I’m doing a little victory dance right now. (<--- That video will never get old!)

We had a fabulous day in these parts. I felt more rested than the past couple of days. Things weren’t hectic around here at all today. We also had a play date with our good friends, Danielle (for me) and Riley (for Makenzie).

Girl time certainly helps break up the day nicely. Danielle just ventured into stay-at-home-mom territory and I can’t wait to spend more time hanging out together. Our little girls love each other too!

After our play time, I made a simple lunch of leftover soup with a slice of 9 grain bakery bread topped with a slice of swiss.

I always have the most difficulty deciding what to eat for lunch. Thank goodness for leftovers that make for simple and satisfying meals. Although I don’t consider it quite as satisfying as my lunch “dessert”. I always enjoy a square of dark chocolate with a cup of decaf coffee during their afternoon naps. It’s my little moment of heaven every day. You think I’m exaggerating? Ha! I love it so much I didn’t even pause for a picture of it. That’s how much I enjoy it.

Now, I have just finished munching my afternoon snack of Chobani and an apple.

I seriously can eat this snack every day. It does not get old. Ever. Plus it makes for the perfect pre-workout fuel and I need that as today marks the start of something exciting for me.

That’s right. Today I am officially beginning the Couch To 5K program. So, with that…I’ll catch you later.

Question of the Evening – Is there a snack you can never get sick of? And have you ever done C25K?

I made it through the day! I feel so much better right now too. I knew that still focusing on eating well and getting in activity would help overall. It certainly did. I ate my typical meals and completed the 3rd level of the Slim in 6 Circuit workout. An hour of body movement always helps cheer me up.

Now are you ready to learn the details of the last two nights? Middle of the nights are not my emotional friend. The past two nights I have experienced a severe case of “Maniacal Mommy Mind”. The diagnosis:

Maniacal Mommy Mind occurs when all sense of reason leaves the mother, resulting in unnecessary feelings of guilt, doubt, unattractiveness, resentment, and more.

That disease does exist and I have lived to tell about it. Here’s how it all plays out…

Step 1: Braedon wakes for one of his night-time feedings. 45 minutes later I put him back down to sleep. He won’t fall asleep. I try to soothe him, yet he still fusses.

Step 2: Peter wakes up from the commotion and offers to help me out. I proceed to get all “mommy territorial” and tell him the following: No. Go back to sleep. You have to get up for work. Its my job to handle Braedon.

Step 3: The exhaustion sinks in. The tears start trickling out. I feel overwhelmed too easily in the middle of the night. Peter, still calm, comes in and saves the day. How does he do that?! Then, proceeds to calm me down and try to help me fall back asleep. I start crying more.

Step 4: The following happens -

• I believe I should have been able to handle Braedon by myself. I begin questioning if I’m good enough as a mom and then, as a wife, because Peter lost sleep for work.
• I go over how Peter does so much. He comes home and immediately lets me get away for an hour to get in a workout for my “me-time”. I proceed to feel guilty over wanting me-time and working out.
• I’m exhausted and emotional which makes the fat-talk all too easy to slip in.

Step 5: I proceed to break down with these crazy thoughts and get swallowed by the “Maniacal Mommy Mind” until I finally crash back to sleep.In the morning, as tired as I may feel, I DO regain perspective. Part of motherhood is the 100% commitment and it is truly a blessing. Peter and I are a team. I should not have so much pride that I inhibit him helping meet my needs. Some days and nights will present challenges. They won’t last and I can manage. I do not want to lose the positive relationship I built with myself, so I give up the negative talk and choose to care for my body. (And sometimes re-read things like my guest post for Samantha to keep myself in check.) So Maniacal Mommy Mind, it’s about time you leave me alone. I know better than what you try to tell me. Oh, do I know better. This is my mind now.

Question of the Evening – If a mommy = Have you ever faced Maniacal Mommy Mind? Not a mommy = What do you have trouble getting help with?