Spring it on me!

Is Spring ever going to find Chicago?

All that I want to do is put my baby in her stroller and go....

I would take her to the downtown shops.  I would take her for a special cupcake at the little cupcake shop that I found.  And *how* cute is it!?  I would let her choose any of them that she wanted and then we would sit at the little table inside and she could devour the sugary goodness and smile her sweet smile. 

I would take her to the river walk and let her watch the geese play in the water.  We could bring some bread and she could throw it for them to eat.  She would love it!  She loves the outdoors and she loves animals. 

So many things that I could think of that my baby and I could do.

If only spring would find Chicago.

Today, (if her fever is gone when she wakes up) we are going to go stroller shopping.  We've been using the bulky one that came with the travel system.  I wanted that thing *so bad* because it is so cute with the pink and brown polka dots.  Polka dots are kind of my theme for her.  Everything is in polka dots.  But 15 months later and several months post infant car seat....that travel system stroller is just too bulky for our daily needs. 

We also have an el-cheap-o umbrella stroller but that thing is so short that it kills my back to push it.  I'm all legs....and while I'm not a tall girl, I sure feel like Godzilla when I have to hunch down to push her in it.

So we're going to one of those huge baby stores today to 'test drive' some new strollers.  I already know which one I want, but I know that the price tag will scare her father into a coma.  Because he's tight.  And that's good!  We're simplifying.  Remember?  (Remember, Joy!)  But I justify it for the fact that we're going to use it for years to come.  So why not go a little overboard and enjoy it longer.  Otherwise, we may end up having to buy two before her stroller years are gone.  Am I doing a good job at convincing here?

We'll see what we find.  A lot of times the nice 'Cadillac' strollers don't end up being nearly as nice as you would think they should be.  And I honestly look at it like I would a shoe.  I want her to try it on before I buy it.  She needs to sit in it, I'm going to push her around the store in it.  She needs to be comfortable.  And the chariot must fit the princess.  Pink is optional.

Until spring finds us, we'll be stuck inside.  Doing boring things....like sitting in tiny boxes.

I'm still chugging away on my diet.  Feeling more than frustrated.  I'm not a good dieter.  At. All.  I'm an instant gratification type of person.  I want results now.  And.....I'm not getting results now.  All that I have in my mind is this picture of me from like 2005/06 when I was at my hottest (and I'm not talking temperature).  I know that this isn't realistic anymore.  I HAD A BABY.  But I can't get that out of my head.  (Good thing I'm seeing Dr. Laura again this week.)  On myfitnesspal.com there is a thread in the message board about before/after pictures.  So, you know me, anything for a picture, ran to get my camera.  Threw myself in a bikini (one from that 2006 photo that I so kick myself over daily) and squeezed into it.

Seriously, I wanted to barf.

Ugh.

But, I took the picture.  And I refuse to post it *until* I reach a more slender frame.  Cause, quite frankly, it's gross.  I'm not even joking.

I'm technically down 3 pounds this week.  But I only say 'technically' because I am going off of my morning weight.  In the morning, I wake up about 3 pounds lighter than when I go to bed.  My starting weight with this diet, was my bedtime weight.  Soooo, I'm fudging to make myself feel better and to motivate me.  Sue me. 

I called this huge mondo gym facility yesterday and it is a lot cheaper than I thought it would be.  $39 a month.  No contract.  Plus, they have rock climbing, a pool, hot tubs, a day care, an indoor track and an indoor bike track....and some other amenities that my ADD didn't listen to.  But I'm going to go for my tour tonight and most likely sign up.  Plus, I would get 24 hour access....so I can work out after Kage is in bed.  It'll cut into my sleep, but that's okay.  There is only a month left this semester so I'm not going to sleep anyway. 

So when/if I ever lose my 20 pounds....*Joy, you WILL lose the 20 pounds.*....this is my prize.  Now, don't you wish that VS would just send you the body to go with the suit?!  Wouldn't that be nice?!  They sure would make a lot more sales that way.  Cause if I had her tummy, I would buy 20 of those suits.  And probably wear them to the grocery too.  And to church.  Well, not to church.  But maybe to go bowling or something. 

Ugh.   I'm being so superficial. 

But I can't help it.  We have a pool right across from our back door.  Kage and I will be using it daily.  Vitamin D purposes only.  Right?  I mean, the child will not drink milk so we have to get it from somewhere.  :)  The first suit that I chose as my prize was a sequined top.  And then I realized, ummm, hello, baby?!  Yeah, holding KG with a sequined top would result in her getting scratched and her pulling them off at random.  It would totally be a distraction from her learning to be comfortable in the water.

All joking aside, I've got my mind focused on something and I'm going to accomplish.  With gazelle intensity (as my friend Dave Ramsey would say). 

If I join the gym tonight, it's on.  And hopefully I meet someone so super cool (like, as cool as me.   haha) and they will be my workout buddy.  I need someone to kick me in the butt when I feel like slacking.  I have my myfitnesspal.com friend network to smack the ding dongs out of my hand but I need someone right here, in my face, keeping me on that elliptical.  Or keeping me running.  Maybe if they dangle a twinkie in front of the treadmill I will keep running?  :)

Now, I'm just being silly.  You know that.