WHAT A NIGHT!

Here I am in my elementary years, 9 or 10

I was so excited to meet with some childhood friends last night for drinks and conversation.  The funny thing is, I am totally not a drinker, and my husband isn't either.  There was a time when I worked on cruise ships, my job was to drink with the passengers and schmooze with booze, lol.  Throughout my life, I have always loved my natural high the most.  Anyway, back to my night, it was great, Sam helped put the older kids to bed, my baby had a bath and ate well, slept for 3 1/2 hours, so luckily once I got home, I could take a breath that he was ok, I am only nursing at this point.



So we had a blast reminiscing about how fun it was growing up together, we met when we were all around 6-7 years old, our parents immigrated from Russia together.  There are five of us, two live in LA, and one was in town for business.  We really were quite the characters, we ruled our school, and were the best at everything we did.  All of us today are strong and beautiful :) women that have created amazing lives for themselves.

So I had to leave early to come home to the baby, and the "fun" (totally sarcastic) really began.  I could not find my car in the huge garage, luckily the baby was sleeping, so my husband wasn't calling, it took me a while, luckily security was driving by after about 20 minutes, and gave me a ride around while I pushed my alarm on my key chain non stop.  This has been a challenging week to say the least, I do not remember a time when so much has been thrown at me at once.  I was so happy to have a simple night out with the girls, came home so ready for bed, fed the baby once he woke up, and laid down for bed around 11pm.

Then the real party began...here is the fun of 3 kids my friends.  My older son and daughter sleep in bunk beds.  Eli Tzvi was standing by my bed at midnight, and I told him I will take him back to bed, he didn't explain what happened, but I finally convinced him to go to sleep on the couch, which we have done once before.  With the baby by my side in a bassinet, there is just too much going on in my bedroom, and I really need my sleep to function and not be grouchy.  I went to his bed to grab his pillow and I felt something wet, I went into the light and was delighted to see he threw up.  I got him another pillow, and went back to sleep. 

He came back to my bed, while throwing up along the way.  I cleaned everything up and went to him on the couch, laid down next to him.  I explained to him if he needed to throw up again to do it in the toilet, so they last time was successful and clean.  Thank God he fell asleep, and I was woken up by the baby 3 1/2 hours later to feed him, and hear my daughter whimpering.  She wanted me to sleep with her, so I  moved a pillow that was by the ladder of the bunk bed, and my hand touched some of Eli Tzvi's throw up that must have happened on his way down the bunk bedearlier - OY VEY.  I basically was going from one child to the other all night, Eli Tzvi woke up at 5:30am, and so did Matisyahu - Bright and Shiny Morning Everyone!

I have night duty, and I usually do not mind it, I am good at falling asleep in between, but this by far was the most challenging night of my life since getting married, on top of it, my throat is a little tender, so I am not 100%.

Grateful for the lows, because then we can really understand and appreciate the highs,
Thanks for listening :)
Coach Yulia

ROAD TRIP!

I am so excited, our road trip is really coming together, and my husband is amazing, he had the original vision, and it's now sealed in stone.  Next week we will be on the road with the kids to Atlanta, GA to visit my parents and brother and his kids.  Our plan is to be there for father's day, so three father's can celebrate together.  My parents try to come out a few times a year, and Thank God, in the almost 5 years that we have been married, we gave them 3 amazing reasons to come out, and also birthday milestones.  My brother however we do not get to see that often, him and his wife have full time jobs, and are unable to come our way.  We did all meet for a family reunion in Boston, MA a few years ago, when my Grandma turned 95, she will be 97 this year, B'H.

I am an adventurer, I have always loved travel, and it really has always been my reason for everything.  Now of course my family is the priority, but before all I wanted to do was see every corner of the world, and eventually in my Private Jet :)  While on Cruise Ships, I got to see most of the Caribbean, as well as Western and Eastern Europe, and the Scandinavian.  It was perfect, a glimpse into a culture and a town, and I knew I would always visit again the places I loved the most.  I still would love to make it to Africa and Australia, as well as South American, the furthest down I have ever been is Costa Rica, wow what a place, and what a good time and a great memory!

This picture is of a road trip I took with a friend from Vancouver, CA to Phoenix, AZ.  We went through Glacier Bay Park, into Yellowstone through Montana, and onto the most beautiful state in the USA, Utah, wow, I was blown away by the state with the most national parks than any other.  We ended up in Arizona where I took a flight home to Miami, and my friend drove back up to go to Burningman, an amazing festival near Reno, NV in its beginnings.  I have been lucky to go to Burningman three times, once I moved to LA, my brother flew out and we went to the week of experience.  It is a dried up lake bed and becomes a living breathing city for a week, you bring all your own supplies, at the end, it is all burned down, like nothing has ever been there - an amazing experience of a barter society and creativity wherever you look.


That is me doing a "Yoga Wheel" in Golden Arches National Park in Utah, long before I was a Yoga Instructor

Lucky for me my husband was a trucker for 10 years in his 20's and loves the road, so he loves the drive, and I love to travel, we really are the perfect fit in every single way :)  I will tell more details as we go, but for now we are still in the planning stages.

