I feel like this past month really flew by, but I’m so excited for the holiday season with the tiny human!!
Weight: So…I broke down and bought the word’s cheapest scale. Yea, like you can hardly see what the number is, and when you lean one way or the other it changes. Besides the point – I think he’s between 18 and 19lbs? We’ll get the official weight (and shots. boo.) at his 4 month check up in a few weeks.
What Riley is up to: Teething! Growing! Flirting! Smiling! I told Kelly the other night how as much as some of the teething days can be rough, he’s so much fun right now. I love how his personality is growing. He’s such a social baby, and loves to watch people. He’s happy to be held by anyone and chats up a storm when we’re out to dinner. He knows how to work the grin+smile+eyelashes and get goofy reactions from people. It’s so funny. He LOVES bathtime. He’s also much more comfortable with dressing and diaper changes. He hardly ever cries any more. The morning is his happiest/most chatty time of day. Last Friday we went to visit Santa. Riley is happy to be held by anyone – bearded men included. I work in an office with mostly guys…all of them have facial hair. So, we thought our chances with Santa were pretty good. If not – it’s still a funny “someday” story to tell him. So we waiting in line at our bank, since they were hosting Santa. When it was finally time for our turn Kelly handed him over – to which Santa replied “I’ve been doing this a long time – I know he’ll cry.” But Riley was Perfect!
- We Met Grumpy Cat!
- Rolling Over
- Tummy Timing
- Family Adventures
Thanksgiving
PostPartum: So I decided to postpone my Sprint Tri – I’m now doing a race in February. I knew I could fake my way through the race, but I want to finish strong – not a big mess. I’m also doing a 6 week work out program which I’m really liking. Lots of new workouts and different moves I’m not used to. We also ordered a jogging stroller, so I can get my runs in with Riley. Child care is my biggest challenge. I can do my strength workouts at home after he’s asleep, but cardio is another challenge. I’m dreaming of getting a Spin Bike…I’m also seriously considering canceling my gym membership. I feel like I can’t get to any of the classes (like spin) I want. So I’d rather save that $40 a month and maybe put it into a Spin Bike both Merfman and I could use.
Baby Gear: Lots of winter clothing! Columbia Snow Suit. The Hoot hat from Krochet Kids. Hylands Teething Tablets. Wonder Weeks App. Activity Mat. Soothie stuffed animal toys. Bumbo Chair.
Thoughts: My show is starting to wind down, but it’s been a really busy past few weeks. I find that it’s a challenge to balance work and home stuff. Keeping the house clean (and I’ve totally lowered my OCD standards) is a challenge. Between cleaning, meal prep, family stuff and workouts over the weekend I’m exhausted. I’m also noticing that I have little patience for certain things. Not with Riley or Kelly – just with stuff. My time is limited and valuable so I have little interest in wasting it. Sometimes I daydream about what it would be like to work from home – which is still a possibility for me on some days…but overall I do like to get out of the house and go into work. I’m so thankful that Riley can tag along, and he really is good. The teething stuff can be a challenge, but he’s still really happy and easy going. I think it’s this lifelong quest to find balance. Figuring out what’s priority and just living each day as much as you can. One thing that’s been on my mind a lot is time. Slowing down time. I never want to wish that we’d be onto the next thing…the next phase..the next milestone. On the hard days you wish it over – but there are so many people trying to slow time down. Cancer patients with little children, families with their spouses home from deployment, grandchildren soaking up precious time with their grandparents. Why rush? We only get this life once, might as well enjoy the ride – rocky as it may be sometimes.
The Merfett 