Lists

I am not quite ready to commit to a list of New Year's Resolutions yet...I know I only have a couple of days left to decide, but procrastinating will never be something I will get rid of, so I will leave my *goals* for 2011 for the big day on Saturday...

But for now, I am going to get into the list-writing spirit by adding a couple of top tens.  Just for fun.

Top Ten Reasons I love Being Pregnant:

10: A chance for a new wardrobe?!  Yah, that new wardrobe has to be maternity clothing, but it still is a good excuse to wear some new digs?!

9: Chocolate.  I am not a fan of chocolate usually, but let it flow while I am pregnant!  Especially the dark stuff. mmmm.

8. If I am feeling unaccomplished in a day, I can always remember that I am growing a baby...at least that has to account for something?!

7. Looking at my two boys, knowing that I am going to have another little one to get to know and love just as much as I love them.

6. Daydreaming.  Allowing myself to day dream about this baby.

5. People telling me that I look "glowing".  How cute is that?!  (probably not true, but cute anyway)

4. Nesting.  I love that cleaning and preparing that comes along with babies! (really, I do!)

3. My sister and I have a 'tradition' of watching movies that have a great deal of baby footage while pregnant.  It started when she was pregnant more than a decade ago with my nephew.  She has three children, and this is my third pregnancy, so together we have watched "Baby Boom," and "Jack and Sarah" lots of times.  There have been many many other movies, but those are the best for baby footage.

2. Hearing my boys talk about the baby.  My oldest, Elliott rubs my tummy from time to time when he is hugging me or even just walking past.  I think he is excited to be a big brother again.  I can't wait to see them hold the new baby.

1. Feeling lucky and blessed.  How can you top that?!

on the other hand...

Top Ten things I don't love about being Pregnant...

10.  People commenting on how "huge" I look.  Really?

9. Heartburn.  Ugh.  The thing about heartburn that sucks more than the pain itself?  Knowing the best way to beat it is to drink a teaspoon of vinegar, straight up.  It totally works but it sucks.

8. Heavy Baby + Bladder = lots of pitstops throughout runs and life in general.  In this two weeks off of school I am getting accustomed to taking pee breaks whenever I feel the need.  I am not looking forward to being stuck in a classroom for more than an hour at a time :(

7. Maternity Clothes.  Although elastic waist bands are very comfortable, it is not comfortable to constantly pull them up :(  Pants wriggle their way down, and shirts wriggle their way up.  I feel like I am always adjusting something!

6. Naps.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE naps.  I just don't have time to take them, and some days, I need them.

5. Random people thinking it is ok to rub my tummy.  Why does that seem like a good idea?  I would recommend getting rid of this habit, if you are one of these people that feels the urge to rub pregnant bellies!

4. Knowing that it is only a matter of time before I can't see my feet, let alone tie my shoes.  I am lucky to have a husband that is always willing to help me to get my shoes on or off!  It is actually kind of hilarious sometimes, feeling stranded with my shoes on!

3. Feeling a bit overwhelmed by all of the things left to do before my due date.  Renovations, potty training my two-year-old, and the list continues...

2. Knowing that it will take months and months to get back to a place where 10 milers are easy runs. sigh.

1. Feeling like I will be pregnant forever...

I know that my due date will be here before I know it, so I am going to focus on the first top ten list (which was actually way easier to compile) to get through the next 10 weeks!

Happy Running!

Christmas Recap

What an amazing Christmas!  It was nice to celebrate a low-key Christmas at our house, now that it is all said and done.  I have to admit, I hate it when my husband's schedule dictates how and when we see our families, and this year I was sad not to see our families on the 'big day'.  I did comment that we saved ourselves a lot of energy (and calories!) by staying home for Christmas day.  Our boys enjoyed opening their stockings with just me Christmas morning, and managed quite well throughout the day leaving their Christmas gifts alone under the tree until Papa arrived home from work.  The gift mayhem was unbelievable when he did finally arrive, but it was so cute and awesome to have Papa home to enjoy the magic of Santa gifts!

The boys early Christmas morning, eager to dig into their stockings!

We enjoyed a fantastic Christmas dinner...a roasted chicken (mmmm, the house smelled turkey-ish?) sweet potatoes, green beans, gravy, etc.  It was just festive enough for me :)  It was nice to let the boys stay in their snowman jammies all day long (they pulled up to the table, still in them!).  They asked about Grandma and Grandpa many, many times all day, but they will have a chance to celebrate the season with them next week, so we are 'spreading the love'!

It doesn't look fancy, but we did use the good china AND a table cloth!!

I am excited to have another week of holiday time...

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my job.  I just happen to love spending time with my kids, not having to get out of yoga pants for days at a time :)  The inevitable will happen...I will have to go in to school and teach some more in January, but I am hoping to go back all refreshed and relaxed!

