Froggy Holiday

Well, I've managed to pick myself up and dust off the shame that came with admitting my failures to you, dearest internet (but mostly the shame that came when I finally admitted it to myself, which as it turns out, was the exact same time I hit post on that last entry).

I am very resilient and have found myself diving into this lost passion with more fervor than before – by Tuesday evening I had logged over 7 miles in 3 days – not too shabby for a slacker, eh?

My next thought after writing that was to tell you exactly how tired I have been recently, but the funny thing is, I don’t think the two correlate, at all.

I’ll set the stage…

• Mother goes to bed too late
• 18 month old still sleeps in her bed (not to mention dh)
• We got a new bed
• An imitation Sleep Number
• We Saved $1000
• I feel like I am camping
• EVERY
• SINGLE
• NIGHT

You know what I mean, right?

Right?

Who in the hell wants to deflate?

Who?

Madness.

Oh! Happy Leap Day!

It should be noted that I think this day should be a holiday - when it finally arrives it should be welcomed by very large Department Store Sales which I can attend because I’ll be excused from work, of course.

On Falling Off the Wagon

Upon dressing this morning I found myself having to pull a little harder than usual to get my pants on.

Funny, I thought to myself knowing the scale has headed in upward direction but not by more than a pound or two.

I went about my morning routine, which leads me directly to Starbucks for my morning Joe, which happens to also include a bagel, because the body needs a little nourishment before it can fire on all cylinders if ya know what I mean.

So, off I went, minding my own business still noticing that my pants are not fitting quite right but, again, I dismiss the thought because after all these are the smallest pair of jeans I own and this tightness is not really that bad or so I thought.

After arriving at daycare, suddenly the conversation changes to my running. Am I still doing it? How far? How often?

Seriously, I thought - had the world gone mad?

No. No. No. Now leave me alone I stood there thinking to myself - but my actual response sounded more like a teenager responding to their mother about getting their homework completed.

Uh, yes, wait, no, wellsortofbutonlytwicesinceChristmas and, well, I’ve been sick and that flu we had, I just haven’t, uh, had time, oh man, I still feel sick (cough, cough), can’t you hear that wheeze?

To make matters worse or maybe just to annoy me even more during lunch my boss decides to ask, “Hey are you still running?” Those words stabbed me like knife.

The truth is – I have slipped, indeed, but it was not at all intentional (not that it ever is). The descent has been progressively getting worse. Oh no big deal, it's dark, I can't possibly run in the dark, I’ll just run on the weekends or so I told myself which slowly turned into never, which brings us to current - I have not run over 3 miles since December 25th. Truthfully, since December I have only even attempted to run twice – both times I only made it to the 1 mile mark before stopping, which is totally disheartening to even admit after so much work to get to 3 miles in the first place.

Apparently, my slightly tight jeans are to blame for this tragic entry without you, tight jeans, I would not have been able to see that my efforts have been lack luster and must be refocused – especially if I intend to continue eating the garbage I try to pass off as nourishment and keep the scale from inching its way up any further.

But really, in my mind, the answer to the question is – yes, I still run, if the definition of running includes intending to.

Pout

Sick Bay

We are sick The kids are sick - again.

I know everyone's kids are sick, but, there is always a but isn't there, but for some reason my kids get sicker than other kids who've been attacked by the very same virus. Maybe I'm being a little dramatic here but I know that most kids don't have oxygen level issues when they get a common cold.

My kids on the other hand have to be watched with a magnifying glass when any unsuspecting cough or sniffle arises for fear we might have to face the very thing we did Wednesday...the doctor with a report that the oxygen levels in Kyan's blood were less than they should be and his lungs were unresponsive to treatment.

To say the least – this is a nasty bug.

Apparently this bug also encourages my children not to eat. They went more than 48 hours without nourishment and not because I didn’t try – they didn’t even bat an eye at the milkshake I offered or even think about anything edible I passed there way. In fact, Kyan wouldn't even get out of bed - we even tried prying him out with TV but we couldn't shake him.

With the help of some powerful steriods and antibiotics the kids seem to be feeling better.

