January & February bliss (published in April)

My husband, the accountant, tells his wife, the English major, "You really need to read your blogs in detail before posting them, you have several grammatical errors."
Hence, it is now April and I am "barely" posting my January blog.

I have had very little time in this journey to write as much as I would have liked. I did, however discover that Blogger has a mobile application! So, I've been able to type all of my blog thoughts, as they happen or as I remember them, straight to my phone.  Pre- discovery of the app. I would write my thoughts in an email each time and would end up with several drafts pasted together. While, that has been great- it is still difficult to accurately edit a posting from my phone. But, at least it gets the post started.

So, if this post seems a little out of whack as far as detail and order, that's because it is.
I wrote most of the below while either nursing my child, or riding in the car next to my child while Daddy drives. Because, that, my friends, is the only free time I get to write.

January 20th and January 21st-  Lincoln decided that he wanted to not fall asleep until midight after he refused to take any naps during the day. My newborn memories came back. Nothing was working to get him to bed, the usual nursing didn't even work! He was very fussy. Daddy had to walk him around in circles through the house like he did when he was a newborn and that worked.
Update 1.27- Lincoln continued to act like a newborn with his sleeping patterns until 1/23 but he is now back on track. I think he was having teething issues or perhaps a growth spurt, but I will never know.
January 26th- We had a great weekend in the 70's! Yesterday, Saturday 1/26 will probably be Chris' last Saturday off until after tax season, so we made the most of it. Started off with an almost 4 mile run at 11am on the riverwalk near the Pearl Brewery. Then, I can't really remember what happened after that, but I know it was a very very fun day, because then I would to have written about it! : )
February 1st- Lincoln is yet again on a crazy sleep pattern, but this time it is because he is sick with allergies.   We also had a Babysitter interview today. Her name is Ms. Brandy, who we met through our friends Roz andvRaf. I felt like a grown up interviewing her, it took me back to my college days, when I was interviewed for a babysitting job.
We really liked her a lot and are going to use her for the 1st time on Friday, for my mom's birthday celebration. Update:  (4.13.13) Ms. Brandy babysat three times total, and then I think she got really busy, (or that's what I will tell myself) because she never returned my calls or text. She is a college student and had a full time job, so it is very likely. Lincoln really liked her. So, we are on the search again for a babysitter that can sit at our house. My mom is full time during the week so I like to let her get her rest at other times.

Friday, February 3rd- 2nd date night since Lincoln was born and 1st night ever for a babysitter! The night was a success, Lincoln had a blast with the babysitter and didn't give her trouble according to what she told us. And, the best thing is he didn't drink too much milk, maybe 2 ounces! Which was a big surprise. I think he was so excited to have a new person to play with that he kind of forgot about milk. Or, he was waiting for mommy to get home.

Saturday February 4th- This weekend proved that Chris and I, plus one can still be spur of the moment. Chris found out Friday that he did not have to work on Saturday, so we decided to take a road trip to H-town to see his little brother, Craig and sis in law Chelsea! Craig and Chelsea as a maried couple are so very cute, they cook together and wash the dishes together and hold hands all the time. I'm so happy for them!
We had a great time in Houston, Lincoln slept through the night for the first time while staying the night at his Aunt and Uncles!


