The stars aligned on this holiday weekend. We have no children under our roof...atleast until Sunday.
With our own child, and with Ian's children, schedules must be orchestrated weeks in advance. There is always something that comes up. A change. But on this weekend, his girls are swimming happily at Lake Kentucky with nana and papa, and my parents' wish was fulfilled to have their only little granddaughter for a couple of nights. I know that at grandma and grandpa's she is treated like a petite princess. Let's just say I don't worry about her at all, and that every need and wish her little toddler heart has is met and fulfilled.
Which brings me back to the fact, that we have no kids, on this holiday weekend, for the moment.
First order of business on the few times a year that we have no children, is without a doubt, SLEEP. I find myself teetering on the edge of exhaustion daily. I use cheap tricks to get through the day...coffee, metabolism boosting energy pills, working out for that rush of endorphins. Anything to get through the day. Which is why I promptly came home Friday night, and fell asleep for atleast 3 hours. I used to take these naps, BC (before children), to prepare for a night out and a weekend with a fully planned social schedule. Now? The sleep, is enough. Even with my nap, I don't wake up until 11am the next day. It felt strange, and I woke in a trance, from strange dreams and heavy from sleep.
I realize that with children in the house, I am perpetually on the treadmill, of our little life. There is always something to do, to fix, to clean, to prepare, to plan for. I've realized that if I didn't have these little people to care for, I would get very little done. However, it feels nice to stop; pause; and for atleast a day or two, get a break from it all. Share some time with Ian. With my thoughts. Linger in my dreams in a long night's sleep, and ignore it all.
Thank God above for grandparents, holidays and rest. We are very blessed. ♥ V :)
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
American Honey
After this GD heat died down today, I took a jog around my neighborhood. The cool air was refreshing. The moon was up in the sky. Ducks were in the ponds. A game of pick up basketball was going on down at our park. Reminded me of all the summers I spent at the park growing up...playing basketball, tennis, and swimming endless hours at the pool. God those were good times. If I could go back to just one of those starry summer nights, and be that kid again. I love this song by Lady Antebellum. Always reminds me of those old days so much...
She grew up on a side of the road
Where the church bells ring and strong love grows
She grew up good
She grew up slow
Like American honey
Steady as a preacher
Free as a weed
Couldn't wait to get goin'
But wasn't quite ready to leave
So innocent, pure and sweet
American honey
There's a wild, wild whisper
Blowing in the wind
Calling out my name like a long lost friend
Oh I miss those days as the years go by
Oh nothing's sweeter than summer time
And American honey
Get caught in the race
Of this crazy life
Trying to be everything can make you lose your mind
I just wanna go back in time
To American honey, yea
There's a wild, wild whisper
Blowing in the wind
Calling out my name like a long lost friend
Oh I miss those days as the years go by
Oh nothing's sweeter than summer time
And American honey
Gone for so long now
I gotta get back to her somehow
To American honey
♥ V :)
She grew up on a side of the road
Where the church bells ring and strong love grows
She grew up good
She grew up slow
Like American honey
Steady as a preacher
Free as a weed
Couldn't wait to get goin'
But wasn't quite ready to leave
So innocent, pure and sweet
American honey
There's a wild, wild whisper
Blowing in the wind
Calling out my name like a long lost friend
Oh I miss those days as the years go by
Oh nothing's sweeter than summer time
And American honey
Get caught in the race
Of this crazy life
Trying to be everything can make you lose your mind
I just wanna go back in time
To American honey, yea
There's a wild, wild whisper
Blowing in the wind
Calling out my name like a long lost friend
Oh I miss those days as the years go by
Oh nothing's sweeter than summer time
And American honey
Gone for so long now
I gotta get back to her somehow
To American honey
♥ V :)
Start of Summer
Saturday morning, Audrey, Lauren and I ventured down to the Carmel Farmer's market. As you may know, we live in Westfield. Westfield is a place where you don't have to have a trust fund to live. We like this. However, we're smart enough to know that if the golden streets of Carmel are only miles from our door, you better believe that we're going to head over to THEIR farmer's market!
