A Good Day

Today Tanner is officially 9 months old.

Has it really been that long? It seems like just yesterday Jon and I were giving him his first bath, listening to him scream and cry the whole time. Tonight, as he sat like a big boy in the bath tub and played, I couldn't get over how fast he is growing and learning. He was actually taking all of his bath toys and placing them inside the little nets that are suctioned to the side of the tub and used to store them. How smart of him! He also started crawling on Tuesday. He's not very fast yet, but definitely gets where he needs to go. I think he's enjoying the freedom that comes with moving around -- and tonight he thought it was hilarious when I tried to chase him. We just had the best time together. Is there anything better than making your baby laugh?

This morning I tried to get lots of work done (cleaning, laundry, painting), because I was hoping to get out of the house for a little while this afternoon. The boys spent the day bonding while I had some time to myself. Boy, did it feel good! I was in desperate need of a break! While my guys did "manly" things like go to Home Depot and check out the TV's at Sam's Club, I spent my day getting a mani/pedicure and trying to pick out fabric so that I can make new curtains. I didn't find the perfect fabric yet, but Jon and Tanner (he's such a bad influence!) found a new flat-screen they liked better than the one we already had. Believe it or not, Jon returned the TV we've had for the past 9 months and exchanged it for a brand-new one this evening. It wouldn't be that funny, but this is the second time he's done it!

Well, I'm off to bed. Nine'o'clock and I'm wiped! Kind of sad to say on a Saturday night, but I think I'll end this perfect day all snuggled up in bed with a book! Sweet dreams!

Happy Easter!

HAPPY EASTER!!

I know we're a little late, but our Internet just got hooked up yesterday, and so I'm just getting around to posting. We had a busy busy weekend, but I'm happy to report that we are all moved into our new home, despite a few minor setbacks:

• Uncle Pat almost didn't make it into town as many flights were cancelled that day, but he finagled his way onto a plane that was actually making the trip from the south up to the blustery Midwest. YAY!! We COULDN'T have done it without him!


• We thought something was terribly wrong with my car on the way home from the airport. We stopped to have a mechanic take a look at it and luckily found that it was only a plastic bag flapping around my engine. THANK GOD!!


• I had a minor breakdown (okay, maybe it was major ...) when I saw that Tanner's crib was pretty scratched up after the journey. "It's just an item" was my mantra for the day.


• I had a definite MAJOR breakdown as I unloaded the food that the boys brought over from our old refrigerator and saw that most of it had been loaded up into our old, DIRTY trashcan in lieu of a box.


• Tanner is going through a little phase right now (please confirm that this is, indeed, a phase!). He really is not happy unless I am within arm's distance of him and he can reach out and touch me. The only other time he is happy is when he is eating Cheerios. Let's just say he was not a very helpful mover.

Despite it all, we made it. Everything is unpacked and we are so so happy in our new place. Jon and I keep running into each other and saying, "I just love this house, don't you love it?" We are incredibly blessed.

The boys worked very hard on Saturday so that we could all relax and enjoy Easter on Sunday. After church, we came home and they boys hunted for their Easter baskets and all of the eggs that I had hidden for them. It was a great day and we were sad to say goodbye to Uncle Pat at the end of it. Come back and visit us, soon ... and bring Aunt Kat with you, too!

Already digging into his treats -- Goldfish!!

Helping Daddy find Easter Eggs

Uncle Pat really enjoyed Tanner's no-throw sippy cup strap.

Happy Easter from our house to yours!

Of Mice and Moving

I started off the day feeling very inspired. I was going to get lots of things done. I woke up about an hour before Tanner and showered (even shaving my legs), blow-dryed my hair, put on makeup and got dressed. Just as I was finishing, I heard Tanner start to stir and hurried down the stairs. I had volunteered to bring a recipe to MOPS this morning -- dump cake was the plan -- and I wanted to quickly put it together and pop it in the oven before I went in to get Tanner. As I skipped down the steps, I was unprepared for what I saw waiting for me in the kitchen -- a furry mouse scurrying along my countertop and out of sight. EEEK!! I let out a scream and rushed back upstairs. Forget the cake. I got Tanner out of his crib and hid out with him in his room until Jon got home from the gym.

