Watts Up?

Sunday Report

2012-01-22T20:01:00.000-08:00

It is freezing (by Northern California standards)
and raining (so I guess it's not freezing)
and we don't have anything to do.

We began the day by going to church, which is rarely my first choice (if I'm choosing) but it gave me an hour break from the child and as an added perk, I learned a new and improved version of "Amazing Grace."

I made chili.

Nick proceeded to claim the afternoon for "brewing," which meant my senses were overwhelmed with barley and nastiness, making it impossible for me to nap when Charlie was napping. So I ate.

We FaceTime'd with Aunt Jenni, Mimi and Dana.

Side Note: We don't have cable, so NFC/AFC championship football wasn't really an option.

I had a moment of domesticity, but I had to refer to my fake friends on Pinterest, to find a killer homemade play-doh recipe, which I did and proceeded to stop at three grocery stores before I swallowed my pride long enough to ask a random shelf-stocker at SaveMart to help me find "cream of tarter" and he proceeded to take me to the dairy section because that is where "cream is found?"
It's in the spice section, just so you know.

We made said play-doh (see recipe below)

We played with it for all of four minutes.

Charlie ate my chili. He loved it.

Charlie took a bath, as a result of said chili, AND he ignored me.

The End.

Kool-Aid Play Doh

What You Need:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup salt
1 pkg.(6 g) Kool-Aid Unsweetened Drink Mix, any flavour
1 Tbsp. Cream of tartar
1 cup boiling water
1 1/2 Tbsp. oil
wax or parchment paper
small airtight containers - I got mine at the dollar store

Make It:
MIX first 4 ingredients in large bowl. Add boiling water and oil; stir with fork 3 to 4 min. or until cooled, then mix with hands until well blended.
PLACE on waxed or parchment paper; knead until no longer sticky, adding additional flour 1 tsp. at a time if necessary.

How to Store:
Store in airtight container in refrigerator.
Repeat above process for each color of kool-aid play doh you want to make.

First day of school: Preschool Edition

2012-01-17T06:30:00.000-08:00

We received word from our childcare provider last week that she had been cited by the state for having too many kids. SO, because Charlie was the kid that attended the least, she suggested we find another place for him to spend his two days a week away from mama.

Now, we loved going to Emily's house, she had four kids and I constantly sought out advice on all kid related things. So naturally, I am a little bummed that we had to move on. She was very much an earth mother, commenting once on how Charlie was the only formula fed child she had ever watched...so you can get an idea on her clientele. I was the odd ball to the group. Charlie started going there at eight months and I'm pretty sure she laughed at my schedule when I handed it over, taped to the box of back up clothes and cloth diapers. What type of person uses cloth diapers, formula AND a schedule?
I always had the sense that she was singing,
Which one of these is not like the other????
Anyway, love was all that mattered and she gave a lot of it and that is why we enjoyed having Charlie at her place.
BUT I had a backup plan, Charlie had been on the wait-list at a preschool/daycare next door to my work. It is really structured and scheduled and completely what I had in mind when choosing a place for Charlie, but I wasn't in any hurry to send him there...I really felt the Waldorf style of learning was really appropriate for his age.

But here we are,conveniently starting our first day of school the week after we were blacklisted from our last childcare. Charlie's ready, Mama's not.

Shit Happens.

2012-01-16T14:10:00.000-08:00

If you're a runner, this has happened to you...

If you're a toddler, this has happened to you.

Shit happens.

Lions and Tigers and Bears, oh yeah!

2012-01-15T12:44:00.000-08:00

Charlie has been loving on animals these days and because the closest thing we have to a zoo in Sonora is cows, we made the trip to the Oakland Zoo over the weekend (we did this zoo a few months ago).
Why Oakland, you ask?
That is a good question, because when I think of Oakland, I think of riots and trashy/crazed Raiders fans...
But per the recommendation of, oh I don't know, everyone, the zoo in Oakland was better then San Francisco. Even Outside Magazine voted Oakland, California one of the twenty best places to live and I'm glad I kept my ignorance in check because driving into the city was pretty remarkable, the Oakland hills are astounding and the park system is supposed to be the best in the country (boasting over 1.7 million trees).
So yeah, the zoo was great, perfect for Charlie and all six adults in our party. The ratio was perfect, 6:1 allowing us to keep tabs on the boy the entire time, but I do now understand why parents put their kids on leashes...
Regardless, we had the chance to see all the big animals including the tigers, chimps, giraffes and elephants and we all left pretty tired and ready to enjoy the rest of the afternoon doing fun activities that didn't involve kids.

Oh, and Jessica pointed out that there are worse things than strep butt...

Badassness. Yup, it's a word.

2012-01-06T21:13:00.000-08:00

I've always been a pretty hard nut to crack when it comes to friendships. I'd like to consider myself a pretty loyal friend and to expect the same in return, makes it pretty hard for people. Unfortunately, I don't give a lot of second chances to shitty friends. I've always put my really good friends through some kind of trial, hoping they can pass the test, that is my extreme self, and still stick around for the fun/crazy stuff.

So with all that being said, I have some pretty rock star female friends, mostly from Michigan. My friendships in college rank among the most intense of my life, and I think this is the case with a lot of people. I wanted so much to be truly and thoroughly known and to know my friends in the same way. When I achieved that with awesome women or with my team, it felt vital, even sacred, having a huge impact on the person I've become.

In my ~~four~~ five years at Michigan, my friendship with Maya really evolved into a pretty special relationship. She "gets" me, like really gets me... And that is why I am so happy to be able to spend time with her 10 years later and in different places in our lives.

Can I take a paragraph to brag, on my incredibly brilliant, strangely remembrant, worldly, cultured and crazy friend? Maya came to Michigan when she was sixteen and had this crazy short, may I say...boyish?, haircut. She graduated with a degree in computer engineering, with quite possibly a 4.10 GPA, and more letters of recommendation then Ivanka Trump. She spent six years in the Israeli military, retiring as a freakin' Captain and with more knowledge of internal intelligence then she cares to share to this day. She continued onto an entrepreneurial start-up and worked in research & development for the flippin' electric car. Currently, she is getting her MBA at Columbia in NYC and is sporting beautiful, long, luxurious Hollywoodish locks. Can you say badass? Yeah, she's a total BADASS!

Does anyone wonder why I have such a hard time making friends to this day? A lot of my friends from college are this incredibly awesome in one way or another, so why would I settle for just a regular person? After all this badassness?

Anyway, she came to visit. And we had a blast.

Oh and my kid had strep butt.
Yup, you read that right. Most people get strep throat, my son has strep butt.

And if you haven't read this blog yet, you should. Please waste all of your valuable time reading the archives because that Suri Cruise is HI-LAR-I-OUS, and I do...

Happy 2012

2012-01-01T13:52:00.001-08:00

"Cheers to a New Year,

and another chance for us to get it right."

-Oprah

All our love to you and yours in 2012!

Love,

The Waelty's


Our NYE kiss, east coast time!

And so this is Christmas

2011-12-25T18:51:00.000-08:00

in pictures...ENJOY!

Santa Claus

2011-12-19T06:30:00.000-08:00

FYI, I'm not just trying to perpetuate my child's fear of Santa, but it hard when he brags in the backseat the whole way home from the train ride..."santa, santa, santa. ho, ho, ho." And then we get home and he wants to read all his Santa books and give kisses to the Elf on the Shelf.
And I'm all, "maybe he wants another chance with the big guy and I mean, it wouldn't really hurt for me to get a better picture to post on my blog. YES, lets do it. Lets try again, my child!

Yeah...no. I'm pretty sure he was good with the first visit.

...and the 2010 photo

Decembery Things...

2011-12-18T19:33:00.000-08:00

Another awesome weekend in unseasonably warm and sunny California. Have I bragged about how awesome the weather has been lately? Oh, I'd say its pretty hard to beat 300 sunny days a year (avg. for the foothills) but the end of 2011 is making a pretty good run at it. We haven't had a bit of precipitation, well unless you count that one day we had a high fog roll in, for the entirety of winter.
And 60's people. SIXTIES!
The only thing I'm kinda bummed about, is how little action my new Sorel rain boots have gotten...

So who doesn't love a December wedding when it is 65 and sunny?

But let me begin with how amazing our friends the Sealock's are...they took in our little bundle of toddler craziness and babysat this weekend. They were so great, spoiling Charlie, hanging out at the park, going on walks and straight up wearing him down so he slept like a champ. And I'm also going to send a shout out to MacGruber, their lovely doggie, who shared the love for the weekend and bullied him only when he needed it. Thank you Jessica and Wally!

Ah, the wedding! We spent Saturday celebrating Nick's cousin David and Annika's wedding day in Occidental. Occidental is this really cool, tiny town off the northern coast. If you are looking for a romantic getaway, I would definitely suggest this little town, buried in the redwoods and no cell phone service, so you have no other option to focus on your significant other. But as our luck would have it, we didn't have to focus on each other, but instead a beautiful bride and Nick's (extremely fun) extended family!
And I have no pictures to show for it...

We made it home just in time for the last Santa Train of the weekend, Railtown in Jamestown is just a few minutes from our house. And we got to do a six mile out and back on the real train (Movie Queen was her name) and meet Santa! Charlie absolutely loved the train, now Santa...not so much. He was literally shaking for twenty minutes after the big guy visited our section, hope he doesn't get coal this year!
Sidenote: Railtown is threatening to shutdown, due to lack of federal funding. And just as I wanted to start a Christmas tradition. All the more reason for us to support our state and national parks in 2012!

Poor guy, maybe next year!

and recovering.

goin' to the zoo zoo zoo

2011-12-11T19:58:00.001-08:00

Charlie has been really in to animals for the last few weeks, we have animal flashcards
and magnets that we go over everyday.

We say all the names and he tells me all their sounds.

He does a pretty dead on cat impression.

Oh and Santa is an animal too...

in case you didn't know.

He says squeak, squeak, squeak.

I didn't say the animals and the sounds matched up...

So, of course, being to close so San Francisco/Oakland/Sacramento. We had some pretty epic zoo options. But he is one and I'm thirty and I get achy sitting in a car too long, so we opted for a tiny private zoo in Stockton. We packed up the car, blasted Raffi from the Suburu's sound system and went to the zoo, zoo, zoo.

