Technology - Friend or Foe?

I have been thinking a lot about my use of modern technology. I spend a lot of time using it everyday. I do the accounting for my family's business, so many hours each week are spent at my desk in front of the computer. I have a laptop that I keep in my living room where I spend time blogging, reading blogs, and just general web surfing. I also have an iPhone which enables me to be connected at all times. I am able to check my email, Facebook, the weather, anything. I LOVE my iPhone! I wonder how I survived without it. But is being so connected, all the time, a good thing?

Sure, it's great to have access to information at the click of the mouse. Yes, it's important to be able to be contacted in the event of an emergency. But is it necessary to check personal email constantly throughout the day or to check Facebook to see what your "friends" are up to? Or to be constantly playing games or uploading apps? Probably not.

I find myself playing with my phone quite often. And honestly I haven't thought about it being a problem because I try not to let it interfere with my real life people interaction. But when I see other people preoccupied with their phone, it makes me realize that, when I am with my family and friends, I should put my phone away. My family and friends deserve my attention and are way more important than playing some silly game. And really, email is just not that important.

Fit by Labor Day Challenge - 1 week to go!

We're down to the last week of the Fit By Labor Day Challenge hosted by Samantha over at Mama Notes. It's been a great challenge and exactly what I needed to get back in shape. I am a fierce competitor and have always enjoyed a good challenge so I took this one and ran. Literally.

Running has been the key to my weight loss. I started the Couch to 5K running program the first week of the challenge and have progressed through 7 weeks of it. The program is 9 weeks so just 2 more and I'll be ready to run a 5K. I'll be competing in my first 5K in over 18 years on September 19th. I am very excited about it! My husband and my dad both asked me if I will be aiming to finish it or to race it. My response, "Are you seriously asking me that question? What do you think?" They both just smiled and nodded their heads. Of course I will be racing. I don't ever do anything "just to finish". I am a competitor. I can't help it.

Last week I posted that the proof is in the pudding. And it certainly is! I actually squeezed myself into my pre-pre-baby size 4 Express Jeans! And by pre-pre-baby, I mean my never had a kid, totally fit and trim, actually had a six-pack body of over 4 years ago. Can I get a what-what?! Talk about putting a skip in my step! I couldn't even get these jeans on past my knees 7 weeks ago.

So how's the weight loss going? I lost 1 pound this past week which brings me to 115 pounds, just 1 pound shy of my ultimate weight loss goal of 15 pounds! So, 1 week to go and 1 pound to lose. I think I can do it!

Up next week are the before and after pictures. I am anxious to see the difference!

Wordless Wednesday - Water Boy

Water Boy

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Cat naps don't make me purr!

I'm just saying, please don't tell me about the 2.5 hour naps your kids take. When I'm trying to get some work done when my son naps and he wakes up, yet again, right at 30 minutes, you know what thought comes to mind. Yes, that's right, that your kids, and it seems everyone else's kids nap 4 to 5 times longer than mine. And that just pisses me off! Take your nap and shove it!

ERGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG! Why will he not take a decent nap?????? What am I doing wrong? I am sooooo over it. Someone please come to my rescue!

Alright. Sorry for the outburst. I feel much better now. Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.

Fit by Labor Day Challenge - 6 weeks down, 2 to go

The Fit by Labor Day Challenge is nearly over. Only 2 weeks to go!

This week I ran my usual 3 days. The running is getting challenging. I finished week 6 of the Couch to 5K running program which meant that my 3rd run of the week was 25 minutes straight with no walk breaks. Like last week (at 20 minutes), I was anxious about being able to run that long without a break. But I did it. I just kept telling myself that running is 10% physical, and 90% mental, and if I could endure 18 hours of unmedicated labor then I can surely endure running for 25 minutes. Surely! And look. I got some new running shoes. Aren't they cute?!

