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 and handsome little boy, Wes, who joined our family on 11/19/17. Also happily married to my wife, Kelley, as of 8/17/07. Sorry ladies... :) Fitness and nutrition is of the utmost 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!

Our GoGo Squeez Applesauce Skeptic

I used to laugh at those little portable pouches of squeezable fruit puree and never understood the point of having them. Then we received a GoGo Squeez Applesauce pouch as a party favor for our neighbors’ 1 year old son’s birthday party.

applesauce, healthy, gogo squeez

Packaged food is highly scrutinized before I allow it in our home. IF it’s a gift and if it doesn’t pass, I politely (sometimes not so polite) decline. But the pouch gave me no reason to reject as it’s certified organic and only has apples and apple juice concentrate as ingredients. I could’ve really picked at it since it’s basically a lot of sugar with little fiber like you’d get from eating a whole apple, but I’m trying to pick my battles here.

Plus, the girl’s crazy and runs rampant every day, she needs the carbs! That said, I opted to give Avery the pouch to see how she liked it. Here’s what I think went on in her head as I offered this strange, non-bottle for her to eat…..or is it drink? Slurp? Ahhh, whatever!

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Okay, I see he’s holding something and it’s getting closer to my face, but I’m not sure what to do about it. Is it a bottle? Do I eat the whole thing?

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Looks like I’m supposed to get whatever it is from that white spout. Seriously wish I knew more about what Dad puts in my face. And why does he always give me green things?!

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Well, here goes nothing, no turning back now.

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Weird. It’s definitely NOT milk or liquid that I’ve ever tried! But, I think I like it.

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This feels very strange in my mouth, like someone already chewed my food for me. More!!

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Good, he got my message through telepathy. More pre-chewed goodness coming my way!

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Mmmmm, if only I knew how to hold things for myself. Meh, Dad is my servant and I’ll make sure to “milk” it as long as possible.

I love the last photo with her beautiful blue eyes! I wouldn’t say I’d go out of my way to buy more of these, but it is nice to know she’s accepting of them. Just in case we’re out and about and I forgot to bring my own homemade goodness along.

Do you give your kids squeeze pouch foods or have you before?

Any favorite flavors/brands?

I’ve seen the reusable pouches where you make your own puree, maybe I’ll try that sometime.

Surfing in the Kitchen

She just turned 15 months old and she’s already moving on to bigger and better things. Like, for instance, surfing……in the kitchen.

It’s everything you’d see a real surfer (please note: I have absolutely no clue about surfing) do when out catching the waves. Starting with paddling out away from the shore.

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Then it’s time for action as she gets in her goofy footed stance and acts as if she’s taking “the drop” down the face of a gnarly wave.

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But, oftentimes she get’s a little too daring while carving the other direction and will eat it.

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No worries, though, it takes more than that to dampen this girl’s spirit! She just shrugs it off with a cheesy, close-eyed shimmy smile and prepares to try again.

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Awwww, bummer! It’s flat; no waves!

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That’s it for surfing today, but the party has just begun. She just hangs up the wet suit and gets to dancing all night day long.

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What kind of unconventional activities usually done outdoors does your kid bring inside?

15 Memories From My 15th Month Since Going Dad

Another month and numerous memories has come and gone with our growing toddler. Here are 15 to celebrate the number of months she’s been making us smile.

Avery, you give us more than we could ever count, but here are 15 memories that stand out….

1. You finding out just how fun it is when you wave a string around a cat. Even fat ones like ours will chase a string around, and you were cracking up at fatty Lou.

2. For most of the month, during nap time and nighttime, you fought sleep with a burning passion. Instead of calming succumbing to your tired state, you’d kick your legs wildly and talk to yourself for up to 45 minutes before giving in. Or it was because you pooped, and then we of course came in to clean you. Remember that when we’re old!!

3. I entered you in a local baby photo contest put on by Metroplex Baby and Kids and you won! Thanks to all of our friends, family, and followers for supporting you and your infinite cuteness!

