The long (but not lonely) winter - part 1, really still fall

I am getting just terrible at updating this thing- but no news is good news here. We've been so busy having fun, working, running, and socializing (playdates upon playdates and then some) that there's just been no time to write it all down.  Thankfully, there's a handy dandy camera on my phone so I can capture all the moments before they slip away from memory.

As the leaves turned and fell, hubs became busy at work and I did my best to keep the kids out and occupied when they weren't being babysat by somebody so I could find time to run my long marathon training runs (I'll get to a full recap of that and our Disney trip, hopefully before our next Disney trip!).  We try as often as we can to get to the Lowes build and grow clinic since it's 100% free and it's one of Gobbles' favorite things to do.  He's gotten to the point where he can follow the layout directions himself, just double checking with me that he has it right before he hammers.  The November project was a science experiment kit - a bonus for Gobbles because he loves science.

We also had the opportunity for many playdates and birthday parties, one of which was the Lobster's first time bowling.  She was the only sibling who opted to go but held her own with Gobbles' pals and even had a strike!  Gobbles continued his soccer career, but this time we changed it up and went to the local soccer association instead of the Y, and he enjoyed it even more.  There was more structured instruction and skill building rather than just playing, and you know how we are about structured playtimes!

Thanksgiving was celebrated at school and at home, with good friends and great family.  We went with our usual brined turkey and carbo-loaded menu, but I changed up my soup from butternut squash to pumpkin gruyere in an attempt to be fancy.  It turned out pretty good but in my distracted state I used the cheese that was supposed to top it in the "cheddar" biscuits instead, so we'll have to try again next year.

I wish I could remember what else went on when the weather turned cold, but since the thaw has started and I have three months' worth of stuff to catch up on, it's time to move on to part 2...

I hammer with such precision and determination!

I may have hit a thumb or two...

Whoo hoo!  look at our creations!

Now it's time to experiment!

Check out that volcano action!

C'mon buddy, let's play while our lazy brothers watch tv!

Mommy!  Check out this giant heavy ball!

See?  This is how I roll...

It also makes a handy seat!

Lefty all the way.

It's taking forever for this one to roll!

Three bffs playing video games

And three bffs eating pizza!

Slowest cake eater in the WORLD!

It's only going to get harder to have them all look at the camera!

Girlfriends!

Laid back buds...

Getting into the game

I don't care if you're a girl, I'm gonna kick it anyway!

Move it move it let's go!

this goal is a little too small for all of us!

Right here buddy!

Can you please not bother me in here?

My first attempt at tracing my name!

I figured out the date all by myself

It's so hard hanging out at church...

3/4 smiling family shot!

God bless our Cousin Z!

How would i look as a brunette?

Can't catch me!

More gymnastics fun please!

Wow what a flip!

Uh Mom I think these are the same outfits we wore last thanksgiving??

Fighting like sisters over the sink

then back to pals walking in the snow

Here D, let me get that for you!

First taste of soda... blech!

another round, please!

inventive vacuuming

What's wrong with hanging on the table leg, mom?

Happy Thanksgiving!

BFFs!

And another BFF in the making!

'scuse me... my hair!

Cousins two ways!

A motley crew

nothing makes us happier than juice!

Me and my Gobbles

Starting to outgrow the kiddie table!

Starting to outgrow the big table too!

Let's eat!

Too much food.  need sleepy!

The THREEnager!

Dear Little Lobster Roll,

And just like that, with merely a month of fanfare, travel, and celebration, you turned 3.  And it took me over another month just to get this letter written for you - sorry sweetie!

I still can't believe that my littlest baby is such a big girl.  You have the wit and sass of a teenager, and sometimes in conversations I forget that you're just in preschool. The only physical reminder I have of that is when you are chilling watching tv that thumb is stuck in your mouth with no signs of stopping.  The doctor says to distract you when I see you sucking, but he also says to limit your tv and tablet time which is nearly impossible when we need to get some kind of dinner on the table after a long day at work.  And after you told him "oh yea we have an iPad I play all the time" (lie) and "gobbles uses Mommy's kindle" (truth) while I swore up and down that you guys aren't always attached to tv and devices.  Then you asked him if he ever met Boo at Disney World and you told him all about your trip.  Based on your animated descriptions of everything he didn't even have to run through the usual questions to check your milestones, because you just confirmed them in conversation.  You logged your three year visit at 28 lbs and 37 inches, 25th percentile for weight and 50th for height- my little peanut.  


