In a dream world

   Sometimes, when things get absolutely hectic and seem to be going every way except the way I wish for them to, I dream of running away.  Okay, not really running away.  Just maybe taking a week to myself in a very tropical setting with a non stop flow of fruity drinks!  A place where the only clothes I need are a bathing suit and a very fluffy white robe.  Where I can catch up with the latest Hollywood gossip via one of those silly magazines or read a book without being interrupted.  Or, where I can lay in bed ALL DAY LONG and not have a husband who can't sit still and a daughter who wants to go play begging me to get up.

   Okay, yes, I do live very close to the beach and can visit any time I wish.  But I want to wake up to the ocean!  See the dolphins swimming from my bedroom window and hear the waves crashing onto the sand (without one of those silly noise machines)! 

Something like this.....

That hammock....reserved especially for ME!

Isn't this absolutely beautiful? 

I constantly say I need time to myself.  I need to get away.  Not just a night out with the girls.  (That usually ends up with me being more responsible and only having a couple of drinks so that I can drive myself home.) Also, not a night where Madelyn stays with her grandparents because we have some event we have to attend.  Those are obligations that, although I may have fun, are not necessarily what I'd rather be doing.    I know, I'm sounding absolutely 100% selfish and yes, I do feel very guilty about it.  Does it help if I say I'd be willing to bring a girl friend with me as long as she had the same things in mind?    

Now, let me be realistic.  I highly doubt I'd be able to go to someplace like this without wanting to share it with my family.  I know me and know I'd be thinking about how much Jeremy would LOVE the pretty water and Madelyn would adore being able to play in the sand all day every day.  Just think of the family pictures you could get in a place like this!  And well, I don't think I could go a whole week without a pair of sweet little arms wrapping around my neck followed by a set of the most irresistable lips kissing my cheek after night night prayers (Madelyn's).   So, once again, my dream of going away to a secluded place in paradise, is slowly trampled by two of my greatest roles in life: Wife and Mom.

 

Princess Harley

Here's what happened at my house today!  Harley became the true princess that HE really is!  Madelyn said "Pretty Pretty princess Harley!" 

I also have some killer video footage of the two of the "singing" to Smile by Uncle Kraker but I have NO idea how to upload it.  Hopefully I can figure that out soon!

Melt my heart

Is there anything in the world that could stop you in any given moment and turn your heart into a soft bowl of jello?  Wanna know what mine is?   Well, of course you do! 

A while back, Madelyn came to me and said "Mommy, my bedy (belly) hurts."  With big sad puppy dog eyes that were practically BEGGING me to stop whatever it was I was doing and hold her.  I don't really even think her belly was hurting-- if I remember correctly--she just had to go potty.  Anyway, in that very moment, I did stop whatever it was that I was doing and my voice automatically turned into Nurse Mommy.  You know, that "oh my poor pitiful baby, what do you need to make you feel better" voice.  She pulled her shirt up to show me her belly and I did what any other mommy would have done.  I bent down and rubbed it, said "oh my poor baby," and kissed her tummy.  I swear you would have though I gave her a huge overflowing bowl of ice cream!  She LOVED that I played along with her accusation and gave her that extra special attention. 

Well, obviously this has become our "thing."  Every so often she will come up to me, usually in the worst possible times (while I'm mopping, cooking, etc), and start in with those big sad puppy dog eyes.  Next thing you know, I am on my knees kissing whatever part of her body she says hurts and hugging her real tight.

 The first few times she said it around Jeremy, he got a little worried that something was actually wrong.  I completely forgot to let him in on our little secret... The good news is, I have that wonderful Mommy's intuition.  This means, I actually KNOW when something really is wrong with her and when she's just playing around!

I'm not really sure what it is about this certain thing that she does.  I just know that every single time Madelyn comes to me with this, I could be in the worst mood ever and it wouldn't matter, I melt. 

Love, LOVE, LOVE, her. 

**Pictures are from this past weekend.  Jeremy's company picnic**

Run week # 4

Well, the start of a new week means an update!  We are SO dedicated.  It was raining off and on all morning and we were set to run at 9:00.  Let me tell you, it is the most difficult thing in the world to just get up, not make excuses, pray that the rain dies off a little, and go (especially when it is so dark and the perfect setting for a lazy day!)  I really don't think I would have gone if I didn't have someone else running with me.  Anyway, we did it.  We got there, it was sprinkling, so we suited up our girls.  They didn't get a drop of rain on them at all which makes me feel a lot less of a "bad" mom about this whole situation.  And no, there was no thunder or lightning and yes, we were paying attention to that! 

So, here is our run for the week:  Brisk 5 min walk, jog 3 min, walk 90 sec, jog 5 min, walk 2 1/2 min, jog 3 min, walk 90 sec, jog 5 min.

