10K-astrophe

The Rock N' Sole race received a lot of heat from the press and the runners - due to the lack of water, shade and "rock." Yes, I was hot and yes, I could have used more water - but honestly, it was a pretty good experience. I was able to walk the Hoan Bridge with two great friends - and about 6,000 other Milwaukeeians.

But, since my 8thish month of pregnancy, my knees have been killing me. I've been doing this odd-hobble around thing if I sit for more than 30 minutes at a time - and my knees have swelled to the size of Big Macs. So knee issues and 20 pounds of additional "baby weight" REALLY made this race a challenge.

As I walked along the bridge I started a nasty inner dialogue:  
Why didn't I train better? 
Why didn't I train - at all? 
Come on, I just had a baby three months ago - and I wasn't able to workout until she was 6 weeks old.
Ugh, this extra weight is gross and annoying. 
At least I'm doing this. 
It's so hot. 
I think someone in their 80s just passed me. 
Seriously, at least I'm out here doing this.  

It's so easy to do this while running. During a yoga practice, I can get lost in a pose or mentally give myself a pat on the back for holding a really challenging pose - but running. Ugh, running. It's just this never ending cycle of...running.

Then, near the finish line, a girl from the sidelines pumped her fists in the air and yelled "Go Mom!" and her mom just put her hand in the air, a gesture of thanks. With that sweet gesture and the finish line in sight, I turned off my negative-twirly thinking.

How wonderful for this daughter to see her mother in this way - healthy, normal and active. She set a goal, met her goal - and now they can go enjoy a complimentary MGD together. That's what I want for Ingrid - to understand the importance of goal-setting, being healthy and to make time for yourself.

At the end of the race, my friend and I were discussed how disappointed we were for our pre-race training, and perhaps we should view this race as a starting point vs. an end goal. So, we committed to running a 5K this fall.

I'll be honest with you - I hate running with a passion. I love yoga as much as I hate running. Wait, I love Oreos as much as I despise running. But, because I left this 10K race feeling less than satisfied, I owe it to myself and my BigMac knees to start training.

Serena and I after the race. She's the one with the non-Big-Mac-sized knees. 

Nice Girls.

Last weekend, we attend a fantastic wedding - everyone was so happy for the couple. You could just feel it in the air (in the open-bar-cocktail-hour-air). During the father of the bride's speech, he talked about when he held his little girl in the hospital. Being a middle school principle, he wanted her to be inclusive and friendly to everyone - basically, not be a mean girl.

After quietly sobbing into my dinner napkin, and agreeing with everyone at that table that "He's right, she's so open and sweet to everyone" (sniffle, dab napkin on eye so to not ruin eye makeup) - I started thinking about my "wants" and "don't wants" for Ingrid.

Then, during our 18 million hour drive home, Dan and I brainstormed ALL of the personality traits we hope to instill in Ingrid.

#1 - Don't be lazy. This really encompasses everything. Don't be lazy and accept what people tell you. Don't be lazy and stop learning after you're done with school. Don't be lazy with your friendships, relationships, career, health or yourself.

#2 - Be your own person. Because Ingrid is a girl, I think this is huge. It's so easy to "like what your friends like" when you're young. From boys, to music, to clothes, to sports, to everything - wasn't it just easier to fit in? I think this helped to soften the blow during the dreaded "awkward phase." Regardless, I hope Ingrid explores her own interests and embraces people's differences.

#3 - You're not the most special thing in the world. Granted, she's the most special thing in MY world. But, has anyone witnessed the behavior of a child who honestly thinks this? They are crazy. I want Ingrid to be a well-behaved child and understands that her wants, feelings and thoughts do not "reign supreme."

#4 - It's a big world out there. Go explore it.

#5 - Be inclusive and nice. Yes, I'm stealing this from my friend's dad. It's worth stealing. Above all, be a nice person. Everyone will respect you more, love you more and want to hang out with you. That's not to say you can't judge someone for wearing a j-outfit.

Come on, they are funny!

Songs for Ingrid.

This weekend, my family and I were discussing "embarrassing mom moments" - and I thought about how many times I'll have the privilege of embarrassing Ingrid with songs, kisses, and possibly - my wardrobe.
Right now, Ingrid is IN LOVE with these songs. The first I created when I was stuck on the couch during my c-section recovery - that feels like a lifetime ago!

Little tiny baby Ingrid

Loves to look at the big blue sky 

The sky is blue 

The grass is green 

You are cute 

So is Harper 

And this one was created to get her to stop crying...

Go to sleep little Ingrid 

Go to sleep little Ingrid 

We've had so much fun and the day's almost done 

Go to sleep so we can do it all again 


I'm dreading the day stops giggling and starts to roll her eyes at these tune. Until that day, I'll keep singing to her because nothing beats her open-mouth smile! 

Three Months.

It's so cliche - but where has the time gone. Seriously, I can't believe Ingrid will be three months old tomorrow (yet, she's somehow 13 weeks...). Highlights of the month include two camping trips, my 28th birthday, trip to Minnesota (aka, my first time "away") and Dan's art-fair palooza. Ingrid:

• Found her hands. 
• Tolerates tummy time. 
• Can lift her head up on tummy. 
• Rolled over from tummy to back. 
• Turns her head toward our voices. 
• Grabs and bats at toys. 
• Babbles and talks A LOT. 
• Has a really, really cute laugh. 

So, she's basically super advanced. Kidding! Here's our month in pictures:

Oh hands, I could look at you FOREVER! And, I will. 

Post-burp relief.

Black bean salsa and fruit salsa. New summer staples. Mmmmm, cilantro. 

