It's Come to This

I have become my mother. Everytime I visit my mom, she is always watching Law & Order. Her DVR is full of episodes, SVU, CI & the original. I would normally just sit there & watch them to humor her. While at home a couple weeks ago, I actually got to watch a whole episode and I was hooked! OMG why? The horrible thing is that it is always on at anytime of the day. So now I find myself in a routine. Wake up, make breakfast for Adam, we play on the floor, read some books, go for our daily walk,give him a bath and then it is naptime. During naptime, I find myself scurrying around to clean & vacuum & then I make myself do 30 mins of my Wii Fit(which I love) all in anticipation of being able to sit & watch my recorded episodes of Law & Order. It is sad, really but it seems like the only time I can sit & do nothing for an hour or so. It really is addicting & Chris says he hates it but he always seems to be on the couch with me watching it. Do you know what is really bad? When I go over to my mom's & she is watching one that I have already seen! That show has been on forever! It is bad when I am watching a rerun of a rerun. Sad-really sad.

Christmas

Christmas was very nice this year. It was really mellow & stress free even though Christmas Eve dinner ended up being at my house at the last minute. It all worked out because we didn't have to chose between going over to my mom's or my inlaws. They all came over. The next day we went over to my mom's for our traditional brunch, which really ended up being like dinner by the time everything was ready. My aunt Judy & my mom both got our family & my sister's family Flip video cameras-so nice! Adam really wasn't in to opening his presents. I guess they were not that interesting to him. I can't wait to see how he will react next year. Oh but the best gift of all (besides Jesus of course:)) were my Neil Diamomd tickets from Chris-yay! Here are some pics of Christmas Eve & some of Chris' birthday-which was on the 20th. Oh & of our Christmas card this year.

Holiday Fun

Here are some pics of Thanksgiving & the last couple of days including our friend's get together at Starbucks. I love the ones of Adam & Bea they are so sweet.

I am grateful for:

1. Chris
2. Adam aka Shorty Shorts, Cheeks
3. Spending my days with my son
4. Sam, Brandy, Serg
5. My family
6. for my health & the health of my family
7. My home
8. God's grace
9. Starbucks
10.Books
11.Music
12.Chapstick

Yay, no work on Monday!

I am writing this latest blog on my new laptop. Since I will be working from home in the evenings, Chris bought me a new computer. I am soo looking foward to spending my days with Adam. I am actually excited about making a shopping list. Now that I am going to be home, I plan on cooking more. (We will see how long that will last!)
I was pleasantly suprised that I was sad to be leaving the office. I will miss the great people I worked with. I have a lot plans this week, clean the house, organize Adam's closet, oh and if I don't get called to substitute, I want to give Stroller Strides a try again in the morning. I need to get my butt moving again. I only wish Sam & Bea could do it with us. I need someone to complain & gripe to when I doing a hundred squats & lunges. Anyway, back to studying. It seems like I'm always studying for lame tests! Ugh!

On to Bigger & Better Things (Part 2)

A lot has happened since I last blogged. I gave my boss my two week notice on Tuesday. I feel really good about that. I plan on subbing and I get to spend more time with Adam. He is growing so fast & I'm always amazed how quickly he is learns new things. He is a sponge that soaks up everything & I am in complete awe of it.

Do you ever feel like great things are going to happen to you in the near future? I have been feeling this way for a couple of months, like a stirring in me, like changes are going to happen and they are going to be good. I previously wrote that I felt that God was nudging me to take this huge leap of faith and quit my job. Well when I gave my notice my boss asked me if I would be interested in working from home part time on the days that I am not subbing. Um, yes please! He still needs to have it approved and we still need to work out details but everything always works out.
So back to babies, I want another one. Isn't that strange? Well it is strange to me because I always thought that I wanted to wait till next Spring to start trying. I always know something is meant to be when Chris & I are on the same wave length. This is someone (Chris) who didn't even want kids, so for him to say, "I think that we should start trying for another baby" is a very suprising thing. I feel like the timing is right. Now we just have to agree on name choices again!

Anniversary

Oh geez, I am so caught up with work stuff that I forgot to mention that it is our wedding anniversary today. We have been married for three years! Chris gave my beautiful opal (Adam's birthstone) earrings. I feel truly blessed to have married a great guy that puts up with my neurotic ways. It has been the best three years of my life & I'm looking forward to many more.