Nick, Charlie and I all agreed,
it was a pretty gnarly family fun day!

Waelty Family Pictures

2011-12-06T13:52:00.001-08:00

My in-laws turned sixty and sixty one last month, so we decided to get all the boys and their families together for family pictures. Joleen Willis did the entire group in Tuolumne the day after Thanksgiving.

We were a little high maintenance (its tough getting five families to cooperate) but I thought she did a great job on the photos and the setting couldn't of been more beautiful for fall photos.

Check It.

eighteen months!

2011-11-30T18:55:00.001-08:00

Charlie,
HI. HI.
You are a year and half old this week! I must say, this has been my absolute favorite stage so far!You have genuine emotion on your face at all times. You are either completely joyful or utterly pissed off and it can change in the blink of an eye. You are saying so many words, but mostly just repeating the last word of my questions.
Momma: Do you want to go outside?
Charlie: Outside!
M: Do you want to eat?
C: Eat!
M: Did you go poop?
C: Poop! (hehe)
Or even your favorite game with Daddy....
C: DADDY! D: CHARLIE!

so many words!

It has been really fun to watch you turn into such a little man, running around the park or crashing your trucks together. It just solidifies that 18 months later, we are all figuring out this family life, slowly but surely.

You dropped your morning nap at about 15 months and are now sleeping between 2 and 3 hours in the afternoon. Love! Love! that you are an incredible sleeper. You sleep 6:30pm-6:30am and go hard all hours in between.

You've got some issues too!.

If this particular truck look like this, it triggers a tantrum

No big deal, if it looks like this...

Shoes! You aren't a big fan of anything but the standard Keen. I've bought you some fabulous snow boots, rain boots, hiking shoes and baby Toms but you always proceed to throw a massive fit and tear them off your feet. Oh, just let you wear the Keen's! Right? Well you also refuse to wear socks and sandals (totally, understandable!) but it's now winter.

And Fur! A friend of ours bought you the cutest baby mountain hat, fur lined and super warm.
Uh, meltdown. OR, another friend has a cowhide rug and when we visit, you proceed to walk around it or cry until we cover it with a blanket. I'm pretty sure you were a PETA spokesperson in your previous life because in addition to the fur aversion, when the vulchers come around, you start to cry.

We love you through it all!
Love,
Mom and Dad

A pretty standard night at the Waelty house.

18 Month Stats
Height: 33 Inches
Weight: 27 lbs 11 oz.

Thankful...

2011-11-26T21:11:00.001-08:00

...for family
for my far, far away loved ones with whom i talk, text, or skype daily (or
several dozens times per day) to save my sanity. and for my small family here who teaches me patience and selflessness in a effort to begin new traditions. it means i have love and support.

...for friends/sister
for my small group of true friends. your words of encouragement, your words of wisdom, your words through the last few years of failures. it means i have a team.

...for health
for my outlet, my sanity, my original true love. it means i have life.

...for dreams
for the many successes, disappointments, the many visions of life. the glimmer of hope i still hold on to for my professional future. it means i'm a dreamer. it means i have hope.

want.need.wear.read

2011-11-21T10:23:00.001-08:00

I am a product of the self/over-indulgent baby boomer generation, my generation is full of takers. I was that kid who woke up to dozens of gifts under the tree and still threw a fit when I didn't get everything I had on my list.
So in an effort to not make Charlie into a little brat, we have decided on the "want, need, wear, read" tradition at Christmas time. And in doing so, I hope to restore a some simplicity to the holidays.

I originally read about this tradition on a mommy blog and was immediately excited, thinking, "ALONE we will combat consumerism!!!" And yes, I too still struggle, but maybe we can make it a little easier on our kids, a tad simpler. And so we embark on our first holiday with only four gifts. I'm pretty sure he won't mind.
Because four is better than ZERO.
Yup, last year he didn't get anything! (Did I just hear you gasp?! Yes, we are horrible parents).

And I have finished shopping, so here goes...

Want: Brio My First Railway Train Set
Need: an electric toothbrush (this kid has horrible morning breath)
Wear: The most adorable Gap sweater!
Read: Where is my belly button? He might be a little obsessed with this orifice and since I keep mine hidden in deep rolls, its always a challenge for him to find. But he still searches...in the grocery store and on airplanes.

Nick and I have also talked about adding a "give" part to this tradition, and because our local schools are in pretty rough shape, we'll be helping the local teachers through an amazing resource called donorschoose.org.

Happy Thanksgiving!

nice knowin ya 26.2

2011-11-14T19:36:00.001-08:00

Our weekend could have been a total disaster. Yup, all the evil vacation cards lined up to make it a horrible few days in Santa Barbara, but we Waelty's are tough...super tough, and we ended up having a fabulous time!

We planned to spend a long weekend in beautiful Santa Barbara, Nick would run a marathon on day one and we would spend the next few days exploring this amazing beach town and learning about where Nick spent four of his most formative college years.
Hell, it's the central coast in November...
We should camp!
With a one year old!
After a marathon!
In the rain...

Yeah...the weather wasn't perfect, so we bit the bullet, and got a hotel room on Friday night. It ended up working out so our marathoner could get a good night sleep pre-race day and Charlie had complete privacy in the bathroom (we used the lobby restrooms), allowing him to completely recover from a sleepless seven hour car ride.

This being Nick's first marathon, I was unsure on how he would handle everything, but he was just really excited before the start. I think it helped that he would be running through his old college stomping grounds. Who doesn't get excited when they enter the place that holds so many awesome memories?

Nick before the race

Charlie and I got our obligatory Starbucks (being first time race Sherpa's, it seemed to be a necessary accessory) and ran to meet Nick at mile two (I had to get in my run so I could enjoy the post race grease fest).

Nick looking fresh at mile two, check out the 3:30 pace group in the background.

We proceed to take a running detour to the park, to get some energy out, before running to meet Nick at mile 11.

Pretty cute!

Still looking good at Mile 11

And this is where I really dropped the ball at being an incredibly talented multi-tasker Mom.

At mile 26, it was either take pictures...

or have my child run aimlessly into the ocean
OR into the race,

so I opted for holding the screaming child in my arms while cheering to Nick

that he ONLY HAD A HALF MILE LEFT!

Oh, wait, recovered the camera in time for the back picture.

Nick finished his first marathon in the incredible time of 3 hours 25 minutes! He did so well, running consistently for all 26 miles. We are so proud of him and it was really fun for Charlie and I to watch him accomplish such a big athletic goal. I love that our kids will grow up watching their parents meet all sorts of lofty goals!

We celebrated at the local brewing company, with greasy food and beer. And within the hour, I was begging for Nick to pull over the car, in a deep sweat, I was needing fresh air.

Yeah, umm, I'm guessing it was food poisoning?

Regardless, I left my husband (who just ran 26.2) to set up camp and take care of our child while I threw up aimlessly in the trees, parking lot and brush. I'm sure our camping neighbors took me for a lush, who was losing my booze at 4 in the afternoon. Regardless, it turned out to be the worst 12 hours of my life.

Nick and I both agreed as we laid on a deflating air mattress at 6pm that night, that we wouldn't wish the pain we were in on our worst enemy.

And that is when the vacation turned, because we woke up in the morning to a hot shower, to wash the vomit out of my hair and the blood off of his blisters, and a walk on the beach. We both realized that we were in one of the most beautiful places on earth and we couldn't waste the day, so we spent another few hours walking aimlessly around UCSB and Isla Vista, visiting the ocean and Nick's favorite food spots. It was a fabulous trip and I'm grateful to Nick for sharing such a special place with us.

UCSB

Halloween

2011-10-30T14:09:00.000-07:00

It's Halloween!

And while I would never subject myself to looking like a fool and dressing up, it is really fun to make Charlie look silly and cute and take several (waaaaaay too many) pictures for his future humiliation.

He was mistaken for a girl a few more times then usual this week, so putting on his "Super Charlie" Halloween costume, along with those killer leggings (Superman wore tights, right?) didn't do a lot for the gender questions. Regardless of the questions, he looks "Super" cute! And because he didn't seem to mind the awesomeness/femininity of his outfit, he totally rocked it on the train and for one "Super" fine lady (his mama) of Tuolumne County!

And, in case, you didn't see the cape...it totally solidifies his "Super" hero status!

We hope you have a SUPER Halloween!

Gymnastics Class

2011-10-20T12:42:00.000-07:00

Charlie started his first gymnastics class today.

It is an hour class and we'll go once a week.

He was a little hesitant at first but he loved watching the other kids.

He ended up spending the majority of the class in a swing over the foam pit,

but I'm guessing he'll branch out a little more next week.

We had a lot of fun!

San Jose Del Cabo

2011-10-18T20:49:00.000-07:00

We're back!
We're rested, relaxed and waterlogged!
Well, only Charlie is waterlogged...but that is because he hasn't quite mastered blowing out, instead of sucking in when he is underwater. His ass is as red as Mars on a particularly high iron oxide day (why? because babies get diarrhea when they drink too much chlorinated water, fyi).

This is how he spent the majority of his vacation.

The Waelty family just spent five days in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico for a short (waaaaay tooooo short) 30th birthday celebration. We did absolutely nothing, hence the very little I have to update you all on.

We played a lot cards, read a lot of books and slept, well, a lot.

"fish, fish, fish"

"Hola, Dad"

He LOVED the ocean, must be like his Dad.

Nick spent about 3 hours a day...
on this board, in this ocean.

Heaven?

A few highlights...
The locals asked (more than once), what special cream we used on a Charlie's skin.

Is he that white?

The the cook at the closest taco truck, where we ate lunch everyday,

asked if she could babysit Charlie so we could go "party" in Cabo San Lucas...
Um, yeah, no.

What the "f**k were they thinking giving Mexico Baja California when they wrote up the Treaty of Gaudalupe Hidalgo. Can we go back a fight the Mexican/American war and add Baja into the equation? Kinda LOVED it.

ADIO

2011-10-12T14:22:00.000-07:00

The Wealty's are kinda bored with the same ole playground...

So, we're heading to Mexico for a long weekend.

We'll see you next week!

16 Months Later: Charlie's Wall

2011-09-28T08:43:00.001-07:00

I am finally decorating Charlie's bedroom wall. He surprised us by coming three weeks early and didn't allow for enough time to decorate the nursery.

