Where Has The Time Gone????

My little baby boy is 18 months old.  I can't believe it!  He is so incredibly sweet and funny, without even trying.  He's learning to run and march.  He loves to dance.  He repeats everything and makes the cutest animal noises.  My favorite is when I ask him what sound a lion makes.  He does the biggest roar.  Every morning he sits with me while I put on my makeup (today he sat in the sink- see the below picture).  After each bath we have to wrap him in his hooded towel and show him what animal he is in the mirror (it's either a lion or penguin).  He loves to be outside and even wears his winter jacket in the house.  He loves his big sister and is learning to torture her which makes us laugh, since she has tortured him for 18 months.  He loves to eat.......yogurt, cereal bars, vegetables, cheerios (he even had an imprint of a cheerio on his shirt the other day).  He gets just as excited to brush his teeth as he does to eat ice cream.  He is too happy for words and makes my heart melt.  He says "mama" with authority and when I say "I Love You"........he repeats it back to me in a way that only a mother would understand.

On Sunday I walked around the block with him.  It took an hour, but we made it the whole way.  I enjoyed watching him play in the dirt, throw his football, touch all the leaves and rocks, run, say "hi" and "bye-bye" to dogs and garbage.  He watched birds fly and looked through holes in fences.  The moment wasn't even lost when he stuck his fingers in dog poop that was relatively fresh.  I just wiped it off with my hat and prayed he didn't put his hand in his mouth (he didn't). 

We took him for his 18 month appointment yesterday.  He weighs 26 lbs 13 oz (65%), is 33 inches tall (85%) and of course has a giant head (95%).   He was so cute to the doctor and nurses.  He played with all the toys and had to touch everything.  I gave him a cereal bar and he couldn't figure out where the garbage was.  The doctor was impressed that he knew he had to throw it out and said "well, we don't have to worry about his development".  He blew kisses and said bye-bye, even to the nurse that gave him his shots.  He didn't like getting his head measured, but got over that quick. 

We have had issues with him puking a lot so he is now on Prevacid.  The doctor thinks it is reflux.  He spit up a lot as a baby, so that was a tell tale sign.  We'll monitor him on it for a month.  If it gets better we will keep him on it for 3 months and then take him off it to see if it was enough to jump start a normal digestive system.  If he doesn't get better we may take him to a GI.  We switched doctors as ours was an asshole (sorry about the language) who was even mean to Mike.  Who's mean to Mike??  I love this new doctor, mainly because she oohed and aahed over my baby!!

Most people ask if he is always this happy, and the truth is yes he is.  He obviously has his moments, but overall he is such a joy.  I always say that I had no idea what I would do with a boy.........but now I couldn't imagine my life without one.

WW: In Daddy's Shoes

"CIAO" 2013!!

Felice Anno Nuovo!! (or Happy New Year to those English speaking friends)

The reason for all the Italian is that 2013 is the Year of Mike!  He won't tell me what that means or entails, but I do know it means his first trip to Europe.  Mike and I will be heading to Italy in April 2013 thanks mainly to TerumoBCT for paying for my flight (I have a meeting in London) and my parents for flying out and watching the kiddos!  We are only in the planning phase of the trip but are super excited!!

I used to always do New Years Resolutions.  I don't really like that term so would rather have some life changes in 2013.  I can tell you that Gwen won't be happy with one of them (I'll let you guess which one) but they are all for the betterment of myself and my family:

1.  Unplug on nights and weekends (with the exception of blogging and the occasional shopping).  This one has been extended from 2012 as I did a terrible job of it. I have already taken Facebook, People, E!, and Perez Hilton off my phone.  All that is left is the news, email, and well, my phone/iPod.  I was on my email a lot while trying to maintain my 32 hours/week schedule, but now that I will be going back to 40 hours for the next 5 months, I have zero plans on touching my phone on the weekends (besides to answer it, text, and take pictures).

2.  Eat less processed foods.  This will affect the entire family in a very positive way.  I'll have to start small (oatmeal, yogurt, hummus.....etc) and it will take a lot of work, but it will be worth it in the end when my family continues to be happy and healthy.  I will also update/maintain my food blog more frequently as I lose recipes all the time!  It will be a good way to track my process on the processed foods front.

3.  Accept how I look.  I am no super-model as it is not my job to look good.  Considering I have 2 small kids, I don't look that bad.  I love to indulge with Mike, my friends, and my family.  I don't want to feel guilty about that nor do I want to change it.   I'll never be able to get rid of the large number of beauty marks (moles) on my body, so that is the bigger challenge to overcome, but I can love the rest of me as I am strong............and that feels good.

4.  I tend to spoil my kids.  I buy them things on a whim and it is rare that I say no in the grocery store if she wants something.  I learned that I love and like to be loved through gifts and I am passing that on to my children through gifts, sweets.....etc.  It all ends in 2013.  I am going to shower them with love and affection instead.  They will remember that more so than the 50th bag of M&Ms they devour-----------------------> This is the one Gwen will hate for those that didn't catch on.

5.  Run the Boilermaker. It's a 15K (9.3 miles) in July, in Utica.  I have always wanted to do it.  If I don't get locked out of signing up (it's on my calendar) then I will do it.

The final one isn't really a life change.  I need to organize my freaking house.  There is stuff everywhere.  I am so excited to do this, but have no idea where to even begin.  I started a Pinterest which is a whole another story in itself (I can get lost on Pinterest).

Cin Cin!!

Farewell 2012.......

