A special birthday blessing

 Someone really really cool once told me "A picture is worth a thousand words"! Hopefully this saying will help me get back on track for my goal of blogging more often.

We decided to celebrate Zoey's 2nd birthday and have Landon blessed on the same weekend. The following are pictures from that special day.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZOEY!!!! 

We love you and your brother so very much!

8 weeks post....6K

This last Saturday my brother Justin and I participated in a local shamrock 6K. Notice I say participated not raced? That is due to the fact that I am still extremely out of shape and ran over 4 minutes slower than last year. Last year I finished in a time of 28 minutes flat (7.13 per mile), 1st for my age group and 4th overall for the women. This year I finished in 32.23 (8.25 per mile), 4th for my age group and 8th overall. It just goes to show what having a baby will do to you!!! Luckily my expectations for this race were not that high. I knew I had to take it easy after having Landon especially since I started running long before I was supposed to. I had very little time to train for this race and just did it for fun and to gage my fitness level at the half way point for my 10K next month. My goals and expectations are much higher for that one, so keep your fingers crossed.

One mile to go and no energy left

My brother ran almost the exact same time as last year and placed 2nd for his age group. He has been a great running buddy and I have really enjoyed spending the extra time with him out on the roads!

So proud of him!

Love the back ground

There was a huge crowd of people there to watch Justin and I and it sure helped as we ran by to have so many cheers. We had a fantastic time out there and appreciate everyone that came out and supported us! Happy Running!!!

V-Day

Valentines day is very low key for our family. We make sure the people we love know it, but in no huge expensive way. A card or note and a kiss is pretty much it. My parents on the other hand made it very special for their kids and grand kids. They made an awesome meal and decorated the tables very cute. On each plate they had a big heart shape sugar cookie with each of our names on it and presents for each of the grand kids. It was very nice of them and very much enjoyed by all. Below are pictures on Valentines Day of the kids in their presents from Grandma and Grandpa Heater.

The Nursery

It is finally complete and only three weeks after he was born. I am very happy with how it turned out. It wont be long before the big guy is sleeping in his finished room!

Wall to the left of the door

Wall straight in front on the door

Wall to the right of the door

Wall with door in it (as you can see :))

Projects

So I have not forgotten that I am supposed to post on the nursery, but I have been trying to finish up the last few details before I did. I just finished them and now need to hang his name and then the nursery post will go up!

This lamp was just plain light blue when I bought it!

I am also working on making Zoey's room complete and the next step is her bedding. I have the material and this Saturday my mom and I are going to put it together. So hopefully things go as planned and that project will also be finished soon.

Zoey's bedding material

Little Momma

Zoey has thus far shown no signs of jealousy towards her little brother. Actually it has been just the opposite. She can't get enough of him. She adores him and is constantly trying to kiss him, hold him, and help with him. Yesterday while I was in the shower, I sat Landon in his bouncy chair just outside the door. The entire time I was in there Zoey sat right next to him talking his ear off and rubbing his head. Then she got a few of his toys and was showing him how to use them. When she was done with that I saw the cutest thing ever. She grabbed a few books from her room and started reading to him while I got dressed! It seriously brought tears to my eyes and a huge smile to my face. I love my kids so much and am really glad that Zoey loves Landon!

Also yesterday while I was feeding Landon Zoey went back towards her room and I just figured she was going to play with her toys like she often times will. I was wrong! After quite some time I called for her to come to me and she wouldn't. I tried several times with no luck and started to get upset. I cut Landon off and went back to make sure she wasn't getting into anything and to my surprise I found this....

I have no idea still how she got in it, but I know now why she didn't come. 

4 Hour Frenzy

11:45pm Saturday the stabbing pains began. Contractions that is and they were pretty strong and close together from the start. They were only 2 minutes apart and lasting a minute long. I laid there for a half hour enduring the pain wondering if I was making myself have them or if I was making them worse in my head then they really were. I finally woke up Alex and we continued to track them for about 20 minutes. We decided that packing a bag would be a good idea since I hadn't already and this actually might be the real thing. So as quickly as possible, since contractions were getting worse, we stuffed a few things in a bag and called the neighbors. There was no answer and so I called my parents. They arrived as soon as they could, which seemed like forever, and then we were off to the hospital.

The ride to the hospital was the longest, worst ride of my life! My water broke in the car at the hospital but luckily didn't make a big mess, but it did make my contractions that much worse. Alex wheeled me into the lobby where I had to sign papers through the pain and tears. They then got me upstairs a little after 1am and there they checked my progress. I was only dilated to a 3.5/4 but since my water broke they admitted me.

