13 months

This post is LATE. Why? Because we have been having so much fun!

I was even hesitant to continue writing out each month's milestones. I started this private blog to keep track of our IVF journey. I documented everything and it was a great resource for me to share with others in the same boat. I also found it cathartic to write out all my emotions in a safe space. Then, I documented my entire pregnancy and thought I would do the same for the first year of my son's life, broken down in monthly updates to look back on. As of right now, I am going to continue, but not hold myself to one month updates, just as changes occur.

So much has happened since Matheson turned one. He was on whole milk only starting on his birthday and was weaned off bottles in exactly 7 days. It was an easy, flawless transition to straw cups only. Right now, he gets 8oz of milk in the morning and with his evening dinner. Water during the day. I have also done chamomile and lavender tea at bedtime when he's had a fussy day.

I so desperately wanted my son to be walking by his first birthday, but he didn't take off until 12m3w. And that's ok. Matty is cautious and does things when he is ready. It's me that needs to let go of expectations and preconceived notions. I would say that's a character flaw of mine, but it really makes me who I am.

Everyday I am thankful that we are fortunate enough for me to stay home and raise our children. I still ache for one more child, but know that isn't in the cards for us. I am grateful that we are financially stable and my income isn't missed.

Matheson is such an easy baby. I actually enjoy taking him places. We go somewhere everyday. We go to museums and baby gym. M plays in the gym childcare center while I get an hour workout to myself. I've even brought him with me to get my hair colored and styled! Play spaces are so much fun now that he is walking. He's my shopping buddy at the grocery store. Tristan was so difficult at this age. I don't remember enjoying this age with him.

It's so hard to believe that this time last year I had a tiny baby in my arms. In a flash, I have a walking, babbling toddler that weighs 26lbs! I am grateful for Matheson every single day.

In other news, I am down 42lbs since my failed transfer in June. I go to the gym 4-5 days per week and I feel GREAT. I still have 20-30lbs to get to my goal weight and feel like that will be a slower loss. The good news is I relearned how to eat healthy and understand portion control. Exercising is now a habit and a renewed sense of self. I just started taking yoga and group classes again. I wanted to wait until I lost some weight and had strength and stamina to complete the class on a high. I am still on track to get my mommy makeover in December like I want. The only downside is the downtime that I will need. I need to find a way to make that work. From my research, I need someone to care for me and Matheson for two weeks. Nick could take off a week, but I am not sure about that second week. I wouldn't be able to pick up Matheson for 6 weeks and also no working out. Both of those are hard. I researched plastic surgeons and narrowed down to 4. I need to setup a consultation like now if I want to do this after Christmas/ early January. It takes 6 months for the full results to be seen, which will be in June, which is perfect at that is when the pool opens and I can be confident in a swimsuit again.