My Bubby exercising is going great. Twice a day I am doing 50 squats, 50 side lunges, 25 regular lunges, and now I've added a new exercise, 50 torso twists. I don't know if the twists really do much, but Bubby sure likes them. After I do all of those exercises, I also do 25 push ups. Plus I do at least another 2 sets of 25 push ups at some point each day. Sounds like a lot, but really it's not bad at all. It has become part of my routine, and I like routine. Plus it's part of Bubby's daily routine so I can't not do it. Mandatory exercise! Mandatory exercise is good!

"Dieting" was okay this week. I was fairly disciplined, but I did kind of cheat on a couple of occasions. Ice cream on Friday, dessert earlier in the week, and of course, Grandma's southern cooking on Wednesday. But, I figure, why do all the running and exercising if I can't enjoy a treat here and there, right?! I'll just run a little harder, or do a few extra push ups. Life is too short not to have ice cream!

So, despite my "treats" this week, I lost another 2 pounds! That brings me to 116 pounds. 13 pounds lighter! I'm 2 pounds shy of my ultimate weight loss goal and I think I may make it there before this challenge is over. Unbelievable!

It is remarkable how much my body has changed in a mere 6 weeks. Being able to see the change makes me want to work even harder, which brings about even more change. They say that exercising is addictive, but I think it's the result of exercising that is addictive. At least that's what makes me want to exercise. The proof is in the pudding!

Her future's so bright...

... that she's gotta wear shades!

I'm a winner, again!

I can't believe it. I actually won another giveaway! Holly over at Domestic Dork held a giveaway to celebrate the grande opening of Coffee: Freshly Roasted Graphic Design, her new graphic design business, and I was the lucky winner of a custom designed button and header for my blog!

Never one to do things half way, I am also having her do a full blog makeover for me. Woo hoo! I am so excited! Now I need to figure out what it is that I want. Any ideas?

Wordless Wednesday - Best Friends

Cakes and her "Best Friend" Belle

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Fit by Labor Day Challenge - 5 weeks down, 3 to go

The first 5 weeks of the Fit By Labor Day Challenge have gone by so quickly. Time flies when you're having fun! Having fun. Ha! It's pretty comical seeing those words referring to exercising written by me. And although the process hasn't necessarily been "fun", seeing the results sure has been!

Running has been the key to my weight loss, and the Couch to 5K program has been the perfect way to begin running again. I finished week 5 and it was the most challenging week thus far. Day 3 consisted of 20 minutes straight running, with no breaks. I was nervous that I wouldn't be able to do it, but I did it with no trouble! Yeah me!

So this weekend I decided to see what 5K's were scheduled this fall. It was like fate, because there's one the week after I finish the C25K program, it is about 10 minutes from my house, and it benefits a local animal shelter. I am an animal lover! I'm going to do it and I am fairly excited about it, which is again very strange because I used to HATE cross country meets. But that's another story for another day.

My "diet" and other exercising are going well too. I continue to watch portions and try to make healthy choices. I have also added some regular lunges to my Bubby exercise routine. Now, I am doing 50 squats, 50 sideways lunges, and 25 regular lunges, twice a day, all while holding my 20ish pound Bubby boy. Phew! I break into a sweat every time. I'm also doing at least 100 push ups a day. I'm definitely seeing the changes in my arms and legs. It's been a while since I had some tone, but it's coming back!

So, this week was a good week for weight loss. I lost another 2 pounds for a cumulative weight loss of 11 pounds. I'm currently 118 pounds. I've surpassed my 8 week goal by 1 pound and am 4 pounds shy of my ultimate loss goal of 15 pounds! I am so proud of myself! I just need to keep it up. And I will. I better!

From the Mouth of Cakes - Dude looks like a lady!

Out at dinner tonight, this nice gentleman walks by our table.

And Cakes says to me "Mama, that man is a woman".

And then he sits down directly behind us!

