Monday, December 24, 2012

xmas12

Sparkling Snowflakes Christmas
Shop Shutterfly for unique,Christmas card designs.
View the entire collection of cards.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

b3

Red Fire Truck Birthday Invitation
Click here to browse Shutterfly birthday card designs.
View the entire collection of cards.

Friday, December 9, 2011

xmas5

Family Snowfall Holiday
Create custom Christmas cards this holiday at Shutterfly.
View the entire collection of cards.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Photo Card

Sprinkle Sea Foam Basic Borders
Send custom cards from Shutterfly for St. Patrick's Day.
View the entire collection of cards.

Monday, May 16, 2011

I DID IT!!

Yesterday was the big day!  The day I have been training the past 9 weeks for!  Yesterday was my very first half marathon!

Since I ran my first road race ever back in March, I had made it my goal to train to be ready to run this race in only 9 short weeks.  I did it!  In those weeks I went from running 4 miles to running 13.1 whole miles without dying, quitting or even walking!  What an accomplishment for me!!

The race started at 7:30 which meant a very early wake up call!  We were out the door by 6:30 and anxiously awaiting the gun by 7:00.  Dave and I decided that we would run separtely (I didnt want to hold him back & honestly he messes up my whole pace).  My friend, Mary was also running and I planned to stick with her for much of the race.

As the race started I was with Mary but soon realized that I was better off running alone.  So I took off and set my own pace-which was under 10 minutes for the first 5 miles.  After that I slowed down to about a 10:30 minute mile which isn't bad at all!  I felt good most of the race and never once felt like I should walk! 

I finished my 13.1 miles in 2 hours14 minutes!  Awesome!  My goal was 2:30 so I beat that by a lot!  I felt great and so very proud of myself!!

I look forward to running another half in September!!


Me & Dave before the race.

Friends & fellow teachers all running the half!

Finishing the race!!

Tia ran her first 5k!

Finished and happy!




Thursday, April 14, 2011

Memories

I'm sure there are some things that you will never forget about your babies...memories that will always be held close to your heart.  But just in case, I want to document this so that I can never forget....

My boy Brayden is sooo funny.  Really, he is just so smart and quick its hysterical.  He just gets things.  When we were driving to Virginia last week we went by Target.  He pointed to the sign and said "Store Mama.  Buy drinks.".  I said "Yes B!  That's Target.  That's where Mama gets drinks." ( I always but my vitamin water there).  So we continued our drive and we see another Target sign (hours later) and this time he says "Target Mama.  Buy drinks".  So freakin smart!!

Anyway, back to the special memory of my boy.  Brayden has this little car that he rides around the house.  The seat opens and there is a space to put things.  B always picks his favorite toys and puts them in there.  He drives around the house and will stop, look in and check his toys.  He hides things from Ethan in there too.  He is two and going through the "mine" stage.  So he doesn't always care to share. 

So today he was going up for his nap.  We walked by his car and he had to stop to get a toy from the back (he has to take some special things to bed with him).  He opened up the back, stood there with his chin in his hand and I could hear him "hmmmm".  Brayden almost always does this while making a decision.  He finally chose the tractor, jumped back into my arms and off to bed he went.

I've seen him do this a million times, but today as I watched, I realized that this was such a great memory of him.  This was something that I want to always remember about him.  It's something that will always bring a smile to my face.  It was something I needed to blog about.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Finally...A Crawler!!

Ethan turned 9 months old on Saturday.  I can't believe its been 9 months already!  Time really goes by fast....when we're talking about babies anyway. 

At 9 months old Ethan has 2 bottom teeth and is showing signs that the top may soon be on their way.  He is talking up a storm....lots of mama's, dada's, and nana's.  He has been eating table food for awhile now...and he LOVES it!  Right now cheese puffs are his favorite but he doesn't discriminate.  He will eat just about anything!

Ethan is waving hi and bye-For real.  If someone says hi, he waves.  If someone says bye, he waves.  He knows that's what his little hands are for!  And he loves to point to things!  So smart!!

