The perfect workout

If you are bored with your current workout routine, may I suggest the Easter Egg Hunt. It's not an obvious workout, but I speak from experience when I say it will kick your butt. 

Tonight I made the mistake of agreeing to let the girls hunt Easter eggs after dinner. It takes me a good ten minutes to hide them and it takes them about 4.3 seconds to find most of them. We must have done this about 5 or 6 times all over the yard. I was exhausted and they were still ready to go. Tomorrow is soccer and then it's supposed to rain for a few days. Hopefully I can postpone the next Easter egg workout for a while. It's going to take me a bit to recover!

Sweet 16

This morning I ran my first race since the Disney Marathon.  I've run the half marathon here in Knoxville for the last two years, but this year I decided to do the 5k. I REALLY wanted to run he 1/2 again this year, but I swallowed my pride and went for the shorter race. 

I got up about 5:30 and got all my stuff together. Once I got to the parking garage at World's Fair Park I sat there for a while listening to my "pump it up" music and using my toothbrush for muscles. (Ten points if you remember the name of it.) It was pretty chilly this morning, with a bitter wind so most of the runners were clustered inside the Convention Center. I waited in line to pee (twice in fact!) and didn't venture back out into the cold until right before the race. It was hard to see all the 1/2 and full marathon runners. It is such a great race and I was bummed to not get to be a part of that this morning. 

Right before the gun, a man gave a "motivational" speech. I use the quotes because it was far from motivating. He said "Hey losers, maybe if you train hard you can run one of the real races next year." Those were not his exact words, but his meaning was crystal clear. This was the race of rejects. I wanted to remind him of one of my favorite running quotes, "It takes more courage to find your way to the starting line than to get to the finish." 

After our demoralizing pep talk, the gun finally went off. One of my weaknesses during a 5k is starting out too quickly. I arrived at mile one and discovered I ran a 9:10. Obviously this wasn't starting out too quickly since I know I can run a 7:30 mile. I stayed pretty consistent and was 18:20 at the 2 mile mark.  The wind was brutal and even blew my hat off once. I enjoyed the course. It had a good mix of uphill and downhill. Plus, just like the "real" races you get to finish in Neyland Stadium. I had plenty of juice left at the end of the race so I blasted to the 50 yard line. 27:38 was my official time. My goal had been to run it in less than 30 minutes so I was pleased to see the race clock. I finished 16th in my age division. 16th out of 130 women. I'm hoping to fit in a few more 5k races in before I get too big. Hopefully I can make that happen!

Roll up your sleeve

Yesterday I went to pick up the girls at school. Ainsley started slamming all her toys away as soon as she saw me and her teacher walked over to the cubbies. Her teacher is so wonderful, but I could tell there was some sort of hesitation. I immediately realized she was trying to deliver some sort of unpleasant news. I assumed Ainsley had bitten someone or chucked a truck at someone's head. That's what I get for assuming, it actually had nothing to do with her.

A child in Ainsley's class has been diagnosed with Fifth Disease. I had heard of it, so I knew it was one of those "bad for pregnant women" things. I got the girls in the car and called my OB. It was almost closing time though so I left my information with the nurse knowing it would be Friday before I heard back from them.

I had an event at the hospital early this morning, but I carried my phone with me and the doctor's office called right after 8am. They wanted to see me in ASAP to have my blood drawn. Apparently most of us are exposed to this virus as children. We might not ever get sick from it, but still build up an immunity. That's what the blood test will determine. If I haven't ever been exposed before then they will closely monitor me for a while and take my blood again in four weeks. I should have results on Monday. I have my 16 week visit late next week, so if I have any more questions I can discuss it with the doctor then.

On a roll

Well the spring 2009 soccer season is underway. When we got to the field another mom, who had been sitting in her car, popped out with her daughter as soon as we got out. She was a newbie. I recognized her uncertainty and deer in the headlights look right away. I wore the same expressions last year. She followed us to the field and we found out that she had a five year old named Sidney. 

