8 Months Old

Weight: 15lbs (unofficial weigh in)

Weight: 16lbs, 10oz

 

Weight: 18lbs, 2oz

 Weight: 20lbs (unofficial weigh in)

These monthly photos are getting harder and harder to take because our three stooges can't seem to hold still for that long anymore! Except for Jewels because she's able to pose like a statue if a treat is involved. 

I think our kid lost his baby status somewhere around six months old. It's hard to explain, but all of the sudden he looked less like a baby and more like a tiny adult. Maybe it's all the hair! And his bald/flat spot on the back of his head has finally started to grow hair and round out. That's one downside of a kid who sleeps through the night from an early age - they get a flat head!Although we've had some sleep regression the past few months and I think it is safe to say we were spoiled rotten by those peaceful sleep nights in the earlier months.

I've kept this private and I will continue to keep the details private, but our little guy had surgery when he was six months old to correct a birth defect. Perhaps that's when he grew up seemingly overnight. We were a bit surprised he put on any weight between months 6-7 because for two weeks after surgery he wasn't eating as much, but then he was crushing 40oz of food for three days right before his one month post-op check-in. Let's just say that was a growth spurt that had everyone in the house tired.

A Quarter Year Old

One week old and not a fan of photos! Weight: 4 lbs, 14ozs

Weight: 8 lbs, 1oz.

Weight: 11 lbs, 6oz

Weight: 13 lbs (unofficial weigh in)

Weight: 14 lbs

 

I remember when I was 10 weeks pregnant I proclaimed to my hubs, "I'm a quarter way done!" He responded that most people measure their pregnancy progress by thirds, as in the standard trimesters. But he did acknowledge my never-ending need to compartmentalize things into quarters and even numbers.

And now we've got a four-month old aka a quarter year old. :) Every month we take a few minutes and prop him up on our couch, tempt the dogs with some treats, and try to get a decent photo of our three kids. We're getting better at it! There may or may not have been close to 75 attempts the first month mainly because we had a bolster pillow on the couch and Sterling couldn't hold his own head up yet. Anytime he'd start to fall over Jax would start to lick him.  Month 2 included a pretty serious meltdown. Month 3 included a bit of clear spit up.

This past month we nailed the monthly series in less than five minutes. Baby on the couch by himself - boom!  Get Jewels on the couch - check! Make sure baby is still sitting up - double check! Get Jax on the couch - quasi check. Get Jax to focus on his treat and not lick the baby - check! Photos taken - check! Baby spit up all over himself - CHECK!  Backup white onesie for photos on his special blanket - check!

I got sad the other day flipping through Sterling's photos and realizing that we barely took any photos of him in the month of November. I blame the earlier sunsets and working full time. Our weeknights are just too hectic for a ton of photos right now, but I'm trying to get better about capturing our random moments.

Pumpkin Patch Visit

As soon as the calendar flipped to October I was itching to get our little family out to a pumpkin patch. I might have gone a tad bit overboard with researching various locations in the area and trying to determine the best place to go. We could go apple picking, get cider donuts, go on a hayride, look at farm animals, and of course get a pumpkin or three. 

My husband so kindly pointed out that we had a two-month old baby who couldn't go on a hayride, I would freak out if he got any type of animal poop/drool on him, and who was going to carry the apples and baby all over an orchard. 

Oh yeah, he's the practical one of the group.

In typical fashion I wanted to make a big deal out of our first trip to a pumpkin patch and my husband was so kind to remind me that there is an actual farm a mile from our house. A legit small farm that we go to for fresh corn in the summer time, where we purchase our pumpkins every year, and has been run by the same family for four generations. Basically the kind of business I love to support. Why go somewhere else? 

So we ran Sterling over first thing in the morning when the daylight was at its weakest point and we were there for less than 10 minutes. It wasn't crowded yet because hayrides didn't start until later in the morning and we almost had the place to ourselves. Which is really, really, really nice with a 2 month old. Although it was so quiet that we didn't see anyone else taking pictures and therefore there wasn't anyone to ask to get a photo of all three of us. 

We just didn't have room for mums in the car with the stroller taking up most of the trunk. 

But it was perfect. We got our pumpkins and our little guy slept the entire time. 

