Comfortable In My Skin: The Beginning

Among all the wonderful new changes that have happened in the last year, a new career opportunity was one of them. After working in the child care field for 10 years (at the same center I might add 😃), I was presented with a chance to work with families as a whole on a more one-on-one basis. I love the job and feel super blessed to be in the position I'm in, unfortunately I began to notice that as my spirit, joy, and love grew...so did my waistline.
With my new job, I spend a lot of time driving around the city and sitting with clients. Being on the go so much I found myself frequenting drive-thrus way more than usual. Before I knew it, the weight had piled on and I just felt super uncomfortable in my skin. I was avoiding mirrors, canceling outings with friends, and I found myself falling into a slump.

I started to do some searching. I knew diets were out of the question for me, but I could commit to choosing healthier options. The next question was join a gym or don't join a gym. Gym memberships can get pricey, especially the ones that are bigger and offer pools, child are, etc. Being a single parent on a budget, I had to get creative and devise a plan.
I found a gym that was running a discounted offer on a yearly membership. It was a smaller gym, so I wouldn't be in a place that was intimating, and it also offered personal training sessions throughout the week.

Next, because this particular gym did not offer child care, I came up with a schedule for exactly what day and time I would workout each week. I talked with my mom and sister and found someone to watch my son while I worked out for one hour, twice a week.

Week one went great! I already feel more energized and motivated. I'll get that comfort level back before I know it and get back to being my fab Mod Mommy self again!

What type of lifestyle changes are you making this year? How do you stay comfy in your own skin?

Love and Blessings!
Mod Mommy Mela

Return of the (Mod) Mom!

After months of telling myself. "you really need to recommit to your blog lady!", I got a friendly nudge today from a very dear friend and decided THIS will be the day of Mod Mommy's return!! So much has happened since last Easter. There have been new happy arrivals and sad departures, we've discovered baby bear's need for (the CUTEST) spectacles and had an asthma related scare, entered the terrific twos and potty training, pushed my culinary limits and rediscovered my love for baking. And so much more! I look forward to sharing with you the newest adventures I find each day in mod mommyhood :). And I pinky promise not to go away for a long time again...

Love and Blessings!
Mod Mommy Mela

Happy 2nd Birthday Bear!

Mommy's Dapper Dude

Christmas Time

Boo at the Zoo

Baby's first haircut

Happy Easter!!

Milo ended up getting sick this weekend, so all our Easter plans had to be put on hold. So instead of a weekend out on the town, we opted for a fun filled time right in our own backyard! The impromptu Easter egg was so much fun :)! Baby Bear had a blast scouting out all the colored eggs and was even more excited to discover the yummy treats inside.
What spur of the moment activities have you enjoyed with your little ones?

XOXO
Mod Mommy Mela

Making a difference...2 feet at a time!

Today my family and I went out to the mall to hang out for a few hours. I decided to go into Journeyz

Kidz to look for a couple new pairs of shoes for Milo. With the new season approaching, his little toesies are beginning to grow, once again! I came across the cutest pair of gray canvas shoes. I thought to myself "these would make awesome everyday shoes and the price isn't too bad either". I asked the sales woman for the size I needed, she smiled and scurried into the back to get the shoes. When she came back out, she shared some info with me that instantly made the shoes a must have! The shoes are called TOMS, and with every pair of their shoes that are sold, a pair is given to a child in need of shoes. How awesome is that??!! I was very happy to get two pairs of shoes for the price of one...One pair for my baby bear and a second for another mother's little blessing :)

Here is the website for the organization. I recommend everyone check it out and if you can purchase a pair or two for your little one.

One for One - Official Store - TOMS Shoes - A Pair of New Shoes is Given to a Child in Need With Every Pair Purchased - One for One - TOMS.com

I plan on getting another pair for my munchkin before summer officially hits! It's pretty amazing the many ways you can help others in need, just by doing a simple everyday things.

XOXO

Mod Mommy Mela

Friday Confessions...

I'm currently jamming to "Beautiful Day", enjoying the early spring that has sprung upon us. Baby bear is napping soundly, laundry is done, I have my dinner meal all planned out...life is just super sweet! So let's get to this week's confession:

My child has a favorite tv show!

Yes, yes I know that it's not recommended for children under the age of 2 to watch television. But let's face it, there are times when the "tube" is on and it doesn't take much for your little one to get hooked. Nick Jr has some of the best educational cartoons, hence Bear developing a love for Team Umizoomi, and I do allow him to watch the show sometimes. Now don't get me wrong, I don't allow the tv to watch my child or anything. I spend alot of time singing songs, reading books, going outside/to the park, coloring, etc with Milo everyday. He loves music and alot of times we will listen to his cds throughout most of our day. Still, there are times like when I'm starting dinner, or throwing a load in the washer or dryer when he gets to use his "mighty math powers" with his favorite Team Umizoomi characters.

So does a little tv here and there make me a bad parent?...of course not! I feel like as long as you balance it out, as long as most of your time with your babies is spent interacting with them and enhancing their daily development, then it's really not a big deal. Agree or disagree, either way it works for this Mod Mommy :).

TGIF!
Mod Mommy Mela



Friday Confessions

It's our favorite day of the week Mod Mommies and Daddies!! I'm so looking forward of course to a weekend of nice weather and fun times with the fam. But before I kick off the weekend, here is this week's confession:

I second guess decisions way more now than before having a child!

Ok, so this is another tough thing to admit. I mean, I doubt anyone wants to admit that they sometimes are unsure, especially when it comes to parenting. For me , I think alot of it has to do with my line of work. I've worked with infants and toddlers for almost 9 years. At this point I should be some kind of birth-3 year old guru! Lol! But alas, I find myself sometimes wondering, "was that the right choice?", "did I do what's best for Milo?", "will this affect him in a positive way?". Now don't get  me wrong, I'm not a newfound worry wart or anything. But I have become way more conscious when it comes to decision making...which I guess isn't always a bad thing :). I am learning, however, that a parent's intuition is alive and well. It is something that surely exists, and I am working on becoming more confident in it! The things I am doing in my life at the moment, from my career to filtering relationships with people, will all work out in the end as long as I stay prayed up and continue to work on my parental confidence. What types of changes have you found in your life since bringing home your bundle of joy?

Happy weekend!
Mod Mommy Mela

Happy Wednesday!!

Feeling refreshed and renewed this morning , and oh so very thankful for it! I'm finding a lot lately that sometimes you have to wake up, have a little talk with Jesus, AND tell yourself that no matter what, today will be awesome. Don't even make it a choice. It's waaaay more fun to be happy anyways :)...