Stooping To A New Low

It's official...if I didn't think it before, I definitely feel it now - this little 22lb 8oz monster officially rules the roost around here.

I've heard of people who have to take their children on car rides to get them to sleep or nap...even my own sister had to try this move often with her three kiddos to get naps when one or all weren't cooperating. I figured that someday I would have to do this, but never did I think it would happen so soon.

However, tonight they hubby and I, both very tired from the weekend's festivities and planning our glorious slumber as soon as we could get little man down had to stumble bleary-eyed to the car in our PJs, strap Cruz into his car seat, climb into the car ourselves and drive around until he finally closed those pretty little blue eyes.  Otherwise, he just would not go to sleep. We pulled out every trick in our small, but impactful, arsenal and nothing.

The baby whisperer (aka the hubby) did his signature lay down move, I tried to walk/bounce/pat him while singing in my terrible alto voice (although I think little man adores my off-key sounds), we pulled out the sippy cup filled with Pedialyte, pacifiers, teethers, you name it. We even tried letting him "play" himself to sleep. Nothing. Nada. Both of us were basically pulling our hair out by this point.

So after a couple trips around the neighborhood, we had a sleeping baby.  Once we pulled into the driveway, I carefully and quietly unstrapped him and cradled him straight into his nursery. He is still asleep as I'm typing this....please, oh please, let it stay that way all night.

My Baby Boy: Forty Six Weeks Old

Happy 46 (yep, that's forty-six) weeks old, little buddy!

Couldn't get a smile without Daddy over my shoulder

Little man has a cold in his eyes - not sure if it's allergy related, but he's a hurtin'

Wedding of the Year

This post is a bit delayed...and I have no excuses as to why, I've just been a bit lazy the past couple of weeks :)

The hubby's brother, Marc and fiance Britt finally got hitched two weeks ago! It was a really special wedding, of course, because it was Nick's brother, but we also got to officially welcome Brittany to the family.

They lucked out and had a gorgeous weekend weather-wise for their big day and everything was perfect. Marc looked great and Brittany was gorgeous. Nick was the best man, I was a bridesmaid and our little guy was ringbearer - he was oh-so-cute in his tuxedo and Chuck Taylor's! Here's a recap of the weekend...I'm bummed I didn't get any pics of little man in his decked out wagon with the "Here Comes the Bride" chalkboard on the back, but I know once the prof pictures are back we will have plenty.

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Rehearsal Day

On Friday, the men got up early to golf & drink, while the ladies had our own plans in mind. I got up early and brought little man to day care for the day (I figured that would be better than him being drug in and out of places all day long) and got my nails done. Then I met some of the bridesmaids and the mamas at Mimi's Cafe for brunch, follwed by pedis and cocktails at Legacy Nails.

Before we knew it, I had to speed home to get ready for the rehearsal, get the hubby cleaned up and then we picked up little man from day care - changing him in the back of the Jeep at the church!

After Rehearsal we headed to Charlie's on the Lake for dinner with family and close friends. It was a great night and we managed to wear Cruz out from being passed around from person to person - and headed home at a relatively reasonable time...for us at least.

Bridesmaid & Mama Brunch before pedicures & cocktails

Family photo opp - in our denim glory

The happy couple

Nanu, Grammy & little man

The Bride & her Maids

Grandma & Cruzer

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Wedding Day

Saturday brought on the big day. While the hubby sat at home writing his best man speech, little man and I headed to the salon to get our hair done with the gals.

The wedding was beautiful and the reception a blast - we couldn't keep Cruzer off the dance floor!  My parents took little man home for us so we could enjoy the night. After the reception we all headed to Caddyshack and then back to the hotel. The day and night were perfect - I don't think Marc & Britt could've planned it any better.

Getting our hair did - gorgeous bride

Rockin' the track suit - Soprano-style

Cheers! Enjoying mimosas

Ready to walk down the aisle

My favorite guys

Nanu & the grandkids

Sisters...well somewhat!

