Remember when I posted about the things I was looking forward to in 2012? And I didn't really come back and give you any details.......
One of those things was "Running a Half Marathon"
This has been a goal of mine for several years. Awhile ago I actually started training for the Derby Half in Louisville, KY but ended up with a stress fracture in my foot - not fun. I've been a fairly inconsistent runner since then. When doing it regularly, I would do about 3 miles two or three times a week. I stopped running around 16 weeks pregnant with JW - it was too much pressure on the organs. After JW, I have been wanting to get back into it. If you remember my hips were pretty whacked after pregnancy and childbirth (or maybe I never got time to write that post). I was slow to get back into things. I focused mainly on tennis through the summer, but by late summer I really wanted to start running again. To help that, my sister signed us up for a Turkey Trot. This one is not a 5K, but actually a 5 mile race. I was a bit nervous, but went for it. I needed to get in gear. So I ran 2 times a week and some weeks 3. And come race day, I killed it - 5 miles in 48 something....I was feeling pretty good. So I started thinking about that Half Marathon goal again. And found a race in Lexington, KY (I'll have a place to stay, friends are running it, etc) and said I'd do it. Well, truth be told, I haven't actually signed up for the race yet. I'm nervous. I have started the Hal Higdon Training guide (did great weeks 1&2 - this week not so much). I am doing pretty well with the running piece but have trouble getting the lifting and cross training in. (Tennis is starting back up so that should help.) This race we're talking about.....MARCH 31. Yep - 9 weeks away. The registration fee goes up $10 on Wednesday.... I am pretty sure I can do this - and I've asked several friends and a lot of them say that as long as I am running an hour and a half straight before the race I'll be good...And one off week isn't going to kill me (this week had just been bad for some reason - sleepy, scratchy throat, nights out, travel). So.....I'm putting it out there - what do you think?
Go for it??? Or wait for another race???
(In my mind this is the year - JW will be wanting a sibling soon - and I'd like to do it before I can't if you catch my drift)
Friday, January 27
Friday, January 20
Sleep
I feel like this must be a topic on many parents' minds. I've only been a parent for just over a year, but sleep is a hot topic. My sleep, JW's sleep, how much we're getting, when to go to sleep, how many naps, etc. It's kind of overwhelming.
Overall I think JW is a great sleeper. In fact, I was looking back through my notes and this is what I found:
- at 1 month and 1 day JW slept for a 6 hour stretch at night
- at just shy of 2 months we got another 6 hour stretch followed by 2 nights of 7 hours
- a couple weeks later we got a random 8 and half hours
- at 5 months we started getting regular long stretches of sleep and then settled into a pattern
- JW has been consistent with 2 naps a day and the first one generally starts before 10
Now, just because he was sleeping that long, does not mean Mommy and Daddy were sleeping that long. His sleeps starts before 8PM, there is no way we're getting to bed before then. In fact, we generally haven't had dinner before then. (we've lived in Europe where dinner after 8 - or even 9 - is normal).
Late summer and into the fall JW got into a really good rhythm of going to bed around 7:30 and sleeping until at least 6:30. Then we travelled for Thanksgiving, hosted family and friends for his birthday, he turned 1 and started getting molars. Now our sleep is ALL OVER THE BOARD. He's still fairly consistent with two naps - morning and afternoon. The length of those naps is undetermined. A couple days in the last two weeks he skipped the afternoon nap all together. Bedtime is sometime between 7 and 8 with a bottle, diaper change and short rock with Mommy or Daddy. He's pretty good about going to sleep on his own (as in only a couple times a month do we have an issue.) But we've been up once a night almost every night. We'll have a few rough nights, then a good one or two (good being sleeping at least 11 hours). I think our better nights of sleep are when JW goes to bed between 6:30 and 7:00.
But getting him to bed between 6:30 and 7 is HARD. Not to mention if he goes to bed that early, Daddy might not see him all day. And as a working mommy, how am I to run any errands during the week when we can't get out of the house before 5:00? I really believe consistency and routine are good for JW. But is that good for Mommy and Daddy? Is Mommy just trying to do too much? Work, volunteer, maintain the house, a marriage and a life?
