Mommy's Running Partner

On Saturday, Mommy had a race with her teammates in Central Park. There was a kids' run as well, so we decided to make a family outing of it and sign James up for his first race.

James carbo-loaded at dinner on Friday night.

He and Daddy cheered for Mommy in her race.

Then we waited for his race to begin.

Can you spot James on the starting line?

Sorry we don't have any photos of the actual race. It was pretty funny-- James, who usually runs everywhere, all of the time, just stood there when they said, "On your mark, get set, go!" The rest of the kids took off, and there stood James. I ran with him, and he just wanted me to carry him. What?! He still had a great time and was so happy with his t-shirt and ribbon.

Afterwards, we had a great time exploring the park from an almost three-year-old's point of view. There was much "mountain" climbing, playground playing, and walking about. We topped of our trip to the big city with a delicious brunch (James devoured his french toast!) and a well-deserved nap.

Fun Family Morning

After enjoying a yummy pancake breakfast (thanks, Daddy!), James settled in for his weekly 30 minutes of television. When he was really sick in September, we let him watch TV for the first time. Thomas the Tank Engine. He was in AWE. So, a couple of weeks ago, he & Dan watched it again. Now, it has become a weekly thing. They cuddle up in Dan's chair. It's cute. (btw, the boy LOVES trains, and all trains are referred to as Thomas.)

When Thomas was over, we headed out to enjoy a lovely fall morning. Dan and James on the bike. I ran. We stopped at the bagel shop to get breakfast for Mommy & Daddy (and a snack for James), then headed over to the playground. Daddy & James played there while Mommy got in a few more miles. Then, with much protest from James, we headed home to eat our bagels.

All in all, a lovely way to start the weekend.

Marathon Mom

This post is long overdue, but was prompted by something that happened on my run yesterday morning (and has often happened lately).  While running through our quaint town, I greeted a fellow pedestrian with a smile, wave & "Good Morning."  In reply I get a smile and a "Where's the baby?"  

James has become such a part of my running that the townspeople miss him when he's not with me.  It was pretty warm last week, so I took him out for a few jaunts.  It was great to hit the roads together again.  However, when Dan's home and/or it is just too cold, I have to go it alone.

So anyway, when yesterday's "fan" asked about James it got me reflecting on his many miles with me and our marathon training.  Let's get one thing straight, there is no way I could have trained for the marathon without my Baby Jogger.  James and I put in many, many miles together.  The longest run he accompanied me on was somewhere around 11-13, so I spared him the longer ones.  However, we'd hit the roads for 8 miles together several times a week.  Often he'd nap through it, but there were also many "conversations."  These were mostly me telling him stories or pointing out the sights, but sometimes he'd chime in.

Of course there were the times he'd get upset-- stinky diaper, boredom from a longer run, ... I'd pick up the pace and head for home.  At this point I wanted to tell those who'd stare, "We're going home.  I'm not a bad mom!"

About 6 weeks before the marathon I got injured and could hardly walk.  I thought it was done, but thanks to a great physical therapist, I made it to the start.  For the first time since my first marathon, I wasn't putting pressure on myself to beat a certain time.  Those goals went out the window with the injury.  I was just thrilled to be at the start, and hopeful to get to the finish.  

Apart from the wind, it was a perfect day for running a marathon (so much so that I didn't even mind the wind)-- sunny and cool.  I successfully found my fans (Dan, James, Mom, Mag, Ali & Preston) three times along the course, and just tried to soak in all the sights along the way.  The miles went by really fast, even when both IT bands seized up on 1st Avenue (thank you to the aid station folks who fed me Tylenol).  Just 3 hours and 23 minutes later I was crossing the very familiar finish line in Central Park and hugging my friends and teammates; I had run my fastest marathon.  After getting our bags & clothes, I saw Preston and then everyone else (including Dan's parents).  Giving James a big hug felt so good.  

I have to say, other than our wedding day & James's arrival, I think it was the happiest day of my life.  I was surrounded by my people and pleased with my run.  

*The photo is me in Central Park with just about a mile and a half to go!

Long Time, No Post

Sorry that it has been over a month since the last blog entry. Here's my lame excuse: the New York City Marathon. True, it was just last Sunday (Nov. 2nd), but I got injured in late September, so I spent all of October mending. I had PT three times a week, and was napping whenever James did in an effort to mend. So, with all of that, not much time for blogging. I did succeed in running the marathon, but more on that later.

