I've decided that I just might be a little too competitive. But first, a funny story.
Tonight as I was heading out for a run I was sending a quick text to Rosa. She had asked me a question and I needed something to do while waiting for my watch to locate satellites. As I was texting her, I also happened to see a 30something year old male rollerblading, with his gigantic chocolate lab. This is a hilarious site to see, so of course in addition to answering Rosa's question I tell her about this rollerblading man. While I am looking down at my phone I feel a gigantic nasty bug buzz by my ear, which freaks me out. I jump and start swatting at this bug. I look back to make sure it's not coming after me again, and realize that it was really just the neighbors tree branch that grazed my ear. Nice. Freak out city Karen, all over a tree branch. The rollerblading man may or may not have witnessed this...I'm not too sure.
Anyway, I've been realizing how incredibly competitive I am. Not necessarily with other people, but with myself. For example, I always want to beat my last fastest time, whether it's running 3 miles on the treadmill, 2 laps around the neighborhood, or a half marathon. I don't feel like I could run a half marathon "just for fun"...I feel like I need to run it to beat my last fastest time.
Last Monday I ran 2 laps around our neighborhood in something like 22 minutes. The previous record was 24 minutes. I come home and start mouthing off to my husband (who is a much faster runner than I am), about how if he wasn't just getting over tendinitis I would want him to go run 2 laps as fast as possible to see if he could beat my time. Ummmm, yeah, way to be sensitive Karen.
Then, on Friday, we ran with B and A. By we, I mean James and I, along with Zack in the jogging stroller. We were going 6+ miles. I was super excited that James was going to be there. We ran a loop that involves running up the gigantic hill on La Canada. I pushed the stroller for the majority of the beginning of the run, and B was going to push it up the hill (James is dismissed from stroller pushing duties as pushing the stroller messed up his stride=bum knee for 6 months. I will gladly push 800lbs of baby and stroller if it means James is running with me.). This hill is the type of hill that makes you sweat when you drive up it...it's that steep and long and horrible. So, B is pushing Zack up the hill, and he's ahead of all of us. He tells Alexis and I that we aren't allowed to stop running until he stops running. Alexis tells him, "see ya, wouldn't wanna be ya" and walks with James. I, however, got all crazy competitive, and wanted to see how far up the hill I could run before stopping. B, who is still ahead of the rest of us, stops running about 3/4 of the way up the hill. When I catch up to him I keep running (this made James' day). So, B starts running again, not wanted to get get toasted by a girl (even though he is pushing a jogging stroller, which really feels like you are pushing 800lbs in front of you). He begs me to stop, and I don't. He starts crying, and I keep going. Okay, okay...maybe I'm exaggerating just a bit. But, B and I made it to the top of the hill and we were both near death. James and Alexis come happily jogging up the hill, like normal people who know how to take it easy. I wish I had this in me.
But, the real icing on the cake occurred Saturday night. James was giving Zack a bath. Zack has foam letters in the bath tub and James and I like to spell funny things on the wall in the tub. Well, James decides that we should see who can spell the longest word. This is a teensie bit hard since there is only 1 of each letter. James continued giving Zack his bath while I was off in the kitchen making dinner and thinking of long words. James keeps telling me the words he's coming up with. Then, he announces that he has the longest word; quicksand. For the life of me, I cannot come up with a word longer than quicksand (I did try and see if he would accept "quicksander", he did not, and neither does spell check). I am tempted to cheat and see what I can come up with using Google, but, I'm going to play fair. Still, I am frustrated that James came up with quicksand and I cannot think of a longer word! Who gets frustrated over foam letters in the bathtub? Me.
I think I need to take up some less competitive hobbies. But, if I will gladly accept a foam bathtub letter challenge, I can probably make even needlepoint competitive.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
This time last year...
Just about one year ago I packed up my office at ABCS and began my time as a stay-at-home-wife, and then stay-at-home-mom.
