October= visitors and Stoller Strides

It's crazy how being a stay at home mom has made my life even more hectic.  Initially I wanted to update this blog every week, but seeing as it hasn't been updated in a while, I figure once a month is about all I can count on.

The month of October was quite busy!  Elliott and I met my mom in San Diego and enjoyed an extended weekend together.  Kyle's dad flew in and he and his dad ran a 1/2 marathon in LA!  So proud of Kyle for completing the 1/2 marathon.  (Hopefully someday we can run one together)  October was also Halloween and we enjoyed showing our little penguin off at Trunk-or-Treats and Halloween parties.

Probably the most significant thing about October was I joined a group called Stroller Strides.  Stroller Strides is a fitness group of moms and their babies/toddlers.  They meet Mon-Fri at various parks and do an hour of fitness while pushing strollers.  The first class I attended had about 25 moms with a combined total of 35 babies/toddlers.  Once I heard them singing nursery rhymes while doing lunges around their strollers I fell in love!  This group of women not only motivate me to work-out, but inspire me everyday and offer great support.  Elliott and I love going to Stroller Strides!  He especially loves playing with his friends on his blanket.

Elliott and Grandpa Logan at the Pumpkin patch

Grandma Snethen and Elliott in San Diego

Update

I can't believe it's been almost a month since I last updated my blog! Time flies when you're a stay-at-home mommy!

This past month we were blessed to have some friends visit us from Tennessee for 2 weeks. It was so great to catch up, play games and do some site-seeing. We didn't finish our list of "things to do", so they will have to come back soon for another visit!

Shara and Jeff visiting from TN!  We're at the LA fair.

Elliott continues to make us smile everyday by the little things he does. He loves laughing, staring at his fingers, rolling from side to side and standing. He is now 5 months old and we can't believe how fast time has flown!

Elliott at the petting zoo @ the LA fair

Elliott loves to point!

Elliott's sleep has improved dramatically! Most nights he's in bed by 6:30/7:00...which of course means he's up by 6:30! (Being a parent is definitely a life transition...I don't remember the last time I slept in past 7am!) His night feedings have decreased to 1-2 a night. HUGE decrease from the month before! Unfortunately he's become a bit of a "mommy's boy" when it comes to sleep. I am now the only one he will go to sleep with. Previously he would sleep with Kyle or myself, so at times it's hard that I am the only one he will take naps/sleep at night with. Elliott has also transitioned from his cradle into a crib, which gives him more wiggle room. :)

Last week I joined a group called Stroller Strides. It's an exercise group of moms with strollers that work out 5 mornings a week. Besides getting a pretty good work-out we are able to socialize with other moms/babies. Most mornings I spend 1-2hrs after class socializing with the other moms and introducing new babies to Elliott. Elliott is still not sure of other babies...he just stares intently...maybe that's because there are about 20 women in my class and some have 2 children (baby/toddler) so it's a bit overwhelming from our house!

All in all, life is great! When you change your schedule to reflect your life's priorities, it's amazing how good you feel at the end of the day.