Lucas is ONE!

Lucas

12 months

written Sunday, December 28th. 

Happy Birthday, Lucas! This has been the craziest and most fun month.  Between our trip to Breckenridge for Thanksgiving, your first birthday, and a slew of Christmas celebrations, we have had LOTS of fun.

I never realize how much you have changed in one short month until reading through these posts.  Granted, it has been closer to a month and a half between this and your last post.  You are listening so carefully to every word your dad and I say.  You smack your lips when asked if you're "hungry", or want "breakfast", "lunch", or "dinner".  You wiggle around when we ask if you're "all done" and flail your arms about when we say "go crazy!". You point to everything, usually say "BAH!", but I'm starting to notice differences.  When asked to get a book you go to your book basket saying, "Buh" and will pick out one of your favorites and bring it for us to read.  You LOVE all things ball, "BAH", especially all the "bah's" on the Christmas tree! You are also getting quite good at identifying your head, ears, nose, belly and toes.  Playing peek-a-boo and clapping are also fun games, especially in the car.

Another huge milestone met this month, you're walking! December 10th you came home and were taking steps across the kitchen. You had taken steps here and there before, but on this day you were confidently WALKING.  You haven't stopped since, and are practically running across the room at this point.  

Weight: 24 lbs (67%tile)

Length: 31 inches (75%tile)

Diaper Size: 4's, but considering switching to 5's very soon.

Clothes Size: 12-18 and some 18-24 month.

Hair Color: Looking more blonde, less strawberry.

Eye color: Blue, although sometimes your eyes look very green.

Health: A little cold, but nothing terrible, thankfully! You also seem to be teething like mad, but I haven't seen any new teeth poke through in a while.  You're still rocking 4 total at this point.

Eating: This month we've transitioned to all solid food, i.e. no purees.  For the most part, you'll eat just about anything, however you definitely love sugar.  After your birthday cake you refused pretty much all dinners for a few days.  Luckily, you're past that now!  We started supplementing formula at the beginning of December-- about  6-9 ounces each day.  After your birthday, you've easily transitioned to whole milk.  We're now slowly transitioning away from the bottle completely.  It all happens so fast!! You still nurse once each day at the very first feeding of the day.

Milestones:

Walking 12-10-14
Whole milk bottles 12-15-14

Your favorite toy:

The "Bat-mobile" ride-on

Shape sorter

Balls

Books

School Picture

Firsts:

Road trip
Steps
Birthday
Cake
Whole Milk
Christmas

Love, M

Reflecting on Running.

Although I haven't had much time to blog about life lately, I decided I needed to at least do one post on my thoughts on running as of late. It is strange, in a way, how running has evolved for me.  Running has been my everything from a demise, an escape, an obsession, a chore to a feat.  As it turns out, each of these feelings has much more to do with ME than has to do with RUNNING.  This "sport" is all mental.

In general, I wouldn't consider myself especially competitive.  I don't race to win, and I don't feel bad about it. That being said, I am a goal-setter, and I like to follow through.  Each race, each run even, has a different story, a different purpose, a different goal.  

From the beginning of the year, my goal has been to finish a half-marathon in the fall.  I didn't start back into running consistently until nearly July, when my schedule was more free and I felt "ready".  It took me about a week to run a mile without walking, and about 2 weeks to finish 2 miles without walking.  SLOW miles.  But, it felt good.  In a way, I enjoyed starting back at nearly zero... it meant I had somewhere to go, and that is much less boring than status quo.  I maintained a 2-3 mile walk/run until early September when I decided to get serious.  

I signed up for a half on Nov. 9th.  That meant three months to go from 3 miles to 13 miles, all while working full time and spending time with my husband and baby.  I decided that my schedule could only really allow for 3 runs a week, so I made that work.  That meant 2 "short" runs during the week, and one long run on Saturday.  I absolutely could not have committed to this without the support of my husband.  Fast forward about one week, and our entire family got sick... for nearly 3 weeks.  GAH! I continued to run here and there, but was not making much progress.  October came and I kicked it up. 

I've learned that I HATE maintenance runs during the week.  Those runs are chores.  Short, fast, and definitely not cathartic. However, I have also learned that I LOVE a long run on Saturday.  I would look forward to those early mornings watching the sun come up, spending an hour in the fresh air, with nothing hanging over my head for the day.  It is the best way to start a weekend!