On Christmas day, Milo came out of the living room with some interesting ornaments...
For some reason, he grabbed a bunch of my running medals from their hiding spot in a basket, and wore them around the house for a while.  The novelty faded when more toys were opened, but still, it was kind of cute :)  Way to make Mama feel proud, kid!

I hope to get out for some running this week...I have a neighbour that is home from college, (he is on a running scholarship in the States) that is really starting to make me feel guilty.  He runs by my house every day, all fit and not-pregnant, running like he is barely breaking a sweat!!  I know he is a totally different class of crazy-runner, but it still hurts the ego a little to be gazing out the window (in the least stalker-ish way, I assure you) with a sugar cookie in one hand, and tea in the other, when he runs by in perfect form ;)

Happy Boxing day!

My belly looks like Santa's!

It's been a crazy couple of weeks around here...hence the lack of updated blog posts on my part.  Oops!  It has been a mix of that nasty cold (super-nasty when you can't take anything for it!) and spending time with my boys throughout this fun week off.  What feels nice about this week off is that there is still another week to come before heading back into work to enjoy the January blahs...

So I haven't run in terms of lacing up my running shoes, but I feel like I have been running trying to prepare for this holiday season!  I know that things will taper off over the next couple of days, and I will enjoy getting out there in this lovely weather for some quicker steps than walking!  I do hope my running clothes still fit after the holiday food, and the growing baby thing!!

This holiday is going to be a bit different around our house, as my husband will be working through most of it.  I am gearing up to convince my kids that Santa prefers it when we wait until Papa returns from work to open those oh-so-tempting presents.  I have promised my husband that I will try my best to wait until he gets home, but if he comes home to a big mess of wrapping paper and very happy children, well, at least I tried!

We are going to extend our holiday celebrating into New Year's this year, as we will be visiting Grandma and Grandpa at that time.  It will be nice to have a bit of time to relax next week before getting back into Christmas mode again :)

So, Merry Running Christmas, everyone!!
I doubt I will get out for a Christmas day run this year, but if you are thinking about going out for one, I highly recommend it.  Running down the streets on holidays is one of my favourite things.  It seems more calm, and even a little bit heroic.  I mean, most of the rest of the Western world is sitting in their living rooms eating the Christmas-day diet of chocolate and egg-nog before sitting down to a big turkey dinner!  Going out for a run makes it all that much better :)

I want to build a snow fort...

How did it become Monday again...and I haven't written anything all week?!  I guess it is that time of year...the time of year when we all seem to hurry up and start panicking over shopping lists, holiday parties, and signing Christmas cards.  It doesn't help that a lot of the province is starting to feel the cover of snow--so all of that hurrying we we are doing can be dangerous!

I just love peaceful, beautiful snowfalls, don't get me wrong.  A lovely evening snowfall while out for a run is one of my favourite things (read about other winter running-related items I love and not-so-love here).  The white covering of snow on the house and yard really makes it feel like the holidays.  Our boys are starting to get into this whole "snow" thing...

First snowman of the season...so proud

My little snow bunny

And now that Milo has started to keep his mittens on his hands, (quite a parenting feat, let me tell you!) I am quite happy to see their little noses get red while having the time of their lives running around outside in their snowsuits.

Do you ever remember running around all bundled in your snowsuit and big boots, so fast in the drifts until finally you just fell into the big piles of snow?  I just loved laying there, breathless after running around the yard, staring up at the big, blue sky.  I never remember feeling cold.  I just remember playing and digging and loving it.  My personal favourite part of that fun outdoor play, was when we finally came inside.  We would take our mittens and scarves and hats down to the basement to the wood stove, where we were to let them lay out to dry.  Before leaving them there, we would take the bits of icy snow off of the wool of our mitts, and throw it toward the stove (yes, real safe) where it would sizzle.  So awesome.

I wish I could zen myself back into that "snow play" frame of mind for every cold run that I have ahead of me this winter.  Frankly, I have to admit I get a wee bit scared of the cold as I bundle up to face the wind and elements.  Perhaps if I programmed my ipod to play some mini-pops or other music from my childhood it would be easier?!

Happy (snowy) running!

Ah, Monday

It has been a while since I wrote in this blog...but it has been a bad week for me and my friend Running.  I feel so much guilt when I haven't laced up my shoes in a few days.  It is like I have been meaning to call or get together with a good friend, and we just haven't connected.  Ugh.  I made a promise to Running that I would try to keep up with my end of the lovely relationship we have.  I owe it to Running, but more importantly, I owe it to myself.