As I suspected, these Carmel people are NOT messing around with their farmer's market. We strolled past the fountains near the courthouse, past the gazebos for summer concerts, into the maze of orderly stands with their treats and treasures. Live music was strumming in the background. Older tan couples in their matching IU hoosier attire and golf shorts strolled hand in hand. Young families with overpriced strollers and stylish children were everywhere.
So, we bought ourselves a cupcake, bag of kettle korn, bags of peonies, and settled down to enjoy our treats. Lauren bobbed to the music. She had cupcake for breakfast. We sat by the pond and people watched. We took a brief walk on the monon, and then headed ourselves back up to Westfield. We left the golden streets behind, with our treasures in tow.
###
It was 89 degrees Sunday. And one week before the pools officially open. But I am a girl that knows people...people with open pools for open house showings and realtor visits. I took Ian's girls and skated over to Chaffee's pool for a GLORIOUS day of fun in the sun!
You might call the first day I get to go to the pool for the year my "Christmas." On my "Christmas eve" dreams of coconut oil and rays and tan lines dance in my head. I can barely contain my excitement. We read trashy magazines, grilled hot dogs, put Penny dog in her life jacket and baked under the sun. It was FAB-U-LOUS!! Tan Mondays are my favorite thing!
###
Today was Lauren's 15 month appointment. Why, why do I look forward to these days? Because I've had 3 months to forget how wretched the last appointment was. It always takes twice as long as you think, she gets twice as impatient as you remember, and the shots are 50 times worse the older she gets. I get my hopes up every time that they will tell me I have a really fat, chubby baby. But it never fails - 8th percentile for weight. 8th!! This child would eat the floor if it wasn't nailed down, and she is 8th percentile. Dear God what are the babies in the 90th percentile? Wearing little sumo wrestler outfits? And poor sissy has SUCH a big head, that they don't normally measure heads at this age, but she is "in the very high percentile." I will take that that she is going to be brilliant, thank you very much.
And then, there is the dreaded checklist. For a solid morning at work, I study the developmental checklists and check off what she is doing. I agonize. I debate. Does she "enjoy pretend games?" Does grabbing Audrey's pencils and marking with them count as "scribbles with crayon?" Can she stack 3 blocks? And why on God's earth would it matter if she "puts her fingers to mouth and says 'shhhhh.'" What, is she a teacher with a noisy classroom? I am convinced that the people that make these lists do not in fact have any children. Because OBVIOUSLY anyone that has EVER had a 15 month old child even with "advanced skills" has never "Helped around the house." Ha. Ha. HAHAHA!!
♥ V :)
As I suspected, these Carmel people are NOT messing around with their farmer's market. We strolled past the fountains near the courthouse, past the gazebos for summer concerts, into the maze of orderly stands with their treats and treasures. Live music was strumming in the background. Older tan couples in their matching IU hoosier attire and golf shorts strolled hand in hand. Young families with overpriced strollers and stylish children were everywhere.
So, we bought ourselves a cupcake, bag of kettle korn, bags of peonies, and settled down to enjoy our treats. Lauren bobbed to the music. She had cupcake for breakfast. We sat by the pond and people watched. We took a brief walk on the monon, and then headed ourselves back up to Westfield. We left the golden streets behind, with our treasures in tow.
###
It was 89 degrees Sunday. And one week before the pools officially open. But I am a girl that knows people...people with open pools for open house showings and realtor visits. I took Ian's girls and skated over to Chaffee's pool for a GLORIOUS day of fun in the sun!
You might call the first day I get to go to the pool for the year my "Christmas." On my "Christmas eve" dreams of coconut oil and rays and tan lines dance in my head. I can barely contain my excitement. We read trashy magazines, grilled hot dogs, put Penny dog in her life jacket and baked under the sun. It was FAB-U-LOUS!! Tan Mondays are my favorite thing!
###
Today was Lauren's 15 month appointment. Why, why do I look forward to these days? Because I've had 3 months to forget how wretched the last appointment was. It always takes twice as long as you think, she gets twice as impatient as you remember, and the shots are 50 times worse the older she gets. I get my hopes up every time that they will tell me I have a really fat, chubby baby. But it never fails - 8th percentile for weight. 8th!! This child would eat the floor if it wasn't nailed down, and she is 8th percentile. Dear God what are the babies in the 90th percentile? Wearing little sumo wrestler outfits? And poor sissy has SUCH a big head, that they don't normally measure heads at this age, but she is "in the very high percentile." I will take that that she is going to be brilliant, thank you very much.
