About Me

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I am a Mom of two young lads, a fitness fanatic and wife to a die-hard Packers/Brewers fan. I worked in corporate america for 12 years. Now I am on a new adventure - raising my sons and working part-time in the fitness industry as a Personal Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor. I hope you stop by and read my updates- family, fitness, or life related!

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Busy Bee



We are in trouble- at the age of four months we already have a busy bee on our hands. How am I going to keep up?

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

This Is How We Roll


Well, the cold weather has returned so we have to put the Baby Bjorn and snowsuit away for a while. BOO! :( Braden loved getting outside last week- even on the rainy days we would take the umbrella and at least go around the block for some fresh air. Now you can see how we roll- momma and son, so son can face the world. He loves it! Hopefully we can bring out the snowsuit and Bjorn again soon- cold, cold go away!

Friday, January 22, 2010

Four Months Young!



Braden is four months today. It took me like a half hour to get one decent pic- the little guy would not cooperate. If I can get a better picture I will re-post. I can't believe how fast time is flying. Our little blessing is four months old! We are so proud of him and he brings us so much joy.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

New Play Gym!


Braden is getting much more active these days and he has found his voice- lots of baby yelling going on in this house. It is really funny. Although it's not that funny from 3:30-4:15 in the morning when he is wide awake and doing it. :) I set up his play gym that Aunt Jess gave him and this picture is of him screaming as he looks in the little mirror! Too funny...

Sleep Training!

Braden doing tummy time first thing in the morning- happy as a clam!
Braden wondering why I am disturbing his piano time by taking pictures!
Kicking the piano!

As a first time Mom I am pretty clueless on infant sleep structure. They don't just "sleep when they want to sleep" anymore- you need to put them down and keep them on a schedule. I have been doing a lot of reading on this topic as of late. So, this week Joe was in Fan Fran and I dedicated the week to sleep training! What is sleep training some of you might ask? Well, lately Braden has been crying a lot before naps or bedtime, so I was trying to figure out how to be more consisent and get him to go to sleep easier. He also would wake up after like 30 minutes for his naps, and at this age (according to the Baby Whisperer) they should be sleeping like 1.5-2 hours for their morning and afternoon naps!
So, I commited to staying home this week and making sure we are not out and about during his nap times so he can sleep in his crib. This means sacrificing my morning workout classes! :) I also started winding down about a half hour before he is supposed to sleep and implemented a "getting ready for bed" routine for him. We look out the windows in the house, we go up to his room, change his diaper, pull the shades, read a book, I put him in the swaddle and talk to him or sing, then he gets to listen to his piano while laying down in the crib. I shut the music off, tell him goodnight and leave the room. Woo-la, a baby that puts himself to sleep with no fussing! Just this little routine on top of being home consistently has done wonders! I have not had any screams or struggles with naps or bedtime all week! He is happy and smiley during his two hours of wake-time in between sleep now and doesn't get tired in between!
These pics are of his new favorite activity- I let him kick and play in the crib in the mornings on the piano by propping him up on pillows and the Bobby. He loves it!
Here's to more great naps and no screaming before sleep sets in. :) Thanks to the Baby Whisperer book and website for all of the great tips!

Friday, January 15, 2010

Winter Fun



So with the 30 degree heat wave here in MN I thought I would mix things up a bit and take Braden outside for some fun in the snow. He loves the outdoors already. Thanks to our Cali friends for the warm and cute snowsuit. :) It's perfect, although he looks like the State Puff Marshmallow Man!!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Another Boy is Born


We have some more exciting news, Colston Andrew Nelson was born on Monday evening, weighing in at 7 lbs, 8 oz. Braden has yet another boy playmate his same age. That makes four boys born within five months (including us) within our close group of friends. How fun! I went to visit baby Cole and he didn't make a peep. He seemed like a laid back little dude. Mom and Dad Nelson were a bit tired from the long few days up to his arrival, but so happy and proud that he is finally here! Grandma Pam was also very proud and excited to meet him!! :) It will be so fun to watch these two run around the lake in the summers to come.

Mall of America Fun

Ava waiting patiently while Levi takes in the rides.

Braden just chilling in his stroller checking out the bright lights at the MOA!

Levi screaming on the bus!

Levi going around in circles on the Merry-Go-Round

This week we went to the Mall of America with my sister for Toddler Tuesday where kids can go on unlimited rides for $10 and eat free. There are also a ton of activities available like the butterfly tent, coloring, shows, etc... Nephew Levi went crazy on the rides and Ava and Braden were just by standers. :)

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

So Big!




