What time did YOUR day start?

Yesterday ended so well. Eli was so happy to have his walker, I got caught up on a bunch of my school stuff, and I was headed to bed at 9:30. I was thrilled to get to bed early because I had planned on getting up today to run before Edgar left for work...which meant an early morning. Well...at 10:30 Eli woke up and started crying. This is extremely unusual for him. The last time he got up after he had been put to bed like that was 8 months ago...he never wakes up! I went in to check on him, and he was just screaming...so I picked him up, and he immediately stopped. He didn't seem to be in pain, or hungry, his diaper wasn't dirty, and he wasn't running a fever. I held him for a bit and put him back in bed. He cried...and cried and cried. It wasn't constant, but at 12:30 I got back up and went back to his room. I picked him up and he stopped. I tried to rock him to sleep, but every time I would try and lay him back down he would scream. SO, I got in the twin bed in his room with him, and there we slept last night...well...sort of. Every half hour he would wake up and cry. As soon as I would put my hand on him and let him know I was there he would stop. Sometimes I don't even think he was awake as he was crying. He didn't open his eyes-he just cried. A couple of times he was crying and I would sit him up and he would 'wake up' and stop. It was weird. I took his temperature, and it was normal, so I have NO IDEA what was wrong.

This morning I felt pretty crummy needless to say...Eli was fairly cranky too. At 8 I took his temperature again and it was 99.5, so I gave him some Tylenol to see if it would help him feel better. He did seem to settle down a bit. At 10:00 I stepped outside and realized it was GORGEOUS out. Low humidity, and cool. So I decided I deserved a treat :)

I loaded Eli into his stroller and we walked to Dunkin' Donuts :) It's amazing how much better a day gets when you have an iced coffee and bagel-even a day following a near-sleepless night! The walk was so nice too. It seems like forever since I've been able to go outside without instantly sweating! I think Eli enjoyed being outside too-he chatted the whole way there. When we got back I put some shoes on Eli and we went out in the backyard and walked around out there too. I put him down for a nap and he slept for an hour and a half. YAY!

He got up and was just plain pleasant to be around. I think perhaps the fact that he had my undivided attention helped :) I didn't have to 'get a bunch of stuff done', so I could just play with him.

Lately he really likes to pull things out of things...He'll take every toy out of the box, or every book out of the bin...or every diaper out of the diaper caddy...He pulled those out, I put them back, he pulled them out, I put them back...it was a fun game :)

He also has been having lots of fun playing the piano too. He's composing this really contemporary jazz piece. It's very interesting...
One thing about this morning (yeah...back to that) was that I did not get to run. I was exhausted by the time I was suppose to go, so I just figured I wasn't going to get to go. WELL, since the weather was so nice, I went this evening. I think if every run was like the run I had tonight, I would run every day...twice a day maybe. It was WONDERFUL. It was nice and cool (for Florida) and low humidity (I think I've mentioned that once already...). I put my headphones on and off I went. I started off at a fairly normal pace, then 'The Macarena' came on. All I could think of was when my dad did his version of the Macarena dance. It made me laugh, and I picked up the pace, and took off (well...took off for me...) I ran 3 miles in 32 minutes 19 seconds. That's faster than the race I just ran! It was 10 min 45 sec pace. I haven't run at that pace for a very long time-it felt great. I realize my runs won't always feel like that, but I'll take it when I can get it!
I had a couple errands to run after Eli went to bed, and when I got home Edgar had the Tiger's game on-YAY! They're on TV! I never get to watch them play! So that's what we're doing-we're both on our computers doin' stuff while watching the Tiger's beat up on the Twins. SO, while the day didn't start off great, it is ending fabulously!

Aaaaannnnddd...he's mobile...finally!