They took me to room 472 (which is the same exact room my nephew Collin was born in) and got me situated in bed. My nurse came in and introduced herself, got me all hooked up to monitors and got my IV ready. She tried giving me my IV twice in my left arm before calling another nurse who tried twice in my right arm and finally got it. After that they could finally call someone for the epidural. All this time my contractions are getting stronger and stronger! The guy giving me my epidural tried 5 different times to get it right and let me tell you I was about to kill him. I was shaking uncontrollably, having the hardest contractions ever and trying to handle the pain of a huge needle in my back. Needles to say it is the worst thing I have ever endured and really don't know how I survived. Actually I do know! My husband is amazing! The whole time he is right there comforting me and helping me breath. I think I almost broke his hand several times squeezing so hard, but he is tough and didn't complain.

After the epidural was set and working, the nurse checked my progress again and sure enough I was at a 8/9 and it was time to call the doctor. It is about 3am at this point and I am finally comfortable. When my doctor arrived it was time to push and Landon was born 20 minutes later! The actual delivery was fantastic and I had awesome support. My mom and Alex were great!

The cord was wrapped around Landon's neck, but he let out the most amazing sound in the world shortly after coming out! Our little healthy man was born at 3:46am, only four hours after starting contractions at home.

 Labor this go around was much different than last. Shorter, harder, and more painful, but had the same amazing outcome. We love our little man so much and are so glad he is finally here! We were released from the hospital only 18 hours after arriving. It took some persuading to make it happen, and they asked if we were trying to set records or something, but I really just wanted to go home to my own bed. I am glad to no longer be pregnant and finally be able to hold this sweet gift from our heavenly father in my arms.

Introducing.....

Landon Turner Moon

Born at 3:46am on 1/16/11 (Sunday)

7 pounds 1 ounce

18 and a 1/2 inches

First Picture with Mom & Dad

Meeting Big Sister

Giving Loves

First Family Photo

So I lied about posting pictures of Landon's nursery last week, due to going into labor, and so I will make sure I do that this week. Also coming soon is the labor and delivery story for those that are interested! Stay tuned!

Soon to Arrive!

Ultrasound at 20 weeks

Last week I was 38 weeks, dilated to a 3 and very soft. My doctor said my cervix felt different and she would be surprised if I didn't go into labor on my own before the scheduled induction date. So she stripped my membranes that day (Wednesday) and so far nothing. My gut feeling was that I would have to be induced and so far I have been right. My induction is set for Tuesday the 18th at 6am. I am very much looking forward to getting this little monster out of me and seeing his face for the first time!

This time around for labor and delivery I have invited my mom and my sister in law Sommer to join Alex and I in the delivery room. I figure why have some student nurse try and hold my extremely heavy leg when I could have someone I love. So there will be an audience of people I know this time rather than an army of strangers. I really hope and pray things go as well as they did with Zoey and maybe even a bit faster. Keep your fingers crossed for ease and comfort!

Alex and I feel so blessed to have family so close. We have an abundance of support and love going into this and couldn't be more grateful. On top of family we have extended family behind the fence that are amazing. They show us more love and support than we deserve! WE LOVE THEM DEARLY and cant thank them enough!

On another note, I have been nesting like crazy this week and also put in some extra hours at work, leaving me extremely exhausted. I have not had time, energy or honestly the desire to blog this week and promise I have not already failed my new years resolution. Tomorrow there will be another post of Landon's nursery, for a grand total of 2 this week (one short, sorry). After that the next post will be all about the delivery and introducing our son.

Please keep all of us and our family in your prayers the next few days!

Eleven

It has been about 3 months since Zoey started doing this and I just got around to recording it! She is now 21 months old and the things she does and comes up with everyday amazes me!

Can't Catch Up

 Since I have been a slacker blogger the last however many months, there is no way I am going to be able to catch up on everything that has happened. Zoey has gotten so big so fast and has grown into such a little girl its hard to believe she isn't even two. She is as active as one child can be and talks my ear off all day long. I really cant believe how smart she is and sometimes wonder where she got it. I know it is not from me and it could be from her dad, but he says no way. We just love her to death and are praying we get as lucky this second go around (it will never happen)! Here are just a few pictures from the recent months!

A new year

Last year I didn't set any real formal goals or new years resolutions and it still turned out to be a really great year! I considered doing that again this year but there are a few things I would love to be better at and I feel the only way I am going to accomplish them is if I write them down for all to see. So with that being said 2011's goals are as follows:

Blogging- This year I am setting the goal to blog three times a week. When I first thought about this goal I was very specific of days and themes and so on, but have come to the conclusion that just blogging is going to be hard enough for me. I figured that as the year goes on and if I can actually manage this, then I can do specifics. I just don't want to set myself up to fail! A few ideas for topics I have come up with are of course the kids, running and crafts to fulfill my three and anything on top of that will be bonus. As for now whatever I get posted is good enough for me. So there you have it! Now hold me to it!

