Biker Babes

My life just got a little cooler.


Months after getting a bike seat (and helmet) for Leila's birthday we went for our first ride! This will definitely be a new way for Leila check out our town. We've been limited to playing at our local park because of her old two nap schedule. But now we have time to run a quick errand, check out the waves, head to the library, run near the jetty, AND play at the park.

I'm sure you are probably tired of me say it, but it's true. I love this town!

It does have some drawbacks though. For one, we've had three locked bikes stolen from our carport area. We have no yard and could never afford one anyways. This place has more bars than taco shops, and less pizza joints than I'd like. Also, you cannot go one day without almost stepping in dog poop.

Guess that's the price you have to pay for paradise.

16 Months

A day in the life of a sixteen month old toddler.

Rise and shine at 7:00 am. She plays in her crib for a while before I go and get her up. I love listening to her talk to her stuffed friends. She has such a sweet voice (most of the time).

First things first...we watch about 20 minutes of Sesame Street while she drinks her milk and I drink my coffee. She can just about put her cup in the sink when she's finished. She's a little short. I'm not sure I'm ready to teach her how to stand on a stool. Although she'd love it. She's into everything!

Morning play


Next up is a light breakfast at of cereal, eggs, fruit, oatmeal, toast, or pancakes. She just started feeding herself successfully with a spoon.


Adventure time- Forget the stroller, Leila wants to walk. We walk everywhere. She's great on her feet walking, running, or climbing.

Snack- Yogurt is her current fave. She loves when I put "surprises" like strawberries, blueberries, bananas, or cheerios in the spoonfuls. I should add pea or carrot surprises. but that's too mean.


11:30 Nap- We did it. Yep, yep! We made the great nap transition. It was not nearly as difficult as I though it would be. It took about two weeks to ease her into it. Now Leila naps once for about three hours. I hope to slowly be push it back as she gets use to our new routine. I love having more time to play and enjoy her in the morning. It is definitely her happiest time of day!


Snack- We eat a lot of small meals throughout the day. Sometimes she eats more than I expected, sometimes less. She's been pushing away her plate when she's finished instead of signing all done. Leila also stopped signing more, now she says it in the cutest way.

Indoor play- blocks, kitchen utensils, climbing the furniture, dancing...


Outside for more adventure time


Snack

Play, play, play...Daddy style!


Dinner around 6:30. She's been eating what we eat for the past few months (with a few exceptions). Makes life way easier this way!

Quiet play- She will sit with us on the couch while I read her a few of her favorite books. Actually, she usually makes me read the same book over and over again.

7:00 Night-night- Some nights I put her to bed, other nights Jeff does. We each do the 7:00ish bedtime routine with our own personal twist. Leila is a wonderful sleeper. She wakes up at night...maybe? Luckily we haven't had to go in once since she started sleeping through the night.

16 months and fun as ever!
It's her world and I'm happy to be in it.

Now and then {Bathtub edition}

Now
January 2012


Then
September 2010

Organize ME {Earrings}

This October I was inspired to organize our home thanks to Kelly at The Complete Guide to Imperfect Homemaking. I showed you how I used a diaper box to organize my gift wrapping supplies. I know, lame, but that was all I photographed.

In November I got creative with the help of my sister and Pinterest. Neither of us have a lot of dresser space to store our accessories (even though Val has more than double the amount I have). But we have wall space! So we set out to make an earring holder we could hang like this.

When we finished we each had one like this...

Isn't Jeff a beautiful hand model?

December brought adorable toddler art and beautiful packages under the tree.

Now, it is more than half way through January and I've yet to commit to a new project.

Ideas anyone?

Oh wait maybe I should tackle my utensil drawer in the kitchen. It just took me five minutes to find the tongs.

Like a kid in a toy store

What did I expect, really?

Leila wandered into this adorable wooden toy store and was told, "Come on in and play!" She stopped for a brief minute to examine the first few items hanging on hooks. Unamused, she sat in the tot sized rocking chair until she saw the vehicles.

She grabbed a truck and kept on going until she spotted the wooden spoon. Score!

She carried this grimy over-played with wooden spoon around and around the shop.

Never letting go of that spoon.

When it was time to move on Leila thought the spoon was leaving too. After chasing her around the store, I finally figured out a way to get her to drop the spoon.

We rushed out of the door with no tears. Hooray!

Three days later Leila is the proud owner of a mini wooden spoon (and a rolling pin to go with it). I just couldn't resist!

