Category Archives: Parenting

Explaining Exercise to a Baby

03/29/2014 R.C. Liley 2 Comments

Me: Hey Avery, want to hang out with Dad in the garage while he exercises?

Avery: You’ve got to be kidding me. It’s cold in there and you make loud noises as if you’re actually doing something.

Me: Well, you have your Zippy on which keeps you pretty warm, and I can put your kitty beanie on your head. And hey, I make those noise because I really am doing something! It’s called exercise.

Avery: Oh, exercise huh? So, why do you exercise? It doesn’t sound like you’re having fun in there.

Me: Exercise is a very import thing for everyone as it’s one of the ways we stay healthy. There are many benefits to exercise like helping to control weight, improving your mood, fighting against poor health conditions, promoting better sleep, and it actually is a way to have fun too.

Avery: Hmmph. All I’m saying is those aren’t fun noises you make out there.

Me: Well, it won’t always be a blissful time, but I always feel a lot better afterward. Plus, I need to exercise to be able to make sure I can keep up with you! Soon you’ll be using your legs to run around and I will have to keep a close watch on you. Maybe when you’re walking you can start doing squats like you see me do in the garage.

Avery: What?! Those things where you really make loud, painful noises? Pass….

Me: Yes, squats and I have a love-hate relationship, but they are simply an awesome exercise. We’ll work on you with those. Really, exercise can be anything active. Just going outside and running around playing is exercise. Something I hope you, mommy, and me will all do together. Right now, when you are rolling around or in your jumper, that’s exercise too. You see, so exercise can be fun!

Avery: Interesting, I didn’t realize you and mommy screaming at me as I strain on the blanket just trying to get off of my back was exercise. Are you going to scream at me when I can run around too?

Me: Most likely, we will at times, but not as much when trying to get you to roll. But hey, you can roll both ways now! We are so proud of you!

Avery: Yeah, I’m proud of myself! That was stressful!

Me: So, how about that garage now? You can watch me and take notes for when it’s your turn to do squats!

Avery: Oh brother! Fine, lets go out there, but don’t forget my kitty beanie!

Me: That-a-girl! Here we go! I know you’re going to have a blast watching now that you know more about the benefits of exercise!

Avery: Zzzzzzzzz

Me: And once you’re legs are parallel with the ground, you lift the barbell back up and repeat for reps. Think you’ll be ready to lift one day now that you have the basics down?

Avery: Zzzzzzz

Me: Hey sleepyhead! You’re back inside now. Did you know you just slept the whole time we were in the garage?

Avery: Yawwwwnnn! Yeah, sorry, must be that whole “improved sleep” from exercise thing. I tell ya, that rolling wears me out.

Me: Yeah……..must be. Well, I know something that might be exciting. How about going for a nice run with you in your stroller?

Avery: That sounds kinda fun, sure! But keep me in my Zippy, I like chewing my nubs.

Me: Deal. Let’s go.

Avery: Oh boy, this will be exciting!!!

Me: *breathing heavy* Well, how was it? We went 6 miles and I didn’t hear you make a single sound!

Avery: Yeah, not as fun as I thought. I felt Every. Single. Bump.

Me: Awww, sorry about that, the stupid construction around here leaves debris all over the road. Very uncool, huh?

Avery: Dad, you’re uncool, this is boring.

Me: Okay then, lets go inside and just hang out.

Avery: I like that idea, no more exercise today!

Me: Back inside, nice and cozy! About that whole no more exercise thing…..how about cheering mommy and me on as we do Tabata Inferno again?

Avery: Oh geez, what choice do I have? Okay, I’ll watch, but probably not cheer. Maybe cry though.

Me: Fine, I’ll try to keep you entertained the best I can. I thought you like it when I do burpees though.

Avery: Nope, I just stare because you look dumb jumping around so much.

Me: Oh, thanks a lot, I love you too! One day I’ll get you to join me on those along with the squats. Okay, lets go practice your rolling skills. Maybe later we’ll mow the lawn with our new Fiskars Reel Mower while I wear you in our Onya Outback!

