22 August 2012

Liam - 20 months


Date/Week: 20 months

Milestones: 
  • He's the big 2-0... He'll be 2 before we know it
  • Likes marching around the house as the drum major or drummer or playing some sort of horn (using his yellow hoe)
  • 'Sings' the 3 beat roll to start the parade and the base drum beats at the end
  • Likes visiting the Lizards who live in our blind every morning and evening
  • Likes saying 'goodbye' to the little girl in his English/Spanish book at night
  • An old pro now at catching the ferry - first time to St. Georges during Cup Match Friday
  • Had ice cream for the first time (loved it)
  • Tries to copy mummy doing yoga (usually results in him being wrapped up in the yoga mat
  • More teeth!
  • Giving kisses, usually with the sound 'mmmm-smack'
Developmental Progress:  
  • Must feed himself and is working on spearing food on the fork
  • Colouring with more strokes and less dots
  • Sings and acts out 'head & shoulders, knees and toes'
  • Can drink from his juice cup on his own without spilling anything
  • Counts to 10 and recognises the numbers
  • Forming more and more 3 word or more sentences.
  • Makes decisions on what to eat with clear 'no' or 'yes' comments and a fair amount of finger waggling with no
  • Tells the cat to get off of the counter
  • Starting to ask 'why' almost as much as he says 'no'
  • Tries to negotiate for more stories when it is bedtime
  • Potty training is interesting.  He'll sit on the potty and then go after you put the diaper back on.  He will tell you that he needs to be changed. He will tell you (sometimes) what he's done. He will take off his diaper if it's wet in the morning and you do not come fast enough to change it. He will sit on the potty and sometimes go before he gets his bath (but then get him into the bath quickly because sometimes he will take having his diaper off as an invitation to keep going...). So basically, he was probably better potty trained at 6 months when we were doing elimination communication than he is now...

Thoughts and Feelings? 

I cannot believe that Liam is almost 2.... but then he reminds me with the word 'no', the laughter as he runs around the house, the conversations that he has with his stuffed animals and the dogs, the request for 'bread' at breakfast and when we get home from work. It is an amazing time to experience... both a joy and exhausting all at the same time. So many evenings we have put him to bed and I want to go and climb in mine because he has me worn out in just 90 minutes at home together. And I wouldn't have it any other way. Each night I absorb as much as I possibly can and I live in that moment because it is where I truly want to be. Yay for my 20 month old! And yay for the wonders that I have been privy to over the last year and 8 months!

Other than that, in a months time we'll be on vacation. Ireland and Boston are booked! I'm a bit nervous about the trip over. We're doing Jet Blue to Boston and then Aer Lingus to Dublin. I'm the most nervous about the baggage on Aer Lingus. I wonder if Liam's Stokke stroller will cost us extra since it isn't a lightweight collapsible stroller and should I therefore get another stroller that will be easier to travel with. Then there's the car seat. Since he'll be a lap baby, will they charge us for his car seat (the website isn't helping in this regard...). And finally there's Liam and hoping that we can get him through a day of travel with two flights and a few hours in an airport. We got an Elmo kiddie strap to allow him to walk with us but not go to far. It probably won't go over well in the US airport but I would prefer him to be safe if he wants to walk with us. 

In any case, I am looking forward to some time away.... so I now just need to finish off this dissertation before I go...

What I am looking forward to: 

Cycling from Dublin down to Dun Laogharie and Dalkey; taking Aidan to the Merry Ploughboy Pub for dinner and a show for his birthday; going to see Idina Menzel at the Wang Theatre in Boston to celebrate our anniversary (a few days late but worth the wait!)









