Back in the Studio

Last night I taught my first yoga class in over 6 months!!  I have to admit, I was a little nervous that I might forget a pose or get out of order somehow, but it was just like riding a bike.  I think the fact that I have probably taught this particular yoga sequence at least 250 times helped a little! 

I got to the studio a little early, turned on the lights, and just took a moment to myself to think about how GREAT it felt to be there.  It was warm and cozy and QUIET (which is a quality that has been lacking lately with Ben's newly developed squeal/shriek/scream thing he has been doing)!  A few of the students that I have been teaching for years showed up to class, and seemed equally excited to see me as I was to see them.  Such a great feeling!

I showed everyone that would look a picture of Ben, too.  The last time many of them had seen me I was 7 months pregnant, so I figured they might want to put a face to the belly.

The class went off without a hitch - I swear, I could recite those 90 minutes of yoga instruction in my sleep (and I think I have on occasion)!

After class, on my way home, I realized that even if it may be a challenge to break away from Ben and Greg sometimes, it is absolutely worth it for the continued feeling of....zen that I take home with me.  It's still lingering this morning!

Can't wait to get back to the studio to take a class, and teach a few more soon!

Oh, and it just so happens that Hot Yoga of Mill Creek is running a Groupon special TODAY for new students: $29 for 20 Hot Yoga classes.  Check it out!

Wednesdays and Fridays

Last week marked the first week of Ben spending his Wednesdays and Fridays over at Callie's house!  The days really could not have gone better from what I hear!  I am lucky to have a baby that is comfortable around other people, as I have not yet had to experience that "breaking away from mom" meltdown that I have always dreaded would happen.  (And for the record, if and when that ever does happen, I will probably not EVER be able to leave him)! ;)  Ben has been all smiles when arriving at his new "daycare" and has been met with friendly and eager to play faces!  Mira (4 years old) and Maylee (2 years old) are ADORABLE with him, and so happy to share their mommy a couple days a week!  Maylee has said "Ben needs his own mommy..." which I find completely hilarious and cute, but it sounds like she also really likes Ben being around (even though she is not "the baby" of the house those days).

Here are some pictures that Callie blogged from their first days together.  I told her how strange it was for me to see photos that someone else took of him, during moments where I wasn't even there.  It's like, "Oh, this is what your baby was doing today".  I don't know why that is so weird to me, but I literally squealed in delight to be able to see what he was up to over there!  :)

Why Blogging is (And Why Women Are) Awesome

Do you want to know why blogging is so awesome?  Because today, out of the blue, one of my problems was solved for me.  Just like that!  I received an email from my friend (and fellow working mom) Crystal who read my blog recently and offered up her method of effective meal planning and grocery shopping.  Since my organization and planning efforts (which were once some of my sharpest skills) are a bit challenged as of late, this came at the perfect time!

Seriously, (and not to stereotype here by any means), but what CAN'T women do?  Whether a mom or not, a working woman or working-at-home woman, no matter the age or stage in life, I continue to be amazed at the ladies in my world.  Every day I am impressed with something one of them is doing: at a challenge one is facing (head on!), at a new position one is taking (and rocking), a problem one is solving, a marathon one is running, a charity event one is coordinating, etc. etc. ETC.  The tips and advice that is shared among us all is so valuable to me, and I'm so totally grateful to have such a powerful network.

(And note to future wife of Ben - you are a lucky lady!  I assure you that Ben will be growing up in an environment where he understands just how powerful and amazing women are - because he is surrounded by them)! :)

So, back to the meal planning!  Crystal has 3 weeks of meals planned (working on a 4th) that she rotates - and below the weekly plan has a grocery list of all of the items required for those meals.  She then can just check off the items she knows she already has, and bam - her grocery list is complete!  I mean seriously, how easy is this - I cannot wait to get started!

I love the fact that she does not have a Friday meal planned, as that is the night where her husband brings home a meal for them.  That is part of their "deal", which to me:

a) is awesome
b) is an amazing concept to me that someone can work all day, be a mom in the evenings, AND get dinner on the table 6 out of 7 days a week.

Dang.

Here are her meal plans.  (She also sent me the recipes, which I will be incorporating into my life).  Greg is not going to see this coming!  Goodbye, regular trips to Taco Bell and Pho takeout :)

THANK YOU, CRYSTAL!

You know you are a parent when...

Before Ben (Drinking 40's at Norms - staying out until the bars closed)

After Ben (Family fun day in Seattle - and home by 4pm)

Don't get me wrong, being a parent continues to be the most amazing experience in the world, but it is absolutely true how much life changes when a baby enters the picture, (at least for us)!.  Greg and I are finding that the way we spend our days is drastically different than how it used to be.  The things we do in our (very limited) spare time have changed so much.  We even have checked some "responsible adult" things off our list lately, which were totally motivated by Ben.  Here are some examples:

• Bedtime = 9pm (at the latest).  No, not for Ben, for US!  Ben goes down around 8 pm and we are usually so exhausted from our days that we climb into bed soon after he does.  (For the record, I feel like this could also be attributed to Greg getting up at 3:30 am for work these days, and to my breastfeeding - I swear, it feels like my body is requiring the same amount of sleep as it did when I was pregnant).

