The past couple of days (read: week and a half) have been awful. My longest stretch of sleep has been about 5 hours. My longest stretch of being awake with a SCREAMING baby is now at 2.5 hours. Nighttime at our house is now dreaded. A month ago I was complaining about a baby who ONLY slept until 5:45am (after being put down at 8pm). I could kick myself. Now I have a 9 month old who is sleeping like an infant - up every couple of hours, eating about every three.
Seriously, I am at the end of my rope. Last night K woke up a little after 11pm. She nursed and went back to sleep. She was up again at 1am. D could not calm her down. I tried to nurse her - no good (she was full, obviously). So I tried to get her back to sleep. I tried rocking her. She arched her back and screamed. I tried walking her. Again, back arching and screaming. After about an hour of this. I put her down in her crib and walked out of the room. I went in and checked on her every 15 minutes for the next 45 minutes. She would not settle down. Around 3am, we did a quick diaper change and gave her some tylenol. She slept from about 3:40 to 6:15.
I feel like complete crap today. D let me sleep from 6:30-8:15 and I needed it. Our nanny is on vacation until the beginning of August so it is just K and me day-in-and-day-out. When the nights are LONG, our days together can also be long. It is freaking exhausting. Not sure going to work would make me any less tired, but I think I need a little distance/time to myself. Since that's not in the cards, we are planning our days carefully and are going to try putting K to bed earlier. I've done a lot of reading about 9 month olds who stop sleeping well and lots of people say it is because they are overtired. We're going to push bedtime up half and hour beginning tomorrow to see what happens.
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Today: K is sleeping now. I'm planning to go back to bed, too. We're going to go out for a morning/lunchtime run (with our new jogging stroller) and after our afternoon naps head up to Baltimore to hang out with friends. The trip to Baltimore is what is preventing us from beginning our go to bed half and hour early tonight plan.
Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. ~Ferris Bueller
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
BROKEN
Yesterday morning I attempted to walk up the stairs from our first floor to the second. I wasn't carrying anything; nor was I rushing. I was just being me. And being me in this case resulted in me missing the first step and twisting my fourth toe in the wrong direction. I'm not sure what really happened or how, but I do know that it hurt. And it still hurts 24 hours later.
After the incident, I took K for a morning walk to the library (about 5 blocks from our house). When I took my shoe off after the walk, this is what I saw...
Front view:
Back view:
I'm pretty sure my toe is broken. Although I don't want to admit this to myself, I think I heard a little snap when I fell/tripped. And I know there was instant pain.
This morning my toe was a little bit puffier, but not as painful. I went out for a 4 mile run and it didn't bother me too much. After my run, I taped my toe to the one next to it for support and am planning to ice.
I'm surprised by the amount of pain I'm in. This time last weekend I had just finished a 10 mile run (at a fast pace) and was feeling great. Now I'm bitching and moaning about the fourth smallest toe on my body. Funny how such small things can cause such troubles.
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Agreement: D and I believe we have decided on a new couch. We found it online and plan to go see it (and sit on it) this afternoon. If all goes well, we'll be the owners of a new couch in a few hours. (It's about time...)
Sleep: K woke up around 11pm, but then slept peacefully until 5:15am. Hopefully she'll be back to her normal routine of 8pm to 5:45am soon. I believe she is cutting her 12 month molars, which could be the cause of the messed up sleep.
Today: couch and grocery shopping. Also need to do laundry and finish a baby gift.
After the incident, I took K for a morning walk to the library (about 5 blocks from our house). When I took my shoe off after the walk, this is what I saw...
Front view:
Back view:
I'm pretty sure my toe is broken. Although I don't want to admit this to myself, I think I heard a little snap when I fell/tripped. And I know there was instant pain.
This morning my toe was a little bit puffier, but not as painful. I went out for a 4 mile run and it didn't bother me too much. After my run, I taped my toe to the one next to it for support and am planning to ice.
I'm surprised by the amount of pain I'm in. This time last weekend I had just finished a 10 mile run (at a fast pace) and was feeling great. Now I'm bitching and moaning about the fourth smallest toe on my body. Funny how such small things can cause such troubles.