Recharging the Batteries

Made in USA: Jeans: James Jeans (similar) // Cardigan: Venley by Youth Monument // Nails: Essie 'Twin Sweater Set' // Duck Boots: L.L. Bean // Camo Field Jacket ("borrowed" from my dad): military supply store 

I don't run from laugh lines, rather instead I run towards them. Last weekend I added a few more to my cheeks and I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world. I got to spend two nights at my parent's home, catch up on snuggle sessions with my their poodle, a day with my sister in NYC, and most importantly I was able to spend precious moments with my grandmother and nephew.  My nephew and I even talked my grandmother into judging a jumping contest, but then we got busted by our respective moms! 

I even skipped a long run because spending a few more hours with my family was better for my soul than running a few more miles. That's saying something! 

Those moments of laughter and those walks through the woods were the perfect recharge for my tired self. Marathon training has been incredibly tough this time around. I've felt like an empty shell of my usual chipper self for a few moments and a quick visit to my childhood backyard was more refreshing than any spa treatment. I could just sit down by the lake all day with a good book, a warm blanket, and be blissfully happy. 

What do you do to recharge your internal batteries? I usually go for a run because I can't escape to my parent's house every weekend, but this time around I was more than happy to kick off my running shoes and slip on a pair of boots. 

Baltimore Running Festival 2013 Recap

The walk leading up to the start of the half marathon. Photo stolen from my sister's Instagram feed. 

This past weekend I joined a few thousand other runners in Baltimore and took part of the Baltimore Running Festival. This is now the third year that my best friend and I have run the half marathon as a fun run leading up to our fall marathons. My bestie, Bee, is getting ready to run the ING New York City Marathon in just a few weeks so she added on a few miles before the race and turned this into her last 20 milers.  I had wanted to go sub 1:50 for my half, but unfortunately my hip had other ideas in mind and I was able to get through the course in 1:57. Every hill felt more difficult than I remembered and I kept thinking to myself, "when are these hills going to end?" Even the down hills were painful! 

Bee and I pre-race. The hat was a last minute addition as it started to rain right before the start of the race.  The weather was definitely fickle on Saturday morning - there were periods of rain and wind, but overall a nice, yet humid, day.  

One knock on the race - the start line for the half marathon was moved north a few blocks. Bee and I were supposed to start in the first wave, but we ended up starting in the third wave because we didn't realize the start line was moved and we had to walk north to get to the start line. That change also meant our significant others missed us starting because they were also camped out by the old start line. I know that it is our fault for not reading the map in more detail, but I guess we got lazy because we've run this race a few times. 

However, the real attraction for this year's race was the 5k. I registered my nephew to run the 5k as an invitation to get my sister and him to come down for a weekend :) Just like any stubborn 13 year old he had to come in late the night before the race because he refused to miss one of his middle school soccer games. We're so alike it isn't even funny! 

Bee's boyfriend was kind enough to run the 5k so that there would be a set of eyes on the kid during the entire race. Thank goodness for speedy friends who can dog out a 20 minute 5k without a speck of training! 

The 5k utilized the same start line and first mile of the marathon course. This allowed us to watch all of the marathon pageantry and cheer for all of the marathoners as they started their long trek toward 26.2. After the start of the marathon I pulled the kid aside and told him to make sure he was in the first or second row to start the 5k. I had examined the results for the past few years and based on previous results the kid had a solid chance of finishing in the top 25 if he ran his race. 

He did fantastic! A new 5k PR with a 19:24 and he finished in 12th place out of 3400+ runners! I'm not sure who was added to the official results because on Saturday the results stated he came in 11th overall. Eh, close enough!  Here's video of me screaming like a proud auntie at the start of the race. 

After the race he was upset with his time and he confided to me that he had kicked it in early. A spectator yelled to him when he came near Camden Yards that he was almost done, so the kid kicked it in only to find that the race finishes well past Camden Yards. A rookie mistake. Although my sister and I used that as rational that the kid will be getting a running watch from Santa this Christmas. 

I'm sure every runner can remember a race when someone yells to you, "you're almost there" and you're nowhere near the finish line! Not a knock on spectators at all because I love each and every one of them, but "almost there" is a very speculative distance.  I told the kid later in the day that someone told me once at mile 3 of a marathon that I was almost there! It happens. 

