housework still needs to be attended to - not that I'm expecting perfection. In fact, I feel as though I have been relying on Hubland to do more than he should be around the house, and I'm sorry for that. I also don't want to give up on this blog - I love writing it, and I really do feel like it is beneficial to me (even if I only get one or two posts up each month).

Aside from these things though, I need to take a step back. As much as I love taking on new challenges, I am finding it too difficult to keep up with them all, and it is starting to take its toll. The feeling of failure is beginning to appear, and that is the last thing I want nor need to stay a healthy and happy Mummy.

What do you do to ensure you are the healthiest and happiest Mummy for your family?

Take care,

Kelly xxx

Take Two (or Three or Four or More) In May

Hmmm so I haven't been going very well with the Photography challenge so far...and no one has been encouraging me!!! Mind you, starting full time work has been (and will continue to be) a BIG adjustment for the whole family.

Given that we are two-thirds of the way through April already, I am going to wait until May before I start again. I should be more settled in with work by then and will hopefully have a pretty good routine going by then too. In the mean time, I will try and post some photos I've taken in the past that I think you might like, and if you have any suggestions for a short term challenge, I'd be keen to hear about it!

Take Care,

Kelly xxx

Healthy Habits

I've talked about my fitness plan. Now, it's time to talk about food. This is something I REALLY struggle with. I love my food...a little too much! I am not interested in the fad diets or natural supplements that are so common these days - I just want to eat a healthy, balanced diet. The idea is that this will help me not only with my weight, but also with my energy and just generally feeling healthier. It will also help to set a good example for my boys as they grow up.

The question is - how do I go about changing my habits?

I'm not a big fruit eater - that is, I love eating fruit but it always seems easier to grab something from a packet. I also find that I can only buy a little at a time (and therefore, need to shop more often) as Mr Magoo doesn't eat fruit (except the occasional banana) and Cheeky Bear wants whatever Mr Magoo has. My last reason (and yes, I do realise these are just excuses - although not very good ones) is that I actually forget that I've bought it until it's too late.

I am a sugar addict. I admit it. I often buy a little snack with the groceries and eat it before I get home - just because I feel like something sweet. It is usually a chocolate, or an individual serving of cheesecake, custard or something similar. I have also been known to eat sugar by the spoonful - and no, I am not proud of this and I know it is not good for me (especially my teeth).

My other problem is portion size. I know I eat big meals - I always have. And I eat quickly. I grew up with two older brothers and a Dad who would often eye off my food once they had finished theirs, hoping I wouldn't be able to eat it all. If there was a chance for seconds, you had to be quick - otherwise you would miss out.

I think if I can change these habits, then I will have nothing to worry about. I have spent the last 6 months or so trying really hard to break these bad habits, but I have always fallen back on the old path so to speak. I am going to make myself accountable. Right now. I am going to change these habits. Starting from now, I am going to do the following to break my bad habits and create good ones:

• I will eat two serves of fruit every day (and five serves of vegetables);
• I will stop buying sweet treats, and cut back on my sugar intake A LOT;
• I will be strict with my portion sizes; and
• I will slow down my eating.

I will struggle. It will be hard. But it will be worth it. I will keep you updated over time...

Take care,

Kelly xxx

Change...

The blog has been quiet lately. There is a good reason. I had a job interview...and then another. For the same job. After the second interview, I was offered the job the very same day - it was a Friday. My first day was the following Monday. It's a full time position as a Retail Assistant Store Manager. This all happened while Hubland was overseas. Thankfully, my parents were here to help out with the kids, and everything just fell into place.

I have had three shifts so far, and already I am exhausted. Being a full time stay at home Mum is tiring, but actually having to shower, get dressed and leave by a certain time, drive the half hour to work, complete the shift, drive home, and then be Mum again is even more draining. Don't get me wrong - I am loving being back in the workforce and feeling like I have a purpose outside of the home - but it is certainly an adjustment. A BIG adjustment - and not just for me, but for Hubland, Mr Magoo and Cheeky Bear too! I have had to leave before the boys get up in the morning, Hubland has been more involved with daycare drop offs, pick ups and general home and family needs, and we are all out of whack. We will get there though, it will just take time.

