On december

This post starts mid-December, let's see when it gets published.

We are on way to ATX to see Baby Jude, Lincoln's newest cousin.
We just finished Lincoln's first photography session, and he did pretty awesome! I'm excited to see the end result. I was hesitant to do a session with him this young, but I'm glad I did!

We have done a lot this December with the kid! He went on his first Riverboat ride on 12 1 12, I had a downtown hotel stay to use at el trop, so we used it on our anniversary weekend. We also ran to the pearl brewery and took L to "tamale fest" where he ate his very first tamale.

L also went to his first Farmers market last weekend 12 8 12, where we spent a few hours watching his uncle forest buy fresh produce, bread, soups, pies, etc. Lincoln ate his first piece of lettuce fed to him by uncle forrest, I don't think he liked it very much!

Oh yes and at about 8 months the kid is now in love with crawling, he didn't like it at first, but now he won't stop at all. Its so much fun (and a lot of work) watching him crawl around and pull up on everything he can. He knows when he's suppossed to stop, and turns his head to see if we are watching..the cutest stuff! 

We took ;-) lincoln to my work yesterday 12 20 12 and he had a blast getting so much attention from all of mommys work friends.

Daddy made sure that our chistmas lights were up the day after thanksgiving for us all to enjoy for as long as possible!

So far L has seen three santas and has been great with them all. We started a family christmas tradition of breakfast with santa at rivercenter mall! It was the first year so there were probably about 33 people there, so we had santa at our fingertips which was nice. I know as people find out about it more will come, but for now its our little secret, but we welcome you to join us next year. We had yummy ihop pancakes!

Weight update...still 2 lbs away from pre baby weight, but feel great! I've maintained my current weight for the last three months and am off weight watchers.  But I still try to be somewhat aware of what I am eating. And make it a point to exercise at minimum twice a week.

We had a blast visiting Jude, he looked so small compared to L. I was so out of whack, due to lack of sleep, tons of breastfeeding, and c-section that I can't even really remember when L was that small. I remember but its all a little bit foggy. We also got to see Mommy's friend Ashley who lives in Austin, she calls me her boyfriend. Lately, I go a little crazy when my diaper is changed, luckily Ashley was there to help Mommy change a huge poopy diaper. Mommy wants to try "early potting training" with me but I have yet to deelop any pattern whatsoever with my poops, so that may not work out. Plus, its extra stress for mom too.

Chris and I have both been off from work for the last week. We've had fun staying home, playing with our L and taking him all around town.

Lincoln has been taking full advantage of sleeping in, he will wake up between 7am and 8am, dad will feed him some food, then he comes back and lies down nursing with me until almost 10am. (Well he's son that the last two days at least) Of course falling into a nap. So, its nice to sleep with him so close and cuddled for that hour or so. He's so comfy, and I get more rest too!

He loved Christmas festivities, he stayed up on christmas eve until 11:30pm partying with us. I thought it was going to mess with his bedtime schedule but he went back on track after one night. There were at least 100ppl at my parents this year!  Daddy dressed as santa and the kids looked at him in amazement, the highlight of the party for sure!  Lincoln had a ton of gifts to open, he wasn't that into opeing but he loved to play with them. He owned maybe 6 toys and now he has atleast 20!

Mommy got a nursing necklace from aunt cindy, she loves putting it in my face but I still get passed it to pick her nose and hit her face. But, it does help some..

In our time off, we moved the furniture in the house around to make it more crawl, sit up, pull up, stand up, and soon to be walking friendly!  Its so much easier on us, a lot less chasing on our part. We have not purchased any baby gates, so we took the time to rearrange and make our space more Lincoln friendly. He loves the new space so much and we do to. One day, we will have one large space to devote just to playing. Well, we can do it now, once we get rid of more stuff in this house. Baby steps. But for now, I'm really impressed with how much we did and how much larger our living spaces feel and look ! Yay, us! Thank you husband for going "hgtv" on us!

12 28 through 12 30- Aunt Chelsea and Uncle Craig came to visit me from Houston.  We took Lincoln running on the riverwalk and to the farmers market again.
Bernadette also came to visit me and brought me and mommy gifts from Chicago.