I really wanted to laugh so hard, but I was a good mommy and contained myself. Honestly though, I just about peed myself!

Bubby's Cloth Diaper Stash

While I was pregnant with The Boy, I decided that I was going to use cloth diapers on him. In my quest to find the perfect diaper I did more research, on types and brands of cloth diapers, than any sane person should. I spent way too many hours online reading reviews and comparing prices. Then I found a site called Diaper Swappers. There I found all the information that I needed to make my decision as to what kind of diapers I was going to buy.

I decided on pocket diapers, more specifically, one size pocket diapers. One size diapers typically fit from 8-35 pounds, although each brand varies. What they all have in common is that the rise adjusts in order to fit from birth to potty training. Pocket diapers are basically a waterproof cover with a pocket which you stuff an absorbent insert into. I bought several different brands - bumGenius, Happy Heiny's, Mommy's Touch, and Haute Pockets. But after 11 months of use I have thinned Bubby's stash to 2 brands.

My favorite are the bumGenius (BG) one size pockets. I have 20 or so. They are my go-to diaper. They are easy to use and they rarely leak. They are also fairly trim, as far as cloth diapers go. My only complaint is that the aplix (velcro) gets a bit ratty and Bubby has figured out how to undo the aplix. To solve both problems I have converted the aplix to snaps.

bumGenius One Size

A close second are the Happy Heiny's. I have about 15 of these. They are a bit bigger than the BG's which is probably the only reason that I don't like them as much. But they work just as well. I've had a few leaks with them but overall fairly reliable. That being said, I always leave the house with a BG on Bubby and a BG in the diaper bag. The aplix on these get a little weak, so I have converted them to snaps as well. These are available in a snap version, which I would highly recommend.

Happy Heiny's One Size

When people find out that I use cloth diapers, most are surprised and also very curious. I love Bubby's diapers and I enjoy showing them off to anyone that is interested. Cloth diapering seems so normal to me now. I can't believe that everyone doesn't use them. They are easy to use, much better for the environment AND your baby's bum, and they save you a lot of money! I wish I would have used them with my first.

Spotlight on PR - Hi! My name is...

Thanks for stopping by my little place in the blog-o-sphere! Here you will find my Rambles, Rants, and Raves about my life as a wife, mother and everything else in between. And yes, this is a mommy blog.

Before I introduce myself, let me take a moment to give a shout out to Feels Like Home and Adrienne's House. They are hosting this Spotlight on PR event. Check it out if you are interested in getting your blog out there for PR professionals. I'm putting mine out there!

.

And now back to me.

Hi! My name is Chanda and I am an addict. I am addicted to all things having to do with my family, and I am addicted to blogging about it. Ha! No seriously, I'm not an addict, but I do spend most of my time with my husband and children and I am interested in doing the best I can for my family. And I also like to blog. A lot. Mostly about my children and stuff that comes along with having children.

Now, a little bit about me...I am a 37-year old, domestically disinclined wife of 10 years. I am a work-from-home, breastfeeding, baby wearing, cloth diapering, baby food making, somewhat attachment parenting, mother of 2 wonderful children - spunky daughter aka Cakes, who is 3 going on 13, and laid back 11-month old son aka Bubby. I am a lover of animals, especially my dogs (4 Rat Terriers) and horses. I was a professional horsewoman before I had children and now I am the keeper of the books for my family's business. I am an amateur photographer and enjoy taking pictures of my children. I spend lots of time outdoors - walking, running, picnic-ing, boating, swimming, mowing, and most importantly playing with my children.

So, if you are a PR professional looking for a mommy blogger like me to review your products or host your giveaways, I'm your gal. I am honest, professional and I blog with integrity!

Contact me at ramblesrantsandraves@gmail.com

Wordless Wednesday - Ahoy!

Ahoy!

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I'm a winner!