Thank God in my life, I have trusted my gut, the universe, God, to lead me in the right direction, I was destined for Yoga even before I knew it.  The funny thing is luckily because of good genes, and overall healthy eating, I was not a workout person before I moved to LA.  I think the fitness craze is in our times, before there was Jazzercise, and that was the first workout I ever did, when I got home from cruise ships and midnight buffets, and had to lose 20 pounds.  What else was around then? Atkins - yep I sure did it.  I keep on hearing about quick fix diets, and they just don't work for the long term.  As a quick start, maybe, but I am the type of person that wants to feel good every day, why suffer when I can enjoy life and get healthy and fit at the same time.  Sure it takes some discipline, but what I love most about my Nutrition Program is that it is customized just for me.  Now as a Health and Nutrition Coach, I can customize one for you too :) Please message me for more info.

Have a fabulous day everyone,
Coach Yulia

To Each Their Own!

Life keeps us busy, Life keeps us guessing, no day is ever the same, no baby is ever the same, no birth is ever the same.  If you are pregnant, especially for the first time, and someone is trying to tell you their birth story, just tell them "My doctor said I should not listen to any birth stories."  Once the baby is born, no night is ever the same.  The question of sleeping through the night is so ridiculous in the first 3 months, the baby needs to eat every 2-3 hours.  Depending on what they are eating and when they were born, hopefully you get a bit of a longer stretch through the night.  My mom gave me some amazing advice, when its daytime, keep the baby in the light even when they are sleeping, when its night time keep the baby in the dark, so they learn the difference.  Notice the little dragon above Matisyahu, by the Chinese calendar he was born the year of the Dragon, and one of my wonderful friends gave him that gift, I love it!  The year of the Dragon is supposed to be a very prosperous year for all :) AMEN

My baby at first liked the swing to sit in, not the swinging or music or vibration.  Now he loves the floor, and loves being on his belly, moves his head like a champ.  Here is another things that is never the same, nowadays you see so many strollers, it cracks me up how they have different years with different models, and so expensive, its like buying a car!  Some of them are like bassinets, others are more like car seats or adjustable - TO EACH THEIR OWN.

So my older two loves to be in motion, to be rocked, swings, vibration on the bed, my new one likes to be still.  When people hold him, the instinct is to rock and move him, I am so grateful that he likes to be still, I don't want to introduce him to other stimuli :)  Maybe he really is my Yoga child, he likes the floor and he likes to be still - however my other two love Yoga, and love to stretch and move.  As I have said before there are many different ways to approach Yoga, some are more physical, others more relaxing.

Every mama has a right to decide what is right for her children, at every stage of their lives.  They are our priority, everything we do is for them.  Working on ourselves is our life's work, in order to be the role models our children deserve.

Feeling blessed for the challenges,
Coach Yulia

Reality Check

Happy Monday Everyone :)  It is amazing how one day could have the highest highs, and then quite a big drop.  Overall yesterday my day was amazing, and then my oldest son just did not want to listen, and was very upset.  I know it must be really hard, with his sister right after, and now a baby brother, it's really not just about him anymore.  This is a good lesson for life in general, but for a kid, it must seem like the end of the world sometimes.  I do my best to give long hugs and kisses, and to tell him how much I love him and how wonderful he is.  Of course when the baby cries I run, and when my daughter wants me, I give her what she needs. 

None of this is huge compared to what other people are going through, but in our own worlds and in our own lives, it seems like the biggest deal, and I guess to deal with that, we must step outside of the emotion, be calm, patient and firm,  easier said than done.

I had such a busy day planned, but everything got rescheduled, so all I want to do now is "clean house," do stuff that I have been putting off.  Buy new underwear for my son and the first for my daughter, she is showing interest, and we want to start encouraging her in the summer.  Oh life with kids, where at first the most important conversation is about poop - the color, consistency, how often.  Then its about teaching them how to poop into the potty.  Some people think its really intense to have small kids so close, but for my personality, I would rather be in the poopie years and out of the poopie years completely.  Some people who married young space their children out, and love to give all of their attention to the littlest.  More power to them, it would be hard for me to find sleep again, and then to knowingly wish it goodbye.

I just started teaching a private Yoga class for the first time since I had my baby, and it was so good to see friends, and just have that positive energy exchange.  I think getting back to my balance of work and family, will help me have a better perspective and more patience.  I cannot be around baby world all day, in order to recharge I need to GET OUT!

We saw a picture yesterday at my mother in law's house that was a month after our wedding, and my husband said that is where I looked my best.  That is my goal my friends, I am so excited I have dropped 1% of my bodyfat and have kept my lean muscle tone, just drinking my two shakes a day plus one meal and snacks.  I have been doing my power walks and zumba, but now I am going to step up my workouts, I am ready for that extra 30 pounds to go!  Here I am on my wedding day, almost 5 years ago, and 30 pounds ago.  Baby, here I come!

