Dailymile

I have been a gym member for the past (almost) two years. If you have children, it is not that easy. The first couple of times, when I brought Coqui to the child care over there, he was not so happy. But after a while, he figured I'll come back and he can run around in their play thing over there. So it worked great for me to go two to three times a week. Yeah for me... back then....

Now that I have two children and one VERY clingy one - oh well, I do this child exchange with my neighbor. She has my kids for my gym day for about an hour and a half. And in return I take her child for about two and a half hours a different day. I kind of feel when I take hers for a little longer, it's more just, as my two ones are much more work for her....

So I only get to work out once a week..... bummer! My husband didn't want me to run in our neighborhood, but today, he finally gave in and let me do it. It is easy to run on the treadmill - at least for me. I can see how fast I get how far and I like it that way. Running outside where you don't know anything but that it is way too hot, it's a whole different world. But I want to do more than just once a week and I also want to run - sometime in my life - at least a 5K. If I ever can do more than that, great, but so far, my goal is a 5K, for some charity to support something that I am interested in - like some cancer walk or run.

It was hot out there today, because I ran right before 8pm. But it felt good. I was sweating like crazy, but a good sweat!!! I am happy.....

Sign Language

Over the past couple of years I have heard over and over how beneficial it is to teach sign language to your baby so it can communicate before being able to speak. So far I had split opinions about it. Like aren't you holding them back from actual speaking? Or then like it might be worth a try....

So when Peanut came along and I found the sign language book at my neighbor's house, I thought to myself that it might be worth trying - I mean after all what could I loose, right? I only know a few signs, like 'more' and 'up' and 'done'....

After using it for the past five months or so, today, Peanut signed 'more' for the very first time! I am so amazed that it actually really works! Of course, she signs 'more' because food is her favorite entertainment of the day (and probably at night if I would let her!?). I am glad that I did it and this encourages me to learn more for myself and then teach her some more, too.

My little escape artist

The other day I was busy with something, either the dishes in the kitchen or the bathroom. I am not so sure anymore. BUT I was busy and the kids were downstairs with me - or so I thought. When I was done with what I was doing, it was so quiet and there was a far voice from my daughter making noise that almost sounded like calling me....
Mmmh, where could she be?
Well, I didn't have to look too far - she was on the top of the stairs looking down and what sounded like: 'Mami, I am here, upstairs, I did it all by myself, and I know that I cannot climb down yet, and I don't know how to close the gate either.'
Okay, little girl, I need to keep a closer eye on you!!!

Dinner - Accomplished!

Remember my post about my struggles with dinner? Well, I don't want to shout out to soon, but I think I have overcome it, somewhat.....

So what have I changed since? Peanut is still taking her three naps, one of them after lunch. So I make Coqui take his quiet time at the same time. After that, we go downstairs together, he usually wants to watch some TV, and I 'do' dinner. That meaning, I prepare as much as I can, ready to cook or so. So if I have potatoes, I peel them, put them in the water, ready to be cooked. If I have meat or fish to prepare, I do that, marinate and such, and put it out to be cooked or grilled. If there is a salad, I make it so it is done. Today, we have leftover burgers that I turned into noodles with meat sauce. So it is already ready! And we have 9 am!!! Yeah. I am so proud of myself....
Of course, this might not work each and every single day - but mostly it seems it does. Woo hoo.

So thank God, I finally found a way to serve my husband and children and stay sane at the same time! Amen.