Unwinding tonight in the couch enjoying a glass (or two) of wine from my favorite vineyard (J Vineyard. I would link if I weren't posting from my phone). Busy day today. I worked from an office (hubby's) as I've been trying to get out once a week. Then I ran a couple errands, got home to a screaming kid (he was being scolded - I think he might already be hitting the terrible twos). After "working" with the guy to fix our golf cart, little guy was a mess. Bath, dinner and a little play time. Then bed. Resulting in Mommy relaxing on the couch with her wine.
All this to say, today was one of those days I appreciate my work from home status.
Hope you are having a good week.
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Wednesday, March 28
Thursday, March 8
JW
I know you all are missing my JW posts so I thought I would share a picture or two of our little guy! He's a walker now!! So much to update and so little time. Hopefully the pictures will tie you over for a bit.
He has strep so we spent Tuesday snuggled on the couch. This was when I was trying to get some work done. He was pretty pitiful but still super cute.
Post bath curls. They were stick straight the next morning.
Big boy at the counter reading mail. This was a couple weeks ago.
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Running
I've been doing a lot of running lately, especially since I finally committed to running my first Half Marathon (in 3 weeks). Here are some thoughts/updates:
- running hills is tough - running hills in high humidity, even tougher - BUT by the third run, I conquered the big hill (but I might have walked the next little hill).
- I do most of my running by myself. It's kind of soothing. But not as motivating as having a running partner. I was lucky to have a running partner in the Bahamas (oh yeah, we were on vacation - recap coming). Otherwise there was at least one morning I would not have made it. And she helped push me up the big hill! And I feel like my pace is faster, so that's a bonus.
- My first really long run (8 miles) was this weekend. Hubby needed to run 4.5 to get his 15/week in (Lent) so he went with me. It was a family run. We took turns pushing JW in the stroller. Solid 10 minute miles for the whole run! (And he says he'll do 9 with me this weekend!!)
- Hills are tough - but what's tougher - pushing a 25 pound stroller with a 25 pound kid up those hills.
- Music is key to a good run. I need some new music - any suggestions?
- I got some training advice from my sister - who knew you needed to get some fuel during the big runs. Good thing I signed up for the Brooks Run Happy University and they sent me a welcome packet (I have only run in Brooks Adrenaline for the last 8 years). There were some Chump bites in there. Pretty good, though hard to chew and run. I need to run to Dick's or somewhere and try some other options. But the Blueberry Pomegranate flavor was yummy.
I'm pretty happy with my running over the last few weeks. I haven't set any time goals for the race (the course is pretty hilly). I'd just like to finish my first one. Maybe if I like it enough, I'll set some goals for the next one ;)
- running hills is tough - running hills in high humidity, even tougher - BUT by the third run, I conquered the big hill (but I might have walked the next little hill).
- I do most of my running by myself. It's kind of soothing. But not as motivating as having a running partner. I was lucky to have a running partner in the Bahamas (oh yeah, we were on vacation - recap coming). Otherwise there was at least one morning I would not have made it. And she helped push me up the big hill! And I feel like my pace is faster, so that's a bonus.
- My first really long run (8 miles) was this weekend. Hubby needed to run 4.5 to get his 15/week in (Lent) so he went with me. It was a family run. We took turns pushing JW in the stroller. Solid 10 minute miles for the whole run! (And he says he'll do 9 with me this weekend!!)
- Hills are tough - but what's tougher - pushing a 25 pound stroller with a 25 pound kid up those hills.
- Music is key to a good run. I need some new music - any suggestions?
- I got some training advice from my sister - who knew you needed to get some fuel during the big runs. Good thing I signed up for the Brooks Run Happy University and they sent me a welcome packet (I have only run in Brooks Adrenaline for the last 8 years). There were some Chump bites in there. Pretty good, though hard to chew and run. I need to run to Dick's or somewhere and try some other options. But the Blueberry Pomegranate flavor was yummy.
I'm pretty happy with my running over the last few weeks. I haven't set any time goals for the race (the course is pretty hilly). I'd just like to finish my first one. Maybe if I like it enough, I'll set some goals for the next one ;)
Friday, February 17
Thursday, February 16
Funny
I was just telling myself that a burger and fries was totally justified after running 4.5 miles and playing a 3 hour tennis match yesterday. Then I remembered I am going to try on swim suits in a bit. Um, yea, that'll be fun, or better yet, funny!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Wednesday, February 15
I have a favor to ask
I know it's probably rude to disappear for a couple weeks and only pop in to ask a favor, but it's a very special favor.
I have a friend, sorority sister actually, who's family is in need of prayers. Her husband has pancreatic cancer. Things are getting harder and he is in more pain. So I ask that you please take just a minute to say a quick prayer for peace and strength to them. Michelle has shown a great deal of faith in this situation and I admire her for that. For more information on Craig's diagnosis and their story, go here. But I recommend having some tissues handy.
