It’s been months since I blogged- I would like to blame it on the fact that I work full-time, teach part-time and not to mention that I have two kids, however, there is really no excuse. We make time for the things we want to do. So I will blog, at minimum, twice a month (baby steps people). So let’s get to the meat (or lack of- this will make since shortly):
Why am I hungry? From my previous blogs, you may assume that I am starving myself to lose weight…guess again…seriously, not eating is NOT an option. I am using the word “hungry” to convey two different messages. I am INDEED actually hungry (for food) and I am hungry (for more- in every aspect). Last month, I discovered that my son was severely allergic to Beef, Milk, Eggs, and Nuts (or as I say, BMEN). Well, that’s pretty much everything I eat- waffles, popcorn, almonds, instant oatmeal, most bagged potato chips, peanut butter, mayo, cheese…I can go on for days. Pause- you may be wondering how this affects me…well as a nursing mom, if he can’t have it, I can’t consume it…I digress. So I have had to change my eating by force, not choice. I have switched to soy everything and I rarely eat meat, except chicken. I am sort of a…vegan.
Several concerns surrounding my son’s food allergy have surfaced, such as assuring that my daughter has a balanced diet, but also removing some simple items all together so that there are no mistakes, like replacing cow’s milk with Soy Milk, and assuring that we purchase tomato sauce without cheese as an ingredient. I also brought some dairy free ice cream (yep, they make it) and I am going to bake a vegan cake (yum). I am not the only vegan nursing mom and my son is not the first kid with food allergies (lol). However, my biggest concern is the EpiPen and assuring that anyone who is watching him, even for a minute, knows the signs of an allergic reaction AND knows how to give him a shot of epinephrine. Yep, I’m that mom.
Okay, so now let’s talk about what else I am hungry for- the thirst continues. Let’s back up first, I was promoted in May (yay) and I love my new position BUT I also turned 30 in May and as I sit back and review my plan, I want to assure I am on track. You only have one life and while you have to live in the present, you need to plan for the future. I am at a crossroads in many ways. First, we are moving to Virginia in the next 12 to 24 months and deciding which city to reside has become quite the conversation. I want the right neighborhood, right school system, right opportunity.
Secondly, going back to school to obtain a doctoral degree is starting to make its way onto my goal sheet. In my field, a PhD would definitely assist in my career goals. It also doesn’t hurt that I love education and I want more…I’m hungry.
Moving on…why the anxiety? Well, my daughter starts a PreK-3 based program on Tuesday and I feel like she’s going off to college. I hope she adjusts well, plays well, does well. She has been in home-based daycare since she was three months old and…yes…I’m stressing. You would think I was the one starting a new school. My son begins a new daycare in October and I am sure the anxiety will continue. Again, I’m that mom.
Now, we get into the LOVE. The past few months, my husband and I have had an opportunity to go away/out and date, and it makes me feel like singing “back in the day when I young…” I love it. We have so much fun. Most recently, we attended his high school’s 10 year reunion- we danced, we sang, we drank, we laughed. I treasure these moments and they are amplified by the fact to we created two individuals from our love, which gave me more to love- my kids. Yep, I’m that mom.
