Med School Life

July will be Justin's 4th year of med school!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe how fast time is going.  He has finally decided on a specialty which I am happy to announce is anesthesiology.  He has always had that in mind, but this month he has been able to actually practice anesthesia.  He is loving it.  His days are long but I have never seen him enjoy any rotation as much as he does this month.  I am so happy for him that he has found something that he loves.  This guy has put in many long hours though 3rd year, some which were 21 hour days and having a new baby and an emotional wife at times.  He really is amazing.  He studies non stop and this month isn't any better.  He takes his step 2 boards in July so he is studying more than usual.  Then after boards we will have 5 days with him then he is off to Ohio for a month then on to Pennsylvania for another month then finally home.  Then he will be doing quick trips to other states for interviews for residency.  There is one residency where we live now that he is liking.  So we might be staying in Florida for another 4 years.   We had the opportunity to go to a party for the graduating residences Saturday night at the attending's house (The Dr over the residences) and let me tell you I was in love with their house!!! They were right on the inner coast way so their back yard over looked the water. We got there right at sunset and it was breath taking.  I am so proud of Justin and all he is doing to be able to provide for our family.  (here comes the gushy stuff)  For those of my good friends reading this you know I was engaged before I met Justin.  I just have to say how happy I am that that did not work out.  I think my life would have been a lot harder relationship wise.  Justin has been the best thing that has happened to me and I am so grateful for him and all he has been working for.

Happy Birthday Babby Boy

I never dreamed about becoming a mom.  I actually was really terrified my whole life of having the responsibility of a little life placed in my hands to raise.  Up until the day Carter was born, even minuets before I was terrified! I had anxiety months before he came, but I wouldn't change anything for the world! This little boy has brought me so much joy and so much fear at the same time.  This boy is fearless! He started walking at 9 1/2 months and has been on the move ever since.  He is non stop into everything!!!! Although I am ready for a bigger place, having a one bedroom apartment has been great at keeping him where I can see him at all times! It has been fun watching him grow up this past year, a little sad, but fun. 

Being so far away from family has been a little rough and made us keep his first birthday small.  We had a few families over to swim and did a BBQ.  I made a couple nautical decorations, which that right there was something I never thought I would do.  Carter had a bad first birthday party.  He tripped and fell twice, the first time giving him a bloody nose and a cut lip.  The second time he tripped and fell again, he is now starting to run, and smacked his forehead on the ground giving him a huge goose egg on his head.  He cried a little then was good and on his way to see what else he could destroy.  I have discovered Carter has a hard head and is one tough little boy.

Carter is the spitting image of Justin, everyone points that out everywhere we go, but personality wise is all me.  He is stubborn and silly and determined.  I am just praying he doesn't get Justin's brains other wise we might have a mad genius on our hands. Some days I cry to Justin saying I am a horrible mother, and other days I am ready to be done being a mother. But when the day is all over and Carter is asleep in bed a part of me just wants to snuggle with him.  I have enjoyed motherhood with all it's ups and downs.  It may have frighten me before, and it still does but this little boy has my heart and will always be my baby.  I told Justin one night that the good thing with boys is they always have a place in their heart for their mother. 

Life Update

I feel like time is going by way to fast! Carter is 8 months and is on the verge of walking, I am not ready for that.  He is growing up way to fast.  I feel like we just brought him home from the hospital.  He is so fun though.  I love seeing his personality come out.  I think he has a little bit of my stubbornness, ok, more like all of it! He definitely can make me want to pull my hair out most days.  He likes to sit and scream at me if he is upset, which happens whenever things don't go his way.  Carter is also a biter! The bad thing is, when I tell him no and tap his face, he laughs at me.  I think he will end up giving me a run for my money!

 But he sure is cute! He also enjoys drinking out of our water bottles, so I finally bought him one of his own, he still prefers one of ours.

Carter has also moved into our closet.  Why did we not do this sooner???? He sleeps so good in there! He actually sleeps through the night now! That was one thing that I was looking forward to.  Before he moved into his Harry Potter room, Justin and I spent some nights on the couch while Carter cried for 30-45 minuets.  And when I say cry, I mean screaming top of the lungs cry!  Some nights we would stick it out in our bed and that's when we decided he needed to be in a place of his own.  I can not wait for the day that we will be out of our 1 bedroom apartment!  Now we are working on getting him to sleep in and not wake up at 5:30 every morning!!!! My friend told me that if we put him to bed earlier then he should sleep in longer.  I was really hesitant about trying this method out but I figured what's the worst that can happen.  So Carter went to bed at 6:15 last night and didn't wake up till 7:30 the next morning!!!! I woke up at 7:15 and started to get worried about him until I heard him stir, then I at least knew he was alive.  So tonight he went to bed early again.  My friend said to put them to bed early for 3 or 4  nights then go back to normal bed time and they should sleep in still.  Lets pray this works!

I have also started to get healthy again and started the Beach Body program 21 Day Fix Extreme.  I am in love with this program.  It's 30 minuet exercises that are really intense.  These exercises all involve weights and a mix of cardio.  I was shocked at my results after just 1 week.

It's amazing the confidence that I have gained just after a week!  I still have baby weight that I need to lose and I have been trying so hard.  I needed a plan because I was getting depressed and losing motivation. I still have 2 more weeks then I plan on starting the program over for another 21 days.  I can do anything for 21 days.  My goal is to get 30 lbs off before we start trying for baby number 2.  And no, that won't be for another year and a half.  Right now Carter is enough!!!

Dopey Challenge

It's only the middle of January and I feel like it should be March! It could be the fact that my mom, sister and two sister in laws came to Florida and we did the Dopey Challenge in Disney World. We ran a total of 48.6 miles. It was probably one of the hardest things I have done, both mentally and physically! We ran a 5k Thursday (3.2 miles) friday was a 10k (6.1 miles) a half marathon (13.1 miles) Saturday and Sunday was a full blown 26.2 miles, a marathon! The first 3 weren't too bad, but I literally cried myself to the finish line for the marathon. My feet were in so much pain the spread toy ankles and I am pretty sure I pulled my hamstring. I walked the last 2 miles in, it was more like hobbling in. I owe my marathon finish to my sister who stuck with me till mile 23 and kept me going. She wouldn't let me stop for too long and when I was ready to quit she wouldn't let me, and when I broke down in tears (4 times) she said if it makes you feel better and you are able to run, then let it out! Crying did help me push myself a little harder. After all the pain I am still glad I ran it. It was a once in a lifetime event for me and a fun event to do withy sisters and mom. We had a blast! 

Our finish picture after the marathon 

After the half, I had on sister in law who was not quite as "dopey" as the rest of us and didn't sign up for the full marathon, I think she had the right idea! 

After our 10k

After our 5k

And the reason I did the Dopey Challenge, The Medals!! Or in runners terms, runners bling! Now off to Disneyland in May to do the Pixie Dust Challenge! That's only a 10k and half, but we will get 4 more medals!