Here's the thing about mice. We live right next to a very large field. I know it's so so cold outside and they just want to come in and get warm and find something to eat. I feel a little bit sorry for them, actually. Earlier this winter, I had left one of Tanner's mittens on the counter and the next morning I found it lying near the toaster -- I'm sure a little mouse just wanted something warm to snuggle up in. But then they leave their little droppings everywhere -- gross. And when I actually SEE them, it's just too much for me to handle. Jon is our resident mouse-catcher. He has probably caught 6 or 7 of them since the beginning of winter. If a mouse is smart enough to dodge the trap set out for him one night, he is affectionately dubbed "ninja mouse" for a day, and usually caught the next night. By now you are probably thinking our house is gross and dirty. I promise it's not. It is a brand new home and I do my best to keep it very tidy -- rarely even leaving dirty dishes in the sink overnight. Still, after seeing that mouse this morning, I think our house is gross and dirty and I can't wait to move. Oh my gosh -- I can hear the mouse in our trash can right now -- I literally want to crawl out of my skin -- YUCK!! There isn't even anything in there except for coffee grounds!

Our official moving day is this Friday. I'm super excited, but feeling a little bit overwhelmed. We have a bit of painting that we want to finish up before we move in -- the rest we'll finish after the move. And I really need to get over there and CLEAN before we move all of our things in. I'm really not looking forward to going through everything (for the third time this year) and organizing it all, putting it away, etc. That's the hardest part. And this time, I'll have a baby to watch through it all! I keep telling myself not to stress out about it. I'll do a little bit at a time during Tanner's naps -- if it takes me three weeks to get everything put where I want it then so be it. I guess I'm not in a hurry for anything.

We didn't end up making it to MOPS this morning -- not because of the mouse, though. Tanner had a fever yesterday and after he was up for a while today it seemed like he still wasn't feeling very well. I don't think it's the flu -- he's not vomiting or anything. He just has a runny nose and he's drooling like CRAZY, which makes me wonder if he's getting his first tooth. Poor little guy. At first I was frustrated -- remember all of my plans to get things done? But maybe this is God telling me that we need to just take a moment and STOP today, enjoying lots of books and cuddles instead of flying by the seat of our pants to make it to all of our planned activities. As I made phone calls to let people know we wouldn't make it to MOPS or playgroup, I was so thankful that I actually had people to CALL -- people that would miss me if I wasn't there. It made me feel good, especially remembering how lonely I felt when I first moved here almost a year ago.

Trying to find joy in the little things today. Hope you can find something to be joyful about in the midst of your busy day!

Just in case ...

Just in case carrying Tanner in my womb for 9 months didn't truly make me a mother.

In case giving birth didn't either.

Or getting up every 2-3 hours at night during his first 6 months of life.

Just in case making measuring cups and tupperware look like fun things to play with doesn't count as a qualification for motherhood.

Or spending an entire day speaking baby talk. (actually, we think Tanner might be advanced -- speaking to us in Arabic or Chinese, which we just can't understand)

Just in case singing lullabies until my wee one falls asleep doesn't make me a mom.

Or worrying every second about whether or not I'm doing the right thing for my child.

In case none of that counts ...

I think I sealed the deal tonight. I actually fished poop out of the bathtub. It's official ... I'm a mom.

What Not To Wear

I know that one of these days, I'll probably find myself on the Oprah Show or something like it -- having been turned in by a friend, one of my sisters, or even my husband for the way I dress. I used to get dressed up everyday when I worked -- not a suit or anything, but business casual. These days, I have a new uniform -- black leggings, a long-sleeve tee, and a hoody (I have several of each). My new motto has become "Why waste an outfit?" My husband even told me that he looks forward to Sundays all week because I get dressed up for church. :) I know -- it's so sad!

I do dress a little bit better -- jeans and a sweater -- if I'm going to Bible Study or something important, but most days I look like I'm on my way to the gym. The stylists on Oprah today would be mortified!