Yeah, I'm just gonna blame him...

The original plan was for Nick's Dad/Brother to fabricate some cool metal "Charlie" contraption to cover the entirety of his wall. But we obviously weren't lucrative enough because they wasted their summer fabricating firepits and donating them to churches...

So, I stumbled upon the backup plan on Etsy, my search for "Halloween costumes" turned into "Vintage Art" and eventually ended with the vintage coloring book papers that are pictured below. So I negotiated the AWESOME steal price of $65. Now, if you are like my husband, your jaw just dropped BUT to decorate a wall for $65...that is a steal!

But, its a kids room, and he needed brighter art to cover his walls. And in all actuality, it would bother me if I decorated his wall with black photos and his furniture was espresso finish...
So I enlisted the craft talents of my awesome neighbor (who has an actual "craft room") and she helped me scan and Photoshop the photos into what you see below. I took the new pictures and glued them onto foam board with a spray adhesive and eventually spent about 30 minutes cutting them with a exacto knife.

It was a super easy project and ended up costing $20 in supplies + $65 vintage prints = $85
Pretty cheap for a whole wall, right?

But...I'm now stuck with these vintage prints, any takers?

Backpacking!

2011-09-26T19:09:00.001-07:00

All the boys (except Michael)...Nick, Bear, Jake, Jim, Matt and Steve

Don't be fooled.

We did not take our 15 month old on a week long backpacking trip into the high country.
No, I stayed home with our 15 month old (on my 30th birthday...) while Nick headed out on a 35 mile, 5 day backpacking trip into the Emigrant Wilderness.

The Bierman's had started an annual tradition of going backpacking years ago and it has sort of evolved into a time for all the boys (cousins, in-laws/out-laws, uncles, dads,friends) to enjoy some time together.
And I guess they do what boys do...
talk dirty, act dirty and get dirty.
Need I say more?

Nick was super excited to be invited to go on last years trip in Colorado. He had some great memories and he climbed a (his first) fourteener in the Collegiate Peaks. He was excited to do it again this year and was sequentially asked to plan the trip this year. They started on a Tuesday on the Pacific Crest Trail ontop of Sonora Pass and ended approximently 35 miles later,on Saturday, in Kennedy Meadows.

The boys taking off on the top of Sonora Pass.

Late Spring storms had left patches of snow, this is Matt charging on the hardest day.

Late afternoon storms heading their way.

A bizarre hail storm with ball bearing sized kernels, lasting 30 minutes, on first day of camp.

The sunset after the hail storm.

Jake's artistic moon shot, with Nick's tent lit up.

A picture of one of the many high country lakes.

This is a "head dunk" picture montage. This was their wake up call.

Very cold, snow-melt water.

Check out Bear offering Steve whiskey.

And one picture of my handsome hiker.

Woah, Woah...Slow Down!

2011-09-12T18:54:00.000-07:00

My baby turned fifteen months at the end of August.

And I didn't mention it on the blog,

because if I didn't talk about it...
well, it didn't exist...right?

He seems "brand new" and "big boy" at the same time and I just can't decide which I love more. He is this crazy awesomeness of a kid, who usually involves big highs and big lows (more highs) and whom I can hardly keep up with throughout the day. If I turn my head slightly to acknowledge the old people that think he is "sooooooo handsome (I agree)," he's either got one foot in the pool, tearing his diaper off in exhibitionist mayhem or screaming at the top of his lungs in the middle of the gym parking lot.

(exhibit one = My Vision of Charlie)

NO.
BIG.

DEAL.
I have this whole parenting thing u.n.d.e.r. control.

Most days, I have no idea on what we're are doing.

Fifteen months later, we still wonder if we are molding this little being into a contributing member of our crazy world. But we are doing our best,
he is growing bigger and taller and smarter.
That is the goal, right?

(exhibit two = my REAL Charlie)
15 Month Stats

Height: 32 Inches
Weight: 24.7 pounds

This Happened.

2011-09-10T23:19:00.000-07:00

Um, this just happened. Yeah Blue!

hoMe

2011-09-05T10:22:00.000-07:00

Charlie and I spent the last seven days in the only two places I could call home, prior to California. Indianapolis and Ann Arbor.

You CANNOT beat September in the Midwest, I know, I say it every time. BUT. It is like this amazing combination of blue skies/humidity/back to school/fall and football. There is like a certain "smell" in the air. It's just awesome.

Not to mention, the coolest playmates in all the land, his "big kid" cousins...Aiden and Ellie. And the most awesomest doggie on that side of the Mississippi (yeah, I just sang that to remember how to smell it)...Rudy. Needless to say, Charlie had a blast. He actually confided in me on the way home that he wanted to move there. Yup, Indiana.
Now, how do we convince his father...?

We also got to hang out with his super gnarly, grandparents. Mimi and Baba. And Papa Miguel. And his"Uncle" Jake. (I quote uncle, not because he isn't his real uncle but because he is only six months older, yeah, my family is "modern." What's it to you?)

I'm sure you are looking at these pictures, wondering about the "party in the back."

Well, it runs in the family.

I went north this past weekend, to probably, my most favorite place in the whole wide freakin' world. I got heart palpitations as I took the State St. exit off of 94. It just brings back the most incredible memories. Mind you, it was like 90 and sunny AND September! Ask me about walking to swim practice at 5:30 in the morning of my freshman year in January and I'll tell you a totally different memory. BUT I spent the weekend with the girls in a lot of those good and bad memories and it was just so great to be surrounded by such strong, successful, like-minded females. Ah, such a refreshing weekend. Thanks Ladies! Enjoy the photos.

Big Love.

2011-08-16T14:13:00.000-07:00

We have spent the last few weeks surrounded by some of the really awesome members of our family, we hadn't seen in awhile. We've been enjoying the end of our summer, doing all the summery stuff we didn't have time for earlier in the summer.

It began with a week long visit from Mimi, she came out to watch Charlie for a weekend, while I was working and Nick was celebrating a friend's wedding. During our week with Mimi, we went west, visiting the Bierman's in Aptos. We spent an afternoon at the beach and a day at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Charlie had a lot of fun playing with his cousins, Eli and Luke in their "Lost Boys" backyard, and still has the black eye to prove it.

At the end of the week, we all headed out to Colorado, where Mimi took Charlie and his cousins Aiden and Ellie for a long weekend. While Nick and I joined several other Watts family members and their friends for a 200 mile running relay into the Wild West. With the race motto being "Get Your Ass Over the Pass," you can only imagine the type of pain this race could inflict. The race kicked off for our team, Beer Runners, in Ft. Collins at 8:45am on Friday and finished a little after noon on Saturday in Steamboat Springs. 29 hours, 36 racing legs and 2 rabbit ears (11,000 + feet in elevation) later our team celebrated a 21st place finish overall and 3rd in our mixed division. Congrats Beer Runners and a BIG THANKS to my Mom for watching all those kiddos!

The team kicking off the race and our support van #1 and incredible driver Anna Lisa!

Amanda recording her "road kills" (number of runners she had passed) and me taking off on my longest leg, 2 miles straight up and 8 miles straight down.

Prepping Jenni for her 7 mile night run, she ran so fast, thinking there was a bear keeping pace.

We look rested and energized at our first van transition and Nick finishing his last leg of the race with a 5 mile downhill.

The team celebrating our finish!

water baby

2011-07-31T19:57:00.000-07:00

SO...
I finally caved to the pressure of my co-workers and planned a "mommy-and-me" swim class at Sonora Sports and Fitness Center. I was hesitant because I knew this class would involve singing and animation, both of which, were never my forte (have you ever heard me sing happy birthday?). But the class was a big success and sold out immediately! And I'm not really sure anyone cared that much about how horribly I sang the hokey pokey or ring around the rosie.

But the actual reason for this post was to brag about how Charlie was the star of the class.
He LOVES the water, drinks the water and gets diarrhea because of the water.
But he's pretty awesome!

1st Birthday Photos

2011-07-30T12:13:00.000-07:00

We did family photos in Indianapolis for Charlie's first birthday, with my mom and Bill and the Clarke's. We lost Ellie after about 10 minutes, to a face splat into the cement. But it was an otherwise uneventful and successful photo shoot for having three kids under 3 years old.

A story of a boy and his (ba)nana.

2011-07-17T20:27:00.000-07:00

"Wow," they say. "Such a big boy."

Which makes me laugh, because I'm sorry, it's increasingly clear that Charlie got the height of the Watts family -- the stocky limbs and the muscular calves -- and that he is our solid-but-pint-sized 17th-percentile-for-weight scrapper.

Which brings me to his big boy brilliance, because if I can't brag about his future as a Michigan football player, you better damn well believe I am going to brag about his fated PhD in...Banana-ology.

What is that, you say?

The boy's vocabulary has increased exponentially in the last week, it like, he has opinions and free will...?
He talks SO MUCH, saying "Hi" to everyone.
I mean everyone.
And while he looks like such a "big boy..." "They" ask him questions (that he clearly can't answer) but he cheerfully changes the subject.
"(Ba)nana!, Ellie!, Tree!, Ball!, Dada"

Because he is such a "big boy."

How do I know? Because every morning when I walk into his room and he says "mama" and snuggles into my shoulder giving me a big hug, I tell him...you're becoming such a "big boy."
And then we walk into the kitchen, where he repeats "nana" (like, I didn't hear him the first time?) until he gets a banana.

*P.S. While his verbal skills are highly advanced, he still has yet to sign "please" or "thank you," Which I have been consistently working on with him since he was FIVE MONTHS OLD!
You win some, you lose some.

P.P.S. Happy Birthday Jenni!
We love you and miss you tons!

HAPPY july.

2011-07-08T18:50:00.000-07:00

Yeah, yeah, right.

He's all cute and cherubic until you hear the blood curdling scream that comes out of his mouth when he doesn't get his way and/or he starts spinning and clapping at the same time and has a "drive-by" head smacking incident with the corner of our coffee table.

We've had a week here at the Waelty house.

And don't let this pretty face fool you...
This boy is FEISTY!

Why, you ask?
Could it be that molar he is cutting three months earlier than expected?
Or the fear that because I am walking three steps in front of him implies that I am
ABANDONING HIM FOR E-V-E-R?!?!

