my thoughts on marathoning

Back when I was pregnant with Win, or soon after I had him, I thought it would be a good idea to do a marathon. It would give me something to work for and help me regain my waistline. I had completed a marathon before and actually enjoyed it so I thought training would be kind of fun.

In real life it has been hard. After completing my Saturday long runs, I constantly ask myself (and Kent) why I'm doing this. Last time I ran a marathon, I had some vengeance brewing in my soul. I was going through a break up and had recently almost died (not literally) on mile 15 in the Great Wall Marathon so I had something to prove to myself.

This time, I have my reasons, but they aren't as clearly defined. Yes, I want to be back at my pre-pregnancy weight and shape, but is it worth these (see below) and some other aches and pains?

(My second toenail(s) turns purple and falls off when I run a lot.
Weird and sort of gross.)

Deep inside I am excited. I even looked up how fast I have to do the marathon in order to qualify for Boston. If you're curious, it is 3 hrs 35 min for women ages 18-34. That's fast and my training speed isn't even close to that, but I might as well shoot for something. My running schedule has been sort of on and off, but I have done what I can do with a baby in tow. I have also had a really supportive husband who doesn't understand my love of running yet gets that I like it and will help me accomplish my goal.

Once again, I am excited for the race coming up in a couple of weeks and gradually gearing up mentally. Like the experts say, much of the race turns into a mental battle and I am slowly but surely finding my fire and reasons for competing. Just to "lose weight" isn't going to carry me through 26.2 miles.

Anyway, those are my thoughts. And, I also think I don't need to do this again after baby #2. Maybe a half marathon or sprint triathlon would suffice? We shall see.

up and up

Some one is 7 months old today and is acting like a big boy...

He seems too young to be pulling himself up on things, but I caught this kid in action last night. He isn't the most stable on his feet, but I'm sure he'll get the hang of it before we know it. Time to get serious about baby proofing.

friday night fun

Last Friday, our night consisted of:

Five Guys Burgers and Fries (really delicious as far as "fast food" goes and only a brief walk from our house)

Petco



and

A sunset stroll along the Marina














It felt pretty perfect considering we've all been sick and I didn't want cook dinner, but wanted to get out of the house.

I love our little family of three and the stage of life we're at. Friday nights might be different with a baby, but they are just as enjoyable.

one is bad enough

I don't care if Justin Bieber has both ears pierced, it will never be an attractive style for males. Maybe the occasional tribesman looks all right with an exotic piercing or two, but that's it. We went to the U.S. Open in Huntington Beach a couple of weekends ago and for whatever reason, I couldn't stop noticing the amount of young boys, tweeners and teenagers alike, that were sporting this look. Kent informed that it is fashionable amongst skaters, hip hoppers, thugs, celebs, teenagers and adults alike. Personally, I can't stand it. I honestly wanted to put my thumb and finger up to those kids' earlobes and pull them out. I wouldn't want to hurt the guys, but eek, please remove those earrings - they make one look like a punk.

Am I being too critical? Do most people think men look good with earrings? Does it make me a hypocrite because I think it's normal and fine for women to have both ears pierced, but not men? Maybe I'm just conditioned to thinking it looks fine on women, but not on men. Or maybe it's just the fact that bejeweled men aren't my cup of tea. Although, I do think it's kind of hot when Kent pulls out his massive gold chain necklace (I wish it had a clock on the end like Flavor Flav) and struts around the house. Okay, that doesn't happen. Kent does have a thing for rap and baseball though, two things that encourage necklaces in males.

Anyway, this is apparently a "style", but the mom in me just can't support it. Sorry, Win, no piercings for you.

6 months

Our boy is 6 months old. I'm not sure how that happened, but it did and we love our blond-haired, blue-eyed baby.

Day 1

Month 6

I don't have his stats because I made his 6 month appointment a little late and they don't have an opening until August 30th. They'll be more like 7 month stats.

Win's Favorites:

-Win loves my water bottle and pretends he knows what to do with it.

