Maybe not a Diver

Everyone always asks if I want Colin to be a diver.  My answer is usually no as I'm afraid to watching diving and let's be honest, it would be hard to not coach him while being his mom.  If this last weekend was any indication if Colin will like water sports, my chances for a non-diver are good.  Colin LOVES the bath but he obviously does not like a COLD pool--- I can't blame him.  I hated cold practices and would count the minutes until my next hot tub break.  I'm hoping our next experience with a pool can be in warm water and to be honest, I'm sure he will LOVE it.

 

 

This one melts my heart.

 

 

Rough day at the pool kiddo.  But your sad face is still too cute.

Love you- Mama

Worst.Blogger.Ever

My apologies (again) for being a lack luster, absentee blogger these days.  We have been teething over here for almost 3 weeks and we are all exhausted.

But I promise that once teething is over- I sure hope that is soon!- I will be back at this.

Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!

Seven Months

H is for Handsome.  Yep.  That's what the shirt says so it must be true!

Baby Stats:

Weight: 19-20 lbs.  

Sleep: Aside from teething last week, we were doing great with sleep.  Colin goes down between 8-8:30, usually up close to 6am, and then back down for 1-2 hours.  But the teething has interrupted  this great schedule-- mostly because when I let him cry it out, he gets so much mucus built up that then he pukes.  So I have been giving in to his crying but we will get back on track as soon as that tooth pops through.

Feeding: Colin has been a bit of a picky eater lately.  Not so much in what he will he but who he will eat for!  Of course Mama is his favorite and I can usually get a meal down but its been a struggle with others lately.  But Colin's FAVORITE now is yogurt!  Unfortunately, we over did the dairy a bit so we have backed off now.  He did have some on Sunday for dinner and was so happy!

Diapers: size
Clothing: Mostly 9 month clothes.  

Hair Color: Brown

Eye Color: Brown

Milestones: First word (?!) Ba Ba Ba.  He says it all the time- I'm not sure it really has a meaning but it is definitely intentional and not just a funny sound coming out of his mouth!  And another tooth is working its way thru on the top!
Nicknames: Goomba
Favorites: Johny Jump Up, stroller rides, being outside, sitting by himself, playing in front of the mirror, Dupree, bath time

Colin,

I cannot imagine life without.  I can't imagine not seeing your beautiful smile and hearing your laugh every day.  You are the best!  Every month I say that this is the best month and again, its true that you are so fun and I can't imagine anything better.  But I'm sure at 8 months I will say the same!  You are so smiley and happy all the time.  Everyone asks if you really are like this all the time and it's the truth!  Even while teething this month, you have been happy and easy.  I can't wait to explore the outdoors with you.  You heard your first lawn mower this weekend and you were very curious to see what the noise was.  I know that the months ahead and going to be fascinating and exciting for you!  

My heart explodes with love for you and celebrating my first Mother's Day was amazing.  I'm blessed and spoiled by you and your daddy!  You're my favorite boys (and Dupree!).  I love you so much it hurts!

XOXO, 

Mama

Today I'm linking up with Kristin at Mama and Mou!

One Year of Colin

One year ago today we found out we were going to have Colin!  We found out baby Hannay was a boy and that I would be in a house full of boys!  

It has been one year of saying Colin and knowing that I would have a son!  When the technician said that there would be more testosterone in our house I cried.  My first thought was- I will get to have a Mother/Son dance with him at his wedding some day!  Funny thought right?!  And then the dreams and hopes flooded my mind for the months to come of what this little boy would be like.

I'm over the moon in love with my son and don't want to ever take the blessing that he is for granted.  Colin is the greatest joy in our life!  I'm sure I will cry at many moments ahead in his life- tears of pride, joy, fear, protection, and love.  He has my every emotion jumping from my heart and he has for a year now.  

I commend those couples that wait to find out if they are having a boy or girl until delivery.  It is a really fun surprise!  For us, it was perfect to know that Colin was on his way and I was so excited to think about being a little boy's mama.

Have a great weekend-

No Spend April UPDATE

If you remember I challenged myself to a No Spend April.  Thank goodness April is done and it is May!  I can't say it was completely a no spend month as I still allowed myself to enjoy lunch date one day a week with Ryan and we still ate out a bit but that wasn't part of the deal anyways.  I was not allowed to spend money on frivolous things for me or Colin.  I couldn't go shopping online or in stores for things that weren't considered NECESSARY.  

I am happy to report I did it!  I made it without spending money on the extras!  YAY!  I think Ryan was pretty happy about this and thus we had a budget meeting this month.  And now kids-- I'm on a budget.  It's okay and actually I'm sort of excited about it really!!  I have X amount of money each month that I can spend- no questions asked, no trying to explain myself or justify my spending.  I can do what I please!

So I'm happy to be into May and now on a budget!  How did those of you who did No Spend April do?!

  

Where did all my bridesmaids go?!

I was blessed to have 9 beautiful ladies next to me on my wedding day.

But what makes me incredibly sad is other than my family- my sister, sister-in-law, and nieces- all of these ladies live out of state or country.  What is up with that?!  My favorite ladies in my life are MIA.

Starting from the left of the above picture with Kathryn.