And then, there is the dreaded checklist. For a solid morning at work, I study the developmental checklists and check off what she is doing. I agonize. I debate. Does she "enjoy pretend games?" Does grabbing Audrey's pencils and marking with them count as "scribbles with crayon?" Can she stack 3 blocks? And why on God's earth would it matter if she "puts her fingers to mouth and says 'shhhhh.'" What, is she a teacher with a noisy classroom? I am convinced that the people that make these lists do not in fact have any children. Because OBVIOUSLY anyone that has EVER had a 15 month old child even with "advanced skills" has never "Helped around the house." Ha. Ha. HAHAHA!!
♥ V :)
Friday, May 21, 2010
Happy day!
Do you ever get a little bit in to your day, and think, "Wait a minute. I think I'm having a good day." Then you stop and pause and think about it a minute, and you decide, "Yes, yes, I'm definitely having a good day!" And then from there on out, even more magical good things begin to happen. It's official - YOU are having a FABULOUS day!! (On the other side of the spectrum, there are days when half way in, I decide, "I am having the worst day. I give myself permission to be in a bad mood for the REST of the day. This is a terrible, no good, awful, very bad day." I think that was a book that we used to read. Anyway, moving on.)
Today was one of those days that turned out to be a good day. No particular reason, just good. The first good thing of the day: I fit into pants that had a single digit on the tag. Ummm, this is a glorious achievement!! I then skated in to work on one wheel, as I do about every Friday, to no voicemails or demanding emails. Also a very good thing. I had a training session at 10am, where I actually learned new things. After three years in the same position, let me tell you, it is a damn good day when you learn something new, and you're not spacing off, thinking, "I think I'll move to the beach and quit my job."
At lunch, continuing on with the single digit pants item above, I continued on day #2 of my miraculous new training idea, that is most definitely going to help me lose these last 8-10 pounds, to where I can be the same weight that I did that one time I starved myself at age 24 on the South beach diet and it actually worked. Yep, interval training is my new obsession. I am convinced. It got me into single digit pants, so, I am a believer. I pounded out sprints on the treadmill, like the ones you see Jillian yelling at her team to do on the biggest loser. I am convinced they are doing them for a reason. This is GOING TO WORK!
On to the afternoon. Well, that was pretty much a snoozer, but my bosses all left early so then things got good again. I skidded out of the parking garage on one wheel. Now at this point, a bit of shopping was done. Just a bit. And as Mr. Awesome reads this blog, I am not at liberty to tell you what was purchased, and where. All I WILL tell you, is that after several phone calls during the day (it was Friday, ok), I secured my VERY own tube of the brand new Philosophy Skinny firming, self-tanning cream that leaves a nice cocoa scent. Ok, that is all you get to know about that.
When I got home, I walked in to our house, in which all 3 kids were there, and things were going smoothly. Lauren was still down for her nap. The big girls were watching a movie in the loft. No child was harassing me! After dinner, which I have to say I never take for granted that Ian does all of the cooking, sissy and I had fun play time on the floor. She was being a wild child, only in her diaper. She was so cute, I wanted to eat her for dessert. My child, in case you didn't know, is a VERY good dancer. At ANY point when a song comes on, of any kind, Sissy does a dance. She bobs, swings her arms, and is officially dancing. It is maybe the cutest thing I have ever seen, in my entire life. (I am pretty sure I need to get her enrolled in the tippy toes dance school, because she can start at 18 months, and I'm pretty sure, as I said, she is going to be a ballerina or hip hop dancer one day.) We had a high old time, playing before her bed time, with Purse and Ball and Phone. She had already had a bath - SCORE another one for MOMMY. No bending over the bath tub with a 25 pound wet toddler after a long day.
It is 10:30, and I have peace and quiet all around me, with everyone off in their own worlds, including myself. The kitchen is clean, the TV is off, the coffee pot is loaded for a Saturday with no work, I have two days of Lauren time ahead of me, and it's supposed to be 89 degrees on Sunday.