It is just so cold outside.  I think I may have to start doing some running indoors in these approaching winter months, if I am going to hang on to regular runs until February.  I have never been a fan (and that is putting it mildly) of running on the treadmill, but I think I am going to have to force myself to do it, even if it is just during the school week, when I have access to the treadmill.  I will venture out on weekends, but that darkness that accompanies the cold during the week is a deadly combination for me and my growing belly!!

so excited--a card that plays music!

I am excited, as today is my baby's birthday.  He isn't a baby anymore...he is actually the older of my two fantastic sons, but, (here comes the cliche) he will always be my baby.  I cannot believe that exactly four years ago I was paining through labour with him (I am trying not to remember that part with the labour pain that is imminent in my near future).  I cannot believe that there was a time when I didn't know him.  From his first moments in our arms, he has been our little Elliott--cute, wise, and cheeky.  He has spent countless hours out running with me in the BOB, and now holds "races" in the yard or the house, complete with the "ready, set--GO" and imaginary medals at the "finish line".  He dances like his Papa, and loves cuddles with books.  I couldn't ask for a better big brother for Milo.  I know, I am proud :)

Elliott and Papa--one day old in 2006

He ran out of his room this morning, and said, "Mama, is it really today?  Am I really 4 years old?!"  How can you not LOVE that?!  He was so happy and proud, and I almost cried when I had to leave for work.  Ah, well.  He will still be happy and excited when I get home from work later today.  I love you, Elliott!

I am hoping to squeeze in a run before dinner (we have already been eating cupcakes for days!) so here's hoping the wind isn't crazy this afternoon!

Happy (birthday) Running!

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

Today was a mild day for November, but with the mild temperatures came rain.  I was really hoping for a nice after-school run today, but I am choosing to be a fair weather runner these days, so I skipped the run and played with the boys inside where it was nice and dry :)

So, it is official.  I have accepted the fact that having a growing family means having enough space in a car to drive around with all of my children (including the soon-to-be-born).  I took the plunge last week and purchased a new, bigger car.  I love love love my VW Passat wagon.  It is cute, comfortable, great on gas, and (most importantly) it is easy to park. Unfortunately, it only seats 2 adults and 2 car seats.  This makes me sad :( We decided to keep the Passat (my husband will drive it) and buy a larger car to tote the boys around in.

This is just a web-photo--I will add a real one soon

The Ford Flex became our new car as of Saturday when I picked it up.  It is big.  Not scary big, but bigger than I have driven in a lot of years!  I drove my dad's truck when I was in my late teens, and this car has a slightly different feel.  The pick-up truck was not quite as accommodating to my small frame--I had to sit on a pillow to reach the pedals--but I did enjoy rolling through town in it.
This new car doesn't feel huge when I am behind the wheel, and I have successfully parked it several times (including parallel parking) with success! phew!  I also am excited that I can fit the boys, their stuff, and the double BOB! (even though we'll soon need a triple?! ha ha)

I am hoping I am not too excited to drive around in my new wheels, and that I do get out on the pavement on foot for runs (ha ha) throughout the next few months!  I have an inspiration race in mind for this spring.  The Oakville Mercedes 10k on May 8th.  It will be something to strive for (or struggle for?) after the baby is born in March.  Here's hoping this baby isn't too overdue, so I can gear up for an extra week or two of training in April?

Happy Running...it is supposed to cool off this week, so bundle up!

I know I have said this before...

But some things are just worth repeating.  I am the luckiest person I know.  No, I don't win things often, (or ever!) or swim in piles of cash and jewels.  I have a life so full of wonderful people that I love, that luck must have something to do with it.

I feel lucky to have the best, most supportive parents anyone could imagine.  I have siblings (and sibling-in-laws) that are so great to be around.  Family events (and with the way my family is growing, they are events these days) are so full of laughter, stories, and fun.  My parent's house is so welcoming and full of life and I hope that one day I will have a home that my children want to come home to with their families so willingly!

I am a teacher, and I teach students that sometimes feel incredible amounts of pressure to be someone that they are not, ("My son is going to be a doctor" is something that I do hear often) and I am truly grateful to my parents for getting to know who I was as a kid, to know me well enough to encourage my strengths.  I know they were frustrated with me and my teenage antics at times, but I feel like I am the person I am today because of all of their support and love through those years.  I wasn't that good at playing baseball as a kid, but my parents didn't miss my games.  I was never afraid to show them my report cards.  They fought with me to finish dinners that I didn't want to eat (character building?!) and showed up at graduation ceremonies, big races, and snapped photos with pride.  How can I not feel lucky?!

I know, sappy stuff.  I feel that because I have this blog, I can say whatever I want, no matter how sappy it is.  So that is all I have to say for today...nothing to do with running, I know, but sometimes you have to write about just what it is that you're thinking about while out in the fresh air, running along.