Mook & the ringbearers - Cruz, Dominic & Mattox

Beautiful bride w/ flowergirl Sicily

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The Day After

Early the next morning, we awaited Cruz to be dropped off at the hotel by my family and then headed to a brunch with family and the wedding party put on by Grandma Carol.  After brunch was the present opening, relaxing and recapping the weekend.

The MARRIED couple

Our little cheeseball

Congrats Marc & Britt!!

My Baby Boy: Forty-Five Weeks Old

Happy 45 weeks, baby boy!

Omaha Half Marathon

This morning I made a dent, albeit a small one, in my bucket list. I ran in and completed my first half marathon. Yes...me! A co-worker mentioned it a few months ago and I all but laughed in his face. I don't run long distances. I run five miles a couple times a week and I'm good with that. Actually there was a time I was proud of myself for that.

Fast forward a couple weeks and my sister-in-law Morgan mentioned it. That's when I actually thought this was something I could do. Granted, I didn't have much time to prepare, but I'd been running all summer and would just need to jump into a training plan. Easy, right?

It took a lot of back and forth with myself - "I can do it. No, I can't. Yes, I can." - until I finally took the plunge and signed up. No turning back... On August 25th, I signed up and promised myself I would see my way through it.

I attempted to follow the training plan, but to be honest it was slow going. Between work, little man and my excuses I just didn't get to day by day. I was frustrated on days I didn't get my runs in and tempted to back out. Nope, I can do this...

I woke up this morning at 5am feeling good and left the house around 5:30am. I got to Millard Ave and realized I had forgotten my running shoes. Are you kidding me?!?! This is not a good start to the day...it can only go up from here, right? To top it off, it was cold this morning. 37 degrees when I got into my car.

I got down to TD Ameritrade and the place was packed. I met up with Morgan and we lined up for our 7am start. Here goes nothing... The race started out well. I was keeping up and we were weaving in and out of the pack. Around mile 4, Morgan mentioned we were keeping an 8:10/mile pace. Eeek...too quick for me.  I ran through the next aid station for a drink of gatorade and tied my shoelace and that's where she and I parted ways (shoot, I'm just glad I lasted that long with her!). At mile 6, all of the 10k-ers were turning off toward the finish...oh how I was tempted to turn in with them...and be done. To think I still had SEVEN+ miles left.

Around mile 7, I started feeling my calves ache and we were steadily climbing hills from there until mile 9. Yuck. At mile 10 we headed back downtown and downhill which was awesome...I thought to myself "I've got this!"

I thought we would coast down 10th street to TD Ameritrade for our finish, but of course not, it couldn't be that easy. We turned onto Jackson and headed up past Hiro 88 (oh, how I wish I were inside enjoying some Snow White Chicken and a glass of wine instead of running right now). We then turned north and headed back toward the stadium on 15th. Ok, I can take this route straight to TD Ameritrade. Almost there. Nope. Up ahead I noticed we were turning east again on Farnam. Come on people...this girl is tired!

We headed down near Conagra (around 8th street - this is where I started losing steam) and back up Capitol to 16th. Back north yet again toward the finish line and I saw the mile 12 marker. Almost there! I gained some energy (I still have no idea how) and started cruising. The stadium was in site and soon I could see the finish line and not only that I could see the time clock...that can't be right 1 hour 55 minutes? There is no way I'm under 2 hours...no way its possible. But, it's true, I crossed the finish line at 1:55 and some change. I collected my medal from one of the nice looking marines and finally stopped running. My legs felt like jello, my calves were on fire, my core was aching...but I had finished!  I couldn't believe it had made it!

I have to say, I never in my dreams had ever thought I would be running 13 miles at one time and completing a half marathon, but it feels great. I can't say I want to do it again tomorrow or next week or next month, but I would consider doing another down the road. Mark that bad boy off the bucket list.