Avery: You’re crazy! I want mom!

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Parenting

A Hissing Goose and An Ass Woke My Baby

03/28/2014 R.C. Liley 5 Comments

Hello, how is everybody doing? Probably better than other days since you’re reading this on Friday. Right?

Well, Thursday started out pretty similar to other mornings in our house. Kelley woke up to get ready for work and I laid in bed a little longer with our sleeping burrito, better known as Avery in a swaddle.

She was extra squirmy when I brought her to bed early in the morning, and poor Kelley had to deal with her wrath while trying to feed her. Even with her hands stuck to her side, Avery is a mover and shaker!

On the Supreme 90 workout schedule, I had Tabata Inferno to tend to as Avery kept me company. She kept flashing me smiles whenever I’d look at her and stayed happy for the most part. Then, close to the end, I caught her eyes going in and out; time for a nap!

But first, I figured I’d take a shot at getting Avery to roll from her back to her stomach. She did it for the first time with Going Mom on Wednesday night, but I missed it because I was in the kitchen. I can’t get myself out of that place! Anyway, I was determined to capture her rolling on film……..or memory; whatever it’s called now.

Annnnnddd, she did it! After filming her for a total of 30 minutes the day before and only getting a lot of close calls, she rolled both ways in a couple of minutes! Awesome, proud parent alert! Here’s the video:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwF8SvLDeXc?rel=0&w=420&h=315]

After her triumph, she went down for her morning nap with a little more pride and experience under her onesie.

She must’ve been pretty worn out after all of the twisting because she slept good! Once awake, it was time to go on our long walk and enjoy the warmer, although humid, weather. Oh yeah, it was really windy too, so I made good use of the integrated hood on the Onya to keep Avery shielded.

It didn’t take long and she was asleep again. Must be pretty cozy in there! Along our usual route, we ran into two geese on two separate occasions. The first time was a goose we see almost every time we walk, and the entire neighborhood has given him several names.

Henry, Harry, Marvin, and Chris. So I guess we’re going with it being a male! The other goose we ran into was a Canadian goose with a black, snaky neck and a mean hiss to boot. I knew that they can hiss, but it always catches me off guard when I hear it.

Even Abby wasn’t too sure what to make of the goose, so she just pretended to act interested in the grass.

I was relieved the Avery stayed asleep through the hissing goose event and happily carried along with our warm, windy walk. Part of our route brings us by a ranch that houses cows, horses, and one ass (donkey). As we passed, I made eye contact with the donkey…

Several parents bring their children to feed the donkey every now and then, so he’s a harmless ass. But, I guess he thought I had something for him because all of the sudden….

He was in our face! And during his trip toward us, he let out boisterous “hee-haw” sounds just like a donkey would. I had my phone with me so I decided I’d capture him on video.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZuAGdIBiUA?rel=0&w=420&h=315]

It doesn’t sound like a very inviting “pet me” noise, but like I said, he’s harmless. Unfortunately, he did wake up my sleepy baby who wanted to know what all the commotion was about.

At least she didn’t get fussy, just kinda looked around for the rest of the walk. I tried to take a selfie of Avery and me with the donkey behind us, but then the ranch owner turned into the driveway (which I was standing in!) and I promptly waved and carried on my way. Oops! I should’ve told him I just wanted a picture of his ass.

So that was our Thursday highlight; rolling both ways, getting hissed at by a goose, and a loud ass. How do you top that? I don’t know, but I’ll be sure to share with you when that day comes.

Total time in the Onya was an hour and twenty minutes since I took an extended walk. The only real annoyance so far is having the loose straps blow around when it’s windy. Not really an issue, just something to note. Still loving as usual.

Have a great Friday right into the weekend!

Have you ever heard a goose hiss?

Ever hear an ass make noise? No, not that ass!!