After spending the last few days with a rather fussy, annoyed baby (really, he's a great kid...) I finally gave in and got him a walker. I came to the conclusion a while ago that Eli was never going to crawl. NOW, I could be wrong. Tomorrow morning he could wake up and just decide to do it, but judging from his hatred of being on his belly, and his refusal to get up on his hands and knees (honest! Ask Jennifer!) I think he's decided crawling is not for him. Now walking, on the other hand, is all he wants to do. Unfortunately (for my back) that requires someone to help him. He can't walk on his own yet...but he wants to so bad. He's been so frustrated lately that he can't move. If someone is not walking with him, he's mad. (Now...he does still play while sitting...he doesn't just cry all day :) though sometimes it feels like that...) Anyway, today I had...well...a day. I don't know why I was so easily agitated today, but everything seemed to set me off. (REALLY, WHY is a car seat so hard to install?!?!?!?!?!) Jennifer was watching Eli and mentioned that he was fussy unless you were walking him, and I just decided then and there he needed a walker. So I put the car seat back in my car, wiped the sweat off my face, and we headed to Target.

This happened:

And I have my happy baby back :)

Later that day...

Okay, so I said I would post again with pictures...but I ended up not taking any pictures at all today! I know! Can you believe it?! SO, not wanting to disappoint all 10 of you :) I am posting a picture from yesterday. It's not a great picture...but by the time we finally got the camera Eli's cuteness had stopped...We went over to Edgar's Abuelo's house yesterday after church. We had a really nice time seeing family and hanging out. We were just getting ready to go and Eli started playing with Abuelo. Eli likes to bump heads...if you tilt your head towards him, he will bump his forehead to yours. It's pretty funny. Well, he was doing that with Abuelo. Super cute! And we

missed it...but it's a fun picture of Abuelo laughing.

Today was super busy, but good. After my great start to the morning Eli and I headed out to the mall for a play date with the mommy group I'm in. It was really nice to get out and hang out with some moms. We played in the play area and then had lunch. I had totally anticipated taking pictures, but Eli wanted to walk around the whole time...and since the only way he can walk is if I am holding his hands, I was unable to snap any pictures. Oh well...I'm sure we'll be back at the mall again soon to play :)

Afterwards I went to Kmart and got my costume for the upcoming Murder Mystery party Edgar and I are going to. We're so excited! Krista is hosting it, and it is sure to be a blast. I'm a cocktail waitress from the 20's. Edgar is part of the mob. Fun times :)

We got home and Eli took a well deserved nap, and I got some things done that needed to be done. We ate dinner, played with Eli, ya know, normal evening stuff :)

(While eating dinner Krista called and gave an update on Tricia. She made it through surgery very well. The 'mass' wasn't cancerous, PRAISE THE LORD! and every thing went great. Thanks so much for praying!)

Then I cut Edgar's hair. By myself. Without my sister's help. And it doesn't look terrible.

It's been a good day.

This week is lookin' good!

It's Monday morning, and I'm off to a good start on the week :) I got up early this morning and ran before Edgar went to work. I love it when I actually get up and do that! Now it's 7:55, and I've already run, taken a shower, had breakfast, and read my bible. Eli is chatting away in his crib, and I'm gonna get him as soon as I'm done here :) I ran 3 miles in 37 min 37 sec. Not too terrible...it takes me a bit to get going in the morning-I start off really slow, so I'm thrilled with anything under 40 minutes :) Now I just gotta keep up the energy all day! I have loads to do today! Some of which will surely involve pictures, so there is very likely going to be another post today.

One of the real reasons I wanted to do a quick post was to ask you to pray for my friend Tricia today. She is having surgery to remove a tumor/mass (not exactly sure what it is) They don't think it is cancerous, but can't be sure until they remove it. Please pray for her and her family...and the doctor as she undergoes surgery today. She has 4-6 week recovery time to, so I am sure she would appreciate your prayers after today too :)

Thanks!

Alzheimer's Walk

Today Edgar, Eli & I headed to the St. Pete pier to participate in the Alzheimer's walk. It was a 3-mile walk along the gulf-nothing too strenuous, but a great event to be a part of.

Eli was excited, of course, to be a part too!


The scenery was beautiful.

