"Hey, I'm kinda interesting"

[warning: this post has nothing to do with Cole. It is not meant to be boastful or self-serving. This is a internal observation I had while sitting in a salon chair.]

The other day I was getting my hair done and this hipster-cool salon (the kind where it’s required to have a tattoo sleeve, skinny black pants and motorcycle boots). As the stylist starting putting the goop in my hair, he took a step back and commented on my star tattoo. He said “I bet there’s a great story there – tell me about your interesting life”. My initial gut response was “I’m not that interesting… pretty boring really. Tell me about you instead!”

As we kept chatting about life and stories from the past were shared, it accorded to me that I've done a lot of weird/cool shit… and that I should own-up to that. Not just me… everyone! It’s so normal to down-play the awesome stuff you've done and just assume you’re life isn't that exciting. Not cool Tanto. Not cool.

So take a moment, sit back with a cup of coffee, and think about all the kick-butt stuff you've done.

Hell, I’m going to write out some of mine so I can reference it next time I’m asked.

I work in at a cool job where Will Smith and Marlo Thomas drop by
I have a great “how I met my hubby” story that makes people smile-gush
I've jumped out of a plane at 10,000 feet
I spent a summer half-way across the country, where I didn't know anyone, at 18
I have a kid who is seriously funny/awesome and has a killer slap-shot at 21 months old
I (with help) planned a wedding in 5 months
I've been on the kiss-cam (though I wasn't sitting next to my husband… and it was awkward)
I’m 200 hour yoga certified and prenatal certified (all while working full-time)
I did a crazy-ass dance, that no one saw coming, at my wedding
AND I have a cool star tattoo on my neck (that I love) that I got with my MOM AND DAD. 

Boom!

Lent and Other Stuff

I'm not a church-goer. I have no problem with church, I just haven't been in a while. So when I was asked at work what I was giving up for lent I didn't really have an answer. I don't think I've participated before.

Now before you start judging the rest of this post for one reason or another, take a step back, inhale - exhale, and just go with it. 

So this year I decided that I would give something up. The problem is there isn't too much I WANTED to give (yes, I realize that's not really the point of lent... stop judging) - after being pregnant I wasn't going to give up alcohol... or coffee... already did that for nine months! I don't really eat sweets or drink pop... and I'm not a big snack person. So what does that leave?

For lent I'm giving up excuses.

I will no longer use the "I just had a baby" or the "it's just not the right time" excuses for the next forty days (I'll even observe these on Sundays, even though they are off-days).

So starting last night I did some crunches. Tonight I will spend some time on the treadmill. Tomorrow, since I don't have to work, I will do my Tracy Anderson video and work on my business plan.

Other stuff:

• Jason comes home in two days!!!! 
• I started swaddling Cole again... he wasn't sleeping through the night... since returning to that magical piece of fabric he is going down at 10pm and sleeping until 6:30am!
• I'll be back to teaching yoga on Sunday mornings April 10th
• Cole is holding onto rattles - not for a super long time but it's still a great development 
• We have another friend who is prego - that makes 6 now - babies everywhere this fall

Yoga Side Note

If you read any of my prego-posts you would know that the one thing I missed the most was yoga. I did prenatal yoga and even got certified to teach it but it didn't totally satisfy my cravings. I'm a hot yoga addict; both traditional Bikram and Power Vinyasa, and though my doctor said it would be fine to keep practicing I just couldn't do it. The phrase "bun in the oven" always popped into my head - didn't want to overcook the little Papoose!

Needless to say, I was excited to get back to it and jumped into a Level 1 class a few weeks back. Bad idea. According to my chiropractor, I went back a little too early and that's why my low-back has been so messed up. So instead of practicing I'm writing this post... maybe venting about how I miss it will strengthen my core faster so I can get back to it. Probably not but I can only do so many hip lifts...

So here are two yoga side notes: The first, my goal pose for 2011 - Scorpion

The second, a funny description of how some people (including myself at times) approach yoga...

Oh, and if you're wondering about J's yoga journey... that's also been put on hold as Lifetime never replaced my Sunday morning class and I haven't really fulfilled my promise of teaching him at home. With his Flatlander (ski) trip coming up in a month I think I will have to make that a priority so he comes home in one piece!

Weekend Madness

It was one of the more crazier weekends for me but it was AMAZING!

It all started Thursday at our doc appointment. Lil’ Los is doing great and is, get this, AVERAGE SIZE! Right!?!? Who knew! For his bone and head measurements he’s in the 55 percentile. I’m baffled but excited… I know everyone says you want a big baby but I was getting a little nervous. Obviously we have two more months of growth ahead of us but I think the automatic c-section discussion is off the table. Yeah!

After the doc appt is was off to Blooma for the start of my prenatal yoga training weekend extravaganza. It would take PAGES to describe what an amazing training it was… I’ll spare you but I will say this:

• I had some kick ass women in the training with me who totally owned it all. Their confidence, fear, sexuality, accomplishments, failures, opinions… everything! It was very empowering
• I never thought I would see so many vaginas in one weekend. We probably watched 7 different labor videos. I can officially cross-off doula and midwife from the “potential careers” list
• Prenatal yoga is tough – Saturday morning’s practice was one of the hardest yoga practices I’ve ever had! This is NOT a cute picture of me but you can tell by my bright red face that I’m working it!

• Mindful listening is one of the best and most challenging things to do. To actually listen to someone for 5 minutes and then repeat back what you heard (in your own words)… Powerful and very therapeutic
• I’m going to try for a natural birth… no drugs! I want to be able to apply what I’ve learned this weekend which means being able to move.

On top of this amazing 4-day training I got to shake my butt and spin around a pole for Kim’s Bachlorette party! It was SO great to see all my old college roomies and giggle like never before. Again, I’ll spare you all the details but having a big belly definitely helps swing you around a stripper pole! Might not look too sexy but damnit, I could do it!

So there it was… Doesn’t look too busy written out but it was… and I loved it!

I hope everyone else had a great weekend!