It's beginning to get a lot less repetitive so we actually have to carry a copy of what it is that we are doing out with us.  The first three minutes flew by since we were used to that from last week.  The first five minute run was okay.  We made it and weren't begging for air, so I consider that good.  However, the last five minute run was killer.  We had turned around and were going against the wind AND rain.  So, with water popping us in the face and wind pushing us back, we ran.  BUT, we made it!  Toward the end of the run, I had covered Madelyn's stroller with a towel just to ensure that she would definately stay dry (although at the time the drop down piece was doing the job just fine).  I do think that I will eventually invest in a rain cover if they have one for her stroller but it's good to know the towel does the trick! 

I'm so worried about next week.  By the third day, we are supposed to run the 20 minutes straight.  My running partner will be out of town, so it may just be me.  I'm really hoping I will be able to push myself to keep going.  On top of that, I will be leaving for a wedding so I will actually be running while out of town...REALLY hoping I will be able to come back with a positive report :)  

Here are our little troopers!  They did so good today too!

Of course, we had to document our dedication with this picture :)

 

2 yr old check up

This morning was Madelyn's doctor's appointment.  I always dread these because I am a big whimp and HATE shots.  Poor Jeremy has to go with us every visit because I just cannot stand to watch them poke my baby.  Well, good news for me!  She was already up to date on her shots and will not have to have any until she's four!!!!!  Woohoo!  I bet if she knew what that really meant, she'd be excited too. 
   Anyway, today we met with her new doctor (we moved, so we needed one closer).  He seemed very nice and easy going.  Here are Madelyn's measurements:  Height- 34 1/4 inches (50 %), Weight- 25 lbs (25 %), Head circumference- 19 (75 %).  As you can see, my baby girl is growing just fine!  In order to settle a dispute with my mother in law, I asked him when it was that they say you can estimate your child's future height. He said it would have been at 18 months and then you double the height.  So, I'm guestimating that she will be around 5 ft. 4!  Now, back to my mother in law.  She swears up and down that Madelyn will be TALL (like her daughter-Madelyn's aunt).  I told her that I don't think she'll be as short as me (5 ft. 3 1/2 in), but that there is no way she'll be as tall as Jessica.  Well,  according to the doc, these predictions are pretty accurate so I WIN!!  Yes, the constant reminder that Madelyn WILL be tall is a bit annoying. And, although I will love her however she is, and I absolutely cannot change how tall she is, I really don't see myself with such a tall little girl on my hands.
  We are cleared for another year and hopefully (fingers crossed) we won't have to see the doc again until then!  Madelyn is growing well both physically and developmentally!  I'm so proud of my healthy baby girl :)
And well, let me end with this..... Mother in law-0 Me-1!  Yay!

Let me say it for you...

                 








PRECIOUS!!!!!!

Thanks!  I know :) I mean, really.  How cute are pig tails on a little girl??  I just can't seem to get a good front facing pic of them, but trust me, they are definately MUCH cuter in person!  We gave these cute little piggies a try yesterday and Madelyn loves them!  Of course, I have to use tiny clips to hold up the slacker pieces in the back, but you can't tell too much.  So, today, what did I do?  I dolled her up in one of her cutest Hartstrings outfits, her finest pearl necklace, and these babies!  She was such a little doll!  She was way outdressed for me, so I had to fancy myself up as well :)  We pranced into the mall like we owned the place and the very first thing she did when we met our friends at the play area was show off her new do and necklace.  She is definately my child.  And the best way to top the day off.......Madelyn's very best friend in the whole wide world (get the magnitude here?), Asher, is back!  He is Madelyn's cousin and I swear they love each other so much it's ridiculously cute.  He's the superhero in her eyes and she's his cuter- than- any -other trusty sidekick! 

                                                 

Reunited!!

Asher took this one!  Such a little photographer :)

My happy girl!  And I'm a little teary eyed, because as I'm writing this, "In my daughter's eyes" is playing on my blog.  She really is my life.

My sweet girl

She's growing up!  Sorry about the double post today but I absolutely MUST share this wonderful moment with you. 

I was watching Madelyn play with her babies and cover them up to go night night like she does all the time.  Then, I heard her whispering.  It took a few seconds but I figured out what she was doing.  I asked her "Are you saying your prayers?"  and she smiled REALLY big and said "Yes!"  She then leaned down and kissed each baby on her cheek. 


How amazing is that??  I just love it when she immitates us in the very best ways possible.  This is a proud proud day for me! 