The day I packed up my office was such a surreal day. I remember waking up early having contractions. I was having well over the limit of 6 per hour...but I laid there in bed, hoping and praying that they would go away. When James woke up for the day I told him I thought we might need to go to triage for what felt like the 100 millionth time for contractions (really, only the 3rd time...haha). As soon as he was showered and ready to take me, they stopped. Go figure. So, I sent him to work and began getting ready for work myself. By the time I had showered and done my hair, I was again having gazillions of contractions. So, I called James, who had just arrived at work, and told him to come back home. By the time we got to triage they had slowed down, but I was still having them. They called my dr, who told them to send me home, and that they were not longer going to try and stop contractions. If they brought on labor, so be it. So, James and I decided that I needed to be done with work, and be done that day. My last day was supposed to be that upcoming Friday, but my body seemed to disagree with that plan. So, we headed to my office and packed up close to 6 years worth of stuff I had accumulated while working there. It felt so weird, giving my keys back, and walking out with boxes of stuff, and knowing that I wasn't going to be getting anymore paychecks, and I wasn't going to be seeing my co-workers, whom I loved, on a daily basis. No more laughing with Ruben, no more pranks on Dane, no more gathering in Ashley's office to laugh until we cried, or to talk about deep, spiritual matters of our heart. It was a huge step of faith, trusting that God would provide for us and that He would guide us on the journey He had us on.
Of course, as soon as I turned in my keys, I pretty much stopped having contractions all together, and had almost a month of being a stay-at-home-wife before we welcomed Zack into the world. I enjoyed my time before he came, the calm before the storm, if you will. I got to nest like crazy, cook for my husband, and spend time with friends and family.
Now, I'm sitting here at the dining room table almost a year later and I can hardly believe this is my life. Today has been an incredibly ordinary day. I've changed lots of diapers, fed a little boy multiple times, took Zack for a run, we went grocery shopping, I've done dishes and spent some time doing bible study. But, I LOVE that I get the honor of having "ordinary" days with my little boy. I love that God has chosen me to be his mom, and James to be his dad. I love that my husband works so hard and provides for our family, so I can stay home and do these "ordinary" things. I love that God has given me this opportunity and I need to thank Him for it more often. Of course, I don't always enjoy these "ordinary" days. Some days are harder than others. And some days I wish I could "escape" to a desk job, and not have to think about doing more dishes, or changing yet another stinky diaper (which is usually more like a wresting match), or waiting impatiently for my husband to get home so he can entertain the baby. Thankfully the "I love my life" days far outnumber the "uugggggghhhhh" days. And, often times on the "uuuuuuugggggggggghhhhhhhhhh" days I'm reminded that I asked God for this opportunity, and I need to be thankful.
Isaiah 60:5 says "Then, you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb, and swell with joy." Today, my heart is full of joy. And for the life I have been given, I am thankful.
The day I packed up my office was such a surreal day. I remember waking up early having contractions. I was having well over the limit of 6 per hour...but I laid there in bed, hoping and praying that they would go away. When James woke up for the day I told him I thought we might need to go to triage for what felt like the 100 millionth time for contractions (really, only the 3rd time...haha). As soon as he was showered and ready to take me, they stopped. Go figure. So, I sent him to work and began getting ready for work myself. By the time I had showered and done my hair, I was again having gazillions of contractions. So, I called James, who had just arrived at work, and told him to come back home. By the time we got to triage they had slowed down, but I was still having them. They called my dr, who told them to send me home, and that they were not longer going to try and stop contractions. If they brought on labor, so be it. So, James and I decided that I needed to be done with work, and be done that day. My last day was supposed to be that upcoming Friday, but my body seemed to disagree with that plan. So, we headed to my office and packed up close to 6 years worth of stuff I had accumulated while working there. It felt so weird, giving my keys back, and walking out with boxes of stuff, and knowing that I wasn't going to be getting anymore paychecks, and I wasn't going to be seeing my co-workers, whom I loved, on a daily basis. No more laughing with Ruben, no more pranks on Dane, no more gathering in Ashley's office to laugh until we cried, or to talk about deep, spiritual matters of our heart. It was a huge step of faith, trusting that God would provide for us and that He would guide us on the journey He had us on.
