Madeline's Big Adventures.. and her parents too.

Down and Out

2012-02-05T22:02:00.000-08:00

We have had a week! I feel like I was initiated into parenthood this week!

Monday night we volunteered to keep my adorable 3 1/2 month old niece Ava for the night because both her parents had the stomach flu (which Ava had already had over the weekend). How difficult could it be? I mean, I've had a 3 1/2 month old before... one night...

Well, let me just say two babies is WAY different than one baby! And I forgot that at that age, you can't just put them down. I think I lost weight just because I couldn't snack all night. I am used to our routine with Madeline- and by that I mean- she is in bed by 7:30 and we have the rest of the night to ourselves. But that doesn't happen with a newborn....

Anyway, Ava was a great baby, but it reminded me how EASY we have it with Madeline. And it was a miracle I was only 3 minutes late to work- heck, it's a miracle I made it out the door at all with TWO! Mornings are going to be tricky. So, I praise you mommies of two or more children! I am not sure I am ready for that... ever....

Wednesday, Aaron stayed home with Madeline because her sitter got the stomach flu. First my niece, then my brother and sister-in-law, now the sitter. I am telling you, I had been afraid of this thing. It was vicious. It was bad. And it was highly contagious!

Then it happened! Madeline got it Wednesday night! I freaked out! I hadn't read in my parenting book what to do with a puking 21 month old! In fact, I don't think I'd see this information anywhere! Luckily, her father remained calm. I will tell you, in case you are ever in this situation- We put her in the pack-n-play in our room with layers of towels under her, a bowl to throw up in, and a pile of ALL her pjs on the floor. I would have left her in her diaper, but it was too cold. So we changed her pjs about 5 times. We were prepared. We were very fortunate that it only lasted until 3am. We were able to sleep from then until 7am. And when she woke up, she was happy as could be. Her tummy is still not 100% (we are now battling diarrhea because we tried to feed her normal food too soon.)

We KNEW we were next. It was a weird feeling just waiting for it to happen. I thought we had about 24 hours before it would hit us. Aaron got it first- Thursday afternoon. He was better within 24 hours. I was feeling pretty hopeful by Friday that I had avoided it. I was a little nauseous but that's all. Then it hit me. It got worse and worse. I knew I was in for it. I didn't have it nearly as bad as others, or even Madeline. For that I am SO THANKFUL!

So, that's what we've been doing this weekend. Sitting in the house for four days recovering from this horrible flu.

I pray that you and your family remain healthy and DO NOT get this horrible flu!

Here are some pictures from our stay indoors.

My Favorite! This is how we wear our headbands in Cali!

TuTu Fun!

2012-01-29T21:54:00.000-08:00

When Aaron says, "Touchdown Tebow" this is what she does.

Working on her supermodel walk here

sometimes standing up in a tutu can be challenging

playing around

She is telling Aaron to sit here.

Yes, I have still LOVING my new camera!

random life hapenings

2012-01-25T21:02:00.000-08:00

This was my life from Friday afternoon to Tuesday morning

I know horrible, right? 25 pages, 6,551 words later, the first three chapters of my Masters Research Project is complete. I now have a good grasp on the history of teaching grammar in schools and the best grammar teaching practices. You are enthralled with it already aren't you? I know, who am I kidding. I was even falling asleep as I proofed it.

So, my life was way out of balance over those four days. I was staying up until the wee hours of the morning, and then writing all day. I mostly didn't eat but consumed way too much of this...

And I had given it up for New Year's and was doing SO good! I hated the way I felt. And you know, staying up late like that sure was easier in college! Not to mention without a child! I was able to write more on my paper at school with my room full of 7th graders than at home with one toddler. It's like I can't concentrate when she's around. I suddenly develop ADD. So, my work has to wait until she is asleep, but when we're dealing with a 25 page paper, that doesn't allow for enough time.

And can I just brag about what an amazing husband I have? Seriously! Since starting my masters, I have not cooked dinner, planned a meal even, or cleaned the house (okay maybe a few times), and I'm lucky to make it to the grocery store. Aaron has been so supportive and wonderful! He takes care of Madeline and gets things picked up in the house. I am so blessed to have such a great husband and he's such an awesome dad too!

Anyway, once it was finished yesterday, I took a good nap, worked out, and ate some vegetables. I am finally starting to feel like myself again. Now if I can just convince myself to get the rest of my homework for THIS week finished.

Speaking of balance...

Two weekends ago, I got to go have some fun! Aaron let me have a girl's night out! I can't remember the last night I had one of these! So, 5 of us teachers went to Hollywood, ate at Eva Longoria's restaurant, Beso, and saw Wicked at the Pantages Theater! What a fun night! I look horrible in the picture, but I did have fun, really. I should have taken pictures of the food but it was SO dark inside we could barely read the menu! The small portions of food came on very big plates! It was so fancy and quite funny! Let's just say we ALL had room for dessert! The food, what little there was, was wonderful! I have baked chicken with spinach mashed potatoes! mmm!

Wicked was amazing! I could have sat there all night and watched it again and again! Madeline and I rock out to the sound track in the car often. I let her be Glenda, and I am Alphaba. Anyway, words can not describe how great I thought it was. So wonderful!

I guess with all that fun and the BOB workout I did three weeks ago, I was asking for all that work on my paper.

Randomness: I ordered some of this and it came today!

It's called PB2. It has 85% less fat than regular peanut butter! It comes in a powder form and you just add water. I guess they press all the oils out of the peanuts, or something scientific like that. Can't wait to try it, and it looks like someone else can't either!

I've also been obsessed with making this lately:

It's called cinnamon crisps. It is a piece of flatout bread. Which is the coolest stuff ever- 9 grams of protein, 100 calories with flax! I spray cooking spray on it, 10 sprays of "I can't believe it's not butter", cinnamon and 1 stevia packet. mmmm! It's like a healthy churro! I burned my batch tonight and ran out of flatouts! I will be making a trip to the store for sure!

This recipe and the PB2 idea came from my friend whom I met at the BOB workouts.

Her name is Kristin. She is a mom of twin two-year-olds and a fitness instructor. She kicks butt at the BOB workouts! (like she's in the front and I'm in the back) I'm not even going to tell you what she can run a marathon in! She is awesome and has a great blog with yummy healthy, super easy recipes. Check her out at http://stuftmama.com/ She just posted a 3 ingredient fudge I am dying to try and it only has 1/2 a banana, PB2, and cocoa! How easy is that! Seriously! Check out her site for great recipes.

I will have to post about my breakfast obsession soon! Let's just say.. it's green!!

Proud Momma

2012-01-19T21:45:00.000-08:00

Madeline discovered the dress up box the other day, and for the first time ever she wanted to wear a tutu! Actually, she wanted to wear two tutus at the same time. So she did. She wore them at nap time, at playtime, and at going to the store time. I am one. proud. momma. She may be a girly girl yet! Looks like she's got some of her momma's personality after all!

One thing I am NOT proud of... She twirls her hair in the back to go to sleep and has been getting it in knots. I mean we're talking starting her own dreadlocks! (You can see in the picture that is what she is doing with her hand behind her head.) Yesterday, the two knots were SO bad that I had to CUT one out! Not what I had envisioned as "baby's first haircut!" Not to mention, we don't have all that much hair yet anyway and need to keep what little we have. Oh, how I long for the day I can fix her hair, put it in pig tails, put clips in it. Looks like I am fighting an uphill battle!

Oh, and I made it 20 miles on Monday! Not too sore afterwards either. Only my knees and ankles were sore. No foot pain! Woohoo! We took it slow and stopped every five miles for a short walk and stretch. That was a good idea! Not sure how I will make it another 6 miles, but we have 2 months to train still.

We'll I've got a 20 page paper that I've put off for weeks now, and it is due Monday. Looks like I know what my weekend will entail!

what a hoot!

2012-01-13T20:34:00.001-08:00

Loves Mom's purse and shoes!

Sharing with Kitty (also known as "meows")

She's already taking my shoes!

Can you tell I am LOVING my new camera??!!

Another workout with Bob

2012-01-10T17:56:00.000-08:00

So It's time I took these off

And put these on!

Yep! After a month off from running to help the tendinitis in my foot to heal, I put my running shoes back on. It felt great, and my foot is better! I've worked up to 6 miles since then and am going to try... 20 miles next Monday! If I can do 20 miles without any pain (other than the normal pain after running 20 miles), then I am going to go ahead with my plan to run the LA marathon in March.

So, I ALSO got an email from BOB, my favorite trainer, (or maybe it was just the producer) and he asked me to come work out with him again. Remember the last time I worked out with Bob in October? Well, I jumped at the chance and said yes!

We had a LOONNG time to wait before the workout started while Bob filmed a food segment and a one-on-one training session, so we started snooping around the studio. It is in this old house looking building with all these rooms and lots of doors that go into little rooms. It's a pretty cool building with lots of character. Since the last time we were there, they made this really nice HUGE office with nice couches and a big desk. So, I decided to try out the couches.

Then I decided to try out the kitchen and see how I would look as a TV food chef. What do you think? Could it work?

There were 7 of us girls, 6 from the last time, and we had a great time. This time was so much more relaxed because we knew what to expect.

So when it was finally time to work out, I learned my lessons from last time 1. find a spot in the back and 2. choose to do the modified (easier) exercises! I was able to do both and I really enjoyed myself. Bob was so nice and friendly! His dog Carl was there again running around. Before we started he was chatting with us. Here's what we found out:

1. A kettle bell fell on his foot last week and it is still black and blue (I know exciting stuff!)

2. We talked about his love for Crossfit and how calloused his hands are from it.

3. I asked him what happened to the Black team last week on The Biggest Loser ( they lost the weigh in!) He said that he was really disappointed in the numbers too and that they have a nutritionist on the show this season who is telling them what to eat instead of following HIS plan and it is not working for him. He also said they are not using the BodyBugg this season and are using something else that is not good at all. I asked if the Black team would make a turn around and start winning and he assured me with full confidence (he would know, they are already done filming).

The workout was similar to the last one without as much cardio (Thank goodness!)

We started with jumping jacks, then went on to jump squats and jumping lunges- on the same leg then switch (ouch!). Next we did sumo squat with a weight. Then we went on to one handed over head press and last we did a squat with a weight and raised it to our chest. The last five minutes we did all the exercises again for 30 sec. each. Then we ended with a plank for two minutes. By then, my legs were shaking so badly!

Can you see how sweaty I am?? Well now I know why! Look at that light in the background! It gets hot in there!

So, during the warm up, Bob was right in front of me! And THEN during the lunges, he put his hand on MY shoulder and put his foot out to show how far down he wanted me to go. Wow! He's dreamy! And SO. NICE!

I am so thankful that

I live in California and got this opportunity.
that my bangs didn't go flat during that workout
that I didn't have a wardrobe malfunction like when I was running in a race on Saturday and my pants kept falling down
I took the day off and did this again.

I had a blast and can not wait for the next one!

Pinterest Projects

2012-01-08T18:57:00.000-08:00

I finally gave in and signed up for Pinterest.com. Then I started crafting. I never knew I could be crafty! This has been a lot of fun to find things I want and then to make them. So, the first project was a Christmas gift for my coworkers. I had a lot of gifts to do and I didn't want to do candy because I know how much candy I've received, and eaten, over Christmas. I didn't want to be responsible for anyone's diet come January 1st. Still, I needed to keep the gifts cheap- like $1-2 a piece. So, on to pinterest I went. I decided to make a peppermint sugar scrub.

What you'll need for the sugar scrub:

- mixing bowl and spoon

- 3 cups white sugar

- 1 cup + 2 Tbsp. good quality oil (I used olive oil, but you can use any nice, non-smelly oil) Note: the Olive Oil does give it a yellowish tint- use a clear oil if you don't want it to look like that.

- 10 drops of yummy-scented essential oil per jar (I went with peppermint although I felt like i needed to add more than 10 drops-maybe 20-to cover really get it to smell pepperminty.)

Combine your sugar and oil, mix it up well, and divide into separate bowls (if you're planning to flavor them separately). Add your essential oil, stir, and divide among your jars.

Done! Easy peasy! This anout made about 4 1/2 8 oz jars for me. Then I made labels and decorated the lids with scrapbook paper and ribbon. That was the really fun part for me!

My second project came to me while shopping at Hobby Lobby. I had my Mother-in-laws help with the project (which is probably why it turned out so cute).

It is a bow holder for Madeline's room.

We added hooks on the bottom to hang headbands on.

Project #3 and #4- I wanted a chalkboard, and we need a magnetic board for Madeline's alphabet magnets. Our fridge is Stainless Steel. My first thought was to paint an entire room in her playroom with magnetic paint and chalkboard paint, but Aaron was very hesitant. So, we compromised. I found a magnetic board on Pinterest and a chalkboard idea. He got the supplies and viola!

I LOVE our playroom now! It actually looks like a playroom now!

And here's what I want to do in the future:

A play nook under our stairs. We have a HUGE closet that needs to be re-purposed.

Aaron is giving me a look that says I will have to wait awhile for this.

Happy crafting.

words, words, words!

2011-12-31T09:45:00.001-08:00

Madeline has spoken her first sentence... Was it "I love you Mommy"? or "You're the best parents ever!"? I'd even take an, "I love Daddy." Nope. It was none of those. My daughter's first sentence was

"It's not on." Pronounced, "It not awwwn." which she proceeds to say when she notices one of her toys isn't on, or the light in the room isn't on, or the tv isn't on, and on and on, and awwwn! Sure makes me realize what an electronic world we live in!

It was cute a first, but boy do we hear that phrase over and over again throughout the day! The other day I wanted to watch something on TV, so I turned the sound on her bike off. Well, I didn't get to hear my show because instead of the annoying bike I just heard, "It not aaawwwwnn." over and over. I finally gave in and turned it on.

Other cute phrases she is saying, "Let's goooooo!" and "It's Baby Signing Time." When she wants to watch her Baby Signing Time DVD. Also, she says, "coming" when she wants you to come or go with her or when she is coming or going someone.

Other really cute things she is doing: When she wants up on something she will either pat it and say "I unt up" or try to pull herself up on her tippy toes and grunt like she is trying to lift herself up. She will pat a chair or pillow and say "sit" when she wants you to sit. Instead of "yes" she just says "k". She signs "please" and "thank you" when asked to say it. She loves the word "no" and sometimes I will hear her saying it to her baby doll when she is playing by herself but it is always more like, "no, no,no, no, no" with the sign for no and the same time. It's just too cute!

We are suddenly having problems with her sleeping. I don't know if it is because she is having problems with her allergies, or the fact that her schedule has been off, but I need her to sleep again. We have had a hard time getting her to go to sleep at all at night- last night it was a 2 hour ordeal. Then she will wake up crying in the middle of the night. Sometimes, we can just go in and lay her back down. Other times, she will be up for a few hours! I've read this is something that happens around 2 yrs old when they change sleep patterns. I just hope it ends quickly. We are trying a modified cry it out method to see if it will help. She NEVER used to cry for us!

Well, other than this, I've been busy being crafty Thanks to pinterest.com! Have you check it out yet? Oh you really must! I will post my latest projects soon!

Oh and the new pictures are not from my new camera. They are from Caleb John Hill http://www.calebjohnhill.com/#/Gallery/weddings/image_41582 A very talented up and coming photographer we got to do a photo shoot with last week. We had a blast and are thrilled with her pictures!

Christmas 2011

2011-12-26T20:38:00.000-08:00

We had a great Christmas this year. The first four pictures were taken with my new Cannon SLR Rebel camera. It is awesome! We attempted Santa three times this year, and every time she cried. These are with a former coworker who is Santa every year. He is wonderful! I hope everyone had a great Christmas too!

19 months

2011-12-13T21:12:00.000-08:00

As you can see we've been busy again with Christmas activities. I know I say this about every month, but I.Love.This. Age! Madeline is talking so much now. She sings sweet songs softly when she is playing by herself and thinks no one is listening. All I can make out is the word Baby several times in the song. I got teary eyed spying on her. She loves her baby doll and plays with it often along with puzzles- which she has just discovered, and her new little people toys, and especially our Tupperware and DVDs.

The other day we were at Starbucks in the morning on the way to work, and this police detective in the parking lot gives her a toy from the stash in his trunk. It was this little dollar store bunny. I was thinking, oh how nice, it will be going in the toy drive at school next week. Well, Madeline had other plans. She has been attached to that bunny since she got it. She has even taken it to daycare every day!- which she never does! It is adorable, and no, that bunny is not going anywhere any time soon.

She is such a good girl and listens to well... most of the time. She has discovered the word NO. Which she says often, but it is just so darn cute, I can only laugh at it! Luckily we haven't any major power struggles yet. She is repeating words all the time now. It's amazing how much her vocabulary has expanded- even in the last week! She says "K" a lot for okay. She says mm-hmm for yes. And lots and lots of gibberish still.

Really, this is so much fun! I had the chance to workout with Bob Harper again this past weekend. But I stayed home. Let me tell you about my MOM struggle. I want to do things- like workout, but I just can't stand to be away from Madeline, so I stay home instead. This struggle inside me, is the worst thing about being a mom. I've asked other moms when it goes away and they say maybe when they are school-aged. Great- only several more years of this! I am glad I stayed home with her Saturday, but I also really wanted to go to that workout. Next time.

Gotta go do more avoiding of school work and make a Christmas calendar.

Christmas Spirit

2011-11-29T20:30:00.000-08:00

We had a great Thanksgiving week. Only 2 1/2 days of school. A week off from graduate classes. Relaxing, eating, and shopping, shopping, shopping. Aaron likes to blame me for the shopping and spending, but I can not tell you how many times I hear him say, "Oh, Madeline loves to play with _____, we have to get her _____."

Anyway, We really had a nice weekend, and we got our house decorated for Christmas. I was so looking forward to this this year because Madeline is older and enjoys the decorations. She helped us put the ornaments on the tree, and take them off the tree again... and again... and again. We only had three broken ornaments this year...

We have a family tradition of starting our Thanksgiving day off with a 4 1/2 mile run and a beautiful park outside of town as the sun is rising. It is early and cold. But we really have grown to enjoy this time. I meant to take a picture of Madeline all bundled up in her stroller this year to compare to last year, but by the time we were done running, she was done riding.

Speaking of running... it looks like I am going to have to hang my running shoes up temporarily, I seem to have an injury. I've felt it for a while, tried to ignore it but after the LA half Oct. 30th it is worse. So, I went to a foot dr. and he thinks I have Tibialis Anterior Tendonitis (maybe...). So I was instructed to rest... and so... I ran 14 1/2 miles last weekend.

And now.. I am resting...

kind of...