Time Flies ...

I can't believe it's been over a week already since my last post. Time is just flying by and we are busy bees in the Hall household, as usual. We closed on our new home last Friday -- YAY!! I can't wait until we are completely moved in a few weeks from now. Right now we are just painting and slowly taking things over. We are very lucky that the previous owners took such great care of this home. However -- they painted EVERY wall in a semi-gloss paint, which is quite shiny, and so we must prime before we paint, and it's becoming quite a process. Tanner's room alone took us all day on Saturday! I'm ashamed to report that I have become so obsessed with decorating, picking out paint colors, a new bedspread, etc, that I can't even sleep at night. I've decided that I have a love/hate relationship with decorating. I get really excited to do it, but I can't commit to anything, and therefore stress about every decision I make. And the worst thing is that these details are truly so unimportant in making our house a HOME!! There are so many more important things in life.

My mom called us on Friday around 4:00 in the afternoon. She announced that she was sitting in her driveway, ready to pull out and make the drive to spend the weekend with us. How do moms know just when you need them most?! She watched Tanner all weekend so that we could get things done on the house. I was so so thankful that she came!

Tanner has been a finicky sleeper lately. He's a champ at napping and used to be great at sleeping through the night. Lately, though, he's been waking up and can't get back to sleep. Jon and I have become a little more relaxed about going in to soothe him, and I'm afraid we've retrained our boy to cry for us when he wakes up. Needless to say, we were all a little cranky and quite tired this morning after another sleepless night and a 6am wake-up. I think we're just going to have to tough it out and let him cry himself to sleep for a few nights -- I'm not looking forward to that! Usually that means I have TWO boys complaining -- Tanner and Jon, who hates to think that his little boy is upset. Pray for me!!

Two families who are very dear to us just welcomed new little ones (the first for both families!) into their folds in the last few days. Congratulations to the Fayes and the Jankowskis! I couldn't be more excited for them -- oh what a blessing! I've been thinking about them constantly and how lucky they are to have brand new, healthy, beautiful babies in their arms! It seems like just yesterday that I held Tanner for the first time in the hospital. He's grown so fast. Hope you enjoy the most recent pics...

Don't worry, Mom. I'll fix your hair for you!

Mommy shares her cinnamon toast with me in the morning! YUMMY!

Peek-a-Boo!

I already love Thomas and Percy!

Busybodies

What a busy few days we've had!

Last week a new friend of mine asked if I'd like to make a trip into the city with a few girls and their little ones to enjoy the free admission day at Shedd Aquarium. I have to admit, my first inclination was to say "no, thank you." It actually sounded terrible trying to either (a) fight the traffic into the city, find a place to park, etc. etc. or (b) figure out how to get to the aquarium via public transportation with a baby in tow. However, I decided it would probably be good to step outside of my comfort zone here. Besides, I would get to spend the day with friends and also feel like I accomplished something by taking Tanner somewhere different.

We decided to take the train downtown. What a motley crew we were -- barely arriving at the station in time -- with strollers, diaper bags, backpacks, blankets, sippy cups and sack lunches. We made at least a few people chuckle as we tried to get all of our belongings onto the train before it pulled away. Once we arrived at Union Station, we re-bundled everyone up (did I mention it was like zero degrees outside?) and walked the few blocks to Millenium Park to see their ice exhibit. Afterwards, we caught two different buses and finally made it to the aquarium! What a trip! I was already exhausted by the time we got there, but so proud of myself for making it! The hardest part was getting on and off of the buses -- especially when my stroller decided that it would no longer fold or unfold easily. (By the end of the trip, it wouldn't fold back up at all!) Sadly, the aquarium was pretty disappointing, but we didn't let that dampen our spirits. I think we all really enjoyed each other's company and just getting outside in the fresh (but cold) air for a little while. We all said that we would definitely do it again.






