Blessings

 Adam is the best thing that has ever happened to me.  It is like he knows what I need and makes me do it.  He does not demand it, he just leads me in that direction.  Like, now I just sleep.  No more doing other things, I would rather sleep than most anything else anymore.  Also, now I have to feed him what I am eating so I eat more healthy and cook more often.  I plan ahead and make sure everyone can enjoy the fun.

I know the next year will be so different with him getting more independent and not being my baby anymore.  He will be a big boy.  Sad to see him so big, but so happy he is getting smarter and more on the move every day.  I am so grateful he has waited to full on walk.  This has bought me time to baby proof and time to clean the clutter from my house.  Something else I have needed to do.  He changed my perspective on the world for good and I cannot help but be so grateful for every second I get to spend time with him.  He is made to be with my in my life.  I hope that will always be.

Off to bed with the big moon out.  Gorgeous!

Busy Bee

So much going on these days.  We still have not caught up since being out of town.  Laundry, dishes, etc.  We had a great trip to NYC, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Washington D.C.  I am so glad that we went on this extensively driven all over the place vacation.  Grateful that my uncle drove us everywhere and his wife would make us dinner.  Next year, I feel Adam will not tolerate being in the car seat for that many hours.  He was not happy to fall asleep for bed time in the car and I do not blame him.  We will not be taking long trips next year.

I loved the Washington Monument, but I was surprised how much I loved the Lincoln Memorial.  Gettysburg was so eye-opening that I recommend a visit for everyone.  This trip was all-American, but it was on my bucket list too.  I have no desire to go to Philadelphia ever again.  It gave me a negative vibe, creepy, too many security cameras and measures on buildings.  Glad I went to experience the area though.  I loved Amish country and would like to go again.  We did not get to shop much, but we saw  the sights.  Adam loved the Echo Caverns, but not the dark.  He was hungry at the time also.  Hershey, PA was great and we only saw the tip of the ice burg.  I would like to get Tony on the rides there.  I think he would enjoy.

Now is the time to tackle my Fall to-do list.  Continuing education, license renewal, winterizing, sewing, parties, birthdays and holidays following all of this.  I want to dust and clean before winter comes.  This is a tall task with a busy little boy all over the place and my lack of sleep.  I'm getting better at the lack of sleep part, but I definitely prefer more sleep.  Not happy to have the heat on when we got back from our trip, but it feels good now.  Love walking in the Fall.  Peak is now, time to enjoy the colors today!!!

10 Months Old Today

Ten months old today!! Cannot believe where the time has gone?!  I am ready for Fall and not ready at the same time.  I am really enjoying the temperatures, but loved swimming in Lake Superior.  My big boy is on the move and wants to be on the move outside.  Too bad we have so many bees by our house these days.  Fun to celebrate today, but he is teething again and his face is so fragile from all the drool and abrasion throughout the day.  Poor thing cannot seem to heal before another tooth decides to erupt.

My allergies and neck tension have been terrible lately.  I am in between stretching enjoyably and uncomfortably.  My muscles just need that last umph toward getting back into pre-baby shape.  I will be happy to snow shoe this year, just have to figure out how to get Adam there with me.  He'll ride being pulled I am sure.  

Happy boy is only napping once a day now, so bed time is finally a more reasonable hour.  Very excited about this.  He's growing up and I cannot stop it.  Ah, the toddler that he is.  Loving anything, within reason, that we eat these days.  That will cut my portion in half because he wants to eat what I am having.  Love to share.  Bed time now.  

So Much Going On

There has been so much going on it has been overwhelming.
My almost 10 month old son is weaning himself from nursing.  I am sad to see him letting go, but glad he is meeting his milestones.  He's crawling everywhere, letting go of furniture and dive walking toward us 3-4 steps at a time.  He is brave and tough, especially learning to walk.  He crawled and walked up stairs, is talking more, getting to be a picky eater already (does not like pureed food anymore, he's not a baby!), exploring fearlessly, loves outside and playing with others.  Leaps and bounds of new accomplishments for Adam.  So happy to watch him grow and change.

I had a personal first this weekend.  I ziplined for the first time into Lake Superior.  I loved it so much I went 6 times into the warm water.  What a perfect day.  Gorgeous red sunset and good friends and family to share it with.  I had a good time.