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Agreement: D and I believe we have decided on a new couch. We found it online and plan to go see it (and sit on it) this afternoon. If all goes well, we'll be the owners of a new couch in a few hours. (It's about time...)
Sleep: K woke up around 11pm, but then slept peacefully until 5:15am. Hopefully she'll be back to her normal routine of 8pm to 5:45am soon. I believe she is cutting her 12 month molars, which could be the cause of the messed up sleep.
Today: couch and grocery shopping. Also need to do laundry and finish a baby gift.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
BY THE NUMBERS
10: The number of miles I ran on Saturday. Felt great. Pushed through "the wall" I hit at mile 8 and finished strong. Felt really good and excited for this weekend's l-o-n-g run.9: The number of months old K is today.
9: My average pace per mile during my 10 mile run on Saturday.
8: The number of teeth K currently has.
7: The number of hours it took us to drive from DC to Pittsburgh this past Thursday.
6: The number of hours of uninterrupted sleep I got last night.
5: The number of loads of laundry I have to wash.
4: The hour in which K woke up this morning (thankfully she went back to bed from 4:45 to 6:30am).
3: The number of new baby gifts I have left to make. (I'm just about finished with the first!)
2: The number of weddings we have to attend on TWO different continents within a 48 hour period of time.
1: One fantastic 4th of July weekend in Pittsburgh.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
(only) 91 TO GO...
That's 91 more training runs before the NYC Marathon.
no.big.deal.
Right? Wrong...
Ninety-one more runs seems like an awful lot. So does running 26.2 miles. But, honestly, I could not be more excited. Training officially started yesterday. I'm following the NY Road Runners Association training plan - for the most part. I'm going to keep up with the recommended mileage per week, but may do my runs on different days from the plan - to better accommodate my schedule.
To jump-start my training, I went for an hour long run on Sunday. Before deciding to use the training plan, I decided that I would train in such a way that each month I would increase my long run time by an hour. In June I would have to complete an hour long run; 2 hours in July; 3 in August; and 4 in September. If I can run 4 hours straight prior to race-day, I'll have no trouble finishing the race. So, I ran my first hour long run on Sunday. It felt great. I measured most of the run distance by car on Monday and believe I ran a little more than six miles. Seems like a good start...
D has also been a great motivator to me. On Sunday he completed the Philadelphia Triathlon. Just hearing him talk about the race and the sense of fulfillment and pride was extremely motivating to me. I'm also crazy proud of how well he did. Way to go!
To keep me motivated throughout the training, I am putting together a couple of running music mixes. Songs I can take along with me when I'm out there on my own. This is the first time I'm training for a marathon without D. Not having someone out with me on the long runs (in the middle of the freaking summer) is somewhat disheartening. So I'm going to put together the best-of-the-best mix to keep me motivated. If you have any songs that HAVE to go on playlist, please let me know. Note: I will not be caught dead wearing my iPod and running with a jogging stroller. When I'm out with K, there will be no music. Music is only allowed when I'm running alone.
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Weekend run: I have an 8-miler scheduled for this weekend. D is going to do it with me.
Cross-training: I have instituted a cross-training schedule, which includes resistance training (light weights and a resistance band), sit-ups and push-ups.
Today: home with the K. She had a terrible afternoon nap (if you can even call it that). We're off to the library in a few minutes and then Target. Hopefully she'll sleep along the way.
Long-weekend: so looking forward to having D home for a three day weekend! And excited that Becky L is coming into town. If only I could go tubing with everyone on Friday... (boo hoo for me.)
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
HAPPY (belated) FATHER'S DAY
Father's Day 2009 --- the first father's day in which we celebrated David as a father. It's a new, exciting, and humbling experience to celebrate your husband on Father's Day. David has been amazing these past 8 months with K and was throughout my pregnancy. He's a wonderful papa to our little girl and a kind and compassionate husband to me.
