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! 

All About That Boy

What can I say, being a mom has been fun and exhausting!!! This boy of mine still refuses to sleep through the night and he is six months!  But he is fun and way to cute.  November was a mile stone for this boy.  He started to sit up on his own (meaning us sitting him up and him staying), getting to his hands and knees and rocking, and he also got 2 teeth.  Then of course December hits and the boy decides it's time to start moving.  He was able to scoot around right before he was six months.  He was slow so it was no big deal,  then after his six month check up he decides that he no longer wants to be slow and starts to get really good at moving.  He still isn't super fast, we can still get to things before he can, but my place is not baby proof!!!! I mean at ALL!!! So much stuff I have to do! The Dr. told us at his check up that he will more than likely be an early walker, because he is so active. He loves to stand right now, we try to sit him down and he will stiffen his legs so he can stand instead.  Once again, I am so not ready for this!!! We took him to the beach today and for the first time he got to play in the sand and water.  He LOVED it! Here are some pictures of what this Boy has been up to

 I made Carter a Christmas vest for an Ugly Sweater Party we went to

 You know how I said he likes to move, well he got himself

stuck under the couch.

 Carter's outfit for Christmas Sunday

 Christmas Morning with his toys

 He was just too cute here

 Honeymoon Island 

 He loved the water

 

At his Six Month check up

Disney and Grandma

I feel like the holidays came and went so fast!  November was kind of a busy month, well mostly the weekends.  Justin was off on Fridays so we took advantage of our season pass and went to Disney on Friday.  The first Friday was Epcots food and wine festival.  Let me just say if you are in to food, that is the time to come visit us and go to Disney.  We got to eat so many different types of food from all over the world!  Then my mom came that next week, so of course we had to take her to Disney.  Then after that my brother came with his family and went on a Disney Cruise, so we met up with them in Disney the last 2 weekends in November.  I never thought I could get Disneyed out, but I did! So December was kind of relaxing getting back to a normal schedule.

 At Hollywood Studios watching Beauty and the Beast

 We got Christmas early in Disney

 Waiting in line for Peter Pan's Flight. Carter loved it

 One of my favorites of these two

 Brother in Law Bonding Time

 One of my favorites, only because I was having a really good hair day

 

Thankful

Thankful, that's what November is all about, being thankful. I haven't been able to go to sleep lately, and I find myself awake thinking of the things I am thankful for, and every night it's the same thing, my little family. We might be small in numbers but we have a love that I wouldn't trade for the world. The best part is I have them for eternity. Best Friends Forever is really going to happen. I am married to my best friend and I get to be with him for forever and I couldn't be happier. Even listening to him snore right now, and Carter is starting to fuss and it's 1:30 in the morning, I am grateful for both of them. 

Families Are Together Forever 

Med School Life

 Justin is in his 3rd year of Med School, and I feel like we just moved to Florida! We did move from the Atlantic Coast to the Gulf Coast almost 5 months ago, so that could be why I feel like we have just moved here.  Year 3 of medical school is called rotations, where Justin gets to spend 1 month in each specialty of the medical field. The first couple moths were really hard on me, they were all long hours and only having one car and being a brand new mom didn't help.  Most of my human interaction was with a little infant who would just cry, poop, eat and sleep.  Not much for interaction for a social butterfly like me.  Most of my days were spent in tears, longing for my friends I left behind in Utah.

Justin's first rotation was OB/GYN and it wasn't too bad because I had my sister in law for most of the month and then my mom came to visit for a week.  Then in August he had internal medicine at the hospital.  that wasn't too bad but most night Justin didn't get home till 7 o'clock or later.  But at least we had the weekends and I also went to Utah for 2 weeks.  Then along came September, or the month of HELL, is what I like to call it.  September Justin started his surgery rotation... I hardly saw him! His first day on surgery was a 21 hour day, not fun for me.  Then for the rest of the month it continued to be 15 hour or more days.  One day he left at 6:30 a.m. and then didn't get home till 7 a.m. the next morning.  He got a 3 hour nap in then was back at the hospital for another 10 hours.  He has decided surgery, not matter how much money they make, is not for him.