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can

Well....we're on week three!!!! Today was day one of the three days and here is our run:  5 min. brisk walk followed by two reps of 1 1/2 min. run, 1 1/2 min walk, 3 min run, 3 min walk.  It doesn't sound like a lot and while I'm typing, I'm feeling like I'm proud of myself over nothing.  BUT, I can promise you that two weeks ago, there is no way I could have run 3 minutes without being completely out of breath and sore after my run.  Now, on the other hand, it wasn't such a bad process today. After we finished our last set, we actually felt like we should have been doing more!
   It is such a good feeling knowing that I am taking time to myself (not really because Madelyn is right there with me) to do something to better myself.  I truly believe the people who run and say it gets to be addicting and you begin to WANT to run.  AND, here is the vain part of me coming out..... I LOVE the idea of having really great runner's legs and a cute little tummy again!!  Oh and, we got our first woo today too. hahaha, I used to roll my eyes at those kind of guys but now, being a mommy and sometimes not feeling very sexy, I am 100% flattered :)
  Anyway, the point is, that I am very excited to still be able to report that we are running strong.  We're doing our program perfectly and with every obstacle, we are able to see that we can overcome it!  I cannot thank my friend who told me about this program enough.  It is the absolute perfect plan for me and what I need.  So, I look forward to reporting again soon with another week behind us :)

PS- Happy Mother's Day to all of those wonderful mommies and mommy to be's!  Here's what I did on my very special day......

Madelyn's first trip down the BIG slide at the water park!  She looks a little uneasy about it but absolutely LOVED it and asked to go again! 

Chain Reaction!

   As you all know, I've started my running program and will be on week three next week!! Yay for us!  It is now a part of our routine and Madelyn looks forward to "running" with her friend Elle!  At the end of the run, Madelyn stretches with me and is so cute doing so.  It is so nice--yet hot-- and we even get to see some dolphins every now and then!  Yesterday, they visited us with a baby dolphin too!  It was a very special birthday present for Madelyn :)  Anyway, it's going really well and I definately recommend this program to anyone who is looking to get started!
   With this new routine, I've tried to keep my meals and snacks a little healthier and in turn, Madelyn's as well.  My lunches have been chicken salad wraps, salads with lots of veggies and chicken, and things in comparison.  I've really been observant of the things I've been eating lately and think there is definately room for improvement.  I'm not really as concerned for myself as I am for Madelyn.
  I noticed this past weekend that Madelyn wasn't really eating the way I'd like her to.  For example, I'd order her mac n cheese (which I know isn't the best either) but as long as someone was sitting right there offering her chips, she's going to take the chips.  I definately noticed that Madelyn is incredibly influenced by what the people around her are eating.  SO, after this past weekend, I will ABSOLUTELY say something to the person who is altering her meals, or remind myself if it happens to be me.  I cannot have Madelyn thinking that it's okay to make a meal out of potato chips.  Now I'm not saying I will get completely healthy and not ever give her "treats" or that she will even have an entire week of balanced meals.  However, I am definately beginning to be more observant of what she puts in her mouth.  I'm not worried about her being obese, I just want her to be given the knowledge and the opportunity to be steered in the right direction and make the right choices for her body.
  We began a few weeks back offering her water before anything else she drinks.  It really helps that her friend Elle drinks tons of water!  She's doing pretty well with it although she still prefers other drinks.  There are times when I only offer water and if she's thirsty enough, she'll drink it.  Her lunches this week have been accompanied by at least one fruit.  This is simple and Madelyn LOVES fruit anyway. 
  Today, I made her a really silly excuse for a bento lunch but it was filled with "good" stuff!  Almonds, celery with peanut butter and raisins, baked chicken, blueberries, carrots and cheese.  I made myself a salad with chicken and carrots, celery, and cheese.  Madelyn chose to eat my salad before her lunch and she ate almost all of my lettuce.  Now, she's snacking on her almonds and carrots.  She hasn't asked me for ONE cookie or her spaghettios.  (By the way, the sodium in one little thing of spaghettios is RIDICULOUS and the fact that I lived off ravioli and ramen noodles in college and didn't get fat amazes me.) She is eating what I've given her and enjoying it. I mean, how easy is it to make her meatballs and spaghetti and it's way better for her. Yes, I will still give her these things sometimes.  No, I don't want to have the child that doesn't know what chocolate tastes like (I love it too much myself). So if you see me giving Madelyn something that isn't the absolute best for her, please don't condemn me.  I just want her to learn that everything is okay in moderation.  I absolutely knew she would eat what I placed in front of her.  Whether it's good for her or not.   So, is it really right for me, or anyone else, to offer her junk just because it's easier?

Happy Birthday Party!!

This past weekend was Madelyn's Party!  She had a great time although we pretty much rushed the actual party so we could get to the beach and relax.  Here are a few pics...

She is still talking about her birthday party and singing the Happy Birthday song!!