I have moments where I feel an overwhelming sense of failure, like I'm not doing any of it right. And moments where all is right with the world - we've had a wonderful dinner, JW is happy, the house is clean, I'm caught up on volunteer emails (I'm an officer with my sorority). But those are rare. Sometimes we have a great dinner. Sometimes I've spent good quality time with JW. Every other week my house is clean (yes, we've hired a house cleaner). And sometimes I'm so overwhelmed with the to do list - I just spend the evening hanging with JW - playing and loving on him. Which is what's really important, right?
Please tell me I'm not the only one struggling with this sleep, schedule, how to get it all done issue.......
If you have any tips/tricks on "getting it done", please share!
Until next time........
Overall I think JW is a great sleeper. In fact, I was looking back through my notes and this is what I found:
- at 1 month and 1 day JW slept for a 6 hour stretch at night
- at just shy of 2 months we got another 6 hour stretch followed by 2 nights of 7 hours
- a couple weeks later we got a random 8 and half hours
- at 5 months we started getting regular long stretches of sleep and then settled into a pattern
- JW has been consistent with 2 naps a day and the first one generally starts before 10
Now, just because he was sleeping that long, does not mean Mommy and Daddy were sleeping that long. His sleeps starts before 8PM, there is no way we're getting to bed before then. In fact, we generally haven't had dinner before then. (we've lived in Europe where dinner after 8 - or even 9 - is normal).
Late summer and into the fall JW got into a really good rhythm of going to bed around 7:30 and sleeping until at least 6:30. Then we travelled for Thanksgiving, hosted family and friends for his birthday, he turned 1 and started getting molars. Now our sleep is ALL OVER THE BOARD. He's still fairly consistent with two naps - morning and afternoon. The length of those naps is undetermined. A couple days in the last two weeks he skipped the afternoon nap all together. Bedtime is sometime between 7 and 8 with a bottle, diaper change and short rock with Mommy or Daddy. He's pretty good about going to sleep on his own (as in only a couple times a month do we have an issue.) But we've been up once a night almost every night. We'll have a few rough nights, then a good one or two (good being sleeping at least 11 hours). I think our better nights of sleep are when JW goes to bed between 6:30 and 7:00.
But getting him to bed between 6:30 and 7 is HARD. Not to mention if he goes to bed that early, Daddy might not see him all day. And as a working mommy, how am I to run any errands during the week when we can't get out of the house before 5:00? I really believe consistency and routine are good for JW. But is that good for Mommy and Daddy? Is Mommy just trying to do too much? Work, volunteer, maintain the house, a marriage and a life?
I have moments where I feel an overwhelming sense of failure, like I'm not doing any of it right. And moments where all is right with the world - we've had a wonderful dinner, JW is happy, the house is clean, I'm caught up on volunteer emails (I'm an officer with my sorority). But those are rare. Sometimes we have a great dinner. Sometimes I've spent good quality time with JW. Every other week my house is clean (yes, we've hired a house cleaner). And sometimes I'm so overwhelmed with the to do list - I just spend the evening hanging with JW - playing and loving on him. Which is what's really important, right?
Please tell me I'm not the only one struggling with this sleep, schedule, how to get it all done issue.......
If you have any tips/tricks on "getting it done", please share!
Until next time........
Wednesday, January 18
Random
This is the Happy Birthday banner we had hanging for JW's birthday party. And it is still hanging. I think it's time to come down, don't you?
I had kind of forgotten about it actually. But, I had a cabinet guy come over yesterday to measure for some doors and a new drawer. His first comment was - who's birthday is it. Well, JW's was last month and James' was the 4th....yikes....a little embarrassing.
So the cabinet maker is going to make doors for this under counter area. I don't mind it being open when it's organized (it didn't look too bad last night) but JW LOVES to stand up and pull everything off the shelves. So, doors it is.