Somebody is getting bigger and stronger each day. Look at how he sits up so good in the Bumbo seat now. He also always wants to sit or stand instead of laying down. We are in trouble- he might be moving around sooner than later if this keeps up. :)

Thursday, January 7, 2010

2010 Here We Come!





2010 is off to a good start! The past two nights Braden has slept 11-12 hours straight!! Of course, Mom did not! :) You think the first time in almost four months that I could get a full night's rest (well actually more than that given the middle of the night trips to the bathroom while pregnant) that I would be out like a light. Nope, I got up like four times to make sure he was breathing! :) Typical new mom reaction that's for sure! I can't even sleep a full night anymore when given the chance! Darnit!

Braden is growing like a weed and getting more fun each day. His gigantic smiles melt my heart. When he wakes up in the morning I go running into his room with excitement to start the day! He and I have so much fun playing (I wish Dad could enjoy the daily playtime with us and not just on the weekends). He is still cooing a lot, he is rolling over from belly to back, he is holding his toys, pulling his paci in/out and he has this strong desire to sit and stand up. He will use his stomach and neck muscles to try to sit up and when we help him he loves it. He also loves when we hold him in a standing position. His legs are getting very strong.

We are excited to watch Braden grow and change each day in 2010! There will be a ton of milestones this year for him - first words, first crawl, first foods, first steps. I think he is looking forward to them all, I know we are!

Monday, January 4, 2010

This Can't Be Good

Braden's innocent look. "Yep Mom- I am already in love with the TV, what are you going to do about it?!"
Already rubber necking at the television at a mere three months! Yikes.

I think I am in big trouble! Already at three months of age, Braden is in awe of the television! He loves the colors and lights! We don't put him in front of the t.v. and if it's on in the background we turn him to face the other way. Do you notice the picture I have posted above though? He is facing the OPPOSITE way of the t.v. and he knows the t.v is on so he turns his head to look at it! Unbelievable!! I am in trouble - I am having glimpses of my future. I am outnumbered in this house - two boys that will be watching football on the couch. I either better have a girl to balance things out someday or plan many trips away from the house on football days! :)

Future All-Stars or Double Trouble?

Ryne Bartels Sprout

Proud Dad!

Ryne and Braden- Tough Guys!

Yesterday Joe, Braden and I went to visit baby Ryne Sprout who was just born one week ago today to our friends Brian and Lynn. He weighed nine lbs and was 22" long. I guess that is a good size baby but I still think all newborns look like tiny peanuts regardless of weight/height!

Joe and Brian played football and baseball together at St. Olaf so will their two boys follow in their footsteps? Who knows! I would say most likely yes, (do to all the exposure of these sports they will get) but you never know! They could be drama club or glee club guys instead - ha ha! Anyway, it's fun to see friends with babies around the same age. Max is another St. Olaf baby who is six weeks old and Grant is six months old. It was the year of the boys that's for sure! (Those are just the babies born this year, last year there was about five, mostly girls).

We have so much to look forward to in the years to come with our kids so close in age! It's also crazy to see how big Braden is at three months and two weeks old compared to Ryne at just one week! I think if these two boys are anything like their Dads they will be double trouble- stubborn and like to debate/voice their opinions! :)

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Happy New Year!

I didn't take any New Year pics for some reason. Probably because I went to bed at like 10:30 that night! Yes, motherhood exhausts me and this year was the first year I did not make it to ring in the new year. Well, I had Joe wake me up at 12 so at least I acknowledged it and then rolled over and went back to bed. :)

2009 was a great year but I am excited to see what 2010 has in store. I now am a mom and I no longer have my corporate job of 12 years - so this year will be full of new adventures! I started teaching kickboxing classes once a week a month ago and I signed up to teach Kettlebells starting in January. Braden and I also start an ECFE class together at the end of Jan. It will be a great year watching him grow and spending time with him. I really look forward to it! I know how fast they grow so I am thankful to get to spend my days with him. I will cherish it as much as I can (even if there are bad days.)

I look back at the past four years and must admit- they have been pretty eventful, exciting and blessed! Joe and I met in 2006, we got engaged in 2007, we were married in 2008, and we had Braden in 2009! What will 2010 bring?? A new house would be nice, but I am not getting my hopes up on that one. We shall see- I know it will bring many amazing things as we watch Braden change and grow each and every day.

I hope you are all blessed with the best of years for 2010!