30 for 30

Well,  I'm doing an experiment and participating in a 30 for 30 Remix, which involves me choosing 30 pieces from my closet and only using those 30 pieces for outfits for 30 days (check out the details on Kendie's blog). WOW, did I make that much more confusing than it actually is? How fitting that it's taking place during the month of my 30th birthday. So it's more like a 30 for 30 for 30, and you get to come on this little adventure with me.

So the predicament now is that my bed is covered in a pile of clothes that I deemed absolutely necessary for the project, and I'm a tad bit over my limit of 30... But it's hard when you consider it also has to include shoes (which ones could I possibly eliminate?), belts (which I'm desperately trying to become friends with), and accessories (skipping the earrings because Little Man loves to pull them, but trying to part with a few necklaces).

And in case you didn't see this coming, you get a nice little picture of each outfit, every day. So get used to my mug, friends, because you're in for it. This is my inspiration to get out of the tees and boxers I tend to rock while I'm home every day and get back to my infatuation with fashion. Just in time for the big 3-0 (in case you hadn't previously noted, June 17 is the big day - feel free to send gifts and condolences).

When I finally narrow it down, I'll post a picture of the pieces, just so you can keep me honest. The big kick-off is June 13, and if you're really brave, you'll do it along with me! Come on, aren't you tempted???

Hello, Grown-up

One of the biggest adjustments I've had to make in becoming a parent was getting used to the fact that I can't just go anywhere and do whatever I want anymore. Now, keep in mind, I'm a grown-up, so I'd already been getting used to that idea a little bit as the years rolled on. But it really hits home when there's a little person involved.

Take, for example, yesterday, when Milo woke up not feeling well and cranky as all get-out, and I had to cancel my lunch plans. Yes, it was for the best for him. No, you can never begrudge a baby (especially such an adorable one) what is right for him. But the ironing party I had all by myself in place of a lunch date was a far cry from fun.

Or think about this morning, when I had gotten up at 4:15 to pump, stretch, and be ready to meet my running peeps at 5. Nate texted me when I was halfway down our road at 4:55, "Milo is wide awake." I had no choice but to come home, grab that fresh bottle I had just pumped, and rock my little man until he went to sleep at 5:40. There was no hope for running with anyone but myself at that point, so I sadly (and I'll admit, a little crankily) crawled back into bed. I had been up for nearly two hours with not even a mile to show for it. Guess it's a date with Jillian today instead?

So, like I said, I'm learning to be unselfish with my time. I'm learning to plan things out instead of being impulsive, and I'm also realizing that the best-laid plans are often disrupted. I'm becoming a real, live grown-up, and I guess I'd better since I'm almost 30 (EEEEEEEK!). But look at this little guy and tell me if you'd ever have it any other way.

Ironically, the inside-out onesie on his head says "Sleepy," which he obviously was not this morning.

Swimming Excursion

Well, it's a weekend of firsts. Today Milo had his first trip to the swimming pool, and I've never seen a cuter little waterbug. Once he got used to all the noise, he seemed to love splashing and kicking his little legs like a champ. He was, of course, slathered in as much sunscreen as a baby can possibly wear, and we limited his sun exposure, so he survived without a hint of pink. His lily-white baby skin is so precious and delicate, and if he's anything like me, he'll burn at the drop of a hat. I know I'm a super-protective new mommy, but the idea of that makes me want to cry. All in all, though, Milo enjoyed his swimming trip, which I explained to him ahead of time as "a swim in a really big bathtub."

Aren't we cheesy? We love to get a group shot no matter what we're doing. Note my super-awesome 90's wave bangs. That's what happens when I don't straighten them here in good old Texas.

I, quite literally, have the two handsomest men on the planet.

Because Milo belongs to the two coolest parents ever, he must be wearing a fedora...

...and because Milo is a baby, he quite quickly ditched said fedora.

Enjoying the shade of a well-placed umbrella. Milo is the only person in the world who makes me look tan.

Library Trip #1

Milo and I took our first trip to the library yesterday, with Jen, Chloe, Conner, and Alex. It was a blast! Milo already loves books, probably because we spend time reading every day. But our library has these amazing HUGE books that totally captured Milo's attention. What a fantastic trip!

Note the HUGE book - what a great idea! The illustrations were life-size for Milo.

Yes, we both look disturbed. We were reading about male emperor penguins, who sit on the eggs until the baby chicks are hatched. The gross part was that they make some milky substance in their throats to feed the chicks for a few weeks, and then the moms return from their ocean trips and throw up in the baby chicks' mouths.

