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Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Time for Class(es)!

Hello LFM Readers!

Just wanting to see a consensus here: at what age did you start enrolling your children in developmental and physical/motor-skill building classes? MRP is going to be 5 months old next week, and I'd love to start her in some fun classes where I can meet other Mommy's and get out a bit with other adults.

I know there's Kindermusik, Musikgarten, Music Matters, Gymboree, and I'm sure there's more out there. I know some are more music-focused, and others are music and motor-skill building; I'm just wondering what people's opinions are of each? Most are advertisers with us, and tell us they get great response from our readers, so I know all of them are very popular. I'm just thinking that we should try some new things with her--we read books, dance in the living room, and have baby gyms for her to lay under and swat at toys, and even a Little Einstein Exersaucer-type thing that she likes. But I think now is the time to broaden her horizons. She just gets SO excited when she does something new--I love the look on her face: complete AMAZEMENT! Five months old is a good age to start, right?

I'm also thinking about doing some "Mommy-and-Me" classes at the YMCA (probably Beaumont). I was a competitive swimmer for 13 years, and I'd be overjoyed if MRP followed in my footsteps. Really I'd just be overjoyed if she liked the cold water in general! Are their pools heated? Plus, we have a new business coming to town: Baby Boot Camp! It's for pre- and post-natal Moms! It sounds intimidating, but it's really not! We met with the owner/instructor named Kimberly Summers. She'll be teaching classes at Centenary Methodist Church on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and also at the AmStar Theatre on Nicholasville Rd. at Brannon Crossing on Saturday mornings. The good news is, the first class is FREE! Just go to the website (www.babybootcamp.com) and search for classes in KY, and click on the icon on the right to get your class free (that's not something that happens much these days! :)

So there. MRP and I are getting on the Smart & Sassy wagon! Won't you join us??? You can contact me here by leaving a comment, or by emailing me direct at Karyn@lexingtonfamily.com

Until next time: Get Moving!
Karyn Potts
*To comment, just click the link below*

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

A Wish

Hello Lexington FAMILY Magazine readers!!

I've been spending a lot of time lately, just staring at my beautiful little MRP. When she sleeps, when she plays, when she eats. I sit there contemplating everything she knows and doesn't know, and I've come up with this:

She doesn't know about war or weapons. She doesn't know hate or betrayal. She doesn't know loneliness, sadness or disappointment. She doesn't know hurt, bitterness, or what a lie is. She doesn't know hunger. She doesn't know fear. She doesn't know viciousness, or pain. She doesn't know racism. She doesn't know violence, poverty or rejection. She doesn't know abuse of any kind, homelessness, or even death. And I wish I could keep it this way.

On the other hand, I am grateful for what she does know at this point: she knows laughter and smiles. She knows tickles and wonderment. She knows both excitement and amazement! She knows hugs and cuddling; warmth and kisses. She knows protection and trust. She knows Mommy and Daddy--don't forget her beagle Buddy! She knows baths, and sing-song. She knows sweet voices and evening walks. She knows flowers and sunshine. She knows....LOVE. And I wish I could keep it this way.

I know what you're going to say, that these things are "all a part of LIFE," but that doesn't make these wishes any less hoped for. Hopefully she'll be able to find her way through all of these experiences, and still end up a positive person. I reallyyy wish I could just wrap her up in a bow and stick her in my pocket forever, but I guess that will never happen. :)

Until next time, make some wishes for your child and try to make them come true!
Karyn Potts
*I'd love some comments! Just click below!*

Thursday, April 16, 2009

The Great Weight Debate

Hello LFM readers!

MRP is now more than four months old, and I'm feeling....gross. When I first found out I was pregnant, I was SO good about my diet, and eating (and not eating) exactly what I was supposed to according to her growing stages and trimesters. (It helps that I naturally crave cold vegetables in the summer and fruit all year round.) Toward the end however, I craved drive-through and junk food; horrible I know.

After her delivery, the weight seemed to literally fall off my body. I was super-excited! I vowed to breastfeed for the rest of my life if this is how it was going to be! Now though, I find that I'm still eating the way I was towards the end of my pregnancy, and the weight has stopped falling off, and is actually creeping back on! :(

I wasn't the thinnest person to begin with, so seeing this body morph over and over again doesn't make me very happy (who would it?) I need to get with the program already! But which program will be best?

