chloe eats (sort of)

With her 7 month birthday just around the corner, you would think that Chloe would be well into eating her solid foods by now, enjoying a variety of foods in her daily menu, as opposed to exclusively eating Mommy's milk. I would assume so, too, especially since her sisters started eating solids at 5 months and never looked back. Chloe, on the other hand, has a different idea of how she wants to handle the whole "solid food" thing. That being, she wants nothing to do with them. Chloe knows that she's the baby of the family, and as the baby, she has rights. She always gets her way. Especially when she flashes that beautiful 6-tooth smile and says "Ma-ma" with her hands flapping in the air. I simply can't resist.

I decided to wait to introduce solids to Chloe until she was about 6 months old. She never showed much interest in it and I didn't feel the need to push it. The first few introductions were typical. Chloe grimacing and spitting and only wanting to play with the spoon. I took a little break and introduced the rice cereal again a few days later, only to get the same reaction. I continued this pattern for over a month, throwing in some bananas and carrots along the way, before I realized my attempts at feeding her baby food were completely futile. I decided to back off for a while and wait until she seemed more interested.

Yesterday, I was reading a pamphlet about 6 month old babies, and how, if they're able to sit on their own, they should be capable of eating finger foods. I'm not sure if this little tidbit of information was assuming the baby already eats baby food, but since Chloe had been sitting on her own for well over a month, I figured I might as well try it and see what happened. Better to try and fail then not try at all, right? We'll see if Chloe agrees...

I tore up a few pieces of whole wheat bread and placed them on her tray. She seemed very happy about the idea of trying something new....

She ever-so carefully picked a piece of bread up between her little pinchers and her expression changed...

Chloe thinks, "Mommy, I'm not really liking the texture of this bready, smushy thing in my hand..."

"...Do I really, really have to do this?"

"...Fine. I'll do it because I love you and because you said please."

Chloe chewing on her bread and thinking, "There. I did it. You happy? Because I'm not."

I guess the attempt at giving her bread was a failure of sorts. But I gave her little banana pieces and carrots for dinner and she actually really enjoyed them. I haven't decided if I'm going to continue giving her table food or just keep nursing for now. I'm sort of just going with the flow for now.

marathon mommies: go!

It's time, ladies! Let's put on our running shoes and GO! Wait, wait, wait! I didn't mean NOW, I meant in a few days. Whew!

I've spent some time in recent days going through our local races, and because we're starting to train later in the "marathon season," I was too late in registering for a full marathon and wasn't able to get in this year. So instead I've registered for the only 1/2 marathon that I could find with available spots, and this 1/2 marathon is scheduled for September 6th.

Even though the 1/2 marathon is scheduled for September, I've decided to officially start training this Monday, June 2nd. I put together a training schedule and have used Google Calendar to outline everything. My Marathon Mommies calendar includes the training schedule, races and Fun Runs, and I welcome YOU to join me!

I do understand that we are all starting at various levels and before you start training you should be able to run for at least 30 minutes without stopping. Distance is not important right now. You just need to get your body used to running. Combinations of run/walks are great to use during pre-training because they ease your body into the exercise and minimizes the chance of experiencing a running injury. Once you're easily running a 30-minute mile, you can adjust the training schedule to meet your specific needs.

I'm currently scheduled and registered to run in 4 races this summer. 1 5k, 2 10k's and a 1/2 marathon. My first race, a 10k, is scheduled for June 21st, in Perham, MN. I know the summer months, particularly weekends, are especially busy for everyone, and we as MOMS already have enough on your plates. It's because of this, that I'll consider it a HUGE accomplishment if you can even run one race this summer. You can choose to run with me or pick your own race, depending on where you live and your summer calendar.

In doing this together, it's all about accountability. We need to hold each other accountable in our training, and encourage and support each other through all of this, because Lord knows, this won't be an easy task! I intend to write an accountability post every Monday, and in writing this post, will document how well (or not so well!) I did with training that week. I will also use this post as a time to vent my frustrations (as I'm sure I'll have a lot of them!) or document my successes (and I hope to have a lot of those, as well!)! My hope is that YOU will do the same, by posting a comment every week.

