Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Jogging with my little man

A couple weeks ago, I bought a jogging stroller at a resale shop.  
Its a Trend Expedition and I absolutely love it!  
Its so smooth and does turns really well.  
I also feel like it keeps Caleb more secure on the bounces than my basic Chicco I was using in the beginning.

Now I will admit that running with the stroller is more difficult that running by myself.
But my new motto to anything that is physically harder because of Caleb is, "It's good exercise!" and it burns more calories which is never a bad thing.
Like going up and down the stairs 10 million times a day with a 16 pound baby in my arms.
Or like carrying a car seat with that sweet 16 pound baby in it.

My hope is that when I do the actual race, it will feel so much easier because I won't be pushing a stroller!




My view as I run.  Cute little froggy legs.


I took this about half-way through our run.  He was almost out.

Today I ran 25 minutes with the stroller.  It was tough but I pushed myself and made it.  Next on the plan is 2 miles.  I'm working up to a 5K which is 3.1 miles.  

Monday, August 27, 2012

First Days

Happy first day of school!
Happy new markers and crayons!
Happy blank notebooks and empty folders!
Happy first day of school outfits and new friends!
Oh how I love the First day of School.

Today will be the first "First Day of School" that I have not been a part of since I was 4.  
That's 24 years of 1st days and now, its a first day in another way.  
The first day of my official stay-at-home-momhood.  

Here's some reminiscing of 1st days from the past.


I'm gonna guess 5th grade on this one.  Apparently I went to Colorado that summer.  Wow, my fashion has come a long way.  I got bangs that summer too.  I called them wispy bangs and my best friend Jamie got them too.  We were cool!


I think this is 3rd or 4th grade.  My sweet mama painted that shirt for me with a Precious Moments picture.  And there are just no words for the blue Keds and purple socks.  Thank you 90's.

My next first day of school will (most likely) be Caleb's first day.
I don't even want to think about it!  

Monday, August 20, 2012

Meal Plan Monday

I love making my weekly meal plan.  
On Saturday or Sunday, I go through my pinterest "What's for Dinner" board and look at Skinny Taste and find fun recipes for the week.  
I usually don't make more than one or two new recipes per week so that I don't get overwhelmed.  
When I first started learning to cook as a brand new bride, most of my meals were casseroles or pasta dishes like spaghetti.  Our meals have evolved as we have gotten healthier and more cooking savvy and now most of our meals consist of meat and two veggies or fruit.  

Here's our dinner meal plan for the week of 8/20/12:

Monday: Mom and sister in town (sooo excited!), eat out or cook together

Tuesday: Honey Grilled Shrimp from Taste of Home, sauteed green beans, baked sweet potato

Wednesday: Grilled Ribeye Steak (on major sale at HEB), sauteed sugar snap peas, and acorn squash from Skinny Taste


Friday: Big Night Out at our church - eat out with friends

Saturday: Grilled Turkey Burgers, oven fries, fruit

Sunday: Left overs or some sort of breakfast for dinner (Omelets, French toast, waffles, etc...) Sunday is EASY night!

Anyone know of any other great websites like Skinny Taste that has good recipes with Weight Watchers points?  
I used to get Cooking Light magazine but the recipes were too complicated with obscure ingredients and didn't always turn out great (probably because I didn't have the obscure ingredient and made a substitute).  
How do you do your meal plan?


Saturday, August 18, 2012

Post baby fitness

So, I would call myself a generally healthy person.  
I try to eat healthy (although I sure do enjoy my sugar - to a fault).  I've been doing Weight Watchers to lose the baby weight and its been so helpful.  
But as of a couple years ago, my level of fitness was not where I wanted it to be.  
Now, I've never been much of an athlete (husband laughs) unless you call marching band a sport (everyone laughs).
So I decided that I wanted to be able to run a 5K.  And then a 10K.  And so I did.  I didn't break any records or win any medals but I was able to run them.  

And then I got pregnant (cheering!).  I kept walking while pregnant but stopped running.
Once I got my 6 week check-up clearance from the doctor, I started on a plan to ramp back up on running.  I started really slow before I jumped into this plan but I'm now on week 3 and feeling great.  
Running makes me feel good physically and emotionally and this has been a good push for me to get back into it.
I run with Caleb in the stroller some mornings or I go out when its the hottest time of the day Ben gets home at 5pm or after Caleb goes to bed.  
And tomorrow, I might buy a jogging stroller if its still at the resale shop when we go.  Anyone ever used a Trend jogger?

I find though that I'm much more motivated if I have a goal I'm working towards.  
In October, I'll be doing the Run for Hope that supports the adoption ministry at my church.  
Then in November, I'll be doing the Color Run in downtown Houston.

Finally, I'm also going to be following this sweet mom (of 8 boys!!) on her 42 days to fit.

Please join me if you so desire!


Thursday, August 16, 2012

Baby boy Milestones

Oh my big boy is growing up!
It was just 6 weeks ago that he started smiling.  
First little ones, then big ones to where now he smiles all the time.

Then about 3 weeks ago, he started laughing.  One little laugh while I changed his onsie.
Apparently that is the funniest thing.  
He laughs and smiles almost every time we change his clothes.
Last week, he had a laughing fit and I was just a mess of tears at how sweet it was.

And today.  
Today, he rolled over.  From tummy to back.
At first, he seemed surprised.  But I quickly praised him and acted really excited.
Then like a good mom, I put him back on his tummy to see if he
could do it again so I could take a video.
And again he went!  