I've done Weight Watchers in the past, and it's worked. But I feel like I've done it so many times==vicious cycle. I'm not about to start spending money "for the food" with Jenny Craig--though congrats to '80's star Valerie Bertinelli,--or never be able to go out to eat again because "my meals are delivered to my door" via Nutri System.

My husband tells me that he just doesn't understand how people can have such issues losing weight. This coming from a man almost 6 feet tall, and 140 lbs. at best. (Note: I hope my daughter has his build! :P) He believes in the good ol' fashioned "Eat less, move more" theory. Whatever.

I belong to a popular gym in town, but it's not very family-friendly, and I find that no matter my good intentions, that is all they are--intentions. I'm thinking of joining Jazzercise. I figure it's close to the house, it's only an hour long commitment, and I can be in and out and home again before MRP and Brian can miss me. Any thoughts? I'm looking for some good women to join with, or meet there to keep me motivated. Any takers, or does anyone already go?

I NEED to do something. I can already see MRP running around the house, and me trying to keep up with her. I'd like to make the life change now (though I feel I've said that a million times), and teach her to be fit and healthy. HELP! Take me up on my offer--lets do this together!

Until next time, I need workout partners and motivators!
Karyn Potts
*Comment here, or reach me at: Karyn@lexingtonfamily.com

NOT a Seasonal Blogger

Hello Lexington FAMILY Magazine readers!!

I'm promising at this moment, NOT to be a "seasonal blogger!" However, I'm sure many of you understand, and DID warn me in advance: once you become a Mommy, all things fall by the wayside! I look around at closets I want to reorganize, a garage that needs cleaning out, laundry that needs putting away and a dog that needs a bath. But I decide rather, that I'd like to love all over MRP for a few long hours instead; because the way I feel being her Mom is like no other. Nothing makes me happier. It's like any piece of advice or warning anyone's ever given me about parenthood, and the feelings that come with it, have suddenly come true.

"It's like you're falling in love for the first time; but it's completely different, like nothing you've ever felt before."--Dana Tackett

"I never realized JUST how all-consuming it was going to be until it happened. One day I surprised myself in the mirror: I had BROWN eyes, unlike the beautiful BLUE ones I had been staring at for months."--Laurie Evans

"Suddenly I realized that, there was another reason I was the bread-winner. I now had this whole other person who I was responsible for. Though, asking me to give you a quote about how my life changed and how I felt when we had Jack, is like asking me the meaning of life itself-indescribable."--John Lynch

"It's like taking a piece of your heart and putting it out into the world. You just want to protect it, and make sure nothing ever happens that will ever make it hurt."--Glenda Isaac

"After ten years of waiting, seeing our own little miracle for the first time brought a huge sense of wonderment. How can a new Mom, Dad and Grandma fall in love in an instant?! We new she was a gift."--Adoptive Mom, Teena Whaley

"It's surreal when they're born. I got to be the first one to hold each one, and that was hands-down the greatest moment in my entire life; and I got to do it four times!!"--Wynn Storton

"I didn't feel like a mom when I gave birth. The twins were in the NICU and it took days before I could even hold them. I was so scared they would die that I was almost scared to love them. I got to hold Mara when she was 4 days old. When the nurse laid her incredibly tiny body on my chest, Mara sort of sighed and curled her hand in my hair. All of a sudden, that's when I knew I was a mom and that, no matter what, I loved my little angels."--Laura Hover-Skiles

"I never thought I'd be dancing around my 2-year-old daughter's room with pom poms, but I'll do anything to make her happy and see that smile. She lights up my world."--Kyle Becker

"It was the most profound sense of peace. I realized that I had finally found the pot of gold at the end of my rainbow. God had surely sent me the best He had."--MY Mom, Peggy Lind

Alright, so obviously the last quote makes me cry--I've always been very close to my Mom. I think I can finally understand what it's like to have a daughter. To love her unconditionally, and whole-heartedly...there are just no words.

Until next time, love them as much as you can.
Karyn Potts
*Please share your feelings, comments, etc.*