Nice bird :)

The whole crew! We met up with some friends. Laurie (the lady in the purple shirt) was the one that organized a team. We had fun walking together and afterwards we went to Village Inn for some breakfast.

It was a nice walk, and a great cause to contribute to. I thought a lot about Grandma today, of course, and I was glad to be a part of something that might help find a cure for this disease.

Little People Day!

Today is just a day at home for Eli & I. I had plans to run, but I didn't even wake up until 8:10...and if I don't get up on time, I can't convince myself to run...very bad excuse. I gotta register for another race...I thought about doing a Taebo video while Eli took a nap...but I'm posting on my blog instead. Not good...

However, Eli and I have had fun playing this morning! I got out all his Little People stuff, and we played.

(Just to warn you, this is a not so veiled attempt at me showing you what Little People stuff we already have, in case you want to get him some Little People stuff for his birthday...or Christmas :) He really likes playing with these toys...and as a bonus, so do I!)

Here is his barn...

His train...

His truck...

His 'Build 'n Fun Playground'

And his 'town' (Don't know the official Little People title). This toy is on load from Krista until she needs it again :) (This is also the toy that he fell on and got a scratch near his eye...) That is one benefit of your cousin having a birthday bash-you get all the toys she doesn't play with any more :) We inherited some fun stuff, and Eli has been enjoying his 'new' things.

Another new toy we got from Abuela was a Mickey Mouse puppet from her recent trip to Disney. He loves that thing! (He really likes puppets...)

Especially biting his nose :)

Ya gotta watch the next video. It's Eli showin' off his moves. He's so funny-as soon as music comes on he starts to dance. Very amusing.

Eli's been struggling the last couple days with, what I think, is a tooth coming in. Yesterday he had a little fever (99.8) and a runny nose. He was a little fussy, and not very interested in food (not even sweet potato fries!). He's not running a temp now, but still no tooth. I have a feeling another tooth will be popping through any day-I can feel it coming! (Side note...I was completely annoyed to see the Tylenol recall! I have never given Eli Tylenol before, and it would figure the one time I might have to, there was a recall. Fortunately, our Tylenol was 'safe', and his fever never got high enough for me to actually give him any, so it wasn't an issue...but you might want to check your children's Tylenol to make sure it's not being recalled! Click HERE to see if yours is!)

I just went in to check on him and was greeted by the not so sweet odor of a dirty diaper...I guess I'll get to take care of that when he gets up...

Just another day

I debated about whether to even bother with a post tonight...I have no pictures, and nothing brilliant or inspiring to write (unlike Jennifer) but I figured, it's my blog, and I'll type if I want to :)

Today was a pretty uneventful. I got up and went for a run...except it wasn't much of a run. I'll be honest, I love it when I can call myself a runner, but I don't really like running that much. (Unless I'm running more than 5 miles. It seems like once I get past that distance I just zone out and run...) One of the reasons I get frustrated with running is that you loose what you build up so very quickly. I haven't run since the race on Saturday, and today I felt like I had lead tied to my feet. (Which, when you consider how much I've eaten in the last couple of days, could have some validity to it) I planned on running 2 miles and walking 1. Well...I ended up running 1 (maybe) and walking 2. I was so frustrated! I can't believe how quickly I reverted back to the sluggish 'IfeellikeI'mgonnadieanysecondnow' feeling. I got home annoyed, and ate something (as if that is going to help...) and proceeded to continue in my 'eat rotten' pattern. I really gotta stop that. Hopefully the next run will be a bit better. I will say, though, I did run up the giant hill (though I think that was the straw that broke the camel's back) and I was pushing an increasingly heavy child (how much does that child weigh?!) and I was running in 93% humidity, so it wasn't ideal conditions. However, I've decided I have to stop complaining about the heat and humidity...I live in Florida...I just have to get used to it. (Can you hear me crying?)

