high five for friday

It's already Friday?!?  Our weeks just seem to be zipping on by and I really wish someone would invent a button to stop time.  Nathan is growing like a weed, and the days left before Daniel goes back to work are rapidly disappearing.  

Anyways, we had so many exciting adventures this week!

So let's share, shall we….

1) Two words: Mani Pedi.  Techinically this was almost two weeks ago, but I completely forgot to include it last week!  We went and visited my in-laws, and my mother in law and Nana took me out for some self-care time.  Daniel stayed with Nathan while I relaxed in the massage chair and throughly enjoyed every bit of the pampering.  If only manicures lasted forever and grew on trees…sigh! 

2) Nathan visited Sea World for the first time!  This was really a trip for us, because let's be real-he won't remember.  In fact, he was passed out for most of the time we were there anyways.  (I quite liked that he slept the whole time, it put my anxious mama heart at ease.)  It has been years since we have been to Sea World together, and as a teacher I receive a free pass!  So we decided to live up the time off Daniel has and soak in the San Diego sunshine.  It was most pleasant because there were hardly any people there.  I can't wait to go over the summer and see Nathan begin to explore as he grows older! 

3) We hiked as a family of three for the first time!  Daniel was a champ wearing the Ergo with Nathan inside.  We hiked up to Mt. Woodson from Lake Poway and definitely tuckered all of us out.  I was excited to wear my Refresh Attire tank for the first time and was quickly reminded that my body still has some work to do to get back into shape.  Daniel loves hiking, and even though I'd much rather be running, I thoroughly enjoy the time we get together as a couple. 

4) Auntie Kylee visited and met Nathan for the first time!  Kylee is also Nathan's godmother, and it was such a special moment asking her to be a role in his life.  She absolutely loves our little guy to pieces.  We put her right to work with changing diapers and helping with our bath time routine.  There is something so amazing about the people God puts into your life.  We were talking about how over the past 4 years we have known each other, we have both grown tremendously.  Sipping a glass of wine and seeing how our lives have changed is a moment I will cherish forever! 

5) Last night I enjoyed a baby-free dinner date with a lovely friend!  At first I felt a bit guilty leaving him with Daniel, but as I was driving to dinner I realized how nice it was going to be interacting in a conversation and staying focused.  I loved every moment of our girl time, but also loved every moment of coming home just in time to bathe and snuggle our little babe. 

And just because I can't get enough of him, here's one more picture of our mixed-pattern trending baby...

more than just a hair cut

Have you ever always wanted to do something but told yourself that you couldn't, or came up with a long list of the ways that it won't work out or you will fail?  I find myself in this category quite a bit.  I have dreams, ambitions, lofty goals.  But I constantly find myself doubting every possible outcome.  When I gave birth, I finally achieved of those dreams that I had and it charged me with this new found strength and sense of bravery.  For so long I had told myself that I wouldn't be able to get through birth, let alone a natural one.  And I did it, I accomplished what I had told myself wouldn't come true.  

I'm sure you're wondering where this bravery and strength comes into play with my hair cut.  

As woman, we define ourselves by our looks often times.  Long hair is viewed as beautiful, pretty, stunning.  And then there is the "mom chop".  When all moms end up chopping off their hair for a more simple look.  I swore I wouldn't be one of those moms, and I found myself doing exactly what I swore I wouldn't do.  For a while I had been wanting to chop my hair but constantly doubted if I would still see myself as beautiful without the long locks.  Listen up, we are not defined by our hair length or even the color of it.  Even leading up to my cut I had to tell myself this over and over again.  I also had to accept the fact that stereotypes are nonsense, and if I ended up getting the "mom chop"- so be it.  What it really boils down to is this insecurity inside of me based upon other's thoughts about me.  Isn't is crazy how we can think someone thinks one thing about us and it is completely false?!?  Hopefully I'm not the only one subject to this weakness.  For years I have kept some aspects of my life in a box out of fear of what people would think of me.  Accepting this new found bravery and strength meant getting out of that box, stepping into the truth, and realizing that my life is worth way more than living it for other's expectations.  

So I chopped my hair.  And I had a couple of reasons along the way:

a) I have crrraazzzzyyyy thick hair.  Now only is it thick, but the strands are course at times.  This makes doing my hair take forever-like a solid 30 minutes to blow dry start to finish. 

b) The first week Nathan was here I was able to curl my hair and have it done.  And then the tiredness of sleepless nights finally set in and my go-to bun was quickly becoming my only hair style.  I just didn't want that.  I wanted a styled look that didn't take forever and a day to do. 

c) My ends were horrific!  Probably the worst they have ever been. 

d) Most women have a tendency to loose their hair after their baby is born.  I had the exact opposite and lost a lot during my pregnancy.  Due to how much hair I do have, you could never tell.  

Needless to say, I was ready for a change both on the outside and the inside.  So I chopped my hair.  And it feels absolutely amazing!

high five for friday

Can I just gush for a moment on how adorable our little Nathan is getting?  I mean, he smiles!!! And I was able to capture it before it faded away.  I'm pretty sure his smiles are still either gas induced or sleep reflexes, but I'll take what I can get.  Plus, it puts THE biggest smile on my face which is all that matters.  

We have had another beautiful week, and the days just seem to be flying by!  Nathan is now three weeks old and I'd really like a time machine to make him stop growing so fast.  Our days are packed, and there have been so many times that I've been dying to sit down and blog, and then someone (who will go unnamed) wakes up from a nap, needs a diaper change, or is screaming for some food.  Anyways, lets dive into some things this week that were pretty awesome. 

1) Target just got a whole lot better.  How might you ask?  Well, add a baby…a baby sleeping…a baby sound asleep on you.  That's how!  Nathan LOVES the Ergo, and I love it just as much.  I'm pretty sure this will be our main mode of getting around once Daniel goes back to work.  

2) I cooked!  In my defense, the Crock Pot had to be used, but it was amazingly and delicious and wonderful all at the same time.  We have been just beyond blessed by our family, friends, coworkers, and church family and the past three weeks we have had so many meals brought to us.  It's the most wonderful gift.  Well, we still get our CSA box and I decided it was about time to finally start cooking with those veggies in the fridge.  I made a beef stew recipe from Cooking Light and it was phenomenal! 

3) Nathan's first photo book arrived!  I decided to be on top of the game plan and put together a birth story photo book for him.  We love looking back through all of the pictures of his arrival and first week, so this was a fun project to do.  It arrived yesterday, and I almost ran into the house to open it up and check it out.  PS: It wasn't until recently that I realized how amazing photo books are.  They are perfect for showcasing all of the pictures you take without having to print pictures and put them in a photo book.  

4) The hair got chopped yesterday and I LOVE it!  I'm planning on sharing some details about why/doubts/embracing the stereotypical "mom" chop, etc. on the blog soon!  I feel a million pounds lighter and love the cut. 

5) I'm all signed up for Bobbi's shred next month and couldn't be more excited!  I'm a huge fan of Bobbi and everything she does.  I love her philosophy on eating and working out, and have been waiting to reach the point postpartum when I could actually participate in her shred.  Even though I know I will need to still take it a bit easy with the workouts, I'm excited for an eating plan and accountability!