my tv shows

Since having Nash I have let some of MY shows go like Desperate Housewives, Brothers and Sisters, and The Biggest Loser. I have continued to watch the shows that Chris and I watch together (Lost, Scrubs, The Office) and we added a new one, the new Demetri Martin show. We normally dvr them and watch them together later. I used to dvr Housewives and Brothers and Sisters but they started to pile up from me not keeping up with them that I said forget it. I am not that sad about missing Desperate Housewives. I have not followed it from the beginning and it was kind of weird that they jumped in the future. I do miss brothers and sisters because I love Calista Flockhart. I like her and Rob Lowe together and they were supposed to be adopting. I also like the mom, Sally Field. Lost has been really good in my opinion. They are answering a lot of questions. You always learn something new and it keeps you wanting more. Scrubs is a little scattered and out of order but still funny. I think it is on it's way out though. The characters are getting older and there is not much story line left. The Office is always funny to me. I love Jim and Pam together and all the characters have funny qualities about them. Tonight, the Biggest Loser was on and I actually watched a whole episode. (If you have not seen it and do not want the details stop reading now). I fell back in love with the show. I love the emotion, hard work, and awesome results these contestants get. It's amazing. This guy who had been there 8 weeks lost 100 lbs! These people put tons of effort into it. They do it the right way. Learn healthy living habits. The work outs are TOUGH. I don't think I could do it. These people are carrying like 100 to close to two hundered pounds more than they need to and they are working their butts off (literally). It's an emotional show. A lot of people cry and talk about real issues. In my opinion most people (other than people who have genetic problems or medical issues) don't get that over weight over night and have other issues that stem their eating habits. No one likes to feel the way they feel. The closest thing I have been to their experience is being pregnant and I thought then how do people live that way. It's hard to do ordinary things (bending over, getting out of bed, tying my shoe, putting on clothes, just getting aroud). I remember trying to walk for exercise closer to the end of my pregnancy for exercise and felt like I was dying. This is what reality shows should be about. Real people, real issues, that inspire others to make healthier choices (not the crap you see on VH1). The only thing I don't like about the show is the way they eliminate. In my opinion to make it fair, whatever team has the lower percentage of weight lost that week the person on that team with the lowest weight loss that week should go home. I hate how they play the game to stay on and people who did awesome, like the guy I talked about who lost the 100lbs, has to go home. Not fair in my book. I wish I had someone to push me like that to work out. I would be a buff woman (a mini Julian, don't want to be as buff as her. She's a little too muscular for me). Without the pushing, I would not put forth the effort just like the people on the show didn't before they came. I am not commiting myself to watch it all the time but I would like to see it more. It's better if you watch it from the begining because you get to know the contestants. Also, part of me feels guilty. I should be exercising instead of watching a show about it. I did do floor exercises with Nash (he thought we were playing) because of the guilt. I am learning I am totally motivated by self-induced guilt! (not always good but can be. at least I did some crunches and leg lifts tonight)

all the attention

I am one that does not like to be center of attention. It makes me really uncomfortable. With a baby, it is hard to go anywhere without getting a lot of attention. Of course I am more okay with it because the attention is geared towards Nash and not me. Nash is quite the attention getter. He likes to jabber loudly, scream, clap his hands or wave at people. (not to mention he is a pretty cute little guy). As a friend of mine says "his face belongs on the tizube"(a catch phrase from the Martin show). However, you sometimes get unsolicited advice like you do when you are pregnant. (on that note: people should totally cater to pregnant women, watch what they say, and be kind. It's a rough emotional time and one that does not need added stress by how people treat them or what they say. It's amazing the rude and insensitive comments you get when your pregnant that are totally unsolicited but it's like people can't stop themselves) So it is similar to that when you have a baby in public. Like once I mentioned to someone somewhere how much Nash likes to watch tv. Then I get to hear how so and so does not allow their kid to watch tv. People also tend to compare stats on their kids. I do like to know about what other babies are doing and/or tell what is going on with Nash but not with a "my kids better than your kid" attitude that some people have. I just like to be informed and usually have a lot of questions and am open to new ideas. Of course, all parents think their kid is amazing. That's how it should be. I am totally buttcrazy in love with Nash. For example, this morning after spending 4 straight days with him. I teared up when I left him. I am fortunate to have the grandmas watch him while I am at work. I still call and check on him at least once a day sometimes more. Chris and I were somewhere and someone was talking about so and so (husband and wife) going out of town for the first time since having their baby without their baby. Quite frankly, I am not ready for that. I think I would not enjoy the time away because I would be thinking and wondering about him. I enjoy a date night every now and then when Chris and I go watch a movie and dinner but over night without him... I don't think so. I do share him. I let people hold him when we go somewhere or are around family. To me, it's still hard to be without him for forty hours a week so for the weekends I like to enjoy my time with him. Ideally I would love to work part time but that is not happening. So, Nash has a lot of my attention as well and probably will for years to come. He is my child and time flies so fast I like to soak in the time I do have with him. Probably when he hits the terrible two's I will be more ready to say "take him". We'll see.