So, check out the Marathon Mommies calendar by clicking here. Training begins Monday and I have it scheduled to last through the 1/2 marathon, September 6th. To find out race information, just click on the link and that will give you an outline of the event and race details.

Before we begin this fun, yet challenging, task of training for a 1/2 marathon, I'll leave you with a quote from a very wise man.

"Anybody can do just about anything with himself (herself) that he (she) really wants to and makes his (her) mind to do. We are capable of greater than we realize."

marathon mommies: get set!

As we prepare to embark on our journey of training for a marathon together, I thought you'd find the following tips helpful:

• First and foremost, invest in proper running gear. I say invest, because running gear isn't cheap, but it's well worth the money spent. There are all types of great running gear to get you through training.
  
• Shoes. The first thing you’ll need is a new pair of running shoes. Without a good pair, you can expect lots of extra pains in your legs and lower back. If possible, visit a local specialty running store where you can typically get fitted by an avid runner who knows lots about running shoes. I personally shop at The Running Room and have been very happy with their customer service and the purchases I've made.
• Clothing. Your running gear should always be comfortable. On days when the temperature is warmer than 65-70 degrees, you will want to wear shorts and a t-shirt. Leading manufacturers of running gear make shorts and shirts specifically designed to wick away moisture from your body. They are comfortable, look good, and make you feel like a runner. :) Short tights are a great way to prevent discomfort from legs rubbing together and can be worn under running shorts to prevent chafing.
• Socks. Running socks are those that are designed to wick away moisture and help prevent blisters. Do not wear 100% cotton socks as cotton absorbs moisture and cause blisters to develop.

• Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate! I can't stress enough the importance of drinking lots of fluid while training. Drinking water is best, but sports drinks are a good substitute to water, especially during the longer runs.

• Stretching. Stretching and warming up are very important parts of training and should not be overlooked. Do it right after a run when your muscles are warm and loose. This will help you feel better after a run, improve your stride, and help to prevent injury. Within 15 minutes after every run, be sure to do the following stretches:
• Calf Stretching
• Quadriceps
• Hamstrings
• Groin area
• Lower back and outer thighs
• Inner Thighs

• Nutrition. Nutrition is critical while training for a marathon or half marathon. Carbs, carbs, carbs! If you are on a low carb diet, then STOP. Carbohydrates provide the fuel for runners. Load up! Vitamins are highly recommended and will give you adequate supplies of the minerals your body needs. Take multi-vitamins daily as a supplement. Also, keep in mind you need plenty of calcium and iron. See the nutritional charts for the things you eat and make sure you are getting adequate amounts of both. Following are good sources of complex carbohydrates and protein:

• Good Carbohydrates:

  Potatoes, yams, beans, peas, wheat bread, bananas, macaroni, spaghetti, cereal, raisins, apples, bagels, syrup, brown rice, corn, apples, carrots, root vegetables

• Good Protein:

  Low fat milk, beans, green peas, lean beef, chicken, fish, eggs, cheese, yogurt, nuts, peanut butter, cottage cheese, tofu and soy product

Are you overwhelmed yet?!??!?!?!

driving LIKE miss daisy

"Alright girlies, are you ready to roll?" I ask my daughters, all buckled up and sitting quietly in their carseats this afternoon.

"Yeah!" Ella and Britten answered in unison.

"But, Mommy?!" Ella says, "If you drive really slow, I'm going to tell you that you drive like a Grandma."

"What?!" Surprised by this comment, as I didn't recall ever using that term when talking about a slow driver.

"Daddy told me if you drive slow, you're a Grandma."

But of course.

Diclaimer: My husband's comment regarding slow drivers has nothing to do with his regard for the elderly. He really does love old people!

marathon mommies: on your mark!