Fast forward, November 9th, race day!  Long story short: I did it! My goal for the day was not to walk, and to finish between 2:15 and 2:20.  Official time for me: 2:19:30!  It was a good run... not one I'm looking forward to doing again anytime soon, but I did feel ready, and I survived a fairly nasty hill.  

Justin ran, too! Stud...

So where to go from here? I'm not quite sure. I'd like to keep up my longer Saturday runs, and probably run here and there during the week, when I have time.  I don't want to lose my momentum, but I am also looking forward to some more free time.  Running 10 miles takes a long time!!  I'm thinking a short hiatus is in my future, but I hope to do another race late spring. It's all about balance right? :)

To any one of you 3 people reading this, if you are considering a race, do it!  There is really nothing quite like accomplishing a goal you've worked hard to earn.  

Lucas :: 11 Months

Lucas

11 months

written Friday, November 14th. 

One month and you'll be a whole year old.  Being your mom is just THE best.  I went in your room this morning to get you up (6:15am) and you were just standing and talking to yourself, happy as could be.  I can not help but smile when I am with you!  As I reached down to lift you out of your crib, you cooed and threw yourself back down on the mattress, rollled over and grinned at me.  I just LOVE you so stinkin much, my man.  

Your mind is growing and I love watching you learn new things.  You can touch your head when we ask you to, clap your hands when we say "yay!" or "clap!", you will point to you ball and say "ba!!", because it is one of your favorite toys. Mimicking our voices is fun for you, too.  You can smack your lips, click your tongue, blow "bubbles" (aka, fart noises), mama, dada, baba (top fave), jaja, nana... We are starting to see your naughty side, as you try to touch the curtains while eating in your high chair, and I can see in your eyes that you know that's a no-no.  Recognizing words like "cheerios", "bath", "bye-bye", and others astonish me each day. 

My favorite, favorite of all this month is your love for the book, "Brown Bear, Brown Bear".  If I ask you if you want to read a book, you will search the room for a book, then bring it to me, sit on my lap, and wait for the story.  If you have choices, "Brown Bear, Brown Bear" is always top of the list.  Your dad and I read this book to you multiple time a day, each time stopping on the goldfish as you pucker your lips like a fishy.  Heart. Explodes. GAH!

Weight: Not sure.

Length: 

Diaper Size: 4's, but considering switching to 5's very soon.

Clothes Size:  Definitely 12-18 month clothes now.  It's officially chilly so we've broken out the warm weather clothes. Hats are just the CUTEST.

Hair Color: Looking more blonde, less strawberry.

Eye color: Blue.

Health: Other than a bout with pink-eye and a few bumps and bruises, all is well!

Eating: Your love for all food is still running strong.  Cheese is a new added favorite, and it seems you can't get enough.  You much prefer solid food to breast milk, but you are still getting a few bottles a day and will have about 1 good nursing each day, too.

Milestones:

First word-- BA! (Ball)

Your favorite toy:

"Brown Bear, Brown Bear"

"The Littlest Puppy"

Stacking Cups (and you stack them now!)

Anything that you can push across the floor :)

Firsts:

Blowing kisses!

Fat lip :( (You had a tumble when walking with your wagon)

This year has been my favorite of all.  You're just the best, Lucas.

Love, M

GIVEAWAY!!

Yep, you read that right.

Okay, loyal readers, I've got something awesome for you today!  One of my friends, Amanda, is a stylist with Stella & Dot. To help get her business going, she has graciously offered to host a giveaway for a pair of FREE Stella and Dot earrings here on my blog. Also, another lucky winner will get a FREE catered Trunk Show.

I recently picked up these Adelaide Hoops and have been wearing them non-stop.  They are light weight and great quality.  I'm also loving all of the engraveable pieces they have available right now-- love the personalizing!

All you have to do to enter the giveaway is LIKE Amanda's Facebook page HERE.  The winner will be announced on her Facebook page Friday night!

Good luck, ladies! :)

-M

Lucas :: 10 months

written Tuesday, October 14th. 

Happy TEN MONTHS, my son!  You are growing up quicker than ever and your little personality is starting to shine.  Every day you show us something new you love.  Yesterday you learned to clap and you've been pointing at everything and squealing with delight. You are so darn proud of yourself as you can walk around the coffee table with quite speed these days.  Eating Cheerios is your jam, and I'm pretty sure you'd eat the whole box if we didn't cut you off (and if Sadie didn't eat half your stash).