James is doing WONDERFULLY. He is standing up all of the time now. He's still crawling (very fast) to get from place to place. He loves exploring: the cabinets, the bathroom (he pulled off all of the toilet paper on Saturday), the plants, the stereo (it cracks me up when he turns on the radio then crawls away in a hurry as though he's frightened himself), anything!



He's also a fan of the playground. He likes to ride the swings and go on the small slides. It is so fun. One day we did the playground twice, and he ended up falling asleep with his mouth full of fish at supper!

We did have a bit of a scare the week before the 'thon. That Tuesday evening, James got a fever after having had a runny nose all day. The fever lasted about 24 hours (with Tylenol every 4 hours), then it broke. Hooray! The runny nose stuck around a bit longer, but no RSV-like difficulties, so we're alright. Unfortunately, Daddy & Auntie Peg (who was in town for the 'thon) also got the cold, so that was no fun.

October was a busy month for parties as well. James attended THREE first birthday parties! Our friend Jolie in Brooklyn celebrated her day in Prospect Park. The next day, Marissa, one of our baby buddies, had her party complete with a magician! The following week, we went to baby pal Cora's house for a fun princess party. As if that wasn't enough, we attended TWO Halloween parties (plus the parade at Mommy's school)! Baby friend Isabella had all the babies over on Halloween, and the Whitakers hosted a bash the following day.



In these photos you can see James's homemade penguin costume. He also has a VERY cute, warm & cuddly penguin suit from his Auntie Ali & Uncle Preston-- photos will come.


James continues to enjoy lots of new foods and eats most items in bite-sized pieces rather than as mush. Lately he's enjoyed: avacado, pears, plums, applesauce, waffles, pancakes, bagles, bread, hummus, bananas in yogurt, "grown-up" oatmeal, beef, chicken noodle soup, tilapia, peas, sweet potatoes, carrots and cheese.

I hope to do much better blogging this month! Look forward to discussions of sleep progress (or lack thereof), car seat graduation, and "rotisserie baby".

Interesting Development

Oh, I think James might have a tan! Now, we block him up every time we go to the pool. And he usually wears his bucket hat even in the water unless it is after 5:00. I even have been putting block on his legs when I go running (because they stick out from underneath the protection of the large canopy on the running stroller).

However, I noticed on Sunday that his hands and legs looked a bit brown!!! I do know that he was in the stroller for a while in Ramsey on Saturday morning; Grandma took him for a walk to the library. Could he have gotten a baby tan?!

Let's just hope this means he inherited the Mediteranian pigment from his Italian ancestors!

Keeping the Dream Alive

Well, I've run the Maywood 5K every year that I've lived here except 2: once because I did a half in NYC instead and last year because I was preggers. Every year that I've run it I've placed in the top three. I ran it today as my big "comeback" race.

I was pretty laidback, especially compared to my former runner self. We (Dan & Maclaren stroller James came to cheer) didn't arrive on the scene until about half an hour before the race. Former Runner Self always got to races an hour ahead of time. I only ran about a mile to warm up and did just a few strides; mostly I was walking around with Dan & James. Former Runner Self was much more neurotic before the race, and did more miles and strides. I wasn't really scoping out the competition and getting all nervous like Former Runner Self did either. Again, just hanging with my baby instead.

Well, when the race was about to begin, I did go to the front. Then, when he said "Go," (and, yes, he actually said it! No gun. No horn.) I found myself turning into Former Runner Self. I jockeyed for position and scoped out where all the other ladies were. I stayed in the mix and went from 5th to 4th to 2nd many times within the first mile. Meanwhile, there was a woman wearing an iPod AND a long leash as belt. Yes, folks. She had a BIG dog pulling her through the race. Not only is this probably some form of assistance for her pace, but it is a BIG problem for the rest of us. This leash was pretty long, so the dog had lots of leeway. I was SUPER annoyed (can't you tell what with all my caps?), and picked up the pace just to stay away from the canine.

I also enjoyed flying on every downhill, no matter the grade. It is a habit I've picked up from running with Baby Jogger James, it appears. This helped me pass many a runner and get a lead on many ladies. Nice. I started to realize I could keep my top three streak alive.

I happily sprinted through the finish in 21 minutes. I almost made it under 21. Former Runner Self would have been annoyed with that time because Former Runner Self always wanted to break 20. New Runner Self literally danced a jig in the street with the joy of coming in third just five months after having the cutest lil' baby ever.

More proof I'm not Former Runner Self: no cool down-- just walking with the Maclaren full of cute baby.