Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

Talia is crawling!

We arrived home after church this morning and left the kids to play in the living room while I got lunch together. A few minutes later I heard Seth, "Baby Girl, you're doing it! ... Kiersten! Come quick!" Knowing what must be going on, I dropped the fork with which I was stirring the tuna noodle casserole and hurtled into the living room. Seth backed her up a few feet from the puzzle she was examining and sure enough she wiggled and squirmed herself into a knees bent, "all fours" pose. One knee stepped forward, followed by the other before she collapsed face-down in a heap of exhaustion.

Go Talia!

On Weight Loss and Mental Progress

I had a weight-loss breakthrough last week. It came in the unlikely form of a container full of cookies. I was trying, successfully (although barely), to resist the temptation to snack on them mid-afternoon and thus giving myself a little pep talk. While I went through the traditional line of half-hearted reasoning that usually ends in weakened resolve and giving in to temptation a brand new thought hit me: "Successfully thin people don't routinely snack on cookies in the middle of the afternoon. I have to think like a thin person!"

One of my favorite motivational authors/speakers is a financial expert by the name of Dave Ramsey. (Some of you are wondering what can possibly be inspirational about finances!) On his daily call-in radio show he will sometimes give advice that is contrary to the counsel of the other "experts" in the caller's life, based on what he calls "plain math." In these cases he often tells people, "if you want to be rich, study rich people (not your broke brother-in-law with an opinion) and do what they do." In my case, if I want to be thin I need to replace my default mindset with the thought and motivation of those who succeed in being thin.

This may not sound very revolutionary, but when compared to the way I've been thinking for my entire weight loss journey, it is almost a 180-degree shift for me. I lost 45 pounds after giving birth to Benjamin. While pregnant with Talia I gained back some pregnancy pounds (as I should have) and have now lost all but 5 of that. Now that I am "mostly" back to pre-pregnancy weight, losing momentum, and busy with routine and kids I am finding that my old line of reasoning is dangerously close to leading back to my old (not thin) self. As this new thought settles in and takes root I am realizing I have gone through my entire journey mostly thinking, "what can I get away with?" rather than, "what will best help me meet my goals?"

When I compare these two thought patterns I realize the first sets me up in a victim mentality. I am imagining myself under the thumb of some undefined authority and, like a mischievous imp, trying to push the limits to the point just before I get in trouble. My, how mature. That sounds like my 2-year-old! On the other hand having a default mindset that involves the bigger picture (my goals) automatically places me in a position of strength. I am no longer slave to those unwanted masters, Guilt and Obligation; instead I have given authority to a much nobler captain: Hope. I am seeing a worthy goal and choosing to believe it is attainable. When I make decisions that will lead to the desired outcome, temporarily painful though they may be, the results are only positive and beneficial.

Hmm. This is all sounding strangely familiar. Maybe its the echo of that famous Weight Watchers mantra floating around in my head "It's not a diet, it's a lifestyle." Or as the title of one email newsletter asked lately, "Are you still thinking like a dieter?" Isn't it funny how something you've heard a million times before can suddenly make perfect sense?

Banana Pudding

To be honest, I've never really given much thought to banana pudding before this morning. But today I have discovered something: it is a miracle food! I absolutely adore banana pudding. Now I'm not talking about the fancy banana pudding people make here in the South--with Nilla wafers and real bananas in it--nope, just plain old package mix banana pudding, Wal-Mart brand.

What!? is so special about banana pudding, you may ask. Well, nothing...unless you have a baby who's name is Talia and she is 1 year old and she refuses (I mean REFUSES) to take her antibiotics for her double ear infection. Yesterday we had a screaming, flailing, sweating, spitting, red-in-the-face, vomiting little girl who would NOT take her medicine. Today we had a slightly apprehensive, mildly fussy, yet ultimately compliant little girl who eventually took every last drop of Augmentin because it was mixed into banana pudding. God bless the pharmacist at Rite Aid who suggested such a brilliant course of action!

Sick :(

Yesterday morning, while I attended a ladies meeting for our Sunday School class (that I happened to be semi-"in charge" of) Seth took both kids to the pediatrician's office. By himself. For a double appointment. I myself have only braved this feat once, but Seth the fearless Daddy, defender of his poor sick children, said "bring it on!"

Both kids have had cold symptoms all week: runny noses, cough, a bit fussy. All in all, however, I was feeling like we had fairly mild cases, compared to some of the bugs that have been going around. Until Friday. Benjamin woke up from his afternoon nap and at first sight I could tell he had a fever. The thermometer finally stopped climbing at 103.0. I called the pediatrician on call who told me to give Benjamin a couple of extra breathing treatments and bring him in to the office in the morning. As the evening progressed it became clear that Talia was quickly following suite. A long, restless, feverish night ensued.

Upon completion of my meeting I called, anxious for the diagnosis. They were at Rite Aid turning in prescriptions--uh oh, not a good sign. Talia, as it turns out has a double ear infection (that would explain the repeated inconsolable crying the previous night) and possibly a touch of the flu. Benjamin came out with a diagnosis of right lung pnemonia. He also has the flu.