I am at least not running (which is what causes the pain). I am trying to do spin class a few times a week and some strength training. I'm a little sad. No marathon for me in March now. I go back to the dr. Tuesday to find out the MRI results. Pray that I DON'T have to wear a boot! I mean, I teach 7th graders! Wearing a boot while teaching 7th graders- that is a cruel form of punishment!

Here are some Christmas pictures from our latest photo shoot.

eat your veggies!

2011-11-15T20:54:00.000-08:00

So, two exciting small things happened last week!

1.Football is over!!! Yippee! Aaron coached his last game of the season last
night. And to celebrate, tonight I went to.... THE GYM! It had been 84 days
since I last stepped foot in there. I was so excited to get to go back to the
gym tonight. I didn't realize how yucky I felt until I was done at the gym and
started crying I was so happy to be able to go again! So, I am signed up for
classes and so happy to be there! Working out at home just doesn't do it for
me.
Second exciting thing last week: We subscribed to a local organic veggie and fruit delivery service. Here's THIS week's box.

I've wanted to do this for a long time and finally did. I am struggling to get enough, well ANY, veggies in me these days. I figured if all I had to do was pick them up then I would eat
them. And I was right! I love this! Saturday night I made yummy fresh green
beans (maybe with a little fried onion with it). Then Sunday I threw the rest
of the veggies along with some from the fridge into a skillet and made a stir
fry. Best. Idea Ever! Here's what it looked like---

Look at all the colors! I added some olive oil ( my new
favorite ingredient) and some wheat noodles because that's all I had in the
house. So it has radish, celery, garlic, bell pepper, broccoli, carrots, kale,
and zucchini. My mother-in-law would be so proud of my creation! Seriously,
this is as creative as I get! And to cook TWO meals that didn't come premade in
a frozen package... that is HUGE! I love this! In fact, I ran out and had to
make more tonight! It was like my body was craving the vegetables! And the really
exciting part.... I lost two pounds last week! I am attributing those 2 little
guys to the veggies I ate this week because I did not work out once! And this
is the ONLY thing I've changed in my life/diet.

These veggies and fruits are amazing. Aside from
all of the above, we also got pomegranates and persimmons in our basket. I cannot
wait to make persimmon cookies this weekend! We also got pears and I made a really good pear crisp! Not healthy, but super good! And I tried pomegranates for the
first time... and I LOVE them! I am excited for Saturday when I pick up our
basket!

Madeline got hives after Strep! The dr. thinks it was her body's way of fighting off a viral infection. We think we are healthy now (fingers crossed). She is certainly back to her active self. Seriously! While I cooked Saturday, she destroyed the living room! IN a matter of minutes! She LOVES books right now and at night before bed time she will sign books and say "book". So sweet. She is saying more understandable words these days. She says "side" for outside, shoes, socks- doesn't exactly sound like that though, bye, and so many other words. Loving these days!

Taking a break

2011-11-02T20:17:00.000-07:00

These are from the trip to the pumpkin patch earlier last month. I tried to get some good shots, but all I got was her backside as she ran around. She's a busy little girl!

So I am on a two-week break from my graduate classes and I don't know what to do with myself! It is WONDERFUL! The first few nights I would sit at my computer anyway thinking there was something I needed to do. But this week, this is the first night I have turned it on, and that was only to buy books for the next classes that start Monday. =( So sad. But I'm pressing on and getting it done! I am taking THREE classes this term because I have a student teacher, so I was thinking I would have LOTS of time to work on my classes... we'll see, not looking that way right now.

I ran a half marathon in Los Angeles Sunday and I had my best time ever! I am so excited! My time was 2:11 and 2:14 officially (I am counting the potty detour as part of my 13.1!) After the race, I was spent! Done! But now, I thinking... maybe I COULD train for a full.... I don't know... we'll see. That half was NOT easy! I felt prepared, but it was warm and there were a few hills I was not expecting!

Madeline and Daddy spent their first 24 hours alone this weekend. And they did great! Have I mentioned what a great dad Aaron is? He really is the better parent in many ways. I am so thankful for the time I did get to go away this weekend. It was very relaxing. My friend (a single mom of two) and I didn't know what to do with ourselves in the hotel room! We rested and were in bed watching a movie by 8pm! I know- aren't we adventurous!

Well, I am leaving for now, got lots of reality TV to catch up on! Madeline has strep throat now! So, I will be home with her on Friday. Luckily she SEEMS to feel fine except her throat! She's such a trooper! No fever, whining, crying, fussing! She is just her normal self! Hopefully we caught it early and can get it to go away quickly!

love me some shoes!

2011-10-18T21:08:00.000-07:00

(I promise I do not let her run around in a diaper EVER- she put yogart all over her clothes and required and wardrobe change)

So Madeline is a little obsessed with shoes right now. It used to be an obsession with HER shoes. Now, she is obsessed with MY shoes! While I'm getting ready in the morning, she drags ALL my shoes out of the closet and tries on as many as she can and walks around in them. She is so proud of herself walking around in mom's shoes.

Well, last week was tough. Madeline was sick- but we really weren't sure if she was sick or just had allergies. She was whiny and fussy, and it was quite difficult for me to deal with her. At times like these I wonder, what has happened to my sweet happy girl? Is this the NEW Madeline? And how do I change her back? But then this week, she is back to normal and Mom is relieved! I thought I was going to have to bust out Dobson's Strong Willed Child (which she is not) already!

(Saturday morning, she didn't get her nap, so at 11am, decided she wanted one. She fell asleep while I was rocking her- and I. LOVED.EVERY.MINUTE! Oh! So precious!

I remember reading in one of my baby development books that by the time babies are 18 months, they should know at least 15 words. I remember thinking, "something is wrong with my daughter. She only has 3 months til then and only knows 1-5 words and doesn't always say them!" And then she started talking! It is amazing! She is repeating things we say- like today she repeated "grass grow"! And I can understand her! And her sign language is still developing. She signed "Sun" for the first time last week. Love it!

My weight loss is slowly going. I am sticking to working out and counting calories. I need to get my calories down still and my calories burned up! Once I get in a routine, I will be great! But, I am having a harder time getting into that routine this time. I do great Monday- Saturday- in fact because of my LONG run Saturdays, I burn crazy amounts of calories! But them I ruin it all Sunday! I "rest" to much and eat WAY too much! So, I am going to have to start working out on Sundays since I do too much sitting AND eating! Hoping that will help balance it out.

The exciting news... I get to work out with BOB again! I am going back to Hollywood Saturday (and Aaron and Madeline are coming with me to keep me company!) I am excited.. and scared! At least this time I have an idea what to expect AND more time "condition". I will let you know how it goes again.

Oh and I have so many pictures form the pumpkin patch to share... later... back to my final week of classwork!! woohoo! One term down!

more pictures and mom feelings

2011-10-12T21:22:00.000-07:00

Our group picture with Bob AFTER the workout- I looked REALLY bad- like mascara running bad!

This was the before picture in the room we waited in until it was time to shoot the video.

Wow! That is a nice picture of Bob! Wow! This was in the studio.

Sitting the the director's chairs waiting to workout.

This was in the studio. See where I am (in the middle, center- only one in shorts). Well, Bob pretty much was right in front of me the whole time.

These pictures are courtesy of Kristin Stehly of stuftmama.com. She was so nice and I was so glad to get to meet another toddler running mama- although she is way more in shape and hard core than I am!

So, I got an email inviting me to do another workout with Bob next week. But... I have this JOB that is getting in the way. I am so bummed, but I am going to be responsible, go to work, get my daughter and stay home. Maybe another time though! I told her to PLEASE ask again!

I felt so weird leaving Madeline Monday. I've never left her to go out of town alone! And to just drop her off at daycare and leave... I felt like an irresponsible parent. Like I was commiting an illegal act or something!

Then... she got sick and I felt even worse. Like I said earlier (didn't I?) she had a runny nose, but as the day went on, it got worse. Aaron stayed home with her Tuesday. She was fine except she was congested. I took her to daycare today. When I picked her up, the sitter said she was soaking wet when she got her up from her nap this afternoon, like she had had a fever that broke. Then I felt horrible! But she didn't act sick tonight. I wish she could just TELL me what is wrong!

I feel like a horrible mom sometimes. Let's just say Aaron has way more patience with her and does so much better with her. Maybe it's because I am with her alone in public more than him, but this afternoon was rough. We went straight to Costco after school, even though I thought she might have a fever (bad mom). She was fine, except that she ate all the food in my purse and was getting fussy. So was I for that matter, we had been waiting at the pharmacy for 20 minutes! Then we had to rush to the Title company to sign escrow papers... with a 17 month old running around the conference room. It just stresses me out!

By the time we finally got home, I had had it. So, I went for a run! Good decision #2 of the day! Thank goodness I have a wonderful husband who knew I needed a break and let me have 30 minutes to run. Good decision #1 was changing my Chili's lunch order to a better choice. I won't talk about the Bad decisions I made during our inservice this afternoon called Reese's and milky way! grr! I didn't even feel good after eating them!

So, how's my weight loss motivation going??? Great actually! Yesterday, I got home and felt like sitting on the couch. But, I check my calories burned on my body bugg and saw that it wasn't enough, and off Madeline and I went for a short run. I've lost a couple of pounds since last week already! This body bugg is what does it for me! It forces me to see how many calories I am REALLY burning in a day and how many I am eating. And you know what I realized after just one day- I was consuming too many calories for how few I am burning. And there's the answer to the mystery of why I can't lose weight for the past 17 months! It's hard to reprogram my mind to eat less after 2 years of not counting calories and not being overly concerned with what I ate.

So I ran tonight and last night. Tomorrow, I am starting this workout program called "60 Day Slim down" or something. I am doing it with another mom friend to keep each other accountable. I am feeling great and have way more energy. I forgot how great it feels to work out. Hoping this weight loss continues!

My exciting day

2011-10-10T20:10:00.000-07:00

Okay, if you missed the post about HOW I ended up working out with Bob Harper for a workout video- see the last post.

So, today was the day and of course Madeline wakes up sneezing and with a runny nose. Luckily it was either only allergies or teething, so we were good to take her to day care.

After spending some extra time with her this morning, I was off to Hollywood. I got to the location about1 1/2 hours early and ate my lunch then noticed people were already arriving! Glad I got there early! I went in and found out that there were only 12 of us in the whole video! Yikes! So much for trying to hide behind people.

We got a sneak peek at Bob when we got there because we were so early. We had to sign waivers and wait and wait and wait. I was feeling sick to my stomach thinking about this workout. You could tell most of the other girls (there was one guy) were just as excited as I was.

In fact, one brought her camera and was taking pictures all over (hoping I can steal some later)- Georgia, if you're reading this- the whole time I was thinking- if you were here- that would've been you!

So, we got a late start and waited about an hour. Finally at 2:30 they called us back. Bob had taped a workout before us with the "professionals" and now it was our turn. I'm actually glad we waited so long because it gave me time to calm down!

I have to admit, when everyone got there, I was a little relieved to see people just like me. I was really worried there might be all really fit, die hard work out people, but they were normal people. They wanted a good variety of people to represent the general public. The director (I'm guessing) came back to tell us what to expect. He said that it was a 20 minute workout for a new online program Bob is doing called "Team Bob". People pay, subscribe and then get a new workout daily via the internet. This workout was one of those. I was quite relieved to learn that it was going to be online only and by subscription.

So, we went into the "studio" and there he was. He was so nice to all of us! We found a spot on the floor with mats already set up, and he went over the workout. I chose a spot in the middle, about half way back. I certainly didn't want to be in the front, and all the back spots were taken.

He went through the workout. There were about 5 exercises that we would do: burpees, mountain climber, plank, kettle bell thrust, and front kicks. So, he was super nice and explained that if we wanted to modify anything that would be great because he wanted to show people that you can do this workout at any level. Whew! What a relief! Where was the yelling?? The tears? I guess he saves that for The Biggest Loser. After a little more explaining and talking we started.

Oh, he did ask if we were watching The Biggest Loser this season, and of course we all said yes. He said, "Everyone's saying it may be the Red teams year. Um NO, I don't think so. Not a chance." Was that a hint that someone on the black team will win??? I think so?? I think we were all so awestruck to be working out with him, we all didn't say much.

So, the workout starts with side steps, and he's walking around the room the WHOLE time! I'm thinking, side steps? Piece of cake! Then he had us stop in a squat- 2 minutes in to the workout. And we hold that squat for at least 4 minutes! My legs were burning; my legs were shaking. My only consolation was to look around and see other people's legs shaking too. And this was just the warm up!

Then we went in to burpees FOREVER!!! After going through the exercises one time, we did them again. By the second time through, I was DYING! I was ready to modify those planks! Then we went through them one more time! I was watching the count down thinking, I can make it, 5 more minutes. One more minute...

Finally it ended. And I was drenched in sweat! From a 20 minute workout??!! How is that possible?? Most people were pretty sweaty too, but then there were a couple that didn't even look like they broke a sweat!

We took a group picture, and he obliged us and said we did great. I'm thinking, oh sure!

Then we took individual pictures and left. Oh, we got to see his adorable little dog! I think he has a dog sitter that brings the dog to him! Must be the life!

I should be getting a group picture sometime, and I will post that. For now all I have is the one of the two of us- after the workout! I look HORRIBLE!

So, the question is: did it motivate me? Am I inspired? YES! That workout was so hard because I haven't done any working out except running since school started.

So, tonight, I am ditching my college work and I am reactivating my boddy bugg AND downloading the workout program that goes along with my new workout dvds. My friend and I are even going to keep each other accountable for the workouts. Aaron says he only has 5 more weeks of football, so I'm hoping to get back into the gym then. And... I have a NEW jogging stroller on its way to my house!

There's motivation for you! Today was a blast! I would do it again in a heartbeat! And a HUGE Thank you to my husband for leaving football early and picking Madeline up so I could do this! Sometimes, in life, it's fun to have something crazy and out of the ordinary to do. This was one of those days.

Found my motivation!

2011-10-08T21:33:00.001-07:00

Well, my weight loss has turned into a weight gain. I am struggling to get this weight off! And honestly, have not much motivation except my jeans don't fit any longer. Well, that's all changed..

Last week on Facebook, I follow Bob Harper from The Biggest Loser. He is always posting about how he teaches this spin class in LA on Saturday mornings and I think it would be SO fun to go! So, when he asked if anyone was interested in a group exercise class with him this week, I replied. Then I got an email with all the info. It wasn't just an exercise class, it was the shooting of a workout video and they needed people to be in it! Um... not exactly what I was looking for, but I really think a class with Bob would be what I need to get my booty back in shape.

The email stated that it was Monday from 12-3pm and that you needed to be able to do 30 min. of continuous exercise. I was all ready to sign up when Aaron reminded me that I have a daughter who needs to be picked up at 3:30. Rats! I decided to go ahead and email them a response and tell them about myself. It couldn't hurt, right? I mean, if I did get picked I could figure out what to do with Madeline. It would only be a couple of hours.

Thursday went by, no response. Friday went by, no response. I figured by then I was NOT what they were looking for.

Then I got an email Friday evening. I was in! Yikes! The reality set in that I was actually going to do this thing. Aaron decided that he could leave practice early and pick Madeline up.

So, I am calling in for a sub, taking the day off. And going to work out with Bob! I am way excited and SUPER scared! I am out of shape! I may be able to run for 30 minutes straight, but a workout video is different! It is way more high intensity and I haven't exactly worked out my arm or butt, or stomach muscles in a long time. I have no idea what kind of workout it will be (praying it's not yoga!). I am trying not to have any expectations going in to this except that it is a fun experience and hopefully a good workout.

The good thing is, I have already gained motivation! I need to make sure I bring my A game with me, so I am eating better (maybe I can lose a lb or so before Monday..) and today I ran 11 miles BY MYSELF! and only stopped once in the first 10 to take my sweatshirt off. I haven't ran 11 miles alone since Vega last year, and that was BAD! I felt great today! I am thinking I should try one of Bob's workout videos tomorrow- like twice in a row, but I am afraid of being really sore on Monday also, which would not help things.

So, say a little prayer for me Monday if you think about it. Hoping things go well... I have a tendency to end up embarrassing myself and looking like an idiot.

17 months

2011-10-02T20:18:00.000-07:00

Wow! I can't believe we are almost to a year and a half! Little girl you are changing so much every day! You've picked up Chinese somewhere and are very fluent now! You speak Chinese all the time! You even talk on your phone in Chinese! Today I heard you say the word "shoes" for the first time, which is good because you LOVE them SOOO much!

You LOVE to imitate what we are doing. This morning as I was putting on make up, you wanted some to put on too. I gave you an eyeshadow brush and you proceeded to put it on your eyes. When Daddy was on the phone today, you picked up your pretend phone and just jabbered away on it. You tried to put Daddy's big shoes on today!

You do not like being told "No" and boy do you have a mean dirty look! I don't know WHERE you got that from??? You like a routine and do NOT like things to disrupt that routine. The other morning, Daddy helped feed you breakfast, but he fed you in a different order than you are used to, you were not having it! Last night I tried to put a short sleeved shirt on you after realizing it was too hot for the long sleeved shirt I put on you, but you didn't want to change. You went to bed with graham crackers in hand one night and puffs in hand another night last week (you even bathed with the puffs!). You do funny things and then laugh at yourself- like put a plastic egg on your foot. When I tell you it's time to go to sleep, you get on the floor and lay down with your booty in the air- it is so cute!

You are so good at signing. The Baby Signing Time DVDs were the best purchase ever! You signed dirty, thank you, cracker, bath, outside, play, and bubbles recently. And when I ask you to sign something for me but you don't know it, you just move your hands around and "fake it". It's pretty funny. On the way home from work, we have very deep conversations. You talk then I talk, then you talk. It goes on like this the whole was home. I love it!

We are having such fun with you! We love you and think you are such a blessing! We pray that you will grow up to be a Godly woman and that God will guide you in your life and give you discernment and wisdom- but I don't know if we've actually decided to let you "go out into the world ever" yet. Maybe once we hit the teenage years we'll be ready. For now, you are right by Mommy and Daddy's side! Forever!

Procrastinator

2011-09-25T17:19:00.000-07:00

I preach against it to my students. I do not give them much mercy when they fall victim to it, and yet, I am also a procrastinator!

It's true. I always have been. I think I work better "under pressure".

Except right now.

What should I be doing???

Writing my article review on Higher Order Questioning strategies. Instead, I am writing you. I hate these article reviews. I'd rather be reading my novel, enjoying the cooler temps, running. ANYTHING! So, as I sit on my bed trying to block out the one year old downstairs (she is with her father), my mind is having a hard time focusing on getting this paper done (which was due 2 1/2 hours ago!).