I can't believe it! I just won the Earth Baby Organics giveaway hosted by Samantha at Mama Notes! I don't ever enter giveaways, but this one was appealing because they had these travel pack organic baby wipes and I need some. So I entered and I won!

I never win stuff, but I guess you need to enter in order to win. Lesson learned. Time to go enter some more giveaways. I hope I win this one hosted by Mama Notes for a Baby Fun Ball. I think Bubby would really like it!

Perhaps I should go buy a lotto ticket, too! Wish me luck!

Fit by Labor Day Challenge - Half way there!

While out on the lake yesterday and as I was swimming a lap around the boat, my friend commented that I had caught the exercise bug. And she's right! It's funny because I resisted so hard to getting back in shape. I knew that if I really wanted to lose weight and get fit, I was going to have to change the way I was eating and get my butt off the couch. Frankly, I liked eating whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. And exercise? Ugh. Running would do the trick but the thought of running was so unappealing. I had a hate/hate relationship with running.

I needed some motivation. Then I came across the 8-week Fit By Labor Day Challenge over at Mama Notes. It was perfect timing. So I began my quest to get fit by running following the Couch to 5k running program, started doing little exercises throughout my day, and began watching what I was eating.

Now, 4 weeks later and 9 pounds lighter, I am hooked. In addition to running 3 days and doing my various exercises throughout the day, I try to find additional opportunities for exercise. For example, while on a mini vacation/business trip this week, instead of just hanging out in the pool with the kids, I did laps while pushing Bubby in his float. Talk about a leg workout! And taking walks after dinner has become the norm. We all love our daily walks and it's great family time.

What I am learning through this challenge is that getting healthy and losing weight is not only about making a lifestyle change, it's about changing your view of exercise and healthy eating as a positive rather than something you have to do to lose weight. In the end, it's really not about the number you see on the scale, it's the results you see in your health and your life. The smaller jean size is just an added perk!

Old Friend, New Friendship

What a great time we had on the lake today! I think it was like 92 degrees and mostly sunny. A perfect day for hanging out on the boat and swimming/floating in the lake. We have spent a lot of time on the lake this summer. At least once a week we take the boat out. Sometimes we meet friends out, but it's always tough coordinating schedules, so usually it's just the 4 of us. But today we got together with one of my friends from high school.

It's funny how things work out. We were great friends in high school (over 20 years ago) but we didn't see each other or keep in touch over the years. A few years ago we reconnected on My Space and talked about getting together. We never did. Then we ran into each other about a year ago and chatted briefly and talked about getting together again. We never did. Then we discovered that her cousin was my neighbor. And then we reconnected on Facebook. We've exchanged messages and chatted via Facebook and had several online conversations about getting together and we finally did it. We finally got together and hung out!

It was a lot of fun just hanging out with our families and chatting with and amongst each other. Cakes and her 4-year old daughter had fun playing and swimming. Hubby and her fiance hit it off and had lots of conversation. And she and I picked up where we left off some 20 years ago. It was nice. We have plans to get together again next week and I'm looking forward to it.

So it took four times to actually reconnect. I guess I've always been somewhat hesitant to reconnect with old friends. It's not that I don't want to get together with them, it's just that: 1. I am very busy and it's rare that I have much free time and 2. When I do have free time, I want to spend it with my husband and kids. So basically, if you want to spend time with me, you better want to spend time with my hubs and kids too. And then I wonder what that person is like now and if we will have anything in common?

Is it worth trying to reconnect and risk an awkward get together? My conclusion is a definite yes, it was worth it. It seems like my old friend and I are beginning a new friendship and I like that!

Wordless Wednesday - Bathtime Footsies

Little Brother and Big Sister playing footsies in the bath.

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Fit by Labor Day Challenge - 3 weeks down, 5 to go

First things first. I want to give Samantha over at Mama Notes a huge shout out and an even bigger thanks for starting this Body After Baby Fit By Labor Day Challenge. It really was just what I needed to get me off my butt and on the road to getting fit. THANK YOU!

