I usually don’t like admitting weakness…it makes me feel like I am a failure, but I have to own up to the fact that I am not in quite a good place right now.  Some might be imagining me being down in the dumps crying and feeling totally depressed and wacked out.  I’m not.  The best way I can describe it is to say that I have no energy, no drive, no real connection to anything, and I seem to lack the will to just do anything about it…now you see why I am not blogging?  I can’t seem to pull myself out of the kind of fogginess I have been residing in for the past weeks to force myself to do anything…lord knows I have tried.

I’m embarassed…it’s embarrassing to admit that I can’t seem to fix myself.  I just don’t seem to be able to do anything; no trips to Target, no playing with the kids, no going outside, no cleaning, no cooking, no strong emotions about anything including the fact that the house we are moving into soon looks great.  Everything seems to just tire me out just thinking about it…like I’m being bogged down.

I have to wonder if I set myself up for this.  You see, I arrogently assumed that since I recovered quite well and easily from my first two kiddos that I would be fine this time around to.  I should have realized that after having some issues at birth that I needed to be careful.  For the first couple of weeks after having Emmy I felt fine I guess, tired and weak from my bleed and my back being really strained but emotionally all I remember feeling was tired and pretty happy.  After that I just seemed to slowly slide to the point where I am now…basically just sitting all the time ignoring the rest of the world, the exception being Emmy, I am around her and holding her constantly…but walking her around just doesn’t really happen.

I am calling my doctor today…I know I need to…but I feel ashamed.  I know logically I shouldn’t, that it is pobably some kind of hormone thing…lord knows my body has to be wacked out after having so many kids so quickly, but I am still embarrassed.  Everyone expects me to be strong and happy and able to take care of myself…I’ve been doing it forever it seems, but right now I admit that I need a medical boost.

I am behind on blogging and email…I am going to start trying to brag myself back into doing it but it will be a bit.  I need to talk to my doctor (OB or GP?) and start taking something to balance me out so I can get myself back.  This is hard, I feel like I am trapped within myself…there is a part of me that keeps beating at me inside my head telling me to get going, get working, go outside, go shopping, do something; but the rest of me just waves it off and says “later”.

I’m going to try to keep the blog updated…I really do enjoy blogging.  So, that’s where I’ve been…that’s what I have been dealing with and that is why I haven’t been around much or posting.

The Start It Up! program is easy to follow and the moves, while not really hard, are directed to the big muscle groups which helps build muscle, lose a bit of fat, and speed up metabolism.  I have to admit that I have had a hard time trying to find the time to do the exercises.  I tried doing it with Ellie and Eve around and they thought I was playing so they got in my way.  I also can’t really do it while hubby is at home and around…so, I need to figure out a way to get the kids out of my way for half an hour 6 times a week.  Think I can lock them in their room for a bit? 

I’m still having a bit of trouble trying to control snacking and fast food eating…I really just need to break that habit.  Don’t they say it takes like 21 days to break a habit?  How am I ever going to do that???  I need to try harder. 

So, my goals for Week 2 is:

* Move onto the second step of the Slim in 6 program and do it 6 times

* Only eat fast food 3 times (that’s good for my BTW)

* Drink 4 glasses of water a day

So…if you have a link to a good recipe please leave it in the comment…or if the recipe isn’t online I would love it if you would put it in the comment or email me.

Something to keep in mind: I am not a great cook, I know the basics and do sometimes enjoy it, but more often than not I am deal with at least one kiddo who is screaming so…fast and easy is good….just as long as it doesn’t come from a drive-thru.

HELP!

All teasing aside, I had the opportunity to review the Long Sleeve Nursing Shirt from Glamourmom in black and inperfect time for winter.  I’ve worked with Glamourmom previously on a review of their nursing tank which I liked, so I was excited about working with the company again on a review of a product that I really wanted and needed.  When I received the shirt I immediately noticed that it was made of a thicker material which has a bit of stretch to it; perfect for me since I happen to appreciate shirts that provide a little bit of support and structure since I jiggle a bit (yes, I still jiggle and I am going to start working on it).  The thicker fabric also hides it if you are wearing nursing pads!

I  immediately put the shirt on and it is quite comfortable.  The built in bra is comfortable, although I ordered the size that I thought I would be (M) since I am a D cup right now…but it’s a bit tight if I gt a bit engorged, so if you are on the higher end of the recommended measurements I would suggest going up a size just in case.  The snaps to open the shirt are quite easy to use and can be undone and redone with one hand; it might take a bit of practice but you will get there.  What I happen to appreciate about this shirt beside the points I mentioned above is the fact that it has a nice neckline.  This shirt has a scoop neck (I think LOL), and I really like this style since it offers coverage, but it still looks a bit sexy…hey, I am a new mom, a nursing mom, a mom who is a bit overweight, but I still want to know that I can look decent!  I should note that this shirt sites a bit low on the shoulder…which means that if you did want to wear a bra for some odd reason, that your bra straps would most definitely show.