The opening under the microwave was meant for a warming drawer. We have 2 ovens (a small one and large one) and really in the last four years have not wanted/had a need for a warming drawer. So to hide clutter and keep JW out, we're having a drawer built for that space. I figure it will be a good one to store JW's things (sippy cups, plates, bowls, etc).
Random post, but what was going on in my world yesterday (besides work, playing with JW, a quick playdate before dinner and the regular bedtime routine.)
(sorry for terrible quality pics - taken with iPhone and the lighting was horrible)
I had kind of forgotten about it actually. But, I had a cabinet guy come over yesterday to measure for some doors and a new drawer. His first comment was - who's birthday is it. Well, JW's was last month and James' was the 4th....yikes....a little embarrassing.
So the cabinet maker is going to make doors for this under counter area. I don't mind it being open when it's organized (it didn't look too bad last night) but JW LOVES to stand up and pull everything off the shelves. So, doors it is.
The opening under the microwave was meant for a warming drawer. We have 2 ovens (a small one and large one) and really in the last four years have not wanted/had a need for a warming drawer. So to hide clutter and keep JW out, we're having a drawer built for that space. I figure it will be a good one to store JW's things (sippy cups, plates, bowls, etc).
Random post, but what was going on in my world yesterday (besides work, playing with JW, a quick playdate before dinner and the regular bedtime routine.)
(sorry for terrible quality pics - taken with iPhone and the lighting was horrible)
Wednesday, January 11
Tuesday, January 3
2012
2012 is here. And while I was hoping to find myself filled with motivation and energy, I haven't. So in order to not overwhelm myself, I'm not going to list any resolutions. Instead, let's see what I am looking forward to in 2012 (some are resolutions as some type of action is required in order to make it happen)
- Taking JW to the beach for the first time
- Taking an anniversary trip to a fabulous beach with the hubby
- Celebrating birthdays and watching JW grow
- Running a half marathon
- Getting organized
- Decorating
That's the short list. I'm sure there is more, but for now I'm hoping that is enough to get moving!!
Happy 2012 to you and yours!
- Taking JW to the beach for the first time
- Taking an anniversary trip to a fabulous beach with the hubby
- Celebrating birthdays and watching JW grow
- Running a half marathon
- Getting organized
- Decorating
That's the short list. I'm sure there is more, but for now I'm hoping that is enough to get moving!!
Happy 2012 to you and yours!
Wednesday, December 28
Lunch with Daddy
This is James' busiest time of year (something to do with tax liabilities and end of the year). He's leaving early and getting home late, which means he isn't getting to see JW. I took the afternoon off and we went down to the office and had lunch with daddy (between emails, phone calls and office happenings). Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures, but it was really cute and I wanted to record it.
JW has been a little off the last couple days. We can't tell if its a result of 4 days at home with Mommy or if his molars might be trying to come through. He was up early this morning so his schedule was ahead about an hour. So he slept the entire way to the office (30 minutes). Once there he was a ham. Pointing and going to everyone that would hold him. Lunch was pizza and JW definitely took part. I think that kid loves pizza. He was so funny. He'd take a bite and basically rip it off with his teeth. The slices were pretty large (Felini's for you ATL friends) and he probably had 1/4 of one in total. This is after he had already eaten lunch and helped me eat a nutra grain bar at home. He enjoyed visiting Daddy.
After, we picked up Daddy's birthday presents (next week) and headed home. He slept about 20 minutes. I tell you all this to set up the rest of the afternoon. He didn't nap again. He ate almost nothing until a full nutra grain bar (kashi - so I guess it's not that bad, right?!) around 5:45. He took a bath ( he was exhausted and I was tying to stretch it out a bit) and had a bottle. He was in bed and asleep by 6:45. This is about a half hour earlier than normal. I'm hoping this doesn't mean we'll be up earlier than normal ;) Just a day in the life, but one I wanted to capture. This is JW tearing into some pizza on Christmas. I couldn't leave you without a picture!