           

I love to watch your little mind process all of the new things you encounter. Opening and shutting the kitchen cabinets entertains you for quite some time.  You've mastered opening drawers, too. New people and large groups are very entertaining to you, but you'd like to stick with your mama and take it all in before you run free.  

As far as sleep and schedule go, it has been nice that you have become quite flexible.  School (what we call daycare) days are much different than weekends, but you seem go with the flow very well.  You still breastfeed in the morning and evening, and have 2 pumped bottles during the day.  One of my favorite times with you is in the middle of the night (well, about 4am), when you are so sleepy and cuddly.  I usually end up rocking you for a while, not because you need it, but because your mama does.  I know you don't need to get up then, but I guess I'm still holding onto our little moment for a little longer. :)

Weight: Not sure, although you seem to have grown up a lot this month. 

Length: 

Diaper Size: 4's, but considering switching to 5's very soon.

Clothes Size:  Definitely 12-18 month clothes now.  It's officially chilly so we've broken out the warm weather clothes.

Hair Color: Strawberry blonde.

Eye color: Blue.

Health: I'm so grateful to report an uneventful month in this category.  You have been your happy, healthy self and I could not be more thankful.

Eating:

You've definitely upped the food intake this month and we're working on introducing more and more "finger food" soon. Typically you have about 4-5 ounces for breakfast, 6 ounces for lunch and dinner. Plus cheerios a few times throughout the day for practice feeding yourself and because you absolutely love it.

Milestones:

Standing between furniture (transferring while walking)

"Da Da"

Pointing 

Clapping

Your favorite toy:

Anything that makes a sound… banging blocks, the door stop, the air vent, drawers, cabinets.  Also anything you can pull up on… chairs, tables, drawers, stairs.  Yeah, all the dangerous stuff.  I think you would LOVE a musical toy, so we’ll probably look at getting you something like that soon :) (Ya, I know what I’m getting myself into…)

Firsts:

"Da Da"

Pineapple

Puffs

You make your dad and I so very proud.  Love you to pieces!

Love, M

Lucas :: 9 months

I realize this is extremely late, but better late than never :)

written Thursday, September 25th. Yeah… a little late, whoops!

Nine whole months old! (Plus about a week and a half)  You are definitely on. the. move!  Crawling and pulling up are your two favorites, along with saying “BA BA BA BA”, which just started last Sunday.  For some reason, this has been my FAVORITE milestone of yours and my heart just about melts into a giant puddle every time you mimic your dad and I. 

However, this month has been quite the whirlwind, as you can probably tell by the tardiness of this post.  We’ve had many doctor visits and unwelcomed sickness in our house.  Here’s to hoping that is a thing of the past!

You are becoming more and more interested in books and get particularly excited when reading “Brown bear, Brown bear”, squealing whenever I say, “Ribbit! Ribbit!”.  I can definitely tell when you want more food, down on the ground, to be held, tired, etc. much better than ever before.  You love to watch other people and are very interested in what they are doing, where they walk, what they have in their hands, etc.  So much to learn!

Weight: 21 pounds 13 ounces (72%tile)

Length: 29 cm (70%tile)

Diaper Size: 4's.

Clothes Size:  You are in between sizes and we are in between seasons.  Mostly 12-month clothes at this point. 

Hair Color: Dirty blonde, maybe a hint of red.

Eye color: Blue.

Health: Saturday, Sept. 6^th turned into a very long day at our house.  We had been planning to have some friends over for the evening and had the house torn apart preparing for them.  We had run some errands together that morning and I fed you lunch about 11:30am.  Not long after you ate, you started crying quite suddenly.  Your dad and I were confused, because you had just gotten up, had eaten, and rarely cry for no reason.  We changed your diaper, and put you in your crib to see if you were tired.  After just a minute or so, I went and got you and could tell something was bothering you.  You were inconsolable and then started getting very “sleepy”.  It was almost as if you were passing out, but not quite.  We called 911. (Scariest moment EVER).  The EMTs showed up and you were crying (good sign) but we still couldn’t figure out what was wrong.  They checked you out and found nothing, but we decided to take you to the ER.  You started vomiting at that point, and cried all the way to the hospital. 