Oh and did you know he's not sleeping in our room anymore?
No!  He's in his own room.  What a grown-up he is.  
And more nights than not, he's only waking up once.  Between 2:30 and 2:45 in the morning.  

And if that is not all enough for one mama to take, Caleb went in the nursery for the first time this past Sunday.
And I was such a first time mom about it.  
My heart was beating really fast and I stopped everyone I knew to tell them what I had just done.  
He did wonderfully and took a 45 minute nap in the little swing.  



Thursday, August 9, 2012

Mississippi

This past weekend, Caleb got to meet his extended family on Ben's mom's side.  Ben grew up in Mississippi and moved to Texas when he was 10 right before 5th grade.  We went to Tupelo where his grandparents and two of his aunts live.  We decided to fly instead of make the 11 to 12 hour drive.  I was a little nervous as to how he would do on the plane but he did great!  This kid just continues to amaze us.
Waiting in the airport

Mimi and Caleb

Aunt Judy

Aunt Pam

In case you can't tell, Caleb took about 2 naps in a bed over the 4 days we were in MS.  He's such a cuddle bug and at this point would rarely turn down a nap in the lap.  Precious boy.  

Four generations - Pa, Ben, Caleb, Ben's Dad Mark

Second cousins Miller and Marin

Miller fell in love with Caleb and was glued to him.  During dinner on Saturday, he told Aunt Pam who was holding Caleb, "I'm not really eating much, I can hold him!".  

I did worry a little bit if Caleb would sleep in a crib again when we got back or if it would be a battle, but he actually did great on Tuesday when we got back and took a 3 hour nap in his pack'n'play!  I think he was thankful to have his own space and was tuckered out from all the new people and excitement.

We tried to keep with our normal routines as much as we could so we attempted to do bath time.  Caleb plus the little sponge filled up the entire sink and barely left any room for water.  But whatever we did worked because he slept well until the last night.

Pa and Caleb - Caleb loved Pa!

Pat Pat (Ben's mom) and her grand baby 

The Sewell Family plus the Cooper fam

We can't wait to go back!!




Saturday, August 4, 2012

Happy 3 months Caleb!

Today, Caleb turns 3 months old. 


The last month he has really changed so much in the way he acts. He is sleeping better, taking naps better, crying much less, and starting to actually form some sort of schedule. Its been wonderful. 


He's also smiling so much and talking to us with his sweet baby talk. 


I love  hanging out with him.  When family comes, its a nice break and a good refresher but I really am ready to hold my boy when they leave!  He's just such a delight to be with.


His eyes are still a dark dark blue so the jury's still out on if they'll change to brown like mine (we call them Pulliam eyes) or go the Cooper route and stay blue.


Most of his newborn hair has fallen out and he's got a short peach fuzz growing in.  Maybe its wishful thinking but I think it might have some curl to it. 


What are you doing mom?


Oh!  You're taking pictures of me!


I guess that's ok.


Actually its kinda fun!

At 3 months, Caleb is...

Size: Still in 3 month clothes.  Some of the 3 month clothes that were too big fit him pretty well now and he doesn't look silly in pants anymore.  His legs are long enough that I think shorts and pants are just the cutest on him.  He's about 14 1/2 pounds now and roughly 25 1/2 inches long.  I think he's the cutest ever.  Have I said that yet?!  I tell him that about 100 times a day!

Likes: Right now, sweet boy is discovering everything around him.  He loves to look at faces and listen to people.  When Ben comes home and starts talking, he just stares and smiles.  He loves anything with music and lights.  This week, we started laying on the floor and reading books together and he just stares and studies the pictures.  I love it.  The teacher in me just eats it up.  He likes to sit in the Bumbo on the counter with me while I cook dinner or bake.  He still enjoys the Bjorn although he's getting a little heavy for me.

Dislikes: That hasn't changed much - he doesn't like to wait to eat or to feel tired.  That's about all I can come up with.  He's pretty laid back still. 

Working on: C is working on strengthening his sweet little neck.  He can sit on his tummy and lift up his head.  He's been doing that more and with more control.  He can hold up his head really well now when we hold him sitting or standing.  He doesn't seem to be trying to roll over when he's on his tummy or back.  I guess he'll figure out soon that rolling is a possibility.  He's much more consistent and going three hours between feedings which is what we were working on at 2 months.  Now we're working on naps on the back.  Right now he takes great naps on his tummy but I have to be right there with him (the pediatrician said he could sleep on his tummy as long as I was watching him) so we're working on taking naps on the back unswaddled.  He takes some naps like that but no long ones.

Eating: Caleb is eating more at each feeding and very consistently going 3 hours between feedings which makes getting into a schedule much much easier.  I only know he's eating more at each feeding because when he takes a bottle, he's taking 5 ounces or so instead of 4.  He's still a great nurser and we've had no problems.  I continue to thank God for blessing us in this way.  It is nothing of my own doing and I am so thankful that it has gone well.  Also, he takes bottles well which I'm hoping continues!

Sleeping: C's naps are much more consistent and I can usually count on 3 naps plus maybe a small one in the evening.  As I said above, he sleeps on his tummy for naps and sometimes on his back.  He goes down swaddled on his back at night around 7:30 or 8:00 and sleeps well still in our room in the pack-n-play.  On average, he wakes up around midnight/1am and then somewhere between 3am and 5am and then between 7 and 8am for good.  One night this week, he skipped the midnight feeding and didn't wake up until 3:30am.  I'm hoping those types of nights come more and more frequently.


We love you Caleb Brewer!