18 July 2012

Liam - 17, 18 and 19 months


Date/Week: 17,18 and 19 months

Milestones: 
  • 32.5" long and 22.8 lbs
  • Climbs up and down stairs without help
  • Loves his sandals for the summer but misses his sneakers (he carries them around the house)
  • Just getting comfortable with the toothbrush
  • Survived Daddy's 10-day trip away from us... and won't let him out of his sight now that he is home
  • Has started  asking 'why?'
  • Loves 'peek-a-boo'
  • Climbs out of his crib - even when lowered to its lowest setting
  • Appears to favour his left hand
  • Eats cheerios in milk for breakfast 
  • Has his own cups, bowls, plates and utensils
  • Loves chasing bubbles
  • Has a horrible reaction to mosquito bites
  • Is registered for 'Parents and Tots' dance class in September
Developmental Progress:  
  • Loves to throw a ball or toy.... or anything as long as it comes back to him to throw again
  • Dances to music (Mummy's influence???)
  • Conducts music (Daddy's influence???)
  • Sweeps the floor
  • Picks tomatoes out of the garden
  • We're able to understand more of the words that he is saying (they're clearer)
  • Loves to say 'hi/hello' and 'bye' along with your name and sometimes says 'hola' instead of 'hi'
  • Can put on his shoes
  • Can identify most animals and the noises that they make (often followed by 'ei-ei-oooooooo')
  • Will point out flowers, trees and facial features when we read his books
  • Repeats just about every word that we say and appears to retain quite a few 
  • Jumps - on the bed, on the couch...

Thoughts and Feelings? 



I haven't updated anything since April.... it has been busy. At this moment, I am busy at work, busy with data analysis for my dissertation, busy trying to keep working out and busy trying to spend as much time as possible with my boys. No rest in sight though!


We are planning a family vacation in September... Ireland and Boston!


What I am looking forward to: 


Doing a reiki class. Considering career options once this degree is done. Sorting out the dance class schedule for the fall.







08 May 2012

Progress

So I had my monthly measurement session at the gym to see if I've had any progress since starting on April 9th. My weight loss appears stalled at the moment - I've been at the same weight for over a week. But the measurements.... bliss. I've lost 12.5" in the last month - all over! So looking at the starting stats I've posted here, here's my progress:

Month 1 Stats
bust - 37.5  (-1.5)
waist - 33.5 (-2.5)
hips - 37 (-2)

Yay!

07 May 2012

Vacation, Please.....

No, I don't even have one planned for 2012. I'm aiming for September for perhaps some time off but we'll see.

Exercising is kicking my butt.....

Working on my dissertation is kicking my butt...

Work is kicking my butt....

There aren't enough hours in the day... and there is so much that I feel that I am trying to 'get back on track' in my life.

I will prevail - it's just a little tough right now.

27 April 2012

4th Weigh-in and 2.5lbs lost

It wasn't a great week though. It was tough fitting in the workouts. And the water. And the fish. And the sleep.

The best workout this week was water aerobics - it stretched me out beautifully.

The toughest was body pump. I did the 60 minute class and I struggled with the arm exercises with minimal weight!

The most fulfilling was yoga. I felt relaxed and was able to work on my flexibility and strength.

The most improved was spinning. I was able to do 85% of the combinations.

25 April 2012

Liam - 16 months


Date/Week: April 22nd; 16 months

Milestones: 
  • Third haircut!
  • He can now open doors in the house.... try keeping him out of the bathroom now!
  • 31" long and 21.9lbs
  • Has his first pair of boat shoes
  • Loves his books and will try to read them to you
  • Has started to run!
  • Boy, can he turn on the drama (and he can turn it off just as fast...)
Developmental Progress:  

  • If you play 'Twinkle,Twinkle' or 'Row, Row, Row' on an instrument, he will start to sing the song
  • Using more two word sentences
  • He loves climbing
  • He helps with the dishwasher and in the garden
  • When he goes to sit on the step he will back up and then sit down
  • Helps to put on and take off his clothing
  • Feeds himself with a spoon or fork with some help
  • Says oh-oh when something drops
  • Is starting to get the dogs' names down



Thoughts and Feelings? 



It has been a hectic month! Between highland exams, work, the pilot study for my dissertation, 3 weeks of dissertation workshop courses and starting a diet and exercise plan, I have had a time keeping up. I am starting to contemplate what the future may hold. I've also been thinking about what to do to rebuild my confidence level. I am sick of second guessing myself.


I am hoping the fall will bring some peace. I am hopeful that we can have a relaxing vacation - we've identified the time but the plans are still up in the air. I really am looking forward to some family time - and hopefully some celebration time if I have finished the degree!


What I am looking forward to: 


Spending time in the garden!









20 April 2012

3rd Weigh - in - 3 lbs lost

Thank goodness!!!!

I have taken so many classes this week to kick-start this process. Nights definitely don't work for me...

So, out of the classes:

Zumba - good
Water Aerobics - great
Running - ok
Elliptical - ok
Treadmill - kind of boring
Yoga - great
Plyometrics - tough but good
Body Pump - tough but good
Spinning - hellish and my butt hurts
Chalene Extreme - good
Swimming - too cold for good assessment