BOOTIES FOR MY CUTIE!

I had a chance to catch a mid-week brunch with one of my dearest friends this week.  I have known Erica since we were in 7th grade. (I'm not going to count the years because it makes me feel old.)  Not only was I treated to some yummy food and some wonderful company, but Erica gave us one of the most awesome baby gifts. 

Seriously!  Those moccasins are amazing. I have to point out that Erica is an incredibly busy mother of 3 who works full time and volunteers mega hours every week at her church. Knowing that she took the time out her already over-packed schedule to make these perfect little shoes for Tennessee makes them even more special.

 

We are so lucky to have such talented and generous people in our lives.  Thank you, Erica!!

Safe Kids Fair

This weekend there was a "Safe Kids Fair" at the local convention center. Basically there are loads of vendors ranging from the city fire/police departments to the Humane Society and everything in between. There are games, activities and crafts, but the best part (for my wallet) is that it was free. I thought it might be geared more for younger children, but with a price tag of $0, it was worth a shot. It was a food co-op day, but we could squeeze in 2 hours before if we were there first thing in the morning, so that is what we did. Turns out the girls had so much fun that after the food co-op, they begged to come back. We stopped and picked up my friend's daughter on the way and ended up staying for 5 1/2 more hours.
It made for a super long day, but the girls had a blast. Honestly, the fact that the girls were reassured that mom is not overly protective by making them still use booster seats in the car and helmets EVERY time they ride bikes or scooters made it well worth the trip.

Here are the very few pictures I took from the outing:

Of course, Little T was with us as well, but he was the best baby and mostly stayed in the wrap as an observer. It was a fun way to spend a Saturday, and definitely something we will watch for next year when it comes around again.

4th Monthiversary

I cannot believe it has been 4 months since this little being entered our family.... at the same time, I can hardly believe he has only been with us for 4 months. I know. It makes no sense. Either way, I am still actively looking for a way to slow time down. Let me know if you have any leads.

Just look at that chunky arm.  I could eat it up!
Our big boy weighs 15 pounds and 14 ounces and is just shy of 25 inches long. He has recently decided that sleep is for the birds. His momma is doing her best to convince him otherwise.
To celebrate 4 months, we took advantage of the unseasonably warm weather and spent most of the day outside. He is definitely a future outdoorsman as he prefers to be outside over just about every other place. His other favorites are eating, bath time, peek-a-boo, singing/dancing and his wubbanub pacifiers. He is rolling all over the place and starting to attempts a goofy sort of army crawl. He makes tons of sounds and loves to have "conversations." He is constantly trying to sit up and when you help him up he can hold himself in sitting position for a bit. His doctor says he is ready to start trying some foods, but his momma wants to hold off just a little longer (possibly in an effort to feel like he isn't growing as fast as he is, in fact, growing). 
Not surprisingly, he has every one of us wrapped around his little finger, and we wouldn't have it any other way.

A Little Insane, but not Impossible

Remember when this happened 3 1/2 months ago?

Well about 8 1/2 months before that happened I had registered to run my first ultra marathon, an amazing 55k (34 mile) trail run though Canyon De Chelly in AZ. It wasn't too far fetched at the time of registration. I'd been putting in the miles and was up to almost 20 miles on my long run days.

The thing is both that little guy and the race were due to happen on the same day. Clearly the race wasn't happening, so I pulled out of to let someone else have my spot. They only take about 150 runners, and last year it sold out in 5 minutes, so I'm sure someone one the waiting list was thrilled.

I did run during the first part of my pregnancy and even completed a 33k  (20.5 miles) trail run in Moab at the end of February. That race made me realize that maybe I was pushing a little too hard and I started to back off.  My long runs became 10 miles... then 5 miles... then 3 miles.... and then I switched to walking all together.  I was still able to walk (waddle) 4-5 miles a day on the days before that cute little nugget arrived, but walking is not running... and after that cute little nugget arrived even my walking mileage dropped off for a while.

Flash forward to now.  When T turned 2 months old, I started running a little.  I'm not as consistent as I need to be, but I do go out on runs around the neighborhood.  It feels better and better to get out, but I kind of feel like I could use an event to focus my training on... Do you see where I'm going with this? 

8 months from tomorrow I will be in Arizona running (and probably walking... and possibly crawling) my way through a beautiful canyon with 150 other people.  It can't be all that hard, right?   Running with a jogging stroller has got to be close to the same thing as running on sandy trails...  I mean 34 miles is like running around the block... 48 1/2 times.  A little insane, but not impossible.

Sad, Sick,& Sleepy Snuggles

Little T has his first cold.  It was bound to happen, and frankly, I am surprised he lasted this long without one.  The day we brought him home from the hospital, Naiya was sick. Since he has come home, we have had stomach bugs(mom & Naiya), influenza (Naiya) and persistent colds (dad & Naiya). Poor Naiya has taken the brunt of it all this season, but amazingly Eva and Tennessee have avoided it all. (Well, until now.)
Sweet little peanut is clearly feeling rotten with a stuffy nose that makes it hard for him to nurse or keep his binky in.  I've tried to keep him as comfortable as possible by clearing his nose (not exactly comfortable in itself, but the results are comforting), using a humidifier and having plenty of snuggle time with momma.
Still, it's hard to sleep when you can't breathe easily. Luckily I remembered this awesome lavender pet that a friend got Tennessee for Christmas.  I warmed it up a little in the dryer and snuggled up with the pet and Tennessee.  Within minutes he was sleeping soundly (snoring like a champ). 

I'm so grateful for our amazing friends and for little comforts to help along the way.