Riley and Avery

Today we finally joined the YMCA. At first, I was just going to let Rudi sign up, but once we got there, Riley really really really liked the pool and they have some great programs for children, so we all joined. I told Rudi that he had to go to the gym at least twice a week, and the very first week that he doesn't go twice, we are cancelling the membership. I also told him that I would really like to go as a family once a week. They have crafts and other activities for kids 3+, and a pirate ship for them to play on, in the mornings. I thought we could go, drop Riley off at the activities, drop Avery of at childwatch (they have video cameras in there, with monitors throughout the gym to see what your child's doing), do our separate work-outs, and then pick the girls up and take them swimming. The best laid plans...

Then we went to Manitou Springs, which is a little town that has been consumed by Colorado Springs. More of a hippie hang-out, perfect for us. I went to a Yerba Maté cafe and got an education on Maté and its health benefits, like high anti-oxidants and a "gentle stimulant" that works on metabolism, rather than on the nervous system like caffeine. Hmmm, interesting. Basically, it's espresso made with tea. I'll have to try more of it. I got a Chai Maté with almond milk and honey. Quite delicious. They have a "penny arcade" there, and Riley had fun riding the animals for 25 cents a ride (hence the "penny arcade" in quotations, maybe the actual arcade games were a penny, I didn't look).

When we came home, Rudi went out to work out at the Y. On the way there, he decided to stop and buy some water and a CANDY BAR (!!!) because he felt his blood sugar getting low. Then he couldn't find the 7-Eleven, so he went to the Y anyway and it was 6 o'clock so he couldn't find an available treadmill (nevermind the track there) so he decided to hit the showers even though he didn't work out. Goodness! So when he came home, I put the girls to sleep, went to Whole Foods and went to the Y myself. I did a warm-up jog and hit the bikes. It was pretty fun. I haven't had a good workout in way too long. Anyway, at the Whole Foods Market I bought Rudi some fruit leather to take with him when he works out in case his blood sugar gets low. I told him that with 250 calories in a candy bar, he's have to jog three miles just to burn off what he consumed on his way to the gym. I don't think he really got it. My gut feeling is that this gym thing isn't going to help, and he's going to be on insulin very soon. He is just too hard-headed.

For and extra-special bonus, I got the new issue of Mothering Magazine and it's a BABYWEARING issue! Sweet! Nothing sucks more that anticipating the new issue and find out that it's about something that doesn't apply to me, like pregnancy issues or circumcision issues. Just in time for Amy T's babywearing bonanza! I hope it increases interest even more!:) I've been wanting to try a wrap. I like the mei tai, but sometimes you just want to try something new. I certainly don't prefer the ring-slings, the ring is just uncomfortable and never in the right place and most annoying of all, it bunches up my shirt and messes up the neckline. Yuck. And my short experience with a pouch sling was not favorable. We'll see...I know they sell wraps at the breastfeeding store here in town, so maybe I'll take Avery and try it out.

Here's one of Riley's recent drawings. Grandpa and Riley are supposed to be in there somewhere. I'll have to mail it to them once she lets me.

Argh...Rudi is going to want to get on the computer to go to Blockbuster online and order some movies, so I'd better download some pictures and wrap up...but, but, but, this Mothering Magazine has a list of sling vendors I want to see...whine whine whine...