So, overall what are my thoughts on the Glamourmom Long Sleeve Nursing Shirt?  I like it, it’s comfortable, easy to use, it offers a bit of structure and support through the material that it is made out of, and it’s design makes me feel good.  I do wish that it was offered in a long style too since I happen to like it when my shirts are longer than average; I have a thing about making sure I don’t look like a plumber when I bend down.  Glamourmom makes a variety of shirt styles and I very much recommend them for new moms or for people who are looking for a great baby shower gift.  they have a new shirt out that I am totally into: the Maternity Long Sleeve with detachable bra (perfect for while you are pregnant and after).

How to Enter:

Go check out the Beach Body Fitness website and look around, then come back and tell me what you think your favorite exercise program would be (not including Slim in 6).

Bonus Entries: Remember to leave one comment per entey, bonus entries worth multiple entries require multiple comments (ex. 10 bonus entries=10 seperate comments).

* Subscribe to Life Starring the Kids & Me

* Be my Google Friend

* Follow @VictoriaArya on Twitter

* Friend me on Facebook

* Become a Fan of Life Starring the Kids & Me on Facebook (widget on the bottom of the sidebar)

* Tweet Tweet (daily) -Remember to include a LIVE LINK

* Fave me on Technorati-Button at bottom of page (2 extra)

* Grab my Button (3 extra)

* Tell me why you would like to win this exercise set…what’s your goal? (3 extra)

* Share this post or another post you enjoyed using Show, Share & Tell (3 extra)-You can do this as many times as you would like

* Stumble a non-giveaway post (5 extra)

* Comment on any non-giveaway/non-review post (7 extra)

* Enter other Life Starring the Kids & Me Giveaways (10 extra per giveaway entered)

* Blog about this giveaway with a live linkback (10 extra)

* Add this giveaway to a giveaway linky on another blog and leave me the link were you did it (10 extra)

Be sure to check out the Life Starring the Kids & Me Contest and Giveaway Rules if you have questions about your eligibility.

Height: 5′4″

Weight: 148 (embarrassing)

Waist: 33″

Hips: 38″

Thighs: 17.5″

So, now I need to figure out what my goals are over the next 6 weeks with this program (which I am going to be writing about and tracking every Monday). 

I would like to lose 10 lbs in the next 6 weeks…I think that is a relatively good amount…not too much and not too little.  I would like my waist to go below 30″ and I would like to see some muscle definition since I don’t really have anything but blubber right now.

My biggest obstacles are going to be:

* My totally unhealthy eating habits (fast food, snacking, unhealthy food at home, not drinking enough water)

* The fact that I am not so good at forcing myself to do soemthing I don’t like, and I really dislike working out.

Wish me luck!

* Kodak-After having to deal with a battery eating and overall annoying camera for the last two years I would love to check out the Z980, I am not a professional photographer by any means, but having three girls who seem to change everyday, I know the importance of having a good camera to use.  Kodak also makes what I consider a great on the go diaper bag camera, the M380.  A small but powerful and easy to use pictures to capture great shots of the kiddos on the go.  Plus, as a blogger having a crappy digi cam sucks.

* Sony-This one is a leap of gigantic proportions but if you have read about my saga with Dell you will know how tired I am of my broken down craptastic laptop and netbook, and Sony makes a really well regarded laptop: the VAIO.  I like it, enough said.

* Dyson- My vacuum weighs about 25 lbs and smells like burnt hair.  It also manuvers like a Mac truck and I hate using it…which isn’t the greatest thing since again, I have three young kids, one of whom thinks she is obligated to eat whatever food she finds on the floor.  The Dyson DC25 All Floors looks the a master vacuum, perfect for the new house we are moving into with it’s hardwood floors, linolium, tile and carpet.

* Mars Inc.- I might have mentioned once or a bazillion times that I happen to loooove chocolate.  In fact I can confidentaly say that not a day has gone by in the last couple of years where I haven’t had some sort of chocolate (wait…that might be an embarrassing confession…).  Anyways, Mars happens to be the parent company of one of my favorite chocolate bars…EVER: Snickers.  Now, while I’d love to do a review of say a year’s supply of Snickers (along with a gym membership), I would really like to go check out how these products are made, how the recipes are designed, and basically everything behind chocolate.  What can I say…I’m an addict.

* Kitchenaid- I’m not much of a cook, I never really seem to find the time or the gear I need to make the food I want; seriously, have YOU ever tried to mash potatos with a fork because you didn’t have anything else to use?  But, given the fact that my kids now think that chicken nuggest and french fries from McDonalds are the normal lunch, I need to get equipt and get myself cooking…and cooking healthy.  Kitchenaid makes a Waffle Maker that I would love to test out with the family for breakfasts. They also make a great sounding Food Processor and Ultra Power Stand Mixer.

* Coca-Cola- I am a Coke Zero addict, in fact I drink so much that I am surprised my blood isn’t coke colored and fizzy.  I’d love to check out the process behind the making of Coca-Cola products…once again a case of curiosity as to what goes into and what is behind one of my most favorite things in the world.  Heck, I would even do a review of year’s supply Coke Zero and I would totally put their logo on my site…but beware, a year’s suppy of Coke Zero for me could quite easily be 260 12 can packs   Just saying.