You were examined by a nurse and doctor and then diagnosed with an intussusception after an ultrasound.  That meant a trip in the ambulance to the hospital downtown for an air enema procedure and possible surgery (L).  You were so tired and uncomfortable and dehydrated.  They finally got an IV in you (5^th try) and were able to give you some medicine to help with the pain.  You slept in my arms and I soaked up every second of that.

Luckily, the procedure went very well and you did not need surgery.  We were able to go home late that night and you seemed to be back to normal, although understandably very tired.  

Looking back, I am so thankful that this happened on a weekend, during the day, while both your dad and I were home.  I am so grateful for the amazing care that was given to you throughout the day, but most importantly that you are WELL!!!!!! You will never understand how much your dad and I love you.

The following Friday, you had your first fever of 101.7… we kept you home from daycare, took you to the doctor, and found you had a double ear infection. Surprisingly, you never once seemed bothered or uncomfortable by the fever or your ears! You are a trooper, son. By Saturday you were back to normal.

Like I said earlier, here’s to having the sickness behind us and to a healthy fall!

Eating:

The only new food you had this month was yogurt, and you seem to like it! There really is no food you don’t like.  You gave it the intial “ick” face, but then begged for more. J  You are eating about 6 ounces of food for lunch and dinner, and about 3 ounces for breakfast.  We’re still working on you feeding yourself.

Milestones:

Pulling up on all the things.

First tooth! Bottom, left middle.  There is a top left middle coming right up, too!

First big boy bath (Monday, Sept. 22)

Your favorite toy: 

Anything that makes a sound… banging blocks, the door stop, the air vent, drawers, cabinets.  Also anything you can pull up on… chairs, tables, drawers, stairs.  Yeah, all the dangerous stuff.  I think you would LOVE a musical toy, so we’ll probably look at getting you something like that soon J (Ya, I know what I’m getting myself into…)

Firsts:

Yogurt

Bath in the big tub

Tooth

Ambulance ride

Your smile continues to be the best part of our day each and every day.  I cannot tell you how grateful I am to have you as my son. The Best. Best. Best. Job ever is being your mommy!!

Love, M

Lucas :: 8 Months

LUCAS NEAL

EIGHT MONTHS

written Sunday, August 17th.

What an amazing month you've had! Not only did you learn to sit up on your own, but you are also crawling all over nowadays. You officially are not a tiny little baby anymore. It is absolutely the most fun thing to watch as you learn and grow, it just happens so darn fast.

You are becoming more and more aware of everything around you. This has made the transition to daycare quite tough... not only are you having trouble being away from mom and dad, but you are so distracted by the other kids that you hardly get a nap while you're there. I'm hoping that this improves this week-- your teachers already tell me you are doing much better!

Your dad and I are getting to know you better, too. You love food and will move your mouth and reach out your hands when you want a bite. Whenever you are tired, and in your carseat, you will grunt yourself to sleep :) You get so excited whenever you see other kids and will laugh and laugh and squirm to get to them!

Weight: Heavy, but not quite sure how much you weigh.

Length:  ?

Diaper Size: 4's.

Clothes Size: You grew out of quite a few clothes recently, and are wearing mostly 12-18 month clothes at this point. I can still fit some 6 month stuff on you, but definitely not pants or jammies.

Hair Color: Dirty blonde, maybe a hint of red.

Eye color: Blue.

Health: You caught a cold during your first week of daycare, but luckily it doesn't seem to be bothering you all that much. You're also *maybe* teething. I swear we've thought you have been getting teeth for over half of your life. The drool is in full force now, so maybe we're actually right this time. We shall see!

Eating:

Oh you love your food. Lately you eat solid food at lunch, snack, and dinner, generally about 4 ounces (or cubes) at for meals, 2 ounces for snacks. We gave you a few cheerios and peas to see if you could feed yourself, but you were more interested in smashing them and playing around. New foods this month included chicken, blueberries, mixed veggies, spinach and peas.

Milestones:

You mastered sitting up all on your own on July 21st, but I first saw you in your crib sitting up on July 18th. You were so proud! You wouldn't nap for a few days because you just wanted to practice sitting all. day. long. You started crawling on August 3rd and have been off and running ever since!

Your favorite toy:

Now that you are crawling, you are interested in EVERYTHING!! You want to feel and taste it ALL. Throwing things across the floor and chasing them is also one of your favorites.

Firsts:

-Sitting up

-Crawling

-Daycare

-Attempt feeding himself

This summer was the absolute best. So many laughs and so much fun. I can't imagine our days without you!

Love, M