It's Been a Year!

Forgive me, first of all, for not having posted on this blog since May.  It's been a busy summer!

August 29, 2011

One year later

I can't believe that I started this blog a year ago.  I just went through all of the pictures taken for my 365 Day Project (sadly, there weren't 365 pictures though) and marvel at how much CJ has changed over the past year.  Crazy!  I have also learned so much about myself and being a mother in the past 365 days.  As CJ enters Toddlerhood I am learning more and more about parenting everyday- and I guess this will continue, well, forever.

So, general update since the last post:

I have been cooking A LOT this summer.  We decided to join Great Country Farms' CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) where every week CJ and I drive to Blumont and pick up a box of produce from the farm.  We also have a U-Pick bonus every week- a plus since we opted to pick the boxes up as opposed to having them a delivered.  We have not been inundated with produce as much as I thought we would, but we still have enough to keep me busy with planning and cooking different dishes to make sure we use up all of the fruits and veggies.

At the end of June, we traveled up to Old Forge, NY in the Adirondacks for our annual Swift-Sheldon vacation.  It was nice to enjoy the lake and mountains with family.  At the end of the week, we celebrated CJ's first birthday in Syracuse.  The Little Man is entering Toddlerhood.

Funny Family Picture with the stuffed wolf that was found in our lakehouse

He wanted more cake after his first piece

Speaking of which, I do have (almost) a Toddler on my hands.  The reason for the "almost" is because CJ is not quite walking yet.  Although he has been cruising since May, he is quite happy walking on his knees.  That's right.  His KNEES.  Although it's quite normal for babies to not start walking until well after their first birthday, many of my fellow mom friends have commented that they haven't seen too many kids walk on their knees as CJ does.  I guess he just wants to be unique.  :)  Last week, however, he did start walking with the help of a push-toy.  He actually can walk all the way down to the end of our street and almost all the way back!  I know once he gets that confidence to let go he will start running.

We have been filling up our days with playdates, walks, projects around the house, and other outings.  I truly am amazed that Labor Day weekend is approaching, school has started, and I am in my second year of being a Stay At Home Mom.  Even with the tough days where I feel like all I am doing is calming a screaming child (CJ does not just cry or whimper, he lets it ALL out) and cleaning up food, life is pretty darn good.

Ahh, toddlers. 

So, what I have I learned this year?

• 365 Day Projects are hard.  I didn't count, but I would say my project was probably a 330 Day Project.  I got lazy this summer (with taking pictures, that is).
• Babies are unpredictable.  Some days I can check off everything on a To-Do List, other days, nothing gets done for various reasons.  For example, I am not supposed to be sitting on my deck right now writing.  All plans for today were cancelled because CJ woke up with his first fever (I think due to teething, hopefully).  
• Patience is essential for being a parent.  I think dealing with teenagers has helped with this, but there are somedays that it gets the best of me.  I hope CJ forgives me for leaving the kitchen when he suddenly stopped letting us feed him one morning and I just dumped the cottage cheese on his tray, gave him a spoon, and went to another room and cried while he screamed.  
•  It is very important to get out of the house- and I mean this in several ways.  CJ and I.  Myself.  Myself and other moms.  Kevin and I.  Kevin.  I don't think I need to elaborate. 
• We are SOOOOO lucky to have a good sleeper.  I know we may not be so lucky with the next kid, but I am glad I have not spent my first year of being a parent feeling the need to nap everytime CJ naps (only sometimes :) ).  It has allowed me to be so much more productive.
• I know I have and some days still do struggle with my choice of being a Stay At Home Mom, but I am now proud of my choice and know I am doing what is right for our family.  Someday, I am sure I will venture back into that crazy world of teaching high school.  For now, though, I'll get my experience with the younger ones.

What should I do about this blog?  It was started to document my life as a new SAHM and to show some of my pictures taken for my 365 Day Project.  Well, the project is over and I am not a new SAHM anymore.  I don't think I should discontinue blogging though.  Over the past few weeks especially I have become quite obsessed with following several blogs catering to all my different interests- parenting, food, photography, travel, etc.  I think I am going to continue to blog, hopefully more frequently than the past few months, and just write whatever inspires me that day.  Maybe I took a really good picture that day.  Or cooked/baked something awesome that I want to share.  Maybe I have a question about how to handle a toddler.  Or just have a thought about anything.  We'll see how it goes.  Now, to think of a title since I don't have a "New Job" anymore... some of the blog names are so creative but the only title I came up with is "Type A Mama."  Ha.  Well, I am Type A.  My name starts with A.  That's the best I've got.  :)

Enjoy Labor Day Weekend!  When the inspiration hits me, I will post again, under the new title!  