Thank you!!!
I have a friend, sorority sister actually, who's family is in need of prayers. Her husband has pancreatic cancer. Things are getting harder and he is in more pain. So I ask that you please take just a minute to say a quick prayer for peace and strength to them. Michelle has shown a great deal of faith in this situation and I admire her for that. For more information on Craig's diagnosis and their story, go here. But I recommend having some tissues handy.
Thank you!!!
Friday, January 27
To Do or not To Do - That is the question
Remember when I posted about the things I was looking forward to in 2012? And I didn't really come back and give you any details.......
One of those things was "Running a Half Marathon"
This has been a goal of mine for several years. Awhile ago I actually started training for the Derby Half in Louisville, KY but ended up with a stress fracture in my foot - not fun. I've been a fairly inconsistent runner since then. When doing it regularly, I would do about 3 miles two or three times a week. I stopped running around 16 weeks pregnant with JW - it was too much pressure on the organs. After JW, I have been wanting to get back into it. If you remember my hips were pretty whacked after pregnancy and childbirth (or maybe I never got time to write that post). I was slow to get back into things. I focused mainly on tennis through the summer, but by late summer I really wanted to start running again. To help that, my sister signed us up for a Turkey Trot. This one is not a 5K, but actually a 5 mile race. I was a bit nervous, but went for it. I needed to get in gear. So I ran 2 times a week and some weeks 3. And come race day, I killed it - 5 miles in 48 something....I was feeling pretty good. So I started thinking about that Half Marathon goal again. And found a race in Lexington, KY (I'll have a place to stay, friends are running it, etc) and said I'd do it. Well, truth be told, I haven't actually signed up for the race yet. I'm nervous. I have started the Hal Higdon Training guide (did great weeks 1&2 - this week not so much). I am doing pretty well with the running piece but have trouble getting the lifting and cross training in. (Tennis is starting back up so that should help.) This race we're talking about.....MARCH 31. Yep - 9 weeks away. The registration fee goes up $10 on Wednesday.... I am pretty sure I can do this - and I've asked several friends and a lot of them say that as long as I am running an hour and a half straight before the race I'll be good...And one off week isn't going to kill me (this week had just been bad for some reason - sleepy, scratchy throat, nights out, travel). So.....I'm putting it out there - what do you think?
Go for it??? Or wait for another race???
(In my mind this is the year - JW will be wanting a sibling soon - and I'd like to do it before I can't if you catch my drift)
One of those things was "Running a Half Marathon"
This has been a goal of mine for several years. Awhile ago I actually started training for the Derby Half in Louisville, KY but ended up with a stress fracture in my foot - not fun. I've been a fairly inconsistent runner since then. When doing it regularly, I would do about 3 miles two or three times a week. I stopped running around 16 weeks pregnant with JW - it was too much pressure on the organs. After JW, I have been wanting to get back into it. If you remember my hips were pretty whacked after pregnancy and childbirth (or maybe I never got time to write that post). I was slow to get back into things. I focused mainly on tennis through the summer, but by late summer I really wanted to start running again. To help that, my sister signed us up for a Turkey Trot. This one is not a 5K, but actually a 5 mile race. I was a bit nervous, but went for it. I needed to get in gear. So I ran 2 times a week and some weeks 3. And come race day, I killed it - 5 miles in 48 something....I was feeling pretty good. So I started thinking about that Half Marathon goal again. And found a race in Lexington, KY (I'll have a place to stay, friends are running it, etc) and said I'd do it. Well, truth be told, I haven't actually signed up for the race yet. I'm nervous. I have started the Hal Higdon Training guide (did great weeks 1&2 - this week not so much). I am doing pretty well with the running piece but have trouble getting the lifting and cross training in. (Tennis is starting back up so that should help.) This race we're talking about.....MARCH 31. Yep - 9 weeks away. The registration fee goes up $10 on Wednesday.... I am pretty sure I can do this - and I've asked several friends and a lot of them say that as long as I am running an hour and a half straight before the race I'll be good...And one off week isn't going to kill me (this week had just been bad for some reason - sleepy, scratchy throat, nights out, travel). So.....I'm putting it out there - what do you think?
Go for it??? Or wait for another race???
(In my mind this is the year - JW will be wanting a sibling soon - and I'd like to do it before I can't if you catch my drift)
Friday, January 20
Sleep
I feel like this must be a topic on many parents' minds. I've only been a parent for just over a year, but sleep is a hot topic. My sleep, JW's sleep, how much we're getting, when to go to sleep, how many naps, etc. It's kind of overwhelming.
