The Monster

January has been a month of new milestones for CJ.  I can't believe that he was just a little ball in that bouncer 7 months ago!  So much has changed since last June and I have learned a lot about myself and motherhood.  I have also realized that motherhood does not change all of you- and it may bring out the monster in you.  Take, for example, my desire to become Supermom.  Of course we all want to be super moms, but I am not heeding any warnings from friends and family and trying to do it all and more.  Maybe I'm just trying to make up for the fact that I am not bringing in any cash flow (which when I do start thinking about a small side job of sorts is just going to feed the monster), or the fact that I feel like I need to fill up my days with productivity since we have had such a good sleeper and I shouldn't need to relax.  I don't deserve naps, not when I've had a baby who has slept 10 hours a night since 2 1/2 months.  Maybe I'm just too type A and a perfectionist.  Who knows, but that monster could definitely bite me in the behind. 

As you know already, one of my hobbies is photography and over the past few years I have really started learning about taking good (?) pictures without using the Auto function on the camera.  This 365 day project (and well, having a newborn) has also given me good reason to keep practicing.  I am not halfway through the year yet though and I need some inspiration.  So many of my pictures are of CJ almost in the exact same location-it's like all he ever does is play in the living room either on his playmat or close to it!  I am also less and less motivated to try and get different (artsy) pictures- there have been more and more moments at night where we have just been around the house all day and I just, for lack of better words, got nothin.  At least I've got a few interesting pictures in the past few weeks-

When opening one of my old books to read to CJ, I found that my sister had crossed out my name- I thought it was funny

Interesting picture of Izzie- I used the white balance setting for "flash" when I should have used the one for indoor lighting

matching socks

On a walk through Ida Lee Park on one of our many unseasonably warm days

Another hobby that I have mentioned in my blog is my love for cooking and baking.  I received a standing mixer for Christmas, so I have been looking forward to playing with it, but just haven't had the chance until this past week when I baked some vanilla cupcakes.  I am trying to find some "Go To" recipes, and I started with just basic vanilla cupcakes with vanilla buttercream.  They were quite tasty, and freezable!

   

We have to be careful though because I am still whittling away at that 50lb weight gain so I am still cooking pretty healthy for our meals.  Here is one meal from Eating Well Magazine: Halibut Packets with Mushrooms and Polenta 

 Kevin and I have started getting up at 6AM in the morning to work out- I can't believe that I used to get up at 5AM every morning for work!  Even though this does not happen everyday, I am happy when I already have burnt 400 calories before CJ even stirs.  Ahhhh.. back to my cup of coffee a day. 

So what other crazy things am I trying to get done?  Well, reorganizing the house (I need to fit a trip in to the Container Store ASAP), finishing a counter-cross stitch project I started for CJ last May so I canlearn how to knit so I can knit him a Christmas stocking a la super complex retro style, attending social outings and playdates, and starting a scrapbook with the hundreds of pictures I have already taken in the past 7 months.  And what about those books I want to read?  Oh and who can forget taking care of said 7 month child??? 

This stage is truly amazing in CJ's first year.  I love watching him play with all of the toys Santa brought him (although if he can't put it in his mouth, he gets frustrated) and just becoming aware of the world.  Last night was the first time CJ laughed at something other than a person trying to make him laugh- Izzie was chasing a fly around the family room and he thought that was HILARIOUS.  Along with the sitting up and eating solid foods CJ has sprouted some teeth!  He also will be crawling any day now- he is so close, but has been on the cusp for a few weeks now.  God help me when he can start moving.  He already will roll all over the place.

At a playdate- CJ now knows a little boy smaller than himself!

No more baby tub!

What are these sharp things in my mouth?

Check out those bottom teeth!

I've always got to have something in my mouth!

We also took a day trip to Pennsylvania a few weeks ago.  A close member of my family, Ron, was in the hospital for pneumonia and is thankfully doing much better.  We visited him and got to see my cousins as well.  My parents were up visiting my grandparents, so we spent the rest of the day with them and my aunt and uncle.  Everyone loved seeing how much the Little Man had changed in the past couple of months- and he behaved wonderfully.  Why didn't we think of bringing the Pack n Play along on day trips before?  Giving CJ a nap was a lifesaver! 

So, back to that monster in me.  Stay tuned for the "OMG I Am Trying to Do Too Much" breakdown post.  Am I going to change and take a step back?  Probably not.  But, I need to make sure that I do not lose focus- my first priority is that little man who has woken up from his nap and is quietly playing in his crib right now as I finish this post.  He is becoming more and more active everyday and I know my projects are going to have to wait.  Or, I'll just have to teach him how to ice the cupcakes.