{milestone} : baby cereal

I've added a new thing to Paxton's routine. He's now eating rice cereal in the morning and before bed due to his crazy growth spurt. We're doing it with a bowl and baby spoon because he doesn't do well with baby bottles. He sits in his portable high chair like a big boy and actually SWALLOWS it.

I was woken up once at 3:00 a.m, this morning; instead of three to four times so I could nurse him. So he almost slept through the entire night!!

We moved our room/nursery around since I found a twin bed recently at a garage sale. I can sleep on that instead of an air mattress! {amen} so we're going to be picking out paint today to spruce up the headboard. Lots of DIYs and we want to hit the pool this afternoon. 

Beach tomorrow. 

Happy Memorial Day Weekend everyone!! 

{xo}

you are what you eat

After a long year of pregnancy, post pregnancy, a slight case of baby blues, and being lazy; I've finally got a plan. I'm not happy with my body and since I'm nursing, I've got to be more careful with what I put into it. 

My top priorities are to :

1. Eat healthy. 
2. Start a mommy group in Elkhart and walk twice a week.
3. Go to aerobics class three times a week.

Last Wednesday was the first day we went to the YMCA and Paxton had to go to the nursery while I worked out. I was so scared to leave him for an hour and a half. Luckily, my friend Jena was there with her two cuties and it made me feel better about dropping him off with complete strangers. She put me at ease when she said that if anything did go wrong they would come and get me. It would be comforting for any mom to see what I had saw. Every woman in that room knew the names of each kid that walked in. I could tell they were warm-hearted and wise. 

The workout went great!! It's literally been two years since I've done any type of weight training or cardio! I love Susie's class!! She's amazing at what she does and just looking at how stunning her body is, was enough motivation to stay in there. It was tough. But when it was over and done I had the confidence that I could keep it up for the whole year.

After our workout, I couldn't wait to see Paxton again!! I missed him for that short amount of time. I couldn't believe that no one had to come and get me. We're starting to supplement with formula for when we're on the road a lot and I have a busy schedule. He was sleeping when I went to go and get him. They didn't have to feed him and he didn't cry once. The times for the class couldn't be more perfect. We wake up around 6 or 7 on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays. I bathe him, I get his diaper bag together and then I feed him. I'll load the car and change his diaper before we leave and he ends up going back to sleep when we get there at 9:30 a.m. --- He's such a good babe.

The first day of my mommygroup was on Thursday (yesterday) and no other moms showed up but that didn't keep me from staying. We strolled the track of Pierre Moran Middle School for an hour and the walking helped my sore glutes and thighs. 

He wore his sunglasses for the first time, here. 

. . . 

I worked out again this morning and since I'm sore, it was a lot harder.

I need to work on my kegals {hahaha} --- I felt like I was going to piss myself a few times.

Aerobics class is during Paxton's naptime {bliss}

In other news, I got a coaching position at Indiana Ultimate and I start next Tuesday. 

It feels good to have a full schedule again.

Things aren't too busy to the point of exhaustion, but I like feeling productive.

It'll be exciting to be back in the gym with cheerleaders and dancers and in an environment with music and fun times. I've missed these days! 

. . . 

Tomorrow we're walking in the a.m. at Walker Park at 10:30

be there or be square.

Then I'm judging tryouts for IU's hip hop dance team.

Can't wait!!

{xo}

{next level cuteness}

It's amazing how many times my little man can make me smile in one day. & what he did tonight, made me cry. Out of nowhere. With my mother. For the first time.

I'll get to that in a minute.

The day started off peachy and ended up rocky. I was privileged to watch my nephew Taylen today and being the good daddy that Michael is, our day went smoothly. He wrote on pieces of paper and sticky notes on what Tay likes for breakfast and lunch, and where everything was in their house. Even described in detail what his poop looked like {little rabbit turds that might roll out of his diaper} Hahaha, so thanks Mike!! 

Taylen is going to be 2 years old soon. He's content when all of his toys are spread out on the living room floor and the tv is on Disney channel. He likes when I read to him and when I put him in the high chair while I cook. I will watch him ANY DAY. 

. . .

Mid afternoon, Paxton caught a fever. It went down but came back while I was grocery shopping. I hurried up and gave him a fever reducer, a bath and some chi chi {breast milk -- haha} when we got home and the crying finally stopped. 

Rewind back to what made me tear up 

. . .

Times are hard around here. 
I don't have a bed at the moment. 
I sleep on an air mattress and since I was away from home
 for the majority of the day, it was deflated. 

Once we got home I couldn't soothe him because my bed wasn't set up.
After his bath I noticed it was 9:00 pm 
Being that he goes to sleep between 7 and 8, 
the time probably had a lot to do with his cranky-ness.

He was frustrated with me, tired, and sick.

My first attempt to calm him down was to feed him.
I hurried up and put his jammies on `im then fed him.
Since my bed wasn't inflated and I usually co-sleep with him,
I put him in his crib. 
Wide-eyed but I knew he was tired.

Sure enough, all it took, was one of his blankets wrapped in his tiny little hands, 

his pacifier, and a dark room and he was knocked out.

What was so magical is he fell asleep all on his own.
And the sweetest moment was me and my mom peeking in his crib to see him rubbing
his eyes with the blanket, trying to fall asleep.
& then came the waterworks!!

Moments like this is what makes me appreciate my life more. 

I know that God has been good to me.

He has blessed me with an intelligent, patient, and loving baby boy.
He deserves the very best from me. 

I couldn't ask for more.

--------------------

We spent two days in Chicago with the whole family this weekend.

It was sweet P's very first road trip.

We went to the Museum of Science and Industry first.
Which was nice since we've never been to that particular one.

Our last family vacay was almost 8 years ago!!

The weather was gloomy and wet but we spent most of our time indoors with loved ones so we can't complain.

Everywhere I go, I'm a student.

I like learning new things. 

I learned about the way milk was processed from cows and facts about their manure 

I learned about different species, like these frogs with eyes that glow in the dark.

I saw baby chicks hatch before my own eyes.

I saw a train exhibit,

and an even bigger exhibit dedicated to the U-505 Navy submarine. 
It was a lot of fun!

For dinner, everyone went to Medieval Times.
The middle school memories came rolling back.
I told my mom how I used to have vivid dreams of the one in Florida.
Ever since I built a castle in grade school, I loved the fairy tales of knights and chivalry.
That I never thought I'd be back, and she made it happen.
The food was very filling and we got to eat with our hands!
Paxton slept through the entire thing --- but I could always take him again.

The next day we all went to the pool before we had to check out of our hotel.
I was real nervous but eager to put his little swim suit to use.
He LOVED being in the water.
Didn't show excitement in his face,
but he didn't cry neither.
So I was happy!! He's going to enjoy the pool this summer.

The communication in the group lacked there of and it was exhausting getting lost so many times but it was a well deserving trip and we all had a great time.

I have to study for three finals this week. 

So I will be away from the blog for a few days. 
If you want keep up on Instagram.

Wish me luck and good night -- Xo.