I lost 7 pounds in one day!

Okay, that's an exaggeration, but I found muscles I lost long ago at our Stroller Strides demonstration class last week. Thanks so much to Jenn S. for arranging a great class for us -- and I think she even got a new client or two out of the deal! I felt exhilarated all day after our workout and really enjoyed both the cardio and strength aspects of the session, and I will be back. So for those of you who enjoyed our earlier conversation about fitness with the kids in tow, I would highly recommend Stroller Strides as an option to get (or stay) in shape.

Blogger Moms

I am very new to blogging and have recently learned what a phenomenon it is, especially for moms. The Wall Street Journal ran an article this morning about Blogger Moms, and this one specifically: www.dooce.com. They estimated that this woman and her husband generate about $40,000 a month from ad revenue based on the number of hits she gets on her blog (4 million per month!). She is rated #59 among the web’s top 100 blogs. I find that fascinating and inspiring.

Being a “math person” as opposed to a “literary person”, I’m pretty sure my blog isn’t going to catapult me into the lifestyles of the rich and famous; however I have been checking out some of the other Fairlington MOMS blogs, and I would say Diana might just have a shot at it. ;)

Happy Blogging!

(Contributed by Jenn S.... Visit her at meandthep.blogspot.com.)

do you blog?

I love blogs. I love posting on my blog and getting comments from my friends and family, and I love sharing my baby's life with those who are far away and don't get to see her. I love reading the blogs of my friends and family near and far, getting a glimpse of their internal lives and the things that are important to them. I love the connection that I feel with people who think and feel (often enough, anyway) the way I do about motherhood, life, sacrifices, joys, trials, and families. I love having been able to share in many of your blogs, too.

Do you love to blog? Do you love to read blogs? Do you know what a blog is?

If you're interested in learning about blogs, starting a blog, or finding ways to keep your blog fresh and new posts coming, we'd love to hear from you. If we have interest, we'd like to put together a blog workshop that will also hopefully have something of worth to the more experienced bloggers among us.

Topics covered will include...
what is a blog?why should i blog?
various blog hosting services
blogs and internet security
what can I/should I/will I post?
blogging tips -- ideas for posts and using the technology

If you'd be interested in participating in something like this, please email shane manning or -- better yet! -- post a comment here and we'll put a workshop together for sometime in late March. And if you're an experienced blogger, please come and contribute your wisdom and experience to the conversation!

staying (or getting!) fit

Our "Just Ask Mom" question this month is for me personally: How do you stay/get fit? I don't even have an idea to kick this off for this month -- the treadmill in the basement has become a clothes rack and some days we can't even get outside for a walk. Have you joined a gym -- perhaps one you would recommend? Have you joined Mary Van's walking group? Have you found a way to work out at home -- and how do you keep the little one(s) occupied while you do it?

Use the comments section below to give me your ideas (please!), and check back here for more ideas from other moms. And watch for some of my favorites in our upcoming newsletter!

MNO

MOMS NIGHT OUT! Anybody have anything they'd like to do with the other moms on our monthly evening out?

Our situation seems to lend itself well to a restaurant setting -- we can sit and visit while partaking of dinner, dessert and/or drinks -- whichever suits you at the moment. But we also want to be open to other ideas.... Would you like to take in a movie at Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse? How about dancing the night away at the Clarendon Ballroom? Please use the comments section below to suggest ideas for the activities committee!

shameless storytime promotion

Thanks to all of you who were able to make it to story time yesterday. We had a great time (says your story-reader, anyway) and sang lots of songs and read some stories about love and Valentines. Hope you all enjoyed yourselves, and we'll look forward to seeing more of you next month!

elliot gives her rapt attention to one of the more serious (apparently) stories:(much gratitude to julie b. for sharing her awesome photos!)

mommy reading

this has been on my mind quite a bit lately, so i thought i'd give you blog-checkers a chance to chime in early. what mommy reading have you been doing lately, or what has been on your list? i'm looking for book and/or magazine recommendations, whether or not they focus on parenting issues.

i signed up for a free subscription to "parents" magazine after we bought a parents-branded toy at target. it's good, but it's not one that jumps to mind when i think of things i'd recommend to a new mom. we do love wondertime around here, and i would highly recommend it. it's published by disney, who also does family fun -- better for older kids, in my opinion, but a favorite in our home as well.

i've also recently discovered brain, child, a magazine started a few years ago by two moms in central virginia -- u.va grads, if that makes a difference. :) i picked up a copy of the winter 08 edition at barnes and noble in potomac yard (borders at bailey's doesn't carry it). haven't gotten around to reading it, but all the awards and contributors makes it seem like something i'll enjoy.

as for books, my latest was "gossie and gertie," so i'm not much help there. hey, i fit the reading in where i can. i miss my old literary days, but i'm confident they'll return when the little one and i can curl up and each read our current favorite.