For me personally, the biggest struggles have been getting enough sleep - I don't usually fall asleep at the computer at 9:15pm, and keeping up with my healthy eating and exercise. Since my first shift at work, I have not managed to fit in any walks or workouts. I do realise that it has only been four days, but I'm a little disappointed as I was just getting into a good routine with my morning walks and so on. I have also been slipping up with my eating - it is so convenient to grab McDonald's for lunch instead of taking something healthy from home. I will just have to try harder from now on.

There is one other thing that saddens me a little. My boys are well aware that something has changed, and they don't seem happy that Mummy isn't around as much anymore. Hubland told me that when Mr Magoo came into our room first thing this morning, he asked where I was. Once being told that I had already left for the day, he climbed up into bed for cuddles with Daddy. The problem came when it was time to get up - he just wanted to stay there - I wonder if he was worried that Daddy would leave too. I understand that things haven't been normal with Hubland going overseas, Grandma & Papa (my parents) staying with us and me starting work all around the same time, and although it was bound to happen, it breaks my heart to think that I am the cause for his pain. We try so hard as parents to do the best we can for our children - but sometimes it's hard to know what the best thing is for them.

I have no doubt that we will all adjust, and this change will be seen as normal for us in time...but until that happens, I will be doing all I can to make it as easy an adjustment as possible.

Take care,

Kelly xxx

Photography Challenge...and how YOU can help!

One of my hobbies is photography. I absolutely love taking photos - not just photos of my boys, but landscapes, scenery, wildlife, people in general and anything else I come across throughout my day. Even though I enjoy art, craft and music, I don't see myself as an overly creative person, but I love challenging myself to be creative with it. As a busy Mum, I often don't never find the time to take photography outings ie. going out with the specific intention to take photos so I have to make the most of short periods of time when I can focus on being creative with my camera. Because of this, I decided to set myself a challenge.

There are many different photography challenges on (and off) line, but I am particularly fond of the photo a day challenges. I have come across quite a few of these, and the one that I keep going back to (despite not ever finishing a whole month yet) is Fat Mum Slim's Photo a Day Challenge. I am yet again going to attempt the April challenge, despite the month starting yesterday, and I will post my photos daily on Facebook.

This is one of those "projects" that I get really excited about at the start, but after about a week, the whole project gets lost and I have to start again. What I'm trying to say is that I need your help - I need you to make sure that I post my photo daily, and if I haven't then you are most welcome (and I encourage you) to remind me to do so.

I guess I better go and get my first two photos taken.Who wants to join me?

Take care,

Kelly xxx

My Family Means the World To Me

It is Hubland's birthday. It's also the Easter long weekend. The perfect time to tell you a little about my family.

I grew up in a close family - Mum, Dad, 2 brothers and me being the youngest. We always went on holidays as a family (usually camping on the beach), and spent plenty of time playing board games on the school holidays, going for family bike rides and just generally getting along the majority of the time. Although we didn't have a lot of money we worked as a team to make sure no one ever went without. I mean, we didn't have all the new, you beaut toys and gadgets, but we were lucky to have a roof over our heads, we never went without food, and we received gifts for our birthday, Christmas and Easter every year. Knowing so many people now who grew up in dysfunctional families, I am so grateful that I was part of a strong family unit.

I loved school...right up until the end of high school. Some of you who knew me then might remember me dreading the end of school. I loved the challenges, I loved the social interaction, I loved having the opportunity to participate in extra-curricular activities (ie. school band, sporting events, Student Council etc) and I loved knowing that I would see my friends every day. Anyway, it was during high school that I met Hubland. We went to a decent sized school (about 200 students in year 12 alone) and never really had the chance to get to know each other until right near the end. Luckily, we were accepted into the same university and quickly became friends. In fact, we started dating just before the very first semester of uni.

