Stroller Strides ~by Emily Carpenter

Last weekend I went through the Stroller Strides Instructor Training Program again.  I did it simply to earn CECs (Continuing Education Credits) since I was originally certified in 2008. Sitting in that conference room all weekend re-learning all about prenatal and postpartum fitness made me think about the first day I tried Stroller Strides. The #1 reason I went?  I had a coupon!  #2 I didn't know any mothers, except for one neighbor -- and when we had playdates I always felt I was doing motherhood wrong. I remember getting dressed-- none of my old workout clothes fit, and even if they had I wasn't read to be that scantily clad.  I couldn't believe how long it took me to get out the door with baby Zoe, then 6 months old.  Water for me, snack for her, blankets, clean diaper, toys, stroller... the list was endless!  Gone were the days of getting ready 15 minutes before I had to be somewhere-- I used to be great at that! I arrived, self-conscious and worried.  Worried about:

• Being the fattest mom there
• Zoe crying the whole time
• No one else going through what I was going through
• Keeping up
• Finishing the class
• Having fun 
• Making friends
• Having other moms judge me

Sometimes these thoughts can paralyze new moms.  I know they paralyzed me.  I was happy bonding with Zoe at home, I was worried about cutting into that time to take an hour to work on something as vain as 'getting thin'.  I was worried I'd be roped into a  multitude of activities I didn't want to do.  I was worried people would say it was unnatural that I felt like 24/7 wasn't enough time with my baby. It didn't take many classes before I suddenly felt happier--- and more like "Emily".  I had friends!  Zoe had friends--whoa!  And I looked forward to getting there---- crazy packing of the car and all.  It turned out-- even though ever mom I met was different-- no one was judging.  Sometimes one mom would cry and then everyone started!  Sometimes we'd chat and giggle and get in trouble with the instructor.  What fun to know we were still women who people looked forward to seeing.  It's different making friends as a mom.  The criteria are different.  It's not "Did we vote for the same person?" it's "Our kids didn't sleep through the night till the were TWO!"    For me, in that first year (I've now just begun Year #4 with Stroller Strides) it was the feeling that baby was central to everything, but Mommy's health and happiness was the foundation--- and sharing that journey with other women going through it.  The embracing of that concept still has me coming back every week.

 

A Beautiful Life ~by Vanessa Eskolin

A couple of days ago I watched the trailer for the movie "Water For Elephants" starring Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson. In one of the clips, Robert Pattinson leans over to Reese Witherspoon and whispers "You're a beautiful woman. You should have a beautiful life."  That struck me as really a great line. Well, let me be honest; Robert Pattinson could probably tell me to go fly a kite and I'd still giggle, but I digress.

If I were to "free flow" about motherhood, beautiful might not be the first adjective that comes to mind. This is probably due to the fact that am in the beginning stages of potty training Max, so motherhood is currently associated with pee pee, caca, potty, and my son refusing to sit on his potty unless he is wearing his fireman hat. But at the end of the day (after I have spot-checked for pee pee drips in random areas of the house), I think motherhood is beautiful. Messy, silly, and at times frustrating, but all in all pretty awesome. As a mother, we are given the opportunity to raise and guide our children, and then we watch as that child develops their own personality and becomes an individual. This individuality may also be the cause of the few gray hairs I have begun to notice, but who am I to say that there is anything wrong with wearing a Halloween costume while sitting on the toilet?  Motherhood is by far one of the most difficult jobs out there, but the rewards and experiences are unmatched.

"Water for Elephants" is not in movie theaters, and I have not yet finished the book, but I would bet money that the dialogue following Robert Pattinson's line about "a beautiful life" has nothing to do with making wee wee in the potty. I will go see this movie, and although I will probably swoon when Edward Cullen whispers this across a candlelit table, the image in my head will be of a bright red fireman hat and a little white toosh running through the kitchen. Call me crazy, but I think that is pretty beautiful.

Slow Down, Pay Attention, and Just "Be" ~ by Vanessa Eskolin

I took a yoga class today. For those of you who know me, you know that this is a challenge. I am what some more polite people would refer to as "high-strung". I have never been one to sit around and be mellow, take naps, or just "be". I fidget, I make lists, cross things off my list, add more to the list, and I am ALWAYS straightening or organizing something. I don't necessarily love this quality, but I am learning to just accept the way I am. I envy people like my husband who can just flop on the couch and read a magazine or take a nap.

 

Back to yoga. At the start of the class the instructor explained that in honor of the New Year, we would be doing extra reflection and meditation. The class would start with 12 minutes of meditation. "12 MINUTES OF SITTING STILL", I inwardly screeched, "THERE IS NO WAY I CAN SIT STILL FOR A WHOLE 12 MINUTES!!!" I had the choice to either rush my over-active tooshy out the door, or close my eyes, take some deep incense filled breaths and do my best to "reflect on the past year" (instructor's words, not mine).

