I am a runner

I realized today that I am a runner. I took Oliver out for my first beach run since Oscar's birth and it felt amazing to move my body again. I have run regularly for the past 7 yrs. but today I realized how important running is to my well being. I feel more balanced and calm today than I have felt in months. Miami Marathon, here I come!! We are starting to settle into some routines with the boys. Oliver is now napping in his bed when I tell him it is nap time. I read a book to him, tuck him in and leave the room. Some days he plays in bed for half an hour before settling down but he does go to sleep. Progress!! Oliver can now jump and is very proud of this milestone. He jumps every where and on every thing! Oliver has learned a new way to make me smile when he knows I am upset. He kisses me and then declares "NOW MAMA HAPPY!!" He makes me smile, laugh and scream :) everyday. Oscar is doing well and growing at an amazing rate. I take him to the midwife today to be measured and weighed and I am curious to find out how much he has gained since his last check up 10 days ago. He is now wearing a size 2 diaper. I have discovered that cheese makes Oscar a very unhappy baby so I have eliminated it from my diet. Oscar's minutes of awake and active time are increasing daily and his eyes are turning from slate to dark brown (similar to Oli's). Oscar found his thumb three days ago and has sucked on it a bit each day. I am wondering if he will be a thumb sucker like his Mommy and Daddy.

The Power of Two

Oscar has arrived and is now 12 days old. The past twelve days have been a blur of sweet moments, tears, diapers, diapers, 2 yr. old tantrums and more diapers. I have fallen in love with Oscar and as everyone told me it would my heart has grown to accommodate my love for both Oliver and Oscar.

Oliver is adjusting to Oscar and seems generally happy with his brother. Fortunately he directs his frustration toward Mommy and Daddy. He has grown up so much in the past month that I find myself missing my little boy and at the same time am so impressed with what Oliver can do for himself. Oli asks to hold Oscar all the time and is usually very gentle.

Oscar is now 10 lbs. 1 oz. and has a healthy appetite. He coos, smiles and SLEEPS! Danl and I can't believe how much sleep we have gotten in the past week. Oscar often sleeps for 4+ hours at night....lets hope his sleep schedule continues on this trend.

Danl and I are adjusting to our new family and trying to find time to smile at each other. I still can't believe Oscar is finally here after the long, long wait. I am forever grateful to Shari Daniels and the other wonderful people at the Miami Maternity Center for helping me to achieve the birth experience I desired. I DID IT!! No drugs, no hospital, no C-section. I am so happy with the choices that I made and have a new appreciation for my body.

The waiting game

I didn't imagine that it work would out this way, according to the ultrasound dates, I am currently 40 weeks pregnant (my calendar dates have me at Nov.12). I had a false alarm today and thought that my membranes had ruptured. I called the Miami Maternity Center and they told me to come up to be checked and bring my bag. I scrambled to get all the last minute things together, showered, kissed Oli goodbye with tear filled eyes only to learn that I am "getting close" but not there. I am thankful to be going to Shari because I think if I were in a regular OB-GYN office they already would have scheduled me for a C-section. So.....I wait and hope that the extra time will help me achieve the birth experience I am looking for.

My mom has been with us in Miami for 9 days and before she arrived Danl's mom was with us for 12 days. I am totally spoiled and so is Oliver. Oli has LOVED the attention from Grandma and Gramma. Having an extra set of hands with an active (almost) 2 yr. old has been helpful. My mom is staying until Nov. 17th and Gramma Jones is returning for a week so hopefully both Grandma's can meet baby jones. Thank goodness for family!!

Oliver has adjusted to life with Grandma's and has been his happy, silly self. He loves waking up to a Grandma in his room and spends his days entertaining us all. Oli's newest trick is hiding his toys then throwing up his hands declaring "where is ....? I don't see it...I don't know" then he laughs and uncovers the hidden item. He is still crazy about Curious George and watches George every morning on PBS. It is a life saver because he wakes up FULL of energy and it gives us an opportunity to have a cup of coffee to catch up with him.

The attached photo is Oliver as a pirate on Halloween.

Reflecting on our threesome

I am happy that overall I got a good night of sleep. I didn't wake up until 5 a.m. this morning which is an improvement compared to the past few weeks. Unfortunately for Danl, I can't keep my eyes open past 9 p.m. and usually fall asleep in his lap on the couch. Other than feeling tired, I am doing well and enjoying our final weeks as a family of three (sometimes 5 with big brothers:)

Yesterday I took Oli to the park for an hour and a half and melted in the sun. We are still experiencing summer in South Florida and I am desperate for cooler days. Oliver loves sliding down the biggest slide at the playground and really has a mind of his own these days. He LOVES playing in the sand at the park with his bucket and scoops. It was so hot in the sand I tried to convince him to swing or play on the train and his response was "No, Oli play in sand with Mama". Seven word sentences- my little boy is getting big! Later we took an hour long bike ride on the beach while Daddy ran. Oliver talks to Daddy the entire time and keeps his breathing in check:) It was on the way home that I started reflecting on our threesome days and nights are coming to a close. It made me feel a bit sad because I know Oliver won't remember this time and I will always cherish it....okay maybe pregnancy hormones are getting the best of me.

