Family Separation

Sad and happy day- I am currently packing Henry & I to go to Florida to meet my family for a week (Happy!). This will be the first time for our little family to be apart and it's also the longest that Adam & I have ever been apart since we've been married (Sad.). Adam is moping around here, which actually is pretty sweet, and we've tried to think of lots of activities for him to do when he's done with work each day next week to keep him occupied. He's going to go fishing and he might even go to a 4th party tomorrow night after he drops us at the airport- which is pretty big because Adam has some hermit-like tendencies. And, of course, he has Powers to cuddle with and pass the lonely nights.

I am, by definition, a last-minute packer. I usually half-hazardly toss my stuff into a suitcase moments before walking out the door. 9 bras, 1 sock, 2 shirts, no pants. THIS, however, has changed now that I have a little (almost) 11-week old as a travel-buddy. Meticulous...checklists (not really)...but still, some thought and planning is certainly required. Oh well, if all else fails, he can just be a naked coppertone baby. So, Happy 4th and if we have internet, I'll check in...otherwise, see ya in a week. Unless Adam gets so bored that he blogs!

Harder Than I Thought

After the initial post-pregnancy weight loss, I am at a stand-still. Have been for weeks and weeks. I still have about 15 lbs. to lose to get to my pre-pregnancy weight but it's not leaving easily. I thought that if you breastfed, pounds just flew away like little birdies. Alas, they do not. Also, I'm not at work anymore and although I have healthier foods at home, I also have limitless access to snacking. I'm trying to be more conscientious and intentional about exercising but I think it probably comes down to the snacking. We don't have junk food in our house and I prepare healthy meals but eating wheat thins and feta cheese spread and cliff bars just because they are there probably isn't best.

It's not about the number on the scale, it's also about the practicality of fitting into my clothes...not squeezing. I am seriously limited in the number of pants & shorts that I can button without having a muffin top. I currently have a workout journal and I think, for now, I probably should start a food journal just to be mindful of mindless snacking. Sometimes it just happens when I have Henry on my hip and I'm walking around and I make a lap through the kitchen, grab a bite, loop through again. ANYWAYS, just something I'm going to work on. I think I grossly overestimate the amount of calories that breastfeeding burns. Turns out- it's not a get out of jail free card.
The end.

Parental Anger Management

Adam & I have noticed that, since having a kid, we suddenly have some rage issues.  Specifically two scenarios:  One is when we are walking or jogging with Henry in the stroller and some dude comes hauling tail by in his car way too close to us for comfort.  Mind you, we're walking in our neighborhood...residential neighborhood. I have wanted to jump through the driver's side window and crack a skull or two.  Seriously, it makes my blood boil. 

Scenario number two is when we are driving with Henry in the backseat and some nincompoop runs a red light or swerves too close to us or whips by us.  Again, it's difficult to control the rage you feel when someone is even semi-endangering Henry.  These two scenarios would've never really bothered us much before the little guy came along but now we shake with fury...not literally but still.  Is this the righteous anger of a parent?  What about when Henry is older and some little punk slights him or teases him?  Will I want to physically slap some random child?  I think we're seeing that this love others thing and demonstrating grace may have some added difficulty in these situations.  

Big Weekend

This has been a big, busy weekend. We had Bethany's baby shower over here last night & it was a success! It was a garden party in the backyard so we hung lots of lanterns and covered the four tables with fun, whimsical tablecloths that Sarah found at the flea market and had a good ol' time. Bethany's mom, sister, and grandmother were all able to attend and I discovered that Bethany's son will be not only the first grandbaby on her side but also the first GREAT grand-baby on both her mom's and dad's side...can you believe that? What a kid.

Aubrey, Sarah, Brooke, and I all hosted this shower and the girls all left the house about 11 last night. This morning I had a text message that said that Aubrey's water had broke(n?) and she now has a beautiful son named Roman. This has happened twice in the past year- people hang out at my house weeks before their due date and then BAM! their water breaks that night. So, if you're wanting to go into labor, come hang out over here...apparently it's one of those things to try like going on a long walk or eating spicy mexican food.

Adam had baby duty during the shower and took Henry & Powers to the Peninsula to go fishing...which I thought was a bit optomistic but he made it work...
I'll add pictures as soon as I steal some from Brooke...our local photographer extraordinaire...It was a special, fun shower though and we can't wait to meet little Baby G...and little Roman!

Quickie Postie.

So, we just got done picking up our little buddy Brooke Ackley from Africa.  Well, we picked her up from the airport...not Africa.  She's got lots of amazing stories to tell that I'm sure she'll be posting on her blog soon- overall, seems like a life-changing trip.  We're so glad she's back- I missed her.  Freeland will be there another 2 weeks with a medical team and so keep praying for him and his time serving there. 

Henry James had his 2 month shots today.  He weighed 12 lbs. 6 oz. (68th percentile) and was almost 24 inches long (85th percentile) and his head was in the seventy-something percentile so overall a good check-up.  The shots were not near as bad as I'd thought they'd be.  Two nurses tag-teamed and each gave two shots in each leg so we got it over with and done quickly and I was able to nurse him right after which helped.  Poor kid was just taking a nap and all of a sudden, BAM!  I had to hold down his legs... that part was kinda sad.  But now he's got 4 rockin' Charlie Brown bandaids.  He's been a little sleepy today but pretty much the same ol' Henry.  Hooray!

I'd post more but I need to go get the little guy ready for breakfast.  I mean, what?  Why did I just type breakfast.  For bed...get him ready for bed.  Ok, farewell.

Man's Best Friend

What's all this smiling about???






Oh.


I mean, here I am singing "I'm a Little Teapot" for the 9th time to get a smile and all the stinkin' dog has to do is walk by!

It's actually pretty cute. Right now, Powers doesn't really pay much attention to Henry but I'm sure it won't be long before Henry is terrorizing Powers on a daily basis.

A literal slap

I saw this morning on the twitter home page that a dude from Black Eyed Peas is being accused by Perez Hilton (gossip blogger) of attacking him (Hilton). It's this whole big mess of he said, he said. Now, I don't know what happened and not to be quick to judge but when you make a living off of not only reporting gossip but slandering and defaming others then I think that a punch in the face might be commonplace, no? The funny part is that Hilton twittered to his fans from his cell phone requesting that they call the police because he'd just been attacked by Will.i.am. (dude from black-eyed peas) instead of using his cell phone to call the police. Then once authorities arrived, he twittered to let his fans know that the police had arrived and that they could stop calling the cops.
*Edit- just read the it was Black Eyed Peas dude's manager that hit Perez Hilton after Hilton called Will.I.Am. an ugly name.

Yes, at last the sun is out and I have good news to report on the Henry sleep front. On Friday morning, I reported that he had slept 6 hours. WELL, Friday night he slept 7 hours and 15 minutes (9 to 4:15) and on Saturday night, he slept 6 hours and 45 minutes (9 to 3:45)!
On Friday night, I had to plie on down to the living room and relieve the pressure at 3:45. Holy Cow, Batman! Last night was off, he only made it 4 hours and 10 minutes but his schedule was pretty off yesterday as we kept interrupting his naps to do fathers' day activities...whoops. I haven't been doing the dream feeding yet but I may try that soon- thanks for all the great advice!

Getting to sleep makes such a big difference and I'm shocked at how I've adapted to less sleep. Before Henry, I was a HUGE baby about sleep. I really, really wanted to get my full night's rest and I was pretty cranky if it was interrupted or if I didn't (especially for silly things like WORK!). Now, I get 4 or 5 hours and I am jazzed! Welcome to parenthood?