David, thank you for...
asking me to marry you;
committing yourself to me for better or worse (you had no idea what you were in for...);
creating a loving home with me;
providing a soft shoulder for me to cry on;
forgiving me;
being a fantastic and loving father;
offering to help me when I need it most;
providing me with some "me" time;
encouraging me to follow my dreams;
planning a future with me;
taking care of all the details - bills, craigslist sales, computer backups;
all your creativity in the kitchen;
supporting my decision to become vegan and doing so yourself;
going on family runs with me and K (especially the early morning ones);
and, most of all,
for loving me through the good times and the bad.
K and I love you so much. Happy Father's Day!
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Father's Day present: D got a 5.5 quart Le Creuset dutch oven in slate (his choice of color).
Really proud: that D will be participating in the Philly triathlon this Sunday. Have a great swim, bike, run, honey.
David, thank you for...
asking me to marry you;
committing yourself to me for better or worse (you had no idea what you were in for...);
creating a loving home with me;
providing a soft shoulder for me to cry on;
forgiving me;
being a fantastic and loving father;
offering to help me when I need it most;
providing me with some "me" time;
encouraging me to follow my dreams;
planning a future with me;
taking care of all the details - bills, craigslist sales, computer backups;
all your creativity in the kitchen;
supporting my decision to become vegan and doing so yourself;
going on family runs with me and K (especially the early morning ones);
and, most of all,
for loving me through the good times and the bad.
K and I love you so much. Happy Father's Day!
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Father's Day present: D got a 5.5 quart Le Creuset dutch oven in slate (his choice of color).
Really proud: that D will be participating in the Philly triathlon this Sunday. Have a great swim, bike, run, honey.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
MARATHON UPDATE
As you can see from the ticker to the right, the NYC Marathon is a little less than five months away. Each week, and sometimes more than once a week, the marathon organizers and sponsors send out emails to the race participants. Recently I've received information about training schedules, running clubs in NYC, cross-training tips, and transportation to the start of the race (which is on Stanton Island). To date all of the information has been extremely valuable and some of it necessary.
That is until today.
This afternoon I received an email from the marathon-people about the "Finish Line Banquet/Reserved Seating" for spectators. Hosted by The Tavern on the Green in Central Park, the Finish Line Banquet provides spectators with a breakfast and lunch buffet, open bar, TV viewing of the race live, and bleacher seating at the finish line. And what might such an event cost?
$250.00 US
Are you freaking kidding me?
Bleacher seating alone costs $75.00.
It simply blows my mind to think that folks would pay more to party during the marathon than I paid to run in it. It also makes me mad to think that they are selling tickets at the finish line. Call me crunchy, or slightly old-fashioned, but I want my family and friends and the families and friends of the other runners at the finish line cheering me on. I do not want to be surrounded by a individuals attending an up-scale frat party while running the last mile of the race.
I'm hoping D can sneak into the bleacher area and watch me run across the finish line. I'm also planning to pick up the K during the last mile of the race and run with her in my arms over the finish line.
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Training: I'm running 5 days a week now and averaging 15-18 miles per week. I need to get a couple more miles in this week than I did last. Training officially begins a week from this coming Monday.
Getting organized: I think I'm finally starting to nest. I've spent this week organizing the K's pictures into an online account that friends and family can view. It'll be a private account. Let me know if you'd like access. I'm also organizing and sorting through baby clothes, selling more stuff on Craiglist, purging clothes from my closet, and getting rid of books through Book Mooch. I need to reorganize my book shelf in our office.
Reading: just finished New Moon the second book in the Twilight series. It was a fun, quick read. Perfect summer reading.
Watching: D and I finished watching Lost. We're now trying to catch up on Heroes. And, I'm embarrassed to admit to watching, The Bachelorette.
That is until today.
This afternoon I received an email from the marathon-people about the "Finish Line Banquet/Reserved Seating" for spectators. Hosted by The Tavern on the Green in Central Park, the Finish Line Banquet provides spectators with a breakfast and lunch buffet, open bar, TV viewing of the race live, and bleacher seating at the finish line. And what might such an event cost?
$250.00 US
Are you freaking kidding me?
Bleacher seating alone costs $75.00.