Don't think I forgot, ladies! I hit a rough patch last week, needing to take a break from exercising due to the string of migraines I was having, but I'm back and revving up for our marathon training! In fact, I did a little research today, putting together a training schedule and some race information, but I'm not quite ready to post about it yet. Hopefully soon, in the next day or two.

I'm so excited about the number of you interested in embarking on this fun adventure with me and look forward to working and training together, IRL (in real life) or through accountability, to obtain the goal of running a marathon. Whether you strive to run a 5k or a full marathon, each goal is the same and of equal importance!

So, just a quick note to let you know I'm working on it and you're not off the hook! :)

gut instinct

I should have trusted my instincts tonight. The deep down pull that told me I shouldn't do it. All odds were against me. I was single parenting three crabby girls, all of who were still recovering from a busy Memorial Day and little sleep the night before. The weather was cold and windy and I hadn't served dinner yet, so I had some very hungry munchkins on my hands. But despite it all, I thought we could still enjoy a night at the ballfields, watching Daddy play a little softball.

I stopped by Subway and bought dinner on the way and was prepared for the cooler weather, bringing layers of clothes and our trusty fleece blanket. Yes. We WOULD have a great time at the ballfields, all snuggled together cheering Daddy on...

Or not. We lasted less than one game. My girls were NOT happy campers and wouldn't let up about how cold they were. They kept screaming, whining and wriggling around, so that every time they moved, their blanket would fall off and thus continue the vicious cycle of keeping them cold. I wasn't upset with them but annoyed with myself for not trusting my motherly gut instinct to keep them home. Oh well. You can't win 'em all, I guess.

Oh, I almost forgot. I guess you CAN win 'em all if you're referring to my hubby's softball team! They won both of their games tonight, and apparently my husband played MUCH better his second game, without us there to distract him. I guess having us sit right next to the dugout, with Ella and Britten screaming and yelling at him every 3 seconds, was a little disconcerting. Not sure we'll be making more appearances at his softball games this season! :)

Here's a few photos as proof of our brief attendance at the game tonight:

Seconds before the picture was taken, Ella's face wore the exact same expression as Britten's. Don't let her smile fool you!

It was like pulling teeth to get them both to smile. I bribed them with a cookie. Look at their little noses, though. Both red from being cold. It WAS cold outside and I had no problem with leaving early.

I think I'll nickname Chloe "Old Faithful." She's was the only one NOT affected by the cold tonight and was so content hanging off of me. She'd of hung there all night if it was up to her!
Can you tell he was excited to have us there?!? He didn't put up a fight when I told we were leaving early. I wonder why! :)

a memorable memorial weekend

With our Memorial Weekend slowly coming to an end, I thought I'd take a moment and reflect on why our weekend was so memorable for our family.

It all began Friday afternoon. I had timed it perfectly...so I thought. If I left town with Chloe at exactly 2:45pm, I should be picking up my friend, Kristine, from work at precisely 3:45pm. Kristine is a good friend from high school and we were heading back to our hometown to finalize some last details for our 10-year Class Reunion. In the midst of packing and getting ready for a busy holiday weekend, I forgot to take a few things into consideration.

First, 2:45pm is the start of rush hour traffic. As a stay at home mom, I rarely drive through rush hour and had forgotten how ridiculously congested our freeway system becomes at that time of day. Second, it was Friday, and everyone leaves work early on Friday to head home. Third, and most important, it was a HOLIDAY WEEKEND and everyone and their mother were leaving town, heading north to a cabin or to visit relatives. I should have remembered those small, but very important details, when I agreed to pick Kristine up at 3:45pm. What should have taken 45 minutes to an hour at most to pick her up, took me almost 2 hours. Traffic never let up, even after picking her up, and the trip that should have lasted 3 hours ended up taking 5 1/2 hours.