Chloe has become such a good reader, and she loved reading to Milo.

A slight correction

I think I came across a little preachy yesterday, and I hate that. If you know me very well, you know I'm an all-or-nothing kind of person, and I care deeply about my friends and family. I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but I do want everyone to be happy and healthy. That said, I would never look down on someone who wasn't necessarily fit, and I would do anything to help that person the second they asked. There. Had to get that off my chest.

Now look at my adorable babyson sleeping. We've noticed that he sleeps better with a cuddly blanket, and I think it's because I wrap him up like that when I feed him. It's really hard to keep my hands off of him when he's asleep, though, because he's so darn cute. I find myself sneaking in to kiss his little cheeks multiple times a night. Look at this child, though, and tell me you wouldn't do the same thing.

It's so quiet in the house right now, as neither of my men has woken up yet. I'm just replenishing my water after a (nearly) 6-mile run and feeling really proud of myself. Too bad I wasn't quite ready for the 10-mile run some of the others did, but Tree and I hung in there and exceeded our goal of 5 miles. Now I've showered, stretched, and eaten a muffin, and I'm ready to either face the day or take a nap. And since I hear Little Man stirring, I'm guessing it's face the day time. Hope yours is a beautiful one.

MyPlate

  

Well, hold on to your horses. I'm about to blow your mind. The food pyramid has been dismantled! It's being replaced with the above diagram, MyPlate, and it's supposedly going to make all the difference in how Americans eat. Because, you know, nobody understands that fruits and vegetables are good for you, and Big Macs and french fries are not...

If you're like me, you grew up with the good old pyramid as a reference, and you couldn't remember what went where for any reason under the sun. I checked it out, just to reminisce, and thought I might as well share it with you, too.

All I have to say is, kudos to the people who get to sit around and brainstorm new and exciting diagrams to help Americans who are making a point to ignore their health. I'm as guilty as most of eating fast food and snacking on sweets, but I would like to point out that I also choose to eat these things in moderation and balance them with plenty of exercise as well. Don't let me stand on my soap box too long, but America, let's get our lifestyle under control!!! Let's teach our kids to eat healthful foods and take them outside to play instead of parking them in front of the tv. Did you know that CNN reports that one third of children and two thirds of adults in America are overweight or obese?

I grew up eating wheat germ and lentils and carob instead of chocolate. Our peanut butter was the all-natural kind that you had to stir because the oil would separate out to the top. I don't remember drinking soda, and we had ice cream on a rare occasion. And I may have given my mom a hard time about it then, but wow, am I impressed with her now. We were healthy kids, chowing on our organic food and growing up strong! I'm sure it wasn't easy for Mom to stick with it, but boy am I glad she did now. Those eating habits are the ones I've gone back to (for the most part) as I've gotten older, and the ones I intend to raise Milo with as well. I guess it's true - train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it (Prov. 22:6). Amazing how practical the Bible can be sometimes, right?

Anyway, this is just my plug for living a full life - don't make food or television the center of your world. Use food as fuel to get out and do something, and don't just be a government statistic. Oh, and by all means, throw that nasty old food pyramid out and get with MyPlate. Or maybe just use some common sense?

The countdown has begun

Today is June 1. Do you have any idea what that means?
It means that I have only 16 days left of being 29.
It means I'm about to enter a new decade of life.
It means I should officially start acting very responsible.
June 17 marks a new chapter of my life - my 30's. (sigh)

I know I shouldn't be freaking out about it, because what's the difference between being 29 on June 16 and being 30 on June 17? I mean, for goodness sake, some people probably didn't think I'd even make it through my 20's, and here I am, blissfully happy, completely healthy, and loving who I'm becoming. Except that I'm becoming 30...

And here's the thing. I fully support and delight in anyone in their 30's. I'm not prejudiced against us old folks (haha). Why can't I convince myself that there are millions of people who look fabulous in their thirties, and I'm more than likely going to be the same?

Let me just make this one promise right now, in public and in print for the world to see. I will not give Nate a hard time on my 30th birthday. I won't act like a brat, or make anyone's life miserable because I'm getting old (like I did on my 25th birthday...). I'll try to ignore any extra pounds that are still making a muffin-top (which I'm hoping will be gone at that point) and enjoy my hair no matter how humid the weather may be. I will relish in the fact that I have an amazing husband and the most wonderful baby boy the world has ever seen.

But if I go missing for a few hours, check the back of my closet for a little sniffling heap of kateturningthirty.