Reaching Goals and Gettin' Things Done

Since having a baby 4 months ago, (whew-time flies; I can't believe she's 4 months old!), I have been slooooowly and steadily working towards getting back into "running shape."  I define running shape as being able to run 2 miles without stopping, and without totally hating the time I spend doing it.

Today I reached that goal.  I had my first enjoyable 2 mile run without stopping to walk; (it was actually 2.3 miles!)  And just in time too, as I run in my first 5K in almost 2 years tomorrow night.  I'll let you know how that goes...my goal is merely to run the entire thing.  No time or pace goals for this girl; I just aim to run the whole way without stopping to walk.

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Tonight James & I are taking the babes to EdVenture Children's Museum to hear Like Totally!, a theatrical, kid-friendly band that I think Jones will really dig.  He is obsessed with music and instruments and playing his guitar and singing these days; it's pretty awesome.

Tomorrow we plan to go to Soda City, the all-local farmer's market on Main Street.  We'll be looking to get a boat load of tomatoes so James can make a huge batch of salsa to can.  This market is so cool and Jones loves it too--I love to grab some Indah coffee as soon as we get there, then sip as we peruse.  Last time we went Jones got a bag of mini-donuts which were delicious.  I also scored some cool records.  Very fun.

Jones at the Soda City market last winter--a little hipster-in-training, right?!

I'm also thinking a dinner on the patio at Il Giorgione might be a good way to celebrate completing the 5K tomorrow night; we'll only have Birdie with us, as Jones is spending the night with his YaYa, so we could actually even have adult conversation!

What are you up to this weekend?

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My Toddler's Favorites

My 20-month-old's teachers told me yesterday that they had noticed that every time they tell the class to pick a book from the bookshelf, Jones always picks the same one: a book with kid-friendly recipes.  They said it has pictures of foods made into cute little animals and shapes.  I guess I'm not really surprised; the boy does love to eat.  (And he gets it quite honestly, from momma and daddy).

At home, his favorite books right now include:

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He is really into books where he can point out and say the word for what he sees on the page--it is amazing to see his comprehension expand so quickly!  And his vocabulary is catching up, too.  Although he still speaks entire paragraphs in seeming-gibberish, we are beginning to understand him more and more.  His favorite words right now are "truck" (cuck) and "bus."  He loves to point out every truck and bus we see when we're in the car.  He also always points out the fountain ("wa-wa, mama!") that we see on our route to and from school everyday and the firetrucks in the fire house on Devine Street.

He's starting to put together 2-word phrases really well: "hold you" (when he wants to be picked up) is my absolute favorite...I mean, how can you resist that!?  He also says "love you, mama/dada/yaya/didi/caca" to whoever he's with.  I enact the proverbial hand-clasp-over-heart every time I hear it.

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On Being Present

My son, Jones, (18 months), gave me his first-ever unprompted kiss this morning on our way out the door.  I was a little rushed, and it barely even registered what he was doing until he had already done it.  At the time I said "oh, thank you, sweet boy," or something equally trite, and we made our way to school and work.

Thinking back on that sweet kiss now makes my heart swell and swoon, and I am kicking myself for not being "present" enough in the moment to fully appreciate how sweet it was at the time.  Isn't that always the way?  Memories are more poignant and sweet-seeming than the actual moment.  I hate that, but I guess it is human nature, and definitely parent-nature.

Also, my babe has started to watch TV all of a sudden...  When I first became a mom I was firmly planted in the "no TV until 2 years old" camp, due to all the research saying it isn't good for babies.  And, I still pretty much fall in that camp.  But, upon my first hungover morning as a mother of a toddler, I begged my son to watch just 15 minutes of TV so momma could "rest her eyes" while lying on the couch.  No go.
A couple months ago on our 10 hour drive to Boca Grande, FL, I brought along our portable DVD player and a stash of shows I loved as a kid and thought he would love- Sesame Street, Fraggle Rock, The Care Bears Movie, and crossed my fingers that when the going got rough for Jones, he would discover that TV was super-cool.  Nope. 
The hubs and I have long-known that our baby is biologically-drawn to music and will dance to almost anything with a rhythm.  Seriously-- think, cell phone rings, (and not necessarily ones that ring as songs, just plain old phone rings), the washing machine, and the 5-second transitional music played between NPR shows...  Anyway, we finally figured out what type of DVD our child would be enamored of at this point in his life, and when I brought home the Sesame Street Singing with the Stars DVD a couple weeks ago, enamored he was!

