Pennies for the fireplace

Today I was sitting on the couch doing my afternoon Su Doku when Gabe started playing on the hearth in front of our fireplace. He said, "Mommy, owls live in fireplace." For a while he has thought that all or some owls live in our fireplace - and they very well may. But then he started removing the screen. I said, "oh no Gabe, the fireplace is no place to play. Its where we have fires and its very dirty." He said, "I want a fire. Make a fire mommy." I tried to explain that the fireplace needed cleaning and that it cost money and we don't have money for the fireplace right now. So no fires." He stood there for a minute and then ran out of the room. When he came back he had four pennies for me. He said, "here mommy, money for the fireplace." So cute and might I add, pretty genius.

Gabe's first major haircut

Yesterday (Monday) was Gabe's first major haircut (it took me a day to recover from it). I was going to get an inch cut off and then decided hey - since I'm paying for it - why not do something a little different? Big mistake. Before the lady could even finish (which was fortunately close to the end), he jumps out of the chair, runs across the room and starts pulling at his hair crying, "mommy, I want my hair back, please mommy, put it back." I felt like the worst mom - EVER. We immediately went to the playground - lolly pop in hand. When we got home, he let me trim it a little to even things out (I'm guessing out of fear of me taking him back to the haircut place). Today, we looked in the mirror and he asked for another lolly pop. I gave him one and he said, "I wanna another haircut." Here's his cool new do - he insisted I be in the picture too.

Yoga - March 31 (6:30AM class)

I did it! Today I finished my yoga challenge. I completed 28 days total, 25 in a row. For those of you that know me well (type A), you know that not completing a whole amount (e.g., the full 31 days of March) makes me a little crazy. But the point is, I challenged myself and met the challenge.

Below are a few things I have gained (or lost) from my 25 day Bikram experience…
• I lost 4 lbs! Unfortunately the 4lbs were not localized to my abs. I also noticed that I only ate what I needed and had no cravings (except on Easter Sunday).
• I discovered that one hour of Bikram yoga burns 635 calories and the class is an hour and a half long.
• To attend Bikram everyday, my body needs 3L (plus) of water to feel hydrated. By hydrated I mean not feeling any soreness from a class or fatigued for the next class.
• I discovered that if you take it easy, you can heal a pulled/strained muscle while taking Bikram classes. It actually promotes healing versus adding stress.
• I feel happier and calmer, especially in stressful situations.
• I have gained self-confidence in my poses and in my life and self-discipline (because there were some mornings that I did NOT want to go).
• I gained increased flexibility overall and improved symmetry in my poses (although one side is still stronger). I have increased strength and stamina and rarely feel fatigued after a pose or class. I also exceeded many of my goals for individual poses: 1) Camel Pose: I no longer use my aid and I am now doing the full extension of the posture, which I had not even planned to do 2) Half Moon with Hands to Feet Pose: I got my legs locked (once, but still) 3) Triangle Pose: Seems much, much easier and I actually got a compliment in it one day.

I completed 25 consecutive days of yoga - through 6:30AM classes and several sleepless nights, a cold, Easter Sunday logistics, and a pulled muscle in my back – so no more excuses not to go (got that little voice in my head)?

Yoga - March 26-30

March 26 (Wednesday) 6:30AM class - Only 5 days left and I'm ready to take a break. Back is slowly healing and I'm dreading getting up in the mornings. Instead of being something I want to do, it is something I have to do. I will get a better attitude when I'm done.
March 27 (Thursday) 6:30AM class - Ditto.
March 28 (Friday) 6:30AM class - I'm excited for Leslie to get here. She may take a class with me. I'm taking it easy still to heal my back (left mid). It now feels more annoying than painful and I can get back into Fixed Firm, Head to Knee with Stretching Pose, and Spine Twisting (but barely).
March 29 (Saturday) 8AM class - Felt good today. Looking forward to a fun afternoon.
March 30 (Sunday) 8AM class - One more day! I can't wait too because I was dragging today. It was painful. I felt so fatigued. I'm guessing I didn't drink enough water yesterday hanging out with the girls. I thought I was going to cry in a couple of poses because I was so tired physically. I went in with a pretty good attitude too. Sometimes your body just needs some rest.