Things I notice instead of getting my paper done:

the dog stuffed animal's paws are two different shades of tan, I wonder if they are supposed to be that way or if it's a defect.

The neighbor behind us is growing corn again- but not as much as last year, so I wonder if it will work.

Our rose bushes need trimming back.

I need salad for lunch tomorrow, but won't make it to the store tonight.

I'd rather be reading my novel I'm totally engrossed in called So Over My Head by Jenny B. Jones (it's the third in The Charmed Life series- read the first two first). Oh and it's for teenagers-so don't expect anything deep. It is my "escape my reality" novel.

Did I mention Aaron bought me a Kindle for my birthday? Best. gift. ever! I LOVE it! It would have been great to use while breast feeding!

Okay, I must whip this paper out because I have a back seat full of cherrios and prezels that needs cleaning. I can stay in this house no longer.

And... I did get my paper done and submitted. Now to think about THIS week's work. Sigh** I press on.

having fun

2011-09-18T18:40:00.000-07:00

The cast is off and we are having a blast! She is talking so much more these days. We started swim lessons back up this week and she is loving it more than ever! We are taking lessons with the other 18 month old from daycare. They LOVE each other and play well together. Madeline LOVED that her friend was there with her. She does so well going under water and splashing.

My weight loss has been a struggle! Apparently when you don't work out in 4 weeks, your butt grows and your clothes don't fit anymore. Hmm... what a great lesson I've learned. So I am working on running several times a week now as well as my long Saturday run.

Football season is in full swing (which is why I'm not getting to workout now.) We are limiting our time at the games this year because a 16 month old is more interested in climbing the stands over and over than watching the football game.

I have been working on my college classes so my brain is dead at the moment. I can not think of anything else going on.

The first picture is of her yesterday when we went yard saling in our neighborhood. She kept those sunglasses on the whole time! That is a first! Can you tell Daddy dressed her- red unmatching shoes and all??

In this picture- she had already eaten HER breakfast and was really liking this spoon thing- she started feeding herself last week (well trying) and she decided to move on to MY cereal! She ended up eating half of it!Did I mention she LOVES to eat??

And the last picture is from today's nap. I love this! Before our nap, I put socks on. She wanted socks too, so Daddy put some of his socks on her. She actually slept with them on the WHOLE time! It was too cute not to get a picture of!

The cast is off!

2011-09-01T21:17:00.000-07:00

We are so excited! That was a long month! The cast came off today and she did great! She only cried for a minute at the very end of cutting the cast off. I took a marker to daycare today and hte kids got to "sign it" (as much as a 1 yr old and 3 yr old can sign). It was so cute to see their little markings.

I was surprised how quickly she started using it again. She is still using her left hand only to eat with- I wonder if this will make her a permanent lefty??? Boy did that cast stink! And her arm too! yuck! I was so happy to get her in the bath tonight- and so was she. She splashed and splashed in the water. I think we will need a water day this weekend!

Tonight she discovered wet grass and thought it was really neat. She also crumpled a dead leaf in her hands and liked the crunchy sound it made. She wanted more leaves. She also liked it when I blew a dandelion in her face. Amazing how much she is learning, changing and discovering every day. Still has an obsession with shoes. I did hide the one pair she wanted to wear every day! I can't believe how much she understands now! She is talking so much more these days. I now hear resemblences to words and can make out some of what she's saying now amist the jibberish.

The other day at daycare, Linda said she found Madeline sitting behind her friend Elise "combing" her hair with a toy brush! How cute is that! Wish I could've gotten a picture of that!

And my favorite thing- when I sing "Jesus Loves You" to her, she "sings" along! Oh, melts my heart every time!

Well, I should be writing my boring blog for school instead of this one.

Help! I'm drowning!

2011-08-26T22:13:00.000-07:00

We are back to work. Even Madeline is hard at work these days. This is from last Spring when she was helping me finish up class grades. Amazingly everyone got A's!

School started this week. My lunch group and I were talking about how there really isn't a way to prepare for the start of school. At least not how you feel. It feels like you are going right into the eye of the hurricane and there is no way to prepare but just to get through it. We are all tried and brain dead. I have blisters on my feet from my dress shoes I haven't worn all summer. My back hurts from standing all day.

On top of that, what was I thinking with this college thing? I am dying!! Just starting the work for THIS week that is due Sunday! One class is ridiculous! It was way too much work and I can not wait to tell her so in her evaluation. Still haven't figured out how I'm going to do this. When I am at work, I am focused on only work. When I am at home, I have a 1 yr old who wants my attention.

Speaking of... when did she become a little demanding diva?? Are the terrible twos early? She has decided she wants to eat graham crackers ALL the time now and if I don't give them to her she screams, cries, throws a fit, chokes on her own sobs! It's horrible! My sister reminded me that that was a learned behavior. SO we are NOT giving her graham crackers any more. But.. how am I going to survive the fit? Last night I was alone with her and I was crying right along with her because it was so bad.

She has also become obsessed with shoes. Yesterday after I had shoes on her, she brought me a different pair and insisted that I put those on her. Then she laughs once I do (like a ha ha! I win kind of laugh- doesn't make me feel very good!). This morning it was MY shoes! I had to put on several pairs while getting ready. And I didn't DARE take them off or she was right there to put them on again! Luckily I got out of the white flowery heels before leaving for work in my flip flops. She also has a blankie she is quite attached to. It's sweet, but now that she sleeps with it, I feel I need to stock up in case something happens to it. We could be in trouble!

That's all. Going to bed. Have 11 miles to run in the morning.

Back to reality

2011-08-11T20:59:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't it be great if life were always like this?

*sigh* alas, all good things must come to an end. Football started up last week, and we are seeing less and less of Aaron again. And, I officially go back to work next Wednesday. boo! I am so avoiding this forthcoming reality that the closer it gets the more I want to throw a kicking and screaming fit! I don't wanna go! That's not totally true. I am excited about some new ideas I want to try in my classroom. I am excited about having a routine again that doesn't invlove eating all day long. I am excited about seeing my coworkers and having adult conversations again that don't have to do with "poopoo" or nap time.

I do not want to be away from Madeline all day and I do NOT want to be thrown into the spinning tornado that our lives become during the school year. I hate the busyness. I hate the constant go go go or get ready to go!

So what am I doing to prepare? I am avoiding it by totally throwing myself into one romance novel after another! Poor Aaron has to deal with my lovey mood and need for attention that develops as I read these sappy love stories. But they are so much better than my reality, I just can't put them down! I know in a matter of two weeks I am going to be so busy that I won't be able to even think of reading anything for entertainment, so I am getting my fill now!

The other looming stress is going back to school. I have decided to enroll in a Masters program at Wayland. They have an online degree in Education. I start Monday. I am nervous! It has been 8 years since I've taken any classes and I am afraid! I now have the responsibility of a child and a full time job. The thought of adding classes and homework into the mix scares me! IF.. and let's hope... If, I can finish like I plan, I will be done by the end of next Fall or Winter. I am excited, but scared. You know those annoying nontraditional students who used to be in our college classes. You know, those older MOMs in our education classes. They were the overachievers. The ones that would finish their work EARLY and bring it in for approval from the Prof. making all of us procrastinators feel bad?? Well, I think I've become one of those students! Pray for me as I start this new venture. Why am I putting myself through the torture? Pay raises. I will not get another pay raise again as long as I teach if I don't take some classes and move over on the payscale. California pays its teachers to go back to school.

On the plus side- Ive lost 3 lbs this week! Don't know WHAT I've done to do it! I've hardly worked out... I do think I'm eating less- I think it's the stress. Anyway, I will take it! Getting closer to my goal finally!

a little accident

2011-08-07T22:44:00.000-07:00

Thursday morning, August 4, 2011. 7:40am.

Mom: getting ready to go to the gym

Madeline: climbing the stairs

Dad: right by Madeline

The incident: As Madeline reached the landing between the two set of stairs she stood to walk (as she always does) to the next set of stairs. She got excited seeing Aaron behind her and started running. She tripped and fell. Landing wrong on her hand.

The result: Crying. Lots and lots of unsoothable crying.

Duration of crying: 45 minutes

Action: Mom and Dad KNEW something was wrong when all the "normal" distractions didn't change her mood. Plus we noticed she kept holding her arm close to her body. We decided to call the pediatrician. As soon as she gets in the car to go, she stops crying. I'm thinking, I must just be over reacting..

8:30am Pediatrician office.

Of course we see a new-to-us pediatrician who probably thought we were child abusers when he heard the story of Madeline falling. She did NOT like him at all. Finally he concluded that she needed x rays.

9am X-rays

While waiting for 20 minutes Madeline seemed totally back to normal. She was walking around the waiting room, laughing, smiling, eating, talking. The technician was WONDERFUL and played with Madeline during the x-rays to keep her from crying. She was scared. Within two minutes, she came back in the room and told us she had a fracture on her arm right above her wrist.

10am back to pediatrician

Nurses look at X-ray and try to decided where the fracture is, if any at all, on the x-ray. No very reassuring!! Should not say things out loud to each other like, "What do you think?" "Looks like it's fractured." "Yep. That's what I thought." "Right here, right? pointing to x-ray. "I think so. Well, maybe here."

Finally dr. comes in thankfully without CPS report (I promise we ARE good parents!) Tells us it's broken. Puts temporary brace on it.

10:30am Home

Finally down for a nap and Mom gets a shower! So much for a workout today.

1pm Orthoped. office

Several women I know from the gym work there (that counts as my workout for the day right). They took great care of us. Nurses kept stopping by room to see how cute she is. I don't think they see many one yr olds there. The Dr. was WONDERFUL! Calm, quiet, sweet, grandfather type. Madeline got a pink cast and was fine until they were finished and he started forming it to her hand.

Update:

She has been great! Mom was calm through the whole process. Dad was a wreck! (Let the record state- I was the calm one for once!) This is HIS little girl and he is supposed to protect her. Madeline doesn't seem to even notice there is a cast on her arm. She doesn't seem to be in any more pain either. The biggest problem has been bathing her and keeping the cast dry. Poor thing- LOOVEES water. Bye bye swim lessons for the rest of the summer. She should only have to keep it on for a few weeks. We got back in two week for a check up. I am praying she learns to walk better BEFORE she gets this cast off and that we don't have any more injuries. She fell last night and has a nasty goose egg and scab on her forehead now too! That wasn't easy to cover up with a bow today!

Madeline's Uncle and Aunt came by to see her Friday and they brought her this stuffed animal dog with a pink cast on his arm too. It was so sweet. She LOVES it and carries around with her everywhere. I think she may break the poor dogs OTHER arm with how she's carrying it!

camping 2011

2011-08-03T22:31:00.000-07:00

We had a great week camping this year. Madeline was a fantastic little camper. She slept great in the vast outdoors and played hard! She loved being outside all the time and really got comfortable walking! In fact, she really got to work on her balance while camping because the ground was uneven and there were sticks and rocks everywhere (not to mention dirt!), so she had to concentrate to stay upright. She fell a lot, she got dirty a lot. But she had a blast! She enjoyed the beach and was a little sand crab! We enjoyed visiting with our friends and relaxing. In fact, we had the camp site to ourselves for the first few days. It was kind of nice for it to be just our little family. We had a couple of encounters with skunks and racoons that I would have liked to have done without. Luckily no one was sprayed or attacked except Madeline's food!

How's my weight loss plan going? Oh you HAD to ask! Well, I ate A LOT of cookies while camping- among other really good things. And, I gained a pound. Not proud of it, but not too bad for all that I ate! I worked out everyday last week and that pound didn't budge. Back at it this week and hoping to drop a couple before I go back to work. I know once school starts it will be easier to loose weight. I won't be sitting at home all day (not that I sit a whole lot) and won't be grazing all day!

I am trying to upload pictures but it's not letting me. Anyone else wqith blogspot having problems? Maybe it's just me. Thinking of switching to wordpress. Any thoughts?

Summer goals, fun and Madeline's big news

2011-07-13T21:14:00.000-07:00

Since Aaron has the month of July off from Football I am taking full advantage of him being home and getting back in shape. I have a goal of losing the last 5-8 lbs that have taken up residence on my backside. Since he is home to stay with Madeline, I am working out- nightly- sometimes twice a day. I am on a mission.

So after the first week: I gained two lbs.

Not what I was going for, but I'm sticking with it. This week I've lost those two lbs and am back to where I started. I have two more weeks and I'm hoping to see more results. I have also cut out some sugar and all sweets. By the end of the school year, I HAD to have a STARBUCKS drink to make it to work in the mornings. I didn't like feeling like I HAD to have it. I thought I would die at first, but it is nice to not feel addicted to sugar anymore. I will eat it now if we are at a party and it's offered, but no sugar in the house. I will continue into August, I will just have to get my workouts in in the morning before he has football. Hoping I can report good results to you soon. Maybe I will stick with it since I've announced it here.

Other than working out- which is so hard to do. I hate leaving her. Even though I keep telling myself I am going to miss this when Aaron is working and I can't go workout, I'd just rather be home with them. I am making myself go because I know I need that break now to prepare for the long football season ahead.

So, where was I, oh yeah, other than working out, we are staying busy!

We have a weekly routine that I LOVE! I wish I could do this all year long. One day we meet a little girl from daycare (her friend who is also a year old) and have a play date. Another we go to storytime at the local bookstore, and another day or two we get in swim lessons at an indoor pool. The rest of the week is always filled with trips to the grocery store, grandmas, etc. Did I mention I LOVE THIS!

Oh and I almost forgot! Madeline has BIG NEWS! She started walking last week! We were at a friend's house and she was hammin' it up in the middle of the living room and then she just took off. I. Could.not.believe.it! We were so excited for her. Then this week she stood up on her own in the middle of the floor and started walking. I think she'll be a pro by the time school starts. She already wants to run! Her personality is showing more everyday! She smells flowers anytime she sees them, will sign several words now, points and says doggie everytime she hears one bark

And She LOOVVEESS to eat- especially meat, beans, cheese, and eggs! She's a daddy's girls for sure! When she is crying for food (not at meal time) and we give her a snack, she starts to giggle and I feel like its a "boy I've got you wrapped around my little finger" laugh.

She is so easy going and mild tempered- but throws a fit if she really wants something. The other little girl at daycare doesn't like to share and will take something if Madeline is playing with it. Madeline lets her and doesn't throw a fit about it! I wish she had a little bit more of a fight in her, but that is her gentle, kind, peacemaker daddy's personality.

By the way- how do you like the new design?? Our dog Charley died on Memorial Day and I decided it was time to change the blog- besides the fact that the focaus hasn't been on the dogs for a while now...

A HUGE Update

2011-06-29T21:15:00.000-07:00

Okay here are some pictures of what we've been doing the last two months while I've been MIA. Lots and lots of pictures! Madeline turned 14 months this week. I am really enjoying this time I have with her this summer. She is really liking her momma now (but still not as much as Dadda). In fact, she has developed a case of stranger danger and separation anxiety. This is horrible! I know it's the age, but I also think it has to do with her being home with me all day everyday. I pray it ends before I go back to work or that Miss Linda works her magic and makes it stop.

I am still taking naps with her in the afternoons- something I was hoping to break, but can't bring myself to do. I love this time. 1. she turns in to silly Madeline right before she falls asleep and we share laughs together. 2. I LOOOOVVEEE the snuggles and it is so precious to watch a sleeping baby. 3. I get 2-3 hours of rest as opposed to 1 hour if I put her in her crib.

We started teaching her sign language using a program called Baby Signing Time. We LOVE it! We put the video on while she is eating dinner and it keeps her attention plus she doesn't throw any food on the ground! She has already learned the signs for "more" "eat" and "baby". As a teacher I felt like I needed to "teach" her SOMETHING this summer. Do you know what kind of pressure is on us "Teacher moms"??! Okay, here's a look back over May and June.

First in May, we went back to San Diego for Aaron's graduation with his Masters degree from Point Loma Nazarene University. We figured we should go see where all our money is going. We are glad we did. This campus is beautiful! It over looks the ocean!

The outdoor amphitheater where graduation was held. It was a beautiful amphitheater.

Look at that view! WBU grads- I feel like we missed out a little. I mean- don't get me wrong, the people were great, but the view... doesn't compare to this (either does the price tag unfortunately)

So Sea World had a special for teachers. They were giving away free annual passes! We took them up on it. We loved Sea World! They have a great toddler/preschool area with a splash pad as well. Madeline is going to love coming here for years! She did great and we paid $12 for parking and that was it! Not bad- especially when you have a little one who isn't going to make it all day. This was our second trip back there. We are planning on going again once this summer and in the fall.

This is what I've been doing all summer so far. Cleaning up messes. This girl is in to EVERYTHING. This particular day I could tell she was looking for trouble to get in to.

The first picture is when she dumped her cereal out of the box and then realized she could eat it. She started licking it off her hands and playing in it. There was cereal everywhere!

In the second picture, she found the newspaper next to the trash can (gated off) and "read" it. Add a pot from the pantry, some recyclables, and her little bike and you have a masterpiece!

Playing with the water table in the back yard. I think it took longer to get her dressed than to play with the water table that day. She prefers playing with it when her clothes are on and she can get them soaking wet. She likes water. I think she may be a tomboy also! She is NOT afraid to get dirty. She LOVES rocks and dirt! Loves playing in dirt. And... loves eating dirt.

In the beginning of June, the city opened a new park a mile from our house. This is a great park! It was a really neat splash park. Madeline really liked the sprinklers. She really enjoyed making me walk through them getting soaking wet. We met my sister and her girls there for a picnic and play time.

We've been making many trips to the park this summer. I bring her walker and make her walk around the park. Madeline refuses to walk on her own, so we are on a mission to get her walking this summer. Since she just discovered how to crawl normally on her first birthday, she is enjoying speed crawling still. I am actually enjoying her inability to run away from me and to sit still and stay in the same place.

13 months

2011-06-10T21:14:00.000-07:00

Are you still there? Anyone? I don't blame you. I have been neglectful. Life has been happening at warp speed and I just haven't had time to fill you in. In the last two months we went on two trips to San Diego- one for a mini vacation, one for Aaron's graduate school graduation, Grandma Bobbi came to visit while Aaron and I went on our first over night trip ALONE!!!, and we survived the end of the school year. Oh and someone turned ONE! I know! I can't believe it either! We are out for summer now and I am finding myself busy with an active one year old. She is a blast! I am LOVING this staying home business! I am getting lots of snuggle time when she wakes up from her naps and lots of play time. But... boy do one year olds make messes! I spend a lot of my time picking up after her. My goal for the summer is just to have a consistently clean house- I'm just not sure when I'm going to find the time to get it clean! Here are some pictures from her first birthday. I will try not to stay gone too long again.