Updated: He slept until 7AM! YEAH!!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
JW has been a little off the last couple days. We can't tell if its a result of 4 days at home with Mommy or if his molars might be trying to come through. He was up early this morning so his schedule was ahead about an hour. So he slept the entire way to the office (30 minutes). Once there he was a ham. Pointing and going to everyone that would hold him. Lunch was pizza and JW definitely took part. I think that kid loves pizza. He was so funny. He'd take a bite and basically rip it off with his teeth. The slices were pretty large (Felini's for you ATL friends) and he probably had 1/4 of one in total. This is after he had already eaten lunch and helped me eat a nutra grain bar at home. He enjoyed visiting Daddy.
After, we picked up Daddy's birthday presents (next week) and headed home. He slept about 20 minutes. I tell you all this to set up the rest of the afternoon. He didn't nap again. He ate almost nothing until a full nutra grain bar (kashi - so I guess it's not that bad, right?!) around 5:45. He took a bath ( he was exhausted and I was tying to stretch it out a bit) and had a bottle. He was in bed and asleep by 6:45. This is about a half hour earlier than normal. I'm hoping this doesn't mean we'll be up earlier than normal ;) Just a day in the life, but one I wanted to capture. This is JW tearing into some pizza on Christmas. I couldn't leave you without a picture!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Tuesday, December 27
JW's First Birthday Party
JW's birthday party was so much fun. We were lucky to have all grandparents in attendance, along with many of our friends. The planning and week leading up to the event were fairly, I mean pretty, stressful. But, we made it and it was a great day!
The day started with JW's last swim lesson. He did an amazing job and I can't wait for our trip to the Bahamas and the summer. He is going to have a blast!!
After the lesson, he did his usual: bath and crashed for a nap. I had planned the party to start at 1:00 hoping he would take a long nap and be rested and happy. He did take a long nap and was awake when the guests arrived. However, at about 1:30, he was exhausted, so we put him back down to sleep. James woke him around 2:15 so we could do the cake. That might explain why it took a bit for him to get into it, he's a slow riser, just like his mommy!!
Decorations were fairly simple (and I don't have pictures). I used a balloon and primary color theme. I made a balloon wreath that I found on Pinterest (fairly easy to make, but I used way more balloons than was recommended.) I am hoping to use it every year for the birthday week! (or month, since it is still hanging in my dining room.) I used streamers to decorate the chandelier over the dining room table (which held the gifts and cakes) and to decorate his high chair (which you can kind of see in the pictures below). We hung 3 large pictures from JW's newborn session and had several of his 8 month pictures in frames. We had a bunch of balloons for the kids (these were the hit!).
For food I also tried to keep it simple. I made two chili recipes - a beef chili and a chicken chili. We did these in the crockpot and started them before swim lesson. We also had a cheese tray with crackers, veggies and dip, and fruit skewers (also found on Pinterest). We also made grilled cheeses for the kiddos. I ordered a cake from Publix (with a free smash cake. If you have a Publix near by, if you order the 1 year birthday cake, they will give you a smash cake for FREE!!). However, the 1/4 sheet cake would only serve about 20-25 and I expected roughly 30 for the party. So, I made an adult cake as well - Chocolate Vodka Khalua cake. It's yummy! I'll have to post a recipe soon.
JW wore a shirt I got on Etsy with the number 1 on it. It was very cute and soft. I also ordered the invitation from an Etsy seller. Great customer service from both sellers!
JW is blessed with generous family and friends. He received a ton of great gifts. (and only 1 duplicate) With his Christmas and Birthday combined, I think we're set for quite awhile. In fact, I may take a couple toys back, just because he got too many. We've opened about 2/3 of the gifts and left the others in boxes. I figure we'll break a new one every once in awhile to keep him interested! Now it's time to start looking at the organizing and decorating the playroom!
JW's birthday was an overall success. I can't believe he's 1 already. It's amazing how quickly the year has gone and how fast he is growing. It seems he learns something new everyday. My heart feels full.
The day started with JW's last swim lesson. He did an amazing job and I can't wait for our trip to the Bahamas and the summer. He is going to have a blast!!