Now a progress update. It has been three full weeks of getting back in shape, and so far, so good!I'm feeling great and noticing some nice changes in my body. Most notably, my mummy tummy and my muffin top are shrinking! Hip, hip, hooray! I have lost another 2 pounds which brings me down to 122 pounds, for a total loss of 7 pounds thus far. Three more pounds until I reach my 8 week goal and I have 5 weeks to get there. Wow is all I can say! I hope I can keep it up!

Running has been going well. I completed week 3 of the Couch to 5K running program and started week 4 a day early. My run days have been Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, but I knew I would not be able to fit in a run Monday so I ran today (Sunday). Today was the first day of the program where there was a fair amount of running and it was a lot easier than I expected. I have my sights on my first 5K. Well, not my first, as I have ran more than I could possibly count, but my first in 18 years. Yikes! That's like half my age ago! Anyway, I must say that I am really impressed with the C25K program and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to start running.

All of my other exercising is going well too. I am still doing squats and side lunges with the Bubby everyday usually twice a day, push-ups 20 reps several times a day, and lots of walks with the kids after dinner, at least 5 times this week. It all has become part of my normal day to day routine. I also mowed the lawn and swam at the lake.

"Dieting" is going fine. Food is really a non-issue for me. It's easy for me to watch what I eat and I actually do prefer to eat healthy. My concern with "dieting" is that I am still nursing Bubby and I don't want to compromise my milk supply. I think about this a lot. So far I haven't noticed a change, but I'm keeping a close eye on it. I'll have to add some cupcakes to my diet if it becomes an issue! Ha!

My goals for the week are to continue with what I've been doing, and to add some stretching and yoga to the mix. This week will be a test of my exercise/diet commitment. It's going to be a busy week, but I can do it!

Mama-Made Baby Meals

It seems like yesterday that I was making batch after batch of baby purees for my little Bubby. My fridge was stocked with cubes of various fruits and vegetables. It required some effort to always have a good variety of purees on hand, but so worth it. I believe that fresh, full flavor food in a wide variety from the very beginning leads to healthy children that will eat anything!

While Bubby was learning how to eat, he was also figuring out what he liked and didn't like. He showed a particular dislike for green veggies. And dislike is stating it mildly. If I would sneak a bite in, he would actually gag and spit it out. It appeared that I had a picky eater on my hands. But I was not giving up easily. I was determined not have a picky eater. So I continued to feed him green veggies every day, but the only way I could get him to eat them was to mix them with something else. Banana, his favorite food, was the best bet, although just about any fruit would work.

Now, at almost 11 months, this boy will eat anything you offer him! Gone are the days of making batches of purees and disguising his greens. Bubby's lunch/dinner meals typically look like this:
This particular meal is a vegetable/fruit puree made with yellow squash, broccoli, green beans, and nectarine. Next to the puree is rice cereal. I saved a few pieces of veggies for some finger food. Some pieces of nectarine and some peeled and quartered grapes for his fruit, and scrambled egg yolk for protein.

Most meals will consist of a puree of some sort, some rice or 5-grain puff cereal or pasta, bits of cooked veggies, a protein, like cooked egg yolk, cottage cheese, or tofu, and bits of fruit. The puree is made with whatever vegetables and fruit that I have on hand using a little mini blender kind of like this one. Other options include fruit mixed with plain yogurt, bits of cheese, avocado, and of course O's.

Since we eat out a lot, I always bring Bubby's meal in a to-go plate like above. I love my to-go plates with lids. They make it easy to take his meal with us anywhere. While out, people are always commenting on Bubby's food. So many people are amazed that I actually prepare his meals. But as you see, it's really quite simple. And honestly, I can't imagine feeding him the commercial jarred baby food. That stuff seems so gross to me! I want my baby to eat real food that is full of flavor and nutrients, not that over processed and completely tasteless stuff.