11 1/2 months

2011-04-14T21:58:00.001-07:00

Helping Momma at work enter grades. Everyone gets an A.

My lil' good luck charm

This was 80's day at my school. I decided to let Madeline join in the fun.

11 months.

I've been meaning to write this post for 2 weeks, and well, here it is now. I'm glad I waited because Madeline started doing some amazing things AFTER she turned 11 months. Here's a recap and some pictures.

March 29th she started pulling up to standing, going from her tummy to sitting up (I think she's done this before a daycare, but we won't count that), and started putting her blocks in their corresponding shape holes on their bucket (ie blue square in the square hole, red circle in the circle hole.
She is moving everywhere now. She wants to stand up a lot more, and ends up falling a lot more!
She will even take 5-10 steps on her own using her little push car.
Talks and talks so much now. Is even talking jibberish now. My favorite is the sweet songs she sings in her high pitched voice- must be all those songs I sang to her as an infant to get her to sleep. Now when I sing to her she sticks her fingers in my mouth as if to tell me to stop. lol!

We are on our spring break right now and on a trip to San Diego. I am LOVING that we have to sit and relax while she naps twice a day! Aaron is getting a little stir crazy though. Here are some pictures from life at home. I will post trip pictures when we get back.

my 11 months

2011-03-28T21:03:00.000-07:00

It is a strange feeling to me to look back to last year at this time. It seems very recent- all the memories very clear in my mind. Next week was the week I went out on maternity leave. This year has been filled with so many different emotions. I love being a mom. I feel so blessed to have such a precious daughter. My days are filled with laughter and happiness- she really is a good baby!

At the same time, there have been so many other emotions I've struggled with this year. I think the biggest one is isolation and feeling alone. I know that I've brought some of this on myself because most days I just want to stay home with Madeline rather than see other people. However, I have felt a strain in my friendships as well. Friendships have always been important to me, and they still are. I know that I am probably not putting as much time or effort into them now. More than that, I feel a distance in most of my friendships. I can't figure this out. It is really perplexing and bothers me. I couldn't have changed THAT much as a mom?? I keep praying that God will restore these friendships and reveal to me what I have done, if anything, to cause a problem in them.

I've also found this amazing new community of mommys that have been wonderful. I am so thankful for one mom in particular who takes her baby (a little older than Madeline) to the same daycare. As new moms, we have shared our struggles, baby secrets, and encouragement this year. I pray I can be a light in her dark world and am blessed by her friendship.

On a lighter note, I feel like I've traded in my faster-Pentium 4 processor brain for a much slower AMD version. It takes me MUCH longer to process information now. I can have a conversation and hours later still be mulling it over in my head. And- when the conversation is going on- it seems to whir by me at lightening speed. This probably doesn't make sense- which is something my husband says happens a lot more now. I speak a different language most of the time- mom language. It is not easily understood by other adults, husbands or students. It's not that I'm talking "baby talk" even, it's just the normal words coming out in a weird order now, or I not thinking of the right word at all. (Probably that slow processor to blame)

Priorities- I really didn't want them to change, and I fought it, and then, I gave in. I really struggle with making myself do things away from Madeline. Like working out. I LOVED it before baby. Now, I enjoy it, but would rather spend time with her. Which would explain why this baby weight is still hanging around! I have 5 lbs to go and lots of extra padding to get rid of still.

I am still searching for balance in my life. Something I hope to achieve within this next year.

God is teaching me how to me a patient, caring, understanding teacher this year. I can now see my students as someone's child, and it makes me treat them differently.

I really am not ready for this year to pass. I am loving each new stage and that life is getting easier (oh how I love my sleep filled nights!), but I don't want her to get old so fast. I just need things to slow down.

That's what's been on my mind for a while. Did you have some of the same feelings as a new mom? Please tell me things will get better- Did my brain fall out with my hair or will it wake up again one day?

10 Months!

2011-02-28T21:03:00.000-08:00

getting pushed around the house in a box.

"Come on, just let me touch it. I promise I won't put it in my mouth."

Enjoying the sunshine.

While last month didn't hold many changes, this month is full of them! I think Madeline does something new daily! She is so active! She is no longer content to just sit in our laps. She took her first steps while holding on to me on Valentine's Day. This past weekend she has started being much more expressive and animated. She points her finger at us and talks at us (don't know WHERE she gets that from??) She will also point at objects like the fan. outside, the cats, anything new. She definitely knows who Dada is, and mostly who Mama is. She just started getting on her hands and knees and rocking back and forth. She is still army crawling but it so close to a normal crawl. She's trying to sit up from her tummy but not there yet. She also tries to pull herself up but doesn't have anything sturdy enough to support her.

She is still such a great baby. Happy all the time. Very observant. Any time she is somewhere new she just looks and looks taking it all in. (that's from her daddy!) She is usually happy to just play by herself and explore her surroundings. However, she is also getting very curious and getting into everything. We are behind on baby proofing. I am pretty relaxed about where she goes and Aaron is pretty cautious. We finally bought a baby gate to block her into the living room. This way we don't constantly have to fight her and the cat food. The picture above shows how sad she is to be away from the cat food. Most nights it doesn't bother her, some nights, she can't stand to be stuck in the gate and wants out. She loves being outside (which we've been able to do a couple of times this month) and going on walks. She's been working and working on her two K9 (??) teeth for a loong time, and still don't have them yet. I am hoping soon. These two are killers!

While I was worried about her being ready to eat solids only and weaning her last month, this month, I know she will do fine. She LOVES food! She loves to eat everything. There isn't anything that she won't eat. We are trying chunkier foods for dinner. She will eat bread, crackers, puffs (loves them!), mum rice crackers, avocado-every night, apple slices, any fruit cooked and mashed, and many veggies soft enough to mash. We feed her first, then eat our dinner. Well, she now wants to eat again when we eat! We started Soy yogurt in the mornings with her cereal and she loves it! Her baby sitter is getting her to drink her milk cold from a sippy cup. (sob, sob- don't know if I'm ready for this!)

We are loving this age right now! It is a blast! We are thinking of starting swim lessons one night a week for something to do. Also, we are still working on her play room. It is almost finished, I will post pictures when we're done.

Better to get bed.... Can't keep my eyes open....

my favorite things

2011-02-15T21:51:00.000-08:00

Madeline is standing much better these days. Last night she took two steps while I was holding on to her. First time! Mom's proud! She is scooting backward while sitting up. I think she's trying to figure out how to crawl. When Aaron is eating an apple, she perks up, crawls to him, sits in his lap and munches on his apple. But tonight, she didn't want me to help her eat the apple; she wanted to do it all by herself!

She woke up with a red eye this morning. We took her to her dr. this afternoon and found out it isn't pick eye. Yea! But.. it's either 1. some kind of allergy or allergic reaction to something or 2. pterygium. Her dr. told me I was only allowed to google it once and not to freak out. Well.. apparently I choose the wrong website to look at because... I'm freaking out. I'm making an appt. with a pedi. eye dr. tomorrow morning. Please pray it's not pterygium (gee how I wish it WAS pink eye now!), and that the redness will go away on it's own.

9 months

2011-02-10T20:55:00.000-08:00

Hello? Are you still there?

We've been busy lately. I really feel like life is flying by right now. Besides life, my little girl is busy... busy getting into everything! There isn't a moment that she isn't trying to touch the cat food, play in the cat water, taste the trash, chew on the computer cord, eat the newspaper and on and on! Can you tell we haven't "baby proofed" very well yet? We have a room that is in the process of being turned in to a play room, but right now the room is under construction and a hazard area. I will be so glad when it's finished and we can put here in there, close the door, and play peacefully by herself. right??? Oh, I must be dreaming.

She will no longer just sit quietly on our laps. She wants to be playing and exploring now. We had her 9 month check up and she got great reviews! Her dr. said she is doing great and looks healthy (at 21 lbs she sure is healthy!). She is still army crawling. She hasn't had any MAJOR developmental changes this month, but has achieved some minor victories. She likes to play Peek a boo! In fact when she's ready to get out of her crib, she will pull the bumper down and peak through the crib slates looking for us. When we finally come in the room to get her, she gets so tickled about seeing us! She still loves to say "dada" when she's happy. She LOVES to look at the pictures in my cell phone. That is a fail proof way to keep her happy in the car.. until she wants to eat the phone, and I have to take it away.

We are experimenting with new foods. She is eating soft, mashed table foods now. I am trying to figure out how she is going to be weaned, and on table foods completely by 12 months. It stresses me out thinking about feeding her. I am responsible for making sure she has a well balanced diet! It was easier when it was just milk!

That's all I've got for now. I have been exhausted by the time I put her down for bed at night. I've tried to bring work home and am realizing that it's just not possible to do anything once I leave school. I'm not really too sad about that one. I LOVE the time I have with Madeline playing, jogging, snuggling, eating. It's wonderful.... but, I do see a little more of her temper coming out. She has been throwing screaming fits (well... a fit for her) when she gets something taken away or can't do what she wants. We are trying not to give in to her.... I feel like the parenting tests begin now! Yikes!

Back to work

2011-01-13T21:01:00.000-08:00

Last week was hard. I really enjoyed my two weeks at home for Christmas, so when we had to go back to work, I had a difficult time adjusting. Man did I miss my girl! So, we started praying about working part time next year. There are several things that need to work out in order for this to happen: finances, my work schedule has to be mornings only, daycare, and my school district has to allow me to go down to part time. Well, last Friday, my principal asked me if I was still interested in part time teaching. She even asked what schedule I wanted! It's not a sure thing, but it's looking hopeful! There are still many things that we have to work out, but I am thankful that part was so easy! Please pray with us that this will work for us. I am so excited about the thought of being home with Madeline more... and a little scared too.

That's all that's going on... nose to the grindstone.....

8 months old and Christmas

2010-12-28T21:27:00.000-08:00

We had a great Christmas! Madeline got so excited about her presents! She is really enjoying them. Not only that, but I am amazed at how much she has changed since Sunday! She turns 8 months old today. Wow! Do you know how much fun this age is? It really does get better every stage! So, here's what she's been doing this week for the first time:

Army crawling! Just started Sunday. She will put one arm in front of her and then pull herself forward with the other arm close to her body (like it's injured). She mostly crawls when she wants to get "illegal items" like electrical cords, phones, remote controls.
Jumping in her "Johnny Jump". Before last night she would just be in it, without moving at all. Then all of a sudden, she started jumping and LOVED IT! I will post video soon. It was so cute!
Is standing with support much better. Before Grandma worked with her, she didn't stand well. Her dr. said it was because her legs are so chunky. But, she is standing very well now!
Is trying to say "kitty" but it comes out "get ty". Also, she knows who kitty is. When we say, "Where's the kitty?" she looks for him! Incredible!
She has also started talking just today! I've head ma, nanana (of course only when she's mad) and ga ga. So excited about this!
She is getting really good at playing with her toys. She discovered quickly how to dump all the blocks out of their bucket. She loves her little kitchen and car steering wheel.
A week ago, she wasn't too fond of her basketball hoop, but now, she does a great job of using her feet to pick the ball up with one hand. She hasn't quite got the concept of putting the ball in the basket yet, but she'll get there.
Tonight she was playing this game where she would throw her spoon in front of her, crawl to it, pick it up, and repeat over and over again. So funny!

I am so thankful for my job and the time off it allows me! I am LOVING being home with her. I am so thankful that I could be here to experience all these "little firsts"! We really enjoyed Grandma's visit and are so sad she left today. It is such a help to have her around. We can't wait for her to come back, and the next time we may not let her leave! Here are a few pictures from Christmas.

Christmas Part one

2010-12-22T20:57:00.000-08:00

My brother and sister-in-law are spending Christmas in Canada, so we celebrated with them last Friday. Here are some pictures.

My sister and her youngest- Emily.

Madeline playing with her book.

My brother and his beautiful wife, Kim.

My oldest niece- Hannah.

We've been busy

2010-12-13T21:40:00.001-08:00

Last weekend we went to Las Vegas for the Half marathon. I finished it.... much slower than I finished the one in town three weeks earlier.I struggled. I wasn't there mentally, plus I left my friends and decided to run ALONE for the whole 13 miles. BAD idea! Really bad idea! I won't ever do that again! It wasn't fun, and I struggled. Glad it's over, and now I am focusing on getting back out there and running again- trying to get more training time in so I can finish my next half (in Feb.) much easier. There were fun parts to it. This is the start line. 28 minutes after the first runner left, I got to cross the start line. 30,000 runners!

Madeline seeing the sights in Vegas. She did GREAT! I was so relieved. Even when we got stuck in road construction for 2 hours on the way home and she had a diaper blowout, she didn't complain. She slept great in the hotel too!I don't know if you can tell or not, but she has avocado all over her face! She likes it!

I NEVER thought I would allow my Coach purse be a chew toy, but here it is! She didn't want her toy- she wanted my purse. I guess she already prefers designer handbags.

7 months

2010-11-28T21:32:00.000-08:00

Black Friday shopping with Mom and Grandma- It was a success! Also the first time she sat in the cart without her car seat!

BRRRR.... She was all bundled up and warm on Thanksgiving morning for the Pie Run at 6am. I was so worried she would be cold, but at the end even her little face was warm. I wish I had traded spots with her. We had to compromise- the only way she'd let me keep her mittens on was if I let her have her pacifier.

Wow! I can not believe it's been 7 months! Last month when we went to the dr. she weighed almost 19 lbs. She is close to the 90% percentile for her weight. She has the cutest little chunky legs! I just had to put all her 6 month clothes away because they are too small for her. What I thought would fit her all winter, didn't even make it to Winter (officially).

Madeline is moving! She isn't crawling yet, but is rolling every where. She gets mad when we take something away from her- like the newspaper that she eats. She likes to play in her exersauser now but still isn't too sure about her johnny jumper. She is starting to sit up unsupported much more now. When we went to the dr. the last month I told her I was worried about her not sitting up by herself. She determined it was the rolls on her belly preventing her. =)

She cut her first tooth on Thanksgiving-bottom right front tooth. It's just poking out, so I'm sure we have a long ways to go before its fully there. I have mixed feelings about this tooth. First of all, I'm not sure I like this teething thing. She has been SO fussy (it's not that bad, but bad for her) this weekend. She broke out in a rash on Thanksgiving, has been very fussy and chewing on EVERYTHING. Second, I was so proud that she finally got a tooth, but then so sad that my little girl is getting big.

Well, I thought Aaron was done with football, but he is helping with playoffs (which are STILL going on). It's been tough. I am still struggling with feeling alone and isolated. I feel like in the last 6 months, I have lost most of my friendships locally from not being anywhere but home. I know this is an area of weakness and I have to keep seeking God to meet this need. I have to be careful not to let Satan fill my head with "emotions" that are not true. It's still difficult being alone with Madeline so much. I miss him and am ready for football to be over.

One week til my Half Marathon in Las Vegas. I hope I'm ready. I just need to start filling my head with positive thoughts about the race. I am actually more stressed about packing and going on a 5 hour trip with Madeline. Pray for us this weekend!

Having Fun

2010-11-18T21:28:00.000-08:00

We have had a blast this week! Football practice is over and Aaron is finally home! He is home in the mornings longer and home when we get here in the afternoons. What does that all mean? It means I am no longer a single parent and football widow. I can't get too excited because there are still playoffs, but he only has to go to one practice a week and the game. (And... it will probably be over tomorrow night anyway). So, with Aaron home more, I am able to.... get to work on time- even early!, work out!, go to the store by myself!, have some "me" time, and spend time with my hubby!

I knew I was feeling pretty down about being alone so much, but I didn't realize how down I was feeling until this week happened and I felt so great! It's been a tough school year so far. Taking care of a baby with help is not easy. I LOVE my time with Madeline, I just would love some help too. Aaron has been wonderful this week. He has watched Madeline so I can go work out. He's fed and dressed her in the mornings so I can get ready. It's been great. I am LOVING the time with him -as a family!

Madeline is too! She is having so much fun with Daddy. In fact, I think she adores him now. She is way more interested in him now that he's here to play with her, than she is in me- I just feed her. Anyway, we have had a great week with a HAPPY baby. Here's a funny video from this week. My cheeks hurt from smiling and laughing so much.

It's all mental

2010-11-13T22:12:00.000-08:00

Since school has started I have had very little time to run. In fact, I have only been running on Saturday mornings. That is not the way I was hoping to train for the Vegas Half Marathon coming up in December. I was getting really nervous. Even when I would run 8 miles on the weekends, I would feel so tired by mile 4! I felt like I needed to wrap my mind around 13.1 miles again. I needed to mentally KNOW I could do it. The Bakersfield Half marathon was coming up, so I suggested it to a coworker/Friend Brenda- who has never ran a race before but has been training. She signed up and asked me to run it too. I agreed.

I was worried.

People at school think I am some crazy die hard runner. What would happen when she found out I was pathetic and couldn't even finish??! Well, it turns out, I was able to finish and tying my best time ever! Who knew! I know it's because I had Brenda to run with. She kept me at a great pace- faster than I normally run- and kept my mind off the race. It was a lot of fun and so nice to have someone to run with.

I feel like such a big part of running long distances is a mental thing. So of the smallest things can throw me off. If a race loops the same course or back tracks it gets to me. If there's no water or I don't have my ipod, it gets to me. If I don't know where I'm going or I go further than normal, it gets to me. Even listening to myself breathe or hearing my water slosh around can throw me off.

So, with three weeks 'til Vegas. I feel mentally ready. If I could run 13.1 in boring Bakersfield, I KNOW I can do it in entertaining Las Vegas with 10,000 other runners. I still don't feel totally prepared physically- and my legs/knees are reminding me that tonight, but at least my mind knows I can do it.

6 Months

2010-11-06T22:12:00.000-07:00

Madeline turned 6 months on the 28th of October. I am amazed to see how much she has developed just in the last week and a half. She is really interested in the world around her. Especially the cats! They are not too fond of her yet though. She gets distracted very easily, which is great when I have to take something away from her and not so great when I'm trying to feed her. She is starting to sit up without support. By the end of the month, I think she will be great at it. She rakes her fingers across the floor to get something she wants. She is really good at picking things up now and EVERYTHING goes to her mouth! She is now squealing in delight, I mean it's high pitched! She is sleeping through the night in her own room! She is now eating veggies and is up to two meals a day. I made my own baby food- avocado- last weekend and of course, she doesn't like it! We will have to keep trying it.

We went to our church Trunk or Treat event On Halloween, and she was not happy. I think she was very tired and just not in the mood. We helped with one of the games in which cardboard boxes got knocked over. Every time that happened she cried. Poor thing. Well, here are some pictures from recently. I could not get her to smile for pictures last weekend at all!

things to eat

2010-10-20T20:37:00.000-07:00

Her first time with a sippy cup

How do I get the water out?

