Progress Report

I did intend this to be a half year report and publish at the start of Term 3. We have had a crazy couple of months and it hasn't eventuated. So I will just call it a progress report on my year at home with B. For details on how this came about see here.

It has been a challenging year. B took quite a while to settle into kindergarten and still has issues occasionally. It has been a blessing to be able to be present for him during this time. In the meantime, I have made some really great connections with the other families at kinder. I'm excited about this because most of our kids will be together at school.

A few of us have been meeting to craft together. The kinder teacher wanted us to make some more of these which the children use as reins whilst pretending to be horses. She also asked for some animals made out of felt for the children to play with and for her to use in storytelling time.

The reins we had to copy.

One of my lot of reins along with some starfish and dolphins.

One of my goals for the year was to spend some time nourishing myself. It is not something I have done much of in the last few years and I have been feeling the effects of not enough exercise and just time on my own. I'm not complaining as I love spending time with B I just know that I am a better parent when I'm feeling good about myself. I am lucky that a really good friend also has a free day on one of B's kinder days. We have been able to catch up either for a coffee and chat or a special trip to the movies on those days. A lovely way to recharge!

And I have started exercising! I was looking for something that was casual and I could attend while B was at kinder. I was also looking for something cheap and if there was a bit of fun that would be great too. During the April school holidays we went roller skating with some friends. As this was the first time B had been (and the first time I had been in 20+ years) and he understandably very tentative. However, he really enjoyed it so when I found out they offered lessons for pre-schoolers I asked if he wanted to go. He was really keen so he's been doing that for the last two terms. Before the pre-schoolers class there is an adults back to skate class. After watching a few times I thought it looked like fun. I then started going myself on his kinder days and really enjoyed myself. I did have a fall a while ago and sprained my wrist, however, I did get back on the rink as soon as I could.

I have also been spending some time thinking about what I would like to do career wise in the future. I have been thinking about doing some study next year which I am a bit excited about.

So, to summarise it's been a hard year emotionally and financially but also a great year emotionally and to connect with each other before B goes to school next year. I certainly don't regret this time and I am very thankful that I have had the opportunity to do this.

Health and Exercise

I have struggled with exercise over the last few years. Prior to B's arrival I was going to Curves 3-4 time a week. I was able to continue this right up till about the 30th week of my pregnancy. I was really fit and felt really good at the time. Unfortunately after his arrival I no longer had the time or money to keep it up.

I have let my fitness (or lack thereof) slide recently and have been saying to myself that it would have to wait till he goes to school and I have a bit more time to myself. One day it hit me that that will not happen for another 2 years and that is a LONG time to neglect such an important thing.

I still do not have the money to join a gym and then leave B somewhere. I purchased a Wii a couple of years ago and while he was still napping in the afternoon I would do the Wii Fit while he was asleep. As he has stopped that I haven't been able to do it. I could do it after he goes to sleep at night but I'm usually too tired then. I know, it is an excuse and I will look at breaking that and getting it out again.

In the meantime, last week I decided that I could walk. It's free and I can do it whenever it suits. So every day (except for the 2 days I work) I have got B on his bike and we have gone on a brisk 30 minute walk. The other day I walked to a nearby park which is about 15 minutes walk away so he got out and had a play then I walked home again so it was still my 30 minutes but broken up in the middle. Where I live is quite hilly so I am not only walking up hills but pushing a bike and a 16kg toddler so really feel like it leads up to a good workout. Or at least, as good as I can get at the moment.

My commitment was tested this afternoon as just as I was thinking we should go there was a huge thunderstorm rolling through. I got us out of the house quickly and walked even quicker to try and beat the rain. And beat it we did - by about 10 minutes!!

I am already feeling much better by this exercise and think it is great for both of us to get out and exercise together. I have also noticed on the days we go for our walk/ride that B goes straight to sleep at night instead of bouncing off the walls for about half an hour (or longer). Definitely motivation to keep going - hehe!!

Another area I'm working on is my diet. It is generally pretty good as I want to set a good example for B and have him enjoy healthy food. I tend not to keep unhealthy food in the house but sometimes I buy a block of chocolate as a "treat" for myself. Over January I read Peter Walsh's books. One of them is called "Does this Clutter Make my Butt Look Fat?" It really resonated with me that clutter can be tied into weight. I have been working really hard at decluttering (another post on that later). But one thing that really resonated was he said to ask yourself "does this help me live the life I want?" (I have paraphrased here) It was a bit of an a-ha moment and I realised that even though I enjoyed my "treats" in the short term in the long term they were not doing me any favours. I am not one of those people who can have chocolate in the house and just have a little. If you are I really admire your willpower but if it's there I eat it!!

So there it is - more ways for me to look after myself and I look forward to reaping the benefits of my new regime. I will keep this up - if only to get an early night!!!