Not a Loud Mouth Mom: Six Pack Mack

Not a Loud Mouth Mom: Six Pack Mack: I must admit, one of my biggest fears about being pregnant was that the pregnancy would "ruin" my body. I was never embarrassed to sha...

Six Pack Mack

     I must admit, one of my biggest fears about being pregnant was that the pregnancy would "ruin" my body. I was never embarrassed to share the sentiment (although I am now slightly embarrassed for myself that I was so vocal about it!) and I often rattled off all of the changes in my body I feared as I simultaneously jogged in place and completed a set of push-ups. Little did I know that pregnancy would in fact be the impetus for me to completely improve the way I viewed myself, my relationship with food, and my relationship with exercise.
     I was always extraordinarily proud of my "six pack" abs (no shame showing them, a la Mike "The Situation"Sorrentino...perhaps I should be more ashamed that I watch Jersey Shore?)..so as Josh and I began to document my pregnancy with a weekly snapshot of my belly, I soon noticed that my abdominal muscles were a four pack...then a two pack...and soon, it looked as if I guzzled a six pack... of beer. Anxiety started to creep through my mind and body and then, I felt a flutter.  It was as if our developing baby was reminding me, "hey, you have something much more important to think about now...nourish me, enjoy the process, and forget the rest." A sense of calm flushed away the icky tingly feelings of anxiety as (much to Josh's delight) for the first time in years, I ate a cone filled with full fat (to be read with sarcasm: the horror!) ice cream from Marvel.

Shout out to cousin Kathy! (in this picture with me and my pregnant self at Marvel)

Not a Loud Mouth Mom: Thank you

Not a Loud Mouth Mom: Thank you: Geez! Is it me, or does it seem as if the media increasingly bashes educators?! I am thankful for: Barry Davidson , my high school math tea...

Thank you

Geez! Is it me, or does it seem as if the media increasingly bashes educators?! I am thankful for: Barry Davidson, my high school math teacher, for changing my life forever by urging me to go away to college; my Home and Careers teachers for cultivating my love for cooking/baking and teaching me how to crack an egg, and properly measure with the meniscus; my earth science teacher, Mr. Hahn ( Peggy... Hahn Moran), for sparking my love of the physical sciences; my teachers of english, u(Ms. McPhillamy, for one) for encouraging me to write, and for teaching the proper mechanics of writing; for my physical education teachers, who taught me that participation in sports/fitness leads to confidence and leadership skills; for my health teachers, for introducing me into the world of health; for Mr. Kaye, my biology teacher, who showed a video that led to me to always wear a seatbelt (and provided me with the information to share with my parents to urge them to do so as well)...The list of educators who helped shape my life can go on and on...Perhaps those who are so critical of educators should take a few moments to reflect on the ways in which teachers have made a positive impact in their lives! Thank you, to all of the hard working and dedicated educators out there! Please know that there are still many people who respect you and are grateful for your service!!

Not a Loud Mouth Mom: A Year in the Life of a New Mother

Not a Loud Mouth Mom: A Year in the Life of a New Mother: On the way to dinner, "pre-baby" The day after Calleigh was born: I am lying in the hospital bed, thumbing through a People Magazine a...

A Year in the Life of a New Mother

On the way to dinner, "pre-baby"

The day after Calleigh was born:  I am lying in the hospital bed, thumbing through a People Magazine and casually eating breakfast.   It is 8:20 AM.  A nurse wheels Calleigh's bassinet into my room.  I check my watch and (I am slightly embarrassed to admit) I state, "I asked that the baby (notice I did not refer to "the baby" as "Calleigh" yet) not be brought to my room until 8:30."  The nurse dryly replies, "Well, she's here now" and exits the room.    I call Josh and beg him to "hurry and get to the hospital".  I feel as confused about how to care for "the baby" as if I was abandoned in the middle of a country in which I do not speak the language. 
Feelings of terror and sheer panic flood through my typically (pre-baby) calm mind.

A week after Calleigh is born:   I am feeling calm, confident, and well-rested, as we were fortunate to have a baby nurse live with us and educate us for a week an a half.  Little do I realize that this is the "calm before the storm".  Unfortunately, some people attempt to tell me that.  Fortunately, I am in a state of denial.

An angel in whites: Shantee, baby nurse

Stay tuned, until tomorrow, as the journey continues....

Not a Loud Mouth Mom: Quinoa Chili

Not a Loud Mouth Mom: Quinoa Chili: This dish is healthy, hearty, delicious, and (best of all) easy to cook! The fluffy texture of the quinoa (pronounced "keen-wah") complement...