Mmmmm... I love oatmeal!

Family picture at my brother's wedding reception

All dressed up for the party!

As an English teacher should I be concerned that Madeline would rather EAT the book than read it?
It's written all over her face!
PS- she slept the WHOLE night in her crib! Let's hope it happens again!

Operation: sleeping in crib

2010-10-19T20:52:00.000-07:00

I've had a tough week. By Friday last week I was a mess. I am only getting 5 hours of sleep a night and no afternoon nap. I've been struggling to function this week. You know how when you're sleep deprived, your emotions are amplified 1000 times? Mine have been out of control! She wakes up EVERY morning between 3-4am and the only way I can get her to sleep is by feeding her- something I stopped doing several months ago! Last night she was awake for 1 1/2 hours then up at 5:30am! So, I've decided it is time for her to sleep in her own room, in her own bed! We are starting tonight. I am not sure if we will go get her when she wakes up tonight or let her cry herself to sleep. I think we`may wait until the weekend for that-so I can recover. Say a prayer for us -especially mom!- as we make this new transition. Any tips or advice on how to make this easier???

Other than that, we had a great weekend! My grandparents from Oklahoma came to visit. Madeline LOVED all the attention. We went to my brother's wedding reception (pictures to come later) and had everyone over for lunch on Sunday. It was a busy weekend, but also a lot of fun. Oh, and Madeline entered her first race! Her dad pushed her in the jogging stroller. She beat me at the last minute and I'm pretty sure she came in first in the 1yr and under category. (all the other babies were wimps and just did the 1 mile walk!) She has done great with rice cereal and eats very well with a spoon now. We are on to Oatmeal this week and boy does she LOVE that! She was talking while chewing tonight. It was pretty funny to watch her and her food was bubbling out of her mouth.

A night of Firsts

2010-10-11T21:41:00.001-07:00

Madeline has been showing ALL the signs that she is ready for solids, so with two weeks to go before her 6 month mark, I gave in and started her on rice cereal. It is time. She has been SOOO hungry lately. Since we finally got her tummy problems under control we decided to start tonight. She did good. Once she realized it was food, she was very interested! The other exciting thing she got to do tonight was take a ride in the jogging stroller. She needs to be at least 6 months for this, again, we thought we'd try it a little early. She did great! I wish I could have seen her expression because she didn't move an inch the whole ride (which wasn't very long or fast.) Here are some pictures from our exciting night. Whew, I'm exhausted. I hope she sleeps well.... I know I will!

5 Months and some change

2010-10-05T18:41:00.000-07:00

She has discovered her bows! This is the beginning of the end of the hairbow!

Rolling off the mat!

Madeline turned 5 months last week! It has been a rough 2 weeks of us trying to get her little tummy problems under control. I am amazed at how God placed people in my life when I needed them this last week. One morning, after a really tough night of her tummy problems, I was crying and praying on our way to work. When I dropped her off at the sitter, one of the other moms told me that she cried for me the day before after hearing Madeline's problems because she went through the same thing with her daughter. That has been one of the greatest things about being a mom- all the other mommy support out there.

After putting her on formula exclusively (and getting a severe diaper rash, I think we've worked out the problems. She is finally doing better and is able to nurse without problems now. So, here are some things she is doing at 5 months:

-talks and laughs all the time and is now squealing and gasping- which scares us to death
-rolling over in both directions and is army crawling some -chews on EVERYTHING- can we say teething

-she grabs at things- like the cat's hair now- haha!

-LOVES to drool and make a razzing noise.

-likes to watch Mickey's Playhouse- apparently, at my sister's house at least

-is aware of other little kids and loves watching them

-can bring her toes up to her mouth and loooovvveees to eat them!

-sucks her thumb and all her fingers

-sleeps from 8:30pm to 5:30am (oh how I wish we could push that wake up time back a little)

-can sit up with support

-her little legs are so chunky that I have to squeeze them into the Bumbo! I guess I should've gotten that thing out sooner!

-Is in the 75% for weight and height! Who's child is this? Must be Aaron's!

-Loves going to Daddy's football games and watching all the people (although we can only make it until the end of the 1st quarter of the varsity game)

That's all I can remember right now. My dairy free diet is going well. I miss cheese and milk in my cereal, but I am losing weight finally! I have even found dairy free cookies!

It's been a tough week!

2010-09-23T21:48:00.000-07:00

My difficult week started last Friday when I started to feel sick. I spent the rest of the weekend and Monday sleeping off a cold/flu. I loved having an extra day at home with Madeline and I'm so thankful she hasn't gotten sick from me. But she had her own problems this week!

Wednesday, I took her to her dr. to find out she has a milk protein allergy. I'm not surprised because I had one as a baby too. Last weekend I consumed WAY more dairy than usual and I guess that set it off... The plan: continue nursing and cut all dairy out of my diet. For the next two weeks, use frozen milk that doesn't have as much of the milk protein in it. Well, today was a horrible day for her. Everytime she tried to eat, she would grunt and ball up and cry. I had to make the decision to put her on formula immediately until I could be sure my milk is clean. (I don't want to even think about the 280+ oz. in my freezer!)

While before I had her I didn't think I would want to nurse at all, after surviving the first three painful weeks and have actually enjoyed it. I love that it is something only I can provide for her. I am praying that this is temporary and that we can go back to nursing. The other problem- do you know how much food dairy is in? Like EVERYTHING! So I am struggling to find foods that I can eat. It makes me nervous to eat anything that is store bought and I can't even think about eating out right now.

Transitioning her to formula has actually gone well. The first time I gave it to her this afternoon with some of my milk mixed in, she was not liking it. By the third time, she took all formula and seemed to be feeling better. In fact, she fell asleep right away. I'm HOPING for a great night where she doesn't wake up with tummy problems. If she feels better tomorrow (Aaron is staying home with her), it will make me feel better about feeding her formula.

I am hoping that I can use the weekend to catch my breath and adjust to our new "normal"... again.... Pray for us.

Our little gerber daisy

2010-09-13T21:58:00.000-07:00

It's amazing to me that a year ago we were announcing my pregnancy and now I'm watching my little girl roll around on the floor. At 4 1/2 months Madeline is rolling over from back to stomach and sometimes back again. There were about 2 weeks after I went back to work when Madeline stopped talking and making noises all together. I was so worried that something was wrong. But after her 4 month shots and a lot of sleep, she woke up talking again. She is gaining weight like crazy and is now in the 75% for her age in height and weight! I kept asking the Dr., "Are you sure I'm not feeding her too much?" She definitely takes after her daddy when it comes to eating! Let's hope she has his metabolism too! She is sleeping better at night too. When we hit the 4 month mark, she started sleeping straight through from 9-4am. Then at 4, I put in her bed with me and she sleeps until 6:30am. We still come home every afternoon and take a nap together. I love when I pick her up after school and we get in the car and she talks and talks to me all the way home. It lets me know she is happy and okay while I'm at work.

Things are great here... busy.. but great. And.... after 9 years of teaching, I have finally learned how to use my time wisely at work and not take anything home! I am the most productive I have ever been at work! I even feel like a better teacher! I've never been this caught up on copies, grading and lesson planning! It's a great feeling and it only took me 9 years to get there ( the fact that I've been teaching the SAME grade and subject for the last 3 years doesn't hurt either).

4 months

2010-08-31T22:09:00.000-07:00

I only have a sec to post. Madeline turned 4 months on Saturday. I can't even remember what she was like at birth now! She is "talking" all the time now, although this week has traded talking for blowing bubble and making motor boat noises with her mouth. I hope this is just a developmental phase and that she goes back to talking soon (otherwise I may have to ask the Dr about it at her check up.) =) She loves to put things in her mouth these days. Mostly her hand, which she chokes on often, and her burp cloth. She is enjoying "tummy time" much more these days thanks to her daddy who works with her. She even rolled from her tummy to her back all by herself tonight-two times (had to make her do it again to make sure it wasn't a fluke!) I am so excited for her! Over the weekend, she let us sleep for 6 straight hours without interruption! It was Heaven! I am praying this is the NEW Madeline since she is 4 months now and that it stays. (although last night was a rough night.) She LOVES new environments and is so very observant. She moves her head back and forth taking everything in. She likes to smile at strangers, but not her mom all the time. She will let anyone hold her and will be content as long as she's not hungry. We take her to the dr. for her check up next week. Can't wait to see how much she weighs. It has to be a lot because she is so heavy! Will post pictures soon. I am so blessed with such an amazing daughter.

A week in a day!

2010-08-24T20:57:00.000-07:00

Wow! So, I'm back to work after being off for 4 months, and it is hard! I feel like it has been 5 days, not just 2! I am adjusting to being a working mom. Have made it two days without crying when I drop and pick Madeline up! That is a major improvement from last week! Madeline is doing great at the sitters. She likes being around the other kids and is still her happy little self. She even lets me take a short nap when we get home and cook dinner before she wakes up! So, I thought I would let you see what my day is like- because it is crazy!
4am-5am sometime here Madeline usually wakes up with gas. Usually by the time I get her back down, it's time for me to get up.
5am- time to get up- I pump while eating breakfast, get my lunch and her milk out and in the car, and get totally ready.
6:45am- Madeline wakes up, eats, dresses, gets in her car seat THEN goes poo, gets out of car seat, gets diaper change again....
7:10- head out the door
7:25-30 arrive at sitters
7:40 arrive at school. During my 2nd period prep, lunch time, and after school I pump in my room for about 20m minutes while grading, lesson planning or emailing ( I am a great multitasker now!)
3:15pm- pick Madeline up
3:40 arrive home, feed Madeline
4:30pm NAP TIME! WOOHOO! Usually I will lay down with her for a while, then get up and cook dinner and clean up the house.
6:30pm- feed Madeline, then she plays (hopefully) and lets me eat. Dad arrives home around 6pm.
8pm- bath time every other day
8:30pm feed Madeline and rock to sleep
9pm start preparing for the next day- pump, get bottles, lunch, clothes, breakfast ready for the next day.
10:30pm BED TIME! yea! and repeat!

I am exhausted just thinking about it. One thing is for sure, I will NOT be taking any work home with me this year! Haven't figured out where to fit working out in there yet.. Last night I ran around 7:30pm and that was okay... it may work.

So, that's what we've been doing. I am hoping this gets easier. It is a lot of work for just one day!

All good things must come to an end

2010-08-17T20:57:00.000-07:00

Madeline is 15 weeks old tomorrow. She is growing so fast now! She is starting to grab things (like my hair) on purpose and not just by chance. Her hand-eye coordination is really improving. She can now reach out and touch the hanging stuffed animals on her bouncy seat. And boy does she talk and talk! I LOVE it! My favorite times are when she wakes up in the morning or from her nap. She will lay there and jabber away until I come get her. I will watch her on the monitor and crack up! I also love our afternoon naps together- which I will miss dearly! When we lay down together, she talks to me for a few minutes telling me all her secrets, then falls asleep. It is such a precious time!

We have survived two half-days at the sitter's. Madeline has done outstanding! In fact, she took a 3 hour nap for her this morning! I can't even get her to take 3 hr. morning naps anymore! Madeline is excited to see the sitter in the morning and happy when I pick her up. She has even already made friends! In fact, she talks ALL the way home telling me about her adventures of the day. Monday was tough for me, but today was a little easier. Aaron dropped her off Monday and told me that they prayed together all the way there. So today, Madeline and I prayed together again on the way. I think this is going to be a morning routine for us- it seems to be working. Once I get to work, I am okay (well, if people would stop asking me where Madeline is staying, I would be okay). The sitter is wonderful and even called mid-morning Monday to let me know everything was going great. It means a lot to me that she is trying to make this week easier for me. I am so thankful for such a great sitter! Tomorrow is our first full day at work. I am not looking forward to being away from her all day, but I know now that I can do it. I am looking forward to working again. I feel refreshed and ready for a new school year! Thank you maternity leave!

As I look at my toenails, I am thinking about how much my life has changed since becoming a mommy. Here are a few:
-my two big toes have lost their nail polish-three days ago- and I have yet to find time to repaint them, but I still wear sandals showing them off daily.
-Don't watch TV except when I'm feeding her and only in 10 minute spurts.
-Instead of getting ready in the morning while listening to the news, I now get ready listening to Madeline's bouncy seat music
-The only time I get to read my book is when I am in the bathroom (for 5 min. spurts) or right before bed (if I can keep my eyes open)
-It is more important to me that Madeline look cute than mommy
-I am trying to figure out how to quickly fix my hair in the morning and even considering not showering some days and sporting a pony tail!
-eating out??? not unless we can get take out.
-haven't been on a date since she was born (we gotta work one in.. after football season)
-will wear clothes with spit up as long as it's "not too bad"

Funny how quickly things changed. I am still loving this mommy thing. I feel truly blessed to have such a precious gift from God.

Just for laughs

2010-08-04T17:14:00.000-07:00

Our little camper

2010-07-31T17:25:00.000-07:00

lounging at the beach in bathing suit #3

Dad dipping her feet in the Pacific for the first time. She didn't like it one bit.
Can you see the anger in her eyes?

She'd rather sunbath in her cabana.

Her first camp fire! She loved to look at the bright light of the fire.

Sleeping on the beach in her little infant cabana. Bathing suit #1

Look at all the stuff we had to bring! I can not believe how much stuff Madeline requires!

Getting ready to head to the beach- bathing suit #2- our little strawberry

3 months old!

2010-07-28T21:10:00.000-07:00

We were gone all week last week camping at the beach and I am just now catching up on life. I will post more pictures from our trip later (too lazy to get the cord out and upload pictures). we had a good time on our vacation. Madeline did great tent camping. She slept more at night than she does at home, and was generally content being outside. She did get a little fussier the first two days because she didn't get her long naps like she does at home, but she adjusted after that. I do feel like the worst mom in the world though because she came home with sunburn on her face! Since I can't oput sunscreen on her yet, I tried so hard to keep her out of the sun. I had a hat on her all the time, I even kept her in a little infant cabana on the beach, but she still got pink cheeks. It made me so sad everytime I looked at her.

Other news... Madeline is 3 months old today! She is growing like crazy! Her little legs are getting so chubby! She is so much more alert now and aware of what's going on around her. She prefers to look out when I'm holding her now instead of at her mommy. She has great head control now and loves the ceiling fan. She still loves playing the piano with her feet in her pack n' play. She is talking and laughing more.

We also have a child care provider! She is a lady who has an in-home day care. She only takes 5 teacher's kids. She had one opening. We met with her two weeks ago and I didn't cry when I left her house (a kajor improvement!). I left feeling really good about her actually. She seemed generally interested in Madeline. And, what impressed me was that she called us as soon as we got home to give her references. She understands how difficult it is for me to go back to work, and has wanted to make sure we feel comfortable with her. I really like her. I don't think it will be any easier leaving her to work, but I feel good knowing she is going to be well taken care of.

For now I am going to enjoy the last 23 days of my vacation.

Packing and Packing, Oh my!

2010-07-15T20:55:00.000-07:00

Life this week has been a little crazy. It seems to come in spurts like that. One week I am bored and going crazy at home, the next week there isn't a moment to spare. The child care search was on this week. We thought we had the college aged girl coming to our house, but much to my sadness, that fell through. So, I put a request in to only work part time next year, but that isn't going to work out as of right now. I am praying someone will pop up that can teach half a day of English within the next three weeks, but if not, I am requesting it for next year as well. The first child care lady we met was nice, but I just didn't get a good feeling about it. How do you know this person- you just met- won't turn out to be a pedophile? I got in the car, and cried and cried. Suddenly, I wasn't as concerned with my child being played with to develop mentally this year as much as I was concerned just with her safety. Then, the next place was a church day care center. I really liked them, much to my surprise. They had thought of things I had not. But... they are not taking infants right now. I think we will revisit that place when she is one. Today, was another interview and it went well. I think I like this lady. She was very informative, wanted to make sure we felt good about having her watch Madeline. Wanted to hold her, and showed a genuine interest in her. She was like a grandma. I liked it. This one is looking good. It is not too far from my school, and the price is good- at this point that didn't really matter anymore. We are going to pray about it, but I didn't leave there crying- and that's a first!

In other news, we are packing to go camping at the beach. Do you know how much STUFF a baby needs? Oh my goodness! Not only do I have to pack her stuff, mine, our tent items, etc., I still need to buy several things AND bake several dozen cookies and make sandwiches for the trip. I am still not sure how I am going to do all this while taking care of an infant. And in the middle of all this, we decide to go test drive a Chevy Equinox and end up buying one today- you know because we have so much time... We've been thinking about this for awhile and today, the price was right, so we got it. It will be much easier to get a car seat in and out of than my car.

So, I leave you with a picture of Madeline helping me pack her things, as you can see, it was too much for her. (good thing I didn't leave the packing up to her)

A Mother's Struggle

2010-07-10T21:56:00.000-07:00

Being a mother has changed me. Changed me in a good way and a not-so-good way. First of all I have this love for Madeline I could not understand until now. A love that is so deep it shapes my actions, thoughts, how I do my daily life. I know that this love is from God. It is such a blessing to me. I can't begin to describe the immense joy I have when I watch her sleep, play with her, talk to her, etc.
But, I am struggling with this love. Struggling because it seems too much for me to bear. I have allowed worry, fear, and heartache to enter because of this love I feel. I am really having a hard time thinking about going back to work. Every time I think about it, I hold her a little closer, and cherish the time I am at home with her a little more. I worry about who will watch her when I go to work, I fear what she will do all day while I am at work, will she develop normally, will she be safe, will she be loved and cared for. My heart aches at the thought of leaving her all day to work. And then the guilt sets in. I feel guilty when I leave her at the gym babysitting area for one hour, when I'm on a morning run and not there to feed her in the morning (she has a bottle), if I take her places and she misses her daily routine, and on and on and on.

I have realized that this is not okay. This is a way that Satan has gotten to me. I am praying that I will have a peace about going to work- or He will work something out for me. I am praying for a loving, caring person to watch her, I am praying that I can feel this love for her and not allow Satan to add guilt or worry in with it. This is my new struggle as a mother and I think it's here to stay for a while.

Happy 4th of July

2010-07-05T21:30:00.000-07:00

We went to a BBQ last night and had a great time. Madeline was too tired for the fireworks and they just bothered her. Every time a loud one would go off, her eyes would get really big. She did get in the pool for the first time. She wasn't sure what to think of it She had a full belly so she was up for anything, but it didn't seem that she LOVED it. I think it was a little cold. She was adorable anyway.

weight falling off

2010-07-01T17:19:00.000-07:00

When I was pregnant people said things like:

"Oh, you're working out, you'll have no trouble losing the weight when you have your baby."

