A Month of Gratitude: Day 18

I am grateful for my gym and the time to go there.

I hurt my back at the very beginning of summer. It's been a long, slow recovery, and I still have to be careful of how much I do and how I do it. I have been getting to the gym about four or five days a week. It's great to feel almost normal again but I miss the classes I was taking. Still, I am grateful that I am able to work out at all. I'm glad I wasn't hurt so badly that I'm still laid up. I've been getting stronger and am starting to feel more like my pre-back-injury self.

The last few months have been stressful for several reasons. Having the gym to escape to has been wonderful. Milo gets time with friends. I get time to myself. And I've even made some gym friends at my aqua Zumba class.

I don't know if I'll ever get back to the fitness level I was before Milo came along but I sure appreciate the opportunity to try.

A Month of Gratitude: Day 13

I am grateful for the people who are helping me raise my son. No, not my family members -- although I am extremely grateful for them -- but the people outside my family who help out all the time. Mainly, I'm talking about the people at The Little Gym (especially Lisa, Valerie and Caitlin) and VillaKids, the kids' club at my gym.

We've been going since Milo was a wee babe, and the folks at these two gyms have helped so much in his development, both socially and physically.

The Little Gym has given both Milo and me a place to make friends and burn off energy. It's also taught Milo how to follow directions and work and play with other kids.

Milo accepts a medal on "show day" at The Little Gym

VillaKids gives me time to work out and recharge while giving Milo a place to play without Mommy hovering over him. They also teach songs and games and give him a chance to socialize with other kids -- again, without Mommy supervision. One of the best parts is that the folks at VillaKids continually tell me how well behaved Milo is. Something I don't always see.

I'm pretty sure The Little Gym and VillaKids have helped me be a better mom -- and allowed Milo and I time away from each other so our time together can be more relaxed.

Friday Flashback

Milo recently celebrated his one-year anniversary at The Little Gym.

Bubbles have always been one of his favorite parts of every class. In the beginning, he enjoyed bubbles like this:

Check out that baby Mohawk!

Now, he can chase them all by himself.

I can't say enough good things about The Little Gym. Milo and I have made some good friends there, and he always has so much fun. It's amazing to see all the changes and advancements. I'm looking forward to watching all his fun in the years to come.