Now for the big news!  Ethan started crawling!  Yay!  My boy is finally crawling.  I realize that developmentally he is right on track.  But being the second, he is, of course, compared to his brother.  Brayden was crawling at 6 (almost 7) months.  So when Ethan wasn't crawling 2 months ago I was a little worried.  But he finally started scooting on his bum a couple weeks ago. And then a few days before he turned 9 months he started crawling.  Yay!  He is also pulling himself up on anything that's around...sometimes that doesn't end so good!

Ethan is still a love and I enjoy watching his personality come out more and more each day.  He is growing and changing so much!  I wish time would slow just a little!

Ethan David
9 months old

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

I AM a Runner!

I have made a big decision since my 4 mile race two weeks ago. I've decided to embark upon a new, more lofty goal.  I am going to run a half marathon!  Yes, that's right....Ive decided to do it!  The first annual Greater Binghamton Bridge Run half marathon is on May 15th and I am going to be one of the runners!  Holy crap! 

Since I made this big decision I have been training.  Dave found me a 10 week schedule and I have been sticking to it pretty faithfully.  I run shorter lengths, like 3-4 miles on Mondays and Thursdays. On Wednesdays I do a longer run, about 5-6 miles and then Saturday is my distance day.  The first Saturday we ran 6.5 miles.  This past Saturday I ran 9 miles!  Can you believe that?!?  9 freakin miles!  And I didn't die!!  This upcoming Saturday will be 10 miles and I will increase a mile each week until I hit 12 miles.  Then I will work my way back down again....and then it will be race day!!

Since I found out that I can actually run...distances...without stopping I have been excited about running.  I think about it all the time and I look forward to going out and beating myself each time.  Right now I'm not concerned at all about being fast...I just want to finish.  I do feel myself getting better each time though.  And running the shorter distances like 3 and 4 miles are almost easy now. 

What I am finding difficult it the time I spend away from the boys.  I feel like I'm neglecting them a little.  Between work and running and the gym and the chiropractor (whom I see like 3 times a week) I feel like I'm not spending enough time with them.  I tell myself that I need to do this-for me, for my mental health, for my health.  And that I do spend time with them...every evening we have a good 3-4 hours together before bedtime and we spend all weekend together.  But that doesn't help the guilt that I feel.  I am hoping that once it warms up Dave and I will be able to take the boys running with us...it makes it more difficult for Dave but it would be time that we could all spend together.  And summer is around the corner.....only 7 more paychecks!!

The race is in 6 weeks and I am looking forward to continuing my training!  I can't wait to go for 12 miles in a couple weeks!  Updates will be posted!

PS-I am down 30lbs!  I hope running will help me lose the next 10lbs by June!

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Race Day!

Today was the St. Pat's 4 Miler.  I set a goal for myself in January to run this race without walking and....I DID IT!

This was my very first road race and the 3rd time I have ever run outside.  I was pretty nervous leading up to the whole thing.  The night before I was dreaming about running....and eating (while I was running).  Weird.  We got to the gym early, checked in and got our official t-shirts (the real reason I ran the race).  Then we waited.  When it was race time everyone went out and lined up.  It was exciting.

People were passing me from the get go.  It was a little intimidating but I just focused on running my own race.  Dave and my friend Mary ran with me.  We finished the first mile in just under 10 minutes.  That is a personal best for me.  We continued to run.  

At about mile 2.25 we had some fans cheering us on.  My baby-sitter and her son were standing on the corner and then a couple blocks up my mom and the boys were waiting for us.  It was so nice to see them all supporting me!   

The last mile of the race had a hill.  Not huge, but still it was a hill.  I worked hard and made it to the top and then it was a race to the finish.  Once we hit the finish line street I tryed to pick up my pace a little.  I didn't want any other people passing me...and I actually passed some people.  Right before the finished line I heard "Go, Mrs. Walker!".  It was a student from last years class cheering me on!  It was so sweet.  What a nice way to cross the finish line! 

