Not the DIRTY photo I was expecting from Hubby...

#ww #wordlesswednesday

Winter Fluff

Spring is here! Time to dust off those runners, get out of hibernation and stop pigging out on cookies.

Exercise, working out, running, The StairMaster… Does the mention of these give you hives??

Now that I’m in my 30's (yup, I just shed a tear..) I have come to realize this ol’body doesn’t bounce back like it used to. I swear when I was in my early 20’s I could do 20-50 sit ups/day or a class or 2 of Zumba and I would be all tight and toned. NOT ANYMORE…

With the crazy warm weather that we have been experiencing in my neck of the woods it’s hard not to think about shorts & swimsuits and just the thought of those things gives me panic attacks! (Pasty white legs, varicose & spider veins, unpedicured toes.. It’s not pretty people!)

What I wouldn’t do for Carrie Underwood's legs! (& her & her hubby's bank accounts :) )

Or Abs like this chick!

Source

I’ve always dreamed of running in a marathon.. I figure I’d be so proud of myself when I crossed the finish line. It’s one of those things I figured I would have done by 30. (But it never happened.) The fact that I loathe running also affected my career as a marathon runner :)

NOW is the time!!! I must do this!

I’ve noticed that some of my e-friends ( Audrey's Momma and Domesticated-ish ) are getting active and that has given me a little extra motivation.

I took to Pinterest to see how I get started with this running thing.. Maybe I’ve grown out of loathing it??

Here’s what I found and where I’m going to start...I'll keep you posted..

Source: Uploaded by user via ToDoListMom on Pinterest

Got any tips on starting running? Feel free to fill me in!

To Do:

*Find my Timex watch buried somewhere in my bathroom (To time my running intervals)

*Find some sort of running outfit that isn't slick tight

*Try to squish my knockers into the only sports bra I own..It is 15 yrs old..

Joys? of Toddlerhood

Question.....

Why don’t ‘experienced’ parents ever tell the 'newbies' about the “joys” (heavy on the sarcasm here..) of toddlerhood?

I read the What To Expect book, I excitedly discussed my growing bump with friends, we chatted about our cute & charming newborns,we gushed about our lovable, adorable & pudgy lil infants…but that’s where the convos ended. Maybe it’s because I’m back at work and barely have time to score a hot date with the Hubby or do any baking (my favorite relaxing hobby), let alone have adult time with other parents to discuss/compare/commiserate our lil monsters...

Now that I'm moving out of the newbie phase I have compiled some info that I've learned and would like to share with all the preggers and parenting newbies out there. 

The Joys of TODDLERHOOD
(and keep in mind, I have not even successfully made it to E's 2nd bday yet.....)

1. They will have 200+ colds within the 1st year at Daycare

I was pretty much beside myself the 1^st few months back at work.. I knew “E” would get sick, pick up gross germs and random bugs from his daycare buddies..BUT SERIOUSLY – sick every 2 weeks! Gah! A-n-n-o-y-i-n-g! I’m pretty sure my boss/work thought I was making up the illnesses just to stay home from work 

 2. They will manage to give themselves pink eye (numerous times) by rubbing their own snot in their eye (during the night.)

A face only a mother could love

3. They will hit and bite

I was clearly delusional in thinking that since we don’t discipline by spanking or biting (obviously!) – my kid wouldn’t do these awful things either - WRONG!

4.  They will not share

Share!? Ok..when you were pregnant did you ever think stop to think about how you were going to teach your kid to share?? I know, right? I totally didn't! Any tips would be helpful

 5. They will learn "NO", "DON'T" and "MINE" way before "YES" and "PLEASE"

I’m pretty sure NO was “E’s” 3^rd or 4^th word, he's now perfecting MINE and this month’s new word is DON’T.. We are on a roll!

6. They will not care if they sit in their own poop, even if you offer to change it

"E" is 23mths and has developed a lovely new habit we call “closet pooper”

7. They will put up a fight every time they get their diaper changed

Apparently I’m the lucky winner of this battle. He does not do this for anyone else. Lucky me!

8.  They will learn to give you the stink eye and roll their eyes before they are 2!

Mid Eye Roll

Classic Stink Eye

9. Will say mom, mum, MOMMA, moooooom more than you think is possible - in a 5 minute span

Enough said

 10. Will develop a complete hatred for food that he absolutely loved yesterday

          WTF? 

TO DO:

* Get cold meds & Kleenex..Another cold has hit our house...

* Read up on tips on how to get your kid to eat more than just PB&J

* Pick up some wine - it's going to be a long year..

Love my lil man but I strongly believe toddlers should come with warnings!

What would you share with parent newbies about toddlers?

Kid Art Hoarding

I’ve got a confession…My name is Ashley (crowd shouts in unison “Hi Ashley”)
My reply: I’m a kid art hoarder.

Well in all fairness, I’ve inherited them back from my mom’s crawlspace where they’ve lived for over 20yrs. I’ve already pitched a ton of it but I just can’t bring myself to toss out the last folder of junk art that’s about 20+ years ago. WHY!?, why can’t I do it!!?

I can just see it now…20 years from now, I will be buried under E’s collection of art.. 

 Don't get me wrong, I love that our lil man does a themed art project EVERYDAY at daycare but C’MON Teacher! Where am I going to store all of the little cutouts, overpainted, scribbled, ripped and random but cute projects in our tiny little house? (“The Mommy guilt” kicks in everytime I try to pitch’em..)

E's Recent Art

Dragon Mask for Chinese New Year/Puffy Paint and sparkles

Learning about China/Fingerpaint

Windmill painted with Marbles

I found the perfect solution! I will display them for a week,
Then I’ll add the artwork to a DIGITAL ART BOOK where they can live clutter free forever & ever!

(Photo source: A Little of This-A little of That ) 

http://alittleofthis---alittleofthat.blogspot.com/2010/11/diy-kids-art-display.html

I’ve been documenting E’s first 22mths in a digital photo album made on Blurb @Blurbbooks

I heart Blurb! It’s free to download & create books, the pricing is decent, shipping is pretty fast and the quality of the books are AMAZING!! (PS this is not a sponsored post - just pure, honest love!)

Check out a sampling of his ‘1^st year’ book here (professional photos are done by the lovely, talented Jacqueline Clement/Method Photography)

E's -1st yr | http://www.blurb.com

To Do’s

*Photograph E’s recent Art

*Start a new Blurb Book for his mounting kiddo artwork pile

*Display ‘said’ art

*Pitch last week’s art – With NO Mommy guilt!