• We met with a financial planner to actually figure out what we should do with our extra money each month, and have started saving for Ben's college fund.  (Side note - if you want a referral, let me know - their services are free and we learned a lot)!

• Lunchtime for me (the days I am at the office) is now spent driving home, feeding Ben, playing with him for a few minutes and then driving back to work.  Gone are the days when I could plan a coffee or lunch date during my hour break, or run the numerous errands I used to accomplish during that day.

• Nap time for Ben is spent cleaning, doing laundry, or doing work.  I would feel guilty if I spent that time sitting down and flipping through the latest issue of InStyle (that has sat, untouched, on my dining room table for days...:/ )

• Greg and I have gone out to dinner alone exactly 2 times since Ben was born, and both times we essentially rushed through our meal to get back home.  Dinner out was something that we used to linger over with a few drinks and lots of conversation. (I'm mostly to blame for this one....because it is me that wants to rush back to Ben)!

• Our evening routine has become very strategic, constantly thinking about the logistics of getting things done: Greg will cook while I feed and change Ben, we eat dinner, I will hop in the bath and Greg will bring Ben up to join me, Greg gets Ben in jams while I get the coffee prepared for the next morning and shut off the lights downstairs, I will put lotion on Ben while Greg showers, we kiss and snuggle Ben, and put him to bed.

• We now eat dinner together at the dining room table with Ben in his Bumbo chair!  This is such a fun new thing for us, as we rarely sat down together at home before Ben was here.  It's nice to catch up on our days and Ben seems to LOVE watching us talk back and forth :)

• I would be lying if I said that I didn't still spend time online at Urban Outfitters or Nordstroms.com, BUT - I spend MORE time reading on Baby Center, researching cute kid ideas on Pinterest, and reading mommy blogs.  I also (shamefully) have become "that" person that overloads their Facebook with baby photos.  But WHATEVER - it is what it is.  I'm clearly proud of this kiddo and eager to share his little face :)

So yes, lots of changes, and most of them are good - but with that said, I am the first to admit that I'm struggling a bit with just how busy we are now.  I have made a list of things I am going to TRY to pay some attention to or make time for when we can -- it's all about finding that balance, right?

• I have a goal of attending at least 1 yoga class a week.  My "I'm too busy" excuse is unacceptable.  If I can keep up with the Real Housewives of ________ on a regular basis, I can get to the studio for a weekly sweat session.

• Teach more yoga!  I'm happy to say I am teaching a class this weekend and have 2 classes on the schedule to teach in March.  Teaching = happiness, and I HAVE to make room for a couple a month.

• More quality Greg and Jessica time.  It may be hard to fit in, but it is obviously so important to get away and focus on one another.  And lucky for me, I have a lot of willing Ben-sitters on-hand just waiting for me to ask!

• Plan meals and grocery shopping more effectively - This will occur anyway out of necessity as I am only able to get to the grocery store on the weekends these days!

• READ.  Jessica - STOP WATCHING BRAVO.

• While my friends are supportive and understanding, I miss them!  I'm so grateful that I have been able to squeeze some time in for them here and there, but I would like to see them more regularly! I don't have this one figured out yet, but I'm sure as Ben gets older (and less dependent on me for meals), it will get easier.

• Go visit my dad!  My mom gets her weekly days with Ben, but I want to be sure to bring Benny over to see my dad more regularly!  He LOVES his grandson.

• Start shopping online when possible!  If I can save myself the time and trip to the store to buy some of the things we need around here, then I need to start making that effort.

4 Month Doctor Appointment

Due to our busy schedule, Ben's 4 month appointment was a few weeks later than it should have been - but it was great to get in there yesterday and confirm we have a healthy boy on our hands!

Height: 26.5 inches tall (90th percentile)

Weight: 15 lbs 14 oz (50-75th percentile) - I weighed him on my parents' digital scale a few weeks back and he was 16.2 lbs, however he was fully clothed with a wet diaper.  Apparently that makes a difference)!

Head Circumference: 17 inches (50-75th percentile)

It was a pretty uneventful appointment.  We spent most of the time running down the list of things that we (the parents) should and should not be doing:

Should - Talk to him a lot, (no baby talk!), sing, dance, read books, tummy-time, create a consistent bedtime routine, etc.

Should not - Leave him unsupervised, hand him sharp objects, leave poisonous cleaning products within reach, etc.

Ben did better with his shots this time around, however we only had 2 instead of 3 like last time.  He seemed quietly stunned by the first one and then waled after the second one, and then immediately ate and passed out. 

Tickles

Ben: Birth - 18.5 Weeks (Photos)

I have been posting these daily/weekly photos to my Facebook page, but I wanted to be sure to capture them here too.  So, here is Ben birth -18.5 weeks :)

15 minutes old

5 ish hours old

3 days old

4 days old

4 days old

5 days old

12 days old

16 days old

3 weeks

4 weeks old

5 weeks old

6 weeks old

7 weeks old

8 weeks

9 weeks old

10 weeks old

11 weeks old

12 weeks old

12.5 weeks old

13 weeks

13.5 weeks

14 weeks

14.5 weeks old

15 weeks

16 weeks

17 weeks

18 weeks

 

18.5 weeks