HAPPY BIRTHDAY DYLAN!!!

These are pictures from Dylan's party on Saturday. After we gave him the cupcake he sat in his high chair for about 20 minutes slowly eating it (which gave me time to remember the hat and the whole milk!).

No, not in your eyes...or your hair!!

Dylan liked the cupcake and definitely knew something was up when 20 people were standing in a circle around him singing. He looks a little freaked out in these pictures, but as soon as he was out of the high chair, he was running around again.

The birthday boy with the proud parents.

I keep thinking of what I was doing a year ago right now. I can't believe it's been a year! I can't believe we have a toddler! Dylan is so fun now. He knows how to play with his toys and he likes it when we chase him around the room. He has this fun little scream that's excited and fake scared all in one when we chase him. I can't imagine life without him. What did we do before Dylan?

Just some Cuteness...:)

Only a year old and already doing his chores and taking out the trash...

Dylan walking outside in shoes!

I couldn't decide which of these videos to post so I'm posting all three. Notice how the wind stops Dylan's forward progress.

Five years of Togetherness

Yesterday marked the 5-year anniversary of when Martin and I started dating. I remember the day well. Martin invited me over for dinner and because he had "something he wanted to talk to me about." He cooked me dinner at his house including his (family's) famous baked corn. Then we sat on the couch and chit-chatted for about 2 and half hours. I think I went to the bathroom like three times during this time, each time wondering when we were going to start talk about the thing he wanted to talk about. So finally at about 10:30pm (this was a Thursday night) I start yawning and hinting that I need to go soon. That's when Martin explained to me that he really liked spending time with me and wanted to spend more time with and didn't want to just "date" but that he was serious about pursuing me as a potential wife. Suddenly I wasn't so tired anymore. I was very excited about starting a relationship with Martin and I told him such. Five years later we are married and have a 1 year old - things have changed a lot in that time. But I still enjoy spending time with Martin as much as I did then. [I love you babe, you're my best friend!] Since our first date and dating anniversaries are close to our wedding anniversary, we will celebrate them all together next Saturday. We're going to PF Chang's and to the movies.

Another Craig's List Success Story

Since Dylan moved up to the convertible car seat we needed a new stroller since the stroller we had was just a frame that you put the infant car seat on. I've been trying to find THE PERFECT stroller, one that is perfect for every situation in which you'd possible need a stroller. Given that I know a bunch of people with stroller collections, I should have found it no surprise that there is no perfect stroller. But I found one that's close. I've been going back and forth about which one to buy. There was the Maclaren, which I'd have to buy used since they are so expensive, or a new Chicco or Combi that had some more features that I liked. After going to the mall on Monday without a stroller (I used the Bjorn), I knew I needed to get this stroller soon. So I went on Craig's List to see if there were any Maclaren Triumphs for sale. The Triumph is the second cheapest/smallest Maclaren there is. Maclarens are known for their quality, durable, and maneuverability. Well there was on there for $60, but it was 2 years old and the post said it had some stains on the hood and there was no rain cover with it. The 2007 models go for about $150 new. So I figured it was a fair price. I could live with the stains. So I went yesterday to get the stroller and was very pleasantly surprised. The stains were very minor (they were on the side and you could barely see them) and the stroller was in great condition. So we have a stroller now.... I really like it. It's charcoal grey and the hood covers more than I thought it would and the seat reclines. (See picture below.) There are a few features that I miss - cupholder for me and viewing window on the hood. But I think I can get a cupholder for it at BRUS. [Maclaren is British company and apparently the Brits don't understand the American custom of walking and drinking at the same time. If they have a drink, they stop, sit down and relax and enjoy it. Okay, there's some merit to that, but what if you are walking for exercise and want a bottle of water handy?] And I found a rain cover on Ebay for $10.

Week 52

Today, Dylan enters his 52nd week of life outside the womb. Each week since I found out that I was pregnant I've been getting emails from about 3 or 4 different websites (that I signed up with) giving me advice and telling me what to expect from my x week old. We'll apparently I've graduated from the beginning mothers course and now I'm on my own. No more emails. They have all said good bye and good luck to me this week. Hmmm, how will I ever function flying on my own now?! AHHHH!

But seriously, the websites were helpful. Not sure I'll use them again next time around...maybe, I've probably forgotten when the baby is supposed to be the size of the peach versus the small cantaloupe and that's very important to know. :) And the websites were motivating both in eating right and in helping me figure out games to play with Dylan to encourage his growth and what to feed him.