Overall I think JW is a great sleeper. In fact, I was looking back through my notes and this is what I found:
- at 1 month and 1 day JW slept for a 6 hour stretch at night
- at just shy of 2 months we got another 6 hour stretch followed by 2 nights of 7 hours
- a couple weeks later we got a random 8 and half hours
- at 5 months we started getting regular long stretches of sleep and then settled into a pattern
- JW has been consistent with 2 naps a day and the first one generally starts before 10
Now, just because he was sleeping that long, does not mean Mommy and Daddy were sleeping that long. His sleeps starts before 8PM, there is no way we're getting to bed before then. In fact, we generally haven't had dinner before then. (we've lived in Europe where dinner after 8 - or even 9 - is normal).
Late summer and into the fall JW got into a really good rhythm of going to bed around 7:30 and sleeping until at least 6:30. Then we travelled for Thanksgiving, hosted family and friends for his birthday, he turned 1 and started getting molars. Now our sleep is ALL OVER THE BOARD. He's still fairly consistent with two naps - morning and afternoon. The length of those naps is undetermined. A couple days in the last two weeks he skipped the afternoon nap all together. Bedtime is sometime between 7 and 8 with a bottle, diaper change and short rock with Mommy or Daddy. He's pretty good about going to sleep on his own (as in only a couple times a month do we have an issue.) But we've been up once a night almost every night. We'll have a few rough nights, then a good one or two (good being sleeping at least 11 hours). I think our better nights of sleep are when JW goes to bed between 6:30 and 7:00.
But getting him to bed between 6:30 and 7 is HARD. Not to mention if he goes to bed that early, Daddy might not see him all day. And as a working mommy, how am I to run any errands during the week when we can't get out of the house before 5:00? I really believe consistency and routine are good for JW. But is that good for Mommy and Daddy? Is Mommy just trying to do too much? Work, volunteer, maintain the house, a marriage and a life?
I have moments where I feel an overwhelming sense of failure, like I'm not doing any of it right. And moments where all is right with the world - we've had a wonderful dinner, JW is happy, the house is clean, I'm caught up on volunteer emails (I'm an officer with my sorority). But those are rare. Sometimes we have a great dinner. Sometimes I've spent good quality time with JW. Every other week my house is clean (yes, we've hired a house cleaner). And sometimes I'm so overwhelmed with the to do list - I just spend the evening hanging with JW - playing and loving on him. Which is what's really important, right?
Please tell me I'm not the only one struggling with this sleep, schedule, how to get it all done issue.......
If you have any tips/tricks on "getting it done", please share!
Until next time........
Overall I think JW is a great sleeper. In fact, I was looking back through my notes and this is what I found:
- at 1 month and 1 day JW slept for a 6 hour stretch at night
- at just shy of 2 months we got another 6 hour stretch followed by 2 nights of 7 hours
- a couple weeks later we got a random 8 and half hours
- at 5 months we started getting regular long stretches of sleep and then settled into a pattern
- JW has been consistent with 2 naps a day and the first one generally starts before 10
Now, just because he was sleeping that long, does not mean Mommy and Daddy were sleeping that long. His sleeps starts before 8PM, there is no way we're getting to bed before then. In fact, we generally haven't had dinner before then. (we've lived in Europe where dinner after 8 - or even 9 - is normal).
Late summer and into the fall JW got into a really good rhythm of going to bed around 7:30 and sleeping until at least 6:30. Then we travelled for Thanksgiving, hosted family and friends for his birthday, he turned 1 and started getting molars. Now our sleep is ALL OVER THE BOARD. He's still fairly consistent with two naps - morning and afternoon. The length of those naps is undetermined. A couple days in the last two weeks he skipped the afternoon nap all together. Bedtime is sometime between 7 and 8 with a bottle, diaper change and short rock with Mommy or Daddy. He's pretty good about going to sleep on his own (as in only a couple times a month do we have an issue.) But we've been up once a night almost every night. We'll have a few rough nights, then a good one or two (good being sleeping at least 11 hours). I think our better nights of sleep are when JW goes to bed between 6:30 and 7:00.
But getting him to bed between 6:30 and 7 is HARD. Not to mention if he goes to bed that early, Daddy might not see him all day. And as a working mommy, how am I to run any errands during the week when we can't get out of the house before 5:00? I really believe consistency and routine are good for JW. But is that good for Mommy and Daddy? Is Mommy just trying to do too much? Work, volunteer, maintain the house, a marriage and a life?
I have moments where I feel an overwhelming sense of failure, like I'm not doing any of it right. And moments where all is right with the world - we've had a wonderful dinner, JW is happy, the house is clean, I'm caught up on volunteer emails (I'm an officer with my sorority). But those are rare. Sometimes we have a great dinner. Sometimes I've spent good quality time with JW. Every other week my house is clean (yes, we've hired a house cleaner). And sometimes I'm so overwhelmed with the to do list - I just spend the evening hanging with JW - playing and loving on him. Which is what's really important, right?
Please tell me I'm not the only one struggling with this sleep, schedule, how to get it all done issue.......
If you have any tips/tricks on "getting it done", please share!
Until next time........
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