Four Goals

The ladies at A Beautiful Mess (you might remember them from this post) have issued a challenge to come up with four simple goals to tackle before 2014. They suggest choosing goals that are simple, result-oriented, and personal and then rewarding yourself after achieving each.  I had already kind of started tackling two goals and decided, why the heck not, I'll take on the challenge of two more. I've always been a proponent of writing down goals, and sharing them with the world is a great way to keep a person accountable. So, without further ado, here they are: 

Now, for some further ado...

Goal #1: Watch one TED Talk a day.

This one might sound familiar as I mentioned it Monday. I'm happy to report that I am kicking this goal's butt and enjoying every moment of it. That Mike Rowe talk was amazing! (You've got to stick with it through the opening story, though.) Tuesday, I listened to Malcolm Gladwell and was less impressed. And yesterday, I listened to Candy Chang's talk and laughed and cried and now want to order a kit to start my own public art installation. Today, I think I am going to give Gladwell another chance.

Goal #2: Complete seven minute workout before showers.

A goal list wouldn't be complete without something relating to working out or eating well. Am I right? So I saw the seven minute workout app mentioned on Momfilter, and when I went to go download it onto my phone, I was surprised to see that there were many versions from which to choose. I downloaded a few and will try them out and let you know.  Oh yeah, and the shower thing.  I figured it would prompt me to do it and act as a little sauna session for after my workout. We'll see...

Goal #3: Meal plan on Sundays.

I read Rachel's post recently and thought, hey, a few minutes on Sunday might actually save us a lot of stress and a little money.  I'm excited to achieve this goal, and I think I might actually have a way to improve it.  I'll let you know how it's going after a few weeks.

Goal #4: Learn how to use the DSLR.

I'm not sure how simple this one actually is.  But I have a Nikon D90 and recently invested in a tripod and wireless remote, and I have yet to really learn the ins and outs.  In fact, I still feel like I get better shots on my iPhone. (All the pics on the blog so far have been shot with my iPhone.) But I know that my pictures could be much better quality if I learn to use the DSLR.  I have been working on learning about aperture this week.  I know what it is.  I even understand the physics behind it.  I know how to put the camera in aperture preference mode. I know how to identify what aperture the camera is using, but I just canNOT figure out how to change the aperture on the camera. I'm not giving up, though.  If you know how and would like to come over to my house and show me, I'll make you muffins. Otherwise, I'll just be watching Youtube videos about aperture and taking slightly fuzzy pictures of muffins.

So that's it!  I'm already working on all my goals and can't wait to update you all once they are achieved...or not achieved. I'll post updates either way. 

A Peak into My Back Yard

Although the last two days have been overcast and rainy, I can't help but smile when I look out the windows.  Our house backs up to the woods, and nature has been putting on a show for us.  The leaves seem especially bright this year, so bright that it inspired me to do some research. Apparently, those oranges and yellows are always there, but they are covered up by all the green created by chlorophyll during the long sunny summer days. How's that for a ruby slipper metaphor? They were always there!

Both Will and I have been fighting a cold these last few days, so we haven't gotten out for our usual walk even though it's been right around 60 degrees and dry in the afternoon. Instead, we have just been taking a stroll through our back yard, enjoying the crunch underfoot and the leaves wafting around us before heading back inside for a tissue. 

Last weekend, we drove into Missouri to celebrate a dear friend's baby, and the views of all the trees on the cliffs were breathtaking. It'd be worth it to just go for a drive.

Also, Natalie's post on the amazing colors in Central Park makes me want to head on over to check out Forest Park... maybe tomorrow when the sun comes out. 

Let's Talk Baby Play Gyms

When registering for a play gym, I tried to do my research, but they pretty much all looked the same and had similar reviews, so I decided to go with the Bright Starts Spots & Stripes Safari Gym because of the black and white and primary colors. When Will was less than two weeks old, we busted it out, and he and Piper had their first play date. After that, we used it almost daily for the next five months.

But after visiting Maggie and Piper one day when Will was just over a month and putting him down on Piper's Fisher-Price Discover 'n Grow Kick & Play Piano Gym (see pic below of the exact moment), I knew Will had to have it too.

The boy has barely stopped moving--mostly kicking and batting at first, now jumping and scooting and rolling and pounding--since the day he was born, so I felt I could justify the need for two play gyms. But if you are looking for just one, see below for the positives of each.