"You will have such an easy delivery because you are in such great shape."

"I bet you will be back in your old clothes when you leave the hospital."

"When you breastfeed, the weight will just fall off."

Well... apparently my weight didn't get the message because it is stuck and here to stay! With the delivery and right after I lost half the weight I'd gained. But the other half IS NOT FALLING ANYWHERE. Yes, I struggle with my weight like everyone else, I just envisioned it coming off a lot easier. I have been struggling with food consumption (obviously since the weight isn't budging). I want to eat enough to feed Madeline, but not eat too much. And the clothes... they don't fit like before I had her. Even the ones I wore at 4-5 months pregnant fit differently. I'm just sayin' it would have been nice for someone to tell me these things before I had the baby.

Other than my weight, things are wonderful. I am loving every minute of being a mom. Madeline is so much fun. When Aaron's mom was here, she suggested we get a swing. So we ordered one with some extra gift cards, and she likes it! I don't know if she will ever fall asleep in it, but she certainly likes to stare at the butterfly mobile! Here are a couple more pictures: The one at the top of the blog is my current favorite!

One day I came home to find her socks hiked up like football player's socks. Apparently Aaron didn't know about fold down frilly socks.

2 months!

2010-06-25T09:49:00.000-07:00

I just made my first phone call to a prospective child care provider, hung up and cried. The lady seemed very nice. I was really quite impressed. I just can't stand the thought of leaving her with. Only three weeks into summer, and I already feel the time is flying by. I am praying that God will bring us to the right person and will prepare my heart for this. I have a hard enough time leaving her at the gym babysitting for 30 minutes while Aaron drives over the get her after football practice.

I have a couple of choices for child care:
1. a college aged girl whom Aaron and I know from church could possibly come to our house and watch her. She isn't an experienced mom, but loves babies, knows how to take care of them, and it would be someone I know, trust and in my own home one-on-one.

2. An in home daycare where someone I don't know watches her along with up to 6 other children all under the age of 4. While I don't like that there are so many other kids there too, she has a helper and this woman is experienced with babies. The benefit would be that she would have Madeline on a schedule and make my life easier. What do you think? Even though the college age girl doesn't have any children of her own, somehow I feel better about it being in my home and one on one. Madeline is a good baby and pretty easy to take care of.

Aside from that, we are doing great. I am loving my time with her and she is changing so much. She focuses on faces and things now. On our nightly walks she just stares at me. She is "talking" a little more every day. She is grasping things with her hands and can hold on now. (see picture below). She has started taking her morning naps in her crib in her bedroom! We have a video monitor we watch her on. The first day we tried it, Aaron and I were glued to the monitor the whole nap time! She lets me sleep 5-6 hours straight most nights and I love her dearly for it! I have already forgotten what labor felt like and how hard those first few weeks were. Thank God!

Here are some pictures and please, any feedback on childcare is appreciated and no, staying home full time is not an option right now.

She has just discovered the duck on her carseat and they are having a staring contest. She was focused on that duck for 2o minutes!

Her green sunglasses on one of our outings.

Her grip on her toy. Even when she's sleeping, she doesn't let go.

Grandma Comes to Visit

2010-06-14T22:19:00.000-07:00

Aaron's mom came to visit last week and we had a great time with her! She got to meet Madeline for the first time, and as you can see in the picture above, Madeline took to her right away! Madeline and grandma spent lots of time napping together and rocking to sleep. We all got a little spoiled having her here. She was such a tremendous help to me. It was nice to have someone take Madeline and rock her or just hold her after I was done feeding her especially in the evenings. Aaron really enjoyed working in the yard with her. They put together a vegetable garden and planted flowers. They were like kids in a candy jar at the nursery (don't know how many times they went to the nursery last week)! Bobbi left this morning, and we are all sad she's gone. I am so thankful Madeline has a grandma who loves her and will be a Godly example to her. We just wish she was closer. We will have to make a trip out to see her soon.

Aside from grandma coming this week, my friend Michelle came to visit as well. It was so nice to have some girl time with her! Last Friday, we took a girl's trip to Santa Barbara to go shopping. Of course we HAD to take Madeline along- start her early. I was a little nervous about taking her on a day long trip. I didn't know how she would do riding in the car that long. In the end, she did great! She was only fussy one time when she wanted to eat. I was so amazed. She slept most of the day. we are going to try another out of town trip this weekend to the beach. Yesterday, we had Madeline's baby dedication at church. I was so glad to have Bobbi, Michelle, and my siblings there for it. It was a special time for us, and I was able to hold it together through the whole thing. I will post pics from the service later. Here are some pictures from the past week.

This is the dress we found on our shopping trip- her dedication day dress.

Her first trip to the farmer's market. It was so much fun, we are going to have to do it again- maybe weekly!

A smile! I get them a lot now! Love those smiles!

This is from our shopping trip. Doesn't she look like a superstar? I couldn't believe she kept the sunglasses on the whole day! So fun!

Loving Life

2010-06-09T16:03:00.000-07:00

We have been having so much fun, I've forgotten to update my blog! I am loving this and feel so blessed! Last week was a busy week. Even though I'm not working, I had a lot of end-of-the-year things to do. One day Madeline and I went to school to see my students. They LOVED it and she discovered what all that noise was for nine months. Another day she had her one month check up- which didn't go so well because she was hungry and we had to wait a looonnnngg time. Then we had three bbqs to go to (I think it was Madeline that got us invited!). On Friday, Madeline stayed home with Daddy in the morning and I went to work to get signed off on my classroom. I left her for 4 hours and she slept almost the whole time! She was so good for her Daddy!
Sunday we took our first road trip to LA to pick Aaron's mom up from the airport. Madeline did great! She slept the whole time we were in the car! It is so nice to have grandma here. She is spoiling her and Madeline is loving every minute. I am loving the extra help! I am so thankful Madeline has such a great grandma that loves her and will be a Godly influence in her life. Here's how Madeline has changed just in the last week:

She has gained 3 lbs in 6 weeks now weighing 9lbs, 13oz and is 21 1/2 inches long!
I got my first smile from her one her 1 month birthday and many many more since. It is my favorite thing! Makes my heart melt!
She is now more alert when she's awake. She likes play time on her mat and is interested in the lights and music it plays (see picture below).
She coos now- in fact I think she is saying words! lol!
When she plays, she is now kicking her legs and moving her arms up and down.
She is finally sleeping in her own bassinet! Woohoo! Well, up until this week that is... since Grandma has been holding her so much, she wants to be held at night too... a small price to pay. I still hold her to take our afternoon nap. I just love that time!
She has established a good routine. She takes two long naps- one in the morning and one in the afternoon and then a shorter nap in the evening usually right before bedtime, she eats around 7am, 12noon, 5pm and then for a couple of hours- cluster feeding- then right before bed.
I only have to get up with her at 3am now to feed her at night! Ahhh... life is good!
Things are so much easier now. I feel more comfortable doing things outside the house and taking her places. And I feel much more rested. I think my body has adjusted to the lack of sleep. Okay- now to what you really want... pictures:

Playtime on her activity mat- Her favorite thing!

At the doctor's office wait to see the dr.
Right before bed, she is snuggled up in her bouncy seat all swaddled and listening the seahorse lull her to sleep. Don't you love the one hand peeking out- she always manages to get at least one hand out.

One Month Old!

2010-05-28T12:12:00.000-07:00

Take a cat nap! haha!

This is the outfit she came home in! It's so small on her now!

Madeline is one month today! Where did the month go? She is growing so much everyday. She is staying awake more during the day and is looking around so much more. She seems more aware of what is around her. She is still such a good baby. She only cries when she needs something- even if it's just to be held. She is still eating a lot! She goes to the doctor for her 1 month check up next week- I can't wait to see how big she is now.

Ode to the bottle

2010-05-20T13:12:00.000-07:00

I can not believe Madeline is three weeks old! I really wonder where the week has gone! We have had some tough days this past week, but thankfully they are mixed with good days too. Yesterday, we started Madeline on the bottle one time a day. The lactation consultant said not to start her until 4 weeks, but for MY sanity, we started her at 3 weeks. There have been two times this past week that I have left for a half an hour and she has woken up screaming and there was nothing her dad could do to console her. This would result in me crying and feeling like a horrible mother, and Aaron feeling helpless and useless.

So, break out the bottle! We tried last night while I was home, and tadaaa! It was amazing! She downed 3.5 oz in no time, and she was happy. I didn't know what to do with myself since I didn't have to spend the next hour feeding her! I don't think Madeline knew what to do with herself either! We went on a walk instead. It was nice. I am so thankful for this invention! Now, I can leave her for an hour and not worry the whole time, and Aaron can feel like he is being useful too. We are going to continue to give her one bottle a day so she will be able to take it when I go back to work in the fall.

The only problem was that the flow was too fast. This is a great bottle by Nuby too. The nipple is the closest to a mother's that I've seen. It says it's slow flow, but not slow enough for us. Is there a better nipple you've found?? I am going to buy more bottles tomorrow. Did I mention that last week she gained 10 oz! The dress we brought her home from the hospital in three weeks ago- is so small on her now. I cried when I put it on her this morning.

Better Day

2010-05-11T15:08:00.000-07:00

After cancelling our newborn photo appointment Sunday, a friend suggested I take some of her at home by myself. After her bath, she was just too cute in her towel, I had to get my camera. I was surprised at how compliant she was!

This last one is my favorite!

We are having a much better day today! Thank you for all your encouragement. I am so lucky that Madeline sleeps as much as she does. I don't know how I would do it if every day were like yesterday. We got lots of sleep last night; she even let me get ready today! We went by my school to pick up projects to grade, and she slept the whole time! We even got an afternoon nap together.

2010-05-10T21:27:00.000-07:00

These pictures were actually taken a week ago at my mom's house. I think she's already grown so much since then. Well, this week is different than last week. Madeline decided to change her schedule on me this weekend. She woke up for her 5am feeding and didn't go back to sleep Saturday morning. Aaron took her downstairs so I could sleep more, but I guess she was more interested in watching cartoons with dad than sleeping. This threw our entire day off. We had a special baby shower to attend at church. We ended up being late because her eating schedule was off from the day before. In fact, she still wanted to eat when it was time to go. We had to drive 30 minutes across town to get to the shower. I was expecting her to be asleep the whole time we were there, but no, she was wide awake. Everyone loved seeing her awake, I just felt guilty because I knew she wanted to eat more. I just kept a pacifier in her mouth- which I feel guilty about too. Finally I had to feed her there, and then we ended up going home later than I had planned. I'm sure she was fine, but I cried the whole way home. It was very stressful, too stressful, and I felt like I had neglected her the whole time.

Sunday, I had planned to get her newborn pictures taken, after that experience, I cancelled the appointment. Mother's day was nice. I stayed in my sweats all day and napped with Madeline. Last night, she was fussy and we didn't get much sleep. This morning, she was up again at 6am. She hasn't slept much today and was pretty much attached to me from 2pm-8:30pm when Aaron finally took her and got her to go to sleep.

Today has been tough. I love that I can feed her and provide that for her, however, it is wearing on me today. Aaron is great and will take here when I need a break, however, he can't help much when she needs to eat. We are nearing her two week mark (tomorrow), I am hoping this will get better. Someone tell me this gets easier! I have an exercise class I am signed up for tomorrow evening. I am so looking forward to going to home. I hope I get to make it!

One week old!

2010-05-04T13:43:00.000-07:00

Can you believe it? I can't! An entire week has gone by since Madeline's birth. I am already mourning the time that has passed! Here are some things I've wanted to share with you about our first week, but have been too busy adjusting to life to do so:

My labor lasted a lot longer than I expected- 17 hours, but only 6 hours of real intense labor. I am forever thankful for epidurals! The nursing staff at the hospital was amazing! The induction went great. I was given Cervadel (sp?) and that was all: my body responded well to it and put me into labor.
I would already do it all over again!
Someone should have warned me about the hormones I would experience (or drop in them) after birth. That- mixed with no sleep for 24 hours- made me an emotional wreck! Mention the word hormones, and I was hysterical!
everything I've ever heard about being a mom- it's all true. I never thought I'd feel this way, but boy does everything change when she arrives!
I am more in love with Aaron now than before we had Madeline. Seeing him change into a dad has been the neatest thing ever! He is an awesome dad! His eyes glowed the minute he saw her and haven't stopped yet- except when he's a little emotional- which makes me love him even more! (see picture below). He is such a huge help! Huge help! I love it when he makes up silly songs and sings them to her, makes a game out of changing her, and most of all when he prays over her as she sleeps in his arms! Isn't he an amazing dad?

We have learned to adapt and overcome very quickly. The first few nights were rough, but now things are great! She sleeps most of the night- with me having to wake her up to eat. (Of course- she is sleeping in my arms all night... whatever it takes to get sleep right now...)
I can not imagine a happier time in my life than right now! How did I ever live without her?
Bath time- not her favorite! Hopefully that will change soon.
I love everything about this time, except maybe the constant feedings, I even think it's hilarious when she dirties her diaper- which always seems to be right after I've changed her.
She can already recognize my voice! Wow!
If it weren't for the amazing support I had at the hospital, I wouldn't be breastfeeding today. We had a rough start and are still learning, but she is growing and getting food! I never thought I could do this! Now, I can't imagine NOT doing it!
Madeline cluster feeds which means she sleeps for long periods of time (3-4 hours) then wakes and eats for 1-2 even 3 hours at a time. While it's great to get those long periods of rest, the hours of feedings can be tiring- especially when your dinner is waiting for you.
I already miss feeling her inside me, but don't miss the heartburn!
She is the most precious gift from God and I don't know if I will ever be able to show her all the love I have for her.

Okay, I am crying again.. so I'll stop for now. I am loving being a mom! LOVING IT! So blessed!

Happy Birthday Madeline!

2010-04-29T17:53:00.000-07:00

Her first car ride. She slept through the whole thing!

The new family. Boy do I look tired! I now see why everyone who came by said, "You look tired!"

Already a lady! crossing her legs!

What her daddy does best! Holding and adoring her. He is such a great dad. (more about that some other time when I'm not so emotional.)

1 day old! In her first outfit!

Getting weighed!

Madeline Kate Mykytiuk arrived on Wednesday, April 28th at 1:30am weighing 6 lbs, 14oz and 19 1/2 inches. I have much to say but not sure I have the time or energy to say it right now. So I will just post pictures for now, which is what you'd rather see anyway. We are doing good; at home now.

Waiting Game

2010-04-26T20:38:00.000-07:00

Well, I got everything ready at home today. Call it nesting part 2. I even went for a jog this evening to encourage her to get out of my belly. No such luck so far. So, now I am waiting at home for the hospital to call us and tell us they have a room available for us and then we are off. I am not expecting a room to open up until after midnight which means I will be able to get a few hours of sleep before then. So, I am off to shower and get ready to leave, and then nap. Hopefully, they will get me in tonight and the next post I have is to welcome little Madeline into the world.

Looking Back and Thinking Ahead

2010-04-25T17:26:00.001-07:00

A year ago from this weekend I ran my first (and only) full marathon. So, this weekend, when all my running friends were in Carmel running it again, I was supposed to be home taking care of a newborn. Instead, I am sitting at home WAITING for a newborn to come! While I've continued to run/jog throughout my pregnancy, I've taken time off from races. It's really been nice. While difficult at first, I came to enjoy this time. Well, that was until this weekend... when I would have LOVED to be at that marathon again.

My friends have started planning for fall races, and I have to say I am so excited to have something to work toward and look forward to! So, even though I can't start recovering yet, since there's nothing to recover from yet, I have put my first half marathon on the calendar! The first weekend in December I will be in Las Vegas running the Vegas Rock N Roll half! I am really excited about being able to run it. That gives me 8 months to prepare. There's the Disneyland Half marathon I am also considering,but it is Labor Day weekend, and I need to make sure I will be ready before I sign up for that one. Anyway, as I was thinking back to where I was a year ago I am excited to look ahead to where I CAN be a year from now: running my second marathon in Carmel!

What I did (and didn't do) today

2010-04-23T21:48:00.001-07:00

Things I did today:

Went to dr. for baby monitoring and non stress test (went great- baby is great- very happy apparently- AND stubborn).

Saw Dr. and asked him my questions and being induced

Stopped by District Office to do research for my husband's graduate class.
Stopped by school and hung out with fellow teachers during their lunch periods (ending up staying WAY longer than expected

Took a quick little cat nap (with the cat)

Went back to school for 2 hour history day practice ( the last one I will attend)

Walked dogs

fixed dinner

Things I DID NOT do today:

Have a baby!

Maybe tomorrow....

I did get crafty and made these hair bow clips! It's been on my "to do" list for over a month... and I finally got it done. So now my pre-baby "to do" list is complete. That MUST be what she was waiting for... her hair bows! I am really excited about these bows because I am NOT crafty. The first two I made were horrible, then on the third one, it just clicked and I did it! I think this will be my new hobby!

9 Months!

2010-04-21T20:50:00.000-07:00

well I had my doctor appt. today and according to him, I am 9 months today (although all my ultrasounds put my due date at Friday). Either way, I've made it! Apparently no one gave Madeline the memo!! I was talking with my friend Michelle today and she said she wouldn't expect anything less than her being late since it's my child- I couldn't agree more! I still feel great! At the appointment he mentioned that if I haven't had her by next Tuesday he was going to induce me. He is on call that day and can guarantee that he will deliver her that day, plus he is going on vacation at the end of that week anyway. I was in shock when he mentioned this and it really didn't register until I left the office. Then I wanted to cry! I have been preparing myself for a natural labor and birth for 9 months and now all that could change. I am really scared at the thought of being induced because I worry my body isn't ready for it- it should happen on its own time. I like the idea of knowing there is an end in sight and when that end will be (on Michelle's birthday!), but I worry what risks could be involved. I go back on Friday for a stress test and to see if she is okay. I am looking forward to seeing her again and finding out just how big she is.

So please pray for me. Pray that Madeline decides to make her appearance before Tuesday on her own. Pray that I will be okay with it either way.

It comes in waves

2010-04-20T18:05:00.000-07:00

Yesterday- I woke up with a mission and the energy to go along with it. I believe they call it Nesting. All before lunch I cleaned the floors- we're talking scrubbed on my hands and knees, the kitchen, the front porch, washed down the front of the house, rearranged the furniture in the living room, organized our DVDs and finally put them away, organized our cleaning supplies in our laundry room, did ALL the laundry in our house and cleaned the laundry room, and vacuumed all the cats off the furniture! Crazy huh? I honestly think it was the first time I cleaned the house since we moved in! Then had enough energy to go jogging last night! I just kept moving. It was amazing!

