Connor's First Birthday Party

 I've been pretty MIA lately- so busy planning and hosting Connor's first birthday party! He isn't actually one until September 14, but we had his party on the 7th because we have a family wedding to attend on the 14th. I originally wanted to keep things pretty low key, but we ended up having quite the party!

Anytime you open the party to friends, and not just family, the list grows exponentially- especially when many of your friends have multiple kids. We ended up having about 60 people (including kids). I did a bit of a "circus" theme, and the main colors were red and light blue. We rented a tent, tables and chairs, a popcorn machine, and a snow cone machine. Originally I was a little stressed about activities for the kids to do, because I honestly only know how to entertain babies one and younger, but the snow cones and popcorn provided enough entertainment. They also kicked around balls and played with sidewalk chalk outside.

I got this cute little felt "happy birthday" banner that I plan on using for a picture each year; I better not lose it!

His little buggy car was a birthday present from a friend with a daughter one month younger than Connor. He absolutely loves it! I think it's such a hit because he has a different vantage point from the stroller.

Keeping with the color scheme, I made a yarn wreath and put a copy of his invitation inside. I am not big into crafts at all, but this was actually fun!

 



I totally forgot to get pictures once the backyard was all set up, but here it is with the tables and chairs together:

 

 

We had such a great time celebrating with family and friends. Connor got SO many great gifts. So far, he's been using his walker, parum pum pum drum, and other musical toys often. He also got a ton of very cute clothes for the fall and winter.

 

Grandpa and the birthday boy

My brother, Dad, and I

 

 One of C's favorite Aunts feeding him chicken fingers for the first time!

 

Trying to sneak a little adult beverage. Not yet, buddy!

 

 

 

Not the greatest pic, but this is my girlfriend's baby that looks shockingly similar to Connor. My brother and sister in law saw him first and said "happy birthday!". It really is funny how much they look alike!

 

 

Happy birthday to my favorite little boy in the world!

 

This week I'll be posting a lot of work/life updates, I'm really excited to share some new things I'm involved in. Stay tuned if you live in the area and are interested in taking a class of mine!



 

Bring on fall!

Yesterday, I ran 5.2 miles and was dripping wet and miserable with the heat by the end. So ready for fall and cooler temps!

It's crazy to think that this time last year I was hugely pregnant and swollen. So much has changed this last year, all good things. We're less than a week away from Connor's first birthday party! Crazy.

This morning I was hoping for cooler weather, but no dice. My girlfriend Alia met me for six miles. Because it was so hot, I thought we should bring water, but I was out if water bottles. I've been meaning to buy a handheld water bottle for longer runs, but haven't gotten around to it. While rummaging around the cabinets for something that might work, I had an idea. Sippy cups are pretty much the same thing as the handheld water bottles meant for running. We filled two and brought them with us. 

We looked a little crazy, I'm sure, but I swear this might be the best thing I've ever thought of!

During the run, I saw a few other hints that fall is just around the corner.

One of my other fall favorites is now in stores, too.

Now, if the weather would just catch up with the scenery.

Earlier this week I did a quick workout that I enjoyed. It is very simple, which takes any thought out of what you're doing.

In total, you'll do 100 squat jumps and 5 minutes if plank. I know, that sounds pretty miserable, but when you break it up into 20 squat jumps and a 1 minute plank, it's easier. I alternated different variations of plank in between the jumps. After, I did an ab workout with scissor kicks, bicycle crunches, and jackknives.

Try it:

20 squat jumps

1 min high plank 

20 squat jumps

1 min low plank

20 squat jumps

1 min side plank R

20 squat jumps

1 min side plank L

20 squat jumps

1 min high plank with shoulder taps

Morning beach workout

We're back from Avalon, but came up to my hometown, Westport, Ct just a few days after our vacation. My grandmother (Connor's great-grandma) was visiting, so I wanted to make sure we got a chance to introduce them for the first time!

Connor loved playing peekaboo with her, and immediately started waving and reaching for her.

This morning I headed down to the beach to run while Connor napped. It was a quick workout, but made me feel good for the day. 

I ran 5k, and then did 3 sets of 10 push-ups and 20 tricep dips.

This is the bench that Matt proposed to me on four years ago!

After my run, we all went out to lunch together. The weather was perfect to sit outside.

Get outside and enjoy your own workout!

Vacation!

Greetings from Avalon, New Jersey!

We're on vacation for the week, and its been so nice to relax as a little family. 

So far, I've had way more ice cream than I'd like to admit, but I ran 4 miles this morning so it doesn't count. Right?

More pics to come! 

The weather today is insane; flash floods, heavy downpours, the works. Connor and I are sticking close to home for sure.

Yesterday, we shopped around a little (didn't buy anything) and I now have my eye on a few cute things for fall. One of the items on my wish list is this cozy sweater/wrap from lululemon. It would be perfect for casual outfits with jeans and boots.

I also loved the long sleeve top behind me in the mirror, but forgot to get a picture. It was this one:

I'm waiting for my little man to go down for his nap, and then I'm going to do 3-4 rounds of the workout below. It is certainly not an outdoor running kind of day!

Warm up

30 sec jog in place

30 sec jumping jacks

30 sec side shuffle

30 sec skaters

Repeat warm up

1 min alternating reverse lunge with front arm raise

1 min squat/press

1 min lateral pull down 

1 min side lunge w shoulder row (30 sec per side)

Try it!

I worked out with Connor still up yesterday, and as usual he wanted to get in on the action!

Have a great day!

Zucchini Cakes

This was a last minute recipe I threw together after reading through a few other recipes for ideas. My in laws grow zucchini, and Connor loves it roasted with olive oil and garlic so they being some when they come over.

I had one very large zucchini left and wanted to try something different. I think my zucchini was probably equivalent to 2 small/medium zucchini. The flour will also depend on how wet your mixture is. Since I didn't fry them in oil, they're healthy, too!

1 very large or 2 medium zucchini

1 egg

1/2 red pepper

1/2 t baking soda

1/4-1/2 C flour

1/2 t garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

Gyoza dipping sauce (trader joes)

Grate the zucchini and red pepper into a bowl using a large box grater. Add the egg. Stir everything together. Add the dry  ingredients until the mixture comes together. It will still be wet, that's ok. Add small amounts if the mixture to a non stick pan heated over a medium heat. I use olive oil Pam spray. Cook until browned on one side and then flip. About 4 mins per side. 

Serve with dipping sauce.

Baby approved!

Computer glitch!

My computer battery AND power cord are now broken, so I'm without a computer. Sad face! 

I'm in the market for a new Mac and might go for the refurbished version of the MacBook Air. We'll see!

Connor was I heaven staring at all of the Mac products, I'm sure dreaming of playing with all the iPhone/iPads! How do babies know what to do with them? He scrolls like a pro.

In the meantime, I can only post from my phone. Apologies in advance for the lack of posting! I'll make sure to get a few workouts posted this week. The weather has been awesome again, so running is back on!