Adelyn 11 months

Here's the very cliche but very true statement about leaving Adelyn for two weeks. We missed her terribly and she changed drastically! She is clearly moving from baby-hood to the world of toddlers. She is scooting along any surface she can grip. Steps are soon to come. And the vocalization is much closer to words and continuous sounds rather than the single sounds of a baby. Her attention span is lengthening and she picks up books to flip through pictures.

I could keep rambling but you are probably wondering how she reacted to our return.She cried when she first saw us home. It took a few minutes for her to calm down and come to either of us. Thankfully, some mom's had warned me that she may be more upset than happy when we returned so I didn't take it too hard. 

Before we left

Helping pack

When we returned - stare down with Uncle Jason at his graduation party.

Probably texting you.

Home Sweet Home

The jet lag is gone!

We returned Friday morning from two very interesting and fun weeks of vacation in Israel. Crazy. I know. The trip was full of hiking and adventure, history, and walking in the places where the Bible takes place. We saw and experienced so many new things its been difficult to summarize or comprehend everything. Below are a few totally random pictures of the trip.



 Balconey view from first hotel

What a manger really looks like.

Jordan River

Crazy King Herod's crazy pool.

Drinking fountain in the middle of the desert - random.

Advertisement in the grocery store for the water we drank during the trip. It really made the water less appealing but it was hot out folks. Drink up!

Mandatory military service. Totally normal sight of young 20 somethings with guns.

Our view from the top of the hike.

Really embracing the local custom and looking like a complete tourist. Actually, it was just so hot and this kept me cool.

Ok. So many more photos but I don't even know where to start.

9 months

Apparently my last post led some to believe I was announcing a pregnancy. Let me clear up the confusion right away. Not pregnant.


But the baby I do have is wonderful. She has 6 teeth and is working on two more. This means she is very drooly and covered in runny nose. But she has learned some neat tricks. She can understand kiss, hug, kitties, mum, dadt, gives "five," tries unsuccessfully to stand alone, and is a constant companion to the kitties. I think they like that no matter what, she can always be counted on for a rub.

Also at about the 9 month mark, she became so much more expressive. She is constantly chatting and lets us know if she isn't pleased with something or bored. It's amazing to have "communication." She is also starting to get some formula to supplement her breast milk. I give that effort a solid C. However, table food - A+. So far she has tried everything. Which is good because she is in the 95th percentile for height and 43rd for weight.

And thanks to the musical stylings of such fine artists as Jay-Z, Ludacris, and Michael Jackson, I made my first 5 mile run tonight. I still have 8(!) miles to go but it's starting to look like I have a chance. Ok, gotta do momma duty. I will try to get pictures up tonight.

Observations from a sick day

Adelyn had a nasty fever yesterday and developed a tight chest and horse cough. So we are going on day 2 at home. She is doing much better today but still had a temp this morning. Some interesting things I have observed during our time:

• Hoda and Kathy Lee - day 2. I missed them since maternity leave!
• Adelyn is on the move. She and the cats are attracted to the same things that they aren't supposed too have. It's almost a race to who can get it first. Then they taunt each other. Adelyn has been coming out the winner and chasing the cats away.
• Baby #2 for March as arrived! Congratulations to Angie and Jay on the birth of Miles Jay.
• Adelyn has changed the language on our tv to French. So I guess we will be learning a new language.
• She spends the whole day saying "dad-e."

All for now. Have a good week.

Things occupying my time.

The question could be asked, When do we get to see more adorable pictures of your baby?

Not tonight - sorry folks. It's been a long week so this is a bullet points update.

Things that have occupied my time lately:

• Officially began training for my half marathon. I call it "my" half marathon because I now OWN that run. That's an example of my self-motivation talk since I am training alone. Good? No?
• Signed up for my first 5K on my first Mother's Day and of course the half marathon on Adelyn's due date from last year.
• Cleaning and cleaning and cleaning the house.  Should be listed next week.
• Touring other homes.
• Derek and I took a random Tuesday, went out for breakfast, used our massage gift certificates at Aveda, toured houses, and actually spent time together.

And what that has meant for life:

• Sore knees. thumbs down.
• Always a struggle to make time to run. The guilt that missing one run can cause is outstanding. Really wishing I had a training partner but secretly love the time to myself.
• Excited to be doing something new and challenging. Love surprising myself by being able to go longer or faster or not being winded after a good run. Especially happy to have something to commemorate two special days.
• I have never thought this place was so big until I realized all of the places that dirt and clutter could be. Dang.
• Touring other houses is overwhelming. I am ecstatic that we aren't in a rush to move because this is really going to be a process.
• Loved a relaxed day with Derek. 

Also excited that pregnant friend #1 had her baby. Congratulations to Christy on the birth of GraysonTimothy!
P.S.Some people bring dinner when you have a newborn - I am bringing a chicken from Sam's Club. Guaranteed tasty and not something I will wonder if you hated! Winner winner chicken dinner.

It's about time

In a move that I put off for way too long, I finally bought a highchair! Yay. Maybe I will get a diaper bag one of these days.  My friend Randee needed to get rid of her highchair, I needed one, neither of us wanted to take the steps = perfect. I love it and more importantly, Adelyn loves it. Thanks Randee!

At 8 months, Adelyn is sporting 4 fun teeth, one top-curly-when-wet head of hair, long legs, and a big smile. She is learning words, sounds, and identifying things by name. She repeats dada, ball, kitty, mum. She seems to be able to find the kitty's or daddy when we ask where they are. She LOVES to make singing noises, shaking her musical toys, playing with drumsticks, and clapping hands. And she crawls - mainly army crawl - but definitely able to get on hands and knees and move a little. She still loves to jump and bounce and is totally ready to move on her feet - the preferred method. What a love bug.

Quiet

It's spring break in college-ville and since that's the world I work in, it's quiet.

It's time to put it out there. I signed up for a Grandma's half marathon on June 18, 2011. Why you ask. Well, because I became obsessed with it - which usually means I need to do it. Second, because June 18, 2010 was Adelyn's due date. Third because it's something I have to do on my own - just me and 13 miles. And finally, because I think about that first run after having her and what an amazing feeling of physical freedom it was. Even if its not a pretty sight, even if I am the last to cross the finish line, even if I have to walk...  I LOVE being a mommy but running has been so amazing for me as an individual. This is me proving to me that I can do it. Plus, there are only so many episodes of The Biggest Loser and I Used to Be Fat that a girl can watch before she needs to just move!

And after all of that - I am terrified.

So that's my big challenge for the next few months. On top of that fun, we have decided to list our house. Cleaning and organizing this place was an amazing feat. It was a great sense of accomplishment but also a knowledge that this is just step one.

So really not quiet unless you want to talk about work.