Stepping Out of the Boat

One of my favorite sermons is the one about Peter walking on water with Jesus. He stepped out of the boat even when he was doubtful. He took a leap of faith. He only bagan to sink when he took his eyes off of Jesus. I oftened think about this story & how it pertains to my life. We all need to take out of the boat when we feel that God is calling us to do something. We can not be ruled by fear. If we are doing what God wants us to do, then he is going to take care of everything. I have been thinking about this because I really feel like I am supposed to be stepping out of the boat and casting all my fears & doubts to him, keeping my eyes directly on God. He has never failed me. I am ready to get my feet wet.

Happy Birthday Adam!

Yesterday was my baby's 1st birthday. I am now officially a mom of a toddler. I took the day off and we had a lot of fun! We went to breakfast with my mom & sister, then we went to Professor Toy & picked out some stuff. We went shopping & got him two pairs of adorable tennis shoes, went to lunch and then went home for a nap. When Chris got home we went to dinner. Every time someone said Happy Birthday to Adam he would respond, "Thank you" it was soo cute. All in all it was a busy day and I am glad that I got to spend the day with him. We waved good bye to the bottles as I packed them up last night. Will post pics later.

On to Bigger & Better Things (Part 1)

Chris & I decided that when Adam turned 1 that we would eliminate the bottle. So we have been slowly transitioning from the bottle to a sippy cup. It makes me a little sad though because by giving him a bottle I still feel like he is a little baby, which is so sweet. He is handling it really well. What I really can't wait for is to be told that it is ok for him to have regular milk, instead of formula, which should happen at his Dr appt on Friday. I am looking foward to spending the whole day with him tomorrow and taking him to Professor Toy to pick out whatever he wants. : D

Adam's Birthday Party

So last Saturday was Adam's Superhero 1st birhtday party & I think that is was a success. I want to thank my friends for being such good sports and allowing me to use their "mug shots" for the FBI Most Wanted List. It was hilarious & everyone loved it. Adam was really good throughout the party, even without a nap. Beatrice's Wonder Woman costume was so adorable. Chris dressed up as Batman & freaked out Adam until he realized that it was just his dad. All in all, it turned out really well. I am taking Thursday the 16th off (his actual bday) to spend the day with him. I can't wait! Here are some pics from the party.

Strolling My Way to a Better Body

So all I have to say is that the Stroller Strides class last night kicked my butt. Sam & I tried a new class and it was a great deal more difficult that I thought that it was going to be. I honestly thought, "How hard can it be strolling your baby around the park?" Well, that is not all we did. We did squats & numerous lunges (why can I ever get away from lunges?) push-ups, triceps stuff, jogging around cones backwards (really?) and the infamous plank. Can I tell you how much I hate the stupid plank?! Sam kicks pilates butt, while I can't wait for the torture to end. All in all, it was a good class & I love that I get to spend time with Adam while I am trying to get fit. I was telling Chris last night that I think that it is important to try to be as active as we can possibly be, especially around Adam. I think that it would be a good example to him to try to always be active & not grow up to be a chunky unhealthy couch potato. Believe me, it is not normal for me to be really active. I did not grow up running around & loving to exercise. It also didn't help that I did not have one athletic bone in my body. I have to put in some major effort and while my body is constantly sore from whatever we did that day, I am really happy. I am happy that I can spend some mommy alone time with Adam & do something for myself. (although, God help me, can't I be fit without the plank?) : )

A New Version of Me

Today I have decided that I need a makeover. My 50 something coworker dresses much cuter than me. I think that I don't really put much effort into what I wear to work because I feel that there isn't a need. I mean I have been there forever & we are very casual. Although I am starting to believe that if I put much more effort into my clothing that maybe I would feel better about my job? I have a closet full of clothes and really nothing to wear. So trying to convince my hubby that I honestly need new stuff is tough. I just need to clean out the old & bring in the new.
Only problem is that everytime I go shopping I would rather shop for Adam than me. I think that any parent can testify to that. It is much easier to spend money on your kids rather than on yourself (oh great, now I sound like my mom). So I will slowly start building up a new post baby wardrobe. I think I deserve that-right?

