Checking In [Insert Clever Title Here]

10.08.2015

It is absolutely true what everyone says about having a baby: it's worth it. All the stress and life crisis and change and added expense is so worth it.

As R gets older, she's becoming more interactive. Just in the last week or so she has started smiling. Like, real awake baby smiles! Not just smiles while she's sleeping. They still aren't at anyone or anything, but I seriously cannot even handle the cuteness.

So yeah, it IS worth it, I swear.
But you guys. Let's be real.
I have never in my life been so tired for so long.

Sometimes I'm like, "It's fine! I'm all good!"
Other times I forget how to spell words like scissors. TOO MANY S's! My job really shouldn't be letting me edit anything in my current state. I'm dangerous with a red pen right now.

Anyhoo. I thought I would pop in for a quick update of some of the stuff we've been up to lately since clearly blogging has taken a nosedive on my hierarchy.

Last weekend I went to Texas! R and I went by ourselves. Like, hello three hours alone in the car with a baby. I was nervous. I had to stop once to feed her in the parking lot of a Hilton. It was either that or a Braum's, but the Braum's looked kind of sketchy. I put up my windshield shades so I didn't accidentally flash anyone on the fourth floor, and R had her afternoon snack. NBD.
I took R into work with me again this week. She really is such a good baby! Look at her just hanging in her car seat. The ladies at work absolutely love her. Seriously, one time a few weeks ago I went in to the office and didn't bring R (my mother-in-law watched her for a bit), and they came rushing over, saw I was sans baby, and just shrugged and walked away without even saying hello! I'm chopped liver now that she's around.

On Wednesday we went over to a friend's house to watch the Cubs game. Since Jordan's Yankees lost their playoff game and are out of the running, he can devote himself entirely to cheering on my boys. The Cubs won, and it. was. awesome. Hello, World Series! I can feel it in my bones! Plus, R is 2-0 when wearing her team's jersey. She wore her Chicago Bears onesie on Sunday and they won! I have a magical baby.
In other news, this weekend we're headed back to Texas for my brother's wedding! I am playing violin during the ceremony, so that should be fun. And by fun I mean I'm freaking out and really should have been practicing. They asked me to play "Here Comes the Bride" while Bethany walks down the aisle. Um, okay because that's not a major moment or anything. Pray for me.

I did find a dress, so I'll have to share on the blog next week. I will shower and put on makeup and pretend to be a fashion blogger for a day. Get excited.
^^^I saw this on Facebook yesterday and can't stop laugh-crying about it. This is my life right now and forever. This month I'm finally trying to get back in the groove of my monthly meal-planning. It's a pain in the butt to make it, but it saves me so much time during the month that I can't not do it. Anyone have any easy and relatively healthy recipes they've tried recently that they want to share? Erin and Allison have some great freezer meals that I've tried and liked. I've blogged some of our favorites, which you can check out here.

I haven't run at all this week, which is depressing, but Jordan has been working late and R is too small to go in the jogging stroller yet for runs. I have, however, been doing a short daily workout of planks, leg raises, and a "muffin top" challenge that I saw on Facebook. The muffin top challenge is a timed series of burpees, ski abs, and a russian twist. I have skipped a day or two (because I forget until I'm already in bed and by then it's too late), but I am feeling the burn! I'm up to 3 minutes of plank, which nearly kills me every time. (Full disclosure: I'm doing the plank on my elbows, not full up on my palms.)

And... okay I think that's all for now. I so appreciate your comments and emails even though my posting frequency has taken a dip. I'm trying to respond in a timely manner, but I am usually reading comments on my phone now, and it's hard to type responses with one hand. First world problems.

Last but certainly not least, I took this video of R a few days ago during one of her cute awake times and thought I'd share. She's just so darn sweet I can't stand it, and I thank God for her every day. Happy weekend, friends!

*If the video doesn't work on your phone, try a desktop!

Jennie said...

I know R's name because of your IG, but whenever I read your blog and see "R" instead of her name, I always just read it as "Renesmee" a la Twilight. I have absolutely no idea why, but I think it EVERY SINGLE TIME.

The Lady Okie said...

Ha! That's hilariois and random! :)

sarah e said...

Such a sweet video! And yes, I totally agree about the cooking graphic...especially with no dishwasher. :)

Ali said...

Her little eyebrows are just so cute! Good work, mama. ;o)

I almost never do planks on my hands. It hurts my wrists? Elbows for the win!

Kristen @ See You In A Porridge said...

awwwww she is SO sweet. That video is adorable (I had to watch it sans sound, hope I didn't miss her talking or whatever, I mean she is a magic baby). That cooking / eating thing is hilarious and so true even without a kid. I need some freezer meals help so I'm definitely gonna check out the posts you linked to. Good luck with playing the violin!

Amy @ A Desert Girl said...

I have so much to say. First - in your defense - scissors is a tough one! Like you said, so many s's and then a tricky c tossed in for good measure. I sometimes have a hard time with banana - where do the an's stop??

Second, Braum's. Mmm. I know the one you mentioned was sketchy looking, but gosh, I could go for some ice cream right now. To wash down the cheeseburger and fries. It's not even 10 AM here.

You'll do great on the violin!! No worries.

And I can't wait for your fashion blogger post.

Have you posted about your monthly meal planning system/plan? I'm intrigued by the idea - much like I'm intrigued by the idea of a capsule wardrobe. I don't know that I would be successful at either. (Although I am kind of running out of clothes that fit and feel a bit capsule wardrobe-ish currently.)

Caroline @ In Due Time said...

I love this post including that you get to see her cute baby smiles!! Violin? Why have you been holding out on us? I hope we get to see a video! I know you will do great!

Chopped liver sounds about right! I am pretty sure sometimes I forget to acknowledge my siblings and just go straight for the little ones! hehe

Courtney said...

You're killing it, Mama! Look at you go. Love it. I knew you'd be boss.

Good luck with the violin! I played a wedding solo once and it was nerve wracking! But ultimately went just fine :)

Erin LFF said...

You rock. And your magical sports baby rocks too. I cannot wait to dress my children in Bengals gear head to toe!! ;) Good luck with your solo, I know that's scary but I'm sure it will be great. Enjoy the wedding!!!

Rach said...

I'm posting a freezer meals blog post next week! It's definitely the time of year for it! :)

Go you for taking the baby on a road trip on your lonesome! I'm impressed.

You are going to do SUCH a great job at the wedding. You got this! :)

Ooooh magic Cubs baby! I love it! Go cubbies! :)

Katie @ Live Half Full said...

I'm working on a post with my favorite weeknight meals that are super easy- I've been in prep mode the past few months creating my arsenal. :)

Kerry @ Till Then Smile Often said...

She is adorable. I don't have a kid and I feel that dishes meme is so true.

Charlotte | The Midnight Blog said...

- How come there are two "s" in scissors, and yet the word is pronounced "scisors"?
- R is so cute!

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