April Showers...

Okay, so May has not arrived yet, but all the rain we have been getting has certainly been great for the new plants and blossoms popping up all around us. Aren't these hyacinths lovely! I've been dying to plant hyacinth bulbs since we moved in five years ago and John (with a little help from Nicolaus of course) planted some in the Fall. They make our whole house smell heavenly. If I were going to be a spring bride, I would most definitely have a hyacinth bouquet with a little lavender thrown in there too... (We have two lavender bushes as well).

Happy Spring!

11 Months!

* 19 lbs
* Sleeping through the night 10-13 hours!
* Transitioning to one nap per day
* 5 teeth
* Can eat many things by herself...pancakes are her new favorite
* Gives kisses
* Says "Mama, Dada, Kitty Cat, and Ball."
* Loves putting everything into boxes and baskets
* Cruising around furniture
* Enjoys playtime when Nicolaus is napping--free reign and torture free!

I'm Trying, Really I Am

I was so motivated last week to get back into my workout routine, but (there is always a but isn't there, which means my big BUTT will always be there too) John's back was still bothering him and both kids came down with yet another cold. Little Miss Carleigh is actually on an Albuterol inhaler four times a day right now. Ugh! Lets just say it is a two person (not including Carleigh) task to get her to take it (Thanks Amy!). I did manage to go on a 2 mile walk with the kiddos on Thursday. I guess that's something. I have a thyroid uptake scan and ultrasound tomorrow to figure out why my TSH levels are way too low. It is a fasting test so no eating after midnight until 11:00 am! Maybe that will help with some weight loss.

Bye-Bye Sissa!

Yesterday was a big day in our house...I mean HUGE. Nicolaus said goodbye to his pacifier, or his "sissa" as he likes to call it. In the morning I asked him if he wanted to be a big boy and say goodbye to his sissa and he said, "Yes." So I seized the moment, shoved it in my pocket and told him how proud Mommy is of him. He asked for it a few times and I just reminded him that he said goodbye to it and that Mommy is really proud of her big boy. Then came naptime. He didn't ask for it, but he threw a huge fit, basically as if he were refusing to nap. Yelling, screaming, banging on the crib. How his sister slept through forty-five minutes of that I have no idea. I stood firm though, and eventually he fell asleep for about an hour and a half. He did not ask for it again, not even at bedtime when Daddy read him stories and put him down for the night. Plus, he slept through the night until close to 7am.

Today he has asked for it a couple times, but when I remind him how he said bye-bye to his sissa, he comments that his Mommy is so proud with a huge grin on his face. I really love this little guy. He is getting to be such a big boy. (Geeze, am I ready for him to grow up?) So, no longer will we have pictures like those below where I want to capture his beautiful smile, but instead get a mouthful of plastic. No more will I have to chase after it in the grocery when he has thrown it from the cart. Never again will I have to feel around on the floor in the dark when he wakes up in the middle of the night asking for it. Bye-bye Sissa!

Under Construction

Making Changes...please be patient

10 Months!

* 18 lbs and 27.25 inches
* 3 teeth
* Sleeping better at night, only waking sometimes once or twice for comfort
* Has learned to crawl upstairs and turn the page at storytime
* Likes music and to dance
* Enjoying "talking" more and more.
* Can say Kitty Cat, Hi and Da-da.
* Dislikes grass
* Wants to do whatever her big brother is doing and always be in sight of Mommy
* Very headstrong already and lets you know what she wants...and doesn't want

Back On It!

John and I have resolved to get back on our workout routine today. After being so good for a month (I have said goodbye to 2 dress sizes as proof) the whole family first got a stomach virus, then the flu and, to top it all off John hurt his back. He and I have now been off our routine for a month. It has been harder to get back into it than it was to start in the first place. But it all ends tonight! As soon as he gets home we head to the basement to lift some weights. I know it will be hard but I am really looking forward to it. Wish us luck!