What a good day today was! :)
♥ V :)
Today was one of those days that turned out to be a good day. No particular reason, just good. The first good thing of the day: I fit into pants that had a single digit on the tag. Ummm, this is a glorious achievement!! I then skated in to work on one wheel, as I do about every Friday, to no voicemails or demanding emails. Also a very good thing. I had a training session at 10am, where I actually learned new things. After three years in the same position, let me tell you, it is a damn good day when you learn something new, and you're not spacing off, thinking, "I think I'll move to the beach and quit my job."
At lunch, continuing on with the single digit pants item above, I continued on day #2 of my miraculous new training idea, that is most definitely going to help me lose these last 8-10 pounds, to where I can be the same weight that I did that one time I starved myself at age 24 on the South beach diet and it actually worked. Yep, interval training is my new obsession. I am convinced. It got me into single digit pants, so, I am a believer. I pounded out sprints on the treadmill, like the ones you see Jillian yelling at her team to do on the biggest loser. I am convinced they are doing them for a reason. This is GOING TO WORK!
On to the afternoon. Well, that was pretty much a snoozer, but my bosses all left early so then things got good again. I skidded out of the parking garage on one wheel. Now at this point, a bit of shopping was done. Just a bit. And as Mr. Awesome reads this blog, I am not at liberty to tell you what was purchased, and where. All I WILL tell you, is that after several phone calls during the day (it was Friday, ok), I secured my VERY own tube of the brand new Philosophy Skinny firming, self-tanning cream that leaves a nice cocoa scent. Ok, that is all you get to know about that.
When I got home, I walked in to our house, in which all 3 kids were there, and things were going smoothly. Lauren was still down for her nap. The big girls were watching a movie in the loft. No child was harassing me! After dinner, which I have to say I never take for granted that Ian does all of the cooking, sissy and I had fun play time on the floor. She was being a wild child, only in her diaper. She was so cute, I wanted to eat her for dessert. My child, in case you didn't know, is a VERY good dancer. At ANY point when a song comes on, of any kind, Sissy does a dance. She bobs, swings her arms, and is officially dancing. It is maybe the cutest thing I have ever seen, in my entire life. (I am pretty sure I need to get her enrolled in the tippy toes dance school, because she can start at 18 months, and I'm pretty sure, as I said, she is going to be a ballerina or hip hop dancer one day.) We had a high old time, playing before her bed time, with Purse and Ball and Phone. She had already had a bath - SCORE another one for MOMMY. No bending over the bath tub with a 25 pound wet toddler after a long day.
It is 10:30, and I have peace and quiet all around me, with everyone off in their own worlds, including myself. The kitchen is clean, the TV is off, the coffee pot is loaded for a Saturday with no work, I have two days of Lauren time ahead of me, and it's supposed to be 89 degrees on Sunday.
What a good day today was! :)
♥ V :)
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Babies: From the bush to boats
I had an exciting day today. I went to see a movie I have been wanting to see called, "Everybody loves...Babies." I was updating Lauren's baby book this week, when I noticed that she has not been to her first movie in a theatre. So this day was exciting for two reasons: One, I have only seen the inside of a movie theatre two times including today since Lauren was born, and Two, I got to experience a "first" with Lauren!
If you haven't heard about it, the film makers followed four babies from birth to their first steps, in four different countries: Namibia, Mongolia, Japan and the U.S (in San Franciso). I was so intrigued when I heard about this documentary. I know what raising an infant is like in America. But what in the world is it like in the dessert in Africa?
Lauren, Olivia and the neighbor girl Liberty and I trekked to the Keystone Arts Cinema to see the show. (Um, yeah, three kids and me in a theatre - you read that right. But we survived! Sissy sat on my lap and munched on her apple puffs like a big girl!) WHAT an eye opener this movie was. You wouldn't even believe some of the ways people raise their babies unless you see it with your own eyes. The film, for me, showed many similarities, but also VAST differences from how we do it here in the states.
All of the mothers nursed their babies, and most of them longer than what is customary here. But that is about where the similarities ended, for me. Let me just say that I felt like we lived in an absolute PALACE when I saw how the families lived. I felt like my house was cleaner than it had ever looked. And little did I know that I am raising a Princess. I know everyone says that about their daughters HERE, in America, but after you see this movie, you will literally feel like your child is royalty, due to the amenities, resources, and just sheer amount of CRAP that our kids have that other kids don't have.