Word Boy

Adam is 11 months tomorrow! Chris & I are trying to get everything ready for his big party. I am stressed! I am horrible at being a hostess, when I get stressed I feel like yelling at the guests, "Go home!" Anyway, I write all of this to say that Adam is picking up new words everyday and he is trying to talk all the time. He says "mama", "dada/daddy","nanna","papa", "ball", "thank you" (very polite little boy),"dog","cat", and his new favorite, "dude" (thanks to Chris & his aunt Lizzy). Every time he sees my sister he smiles really big & says "dudes". I keep reminding Chris that he can't call people names while he is driving because Adam is a sponge and I don't want randomly calling someone a jerk. : )

In a Perfect World

Ugh, today is one of those days where I just wish I could home and shut the rest of the world out. In a perfect world, I would have a job that I loved. I would feel that what I did made a difference and it would justify spending the whole day away from Adam. I feel that he is my responsiblity to care for and right now someone else is spending 8 hours with him and while I know that he is in good hands, I would rather it be me that he spends his whole day with.
In a perfect world, both parents would not have to work. More than anything I would love to work part time, work in the morning and spend the rest of the day with Shorty Shorts. It breaks my heart to call home & hear him chatting away. I want to be there. I do not want to miss a thing. He is already going to be a year next month. Where has the time gone? Is it too much to ask for me to be able to contribute to the family income(even a small amount)and spend valuable time with my son? I am sorry but entering data for cows is not fullfilling work for me. I need more in order for me to feel somewhat ok about being away from home.

Hello my name is Desi and I am addicted to Etsy

Thanks to my friend Sam, I have been introduced to this lovely site. I am consumed with the need to buy something all the time. Why you ask? Maybe because I love the fact that things can be custom made for you. Please do not even get me started on all the cute stuff for babies. I tried to explain to Chris that Adam does indeed need 10 onesies with his name on them. I love the idea of something being made especially for you. Plus I love the anticipation of waiting to receive good stuff in the mail.
I am obsessed with jewelry. I have always loved it. So what better than to have your name or your loved one's initials forever branded on it. I am crazy about monograms (among other things). I didn't realize all the different things that can monogramed for you. If I had a baby girl, I believe that all of my paycheck would be spent on etsy. There is way more cute stuff for girls than for boys (a whole another topic for a blog). Alas, I realize that the obsession needs to stop. Should I quit cold turkey or slowing wean myself off? Oh one more purchase won't hurt. Every baby needs a "Future Republican" onesie. I am just doing my patriotic duty. : )

Highlights from our trip to DLand

We took Adam on his first trip to Disneyland a couple of weeks ago. We also got to meet my cousin's baby girl Ella, who is one day younger than Adam. He did really well all day and it was so great getting to spend the day with Rod, Brad & Ella. We are looking forward to going back in November with Jon & Gaby & their boys.

The Great Escape

Over the weekend, Adam discovered that he can pull himself up in his play yard and his crib. It is somewhat alarming to know that he can just topple over if he stood, so next step is moving his mattress down!

"Yikes, I think that I am having a heart attack" or "Wow, babies are heavy!"

So two nights ago I was having this really annoying pain in my chest that seemed to radiate through my left arm to my shoulder and then to my neck. I have had chest pains off & on for two months but I really was trying not to freak out about it, because when I mention chest pains & left arm what instantly comes to mind? Heart problems-right? So for two months I have ignored it. Well Tuesday I was in a lot of pain and it just seemed to get worse and I thought, "Oh geez I am having a heart attack!" I didn't know if I should go to the ER or what to do because what if was nothing. I called my aunt who works for my doctor and she said to just come into the office first thing in the morning.
So I go in and see the NP. He starts to move my arm around and finds the spot in my chest that is killing me (pain wise). Turns out that I had pulled a muscle a couple months ago and it has just gotten worse. How did I do that? I told him that I only lift 2lbs weights. He suggested various stuff. Could I have done it while trying to get Adam out of his car seat, which is the biggest hassle and strain? Then I realized I carry around a 20lb kid everyday. So needless to say that I am not having a heart attack but I am still really sore. He told me to lay off the 2lbs weights which I think is really funny and to take ibuprofen & prescribed a muscle relaxer, which by the way kicked my butt yesterday. So no taking a muscle relaxer & going to work or maybe I will, wouldn't that be funny? : )

Working it out

Since becoming a mom I have not had the time to return to the gym. Between work & Adam there does not seem to be enough time in the day to fit that it. As crazy as it sounds, I miss going to the gym at 5:30 am with my friend Sam. We went for at least a year or more and as much as I hated waking up, I felt like I was accomplishing something. It was also so much easier with a partner and it was great be able to see her often. We were both working at the same goal, we wanted to be healthy moms.
Now it is difficult to find a balance between time for myself and time spent with Adam. It was much easier when I wasn't working because I spent all day with him and I didn't feel so guilty leaving in the evening for an hour. Now I am gone all day & the last thing that I want to do when I get home is leave again.
So I have decided to make working out part of my day in little ways. I am determined to make healthy choices everyday and stick with them. It is not about being skinny anymore, but about being healthy. I have started to walk at work. I slip on my tennis shoes, grab my ipod & go. Chris & I have been walking after work. The funniest thing is I have taken my little dumbells to work and I work on my arms all the while hoping that no one walks in & sees me!
In a perfect world, Sam & I woudn't have to work and we could get our little ones together & stroll around a park everyday. Oh well, instead I need to get creative and figure out ways to fit in working out in my everyday life. This should be interesting!