On my way home I picked up the previously mentioned prescriptions, a total of 4 bottles, although happily both children are on the same medications (an antibiotic and Tamiflu to reduce flu symptoms) with the same doses.

Unfortunately, things got worse before they started getting better--let's just say certain events led to 2 unplanned loads of laundry, but fortunately today they seem to be on the mend. Benjamin has perked up quite a bit and is no longer fighting his high fever. Talia slept a little better last night and seems to be in less pain today. And no more unplanned laundry. Both kids are now sleeping peacefully, a fact of which I intend to take full advantage with a nap of my own!

February 13, 2008

Some memories from Talia's 1st birthday:

Shortly after we heard the happy early morning banter begin in the kids' shared room, Seth and I made our entrance to usher in our little lady's special day with a chorus of "Happy Birthday." She seemed quite pleased with all the lavished attention. The kids and I had an unexpectedly relaxed day at home as inclement weather prevented our normal Wednesday church routine. Late in the afternoon Papo and Mamacita (Seth's parents) arrived from Nashville where they had spent the weekend and first half of the week. Shortly after their arrival we headed to our local mall where we subjected the poor birthday girl to the rite of passage known as ear piercing. I consider it her introduction to that age-old womanly truth "beauty is pain." Fortunately the tears lasted only a few moments and her new sparkling accessories are an adorable addition to her sweet and shining countenance. In the words of Renoir, "The pain passes, but the beauty remains."

Thursday began with an early-morning picture appointment. Talia was what I would call more "interested" in the whole picture-taking process, than "into" it. After the first several shots she actually began to anticipate the flash, which led to some hysterical shots of the eyes-half-closed variety. The pediatrician's office was the next stop. By the time he finished the check-up (Talia is at the peak age for stranger anxiety) and finger-stick to check her blood, I'm pretty sure she had decided that this birthday stuff is overrated. We made it up to her by taking her to Mimi's for lunch and then home for a good long, well-deserved nap.



The big party on Saturday was lots of fun! The theme was "Our Sweetheart" and it was the pinkest, frilliest, girliest little party you can imagine. My favorite mental image is of Seth, kneeling on the ground, patiently applying masking tape to the backs of nearly 100 construction paper hearts for use in a game. What a great Daddy! Talia enjoyed playing in the toy corner (stocked with all her favorite toys), sitting on the laps of various family members and friends, eating birthday cake off of Mama's fingers (she refused to touch it), and pulling tissue paper out of gift bags. Unfortunately the birthday girl was in a bit of a daze, not to mention her parents, as she had been up from 1:30 to 4:00 am the night before.

We enjoyed celebrating with many family members who came to town for the occassion: the aforementioned Papo & Mamacita, Uncle Phil, Aunt Vicki and cousins Siena (with whom Talia shares her birthday), Paris & Zack. Three days after the party Mima (my mom) flew in and spent a week with us.


In case you are wondering, Benjamin handled the showering of attention on his sister with poise and dignity. Actually, he really appeared not to notice that much, other than taking advantage of our preoccupation during the party to stuff his mouth repeatedly with the Sweetheart candies ("conversation hearts") decorating the tables.

Sweet 1

The night before Talia's first birthday I was stressing out over all the things I had to do before our company came and the big party. I was in task mode, making my grocery list, dealing with last-minute details around the house, and running to Wal-Mart to get all the food we would need for the next several days. When I got home Talia was waiting (and wailing) to be fed and in the middle of feeding her I realized...this is the last night my baby girl is going to be "none." Suddenly all the hurry didn't matter anymore.

So we turned down the lights and sat in the rocking chair and I sang her special lullaby (the first one I sang to her in the hospital just after she was born). Sigh. Everyone always tells you "they grow up so fast," but what they don't tell you is how happy and sad it makes you.

Snow Day!

Being from California, Seth and I have always been rather partial to the idea of snow in winter. You might say, in our minds, it was one of the perks of moving to Kentucky. And so I'm sorry to say that, in general, we have been rather disappointed on that front, especially the last couple of years. Last night we finally got what we have been waiting for: a big, huge, beautiful blanket of snow!

Now we have gotten a dusting or two in the past couple of months, but nothing that really stuck around for long. Every time the flurries would start to swirl Benjamin would look outside and exclaim, "SNOWMAN!" And I would explain to him, "no, Babe, there's not going to be enough snow for us to make a snowman. I'm sorry."

Today Benjamin finally got his winter wish. Seth stayed home this morning and worked remotely, so at lunchtime we all bundled up and trooped outside where we set to packing the icy crust into three large balls. Benjamin helped me tromp across the yard to find stick arms while Seth selected rocks from Benjamin's copious collection for eyes. A limp carrot (no longer fit for eating) became the characteristic snowman beak; I even donated my hat for the cause.

This is our 6th winter in Kentucky, and our first snowman!