You may be small, but you are mighty my dear, in your personality, imagination, sense of fashion, and confidence.  When you are not throwing an epic tantrum (did I mention you might be a bit stubborn like your parents too?), or handing out sass, you are sweet and friendly at the core.  Lately when I've asked you who you played with at school, you answer "everyone" which is a great improvement from your mean girl days in older toddlers when you'd sit under the climber with your two besties and tell the others they cannot play.  Your teachers tell me you are helpful in class, helping kids that need it and always volunteering to clean up.  Hopefully this isn't a sign of cleanliness issues born from your messy house, which I swear wouldn't be so messy if you and your brother didn't have so many toys!

The sass that I mentioned above is usually reserved for me and sometimes Daddy although lately he can do no wrong in your eyes (and that's fine by me).  If I am disciplining you and tell you to go sit in the corner, or to stop yelling, you never fail to turn it back on me: No, YOU go sit in the corner.  You stop yelling.  Just last week on the way home, I caught you lying about something (no, I didn't hit Gobbles, No! I did not go in that classroom today) and I asked you to stop lying.  Your response? Well Mommy, YOU need to stop asking me so many questions!  One morning you actually told me that you don't love me for some random reason.  I explained to you how much that hurt me and late that evening you snuggled up to me and said Mommy, I love you.  I said I didn't but I forgot, I do.  I accepted that as an apology and explained that I love you no matter what, even if you get mad at me.  Let's face it munchkin, at three you already know how to push my buttons and are pulling the stuff I did when I was a teenager, just as my mother wished for me.  

In fact, you certainly act older the way you are with your clothes and "style".  Getting you ready for school each day is an adventure, whether it's arguing over which skirt you'll wear (the sparkly ones are reserved for weekends, you should know that by now!) or it's how to do your hair (you have all the Disney princesses' hairdos memorized), you know what you want and don't care what anyone thinks.  I argue with you that a headband is used to hold your hair back and should be off your face, you pull it down so you look like some 80s rocker.  You choose your outfits to match in some weird Bohemian style, and you own every look you put together.  By the time I am back from letting the dogs out each night after school (about 3 minutes), you are dressed in whatever princess / fairy costume you choose from your dress up bin and that remains on until bedtime.  On a recent pickup from school I found you sitting and coloring with the older girls, decked out in a police costume, hat and all.  Before putting your coat on I went to help you out of it and discovered you were a construction worker, farmer, and firefighter underneath, just having layered all the costumes from the school's dress up bin on top of one another.  Quite silly!

Despite your cool and calm (or raging and fit throwing) exterior, you displayed an awed shyness when we went to Disney World and you met the characters.  With the princesses especially, you gazed at each of them as you remained in an uncomfortably long extended hug.  Usually the people waiting behind you would let out a collective "awwww" and your brother would make some snide remark from behind the rope, as he didn't care too much to meet many of them.  I will never forget the pure happiness that you exuded during and after your meetings, lucky that you were able to experience the magic at the perfect age.  You even took your birthday breakfast with the princesses with a graceful and polite smile while we sang to you, and loved parading around the room behind the line of other small princesses, you being the tiniest of all.

I can't continue without mentioning your wit, which is pretty much a riot.  Even through tears we can find a giggle and smile out of you any given time.  You make up a story completely out of the blue with that massive imagination, or you twist the facts to make a silly story, all while breaking into a small smile before totally cracking up at yourself and what you've come up with.  Daddy came home on Valentine's day with a dozen roses for me and a beautiful single rose with baby's breath for you.  Later that same day when we had people over for a playdate, you told them all that the big bouquet was for you and the single was for me.  Everyone gushed to you and you shot a knowing smile to me as you took it all in with an I win look in your eyes.  See, whenever I hug Daddy you remind me that he is my husband, but he is YOUR Daddy!

Speaking of your Daddy, you still have him wrapped around your little finger, even when you pull bedtime stunts to get more time to stay up. The other night as he tucked you in, you hid your lambie under the covers and exclaimed Daddy! Where's Lambie?  I can't fall asleep without him go find him!  He swore lambie was in her bed already, as he had just retrieved her.  You started smiling - I don't have her... I guess I can't go to sleep.  When Daddy lifted up the covers you tried to re-hide her but the jig was up.  I'm sure this won't be the last time you try to manipulate your father, or anyone for that matter.  Just make sure you don't ever hurt anyone's feelings in the process, got it? 

On the day you turned three, I waxed ecstatic about you on Facebook like I always do, saying you were imaginative and spunky, sassy and caring, beautiful and affectionate.  I read what I wrote to you and you responded I'm not sassy, I'm the Little Lobster Roll.  My only reply to that, which I hope you always remember, yes, you are my little lobster roll and you're one of a kind.