 

As is evident by my post, I survived. I not only survived the mediation, but as soon as I made the decision to "just be", the class breezed by. I left feeling light and relaxed. I arrived home to rice on the floor and dishes in the sink, but it DIDN'T MATTER. I am writing this tonight because I think as women and mothers, we tend to constantly be in motion. Planning, cleaning, organizing, feeding, playing, etc., etc., etc., and we can easily forget to sit down and pay attention to what is happening in the present moment. Some of my most peaceful moments are taking time to watch Max when we are outside. What could easily be a five minute walk turns into a thirty minute walk because Max stops to look at grass, listen to a bird, or touch a plant. He is paying attention to every detail of his present surroundings. Who'd have thought my two year old could be teaching me such valuable lessons??

 

As we enter the New Year and travel through busy, full lives, I want to remind you (and myself!!) to take time to slow down, pay attention, and just "be". Now please excuse me while I go add that to my list.

Exercise of the Week!

Gliding Disc Plank to Tuck

Place both feet on the gliding discs or plates and get into plank position. Activate the core and draw both feet in twards the chest at the same time. (This can be performed without discs or plates by jumping the feet in and back out).

You never know when this might pop in one of our Stroller Strides workouts!

January Mom's Night Out and Mom's Lunch

Stroller Strides of the First Coast is hosting a Stroller Strides instructor training Jan 22-23, 2011.  Join us in welcoming other Stroller Strides Moms from out of state and within at a Mom's Night Out on 1/22. We will meet at Daruma's Steakhouse on Old St. Augustine Road at 7:00pm for food, drinks, and conversation. Please RSVP by 1/15 by email so I can make sure to reserve enough space.

Our January Mom's Lunch will be held 1/14 12:30pm at the Red Elephant on San Jose Blvd. Please RSVP via email or Facebook so we have enough seats.

January Playgroups

Playgroup meets every Wednesday from 10:30am to 11:15am at Losco Park.  Please make sure to RSVP via Facebook under our events tab so we can make sure we have enough supplies!

January Playgroups:

1/5 - Winter Frame Craft
1/12 - Critter Magnet Craft
1/19 - Animal Puppet Craft
1/26 - Bring a book to read to the group

We hope to see all of you at playgroup!

January Vendor of the Month

Our January Vendor of the Month is The Joys of Jess. This ETSY store creates hand embroidered art just for you! Purchase during the month of January and enter coupon code "strollerstrides" to receive 10% off!
Don't wait...shop now!!

The Vendor of the Month will be listed for the entire month on the side bar. 

January Mom of the Month!

Our mom of the month for January is Jessica Bishop.  Congratulations Jessica!!  Jessica is mom to Ben.  She has been a member of our Stroller Strides family since September 2010.  Jessica has a great sense of humor and a wonderful personality…she definitely makes class fun!  Have you met Jessica?  Come visit one of our classes and meet this great mom…until then here is more about Jessica…
1. I just had my first son, Benjamin, on July 12, two days before my third wedding anniversary.
2. I married my high school sweetheart. We went to different colleges and spent 3.5 years in a long distance relationship.
3. I'll eat almost anything with mint in it. Almost.
4. I'm very into crafting, making homemade, and buying homemade.
5. Before I was a mom, I taught preschool.
6. I graduated from Florida State University in 2006. I'm a diehard 'Nole.
7. I run my own etsy shop where I sell embroidered goods.
8. I'm a navy brat, but I've pretty much only lived in Jacksonville and Pensacola.
9. I have a very young family and on my dad's side, we have five generations living. My son has a GreatGreatGrandma. And she's only in her 80s.
10. I am only 4'11.
11. I played softball for 10 years. I was a catcher mostly because it made me laugh to be the smallest one and the catcher.
12. I have two labs, Olive and Hunter. They were named after shades of green.
13. I use cloth diapers on Ben.
14. I have one younger brother. He's 21 and has a severe seizure disorder that results in him having mild cerebral palsy and developmental delays.
15. I'm closer in age to my youngest aunt than I am to my oldest cousin.
16. I HATE COLD WEATHER.
17. I hula hoop and am actually pretty good at it.
18. I turn into my mom more and more each day.
19. I'm a terrible cook. Thank goodness my husband isn't. Worst housewife ever.
20. I cry at anything sappy in tv or movies, but not at my own life. Like I cried when Rory Gilmore graduated, but not when I did.
21. My favorite movie is A Little Princess and it makes me cry like a baby.
22. I own more children's books than adult books and NOT just because I taught preschool and have a kid.
23. My favorite book is Bridge to Terabithia and it makes me cry like a baby.
24. I'm feeling pretty boring because 25 things are hard to come up with.
25. If I stay up past 10pm, it's been a late night for me. Even in college, I was in bed by 9 on "school nights."