The day did get better. I got cleaned up, Eli took a good nap, so I caught up on some e-mails, I read my bible (after I brushed the dust off of it...that's another post...still chewin' on that one...) and ate lunch. Then I headed to BJ's with Jennifer. I love that store. I got diapers, chicken, a Swiffer Wet Jet and a couple of other things. I'm kinda excited about the Wet-Jet. I've wanted to try one for a while, and BJ's had a good price. I don't want to use it for my 'real' cleaning, but it's nice to have something like that during the week that I can clean my super white tile with. It makes my house feel cleaner, and that's really what it's all about, right?! I tried it out tonight, and it is serving its purpose so far.

Eli and I played for a bit after we got home-he decided not to take another nap. While I was getting dinner ready (calzones-YUMM!) Eli managed to fall/roll over right onto one of his toys, and got a pretty good scratch/bruise on his right eye. He was okay...but I'm really hoping it doesn't give him a black eye-I don't think it will. He's been so frustrated lately with not being able to move. I hope he gets the hang of some sort of movement soon-I think he'll be a happier baby. He LOVES it when you walk with him-especially when daddy is chasing him from behind. He can really get going pretty fast!

Anyway...after he recovered from that, Edgar got home and we had dinner. We were playing in his room, and I had his drawer pulled out. He was trying to get something inside, and couldn't reach it. I was letting him struggle in hopes that he would work on pulling himself into a stand, when he whacked his mouth against the drawer and got a small cut on his gums...so now he's bleeding, and I'm starting to worry that 2 injuries in one day is a bit too much...He cried pretty hard, but recovered. I felt his tooth, and it didn't feel loose at all, so I don't think he hit his tooth. Poor kid...

Anyhow...I just finished tutoring and am about to head off to bed. Ya know what I hate? Going to bed hungry...I think I better go brush my teeth before I give in to temptation...

Katie's big day!

Guess who's turning 3! Today was Katie's birthday party, and she had all her friends and family over for her party.

If you can't guess from the attire, it was a Minnie Mouse theme :) She looked SO cute in her little outfit!

These were the cookies I made for the party (I promised I'd post them!). I forgot to put a picture of the cake Krista made...but it was amazing! Hopefully she'll put a picture on her blog, so check it out!

I got the opportunity to snag Krista's super fun camera and take a zillion (nearly 300...) pictures of the day...so this is what I looked like most of the time. Actually, Edgar took quite a few too-we took turns playing with their camera...

Cousins. I'm not sure what Eli thinks of that amazing dress...

Daddy & Eli :)

Okay...so I was peeking during prayer...but Katie was so cute folding her hands during prayer :) Of course...she was peeking too!

Krista had a little station where kids could decorate their own Minnie cookie (though it wasn't 'minnie' in size at all...) It was a super cute idea, and the kids had a lot of fun making them...

...and eating them!

Katie got some of her cake too. She was full of sugar :) But isn't that how it's suppose to be on your birthday?!

A rare picture of me & Eli :)

I know, I know...it was Katie's day...but I couldn't resist taking a bunch of shots of my baby :)

Katie got loads of gifts from all of her friends. We got her a little dress to play dress-up with-It was a Tinkerbell dress. Pretty cute. Next time I go over there, I fully expect her to show it off for me!

Katie's last gift was from her Grandma & Pop Pop (Krista's parents)

It was a little kitchen! And honestly...that is where she stayed for the rest of the day. She cooked everyone cupcakes, roast beef, eggs, and many other things for everyone. She was so cute! At one point she had the sink filled with 'dishes' and she looked around and said 'Ummm, somebody needs to do the dishes!' Funny girl :)

Abuela & Katie. Unfortunately Abuelo was sick :( Hopefully he feels better soon!

We tried and tried to get a picture with Katie, but she couldn't be pulled away from her kitchen :)

We had a really great time today (Thanks Krista for letting us play with your camera!) The only 'bad' part was when I let Eli fall and bang his head on the floor really hard. He was standing, and I was suppose to be keeping him up, but he turned, and slipped out of my hands, and hit the back of his head...everyone heard the 'thud'. That's really the first time he's hurt himself, and his cry was SO sad. I'll be honest, I had a few tears in my eyes too. I felt so bad for letting him fall...but he was really okay. He cried for a few minutes, and then was fine. I guess I'm just trying to make him tough? Ummm...I gotta find a better way...