OR, could it be...
the fact that I am trying to teach
the wee one a simple life lesson
but instead I need to call in an freakin' exorcist?

I'm admitting here and now,
that I check the clock,
longing for 6:30pm,
because this boy has been wearing me ragged.
But check out his chunky belly
(in that adorable patriotic shirt)
and his perfect little smile...
those are the same reasons
why I can't wait for 6:30am!

Waelty Boy Mullets

2011-06-23T14:58:00.001-07:00

I was uploading recent photos and couldn't resist.
Really?
Really!

5th Annual Rafting Trip

2011-06-19T20:07:00.000-07:00

Our annual rafting weekend never seems to disappoint. Great friends come from near and far to enjoy this little float down the Stanislaus.
This year, was another epic year due to some treacherous conditions. The water temperature was a brisk 52 degrees and the river was "flowing five times higher than usual!"
After an early morning agreement to stay dry, the group enjoyed a beautiful day on the river with good company, cheap beer and only one swift water rescue.

Uh, couldn't help it. Quite possibly the cutest kid EVA.

It's Summer and I have a few favorite things...

2011-06-16T13:54:00.000-07:00

Nope, I'm not Oprah. But I love her...any consolation?
But because you're reading this...
Oh crap, nope, you won't be getting these things from me. Sorry.
But thanks again for visiting!

1) Songs on the radio.
Kieth Urban's Without You
One Republic's Good Life
Adele's Rolling in the Deep

2) Alba Botanica Sunblock
Have you checked out the FDA regulations on sunscreen? Well, the sun is hot and harsh here in the summer and I've already aged significantly in my 5 years in California, no more Midwest "dewy" skin for this gal. Alba is mineral based and is ranked really well on the Environmental Working Group's list for top sunscreen. Oh yeah, it's $5. Way cheaper then almost any other sunscreen on the list or at Target.

3) Lulu Lemon
'nough said.

4) GroVia Cloth Diapers and iPlay Swim Diaper s
We have used cloth diapers for Charlie's entire first year. The GroVia collection is about a $400 investment but it has been well worth it. Because of our high efficiency washer/dryer, our water/electric bill hasn't increased since BC (before Charlie). So I am estimating a cost savings of over $300 (and over 2,000 diapers from filling our earth). Now, we do use Seventh Generation diapers when we travel and at nighttime, but thanks to Amazon, we saved by buying in bulk. The GroVia diapers don't leak and the convenient snaps on the front grow as he grows. And lets be serious, they are so much cuter than disposables!

5) The BOB Revolution and Maclaren Triumph
Regardless of whether you are a serious runner or active parent, the BOB is the best!
And as far as umbrella strollers go, the Triumph takes the cake.
Spend the money, you'll thank me.

6) Veggie Crisps
Thank you Jessica, how could I have forgotten? These things are amazing, they are like potato chips but look like really salty dried veggies. Seriously, veggies that taste like potato chips!
GENIUS!
The best solution to those pre-menstrual days of craving really salty food. NW Delights is our vendor in Sonora, but they can be found in your bulk food aisle at healthy food stores.
Totally healthy for you, right? Just don't check the daily sodium percentage!

Yes, Charlie is napping and I've started getting a rash from not posting in over two weeks. Thanks for letting me push my materialism on you.

derriere

2011-06-01T12:58:00.000-07:00

Airing out his derriere
...on a hot Memorial Day in Indiana

Charlie, how old are you?

2011-05-31T19:11:00.001-07:00

Our little boy is no longer an infant, he can officially be classified as a toddler...an extremely mobile one, as he adamantly demonstrated on the trip to Indiana.
We began our trip with a flight delay on the tarmac in San Francisco.
Side note: If there is ANY chance of a flight delay, and I'm walking onto a plane with a very active little boy/new walker, it should be a requirement that airport personnel give all the other passengers the option of forgetting the flight via "men in black" neuralyzers...to wipe witnesses memory of inevitable meltdown.
Side note over.
Long story short, my little angel screamed for the duration of the flight.
4 hours, yup FOUR flippin hours!
Oh wait, we were also delayed in Chicago and when we finally boarded the plane at 1:30am. He endured another 40 minutes before passing out mid-cry upon the landing.
Awesome.
Well, we made it to Mimi's house and the boy was a total champ for the rest of the trip.

We celebrated Charlie's first birthday on Friday. We had a nice mix of relatives and friends come out to a BBQ. Charlie got to see his buddy Grant for the second time and they proceeded to avoid eye contact and play around each other. To their credit, it's always a little awkward after not seeing someone for awhile...right? We also got to visit with Dana and Darcy!
We sang Happy Birthday, and the birthday boy loved all the attention and the cool racecar cake Aunt Jenni got for him!

On Sunday, we handed off the boy to Aunt Jenni so he could spend the day with his cousins Aiden and Ellie. Nick, Matt and I headed to the track to watch the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500. It was an awesome race, and an exciting finish. We lost out on twenty bones because Dixon and Franchetti couldn't get the job done, but it was worth it to see a great race.

On Monday, we spent the day out on the lake, enjoying another 90 degree day, beer and wake surfing.

We had so much fun with the Clarke's and Mimi/Baba. We are so grateful for their hospitality and can't wait to come back again soon.

BTW, if you ask Charlie how old he is, he'll show you. He's so gifted!

our big boy is one.

2011-05-28T19:25:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday Charlie!
I cannot believe its been a year. It seems like just yesterday, you snuck up on us and surprised us 3 weeks early. But it's like I always say, if you aren't 15 minutes early...you're late.

You've become such an incredible little boy, and challenged us more than we could've ever imagined. But we couldn't imagine our lives without you. Thank you for the most wonderful year of our lives!

You have had an awesome month. You totally took the plunge and started walking. You wake up every morning and seem a little more thrilled about your new trick.
You have started mimicking...if I push enough, you'll try new words. Just yesterday, while reading a Suess book, you started trying "moo, moo." It sounds a little more like "doo, doo" but you make a really good effort. You say "hi" to everyone, it's pretty rough going through the grocery with such a social boy. We always have to stop and say "hi" to all the old people.
You seem a lot more aware this month, pointing curiously, at everything. You are always pointing at your crib (because of your blankie) and food is also a big one.

Charlie, we love you and Happy Birthday!

12 Month Stats

Height: 30 Inches

Weight: 21.6 pounds

Location:Indianapolis, IN

Year 2 = Cotton

2011-05-16T09:34:00.000-07:00

Two years ago today...
on a 100 degree day in Murphys, California,
I married this really awesome guy.

On that day, here is what I knew for sure.
He was one of the nicest, most genuine people I'd ever met. He didn't mind rubbing my back, all the time. He didn't judge anyone, including me or my crazy family. And he loves being surrounded by family and friends.

Today, all those things are still true. But he has grown into an extraordinary man, professional engineer and phenomenal father.
I love him. Happy Anniversary Babe!

Oh, and traditional anniversary gifts say that the second year calls for cotton. We limited ourselves to $30, just to force a little creativity. We've got a little date night tonight, so I'll let you know the results after the gift exchange.

And he's walking...

2011-05-16T09:06:00.000-07:00

finally?

The boy has been crawling since he was seven months old, so to be totally honest, I thought this day would have come a little sooner. He has been taking a few steps for the last few weeks but yesterday was the big day. A toy (or a cheerio, but "I don't believe in bribery"...wink, wink) would catch his eye and he would just go for it.

Uh, it's about damn time.

Oh...you experienced parents will tell me that I don't want him to walk...
"soon he'll start climbing and running." "He'll start getting scrapes and bruises."
But have you seen my boy's forehead? It is riddled in bruises, he runs straight into walls, tables and chairs. He uses a trash can as a walker and eats rocks and sand.
He is such a boy and to be totally veracious, I can't wait for him to run and climb (and get scrapes and bruises), he will finally feel the freedom that has agonized him since day one of his little life.

Eleven Months Big!

2011-04-28T09:17:00.000-07:00

Dear Charlie,
When I say "big," I mean "BIG". You are 11 months old today, creeping up on a year old, and you have definitely gained some LBS! You had a growth spurt and are now weighing in at about 20 pounds. You have cut two more teeth this month, giving you four on top and two on the bottom. You've also had your first haircut. People told me to wait, but you look so much better with a little trim around your ears.
You are a full time boy, wearing me out day in and day out.
You love your daddy. You know the sound of his truck and you look out the window, waiting for him to come home.
But my personal favorites, for 11th month, have to be the kisses you've started giving me and the time you'll actually sit still to listen to a book. You're going to be a sweet boy as you grow!
Oh, and you've taken approximately two steps and there is usually food involved..get on with it already!
We love you!

The Tiger Cub Speaks!

2011-04-20T19:02:00.000-07:00

Um, I'm obsessed with this woman and her family.
I just finished reading her book,
Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother

Her tiger cub, Sophia, started her own blog.
tigersophia.blogspot.com

Read it. Talk about it.

to cut OR not to cut?

2011-04-14T13:18:00.000-07:00

Charlie and I were going through our morning routine today...eating breakfast, making funny faces, and so on... Anyway, I snapped a cute picture of him using his new "spork" and sent it off to the family and a few friends. Well, THREE people texted back and commented on his hair. ("His hair is getting long," "What's wrong with his hair," "He looks a little WT")

I'm not offended...my family is very honest.

So I am taking a blogging poll...
Should I cut his sweet baby hair or leave the Donald Trump/mullet look for a few more months?

I'm. a. Monkey's. Uncle.

2011-04-04T09:29:00.000-07:00

I'm calling "uncle".
Yup.
The flu won...beat the Waelty's to a pulp.
I never get sick. Let me say that again, I NEVER get sick.

I haven't had a fever or the flu in decades. The last time I remember vomiting from sickness (not hungoverness) had to be when Jeb and I got the flu at the same time and he came over to spend the day with us. I vividly remember him telling me about going "number 2" and throwing up at the same time. I really believed him. But now, I just think he was trying to top my ability to only do one at a time. But I digress...

I can't claim invincibility any longer! Charlie unleashed the flu beast on Monday, I caught it on Thursday and I am pretty sure it's going to hit Nick within the next 24 hours.