Honestly, this past weekend was amazing. I can barely focus on my race, but instead I can remember in vivid detail every second I got to spend with my family. I feel terrible that I didn't get a picture of all of us, but it was amazing. We had quite the cheering section for the kid: my sister, my hubs, my brother, my best friend, her boyfriend, and me. By far the most bizarre sight of the weekend was my 6'3" brother hosting our sister onto his shoulder so she could have a better view of her son crossing the finish line.  That's love! 

I can't wait to run another race with my nephew. I'm going to try to find a race around Christmas that we can do together in New York and I'm trying to find other races he can do in Baltimore.  I don't play video games and I have no idea what it is like to be teenage boy, but I do know a bit about running and I'm truly blessed to share my passion with the kid. Plus, he can play video games with my hubs! I don't have to learn how to play them. 

The best part of the weekend was having the kid tell me, "next year I won't kick early and I'll do even better." I'm already counting down to next year's Baltimore Running Festival when I can see him run again. 

Anyone else race this weekend? How did it go? Any PRs?

National Running Day

Hi, my name is Heidi and I'm a slacker runner.  

I took my normal winter break from running and then was even slower to get back into it this spring.  Sure, I was busy doing Insanity with the hubs and that left little energy for running outside.  I know loads of people love Insanity's Sean T., but I'm afraid to say I'm not one of them.  I don't find any enjoyment from working out inside.  I loathe the gym. I detest anything that reminds me of the gym.  I work inside for 8+ hours a day and I use running as just another reason to get outside and enjoy God's green earth from time to time. 

However, I have the most important reason in the world to dive back into the running world.  Well, two reasons actually because I'm sure my own health and well-being is an important reason to take into consideration. 

My reason for connecting with running is my nephew.  He's been bitten by the running bug over the past year.  He joined his middle school track team and just a few weeks after his 13th birthday he went sub-20 for the first time in a 5k. 

So this past weekend my brother and I went up to NY to hang out with the family and I got to run a 5k with the kid. 

He had exceptionally high expectations for himself on race day and he was in a slightly sour mood (hey, he is 13 after all) when he didn't meet those expectations.  He finished in just over 20 minutes, but the way he made it sound it was as if he ran his slowest 5k time of all time when actually he ran his second fastest 5k time of all time.  You know, in all those short 13 years he's been running around :) 

As anyone who raced over the weekend in the Northeast can attest to, it was freaking HOT and HUMID this weekend.  Race conditions were not favorable, but one thing I love about my nephew is no excuses.  I'm going to have to repeat that mantra time and time again this summer.  I might have said earlier this year that I wouldn't be running a marathon this year, but a crazy thing happened and I'm signed up for one and actually contemplating a second this fall.  

Pre-Race.  Why am I sweating already? Oh that's right it was HOT out!

One of the absolute coolest things about this race is that the pre-race pep talk and post-race awards ceremony is conducted by running legend Frank Shorter.  If you don't know who Frank is then I highly suggest you read up on him.  I'll give you a hint - he won the 1972 Marathon Olympic Gold Medal.  He's kind of a big deal in the running world.  He also used to attend the very same school where this beautiful track is located.  

I might buy the ridiculously expensive race photos because the kid came in second in his age group and I came in third in mine.  We both were able to get our pictures taken with a running legend and that it definitely worth the price of a photo. 

Probably the last race photo where I'm taller than the kid! 

I see more 5ks in my future because I'm already scoping out more races that I can do with the kid.  Spending 9+ hours in a car for a weekend is well worth it in my mind. I just hope the kid doesn't need new running shoes every time we get together because that is going to be an expensive bonding experience!

It's serendipitous that today is National Running Day and my commitment to running is solidly back on track.  I was able to get out for a few miles this morning before sunrise and I'll finalize my summer training program this weekend.

I'm running for me, but I'm also running for the kid. It makes me deliriously happy to have a healthy hobby in common with a family member and I'm going to cherish all of our racing memories.

Fresh Air

Do you ever have a day where you just need fresh air?