After the lesson, he did his usual: bath and crashed for a nap. I had planned the party to start at 1:00 hoping he would take a long nap and be rested and happy. He did take a long nap and was awake when the guests arrived. However, at about 1:30, he was exhausted, so we put him back down to sleep. James woke him around 2:15 so we could do the cake. That might explain why it took a bit for him to get into it, he's a slow riser, just like his mommy!!
Decorations were fairly simple (and I don't have pictures). I used a balloon and primary color theme. I made a balloon wreath that I found on Pinterest (fairly easy to make, but I used way more balloons than was recommended.) I am hoping to use it every year for the birthday week! (or month, since it is still hanging in my dining room.) I used streamers to decorate the chandelier over the dining room table (which held the gifts and cakes) and to decorate his high chair (which you can kind of see in the pictures below). We hung 3 large pictures from JW's newborn session and had several of his 8 month pictures in frames. We had a bunch of balloons for the kids (these were the hit!).
For food I also tried to keep it simple. I made two chili recipes - a beef chili and a chicken chili. We did these in the crockpot and started them before swim lesson. We also had a cheese tray with crackers, veggies and dip, and fruit skewers (also found on Pinterest). We also made grilled cheeses for the kiddos. I ordered a cake from Publix (with a free smash cake. If you have a Publix near by, if you order the 1 year birthday cake, they will give you a smash cake for FREE!!). However, the 1/4 sheet cake would only serve about 20-25 and I expected roughly 30 for the party. So, I made an adult cake as well - Chocolate Vodka Khalua cake. It's yummy! I'll have to post a recipe soon.
JW wore a shirt I got on Etsy with the number 1 on it. It was very cute and soft. I also ordered the invitation from an Etsy seller. Great customer service from both sellers!
JW is blessed with generous family and friends. He received a ton of great gifts. (and only 1 duplicate) With his Christmas and Birthday combined, I think we're set for quite awhile. In fact, I may take a couple toys back, just because he got too many. We've opened about 2/3 of the gifts and left the others in boxes. I figure we'll break a new one every once in awhile to keep him interested! Now it's time to start looking at the organizing and decorating the playroom!
JW's birthday was an overall success. I can't believe he's 1 already. It's amazing how quickly the year has gone and how fast he is growing. It seems he learns something new everyday. My heart feels full.
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| We got a little side tracked before the party started. I started getting the balloons ready before JW had lunch. That was the end of trying to eat anything. He absolutely loved the balloons. Good thing there is some helium left!! I think we have a rainy day toy! |
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| JW and all the grandparents. I think this was the best one. You can see my streamers in the background. |
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| Daddy and JW.....He finally decided to eat something. I think we got 1/4 of a grilled cheese sandwich down. |
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| Mommy and JW - you can see the fruit skewers in the background. |
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| My best friend from when we were the little ones' ages......She came to visit with her family for the weekend! What a sweet treat! |
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| Starting with the cake. It was a little slow going at first, but then he got the hang of it. Yes - We went without clothes for the cake eating part!! |
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| Getting a little more into it. |
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| Really into it - The icing was everywhere - including that ear!! I don't think he actually ate much of it. He just kind of played with it. It was straight to a bath after. I had to clean my bathtub the next day as I had greasy icing residue all over it! |
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| Opening gifts. He had lots of help!! |
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| Inspecting his gift from Mommy and Daddy. |
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| Pretty sure we could have just given him a roll of wrapping paper!! |
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| Staring out our front window. He loves to do this! |
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| The kiddos playing with JW's gift from Grandma and Grandpa. I think his look kind of says, this is my toy, what are you doing with it! |
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| He finally got a go pushing A around!! |
Thursday, December 22
1 year, 12 months, 365 days
I've been a mom for that long. WOW. Where has the time gone?? Thank goodness for pictures and videos because I'm sure my mind can't hold all the images of watching my little man grow. All I can say about Motherhood is it's an experience - a happy, sad, fun, stressful, exciting, tiring, and life changing - experience. And I've survived the first year. Here's to many more years of motherhood (God willing)!
(JW updates coming soon!)
Another Birthday party pic to tie you over....the best family pic from the day.
(JW updates coming soon!)
Another Birthday party pic to tie you over....the best family pic from the day.
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