Picture worthy moments

I finally got around to uploading these pictures. They are of Chris' 1st Father's Day, Adam's first swim (which he was not too keen on)his monthly swing picture & some others.

Things to get excited about

1. healthy baby

2. better jobs (yay Chris!)

3. family

4. great mom in law who comes to my house takes cares of Shorty, cleans, does laundry, makes dinner-makes my life much easier.

5. God's unconditional love & grace even when I don't deserve it.

6. a husband who loves me despite me being neurotic

7. new car

8. Chris (again) great dad

9. a job-even if it is not my dream job, it could be worse.

10. life long friends

11. Lazy afternoons with Chris & Adam

12.Fridays-date nite!

Dame un beso

Adam's new thing is learning how to give kisses. We say,"un beso" and he lunges foward, mouth completely open and plants either me or Chris with a wet slobbery kiss. It is heaven to watch. It is amazing to watch him learn & experience new things. Every week there is something different going on. I always tell new parents that once you get past the "what the heck am I doing" phase parenting becomes much more enjoyable & fun. I mean, we are by no means experts in parenting, I just know that things start out scary & rocky and just get better & better every day.

Dancing the morning away

We have a routine in the Brantley household. Every morning when Adam wakes up (around 6:30) Chris or I will bring him into our room, give him his morning bottle and turn on Jumpstart on VH1(the only time they actually show videos). I know I sound like a bad mommy, but it keeps him occupied while we are getting ready plus it exposes him to a variety of good music-well except when Bret Michaels is on or when people start talking about getting freaky in the club then we change it.

Anyway NKOTB's Summer Time video came on and of course I stopped blow drying my hair to see cutie Joey and then I started dancing around with my blow dryer in my hand totally looking like a crazy lady. The best part was Adam's expression. With his bottle still in his mouth he looked at me like, "Are you serious?". Normally he would find this amusing but he really looked like he wanted to say, "Mom you are really embarrassing me." Wow, I wonder if this is a preview of things to come? Yes Adam I will probably continue to embarrass you the rest of your life, it is one of the things moms do best. ; )

No Shoes, No Service

My baby boy is 8 months today. I can not believe it. It is such a cliche but time goes by so fast. I have to start thinking about his 1st birthday party. It makes me a little sad that he his getting so big. He hates being cradled like a baby and we have already had our first confrontation! Well, not really a confrontation-more like a mini tantrum. Here's the story:
Adam hates hates wearing shoes. The first thing he does is yank them off and chew on them. He has even discovered how to unvelcro stuff. I realize that it is summer and he doesn't always need shoes, but I would like him to wear shoes to church and other important social functions (not that church is a social function-but you get what I mean). I think what made me determined to have him keep his shoes on was when my father-in law said, "Oh it's just the okie in him that wants to go barefoot." To which I responded, "Oh hell no" (well in my head I did). I love my father in law too much to subject him to my snarky comments. I do not want my baby to known as an okie (no offense to okies who may read this-you are lovely & make me laugh). So I decided that he was going to keep his shoes on no matter what! I figured that he is old enough to learn the word no.
Yesterday I put on his little crocs and the first thing he did was grab his shoes to which I responded with a stern no. Of course he thought this was hilarious and obviously I didn't mean it, so there he went again straight for his shoes and again I said no. I picked him up and put him in his car seat. I sat in the back with him and the whole tug of war continued again but this time he started to get mad and have a fit every time I said no. I couldn't believe that my sweet boy was grunting at me and throwing a tantrum! Finally after 10 minutes he left his shoes alone and it was a good thing because he was wearing me down and I was sick of saying no for the umpteenth time. Now I can see why parents finally give into their kid's demands. It is exhausting being a parent!
On another note,we had a really great Father's Day weekend. Adam watched Chris work on the backyard. Shortstuff loves being outside. I will post pics later, we have a different computer now so all the camera stuff needs to be downloaded all over. Stay tuned.

Father's Day

At the hospital in the NICU

Say Cheese!

Happy early Father's Day to the best daddy & husband ever! Both Adam & I love you very much. You make my job as a mommy much easier. Here are some of my favorite pictures of my two favorite guys.