Six Months

It's March 1st!

Happy Sixth Month birthday, Sam! It's hard to believe that you have been with us for half a year, an we can't imagine what we would do without you. What a difference sixth months makes!

Nothing too much going on in our household this week. However, I have stopped nursing and am dealing with that emotionally, and more painfully physically. I am not quite sure what happpened, as everything happened so quickly. What started out as a blocked duct turned into an even more blocked duct... and Sam couldn't eat. He didn't even want to try. When that boy is hungry, he's HUNGRY. After talking at great lengths with my sister in law (a RN and lactation counselor) and a lactation counselor I worked with in the beginning, I decided to stop. I know this offers me a new freedom, but I wasn't completely ready and wanted this to be on my own terms. I feel like as Mom, I wanted to do everything for Sam that I could to get him off to a good start, and I was dissapointed that this happened so fast. Big sigh.

I am off to work for a busy day! Our school is nominated for California Distinguished Schools, and we have our site visit on Tuesday. It's a HUGE deal so keep your fingers crossed for us.

Happy Friday!

Another cute Sam video

Sam's talking! from Jena Stires on Vimeo.

Where did the weekend go?

It just seems like the weekends go by faster and faster! Despite the bad weather, we had a nice weekend. I met with the Mommy Boot Camp director on Thursday afternoon. She came to the house to complete my intake appointment, and I loved her. She was so encouraging and supportive, and I think this is exactly what I need to get moving again. I got my first set of homework, she took my body fat measurements and a "before" picture. I can't wait to see what happens!

Jon spent most of the weekend struggling, but successfully completing the paint job in our bathroom. It seems as if our bathroom just didn't want to be painted, as this is our second shot at it. Long story to be saved for another time! Of course, with Jon's attention to detail we ended up with what looks like a brand new bathroom. There will be no painting in our house for a long time now.

Payton and I went to Sandy's birthday dinner at Red Robin on Saturday night- Happy Birthday, Sandy! Payton has gotten to be quite the great little girl when we go out. We are very proud of that. Jon stayed home to finish up the bathroom and to let Sam rest. He had a bit of a tough weekend with lots of crying and grumpiness. I think he might be getting some teeth, but we'll see.

Tonight, I had frozen yogurt (yum!) with my friend Kristi who is always inspiring to be around. She's an amazing mother and friend, and I just enjoy talking with her so much. Thanks so much for the nice evening, my friend... and for my birthday bag!

Hope everyone had a great weekend.

Thank you!

I appreciate all of the birthday calls, messages, cards, gifts that you all sent yesterday! Thank you so very much for all of your kindness.
My husband- thank you for the gift card and the free time for myself. For thinking of the ice cream cake, my cards from the kids, and your support as always.. I love you.
Bill and Mary- thank you for the gift card and nice message. I actually bought clothes this time!
Jen and Scott- Thanks for the sweet message! I wish that you would have sang happy birthday after all.
My dear sister- I miss you more and more on days like this. I wish that you would have been here. Thank you for your message! I love you so much, and hope to catch up soon.
Kim-what a nice surprise to hear your voice! I miss you.. thanks for calling. Hope to talk soon!
Erica and Hector-- Amazing singing. That's all I can say!!
I received so many nice cards- Aunt Colleen, Linda and Nick, Jen and Scott... thank you.

I am a very lucky girl! Have a great day everyone.

Payton Video

Payton Counting from Jena Stires on Vimeo.

Mommy Boot Camp

One of the issues that I am sure many people are working on this New Year is the resolution to exercise more. When I was pregnant with Sam, I went to the gym three times a week. I stopped at the very end of my pregnancy, when my belly kept hitting the emergency switch button on the treadmill and turning it off and I would have to go to the bathroom at least 3 times during my workout. I think it was part of the reason that I only gained 25 pounds and was able to shed my baby weight so quickly. However, I have not been so good about getting back into my routine since Sam has been born. Again, Jon has been hitting the gym at 4:30 am at least three times a week and I am so proud of him! I wish that I had that kind of motivation. I am really struggling with that now. I came across an ad for Mommy Boot Camps in a local parenting magazine that I had picked up and decided to call and get some more information. You can check out the link here: http://www.bodybycode.net
After talking to Jon and getting his full support, I am enrolling in Mommy Boot Camp starting March 6th. I am really excited about it! I think it will be exactly what I need to get up and moving again, and to begin feeling better physically. The trainer is also a life coach, so I am hoping that she will have some ideas for time management and other "Mommy" issues. I spoke with her on the phone and she was wonderful. She'll be coming next week to the house to do an intake appointment. Anyone out there want to join me?