I'm talking about the Spaceballs kind of fresh air. You just need a deep breath to calm down in order to have a chance to get back to center. You inhale so deeply that it feels physically impossible to let all that air back out of your lungs. 

I had one of those moments over the weekend.  Thankfully, I was surrounded by fresh, spring, mountain air for a few hours. 

I hope the scenery conveys why I'm a self-proclaimed "tree hugger."  It was impossible to grow up in Eden conditions and not develop a strong fondness for protecting nature.  Except for spiders - those suckers are on their own. 

The other perks of going "home" for the weekend besides visiting with both grandmas, German crepes, NY pizza, quality time with the nephew, rummaging through family treasures, and lots of red headed snarkiness is playing with my sister's pets.  And by "playing" I mean annoying to the point of provoking attack.  Apparently they're like me and they hate having their photos taken. 

I'm not kidding, but I was balancing a stick on top of my lens hood in order to get the Dane to look straight at me.  The stick did not survive. 

Well with eyes like those they better get over themselves and get used to it.  Maybe I need to get a bigger zoom lens so I don't have to be right up in their faces to snap a photo.  Especially with the cat! I'm highly allergic to cats! 

I hope you and yours had a good weekend and found a few moments of fresh air.

Spring Flowers

My aunt bought these two simple arrangements down with her from New Jersey.  I love that she selected simple flowers that were grown in the USA.  She knows me so well.  I was also thrilled that my mother tripled my fancy vase supply when she gave me two gorgeous Wedgwood crystal vases for my birthday.  I now have three crystal vases! It's like I'm a real adult! 

It's that time of the year again: spring is coming. 

My initial reaction is to throw on as many pieces of black clothing I own, pout, and throw dirt at everyone wearing spring clothes. 

I realize that might be a bit childish and I'm a grown woman now... I should save such childish behavior for more important moments.  Like when someone else drinks the last of the vodka coffee and doesn't replenish my supply. 

I don't know. It was pretty nice to curl up with a magazine book and read whilst basking in the sunlight pouring in my living room windows, all while smelling fresh flowers.  The best part, I didn't even have to put on sunscreen :)

How about you - are you looking forward to the coming season change or are you holding tight to winter like me? 

Stripes and Leopard

Coat: Miss Sixty (similar for under $35!) // Striped Shirt: Gap (Similar on sale) // Jeans: Gap (similar on sale) // Boots: Cole Haan (Similar on sale!) // Purse: Coach // Necklace: Ann Taylor // Shades: Ray Ban (similar) // Bracelet: InPink, iSanctuary // Ring: Hello Fab

I don't think I'm sharing any top-secret information when I say that I'm normally a fan of fairly basic accessories.  I mean, as long as your definition of basic includes "spikes" and "neon" like my definition, then sure my accessories are basic.  However, when my aunt showed up for a four day visit with four different coats I figured I could borrow her leopard jacket for a day milling around with the girls.  

Then she told me I needed, "a pop of color."  

To which I smiled. 

She added, "you could borrow my red bag." 

Point.Set.Match.

I'm not ashamed in saying I borrow my aunt's clothes.  Hell, I do more than that! She routinely gives me hand-me-downs and they are by far better than any of the hand-me-downs I got as a child.  She left two pristine black turtlenecks at my house for me and I can't wait to wear them before the weather heats up. 

I also seem to be a magnet lately for antiquing and cobblestone streets. Thank goodness for thick-heeled boots!  This time I was able to score my first vintage camera in a wonderful store in historic Ellicott City, MD. 

Anyone else share clothes with a relative? How about a relative that isn't a sibling?  I know other woman who routinely take their significant other's dress shirts, but that would just never work in my household... the hubs has some broad shoulders!

Don't forget: today is the last day to enter my birthday treat giveaway! 

30 Is the New Awesome

Necessary ingredients for an amazing birthday weekend: 

Bubbly and other tasty beverages.  

Shoes that make you feel like you can tackle the world. Yes, if I'm dumped on an island and can only take three possessions, I'm taking these heels with me. 

Best friends.

(Picture above stolen from DistrictSparkle's Instagram) 

Family.  

Funky decor and amazing food. 

And most importantly of all, love. There was a lot of love being thrown around the table Saturday night.  