Goal: finish in under 2 hours & 15 minutes and no walking
Finished: 1:54:02 (actual time based on where we started)

After the finish with Morgan -
proud of both of us for doing this!

Bath Time Fun

After a crazy weekend and an even more hectic past couple of days at work, I was able to spend some time with Little Mango. We went on a long run, picked up a gift at Babies R Us, and came home for a fancy meal of noodles, peas and yogurt. And little man made himself a BIG mess.

Note to self: don't leave his clothes on, with no bib, at any time.

I quickly started the water and peeled off his clothes and put him in the tub for some clean time and fun. He loves splashing around.

Shortly after he's in the water and I've given him a couple of his toys, he looks at me, then over his shoulder and points to the bag of toys in the corner as if to say, "Yo mom, what are you waiting for? Get me some more toys to play with!" I'm sure this is one of those times you had to be there to see how serious he was and how stinkin' cute it was, but it was definitely worth sharing :)

My Baby Boy: Forty-Four Weeks Old

Happy 44 weeks, Little Mango!!

Getting excited for Halloween!

Our Little Guy: Ten Months Old

Wow...already 10 months and so crazy to believe that our little guy will be one year old in two short months! I can't imagine life without our little man and feel like he's been in ours forever.

What has Cruz been up to?

• Big News: this month has been CRAZY...and I feel like this only continues as he gets older. Little Mango has taken up crawling and is EVERYWHERE! The house is officially baby proofed and I feel like we live in a day care with all the gates and outlet covers and toys scattered everywhere. He is also pulling himself up on furniture, which only means walking is coming soon. He had his first surgery as well, getting tubes placed in both ears. That was just a couple weeks ago, but so far, so good. And he's got his first tooth poking through...which is so exciting and fortunately no teething symptoms (fingers crossed!). And, last but not least, his first real vacation! We headed to Lake Panorama with my family and he experienced so many awesome things...we had such a great time. And we purchased two new car seats for our growing little guy. He's out of the carrier and into the upright. We have the makings of a toddler (what?! not yet!) on our hands.

In his scrubs before surgery

Our little daredevil - climbing on everything!

• Eating:  this month also brought along table food! We've had so much fun trying out different foods and Cruz has been great about being open to so many things...he loves feeding himself...and, of course, to eat! Another great addition to the family has been our Boon high chair, which has lived up to its hype. This boy makes a big ol' mess and this high chair takes approximately 2.2 minutes to clean up after the most disastrous messes.

• Sleeping: overall sleeping has been great this month, however, during our vacation to Lake Panorama he started waking up in the middle of the night and around 5am each morning...which was super early for his partying mama and papa...and it carried over to the following week at home. Thankfully he's back to sleeping through the night and waking up 7am or later! His nap schedule is light at day care and so when he gets home he's all played out and ready to relax.

At a local carnival on his 1st vacay with Papa and Grandma

• Developments:  our boy continues to grow. He's 22lbs 9oz. and 27 3/4in long. We had a noggin' check up this month and he's had so much improvement that he only  has to wear his helmet 8 hours/day.  He is crawling, pulling himself up, babbling...you name it, this boy is doing it. 

Cruz & daddy at the zoo

Football baby

• Features:  he's such a little goof ball. His smile is infectious and lights me up every, single time I see it. He is still our little chubby bunny and has some thick legs ol' legs and arms. He makes the best funny faces when trying new foods (definitely not due to my lacking cooking ability).  His gorgeous blue eyes stand out, his hair is growing and WILD and he is still the cutest little man I have ever seen.

Gorgeous baby blues!

Happy 10 months, baby boy!

Oh Baby

Another Link Up from "From Mrs. To Mama" and this is a fun one!

1. Tell us your favorite baby names? Aside from your own babies, if you have some.

In college I was set on Jackson for a little guy and Sophia for a girl, but those had become so popular that I knew I couldn't name our guy one of those (though I still love them). For a little guy, I love Cruz (of course), Madden and Oscar. For a girl, Giada (Gia, GiGi for short), Jameson, Kherington, Gisele and Luca (I know it means Luke in Italian, but I prefer it for a girl).

