All posts by R.C. Liley

I'm an ex-mutual fund accountant who left the cubicle world to be a stay-at-home dad to my beautiful little girl, Avery, who entered our life on 11/15/13. Also happily married to my wife, Kelley, for 7 years as of 8/17/14. Sorry ladies... :) Fitness and nutrition is of the upmost importance in our family and we strive to reflect this in our daily life. I always prepare our meals at home and only go out if it's a special occasion, and even then I tend to not get much. Food should be fun and a joy to eat, not something quickly consumed from a fast food chain or scarf down before the next meeting. I have come from strictly logging high miles to train for the next marathon to keeping exercise varied and focusing more on strength. I still enjoy going for a run when I can, but nothing crazy, and I prefer hill sprints while pushing my daughter, Avery in the stroller. She loves it and I get a great workout! I want to show the world how to appreciate their body and feed it real, wholesome food while moving more throughout the day. In doing so, everyone would be healthier, happier, and we'd all live in a better place as a result. I blog mainly about my life as a stay-at-home dad and frequently include reviews, participate in campaigns, and share my thoughts on fitness and nutrition. If you ever have any questions or thoughts to share, please reach out as I'm always open to listening or helping others however possible. That is, when I have free time since Avery is and my wife are the number one priorities!

#MySundayPhoto, Parenting

The Toddler Trance: #MySundayPhoto – 05.03.15

05/02/2015 R.C. Liley 18 Comments

Kids and adults alike find themselves locked in a trance of deep thought almost daily. A toddler may ponder something as simple as what to make of the family pet. It’s nothing like mommy or daddy and certainly doesn’t poop or eat like anyone else in the house. Well, maybe…

But as adults, we have plenty of things swarming our brains that cause us to hold a trance of perplexity as we try and make sense of it all. I’m sure for many parents, myself included, that perplexity is comprises what’s going on inside our kids’ head. Especially as toddlers when they lack the verbal skills to better relay their needs/feelings.

Anyway, what I’m getting at, is that every time I catch my daughter in deep thought like this, I can’t help but to wonder what it is she’s thinking. Maybe why her bottom lip feels bigger than normal, or maybe she’s just pausing to poop in her diaper. Who knows?

Okay, I’m done being philosophical for the day. This week’s pic is the day after Avery busted her lip, hence its swollen redness, and she’s caught in a trance thinking about who knows what. Here’s the original…

…and a B&W version I probably tried to hard to edit.

I wanted to keep the color of her beautiful eyes, but fear they look more bloodshot than anything else. Regardless, the picture captures that ever-growing mind working hard, I only wish I knew for what!

Do you ever try to decipher what your kids are thinking?

How do you like the b&w with colored eyes? Would it be better just straight b&w with no color?

#MySundayPhoto, Parenting

Perfect View With Daddy: #MySundayPhoto – 04.26.15

04/25/2015 R.C. Liley 28 Comments

It was storming all day and finally let up before the sun was completely set. My wife, Avery, and I walked out front of our house to soak in the beautiful sunset as the clouds finally broke.

Again, big thanks to my lovely wife for capturing these lovely pictures of daddy and daughter watching the sun make way for the moon.

She wasn’t happy with the port-a-potty in the background, but I think the beauty of everything else far outweighs the portable toilet. But, as I’ve been doing, I must share one more pic, and it does not have the blue plastic john in it’s range. Again, thank my wife for keeping it out of this one.

How have storms been in your area?

Don’t you just love the after-storm calmness?

#MySundayPhoto, Parenting

Getting Over Sickness: #MySundayPhoto – 04.18.15

04/18/2015 R.C. Liley 13 Comments

It’s been a hectic week with Avery experiencing her worst sickness and fever yet. All of the life was drained out of our highly energetic toddler and all she wanted to do was have Mommy and Daddy hold her close.

The cuddles are priceless, but never under these circumstances. Thankfully, our little girl’s fever finally dropped and she gradually became her normal, crazy self. I attribute a lot of her recovery to my wife’s “boob milk” because there’s nothing better in terms of nutrition and comfort.

Before she was fully recovered, I was able to snap a few photos of Avery while she remained motionless. It was sad to see her this way, but at the same time, so nice to have the opportunity to take pictures of toddler that isn’t constantly on-the-go! Is that wrong of me? I hope not!

Anyway, here’s one close-up of I think captures the life slowly coming back into Avery. The picture isn’t as clear as I’d hope, but you can almost see her recovery just from her eyes alone. No editing for this one.