I only have a few more things on my "nesting list" to complete this weekend (raise mattress in crib, pack my bag, etc.). We ordered the stroller yesterday and I am excited to get it and get Oliver comfortable in it. I am almost finished with Oliver's baby book (a big goal that I wanted to complete before Oscar arrives). I ordered photos and need to put them together and then his book will be complete. The video is Oliver goofing around with Daddy's skateboard.

Oli versus the bed

Friday morning started with Oliver waking at 6 a.m. after staying up until 9:45 with the babysitter last night. Needless to say he was a bit cranky and got in trouble for trying to climb on Daddy's bike while Daddy was adjusting it. Knowing he was in trouble the little imp ran quickly into his bedroom and ran his head into the head board. CRASH, TEARS, and a huge goose egg. It has been a long day for all of us. Daddy is putting Oliver to bed now and I am hopeful that he will sleep well.

2,001 miles on the BOB!

Our BOB stroller has officially strolled over 2000 miles! We love our BOB stroller and will be sad to set it aside for individual runs only in the near future. We have strongly considered getting the side by side BOB for Oliver and "Oscar" but the width just isn't practical for urban living. We are planning to purchase the Phil and Ted's Sport Double, it stacks the kids so has the footprint of a single stroller.

We have had a very busy two weeks. Last weekend, Oliver and I traveled to a friends' place in Sarasota for a Mama and Kids weekend. It was a lot of fun.....four 2 yr. olds, a 1 yr. old, a 5 yr. old and four Mamas. Oliver was thrilled to see Aby again and they spent the weekend playing. My friends, Kim, Anne, and Natalie threw me a baby shower on Saturday evening and we stayed up late both nights catching up. I am fortunate to have great friends. We are planning to make the "Miami Mama and Kid" weekend an annual event. By the time we arrived home Sunday afternoon, I was exhausted and ready for Oliver to spend some quality time with Daddy.

This past weekend we worked on the apartment and completed many items on my "nesting list" as Daniel refers to it! I washed all the baby clothes (newborn to 6 months) and put them in the drawer. Oli was helpful during the process of sorting the clothes....he wanted to try everything on and sort on his own. He was cute saying "share with Oscar" referring to his dresser. On Sunday evening, we attended a birthday party for Audrey (Kim's daughter) and had a wonderful evening with friends. It ended a bit abruptly because Oli expired due to an early nap, cutting teeth and 2 yr. old antics but we still had fun.

Oli's newest thing is saying "Mmm hmm" in agreement when I say something. It is very funny. He is crazy about Curious George and I can recite several of the books that we have borrowed from the library. Oli's potty training seems to be a "marathon" we have great days and wet days:( I am not giving up but have moments where I question what am I messing up....we will work it out and mommy will keep encouraging. One of Oliver's favorite things to do is "shower with mama, shower with Daddy" and tries to jump in with either of us when he hears the shower running.

The photo is from the Mama and Kids weekend at Nat's. It was hard work getting a photo will all the kids sitting at the same time.

Filling Daddy's shoes

 

I woke up this morning at 3 a.m. with a muscle cramp in my leg and am unable to get back to sleep. I can hear Oliver coughing from his room and have been in to check on him several times. He is cutting his last two molars and unfortuantely seems to be struggling with a cold. I am hoping that he is feeling better because we have a road trip planned for this upcoming weekend. I am driving with my friend Kim and her two children to Sarasota to visit our friend Natalie. My friend Anne and her daughter Aby will also be visiting. We have planned a girls weekend at Natalie's with 6 children. I am not sure what Daddy will do all weekend with a quiet apartment....but I am sure it will involve a few beers and a pizza:)

I am 32 weeks pregnant now and feeling a bit more tired. My morning adventures with Oliver leave me exhausted by 11 a.m. Additionally, my energy is zapped by the crazy heat we have been experiencing this year in Miami Beach. I keep hoping that Fall weather will arrive and the 88+ days will depart but there seems to be no break in sight. UGH! Danl is giving me lots of opportunities to lay down and rest when he is home and I am trying to take advantage of this. At the same time, I am feeling like the days are flying by and I need to get things done....my stupid list of to do's!

Time to get back to bed to rest up for a full day with Oliver...