Happy 3rd Birthday little girl.  I love you more than you will ever know.

Love,
Mommy (Not mother gothel!)

A style all my own... or stolen from Aurora

All I want to do is show everyone how I can lick my own nose!

StarStruck!

and one more with my home girl Anna

I even gave affection to all my friends! My brother only hugged a few...

Happy Birthday to MEEEE

Thanks Gobbles for the card and the gift!

Poozers helping me make cupcakes!

I love my mommy and daddy!

My two cousins!

More candles!  Whoo hoo!

I'm a pro at this by now!

Yum!

Oh a shot of my silly brother!

A spot of tea, Chewy? 

The mirror LOVES me!

And i just love apples!!

Don't know if I'm elated or gassy, but I'm somewhere in that zone...

The length of my run can be measured by the position of the sun.
This was a 3 hour long 18 miler in November.

I turn 35 in 4 days.  Over a year ago I set a little goal for myself - to celebrate this milestone birthday, I want to run a marathon.  Not just any marathon, the happiest place on earth Disney Marathon.  Oh, and I want to do it 4 hours or less.  Because I'm crazy, and I don't want hubs to have all the bragging rights, since he will likely accomplish that goal.  In November I managed a half just shy of 1:55, so it's not completely impossible, the stars would just have to align for me to be feeling good physically, mentally, and emotionally the day of the race, which is a week from Sunday.

The journey to this race has been anything but easy.  I started out a year ago with a stress fracture and tendentious.  After some rest and healing, strength conditioning and cross training, I got myself a treadmill and a  good pair of running shoes and got to work.  The shoes have since been replaced twice over due to my sensitivity for wearing.  I began training for the Broad Street run, a race I've done twice before, in order to get a decent qualifying corral start for the marathon.  I began rewatching How I Met Your Mother on Netflix while the treadmill whirred, and as soon as the weather broke and it was light before 6am, I ditched my basement and took off into the hilly streets near my house.

I finished Broad two minutes shy of the my seven year old, pre-baby PR and 90 seconds behind my husband.  These 90 seconds have us seeded in two different corrals for the marathon, mine slated to finish between 4 hours and 4:10, so I'll have some catching up to do if I want to make goal.  At this point, I was running with Superfeet insoles in my shoes as well as a lift in my right because I have a leg length difference.  Not quite the bionic woman yet.

I took it pretty easy in the summer just maintaining mileage and building strength, then ramped training back up in August.  Every couple of weeks I seemed to be plagued by some ailment.  First came a bunion, so my foot doctor applied a dancer's pad to my left orthodic.  That caused my tendentious to flair up so I ditched that and added a support sleeve to my big toe instead.  Then came the shin splints.  I took a week off and worked on calf and hamstring strength and added compression sleeves for my legs.  Shortly after that came runners' knee, for which a bought a support band that didn't seem to work, so instead it was on to therapy and Naproxen.  I managed to wean both of them by mid-November for the half, and continued on my long training runs without incident. You know, besides taking up hours upon hours of my life running around all of creation.

December brought the 20 mile runs and freezing temperatures, leaving me soaking in a tub for post-run relief.  I got my last period 4 weeks to the hour before the marathon, so I know that will be factor #1 that I'm up against on race day.  #2 came last week, just as my taper began.  And boy was it #2, along with vomiting, the stomach bug that daycare had been passing around finally landed on me, run down and stressed out.  I managed to be ok by Christmas; however, I still had a dull stomachache.  After a week off of running because of the bug I attempted my 14 miler on Saturday and almost vomited after 5.  Same with 4 miles on the treadmill yesterday, so off to the doctor I went.  Gastritis.  Wait any longer and it's an ulcer.  So my taper is no accompanied by two different medications along with a bland carbo-load and no alcohol (which could be a good thing).  The long-term weather report is currently showing rain for race day, and I'm just hoping God throws me a bone.

Despite all of this, I am anxious and giddy to get down to Orlando and finish this race with a smile on my face.  My playlist is ready to play specific songs as I run through the parks.  I'm still in the midst of deciding whether I should Disney-fy a run outfit to go with the spirit or just go with my typical gear for efficiency.  All I know is that I better decide soon, because those start-line fireworks are ready to go off, and I'm ready to scratch this off my bucket list and never do it again :)

I might have missed logging some treadmill runs, but for 2014 my runmeter says I've spent 91 hours, 59 minutes, and 36 seconds running 578.8 miles.  Yes, I definitely could use a nap.

Before the half

After the half.  Did I mention I peed myself?  Really, not
even just a little bit.  But in the last quarter mile my body just lost all control.
and now the whole 4 people who read this blog know it too.