The day Abney had her first swim is the same day I had my first open water swim. Yes, I willingly put a bathing suit on multiple times a week so I can learn how to swim for my life in dark open water with no lanes and no rules. What on earth am I thinking? Surprisingly, swimming has become one of my new favorite ways to spend my "me time." As soon as I hit the water and start my stroke, the rest of the world fades away. It is just me, the water, and the sound of my breathing as I make my way through the exercise. A certain calm comes over me and I just find my groove.
My training has been difficult both from adjusting back to endurance after taking so much time off while pregnant, and being able to balance everything. I pretty much started training with Team in Training again at the same time I went back to work from maternity leave. A little much at once? YES! But I can say that I am confident I will cross the finish line on July 11th and that I have already met my fundraising minimum for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society! So what does that mean? That I have of course already signed up to train again for the Fall....yes, I am slightly crazy....but hear me out. My thought is that for the fall I will be able to focus on taking it a step further. Either by being more competitive with the Olympic distance and training harder, or by getting talked into completing Half Ironman which is what they currently have me signed up to do.
Who knows if I will be able to do it, but if I don't try I will never know. So step 1, I am signed up for my first sprint distance next Sunday to celebrate my birthday. Step 2, complete the Olympic distance in Chattanooga with my Team. Step 3...GO FOR IT!
You can check out my progress and donate to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society by visiting me at:
http://pages.teamintraining.org/ga/Augusta10/jbuerger
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Abney Jump Up
It is only a matter of time before Abney starts walking on her own. She is in full "army mode" crawl now and can maneuver quite quickly around the house. The days of sitting still while we got something done are O-V-E-R, but it is kind of nice too. :) Here is a video of Abney enjoying one of her favorite toys where she is learning about cause and effect while strengthening her soccer legs.
Sarah Gardner Fundraiser
Our dear friend Sarah Gardner, wife of our groomsmen Stephen Gardner, is 29 years old, expecting her 1st child, and has an inoperable brain tumor. She is on expensive medicines in the hopes that she can deliver her baby at 28 weeks and then start on mega does of chemo. This is a fundraiser to help offset Sarah's medical costs as well as the unavoidable costs of caring for a premature baby.
Ben and I constantly say how thankful we are for the blessings in our lives and our healthy baby girl. We cannot imagine the emotions Sarah & Stephen must be going through right now and want to do everything we can to help. Any little bit, even a $5 donation will help them chip away at part of the battle they are fighting. Sarah is incredibly strong and defeated chemo once before and went on to become pregnant with their baby. I have no doubt she will once again defeat the obstacles currently in her way and do so with grace.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Happy Mother's Day
Last year Ben and I celebrated mother's day announcing to the world that we were expecting by opening this blog. When I made the first post I could only dream of what becoming a mom would mean. The joys, the fears, the rewards, the changes I couldn't anticipate, and above all who my daughter would be.
My Dearest Abney,
I've been sitting here staring at the computer screen trying to put into words how much you mean to me. I fear I will never be able to truly voice just how much you mean to me. You are the most beautiful person I have ever met inside and out. As I look into your crib and find you curled up on your side sleeping soundly, I can only imagine that this is what heaven looks like. Peace, beauty, and grace.
Your smile lights up a room. People flock to you even now and want to be near you because you are a joy to be around. Your ability to adapt to change and to take the world in stride is something I pray you always keep. No matter where we are or what we are doing, you smile through it. Even when you were sick for the first time, my little snotty nosed baby, you would laugh after a big sneeze instead of cry. We didn't have much of a wait in the ER because even with a fever of 103.4 when the ladies at the registry spoke to you, you rewarded them each with a big smile. What courage and tenacity to feel that badly and still be able to show affection.
You've taught me that even when I'm having the worst kind of day, if I just remember to smile it gets better. I've posted pictures of you all over my office so that when I need a moment I can look to you, remember what you would do in the situation, and you always make me smile.
I ask God all the time what I did to deserve you in my life. I have no question that you are an angel sent directly from heaven, and for some reason your Daddy and I are lucky enough to share our lives with you. We sit in bed at night and talk about how lucky we are to be your parents. How wonderful you are, and how you have made our lives and our relationship even greater. As I've told you before, you make my heart bigger. I imagine each time that I see you that my heart grows two sizes larger to accommodate what I feel for you (similar to the Grinch after he realizes the joy of Christmas, yes, your Mommy sees life like cartoon). It is the only way I see my heart being able to hold my love without exploding.
Becoming your mother has made me a better person. In many ways I have stopped racing towards the proverbial "finish line" I had in my mind and am better at enjoying the moments. (Reserving my race mentality for REAL races). I look at my marriage as more than a great love, but as the reason I exist. Daddy and I were brought together for you, and I cherish that love even more now. I know it sounds a bit ridiculous, but I hope I can be more like you and spend the rest of my days helping you cultivate your smile, sense of adventure, love for the outdoors, and confidence. You are and will be an amazing woman.
I love you, and thank you for making me a Mommy.
love mom
Becoming a mother has been the most exciting adventure of my life. This may be the cheesiest entry yet, and very personal, but this is where my heart is and what I want to put out there. When we are able to look back years from now I want to remember how I feel today. On mother's day for years to come I want to remember days like THIS.
My Dearest Abney,
I've been sitting here staring at the computer screen trying to put into words how much you mean to me. I fear I will never be able to truly voice just how much you mean to me. You are the most beautiful person I have ever met inside and out. As I look into your crib and find you curled up on your side sleeping soundly, I can only imagine that this is what heaven looks like. Peace, beauty, and grace.
