Laden with Thoughts

I’ve been putting in a lot of effort these last few weeks to live a healthier lifestyle.  While it’s true that I spend much of my time chasing children around, I haven’t had a regular workout routine in years.  Like… nine years.  That’s too many years.  Oy.

SO!  Last week I joined Curves and have worked out three times this week (with a planned fourth workout tomorrow morning).  I’ve also joined WW online to keep track of the food I’m eating.  Mostly what I need is accountability when it comes to my horrible snacking/grazing habits… I love me some cheesy salty goodness.  (Om nom nom nom nom.)  It’s quite humbling when my computer forces me to tell it what I actually ate for lunch… I can feel it judging me.  No, really.

But it’s worth it!  Today I had my first positive and significant step forward: I lost a pound since last week!  It’s progress, and I feel more motivated than ever to keep up this hard work.  In addition, I’ve felt happier and more energetic on the days when I’ve visited the gym first thing in the morning.

Yay.  I need this.  It’s time to be happy and fit!  Or… at least happy.  The fit part will hopefully follow.  ;)

My mother bought this book, Tuesday by David Wiesner, as a birthday gift for Liam.  The unique thing about this childrens book is that there is no dialogue or narration, only vibrant pictures allowing the reader to imagine what is going on for himself without direction from the author’s words.  Liam’s interest was piqued instantly.

Many people might not understand how a four year old child would benefit from a picture book as opposed to a book with words that might assist in the development of the child’s reading and spelling skills.  My mother, being an ASL interpreter, knows all too well the importance of encouraging abstract thinking by using pictures, or gestures in conversation.  Without using gestures while speaking or suggesting feelings or thoughts through pictures and artwork, our brains would lose necessary and vital stimulation which over time could hurt our ability to express ourselves properly, or to think “outside the box”.

I enjoyed flipping through the book’s colorful pages, giggling here and there while the story of frogs on flying lilypads unfolded.  Liam giggled as well, and as we looked at all the pictures he explained to me what was going on in the story.  It was a moment of clarity and excitement for him; he was proud to be reading a book to ME instead of the other way around.  We have a few other books by David Wiesner that I am looking forward to “reading” with both Liam and Maeve!

Tuesday by David Wiesner was published in 1991 and was a recipient of the Caldecott Medal in 1992.

What are little boys made of?
Snips and snails, and puppy dogs tails
That’s what little boys are made of!

My amazing, talented, intelligent, and (more than) slightly mischievous boy turns four today!  I could not be more proud of Liam, although I would really really appreciate it if he’d get a move on with the potty training issue.  Come on, dude.

Ahem.  I digress.

As I’m told most little boys do, Liam enjoys banging on things and making up songs, so of course for his birthday he is getting a small drumset.  The perfect gift for a four year old, and the perfect way to ensure that my migraines never go away!  (See?  See how moms sacrifice for their children?)

The drums are all set up in the living room, waiting for Liam to get up from his nap and pound away joyfully on them.

What have I done?

Happy Birthday to my sweet boy!  I love you, Liam Michael.

“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.”
- Pericles

Life is brand new and terrifying. With each step I am further away from where I’ve been, but closer to being true to myself.

I hope I am on my way to happiness.

I hope I am doing right by my children.

I hope my son and my daughter grow up knowing who they truly are, and who they want to become.

I hope the way my story weaves through the lives of others leaves the world a better place, and not a harsher one.