Beach town perks

My parents left today after spending twelve days here in San Diego. When they visit they stay in a vacation rental within walking distance of our apartment. Almost every evening we would walk over for dinner. Besides the obvious perks, no cooking or clean-up for me, check out the awesome view on our stroll over.


I have to say it again...I LOVE this town!

Nap transition {What's working?}

Leila has been showing signs for sometime of making the great nap transition from two naps to one. About a week I went for it. We pushed back the morning nap to 11:00 and hoped for the best. To my surprise, it worked!

Last Monday Leila napped from 11:00-2:00. I was pumped. I was sure it would work...she normally slept four hours throughout the day and now she was sleeping three. I would simply push her bedtime up a bit to make up for her lost hour of sleep. Seemed like I had beat the great nap transition!

I know, I know, you don't even need to say it. Every mom has stuck their foot in their mouth more times than they can count. We try to figure things out and solve problems before they happen. (Am I alone on this?)

But of course I forgot to consult the boss before changing her nap schedule. Leila still prefers two naps.

She's been going down in the morning between 10:30 and 11:30 but always seems to wake up around 1:30. Logic tells me to start the nap around 10:30, duh.

But she cannot make it to bedtime (7:30) without getting tired. Although Leila doesn't always fall asleep, she now gets a break from the action at 4:00 in her crib instead of taking a two hour afternoon nap.

This girl does not stop moving. Ever. We both need a break!

That is what's working today (or should I say yesterday?!) She's napping right now.

Awake between 7/7:30 am
Morning nap from 10:30-1:30
Afternoon break at 4:00
Bedtime between 7/7:30 pm

Fingers crossed.

Crazy Push-up Challenge {check in}

It is week three of the crazy push-up challenge. After completing just two weeks I already feel stronger and am able to do more push-ups each day.

Before starting week three it's recommend to check your progress with an exhaustion test. Guess how many push-ups I did?


TWENTY!

Yep! That's double the amount of push-ups I could do when I started this crazy challenge.

How are your 2012 fitness goals going? We can do this!

Monkey See, Monkey Do

Having a toddler makes you look at the world differently. It also makes you step back and look at your self...

because if you do it, they do it.

Leila has been mimicking us for some time now. It started with smiles, then onto gestures, facial expressions, and sounds. Now she mimics everything!

Jeff coughs and then Leila coughs three seconds later. Aunt Val and I stretch after a run, and there's Leila stretching too. Grandpa puts a block in her shirt and I find her doing the same. She will run to the trash can (pretending to have a piece of something in her hand) after someone throws garbage away. And I definitely have to be very careful that I do not scratch my head while she's eating peanut butter.

Here's my little monkey mimicking Grandma.

Loveable Leila



I've already convinced her vacuuming, cleaning the kitchen floor, and doing dishes are fun. Can I get her to fold the laundry too?

I always feel like somebody's watching us.

The paparazzi must have been waiting for us.


If it were the real paparazzi sneaking photos of us to post in the tabloids, the caption would surely mention our age, weight, and a dig to our favorite sports team. So glad I am not famous. No one talks smack about the Bears.

Toddler Sleep

This girl loves her bed.


Maybe it's the eight pacifiers, the abundance of stuffed animals, or that she can access a shelf full of bed appropriate books and toys that keeps her happy there. I am not complaining. Not one single bit.

I was a little obsessive about her sleep and my lack of it, the first four months of Leila's life. Looking back I am sure it was just the normal newborn stage, but sleeping no more than three hours in a row makes a Momma crazy. So I set out to read every book possible about sleep, schedules, and routines. I read Secrets of the Baby Whisperer, Healthy Sleep Habits Healthy Child, Solve your Child's Sleep Problems, and The No-Cry Sleep Solution. All great and very informative books. I even got Grandma to read them! We took a little bit from each book and made a plan (that's the teacher in us).

It was getting way too difficult to rock or bounce her to sleep then lay her gently into the pack-n-play. As soon as I would put her down, I bolted to the door in hopes she wouldn't see me if she opened her eyes. Not very effective. My maternity leave was over so my mom was willing to help Leila learn to self-soothe for nap time. It took less than a week and she was napping like a champ. She has been an all-star napper ever since!

At seven months old I was able to put Leila down for the night around 7:00 am and wouldn't hear from her again until 7:00 pm. Lucky number 7!

So here we are, almost nine months later and Leila still takes two killer TWO HOUR naps...

...until yesterday.

Jeff had to abort the second nap after listening to her talk, sing, and eventually whine for an hour.

I have been dreading this transition since she turned a year old. She has shown signs that she's ready to ditch a nap and today I decided to deliberately try it. I like schedules and routines, and if you ever met Leila you'd know she must like them too. She's the happiest baby I've ever met!

The time has come. The time is now. Time for a new plan.

I don't make sense

Not even to myself.

Ever since I went three months without showering (maternity leave was rough!) I make it my priority to take a shower during Leila's morning nap.

I shave my legs, style my hair, and apply make-up. Then I put on pajamas. Technically they are yoga pants, but I have worn these to bed before. I pull out my most decent tank top from the dresser (the same ones I sleep and workout in) and throw it on. I add small stud earrings, but feel too under dressed for my diamond engagement ring. Flip flops are usually on my feet although barefoot would be best, even flip flops look silly with yoga pants. There I am, all dressed and ready to go looking like I should be on TLC's What Not to Wear from the neck down.

Why can't I put on regular clothes? I have plenty of casual tops and jeans (my entire wardrobe) but I am just going to the park or grocery store so I wear my pjs!?

This does not make sense, I know. I know I promised myself that I would work on ME this year. Why can't I get out of this clothing rut? Maybe I need to turn it into a challenge and trick myself into wearing my real clothes. Or maybe I will just buy some more yoga pants.

A fresh look

We are very lucky to have friends and family that will come and visit us from all over the country. Lucky for them, really. San Diego is America's finest city!

This month my parents are coming for ten days before heading off on their next adventure. There are many reasons I love when they visit (I'm not just saying that because I know they're reading.) They stay at a rental, make dinner, get me drunk, take care of my child, help with laundry, and make me feel loved. Since Leila was born they have visited more than ever.

The very best thing about their visits is their reaction to Leila after not seeing her for a few months. It seems to me, and those around us that 15 month old Leila is the same as 12 month old Leila. I know this is really not possible. She was walking last time they visited and well, she's still walking. No major physical milestones but plenty of cognitive one. Those are the changes that are more subtle over time.

Just so curious what they'll say. Maybe a mention of her baldness or a compliment on her first haircut? Maybe they'll notice her eleven teeth or that she spits out vegetables? Maybe they can understand her "talking"? They will definitely notice that her curiosity and sunny disposition hasn't changed a bit!

Look! She can still wear the same outfit at 12 months and 15 months.

Crazy Push-up Challenge

My friend Betsy came across this website claiming that after completing their six week training program you will be able to do one hundred push-ups. You? Yes! You, me, your mom, and maybe even the kid down the block.

Naturally I was inclined to say, "Hells yeah! Let's do it!" Whereas Betsy and the rest of my crazy friends said, "Duh!" The first challenge of the year is ON! One hundred push-ups in a row on February 12th!

The initial challenge is to do as many push-ups as you can so that you can begin training at your appropriate level. I did ten and am nervous to report that I am already sore.

Tomorrow marks my first official training day. I'll keep you posted.


Anyone crazy enough to join me?

New Year, New Plan

This is not your typical New Year's Resolution post. I cannot wrap my head around what life will bring this next year.

To make a goal or resolution for an entire year seems foolish and is a waste of my time (and yours too!) This year I am going to challenge myself one small goal at a time.

I started the holiday season with one simple goal: To maintain my weight during the season of over-indulgence. 
To reach my goal, I challenged myself to cut out alcohol (yes, that means wine too) during the week. I am thrilled to report that I weighed myself today and...SUCCESS!  I didn't gain a pound over the holidays!

So, that's how I plan to roll all year long.
One challenge at a time. 
One success leading to another. 
One ultimate goal: Lose this baby weight.

Life will bring me challenges everyday but this is about ME. I will be challenging myself to ensure this is a year to remember!





Happy New Year!

Happy New Year...finally!

I've never been more excited to ring in the new year.

Leila and me 2012

It has been three times now that I have said that 2010 was the most difficult year of my life. Each time I said it I was reminded that last year was actually 2011. Yep, that is proof that I have already blocked it out.

Last year will forever be the year of change.

Leila and me 2011

Change is good, but not always as it is happening.

I went from maternity leave, to being a nursing working mother, to becoming an unemployed stay-at-home mom.

I went from hating my postpartum body to accepting that it is a work in progress.

I went from feeling in control to losing it more often than not.

I started the year with a baby but ended it with a toddler.

I went from thinking I had it all together to knowing it's okay that I don't.

I have changed. Jeff has changed. We have changed. Change is good. It's not easy, but definitely worth it.