Mommy is in charge of planning my first birthday party, she's having trouble finding a place that's fulfills at least half of her wisjlist. She has a lot of ideas and its currently driving her a littly batty, but I know she will figure it out soon. Three of L's top teeth have finally pushed through where you can actually feel them, they have a small gap on top, waiting to be filled. He's been pulling himself up and walking and moving on his own, he seems to be building up the leg power to start to walk, but I'm a new mom so what do I know? Only time will tell... 1-3-13- today was my first day back at work from a long 13 day break from vacation, all paid and no PTO used. I am truly blessed to work at a University, not a teachers schedule but I will take it. Of course, my 1st day back at work and L gets his first fever! We are so lucky that grandma nanny Helen was here and ready to care for him with open arms on her first day back from vacation. I'm pretty sure its due to teething. He hasn't been extremely fussy during the day with my mom, and it seems like just now at 10pm, he's starting to sweat a bit. Doctor says it should be gone in 24 hours (started at 730am). I feel so helpless. We all have been holding him close, and I've been nursing him for the last two hours. He did still drink 20 ouncesof milk while I was at work and ate solids, so his usual milk guzzling self. Less solids than norm., but he ate some, so that's good. I've been nursing him since 8:30pm and its now 10:30pm. Our third attempt to put him to bed. But, seriously I know he needs me now a lot more since he's not feeling well, so nursing is a minor thing I can do to help soothe him. I am so grateful to have this bond with my baby boy. Anything for my baby. (Update: his fever broke over night, and we successfully flew out to Nashville and are having a lot of fun with family.) But, we do have to be up at 5am for Lincoln's 2nd flight! This time to Nashville to visit his newest Baby girl cousin! Stay tuned. Nashville! Nashville! Here we come!

sweet november....

November came and went, so here I am late again with my post! Ok, ok, lets get this blog started.
The big race.
I did it, I half way trained for the half marathon and still ran a a superb time; 2 hours 10 minutes! 
My training I call "the brest mom training", I call it this because I chose to be a mom first, and I used the majority of my energy and time to nurse my baby instead of run.  I am not a mom who produced massive amounts of milk, so I could not leave him for long and sacrifice my pumped milk, I had to save every ounce of extra milk for the time I had to be away which was while at work.

And, Lincoln is what I call a marathon nurser. He has to eat even in his older months at least every three hours but more like 2 hours or else he gets hungry (unless he's distracted!) So, I never had the time to go on super long runs without him getting hungry.
However it did take me some time to run 6 miles, at times close to an hour and a half. So, I thank my husband for watching Lincoln through the handful of times I actually did 6 miles!
My training consisted of:
* My highest mileage was 6 miles
* Average pace 12 minute miles
* If I didn't want to run I didn't
* Ran two- three times a week (full training would have been 5 times a week, but there was no way!)
* Zumba, yoga, and strength training once a week for probably 15 out of 22 weeks
* Never ran before 8am (took advantage of all the sleep I could get)
* Each time I ran it was probably 90 plus degrees outside, perhaps that explains my slow pace
* Went on weight watchers to help lose weight, because I had trouble getting to full running, did lots and LOTS of walking in for the first three ish months of training

The above may sound easy but it wasn't. I felt guilty going on long runs, because I always thought Lincoln wanted to eat. Chris did his long runs in full training mode with the run group ever Saturday at 6am!  I stayed home and nursed and had morning walks with our child.  Chris would get home full of joy and tell me I ran 12 miles today, I did a half today, etc.  I was so very proud of him!

But me, I had to literally force myself to run because I was so tired that I would rather sleep than run. But with Gods hand  I got through it all. I managed to complete my 6th half marathon post baby at 10 minute miles! How, I'm not sure, especially because I cannot do that pace currently. Plus, I even stopped for beer on the way!
I used the crowd, the music, and the voice inside me saying, "you can't let a slow time be put in writing, get it done!"  And, knowing I would see my baby boy at mile 9 helped can I say, IMMENSELY.  I stopped, kissed and even took pics with him for about a minute and a half.. hmmm so my time is actually better, lol.

I met a guy after mile 9, I was trying to motivate him, but instead he motivated me.  I told him the most mileage I had ran was 6 miles and I had an 8 month old son, he looked at me like "just great, this chic is beating me and she just had a kid." But, he was very nice,  and said don't let me slow you down. I said okay, see you later have a good race. He stayed with me for the next couple of miles and then I saw him behind me and then I couldn't find him. I think I passed him, but he helped me build my confidence. I was like I better stay up with this dude its only his 3rd half! Awww the things that get runners through. 