This one year thing is a very big milestone. We will celebrate with pizza party on Saturday and a trip to the pool on Tuesday (I'm taking off that day and working Monday instead). Gotta buy whole milk at the grocery store this week. Let's see what else was I not suppose to give Dylan until he was one - honey, strawberries, citrus,...am I forgetting anything? I'll have to buy those things too...:)

Dylan's possible future interests

Based on what we've observed on Dylan's behavior over the past year, we think Dylan may have the following interests as he ages:

1. Book Eating Contestant - He loves to munch on books instead of reading them.
2. Speed Walker - He motors around the house and the park
3. Drummer in a punk band - He bangs on the drum, and the coffee table, and the door, and the...
4. Olympic Diver - He was always the first kid to jump into the pool
5. Parachute Tester - for his fearless attitude
6. Football Line Judge (the guy who signals Touchdown) - He loves to stick his arms up
7. Mountain Climber - He tries to get as high as possible and he likes "hiking" on Daddy's back
8. Truck Driver - He loves playing with his trucks
9. Headbanger - at least 8 times a day!
10. Environmentalist - he loves to put his plastic toys in the recycling bin.

(I have to credit my DH for this post save for #10.)

Visiting Family in PA

Dylan with two of his great-grandmothers...


And crazy Uncle Justin...

Uncle Justin and his girlfriend Pam (or Pammy Sue as we know her). Pam has become a die hard Mountainer Fan since dating my brother.

Fun day in SWPA

After a night of camping, we headed out to see the Ohiopyle Falls....


...and then to the "Homestead Festival" that was going on in the park....

Yes, that is a bear, but it's been to the taxidermist.

Here's my mom milking a goat.

At this is us at Fort Necessity, our next stop. I learned a lot about history that day. I'm not a big fan of history but the events leading up to the French and Indian war were interesting. Even though the reconstructed fort isn't much to see, the visitors' center had a really nice exhibit that described the events and showed the timeline.

"Camping" with Grandma and Grandpap

Can you really call it camping when you stay in a cabin with a microwave...?


Uh, Dylan, you got something on your face there...
Grandma is always excited to see Dylan!

Cucumber Falls

A few weekends ago we went to PA to visit my family. Friday night we stayed in a cabin with my parents near Ohiopyle State Park. Ohiopyle is one of my favorite places on earth because it's beautiful and it was the place of so many memories from my childhood. Here are some pictures from Cucumber Falls and the Youghiogheny River.

Mommy and Daddy Update

For the past almost two months now, I've been able to make it to the gym twice a week for two strength-training classes. I feel great. My clothes are looser, I've lost about 5 lbs., and I don't have a sore back like I do when I don't exercise for a while. I'm also very excited because Martin joined my gym and got a great deal. Together we are paying less that the amount for one person at the gym that I used to go to. We can't exercise together because the babysitters at the gym don't take kids younger than 5 (ridiculous, I know!) but I'm glad we are both getting to exercise now.

Some other things we've been up to:

PALS (the Saturday field trip program for inner city kids that we've been doing for the past 2-3 years) starts up this Saturday and Martin and I are leading a team. I've been doing a lot of coordinating for that.

I have been going to the farmers market and I still enjoy it, except when I forget to take the apples that bought...(urrgh!). I'm really liking the fresh green beans. I don't think I'll ever buy frozen again. They don't even taste the same. And Martin taught me how to steam them. :) I think Martin still does a majority of the cooking but I do all the meal planning and most of the shopping now.

Speaking of Dylan's clothes (see below), I went to a consignment sale a week or so ago. Wow, so many clothes! I think I got some good buys. Here's what I got for $37.50: an Old Navy nylon jacket, a sweater vest, two sleepers (one 6-9 months, one 12 months), a sweater, a hat and mittens - that are quite stylish I might add for baby clothes and they match the jacket and the snow pants my mom bought, a clown Halloween costume, a burgundy turtleneck onesie, a plaid long sleeve shirt, and navy blue pants. I had to get some winter clothes since the clothes from cousin Steven who lives in FL aren't warm enough. I wasn't going to do the Halloween thing as we didn't really want to encourage it, but then we might go over our friends' house that night and their kids will be dressed up and the costume was only $3. Dylan won't remember it anyway...

Next week I'm taking Bushra and her son Hamza and Dylan on this day care field trip to a pumpkin patch. Should be fun and will be a good chance to get to know them better.

Tomorrow I should (finally) finish reading A Wrinkle in Time to Dylan. I started it even before Madeline L'Engle died so it was timely. I had never read it before. I think we'll go back to the Little House on the Prairie series next. My book club is starting up again with The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold (author of Lovely Bones which I also read). The book doesn't come out until next week so I haven't started it. Sounds like it will be a tough read emotionally (its about the author's rape experience) but probably worth the read.

I never thought I would say this....

...but I am sick of summer! I guess the 93 degrees here today (it is October, right?) is what pushed me to this point. It wouldn't be so bad except that the pools are closed and this just means less of the pleasant, fall, exercise-outside-without-getting-overheaded, weather that I have come to love in DC in the fall. AND, I bought a new lightweight jacket off season a few months ago and still have YET to wear it without being too warm. Thankfully, Dylan still fits into his clothes but it would be nice to put away his summer stuff. He's been wearing the same clothes since April and I'm getting sick of them.

