Lissie's Six Month Photoshoot

Last week, we went to Centennial Park to have Lissie's six month photos taken.

Given that the last two times Lissie's had professional photos taken (at the hospital when she was born, and then two weeks later at a studio) were disastrous (she was crying or mad in almost all of the shots), Justin and I made plenty sure that she was dry, fed, and rested before the big moment.

We totally forgot, though, that Lissie's now in the "curious" phase, and would much rather look around and explore than smile at a camera. But we'll take these photos over her crying ones any day!

Here are a few of our faves:

I run for Lissie.

Six and a half months ago, I gave birth to my firstborn daughter, Lissie, via scheduled C-section.

Two months ago, I had another major surgery to remove fibroids in my uterus.

Even after all that, I still had my sights set to run the Women's Half Marathon.

At first, I wanted to run to lose the rest of my baby weight and get back in shape. Then I realized with all of my recovery time from my surgeries, taking care of a baby, and an excruciatingly hot summer, I just didn't have time to devote to proper training.

I had lots of naysayers tell me not to do it or that I couldn't do it. And then my friend dropped out because of a foot injury, and another friend dropped down to the 5K because she didn't feel ready. And so, I started second-guessing myself. Yeah, I may have four half marathons and two full marathons under my belt, but I actually trained for them and didn't have any major surgeries preventing me from running. And then there was the cut-off time of 4 hours....could I even do it in that time frame? I started getting nervous and anxious and worried.

Fast forward to race day.

I was super motivated to do well. The weather was perfect, I had great music in my iPod, and I was as ready as I would ever be.

I told myself to just go slow, and at least try not to walk the first half of the run. But once I started running, I just couldn't stop. I kept thinking about my journey to where I was. I kept thinking of Lissie. Of my family. Of all the people who told me that I was insane. And I just kept on going, stopping only for water and to switch up music on my iPod.

And then, all of a sudden, I was across the finish line in a very respectable 2:41. I did it. I did it better than I could've ever dreamed.

I did it for Lissie. For my family. And for all of the people who told me I couldn't.

It may not have been my fastest one, but the sense of accomplishment I felt after this one was THE. BEST. FEELING. EVER. And celebrating with friends afterwards was just icing on the cake.

So....who's running it with me next year?

thirty-one

I love birthdays.

This past week, I turned 31. I am now officially IN my 30s. I just looked back at my blog post about my 30th birthday, and realized just what a difference a year makes.

I spent the first six months of my thirtieth year pregnant with Lissie, and I spent the latter half of it enjoying the wonders of motherhood. And, of course, I wouldn't have it any other way.

As per tradition, my birthday spilled over into the entire week. On Saturday, Justin and I enjoyed a night without Lissie, watching a movie of my choosing ("The Help") and a tasty dinner at Whitfield's. Justin also decided to take my actual birthday off from work so we can celebrate as a family, going to storytime at the library, Mass at the Cathedral, a lovely picnic lunch at the park, a trip downtown so I could pick up my race packet and grab a beer along the way, and he cooked me the tastiest lo mein for dinner so I could get my noodles in to ensure a long life (a Filipino custom). Oh, and Sweet Cece's froyo for dessert :-) On Friday, I celebrated with my parents and Lissie as we went out to a pre-half-marathon Italian dinner at Amerigo's before I dropped the babe off at their house so I can get my much needed rest before my big run.

So far, the start to my thirty-first year is looking good. I can't wait to see what's in store for the rest of it.

Dinner at Whitfield's

At Red Caboose Park

Enjoying a beer on my birthday, while Lissie enjoys Sophie.

On "The Bridge" with the Nashville skyline in the background.

Lissie hated Centennial Park. Haha.

Justin's lo mein, paired with Lemongrass's sushi and summer rolls.

Happy birthday to me! :-)

And then they were pierced!

Lissie had her six-month check-up today! She is 15.5 lbs (30th percentile) and 26 inches long (55th percentile)!

This was the most trying appointment thus far. She did NOT want to be poked with needles in BOTH of her thighs, two times each...and she was NOT pleased when the doc also pierced a hole in each ear.