Today I had an allergic reaction to some unknown source.  It scared me and once again brought me back to everyday mindfulness, setting mini-goals, what life would be if I was not here tomorrow, enjoying every moment I get with Adam and Tony, meditation and trying to not sweat the small stuff.  It made me re-evaluate the direction my life is going and inspired me to get going in the direction I want to pursue.  It scares me I do not know the source of my allergic response, but I feel if it was going to be an anaphylactic one, it would have already happened.

Taking a trip to knock off another to-do off of my bucket list.  Going to see a Yankees game and Washington D.C.  I feel this trip is a cornerstone of directing how my life is going to go.  I'm excited and in awe of how profound this trip means to me.  Life is so short.  I want to make my impact, but stress less and indulge in exercise more than food and media.  Ah, the ways we comfort ourselves.  Coping skills are different for everyone.  My head throbs right now, so its time for medicine and bed time!

This Guy...

This is a picture of a 9 month 1 week old boy.

This guy has been consistently crawling on the bed.

This guy has been scooting on his bum while sitting.

This guy has been getting better at walking with and without help.

This guy consistently pulls himself up onto furniture now.

This guy will intentionally sit to turn the pages and look through books.

This guy says mama, dada, bah, up, abuh, ball, bird, uhbuh.

This guy laughs at books and other babies laughing.

This guy is a good sleeper, but goes to bed late.

This guy does not like to get his nails filed.

This guy no longer eats sand while playing in it.

This guy grinds his teeth and craves crunchy foods.

This guy can go to sleep on his own in a dark room if he is ready to go to bed and tired enough.

This guy will nap anywhere if he is tired enough.

This guy is loved and loving.

This guy gives kisses.

Happy to have this guy in my life.

9 Months old

9 Months OLD already.

What a joy.  He was meant to be my little boy.  I cannot believe how fun he is.  I love every minute I get to spend with him.  I think he will teach me much more than I'll ever teach him.  Happy to have such happiness in my life.  Cannot wait for more.  I do already lament him not being a baby baby anymore, but he will not turn 18 for a long time (smile). Sleeping like a baby right now.  I'm already planning his first birthday party in my head.  Ah, and he won't even appreciate it.  Still fun.

Good Things In My Head

I am turning a corner on my roller coaster of life.  I can feel the change coming over me.  It is a positive change and will be great.  I can just tell, great.  I am so close to feeling better in my home.  Nothing a little feng shui could not fix. I just gave to Goodwill yesterday, not enough, I am still on the hunt for more to give.  I feel we are close to babyproofing for a toddler on the move. 

Adam has another tooth visibly erupting.  He sat up and pulled himself up for the first time by himself within the last 2 days.  He is sleeping erratically and his teeth are definitely a contributing factor.  He is developing his love of books and sat for 20 minutes just looking at books 2 days ago.  I love it.  He is such a smiler.  We have been enjoying family walks in this warm summer we are having.

I am ready for Adam's big boy bed to be ready so we can set a sleep routine and get him to stick to it.  Hoping for tonight for that.  I am ready for some rain for my poor flowers.  This summer heat has been brutal for my newly planted plants.  I do not care if the lawn is yellow, dead plants are just sad.  I want to have to mow again.  We have only mowed less than a handful of times this summer.  Rain dance, rain dance.

Hope tonight will be a great relaxing time together.  I plan on getting on a sleep schedule of my own.  I am not a morning person, will likely never be, but I want more out of my day.  I want to wake up, to exercise and stretch, to eat, shower, meditate and to start my day.  I do not want to be groggy all the time.  This is for the birds.  I need to be able to accomplish a great deal before Adam wakes up and then I will enjoy my day fully.  This means going to bed, but that should not be a problem if I get more done in the morning.  Also, I will be tired if I get up early.  I will put him to bed with an hour to spare at night also, giving me time for chores, work or down time.  This is my plan.  I am envisioning my plan in my head so I can instate it.  I close my eyes and picture a productive, well rested mommy that enjoys the whole day.  Ah, feels good.

http://pinterest.com/neowrabbit/

I joined pinterest and thought it would consume all of my time.  I am prepared to do some major brain storming and this will be the best forum for it.  I have only just begun with my dreaming.