2. Show me your "dream" nursery {can be your baby's nursery or one that you love}.
There are so many nurseries I love out there...people are so creative. I do have to post the one nursery I love the most right now which is the one we did up for our little guy. Every time I walk into this room, I get a little smile on my face. All of the hard work was worth it!

3. How many children would you like to have? How far apart?

Years ago I would've told you three, but I think the hubby and I have agreed that two will fit us best. We've got our little man and all we need to complete our family is a little baby girl :) I mean, it has to be boys against girls and balanced, right??  I hear a couple years apart is good and seems to make sense. I want to enjoy Cruz before thinking about getting preggers again anytime soon.

4. Tell us what you think the importance of parenting is?

Wow...there are so many things that are important about being a parent. First off, loving them unconditionally, no matter who they are, what's important to them and what they become. Letting them be themselves and not smothering them or trying to change them into someone you want them to be, but guiding them along the way. Instilling good manners and behavior in them - teaching them to be nice to everyone, give others a chance and don't judge. Not accepting bad behavior such as bullying, name-calling, etc. Helping them understand that everyone is different, but people who aren't just like us can teach them so much. Raising them in a happy home with loving parents. It's crazy to sit back and think about how important being a parent is...

5. Show us your favorite newborn photo {can be your children or random}

It's definitely got to be pics of our little guy. He's so awesome and we have been so blessed with him...hard to believe these were taken just a few months ago...I feel like he's been with us forever.

First pic of our family (lots of tears had been shed for that little guy)

Our puggle checking him out for the first time

6.  Tell us some things you promise to never do as a parent {and if you are a parent, did you stick to it}

Hmm...this is hard to remember what I thought I would never do as a parent since becoming one not too long ago. I guess I had promised myself that I would never put our little guy into corny cartoon pajamas...BUT some of them are actually cute! I suppose I've said that I'm not going to let my child be glued to the TV, technology, iPads, you name it and we would set times for them to experience these things, but not let them miss out on the outdoors and other fun because they HAVE to play games, watch certain shows, etc. BUT I'm realizing I will be changing my tune and already have in some ways. Cruz absolutely LOVES The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and I have to say there are times when I have to get ready in the mornings and I'm running late that I stick him in front of the TV so I can get finished up. Is that so bad??

This is his "I'm watching Mickey Mouse face"

My Baby Boy: Forth-Three Weeks

Happy 43 weeks, Little Mango! Cruz sure had some great poses this week...

(Only a few short weeks before we are done with these weekly pics!)

We were trying on our tux for Uncle Mook & Auntie Britt's wedding
and decided to leave the vest and tie on...with a cute little diaper cover!

Goof ball!

You talkin' to me??

Just Listening to Some Music

Do you ever find that when you're listening to the radio and certain songs come on it brings you back to a memory of a place or a person or a special little dance you made up with your friend back in the day?  I swear this has been happening to me a lot lately...maybe it's my love for 90s on 9 on Sirius or just the fact that I have some really great memories with some of my favorite people that happen to involve music.

For example, I was driving from work last night to pick up little man and Notorious B.I.G. 'Mo Money' came on the radio and I just had to turn it up loud, roll down the windows and rock out. Seriously...and people were staaarrring something fierce at ol' girl. I immediately thought of my sister, Tessa, and how she introduced me to this song when she was in college and I was still in high school and taught me how to "throw my rollie in the sky" and "wave it side to side" and every time that song comes on and that part comes on, my right arm goes up in the sky and I wave it side to side like you wouldn't believe!

So it got me thinking about other songs that bring me back to different memories as soon as they come on...

Like the Fugees "Killing Me Softly," my bestie, Angie and I would take mains around our hometown and sing every single word, thinking we were too cool for school. Or Vanilla Ice's "Ice Ice Baby" and Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" (I know..what a mix, right?) which we played over and over on trips to Norfolk to see these guys we liked in high school.