Bright Starts Spots & Stripes Safari Gym

Positives-THE TOYS.  We no longer use the gym, but we do still use some of the toys. Compared to the Piano Gym, the toys that the Safari Gym come with are outstanding and diverse. When he was between one and eight weeks, Will loved to bat at the little black and white tiger with the bell in his belly. Will still plays with the big black and white tiger (in the middle). He has a belly that lights up and plays music. You can set it so that it only plays when your baby moves it, so it introduces them to cause and effect. Will loves the tag on the big giraffe. (We call him Jerry.), which can be used for tummy time, but we never did because it was awkwardly shaped... and Will hated tummy time. 

Price-$49.99

Fisher-Price Discover 'n Grow Kick & Play Piano Gym

Positives-When Will was smaller, the height of this gym's arch seemed much more appropriate.  As you can see in the picture, the mirror was in a perfect position for him to gaze at himself. Also, my boy loves to kick.  I could set the piano to only play when he kicked it, and he would kick and bat at the toys and stare at his reflection for long periods of time.  Will is seven months now, and whenever I set him down in front of the piano, he still loves pounding it.
Price-$49.99

Verdict-

We really did get a lot of use out of both of these, so I think both are a good purchase.  However, if I were going to buy only one, I would buy the Fisher-Price Piano Gym. As a gym, it was the most useful. He could still bat at the toys, look in the mirror, and learn cause and effect, but we also got a kicking toy that converted to a sitting toy.  And you could probably buy similar toys from the Bright Starts Safari Gym for less money.

Also, the Fisher-Price Gym has made Will into a mini-Mozart. Just check out that concentration!

A Perfect Way to Start the Week

We (Jason, really, because I refuse to talk to Charter) canceled our premium channels yesterday. A first step to canceling cable? Probably not. Although, between Netflix and TED Talks, I think I would be able to make it. Do you know about TED Talks?  TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and from what I can gather, the talk part means an expert in something speaks about their expertise in a way that both entertains and enlightens us non-experts... with a projection screen for help.

I find them endlessly entertaining and educational.  The talks cover a multitude of topics, so you are sure to find more than a few that interest you. I'm such a fan that I downloaded the TED app on my iPad and iPhone when Will was first born and I was what-felt-like constantly nursing. My goal was to watch one TED Talk a day during a nursing session in order to try to combat the feeling of mindlessness that comes with almost no sleep and days full of baby talking and shooshing.

Below is one that I clicked on recently because, hey, I like books, and by the end I had not only laughed out loud no less than three times but had also found a lesson to share with my students when I teach visual aids (I teach rhetoric when I am not a stay-at-home mom.) and learned a tiny bit about typography and design. Not bad for something that is basically free--minus the device and WiFi that allows you to watch.

I think I am going to renew my goal to watch at least one a day. If you are interested in doing the same but don't know where to start, NPR culls through the best TED Talks and collects a few on a certain topic every week. You can check out their recommendations here. Just be sure to go to the original talk for the whole shebang.

Today, I plan on listening to Mike Rowe's "Learning from Dirty Jobs." As a mom, I think I will be able to relate.

I hope your week is endlessly entertaining and educational (and maybe just a little bit dirty)! Happy Monday!

Also, speaking of book cover design, have you seen this TUMBLR by Tyler Adam Smith?  He creates covers and titles for books that should be written as part of his 100 Day Project in the Masters of Branding at the School of Visual Arts in NYC. I'm not gonna lie--I didn't get some of them, but the ones I did get either made me laugh out loud or internally shout true dat. Below are some of the ones I did get with my genuine reactions.

I'd read it... and recommend it for the Summer Reading Program.

Reminded me of the 13 best infographs of 2013, also by Wired.

Would have helped in undergrad...

Sounds amazing! But even if it isn't, I will read pretty much anything he writes as evidenced by Chipmunk Seeks Squirrel.

I need it!  Wait, do I want Will to be more clever (cleverer?) than me? 

(I feel as conflicted in wanting this book to exist as in wanting Will to be able to crawl/walk/talk.)

The subtitle says it all.  Now, that I don't have HBO, Alex will have to tell me how it ends.

True dat.

Yes, please.

How Can I Keep From Swinging

Piper and Will met up for a park playdate this morning and got some serious swinging in. Piper likes to pretend the swing is a bucking Bronc. I must say, her technique is flawless.