Other updates:
* Lincoln decided while nursing that playing with my nose, teeth, eyes, and mouth is no longer intriging. He now found my other boob and plays with it! Lol,but fine with me, its better than his hand in my face for an entire 30 minute nursing session!
February 1, 2013- This weekend,  I decided that I'm signing up for my first full marathon in or around November 2013!!! Just not sure which one.
February 7, 2013- 2nd night with a babysitter.
February 8, 2013-  Today was daddy's first Saturday of work. But, that didn't stop me and my L. We met grandma and grandpa at Jims on Broadway for breakfast, then went to our second home, The Pearl Brewery.  Chris ended up meeting us there later. It was a drizzly day but we made it work. Uncle Forrest met us there, and it was my mom and dads first time there too. They enjoyed it, so now I can get them to come with us more often.  After Pearl, we went home and watched "what to expect when your expecting". I kept Lincoln nursing throughout most of the movie so dad and I could sit and actually watch the movie. Hey, whatever works.
Now, we are on the way to a surprise birthday party for my aunt at the Cadillac Bar, but children are allowed since the party is in a private room.
We tried to stay home in hibernation for the evening, as its the perfect weather to do so,but Lincoln needed to get some "air". He's sitting next to me in the car right now as we head to the party, he's singing! This kid loves the party!
February 13, 2013- The kids 2nd lent, but first time getting ashes. It was so cute, he was getting a little fidgety, and then it was him and his dad's turn to get ashes. The women placed them on Lincoln's forehead, and instant silence. It was like the holy spirit calmed him, and then church ended and we went outside and Lincoln was so happy, he was proudly sporting his ashes like he was the coolest kid in the world (well he is!)
And, (tonight) the holy spirit also decided that Lincoln needed to wake up from 1am-2am to eat and say Happy Valentines Day. But, Linc has had the case of a bad cough again, so its given him a tad trouble getting to sleep through the night. But, I will take one wake up over three wake ups like he did last Sunday, which was the start to his cough.


A quick update as of today, 4 13 13 the day I finally had time to post. Lincoln will be going to daycare for a whole week starting Monday. Grandma and Grandpa are going on a much needed vacation! Wish mommy luck, I know he will love playing with all the kids, etc. Its just a new experience taking and picking him up every morning and afternoon, etc. More to follow on that.

Oh, and I signed up for the Chicago Rock and Roll Half today.. I'm excited. I decided this is what I needed to get myself out there and run on a schedule again. I've been consistently working out three-four times a week with my boot camp, yoga, and Cardio classes, but running maybe only twice a week. So, I will add the running back.  I am happy to say that I have maintained my 39lbs lost from post baby since August, so I'm excited! I gained a total of 44lbs, so I still have give or take 5lbs to go, but I am happy where I am at.  Which I never thought I would be able to say! : )


Thanks for reading, sorry so sporadic, but hey, thats my life!
Stay tuned for Lincoln Turns One.

January 22, 2013- Daddy's Birthday. Lincoln made him a drawing! We then went to Don Pedro's for dinner with the family. A Sweet Day!

The trip to Nashville and beyond

The flight- San Antonio to Atlanta to Nashville.  The first stretch was one hour and 42 minutes. He of course ate from Mommy, then played a bit, then he got fussy towards the last 20 minutes. So, I sang him his favorite, "old macdonald had a farm...e-i-e-i-o." He likes me to sing it in a loud monotone voice. :) so, when we were getting out of the plane, the lade behind us asked him if he learned, old macdonald, then said, if you didn't the whole plane did. Of course, she said it jokingly. Hmmm.. I wonder if next time I should record myself singing it and give him headphones.
The Georgia to Tennessee stretch was under one hour. He slept almost the entire flight, well after eating from mom for about 20 minutes worth of mile and playing for a little while. And this time, mommy didn't have to sing. But I did have to lift him in the air over a dozen times so I got my exercise in for the day! But, still the power of the boob, it kept him comfy on both flights! And, almost forgot we got to eat Checker's in ATL, so Rally's like fries, were awesome.

During the trip, Lincoln continued to go in and out of his fever and developed a bad cough. He was still in good spirits considering.  He did keep my mom and I on our toes each night. He had trouble staying asleep due to a cough that came along with the fever. We probably only slept one four hour stretch the whole time we were there. My mom was my savior though, she was able to rock him to sleep almost everytime he woke up, so I didn't need to nurse him to bed. Lincoln still generally refuses to go to bed when he's with me during his night wakings, without me nursing. And, trust me I've tried long and hard. So, that's why Chris does the rocking at night, and if it doesn't work, then we know he's hungry.

Lack of sleep didn't stop us from having a good time. We had lots of adventures; a day in Franklinin, Tennessee. An evening in Downtown Nashville. A day of shopping in Opryland and lots of quality family time with Lincoln's cousins! Mommy even got to walk in and out of the country bars for a total of 5 minutes. That live country music is the best thing ever, its undescribable how fun and full of energy each of those live music venues are in Downtown Nashville. I was only in each venue for probably two minutes, and I walked out full of energy and happy to have witnessed great live performances- country music at its finest for sure. Can't wait to go back with my hubby and whoever else is interested!!

