Because I've been busting my buns...

...I get the right to take a moment or two to brag.

I stepped on the scale at the gym today and to my amazement and shock, I was only ONE pound away from my PRE-JACK Weight...no,no,no not my pre-Bianca weight, but indeed, PRE-JACK weight.

I win, you blasted "last ten pounds". I WIN!!

A few words...

...About a man that I think everyone should know a little bit about. A man that was more honest, humble, helpful, hardworking, and kind than anyone I have ever had the privilege of knowing. A man who could tell a great story and get everyone laughing. A man who loved and cherished his wife like something out of a fairytale, even at 75 years old. A man who would sneak you gummy bears or licorice even if your parents said you'd had enough. A man who was a great example to all who knew him...


Here's to a great man, and a fantastic grandpa!

Happy Memorial Day!

The bikini babe and a little fish...

Heaven forbid you all think I am the Bikini Babe. Not a chance. Ever.

But, this little darling can strut her stuff...I am a sucker for pink and ruffles.


We have had some Beautiful weather and our heated pool has just opened, which means you can probably find us in the water. Jack's obsession as of late is marine life. Sharks, whales, sting rays, crabs, and squid are the only things this kid can talk about.

So you can imagine his love for the pool. I have never seen a two year old swim ...it's actually quite a sight (I think he REALLY believes he's a shark). He gets his little legs kicking like a motor boat and the kid is unstoppable.

Unless of course the shark needs to rest...because all sharks have to take a break on the steps every now and then...



Is she sleeping or making sure she's getting an even tan. I will never know:



Just getting some exercise, gotta keep this Bikini bod in shape!

The race...

I ran the race, and survived! It was my first one and honestly, it wasn't too bad. I wasn't able to keep my goal of running under 10 minute miles...But I did keep a pace of 10 min. 15 sec. per mile. I have always run on a treadmill and didn't take into account what those blasted hills would do to me outside. oh well, live and learn, right?!

As nerdy or ridiculous as this my sound, I loved the energy in the atmosphere during the race. It was exhilarating to have people sitting on the side lines cheering you on. At the finish line there were hundreds of people clapping and screaming for each person coming in. It didn't matter if you were the guy in first place, two ladies that walked and came in last, or me, the girl smack in the middle...we all got the same energetic reception. it was wonderful.

I was hoping to post a really great picture of me looking my absolute best, but unfortunately not one of us remembered to bring cameras...but don't worry, the city they took some photos while we were running and as soon as they are posted I promise I will put it, no matter how terrifying it might be!

oh, and I thought I should mention, my two lightening fast sister in laws ran the half and both kept paces under 9 minutes for all 13 miles. You guys rock.

Bowing out...

The big half-marathon is this weekend. You know, the one I have been training for for the last five months. I regret to inform you all that I am graciously bowing out of the run and demoting myself to the 10K. I don't really want paramedics scooping me up off of the ground around mile 7...and trust me, they would be. The 10K shouldn't be too bad, I am going to try and keep it under 10 minutes per mile. My two power-runner sister in laws are going for the half, and they are going to destroy it...man those chicks are amazing.

An update, and maybe even a sweat drenched, red faced picture to come!

p.s. I am not all disappointed in myself for not being ready for the half...all things in due time!

Sometimes, you just need to put them in a laundry basket...

I just needed fifteen minutes today. Fifteen minutes to finish folding a batch of laundry (which by the way, is IMPOSSIBLE to do with a 2 and 1 year old around) and cleaning up the house. With bianca still being sick and Jack close to nap time, I needed something genius to slightly confine them, without them KNOWING that there were being confined, and with out them being confined too close together (that never ends well).

I'm such a sneaky mom.

They never knew what hit them.

Take away my Mother Badge...

You know how people always talk about "mother's intuition", and how moms just "know" when something is wrong with their child. Well apparently the gene that carries on this special power skipped right over me.

Bianca has been very sick for three days now. I'm talking sick like 103.7 degree fever and completely lethargic and fussy. That kind of sick.

"Take her to the doctor" my sweet, insistent hubby said after the first day.

My response was something like "Oh, she's fine...kids get fevers all the time. She probably just has a cold like every other kid on the planet."

So after three days of being in denial that something could ACTUALLY be wrong, I took her it the doctor. I was ready to pay my 15 dollar co-pay, have the doctor tell me she has a cold, and be on my way.

Wait...not so fast.

Not only does she NOT have a cold,

she has a Urinary Tract Infection

AND

an ear infection.

hmmm...so these three days of having a completely miserable baby could have been avoided if my "mothers intuition" would have kicked in?!? Or if I would have had enough common sense in the first place to just take her in.

Arghh...sometimes I wonder who thought I was responsible enough to be a mom...oh wait, I thought I was that responsible. Silly me.

Just Saying Hi