Of course, I'm not saying that how we do it is best or better, it's just what's normal to us. And those babies and mamas don't know what they're missin', so I'm sure they feel like princes and princesses, too. (I wanted to scrub half of those babies in a vat of hot water for a WEEK. Oh God, I can't get those naked, dirty little babies out of my head! I don't think it would be a real good situation for me, to be one of the African moms, raising my baby in the dirt outside of my hut, with my OCD. In fact, I don't know how I would have ever found myself a proper bushman to make a baby with - I'd probably be sweeping outside of my hut from sun up to sun down!)
This movie came at the perfect time for me. I visited a friend last night, who happens to live on the Geist reservoir in a MANSION. With boats, and a view of the lake, and did I say, a mansion. I came home from her house to my house on Grabill Drive, and I wanted to take kerosene, a pile of matches and burn it to the ground. I'm pretty sure the crown molding and fixtures in one of her bathrooms cost more than any little old thing in my whole house! I was lower than a snake in a wagon rut. But you know what? That is her journey. And this is my journey. And that mama in her hut in Namibia with her naked little bush baby? That is her journey. All different, all our own, and yet somehow all the same. ♥ V :)
If you haven't heard about it, the film makers followed four babies from birth to their first steps, in four different countries: Namibia, Mongolia, Japan and the U.S (in San Franciso). I was so intrigued when I heard about this documentary. I know what raising an infant is like in America. But what in the world is it like in the dessert in Africa?
Lauren, Olivia and the neighbor girl Liberty and I trekked to the Keystone Arts Cinema to see the show. (Um, yeah, three kids and me in a theatre - you read that right. But we survived! Sissy sat on my lap and munched on her apple puffs like a big girl!) WHAT an eye opener this movie was. You wouldn't even believe some of the ways people raise their babies unless you see it with your own eyes. The film, for me, showed many similarities, but also VAST differences from how we do it here in the states.
All of the mothers nursed their babies, and most of them longer than what is customary here. But that is about where the similarities ended, for me. Let me just say that I felt like we lived in an absolute PALACE when I saw how the families lived. I felt like my house was cleaner than it had ever looked. And little did I know that I am raising a Princess. I know everyone says that about their daughters HERE, in America, but after you see this movie, you will literally feel like your child is royalty, due to the amenities, resources, and just sheer amount of CRAP that our kids have that other kids don't have.
Of course, I'm not saying that how we do it is best or better, it's just what's normal to us. And those babies and mamas don't know what they're missin', so I'm sure they feel like princes and princesses, too. (I wanted to scrub half of those babies in a vat of hot water for a WEEK. Oh God, I can't get those naked, dirty little babies out of my head! I don't think it would be a real good situation for me, to be one of the African moms, raising my baby in the dirt outside of my hut, with my OCD. In fact, I don't know how I would have ever found myself a proper bushman to make a baby with - I'd probably be sweeping outside of my hut from sun up to sun down!)
This movie came at the perfect time for me. I visited a friend last night, who happens to live on the Geist reservoir in a MANSION. With boats, and a view of the lake, and did I say, a mansion. I came home from her house to my house on Grabill Drive, and I wanted to take kerosene, a pile of matches and burn it to the ground. I'm pretty sure the crown molding and fixtures in one of her bathrooms cost more than any little old thing in my whole house! I was lower than a snake in a wagon rut. But you know what? That is her journey. And this is my journey. And that mama in her hut in Namibia with her naked little bush baby? That is her journey. All different, all our own, and yet somehow all the same. ♥ V :)
Reviews, running and writing...
I turned in my performance review at work this week. Holy God, that is a stressful process. I think I had a good year, so that's encouraging. But why is it in hindsight, you always see all of the things you should have been doing to suck up all year long? I went down the list of criteria for each category, and read things like, "Lets managers know of free time." Ha! Hahaha! Not so much. I spent horrid days in public accounting going around to the managers office after a grueling 12 hour day, praying to the gods that they would say they didn't have any more work so I could escape. I think I am scarred from those days. So No, now that I'm 30 years old and I have a beautiful baby to get home to, I'm not letting them know of any "free" time that I have. But whatever. It is done, over with, and my part is completed for another year. Now the waiting begins for their assessments and rankings. What a strange little process it is...