Dylan update

Dylan is walking more/better every day. This video was taken a few weeks ago and he's even much better than this so I'll have to try to get another video soon.

He can turn while walking and stop and start again. The thing that my mom was amazed at is that when he squats to pick something up he says low for a long time. He's building up those quad muscles! So yeah, he can squat and then stand back up again. Dylan's starting to run, especially when Daddy starts chasing him. And he is going longer distances. He got three pairs of shoes from his cousin Steven so he's ready to go outside too.

Friday we made some major purchases at Babies R Us. We (finally) had to get Dylan the next car seat. His feet were starting to hang over the other one. Since I take Dylan to day care and Martin picks him up we felt the need to get two car seats. We got one more upscale one and one more basic one for the second car. We figure we'll get good use out of them since I have a feeling Dylan won't be 40 lbs (the weight limit on these seats) for a long time. We also bought the "Superyard XT." This is a 6 panel plastic fence (so to speak) that you make into a hexagon and it functions as a play pen of sorts. We put it in front of our fireplace to keep Dylan out of the fireplace. We can also take it outside and then Dylan has a safe 18.5 square foot area to play in.

I was about to blog that Dylan was STTN but then he hasn't for the past 3 nights. He was doing well there for a while. BUT he is going to sleep by himself now. I had been nursing him to sleep for naps and at bedtime and he just started (without any prodding by me) to go to sleep on his own about a week or so ago. He won't fall asleep nursing now. So that's good. He still takes a morning and an afternoon nap. They are still pretty short, most of the time just a half hour. Sometimes he takes a longer one though.

The one negative thing that we are dealing with now is that Dylan has started spitting (like surberting) a lot, especially at mealtimes. Not sure what's going on with this. We say no in a very serious way, we put our finger over his mouth, we slap his hand (to which he laughs), and now I've been pinching his nose when he does it. That works a little bit but it just seems like he hasn't figured out that we don't like him doing this while we're trying to feed him. Dylan isn't a fan of mealtimes in general (which is why stop feeding him when he spits won't work either) so this has added to the difficulty of feeding him solids. He still has to have everything but cheerios pureed. I tried feeding him yogurt with tiny slices of peaches in it and he spits out the peaches. Same thing with the "dinners" that have chunks of meat or veggies in them. So I'm still only feeding him solids twice a day (lunch and dinner). We go to the pediatrician in three weeks so we'll see what he has to say. I'm starting to notice that Dylan likes to nurse though. In general, since Dylan is so easy going, it's hard to figure out what he likes and dislikes. But he seems to get excited when we sit in the rocker and I'm getting ready to nurse him and it seems like he crawls up to me when he's upset and wants to nurse. I'm fine with that since I know he's getting the nutrition he needs. My plan for nursing is this - I want to stop pumping. So once Dylan turns one he will (gradually) get cow's milk at day care and I will keep nursing the other times as long as my supply keeps up. I'll give him milk at home too for lunch and dinner so he probably won't nurse as much. I might have to keep pumping at work once during at lunch but that's nothing compared to the 3 times a day I'm pumping now. And I'll get to work more hours on T and Th since I won't have to pump as much. I can add another hour each day which (as Martin pointed out), since I'm working 20 hours a week now, is a 10 percent raise with only having to stay a little bit longer than I am right now. I'll let Dylan nurse on that schedule as long as he wants to (not sure what that means yet) unless another baby comes along to kick him out...:)

We are finding Dylan has a very high pain tolerance. He puts his hands in the refrigerator and on the outside of the oven when it's on and this doesn't phase him at all. And then there's the laughing when we slap his hand. He only cries when he falls if he's tired or frustrated because he can't get up again. This is why we joke that he's going to be a parachute tester when he grows up.

Well, that's about it for now. I'll update you all on Dylan again after his dr. appt on the 31st.

Hiking with Mikey

Three weekends ago we went hiking at this park in MD with our friend Mike. This was another hike from the 60 hikes around DC.

Random cute pictures of Dylan

I do this move in my classes at the gym all the time. Now I know why it's called the child's pose.

We got Dylan to wear the sunglasses just long enough for a picture.
Red flannel, cap, mullet, and pacifier....baby redneck?

More pics from Labor Day (the last day in the outdoor pool)

Dylan going for a ride in the basket...what fun!

Zoo

When Martin's brother and his family were visiting over Labor Day weekend, we took them to the national zoo. I love going to the zoo. I see something different every time. This time was the first time I saw the free range monkeys. Dylan likes the zoo too, especially now that he can ride in the backpack.

Dylan and his cousins

Some pictures of Dylan and 2 of his cousins when they were visiting over Labor Day weekend. That's Jeremiah (age 3) on the left and Savva (age 10) on the right. They are Martin's brother Matt's sons. Dylan was very happy playing with his cousins.