Death. I thought I died. Not only did I think I was dying...but I called into work...SICK! In all my days as a working professional, I've never called in sick. It has definitely been a source of pride in my professional life, and within two months of starting a new job, I called in SICK. Evil Flu!

The only positive to all this sickness...Charlie was calm enough to sleep on our chests for the first time since he was a newborn. We kinda loved it.

10 Month Phlog

2011-04-03T09:56:00.000-07:00

Before Charlie...

2011-03-15T14:08:00.000-07:00

there were Aiden and Ellie.
Charlie's super cute cousins just got back from a trip to Florida.
Aiden is turning three next month and the pretty one with the chubby cheeks is almost 1 1/2!
Ellie can say "Aunt Erica" and that makes me super happy.

And after Charlie...
there has been Esther Joy Waelty (2.12.11) and Olivia Grace Waelty (3.5.11).
We are so excited to have two new cousins.
Welcome to the world girls!

Radio Flyer

2011-03-14T06:48:00.000-07:00

Mimi got the little man his first radio flyer wagon. Um, he loves it! But I cringe every single time he hits a wall, chair, door...

9 Months

2011-03-03T10:00:00.001-08:00

We've had a busy month, with only one picture to show for it! Charlie tried blueberries this morning, so I snapped a quick photo...just so I could blog during nap time.

Charlie started going to an at-home childcare a few days a week and he absolutely loves it! Miss Emily has two little boys, a 3 year old and a 1 year old that Charlie follows around all day. She says he keeps up really well and he is always exhausted (and dirty) by the time he comes home...which is a small victory in itself because he is impossible to wear out. And with our new family motto being "Work Hard, Be Nice" it is only suiting that I start working again. SO, just this month I started back to work with a marketing position up at Dodge Ridge. Unfortunately for me, the "work hard" part of the motto needed to be applied to something other than working out at the gym...
Enough about me, lets get back to the boy. He just had his nine month appointment at the doctor. All is good...he looks super healthy, weighing in at just over 18 pounds and 28 inches. When the doctor asked if I have any questions or concerns...I tried to mention the fact that his favorite toy is his bottle (full or empty) and if you try to take it away he screams bloody murder. But he replied with "that's just his personality!" except that in 3 months it won't be in his life anymore and I'm already trying to figure out how we are going to go about the mourning process...funeral? cold turkey? Or maybe we should just name it and let him keep one in his crib to avoid the battle? I can already hear my sister..."he's too old to be drinking out of a bottle, Ellie weaned herself at 4 months..."
Speaking of slow...he can't wave bye-bye or play patty cake, much to the chagrin of the doctor. But lets talk about what he can do...say momma and dada, possibly baby. He can scream really loud in public places, he can stand on his own for about 15 seconds and he can say va-room when he plays with his cars! By the way...we started working on patty cake and he's really close to getting it!

Mama?

2011-02-21T19:18:00.000-08:00

Is he saying Mama? You be the judge. He may also have "baby" in his vocabulary, we think he got this from his new childcare and in the last few days he has been saying it on command.

My Happy Boy!

2011-02-10T14:46:00.000-08:00

If any of the four people reading this blog were expecting anything but pictures and updates about our boy, I am sorry to disappoint...
but he's growing so fast!
I got this video from one of my babysitters and it was just so funny, that I had to share.
Thanks Kelsey!

"SUPER" Fun Weekend!

2011-02-06T19:52:00.000-08:00

We had such a perfect, fun weekend! I hate to rub it in (east coast peeps) but the weather was absolutely beautiful (high 60's), so we spent most of it outside. We went for a short little hike with our friend Brie. She has made the move back from Texas (where she graduated from A&M nursing school as valedictorian). SIDE NOTE...I love having awesome, smart, beautiful, successful, empowered female friends...I love bragging about them too!

Today, it was warm enough to go swimming. I've been so excited to take Charlie to the pool. He didn't mind being in the water, he was pretty indifferent...well, until I dunked him. I got this sweet pouty face the rest of the swim.

8 Months Big

2011-01-28T13:27:00.000-08:00

Baby Charlie,
You have become such a sweet baby boy in the last month. Everyone comments on how happy you are at any given moment. You smile at anyone and everyone. Your smiles make my day, but those same smiles make all those other people we encounter throughout the day happy too! You love to go see other people and haven't experienced any stranger anxiety as of yet.
You love having your babysitters come to the house or going to daycare at the gym, because of all the other little kids to play with...you are already giving me "the look" when I come to pick you up. It's like your saying, "5 more minutes...please...pretty please?!"
You still love being outside and because we've had the most fabulous January, we get our dose of vitamin D daily.
You started crawling on New Years day and we can't seem to slow you down. You crawl, climb, & fall more times then we can count. You had your first major fall, which resulted in a big knot and bruise on your forehead. At this rate, we've got many more bruises to come...but keep exploring baby boy.
You've had a growth spurt, growing another inch and weighing in at 17 pounds. You love your food!
We've had so much fun watching you grow bigger, smarter and stronger. It has been our favorite month so far!

The "ALOT" Monster

2011-01-24T19:10:00.000-08:00

I have two pet peeves in this world. Yes, only two.
1) When people spell their babies name phonetically, because they are too ignorant to spell it correctly or they just want to be "unique." Yes, you're right...your baby is a perfect snowflake.

2)When people don't use proper grammar and/or spelling and/or capitalization and/or punctuation in their respective Facebook status updates and/or text messages.

That is it, only two.
But read this blog post:
The Alot is Better Than You at Everything.
Oh, and next time you think about typing with your talons, think again...

SPRING!

2011-01-22T14:30:00.000-08:00

Nope, it's still January.
But it feels like spring!

Superior Parenting?

2011-01-11T10:19:00.000-08:00

I just recently got back from a coaching clinic in Napa and while several of the speakers were good, it was a lot of the same things reiterated. I was fortunate enough to have great coaches at Carmel and Michigan and they were ahead of their time on the science of racing and training (yes, I was listening...).
That being said, one speaker resonated with me; more as a new parent then a swim coach. He referenced several books (The Talent Code/How to talk to your kids...) but the gist of his lecture was that our kids need to learn how fail in sports because it the safest place to fail. Imagine if the first place they fail is college or marriage...then what? He also pushed the point that we shouldn't just give praise, allow for your child to earn their praise and then give it. So I've been thinking about this for the last two days and this morning I stumble upon this article in the NY Times (Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior). Please read it, whether or not you agree, it has great points.
My favorite statement in the entire article is,
"What Chinese parents understand is that nothing is fun until you're good at it. To get good at anything you have to work, and children on their own never want to work, which is why it is crucial to override their preferences."
I hope I remember this down the road. Any thoughts?

Wounded Soldier?

2011-01-10T11:08:00.000-08:00

He might have a bum left arm, but he gets where he is going...

CHEESEBURGER!

2011-01-06T10:41:00.000-08:00

The cousins were startling my boy!

(Quick) 7 Month Update

2011-01-01T16:22:00.000-08:00

Charlie turned 7 months during our Florida trip. We don't have a lot to report, except that he is getting chubby. He has gained over a pound in the last month, weighing in a 15 lbs 9 oz on our last doctor's visit. Thank you Similac!
(my breast milk was obviously more like skim milk)

He is so close to crawling and possibly getting his two upper teeth, so we have a lot to look forward to in the next month!

We hope everyone has a happy and healthy 2011.
Happy New Year!

All I needed for Christmas...

2010-12-31T15:04:00.000-08:00

was a real good tan, except we got record low temperatures for an entire week on our visit to the Sunshine State. That was my only negative statement of this entire blog post. Traveling with a squirmy seven month old was trying (to say the least) but how lucky were we that our travel plans worked out perfectly? And we were fortunate enough to visit family over the holidays?!
I haven't been home for Christmas in over 10 years, so I INSISTED on spending 2010 with my family. Except my family was spending it in Florida.
Little did they know, where ever they go...I follow!

We spent the week with Mom, Bill, Jenni, Matt, Aiden and Ellie on Longboat Key on the Gulf side of southern Florida. It was my first visit back to the state since moving from Jacksonville and there were definitely some things I missed (#1 being raw oysters!).
We were limited in activities because of the weather but we did enjoy the opportunity to get in long runs/walks, hang out with the cousins, drink Yuengling and get in enough Mimi time to last us until May. Enjoy our pictures....

Santa Claus

2010-12-19T09:40:00.001-08:00

Now What?

2010-12-18T10:22:00.000-08:00

Charlie's thought bubble...
"Quit telling me to 'go for it'! I've gotten myself this far, isn't that good enough?"

The Giggles

2010-12-09T18:39:00.000-08:00

This was just a random moment before bedtime. Isn't he so stinkin' cute?

Ooooh the GUILT.

2010-11-30T19:28:00.000-08:00

I've always had a guilty conscience. As a kid, whenever I would lie, it would just eat at me. I remember laying in bed praying to God for forgiveness. Ironically, this was also the time I quit praying because I figured it was easier to quit lying then is was to always ask for forgiveness. Hence my horribly candid personality.

As I got older, the guilt would eat a me if I missed a swim practice or thought I didn't work hard enough in a workout. I still don't understand why Nick doesn't feel "bad" when he has a day off from exercising.

Forget what Freud would say, it's weird right?

BUT being a mom has brought on more guilt than I could have ever anticipated.
I feel guilty about everything...
I feel guilty for taking him to childcare at the gym.
I feel guilty about leaving him with the babysitter.
I feel guilty about leaving him with his Dad.
I feel guilty about working.
I feel guilty about letting him cry.

It's like ending every day knowing I could have/should have done a better job at being a mom.

Anyway, I bring this up because today we went to Charlie's 6 month appointment at the doctor and come to find out the kid has only gained 4 ounces in the last two months. Really? Do I suck that much at feeding my kid? I mean, he is always fussy after he eats. He is always pissed when you take away the boob or the bottle. But let's be real, his Dad can't carry on a conversation during a meal because it would interrupt the constant stream of food from plate to mouth. Both of the boys give me stink eye if I try to talk while they're eating.
But really, only 4 ounces???

So yes, I've been starving my kid for the last two months. Guilt isn't even a good word to describe what I am feeling...culpable, sucky, horrible, bad? Bad. I feel really bad.

SIX months gone!