Your smile lights up a room. People flock to you even now and want to be near you because you are a joy to be around. Your ability to adapt to change and to take the world in stride is something I pray you always keep. No matter where we are or what we are doing, you smile through it. Even when you were sick for the first time, my little snotty nosed baby, you would laugh after a big sneeze instead of cry. We didn't have much of a wait in the ER because even with a fever of 103.4 when the ladies at the registry spoke to you, you rewarded them each with a big smile. What courage and tenacity to feel that badly and still be able to show affection.
You've taught me that even when I'm having the worst kind of day, if I just remember to smile it gets better. I've posted pictures of you all over my office so that when I need a moment I can look to you, remember what you would do in the situation, and you always make me smile.
I ask God all the time what I did to deserve you in my life. I have no question that you are an angel sent directly from heaven, and for some reason your Daddy and I are lucky enough to share our lives with you. We sit in bed at night and talk about how lucky we are to be your parents. How wonderful you are, and how you have made our lives and our relationship even greater. As I've told you before, you make my heart bigger. I imagine each time that I see you that my heart grows two sizes larger to accommodate what I feel for you (similar to the Grinch after he realizes the joy of Christmas, yes, your Mommy sees life like cartoon). It is the only way I see my heart being able to hold my love without exploding.
Becoming your mother has made me a better person. In many ways I have stopped racing towards the proverbial "finish line" I had in my mind and am better at enjoying the moments. (Reserving my race mentality for REAL races). I look at my marriage as more than a great love, but as the reason I exist. Daddy and I were brought together for you, and I cherish that love even more now. I know it sounds a bit ridiculous, but I hope I can be more like you and spend the rest of my days helping you cultivate your smile, sense of adventure, love for the outdoors, and confidence. You are and will be an amazing woman.
I love you, and thank you for making me a Mommy.
love mom
Becoming a mother has been the most exciting adventure of my life. This may be the cheesiest entry yet, and very personal, but this is where my heart is and what I want to put out there. When we are able to look back years from now I want to remember how I feel today. On mother's day for years to come I want to remember days like THIS.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Time to Eatie Pie
This past Sunday we introduced Abney to her first taste of "food." I put this in quotation because in no way, except a possible resemblance to cottage cheese, does rice formula really equate to what I would call food. Nevertheless we have started the new era and I think it is safe to say she likes it. Below is the video of her first taste:
Tonight she experienced round 2 and seemed to enjoy it even more. However I think she would be much happier if I gave her the bowl so she could put it on her head. Me holding it just doesn't seem to be cutting it for her, and trying to reason with a six month old is about as easy as reasoning with a papillon.
We are fairly certain her first tooth is on its way and about to rear its pearly white head. She has not been her usual cheery self and has been chomping down on fingers and toys even harder than usual. I'm hoping for her sake and our sanity that the teeth come in quickly because Ben and I already miss our ALWAYS happy baby and are ready to be done with her cranky spells. Either that or we are never going to be able to go out to dinner or brunch again. The only way she was calmed down this past weekend when we were at brunch was when Auntie Sallie took her on lap. They both went to a very Zen place, I guess they missed each other.
Tonight she experienced round 2 and seemed to enjoy it even more. However I think she would be much happier if I gave her the bowl so she could put it on her head. Me holding it just doesn't seem to be cutting it for her, and trying to reason with a six month old is about as easy as reasoning with a papillon.
We are fairly certain her first tooth is on its way and about to rear its pearly white head. She has not been her usual cheery self and has been chomping down on fingers and toys even harder than usual. I'm hoping for her sake and our sanity that the teeth come in quickly because Ben and I already miss our ALWAYS happy baby and are ready to be done with her cranky spells. Either that or we are never going to be able to go out to dinner or brunch again. The only way she was calmed down this past weekend when we were at brunch was when Auntie Sallie took her on lap. They both went to a very Zen place, I guess they missed each other.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Abney can "scootch!"
Last Friday Abney started pulling herself and now she can't be stopped. If she wants to get somewhere she is going, going, gone... ENJOY!
This incredible change is so exciting and fun to see her learn and grow. The times of leaving her somewhere and stepping away are over. She is so cute to watch and see her smile when she reaches her destination. She seems to be pretty good at pulling herself but every now and then she just stretches out like superwoman and then gets frustrated when she doesn't move. I of course think this is hysterical because she is SO CUTE!!!
Sallie came to visit this weekend and brought her a really cool new toy that is designed to encourage crawling. It is a ball that lights up, sings, and actually rolls itself around. They call it the Move and Crawl Ball and it has already been a big hit. I highly recommend it be added to registries and an easy go-to-gift for upcoming showers. You can encourage your child to learn, move, and engage them without having to do anything yourself. Genius.
This incredible change is so exciting and fun to see her learn and grow. The times of leaving her somewhere and stepping away are over. She is so cute to watch and see her smile when she reaches her destination. She seems to be pretty good at pulling herself but every now and then she just stretches out like superwoman and then gets frustrated when she doesn't move. I of course think this is hysterical because she is SO CUTE!!!
Sallie came to visit this weekend and brought her a really cool new toy that is designed to encourage crawling. It is a ball that lights up, sings, and actually rolls itself around. They call it the Move and Crawl Ball and it has already been a big hit. I highly recommend it be added to registries and an easy go-to-gift for upcoming showers. You can encourage your child to learn, move, and engage them without having to do anything yourself. Genius.
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