Newsletter: Aspen Month 18

Dear Aspen,

Yesterday Two Three Four days More than a week ago you turned 18 months old and quite frankly if I don’t hurry up already with this letter you will have your bags packed for college and I won’t remember what made 18 months so special.

Let me start by saying that you are growing up way too fast, I do not mean this in the average, “Whoa, these babies sure do grow up fast” kind of way. I mean it in the “slow down your brother didn’t act like this until after two” kind of way and since we are six months from two I demand you stop this behavior this instant little girl. I know as a mother I am not supposed to compare the two of you because every one is different, but I cannot help myself – when I became your mother being Kyan’s mother is all I knew – comparisons are only natural, but sweetheart I will not bore you with the details of Kyan’s toddler-hood right now.

Let’s talk about your hair, because let’s face it you’re a girl and your hair will haunt you forever. Your hair is constantly in your eyes and let me be honest it drives me bonkers. You are constantly walking around with your head way up and cocked to the side to see through all the hair. Do not for one second think that I do not try wrangle that mane of yours, because I do, but the second I get it super cute and manageable you suddenly have the urge to rip the ponytail holder or barrette right out then you squeal with delight and run off with the item, as if you just stole the entire container of Hershey’s syrup from the refrigerator without anyone knowing, and it makes me laugh then I cry, The End.

Aspen, you love attention and really, who doesn’t? But, your affinity for attention is so strong that no matter where we are you are always putting on show for passersby and generally people love it, okay well not everyone, but most women can’t pass you by without acknowledging your fine performance, and by fine performance I really mean your non-stop flirting. Even when we are in the car getting coffee you can’t help but flirt with the baristas, in fact, some mornings I think you love the barista more than me – you really show that much affection for the lady.

This past month your father has taken it upon himself to start putting you to bed and for the most part you tolerate his efforts. In fact, daddy has a special way with you. Usually when he takes you to bed you pitch a fit but within seconds Daddy starts singing to you and you immediately calm down. Last night I was privy to watch the entire routine and it was very sweet. Daddy took you, laid you down, you began to fuss, then Daddy asked if you would like a song, immediately you calmed down, demanded ‘doggie’ and it was then that Daddy began singing ‘How Much is that Doggie in the Window?’, you know the one with the wiggly tail? And you drifted into dreamland moments later. It was really something to watch – my heart melted.

I don’t know if I have told you this but your father loves animals and of course that means he wants his children to share the same passion he has for animals which is laymen’s terms for Daddy wants more animals and his excuse is that ‘the kids’ need them. This brings us to our most recent addition or the most recent addition that is alive, Koko. Koko is your dog and you love her. You love her so much that you wake up every morning and immediately ask for her and because your brother loves you so much he will go retrieve her for you. Koko has brought you so much joy – at first you didn’t know what to think but now you trust her and your bond is very sweet so sweet in fact that sometimes you feel that need to express your love by kicking her – your father and I thank your brother for that. Have I mentioned your affinity for Koko's bed?

In addition to the puppy, we recently hatched our first button quail, although the quail only survived for two days it was a very fascinating two days for your brother and you. The two of you would grab your stools and stand on them and watch the baby for hours, it was almost better than the TV – I said almost. Over the weekend we purchased a Deluxe Sea Monkey starter kit. Your father and I had no idea how much work Sea Monkey could be – the directions specified bottled water. Did the people making these directions live in cave? Have they ever heard of a filter? Fortunately, we happened to have bottled water for a previous pet and the making of Sea Monkeys commenced. Currently this is the lamest ‘pet’ we have.

With all this chatter about your pets I overlooked your vocabulary – it is quite extensive. Although you have an extensive vocabulary you often don’t use it and depend on the go to – no! Everything is, no! Even if you really mean, yes. Eat some chocolate? No. Watch TV? No. And really this no is very cute because you do not say it with authority – you say it in a whiny bashful, no? type of way. And I adore it, I am sure this will soon change but for now I enjoy hearing it. Aspen, I look forward to the many no’s I have coming. I love you!

Love,
Mama

Mug Shot

From the archives, circa late 2006.