"I fear only God. I don't fear any human. When you have that kind of spirit, you can just do what you have to do. Let it roll." ~Stevie Wonder, singer
"I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure, which is: Try to please everybody." ~Herbert Swope, journalist
"I've never done anything for the sake of ambition that I regret...Ambition can look very good on some women. If you find the world hates you for it, then sure, stop raising your hand in class - but be sure to get the A anyway. ~Joni Evans, literary agent
###
Lauren and I successfully took out her "new" (to us, but lightly used) jogging stroller this past week. I have mentioned to some of you that I may or may not have jogged behind Lauren's regular travel stroller. I am not proud of this fact, and yes, Ian has told me I am ridiculous! So this led me to the jogging stroller that we now possess. I lugged the thing into my car, which was a process into itself. I parked near the monon. I lugged it out, and strapped sissy in. (I was already mildly exhausted at this point. But I pushed on.) We maneuvered it successfully on to the trail. And oh, how worth it it was!
I love the monon trail and jogging beneath the beautiful green canopy of trees. I have pounded many a mile out, on beautiful Sunday evenings or Saturday mornings, beneath glowing pinkish skies and fluffy cotton candy clouds. It is my happy place. I find it it therapeutic and rejuvinating and soothing to my soul. As the bikers whoosh by and the dogs strut with their owners behind them, I get into a rhythm and my mind is quieted. So I was excited to experience this with my daughter, together.
Lauren was a trooper and she loved it! She eagerly leaned forward in her seat, and clapped for all of the doggies. She shouted and babbled and laughed at hearing her voice outside. The green leaves sheltered us, and we made our way for three miles. I ran my familiar bridge just south of 146th street, except this time I did it while pushing about 50 pounds of baby and stroller in front of me. Like many things that come from having a child, it was more challenging, but it was also more rewarding. I was thankful for my health, and my daughter, as we spent special time together. I thought about and hoped that she would somehow remember our first run together. I hoped she would think that her mother was strong, and happy, and protecting her, because I was. I look forward to many more runs with my sissy. ♥
###
I'm thinking of taking a class this summer, to learn calligraphy. I am so stoked. I have been trying to take this class since last year, but the times and timing have been wrong. Finally there is a 6:30-9:30pm class in Broad Ripple at the Arts Center on Wednesday nights. It's eight weeks long, and it will be challenging to juggle and shift things around to complete it. But Ian supports me in doing it, and I'm excited to learn something new.
Lauren is over fifteen months old now. I feel like I need something for me, something that's just my time. I love our nighttime ritual of dinner, bath and books together, but there are some nights I'm just so physically and mentally exhausted trying to get through it that I think I might just collapse. (It's at this point, as I'm draining the bath water out when sissy is in bed and thinking about a glass of wine, that I literally cannot fathom the idea of having more than one small child. How do people do it?) I have always wanted to do it every night by myself. I believe strongly in routine, and consistency for Lauren. I think it makes her feel safe, and secure. And she is a dream to put down to bed when she visits family because of this. (I don't know anyone that bathes their kid every night, and this is part of the exhaustion. But if she is anything like me, we like to be CLEAN! I just can't stand the idea of putting her down to bed without a cool, refreshing bath. Plus, babies literally crawl around on the floor every day. The floor. And they wear diapers. SICK.)
I'm excited and hopeful that it is going to work out this time. Then I will be well on my way to making extra money, having a baby free night, and gaining a new skill and a little sanity at the same time!
♥ V :)
"I fear only God. I don't fear any human. When you have that kind of spirit, you can just do what you have to do. Let it roll." ~Stevie Wonder, singer
"I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure, which is: Try to please everybody." ~Herbert Swope, journalist
"I've never done anything for the sake of ambition that I regret...Ambition can look very good on some women. If you find the world hates you for it, then sure, stop raising your hand in class - but be sure to get the A anyway. ~Joni Evans, literary agent
###
Lauren and I successfully took out her "new" (to us, but lightly used) jogging stroller this past week. I have mentioned to some of you that I may or may not have jogged behind Lauren's regular travel stroller. I am not proud of this fact, and yes, Ian has told me I am ridiculous! So this led me to the jogging stroller that we now possess. I lugged the thing into my car, which was a process into itself. I parked near the monon. I lugged it out, and strapped sissy in. (I was already mildly exhausted at this point. But I pushed on.) We maneuvered it successfully on to the trail. And oh, how worth it it was!