Jon caught up with us on the train on the way back since it was the same train he takes home from work. I was SO glad. For one thing, I couldn't get my stroller to fold up anymore and was dreading having to get all of my stuff off of the train. Secondly, there was an accident at one of the stations ahead of us, so we had to stop and get off a few stops early. Jon got a cab to take the two of us and Tanner back and Evelyn's husband came to pick up everyone else. It was so nice to have him there to take care of everything -- I'm so lucky to have such a great husband! It ended up being a really long (but fun!) day. We were both asleep on the couch by 8:30!

On Saturday, I drove home for Lisa's baby shower. I am just so happy for her and glad that I was able to make it -- I got to see a lot of old friends. The best part of my day, though, was coming back home to my boys. This was Jon's first experience taking care of Tanner ALL day. I was actually gone from about the exact time he leaves for work in the morning to when he gets home at night. The first thing he said when I walked in was ... "It's been a REALLY long day. I don't know how you do it." It made me feel really good to know he spent a day in my shoes and realized that it is truly a difficult (but rewarding!!) job. A few minutes after I got home, Tanner woke up, so I ran upstairs to rock him back to sleep. I had MISSED him! And I think he missed me, too -- he was so happy to see me! I just relished the sweet time I got to spend with him as he fell back asleep. Ahhhhh ... motherhood.

We had to snap some pics of our little man dressed to impress for church this morning. Enjoy!!

One more thing...

Jon found out yesterday that he was accepted to the University of Chicago's Graduate School of Business.

Congratulations!

We're so proud of you!!!

He's BAAAACK!

Tanner has been having a much better week this week. I feel so lucky to have my little blogging community full of moms with encouraging words! Thank you for your comments and emails after my last post! He was just delighted with the new sippy cup I offered him last Friday afternoon and has been happy to play with it and sip from it since. Now I feel guilty for not offering him one sooner. All those meals of clumpy oatmeal cereal with nothing to wash it down with -- poor guy! Ahhh ... the mom guilt -- it's always there. :)

We had a great weekend and ended up going home to Michigan at the last minute to visit with our siblings -- Pat, Kat, and Eric. Tanner was just tickled to see them, as were we! We stopped to pick up Eric from the airport on the way home and I got to hear all about West Point during the whole trip -- every nosy sister's dream! On Saturday night, my mother-in-law made a fantastic Valentine's dinner for all of us -- it was so nice to have that time together!

Those are pretty big muscles, Uncle Eric. You must go to the gym like I do.

Tomorrow night, Jon's cousin, Shannon, is coming over for dinner. She works on the Jesus Christ Superstar tour and her show is in town. I can't wait to see her and hear all about her travels and, even better, her visit to the OPRAH show this week! I'm so so jealous!!

I have been reflecting a lot today on how much I love staying at home with Tanner. I'm so thankful for this season in my life. I've just really been enjoying both of my boys so much lately. Hope you are getting a chance to enjoy the ones you love, too!

Valentine's Day

I asked him to be my Valentine, but I was denied.





"Grrrrrrr," he said. "No kisses for you!!"

I'm trying not to take it personally, but it does hurt a bit. I mean, I do spend all day trying to make him feel loved. I feed him, clothe him, play with him, act like an idiot just to try and get a laugh, wipe his stinky bottom, bathe him .... I could go on and on. Yet still, my little bubby is not satisfied. He is bored with me, bored with his toys, and has been grumbling, wining, and groaning CONSTANTLY for the last three days. CONSTANTLY!!! From 7am to 7pm. I don't feel any teeth buds. He doesn't look or act sick. Let's just say it's been a long week.

Despite all that, we did get a glimpse of the Tanner we all know and love for about 90 seconds last night when we exchanged Valentines. He got a new little piano that I totally guilted myself into buying for him yesterday afternoon at about 4:00 -- I couldn't let his first Valentine's day go by without something special. It's a good thing Santa isn't the one distributing Valentines -- because if that was the case, Tanner would definitely have been on the bratty list and wouldn't have gotten a thing. I put a bow on it and didn't give it to him until yesterday evening after Jon got home. He just LOVED plunking those little keys and making music.