It was really hard on me because I still didn't have any friends yet.  People would talk to me at church but that was about it.  Then, what I call the grace month, October happened!!!!! Justin was working a mile from home, went in a 9 a.m. got a 3 hour lunch then was home by 4. I was in heaven.  You might be wondering what rotation he was on, Geriatrics, God Bless The Old People!  I really needed human interaction and was very grateful for this rotation where I was able to see my husband a lot more!

We are enjoying where we are living now in Clearwater, FL and I am finally making friends.  Minus are small apartment and only having one car, we some how manage, even if that means Carter and I take Justin to work then we can at least get out for the day.  Carter is getting more fun, watching him interact with us is the best.  He is also getting much better at car rides!!!! One of us has to sit in back with him but he no longer screams bloody murder while in the car!!!!  I can't believe that Justin only has a year and half left of school, time is going by so quickly!

I am a Dope

Back in April my mother, sister and two sister in laws all signed up to do the Dopey Challenge in Disney World January 2015. The Dopey Challenge consists of 4 races, 5k, 10k, Half Marathon and a Full Marathon in 4 days for a total of 48.6 "magical miles". Am I crazy, yes, I think I am, but at least I am not alone! 

When I signed up I was 7 month pregnant and figured this would motivate me to get the baby  weight off. Well, we are almost 2 months away from the race and the farthest I have wogged (walk/jog) is 7 miles. But I have noticed a major improvement in 4 months! When I first started I was doing a 15 minute mile, I use to be able to do a 10 minute mile, I  was a little depressed about it. Taking that long to run was definitely not fun. But I stuck with it and today I did 3 miles and my average pace was 12:10. I was so proud of myself! I love seeing improvements! It also helped that a cold front came in and so the weather was perfect for a run. 

Random side note:

I was complaining tonight about it being cold and Justin told me I have been spoiled with warm weather. Yes I have and I love my warm weather! It will be a sad day when we move away from Florida! 

Sweet but a Handful

Don't let these baby blues deceive you

He looks all cute and innocent but once darkness falls, the crying starts! It's not just before bed either, he will wake up every 2 hours some nights! He was so good until he hit 3 months. What happened, you ask? Good question, if you figure it out let me know! This mamma needs/loves her sleep. I am also a cranky  sleeper, I tend to snap at Justin in the middle of the night. Example Friday night, early Saturday morning (3 a.m.) Justin was being nice and took Carter out to try to get him back to sleep. I could still hear the boy crying, so, annoyed at this point, I get out of bed and try to take Carter back, Justin  won't give Carter up and I mumble under my breath, "it's not like you get up or hear him when he cries multiple times through out the night. So just go back and sleep through all of this like you normally do." Not my shiniest of moments. I felt really bad in the morning, but I tend to snap in the middle of the night. We have been trying everything, rice cereal in his bottle, feeding him more than normal, letting him sleep in our bed, letting him cry (he can and will cry for an hour straight) you name it, we've tried it. I am praying this is going to come to an end soon. I am also hoping that my this means he will be an angel of a child when he is older! I deserve something for going a month with no sleep! 

Sunset at Indian Rocks Beach

Pic Update

Being a photographer you would think I would have millions upon millions of pictures of Carter, sadly just on my phone! So I have started to break out the good camera so I can have some nice quality pics to put on my wall.  If I could I would just have my friend Suzana take pics for me, but sadly I left her 4 hours behind in Ft. Lauderdale. The good thing is it has pushed me to take more photos.  Here are just some random ones I took tonight.

 Justin is the one who can get him to fall asleep

I wish I would have gotten a picture of Justin reading his anesthesiology book to him while he was screaming bloody murder!  

 I believe he gets this face from me and of course the only thing

I can claim that this boy got from me are his eyes!

 This is one of my favorites, Carter's face says it all!

I love when babies play with their feet and Carter has finally found his feet!

Confessions

Mommyhood has been great so far, but I have a confession, I was not a huge fan of motherhood in the very beginning. Carter will be 3 months this week and I feel like the first 2 3/4 months were really hard for me. Carter was not the easiest baby but was not a horrible on either, I think it was me adjusting to motherhood. 

I don't think the doing everything for this child just to watch him eat, sleep and poop helped at all. But he has started to respond to us when we play with him. He had his first laugh over labor day weekend and my heart just melted! He smiles all the time now and will take naps without me holding him (by far the best thing he has out grown) although he still would if I let him. I am loving being his mom right now and seeing the changes in him from month to month! 

He enjoys tummy time now as well