Of course, as soon as I turned in my keys, I pretty much stopped having contractions all together, and had almost a month of being a stay-at-home-wife before we welcomed Zack into the world. I enjoyed my time before he came, the calm before the storm, if you will. I got to nest like crazy, cook for my husband, and spend time with friends and family.
Now, I'm sitting here at the dining room table almost a year later and I can hardly believe this is my life. Today has been an incredibly ordinary day. I've changed lots of diapers, fed a little boy multiple times, took Zack for a run, we went grocery shopping, I've done dishes and spent some time doing bible study. But, I LOVE that I get the honor of having "ordinary" days with my little boy. I love that God has chosen me to be his mom, and James to be his dad. I love that my husband works so hard and provides for our family, so I can stay home and do these "ordinary" things. I love that God has given me this opportunity and I need to thank Him for it more often. Of course, I don't always enjoy these "ordinary" days. Some days are harder than others. And some days I wish I could "escape" to a desk job, and not have to think about doing more dishes, or changing yet another stinky diaper (which is usually more like a wresting match), or waiting impatiently for my husband to get home so he can entertain the baby. Thankfully the "I love my life" days far outnumber the "uugggggghhhhh" days. And, often times on the "uuuuuuugggggggggghhhhhhhhhh" days I'm reminded that I asked God for this opportunity, and I need to be thankful.
Isaiah 60:5 says "Then, you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb, and swell with joy." Today, my heart is full of joy. And for the life I have been given, I am thankful.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Sabino Canyon
Yesterday we ran the beautiful Sabino Canyon. Sabino Canyon has got to be one of my favorite places to run. It's only 7.4 miles, so it's a good distance, but it's hilly making it a challenge. It's also nice that we don't have to worry about cars (only the occasional tram), and cyclists have limited hours, meaning we don't need to dodge them. And, it's beautiful!! Yesterday it seemed extra pretty. All the trees are getting their new leaves, and springtime leaves in Tucson are extra bright green. Pretty, pretty, pretty. Sadly it's a 40-45 minute drive, and a BEAST with a jogging stroller (900+ feet elevation gain, wowzers). But, since James had the day off and wouldn't be going all the way to the top (thank you, tendinitis), he could take Zack and the stroller and head back down while I huffed and puffed all the way to the top.
When I got to the top I was remembering back to the last time we ran the whole thing. We met with one of James' co-workers on a Saturday morning in September of 2009. It was a horrible, horrible run for me. I kept making us walk and had no idea why I was dragging so badly. Two days later we found out I was pregnant. Suddenly it made sense, why I slowed us down so badly. It was the beginning of my child sucking all of the energy out of me, and one of the last runs I did for almost a year. Zack still does require a lot of my energy, but not 100%, more like 99.3%.
James and I are sometimes a bit competitive. Not so much with/against one another, but against the clock. We always want to set a new fastest time. Our fastest time to date was 1h25m. Yesterday we finished in 1h16m. Speedy Gonzalez, for sure. Maybe we were so much faster because no one stopped me to ask me if I was training for the Olympics (true story, it happened once while running Sabino!) or because there was no water on the road (this brings back visions of James tip-toeing across the water with ziploc bags on his feet, and then him hopping across the water yelling about wet feet, haha). Or maybe it was because there weren't any snakes stretched out across the road, ewwwwwww. Perhaps it has something to do with the 2 half marathons I've ran since December. 7.4 miles is easy compared to a half!
I am looking forward to my running buddy getting back from vacation (seriously, who needs to take their kids to DisneyLand?!) so we can go on our Friday runs together for a little while longer before it gets too hot. Then we will be stuck on the treadmill (boooooooooring) for the summer, or running at 6am, which is a bit on the early side (remember that little boy who's sucking 99.3% of my energy out of me???). Gotta love Tucson!