We were engaged about two years after we became a couple, and married 15 months after that (and that is a whole other story and blog post). We had Mr Magoo after about a year and a half as a married couple, and Cheeky Bear came along 19 months later. I am so very grateful that I have found my best friend in Hubland, and that we have our two beautiful boys. They all mean so much to me, and I would be lost without them. I can't wait for the rest of our lives together, as a family.

Happy Birthday, Hubland! I love you xxx

A Fitness Plan...that I would REALLY like to stick to!

I am one of those people who thinks of a project, gets overly enthusiastic about it, starts getting everything organised, and am extremely motivated to succeed...for the first week day. As much as I try, I can never seem to complete it. I have so many unfinished projects that it’s not even funny.

One of the reasons I started this blog was to try and change that. I thoroughly enjoy completing projects – whether it’s a one-off craft project, a cull of the kids’ toys, a change that I hope to turn into a new habit (such as a meal plan or an exercise plan) or even a challenge that I want to complete (eg. Fat Mum Slim’s Photo a Day challenge, house organising challenges etc) – so I will tell you all about it when I start one, and I will give you progress updates, even if things aren’t going well (hopefully it won’t come down to this, as I hate admitting failure to myself, let alone anyone else!).

The first project I will share with you is my fitness plan. This should be a relatively easy one for me to stick to thanks to a wonderful group of Mummies I have met. We get together once or twice a week for a group workout and a chat. It’s a chance for all of our kids to play together, we get the socialisation that is often lacking when you become a parent, but it also gives us a support group for our health and fitness goals. I have also come across an 8 week fitness challenge being run by a local college to give the students the practical experience they need. This includes a weekly personal training session along with nutritional guidance and whatever else we need to reach the goals we have set.

Combining these scheduled sessions with my own exercise during the week, this is what my plan consists of:

Monday:          PT session at college          OR          Early morning walk
    Late afternoon walk                             Mummies’ group workout

Tuesday:         Early morning walk

Wednesday:    Early morning walk
    At home strength workout

Thursday:        Early morning walk

Friday:             Early morning walk
    Mummies’ group workout

Saturday:        Early morning walk

Sunday:           Family activity (ie. Walk to the park for a play, go to beach, run           around in back yard etc)

That’s it. It’s not complicated, but will take effort for it to become a habit.

Wish me luck!!!

Take care,

Kelly xxx

Goals

I've been thinking about my goals a lot lately – both short-term and long-term, and in all aspects of my life – and have decided that for me to stick to them I need to make myself accountable. So, I am going to share with you my goals, in the hope that I will reach them, and maybe even motivate and inspire you to do the same.

Short-term:

• Lose 15kg by the end of May  (that gives me about 2 months)
• Eat healthy
• Get a job
• Sort and de-clutter the house

Mid-term:

• Create a meal planning routine...AND STICK TO IT!!!F
• Find more time for me – I have several hobbies, but currently I rarely get to spend any time on them.
• Maintain an active and healthy lifestyle
• Save money

Long-term:

• Buy a house
• Complete a university degree (ideally in Nursing, and possibly Midwifery)
• Maintain an active and healthy lifestyle
• Raise a happy, healthy family

So, this is my list for now, but as with most lists things will change and I will fill you all in when I feel the time is right.

Take care for now,

Kelly xxx

Welcome!

Hi there!

I just want to give you a bit of an introduction to me and my world...so here goes:

• I’m a happily married stay-at-home Mum to two beautiful boys – Mr Magoo (3) and Cheeky Bear (18mths).
  
• I am in my mid twenties, although often feel a few hundred years older.
  
• I am currently trying to get back into the workforce to ease Hubland’s stress while he completes the final leg of his PhD. It will also relieve the pressure for him to have a full time job straight after he finishes his thesis.
  
• I am working at being more organised in all aspects of my life, particularly in the home.
  
• I love reading, photography, craft, puzzles, spending time with my family, cooking and many other things that you will learn about along the way.
  
• I am trying to be a healthy and happy Mum – as they say a happy Mum = a happy family J

So that’s me in a nutshell.

Take care for now,

Kelly xxx