LOVE

Happy Valentine's Day! May you have a day full of love and smiles!

Peace Preschool

Yeah! We found a preschool for Payton, one that doesn't require an entry interview (or for the child to be potty-trained... at our rate, that is never going to happen!). I went with two girlfriends of mine to look at a couple places that we had narrowed down to ones in our price range and that are fairly close to our house. We all really liked Peace Preschool. The preschool director was so warm and friendly, and the class was well organized and the kids looked so happy. The word "warm" just keeps coming to mind over and over again. I think Payton, who takes a long time to adjust to things, will really thrive in this kind of school. As I was sitting there in the car on the way home, I felt a twinge of sadness. My little girl is growing up. She's a month shy of three, and I don't know where the time went. I know it sounds hokey, but it's scary how fast it all goes. Big sigh. Anyway, keep your fingers crossed that we get in!

We miss you

Today a package arrived in the mail from Auntie Shinny (aka Auntie Lyndsey) for Payton to celebrate Valentine's Day. Somehow, her packages always seem to arrive on a day where a package was really needed. There was playdough and some candy in there with a sweet note, and it totally distracted Payton from having a major tantrum because we couldn't go to the park since her brother was still sleeping. Auntie Shinny, we miss and love you! We wish every single day that you were here.

Some exciting news, however: Sam is officially swaddle and pacifier free! Yeah! I had tried to wrap him up for one of his naps on Saturday, and couldn't get the little bugger to stay in. He just kept rolling and rolling. I gave up, and put him right in the crib. He cried hard for about 5 minutes and then was done. He's slept that way, for 12 hours, the last two nights as well. Our little baby burrito is growing up. I've actually been a little sad to not wrap him up when he sleeps.. he always looks so sweet that way.

Another weekend, another day. Why do they always go by so fast?

A Week Full of Special Days

Happy Birthday to Scott and Jen! Our wonderful brother and sister-in-law have birthdays in the same week. We miss and love you, guys! Happy Anniversary to our dear friends Erica and Hector. It's hard to believe that three years has already passed. We love you both so much.

Jon's on a tour in San Francisco today for a new program he's been working on for the City. Check out the link: http://www.cityofsacramento.org/parksandrecreation/recreation/safari.htm
It's Chinese New Year today, so they are checking out the fun. More kudos to my husband who is one of the most efficient and organized individuals that I have ever met!

Hope everyone is having a great day. It's almost Friday, and I can feel spring around the corner!

Let The Good Times Roll!

Check out Sam's new trick.....

Todo Un Poco

Last night, Grandpa Bill and Mary came up to take us out to dinner. We went to a place called Todo Un Poco, which is right down the road from us. They serve Mexican, Italian (with a Mexican flair)and pizza. Interesting, huh? Jon and I have been there twice and had forgotten how good it was. I had a steak and spinach torta with a glass of sangria. It was one of the yummiest sandwhiches that I have had in a long time. Mary had mussels, and Bill and Jon had a taste of the Mexican dishes. Payton had pizza (which came with french fries) so she was the happiest little girl in the world. Our waitress was exceptional, and catered to Payton. In short, you must eat there. There was nothing "chain restaurant-y" about it. Thank you Grandpa and Mary for a nice evening!
Today, Baby Sam rolled over! Of course, when we tried to get in on the camera he just laid there and smiled. He's just growing and growing. He was five months old this weekend. Where has the time gone?
Enjoy the SuperBowl! We hope you all had a great weekend.