Gluttony and Frogs

So sorry. I've had a sudden surge of sewing desire and couldn't tear myself away from the sewing machine long enough to post. The good news is that I have been sewing. The bad news is that we moved the sewing to the basement and it gives me a headache when I am down there for more than 20 minutes, but even that has a flip side. I get a good workout going up and down the stairs.
Top that off with the Hot Yoga and I should have the body of an 18 year old by let's say spring maybe? If I don't I'm going back to my old ways of laziness and gluttony.
My pink chicken has been very busy making a mess of my mothers house while I've been sewing. She refined her couch hopping skills, played dress up, and she spent most of yesterday leaping around like a frog while saying nothing but "ribbit" the entire time.

Again.

I went back. I kind of had to. My legs were feeling like I would never be able to straighten them out again they were so sore. I am actually glad I went back though. I did much better the second time, stuck it out through the whole class, and got to take hot Yoga with Tom, Debbie and Meagan Holley. I don't see my entire family showing up for hot Yoga, but it was pretty funny to see half the Holley clan in there sweating it out. Going during the day is much better than going in the evening. The class is smaller, there are less men to see you sweating and although the women are still skinny (and yes, I'm still hoping for some sort of osmosis in that regard) it's not as bad when your not sandwiched two feet apart from them.

And not that my description is very enticing, if you do go, tell them I sent you. I'll get a free class and be able to take more classes!

I found them!

Last night I went to my first Hot Yoga class. I haven't done any Yoga since having Annie, so I figured I would give it a shot. If Tom Holley raves about it, it must be pretty good. Believe me when I tell you I was less than thrilled about the dress code. It's recommended you wear nothing but a bathing suit. I walked into the building to meet my instructor who was somewhere in her 40's with the body of a 18 year old wearing a cheetah print bikini. Already feeling uncomfortable she informs me I cannot wear pants. So I am putting on my shorts and the smallest top I could find (that still covers my stretch marks), when 10 other women of varying ages walk by me. All with bodies that remind of what I wasn't even close to achieving before having Annie. Is this for real? Possibly there is something to this, or do people like me just not go to these classes? Then I walk into the studio and there they are, all the men in St. Louis. Laying on towels in a room where the temperature never goes below 90 are a slue of single men. Sadly they are all in speedo's dripping with sweat and I there I am covered in sweat myself. In my old gym shorts and a very unattractive tank with one of those useless bras inside, I was the most overdressed person in the room. I felt truly frumpy for the first time in my life. Overall the class was good. I sweat about two liters of water, felt a combination of nausea, dizziness and heat exhaustion. Managed to stay semi conscious the whole class and found myself unable to walk for about 15 minutes after the class ended. As to whether or not I will go back? I'm not sure. Do I go to another gym, get in shape and then return? Or do I continue going as I am in the hopes that my body will somehow morph into one of the well toned stick figures parading around it in the class? It's a tough call, but I will let you know.

Garden vs. Annie, (Annie won)

This morning Annie and I got up super early to plant bulbs in the yard. It ended up being me alone planting the bulbs while Annie went and played in the chicken run. She tried to get me in there with her but I was determined to get something done today. She finally resorted to every two seconds she yelling, "which one is Lightening McQueen?," and insisting I tell the names of each chicken repeatedly. It was getting a little ridiculous, so I just started yelling out names at random. She caught me when I told her Puff was Lightening McQueen. This created tears and "bad Mommy" looks from Annie. I wasn't giving her my full attention. She stomped out of the run growling.
Lately, Annie has been in her high maintenance mode, so if I'm not right next her she insists on keeping a constant dialog going and telling me to "look at this mama." It's her way of keeping me from getting anything done. I used to think she was starving for attention, but this kid gets a lot of attention. At this very second, Banjo is sitting behind me in the chair and Annie is climbing on my back with her arms wrapped a little to tightly around my neck. Did I mention this is a very small chair and I am feeling a little smothered? The worst part is that I've yet to find a cure for this particular ailment. If I give her to much attention she starts these elaborate games which always end in me pinned on the floor and the pile of dishes sitting in the sink untouched. If I ignore her she starts to do that annoying fake cry that all kids do. You know the one. Where they scrunch up their faces and whimper then they throw themselves across your lap in mock desperation. It's a classic. If your kid hasn't started just wait. They all do it. Annie tried this very move on me outside only it was muddy and the grass was slippery so when she overshot her landing a little and ended up in the mud of course it was my fault. Which led to real tears and a very muddy child. She's clean now, but I think I might have to plant the rest of the bulbs by flash light when Annie is sleeping. I can't wait for the neighbors to see me outside in the dark planting. They don't think I'm weird enough as it is.

Annie's Halloween in under three mintues

She did it! She wore her costume for Halloween!  I didn't even have to force her into it.  She Willingly put it on!    The above video includes photos from her party, random chicken play and trick or treating.  

big people conference

Today was Annie's parent teacher conference. I was actually dreading it all day long. I have this fear that they will tell me my child is broken or that she's the biter/ hitter/ bully of the class. I know that Annie is none of these things (not that being the bully is bad or anything), but my initial instinct is that they will say something bad. Something that can't be fixed. I'm not sure where I get this fear, other than it's what my parents were told about me. No, I wasn't the biter/ hitter/ bully of the class, but I was in need of special schooling and being separated from the pack. As Annie gets closer to the age when I was singled out I know I will get even worse about going to these conferences. I do not want Annie to be separated from her class mates. To have to go to a different school. To be told that she is different. Being told that as a child has hurt me in so many ways and I am still struggling to believe that I am just like every one else. I find myself being so careful with what I say to Annie when she is struggling with something or having a hard time. I want her to know that struggling and having a hard time is normal and all kids have to find there way, not just her.
Annie's teachers had nothing but good things to say about her. Only about 27 more parent teacher conferences to go.

Dear Banjo,

I wish Banjo was able to read this post. He was so amazing for Annie's Halloween party, I'm still in shock. He not only kept his pumpkin costume on the whole time, but he was on his best behavior. All the kids running around, food in little hands right there in front of him, I was sure something would go wrong. I have to admit I had laid out plans to escort him to my mother's house but I ran out of time. He was there purely by accident, but I am so glad he got to stay. He was great and made me realize how glad I am that he is our dog. Whoever threw this dog away was an idiot and I wish I could thank them.