Busy, Busy, Busy!

Whew.  The past 5 weeks have been quite the whirlwind of visiting family or traveling.  It's been a nice change of pace for me and CJ, but now I'm happy to not have any set plans for the next few weekends.  Here's an update of all we've done.  Since I haven't posted in almost a month, I'm not going to include all of my 365 project photos- just the pertinent ones. 

First of all, throughout the past several weeks, CJ has become more and more mobile.  We now have to move our ottoman in front of the step into our kitchen from our family room since he can climb over it.  He also is pulling himself up and as of yesterday even started cruising along the furniture.  I'm sure he'll be walking soon, and I don't care what anyone says, I can't wait.  It will be so nice to not have to carry him all the time.  Our 2-year-old neighbor REALLY wants to be able to play with him as well outside (and crawling around on the street can't be good for the knees).

Beatrice love to play with CJ!  If only he could run around with her!

Easter weekend Kevin's parents and sister came down from Syracuse to see us (but mostly the Little Man).  We spent one nice afternoon at Sunset Hills Winery.  CJ was not happy that he could not partake in the wine and cheese so he instead went to town on Grandpa's hair...

The next weekend in my cousins came to visit from Pennsylvania.  CJ had a great time playing with Sarah (almost 2).

My parents were also up at the same time, so CJ and I rode back to North Carolina with them that Monday.  We stayed in Elizabeth City until Thursday when we drove over to their condo in Nags Head.  Kevin drove down after work Thursday and we came home Sunday.  With not working, it was nice to have the flexibility to get some quality time with the 'rents during the week! 

Hanging out at the Elizabeth City Waterfront

Turtles at the pond in my parents' backyard

The last time we were at the beach with CJ was in September, when he was just about 3 months old.  Everything is so different now!  We only went down to the actual beach once during that trip because it was very rainy.  Even then I was so nervous about CJ getting sandy- and it didn't matter because he just laid on a beach towel anyway.  Not this time!  He was ready to explore in the sand, and seemed to love it!

 

Dad and I ran the First Flight 5K on Saturday.  It was Dad's very first 5K and he kicked butt!  It was a beautiful day, and a very nice race.  Sunday Kevin ran the Flying Pirate Half Marathon and unfortunately had to run in the poring rain.  He still finished though, with an awesome time as usual.

 The next weekend Kevin and I headed down to Charlottesville for our annual Foxfield trip.  Foxfield is a horse race held outside of Charlottesville every year.  We use it an excuse to have a reunion of sorts with VA Pep Band friends.  For the past 6 years a bunch of us have rented the same house to stay in for the weekend, and I would argue that hanging around the house Friday and Saturday is just as fun as the horse race itself. Unfortunately this year was a bit cold and damp, but we made the best of it!

All of us who stayed in "Cat Pee Manor" (don't ask) this year

Kevin's parents came all the way down from Syracuse to watch CJ for that weekend, so it was me and Kevin's first couple nights away from him!  It was very much needed, and we hope to make a point of trying to do more nights away here and there.  It's important to have time away from diapers and baby food!  

I definitely missed this little goober!

Finally, this past weekend we went to Rochester/Syracuse.  Kevin needed to go up to RIT for an alumni board meeting being held on Friday, so he flew up Thursday night.  I drove up with CJ on Friday.  I think CJ is getting used to being in the carseat for several hours because he did much better this weekend traveling than he did coming home from NC.  Although he still cried here and there, he didn't give me death stares like he did after sitting in I95 traffic.  

Friday night we met up with our friends Karl, Kelley, Matt, Lisa, and their kids Ian and Sasha at a cool Irish pub in the cute little town of Fairport.  

CJ and Ian

Saturday morning we had breakfast with our friend Mike and then walked around RIT's campus to check out their Innovation Festival.  Of course we got our picture with Richie the Tiger.  