I finished the race without stopping and I didn't come in last place! 

My official time was 40:41 (again, a personal best).  That's a little over a 10 minute mile and I had previously only been running an 11 minute mile.  I finished in 578th place out of 735 runners.  So I beat over 150 people!  Not bad for my first time!

I am feeling very accomplished and proud of myself.  I am actually looking forward to running another race...I just have to decide if that will be a 5K or a 1/2 marathon. 

Hmmm....how hard do I actually want to work in the next 9 weeks??  Stay tuned....

My running partner & hubby.
He stayed with me the whole time! 
Friends & co-workers Mary and Jim.
I finished the race with  Mary!






Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Happy 8 Months, Ethan

My baby boy is 8 months old today!  I can't believe it!  Time really goes by so quickly! 

I am really trying hard not to compare my boys but it's hard being that they are so close in age.  My mom keeps reminding me that I hate it when people compare me and Tia (we are also 16 months apart in age).  But it is so hard.  So instead of comparing I will just tell what Ethan is currently doing and try to leave Brayden's name out of it!!

At 8 months, Ethan is rolling, sitting and standing while holding on to something.  He is talking and laughing and he just started clapping and waving bye-bye.  He feeds himself finger foods and is practicing drinking from a cup (when I remember to give it to him-Bad Mom!).  Ethan is currently cutting his first little tooth! 

He's still not crawling (which is so odd to me) but I think that this is going to be a big month for him!  I'm sure that he will soon be moving all over and I will wish that I never wished that he would learn to crawl!

So that's my boy!  He is such a good baby and I love him soooo much!! 

Happy 8 Months, Ethan David!

Ethan ready for his first swim lesson

Weight Loss Update

It has been 5 months (19 weeks) since I've started my weight loss journey.  I have been training with Heather at the gym for a 1/2 hour twice a week.  In addition to that I have been burning at least 400 calories with cardio 5 times a week and doing some additional weight training on my own.  I have been working hard and it is paying off!

I have lost a total of 26.5 pounds (the .5 is very important!).

It's such a great feeling to be successful!  I am the lightest I have been since June 2008!  I am down to my pre-Brayden weight (I was probably about 5lbs lighter before my 8 week pre-natal appointment-but that's the only number I have....so I'm going with it!). 

People have been noticing my weight loss which has been nice.  It's such a good feeling when some tells you that you look good.  But the down side to that....I am beginning to slack a little. 

February was a pretty difficult month.  I've only lost about 4lbs in the past 5 weeks.  Not good!  Not bad either...but I'm used to losing 2-4lbs a week and that hasn't happened in so long.  I realize that my weight loss will slow down but I really need to recommit to eating right.  I am pretty faithful to the gym and my new found hobby of running.  I know that if I  make the right food choices and continue to exercise then I will continue to lose the weight. 

I hope to lose another 15lbs by the time school is out in June.  I'm hoping that running will help me do that.  My first race is this Saturday.  The big 4 Miler!  I am excited and nervous....but pretty confident that I will be able to run the whole thing.  I just hope not to come in last place!

Anyway, that's where I am with my weight loss.  Hopefully in the next couple months I can say I am at my goal weight!!

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Party Time

Today we celebrated Brayden's 2nd birthday with friends and family.  Everything was wonderful and B had a great time, but boy am I tired!  It was so much planning and then it went by in a flash!  I was so busy hosting I wasn't able to take many pictures, but this is what I have from the day.  The party was Elmo themed with bright colored balloons, Sesame Street goodie cups and my favorite part, an Elmo cupcake cake.  It was great!

The Elmo cupcake cake!  I was so excited!

Brayden seeing his cake for the first time.

B with his auntie "Gin".

Blowing out the candles

Opening presents with Jaelynn & Audrey.

Hanging with Zachary & Gracie

Happy Birthday!

Friday, March 4, 2011

Nice Visit with an Old Friend

Today I was lucky enough to get a visit from my long, lost friend, Christina (or Senator Donato as we lovingly referred to her in college). 