Kathryn and I go back to the early days of diving- around 11 years old.  We shared most of our after school hours together and all of our summers, practicing and traveling for diving.  Kathryn went off to USC in California and met her husband Mike while in college.  And sadly for me- she still resides in CA.  I'm beyond excited to welcome Kathryn and Mike's baby next month!  I'm hopeful that this adorable family will make it back to MN some day so I can see her more often and our babies can grow up together!

Next Stephanie, my sister in law

Well no one lives closer than Stephanie and Rose (my niece) than these two.  We live in the same neighborhood!  Yep and I love it!  We get to see my family a lot and I'm pretty happy that I love my brother's bride like a sister.  So let's drop the in-law part and say sister?!  My brother always talks about moving to Wyoming to have lots of land and solitude.  Don't you dare go- then I'll lose this special lady too!

Just in front of Stephanie is her daughter and my niece Rose

Again I'm so glad we live in the same neighborhood.  I can open my door and see this beaming smile at my doorstep!  Rose is one of the funniest people I know- a quick wit and beautiful personality make her a sincere joy!  I'm sad to know that some day she will be off to college and busy with boys I'm sure!  But for now, I love the time I get with her!

And then we have Friend (aka Annie)

Ugh I just lost this friend to Colorado and I'm less than thrilled.  Annie and I coached together for a while but really we did lots of mani/pedi, coffee dates followed by delicious cocktails.  She is my go to friend for a good night out and reliving the younger years!  I guess I will just have to pony up and take a trip to Colorado to see Annie and her husband Reed!  Sounds rough right?

Behind me is Ryan's friend Ashley

Ashley and Ryan go back to their college days and have remained good friends even though she lives in St. Louis.  Their stories are ridiculous and its obvious they had a good time together!  Each have traveled to see the other one but unfortunately we haven't seen Ashley since our wedding!  We are hoping to see her this summer!

My oldest Niece Laura looks so young in the wedding picture and she has blossomed into a GORGEOUS young lady!  Oh my word.  Watch out boys!  Thankfully Laura lives about 4 minutes from me so I get to see her often- when she isn't dancing or doing DECA.  She will get her license this summer and I'm sure she will be crazy busy with her social life!  And like Rose, I'm sad to think that some day she will go off to college- she's hoping for Madison- and I won't see her as often!  Madison is as far as I will let you go Laura!

Next to Laura, is my oldest friend Kristin (maid of honor) and the one bridesmaid currently out of the country!  Yep she is living in Australia right now with her husband Cole!  They have been gone for over a year now but I'm thrilled to say they will be coming back this summer for a few weddings and then home more permanently around Christmas!  YAY!  I have to say that when I realized how much I missed Kristin was the day Colin was born and Kristin's parents came to visit in the hospital.  Not having Kristin there was weird- definitely a moment you usually share with your best friend.  So before baby number 2 comes (someday!  not pregnant by the way now!) Kristin has to have her roots back in MN!

My best friend from college, Allison has moved all over the country with her adorable family and I sure wish she would come to be MN!  She has moved from Chicago to Arizona to Alabama back to Arizona and now to New Jersey!  Come on MN!!  I can't tell you how much I wish she lived in MN so we could enjoy a glass of wine and so that our boys could play together.  Her son Austin will be 2 (!) in June and he is such a stinking cutie!  Allison gets me and understands me so well- she gives advice that makes me think and I appreciate her sincere care for me and my family!

And last but not least, my sister Allison!  Thankfully Allison lives just a hop, skip and a jump away AND she nannies Colin so I am guaranteed to see her two days a week!  If she ever moves more than 10 minutes away, we might have a fight!  My sister and I are so close- at least 2 phone conversations a day that revolve around her love life (it's exciting!) and my mom life (it's so fun!).  I can't imagine my sister being far away so let's just not go there :)

I'm so blessed to have these ladies in my life but I would love for them to be in town- all of them!  But I'm thankful for easy communication and that I get to see them as often as I do!  Love you ladies!

4 Week Fit Challenge

So my good friend Kristin is doing a 4 Week Fit Challenge and I thought I would jump on board.  It took me about 4 months to completely loose the baby weight after Colin was born but now it's time to get toned up and summer, bikini ready!  So I have 4 weeks to make some habitual changes and see some good progress.  This is what I propose...

1. Get to the gym at least 3 times a week.

This used to be really easy back in the pre-Colin days.  In fact even when Colin was a newborn I was pretty good about this but now the week gets busy and Colin is so fun to hang out with that I would rather take a walk with him then get to the gym and get my sweat on!  

2. Make 2 Gluten Free meals per week.

I'm not gluten free nor will I ever be.  However, I can tell a difference when I go gluten free- I feel better.  So I'm going to make a valid effort in my meal planning to plan 2 gluten free meals a week.

3. Wine or beer only once per week.  

I'm no lush but I do enjoy a glass of wine with dinner a few times a week.  And I'm excited for a Summer Shandy since I was deprived last summer during pregnancy.  However, Bob from Biggest Loser says you should never drink your calories so I'm going to try to keep my calorie consumption from liquids to once a week!

 So I will check back in the week of May 26th and let you know how this goes!  Hopefully I've stuck to it and made some progress towards this body...