CJ took his afternoon nap in the car as we drove to Syracuse.  Kevin's parents barbequed and Anthony and Cami (CJ's godparents) and their kids Alana (our goddaughter) and "little" Anthony also joined us.  All of the kids (sort of) played together and our little shy and timid Alana is now an energetic, outgoing toddler!  

Well, at least two of them are looking at the camera.

Finally, Sunday we visited Kevin's Grandmother.  She was so happy to see him!  

Then we headed home.  CJ has been such a trouper throughout all of these trips and disruptions to his schedule- he is becoming a bit more flexible.  We have learned that in the car we need to keep lots of little toys to pass back to him when he starts to fuss and to have snacks handy.  We also need to pack a lunch for long trips and not drink anything since stopping can wake him up.  Finally, we also have learned that eventually we will need a bigger car.  Let's see how my Civic will handle the 3 of us, our stuff for a week and kayaks when we travel up to the Adirondacks at the end of June!  

Why Can't Just Being a Mom Be Enough?

Good God, do I feel like I'm being self-pitying.  But sometimes things just have to be said, and maybe to some of you I'll sound like I'm completely ungrateful for being able to stay home, but maybe others will be able to empathize.

I have a confession to make.  I am not completely happy.  Even though I am happy to be home taking care of my son (who by the way is getting ridiculously cuter every day) I still do not feel fulfilled at the end of the day.  I feel like I need something to, for lack of better words, "brag" about.  Teaching is a very thankless job, but not many people can teach high school math.  I'm not saying that I want to go back to work right now, because I DON'T.  But, let's be honest, by today's standards, there is nothing special about what I do all day.  CJ gets up.  Bottle and breakfast.  Play.  Nap.  I fit exercise sometime before wake time or during morning nap.  Get up.  Bottle.  Errand.  Lunch.  Nap (I try to fit something in for myself or housework during this time).  Bottle.  Play/errands.  Dinner.  Bath.  Bottle.  Bed.  Everyday.  Nothing special, right?  Except that deep down, I know it is.  I know I have already been teaching CJ.  But why does that still not feel like enough?  Why do I feel like I need some hobby/job, money-making or not, on the side?  Do I even have time for that?  What would I even do?  Many of my hobbies I'm only mediocre at, and it seems like nothing I do is very special anymore.  Running a half marathon?  That's nothing.  Photography?  I've got my 365 project, a great camera, some decent pictures - but not good enough for anything more.  Baking?  You should have seen my caved-in creamsicle cupcakes that I made over this weekend.  Disaster.  (Although I will admit, tasted good even though you had to eat them with a fork).  Blogging?  Ha.  Everyone and their mother blogs.  I admittedly jumped on that band wagon way after it started.


                                 



I suppose I'll feel better when I can get out and do more with CJ.  I took him to Frying Pan Park the other week, thinking that he would enjoy seeing the farm animals now because he gets such a kick out of our cat, Izzie.  He could have cared less, and the animals just had babies!!!  Other Stay At Home Moms, (if there are any that reading this) did or do you feel the same way?  How did you get out of it?  Why don't I feel that I have had a completely productive day at 9:00 PM after putting CJ to bed and all of the dishes/bottles are washed, toys that he has happily played with are put away, and we worked some more or eating finger foods and using the sippy cup during the day?  Being a teacher, I know I have some level of intrinsic motivation- I guess I just need to dig even deeper for more. 

Sorry for the slightly negative post- I never was much of a journal-writer, but putting this out there has been helpful, if anything to see if other moms feel the same way.  Good night everyone! 

Let the Dirt Eating Begin!

We have been spending a lot of time outside in the past few weeks- it has been so nice to get out of the house, even if we just ended up sitting out in the front yard.  CJ seems to love exploring in the grass and getting dirty! 

It's also been fun starting to see him interact with other kids.  Even though most of the time we have to pull the babies apart because they are either crawling over each other or pulling on hair, it's still cool to see them being social. 

The little girls in the neighborhood love CJ!

Party on St. Patrick's Day!

I still have been taking the usual pictures of CJ around the house- but have also started to play around with my camera more outside.  At some point, especially since the trees are all blooming now I would love to drive around rural Loudoun County and take some pictures, but that is going to take some planning since I'll have the little man with me.  Anyone know of some good spots? 