I love the monon trail and jogging beneath the beautiful green canopy of trees. I have pounded many a mile out, on beautiful Sunday evenings or Saturday mornings, beneath glowing pinkish skies and fluffy cotton candy clouds. It is my happy place. I find it it therapeutic and rejuvinating and soothing to my soul. As the bikers whoosh by and the dogs strut with their owners behind them, I get into a rhythm and my mind is quieted. So I was excited to experience this with my daughter, together.
Lauren was a trooper and she loved it! She eagerly leaned forward in her seat, and clapped for all of the doggies. She shouted and babbled and laughed at hearing her voice outside. The green leaves sheltered us, and we made our way for three miles. I ran my familiar bridge just south of 146th street, except this time I did it while pushing about 50 pounds of baby and stroller in front of me. Like many things that come from having a child, it was more challenging, but it was also more rewarding. I was thankful for my health, and my daughter, as we spent special time together. I thought about and hoped that she would somehow remember our first run together. I hoped she would think that her mother was strong, and happy, and protecting her, because I was. I look forward to many more runs with my sissy. ♥
###
I'm thinking of taking a class this summer, to learn calligraphy. I am so stoked. I have been trying to take this class since last year, but the times and timing have been wrong. Finally there is a 6:30-9:30pm class in Broad Ripple at the Arts Center on Wednesday nights. It's eight weeks long, and it will be challenging to juggle and shift things around to complete it. But Ian supports me in doing it, and I'm excited to learn something new.
Lauren is over fifteen months old now. I feel like I need something for me, something that's just my time. I love our nighttime ritual of dinner, bath and books together, but there are some nights I'm just so physically and mentally exhausted trying to get through it that I think I might just collapse. (It's at this point, as I'm draining the bath water out when sissy is in bed and thinking about a glass of wine, that I literally cannot fathom the idea of having more than one small child. How do people do it?) I have always wanted to do it every night by myself. I believe strongly in routine, and consistency for Lauren. I think it makes her feel safe, and secure. And she is a dream to put down to bed when she visits family because of this. (I don't know anyone that bathes their kid every night, and this is part of the exhaustion. But if she is anything like me, we like to be CLEAN! I just can't stand the idea of putting her down to bed without a cool, refreshing bath. Plus, babies literally crawl around on the floor every day. The floor. And they wear diapers. SICK.)
I'm excited and hopeful that it is going to work out this time. Then I will be well on my way to making extra money, having a baby free night, and gaining a new skill and a little sanity at the same time!
♥ V :)
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
AC is hitched!
She went and did it - AC tied the knot. Another one bites the dust!
Saturday morning, we all arrived at the Mavris at 10am. We entered the bridal suite, which was a glorious area with a bar, couches, a salon where we could commence the process of painting our faces and curling our hair for this grand occasion. And let me tell you, being in a wedding is a Process. This is not a day you can just skate by and do the bare minimum. These pictures are going to be around forever, so you better believe there were hours of primping going on. Men can slap on a suit and some uncomfortable shoes and stand up for their friend in a wedding. We slap on our uncomfortable shoes, but there is a little bit more to the Process than that.
I am a girl that loves makeup. When the Sephora magazine comes, it is a religious experience. Amanda had seven bridesmaids that ALL loved makeup as much as me this past weekend. There were enough makeup brushes and palettes in that suite to paint the Sistine Chapel all over again. There were bags of brushes rolled out that would rivel a surgeon's tools for surgery. (I hand washed all of my brushes last week for this big event. I think Ian had not seen this done ever before in his life. It scared him quite a lot.) But I was not the only one - there we were, with our brushes, ready to assemble ourselves. Eyelash glue was passed around like you would say, "Please pass the butter" at Thanksgiving. We admired each other's products, and favorite shades were shouted out between us. Nordstrom bags were in abundance. These are girls after my own heart. Not a plain Jane in sight.