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The DVD is basically just Elmo and friends singing Sesame Street versions of songs by famous musicians.  Jones dances, stares, and has even started air-drumming at appropriate times while watching this DVD over and over recently.  The lineup of stars boasts everyone from LL Cool J, Feist, and Will I. Am (mommy's 3 favorites) to Hootie and the Blowfish, Destiny's Child, N Sync, and Andrea Bocelli.  It's pretty crazy how many famous artists sing with Elmo.  Some of the songs are pretty tough to take, and many get interminably stuck in my head; but it's not a horrible children's video, considering all the crap that is out there.

Anyway, though I am not proud of the fact that my 18 month old is now addicted to a DVD, my favorite part of his new obsession is that he likes to watch from my lap, while holding onto a finger or two.  It makes me indescribably happy to see that sweet chunky butt backing up towards me to sit in my lap and then feel his tiny hand grasp my fingers.  Sigh.
Here's to being present for these moments.

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Big Boy Room for the Big Brother

We have begun a new home improvement project at our house, out of necessity, really...my 14 month old, Jones will be getting a new room by the end of the summer because a new baby is on the way!

I am almost 12 weeks pregnant, due October 16th-ish, and my recent dearth of blog posts has been due to the fact that I have been feeling really crappy lately.  Morning sickness (or in my case, all day/mostly afternoon sickness) has brought me to my knees, quite literally.  I was sick with Jones too, so I expected it, but it is much harder to run around after a toddler in the midst of this!

So, to give you an idea of my inspiration for Jones' new "big boy room," here are some of my recent Pinterest pins:

Totally doing this paint job- we're doing clean white at the top and a teal-ish at the bottom:

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My talented husband will be re-creating this wall-mounted fold-down desk with shelves--I love it, and I already have a thrifted wooden chair that I am going to re-paint to go with it!

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I am a sucker for a gallery wall, and I especially love this one, and the way the shelving kind of makes this a cozy little reading corner:

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Some art for the gallery wall:

LOVE this  modern-cool take on Sesame Street character, Bert, by Symbol Society

The Streets, Number 2, via here

My mantra, exactly:

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You may remember my obsession with foxes...well it persists:

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James and I already purchased a set of unfinished pine bunk beds for Jones' new room, and I really want to find some vintage patchwork quilts to use as comforters for the beds:

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I love old maps and globes...

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So, that's the inspiration so far...it's slowly coming together, and I'll share pictures with you as we go.

Happy weekend everyone!

XO, B

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Happy Birthday to Jones

Today is my sweet baby's first birthday.  

snapped with my phone this morning at Jones' daycare

What an amazing roller coaster of a year this past one has been--all emotions and relationship experiences crammed into a succinct package.  I probably slept less this past year than any other year of my life. I fell in love daily with an amazing baby boy who is quickly turning into a sassy little toddler.  I questioned my life direction, and lamented the loss of my youth...and then made adult decisions and childish ones, circling back around to realizing that my life direction is what it should be at the moment, and that's all I can ask. 

This child has taught me more about myself and how I want my life to go simply by being alive, than I have been able to figure out on my own these past 33 years.  Guess that's how it goes, huh? 

My mom called me this morning:
Mom: Happy Birthday, baby!
Me: Thanks, I'll tell Jones you said so.
Mom: Well, yes, tell him Happy Birthday, but I also mean Happy Birthday to you.
Me: It's not my birthday...
Mom: Well, you gave birth to the child, didn't you?!  So, it's your birth-day too...

Moms are so wise. 
Wait, I am a mom now... 
Though I am certainly not wise yet, I do feel like today is my birthday-a whole new life began for me on this day last year.  Thanks for that, my sweet Jones.  Your momma adores you.