It simply blows my mind to think that folks would pay more to party during the marathon than I paid to run in it. It also makes me mad to think that they are selling tickets at the finish line. Call me crunchy, or slightly old-fashioned, but I want my family and friends and the families and friends of the other runners at the finish line cheering me on. I do not want to be surrounded by a individuals attending an up-scale frat party while running the last mile of the race.
I'm hoping D can sneak into the bleacher area and watch me run across the finish line. I'm also planning to pick up the K during the last mile of the race and run with her in my arms over the finish line.
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Training: I'm running 5 days a week now and averaging 15-18 miles per week. I need to get a couple more miles in this week than I did last. Training officially begins a week from this coming Monday.
Getting organized: I think I'm finally starting to nest. I've spent this week organizing the K's pictures into an online account that friends and family can view. It'll be a private account. Let me know if you'd like access. I'm also organizing and sorting through baby clothes, selling more stuff on Craiglist, purging clothes from my closet, and getting rid of books through Book Mooch. I need to reorganize my book shelf in our office.
Reading: just finished New Moon the second book in the Twilight series. It was a fun, quick read. Perfect summer reading.
Watching: D and I finished watching Lost. We're now trying to catch up on Heroes. And, I'm embarrassed to admit to watching, The Bachelorette.
Monday, June 8, 2009
SUCCESSFUL CRAIGSLIST WEEKEND
It was a great weekend to sell things on craigslist. We sold a stroller and one of those backpacks to carry a kid within a matter of minutes. Two families arrived at our house ON TIME yesterday afternoon, took a quick look at the merchandise, and paid with cash. Sweet. And it looks like we have someone interested in buying a diaper genie, which we don't need because we're all crunchy and using reusable diaper. One more thing gone!
We also got rid of my papasan chair. We ended up giving it away. Although the cushions were new, the bamboo frame was broken and duct-taped together a la MacGyver. A nice couple, expecting twin boys in the coming weeks, picked it up and was so excited about it.
It was such a successful weekend I am regretting not reposting the cat on craigslist. Maybe we could have offloaded him, too. Maybe next week.
We've offered our glider/rocker to friends. If they don't claim it in the next day, we'll be posting a white glider with blue cushions on craigslist.
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Today: I'm at home with the K. Our nanny had surgery on Friday and is home recovering. Today is domestic day: laundry, baby food making, errands, mopping, and ironing.
Tomorrow: I'm at home with the K, as scheduled. It will be a work day: scheduling meetings, finishing reading list for course syllabus, and registering for classes next fall. Also need to renew some library books.
Yesterday: in addition to successful craigslisting, I went out for a 'long' run yesterday. It was my first 5 mile run since I quit running last spring. It went well. K was with me. We had a lot of fun together! We did the run at Haines Point along the Potomac River. It was lovely and so flat. I do miss The Awakening statue that used to sit at the tip of the peninsula. Why did they have to go and move it?
We also got rid of my papasan chair. We ended up giving it away. Although the cushions were new, the bamboo frame was broken and duct-taped together a la MacGyver. A nice couple, expecting twin boys in the coming weeks, picked it up and was so excited about it.
It was such a successful weekend I am regretting not reposting the cat on craigslist. Maybe we could have offloaded him, too. Maybe next week.
We've offered our glider/rocker to friends. If they don't claim it in the next day, we'll be posting a white glider with blue cushions on craigslist.
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Today: I'm at home with the K. Our nanny had surgery on Friday and is home recovering. Today is domestic day: laundry, baby food making, errands, mopping, and ironing.
Tomorrow: I'm at home with the K, as scheduled. It will be a work day: scheduling meetings, finishing reading list for course syllabus, and registering for classes next fall. Also need to renew some library books.
Yesterday: in addition to successful craigslisting, I went out for a 'long' run yesterday. It was my first 5 mile run since I quit running last spring. It went well. K was with me. We had a lot of fun together! We did the run at Haines Point along the Potomac River. It was lovely and so flat. I do miss The Awakening statue that used to sit at the tip of the peninsula. Why did they have to go and move it?
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