When I got to the top I was remembering back to the last time we ran the whole thing. We met with one of James' co-workers on a Saturday morning in September of 2009. It was a horrible, horrible run for me. I kept making us walk and had no idea why I was dragging so badly. Two days later we found out I was pregnant. Suddenly it made sense, why I slowed us down so badly. It was the beginning of my child sucking all of the energy out of me, and one of the last runs I did for almost a year. Zack still does require a lot of my energy, but not 100%, more like 99.3%.
James and I are sometimes a bit competitive. Not so much with/against one another, but against the clock. We always want to set a new fastest time. Our fastest time to date was 1h25m. Yesterday we finished in 1h16m. Speedy Gonzalez, for sure. Maybe we were so much faster because no one stopped me to ask me if I was training for the Olympics (true story, it happened once while running Sabino!) or because there was no water on the road (this brings back visions of James tip-toeing across the water with ziploc bags on his feet, and then him hopping across the water yelling about wet feet, haha). Or maybe it was because there weren't any snakes stretched out across the road, ewwwwwww. Perhaps it has something to do with the 2 half marathons I've ran since December. 7.4 miles is easy compared to a half!
I am looking forward to my running buddy getting back from vacation (seriously, who needs to take their kids to DisneyLand?!) so we can go on our Friday runs together for a little while longer before it gets too hot. Then we will be stuck on the treadmill (boooooooooring) for the summer, or running at 6am, which is a bit on the early side (remember that little boy who's sucking 99.3% of my energy out of me???). Gotta love Tucson!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
It Happened
Yesterday, while I was doing dishes, Zack crawled halfway out the doggie door.
Lord, protect his head. Amen.
I suppose this means I should stop doing dishes.
Lord, protect his head. Amen.
I suppose this means I should stop doing dishes.
Monday, April 4, 2011
He's So Advanced, Part II
Seriously, I cannot believe how genius my child is. I'm constantly amazed that he's not even 11 months old and does so many incredible things.
Today, for example, he was playing with the doggie door. It's one of his favorite past times. Every time mama's not looking, he's at the back door, playing with that amazing clear plastic flap. We are not big fans of the wee one playing with the doggie door, as it's only a matter of time before he figures out he can crawl OUT the doggie door (it is surprising he hasn't figured it out yet, seeing as how he's pretty much a genius). Plus, we just replaced the flap. We would prefer it if Zack didn't rip this one off, like he attempted to do with the last one.
But, I digress (or spiderweb, as some like to call it). Getting back to today's story of the amazingly advanced baby...today, when I sat down to try and eat my lunch, Zack heads right to the doggie door and begins playing. Big shocker there. So, I say "Zackary, no, we don't play with the doggie door." His response?? A big smile and he throws in a wave, just to melt my heart. .25 seconds later, he's once again playing with the amazing plastic flap. I, once again, say, "Zackary, no, we don't play with the doggie door." His response, the same smile and that heart melting wave.
He's already weaseling himself out of trouble. Oh. My. Goodness. Stop melting my heart so we can teach you some manners!
I should probably start running again so I can write about something other than this little boy who has stolen his parent's hearts. He's the perfect boy, I think we'll keep him.
Today, for example, he was playing with the doggie door. It's one of his favorite past times. Every time mama's not looking, he's at the back door, playing with that amazing clear plastic flap. We are not big fans of the wee one playing with the doggie door, as it's only a matter of time before he figures out he can crawl OUT the doggie door (it is surprising he hasn't figured it out yet, seeing as how he's pretty much a genius). Plus, we just replaced the flap. We would prefer it if Zack didn't rip this one off, like he attempted to do with the last one.
But, I digress (or spiderweb, as some like to call it). Getting back to today's story of the amazingly advanced baby...today, when I sat down to try and eat my lunch, Zack heads right to the doggie door and begins playing. Big shocker there. So, I say "Zackary, no, we don't play with the doggie door." His response?? A big smile and he throws in a wave, just to melt my heart. .25 seconds later, he's once again playing with the amazing plastic flap. I, once again, say, "Zackary, no, we don't play with the doggie door." His response, the same smile and that heart melting wave.
He's already weaseling himself out of trouble. Oh. My. Goodness. Stop melting my heart so we can teach you some manners!