-Breast milk is the liquid of choice for our boy. I had a hair appointment the other day and wasn't going to be around for the feeding so Kent was just going to use some formula. Apparently, when Kent put the bottle in Win's mouth Win just let it dribble down the sides of his chin. Eventually, he started pushing it away and I really can't blame him. I suppose it's like powdered milk versus real milk - is there even a comparison? Powdered milk is nasty. Anyway, I had one last bag of frozen breast milk so Kent used it up and everyone was happy.

-He loves the bedtime routine, especially being naked, or at least with diaper only. He chats it up, squeals, screams, rolls around and tries to get up on his hands and knees. He resists putting jammies on though. Not fun for Mr. Win (or Mom and Dad).

-We don't dance around the room as much as we should, but when we do, he really enjoys it.

-He likes to make people laugh. Seriously. If he gets a reaction out of you and he knows he's being funny, he'll try it again. The makings of a comedian.

-Really loves sleeping on his side and still likes having a blanket over his face while falling asleep.

-Out of the songs I sing, Old MacDonald has to be his favorite.

Foods Win has tried:

-Lemon and lime wedges (mean parents), watermelon, carrots and celery. When I say try, I mean sucked on these various items. We have not moved into baby food yet. That will begin this month.

Achievements:

-Mobility: He can move around really well these days. Rolling is no biggie and he can turn himself to face different directions. I think crawling will happen sooner than we know it because he's starting to get up on all fours. He even got himself in the plank position the other day.

-He is also sitting. He occasionally falls back or to his sides, but for the most part he is stable. I still put pillows behind him if I'm not next to him.

-Win can put his pacifier back into his mouth all by himself! It's amazing.

Places visited:

-Both grandmas' houses
-The beach
-A movie theater (only 1x...that was enough)
-Grocery stores
-A mall or two
-Target
-A few restaurants
-Church
-Swimming pools
-Doctor's office
-Pet store
-Houses of friends and family
-Hospital (to visit a cousin)
-The park
-Downtown Disney (really brief)
-Daddy's soccer games
-Two Angels games

There are probably more places, but that's all I can think of for now.

Extra:

Something that cracks me up at the moment is his mad voice. I can't describe it, but he lets us know when he is upset or about to get that way.

It has been half a year of happiness with baby Winston and we're excited to see what the next half will bring.

cousins

Meet Win's cousin, Brigham.

(eye poke)

Brigs: "Here, let me show you how to spin this crazy thing."

Although Brigs stole Win's medicine dropper and poked him in the eye, I think they'll get along just great. 9 1/2 months between these two, but when they get older that won't seem very far. Brigham is all Win has on the West side (agewise) so let's hope they like each other.

sisters' week

Where is the time going? I wish I could freeze it for a few minutes and let things just be. Sisters' week is over-I'm already looking forward to next summer-and my little Win is growing like a weed (an adorable weed, if there is such a thing). Monday was my first day back to "real life" and it was productive, but I can't say it beat being at my mom and dad's house with my sisters. We have such a marvelous time together.

This year we baked whole wheat bread, cinnamon rolls, apple and berry pies, and peach crisp. We also made strawberry jam, apricot leather and homemade granola bars. Throw in a recipe exchange, swimming and water games with the kids, aerobics and running, strolls or "evening constitutionals" after dinner, games at night (I'm addicted to Ticket to Ride), shopping at the dollar store, Thrifty's ice cream and a lot of fun conversation and you have sisters' week. We wanted to do some sewing projects, but there wasn't time. Maybe next summer.

During those two weeks, Mr. Win became a new baby. New meaning he has turned a leaf and is acting like a grown up baby. He jabbers away and rolls around the floor. He is definitely developing into his own little person. He can put himself to sleep and is sleeping longer stretches at night which is heavenly, but sometimes he gets himself stuck (see photo below).

We're back at home loving the memories we made at Grandma's house, gearing up for the next reunion and looking forward to a fun-filled Fall.