Eli didn't take an afternoon nap, so he was super tired by the time he got home, so he went to bed early, and now we're just sittin' on the couch. Oddly enough, I want something sweet...

Race Day!

Today was the day! We got up early and headed over to the race. The race started at 8, which really isn't too early, but I think Edgar was up by 5 or 5:30-habit for him I suppose....I was up by 6:15, got ready, got a bottle for Eli and we headed out the door.

I had a few goals for the race today...

1) To finish without walking

2) To finish in under 40 minutes

3) If I did finish in under 40 to run at a 12 minute mile pace.

The race started right on time, and the first mile felt GREAT. The second mile seemed to take FOREVER, and the last mile had a decent hill in it-though the route was generally a bit hilly-not big hills, but a few rolling hills. The hills weren't too bad, and since I had trained on a few hills it didn't kill me to run them.

Here I am waving to Ryan, Ben & Carly-they were waiting at the last turn. Jennifer (who took this shot) was quite a ways away, but still got a good picture :)

Awww...my brother's excited for me :) Honestly, it was VERY encouraging to see them there-gave me the push to kick up the speed a bit on the last stretch.

And we're finished (stupid guy got in Jennifer's way...okay...so he's not stupid, but he IS in the way)

As you can see I did finish in under 40 minutes :) In fact my actual time was 34 min 55 sec.-which puts me at 11:16 mile. Oh, and I did run every step too :) So the race went REALLY good. Edgar pushed Eli the whole time and we stayed together. It was pretty fun running as a family. Edgar tried to be entertaining by singing some songs during the race, but I quickly punched him...(not too hard...) For some reason his singing just doesn't motivate me... :)

As I walked away from the finish line I felt a bit sick...This was about the only greeting I could give Jennifer...I quickly recovered.

'Umm...What's all the fuss about? I've just been chillin' in here'

The happy runnin' family. Someday Eli will be the one running, and we'll be the one he's pushing...

Afterwards we all went to IHOP with Ryan, Jennifer & the kids. Nothing like pancakes after a race! We had some errands to run, then we came home. Eli fell asleep while eating his lunch-literally-so he got a nap from 12-2. I decorated cookies for Katie's 3rd birthday party tomorrow (I'll post pictures of those later!) and Edgar mowed the lawn.

It's been a good day :) And, hey, I ran a race today, so I get to eat whatever I want, right?! YAY!

Busy, busy, busy!

We've been so busy lately! I've been trying to do this post for 2 days now, and I'm finally getting to it :) It hasn't been all 'fun' busy...I've been trying to get my house clean, and my stuff for my classes caught up after our vacation, and it seems to be taking forever! Oh well...I'm sitting here watching the season premier of The Office while typing away (well...on commercial breaks...)

I did get the chance to run Wednesday-I went 3 miles...in the humidity! SO, I know I can run the entire 5K...now we'll just see how long it takes me :) Wednesday's run took FOR.E.VER.

We have taken some time for a little fun-Yesterday we headed to Debbie's for a play date. We had a good time playing with the kids and talking.

Olivia-always a cutie :)

Olivia and Eli are getting their first lesson in sharing...they were fighting over this toy, and kept stealing it back and forth from each other. It was pretty funny...this time. I have a feeling in the future I won't be as amused :)

Megan in her cute little dress :)

Levi

Eli had a blast playing with all of Levi's toys.

Levi is getting so big!

Our attempt at a group shot

We tried a shot on the couch...the only way Eli would cooperate was if he was holding Debbie's phone. Megan wins the cutest smile in this shot :)

Buds

Until Levi tries to get Eli's phone...

Eli kept pushing Levi away. Again...funny...this time :)

Levi is just about to crawl! He's already up on his hands and knees-it will be any day now!

Eli and Olivia playing.

We had a lot of fun playing and can't wait for our next get-together.