We got our new t-shirts and then the woman in charge gathered us all together. She asked the coaches who had already volunteered to please step forward.  A few did and it was clear we needed more volunteers. Somehow, someway, my hand was raised and I suddenly found myself the coach of five munchkin girls. It all happened so fast so I'm not sure exactly how it happened. Before I knew it I had my girls and a field assignment and instructions to get started. 

I started them off by running some laps around the field. (This is when Jamie arrived to find his wife had taken on yet another role. Now I am not to be left alone for fear I will become a Girl Scout leader, a Peace Corps volunteer, or perhaps a plasma donor) I remembered many of the drills from last year so I did my best to make sure the girls were actually learning something. 

They are actually pretty good, all things considered. True to form, they enjoyed water breaks more than playing. We scrimmaged against the other team on the field next to us and actually managed to score two points!! I was so proud!! Ainsley watched all this happily from the sideline. She cheered the team on during their scrimmage and enjoyed the water breaks as well! Anastasia has vastly improved over last year. She "gets" the rules and the fundamentals and had a really great time. 

It's going to be a fun season, I have no doubt. In fact, I believe I learned far more tonight than my girls did. Here's to next week!

Pregnancy update

I'm 14w3d pregnant as of today. I can definitely tell that the first trimester is behind me, but I am really starting to show now. I've avoided maternity clothes so far (whew!) but there is no denying my baby bump now. I eat all the time, which is why that bump has grown so quickly. Sleep is sometimes difficult at night. From crazy dreams to my constant trips to the bathroom it's very difficult to get a good 8 hours in. I take advantage of naps on the weekend when I can. 

I've been running pretty often, but it is slow going. I've been feeling a lot of pressure as the baby grows, so I feel I'll be waddling before too long. I'm feeling some tiny flutters, but no major movements just yet. We listen to the heartbeat often, which is very easy to locate now that the baby is so big. 

I go back to the doctor on the 3rd and there I will schedule my big ultrasound!!!!! Hopefully it will be in late April or right as May begins. I found out today the baby has already been cast as Baby Jesus in the Walk Through Bethlehem at church. The children's director and I were talking as I picked up Anastasia from Children's Church and she told me the baby would be the perfect age to lay in the manger. For some reason, this really cracks me up!!!

A goodbye and a hello

Friday night some of my friends from the station threw a goodbye party for me and for three others who have recently left the station (although some, not by choice). It was a great party! Jamie and I got a sitter so we could enjoy the evening. I hadn't seen everyone in three weeks so it was nice to catch up with them and fill them in on my new gig. I ate waaaaaay too much, but it was a great night nonetheless. The girls had fun with the sitter, but Ainsley showed her true colors. The sitter was floored because Ainsley really fought her about going to bed. We laughed because she does that all the time, but it was the first time the sitter had ever seen that behavior in Ainsley. 

Today we said hello to spring! The weather was wonderful so we hit the park after nap, along with everyone else in the county. The playgrounds were packed and I had a hard time running because I was constantly dodging dogs, bikes, and strollers. After the dinner the kids spent almost an hour in the sandbox. We also planted marigolds!

The girls are doing well. Anastasia has a new phrase that seems to be cropping up more and more. She like to say "as well." For example, "We went to the park and the store as well." It's so funny and I'm not sure why she is using it so much. She always uses it correctly, but it makes her sound SO grown up!!

Ainsley is still full of more trouble than should be allowed. She was up several times last night. Jamie took her to the after hours clinic today, where she had to pee in a cup. Ha! Everything was fine and she seems to be back to her old self tonight. I have no doubt that when I go upstairs to check on them before bed that her socks will be hidden under her pillow just like every night before. 

We've got a big week ahead of us as soccer begins. Should be fun for all!

Flying by!

March is flying by and I scarcely know how to contain it! We've been taking advantage of the warm weather when we can get it by spending as much time outdoors as we can. We've flown kites, ridden bikes, and gone for long walks lately. We treated the girls to a zoo trip two Sundays ago and they really enjoyed being there again. We're going to try and go a few more times before our membership expires.

