The Already but Not Yet

It snowed yesterday. Where we are if you think you are out of winter you never really are. Just as you start to see buds come up and the dry ground start to get a bit of green. As the robins come out to play and the ducks come back to start their family. Just as you are getting so sick of your sweaters that you never want to see them again and you think you can finally start to pull your warmer clothes out from hiding it snows. Yup, that's how it is here. The weather is consistent in its inconsistency. Now I think we really have had the last snow of the season (fingers crossed) because I am SO ready for spring! Or whatever glimpse of it I can get.

Gone but not forgotten

I am behind on posting since we have been busy with family coming into town. But I promise I will catch up and give you faithful blog readers (all 5 of you!) a slew of wonderful posts and more pics to waste your precious time on. ;) Stay tuned...

5k Spring Gallop

Today was the day I competed in a 5k. Sunny had a goal of doing one this year (and actually did one today too) and that inspired Danielle to find one in our area. Danielle told me and a few friends about it and we excitedly signed up. My day started bright and early at 5:45am so I could get dressed and ready to leave the house at 6:15 with baby in tow to my parents' house. The race was closer to Danielle and my mom was going to watch Blake while I participated in the race since James had to work. I got there in time for his 7am feeding and then Danielle and I were off! Blake was a bit upset his Mommy left him.


(Just kidding! He did NOT react this way. He was a very good baby for Nana. This picture was taken at another time when he was HUNGRY!)

Now you would think that since this is called a spring gallop and since we are now officially in spring that it would be perfect weather to do a 5k. Well, my friend you are wrong! Typical Chicago weather it was 34 degrees with 30mph arctic winds outside! It has been pretty nice the past few weeks and now on the day we are going to be outside and doing a race it has to be freezing cold! I was so annoyed.

Proof from the themometer in my car. It even says ICE on it. Too freakin' freezing!!

But we went anyway. While Dani and I were in the car I wanted her to take a picture of us doing "5 K" in sign language. I was doing "5" while Dani did "K". But its not as easy to do one handed while in the car (or Dani is just a really bad shot!) Fourth time is the charm.



Hands are cut off.




Can't see the K!





Half a face!






Ahh perfection!



So we get to Blackberry Farm where they are holding the race and meet up with our friends Stephanie and Christina. Steph and Christina were a bit late so we started after the shot rang out for the race to begin. We all planned to stay together and were planning on doing the majority of it walking with a few short jogging bursts. I had just gotten the okay from my doctor last Wednesday to start working out as it was my 6 week postpartum check-up so I did not have any time to practice for this. Originally I was not going to do it since Blake was due at the end of Feb but since he came early I signed up for it. We had no lofty goals of finishing in 30 minutes or anything like that but just wanted to do it to say we have done it. After 48 minutes we crossed the finish line!




Steph, Dani, me, Christina- We did it!!!
(I am standing weird. It looks like I have to use the potty!)

Dani and me in our Blackberry Farm t-shirts and runner ribbons.

We were all so stoked about doing it that we plan to do it again. This time the goal is to do it in a better time frame. Our next one is May 9. It better be warm!

My little guy is packing on the pounds. Yesterday I swore he felt heavier in the evening than he did that morning. His face is definitely filling out and he has a nice round face with chipmunk cheeks right now. He feels more solid than he did three weeks ago. I stood on the scale with him to see how much he weighed and there was an eight pound difference between holding him and standing by myself. He is growing so quickly! He is on a pretty consistent 3 hour feeding routine although he has been hungrier lately so he might be going through a growth spurt. He has been on a 3 hour feeding routine pretty much since day 2 of being born. ("On Becoming Babywise" has helped me so much on getting a good start in parenting. Thanks Steph!) And having a fairly predictable routine is sooo helpful. Not only for me but for Blake as well. With a flexible routine we both know (most of the time) what to expect as far as when he is hungry, when he should be awake and when he needs a nap. I know as time goes on it will just get better and better and much more predictable.

Since my little baby is putting on the pounds, I need to do the opposite and start getting rid of mine. My goal is to lose 10 lbs and that will get me back to pre-baby weight. I have a 5k that I am going to sign up for that is at the end of this month. I will be doing it with my sister and some friends. Others have already started increasing their stamina to do this and I am starting to feel motivated to get my butt in gear as well. I did a three mile walking video today so that was a good start! I would love to incorporate jogging into my exercise routine since I dream of becoming one of those people who love running. But we'll work our way up to that. Also I need to get my waistline in shape so I can get out of my maternity pants and back into my regular jeans. Spring shopping is not too far away and I want to be able to buy clothes in my normal size! Maybe that will help fuel my fire. :) Here's to a good start on exercise and to reaching goals.

Bath Time!

Long term investment

My sister Sunny sent me this shirt along with a bunch of other baby clothes. I have no idea where she got it but its a perfect thing for Blake to wear since his Daddy is a financial advisor. This picture now sits proudly on James' desk at work and hopefully it brings him more clients as people ooh and ahh over how cute his son is. :)


He is definitely our long term investment! Who needs money when you have this cutie-pie?

A quilt for Blake

Last Monday we got a special gift in the mail. My sister-in-law, Pam, made an adorable quilt for Blake. He looks good sporting his Aunt's handiwork.










The back of the quilt with awesome stitching.



Close up on the fabric

She did an amazing job and I know that we will get a ton of use out of this lovely gift. I wish I knew how to quilt. James said that since I have my sewing machine then I should get to work on making one for him. Uh, yeah hon, like that is something I have loads of time for right now! Eventually I would like to make one but it won't be for a loooong time. We can't wait to see you in a couple of weeks, Auntie Pam!