2010-11-28T10:19:00.000-08:00

Our little boy has lived a half of year already!
Charlie, so little has happened this month, but in a big sort of way. We've had a lot of fussing and drooling this month, which resulted in a tiny bottom tooth (just one). When you weren't reminding us how much pain that tooth was causing you, you were hamming it up for us or the mirror. You love when people watch you do something special, like sit up or get on all fours.

You've also became quite an eater. You have tried banana, avocado, sweet potato and mango in the last two weeks. You'll eat anything! Some of your other favorites include but are not limited to our watches, the remote control, paper and glasses.

You've also dropped a nap and are currently taking only two a day. This was hard for us to adjust to but you fell into your new routine perfectly. You also have started saying your "da" sound which sounds a lot like "dada." I've been slightly offended, but it has suitingly gone along with your new found affection for your daddy.

Not much has changed weight or height wise, you are still holding steady at about 27 inches and 14 lbs. Our goal this month is to put some meat on those bones!

We are looking forward to spending our first Christmas with you in Florida, surrounded by family and warmer weather!

Thanks Giving.

2010-11-26T13:50:00.000-08:00

I talk a lot about myself in this blog,
I talk even more about Charlie...
but I rarely talk about Nick (unless I'm making fun of him).
So I've probably never mentioned how lucky Charlie and I are to have him in our lives.

When Nick and I got married, I knew he was the one for me because he would rub my back almost every night.
Now that hasn't changed,
I just have to beg a little longer and a little louder.
I'm so grateful for an incredible 2010,
and I owe a lot of it to Nick.
Love you Babe!

November in California

2010-11-11T08:55:00.000-08:00

The boy likes books...
Forget the tripod or the slow motion fold.
He started sitting up...
for real, like really.And its warm out.
Too warm to wear his new sweater.
But it looks so darn cute on him.
Thanks Aunt Liz! (don't worry, I won't tell Jenni that you made it for your favorite nephew, while Aiden and Ellie's projects pile up in your knitting corner)
Side note: I know what you're thinking,
"wow, it looks like he has a little red in his hair."
But no, he doesn't. He doesn't.
Because if he did, I would have no idea who he got it from.
Watts people may say Great Aunt Rita,
but I don't think that was real...so no one.
No red, just looks like it!

Ellie's 1st Birthday!

2010-11-10T22:28:00.000-08:00

Happy 1st Birthday Ellie!

Halloween 2010

2010-10-31T20:06:00.000-07:00

Our little lion on Halloween...

Prior to getting into costume, Charlie sat up for several minutes, just staring at the Stoli bottle (we were making Oprah's now famous, Moscow Mules, try it out here).
This was the longest he has ever sat up (if you call it that), it is only a matter of time...

i LOVE this butt

2010-10-31T19:16:00.000-07:00

My new camera takes beautiful pictures!
This was one of my favorites from today.
That is one cute butt!

5 Months

2010-10-29T08:28:00.000-07:00

Mister Charlie,
I think last month was the calm before the storm. Just today you started screaming; awful, horrible high- pitched screams. I think you actually scare yourself a little bit. My thoughts went straight to something my mother used to say,
" I brought you into this world, I can take you out!"
Wow really...
Now that I have written it, it seems a little harsh.
But think of it more as..."I gave you that scream, I can take it away!"

You are a full time tummy sleeper, with your arms tucked up tight underneath you (like your mama).
You only giggle if we work really hard and you rarely let us video those high pitch laughs.
Outside is still your happy place.
You can sit up for about a minute before you collapse in half. And while you love flying in the air over our heads; you love rolling a lot more.

You still throw up, a lot. But I think its getting better OR we are just getting used to it. I am always equipped with a bib and a burp cloth!
You just started taking showers with us and you LOVE how the water drips over your face!
You are still really long, approximately 27 inches...but fairly lean at only 14 lbs.
You are bored/distracted/frustrated when you nurse, and would prefer a never-ending/fast flowing bottle to the boob any day.
AND you are finally sleeping 12 full hours at night, in addition to 3 x 90 minute naps during the day.

The Clarke's

2010-10-28T19:27:00.000-07:00

Jenni told me I needed a hobby...
Not gonna lie, I get a little bored during C's naps.

Check out Jenni's blog!
http://www.aidenjamesclarke.blogspot.com/

Lovin' the Love

2010-10-11T11:45:00.000-07:00

“The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in.”

I'm a firm believer that you can never be loved by too many people. And one thing is for sure, Charlie will have a lot of love in his life. We recently had a long October weekend to visit friends.

Lesley and Heath Novak came into Sacramento for a wedding, so we made the trip for lunch. Although, we didn't get to see Heath...Lesley spent the long lunch giving Charlie all the love in the world, baby talk and all. He ate it up, enjoying all the snuggles and kisses he could get in one afternoon.

Later that day, we made the drive over to the East Bay so Nick and Wally could go to WhiskeyFest in the city. We got to spend Friday night with Jessica and MacGruber, we went for a long walk and ate really good sushi. On Saturday, everyone woke up early (except Nick) to love on Charlie. Again, he took it all in and enjoyed the attention they gave him. He even got to go out in the garden and see all the cool things the Sealock's are growing! Thanks for the hospitality guys!

Unfortunately, Michigan didn't come off the weekend with a W...maybe it was his new Michigan shirt...

Indiana, Oh Indiana

2010-10-07T19:41:00.000-07:00

I absolutely LOVE fall in the Midwest and last weekend didn't disappoint. The weather was so beautiful and it was just nice to be immersed in it after a week straight of 100+ degree days here. We had the opportunity to just enjoy our first few days in Indiana with nothing on the agenda but visit.

We stayed with Jenni and family. Aiden and Ellie are getting so big! Ellie is 10 months and we were fortunate enough to see her take some of her first steps. She does have a perma scowl on her face but every once in a while, she'll grace you with a smile. I hope she learns to give up the smile a little easier because with that haircut...
As for Aiden, "terrible two's" do apply, but when he is in a good place...he is SO much fun and talking like crazy! My favorite words are obviously "Aunt Erica," "Uncle Nick" and "poop" (just because its funny). So cute!

Darcy also stopped by for a short visit. She too, enjoys pink champagne, so we enjoyed a glass or two while catching up. It was so good to she her again!!

On Saturday, we planned a trip to Bloomington for the Michigan vs. Indiana football game. Oh wow. The rain and the tempers poured! It rained the whole trip down there, our cooler spilled over the entire back of the truck and traffic was crazy bad. IU just renovated their stadium and this being the first sold out game left for something to be desired... We finally got to our parking spot about an hour before game time. Everyone was a little tense, but nothing that a few beers and some fried chicken couldn't cure.

The game ended up being closer than expected. IU played so well and it was actually a fun game to watch. Well, it could have been more fun if not for the absolute idiot that sat behind me. He acted as if he knew everything! He was super loud and obnoxious and of course, he was an IU fan. But it was really fun being back in Memorial Stadium. Jenni and I spent a lot of fall Saturday's there as kids...staring at the Red Steppers and hoping we'd be that pretty in college...

Anyway...GO BLUE! 5-0!
(and a big thanks to Mimi for babysitting)

4 Months Already!

2010-09-28T11:12:00.000-07:00

4 Month Stats...

Weight: 13 Lbs 15 oz.
Height: 26.25 inches

Charlie,
You are already 4 months old and while the first few months were a great learning experience, I don't miss them at all. Things are so much better these days. You are rolling all over the place, babbling to us, and giggling at everything from your purple elephant to the ceiling fan.

As you become more mobile, you are loving life a little more. Just this weekend, I had left you in the middle of the carpet to go fold laundry and you had rolled all the way to the floorboard. And while you still get really frustrated that you can't crawl, our previously stoic baby finds humor in the fact that you can now somewhat move.

We are heading to Indiana this weekend for a little Watts family fix, we are also going to the IU/Michigan football game in Bloomington. Hopefully, you'll be your typical angel (clouded?) self on the plane rides!
Oh yeah, GO BLUE!

A Reflection: 10 Years Ago...

2010-09-10T20:17:00.000-07:00

As I read another article about Ann Arbor being #2 at something (A2 ranks #2 on best college towns) (always a bridesmaid, never a bride...blah, blah, blah), I am reminiscent. 10 years ago this week, I started classes at the University of Michigan. I could cry right now, just thinking about it. Oh wow. I love you Michigan, I love you Ann Arbor.

My mom moved me into West Quad (#504) after a rough summer, including my parents divorce. I was ready for a fresh start. And while, it took me a year to adjust...I quickly realized that I was taking part in the most amazing college experience ever! And while U of M was only the beginning of my journey to adulthood, I can look back and really appreciate the imprint it has made on my life.

So tonight, on the eve of the Michigan v. Notre Dame game, I raise a glass to you, University of Michigan! Always #1 in my heart. I love you. And GO BLUE!

We've got a roller...

2010-09-07T08:56:00.000-07:00

As I dropped Charlie off at child care last week, the lady quickly told me that he had rolled over. NO, I thought, you're so full of it! He was just 3 months old and I wasn't there and let's be serious...he wouldn't perform such an amazing trick in front of a total stranger...shouldn't he save his talents for the woman that gets up with him at night and has freely given him her boobs?

As the next few days passed he didn't show any desire to showcase a new talent so I didn't even think that she had been serious. Then, with the video camera rolling, in an attempt to get a smile for Mimi...he rolled over for me! (he was 100% naked in the original, so another video is below). So as I sent the video to my family, I was so impressed with my little man...now I just want to kill myself.

It started yesterday morning, from 5:30am on he rolled himself over 3 times. Now this would be fine a) if he knew how to roll back b) if he liked to be on his stomach c) if he couldn't die of SIDS.
But none of those things apply to Charlie... He hasn't shown that he has the slightest clue on how to turn back over. He hates being on his tummy, despising every moment of "tummytime" since he was born. And everything about SIDS says, they are in the clear after 4 months of age.
So last night, at midnight, when I wake up to him crying...why is he up? Oh, he is on his tummy AGAIN! And 3 more times before he fell asleep 30 minutes later. Oh at 3:45am, who is up again...Charlie on his stomach and 2 more times before he eventually fell asleep on his tummy and that is how I woke him at 6:30am.

Oh wow, be careful what you wish for...