I should probably start running again so I can write about something other than this little boy who has stolen his parent's hearts. He's the perfect boy, I think we'll keep him.
Friday, April 1, 2011
My Baby is Advanced, VERY Advanced
Everyone likes to think that their baby is the smartest baby to ever grace the face of the planet. Well, everyone needs to just take their place in line behind us, because James and I REALLY have the smartest baby ever. This morning he proved to us that he is far more advanced than the typical child who is nearly 11 months old.
Every time I'm holding Zack and making him a bottle, he grabs the calendar that is hanging on the fridge. Apparently this whole time he has been reading the calendar and paying very close attention to the day of the week, and more importantly, the date.
This morning, at around 4am, he was in his crib crying. Since he has had a sick, "I don't really want to eat anything" week, I made him a bottle and gave him a few cuddles. He happily ate and went back to sleep. A little after 5am he was up again, screaming his head off. James went in to check on him, fully expecting to see a child who had either tossed his cookies, or had an extreme diaper explosion. The way he was screaming it seemed as though things were just not okay. A few minutes later James comes back into our room with a very happy, smiley Zack.
The kid played his very first April Fool's Day joke on his parents. It's from all that calendar grabbing and studying! He must have been laying there in his crib, thinking about how much he loves us, and how much he loves spending time with us. He clearly decided that if he just started screaming his head off, his loving parents would surely come get him, just like James did!! And when the whole family was finally reunited in the same room, he would flash one of his sweet sweet smiles, as if to say "Happy April Fool's Day, love you guys!!" Such a charmer. I can't believe he pulled such a great prank at such a young age.
And I know what you are thinking, if he's so advanced and can read the calendar and know April 1st is a great day to pull pranks on people, then why can't he talk? Come on people, he's not even 11 months! Let's be realistic.
Besides being able to read a calendar, he has acquired a new skill this week. The boy can wave!! If both James and I wildly flap our arms as if doing the chicken dance in fast forward, and say "Hi Zack!! Zack, wave to us!! Hi Zack!!!!" over and over, he will give us an occasional wave. It melts our hearts every time.
Now, if you will excuse me, I need to get back to teaching Zack the alphabet, colors, German, Russian and Portuguese. He needs to master these skills by the time he is 1.
Every time I'm holding Zack and making him a bottle, he grabs the calendar that is hanging on the fridge. Apparently this whole time he has been reading the calendar and paying very close attention to the day of the week, and more importantly, the date.
This morning, at around 4am, he was in his crib crying. Since he has had a sick, "I don't really want to eat anything" week, I made him a bottle and gave him a few cuddles. He happily ate and went back to sleep. A little after 5am he was up again, screaming his head off. James went in to check on him, fully expecting to see a child who had either tossed his cookies, or had an extreme diaper explosion. The way he was screaming it seemed as though things were just not okay. A few minutes later James comes back into our room with a very happy, smiley Zack.
The kid played his very first April Fool's Day joke on his parents. It's from all that calendar grabbing and studying! He must have been laying there in his crib, thinking about how much he loves us, and how much he loves spending time with us. He clearly decided that if he just started screaming his head off, his loving parents would surely come get him, just like James did!! And when the whole family was finally reunited in the same room, he would flash one of his sweet sweet smiles, as if to say "Happy April Fool's Day, love you guys!!" Such a charmer. I can't believe he pulled such a great prank at such a young age.
And I know what you are thinking, if he's so advanced and can read the calendar and know April 1st is a great day to pull pranks on people, then why can't he talk? Come on people, he's not even 11 months! Let's be realistic.
Besides being able to read a calendar, he has acquired a new skill this week. The boy can wave!! If both James and I wildly flap our arms as if doing the chicken dance in fast forward, and say "Hi Zack!! Zack, wave to us!! Hi Zack!!!!" over and over, he will give us an occasional wave. It melts our hearts every time.
