Blueberry Ever After

I don't know what is up with me but I am feeling extra-Christmasy this year. Maybe motherhood has truly gotten to me, but I am just filled with holiday spirit and joy and I am doing my best to spread it everywhere. I have bought toys for tots, donated to the food bank, contributed to St. Jude's, pretty much done everything shy of sitting on Santa's lap myself to thank him for such a great year. Not that I don't normally enjoy Christmas, I do, it's just that I typically don't want to hear Christmas music until I go to mass on Christmas Eve, so being exposed to it for hours on end while running errands usually makes me want to poke my eyes out with a stick.

However, yesterday I found myself humming along in the middle of Walgreens and anyone who knows me can tell you how un-Heather-like that type of behavior is. I was shocked myself when I realized what was happening. I suppose I just feel so lucky to have a happy, healthy baby and a husband who puts gas in my car so I don't have to stand out in the cold and do it myself. Really lucky. So if you catch me humming some Bing Crosby in the next couple of weeks, no I haven't lost my mind. I am just so disgustingly happy it slips out before I even realize it. I will try and contain myself but this year I can't make any promises.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

This weekend we are hosting my sister Becky, my brother Matt and his wife Caroline and Caroline's brother Wally for Thanksgiving. We have already told Wally that from now on he'll be referred to as brother-in-law because otherwise it gets too complex to explain and he kind of is one anyway right?

Becky and I started the day out with a 5 mile race that Kathleen and Amy also ran. It was pretty hilly so we definitely earned our dinner! Unfortunately the fried turkey didn't fry all the way through so we had to finish it off in the oven and it wasn't ready to eat until about 5pm. So dinner came later than expected but it was good, which probably has more to do with the beer and sangria we used to entertain ourselves while it was cooking than the actual quality of the food.

Luke is enjoying all of the extra attention he's getting this weekend from our guests and had a great first Thanksgiving Day. We gave him a bite of mashed potatoes that to Jay's great dismay he wholeheartedly rejected. He made the most disgusted of faces, an expression that said: What is this flavorless mush you are trying to force feed me? As if!

Jay, Matt and Luke just went out to brave the Walmart black Friday sales. I am happily resting at home in my warm bed with my coffee, trying to avoid the holiday crazies. Caroline and I may venture out later in the day when those 3amers are safely out of the way though.

Happy Black Friday everyone! :)

Luke modeling his indian headdress project from daycare:

Hanging with Mommy while waiting for the turkey to finish cooking:

Luke finally let Uncle Wally hold him--he was scared of the beard at first but now seems to be enthralled by it:

Uncle Matt didn't even make it as long as Luke did last night. He promptly fell asleep after dinner on the floor around 6pm. Roux took total advantage of having a new cuddle buddy!

• Burnt popcorn smell.
• People that get up to go to the bathroom on the airplane after they just made an announcement that you should stay in your seat. And also people that get up to get in line for the airplane bathroom when there are already like 10 people blocking the aisle. The bathroom isn't going anywhere people, can you wait 5 minutes?
• People who cut in front of you either while walking or driving, only to go slow. If you are not in a hurry, then why did you have to cut in front of me?
• People who don't pick up after their dog in public.
• Waking up like 30 minutes before your alarm. I can never fall back asleep and enjoy those last few minutes.
• Inflatable yard decorations.

I think that's it for today...

My husband requested a holiday wish list from me the other day and it got me to thinking, as I could offer nothing I truly wanted or needed off the top of my head (apart from a shiny new ipod to replace the one that went missing this summer). A few items began to occur to me this week and let's just say I feel super lame about even putting most of them out here:

• New kitchen scissors. Yes, I said it.
• Dish towels for the kitchen that are pretty, neutral and not stained.
• Hand towels for the guest baths that are also pretty, neutral and not stained.
• I still want fluffy gray bath towel sets for the master bath (see birthday wish list).
• A kickass food processor, perhaps one that doesn't make it sound like a 747 is attempting to take flight from inside my kitchen, like my current one does.
• Aforementioned iPod. Preferably the touch, 16 or 32GB.
• A nice reusable water bottle with a spout, bpa free that doesn't drip or leak all over me, something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Camelbak-CamelBak-Better-Bottle-Limited/dp/B002HQTVXW/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1257972153&sr=8-4

There are actually a couple of fun items like Wii games on my amazon list which I am too lazy to list here. But as you can see, I have the list of a Mom. Not someone else's Mom either, this is all me...when did I get this old?

