Hiking

Sorry for the delay in writing again. My goal is to blog at least once a week. We have had several fun adventures in the past couple of weeks. The first being our little hike.

With the warm weather Jake and I have decided to get out of the house and enjoy the sun. A couple of weeks back we decided to go on a hike along the Bonneville shore line. It was the greatest day to get out. We took Nathan and Jon and Tami also came along. For about an hour we hiked around enjoying the views of the valley. In the end we started back because Nathan was so tired he could barley support his head. For the last half mile Jake and I traded off holding him because he fell asleep. He was so cute. Here are a few pics of the day :)

Cake

Becoming a mom has done many great things for me. Unfortunately it has been a nightmare for my waist line. I will admit to everyone that I gained 45 lbs while I was pregnant. After I had Nathan I lost about 13 right off the bat. Then I lost about 2 lbs a week until I had lost about 25 lbs. Sadly those days of weight loss have passed and I am now a chubby mom.

I cannot say I have tried as hard as I can to lose the weight. I work out about 30 minutes 4 or 5 times a week. Usually it is walking with friends. Sometimes I will do sit ups...that kind of stuff. In the past I have been lucky enough to afford a trainer and it was great. I would work with them 2 times a week and then I would do my usual walking.

All of this being said my weight has always stayed within the same range give or take 5 to 10 lbs. Why? Well...I love to cook. I am going on a diet this week with my husband Jake. We have decided to do this together in hope that we can inspire one another. Unfortunately I have a sweet tooth and the pictures that follow are what I call inspiring. Just so you know. IT WAS DAMN GOOD.

Sitting Up

One of the most difficult thing to get used to as a new mom is your lack of freedom. Having a baby is kind of like choosing to become a slave. Now don't think I don't love being a slave. I am just saying I don't have very much time for myself anymore. Between feeding, changing, and caring for a new born there are only a few VERY limited hours a day that I can get anything done. Daily naps are my favorite time of day...next to bed time. That sounds mean but I think any mom would agree with that.

During the past few days Nathan has been taking super short naps. As most of you know I have started a business. The only time I get to work on anything are during those naps or after he has gone to bed. This is also the easiest time to get any house work done. His lack of napping has made things super difficult. But with his maturing and loss of desire to take nice long naps every 2 hours for 11/2 (I know I was really lucky) He has also started to sit up. It is the greatest thing in the world. He has so much more independence. I love it. He is still very needy but now I can put him down for a few minutes and he will play with his toys.

Congrats on sitting up little one!

Da

There is nothing in the world more exciting for a parent to hear, than a first semblance of a word from their child. In the past couple of days my baby boy has started to say over and over "da". I know that currently this means nothing. It is something that I have repeated to him in hope that it might at some point turn into a first word. The payoff is surely sweet.

Each night in preparation for my baby to go to bed my husband and I have started what we call "Naked Time" (don't worry it doesn't mean we are naked). This time is just between Jake (my husband) and Nathan (my baby). Nathan gets stripped down to is diaper and is placed on a blanket on the family room floor. Usually Jake blows raspberries on Nathans tummy or he snuggles up next to him and lets Nathan play with his face. All I can say is that it is the cutest thing you can ever see. Jake spends most of his day at school and this time with Nathan is his chance to have some one on one. I take no part in this because it is their time and it is really special. If Nathan was fussy before Naked Time, it stops and becomes squeals and giggles. It is truly the best most enjoyable part of his day.

Tonight as I was trying to get some work done on some photos that need some editing. I hear my baby start to get fussy. It is typical at this time of night for him. It is a sign that he is ready for his nighttime routine. So I as Jake to have Naked Time with Nathan. Within just a couple of minutes I hear the giggles and laughs. Then Nathan starts to say those wonderful "words" ...DA...da...da...da..da..da..dada...da...da. I hear Jake start to laugh and talk back as Nathan continues to jibber. They are having so much fun I stop my work and join them.

Truly the best thing in the world is a dad and his boy. When I went into the living room there sat my boys. Jake had the proudest look in his eyes. I love my life as a mom!