1. Grace's belly: I forgot to update you all on Grace's belly situation (for those of you that have been following my updates on the blog). We saw a pediatrician last month and she told us that Grace has a classic case of constipation, very common in babies when they are introduced to solid food. Because we had tried many of the classic solutions for this (prunes, water, etc) and they weren't working, she prescribed a mild laxative. It has worked wonders and Grace is seriously like a different baby. She is so much happier. Turns out she has probably been dealing with cramps for quite awhile now, so it was good to get it all sorted out! Hooray! :)
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| My Happy Girl! :) |
2. Sleep update: Nights have gotten a little better since the last time I posted. Grace now wakes up twice each night. The odd time she will only get up once. Still not great, but better than before. She almost always puts herself to sleep in her crib now too - yay! I haven't been rocking her to sleep. When she wakes in the middle of the night, I nurse her for 5 minues and then put her back in her crib. She falls asleep in no time. However, the feedings are becoming a habit that she relies on, so the next step is to try to eliminate at least one of those nighttime feedings.
3. The Babysitter: We went to meet Grace's babysitter today. She will have Grace full time starting in September when I return to work. The visit went so well and I feel so good about sending her there. She was sweet, she loved Grace and Grace loved her! I know that she will be in good hands. It feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. It's still going to be incredibly hard to leave her, but knowing that she is somewhere great makes it that much easier!
4. Work: On that note, I am STRESSED about the whole work situation. I try not to worry about it, but it's hard. As many of you know, I'm a teacher. I had a full time job out west (my dream job), but left it to come home to PEI. Jobs are scarce here and it is a highly competitive profession. Sometimes I look back at pictures of my classroom and students in Fort McMurray and I feel like crying. I just feel like I'm never going to have that again. :( I have already prepared myself to substitute teach when I return in the fall. I'm fine with subbing. I just wish that it was guaranteed work. It sucks that there could be weeks that I don't get any calls. It sucks that there are no benefits (something we don't have right now). It sucks that I could be driving all over the province. It sucks that I don't get paid in the summer. I would kill for a guaranteed position, even if it was a temporary job (someone's maternity leave, sick leave, etc). All jobs are posted on June 15th. Someone told me the other day that there are approximately 400 applicants for each teaching job on PEI!!! Just a little competition. I have spent this week updating my resume and trying to "sell myself" (something I hate doing). Next week I will go out and drop my resume off to principals (probably pointless, but I'm going to do everything I can). Cross your fingers for me. Hell, cross your toes too (and anything else worth crossing)!
5. Fitness classes: As you may recall, I lead a group of Mommies in a workout each week. Our group has grown immensely and we usually have 20-35 people at every workout. The babies come with us and we have a grand ol' time! :) Well, I was informed this week that we would no longer be able to do our workouts at the gym we were using. We've been there for months now, but they are kicking us out because I don't have the certification to lead a class. They knew that I wasn't certified when I started there and they told me it wouldn't be a problem. The girls coming to the classes sign a waiver and are fully aware that I'm not certified. Apparently this doesn't matter. I started this fitness group so that new Moms could meet other Moms and get a workout in during the day with their babies. I do it for free, because I don't want anyone to be held back because of money issues. I'm so frustrated and annoyed that they would do this to us! Since when are you not allowed to workout with your friends at a public gym??? I'm sure I could fight this, but it's really not worth it. We're on the hunt for a new place and the old place can kiss my @ss! Sorry...I'm a little bitter.
6. Running: I got a jogging stroller, thanks to Mike's cousin. She had 2, so she gave one to us! The weather still hasn't been fantastic, but we've gotten out a few times with it. The first day that I had it, I decided to attempt a 5km run on the trail and I DID IT!!! Grace was a trooper - didn't say a word the whole time. She was probably laughing inside at the sound of her mother huffing and puffing and talking to herself. I literally talked out loud saying things like "1 more km Cheryl, you can do this!" and "We're almost there Grace!" and "You are not tired...you are not tired...you are not tired!" LOL. It was not a pretty sight. I was sweating bullets. My shoulders were hunched. My head was flailing around. I was panting like a dog. My legs felt like lead. Can you picture it? ha ha. It took me 35 minutes to run the 5km with the stroller. My goal was 30 minutes, so this was obviously slower than I anticipated. However, I was still proud of myself! I haven't gotten out to try it again, but hope to shave at least a minute off my time next time around!
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| My "new" jogging stroller! |
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| Immediately after completing our first 5km run! :) |
6. Changes: As I mentioned in my last post, I finally reached my weight loss goal and am down to my "wedding weight" (139 lbs). I haven't lost any weight in the past 2 weeks, but am happy with where I am. I feel fantastic! The challenge now is to maintain this weight, while I contine to work on my fitness goals!
Here are some recently updated before and after pics!
7. Anniversary: Monday was my anniversary with my husband, Mike! We've been together for 10.5 years and have been married for 3 years. We had a great date night with dinner and a movie. Mike and I met when we were working together as teenagers. We started dating when I was 16 and he was 17. The rest is history! :) Like most couples, we have had our ups and downs over the years, but I cannot imagine my life without him. Our wedding day was the happiest day of my life. I was on cloud 9 the entire day. I just couldn't believe how lucky I was to be marrying him. I look forward to many more happy years together! I love you, Mike! xoxo
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| This one's an oldie!!! |
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| Engagement pictures - Fall 2007 |
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| Our wedding - May 31, 2008 |
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| Pregnancy pictures - June 2010 |
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| Our family is growing! Grace's birthday - Sept. 16, 2010 |
8. My Incredible Little Girl: Grace continues to grow and I love her more each day (if that's even possible). She is turning into such a little girl, full of personality. She squeals for attention, smiles when you talk to her and flaps her arms when she gets excited. She LOVES food and it's so much fun to try her with new things. She prefers to feed herself and I just love watching those little fingers work so hard to pick up each tiny piece of food. She sits up independently now (finally) and is starting to move herself around the room. She pushes back with her arms and moves forward from time to time. She hasn't mastered the art of crawling yet, but I have a feeling it won't be long. She is into everything, exploring every nook and cranny of our living room. I could sit for hours and just watch her. She is so entertaining. I can't imagine what my life was like before she was in it. I love her so much and look forward to a summer full of adventures with her! :)
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| Trying some cheese! :) |
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| Sitting up and banging things together! :) |
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| Exploring the coffee table! |
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| Checking out the dandelions! :) |
9. Friends: I love my friends. They are amazing. I don't know what I'd do without them. I miss them if I go more than a few days without seeing them. Enough said. :)
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| My girls - Jill, Tanya and Sherri |
10. I am happy. Despite the stress over work, I really am happy. I feel so lucky to be living this life, because it really is fantastic! :)
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