Now, if you will excuse me, I need to get back to teaching Zack the alphabet, colors, German, Russian and Portuguese. He needs to master these skills by the time he is 1.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Strange Noises in the Night
Last night I slept on the couch. For the first time in close to 7 years of marriage, one of us was sent to the couch, and it was me. James wasn't feeling too hot yesterday (the bi-annual cookie toss, as he likes to call it). He went to work, but was home and in bed by 2pm. As soon as he told me he wasn't feeling well, I too came down with a paranoia induced stomach ache. I decided that it would probably be best if he stayed far, far away from Zack and I. He remained in our bedroom until Zack had gone to bed. Then he was permitted to move himself and his blankets and pillows to the middle of the living room, where he remained until he went to bed. While he was out of the bedroom, I went in and retrieved my overnight toiletries...I didn't want to use the same toothpaste as him! And our toothbrushes are right next to one another. Paranoid city over here. I also obsessively washed my hands, and drank some Airborne (which I think FRIED any virus that may have been lurking in my stomach, just waiting to get me sick).
James tucked himself into bed, and I attempted to tuck myself into the couch. I tossed and turned for a little while, and then around 11 I heard Zack complaining. His complaining got louder, and louder, and it appeared as though he wasn't going to stop. I went in his room to check on him and found a sad, sad boy. And, a sick, sick boy. He and I spent an hour together, getting new jammies, a little sponge bath for him, new sheets, a load of laundry, a call to the pediatrician's after hours number (I'm seriously paranoid! I had no idea what to do with a baby who was throwing up...thank God for the nurse who helped me out in the middle of the night!!), new jammies for me and I don't even remember what else. Finally, around midnight Zack was happy again and ready to sleep. I left him in his room, and went back to my post on the couch.
I had been back on the couch for about 5 minutes when I heard a strange buzzing/vibrating/sucking unidentified noise. I was thinking to myself "who now?? Is James sick?? What is going on??" After a few minutes of laying there and analyzing the noise, I identified it as none other than Walter. He had never left his post on the love seat, and now that the commotion was over, I could hear his snoring-middle-of-the-night-don't-bother-me-I'm-comfortable-and-breathing-deep beagle noises.
Thankfully today both James and Zack seem to be doing much better. Surprisingly, Walter is on the love seat making his snoring-middle-of-the-day-don't-bother-me-I'm-comfortable-and-breathing-deep beagle noises. It appears as though my OCD hand washing, Airborne taking, praying to not get sick self might escape this bug. Hooray for that. I'm hoping tonight I get to sleep in my own bed and don't hear any strange beagle noises. Or any other strange noises.
James tucked himself into bed, and I attempted to tuck myself into the couch. I tossed and turned for a little while, and then around 11 I heard Zack complaining. His complaining got louder, and louder, and it appeared as though he wasn't going to stop. I went in his room to check on him and found a sad, sad boy. And, a sick, sick boy. He and I spent an hour together, getting new jammies, a little sponge bath for him, new sheets, a load of laundry, a call to the pediatrician's after hours number (I'm seriously paranoid! I had no idea what to do with a baby who was throwing up...thank God for the nurse who helped me out in the middle of the night!!), new jammies for me and I don't even remember what else. Finally, around midnight Zack was happy again and ready to sleep. I left him in his room, and went back to my post on the couch.
I had been back on the couch for about 5 minutes when I heard a strange buzzing/vibrating/sucking unidentified noise. I was thinking to myself "who now?? Is James sick?? What is going on??" After a few minutes of laying there and analyzing the noise, I identified it as none other than Walter. He had never left his post on the love seat, and now that the commotion was over, I could hear his snoring-middle-of-the-night-don't-bother-me-I'm-comfortable-and-breathing-deep beagle noises.
Thankfully today both James and Zack seem to be doing much better. Surprisingly, Walter is on the love seat making his snoring-middle-of-the-day-don't-bother-me-I'm-comfortable-and-breathing-deep beagle noises. It appears as though my OCD hand washing, Airborne taking, praying to not get sick self might escape this bug. Hooray for that. I'm hoping tonight I get to sleep in my own bed and don't hear any strange beagle noises. Or any other strange noises.
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