Sometimes you just do what you gotta do.

So much has been going on since I last posted. I keep thinking....I need to blog about this and then I don't and now I will try to squish it all into one confusing post, if I can remember it all.

1. I started working full time and got my own office with a big "green apple" wall. The new office was not the result of my promotion, I was getting it anyway- we were moving offices, but ironicly it all happened on the same day. So February 1st started my new adventure in life, full-time working mama who is trying to lose 12 lbs by her 29th birthday, potty train her almost 3 year old and work on recipes for her "someday" bakery that seems really far in the future on this gloomy morning. It is February 3rd and I have already decided I need a sick day, but unfortunately I have not accrued any sick time! Annoyed and already looking forward to my next day off, I am staring at my green wall that doesn't seem to make me as happy as I thought it would. I am, however, looking forward to decorating my new office....I'm not sure if people do that, but I think I will. It needs a little something.

2. The potty training. This has to be one of the most trying time in a parents life. I have completely blocked out the experience with E because it was so traumatizing....it is all slowly coming back to me as I begin the journey with H. Not going to lie, I hate reading parenting books about stuff like this and moms that think they know it all really get on my nerves, but in this case I have had to call in outside reinforcements because I just might break. I have asked every mother I can find what they did, and most of them say, "When they are ready, they'll just do it." Um Hello, my child is almost 3 and I am ready. I'm sorry that he hasn't decided he is- he doesn't change his diapers. He is doing great with #1, wears underwear 100% of the time and has only had 1 accident in 5 days (including wearing underwear over night) but #2 is going to torture me into a slow death. The kid poops his pants EVERYDAY! It is the most disgusting thing I have every had to clean up in my life..... I can't do it another day, I will lose my mind! It doesn't help that he is with 4 different people during the week and I'm sure we all have different tactics. Mine is candy. I will give you candy, as much as you want, a king size candy bar....just please poop on the potty. I ask "Ok H, next time will you go on the potty?" His response: "Umm, no. I'll do it again. I'll poop my pants!" We've resorted to cold showers. My mom has informed me that she thinks it is child abuse. However, I have had several other moms suggest this tactic to me- a cold shower everytime they poop their pants, but it doesn't seem to be working. His sad little eyes fill with tears "Not a cold one mommy, please" but then the next day he does it all over again! I would just let it go and stand by the old saying, "Eventually he'll get it." No one goes to kindergarten wearing diapers, right? Wrong. A friend who is a teacher just informed me that she has a second grader still wearing diapers and pooping his pants daily....parents just couldn't get him potty trained. Heaven help me!

3. The 12 pounds.... It started back in August when I stopped going to the gym. I got really busy at work and the gym became a distant memory. The Holidays came and went and I woke up one morning unable to squeeze into my clothes. Bummer. In the past, I would just cut out some sugar hit the gym a few days a week and I'd be good to go. Well, that ain't happening anymore. Now that I professionally sit on my booty in front of a computer all day, my metabolism has plummeted to its death. Here's where it gets tricky.... I can cut out the sugar that's easy but working out has become almost impossible. I feel racked with guilt when I pick my children up at 5 PM from a long day at preschool and take them over to the gym to check them into another childcare for another hour and a half so mommy can look a little better in her swimsuit this summer. It is another one of those unpleasant choices I find myself making as a working mom. My solution: working out at home with the kids. So, far it has been a litte rocky. I pulled the P90x out of the garage, wiped off the dust and got started. This is what my home work out sounds like...."Please move, Mommy's going to step on you" "E, quit slapping my butt while I'm working out" "H, I need that band, it's not a whip" "Mom, your doing it wrong, like this (E demonstrating her take on the yoga position)." Not alot of me time, but it's getting the job done. One day I decided to venture out for a run with 90 lbs of toddler in my jogger. All was well until the kids started chanting "Go Mom Go" at the top of their lungs and people started to stare. It was motivational in the sense that I ran faster trying to get home ASAP!

4. David and E are busier than they've ever been and it's wonderful and chaotic all at the same time. David is in a new band, joined a softball team, leading worship at our church and in a men's group right now. E is playing T-ball, soccer and still doing ballet as well as trying to keep up with her Pre-K homeowork...yes, we have homework! H and I are getting in alot of one on one time together which is nice, but I've decided I'm a little jealous. I want a hobby too! I'm looking into some pastry and baking classes. I need a reason to work on my baking besides just the once a year birthday parties. Also, I'd like there to be something under my name on the family schedule besides work M-F, 8-5!

I'm slowly learning even the ugly things in life can be beautiful (if you dress them up a little and and use alot of make-up!)

My life lately has been a little crazy, never as expected but worth everyday!