Lazy Sunday? I think not!

I love perfect picture moments, first I was hoping she wasn't going to fall on him, but then grabbed by camera, and she said "cheese."  If any of you wonder why American's say cheese, it is because it makes you look like you are smiling :) A little bit later, Eli Tzvi helped to put in his pacifier, and I got another good "cheese" shot!

For many people the weekend is a mix of errands, relaxation, and time with friends and family.  Before I got married, I always went to do Yoga on Saturday, it was my way to relax, and then I would have a lazy day.  Sunday has always been the errand day for me, and now in my new chapter in my life, it is actually the beginning of my week.  Our week ends on Friday Night, and resumes usually on Sunday, with little kids, we don't usually do anything special on Saturday night.  I am just happy to have the kids in bed, and some quiet time with my husband, although there is not too much quiet time with our new addition.  But Thank God, out of the three kids, he is the most chill, he actually lets us do stuff, and the nights have been nice.

So Sunday is the day to get set up for the week, and I usually have a lot of classes and clients lined up.  I am easing my way back into work, so today I am going to teach a Yoga class later this evening, we also have a birthday party for my kids, so the pictures you see is of them still in their pajamas, and the baby loving being on the floor, just like his Yoga Mama :)

My husband had to work this morning, so we are just hanging around, and when he comes back we will all get ready, eat, while the kids play I want to do some work to get ready for my week, then we are off to the birthday party this afternoon.  Right after at 5pm I am teaching my Yoga class, and then hopefully older kids will go to sleep by 7pm, and my husband and I can have some down time, and plan our week together.  We are excited, the kids are finishing school next week, we are planning a family road trip, and then when we come back they go to camp. 

Thank God for my social kids, go with the flow kids, and for amazing activites to help them be creative and release their energy.

Excited for an amazing week,
Coach Yulia

Daddy's Girl

I told my husband today that if we ever took separate vacations, he will take my little lady and I will take the boys.  I don't know about everyone else's experience out there, but my girl is the boss, at 2 years old she knows exactly what she wants, and how explain it in full sentences.

Today we had a nice Day of Rest, we went to the synagogue where our kids go to school.  One of my son's classmates had a baby girl, and their family was celebrating with the community.  What I love about our Day of Rest, is that it's all about being social as well as spiritual.  I am always meeting new people,and it is so fun to dress up, have a nice meal, and hear some inspiring words from the Torah.  The kids have a great time too, they have fun programs for them, and they feed them, I was cracking up when the teacher from my daughter's class told me she was a good eater.  As you see by the picture, she took the whole plate of watermelon for herself, and always tells us "I want to eat!"

So once we got home I was hoping to get some rest, my son is great at playing on his own, and usually she is too.  Lately she will not leave my side, I know I have a new baby, but it just started recently, super clingy.  I told her I want to rest and she can rest with me or she can go play.  She stayed with me but would not let me rest, and when I would go into another room she would follow.  This morning also, no matter what time my kids go to sleep, they wake up between 6-7am, so I was trying to lay down for a bit before we left the house.  She would hunt me down, "no mommy, mama, eema" OY VEY!

I look at this blond hair, blue eyed wonder and think, what and how have I created this super independent woman that knows what she wants.  I guess I should look in the mirror, besides the coloring, I guess she got my character.  Nobody is going to mess with Ziona Sofia, she is going to conquer, inspire, and take charge of the world.

Shavua Tov,
Have a fabulous rest of your weekend and a great week,
Coach Yulia

Selective Memory

I just got this amazing picture in my email from my Yoga teacher, Raghavan's, 80th birthday party.  There was a sweet woman taking pictures throughout, and this just captures perfectly my two older kids.  It is amazing when a moment in life is captured just as it was happening.  Their faces look like they look in real life.  It's funny how angles and lighting make all the difference.  I am in awe of this picture, I love professional photography, and love being photographed.  What a difference a good camera and a great photographer make!

Pictures help us remember different times and stages in our lives.  It's funny how without pictures we consciously remember mostly the good.  I know for some people that have had traumatic things happen, that takes over everything, and only professional help can take them out of that space.  Otherwise we really do forget, for instance birth, if a woman remembered each birth, she might not be ready for more later.  We are so in the moment of our children, that we miss the pregnancy and that baby time.  I am enjoying my baby so much, and am amazed at the women in my community that have five or more.  I am a bit overwhelmed with three at times, but overall we are going with the flow, and my older two really love the baby. For me it's not even the physical part that's challenging, it is the emotional and energy drain.  Wanting to make sure that each child feels the 100% that they deserve. 

Another place where selective memory happens is in relationships of all types.  We have faith that even when friendships and love have gone sour, we have faith that we can start fresh, meet new people.  Luckily I have always loved change, and had an easy time completely closing one chapter and jumping into the next adventure.  This is the first time in my life, where I am in it for life, and its a whole new sensation.  It is nice to know that my family will be in it all together, all of it, without the ups and downs we really would be bored.

Feeling blessed for the challenges,
Shabbat Shalom,
Yulia