Am I lecturing her already? And is she already tuning me out? Girls.

Gotta love the hands above the head. P.S. This giraffe is a must-have in the crib.

Ingrid is confused. 

I am in love. 

Dad is hilarious. 

Enjoying some adult-friendly shops in Cedarburg with Grandma Debbie!

Happy Father's Day Grandpa! Ingrid would say that if she didn't have her fist in her mouth.

Ingrid gets into her "Batman" position. Ready to leap at a moment's notice. 

It's Bumbo time. 

Bumbo time with sass. 

Free entertainment - watching Dad work. 

Part of Dan's fantastic Strawberry Fest display. 

Ingrid post bath. Can you get any cuter? 

Explaining the pros and cons of camping. 

Sorry Ingrid, your parents are huge nerds. 

Again, more lecturing. This time about fireworks.

Ingrid's first dip - in Mirror Lake. Did you know it's the oldest man-made lake? And, that elephants from Baraboo bathed in it back in the day? Ah, the little knowledge-nuggets you find in the State Park Newspaper. 

She's getting into it!

When in doubt, distract with hands. 

Finally, that's over. 

And, instantly napping.

This month was really exciting as Ingrid's starting to develop a little personality (dramatic - me, chill - Dan, funny - both, cute - who knows). This month, we have a fun schedule already - it's time to suck the nectar people - summer is only so long! 

Validation, Termination and a Pity Party.

I'm anxiously waiting to hear back from a job prospect. I had two stellar interviews and one awkward  phone conversation with this company and now, I wait. I'm one of two people being considered - so, just kill me now. Based on past experiences with interviews, "final sale" items in my size and bridal shower raffles, I truly am one of those people that "doesn't win anything." I didn't even get my first job through the interview process - I was a temp at an office and just kept asking for more work to do. Assuming the worst, I started applying for jobs...again - but now, I can smell hints of desperation in my emails and cover letters.

Before, when I was "still working" or "on my maternity leave" I would apply for jobs as they popped up and really didn't give them much thought (until I read those generic rejection emails - the worst!) - but I really think this opportunity and company is a good fit. 

Enough of this negative talk - let's move on to the "whoa is me" portion, shall we? 

Before leaving for our High Cliff camping trip, I received a thick envelope from my former company explaining whatever it is they need to explain regarding my termination. Termination. As I glanced at the paperwork that word stuck out like a 28-year-old-mom at Forever 21 (I just needed a pair of earrings-OK!). Termination. That word is so ugly and so final. I went from being "on my maternity leave" to unemployed (no quotes) in a day. Ouch. I know, I know, I've known for months - what's the big deal? Reading that word, and seeing it in black and white was emotional. 

I also made the mistake of sharing this interview "news" with too many people - now, I'll have to share the outcome with them at some point. I hope it's in a celebratory "I got the job!" text form and not in a long-winded, face-to-face explanation with minimal eye-contact. Let's just say if I don't get it - you'll know by omission of details. I know that the "right opportunity" will come along and as they say, "everything will work out." But some times, you just don't want to be patient, you can't see anything beyond what's in front of you - and you just want this, damn it. 

How should I stop my rampant bitching? Consistent yoga practice - and a drink - coming right up! 

Oh yes, and send me your positive thoughts!  

the fourth.

What a great holiday. Parades, good food, a reason to "take it easy" and fireworks. This year, we decided to park it in Milwaukee and enjoy some quality family time (with just us three - four if you include Harper, five if you include Kitty). Holiday highlights: 

1. Slapping on heels and heading out to Balzac for my birthday dinner with my best girls. 

2. Reading Bossypants. God I love Tina Fey. 

3. Deciding it wasn't hot enough in the house and baking blueberry muffins. 

4. Weeding the back patio. Seriously. 

5. Watching the fireworks with Dan and Ingrid. 

I hope you had an amazing holiday weekend - and gained three pounds by visiting the appetizer/dessert table one too many times. I know I did! 

I'd rather be campin'

I love birthdays and I unapologetically love celebrating my birthday.

As Dan's art fair-frenzy came to a close, I decided to take advantage of my unemployment status and head up to High Cliff State Park with the family for a good ol' birthday camping trip. 

Birds? Woods? Fire? Ingrid's not sure, but Harper knows better.  

Our three-person-tent was abandoned for this living-room-sized eight person tent. We're now thinking about upgrading our roll-up mattress for a big ol' obnoxious air mattress. 

Ingrid loved the trees, the noise and of course, her hands.

The first night, we took a little stroll around our site.

And called it an early night.

The next morning we decided to scramble some eggs, take a hike around the park and visit the beach. I was delighted to receive this from Dan (nice wrap-job, right?).

Before starting our jam-packed day, I treated myself to a little trashy birthday treat - a sugary cupcake and an US Weekly.

Then, we hiked around the Lake Kiln trail:

Drank a few too many greyhounds...

Overall, had a good time in the great outdoors.

And ended up with two tired kids.

A camping success! We had a great time - but not a relaxing time. I'm looking forward to camping with our friends this week - and really looking forward to our "adult-only" camping trip in August! 

Harper & Kitty: Best Friends by Default.

We're just...hanging out by this thread. Yeah, that's right! 

Entering uncharted territory - snuggling.

Should we? 

Maybe if we avoid eye contact, this will seem normal.

Busted!

Post-snuggle shame.

Confident in their new-found love. 

I'm Still Laughing.

My mom visited a few weeks ago and resurrected this seemingly boring orange starfish. What WILL this starfish do, say or perhaps SING next!?