These bursts of energy come in waves. It seems like once a week lately I get this fear that I'm not prepared for the baby to come and this sense of urgency to get things done. So, I clean, or do what ever I feel "has to be done" and I don't sleep, and then about a day later, I hit a wall and crash! I think that will be my tomorrow. The problem is that just when I think I'm done doing everything, I start my list again, and then I worry about getting everything done. I'm sure this is a normal pregnancy thing.

I have a doctor appt. tomorrow- hopefully things are progressing!

On a side note- last week, I took the dogs (our two big golden retrievers) on a walk around the neighborhood. You can imagine the stares I get from people as I waddle (yes, I am waddling on my walks now) down the street with these two big dogs. I guess it is a pretty funny sight.

Counting Down

2010-04-17T19:23:00.000-07:00

One week has passed and still no baby. I have 5 days until my official due date (which I think means nothing to this little girl). Life has slowed way down for me. It's a good pace for someone who's almost 9 months pregnant. Here's what I've done this week:

Rested and rested. One day I was so tired, I slept a lot! It was nice actually because I'm not sleeping through the night anymore.
Went to the dentist for a cleaning- trying to get it done before I don't have time to!
Graded papers- which isn't so bad when it's the only thing you have to do related to teaching. Still have to put the scores in the gradebook.
Tried to be a good housewife. That lasted until about Wednesday when I realized no matter how many days I intended to clean the floors, it just wasn't going to happen. I did get all the laundry done and organized and kept the kitchen clean- a never ending feat!
Worked on History Day- again this was actually really nice without a full time job attached to it. I cold sit in my pjs on my computer and research for my fellow coach. I got a lot accomplished- even set up two very important interviews for the kids. This was good to focus all my energy on this week- otherwise, I might have gone crazy!
Got shopping done- like grocery and stocking up on necessities. I think I'm well stocked now.

This was a big adjustment for me. Monday was a little difficult. When Aaron got home from work, I was DYING to talk with him. I followed him around the house. Then, it got easier as the week went on. I released some control over my classroom- even sent some papers back to school for the sub to grade! As long as I don't know what's going on, I'm okay...

Doctor said last Wednesday that her head was low- that's a good thing, but I'm still only dilated to 1 cm. I actually got to work out 4 days this week and walk two more days- but it hasn't helped yet! He also informed me that he is going on vacation the first week of May. SO, I have two weeks to get this BABY out! Please pray she comes before then! I will keep you posted as to my progress. Let's hope things are moving along this week at my dr. appt.

So blessed!

2010-04-09T21:30:00.000-07:00

So, today was my last day of work for the year. It was a wonderful end to a hectic week. I've been running on adrenaline all week long and after school today I felt like I'd hit a brick wall. I am done! It wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. I wasn't as excited as I thought I would be. It's weird. I have mixed feelings. It will be nice to not have the stress of working the rest of the year. It will be nice not having swollen ankles everyday after standing on my feet all day. But, I am sad to leave. I LOVE my job! I love the people I work with and yes, even my kids (most days- and especially now that I don't have to deal with them). I also feel like this is a turning point in my life. Like, when I come back to work in August I will be different. I won't be just a teacher anymore. I will be a full-time working mom! It's a change- I'm not sure all that will mean yet, but I know it will be a change, forever more it's a change. That was a weird feeling today. I have poured my life (probably too much of it at times) into my job, and now I know my life will be split. I can already feel this struggle!

On the lighter side, the day was great. We had parties this afternoon and my kids brought me baby gifts. I mean lots and lots of baby gifts! They are so nice! The kids wrote the sweetest notes to me! I am overwhelmed by their sweet words and thoughtfulness!

Then after work, my friends from the gym took me to dinner and gave me baby gifts. I am just feeling so undeserving and loved right now!

As for baby, not happening today. I made it to Friday! I can start working out again now! I am hoping she gives me some time to get my "list" done! Two weeks from today is my official due date!

Control Issues

2010-04-07T19:21:00.000-07:00

I have control issues. I admit it. On Monday I was whining and feeling down because a couple of my friends who had the same due date as me already had their babies. I am feeling left out and like I will NEVER have my baby. Then the week started and I was reminded of ALL that I need to get done at work before Friday and... I'm not whining for her to come anymore. I am praying she will wait until after Friday. Why?? Because I can't stand the thought of turning over control of my classroom and things at work until I am ready.

Case and point:
1. I could have (probably should have) stopped working at Spring Break, but I HAD to come back to teach my kids for 4 days. I felt that I HAD to give them a little test prep before the big state test (which isn't for 3 weeks still). In fact, this week I am trying to cram as much information as possible into their heads about testing. Is it going to help them? Probably not, but I Will feel better knowing I tried. Will the sub do a great job preparing them? Yes! But i just can't release control of test prep!
2. My sub is great! I have been blessed with a competent, English-degree-holding sub! But... I am getting more nervous about just walking away from my classroom now that the time has come. When you invest so much of yourself into something, it's hard to just let go and let someone else take over. So, I feel the need to over prepare my lesson plans for the rest of the year, and type out ridiculous amounts of information for her about how I grade, run my classroom, etc.
3. I have this project that I am supposed to be finished with on Friday- I have to make a presentation board of our History day group last year. I know how I want the board to look, but I really don't have time to do it. I've asked parents to help, but when they actually offer to help, I am having a hard time releasing that project to them! See, I'm a freak! I have serious control issues.

Today, I was spotting a little and it scared me- like she could come at any time. Aaron said he had the same feeling today. That worries me! I need her to wait until after Friday now! I haven't even found a diaper bag yet!

I'm sure next week when things have died down and all I have left is making hair bows, I will be ready for her to come again, but not today, not tomorrow, and not Friday!

the nursery... finally

2010-04-04T20:29:00.001-07:00

I've been on spring break all week long and too lazy to upload pictures, so here's the nursery all finished.. ready for Madeline to come. I even did all the laundry and the clothes are put away!

Am I nesting?

2010-03-22T20:38:00.000-07:00

I worked all weekend on the nursery and my house. I can't tell if I am nesting or just stressing because we have a Sunday School Social at our house on Friday night and I want everything to be finished by then- and clean. I do feel the time crunch- one month from today! Yikes! My list of things to do is getting longer and the fear that she could actually come early makes me even more nervous. Still waiting on that burst of energy to help me get all this stuff done. It is taking me a lot longer to get things accomplished these days. I am looking forward to having the week off next week so I can get some of these things done.. and my house cleaned again because I offered my house for Easter dinner! Again... what as I thinking? I will post pictures of the nursery as soon as I am finished- hopefully by Friday. Oh- we decided on a name.. I will share with you only if you don't say anything mean about it. Her name is Madeline (pronounced Madelynn) Kate. It's just stuck ever since we found out we were having a girl.

Eight Months!

2010-03-16T21:01:00.000-07:00

I have mixed feelings at this point. I am elated that I've made it to eight months and scared to death! I feel like "I can't believe it's already 8 months" and like "it's about time" at the same time! I am feeling more uncomfortable now- but it's not too bad. I am noticing back pains that I didn't have before. I think my running days my be coming to an end soon. The last two times I've tried to run, I've ended up cramping instead. I plan on taking up swimming when I go out on Maternity leave. I only have 11 more days of work!

We have painted the nursery (and every other room in the house), and only need a bookcase in there. I am going to paint a saying and little butterflies on the walls this weekend. I will post pictures if it turns out- I'm not artistic or crafty at all! I had a small shower last weekend and recieved some gift certificates and items I still needed. I am hoping to buy the rest of the things during spring break in two weeks. I am feeling a little overwhelmed at all that I want to get done before she arrives. I need to get my classroom and home ready. I did buy scrapbooking supplies today and plan on premaking the album. That way all I will have to do is add the pictures and journal once she's here.

Funny story: I was looking up the Breast Feeding class on my computer before class started one day last week. It was taking forever to pull up, so I left it and ran to the office. When I returned after the bell rang, I turned on my projector and had my kids start their warm up like normal. I was really frustrated when I heard some of them snickering around the room. I was just about to get on thier case when I looked up and saw what was so funny! On my big screen for all to see was "Preparing to Breast Feed class Schedule". I was SOO embarrassed! I said, "Well who is taking that class?" And turned it off quickly. I am so thankful I will not have to return to school after I leave for the rest of the year. I didn't really want my 3rd period knowing I was planning on breast feeding!

transformation

2010-03-10T19:11:00.000-08:00

We've been remodeling (and by we I mean Aaron- I think this is his way of nesting) our new house. When we moved in I really worried that it would never feel like home. I loved my other house and wasn't sure I was quite ready to part with it. I am amazed that this house does feel cozy and like a home! I thought I'd share some more before and after pictures. There will be more to come as we continue to work on these projects. I think all that is left is the baby's room for now.

Laundry room Before:
Laundry Room after my brother-in-law built and installed cabinets (still waiting on the doors) and Aaron tiled the floor (all by himself- I'm impressed!)

The Master Bathroom Before:And after it has been painted and travertine floors were installed. Aaron went to tile shop and got an amazing deal on this travertine! It was cheaper than tile and we LOVE it!

A closer look at the floor:

And our living room before:

And after with the entertainment center my brother-in-law built us. (I need to find decorations to fill the shelves!) It is still missing two cabinet doors on the bottom. Then, I can't resist posting about our bargain! We went to a baby resale event today. It only happens twice a year, and we were invited to the presale event because we are first time parents. I still need A LOT of things- like big items. So, I made my list before we went. Aaron and I were on a mission! We were there to get deals on certain items and that was it! So, we got there early, scouted out the stuff outside and came up with a game plan. We ended up getting great deals! A pack-n-play for $20! A bouncer and Exersaucer for really cheap! And the best purchase of all... a pink rocking chair. I have wanted one of these for the nursery but regular price they are $500 plus! I found this one with the ottoman for 1/5th the price! I was hoping for a neutral green, but I will take it for the price! I figure, if we have a boy next, we can cover it. So excited about getting this chair! What a relief!

Could I be over Rice Krispies?

2010-03-04T21:11:00.000-08:00

The last few days I haven't been craving Rice Krispies Cereal nearly as much. In fact, food, isn't tasting so great anymore. Still hungry, but nothing tastes good. I want things like Popsicles, cold fruit, applesauce things.

Other than that, I am so tried. Sleep is something I can't get enough of right now. It's worse than in the first trimester... don't know why- maybe because I am 20 pounds heavier now?? So, on the plus side, I am really enjoying sleeping! Yesterday, I took the day off because I was exhausted and have been battling a sinus infection for a month (think it's time to get an antibiotic) and I slept until 1pm! It was amazing! Then last night, Slept all night long. Who know I could sleep that long. I never understood this tiredness until now. It's like, I sleep all night (well, except for the one hour of insomnia every night) and then as I'm driving to work, I feel like I could curl up and sleep again! Crazy! I am trying to spend more time resting lately.

Only two more child birthing classes left! I am finding them very informative. Don't know if I will remember any of it when I need to, but I'm glad I'm learning it now. One thing that is really weird is that everyone is SO quiet in the class. No one talks or asks questions. The first night, I made a joke and it totally bombed (I may have already told you that). Anyway, I am the ONLY one asking questions. Hope they don't think I'm a weirdo.

I am feeling overwhelmed with all I need to get done before the baby comes. 7 weeks now! Only 3-4 more weeks of work! I am looking forward to that "burst of energy" when I will start nesting because right now, I don't have the energy to do anything.

Baby shower at church

2010-02-27T21:47:00.001-08:00

Did you see my helpers? My nieces, Hannah and Emily. They were there to help me open the presents, throw trash away, and run the show! It was si sweet to have them there. So cute!

So cute! (The outfit above, not me)

Kari Jane- a HS student in our church made the cake! Isn't she talented? I was so honored she made my cake! 32 weeks pregnant- 8 weeks to go! Suddenly my maternity tops are shrinking! This is not good. Wasn't planning on buying new clothes for 8 weeks! And shopping for clothes isn't as fun anymore as I just feel big in everything I try on. Hoping these clothes will make it 8 more weeks- or I may break out Aaron's XL shirts!

Overdoing it

2010-02-19T20:19:00.000-08:00

After surviving our first child birthing class last night (it wasn't bad, but Aaron and I had to keep from laughing at the relaxation and breathing parts), I was exhausted this morning. During 2nd period prep, I even ran to Starbucks for some decaf coffee to wake me up. Right before 3rd period, I was in my classroom, tripped on the trashcan or my own feet (who knows) and fell down. This is the second fall I've had during my pregnancy. This one was worse though. I came down on a students desk catching my fall with my chin on the edge of the chair. At least that stopped my tummy from hitting the floor. It hurt! Why is it I can work out, balance on one leg, run and not fall, but walking gets me every time?

I had to let my class in right after that, so I really didn't have time to process what had happened. I did get to take a quick peek to make sure I wasn't bleeding. The inside of my mouth was swollen and red, but no cuts or evidence of the fall. I am sore under my chin- I worry it will bruise by the morning.

Once I started to think about what happened and email Aaron about it, I was getting emotional. By today I'm exhausted and emotional. Luckily I make it through the period without crying in front of the class. I was worried about the baby, and I thought if I could just feel her move, I'd know everything was okay. So, I sent a student who's mother works at school to the cafeteria to get me an OJ. Her mother was so sweet she sent her back with apples, oranges and OJ. Finally after lunch I felt her move a little and felt better.

After school I had History day practice until 5pm. I was called to a short staff meeting that actually ended up being a surprise baby shower for me, a yard aide, and two male teachers who are going to be daddies soon. It was such a nice surprise! It was lovely! My friends put A LOT of time and effort in to it. Talk about feeling loved!

So, the moral of the story: I need to slow down. I am going to have to find some time to rest and not be "on the go" so much. This is a difficult lesson for me to learn and I've been reminded of it several times during this pregnancy. I am so thankful to have caring friends at work who are looking out for me!

What a difference a week makes!

2010-02-15T20:09:00.000-08:00

This picture was taken last Monday at week 29

And this is me today- a week later- week 30.
What happened? Did I eat a small animal or any entire watermelon? I am quite disillusioned sometimes when I think, oh people probably can't tell I'm pregnant. If there was any question about that, this picture proves that, oh yes! It's obvious I'm pregnant! I will be 7 months on Friday! woohoo! I'm so excited that I'm finally 7 months along. We start our first child birthing class on Thursday night. Not sure I'm excited about that... I think in this case, ignorance is bliss. I want to be prepared, but I don't want to know everything that is going to happen.

Someone asked what I'm doing for workouts since I'm pregnant so I thought I'd share. I am doing most of what I did before I was pregnant at a modified level. I try to work out 4 days a week. I do a spin (cycling) class twice a week. The only thing that's changed in there is that I usually have to take a potty break half way through the class. Two days a week I go to a group training sessions where we do circuit training on the weights. I am still doing all the weights/strength training I used to do except some ab work and anything that requires me to lay on my tummy. The most frustrating thing has been how difficult some things are now. Planks are killer for me as are push ups- but I keep doing them. One day a week I run (can I still call it running?). My running has slowed down from 8-9 min. miles to 10-11 min. miles. I am happy to stay in the 10s now. Some weeks I am able to run 6 miles (with walking breaks every so often), other weeks I am happy to get in 4 miles. Running is more difficult, but not painful for me and doesn't bother me any- so I keep doing it. I am thinking of wearing a support belt to keep the baby from jumbling around. The only problem I've had is I might start to cramp a little- which means I am not getting enough water- and once I drink water I am fine again. Oh and the potty breaks are annoying. I've had to plan my running around available restrooms (or secluded trees).

I am hoping that I will be able to keep this up for the last 10 weeks of my pregnancy and that it will help me with endurance and stamina during labor. I am also hoping this will help my recovery go much faster. My energy is starting to fade again as I move further into my third trimester. I try to get as much sleep as possible on the weekends to recover from my busy weeks. No swelling yet or much discomfort! Hope things continue this way! Have much to get done in the next 10 weeks. I need to get scrapbooking prepared and make adorable bows. I will post my projects as I do them as well as our home remodeling projects we've been doing (when I saw WE, I mean Aaron).

My NEW Best Friend

2010-02-09T20:38:00.000-08:00

I listened to the advice of others, I read the previous blog entries from previously pregnant friends, and yet I still fought it. I battled and suffered with it for two weeks before I finally gave in. Yes, as I mentioned last post: I am experiencing the WORST heartburn. But I resisted the TUMS tablets because I could not stand the thought of chewing those chalky things. YUCK! Then a friend gave me the Smoothie tums to try this weekend. I gave in and tried them yesterday after eating oranges and lasagna ( not together) and working out (which always adds to the heartburn) I tried the Tums. I chewed one, and it wasn't too bad. The heartburn decreased. I tried another and It... went away! Yes, the heartburn left! Thinking it was a fluke thing, I tried them again today after eating taco soup for lunch. You know what? They worked again! That was enough to convince me! I went straight to Target after work and bought a pack for work, home, car, and mini packs for my purse! Yes! I am a believer now and I LOVE Tums! They really do spell r-e-l-i-e-f! (Is that how you spell it?) Bring on the peanut butter and enchiladas!

New Pictures of Baby Mykytiuk

2010-02-04T20:21:00.000-08:00

This first one is a picture of her foot right under her nose. She is breech right now and folded in half. Her feet are up by her head and then her arm is across her legs. It does NOT look comfortable.

I like this one because she is sucking her thumb in this picture.

Her nose doesn't look like mine or Aaron's then we realized that her face is smashed up against the uterine wall so I think it's smashed a little bit. She is so active ALL the time. On Monday I stayed home from work and she moved nonstop. So an hour before my ultrasound I am sitting in a meeting and she is moving like crazy! I eat a candy bar before my appt. and then she sleeps through the WHOLE appt. She wouldn't move for anything. We got a yawn out of her once but that's about it. Stubborn little red head! She has a little bit of hair- apparently they can see hair in the 2D ultrasound.

When the technician was moving down to show us her "girl parts" all of a sudden baby mykytiuk moved her hand to cover it so we couldn't see it! Isn't that funny? She's so modest already!

Only 11 weeks to go! I am having the WORST heartburn/indigestion! Every night I feel like I am going to die from it! We have been eating some type of Mexican food for several days now (which doesn't help the heartburn!- in fact I had to opt for cereal instead of taco soup tonight because I knew I couldn't handle it). Every time I eat spicy food baby mykytiuk moves and moves. I wonder if she likes it or is cursing me for eating it. Aaron says if we eat much more of it, she may come out speaking Spanish! lol! Can't wait to meet her!