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A Random Thursday Post

My week has been crazy.  We're still battling a stomach bug in the Hill house--momma and daddy got it first, and now baby has it--yuck!  On top of that, we are planning to leave the babe with his grandparents for 2 nights this weekend so we can attend a wedding in Spartanburg, SC- (yay, Kaley & Drew!).  I am a bit nervous about leaving him, especially now that he's not feeling well...hopefully he'll be better tomorrow.

I haven't even begun to pack for that trip, and then when I get back I have two days to do laundry and pack for my trip to NYC!  I am beyond excited about this trip, but I'm a little nervous that my wardrobe may not be prepared for the weather...but oh well, I'll worry about that next week...one trip at a time, right?

So, now for the randomness--I bought these cord shorts for Jones on major sale this week:

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So cute, right!?  And FREE shipping from Zara, you can't beat that.

And, instead of doing laundry and packing, this week I've been working on some handmade items for Jones' first birthday party--which is 2 weeks away!  Crazy.  I'm making a crown for the birthday boy and a bunting for his cake--similar to the one below. 

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So, sorry for the lack of posts this week, and don't expect much for next week, but I'll be back soon with posts about the wedding, the NYC trip, and the birthday party!  Whew.
Happy January!

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Jones- 8 Months

The past month has been so fun, as Jones has started "scooting" (not quite crawling) and showing his sweet personality more and more...but it has also been a little rough because he has been sick a lot.  In the past 6 weeks Jones had had his first 3 illnesses--they definitely took their toll on our poor boy, and the whole household, as no one slept very well!  But, knock on wood, he is feeling better and I hope it is a long while before he is sick again.

Last month we took Jones to the Outerbanks to attend our friends', Heidi & Tom's, wedding, and they had their precious little boy there too, "LT."  We all loved seeing the boys meet for the first time, and getting to hang out in a beautiful house on the beach together for a few days.

Jones found his first crush in the OBX- 5 year old Jules!

chubby, naked, and bald--does it get any cuter?!

baby loves to travel

Sweet, amazing, boy...he is grabbing onto things and trying to pull-up...can't quite do it yet, but he may just bypass crawling altogether.  He is really good at entertaining himself these days--loves to talk to himself and play with blocks and rattle toys.  He loves when mommy sings (go figure!) and any music--he bounces in time and smiles.

Loving every second!
Happy Thursday!

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I Heart Fall

I know, I know, we live in Columbia, SC, so Fall is technically not here until Halloween...and sometimes later than that.  But today it was 64 degrees when I left the house for work, and at 12:39 PM it's still only in the 70s...this is Fall weather, and I couldn't be happier.

I have waxed (not-so)poetic about this before, but I seriously love Fall.  The crisp air, colorful leaves, all the typical reasons why people love Fall...I love to wear scarves; I love fires; I love the holidays that Fall brings.  I love Fall clothing and colors and of course the cooler weather. 

This year I can't wait to put this sweet little nearly-bald head in some cute beanies:

and in this cute Halloween costume:

image via here- I found one in like-new condition at a consignment sale for $4!

 What are you looking forward to this Fall?

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Jones- 7 Months

You guessed it, the babe just keeps on getting older...and more fun!  We have taken a couple trips in the past month, one to the beach with family, and another to visit friends in Charleston.  Jones has turned into quite the easy traveler.  The days of hating the carseat seem to be behind us, (please knock on wood for us on that), and he adjusts nicely to sleeping in his pack 'n play in our room when on trips.  We are blessed to have a very happy, easy baby.

Without further ado, the baby highlights of the last month:

can totally hit two things together

preferred arm position while eating

Jones loves sand. a lot.

"Look Ma, I got three teef!"

Love this sweet, goofy boy to pieces.

XO, B

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Jones- 6 Months

So, the babe is half a year old.  

Jones at his Christening a week ago.  In a dress my mother made and shadow-stitched.  Both cousins have worn it too.

He is such a joy--and such a chunk.  At his check-up this week he was in the 90th percentile for both height and weight!  He is wearing 9 and 12 month clothes already.

At the beach.

Love this one of Jones and my grandmother, MamaCat, smiling at each other.