3 Month Photo Shoot

2010-09-01T11:10:00.000-07:00

Wally said it best...this boy could care less about people, but LOVES trees. A True Waelty!

It's only suiting that these pictures were taken outside on a beautiful day because that is the only time I get smiles like these...

3 Month Stats...

Weight: 13 lbs 5 ounces

Height: 25 Inches

4th Annual Rafting/Camping Trip

2010-09-01T08:31:00.000-07:00

We were insistent upon having our 4th annual rafting trip this year, regardless of life's little changes. And because it was a different weekend, in a different month, we didn't get our usual turnout. But we did have the usual diehards make the trip from all over the state to camp and raft down the Stanislaus. I, unfortunately, didn't get to go on the trip but I heard it was a total blast, as always (see pictures). It's good to have friends that don't let traditions die easily!

Good Morning Boys

2010-08-24T07:08:00.001-07:00

CIO Day #4

2010-08-24T06:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was so great, he slept 11 hours the night before and proceeded to have two beautiful naps, with limited crying before and during. His 3rd nap left something to be desired but again 2 out 3 ain't bad. I know we still have a ton of work to do and he is not quite there yet. But, I think the really hard part is over now that I know he is totally capable of self-soothing and falling asleep on his own.

I'm going to call it like it is...a success! Thanks for everyone's support!

CIO Day #3

2010-08-22T15:59:00.000-07:00

Nick came home from his camping trip today to a baby boy that took two perfect 90 minute naps. And then nap #3 came and our boy showed his true colors. The stubbornness that we'll love and hate over the coming years emerged just in time for daddy to see the reality of what mommy has been through the last few days...

2 out of 3 is still progress!

CIO Day #2

2010-08-21T21:54:00.000-07:00

I knew these fews days would be tough, but to be honest...I thought he would catch on a little faster. Charlie has never had trouble falling asleep so that really hasn't been the issue the last few days, it has been staying asleep. And like clockwork, the boy sleeps for about 30 minutes and cries the rest of his nap. I wish I could say today was better, but it wasn't. I'm stubborn enough to hold my ground, but who knew he was also?

CIO Nap #3

2010-08-20T20:52:00.000-07:00

A girl definitely deserves a stiff drink after a day like to today...

He fell asleep fairly easily again on his third nap but woke up and cried for an hour before falling asleep for about 10 minutes. He was a total stud, staying awake during all his wake times. He was even fairly pleasant this afternoon for Wally & Jessica's visit. I am just hoping for a really great night and some progress on sleep training day 2.

CIO Nap #2

2010-08-20T15:08:00.001-07:00

Again, Charlie feel asleep really easily, after about 5 minutes of crying. But he woke up after 30 minutes and continued into a marathon cry session for another 30 minutes. He finished the nap with about 20 minutes of sleep. It isn't ideal but it was better than our first nap.

It's still really sad but he's a quick learn...hopefully we'll have it down by the end of the weekend.

CIO Nap #1

2010-08-20T09:21:00.000-07:00

We have an intensive few days at home this weekend, starting our doctor approved "cry it out" session. Charlie sleeps fine at night, so we are really just working on napping in his crib, since a) I can't hold him for all his naps b) I'm back at work. I am writing this 60 minutes into nap #1 and it really is heartbreaking. He fell asleep initially and slept for about 34 minutes. I had thought this was too good to be true. But he has been awake for about 25 minutes crying like crazy. I have gone in to check on him every 5 minutes and he seems to be slowly loosing energy. But I'm really hoping he falls asleep soon so I can finally pick him up!

Update: Almost 2 hours into the nap he fell asleep again and woke up 5 minutes later. Success! I finally got to pick him up and say I was sorry.

11 Week Update

2010-08-18T14:00:00.000-07:00

I feel like Charlie has grown up so much in the last 3 weeks. Even my mom and Jenni noted the difference just in the time we were in Indiana. He has become so much more independent, playing on his mat or chair for 30-40 minutes. He is grabbing things in his hands and starting to really smile and look at me at the same time!

We went for his 2 month appointment yesterday (3 weeks late) and he weighed a whopping 12 lbs 11 ounces and was 24.5 inches tall. He also received those dreaded 2 month shots and cried (red faced) like crazy. My heart broke a little. He had no idea what pain felt like until that moment.
As for his reflux, we are going to try Zantac. I was hesitant about putting him on a prescription med but his throwing up is pretty excessive. I am hoping this will just make him a more happy baby and I won't have to change my clothes so many times in a day.

Our most exciting news to date is that the boy is finally sleeping through the night. Over the last week, we have gotten between 8-10 hours out of him. I know, I shouldn't get ahead of myself because he may regress a bit (at least that is what everyone tells me) but I am a whole new woman with all this sleep! And it was just in time for me to go back to work. I am only working a few hours a day but this is extremely hard. Just today, I've checked on him 3 times. He gives me that look, you know, the "mom, I'm fine!" look. Oh so sad.

This weekend, I am having him "cry out" his naps. As much as I love holding him for hours on end, I need to have him nap in his crib. I know it is going to be hard, but it will be what is best for him and our family in the long run. And while I know that everyone has different feelings on the subject, I would like to share our experience and keep the blog updated on his progress.

Vacation Part 3: Family Reunion

2010-08-16T20:47:00.000-07:00

Ahh...the Watts family reunion. I realize that all families are crazy and the Watts family probably isn't any more crazy than the average. But, wow, 8 brother/sister Watts' and 20 some cousins can create some DRAMA! Regardless, it is always good to see my aunts, uncles and cousins.
Jenni and my Dad were both fabulous hosts, feeding and drinking us through 3 days of boating and socializing. But if we're voting, my vote is for just 2 days next year...

We also got to visit with Dana and Grant while we were in Carmel. It is always nice to see Dana, but even more so now that we are both going through the same emotional experience of being a new mom. We had lunch at Cafe Chou (which I definitely recommend if you are ever in Carmel and do try the Blackberry Mimosa) and exchanged stories of mommahood. Grant is almost 5 months and is so cute, with these great big cheeks that you just want to squeeze! He also flashed more than a few smiles over our lunch and it really makes me look forward to when Charlie gives up a smile so easily.

Vacation Part 2: Crested Butte

2010-08-11T14:39:00.000-07:00

Jenni and I had originally planned to meet at the Denver Airport but with me being in Indy we got to travel together. She was traveling kid-less, leaving her kids with the in-laws for the first time... And for what began as the trip from hell, ended with the beautiful wedding that Jeb and Sam shared with us.
We arrived in Denver a tad late, which normally wouldn't matter but we had a four hour drive ahead of us and we really wanted to get on the road to meet our husbands and the rest of the family in Crested Butte. We also had to meet the babysitter at the rental car place so we were definitely rushing.
We got on the road pretty fast, and despite our hood coming loose ad several shifting problems the car was getting us there. Charlie, again, was a total champ. He took his bottle, played for about and hour and drifted off for the rest of the car ride. But we, like I said before, were in total hell.
And this babysitter may have been the worst part! She was a twentysomething, new college grad with more stories and drama to fill the endless hours including every wrong turn we took along the way. I blame all our wrong turns on her a)because she was riding shotgun b) because she kept saying "when we get to Vail." Well guess what? We don't drive through Vail!!! And these roads were straight out of horror movie, in the dark rocky mountains. It was only a matter of time before our car died on us and some good samaritan killed us all (our car didn't die and neither did we).
Oh yeah, and it Leadville...we got a speeding ticket from officer Rameriz and he didn't even give us a chance to explain ourselves!!!
6.5 hours later we drove into Crested Butte and began the celebration that was Jeb and Sam's wedding. The ceremony was absolutely beautiful and the bride and groom were radiant throughout the whole thing. The backdrop included an awesome display of nature, something that is really a metaphor for this couple. Congrats Jeb & Sam, thanks for letting us share your day!

Vacation Part 1:Indy

2010-08-03T11:40:00.000-07:00

As I headed into the last few weeks of my maternity leave, I came to the conclusion that this parenting thing is really hard. Being at home with Charlie for his first 10 weeks has been a blessing but I was starting to get some cabin fever. I loved cuddling with him during his naps and singing the Victors over and over again, but I could do without the days in my PJ's, covered in throw up...
And with Nick heading to the Colorado mountains for a backpacking trip, I didn't think I could do it alone. So I bought a last minute plane ticket back "home" and decided to share the love (and the throw up) with my mom and my sister.

As for the plane ride, Charlie was a total champ. He didn't make a peep the entire time and even endured nursing in the bathroom and being changed on the floor (what airplane doesn't have a changing table?). The minute we got into Mimi's car...he let loose for a 40 minute cry home from the airport. But really, who can blame him?

The rest of the trip was uneventful but relaxing as we got to visit with family, and got ready to make a long trek to Crested Butte, CO for Jeb's wedding weekend.

Toothless Grins

2010-07-28T09:00:00.000-07:00

These pictures don't do them justice but our baby boy FINALLY started smiling!
2 Month Stats...
Weight: 11 lbs 10 oz.
Height: 24.5 inches

sleepy boy

2010-07-18T08:55:00.000-07:00

7 week UPDATE

2010-07-18T08:02:00.000-07:00

Charlie turned 7 weeks on Friday. It is crazy how fast our little man is growing up (cliche?) but he is getting so big! I spent the weekend retiring his newborn clothes to storage and pulling out all the 0-3 month outfits. I am guessing he is probably around 10 pounds and while his head looks huge, his arms, legs and torso are just freakishly long. We see a lot of half smiles but no genuine (there is my mama) smiles. But while he is a little behind the curve on the facial muscle front...he is extremely advanced when it comes to head/neck strength and using those legs muscles. Nick thinks he can stand independently, and well, Charlie thinks he can too. That is why he spends the majority of his waketime on his feet because he gets pissed if you try to lay him down or sit him on his bottom. He is in his happy place when he is standing on his feet (his only other happy place is sleeping).

Speaking of happy places, I will not claim that we have a happy baby. He is riddled with gas and reflux. But he is slowly working through these things and has found a new calm the last few days.

I will make the claim that we have a really good sleeper. His nights are getting longer and he only gets up once to eat. He does wake us up over the monitor, in the AM, to a musical of farts...loud, long, drawn out farts. He lets out his sigh of relief and falls back into his comfortable slumber.