He's already playing chords ... so advanced!

Oh, Daddy! This is such a good gift! What would you like to hear next?

Tanner's smiles and laughs were matched only by my squeals of delight as I opened my Valentine from my boys. Jon made me several coupons to use for diaper changes, dinner clean-ups, sweeper cleanings, back massages, and all-day-out Saturdays. (I got three of each one.) I was so excited!

We finished the evening with deep-dish Chicago-style pizza from our favorite pizza place, a yummy dessert I had whipped up earlier in the day, and a movie rental. We watched Amazing Grace and I thought it was pretty good. A little slow at times, but I didn't fall asleep, which is usually my measuring stick for how good a movie is.


Hope You Had A Happy Valentine's Day!!

Need A Good Laugh?

Need a good laugh to get you through the middle of the week? Check out these cute commercials.

My Stinky Boy

For the past few days, I've turned on the morning news and listened to the weather person excitedly tell me that we're in for a "wintery mix." From the tone in his voice, you'd expect something nice, like a few snowflakes mixed with sunshine. However, what this term really means is a mixture of rain, snow, and ice. This was a picture of my backyard early this morning. Since then, I think we've gotten about 5 more inches of snow!! Our morning activities have been cancelled and my little munchkin and I have been enjoying a morning at home, just cuddling and playing together. It is so nice to actually be stuck inside and makes me realize that we've been way too busy lately! We're supposed to have playgroup this afternoon, but I'm pretty sure we're not going to make it. Of course, I ran out of wipes early this morning after Tanner's second poopy diaper, so I will have to try to make it down to the Walgreens at the end of my street for some reinforcements. Kind of makes me wish I had a stash like Shelby's in my closet! :)

Speaking of dirty diapers -- Tanner totally tried to foil my workout plans yesterday. I've been taking a yoga class at my gym on Tuesdays and we arrived just a few minutes early yesterday so that I could drop him off in the childcare room. As I took off his coat and hat, I smelled something stinky, so I turned him around to smell his fanny and make sure it was him. (You never know when there's other little ones around!) Of course, he had pooped all the way up his back. No big deal, I went outside and got our diaper bag and then headed to the baby changing station in the bathroom. Tanner had a great time rolling around naked on the little changing shelf while I tried to give him a sponge bath with the few wipes that I had. (I know -- I will be stocking up today.) It's a lot trickier than it sounds trying to wrestle with your 7-month old who is literally trying to put EVERYTHING in his mouth (his pants, his shoes, the wipes holder, etc.) and keep him from falling off of the shelf AND staying away from the poopy diaper and all of the dirty wipes you've used. ANYWAYS ... when I finally got him clean, with a new diaper on, I reached into his diaper bag for his backup outfit. If only I had remembered to put a new one in the other day when I took the old one out. At least his pants were still clean. Tanner was just so pleased with himself as I walked him, shirtless, back into the childcare room. He had the biggest grin on his face and was totally trying to show off his muscles. I couldn't help but laugh. The other kids were totally jealous of his amazing physique. :) We ended up going back home and getting him a new outfit, then heading back to the gym.

Just in case you're ever feeling self-conscious about your thighs ...

All that time at the gym is really paying off!

Hope all of you are staying warm and cozy with the ones you love!

Hash Brown Quiche

Okay, I hate to brag, but I'm going to. I just made the YUMMIEST dinner ever. Well, breakfast-for-dinner to be more exact. I made a huge ham on Friday night and had LOTS of leftovers, so I diced them up and made two yummy recipes out of them. Last night I made B-Mama's yummy Pretty Penne Ham Skillet, and tonight I made Hash Brown Quiche, courtesy of Paula Dean. Here is the recipe if you want to try it. Just to warn you, it's totally NOT healthy, but it's oh-so-yummy. It literally melts in your mouth.