* Maclaren- I’m a stroller person, I freely admit it.  As much as I like babywearing, my back can’t take it all the time and with three kids there is no way I could live without strollers…well I could but it wouldn’t be a pretty existance!  So, I would love to try out the Twin Triumph from Maclaren, it looks like a solid lightweight double stroller, perfect for how I would be using it.

* The Kidkraft Deluxe Big & Bright Kitchen-The girls would enjoy a play kitchen and we now have enough room for it.  And what can I say the bright colors call to me.

* Walt Disney World Resort- My hubby thinks I am deprived…I’ve never been to Disney World…in fact until I met hubby I’d never been to an amusement park; sad I know.  But, with three little kids it’s hard to figure out what to do for a family vacation and the only thing that comes to mind where we might possibly have fun and only a small amount of stress is Walt Disney World.

* PlayNation-Every kid should have a rockin’ swingset and PlayNation has created some really cool ones, the Shanandoah and the Tahoe are two good examples.  The girls would get a kick out of these products which seem like they would last forever.

Unlike bears I am apparently not losing weight as I hibernate.

I have even been disinclined to blog *GASP* no we know there is a problem!

*Sigh* and the sad thing is I am pretty sure I am even starting to grow mold…or at least some fur.

What to do what to do.  Have I mentioned before I hate winter…I hate the summer to, but since right now it is winter we are going to focus on that.  I hate winter; I hate the cold, I hate precipitation, I don’t like biting winds, and I most definitely don’t like the fact that winter clothes make me look like an even bigger porker than I normally look.  *Blech*

I officially need a kick in the butt…or maybe some pills…a shot of expresso or five might be some sort of help???

I try to psych myself up…but what I really think I need to do is get rid of this couch…and my books…I have read way tooooo many books while hibernating…

*Sigh*

Perhaps banging my head against the wall and growling a bit will get me to come out of hibernation…cause seriously I’m pretty sure my butt’s getting flat…like my couch cushion.

How to Enter

Go to Fairy Wonderful and look around, then come back here and tell me what you like the best.  You can leave one comment for EACH different product you would like.  That makes this a virtually unlimitted entry giveaway.

Bonus Entries: Remember to leave one comment per entey, bonus entries worth multiple entries require multiple comments (ex. 10 bonus entries=10 seperate comments).

* Subscribe to Life Starring the Kids & Me

* Be my Google Friend

* Follow @VictoriaArya on Twitter

* Friend me on Facebook

* Become a Fan of Life Starring the Kids & Me on Facebook (widget on the bottom of the sidebar)

* Tweet Tweet (daily) -Remember to include a LIVE LINK

* Fave me on Technorati-Button at bottom of page (2 extra)

* Grab my Button (3 extra)

* Share this post or another post you enjoyed using Show, Share & Tell (3 extra)-You can do this as many times as you would like

* Stumble a non-giveaway post (5 extra)

* Comment on any non-giveaway/non-review post (7 extra)

* Enter other Life Starring the Kids & Me Giveaways (10 extra per giveaway entered)

* Blog about this giveaway with a live linkback (10 extra)

* Add this giveaway to a giveaway linky on another blog and leave me the link were you did it (10 extra)

Be sure to check out the Life Starring the Kids & Me Contest and Giveaway Rules if you have questions about your eligibility.

Playing with the child-friendly buckles and zipper improves hand-eye coordination and promotes small motor skills. The toy also has a variety of shapes and colors to enhance learning. It’s great for everyday use, but especially helpful for car rides and travel.

The Tampa, Florida couple behind the Buckle Toy, Seth and Jill Gomez, came up with the idea after a weekend in which their 1-year-old ignored his other toys and kept playing with the buckles on his stroller.

What You Win: One winner will receive the Buckle Turtle Toy for the kiddo in their life!

How to Enter:

Visit the Buckle Toy website and look around, then come back and tell me something you learned about it.

Bonus Entries: Remember to leave one comment per entey, bonus entries worth multiple entries require multiple comments (ex. 10 bonus entries=10 seperate comments).

* Subscribe to Life Starring the Kids & Me

* Be my Google Friend

* Follow @VictoriaArya on Twitter

* Friend me on Facebook

* Become a Fan of Life Starring the Kids & Me on Facebook (widget on the bottom of the sidebar)

* Tweet Tweet (daily) -Remember to include a LIVE LINK

* Fave me on Technorati-Button at bottom of page (2 extra)

* Grab my Button (3 extra)

* Share this post or another post you enjoyed using Show, Share & Tell (3 extra)-You can do this as many times as you would like

* Stumble a non-giveaway post (5 extra)

* Comment on any non-giveaway/non-review post (7 extra)

* Enter other Life Starring the Kids & Me Giveaways (10 extra per giveaway entered)

* Blog about this giveaway with a live linkback (10 extra)

* Add this giveaway to a giveaway linky on another blog and leave me the link were you did it (10 extra)

Be sure to check out the Life Starring the Kids & Me Contest and Giveaway Rules if you have questions about your eligibility.