How did this happen?

How did this sweet little newborn.......

turn in to this sweet little boy???

It blows my mind!!!

a weaning update

Things are going pretty good and actually better on my end then I imagined. I nurse Nash when he wakes up and can go a whole work day without pumping which is nice. I nurse when I get home, feed him his supper, and then nurse him later. In that time he seems like he is not getting enough from all that and still wants a bottle usually between 4-6ozs which is what motivated me to start weaning him in the first place. This past weekend since I was trying to go the whole day without nursing I was giving him a bottle and he really did not take it as well as he does at night time and during the day with my mom and mom-in-law. I thought that was weird. There are time he wants to nurse rather than the bottle. I don't know if it is just habit or what. So, I don't think Nash is 100% on board. I guess the good news is I know on my end I can decrease slowly and it won't be painful. On Nash's end I know he is okay with the bottle and seems to want it sometimes but sill prefers to nurse sometimes too. So, I am just going to continue slowly and go with what is good for him. I have read that you can keep one feeding a day for a while so it may end up with us hanging on to one or two for a while until I know Nash is ready to stop completely.

Mommy and Nash's V-Day Date

My sweet little Valentine!

Nash and Nate eating some fruits and veggies in the River Market

Misty and Braydi in the triangle mirror.

We went to the Wonder Place and met up with Nash's new buddy Nate and his mom Kat and My best friend and her little girl Braydi. We had a great time and I look forward to going again.

Nash and Nate in the triangle mirror.

This was by far their favorite. It is a play table with a water tray and toys. They had a great time in it.

The boys had a great time together and are only a couple weeks apart. Nash is the older of the two.

He splashed and splashed. We had to roll up the sleeves.

Nash dressed up as a cow.

Nash's valentine he "made" for mommy. It's a monkey just like he is!

My Funny Valentine

Every year around Valentine's Day, my husband has a basketball tournament where they often but not always play on the actual day which means we really can't plan what we are going to do. However, it really is not that big of a deal. We usually just do something on a different day which I prefer to avoid the crowd. I guess Valentine's Day is a little more exciting when you are dating anyways. I don't know maybe that is just me. I have baked him chocolate chip cookies that he has ate on this week and got a few things small things that he might like. He bought himself a shirt as my gift to him. We will probably go out to eat or something later. At least this year if I am alone on Valentine's Day, I will have my little man to keep me company. I have thought about going to a play place with him during the day to celebrate or do something outside of the house. We'll see. I am waiting to see how the tournament goes to see when Chris's team plays. Either way I will have two Valentine's dates this year!

Rainy Day

rain outside my window-you are making me very sleepy

chills and yuck feeling-please go away

dayquil-please start working

mommy's little man-I miss you and want to cuddle

home, blanket, and bed-I hear you calling my name

weather-please don't get bad tonight

weekend-i am ready for you already

husband-let's stop passing our sickness to each other. I also miss you and want to cuddle.

work day-please hurry up and get over

Let the weaning begin!