Hash Brown Quiche
3 cups shredded frozen hash browns, thawed and drained
4 Tablespoons butter, melted
3 eggs, beaten
1 cup half and half
3/4 cup diced ham
1/2 cup diced green onions
1 cup shredded cheddar
salt and freshly ground pepper
sour cream

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Gently pat dry drained hash browns. Toss them with butter and press into bottom and sides of 9-inch pie plate. Bake 20-25 minutes until golden brown and starting to crisp. Combine remaining ingredients, pour over crust, and return to oven. Lower oven temperature to 350 degrees and bake for 30 minutes. Serve with a dollop of sour cream.

5 Years...

... and he's still lookin' hot!

He's gonna kill me for this!

Special Day

Yesterday was quite a special day for me -- my 28th birthday and my 5 year anniversary! Needless to say, I got double the lovin'. My birthday spoiling actually started on Friday and lasted for several days!

On Friday, Tanner and I met Jon for lunch and he treated us to my favorite -- Cheesecake Factory! It was great being able to see him in the middle of the day like that. We are definitely going to meet him for lunch more often. Later that evening, after Tanner was in bed, I thought Jon and I were just going to have a normal Friday night. He had rented a few movies and I had just sat down to relax after finishing the dishes from dinner. Little did I know that my parents were on their way to my house to surprise me! The doorbell rang around 9:30 and there were my mom and dad -- standing outside my front door with a giant chocolate birthday cake in their hands. I couldn't have been more surprised!

4 layers of lovin'

We spent all day on Saturday just relaxing with my Mom and Dad. We all woke up and visited over coffee, then went to see our new house and ended up at my favorite local breakfast place for brunch. We also opened presents somewhere in there -- a swimsuit from Jon, goggles from Tanner (I've been wanting to swim some laps at the gym), a nice watch, photo album, cookbook, and Willow Tree figuring from my parents. That night, my parents babysat while Jon and I went to see Juno (every bit as good as all of the reviews say it is) and then went for dinner at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. On Sunday, we all went to church together, and then out for one more meal, and finally said goodbye to my sweet parents. We also vowed not to eat out at anymore restaurants for a long time -- we were both quite stuffed by the end of the weekend! (Not too stuffed to enjoy just one more slice of that chocolately goodness, though!)

Tanner and his Grandpa. I think they totally look alike here.

Don't worry, Tanner. Mommy will eat an extra piece for you. :)

Me and My Boys.

Tanner and Grammy. (I know -- she's in PJs in just about every picture on my blog. She does wear normal clothes -- once in a while. :)

A birthday nap with my cuddlebug.

By the time yesterday rolled around, I wasn't expecting any more special treatment. But Jon had one more surprise up his sleeve -- a rose for each year we've been married. Gosh, I'm lucky!

Good News

Something new has been sprouting here in the Hall house in the past few days. We are very excited to announce ....

TANNER IS GETTING HAIR!!

We think the growth is stimluated by kisses. :)

Tired Baby

It's been a busy week and poor Tanner has taken several of his naps right in his car seat. I couldn't help but snap a picture of him peacefully dozing yesterday on our way home from MOPS.

This morning we had bible study at church. He fell alseep in the car on the way there and then slept for another hour in his carseat once we got there. Afterwards, we went to lunch with a woman from my bible study group and her daughter. I was so excited when she asked me if I'd like to go. It's always so great to make a new friend. Tanner fell asleep again on the way home for another hour and a half. When he woke up, I asked him if he wanted to go to Target with me to get some groceries.

You can't be serious ...

I think I'll take that as a "no."

Prunes, Prunes

Prunes, prunes, magical fruit
The more you eat, the more you .... (well, you know)



Tanner's new fave. I actually watched him lick his lips the other day just to make sure he got every last bit of the sweet stuff in his mouth. This makes for quite an interesting experience come changing time. Just ask Jon, who changed his first diaper today in about 6 weeks. I don't think he was quite prepared for what he encountered, now that our T-bone has become a regular solid-foods eater. :) Too funny.