I had dubbed 2012 the Year of Me!  Looking back I have to say that I am lucky that I was able to devote a portion of an entire year to figuring out what I wanted/needed in life (I do have 2 kids, a job, a husband...etc, so I can only do so much).  I looked back at the goals that I wanted to accomplish this year and I did a pretty decent job on them.  Some, not so much, so I'll revisit them in 2013. Some key highlights from the Year of Courtney:

1.  Not only did I conquer my fear of running a 5K, but I also conquered my fear of group fitness classes.  I have been successfully working out 4-6X/week since February 2012.  I still have that layer of baby fluff, but my butt is starting to de-sag! 

2.  I minimized my life.  I quit Stella & Dot (unfortunately didn't make it the full year I wanted to) and dropped to 32 hours/week at work.  I was trying to do too much and it made me mediocre at all of it.  I wanted to not only be with my children, but be present.  I couldn't do that when my mind wouldn't stop racing. 

3.  Dates with Mike.  When I was working 40 hours we did Happy Hour every Friday before we got the kiddos.  We also had a lot of Friday dates when I had Fridays off from TerumoBCT.   We ate great food, had a lot of laughs, hit a lot of golf balls......etc.

4.  Took great trips.  In 2012 I went to Geneva, Madrid, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Portland, Keystone, Tulsa, Utica, Washington DC.......etc.  Some were work trips and some were family trips, but all in all I enjoyed them.  I got to spend time with good friends, meet some new ones, and enjoy our wonderful families.  Plus I got to see the ocean which was a goal for 2012!

5.  I excelled at work.  Having the 32 hour work week really drove me to do my best.  I wanted to prove that I could maintain that schedule.  I was a part of great projects, took great trips, got amazing feedback, and finally felt like I was an important part of the teams that I supported. 

6.  Assisted in raising amazing children.  I look back at when Leo was born in 2011.  Gwen was just a chubby little baby.  Now she is this amazing little person who asks 400+ questions a day (I just read that the average 4 year old asks 427 questions a day.........Gwen is one of those).  She's brilliant, and funny, and such an amazing big sister.  Leo runs and walks and laughs and cuddles.  He's sweeter than any other person I have ever met.  He may not say much, but his smile speaks a thousand words.  Those 2 little kiddos are my biggest achievement and I am so glad I have the ability to modify my life so I can be the best mom possible to those kids.  Whether it be through "girls days" or extra hugs, playing board games, or watching swim class.  I want to be there for them and am lucky I have a husband and a job that supports that!

Happy New Year!
May your days be filled with amazing memories.

Christmas in NY: A Summary

We traveled back to NY for Christmas this year.  Mike and I went into the actual traveling with super low expectations.  We were actually pleasantly surprised.  The trip to NY went great.  We had Economy Plus on a giant plane on the way to Chicago, and Leo did great on the mini-flight to Syracuse.  We had no delays.  The way back to Denver didn't go as smoothly, but still wasn't bad.  The kiddos did great on the 36 seat mini-plane (we had to walk outside in the snow to get there), but the delay in Cleveland caused Leo to freak out as it was past his bed-time and he didn't nap.  Leo was screaming so bad while we were being de-iced that the flight attendant came over and kept checking in.  I thought we were going to be kicked off the flight.  Luckily a cup of ice and an unzipped sleeper calmed him down.  He slept the entire 3 hour flight!  I am so proud of my kiddos for how great they did even though they were exhausted.  We will only fly in the mornings now, but I will give the entire experience a B.

We had a blast in NY.  It snowed everyday and we never saw the sun.  I have to say when we got back to Denver the sun almost blinded me.  My eyes weren't used to it.   We ate and drank far too much and I feel bloated.  I am nervous about how detoxing will go.  I am sure I will get the shakes!! 

We spent great time with my family and the kiddos couldn't be cuter.  I also got to see some old friends in Albany.  The snow kept us from our night away, but it was so good to see Melissa (and meet her son) and Mike (and meet his son).  I also got to spend time with Holly and Mike.   I am lucky to have long time friends where we can pick up right where we left off. 

For once, Mike and I took my dad out. We normally spend time with just my mom, but this time we took my dad to the casino where we gambled and had lunch.  We all lost money, but had a great time.   We'll definitely do this from now on and leave my mom with the kiddos.

It was great being back in NY.  I hadn't been in over a year.  It made me so sad to leave.  I am hoping to spend a couple weeks there this summer. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

What a wonderful Christmas it was.  I really enjoyed spending the day with my immediate family and extended family.  We started off the day rather early so that Gwen could open her gifts from Santa.....well Leo too.  Santa brought Gwen a My Little Pony, a Super-Hero LaLaLoopsie, Brave, amongst other things.  Leo got a new set of his favorite blankets (he squealed with delight when he saw them) as well as a bee flashlight and a Jake doll.   

We had a great dinner at my mom's house followed by a jaunt to my cousin's so that Gwen/Leo could meet the extended family.  The kiddos were absolutely adorable running around and playing.  I was nervous that they would be overwhelmed with all the people, but they did great.  The played the part of the perfect little kiddos...........of course we had to leave abruptly with Gwen "going off".  I am starting to sense a theme...............

I had said I would travel every 5 years for Christmas, but I am starting to rethink that maybe it should be every 3 years.  I was watching the Higglytown Christmas special (don't ask) and the main character wished to wrap gifts for Santa.  Once she was there she realized that she didn't get to spend Christmas with her family and it made her so sad.  As much as she loves wrapping presents, she realized that the true meaning of Christmas is family.   As much as I don't want to travel during the holidays (expensive, pain in the butt.....etc) I don't want to miss too many Christmases with my family.

Christmas Eve: Part 2

The boys took pocket shots of "Sex on the Beach".