Okay I believe it may be time to start weaning. What led me to this was several things. One this weekend I thought I will try to see if he will take a bottle from me because he used to totally refuse. I fixed two ounces and he sucked it down. On Saturday, he ate his dinner, nursed, and still acted hungry. So, I fixed four ounces and he sucked it down and cried wanting more. I gave him two more ounces with the same results. Tonight the same thing, he was acting hungry so I nursed him. He basically did not do it for very long and just looked and laughed at me. He really wouldn't nurse so I thought let me try a bottle. I did 5 ounces. He sucked it down wanting more. Then he did another two ounces. I don't know if he just prefers the bottle now or needs more than I can give him but I think it's time to start weaning. I have also switched over to the bigger bottles now that he is drinking more and the nipples have a different flow to them. Basically, the milk comes out faster so I think he likes it better. What's hard for me is that nursing comes so naturally that I am going to have to consciously start weaning him. There would be times this weekend I would think about giving him a bottle and then just end up nursing him. We really don't have any set schedule so it's hard for me to know when to skip a feeding. I am going to only pump once at work this week instead of twice and then go from there. Slowly decreasing nursing and instead doing formula. It is a bittersweet time. I will miss it but I feel like he needs more and it may be time to move on. There will be the pros too. Not having to worry about nursing when we are out and pumping. The cons I already don't like cleaning up the bottles and purchasing formula. Also, to me it seems to have a weird smell. I may just not be used to it. He went a good six and half months of nothing but breast milk. Then did half and half when I was gone because I was not pumping enough. Now we are going to cut down more. I feel great about having met my goal and exceeded it. I never would have thought that starting out. I have enjoyed breastfeeding and think it is great for many reasons. No one ever tells you how obsessed you become about breastfeeding but you totally do! At least you will not have to read any more of my breastfeeding posts. (maybe, maybe not)

8 months on Feb. 10th

I was going to wait to post this one the actual day but oh well. These are this 8 month pics taken today. As you can see, he is happy boy. His new things are clapping and waving at people. He is also trying his hardest to figure out how to crawl forwards but is only going backwards so far. He is drinking and eating more. He really likes his new little puffs. He is still pretty talkative. He does not have teeth yet but has several white spots on his bottom gum so they are coming. One seems to be really close. Hope you enjoy the sweet pics of my little man as much as I do! Stay tuned for cute Valentine's Day pics.

skinny...I hate that word

I have been called skinny a few time recently and it really bothers me. I know some people may be thinking "yeah right" but I am serious. I have always been a small person which I have always gotten comments about it (I'm talking since Jr. High). My weight has not changed that much since that time either other than the 40lbs (yeah I said it) I gained when I was pregnant. Afterwards, my weight just kept going down. I am at a stand still now on my weight which is fine by me. I really don't want to be any smaller. I don't know if people just got used to seeing my chubby pregnant face or what but what really bothers me is when they say they can tell I am losing weight in my face. To me that does not sound attractive. I have real defined facial features (high cheek bones, jaw line, chin and nose) and I am hoping they are just not used to seeing those because when I was pregnant my face got a lot fuller. I really have not done anything to lose weight. I think it is just a combination of breastfeeding and I am so busy with my little guy and other household duties all the time that I don't lay around or snack a whole lot. Yeah, there are times when I probably don't eat a whole lot in a day because I am busy or doing something but I do eat when I am hungry and totally enjoy some junk food probably more than I should. After I got the comment today again by someone who has seen me a lot prepregnancy and pregnancy and told me she thought I looked smaller than I was before I was pregnant, I went and got a value meal from McDonald's and ate a chocolate chip cookie!