I met Christina during my sophomore year at Oneonta.  She was the little, energetic, friendly girl that lived across the hall from me in Sherman Hall.  Christina could talk a mile a minute about anything-to anyone and she always seemed to be happy and bouncing off the walls!  We were complete opposites and seemed an unlikely pair.  But, as I got to know Christina I found that she was kind and generous and sincere.  She would do anything for her friends.  I remember a time during practicum when I missed my 7am ride to Delhi.  I was late and frantic and I called Christina.  She, without hesitation, lent me her car so that I could get to school.  Christina was also nice enough to drive me to see a boy....far away....more than once.  She was that good of a friend!

(insert picture from college here-once I can scan it)

It's been over 10 years since Christina and I have spoken to or seen each other.  I don't know why we didn't keep in touch...but we didn't and time passed.  We can thank facebook for our little reunion today! 

Christina drove from New Paltz with her baby girl, Ellie (her birthday happens to be 7 days before Ethan's).  While our babies played together, Christina and I tried to fit 10 years of life into 6 hours of visiting.  It was easy talking to her and never felt uncomfortable.  We caught up as much as we could in between taking care of the babies and the hours seemed to pass too quickly.

Ethan & Ellie "playing".


Uh....Mom is she going to grab my ear again?
Brayden, Ellie &Ethan

It's just a cute picture!

Old and New Friends

When she packed up to leave I was sad.  Since Christina lives in Tennessee it is unlikely that we will see each other again anytime soon.  But I definitely plan to stay in touch with her.  I won't let my spunky, little friend disappear from my life again! 

A lot of time has passed since college but today was like no time had passed at all.  It was wonderful seeing, talking and laughing with my old friend. 

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

My Baby is TWO!

My baby boy is 2 years old!  Time has certainly flown!  Brayden is growing into such a smart, funny, handsome little boy!  He has beautiful eyes, a great smile and his laugh is infectious!

Brayden is learning so much every day, surprising us with all he knows!  He talks up a storm!  He has so many words, phrases and sentences that I can't keep up.  He is also very polite.  He makes sure to say "thank you" and "bless you" (even if you've only coughed)!  His favorite responses to any questions are "of course" and "no way"!  He can count to 12 (most of the time) and a recognizes lots of numbers and letters!  Brayden also knows lots of signs.  His favorite are "more", "daddy" and "please" which he signs no matter what.  Others we have to ask him to sign and he will. We are, of course, so very proud of him!  But no pressure though...not from his teacher parents! ;) 

He is such a kind, loving big brother.  He always gives Ethan kisses night-night and is sure to yell "wake up!" when he thinks E needs to be awake! 

Brayden loves to draw and jump and dance and go for walks.  He would rather be outside than anywhere else.  Elmo is his favorite show but he also like Dora & Diego and the Wiggles.  He is beginning to enjoy Thomas and trains.  He knows the NY Giants logo and will emphatically say "Go Giants!" even though Daddy is a Cowboys fan! 

Brayden has changed so much over the past 2 years.  I have enjoyed watching him grow and learn.  Though time passes way too quickly, I am excited to see how B changes over the next year.  I know that he is only going to shine more than he already does!  Brayden is my love and my joy and I can't imagine my life without him!

Here is a look back at Brayden's first 2 years....

Brayden Matthew, born March 1, 2009

B's hospital picture

At 5 months, B could put himself into a sitting position.
 
At 6 months B could stand

He was also crawling at 6 months

Walking with help at 8 months

Walking without help at 10 months.


Always a daredevil!


B's photo shoot at the Story Garden.

Last day as an only child-16 months old.
Big Brother Brayden won't go near his baby brother!

B finally decides it's ok to meet his brother.


B's first haircut!  Such a bog boy!

So silly!


What a sweet big brother!


His new thing...he wants to drive-all the time!


He will jump off anything!


So beautiful!


How old will you be?  TWO!!!! (he's still not sure how to make 2 with his fingers)!


Happy 2nd Birthday, Brayden!