Morning Routine

Published on May 14, 2013 in Uncategorized. 1 Comment

My friend Amber (who has the most adorable kids ever!) posted pictures the other day showing her morning routine, from wake up to out the door. I thought it was a cool idea so I’m totally stealing it. Here we go!

My morning starts with B coming in and putting his face in mine and telling me that it’s time to get up. No pictures of this because I’m way too incoherent at that point. I help him get dressed and get him breakfast and turn PBS Kids on. Then it’s time for me to get ready.

First things first.

Keurig

Okay. Time to see what we have to work with today.

Bedhead 2

Bedhead1

Not too bad. Lets put on some clothes and brush it out while I contemplate what to do with it.

Photobomb from the kiddo who likes to poop in my bathroom

Photobomb from the kiddo who likes to poop in my bathroom

Today is a non-wash day, so I can pull it back or leave it down. When I pull it back, I use a set of Goody spin pins. Love those things!

Pulled back 1

Pulled back 2

The other option is to hit it with the straightener for a quick touch up. I think that’s the route we’ll go today.

Straightened

Back to the kitchen. Step over the ‘gate’ B has built while I was getting ready.

Gate

Make breakfast. I was doing chocolate for a while, but I’m back to the greenberry right now. Mix it with water, almond milk, and a splash of OJ. Love it!

Breakfast

Time to get B convinced that he won’t die if he wears shoes to school, herd him into the car, and we’re off to school!

Cheaper than Therapy

Published on May 13, 2013 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

Every year on Mother’s Day weekend our city hosts the Fifth Third Riverbank Run which features the largest 25K road race in the country. More than 21,000 people participated in all the events this year (25K, 10K, 5K, 5K walk).

Growing up, I was never a runner. It was a huge joke in my family, especially since my little sister ran track and cross country. Me? I broke my arm jumping hurdles. I joined the debate team after that.

I tried running back in 2008 but I didn’t enjoy it, got angry and frustrated, and gave up on it. In 2012 I picked it back up through the JoggerMom Marathon challenge (run 26.2 miles during the month of May). I also did bootcamp at that same time. Over 6 months, I got in shape, lost 25+ lbs., and realized that I like running. I need to run. That physical release is what I need to help keep my brain happy. I found this headband at a fitness expo on Friday and had to buy it.

headband

I decided to sign up for the Riverbank 10K this year. A week before the race I finally was able to run the distance on my own at home. It was Hard. I was almost in tears when I got home because it was so mentally tough. Running alone on country roads definitely has pros (not much traffic, great scenery) and cons (no one to encourage you).

Finally it was here. Race day. I was fighting allergies and a stressful week at work, but I was determined to do it. I wore my fabulous Austin shirt that Jess gave me at Blissdom so I could take her and Kristina along with me for encouragement. :)

Austin

Waiting at the start was pretty surreal. In light of the events in Boston, security was pretty intense. I even saw members of our bomb squad out.

http://media.mlive.com/grandrapidspress/photo/2013/05/12724314-standard.jpg

http://media.mlive.com/grpress/opinion_impact/photo/chris-clark-10-kjpg-ea12f0ef2e508d6b.jpg

10K starting line

My dad came and met me at different points along the course which was awesome. Having streets lined with people watching, cheering, and encouraging us on was unreal. At 2 miles in I couldn’t believe we were already that far. It felt like we had just started! As we worked our way through the course, the range of emotions was intense.

I ended up with the time that I wanted and the knowledge that I can do this. I don’t know that I’ll try to run any farther than this (my body kind of hates me right now), but it’s an awesome feeling to have accomplished this. Right now, I’m in the best shape of my life, and it feels pretty damn good.

2013 - 3 mile mark

2013 – 3 mile mark

2013 - finish!

2013 – finish!

Spring Time = Busy Time

Published on May 9, 2013 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

It is crazy how busy things are for me right now. Work is ramped up with deadlines crashing into each other; there doesn’t really seem to be much light at the end of the tunnel either. Just when we think we’re making some headway … Bang! … more deadlines crop up. I suppose it’s a good problem to have, but it’s overwhelming to feel like we’re continually treading water. Our firm has a small litigation department (me and 2 attorneys) so it’s a pretty heavy burden. Right now I can’t afford to take any time off, which sucks.

On top of the work business, we’re still juggling with counseling and OT appointments for B, and I’m trying to keep up with running for my mental health. The stress at work makes this more important, but also leaves less time for it. It’s a conundrum.

Saturday I will be running a 10K. My first ever. I am insanely nervous. We’ve got stuff planned for every weekend now through mid-June. Thankfully it’s pretty much all ‘fun’ stuff.

Hopefully soon I’ll get a breather, and can take a few days off at the start of June when B’s off school a few days. Until then … just keep swimming. :)

How to Control the Clutter?

Published on April 30, 2013 in Home Life. 2 Comments

Our house isn’t very big or fancy, but it suits us just fine. Generally. Ever since we moved in, there is one thing that drives me crazy.

Where to put coats.

I know. It seems so basic. But here’s the deal. We come in through the garage. That door opens into the kitchen. There’s a closet right there, but we use it as our pantry. I’ve managed to create a little spot to put shoes, but not coats, backpacks, etc..

Doors

Then, you’re in the kitchen. The major dumping ground has become our dining room table and any open floor space near there.

Dining Room

There is a coat closet by the front door, but you have to go through the kitchen, dining room, and living room to get to it. And let’s face it: 3 year olds won’t do that. So I deal with coats on chairs until company comes over and I jam them into a closet.

What do you do to keep coats, backpacks, and all the other daily use ‘stuff’ organized?

How ‘Bout Them Apples?