a little bit of everything

My son is a wild man. Here lately he has been very active. I put him in his walker and he is going 90 to nothing. He pushes off with both feet and fly around the kitchen, into the laundry room, and in the breakfast room. He wants to get into the dishwasher and pull things off the baker's rack which is very dangerous so I tend to keep him away from that area. Even when he is playing in the floor or sitting with me., he's grabbing at everything which sometimes is out of his reach so then he falls over and then scoots around (mostly backwards). I am a little overwhelmed and terrified of when he is actually crawling and can get into what he wants to. I need to baby proof and have some area for him to play in that he can be penned in. I am thinking of different ideas but not certain on any now.
Work has been a little stressful which is the nature of my job anyways. I don't think most people realize how stressful my job can be sometimes. I try to not let it bother me and am pretty good about "leaving it at work". I have learned a little bit about myself lately which is always eye opening for me. Some times good and some times bad. I have learned about how I deal with stress. Since work is by nature stressful and life has it's share of stress in it as well so I tend to TRY to block out other areas of stress. Meaning if I know that someone else is having stuff going on or things I could get involved in that would be stressful for me I tend to try to avoid it or block it out. Sometimes I think I may be being a bit selfish because I am not "being there" or whatever when someone else has something going on with them. Other times I think it is completely healthy and can totally wear a person out by having too much going on in their life. Granted if it is something that I can or need to be there for someone I will but I am very selective about it. My idea is why add stress to my life if is not necessary. I don't like it. It gets me in a funk quick.
On that note my aunt passed away on Sunday and the funeral is today. I am going to it and I know this is selfish too but I hate going to funerals. I don't guess no one really enjoys them. I hate to see other people hurting especially people that I care about. It is like with work I can leave it at work but it's hard to leave it when it is your family going through it. I have kind of distanced myself from the whole event. I have called and checked on things, tried to stay optimistic and positive, prayed daily for my family, but other than that have not done much. What can you do? right? So, today I am in a funk because I guess I can't avoid it much longer.
So, instead of talking about her death I will say some things that I will remember about my aunt. Her birthday is the day before mine so if I would have been born a day earlier my middle name would of been Diane instead of Denise. I used to call her on her birthday because it was pretty easy for me to remember. I spent several Saturday mornings at her and my uncle's house. On the weekends with my dad, I would wake up early and walk up the street to visit them. She made awesome sweet tea. It was soooo sweet that it almost tasted like syrup and to a kid you can't get much better than that. I remember eating at her house a lot. Most of our family events would be at their house. One thing that she cooked that I liked is potatoes that were chopped up and fried and of course I ate them with Ketchup. They had those plastic cups that have the built in straw to them. To this day I still prefer to drink from a plastic cup rather than a glass and as a kid I thought it was cool that the straw was built in. Also, her and my uncle got married at a very young age and have been married for 39 years. To me this was a big deal, in my family I did not see much of that. She greatly loved and cared for family and raised two of her granddaughters as her own. I have not been close to her in a while. Mainly just growing up. I would see her at family events. The last time I saw her was when we were building our house. Her and my uncle would come by and look at it from time to time and I showed them around.
So, I guess today is just going to be one of those days.

Gymboree Review

Yesterday was my niece Gracie's second birthday. She had her party at Gymboree. I had never been there so I was excited about seeing what it was all about. As far as birthday parties for young kids go, I think it was fabulous! I liked several things about it. One, they only do birthday parties on Saturdays and Sundays. So, when you have your birthday party scheduled it is just your party going on then opposed to other places I have been where there are multiple parties going on a the same time and a lot of chaos. It is a big room that you take your shoes off and go into. They have a lot of mats on the floor, climbing things, and soft toys. The lady that led the birthday party was really good which I am sure makes a big difference. She had a good voice for kids and was cheerful and upbeat. So, my advice would be to ask for the party person to be someone who has been there a while like she has. Her name was Valerie if you are considering going there. She was really good. They sang songs, played with musical instruments, did an obstical course, played with a persecute, used their imaginations, did bubbles, and lots of fun hands on activities. All the kids seemed to have a great time. I think it is probably best for kids 5 and under. My 5 year old nephew had as much if not more fun than his sister, the birthday girl. Nash enjoyed the things he could do and watching the others. I even had him slide down one of the slides. He played with the musical instruments. I think it would be much more fun for him when he is more mobile like crawling and climbing on things even not necessary walking. I would have to say for a birthday party it would probably be best around the age of 2 to 4 even. I am definitely considering having one of Nash's there. They do have classes for babies of all ages where they do age appropriate things. They have a music class for kids his age as well. As they get a little older they have other fun active classes and art classes. So all and all a really neat place. Birthday parties are supposed to be what the kids enjoy doing and this place the kids seemed to have a great time.