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.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
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!
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 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!
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....
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....
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| My running partner & hubby. He stayed with me the whole time! |
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| 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!!
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!
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| 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!!
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!
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| The Elmo cupcake cake! I was so excited! |
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| Brayden seeing his cake for the first time. |
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| B with his auntie "Gin". |
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| Blowing out the candles |
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| Opening presents with Jaelynn & Audrey. |
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| Hanging with Zachary & Gracie |
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| Happy Birthday! |
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