New year resolutions

[written early January]
I have been really excited about making resolutions this year. I think with all the changes and transition going on I am finding a lot of opportunity to create new habits and rhythms. A couple of weeks ago I got the chance to go to Rick's church. I only call it that because he worked there for almost two months before I had the chance to go (the challenge with two cars). I am not sure what it was about that Sunday but I had a lot of clarity about what this year should be about. In one word, I felt like this was a year of restoration.


[February 8]
I am coming back to this post to finish it up.  Ironically, God had plans for kickstarting my year of restoration.  I have set a few clear goals (I have many more) that I have outlined below but I think overall I have felt a heaviness on my heart.  I have felt the need to return to who I am; who God created me to be.  I think that is true restoration.  Last week, one of my closest friends, Lara Capuano flew out and surprised me.  I was shocked.  Both husbands worked hard to reunite us and I have to say it was exactly what I needed.  She has seen me in some pretty dark times but she has also celebrated with me in the small and large victories in my life.   We laughed a lot, had some serious talks and we even started a business.  Crazy!  Most importantly though, she reminded me of who I am in Christ.  She reminded me of my heart.  She reminded me of my desire to be a mom, to love my kids like crazy, of my desire to know people and have fun, of my silliness.  God timed it all very well.  Thanks to Lara, the entire Capuano family especially superdad Tom for taking care of 4 kids, and thanks to Rick for being an extremely thoughtful husband and putting up with an extreme spike in estrogen.  


I have also outlined my posts in format that Rick has created.  

Resolutions

NO hesitating to serve my husband.  Rick and I sometimes struggle at being a yes-man or yes-woman.  I desire to be more quick to say sure thing, what can I get you, would you like some, let me help, etc.

YES to friendships.  I would like to also enter at least one race this year.  More than that, I would like to pursue more quality friendships this year.  

MORE discipline.  I have gotten far away from some important habits.  More structure in my life to help me pursue my relationship with Christ better and live a healthy lifestyle (work out, eating more whole foods).

LESS junk food.  I would really like to concentrate on sugar this year.  There really is nothing great about white processed sugar and I would love to be able to eliminate it from my diet (crazy huh) and only eat things sweetened with more natural sugars (honey, agave,  pure cane, etc.)

8 Months Old and 9 Months Old

Ariy turned 9 months on December 20th.  In the midst of holiday craziness and the one of the busiest work weeks for me, I missed writing an 8 month post.  Since we just passed his 9 month bday, I decided to combine posts.  So here it goes:

• Ariy is a big boy.  He weighs 21 lbs and some oz.  He actually dropped down to the 50% for weight but still a little chunker.
• He also is very long - currently he wears anything from 6 months to 12 months but mostly 9 to 12 month clothing.  He is 29 inches.
• Ariy is trying more and more food buts likes his tried and true - he loves bananas.  He is also starting to eat puffs and teething crackers.  Just recently he has tried a handful of new finger foods including pasta, cottage cheese, cubed cheese, turkey, cubed sweet potato, broccoli, and tofu.
• Ariy loves to play with people.  He still loves new faces and is always great with other people.   He also LOVES kids. 
• Although he loves other people, if mommy is around that is who he prefers.  He is starting to show some separation anxiety but is always happy to play and be with others when mommy isn't in view.  
• Just recently Ariy has started to be able to get around a bit more. He still can't crawl but he can roll like a champ, sit up on his own, pull himself up and scooch.  Although he seems more than capable of crawling he is not interested. His FAVORITE thing to do is walk around with you holding his hands.  
• Ariy makes lots of noises but not a lot of coherent sounds.  The closest he has come is to mimicking (or accidently) saying something that sounds like "hi" and "yeah."
• At his 9 month appointment, Ariy failed 3 of his 5 development milestones (a questionnaire I had to fill out).  By the end of the appointment the Doctor said she wasn't worried at all.  He is clearly understanding things, he can communicate what he wants (walk, eat, be held) and he is just a busy guy interested in everything and everyone around him.

Just last night, we went to Red Robin with my good friend Lara.  She surprised me by flying out here all the way from NY.  It was awesome and I think Rick plans to blog about it soon.  Anyway, Red Robin himself made and appearance and Ariy was just so intrigued.  He was off at the next table over taking a picture with some kids.  Ariy, who is usually fairly quiet, gave a good squeal and yell to try and get the birds attention.  He eventually came over and Ariy just smiled and held his hand and felt his beak.  The Red Robin babysitter, the staff who walks them around so they don't trip and fall, was shocked at how comfortable such a young baby was with a huge red robin.  She said most kids that age are afraid.  I had to eventually peel Ariy's fingers off the bird so other kids could enjoy him too.  We love are friendly happy baby.  

On a side note, Lara was off hiding in the bathroom because she was terrified of the bird.  No joke.  My 9 month showed her up.

A few pics...

Common look in the back seat of the car or stroller.

8 months old..check out those thighs.

Starting to figure out rolling around means getting tangled in toys.

Father - Son playing with their toys.

9 months, just being cute in our favorite Amy Thomas sweater.