My parents were up for a visit- they are so excited about CJ crawling, and my dad loves playing with the train...

I know this is a crappy picture, but thought it would be neat taking a picture of our cherry tree at night.  I used a really slow shutter speed, but also should have used a tripod.  It was cold out though so I was lazy.

Playing around with my telephoto lens- I need to use it more often!

Flip flop time!  Time for a pedicure!

I visited my friend Sharon who just had a baby- CJ like playing with their dog Milo's toys. 

I love taking pictures of trees against a blue sky.  This tree is probably bloomed now!

Acting goofy

At MacDowell Brew Kitchen for a drink- pit stop on a long walk through town on Sunday

Although we have been enjoying the weather a lot in the past week, we have also had to deal with some major teething.  CJ looks like he is about to pop out several teeth so he hasn't been in the best of moods.  One day he was hysterical for the first half of the day, but then snapped out of it and was perfectly happy the rest of the of the day.  I guess we can blame that on teething, but you never do know.  I took CJ to have a follow up ultrasound last week as well.  Back in the fall CJ had an ultrasound when we had the whole pink spot in the diaper episode and it was found that one of his ureters was a bit enlarged.  The nephrologist said that many babies have this issue but grow out of it, so we should just have another ultrasound in the spring.  Well, what we thought may be closure to this whole annoying situation (he hasn't had the crystals since we started formula and solid foods) turned out to be not.  We found out that CJ's kidneys are functioning and growing just fine, but the enlargement in the ureter has gotten worse.  The technical term is "Mild Pelviectasis."  We now need to take him in for more tests to see what is causing the issue.  The nurse said it could be urine reflux or some sort of obstruction, and to not be alarmed.  Of course I still am, and when I found out that we couldn't get an appointment until the beginning of May, I pushed for something earlier and got the doctor to see us mid-April.  I guess that is better than them wanting us to come in right away- then we really would have been worried.  It seems also from the info that I received from the nurse that whatever it is it just makes him more susceptible to infection, so I guess we'll see!  It's hard to even think about something wrong with CJ; he is eating, sleeping, growing, and aside from the teething, happy!

Flowers Kev brought home to cheer me up after dealing with a teething baby and bad news

 

On the Move

Yes, he looks like a disaster, but it was not one of my near-disasters. 

Well I had 2 near-mommy-disasters last week.  Usually in the morning I feed CJ and then let him play around on the floor while I eat breakfast at the kitchen table.  I was glancing every so often into the family room to make sure he wasn't tugging at the vertical blinds or sticking his fingers in the air vent that is on the floor- but I should not have been so engrossed in my magazine.  The TV clicked off and I immediately glanced into the room- no CJ.  He had crawled behind the TV stand and halfway unplugged the power strip!  Of course then I just started thinking of all that could have happened... yikes.  My second near-disaster was when I locked myself out of the house when CJ was sleeping in his room.  Thank God my friend Evan was home and has our key.  Again, I thought of all that could have happened if he wasn't home and Kev was out of town and CJ started screaming and I'm wasn't there...

So we have moved the TV stand back closer to the wall and I will need to stop getting so distracted.  I know these will not be the last near-disasters, but hopefully there will be no actual disasters.

Welcome!  Come on in!

You find out how dirty your floors really are when you have a crawler

Pulling himself up (sort of)

CJ really wants to get into the kitchen

Finally gave CJ a battery-less remote

So CJ definitely is much more adept at crawling now (before I thought he awkwardly crawled like the girl from The Grudge), and the pictures show he is getting into some plank positions on the fireplace and the small step-up to the kitchen.  Here and there he shows us some more yoga when he busts out some random downward dogs.  I need to have a camera on me the next time that happens. 




CJ will also chase the cat if he gets the chance- but Izzie is too fast for him.  Now she just teases him by playing chicken- running away at the last minute and then coming back into his view.  I'm sure he'll pay her back at some point. 

Even though it has been a mild winter, I am still looking forward to consistent warmer days.  50 degrees is a lot better than 30, but I still am not running out the door eager walking when it is 50 degrees.  However, we have tried to take advantage of all of the actual spring-like days!

First time in a swing!