Running in Circles

Monday: 8 miles and insanity 

Tuesday: 14 miles

Wednesday: 7 miles of sprint workout

Thursday: 7 miles outside and insanity

Friday: 8 miles outside

Saturday: 13.5 miles with BRICE :)

Sunday: rest day

Weekly Miles: 57 miles

Miles this year: 1531 miles

:: hazel ::

1. We hosted "tot-school" this week and she loved having a friend over. I was grateful it was a smaller than usual group.

2. She loves going on wanders with just Brice outside. They both come home tired and thirsty with stories to tell me.

3. this week we went to an open gym and she fell asleep in the car on the way home.

4. She tells me "I'm her best girl."

5. She has been all about "girl-trips" to the store.

6. Yesterday I stopped to buy some gas for a stranger that was stranded and she asked me so many questions about it . In the end she said, "Mom- that was the nicest thing to do." Seriously the best pat of my day.

7. She has been pulling/pushing down Henry a little bit and said she didn't want him in our family anymore, so its not all perfect and easy over here :)

8. She asked me for some running shoes for her birthday.

9. has acted like a dog all week

:: henry ::

1. this guy turned 8 months yesterday and i cannot believe he is that big already.

2. Drooling everywhere.

3. He had a blowout this morning which is just so rare for him.

4. We borrowed a box full of trains, cars, and blocks from a friend for a few days and he has loved making a mess of it. 

5. Loves to eat dinner with us and loves his mama's milk.

6. falls asleep in the car to primary songs in a blink.

7. Henry has started lovin on that little fox just like Hazel did.

- currently has three teeth that have cut through, but they're still making their way all the way up...two on the bottom and one on top...

- goes to bed at 8:00 and wakes up at 6:30 on the dot

- For two or three days he started biting me while nursing but after scolding him and putting him on the floor and walking away twice he hasn't done it again. bites are the worst!

- LOVES when Hazel sings songs to him

- his hair is looking a little red just like Hazel's did at this age

- loves playing with the zany zoo right now or duplos with Hazel

- crawls to sit on my lap all day

- loves BANANAS, fresh peaches and pears, SWEET POTATOES

- sits in his high chair at dinner time and just looks so grown up

- Henry is constantly standing up while holding onto something and has started letting go and standing there alone for a second. I don't think his little legs are strong enough to even try walking though.

- loves being outside in the stroller

- SMILES all day!

- wearing 3-6 month bottoms and 6-12 month tops.

- His next appointment isnt for two weeks so i have no idea his height or weight. Ill add it in when we know.

- he noticed a squirrel yesterday and was just fixated on its little movements

- loves his mama, but still isn't saying "mama" or "dada"

- naps at 9:00-10:30 and 1:00ish-3:00 (no complaints from me)

I am so grateful to be Henry's mother. I've told Brice a lot from the beginning that I think Henry is going to just be a sweet and sensitive boy and recently I've had a few little experiences that just confirm this. Henry is always crawling over to sit on my lap or lay next to me if I'm on the floor and a few times lately my heart has just surged with anticipation. I feel his love for me so strongly. Of course he needs me and recognizes me, but man I can FEEL his love for me and it is overwhelming. I hope we always are close.

Last night for family night we had our little lesson and scripture reading and decided to try playing a matching game with Hazel.

 Brice got out the skip-bo cards and explained to Hazel how it worked.

 She loved it. 

the pictures are blurry and taken on my phone real quick but when you see that little smile it really just doesn't matter!

our family home evenings are sometimes quick and casual but I've really been trying hard to prepare a lesson and activity before Monday comes around. In the last few months Hazel has been catching me off guard asking thoughtful questions about our Heavenly Father and about scripture stories and it just makes me want to be better and better at the things we've been commanded to do. I know a happy family life can be possible when we are obedient to those simple things that prophets have asked us to do. family scriptures, family prayer, and family night. 

i feel like i should say amen ;)

:: hazel ::

1. needs to start napping during the day again, she has been getting so emotional by 6 pm.

2. Is taking amoxicillin for a little ear infection.

3. Watched Beauty and the Beast for the first time this week and loved it. All week she has brought up parts of the movie and asks the most thoughtful questions.

3. Is no longer getting potty treats- the skittles ran out so we just never mentioned them again...so far so good.

4. Loves to color, but only if I'm doing the actual coloring. She just likes to tell me what to color.

5. When I ask her about a birthday party the only detail she seems concerned about is whether or not there will be cupcakes!

6. was a trooper during my visiting teaching appointments today- start to finish it was almost TWO hours.

7. Hazel loves dogs which is nothing new but can be found hoarding puppy stuffed animals/toys/books at other people's houses. 

:: henry ::

1. Has cut three teeth in the last two weeks. He must be getting so smart! Unfortunately, it seems that all his brain development and teething occurs between 1:00 and 5:00 am. 

2. Insists on sitting on my lap, being in my arms, pulling my hair, cuddling with me- to say were dealing with a little bit of separation anxiety is a huge understatement.

3. Loved eating peaches, pears, and banana chunks this week.

4. Is  enjoying playing with the Zany Zoo toy and standing up all by himself.

5. Without fail he wakes up every morning that I start to pump. I get just about finished pumping so I can go run and he wakes up and I spend another ten minutes nursing him.

