Looking forward to another snow tonight. Should be fun – or just enough of an annoyance to not really be fun. haha. Regardless, Jameson will wake up and look outside and say – “Mama look, SNOWING!” (Note that he will say this regardless of whether it is snowing or had snowed and there is snow on the ground. Some words and some uses of words really trip him up!)

Which brings us to Jameson. That little boy amazes me every single day. Words fly out of his mouth that I had no idea he knew. He jumps up and does something I’ve never seen him do before – like take off his socks or unzip and take off his coat. It is amazing to see how he picks things up every week, every day!

Tonight, like most nights he was a witty little boy, pulling out zingers and being all demandy. We have so hit that toddler stage. He plays this game where we say “1, 2, 3, go!” and he zips out to the dining room and around into the office, down the hall and back to the kitchen. Then waits for us to say “1, 2, 3, go!” again. He will literally do this 10 or more times before getting tired. What an easy way to tire a little boy out! It’s genius! Works every time an he loves it.

We are just about 1 month shy of 2 years old and heading for his second trip (but first he will truly enjoy) to Disney World to celebrate his big birthday! So excited to show him all of the characters and see his reaction! I know he will pull out some real gems and I shall hopefully have my camera set and ready to capture these moments! (I hope.)

One year ago, It was January 2010, and Jameson was almost 1 year old. I had just gotten my new AWESOME camera for christmas and was taking so MANY pictures. Here are some photos of Jameson during one of my early “photo sessions.” Enjoy!

And now here are some photos I took not too long ago, for a view of Jameson one year later, just short of 2 years. Oh my little man is growing up. It is so cliche but my goodness, time flies!!

Excited for the rest of 2011!!

Lately I have been having trouble sleeping. I toss and turn all night. And it is exhausting!

Never have I been someone who cannot sleep. I have had troubles falling asleep at times. My mind races and I must calm down the thoughts in my head before I can drift off to sleep. But this whole waking up and flailing around every few hours or few minutes is a new thing to me.

I realize that coffee is something that will do this to me. So I vow to only drink one cup of coffee per day and never after noon. That works most times. But lately, even with following this rule, I still toss and turn.

I wonder is something else that I am eating adding to this unrest?

I am not a chocolate person. I rarely eat it, so I doubt that is the cause. hmmm.

Lat night was one of these nights. I tossed for a long while. Finally the last time I remember looking at the clock, it was 1:40 am.  I remember being up at 4 am. And again at 5:30 am.

Of course though, as always, once that time to wake up comes around, I can sleep like a baby. I have finally hit my sleep groove and I must disrupt it. Isnt that how it always works!!

If this restless sleeping keeps happening, I am going to have to take a hard look at my food and activity before bed. Maybe I’ll have to implement a pre-bed ritual with a bath, some stretching, and who knows what else…

All I know is that today, I am tired.

So we had off from work today for MLK day, but since my mom requested to watch Jameson, we had the day free. What’s a couple of young parents to do on a day sans child? Why conquer some contract work and go for a run, of course!

We did allow ourselves to sleep in though, which was divine!

Just as I felt myself getting hungry for lunch, I said to Kevin – hey lets go out for a quick 3 mile run with the dogs (know that throwing the “quick” and stating 3 miles might help to convince him since it was shorter than what he’s been doing).  He surprisingly said “OK.” We suited up, strapped up the dogs and ventured out.

Just as we were rounding the corner at about .3 miles, Kevin commented that this MUST be the coldest day he’s gone out running so far. I must admit, it was super cold. But we were troopers and continued on. Right around the 1 mile mark I started conjuring up excuses how when we passed our house next (our route was taking us out and past our house with an additional mile), we should just call it a run. But knowing that he’d probably say no and then would think that I am suffering through this run (can’t seem weak!), I kept my mouth shut and pushed forward. It was around this one mile point that I also felt my pinky and ring finger on my right hand freezing up (even though I was wearing gloves). I quickly tucked them into my glove, removing them from the finger cavities, and folding them against my palm. This did wonders to warm them up.

As our clan rounded about 1.5 miles, miraculously, I got my rhythm and felt myself warming up and actually decided I was ENJOYING this run. As if I didnt know this would happen! (Running is all a mind game, truly!) It was at this point that Kevin suggested adding a small detour to our route, saying he had found his rhythm too. I agreed. And we added it on, and finished up our run.

As we headed in from our run, I felt amazing! I love that buzz that runs through your body after a run. It’s a tiring feeling most times, but a runner’s high is such a great thing! I am so proud we did it and didnt back out. I am sure the dogs were happy too! I mapped out our route on the computer and found that we actually did 4 miles, a whole mile more than I had suggested! SCORE

And so I now leave you with the monday quote:

People ask why I run. I say, “If you have to ask, you will never understand”. It is something only those select few know. Those who put themselves through pain, but know, deep down, how good it really feels.

– Erin Leonard

I miss my blogging habit, but to be honest, I dont miss the commitment. I miss the outlet. (although I seem to find other ways to share and be a part of the online communities.)

I think trying to conjure up a well thought out decent size post overwhelmed me and I just shut down. Plus, I overbook my time and the blog just fell at the bottom of the list. But as everything in my life seems to be cyclical, I have the blog itch again.

So I’m thinking I’ll try to take the pressure off. Just post a photo if thats all I’ve got in me. Just post a quote. who cares.

I also think my other problem is focus. Is this a mommy blog? A food blog? A fitness blog? Well I guess its all of these things, just as I am all of these things (and so much more). So if I am not as focused at times, I apologize. Maybe I will figure it out and maybe I wont.

No stress.