New Jersey Moms Blog

A Mommy's Open Letter To Jillian Michaels

I read your recent comment about being unwilling to get pregnant because of the negative effect it would have on your body.  I want you to know that I totally get where you're coming from.  As a former personal trainer and Spinning instructor, I can relate.  My body was once my source of income.  So though you may be taking a bashing in the media, I applaud your honesty. As a physically fit mother who birthed two children in 17 months, I'm in a unique position to let even more cats out of the bag when it comes to the negative effects of giving birth.  So, listen up.

"Beach Bodies"

A stomach bug invaded our home this week.  Yesterday, I took a short break from catching vomit in my bare hands to go food shopping.   Due to the illness, I had no kids in tow.  There was no plastic automobile attached to the front of my cart.  There was no whining or screaming that forced me to bum a cookie from the bakery staff.  It was 45 minutes of pure joy.  Of course, it should have only taken me 20-25 minutes.  I just had a few items to buy.  But food shopping alone is my idea of a vacation these days.  I milked the trip for as long as I could. 

In fact, I didn't even need to milk it thanks to a senior citizen checking out in front of me.  She bought half of Shoprite, but insisted on being rung up after every fifth item.  At one point, she turned around to apologize.  I, of course, couldn't have been any happier and encouraged her to, "Please. Take your time!"  I was in no rush.  Besides, I was too engrossed in a magazine to care.

Life's Storms

A few months after we were married, the Blizzard of 1996 pummeled our city.  We received over 30 inches of snow in one day - the largest snowfall ever on record.  It was a monster of a storm, but it didn't matter.    We were newlyweds.  We spent days wrapped in each other's arms.  We watched movies.  We ate leftovers in bed.  Life was sweet.

Fast forward to the winter of 2009-2010 - the snowiest winter on record.  We were hit with 24 inches of snow the Saturday before Christmas.  It was the second largest snowfall on record.  We were hit with two more feet of snow about a week ago - the third largest snowfall on record.  Four days later, we were hit again - with the Blizzard of 2010.  I have one question.  What happened to Global Warming?  I had such high hopes for that.

I'm going on a hunger strike.......tomorrow.

I just can't seem to drop the five pounds I gained from the summer.  If anything, I've put on a few more pounds since the holidays.  Today, I've decided that desperate times call for desperate measures.  I'm thinking of going on a hunger strike.  That's right.  Perhaps, if the fate of whales, rainforests, or oppressed people hinge on my eating, I can get back to my ideal weight.  There's nothing wrong with this, is there?  My motives may not be pure, but that doesn't mean my hunger strike can't be effective, does it? 

Let's seeeee.  What cause can I get behind?  I seem to remember a woman and a tree a few years back.  Does that mean "trees" are already taken?  I think she actually LIVED in a tree if I'm not mistaken.  I'm not going that far.  I only have five pounds to lose.  I hardly need to take such drastic measures.  I'll just write a few letters.  Better yet, I'll just blog about my cause.  It makes more fiscal sense - postage is through the roof!

Toddlers and Crafts - A back-breaking combination

The deep freeze is upon the great state of New Jersey.  Being stuck inside with two toddlers, for months on end, is enough to test any mom's patience.  Recently, I decided that I must find something to keep my sons busy that doesn't involve the television.  The answer I came up with?  Crafts.  It sounded like a good idea at the time.  So, I bought a bunch of craft supplies at Shoprite.  Yes.  I know I overpaid.  But with two kids under three, I don't have the luxury of running to specialty stores every time I need something.

My plan was to draw a triangle on a piece of paper. My sons and I would carefully glue beans onto the border of the triangle. Then we would gently brush glue inside the center of the triangle using a paintbrush. Lastly, we would sprinkle glitter over our freshly painted glue and shake off any excess glitter into a bowl for later use.  I did not have visions of grandeur.  I expected that things may not go exactly as planned.  But I did think the boys would be capable of following simple directions. SILLY ME!

I'm FREEZING!!!

An early blast of arctic air is hovering over the great state of New Jersey. I was dealing with it fairly well until last night, when my husband reminded me that it's not even winter yet.  It's still fall.  WHAT?!?!  You've GOT to be kidding me!  My tolerance for cold has fallen considerably since moving back from the southwest.  I would SOOO like to move to a warm climate right now.  I'd even go to Florida, and I hate Florida.  Ever since the whole "hanging chad" fiasco, I've lost all respect for the state. 

Actually, I think I want to live on the equator. Where is that exactly?  I want to sit my big, pasty white butt DIRECTLY on the equator.  I don't even want sunscreen.  Nope.  I will walk around happily with a burnt booty. 

Wrinkles and Time

My husband is the youth pastor at our church.  He's GREAT at what he does.  He's compassionate, wise, and has a heart for God.  Teenagers are drawn to him.  At times, I wish I could get involved with the youth, but it's difficult with a one-year-old and three-year-old.  I'm mostly content to sit on the sidelines.

But, not today.  Today, I took Shannon, a girl from the youth group, to "Fabric Row" in Philadelphia.  She's really into sewing and I've been in the market for window treatment fabrics.  I wore something young and hip.  And, why not?  I feel young. I feel like I was just sixteen yesterday.  As she was walking towards my car this morning, I thought, "She is so adorable.  We look like sisters!" 

Sweet William

I love autumn.  I love to watch the leaves change color.  I love the chill in the air.  But as I'm working in my garden today, I realize there's an aspect of fall that makes me very sad.  The flowers in the garden that once provided so much beauty are now an eyesore.  Their colors are faded.  They're wilted.  The labor involved in planting and maintaining them is a distant memory.  Not another second will be invested in them - other than to pluck their roots from the ground.  They will be thrown into the trash and not a single tear will be shed. 

That's how fall gardening normally plays out.  But today is different.  As I gaze upon my Sweet Williams for the last time, I'm transported back to my high school English class. 

Trick or Treat .......OR ELSE!!

I've decided to take our two boys, ages 1 and 3, trick-or-treating this year.  It will be a first for both of them.  So, I've been thinking about the whole "trick-or-treat" idea and I've got to tell you - it puzzles me.  We'll be knocking on the doors of complete strangers.  When they answer, we'll make a demand, "Give us candy!"  And they will comply.  Isn't that remarkable?  They won't argue. They won't make excuses.  There won't be any coercion involved.  We will simply hold out a container and watch as they fill it with something yummy. 

Amazing.

The Greatest Gift

I've spent the last week preparing for my oldest son's third birthday.  This was the first year that he really understood the concept of having a birthday party.  I had spent weeks "talking up" the decorations, the cake, the presents.  We were all really excited.  It wasn't extravagant by any stretch.  It was just a family party, and it was held at our home.  But we have a large family.   As preparations were in full-swing, I began to notice how unexcited he had become for his party.