The boy is finally sleeping through the night (most nights), and he cut his first tooth in the past week.  He is loving trying new foods--he has had brown rice cereal, squash, zuchinni, green beans, peas, carrots, sweet potatoes, peaches, banana, honey dew, cantaloupe, prunes, apples with cinnamon, avocado, beets...his favorites are sweet potatoes, peas and beets!  Not digging banana yet, but we'll keep trying.  I am making almost all of his food and still enjoying it--just steaming/pureeing it all on Sunday for the week.  Organic, and sometimes local, produce as much as possible.

He can now sit unsupported and rolls over.  Most mornings we find him happily babbling and playing in his crib, waiting for us to come get him.  He is so mellow and laid back these days, it is so nice!

His newest "trick" is clapping along as we sing "If You're Happy and You Know It" to him.  He started this a few days ago, and now he knows that it elicits such a response from all around him, that he will clap randomly for attention.  The funniest is when we get him up to change his diaper at about 11 PM each night, (the boy leaks out of every diaper we've tried if we don't change it once in the middle of the night), and he is lying on the changing table smiling and clapping for us.  A half-asleep, happy baby might be one of the most amazing things in the world.

We feel so blessed to have a happy, healthy 6 month old baby boy and can't wait to see what the second half of his first year will bring.

XO,
B

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Pinning Foxes for Jones

Have you found Pinterest yet?  It's a great place to find inspiration and ideas, as well as keep up with your internet finds.  You can also "follow" other people's boards to see what they're "pinning."

You can keep multiple "inspiration boards" and it is super-easy to save things directly to them via a handy internet browser tool bar button.  My boards include: Stuff for Jones, Books Worth Reading, For When I Have a Girl, and Feeding Baby, among others.

I have quite the obsession with foxes as of late, not sure why, but here are some "foxy" things I've added to my "Stuff for Jones" board lately:

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And some other random things that I would love to have for Jones:

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And, there's where my head is today...have you been "pinning" lately!?

Happy weekend,
XO

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Jones- 5 Months Old

So many new things have occured in the life of this child in the past month!  He took his first trip to the beach over Memorial Day weekend:

He started eating solid foods; so far he's tried brown rice cereal and homemade squash and peas--next week it's carrots.

He started school--he is loving his Child Development Center at Shandon Presbyterian Church.  They have him on a great schedule--he now naps twice a day for over 2 hours each nap!

He also loves his bath now--(up until about a month ago he screamed for the entirety of every bath we gave him).

Playing with his cousin Taylor.

Jones is the light of my life and his little personality is really starting to show itself these days.  He is very "assessive", (as my mom calls it), and it still takes a lot to make him smile...you have to work for it!  He loves to be read to already; Brown Bear is a favorite, and Goodnight Moon is climbing the charts.  And he is just starting to reach for people when he wants them-the highlight of my day this morning.

Happy Wednesday!
XO, B

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Feeding Baby

I want this book:

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 I bought this yesterday at Earth Fare with the hopes that our Pediatrician will tell us  it's OK to start feeding Jones rice cereal: (the boy is hungry, and not sleeping well!)

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Any thoughts or reviews of either?

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Jones- 4 Months

Jones with his DiDi, (my mother)

 Four months of our life with this child, and as each day passes our former days without him seem more and more distant.  In a good way, I can hardly remember my life before Jones.  He is such a joy!

He is holding his head up so well now, and flirting and smiling with family and friends.  As my husband says, "the boy loves a compliment," as it always seems he knows when people are commenting on how cute he is or how sweet, and he smiles and coyly jerks his head from eye contact.

He is getting his first tooth already--it seems so early, but we can see it pushing through the gum on his bottom left.  As a result, he had a few pretty fussy days last week, but it seems to have abated for now.

James and I take him pretty much anywhere we go--he's been to countless USC baseball games, loads of local restaurants, the Rosewood Crawfish Festival, the Zoo, the Sheraton RoofTop Bar, and to visit family and friends.  He had his first overnight stay at his YiaYia's, (James' mom's), house last weekend.  And next week we'll take him to the beach for the first time--I can't wait!

We also have his 4-month check up at the pediatrician's next week, so I'll update you on his growth.  Thanks for indulging me in this monthly account of our little boy's development.

XO, B

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