Needless to say, there was lots and lots of screaming and tears...but isn't she cute?

If you look close, you'll see a pierced ear!

Here's another one! (Also, this is her first experience in a restaurant high chair!)

Leaning on daddy after a trying, exhausting trip to the pediatrician.

Poor, sweet, Lissie.

P.S. Don't feel too bad about Lissie's pain. I had my ears pierced when I was even younger than her...by my aunt, using a needle and thread. OUCH!

First Family Trip

Lissie's six month birthday coincided with the wedding of one of my best friends (who just happens to be Lissie's godmother) in Indianapolis. What better way to celebrate Lissie's half birthday than to take our first family trip?

Justin and I were very nervous about how the trip would go: How would Lissie fare with the six hour car ride? Can we fit all of her gear in our car? How would Justin handle being the sole caretaker for one night as I spent the night with the rest of the bridesmaids before the wedding? How would I handle leaving Lissie for a night, for that matter?

All that fretting ended up being for nothing!

Lissie did great during the ride both to and from Indy. I was nervous when we stopped an hour into the trip to feed her:

but we made great time as Lissie was content in her car seat, either playing with her toys or sleeping.

We did, though, end up renting an SUV seeing as it seemed like we packed up all of Lissie's belongings for our four day trip. But...ahem...guess who forgot the stroller? We ended up buying a small umbrella one and, as you can see, we did some other shopping as well:

The first night we were there, we met up with my cousin who just happened to live really close to the hotel that we were staying at. She met Lissie for the first time, and showed us what Lissie would look like in a few years when she grows her hair:

On Friday, after a yummy breakfast at Cafe Patachou, I said my goodbyes to Justin and Lissie as I left to hang out with the bride and the bridesmaids for lunch and a relaxing afternoon at the nail salon. I reconnected with Justin and Lissie at the rehearsal dinner before leaving them to stay the night with the gals at our suite. Justin enjoyed his one-on-one time with his daughter, while I enjoyed being daughter-free for a night.

(Lissie's mismatched Punky Brewster-esque outfit that Daddy put her in, despite the fact that I put each outfit in its own baggie!)

Pics from the rehearsal dinner:

The next day was the wedding! It was a beautiful, joyous ceremony and the reception was a blast. Despite wanting to eat her shoes at the church, Lissie, especially, had a great time kicking it on the dance floor and making new friends:

We woke up bright and early on Sunday to go to Mass and check out the H&M store (!) before heading home. Lissie had her first Mickey D's experierence en route:

We also stopped by the cemetery to pay our respects to Justin's mom.

All in all, it was a fabulous first family trip!

Dear Lissie - Six Months

Dear Lissie,

I apologize for being a few days late in my letter, but as you know we went on a family trip during your six month birthday and blogging just wasn't going to happen!

But, sheesh. I never knew that half a year could fly by so quickly.

I also never knew that someone so little could accomplish so much in six amazing short months! Here's what happened this month alone:

* You've turned into a rolling machine! You rarely stay on your activity mat anymore, and Daddy and I had to invest in a foam alphabet mat so that you won't hit your sweet head on our tough hardwood floors. Your mobility, though, made being diaper-less this past week (a recommendation by your pediatrician after you developed a nasty rash ) an extra interesting experience!

* You're also a talented sitter! I still get nervous and stay super close in case you topple over, but you've gotten the art of sitting down pat. I read somewhere that this means that crawling is next. Oh, dear - time to invest in those baby gates....

* You are a social butterfly! Somehow you manage to have some sort of activity planned every day...whether it be a playgroup, a playdate, storytime at the library, or a walk in the park in your stroller with your friends! I've had to add a special family calendar app on my phone to keep track of your schedule, haha.

And, of course, some of my favorite pics of this month:

You can sit up, empty out your toys, AND play the drums using your toy basket.

Relaxing in the park swing.

Sporting your new leg warmers with Olivia the Owl.

Tired after an exhausting workout in your jumparoo.

Tired after an exhausting jog in the park.

Oh, Lissie. You are too much. But we love you. So, so much. Seriously, though, slow down with the growing up okay?

Love,

Mommy