Hello high neediness + Small insanity update

Ah yes, my son is high needs. I almost forgot. Things have been so good, almost normal. Until yesterday when those crazy baby nightmares came back. I still have NO clue what they really are but its on my "make sure you dont leave the doctors office until you ask her about this" list.

The teething is back FULL FORCE, Reef's going through a growth spurt both physically and mentally, he started eating avocados (i will post those pictures soon, I swear), and I havent slept in two days. Sigh. I know, im whining.

But what about the asylum?! And all your healtht eating?! And swim team?!

If Reef will nap alone I can get at least an asylum workout in. The last few really good days he had I did doubles. Asylum then swim practice. I obviously must have lost my mind those days or became possessed. Either way, I did it.

Now, on days like today. The days where I give 210% of myself to Reef. I eat whatever I can grab with one hand and I snuck in 10 minutes of yoga before more screaming began.

I do feel like im getting fit though (thank god) but its WAY harder with this weird post-baby body I've got goin on.

How is everyone doing with their workout & healthy eating?!

Xo
J

WhiteOut: End Junk Food for Babies

In getting ready to slowly introduce Reef to solids I found this campaign and thought I would share. I had no clue about how bad white rice cereal is. Oi vei.

Xo
J

Mini get away

Zach and I are having a mini overnight get away! It was my Christmas gift to him.

Reef is with his grandma and grandpa and Zach and I will be staying...watch out...20 minutes down the road!! I got us a hotel close-by because we really needed time for us but I didn't want to be far in case Reef flipped out.

Soooo that being said. You're probably dying to know our BIG plans...

Laser tag

Dinner

Walking around Market Street (it's so pretty in the winter)

Some, well you know, US time.

And, what I'm most looking forward to, SLEEP. Pure, beautiful, heavenly sleep! I plan on sleeping 10 hours straight...seriously.

I'm already at the hotel waiting for Zach to get off of work and all I want to do is hole up in the huge bed and sleep but laser tag with Zach does sound fun!

Here's some Reef cuteness my mother in law just sent me (she's so perfect, she updates me every half an hour!).

Xo
J

Insanity the Asylum: Day 2 baby pumpin'

I know. You're thinking 'Joyce its day 3!' Reef had A DAY yesterday. I don't think I let him go once, it was cling cling cliiiiing to mommy day, so working out just didn't happen. Luckily I made the 6am swim practice with my club (Reef actually slept the WHOLE time I was gone!).

Anywhooooo as I was sweating my ass off in the first 19 minutes of the Strength workout of Asylum Reef decided to wake up. Bad decision on his part. I fed him, changed him, and strapped him into the baby bjorn! That's right, I did the Asylum with him strapped to me. I adjusted the moves and it was awesome! Reef was touch and go with being pissed on the last 10 minutes but he, ahem, dug deep and pushed through. Hah. I wish Shaun T could read this and see just how INTO these workouts I get. Sigh, such a fan.

Here are some obnoxious photos of how ridiculous I can be. Don't worry no babies were harmed during this workout!
Xo
J

Insanity The Asylum Day 1: puke & tears

OH.MY.GOD.

To quote Shaun T, "This shit is bananas!"

Shaun T kicked my abs! It hurts to put my arms above my head and takes all my effort to hold Reef.

But

IT IS AWESOME!

If you've done Insanity you really should try the Asylum. Shaun takes it to a whole new level and this time there's no mercy but he's still the same inspiring, hilarious, and down right insaaaane Shaun! I love it. I'm totally obsessed all over again.

Now, my tears were caused from sheer exhaustion and frustration at how fricken out of shape I am. Guys, I'm REALLY out of shape. The puking, well that was from pushing myself to the limit. I used to puke when I was in the height of my swim training from crazy workouts. I know, it's sick but bare with me.

Below are my "before" photos...it's really frightening so if you're eating anything I would wait until your finished to scroll down. I like you too much to have you choke out of horrorrrrr.

My measurements are as follows:
Chest: 35"
Right Arm: 12"
Left Arm: 12.5"
Waist: 37"
Hips: 42.5" (this horrifies me, oh well)
Right Thigh: 25"
Left Thigh: 25"
Weight: 180lbs

These I had to take with my cell. Zach got some with the Canon but I'm doomed without them until I get a new laptop.

Back to my roots.

It's amazing how a package from my mom can completely lift my spirits and get my back to my self. You know, that rad person who's lurking somewhere deep down under all that new mom craziness. Ah, yes, that girl.

I used to be much more proactive about organic products and being an ecominded-earth-lovin-justice-fighting-nothippy-chick. Alas, organic anything is expensive. Which is total crap but I must choose my battles. So I swapped products here and there and when I got pregnant we were broke and I was sick alllll the time. So, I got lazy and let that super rad chick drift away and get lost. Well, my mom helped me find her again.

She sent me a glorious array of all natural body products that literally smell like fresh lilikoi!! They're made locally on The Big Island of Hawai'i and are all natural. She also sent me kukui nut oil candles that smell like lemon grass and passion fruit, incense that doesn't smell disgusting (I'm not a fan of most incense but I LOVE the good stuff), Kona coffee, Pure extra virgin organic coconut oil for Reef's bum, Freedom Dolls from South Africa made by strong women who have AIDS, and a card one of my old clients made me!

So I did what rad Joyce would do. I cranked up some Donavan Frankenreiter, burned some incense, made more coffee, danced around with Reef until we were sweaty, and then took a luxurious shower while reefy sat and played in his toddler tub in the shower with me. I FELT SO MUCH BETTER. It was awesome and Reef was all smiles.

Happy mommy, happy baby. Happy baby, happy mommy.

After losing myself for over a year I'm finally regaining my sanity and sense of self. Anyone else feel like this or have something similar happen in their life? Do you have any epic pick me ups?

Xo
J

Pajama Monday: Parenting a high needs baby vol. 5

Today is Pajama Monday. At least that's what I'm calling it. Reef is extremely needy today. If I'm gone for more than a few minutes while he naps he freaks out. This isn't new. It used to be like this 24/7, this used to be our normal nap routine. Now, it happens about once or twice a week. Huge step for us.

BUT I still have a tinsie bit of an issue adjusting...mostly because I had my entire day planned in my head and it involved healthy meal prep and starting...INSANITY: THE ASYLUM. I mean just look at the box!

So, instead I snuggle with Reef and read lovely blogs and baby sites. I made the mistake of browsing different (unnamed) baby info websites to see what the five month milestones are and to also read up on high needs babies and nightmares, well nightmares in general really. Now...and here comes a rant... I found A LOT of info on "CIO or Crying It Out". I get infuriated over this method. I'm not a believer in it AT ALL. Sorry if you are and I've offended you. I don't even like the whole 'wait one minute then go in and comfort them, if they cry when you walk out then wait two minutes etc'. There is scientific evidence that proves this method causes ANXIETY in babies. This method was developed a long time ago. Back when formula was thought to be better than the boob. We learn and we grow. But, for some reason, we haven't grown out of Cry It Out.

I guess I'm extra sensitive over the issue because there have been SO many people suggesting that to me for Reef. I'm usually never snotty but I tend to retort "there's scientific proof that crying it out is bad for his brain but thanks for the advice". Gah, I know, mean mommy. I've learned not to talk to most people about Reefs needs and our attachment parenting style. It's what works for us and maybe that's what worked for them. Le sigh. If you've gotten this far, I thank you for reading.

Xo
J