Dental Hygeiene- Kind of embarassing I know but like I said I have to write it down. So... Don't get any bad ideas about me or my teeth. I do brush them everyday, but I am not the best at flossing and I sometimes forget to brush at night. Therefore I am going to try and floss regulalry and not forget at night.

So there you have it! Haley Moon's 2011 goals are out there for everyone to see and hold me to. What are your resolutions or goals for this new year? I hope everyone had a great holiday season and are looking forward to this year as much as I am.

Can't hide any longer!

Alex and I have been keeping a very fun secret for the last 14 weeks! Yup, you guessed it, baby number two is on the way. We are due around January 25th. So for all those who have been questioning if I gave up working out and started gaining weight you are partially right. I am gaining weight but it's because I am prego but no I have not stopped working out. I am still running a few times a week as long as the heat isn't going to bake my brain and hurt the baby! So far so good for sickness, with the exception of one long night that I am not convenced was due to pregnancy. Mostly it's just the usuall evening sickness and extreme exhaustion, but both of those have slowed this week!
Alex and I are looking forward to the new family addition and are just praying for a healthy little one!

Love/Hate Relationship

Running has been my passion for more than 15 years and yes I actually do love it. But I also hate loving it! People would say I am a freak, crazy, weird, hard core, insane, etc and some would go as far as saying I am strangely obsessed. No matter what people think it is a great hobby to have. It is the one and only talent/hobby that I have that I can be fully proud of. There are so many positive things about running, I just don't understand why anyone wouldn't want to do it. A real runners high is reason enough to do it and that's not listing the many many other reasons. Sooooo.... I DO RUN!

After having Zoey I did some running but really couldn't get that motivated. That was until last November when I started running with the most amazing girl (Lindsey I am not just saying that)! It is so hard to find a compatible running partner. I have tried many times before and it has never worked. I have to admit I was super scared to start running with Lindsey because I knew she had been training for a long time and was in good shape, but I went anyways. I knew from that first run that we were a match made in heaven. She got me motivated to get out the door and I kept her motivated to push hard. Just exactly what we both needed.

Lindsey and I at the start

After the race

We ran together for a few weeks as she prepared for a 5k in Seattle and I just tried to get in shape and loose weight. Due to a very very busy holiday season we missed a few weeks in December, but picked back up in January. This time we were both training for a race. We decided to run the frosty four miler her in Yakima. As we trained for that, some how,she convinced me to run a Half Marathon with her. So we trained hard and fast for the Frosty and then upped the mileage with the same speed so we could run a Shamrock 6k, five weeks before the half. Both the short races went really well for us and this pumped us up even more for the big one. With those two races over we slowed things down just a tad and lengthened it out. With lots of tempo runs, speed work and long runs behind us we were ready for Wenatchee!

Well we thought we were. Just over two weeks before the race my right foot really started to hurt and I just brushed it off. Well when it wasn't going away with ice, and my husbands magic we started to get worried about the possibility of a stress fracture. I finished my training and on the Wednesday before the race I went to the doctor and sure enough it was broken. The doctor knew that no matter what he told me I was going to run anyways and he was right. I didn't train all that time to back out three days before. Maybe peoples thoughts about me being crazy or insane are somewhat true, but that's beside the point. Plus he said the damage was already done and if I could handle the pain then whatever.

So.... we head to Wenatchee with excitement and fear! The race started at 8:00 Saturday morning and the weather couldn't have been more perfect. The first four miles we ran together and pushed each other. The next 5 miles were full of rolling hills that were unexpected. Everyone said it was really flat but they were wrong. The last 4 miles is when the race really started for me. It was time to pick it up and start passing people to the finish. Well the last four is also where I started chaffing, getting bad blisters, running out of energy, time chip strap cutting my ankle and really feeling immense pain in my foot. Needless to say I did what I could and pushed on. Tears ran down my cheeks the last mile and the finish line has never looked so good. I crossed the line in 1:50.23 (8.26 average mile pace) and 7th place for my age group. I was 84th out of 484 men and women combined and 28th out of just the women. Overall I was pleased with my results but am really looking forward to doing another uninjured. As for now I can't run for six weeks and have to wear a boot for four.

The last 100 meters

So much pain

Lindsey also ran very well and got 7th overall for her age group. We really had some challenges since we started. Between the really bad weather (wind), finding someone to watch Zoey, working around two very different schedules and aches and pains I am not sure exactly how we did it, but we DID! I really couldn't have done it with out her. She truly is the best and I owe her big for getting me going. Love ya Linds!

Lindsey finishing strong

Below are some pictures of the race and all of our great friends that participated!

Cindy and Mike (10k participants)

Kaisey Half Marathon

The Group

We are all so glad to be done!

Running its one of those love hate relationships! There's lots to love about it and then you hate to love it because it can be hard and painful!