After the Process was complete, we headed to an old 50's diner for pictures. It was grey and chilly, and I am a little bit mad at the wedding Gods for giving my friend that day for her wedding. But what they didn't give her in weather, they made up for in natural beauty. I have never seen Amanda look more beautiful than she did on that day! Amanda has the most natural beauty of anyone I know. She truly glowed. She really did have a glow that day that was a knock your socks off, I'm getting Married, kind of glow!
I was so happy for my friend on her big day. I have known Amanda since we were 12 years old. I felt so blessed by God to have this friend in my life. She has so much positive energy, and she has attracted so many fabulous women in to her life. Life is a strange and winding road. And there we were, 18 years later, still the best of friends. Still carrying on. I hope when we are 80, we are still carryong on and being fabulous. (Amanda's grandmother is 85 years old and is a GLORIOUS woman, as is her mother. They had drinks with us on Friday night at happy hour, and they fit right in with all of the girls. This gives me great amounts of hope.)
Anyway, so after the Process, and the pictures, it was time for the big dance. Up the aisle, and down, never to be the same again. There were no long lost lovers that stopped the ceremony, so we headed right into the drinking portion of the evening. (There was some eating and some speech giving and general wedding rigamarole along the way.)
After the wedding traditions transpired, we danced the night away, with the city skyline lit up in the night behind us. It was a wonderful evening, for everyone. Congrats to Amanda and Ryan. I wish them only the happiest of days, and a long and wonderful marriage. ♥
V :)
Saturday morning, we all arrived at the Mavris at 10am. We entered the bridal suite, which was a glorious area with a bar, couches, a salon where we could commence the process of painting our faces and curling our hair for this grand occasion. And let me tell you, being in a wedding is a Process. This is not a day you can just skate by and do the bare minimum. These pictures are going to be around forever, so you better believe there were hours of primping going on. Men can slap on a suit and some uncomfortable shoes and stand up for their friend in a wedding. We slap on our uncomfortable shoes, but there is a little bit more to the Process than that.
I am a girl that loves makeup. When the Sephora magazine comes, it is a religious experience. Amanda had seven bridesmaids that ALL loved makeup as much as me this past weekend. There were enough makeup brushes and palettes in that suite to paint the Sistine Chapel all over again. There were bags of brushes rolled out that would rivel a surgeon's tools for surgery. (I hand washed all of my brushes last week for this big event. I think Ian had not seen this done ever before in his life. It scared him quite a lot.) But I was not the only one - there we were, with our brushes, ready to assemble ourselves. Eyelash glue was passed around like you would say, "Please pass the butter" at Thanksgiving. We admired each other's products, and favorite shades were shouted out between us. Nordstrom bags were in abundance. These are girls after my own heart. Not a plain Jane in sight.
After the Process was complete, we headed to an old 50's diner for pictures. It was grey and chilly, and I am a little bit mad at the wedding Gods for giving my friend that day for her wedding. But what they didn't give her in weather, they made up for in natural beauty. I have never seen Amanda look more beautiful than she did on that day! Amanda has the most natural beauty of anyone I know. She truly glowed. She really did have a glow that day that was a knock your socks off, I'm getting Married, kind of glow!
I was so happy for my friend on her big day. I have known Amanda since we were 12 years old. I felt so blessed by God to have this friend in my life. She has so much positive energy, and she has attracted so many fabulous women in to her life. Life is a strange and winding road. And there we were, 18 years later, still the best of friends. Still carrying on. I hope when we are 80, we are still carryong on and being fabulous. (Amanda's grandmother is 85 years old and is a GLORIOUS woman, as is her mother. They had drinks with us on Friday night at happy hour, and they fit right in with all of the girls. This gives me great amounts of hope.)
Anyway, so after the Process, and the pictures, it was time for the big dance. Up the aisle, and down, never to be the same again. There were no long lost lovers that stopped the ceremony, so we headed right into the drinking portion of the evening. (There was some eating and some speech giving and general wedding rigamarole along the way.)
After the wedding traditions transpired, we danced the night away, with the city skyline lit up in the night behind us. It was a wonderful evening, for everyone. Congrats to Amanda and Ryan. I wish them only the happiest of days, and a long and wonderful marriage. ♥
V :)
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