Week 51

Happy Mother's Day to every Mom out there. I have written an entire Mother's Day Manifesto if you want to read more about my thoughts on my first year as a mom.

This week Stroller Strides began meeting up in our neighborhood for the duration of the summer, 2 blocks from our house. We went Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and I am feeling it! There are a lot of hills in our neighborhood! Hayden enjoys being outside more than in the Issaquah Community Center. And Monday was a gorgeous sunny day so that made it even better. Of course on Wednesday it rained so I was glad we bought the weather shield for our BOB jogger at the REI sale.





On Wednesday night I enjoyed PEPS Mommies Night Out #3. We went to a cool little martini bar in downtown Issaquah called Room 38. Fun time!! But the night ended too soon, if you ask me! ;)

From left to right: Anya, Christy, Sujata, Sheley, Jacqui, Leslie, Jodi, Annelise, and Rachel

Hayden had a minor little cough and congestion this week. Nothing really major enough to slow him down and I'm so thankful he has been pretty healthy ever since that rough period when he was 8 months old. The main thing we're struggling with lately are his naps. Just when I think we've gotten it all figured out! With Stroller Strides from 9:30am - 10:30 am, now, that puts Hayden's morning nap a little later than normal, and I think that might have messed him up more than anything. On Monday it took him until noon to actually fall asleep and then he woke up less than an hour later. And refused to take an afternoon nap. I even tried cuddling with him in my bed, but then he really just wanted to play. The good news is that he's still pretty much sleeping straight through all night from about 7:30 am until about 8:00 am. Only once did he wake up last week at 4:45 am briefly.

Friday night my sister "Auntie Nicki" babysat Hayden while Phil and I attended my cousin's play, "Noises Off" at PLU. A terrific, talented performance and a great excuse to have another date night with Phil! Hayden was super for Auntie Nicki and went right to sleep that night for her (Phil and I got home after midnight!).

On Saturday we had an early First Birthday celebration for 3 of the babies from our Newlyparents Group/Childbirth class. Hayden, Austin, and Abigail all turn one in just a little over a week. Hayden even got to have a TINY taste of the chocolate cake.

Happy Birthday to Abigail, Hayden, and Austin! (Note: Deanne is holding Hayden since I am holding the cake and Phil is taking the photo. Just in case you were wondering.)

Our Newlyparents Group (minus a few who couldn't make it). We have stopped meeting regularly since it's just so hard to get together with everyone's busy lives, but it was so great to have a little reunion and celebrate our babies' birthdays.

Austin totally wins the awesome hair contest. I wonder if Hayden will ever have that much?!

Mother's Day today was a busy day. I actually even wrote out a detailed schedule so that I wouldn't be as stressed and Phil could help keep things running smoothly. We enjoyed an afternoon at the KidsQuest museum with Phil's parents, brother, sister-in-law and nephews. Hayden, as usual, had a fantastic time.




Then we went out to dinner at Ipanema Grill, a Brazilian restaurant in downtown Seattle, with my dad, step-mom and step-siblings. Despite our best efforts to keep the day on schedule, we were still a half hour late to dinner. :( But the food was fantastic and Hayden really enjoyed watching footage of the Brazilian Carnival in Rio on the big-screen TV next to our table.



Now it's time for me to go to bed. Another busy week ahead of us and I've just accepted another new freelance job that is going to keep me working hard for the next month or so. Thank Goodness Grandma Doris is back from her trip!! :)