Or 3 Doors Down "Here Without You" - the song that defined my feelings when I was living alone in New York City and the hubby and I were on a "break" (you know, the Ross & Rachel kind) during my time there and then reconnected and he emailed me to listen to this song and it totally helped us realize that we needed to get back together.

Another would be Sarah McLaughlin's "I Will Remember You" which was our cheesy high school graduation song, but was made more important to me when my bestie, Katie played it on repeat while she gave birth to her son Blake...and every time that song comes on, I break down into massive tears thinking about her and Angie and all of the amazing times we've had together.

Or John Mayer's "Your Body Is A Wonderland" which was on repeat along with his entire CD on my spring break trip with Heather to Denver. We just happened to pick Denver during the worst snow storm they had seen in years, barely made it to our hotel before the entire city shut down and managed to have one of the most fun weekends ever.

Just typing all of this brought back some great memories and makes me think of some of the great times I've been fortunate enough to have in my life.

What songs bring back these types of memories for you?

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like...FALL!

It's time for another Link Up via one of my fave blogs "From Mrs. To Mama"...and this one is ALL about fall!

1. Tell us what you are looking forward to this fall?

Typically I've never been one of those people who can't wait for fall. I.Love.Summer.  And warm weather...and shorts, dresses and tank tops. BUT this year has been a bit different. It's been H-O-T. Really hot...even too hot for me. So now I'm jumping on the fall bandwagon with everyone else and I cannot wait for cooler weather, football, pumpkin patches and fall fashion!

2. Show us your fall style.

Easy enough. Layering, skinny jeans, tall boots, flowing tanks, long cardigans/jackets, dresses, tights....comfortable and fashionable.

My "I.Need.This." list for fall:  hunter green skinnies, denim shirt, cute flats, ankle-length skinnies...and oh so much more.

Blazer w/ shorts

Casual w/ denim jacket

Blazer & flowy shirt

Bright skinnies w/ neon

Long trench, short skirt, tights, boots

Mustard dress

And as you can see I love Rebel Attitude's style...basically everything she puts on is GORGEOUS and I want it. Can you say major girl crush??

3. Tell us your favorite things to do in the fall. If you have children, activities to do with the kids?

As much as I don't always admit it to my hubby, I love football in the fall! That doesn't mean I want to watch it every day, all day as he would prefer, but I love a good weekend in front of the TV or at a bar with friends, drinks and food, cheering on our team. I'm especially excited for our trip to Iowa City in October to cheer on the Hawkeyes!!

Now that I have a little guy, I'm especially giddy to take him to Vala's Pumpkin Patch and all of the other pumpkin patches around Omaha. 

My fave holiday also falls in Fall...Halloween! I can't wait to decorate the house (I may have to go a bit more kid-friendly, rather than my normal scary this year), think up costumes, plan our Halloween party and take the little guy Trick-or-Treating (mainly just to show off his costume!)

4. Show us your favorite fall beverage.

Hmmm...not necessarily my favorite fall beverage...but my favorite ALL THE TIME beverage! A nice glass of Pinot Noir. Although, my glass is filled much, much higher when I pour it at home.

5. Tell us, how you will be participating in halloween this year. Plans? Costume ideas? 

The hubby and I are still trying to decide if we are going to hold our annual Halloween party. Prior to last year (when I was VERY preggo & not interested in having a ton of people at the house imbibing while I looked on with envy), we had one every year and invited over friends and family. I LOVED the costumes and creativity and just hanging with the people I love the most. This year, it seems like a big hassle and a lot of work..and I don't have a ton of free time lately to plan and go crazy decorating. Only time will tell.

As far as costumes, I think I have little man's figured out...but it's a SURPRISE :) And I'm still working on our costumes. I like fun, creative costumes and have to say that the year before last we failed. The pressure is on!

KISS!

Roller Derby...with skates

So in closing...bring on Fall!