Post race was rough, my right ankle, which was giving me issues.  Pre -race it was already hurting badly, but I was not going to let it get in the way. I let it go numb during the race and paid for it after.  I thought I was going to be sore an entire week like I was after I ran preggo...But I was back to normal by 48 hours. For the exception of my ankle! Oh, and I ran in brand new never ran in before shoes and no blisters! Long story on why I had to do that, trust me I know better!

So that is the race from what I remember over one month later.  Perhaps my new years resolution will be to post as soon as things happen! That's why blogging is not my profession (yet!) Its just a hobby!
On to more fun, Lincolns first flight- 11 15 12
 
Lincoln survived his first flight! He was a rockstar, on the way there he sucked on his sippy cup for about thirty minutes while sitting in grandmas lap! He flirted with the twentysomething girl behind us for about five minutes and then ate for 45 minutes (the power of the boob), and then slept for about one hour.  It was such a relief hearing the flight attendants and some passengers saying "he was such a good baby."  Whew, it could have went either way, but thankfully this time it went our way! Advice for your first baby flight: do whatever your baby wants, put earplugs in his ears, be over prepared in case any challenges arise!  A special thank you to my mom Grandma "nanny" Helen- talk about lifesaver in every aspect!

Now the flight back, went great to, he ate for about an hour and slept the rest! However the walk through security was not so easy this time! Chris decided he wanted to pack the cactus jelly we received in our wedding amenity, and got stopped. Then, I forgot to sort all the baby food, so I got stopped.  So, the security guards wanted me to stand by two bags and once, and there was Lincoln kicking away, as Grandma was already in front of the line getting through.  I slowly stopped, and then the security agent, said, "just breathe momma"- so I did and then Chris was able to go with his bags, I sent grandma with the breast milk to get inspected and I stayed while the baby food was getting inspected. Oy, the joys!

We had such a blast in Phoenix. Lincoln meet all of his Indiana cousins and was able to spend time with his grandma and grandpa from Indiana. The trip went by way to fast.  The wedding was amazing, Lincoln lasted about 8 minutes, long enough for the wedding party to get down the aisle, the Father to greet us, and then, there it was, he went into his fit and decided to let everyone in the church know he was there (as if he didn't already make a grand entrance with his blue collarred shirt and vest and tie). Thank you Jesus for my brother in law John... in my panic, I motione to John asking if he would carry Lincoln out for me.  Of course, he was kicking and screaming and I couldn't quite slide through the pew with Lincoln on my own, in a semi fitted strapless dress, and high heels! Mommas that have mastered this science, I envy you! Lincoln was crying quite loudly, and I did not want to walk outside with him, because I would miss the vows, the reason we all traveled to Phoenix in the first place! With John's help we successfully made it to the back of the church, I successfully but my boob in Lincoln's mouth, and I successfully was able to watch Chelsea and Craig exchange their vows with my child knawwing at my boob.  Too bad he missed them, but I am sure they are on video tape. Even the photographer was like, "Oh, poor baby, got hungry.." And, I was like (in my  head of course) No, poor baby got mad because Chelsea and Craig were the center of attention and he was not.  Ohhh, I love my baby, I think he came out like his father, always the life of the party.  (or maybe that's me).

None the less, the trip was successful! I'm going to stop writing now, because then this post will never get posted.

Today we are taking pictures with a photographer and traveling to Austin to see Evette and David's new Baby, Jude.  Last night Lincoln decided that he was on vacation, and did not get to bed until 11:30pm or later, and woke up at 4:15am. Hopefully he doesn't pull this event at Evette and David's- because it will be all about Jude for tonight and tomorrow!!

Awww, I just love my baby boy!!! Until next time!!
11-17-12 or earlier- while nursing he likes to pick my nose, hit my lips, touch my eye brows, slap my arm, or my chest each time he feeds unless he is utterly exhausted which is usually only one feeding out of 6-8. They say nursing jewerly helps with this, but I haven't quite invested the time into searching for it and it just seems way too pricey
11-24-12 another overnight trip, but this time to Fredericksburg, Texas
12 2 12- he has four teeth that you can see but not quite feel yet, all on the top and of course still going strong with his two bottom teeth that he had at about 6 months
12 15 12 breakfast with santa, lincolns first pancaks
12 6 12 he started eating and loving cheerios thanksgiving he could not stop eating mashed potatoes since about 8 months or earlier, he can't stop eating refried beans!
11 7 12 mommy and daddy first alone date to a black and white ball, the first and only time shes ever pumped and dumped ( i did it to be safe, i probably was ok, but you never know)

Race gear! More pics to come later, maybe.. ! !