Today was a great day. I had a hair appointment this morning, and I came out every bit as blonde as I had hoped, with a new short 'do if I might add. Jon loves it. I'm still getting used to it. Anyways, my stylist was WAY pregnant and we had fun talking about pregnancy and labor and all that interesting mommy stuff. Made me want another one ... all in good time, though. After my appointment, I had a day to myself while Jon and Tanner bonded. I went to Starbucks and read for a while (The Pillars of the Earth, which is fantastic so far). Then, I went to see 27 Dresses, which was very cute. I drooled over James Marsden for most of the movie before realizing that he looks a lot like Jon. (At least I think so!) I felt completely spoiled having so much time to myself today, and then truly blessed when I walked in the door to see my two smiling boys. Ahhhhhhh.....

So, remember when you were young, and you just had to have Doc Martens because everyone else did (or maybe saddle shoes for some of you older folks :). And you totally had to get a Pogo Ball, because everyone else was getting one of those, too (again, pogo sticks for the older ones). Or maybe you were just dying to take tennis lessons at summer rec because you just knew that anybody who was anybody was going to be there. Well, sadly, I've regressed to my childhood -- except instead of wanting things for myself, I'm wanting them for my son. Everytime we go to playgroup at someone's house, I find a toy that I'm sure Tanner just has to have -- to promote his brain growth and physical development, of course. Well, now the thing is Kindermusik. Every baby is doing it. Several of the kids in our playgroup are signed up. Other moms I know casually work it into conversation that their child (infant) will be attending the Friday class, there are only a few more openings, etc. etc. So, I decided to look into this new fad. I mean, I would LOVE to be able to take Tanner to this class -- it's all music and books and dancing and generally sounds like great fun. However, it is only 2 months long and is quite expensive. So even though I can't justify spending that much on the class, I still want it for him! It's like I'm all caught up in this peer pressure thing again except it's mommy pressure -- and I have a feeling it's only just the beginning. God help us!

Our Puppeteer

The other night, I was in the middle of getting Tanner ready for bed, and I needed to do something really quick, so I asked Jon to come in and watch Tanner for a second. This was what I found when I walked back in the room. Actually, I think I just stood in the hall for a few minutes and watched before I interrupted their fun.

Tanner was getting a little bedtime puppet-show from his daddy! No wonder he can't help but smile from ear to ear whenever Jon walks in the room. He literally wants nothing to do with me when his dad is around. He won't even nurse when he's in the room -- he'll nurse for like 2 seconds then look around to make sure his dad is still in the room, give him a huge grin, then nurse for two more seconds, etc. I guess I can't let this make me jealous -- I completely understand Tanner's love for the guy!

Just Weighing In

Warning: neurotic ramblings ahead

For once in my life, I actually feel okay with my body. I mean, I know that it's far from perfect, I'm still about 5 lbs heavier and definitely somewhat rounder than pre-baby. But for some reason, that just doesn't bother me right now. I've never felt so comfortable in my own skin as I have since giving birth. Nevertheless, with the start of a new year, I find myself at a crossroads. Do I continue to love my figure and feel good about this body that bore my son and continues to nurture him? Or is being okay with a few extra lbs "letting myself go?" I mean ... I can't really use the "I just had a baby excuse" for much longer -- it's been over 6 months!

We are only 10 days into the New Year and already I'm fed up with the media and our society's obsession to lose weight. I feel like my first, habitual reaction is always "I'm so fat." Then I take a step back, stop and think, and say "Be good to yourself." (my inner yogi coming out :) Maybe it's because, year after year, I've jumped on the bandwagon just like everyone else and used my weight as a measuring stick for self-worth. I'm determined not to do that anymore. I want to exercise to make myself feel good instead of just working out to lose weight. I don't want to feel guilty about every morsel of food I put into my mouth. Am I living in a dream world or is this really possible? Will loving my figure as it is make me a happier person or will it land me on a future season of "The Biggest Loser?"

On a sidenote ... I was able to go to a Vinyasa yoga class at my gym yesterday. Boy did it make me miss my old yoga studio in Colorado! I guess I was a little disappointed, but I will continue to attend the class every week. I think I was just hoping for something a little more intense. I wish I was able to have an intense practice by myself at home, but it's just not the same. Any yogis out there with suggestions?