Hello, old friend.

And that old friend would be Weight Watchers.  Yes, I'm back.  After seeing a picture taken of me on New Year's Eve, I'm so back.  The new points system has been working out well.  I think having to relearn a completely new way is good for me.  It forces me to not be lazy or think I know what I'm doing.  I have to go through it step by step, like I did, gosh, almost 10 years ago.  You forget a lot in 10 years.  Going to meeting and not having to run the meeting was FUN!  Plus my buddies Chris and Gretchen were there, so the whole team was back together.  And now I'm going to gloat about my husband.  He has been incredibly supportive.  Although I'm sure he is secretly so sick of hearing about points all of the time, he has gone far above and beyond what I would have ever expected.  When he cooks, he takes the time to measure my food for me and does his best to keep it healthy.  (Yes, I'm very spoiled by him)  Then there was today.  I came home from work, really tired, slight headache, really not feeling like getting on the treadmill.  When he got home (45 min later) I still had not even changed into my workout clothes.  We talked a bit, I told him how I was feeling, and he said "you have 5 min. to be in your workout clothes.  Go."  So I went.  And I was sooooo glad I went!  I was able to complete my run (which I totally had convinced myself I couldn't do) and stay on track!  He's been a great motivator!  He's patient with me too and I really appreciate that.  No pictures this time, but soon I'll discuss my progress.

Kujichagulia (Koo-jee-cha-goo-LEE-ah)

Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) - To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves

Jeremy is currently doing a show with his elementary students called "December Nights, December Lights".  It's a nice show that teaches about different ways people celebrate the holidays in December.  Long story short, one of the holidays they sing about is Kwanzaa.  There are 7 principles of Kwanzaa and Kujichagulia (Koo-jee-cha-goo-LEE-ah) is one of them.  Lately around our house we've been using this word to describe Paxton and her antics.  People probably wonder what the heck we are talking about.  That's ok!  Keep 'em guessing.

Here is Paxton demonstrating a little Kujichagulia.

Chatty Cathy

Well, we are now fully immersed in "toddlerhood".  Paxton is 19 months old today, and seems to be adding words to her vocabulary at breakneck speed.  Virtually anything we say gets repeated back to us now, which has made for a couple of interesting moments.  I will definitely have to "filter" myself a little better, especially when I am driving with her in the car.  This may be tough.

Here are a couple of conversations that have taken place in our house recently.
Dad:  "Paxton, do you want to go take a bath?"
Pax: "babblebabbleyadayadaiddlediddle bath"
 (roughly translates into "I really don't feel like taking a bath")
Dad (trying again): "Paxton, it's time for your bath."
Pax: "iddlesidjflasdjkgajsdkfasewickwedief bath"
 (again, "I said I really don't feel like taking a bath")
Dad (3rd times a charm, right?): "Pax, let's go take a bath."
Pax: "No."
The End.  I guess he was told.

A very similar conversation took place later involving the potty.  She isn't trained on the potty at all yet, but we keep trying to get her to spend some time on it in hopes that something may happen.  I could type it all out, but if you just substitute the word "potty" for "bath" you get the idea.

Paxton is becoming QUITE the independent and opinionated one.  I have no idea where she gets it.  :-)

Dirty Girl

Paxton love to dig in the dirt!  Thankfully we seemed to have finally moved past tasting the dirt.  Here are a few shots of our girl in action today.  First she sits in the dirt and rubs her hands all around in it.

Next she moves it from "here" to "there".  This is the part where she grabs handfuls of dirt over and over and drops them.

Sometimes she puts the dirt in her hair....

....where it gets piled up on her cute little pink bow.  Such a lady!

And when the excitement finally wears off, she stands up and we get to see this.

The End.

My new favorite picture

In case you haven't seen this yet, here is my new favorite picture of Paxton.

The expression on her face is one of pure orneriness (is that a word?) and I love it!  Although a picture is worth a 1,000 words, here's a little more about that day.  Jeremy was outside shucking corn and Paxton was "helping".  Paxton LOVES corn on the cob and within a minute or so was happily munching away.  No, we had not cooked the corn yet, but she didn't care.  Here's a pic of her corn-eating face.

After she was done with the corn, I decided it was time for a small photo shoot.  The light was good and she was in a playful mood.  First she had to get into her chair.  This required a great deal of effort.

                                              

Next I fixed her hair and she posed nicely.  If I could post all of the pics from this setting, you would notice her right leg swinging back and forth.  This is a back shot, not a forth.  Just had to clarify.

The she got out of her chair and looked right into the lens.  I thought this picture was absolutely beautiful.  Her eyes look very big and thoughtful.  She also looks about 5 years old, but I don't want to think about that right now.

Right after this shot was taken, she started squealing with laughter and I got the picture that I posted at the beginning.  After that she took off and I captured one last moment of joy...

My daughter....

Never ceases to amaze me.  It's been so interesting getting to know this new little person.  I LOVE how her personality is becoming more clear.  For example, if you want her to do something, it's best to make it seem like it was her idea.  When I want her to take a drink from her sippy cup, holding it up to her mouth usually doesn't work.  She will just bat it away.  However, if you just make sure she sees it, then put it within reach, 9 times out of 10 she will take a drink.  Saying "no" just makes her cry, so redirecting seems to make everyone happier.  Although, at times, no's are inevitable.  Her communication is getting better too!  When she wants to go outside she says "bubbles" and starts bringing shoes to you.  It doesn't really matter whose shoes they are, she just starts hauling them over.  Recently we were outside playing with the bubbles and the bubble stick seemed to disappear.  (She was standing on the front porch which has boards with gaps in them)  After looking around a bit, I finally just looked at Paxton and said "what did you do with the bubble stick?"  She then proceeded to point down at the boards and speak toddler to me, which sounded a whole lot like "it's down there".  Sure enough, she had stuck the bubble stick between the boards and it was now under the porch!  It was an interesting moment of communication for us.  I can't wait to hear what she has to say next!

Back in the Saddle Again

After 1 year and 8 months, I finally got back on the motorcycle. I think it took as much mental as physical preparation. There are so many issues, mostly riding confidence, but also the whole new added element of concern for another. There is a new fear. What if a car pulls out in front of me? What if I hit an animal? What if there is some loose gravel in a turn? What if??? What is not forgotten, however, is the complete joy I felt when riding. The sense of freedom and relaxation finally became great enough that I was able to overcome the fears that were gripping me. I began small, just a ride to work and back, but it was a huge step for me. On a more humorous note, the "trying on" of gear that used to fit was frustrating. At least I have some new motivation to continue the diet and exercise. Those leather pants and jacket cost too much to throw out because I weigh a little too much! At the end of the day, Jeremy and Paxton were waiting for me. Jeremy let Paxton sit on the bike with me and we documented my return to "Biker Mama".