I ran my first 5K of 2009 on Sunday afternoon, the Monster Dash, which took place in Cameron Village. It was chilly and overcast which made it a great afternoon for a run. Kathleen, Bill and Nolan also came out to the event. Kathleen ran in the 1 mile fun run, pushing Nolan in the jogger like a champion, and Bill ran the 5K and won 1st place in his age group--go Bill! I was just happy to complete the 5K standing and came in at a respectable 32 minutes, considerably faster than the 12 minute training miles I have been running lately.

Of course, it helped to know the cutest cheerer on the block was waiting for me. Jay is training Luke well in the art of cheering. I just love turning the last corner to find them yelling my name and encouraging me (well, Luke isn't exactly yelling yet but you get my point)! But they weren't the only cheerers on deck Sunday. Amy came out to support us all, and my friend and former coworker Ashely stood out in the cold as well, since her place was right around the corner from the race start. Thanks to all of my cheerers, I couldn't have done it without you!

Well, today is my official start date, so little man is over at daycare having his first day of school! Luckily I don't travel for training until next week now, so I am right around the corner from him for his first week. He seemed quite content when we left him this morning. Hopefully he'll have a good day. As for me, I have no computer or phone for work yet, so today will be interesting. At least I should be able to go get Luke early this afternoon. This is my first day alone in the house since he's been born, which is strange, but the dogs are here to keep me company!

Last week Luke and I had the chance to catch up with my old MMC buddies, Lora and Sally and their new babies, Ryan (Lora's little boy), and Sydney, Abby & Maya (Sally's girls). We met up at Pullen Park and had a nice walk around the lake and then hung out in the sand while Ryan and the girls did some swinging and then everyone enjoyed a nice bottle. Well, everyone except for me, Sally and Lora. It was a bit early for us! It was great to see my friends and catch up with them. We'll have to do it again soon!

Luke and I joined Courtney, Greg and Avery at the Bikes, Boogie and BBQ festival in Gastonia last weekend. Greg and his team, "Smokin' Hot Butts & Racks" entered the competition in all four categories: chicken, ribs, pulled pork and brisket. It was their second competition and unfortunately they didn't place, although their brisket was the best I've ever tasted! Despite the loss, the festival was a lot of fun and there was plenty of good people watching to be had. Luke had a great time sitting up in his stroller like a big boy and even took a 1 hour nap in the middle of the live music, generators and fans, so Mama got to relax enjoy some cold adult beverages. It was a great day!

There were over 500 bikes at the festival:

Courtney and Avery:

Me & Luke (we were taking Mommy pictures since Jay & Greg never capture us on film!):

Sitting up like a big boy, Luke's new favorite thing!

Mom, why did you put this ridiculously large hat on my head? I don't think it's working for me.

There, now that's better!

Luke's girlfriend Avery:

Avery wearing her shorts as a hat. Okay, so it was Courtney's idea, not Avery's, but funny nonetheless!

Avery wearing her super cute Tar Heel gear!

So Jillian Michaels has been kicking my ass with her 30 Day Shred dvd for about a month now and while I still have a love/hate relationship with her, I am starting to see some results. My cardio level is up considerably from Day 1, when 30 seconds of jumping jacks nearly had me passed out on the floor, and I have even lost a couple of pounds. Yay!