Anastasia is doing well at school and is really starting to read and recognize words. She wants to color and draw all the time. She starts soccer next week and is counting down the days until she can don her cleats. She's a year older and wiser and is prepared to face this season head on. I'm looking forward to it as well. Last year was so much fun and I enjoyed all our extra outside time in the evenings.

Ainsley has also done a good job of adjusting to being back at her old school. Her teacher told me last week how well she was doing. She's totally potty trained during the day (as she has been since the holidays) and is pretty much trained at night now. She's been doing a chart lately. Each time she keeps her Pull-Up dry at night she gets to put a sticker on the chart. As of this morning, the chart is full and that means she can sleep in panties. I've got extra sheets standing by, just in case.

I'm feeing okay, but trying to put this fatigue behind me. I've adjusted to our new schedule pretty easily, but I am SO worn out by the time 9pm rolls around. don't see the doctor again until right before Easter. Then our ultrasound to determine the sex should be the first week of May. What a great Mother's Day gift that will be!! We've started to buy diapers for the baby and get things in order. I've pulled out all my maternity clothes, but have thus far avoided actually wearing any of them. It's a slippery slope....one day your in jeans with a zipper and then *poof* it's elastic waistbands and adjustable pants until delivery. I get a news letter every week about the baby's development and today's made me laugh.

You're 14 Weeks Pregnant. Your baby measures about 3.2 to 4.1 inches from crown to rump and weighs almost an ounce. The ears are shifting from the neck to the sides of the head, and the neck is getting longer and chin more prominent.

Ears on the neck?!?!?! Sheesh....I think I'd rather not know that part!!!

12 week appointment

We had our 12 week appointment today. We started with the ultrasound. Jamie and the girls joined me for this part of my appointment so the kids could see the baby for the first time. I hadn't seen the baby in 5 weeks and it's amazing to me how much it has grown! Because this u/s was to measure the head and neck for birth defects it was quite a lengthy one. We got to see the baby move a lot, which the girls very much enjoyed. We also got to leave with some wonderful pictures! All the measurements came out okay, and they did a blood test to follow along with those measurements. I saw the doctor four about 3 minutes and then we were on our way. I go back in 4 weeks!

I'm feeling pretty tired, but otherwise okay. I've started to put on some pounds which has me stressed out. I am having trouble reining in my appetite. I want to eat everything I can get my hands on. Currently I am dreaming of the donuts at the locally owned shop down the street. Good thing they aren't opened this late!!!

Update from the trenches

So my first week rolls on. I've learned to pack snacks....and that my new position requires many, many meetings. I am really enjoying it though. 

Yesterday Anastasia came down with a fever. We found out today that it's strep. She seems to be doing okay, except for a headache. She's on meds now and hopefully will bounce back quickly. 

Tonight after dinner Ainsley and I went for a nice long walk. We rarely do things with the girls separately so it was nice to have some one-on-one time. She threw rocks in the water and ran for a while. We're SO ready for spring!!! 

A whole new world

So after 7 years at Channel Ten....I now have a new job. I started today. It was kind of like transferring to a new school in the middle of the year. You're trying to figure out the lingo and to try and look cool in the lunchroom. The lunchroom was actually the hospital cafe, but the rules still applied. I attempted to appear to know what I was doing as I ordered. I chose a grilled cheese, yogurt, and a Pepsi (sorry mom...no Coke).  Of course the reality of it was...the yogurt was gulped down during a crisis meeting and the cheese sandwich was eaten cold two hours later in a different meeting.  All in all it was a great first day and I think once I get my bearings I'm really going to like it. 

The girls had a nice first day back at their old school. They were welcomed with open arms and acted like they'd never been gone. Ainsley slept well at nap time and they both ate good lunches. We were home before 5pm, which I still am having trouble believing! 

I'm feeling okay. Aversion to certain smells and tastes like mint. Ugh...mint is really bad. Fatigue had eased off some, but it comes and goes. We've been listening to the baby's heartbeat at the girls request. They are so excited about being big sisters. We get to see the baby again on Friday. The girls are coming for the ultrasound. Should be fun for everyone!!!