Uncategorized Archives - Page 4 of 5

Happy Belated Anniversary MomInDCtiy!

May 14, 2013 by momindcity 3 Comments

I’m officially “that guy.” The one who forgets our anniversary. Time to bow my head in shame and buy you two dozen roses. Happy belated Anniversary, MomInDCity readers! (It was last weekend– on Mother’s Day, actually)

I’ve learned a lot this year—about myself and about you. For example, MomInDCity readers really like hearing about poop. Two of the three most read posts are potty-related: Potty Training and a Purse Full of Poop and Potty Party on the Front Porch. The third favorite was a picture of me in my exciting thrift store find.

Since you like poop so much, you probably also like farts, so I’ll let you in on the latest dance move that Lira created. It’s called a farté which is basically a plié combined with a fart. It’s the cause of non-stop giggles—mainly from me because Lira puts on such a serious ballet face when she does it.

Oh, and another one for the vocabulary test: dicnic. I first learned this term after picking up sandwiches for an evening visit to Stanton Park. “We’re having a picnic!” Lira exclaimed. “Actually, this is more like a dicnic. You know… a dinner picnic.” Dave and I did our best not to spit out our drinks. We’ve been having dicnics for years and I never knew what to call them. I think dicnics are really going to catch on now that the weather has gotten nicer.

But back to our anniversary, you look beautiful tonight. Seriously, that color really brings out your eyes. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your love and support this year. Thank you for reading, sharing, commenting on and supporting MomInDCity. I promise more of what you love: potty humor, photos of me in cheap clothing and reviews of all the must-sees and must-dos in DC.

XOXO,

MomInDCity

Why Race If You’re Not Gonna Win?

February 28, 2013 by momindcity 8 Comments

It has been 50 degrees in DC the past couple of days, which reminds me that Spring is near, which then reminds me that my Baby Phat jumpsuit can (and will) soon make an appearance.

Prepping to wear more JLOesque attire means it’s time to get with the program and tighten up. The holidays are over, so I should probably stop shoveling cookies dipped in Nutella, topped with ice cream into my mouth. I ended up losing 15 pounds with the help of the MyFitnessPal app, but a few of those have made it back onto my hips.

I got a Nike Fuel Band for my birthday and it has tricked me into thinking that active=in shape. The Fuel Band goes around your wrist, tracks your movement and tells you how much “fuel” you’ve earned. It’s supposed to motivate you to be more active. For more details (and a giggle), read what Dan Catt has to say about it.

Anyway, in case you’re wondering, you can earn 6,000 fuel points cleaning your house and going to kids birthday parties but that does not mean you’re in shape.

Back when I was running several times a week, I decided to sign up for the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler. A couple of weeks ago I decided it was time to start training. Shouldn’t be too bad, right? I’ve been killing it with fuel points. Apparently that’s not how t works.

I actually had to ice my legs after a 3 mile run. Luckily, I have a lot of support:

My daughter, Lira, who asked (after a personal best in my first 10K) “Why do you race when you’re not gonna win?”
My husband, Dave, who takes me to the track for sprint workouts and then says things like “is that seriously the fastest you can run? What are you going to do if somebody’s chasing you?”
My mom who refers to any race I sign up for as a marathon. (“When’s that marathon? How’s marathon training going?”)
My running buddy, Katie, who’s an overachiever and says things like “don’t worry, I’ll make your Elmo headband along with my Big Bird one so we can look extra awesome when we run!” (overachiever)
Where’s Cookie Monster?

So I’ve done some serious math (we’re talking calculus-level) and have figured out that, if I add a mile each weekend, I’ll run 10 miles for the first time ever on race day. This past weekend I ran from my house past the Capitol Building, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial and ended at the DC WWI Memorial. This exercise taught me a few things:

1. 5 miles is a lot and only halfway to 10.
2. People would really be jealous if they knew I could just run by this cool stuff whenever I want (which is obviously why I’m sharing)
3. It’s hard to complain about your legs hurting when you’re at a war memorial. I mean, it’s not like I just died fighting for my country.

You're jealous, aren't you? — You’re jealous, aren’t you?

I think Lira summed it up best. Why race if you’re not gonna win?

See you at the finish line.

Ten Pounds and a Baby Phat Jumpsuit

October 19, 2012 by momindcity 11 Comments

I have an announcement to make! The title probably gave it away, but here goes: I lost the 10 lbs!

It took 2 months of sticking to a plan, and here I am. But now what?