Published on April 17, 2013 in Uncategorized. 1 Comment

For some reason that I can’t understand, B calls my breasts apples. He also refers to his knee as a leg elbow. It’s no secret among those who’ve met me that my ‘apples’ are large (ironically I graduated high school an A cup). I’m a small framed person and it’s been frustrating to find bras and clothing. A year or so before I got pregnant, I went to Chicago and stopped at the Intimacy store at 900 Michigan (this is the chain that’s been featured on What Not to Wear for bra fittings). I walked out of there with some fabulous fitting bras, and quite shocked at my sizing – UK 32G (or US DDDD).

After that, I would try to pick up a new bra when I was visiting Chicago, or I would order online from breakoutbras.com. I don’t even remember how I found them, but I was so grateful for them. Especially when it came time to find a J cup nursing bra. Ha! It’s still frustrating to not be able to just pop over to the mall and try on a bunch of bras when I want something new, but this is just how my life is.

Even after I quit nursing the apples decided to stay. Over the last year I’ve dropped quite a bit of weight and while my cup didn’t change a lot, my band did. It’s been time to get new bras, but I’ve been putting it off. I finally stumbled across a little bra fitting shop here in my own town. She has limited hours and you need an appointment, but I got in there. She carries the brands that I’ve been wearing, but mainly the simply (aka boring) styles. Whatever. They’re functional. I walked out with 2 new everyday bras and a new sports bra. She also offered to order anything that I’d like if I can find it in a catalog. Yay!

Looks like these apples are going to be around, at least until we decide that for sure there’s not a kiddo #2 and I get a reduction.

Things 3 Year Olds Say

Published on April 15, 2013 in B. 1 Comment

“I don’t have eyebrows. A squirrel ate them. I don’t need them any more”
later that night …
“The squirrel has my eyebrows. I need my eyelashes. For my glasses. The squirrel will bring extra eyelashes.”

“I want to go bowling. I need to bring my blue bowling hat. My green one blew away in the street.”

After getting blue liquid on the carpet there was a dialog with grandpa:
“Why are we getting the carpet robot?”
“Because you squirted blue on the carpet.”
“No I didn’t.”
“Yes, you did. There’s some on your pants, too.”
“That’s penis water.”

“I dropped my toothbrush in the toilet!”

“I need my penis comfy”

“Cows squirt milk. Out their butts. And they eat grass.”

“That’s my leg elbow.” (a knee)

“That’s my arm ankle.” (an elbow)

Frustration

Published on April 13, 2013 in B and Parenting. 3 Comments

Lately, I feel like I’m continually battling with my son. 3 vs 32. Not a reasonable or fair fight.

Now he’s 3. Smart as a whip, strong-willed, and emotional. I’m also smart, strong-willed, and emotional. You would think two nearly identical personalities could get along, but we don’t. It’s like oil and water. We’ve pretty much always been this way. At the beginning it was compounded by my depression and anxiety.

It’s frustrating to feel like every night is a battle, and that K is the only one who knows how to handle him correctly. Sure, there are times like I feel like I know the answers and am doing it. But then there are moments like tonight, I’m trying to do his OT exercises, he’s not cooperating, I get angry, yell, and storm out of his room. He melted down into tears and was so distraught. I was horrified at my behavior. I immediately went back to him and we rocked and talked. I said I was sorry that I got angry and yelled. He told me it made him sad and hurt his ears. I felt awful.

This cycle is frustrating. It seems like getting angry is the only thing that gets through to him, but I hate having it that way.

Running Buddy

Published on April 8, 2013 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

Last May I took up running. It started by participating in the Jogger Mom Marathon (you run 26.2 miles during the month of May). Slowly, I started to increase my distance and kept up with it. By summer I ran a 5K and in fall I ran another that was my best time ever.

Through it all, I realized that running was great for my physical health as I lost weight, but it also was really helping my mental health. It’s amazing what going out and just running a mile can do for you.

Currently I’m working up to running a 10K in May. Saturday I was getting ready for a run when B asked to come with me. So he got his gear on and trotted along for a few driveways until he saw a friend out and went to go play instead. :)

Running Partner

Unfortunately I had a goofy stride or something and got to spent the evening like this.

Icing

The end may be near for naps :(

Published on April 4, 2013 in B. 0 Comments

Off and on for the last year when B goes through a spurt of really difficult bedtimes, I comment that he might be ready to drop his nap. This time though, the message is coming through loud and clear. He’s starting to skip naps at school. He’s taking shorter naps when he does take one. Easter Sunday he was nap-free except for a 20 minute cat nap.

Yesterday he skipped his nap at daycare. All the other kids napped, but not B. Amazingly, the teacher said he was better behaved in the afternoon. Perhaps having some quiet time with just the teacher was what he needed? Who knows. He did zonk out in the car on the way home, but woke up great, played outside, and went to bed pretty good and crashed out. He was out by 7:45 and slept until 7 this morning. This is the kid who’s usually up at 6:15.

I treasure that quiet time on the weekends. I am going to miss it. But if it makes our bedtimes go better and he sleeps better at night? It’s worth it.

My baby is growing up.

Children Carry Diseases aka Combatting the Cold

Published on April 3, 2013 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

It seems like hardly a week has gone by this winter that we haven’t had illness of one sort or another. Colds, sinus infections, influenza. You name it, we’ve pretty much had it.

K used to joke before we had B that “children carry diseases.” He may not have been far off from the truth. He does go to school full time now, but been in daycare since he was 1.

Does the illness frequency get better? Can I hold out hope that this summer and next winter won’t feel so miserable? Is there anything I can do to get us out of this????

In the meantime … pass the tissues.

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