The Workout that almost killed me

2010-02-02T19:56:00.000-08:00

So tonight I am heading to the gym ready to take a toning and sculpting class. I decided to wear long pants and a cute new maternity top since I knew that I wouldn't be sweating too much in this toning class. When I get to the gym, the class I thought I signed up for (and dressed for) was full and my name was not on the class list. Frustrated, I had no choice but to take a spin (cycling) class. I take spin classes twice a week, and this week I'd missed one, so I wasn't too upset about taking a class. The only difference was that we had a guest instructor. This new guy who is going to start teaching spin at my gym. Well, I was a little frustrated because I was not dressed for spin (maternity shirt, tight-hot tank top underneath!, long pants).

10 minutes into this class I am looking at the clock, sweat dripping from my face thinking, "How am I going to make it another 50 minutes?" The girls sitting across from me said to me, "You're going to pop that baby right out in here!" Which is SOO what a pregnant woman wants to hear while she's working out! We were sprinting on our bikes; we were up and down; we were standing; I was breathing hard! I felt SOOO big and out of shape (which I know I'm not totally). It didn't help that these two skinny girls who are from his other gym came to take the class tonight. They were totally able to keep up and did really well at it while I was barely catching my breath and sweating like a pig in a roaster! (I'm not competitive or anything)

Anyway, I left the class after 40 minutes- I had had enough for one night and I was getting over heated- something I know I have to be careful about. The class: it was a great workout! I think I burned more calories than I have in a long time. I just wish I would have been prepared for it with the right clothing and mentality. Boy did I feel like I was every bit of 6 months pregnant tonight!

The Winning crib set...

2010-01-26T18:57:00.000-08:00

Okay after much deliberation and investigating we decided to go with.....
The Raspberry Bedding

I think I am going to use some of the accessories from the other bed set because they have more to choose from. I can't wait until it comes in and we can put it in the crib.

We also bought our stroller/car seat tonight. Babies R Us was having a sale until tomorrow on their strollers. I knew we couldn't get it cheaper, so we decided to go ahead and buy it. It was quite comical watching us try out each stroller. We really looked like first time parents! On one, we didn't realize there was a child lock when you folded up the stroller, so we almost broke it trying to open it. On another stroller, we couldn't even get it to unfold after we tried it out! We just had to leave it folded up and walk away. Another car seat was stuck in the stroller and we couldn't figure out how to get it out. I'm telling you, I'm not a fan of these "travel systems" because I can never get them open and put together right. The one we choose was the lightest and the easiest (relatively) to open and close. I might have work up to opening and closing the stroller with one hand, but at least it does open and close!

My belly is growing. In fact- regular jeans that fit on Sunday are way tight and uncomfortable today! That's just one day and I don't think I ate THAT much food yesterday! I am enjoying the only time in my life where people will look at my growing middle and say, "Look how cute you are!" or "Look at that growing belly"in a positive way! And NO ONE questions how much food you eat either! Ahh... it's great!

New craving

2010-01-20T20:28:00.000-08:00

Before I got pregnant I wasn't sure what to think about the cravings I heard about. I kind of believed that it was all in their head or just an excuse to eat whatever they wanted. Then I got pregnant and changed my mind. Thank goodness I don't crave things like double cheeseburgers or Taco Bell burritos, but I do have cravings. My cravings have changed through out my pregnancy. First I craved Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal. Then it was peanut butter. I think I went through a jar of peanut butter in a week! I couldn't eat enough of it. PB sandwiches, PB and celery, mmm...
Then, on Sunday night after church as I was thinking, "What do I want for dinner?" My stomach answered, "Cereal." Then I thought to myself, "Self, what kind of cereal?" Stomach replied, "Rice Krispies Cereal". And that was the beginning of it. We had to make a trip on the way home to get some Rice Krispies, and I ate them for dinner (I may have had two bowls full even). Then I had them for breakfast and dinner Monday, Tuesday, and today I think I've eaten them three times! I can't get enough! I LOVE THEM!! I ran out last night, so we went to the store to stock up- and they were on sale! It was a sign! We bought 6 boxes!!! That's all we bought! Boy did we look funny!
Did you have any cravings when you were pregnant? Maybe you're not pregnant and you have cravings, what are they?

Oh and I am still deciding on the bedding... I will let you know when I tally the votes and decide.

help me choose my bedding

2010-01-18T18:04:00.000-08:00

Okay, So I think I've narrowed it down to two similar choices. Help me decide. Which one do you like better? I don't know how to do a poll, so leave your answer as a comment.

Choice # 1 is called Berry Garden

Choice # 2 is raspberry gardenYou can see the crib in the previous post to get an idea of what it will look like. Thanks for your help!

We have furniture!

2010-01-18T09:05:00.000-08:00

I'm terrible at posting pictures from the Internet. So, here's the best I could do. This is a blurry picture of the crib we selected from JcPenney's. I LOVE it and we got a great deal on it. We searched and searched the stores in town and then settled on this one online after reading the great reviews. We got the dresser/changing table to match. I am really excited about finally having furniture. Now if I could just choose the bedding...

Let me tell you how confusing it is to decide on the bedding. Maybe it's just me (I have a hard time making decisions when I'm not pregnant), but I can not decide on the bedding. My criteria: To find the cutest (and reasonably priced) bedding for a little girl's nursery. For me, it's almost like shopping for a wedding dress- you just keep thinking that something cuter is out there. What's even more frustrating is these darn pregnancy hormones confuse me even more. One day I will LOVE a certain bedding and not like another one, the next day I will look at the two bedding sets and totally change my mind. Lord knows I've looked at the SAME bedding over and over again for weeks now. Aaron told me to give him my top 5 and he would choose, the problem is, my top 5 today will not be my top 5 tomorrow. Ugh! I am feeling the stressed of getting this done soon so we can paint the room, but I just can't decide! Today, I think the bedding in the crib picture is cute, tomorrow, who knows what I'll think. Maybe I will let you decide what bedding to get. Did you have the same problem or am I the only crazy one?

5 1/2 months

2010-01-10T20:55:00.001-08:00

I've been meaning to update my blog with pictures but keep forgetting. Overnight- like from Sunday to Monday last week my clothes went from fitting to totally not fitting! I'm serious. Okay, well it sure seemed that way. Maybe the fact that I wore sweat pants for two weeks had something to do with it too. I'm finally feeling like I look pregnant and not just fat. I like it A LOT more! Here's what's been happening in the fifth month:

-tried on maternity clothes at the Motherhood store yesterday, and for the first time, they actually fit. It was fun trying on clothes and getting a couple of things that will last me (hopefully)

-Tried to register for baby at Babies R Us over the break and it was SO overwhelming. In fact, I find all of this baby shopping overwhelming. Except buying her clothes which would explain why that's all I've bought so far. There are way too many sippy cups and bottles to choose from!

-I am feeling a little behind- like I need to have the baby room done ASAP. I could have her early, and I am worried I won't be ready.

-Acid reflux is a bad thing. Once it starts, it stays all day long. I have found some foods that are worse than others. Mostly if I stay active after I eat, I'm okay.

- I bought the Snoogle- body pillow and I LOVE IT! How will I ever sleep without it after the baby's born.

-Baby is great! She is so active! The last two times I've been to the Dr, they've commented on how active she is. They called her a tomboy last time. I am worried that she will be like her daddy and be constantly on the go. I am praying for a sleeping baby! Please pray with me!

-I recovered from my Bronchitis and was able to work out last week and run yesterday. Still feel great minus the frequent potty trips.

That's all I can think of for now. If you are a mom and have an item ore more that I MUST register for PLEASE leave a comment and let me know. I need help!

the cats

2010-01-06T21:06:00.001-08:00

Ever since the move our cats have taken on different personalities. It's very interesting. Ezra- the one in the front, used to be wild and adventurous. Rocky (in the back) was timid and scared of everything. Now, Ezra is scared of everything and won't go outside at all- doesn't even want to go outside (something we couldn't stop him from doing before)! And this cuddling their doing- never happened before. Now, we find them cuddled up together all the time when we get home. I like my new cats.

God's Hand

2010-01-01T18:20:00.000-08:00

Four years ago we moved into our first home (that we purchased). At the time the market was rising and rising. We felt very lucky to get in before the market peaked. We prayed and prayed about that decision and felt like it was the right thing to do- like God had allowed us even blessed us with that house. Once we were in the house, the market took a dive and we were way upside down in our house- still are today. It was a frustrating time, I'm sure for many people. For us, it was a time when we questioned if we had listened to God correctly or if we had heard what we wanted to hear. We wanted (still do) to make Godly, smart financial decisions.
Last summer, the opportunity came up for us to buy a larger home for less than we bought our first home. This was a scary decision. We prayed and prayed about it and are still praying about it. We felt like God's hand was in this as well, but after the last house, we weren't sure. So, we took a risk/leap of faith and bought this new house in hopes that we would find renters for the other one. We prayed and stressed about finding renters- not really knowing what we would do if we didn't find one.
We were contacted by a young couple from out of state who wanted to rent our house. The more we talked with this couple, the more excited I got about renting our house to them. She is pregnant and due on the SAME day as me. They are a young couple who have never lived in this area before. Slowly God opened my eyes to this opportunity. Not only could we have this couple as renters, we could minster to them. I am really excited about being open to God and seeing how he will use us with this couple. I still don't know if this is going to work out, and if it doesn't, I know God will still guide us, but I can't help thinking that maybe this is a ministry that God will allow us to be a part of, maybe this is a reason we bought that house 4 years ago. Who knows? I am excited to go on this journey- wherever it may take us.

I'm a mess!

2009-12-29T11:08:00.000-08:00

Well, after having bronchitis last week, I am still suffering from congestion. I've been coughing nonstop for the two weeks. Now, I've pulled a muscle in my chest and back from all the violent coughing. It started Sunday with just a small pain (I thought I had just eaten too much Mexican food for lunch), then it spread to my back and flared up everytime I coughed. It continued to get worse yesterday, and by last night I was in bad shape! Now, It hurts all the time. I can't move or breathe too deeply. And I want to die when I have to cough. And, the worst- I can't take anything for it! I am trying not to do any of that right now which is impossible. My working out efforts are so in the toilet. I tried running yesterday and at least got through it, but other than that- there has been no working out in two weeks! Here's the funny thing that happened when I tried to run yesterday- when I run, my bladder was killing me, so I walk, then I start coughing which really challenges my bladder and the sharp pain in my back starts in. This coughing has ruined any bladder control I ever had! I might as well invest in depends now! Like I said- I'm a mess! I do not like this at all right now. I am hoping the chiropractor and a heating pad will help me today. I have plans to do my baby register this week!

Oh a side note- we did get new bedroom furniture yesterday and I LOVE it! I will take pictures of it and post later.

Christmas is over?

2009-12-26T13:54:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe in the whirlwind that has been my life the last two months that Christmas has come and gone. Today I am left feeling, void- like I have nothing to do for the first time in.... I can't remember. It's a weird feeling. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure I can find a few boxes to unpack, a room to clean, or a picture to hang, but I have no where that I am expected to be today. I've had a great first week off minus the fact that I was sick for the majority of it. Here's what's been going on:

My friend Michelle came to visit from SC. It was so great to see her, but I was sick for most of her visit and had to miss seeing her some. That was a real bummer. I was sad to see her go so soon, but I am looking into a trip to see next month maybe... we'll see.

Our house is coming along. We have a front yard now- I forgot to post that picture. It's stayed clean all week since people have been coming over often. I am really pleased with it, and it feels like home now.

Christmas Eve at my house was a success! We had a great time with my family. We ate, opened presents, and then broke out the Wii for the first time. My parents were hilarious! I think we've got them hooked and they may get one now.

Speaking of the Wii- we love it! Aaron and I have enjoyed some down time where we've been able to play it- this is something we used to love to do before we got to busy! And... I have to add that I am kicking his butt at bowling (I'd like to thank Dr. Ferris and the semester of bowling I took while at WBU).

We found renters for our house! Praise God! Aaron and I am so humbled and feel so blessed to be able to move and rent our house out. This was something that we did with a lot of prayer. We've wanted to make smart financial decisions and were definitely stressed about this working out. We are thrilled that we have found renters and they look like great people. They are in a similar situation in life that we have been in and we feel so glad to be able to help them with a place to live at this time in their lives. We know that God can work in any decision we make- weather it is in His will or not- but given the choice, we want to be in His will.

I think that is all for now. We are off to search for tile and bedroom furniture. I will post more pictures later.

house updates

2009-12-22T16:44:00.000-08:00

I had planned to post these this weekend, but I got sick. I've been fighting bronchitis since Friday. It's been miserable! I've never coughed this much in my life! The worst thing ever is being prenant and sick! All I can do is sleep- I have no energy at all. Went to Dr. yesterday and got an antibiotic. Starting to feel better today. Hopefully tomorrow I will feel well enough to do my grocery shopping nad Christmas shopping! Yes! I still have many gift cards to buy! Not to mention a tree to decorate and Christmas Eve to get ready for. I HAVE to feel better tomorrow. Anyway, here's the living and dining rooms. I will post more pictures later.

I'm back!

2009-12-16T21:30:00.000-08:00

Well, after two LOOONNNGG weeks, we finally have Internet and life is settling- somewhat- down. We have done even more remodeling in the last week (will post pics later). We have moved in and some boxes have been unpacked. My goal for this weekend is getting decorations up for Christmas- I volunteered my house for Christmas eve! What was I thinking?? So, here's what's been going on at our house lately:

- Ezra, our wild tiger striped cat, loves to go outside, but has been confined to the new house for almost TWO weeks (a new record for him). And you know, he's adjusting. It's almost like I have a new cat- his personality has totally changed. He is SOOO affectionate and sleeps a lot more. His spirit may be broken though.

-I am 5 months pregnant now! Woohoo! We had an ultrasound last week and confirmed she is definitely a girl. Everything looks great and she almost weighs a pound now (although with the weight I've gained I think she should weigh more like 10 pounds!).

-The neatest thing is that starting about a week ago I started feeling her move ALL the time! I don't think she EVER sleeps! It's the weirdest thing. It was normal to when I only felt her before bed or in the morning, but to feel her moving while I'm teaching?? Very distracting!

- We got moved in to our house and things are going good. This place is starting to feel more like home. The dogs have moved over and are adjusting great minus the rain last weekend and lack of shelter they had.

- I am coaching a group of JH students in the HD competition again with another teacher. Things are going great this year- even better than last year- except that it has been keeping me VERY busy! We are finishing our script tomorrow and I will be ready for a two week break after that!

- I am looking forward to my vacation from work. Ready to see my friend Michelle and ready to get my house put away.

I think that's all- at least all I can remember for now. I've missed you all! I will post pictures of the house this weekend. We are getting rugs for the living room and Aaron is finishing up the wood flooring in our study. He's amazing!

Let there be Paint!

2009-12-03T21:11:00.000-08:00

The Before Pictures:

The After Pictures:

Aaron is amazing! While I was gone all day on a Junior High trip to Los Angeles, Aaron painted the entire downstairs! I wish I could take credit for the work, but today, I was MIA. He did an awesome job! Can't wait until we get our stuff moved in and it starts to feel like home too!

remodeling nights 1 &2

2009-12-02T21:55:00.000-08:00

I was planning on blogging last night, but my computer won't upload my pics. So, here's the update on our new house. Got keys Tuesday afternoon. Started fixing up house right away. Last night, Aaron changed all the locks on the doors while I taped all the downstairs prepping it for paint. Oh, I also tried out a couple of samples of paint. Tonight I got the paint and bought cleaning supplies, met with the best cleaning lady EVER, finished taping the floors and swept and mopped the downstairs- which took WAY too long, but we now have clean floors! Woohoo! Aaron is currently painting away- I am banned from the house. Here are pics from the last two nights.

We are having dishwasher issues. Ran it last night and the soap was coming out the bottom. Was kind of funny- never seen that happen before!

And choosing the wall paint. What do you think??

Moving Week

2009-11-29T19:37:00.000-08:00

We are moving this week. This is our new house. This transition has been in the works since August. We started looking for a house in July, found and put an offer on this one in August, and heard that our offer was finally accepted at the end of October. We closed on the house last Wednesday and should get the keys tomorrow. It has been a loong journey and now that it is finally ending it doesn't seem real. The housing market is so here in CA that we were able to purchase this larger home for much less than we paid for our current home. We feel very blessed to be able to do this and have spent much time in prayer about this move. We are going to rent out our current home until we can sell it. Talk about a stressful month- and we haven't even starting the moving yet!

The house was a short sell (although there was nothing short about it). It needs new paint throughout and some new flooring. That is what Aaron will be doing this week. I am not allowed in the new house while he paints, so I will be packing up our current home. Hopefully we can actually move in next Friday and Saturday. I will keep you updated on our renovations. We will have many over the next year inside and outside the house. Say a prayer for us this week if you think about it. I am hoping I have the energy to get everything done that I needs to be done.

The crazy lady

2009-11-23T20:51:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been out somewhere and someone feels the need to jump in to your conversation and share their wisdom with you? And then you're left thinking, "Okay crazy person, I did not invite you into this conversation.". Well, Meet the crazy lady! Last weekend Aaron and I were at our new super cool Target store. We were walking by the maternity section and this woman was holding up the best maternity product ever- the Bella band- like she was debating about whether to get it or not. At that moment something came over me and I felt the need to chime in. So I said, "I'd go with a small size, they run kind of big."

At this point the couple turn and stare at me (with afore mentioned crazy lady look) and ask, "Oh, do you have one." And I continue, "Oh yes, I have three- one in every color. But they kind of run small and they aren't as tight ad thick as the ones you can buy online..." on and on and on.

Finally I turn to leave and I realized, "Oh my gosh! I am a crazy lady!"

I caught up to Aaron who was practically running in the opposite direction from me and I said, "I was just that crazy lady wasn't I?" To which he gave me a sympathetic- more like pathetic- look.

I asked him, " Why didn't you stop me? Grab my arm and pull me away?!"

He replies, "I didn't know what you were doing and by the time I realized it, it was too late so I just tried to run as far away from you as possible."

We had a good laugh about it in the end. But I wonder- what possessed me?! Every time I see another pregnant woman I feel the need to go up and talk to her. I want to know how far along she is, and how she's doing, etc. However, as great as this need is- I've always been able to suppress it. ( the one time I DID talk to a fellow prego, I told her I was 12 months preg. instead of 12 weeks preg.- I'm sure she thought I was crazy too!) Still don't know what came over me. I am blaming the pregnancy hormones- they are some crazy things!

The picture is of me at 18 weeks. It's a little cheating 'cause my pants have an extra waistband- but you can see a definite increase from week 12! Getting harder to hide this baby! Now that I look at the picture- I'm realizing how messy my kitchen is- please don't judge! We're getting ready to move!