As for his Mama...we are trying to take it day by day. I have to remind myself not to wish away the days. I am constantly thinking about the future...when will he sleep through the night? When will he sit up on his own? When can I stop nursing? But he won't be this small or perfect for forever and I just need to enjoy it now. I miss my mom and sister more than ever and am looking forward to a little help with long trip back to Indy next month. As for his Dad...he is so good with Charlie and so helpful to me. He is enjoying his role, making up songs and reading him books. He even lets me go for a workout or take a quick nap in the evenings after a long day a work. We love him!

Enjoy some pictures from the last week...

Little Man

2010-07-02T09:04:00.000-07:00

Our little man is becoming quite a chubby man...9lbs at his last check-up. It's pretty easy to see why, he eats and sleeps. Waking this baby up for "play time" is a full time job!

Rags and Roses

2010-06-24T16:02:00.000-07:00

I read somewhere that the key to a successful marriage is to have 23 minutes of uninterrupted time to talk to your spouse each day. So we try to talk about our "rag" and our "rose" of the day over dinner. Lately my rags and roses has had to do with this little human that has entered our lives. Yesterday was a day full of roses, today was a day full of rags. But you can't help but think he is the cutest thing ever!

Cousins

2010-06-13T20:47:00.000-07:00

Natalie and Bridget came to visit Charlie this afternoon, and he was wide awake to greet them! They have been waiting for a cousin for 7 years now and now that he is here, they realize he isn't that much fun to play with yet...give it a few years girls!

HAIL!

2010-06-12T22:27:00.000-07:00

Check out Charlie's HAIL pump...we start 'em early in this family. GO BLUE!

Aunt Jenni Visits!

2010-06-06T20:12:00.000-07:00

Aunt Jenni surprised us this week and came to meet Charlie! She flew in for a mere 24 hours, but it was an amazing trip. I couldn't have gotten through my pregnancy or the first week as a new mom without the hundreds of phone calls to Jenni so it was so nice to have her here to help!

Charlie got his first bath and first walk with Aunt Jenni!

My Labor Story

2010-06-01T18:37:00.000-07:00

I am sitting down to write this post so I remember my labor just like it happened. So many times people would tell me their own story or to tell how beautiful and spiritual the labor experience had been. I usually just listened, but the only thing on my mind was "at least he'll be on his way out." But my experience on the 27th & 28th of May was just that...so mind blowing, it was spiritual, beautiful and completely sacred to Nick and me.

I didn't go into pregnancy with the intention of having a natural birth. It wasn't even something that crossed my mind until sometime around my 30th week. I was bummed with life. I had started to slow down in the pool and my running (trotting) had come to a major halt. I was walking on the treadmill at the speed of SLOW, taking 50 minutes to walk 3 miles. You see, working out had always been consent in my life and it always provided me with goals and results. So as I was talking to Jenni on the phone, asking again, what type of pain I should be expecting to experience, did the idea of a natural birth come up. Like everyone else, the pain was indescribable but she suggested that I try it. Bing! A goal!

Disclaimer: My decision to have a natural birth is in no way a judgement on how any other woman gives birth, just a mere suggestion en route to self-discovery.

We spent time watching videos in our birthing classes and you would see women naked and breathing, grunting, counting and making crazy screams. "That won't be me", I thought. Nick would say, "those women don't manage pain very well." But this pain was a type of pain women couldn't describe, how did we know how I would manage it?

Well the day came, 21 days early...I had been uncomfortable all freakin' day! Up to that day, I just felt fat, not uncomfortable. In reality, I just thought is was probably about time I start feeling weird, that means it is coming to an end. That night, I slept on the couch so I could have something to lean against and I was waking up every hour to pee or readjust.

THEN, I wet myself.

I made it to the toilet and yelled to Nick that my water broke. He just laid in bed (processing?) and I started to cry. I wasn't ready. My bags weren't packed and I hadn't finished things at work. SHIT! And guess what, that uncomfortable feeling...oh, those were contractions.

Now at this point, I didn't want to be that woman that goes to the hospital and they send her home. BUT per my dr's instructions, if your water broke you were supposed to be at the hospital within a few hours; so we went.

After we were admitted into our labor room, one of the first things the nurse asks you are your goals. Goals? Well my only goal was to try to have a natural birth but I didn't want to reveal that goal for fear of failure. At that point, I was just uncomfortable...this couldn't be the type of pain that people talk about? As she stood there with the pen uncapped, waiting for an answer, I decided to tell her; and she wrote it up for the world to see.

Goals

1) natural labor

2) skin to skin

I'll spare you the 12 hours of walking around trying to get my contractions to start back up again. Fast forward to 7pm on the 28th and my contractions had finally come to the point where I had to stop talking/walking and focus. By 10 pm, they agreed to check me in between contractions and I had dilated to 5cm. Um, that means I still have 5 more to go...

At that point, the only position that felt good was standing up and leaning over, burying my head into the bed. Now Nick had stayed mostly silent up to this point, he would lay down in bed and jump up every time a contraction started and would massage my lower back. Although, he was still watching TV (I heard him laughing at Jimmy Kimmel) he was 100% on task during the painful parts. Pain, I said it, there was a lot of pain. A type a pain that I cannot even begin to describe. The type of pain that makes you come so close to fainting and throw up everything you've put into your stomach in the last 48 hours. Crazy pain.

So like the crazy ladies on the videos, I was taking off my clothes and counting to 45 each time. I knew if I made it to 30 the worst was over but at 45 counts, I could count on it being almost over every time. Now the best part about having a natural labor is that your body builds in these crazy breaks just when you think you can't do it anymore. My nurse Karen, just reminded me to take it 1 at a time and just when I thought I might pass out or have to quit, I would get a 3 minute break. At this point Karen (rockstar!) suggested that I get in the tub to soften the cervix and take some weight off my legs. I'm completely naked at this point (who am I?) on all fours in the tub asking Nick to cover my butt so no one will look at it...I still had some humility.

Except that I thought I was going to shit myself so I kept asking if I could sit on the toilet and my nurse kept reassuring me that I wouldn't shit myself. This reassurance only gave me temporary relief because she couldn't possibly know the type of pressure I was feeling in my butt!!! Side note: I didn't shit myself, and I don't have hemorrhoids...this in itself is a small victory.

Karen promised to check me again in an hour, as she was doing so the rest of my water broke and I was 10 cm. Hallelujah! Now there was no doctor in the vicinity, they hadn't even called him yet! And Karen said it was time to push...what? really? already? And just then I was hit with the type of pain that would knock the HULK right to the freakin' floor!

Karen also promised it would be quick, "he's sitting so low," "he is right there, that is why you are feeling all that rectal pressure," "5 more pushes and you'll get to meet him."

Now close to an hour later, Nick is cheering, and there I am thinking that it's all over, except the HULK is still down for the count. And the doctor goes, "Now one more push to get his shoulders out."

What the...?

You've got to be kidding me! No, I quit! Can I quit now?

Nick shoves my head into my chest and tells me to push, push harder.

And suddenly, he really is here, all of him, all ten fingers and toes. With Nick's butt chin and my Dad's furrowed brow. He is here.

I remember Jenni telling me once they are here, all the pain goes away. But what she didn't tell me was that the pain goes away only after the placenta is removed and those stitches are done. That part was really, really painful.

But after that was over, all my endorphins kicked in and I fell madly, deeply, ferociously in love with a 6 lbs, 10 oz little baby boy.

And I couldn't believe it. I did it. I totally did it. I couldn't believe how lucky I was to be able to have this experience, that nothing went wrong. I know there was a lot of luck involved. I know how lucky I am. But I did it. I'm damn proud of myself. I have a new prospective on life, this experience changed everything.

He changed everything.

charlie has left the building...

2010-06-01T18:16:00.000-07:00

Charlie David Waelty

2010-05-28T07:58:00.000-07:00

Nick and I welcomed Charlie David Waelty into the world on May 28th at 1:46am. He is 6 lbs 10 oz and 19.5 inches long. He has super long toes and fingers (Gpa Hamilton?) but looks a lot like his Daddy. We are so excited to finally have him here with us!

Are you in labor?

2010-05-27T13:45:00.000-07:00

We live in an incredibly small town. And because the hospital is the biggest employer in town, I know people that work here. So I have seen several people today that have all asked the same question, "are you in labor?"

Now that is a hard question to answer...we were admitted into the hospital a 4am this morning after my water broke at 2am. I had also had pathetic but consistent contractions every 3 minutes all morning. It seemed like everything was going perfectly and too easily...then everything stopped!

The new nurses wanted to test me to see if my water "really" did break. They kept saying, "you'd be surprised how fetal movement can make you pee yourself!" I knew I didn't pee myself, it didn't even come out the same hole! Also, those consistent contractions mysteriously stopped hurting all together. Anyway, all is well and we are starting induction at 2pm. The time is here and we'll start the waiting game until baby Waelty joins us in this big bad world.

Old Wives Tales

2010-05-26T18:57:00.000-07:00

I have been working like crazy the last few weeks trying to get everything in order for my time off of work. Nesting, no, nothing like that...just tying up loose ends at work. But today I felt so tired, exhausted and over it. I was so uncomfortable in my body. My only redeeming part of the day was the fact that I got in over 2,500 in the pool and a good 3 mile treadmill walk.

Anyway, in my frustration I googled "old wives tales to induce labor." The same few things kept coming up: raspberry tea, sex and Castor oil. We'll see...

HELP Nick!

2010-05-12T08:37:00.000-07:00

With our 1st anniversary looming dangerously close, Nick and I were at a loss for what to do for the occasion. Our original plan was to go back to Murphys and spend a romantic evening in our honeymoon hotel... Well, I'm extremely fat and the only romantic thing I can think about is cuddling up with my pregnancy pillow and eating more ice cream.

SO with my unemployment ominous in our heads, we have decided to stay traditional and get creative. The traditional anniversary guide to gift giving says that "paper" is appropriate for our 1st anniversary and $25 is our limit. This was pretty easy for me, being female...but Nick is really struggling with gift ideas. So, this blog is more for my husband a) because I want a gift b) because I don't want a piece of paper folded in half with "I love you" written in cursive.

HELP Nick!