Parenting

Baby Compliments at a Urinal

03/26/2014 R.C. Liley 1 Comment

Well hello and happy hump day! Lets hope it a good one so we can be just as excited about it as this guy….

I’m happy to report I didn’t spend Monday night on the nursery floor and Avery slept pretty well in her crib most of the night! Since I’m writing this before bed on a Tuesday, I’m not sure how she’ll be, but her naps were lacking and hopefully she’ll play catch-up now.

Avery has been staying up longer before going down for her first nap of the day which pushes everything out by an hour. This means more time to entertain her the best I can. By entertain, I mostly mean let her watch me workout.

I usually workout in our garage, but since the stupid cold is still around, that wouldn’t be good to make her sit and shiver. So, I’ve been resorting the Supreme 90 Day workout videos I’ve mentioned before here and here. I fear that since we have the full DVD set and I’ve been following the schedule, I’m not going to be able to stop. I’m weird like that, once I start a program, I DESPISE quitting until it’s done.

Basically, expect to read more about my Supreme 90 Day workouts for a while. Plus, Kelley is following the program so it’s something we can do together….kind of. Of course, I’ll still do more since the weather is getting nicer and I want to be outside.

Since Avery didn’t feel like napping after playing in her jumper, taking a bottle, and me reading “The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear” (one of my favorite childhood books), I subjected her to a Supreme 90 workout.

The Supreme 90 workout of the day was “Ultimate Ball” where, you guessed, use a stability ball for everything! So, Avery intently watch as I worked my core with different ball exercises of 30 seconds on and 30 seconds off for 30 minutes. I told her she had to get down and workout too, but she didn’t seem too eager..

No Dad, I'm good here. — No Dad, I’m good here.

I don’t blame her, the ball workouts are annoying and I just feel like a fish flopping on rock. Avery even looked at me in bewilderment wondering why I didn’t look like the people in the video…

After the video, she finally gave in and napped. Yep, guess I was that exciting to watch! It was time for our weekly store trip, and luckily I only had two as opposed the three stores to go to. Once Avery woke up, we were off to store, one, Central Market!

One day, you'll see more than the top of her head! — One day, you’ll see more than the top of her head!

I don’t get to go to this store very often anymore, and it was a nice trip today. Avery slept most of the time and let me have time to gather bulk herbs, spices, and powders. Even if I know I don’t need anything down an aisle, I make sure to zig zag through every part of the store just out of habit (or maybe OCD) before leaving. An hour later and we off to other, more frequent store, Costco.

Avery was growing impatient at this time, but not unruly. I decided to make it a quick trip anyway since it was getting late. But, before zig zagging the aisles, my morning caffeine had me heading to the men’s room. I walked in with the slightly fussy Avery to see one guy standing in the middle urinal with the other ones empty on either side.

If you know me, you know this annoys me. Just choose the freakin’ left or right side if you have all three open! Reluctantly, I walked to the left one to do my business and leave. But, I couldn’t help but notice the man staring at Avery and me, so I stared back with a straight face. Then he said “Cute baby. Boy or girl?” I quickly told him girl and hoped that would be the end, but he continued on as if we were at a coffeehouse in deep conversation.

I don’t like talking when standing at a urinal ever, but I really don’t like talking about by baby to some guy while standing a urinal. Poor guy, I’m sure he was harmless and meant only to pay a compliment, but I like my space, period.

Once home, I unloaded the groceries and made it out for a quick run with Avery and Abby. We were happy to see Going Mom was home when we returned and spent the rest of the day inside. Avery watched Kelley do a little of her Supreme 90 workout, but then she turned into a ~~night terror~~ whiny baby and I brought her over with me in the kitchen…..where she still whined.

No long walk in the Onya today, but with the two store trips and 10 minutes at home, the total time spent wearing Avery today was an hour and forty minutes. Most of it she slept or at least did not cry a lot.

Talking when using a public restroom, yay or nay?

I’m not a fan of holding any discussions in a public restroom, even with people I know, but it’s not a problem at home.