I had such a great long weekend for my birthday.  My loving hubs organized a little dinner soiree for my birthday that included  family and friends. My aunt and sister came in for a few days and I've never laughed so hard in a vintage store or in Trader Joe's.  

Anyone have a recommendation for a good wrinkle-correction cream? I've laughed a lot in the last 30 years and I intend on laughing even more in the coming 70 years or so. I should probably invest in a good wrinkle cream, but at the same time I'm okay with having a few reminders of how much laughter I've enjoyed in my life. 

Confession: Baby Feet

I have a minor, but healthy (I assume) obsession with baby feet. Admitting it is the first step in overcoming the problem... right?

(Sorry for the insanely big watermark, but it's the internet and a kid - a combination I'm not fond of and avoid 99.9% of the time.)

October is a very important month for my cousin. It's the month she married her husband. It's the month her daughter was born and more recently it was the month her son was born.  Naturally when I asked her if I could take a few photos of her little guy she asked if I wouldn't mind a totally posed picture where we placed her and her husband's wedding rings on her little guy's feet.

Please, you want me to take more than one picture of your adorable kid's feet?

Try and stop me!!!

I swear I don't have a weird foot obsession.  I'm only obsessed with cute baby feet.  They're just so tiny and adorable.  Plus baby moccasins might be the cutest footwear option in the world.

Anyone else find baby feet to be too adorable for words?

Jersey Strong: Celebrate life

For the past month I had been planning to head up to Jersey to see a few of my family members during Veterans Day weekend.  The three-day weekend meant I could get out of Baltimore for a few days and still have time to do errands and decompress before going back to work. Plus, it was my aunt's birthday and my cousin just had a baby boy in October, which meant a trip was definitely needed.

Then, that bioootch named Sandy blew into town and decimated countless areas of my birth state. Quite a few of my family members were without power for over 8 days.  Thankfully, they've all got power back. 

They also still have their homes, which, unfortunately cannot be said for many people in New Jersey and New York at the moment.  My family was exceptionally lucky, we all know it, and we're incredibly thankful for it. 

Plans were slightly last minute because I wasn't going to crash at anyone's house who didn't have power, but in the end I made my way up to Jersey over the weekend.  I loaded up my Prius's trunk with donated clothes and blankets, dropped them off outside of Trenton, and then headed up to north Jersey to celebrate life with my family. There was a new baby to fawn over and a birthday to be celebrated! 

Prosecco at a birthday party!  Flashback to Meaghan's birthday party at Southern Hospitality anyone? Clearly this is now my drink of choice at birthday festivities. 

Mmmm, cake.

Craziness. I swear to goodness if you flashed back in time to 25(ish) years ago you'd find me in the center and I'd be trying to bolt for the door! Man I should have paid attention during a makeup tutorial. Perhaps if I did then blush and eyeliner wouldn't scare the daylights out of me. 

I'm just stating for the record that out of all of my aunt's nieces and great-nieces I get first dibs on all clothes. #JustSayin 

PJ party with my 12 year-old nephew, my aunt, and my uncle.  We watched Aladdin and I might have had to keep quiet because otherwise I would have quoted that entire movie.  I definitely broke out the Genie's rant in the cave.  

"EXCUSE ME? ARE YOU LOOKING AT ME? DID YOU RUB MY LAMP? DID YOU WAKE ME UP? DID YOU BRING ME HERE? AND ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU'RE WALKING OUT ON ME? I DON'T THINK SO, NOT RIGHT NOW. YOU'RE GETTING YOUR WISHES, SO SIT DOWN!" 

Sunday brunch on fancy china. Alton Brown ambrosia french toast with bacon. I die. 

It wouldn't be a trip to my aunt's house without some amazing flowers.  

She's going to be ticked, but I do not recall the name of these pink beauties. My aunt was able to laugh off being without power for over a week because, "well, it was so cool in the house that these orchids lasted forever."  They were leftover orchids from a bride's bouquet that she put together before Sandy came into town. 

If you have the means and you want to, I would highly encourage you to donate in some way to the Hurricane Sandy relief effort.  It was really disheartening to drive through towns in NJ that had been crushed.  I can't even count how many massive trees I saw down and even worse still leaning on power lines. It's going to be a very long time until the storm damage is in the past.