issues

Sunday, you'd think we would've had a more toned down day, after all of the crazy partying we'd been doing. But we weren't quite done yet. Our niece, Riley, had her 18th birthday at the end of July, so they had a party for her. She's also about to start college, so I think it was a graduation/bday kind of deal. They live up in the WS area, so we drove up for it. Noah did really well, despite the fact that he should've been worn out. The good news is that Sunday afternoon, he slept for 4 hours! So he was feeling pretty good.

Brad, Riley, the cousins, Granddad, and a few of Riley's friends went out to the field across the street and played football. Noah and I sat on the sidelines and watched. There was a random, friendly dog that came by and wanted us to throw his baseball for him. Noah really liked him.
Brad had a blast. His team mostly consisted of the little cousins, a couple of girls, and his dad. They totally schooled all of the teenagers (one being a football player). Granddad even jumped up to make a big catch, fell backwards, and landed on his shoulder. He used to be a football player in high school, so I think he was reliving his glory days. Everyone was really impressed at how good he was.

Apparently, someone decided to give Noah a cold for his birthday. I'm sure it was unintentional; however, my family (including my mom) has been going down the list of people he had contact with and trying to figure out who to blame. I think it was just a combo of hyperactivity, not much sleep, and too many unwashed hands touching him. And possibly a birthday kiss from one of the dogs.

The poor baby is all congested and coughing. He's only been sick once his whole life, and that was back at Christmas. And really, even then, all he had was a runny nose. No fever or cough.
This time, he's taking more naps, coughing more (I think his throat is tickly), and he gets easily upset. The other day, I tried to use "the boogie sucker" on him. He hated it. He squirmed and cried... but not a mad cry. It was a "Mommy, why are you doing this to me??" cry. Real tears and all. Ugh. I made my baby cry real tears. Yeah, I haven't tried that again. But then that night, I was getting him all lotioned up after his bath, and apparently, he didn't like that either. Lots of crocodile tears again! And it took me several minutes to get him to calm down. So yeah. He definitely wasn't himself.
He's doing MUCH better now. He's still stuffy, but he's back to his normal squealy, giggly, silly self. Of course, we like to emphasize the concept of sharing in our home. Noah is sharing his cold with Brad and I. Fortunately, it is what it is... a baby cold! No full-on, sick-in-bed type stuff.

I know he's supposed to be completely off of his bottle by now. He's officially over his one-year mark. But he doesn't like his sippy cup. We've tried different kinds, and the only thing he likes is a "big boy" cup. You can imagine what kind of mess that makes. So while he's sick, I'm giving him a bottle with just water. Otherwise, he wouldn't be getting any fluids. I highly doubt my kid is going to be delayed in his development because I let him drink out of a bottle while he's sick.

I'm also having toning issues... as in, weight loss stuff. Mainly my arms. I discussed this a little with Jess when we met up. I have some serious strength in my arms now, thanks to my hefty baby. The problem is that they aren't toned. So I have the extra muscle, but with no definition... which leaves my arms looking fat. It's very disheartening. I almost have the arms I've always wanted. I know if I do more reps and less weight, then that should tone them down. Any good advice on how to make this go more quickly?
As for working out, that's just not happening as often as I'd like right now. Noah's birthday kinda put me in a workout funk. Plus it's just too darn hot outside. And we don't have the money (or the time... who'll watch Noah??) to join a gym. So I'm left doing my P90x again. I just don't like that Dreya girl (one of the backup people). She's such a suck-up. And she looks like she wants to beat me up.

The plus side is that I lost a pound somehow last week! I've switched to eating way more fruit, smaller portions, and I only eat whole grain now. I think it's making a difference. I hope?

I have a baby shower to go to this weekend for a high school friend of mine. We're all having babies right now it seems. Can't wait to see everybody, especially little Jonah ... finally!! :)