Oh wait, you're probably wondering how Chloe managed through the stop-and-go traffic. She was an angel for the first 3 hours or so, until she woke up, that is. Once she was awake, I knew we were done for. I pulled over and fed her, but she wanted out of her car seat. She let me know this by proceeding to scream non-stop for the last 2 1/2 hours of the trip. I guess I can look on the bright side, though. The moment Chloe started screaming, traffic let up and we were able to breeze the rest of the way home. Kristine and I managed to have good conversation over Chloe's screaming and I'm grateful for that. It kept me sane, so thanks, Kristine!

It was a rough start to a good trip. Chloe and I stayed overnight with my parents and we spent some quality time together by eating pizza and watching a movie. I had my reunion committee the Saturday morning at 9:00am, followed by a quick visit to Great-Grandma's house, and then we were off again Saturday afternoon, heading back home. The trip home was much, much better, with Chloe sleeping all but 20 minutes of the 3 hour trip.

I made such a quick trip home because I had very special plans for Sunday. Plans I couldn't miss. Those plans included this little bundle...

Her name is Lillian Catherine and she is my goddaughter. She is the daughter of a dear friend, born just a few weeks ago. Lily was baptized on Sunday and I was honored to stand up with my friend and her beautiful family and take part in Lily's baptism. We enjoyed lunch at their home afterwards and I had so much snuggling her little 7 pound body. It made me almost want another one...Almost being the key word in that sentence. I'm mighty content with my little 17 pounder!

Monday was the day of anticipation for my older girls. We had BIG plans for today. It started early, at 9:45, by meeting my sister and her family in their hometown to watch the "big" Memorial parade. "Big" is an overstatement. A HUGE overstatement, actually. I can count on 1 hand the number of minutes the parade lasted. We were expecting floats, clowns, and most important of all, candy, but got none of the above. My girls were a little bummed...and really cold to boot.

I dressed them thinking it was going to be 75 degrees and sunny by the time the parade started, but on the drive over, the sky became cloudy and the temperature dropped 7 degrees (we have a temperature gauge in our car, hence the reason I knew this). I wasn't prepared for the cooler weather, so I didn't bring coats or sweatshirts or anything warm to wear. We were left with one fleece blanket to share among the family.

The moment the girls stepped out of the van, Ella asked, "Mommy, is it warmer where the parade is?!?"

"Not exactly, honey. This IS where the parade is."

I tried to cheer them up, I really did. It sort of worked, for Ella. Britten wasn't having it.

Chloe's always the easy one. Stick her in the warm, fleece carrier, give her her toes to play with, and she was good to go. She enjoyed every second of the 5 minute parade!

Ella had much more fun once the parade actually began. She stood tall and proud, covering her right hand over her heart, as the veterans with their American flags marched by. The picture above was Ella and her cousin, Evie, watching on as the boyscout troops made their way by us.

We continued our Memorial Day celebration by heading over to my sister's house for a BBQ after the "big" parade...

The girls are working hard to put together a Strawberry Shortcake puzzle before lunch. While the older girls are busy doing "older girl" stuff...

...The baby girl is busy doing "baby girl" stuff!

After lunch, while Owen and Chloe napped and the Mommy's relaxed on the deck, the Daddy's took the older three girls to the local Arboretum to wear off some energy.

Their wonderful afternoon abruptly ended when Britten took a nosedive onto a gravel walkway and scraped up both of her knees. In fact, the entire day came to an abrupt end after their trip to the arboretum as our entire family was deliriously tired from such a busy weekend. We headed home from my sister's house early this evening, with the intent to eat dinner and put our crabby EBC's to bed early. It was a good thought, if nothing else. I'm not sure if it was the busy day, the large consumption of sugar, or both (it was both, I'm sure of it), that wouldn't allow the girls to settle down. The bedtime routine lasted well over an hour tonight, with screams from every direction. They finally settled and fell asleep, after much coaxing and creative discipline. It's a wonder I have the energy to write this long post.

One thing's for sure. It was a memorable ending to a very memorable weekend.