6. Brice and I have been talking and think its time to start taking the binki away more often. Hazel just naturally lost interest in it by this age, but he still really loves it. He still likes being swaddled to sleep too. 

7. Has started giving really wet open- mouth  kisses and waving goodbye.

8. drool. drool. drool.

...play in our living room...

Duplos mostly, but animals are always included

reading books

sorting and grouping objects by shape, color, size

torturing Henry

  

1. Calico Critters- she has played with all sorts of these little critters at other people's homes and is obsessed.
2. Duplos! all day everyday!

3. The perfect dress and boots for the Fall/ Winter months in Texas. Both are from Old Navy, who I have to admit has taken at least $100 from me in the last few weeks.

4. Land of Nod chalkboard laptop. Small and compact and still lets her doodle! 

5. IKEA kitchen. I've been pinning DIY makeovers of this little kitchen and am hoping this is what we get her. 

6. Flora the Flamingo book. and a flamingo. #butofcourse
7. Hunter rain boots- these are a major splurge but just so darn classic...and it surprisingly rains a lot here!

Monday: 8 miles and insanity

Tuesday: 10 miles and insanity

Wednesday: 6 mile sprint workout and abs

Thursday: 10 easy miles in 1:15

Friday: 7 miles and insanity

Saturday: 12-13 miles around White Rock Lake

*Brice and I have been trying for several weeks to run together on Saturday mornings but i hadn't been having any luck finding an available babysitter who was willing to be here by 6:30. We got lucky yesterday and we're finally able to go! It was so worth paying a babysitter! I hadn't run outside all week, we woke up to a cool 66* and practically no humidity, and we had a great time together!  I felt giddy all day! Brice has a 13 mile run scheduled for two weeks from now so hopefully we can go again together! 

Brice isn't sure if he likes running yet but he hasn't missed a scheduled workout and he's consistently getting his times faster and faster. I hope that the cooler weather will put a little spring in his step. 

Overall it was a great week of workouts for me.

:: hazel ::

1. listening to her little imagination is one of the best things about her age right now.

2. She started a little "joy school/playgroup" this week and loved having a teacher. She came home asking for a backpack- not sure that's necessary though.

3. Has started asking for PRIVACY in the bathroom- i thought that day would never come :)

4. Uses the potty at night all by herself. the only evidence is when we hear her door shut a little too loudly at 3 am.

5. Loves just wearing a shirt and her panties around the house, i guess shorts are an inconvenience when you use the bathroom so often.

6. Has gotten so good at swimming this summer- i think next year she'll totally get it without any help or floats.

7. i just love the way she says "pospicle" 

8. asks for snack after snack after snack. I only offer fruits or vegetables at this point.

:: henry ::

1. Cut his first tooth finally! (9/5/15)

2. Watched his first BYU football game and did great until the last play when everyone we watched it with went crazy screaming and so did he. It must have scared him a lot.

3. Such a mama's boy lately- he's in tears if i leave his sight.

4. Is vocal now, unfortunately its mostly a very high-pitched squawk or squeal and its not so cute after a little while :)

5. Finally fitting into a few 6-12 month clothes. The Wrights sent us some adorable stuff and I'm excited to get it all on him.

6. Cheerios. Veggie Straws. Apples slices. Baby Food. give him all the food!

7. the only rolls he has on his body are on his backside and it makes for the cutest, squishiest bum, but i just cant justify taking pictures of it.

8. Pulls himself up onto things all day- i think hes going to be an early walker like Hazel was.

I managed not to get a single picture from our long weekend- but our Labor Day was a good one so I just wanted to remember it. Swimming, potluck BBQ, friends with their little ones, a late night- all the makings of an end of summer party! 

We are so grateful for good friends here in Dallas and now I'm really looking forward to fall layers and cooler weather, although in Dallas it will probably be another 6 weeks.

Monday: 7 miles and Insanity

Tuesday: 8 miles in 59 minutes and Insanity

Wednesday: sprint workout (6 miles total) and ab workout

Thursday: 10 miles

Friday: 8 miles and Insanity

Saturday: 10 miles at an average 7:19 pace and ten minute ab workout

Sunday: rest day!

:: hazel :: 

1. is pretty obsessed with the Paw Patrol characters. She choose the boy brief underwear with the pups on them instead of any of the girl panties. whatever floats her boat!

2. loves listening to "Hazel songs" in the car.

3. Has been asking all sorts of gospel related questions.

4. loves doing impersonations and silly voices.

5. Has been falling asleep in the car any day I have it. She hasn't napped in months, but I think her little body is tired.

6.  She just started getting really jealous of any attention I give to Henry. She's been in many time-outs lately for pushing him away.

7. Has started crying every time I serve dinner saying she thinks its yucky, but then right after prayer she eats her plate clean. She's never been a picky eater so I hope this little act goes away quickly.

8. She wakes herself up at night to go potty and has kept herself accident free at night for a week now!

:: henry ::

1. Is pulling himself up and standing any chance he gets.

2. His crawling has really picked up pace and so has his hair gasping skills unfortunately.

3. He follows me around all day- he has been so clingy. I keep waiting for a tooth to pop up but so far nothing.

4. He just loves it when I say "ma-ma" or "da-da" but isn't making nay of those sounds yet.

5. We lowered his crib last week because he's been standing up and hanging onto the side now. For some reason lowering the crib just makes him seem so big!