Avery-Photo-Contest-Metroplex-Baby

4. This past month I announced that am a proud Nuttzo Ambassador for 2015, and couldn’t of made it without you. As a result, there’s been plenty of NuttZo powered meals around here with many more to come. I think it’s safe to say you don’t mind one bit though.

5. I mentioned just last month that your jumper days were numbered. Shortly thereafter, we said goodbye to your jumper and I made a nice space for you to roam around in the garage. Now I can work out and so can you! And you still enjoy my weight belt just like when you were in your jumper.

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6. Speaking of working out, we got you your own kettlebell and you’ve been a rockstar at doing swings, squats, and even dancing! You get the biggest smile on your face when you pick it up, and it makes me beam with happiness!

toddler, kids, parenting, funny, humor

7. Apparently, your confidence level has sky-rocketed since you’ve been swinging your kettlebell because now you act as a personal trainer for Mommy and Me. We’ve worked out inside several times and you make sure to push us by climbing all over as we grind out HIIT-style workouts.

push-ups, workout, fitness, parenting

8. The February weather has been brutal to the North, but here in Texas, we’ve been graced with a lot of beautiful, sunny weather. We made full use of the outdoors and took you to the playground and right in our back yard many times. We’ve confirmed you love the outside, and we’ve also confirmed you HATE going inside.

playing, parenting, toddler

9. Papa had his 60th birthday celebration at a nice restaurant and many friends and family were there. You wore everyone out just running around the entire restaurant and received a lot of praise on your cuteness. You have your Mommy to thank for that! I think you can also thank her for your crude hand gestures at the restaurant too!

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10. Speaking of Mommy, you also take after her love of goat cheese. You can outright reject a plain carrot, but top it with goat cheese and you can’t eat it fast enough!

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One night we even made mini goat cheese sandwiches with my homemade bread that you easily devoured.

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11. On the topic of eating, you surprised me when I offered my raw fermented veggies and you loved them. So much so, you cried after I stopped giving more. Between Mommy with her goat cheese and Daddy with my fermented foods, you make your parents super proud!

12. You have become quite the chatterbox all day, and even when you should be sleeping! No full on real words yet, but every day now, you point up, usually at lights, and make a slushy noise with your mouth as if saying something. Mommy and me just nod and say yes, those are lights. Sorry if that’s not what you’re really saying, but at least we acknowledge you.

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13. Mommy started asking “where is Avery” when you were rubbing your face one day, and now you do it to play hide and seek. Every time we say a key word like “boo”, “where are you”, “hide”, and others, you cover your eyes as if you’re tired to play along. Sometimes you keep them on there really long and it’s hard to tell if you actually are tired or still playing. Either way, you’re cute!

14. Yes, cute even when you do something like throw up. Your first real food puke happened in the middle of the night when G-Ma was staying over after watching you for Mommy and Daddy’s date night.  You ate really good for G-Ma, a little too good,  and it all came back up. We could hear the noise the first time you did it in your crib, and after cleaning everything up, I heard it the second time when you did it all over Mommy while nursing. Despite the sickness, you gave us plenty of cute, flashy smiles right after expelling your food. We could resist but to smile back at you.

15. And for the final memory this month, it’s another bodily function first. The night I became ill and was lying on the playroom floor, you decided to squeeze out a stinker as Mommy was giving you a bath. She said it scared you and definitely surprised her, but she handled it smoothly and cleaned things up quickly.

Avery, you’re growing up fast, too fast, and we enjoy watching your see and do so much every day. You’re constantly learning and hopefully that trend continues for a very long time! We love you, happy 15 months, dear!

I’d say, if there were a major theme for the month, resisting sleep and confusing Going Mom and I would be it. Seriously, the “terrible twos” really do start at 1!  But of course, we wouldn’t change it for the world!

Do you have any favorite memories from your kids for the month? Please share as I’d love to hear!

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