Tuesday, October 18, 2011

16! It's sweet!

Let's see if I can keep this post in any sort of order, you'll be able to tell by the pre and post haircut of the boy! It was getting a little raggedy (actually becoming a giant dread daily) as seen here:
 Coincidentally, these last pictures were also the day of our trip to Como Zoo. I'll give you 2 guesses what he was more interested in - animals or TRACTORS (dah-dohs)!

So, we went to get his haircut. I didn't have time to be upset myself because look at this face....
 Oh man, what torture. Then, last night I read an article about the first haircut and how they just cut off the hair they were BORN WITH and I got all verklempt. Seriously, we just cut off all the hair that grew when he was in me. SAD.

We also went to the apple orchard. This would be a yearly tradition now...you ate apples this year! YAY!


 We got you a pumpkin! Which was later stolen during our trip to Iowa. Stupid kids and their pumpkin-stealing ways. At least they had to courtesy to not smash it on our front sidewalk. I choose to believe that some family that couldn't afford a pumpkin took it. Look at this guy - so strong!

We went to a park on a Sunday morning like the heathens we are and they were handing out baloons. They were baloons from Jesus. Well they caught us, enjoying the last nice fall day Minnesota had to offer that happened to fall on a Sunday. I'm sorry that I didn't want to spend it in a church. This little heathen is totally willing to model for me as evidenced by the following pictures:






And then - you need to goof around with your dad.

Lately your favorite thing has been the swing. And kid - I had forgotten the joy of throwing my head back while I'm swinging. I agree. What an awesome feeling.




Here is where you can't hide your love of your mother's kisses.

We went to Iowa! Your first out of state excursion! 5 hours in the car each way for your Uncle Brian and Aunt Liv's wedding! You did great!! The wedding was awesome! We also did a bit of touring in Dubuque. Here we are at the top of this lift elevator built in the 1800's:
 Yes, I got into that thing with my only child. I am very trusting of old rusty buckets.
 Here's where I didn't push you off a pier! I love you!
 This is just cool. A door with a big step.
 You're a star! The next day we ate a the restaurant inside this building and you literally almost choked to death. We were all sobbing in the restaurant. We definitely know how to make a scene - don't ever scare your mom like that again!
 The biggest catfish any of us had ever seen. And finally! The haircut is highlighted! Much better minus the rats nest! Does anyone else miss the curls? I do.
 Okay, so they had a real crocodile, but it literally stalked Eliot and I while we were walking past the cage. Every move we made, it followed us. It started creeping me out so no pictures with the real crocodile. This one was much better.
 Look at these two - SO CUTE!
 Unfortunately this is the ONLY picture I took of the bride and groom. Aren't they cute though?
 Eliot was quite Tom Cruise after the wedding. He was also quite exhausted.
 Fall is definitely here (as evidenced by our pumpkins and apple picking). We've been training Eliot for trick or treating. Too bad he goes to bed at 6:30!
 I've also been scoping out all the indoor play places. This one is perfect for little guys like Eliot and it's really helped with his coordination!

 Could he look any more grown up in this picture?
We continue to wait for the arrival of my nephew, Eliot's cousin. I can't wait to meet the little guy and Eliot can't wait for another cousin close to his age! This month was so full of fun times, I say this all the time but I can't believe it keeps getting better!

Sunday, October 9, 2011

So how am I doing?

Not that anyone comes on here to check on me or anything. So if you're looking for adorable baby pictures, come back next week. We had a great month so far and have taken lots of pictures I can't wait to share. But I am. Waiting that is.

I was out running the other day and realized how much more comfortable and accepting I am of my postpartum body than I was pre-Eli. I used to hear mom's say this and think it was a bunch of lip service, that they really did care but used the pregnancy/birth/lack of time whatsoever with a kid to justify the fact that they no longer really liked their bodies. But I'm telling you - I am amazed at what my body did and amazed at what it is now. I gained 45 pounds, I've lost over 50, and there are parts of my body that are changed forever, but I really don't even care. I think I look damned good. The sad thing is I used to care so much more - what released me? Did becoming a mom change me that much? I am in awe of the fact that I gave birth to another human but why would it change that part of me? Truthfully, I don't know why but I know it's nice. It feels amazing to be content.

I am feeling a little disconnected though. I went shopping for my wardrobe that is sorely in need of updating. I've never been super into fashion or anything, and now I just want to wear clothes that flatter me and look put together, no matter what the current trends are (seriously - go away skinny jeans and leggings. I have too much hip to pull you off). When I was shopping though I was just...surprised at what the people at the checkout counters were wearing, and surprised at what was even offered in the store and how much of it I just didn't like. I suppose I'm getting older and I haven't seriously bought clothes for 2 years because of the whole pregnancy/birth recovery thing, but I didn't think I was that out of touch! I think a lot of it is because flowy tops and skinny pants just don't flatter me, I need flowy pants and skinny tops for this pear-shaped girl. When I did find a pair of pants I liked (cords) the girl at the counter asked me "aren't you glad cords are back in style? I had a friend make fun of me and say that cords were so ten years ago but they're coming back!" Christ. They were out of style? I guess I haven't worn any in a while but I love cords, they are like the perfect fall pant. So I bought them anyways, they may not be back in style (I only saw them at one store) but they look good on me.

I hope to have time to update next weekend. My brother is getting married Friday, my sister is due any day, and Eliot will be 16 months old. Exciting times people, exciting times!