And it must really be working because the other day when I was out walking Luke, a delivery truck driver honked at me. Yes, at me! haha I thought for a while there that I had lost my touch, but it looks like Mama's still got it. That and a sweet farmer's tan from all those lunchtime walks we've been taking. Go on, you know you're jealous!

So thanks Jillian, even though I'd rather post this picture of you on my dartboard, I give your workout two thumbs up!

Does anyone remember these toys from the 80s?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZhvocyYtSc&feature=related

I used to love all my Get In Shape Girl gear, especially my ribbon wand, although I didn't twirl it nearly as well as Will Ferrell. I just began my post baby workout regime this week so my mind wandered back to these toys for some reason...guess my fitness obsession started at an early age!

I began with a run on Sunday with Jamie and how sad, I only made it a mile before I had to stop and walk. I suppose that's not SO awful, considering it was already 90 degrees out and it was my first serious attempt at running in about 6 months, but man, it is hard to believe this time last year I was training for a half marathon.

I followed up on Monday with the 30 Day Shred dvd and did that again today, and Jillian Michaels is totally kicking my ass this week. I felt like I'd been hit by a bus yesterday when I woke up and I can't decide if I love Jillian or hate her. Either way, it is nice to be back in the swing of things. Hopefully I can fit into some pants with a real waist soon...what a goal!

Well, poop on me that is, and Jay...lots of it! It seems like Luke's new favorite trick is to poop on us. It started this weekend when Jay was changing one of Luke's diapers on the pack and play downstairs. He had quite audibly filled his diaper during a nap and when he woke up Jay grabbed him for a quick change. Unfortunately he wasn't finished because when Jay had his little legs lifted up to slide the fresh diaper in, Luke projectile pooped all over the front of Jay's t-shirt! (Thank goodness for lazy Sundays b/c we were still in our pjs) Two months of diaper changes and we've never seen anything like this. Apparently it just shot straight out, none of it even managed to hit the floor. At least he was considerate enough to get it all in one spot. I missed this as I was in the downstairs bathroom where I could hear Jay exclaiming "Dude, are you serious?"

The pooping continued on Tuesday night when Luke ripped one while sitting in my lap and it leaked out all over me in front of my lovely book club friends in the middle of Starbucks. Yeah, it was awesome. I think I really frightened some of the girls there who don't have kids yet. Luckily I had a wardrobe change for him in my diaper bag, but not one for me. So I cleaned myself up with a wet wipe and got back down to the book discussion. Hey--I don't get out much these days and I sure as hell wasn't letting my coffee go to waste!

I thought it was just peeing you had to worry about with little boys. Man, was I wrong! For all my friends withchild...be warned, this could soon be you!

Luke was invited down to Pawley's Island, SC for 4th of July weekend to stay with Courtney, Greg, Avery and Courtney's parents at their cabin rental, and since Jay and I are his chaperones we were lucky enough to get to tag along! It was great spending time with Greg, Court and Avery and we are so thankful to Berry and Susan for having us. We had a blast! Courtney's great Aunt Pat and great Uncle Don were also at the cabin and Jay and I thought they were truly "great" to hang out with!

Many rounds of cornhole were played, much seafood was consumed and we drank lots of Mich Ultra Cactus Lime beer, which is my new favorite thing for summer!

As you can see from the above picture, Luke found the beach very relaxing. Here are some other pics to sum up the trip:

Lunch date with Greg, Court and Avery at Big Tuna, on the Georgetown waterfront:


Fred the alligator, who lives near the Big Tuna:


Avery trying to get ahold of Court's frosty margarita:


After lunch we took Luke for his first day at the beach:


We tested out his sunglasses but decided he is still slightly too wee for them. We call this his Stevie Wonder look:


Luke also found the hammock very relaxing:


I think Avery tipped him off on it:


Aunt Pat (aka "The Original Baby Whisperer") holding Luke and Susan (aka "Meme") holding Avery:


Sunset in Georgetown on our last night at the beach: