Library Fun!!!!

Colby completed his 1st Story Time session at the library a couple weeks back. He loved it!!! I already have him signed up for the next one. Maddy got to go with us to the last class as she was out of preschool for a day, so that was fun. She loves the library and I don't get her over there often enough. Here are some pics:

Colby clapping to one of the songs -






Maddy having a puppet show:

Weight Loss Challenge --

This time of year, it seems like all we are hearing about is weight loss, eating healthy, new workout routines, etc....Well, I started on Nov. 1st and with a couple weeks off due to the holidays I am now back on track and my goal is to lose all of my extra baby weight before Colby turns 1. So, I have about 3 more weeks and about 3 lbs. left to go!!! I was sick with a cold this whole week, so have not been able to work out, but still eating pretty good. The last 5 lbs. always seem to be the hardest to lose, so I know I need to ramp it up with the work-outs!
Some new things I'm going to try:

Nike Plus - Hooks up to your IPod to track runs, tell you how many calories you're burning, has a personal trainer pushing you, etc.....

New jogging stroller - We found a Jeep stroller on Craigslist that I've actually been looking at for awhile now, so we went ahead and bought it and I love it so far! It is an all-terrain stroller, so pushes much nicer and will be great for long walks/jogs with Colby! I am planning to do this more once the weather warms up!!

Biggest Loser workout video - I have been doing this off and on, but want to commit to at least twice a week as it totally works!! Maybe I will try one of the other videos as well. The one I have now is the cardio one.

Keeping things in perspective - After watching all the news about the earthquake in Haiti and seeing the people w/out food and water, it really makes me think about how lucky I am to have enough to eat every day and I do not even have to think about where my next meal will come from. This also makes me realize that it is not right to abuse food and take it forgranted. It has been helping me stay motivated with my diet and to eat for the right reasons and not just because I am bored, tired, etc.....It's amazing to me how we have so much food in this country that the majority of the population is overweight, yet other countries have nothing and people are literally starving. I guess too much of a good thing is not always good. It makes you forget it's value and is easy to take forgranted. I am hoping to focus on the "value" of food this year ---

So.........I will post an update after Colby turns one to let you know how things have progressed and hopefully I will be at my goal!!!!!

A Cold Day and a Good Book......

You were expecting to see me sitting on the couch reading weren't you???!!?? I mean, I stay home all day with the kids, so what else am I going to do, right???Yeah,.......not so much, but this is the next best thing! Watching my kids "reading" is the cutest thing ever to me, especially listening to Maddy making up the story as she goes along ;-) I learn so much as to what is going through her head when I hear her read! It's funny too because whenever she is reading her books, Colby will start flipping through/playing with books as well -- he totally feeds off of her!!

Enjoy this cold weekend and hoping that you get to enjoy a good book and stay warm inside!!!

Colby is 11 Months Old!!

Colby turned 11 months old yesterday! I can hardly believe how fast this first year is slipping by. I need to start planning his birthday party, but everytime I go to do it, it's like I can't....I think it's because I don't want to actually believe that he will be 1 next month! He is really starting to act more like a little toddler rather than a baby also. He is not walking yet, although he has taken steps here and there. However, he is playing and interacting so much more like a little boy -- It is so amazing how the brain changes so quickly over such a short amount of time.

He loves all food right now and prefers table food over baby food anyday. He will eat it all! He also loves to push little toys around and crawl after them and eat anything and everything he finds on the floor (Jeremy says he is part dog, ha!) I don't think I have ever vacuumed or swept as much as I have the past few months! Some other favorites of Colby's are the stairs (always wants to climb up them; sometimes we let him if we are right behind him) and the dishwasher -- If he hears us open up the dishwasher he will be right there to play with it, try to climb in it, etc....again, it's like he has dog ears and will hear that dishwasher open from any room in the house!

We are still having some problems with him sleeping through the night. He has been much better since he got the tubes in, but is still waking up at least once per night. I think he might be in the habit of waking up and it is something we need to break -- that will be our next challenge ;-) Otherwise, things are going very well and he is a happy little boy!

Winter cleaning fun!!!

We have been inside A LOT lately (although it's starting to warm up, which has been so great the past couple days!!!) and after playing with every toy that we own, what more is there to do other than clean, clean, clean!!!!! And then, of course, mess it all back up just as quickly ;-)

Snow Days!!

It has been snowing a ton here and is soooo cold!!!! Today is our 2nd snow day in a row this week. We are all getting a little cabin fever! On a positive note, I am completely caught up on laundry and cleaning, so at least it's a little more relaxing here at home ;-) I was really trying to get back on track with eating healthy and working out this week, but it has been hard since we've been home so much -- there's always next week, right?????? Colby's ears still seem to be doing well and he is much happier throughout the day. He is still waking up once or twice at night, though, so I'm not sure what that is all about. I'm hoping after a few more days, he will work back to sleeping all night. I think I've forgotten what a full night's sleep feels like, but I can imagine......;-)
Stay warm everyone and have a great weekend!!!!!

Christmas 2009

We had a great Christmas spent at home -- it was nice and relaxing, but very cold here in Iowa!!! We were not able to make it out to VA/NC this year to see Jeremy's family due to the many issues Colby was having with his ears, but we hope to get out there soon! Here are a few pictures from the day:

Maddy showing off her new toys:


Colby with his favorite toy that he got, a plastic placemat ;-) he played with it for hours!!


Maddy with her leapster and leap frog tag toys:


Maddy and Colby with their puppies (Penelope and Patrick):



Maddy and Colby in their Christmas pjs:

Best Day Ever!!!

We took Colby to get tubes in his ears today and everything went pretty well as far as the surgery is concerned. He was pretty upset for about an hour afterwards, but that was mainly due to the anesthetic, I think.

Anyways, on to the best part.....Colby had a good 3 hr. nap after we got home and then proceeded to have, what I believe, is the best day of his life. I am not kidding, I have never seen him so happy for such an extended period of time. He did not nap at all during the afternoon because of all the sleep in the morning, but still was the happiest baby alive. I am so relieved that he is finally feeling better!!!! I guess I didn't realize how bad his ears were bothering him until I saw how he was today. I feel bad for him for what he had to go through with all of the ear infections, fluid constantly in his ears, etc....but I am also so happy for him that it is now fixed and we can all move forward. It has been a long couple months of infections, lack of sleep, fussiness, etc.....This is definately a great way to start out the new year!!!!!!!