Mama's Got Her Groove Back!

My Update:

2.5 weeks and I haven't missed a run yet! 6 lbs off and 20 to go....ugh...I figure telling the world how much I have to lose will only push me that much more. I am motivated. Ready to get back to me but need a little patience. It is so hard to reduce that baby area and so hard to wait. Ah well, I am well on my way now. Progress is beginning to show itself.

Jack's Update:

Jack's little mouth is populating itself with many teeth. He just had another pop through and you can see where 3 more and just waiting to bust out of the gums. Poor lil guy. He is being a good sport about it though. Doesn't really seem to bother him too much. What a strong man he is going to be (just like daddy).

He is also becoming very vocal. Well when he is at home anyhow. He is constantly practicing his vowel sounds...aaaaaaaaaaaa, ooooooooooo, ouuuuuu. It is so cute! He has been rehersing all day. I just love hearing his little sounds. Whispering has also become very popular. Thank heavens as I much prefer it to the alternative. He is being very adventurous with his sounds which leads me to believe he may be a chatter box like his dad (kidding he prob gets this from him mom).

Well it is just about bath time which happens to be both of our favourite time of the day. Must get the water running and toys out. Will update again soon. Thanks for listening!

Mama's Boy.

Me Without Him?

3.5 months and I am heading back to work?!?!?! What?!?!?!? Where did my year go? Oh yeah see below for how much Jack has grown. Seriously how is it possible that time went this fast? I am dreading leaving him. We meet our babysitter next Monday morning and hope that she will agree to start taking him one day a week come February. I think this will really help me get my groove back, help Jack settle better and of course ease my mind about leaving him all day with someone else.

Speaking of getting my groove back. We have started a new routine. It involves adding my daily run back into my life. Oh how I have missed it. The past 8 months I have really struggled with keeping my own routine and combining it with Jack's. I have to admit I have been all about him (which I am sure is what most new moms do) but it is now time to get 'ME' back. I have said a few times I really just don't know how to be the person I used to be since he has come along. I am so focused on being a good mom that I have forgotten it is important to do a few things for myself. I just find it so hard to be 'me' without him. How am I going to function without him attached to my hip? Anyway...here goes nothing! Time to be a good mom while being healthy and taking care of me too. Only on day 2 but man it feels good! Just 25 pounds to go...Oh dear this is going to be hard.

Baby's First Christmas!

We had a very Merry Christmas and all got a tad spoiled. Pat, Jack and I were able to stay home all Christmas day. Our family came to us this year. It was so nice to have them all here under our little roof. We had a lot of fun but were all very tired after the day was over. It was a blessing to be home and have Jack in his own bed for naps. Made the day a lot less stressful and a lot more enjoyable. Best decision we ever made. Thanks to our family for going along with our plan! Here are a few shots from the day.

Merry Christmas from us to you!

Tree(check), Lights (check), Cards (check), Food (check), Gifts (check)....I think we are ready! Merry Christmas from us to you!!! We hope you have a fabulous holiday and very happy/fun New Year!

So Blessed!

Tis' the time of year to count your blessings! Amoung many other things I have to be thankful for this year, including my family and health, I have recieved the most beautiful son and god-son.

Kyran Seagan Gray's baptism was held at the Catholic church in Johnville, NB on December 19th. It was a beautiful service in a gorgeous little church near Bath and was even attended by their Bishop. A special day for a special boy.

This child is as close to my heart as my son. It is so wonderful for me to be able to share motherhood this year for the first time with my best friend Sarah. If you would have seen us this Sunday calming our babes at church you would think we are already pros.

Congrats Sarah and Ash for having such a beautiful healthy boy and thank you for letting us share in such a special part of his life, his faith. We love you!! xo

Snazzy Jack.

Here is Jack all jazzed up for his Sunday School Christmas concert. When shopping for the outfit I forgot I needed dress shoes so the Red Converse had to do. I also forgot he was playing Baby Jesus so he looked a tad modern for the role but I thought his first concert was perfect all the same. He was so well behaved. Thank you to the St. James Sunday school for reminding us of the true meaning of Christmas.

Merry Christmas Da Da!

Pat got an early Christmas present this week. Jack is now calling him Da Da and it is as clear as day. I woke up this morning to him repeating da da da da over and over. The boys were down stairs wide awake playing while mama got an extra hour of sleep. Pat said he just started as soon as he woke up and continued saying it for the entire hour. It is adorable. He is so proud of himself!

Jack is off to his sunday school Christmas concert tonight at 6. Wish him luck in his first theatrical debut!

Baby's First Christmas Tree!

The tree has been trimmed...we are officially ready for santa! Pat and I put up the tree last night while Jack was all snuggled in bed. What a surprise he had this morning when he came down stairs to see more of his favourite thing....lights!!! It took him 5 minutes to scoot across the living room, find a detour around the baracade I made and grab at the soft ornaments I hung near the bottom for him. He is a quick one! I thought I was safe for the morning at least...guess again!

Woke up to a message from a best friend this morning who is on the other side of the world. She got the card and pic we put in the mail for her. Had tears in my eyes as I realised how hard it would be this year without a few of my really close friends around for the holidays. Girls we will be missing you here in Tracey Mills!!! On a brighter note other best buds Sarah and Ash will be home in 2 days with their new ray of sunshine Kyran. Jack and I can't wait!!!!!! It is going to be a blast sharing our boy's first Christmas together.

17 days until Christmas. Can this be true? Where has the year gone? I don't even want to think about how many days I have left of mat leave right now...won't bother with the calculation as it will only depress me. Is it really possible that 2011 is right around the corner? Jack has certainly taught me to appreciate time. So I won't wish it away by doing the usual Christmas countdown...instead I will cherish every single day I have left of this year with my boy. I see this becoming a New Years resolution.. No more wishing away time, only cherishing every moment...the sleepless nights and all.

Nap time is almost over which means I am almost back on duty. We have nothing scheduled for the day today, only relaxing in our jammies and watching some Christmas cartoons (Jack loves them because they have so much music in them).

These are my favourite baby things.

Here is a list of my favourite baby things now that Jack is a bit bigger:

-Kushies bibs (easy to clean, no stains. In fact I threw out all of the fabric ones)

-Mum Mum baby crackers (great for Jack to learn to feed himslef)

-Gerber short sleeved undershirts

-Pampers Cruisers diapers (could not do without the absorbancy!)

-Children's Place fleecy footy jammies

-Baby Einstein "Baby Mozart"

-evenflo exersaucer (has been a favourite of both of ours since month 3)

-Frozen fruit teether

-Fisher Price Space Saver highchair (great for little houses)

-Dove baby wash

-Columbia one piece fleece suit

-Robeez Leather boots

-Similac regular formula (not iron fortified)

-Learning curve vibrating teether

-Eddie Beuer 3-in-1 car seat

-Children's Place fleece lined jeans