7 months

I missed my post yesterday.  It's tough when I don't have at least a few minutes where both girls are napping at the same time to actually sit down and write or respond to emails.  I am still trying to get Ella on a decent nap schedule, but some days she agrees with my schedule and other days she doesn't :)  

Anyways, today I told the gym to nap let her fall asleep during that time she was there which I think helps with the afternoon nap, since (knock on wood) she is now napping.  

Alright onto the real topic of the post.

This little lady is 7 months old.

Yes, that is crazy to me.  Just in the past couple of weeks she is really starting to develop her own little personality.  She is starting to sit up on her own.  She still needs someone by her at all times as she isn't very stable (and quite frankly I don't trust Kiley to not push her over).  Ella also has started babbling a ton and screaming.  She thinks it's funny-me not so much.  She loves Kiley and Morgan and Madison and I often find her laughing at them.  

She has started eating 3 solid meals a day--no finger foods yet, but she is much better with eating baby food than she was even a few weeks ago. She loves fruit, tolerates vegetables, and doesn't really enjoy protein.  She has 3-8oz bottles in between all of her meals.    She still spits up quite a bit, but hopefully that will slow down her pretty soon.  

She sleeps great at night (again knock on wood)--usually from about 5:30-6.  For the most part, once she is out for the night, we don't hear a peep out of her.  She also wakes up really happy and you can just listen to her babble to herself up in her room.  It's interesting to see the differences between Kiley and Ella--the biggest one that I have seen thus far is with sleep.  I know there will be MANY more to come but just off the bat, Kiley didn't sleep through the night until like 9 months, Ella did at 3, Kiley never wakes up and just babbles to herself, Ella does all the time. I think Kiley was a better napper--but when I think back to Kiley at 7 months it is kind of hard to remember. 

 I think that it will be a while before she starts crawling as she still doesn't show much interest in being on her stomach, but I could be wrong.  I know that it will be a whole different ball game once she is mobile so I'm not pushing it.  

 

I can't believe after the holidays I have to start thinking about 2 birthday parties.  Like I said before, life is busy, but good busy :)

Some days go as planned. . . and some don't

One thing that I have learned from being a mom is that the second you think that you have a routine figured out--oh it goes and changes on you.  Now, for me, who thrives on routine, this has not been an easy concept to grasp.  I want my children to wake up at the same time every day, nap at the same time, go to bed at the same time and sleep peacefully through the night. I want them to eat what I serve them and I would prefer if they were never crabby or whiny.  Ok-so I have realized that was my dreamworld before actually having children.  The second you think that you have them figured out, they go and change it up on you.  I have come to the realization that life with 2 is never going to get easier--it will be just as hard but maybe in different ways.  Both kids will constantly need my attention.  Yes, there may be a time where they start playing together, but then will come the fights over toys and the tattling.  I have, and am still working everyday, on learning to be flexible and patient.  Two things that pre-motherhood were NOT traits that most would describe me as.  Today things are pretty good--I have a roast in the crockpot, cards are being addressed, kids are napping, I have been to the gym and showered.  Tomorrow--well until we get there I have no idea.  I do the best that I can to fulfill my obligations, but I have come to realize that sometimes it's just not going to be in our cards for the day.  Life is busy, but I would much rather be busy taking care of my two littles that not.  And with that, I am going to take this time to go make a cup of chocolate mocha, listen to my christmas music and work on finishing holiday shopping (thanks to online shopping--I don't know how I would do it without the internet) because who knows how much time I will have until these two crazy girls are awake and begging for attention.

Half Marathon

Ok, I am going to do it.  I am setting a goal and I have 5 months to train to reach that goal.  Hopefully I will lose some weight in the process but my biggest goal is just to finish the race.  I don't care if I have to walk some or come in last, I just want to commit to training and do it.  I have signed up for races before and not done them, but I am going to do this one.  It helps that I know others who will be running so they better whip me into shape.  It will be quite an accomplishment for me since I am not a runner like I have said before, but I have gotten into a lazy workout rut and need something to get me back on track.  So mark May 5th on your calendar so you can come out and cheer me on.  God knows I will need it, but I can do this!!!!  The funny thing is that I signed up to run a half marathon right before I found out I was pregnant with Kiley so obviously I didn't run it, so I think that running this one the day before Ella's first birthday will be special to me. 

Now maybe I should go get fitted for some running shoes :) (and maybe get some more advil-I can already feel the soreness coming on)

This pic has nothing to do with running--but how cute is this little bunny :)  I hope to see her some where along the course!!!

Look who's doing the shopping this year

Don't ask me what you are getting for Christmas this year.  Ella decided to take over the online shopping :)  (and I'm pretty sure she can't read the lists that were written, so I'm not sure what she bought)

Hmmm, what can I find for me that Kiley won't get her grubby hands on.




Stop taking pictures of me mom, I am trying to finish my shopping for myself--er I mean others :)





Oh now this is a good deal!



December is here!

Ok, so with it being December 1st, I am going to do my own blogging advent calender.  Yep, I am going to blog everyday this month leading up to Christmas. I have been a bad blogger lately and need to get back into it.  Along with that, I am getting my butt in gear and going to try to get myself to the gym everyday as well.  I need some motivation to get this baby weight gone for good.  My friend Hursh posted that she was doing a half marathon which kind of peaked my interest.  It is the day before Ella's first birthday and would require a good amount of training since I am NOT a runner, but since I have to go to the gym at off-times these days due to the girls nap schedules and can't take classes, maybe that would be give me something I have to do.  I don't know, I am still thinking about it.  But, it would be a good way to shed the baby weight and would be a pretty good gift to myself for Ella's 1st birthday.

So check back here often this month.  I promise to update.  This season is about family and enjoying the season and I started this blog to remind me of all the stages of my family's life so I need to get back on board.  Granted I don't have a ton of time each day because when I look away for a second my kids end up like this.

or this

Have a great Thursday!