Lincoln enjoyed himself, almost everywhere we went he had everyones attention. We would be at restaurants or inside shoppes and he would start smiling at girls and waving and giving them "eyes". It was so so cute. My little boy has developed quite the lovable, friendly, flirty personality.
Lincoln also enjoyed playing with his cousin Rylan. Rylan is three or four, but the perfect age to entertain! It was there first time meeting, and Rylan stretched himself out on the floor and L immediataly jumped on him and started slapping his face and pulling his hair. It was cute, because I have no idea where he got that from. Rylan just played along and started yelling "lincolns hitting me, he's hitting me, and I didn't even do anything!" Lincoln also enjoyed playing with Rylans kitchen set. For some reason the kitchen set gave Lincoln confidence. So much, that the first time he was neat it, he stood in front of it, he took his hands off the stove and took two steps all on his own! He's taken steps before, but these were different, he had this look of confidence I just can't explain. Can't believe a play stove set could do that to a boy, but it did. Now I need to go purchase him a stove of his own!

Today (1 8 13) L did the cutest thing during dinner time. My mom made chicken soup with vegetables. I was eating my soup and feeding lincoln a jar of mixed fruit and oatmeal. I decided to give him small pieces of carrot on the steel spoon I was using. He loved them, after each serving of carrots, he would smile large and chuckle! He did this like ten times, and his daddy even witnessed it. I also went into work later this morning so I was able to lay with Lincoln in and out of sleep and nursing from 7:30am when he woke up until 9:30am. It felt like I slept in, and I totally needed it, after his frequent night wakings in Nashville. The trip was fabulous, and I can't wait to go back with my hunny. There is something about that live country music in every single bar on Broadway street that just gets me riled up everytime! And, all the singers are amazing, truly! The small town feel of Franklin was nice too. I nursed Lincoln on a red bench in front of the "franklin theatre" and felt so maternal. It was like a scene from an old film. We were so comfy just us on our little bench!

1 13 13 Lincolns first train ride at brackenbridge park with his friend emme. He had a great time and wasn't scared in the tunnel. He was just looking and absorbing every little thing he could. My little boy is so great, he loves being outdoors and around people.

1 17 13 Lincoln is eleven months today. He is still grabby grabby on my face while nursing, the nursing necklace from my fab friend Cindy worked for a bit. But not long! Oh and Lincoln shares now, he enjoys feeding us his food, of course after he has taken his own bites.

Invites for his birthday went out today, well some. I have a stack that will go out tomorrow. I ran out of stamps. Next time, its vistaprint for invites (just like our Christmas cards), can't beat it, I design them, they place postage, address them, and mail them! I wanted to design my own invite using several different pictures and some collages, so everyone had a different invitation so that's why I did a DIY project. But, it was way too stressful. I hope people enjoy the invites, because they were a lot of work.  

The venue has been chosen. It was chosen solely based on size. Its going to be in a party room that is attached to a bar. But, its a separate room with no smoking, so I'm not worried, if people decide not to come based on its location, then I'm sorry they missed it. But, the room is huge and it was the only way I could fit all my family, close friends and their children. Even so, I was still not able to invite the entire crew like I would have liked to.  All other places I could find would have barely been able to fit kids only! And most of them had two hour time limits. And, the weather in Feb. is too "iffy" for an outside location like the adorable kiddie park near brack. I'm excited, its going to be a great time. I already have some fun ideas that I will put into play to include a DJ, of course. It wouldn't be a Rodriguez party without a DJ  I'm still trying to figure out how I am going to compile the pictures from his first year together.. that's the current stresser!  I have some ideas, but still!
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I thank God everyday for my little boy. He has developed quite the spunky, fun loving personality. He loves to travel like his momma, and he likes to get his way like his momma. But, he has the heart of gold and the personality filled with passion like his Dadda! Stay tuned for his first birthday!

At the hotel in Nashville with Grandma on his best behavior

At our lunch restaurant choice in Franklin, Tennesse, such a great small town country feel!

Momma Nursing in Franklin out in the open on a bench enjoying the view and weather! So domestic!!

On our stroll in Tennessee