Things have gotten pretty exciting since I’ve gotten lighter: I feel better about the way my clothes fit, Dave keeps telling me how good I look (ok he really does that no matter what I look like– such well trained husband), and I’ve been getting a lot more cat calls from the hoodlums on the corner (don’t be jealous).

Today, I decided to celebrate my new sexy bod by purchasing a very important article of clothing: a Baby Phat jump suit. Yeah, I said Baby Phat. Yes, I know I made fun of the lady at Burlington for her Baby Phat purchase… but this is different. First of all, it was a size 7 in juniors (I may be having a midlife crisis), and second of all… it was $4 at Macy’s. That was not a typo. It was $4. I spent more on my soy latte this morning.

Here’s what it looks like:

Baby Phat Jumper — From the Macy’s Website

I’m always standing around in that position with my hair blowing in the wind, so I think it will look really good on me.

The thing is, I really do love this jumpsuit, but where do you wear something like this? Beyonce hasn’t called me to hang out lately. I only go to the club every other year now. The JLo concert was a couple of months ago. So when am I going to wear it?

If I keep losing weight at this rate, it’s not going to fit me for long. Ha! I’m kidding… there’s no danger of me continuing to lose weight. I had a pumpkin cupcake to celebrate today and it was divine. Oh how I’ve missed my Kitchen Aid mixer these past two months.

So here are my questions for you, my dear readers:

1. Where should I wear my sexy new jumpsuit?
2. How do you transition from losing weight to maintaining weight? I’m generally all or nothing– a dozen donuts or a salad with no dressing.

Discuss…

Happy (Not Really) Columbus Day!

October 8, 2012 by momindcity 3 Comments

In fourteen hundred and ninety two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue.

And thanks to that, a lot of Americans had the day off today– especially in D.C. I wasn’t one of those lucky ones. Instead, I spent the day at work panicking over a contractor in the U.K who disappeared when I needed him most. Does the U.K. celebrate Columbus Day too? Anyway, the rest of the fam had a lovely day hanging out without me.

Columbus Day sure has changed since I was a kid. I remember making construction paper boats signifying the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria. Christopher Columbus was a hero to be honored. These days, people seem to be keeping it real. I saw a whole lot of this on people’s Facebook feed today:

Since Dave is a history buff, I was curious to get his take. He said “Columbus enslaved the Indian population in the name of converting them to Christianity.”

And there are a lot of people, quoted on the internet, with much more harsh words that that.

One historian called him “an unrelenting social climber and self-promoter who stopped at nothing— not even exploitation, slavery, or twisting Biblical scripture— to advance his ambitions”

Well that doesn’t sound like someone I want to sing songs about. Do he make you want to sing? That doesn’t even sound like someone I want to take the day off for. (ok, I’m lying– I still want to take the day off.)

The wine shop/florist on Lincoln Park had a lovely sign outside that sums it up well:

Perhaps I’ll end the day with a glass of wine while thinking about Columbus… or maybe I’ll just have a glass of wine.

What’s your take on Columbus Day? Should Columbus even have a day?

Triple B and Those Last 10 Pounds

August 24, 2012 by momindcity 15 Comments

I have decided that it’s time to lose those last 10 pounds.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always been proud of my curves. In high school, when my nickname was “triple B” for “big bootie Besa,” I answered to it with pride. In college, when my pants split down the middle while I was shakin’ it at a club, I shrugged and moved on.

The pounds have been creeping on for a while. A little muffin top here, a little can’t-button-my-jeans there. But I hadn’t really thought about it much until I caught a rear-view glimpse of myself in a dressing room mirror. Game over– it was time to do something. On a side note, what’s up with the lighting in those dressing rooms? I thought they were trying to sell clothes in there, not rip self-esteems to shreds.

I won’t bore you (much) with the details, but I feel that a public declaration is in order. I’m counting on my MomInDCity readers to hold me accountable, ‘kay? Can you do that for me?

The plan started Monday (this is day 5), and so far so good.

I’m doing it old school and counting calories. There’s an app called MyFitnessPal, which is apparently cool because my college intern told me everybody‘s using it. And that includes my mom (really!), so it must be true. I’m also tracking my exercise, which is good for damage control– ate some gelato? go run 3 miles.

I generally enjoy healthy food, but I’ve also never met a cupcake I didn’t like. So this will be a challenge.

Anyone else on a weight-loss mission? I’d love to hear about it.

P.S.- You might be thinking “you don’t look fat in any of these pictures.” And you’re right. Because 1) I delete all non-flattering pictures of myself and 2) it’s all in my a$$.