The Thrill of Running!

Mother's Day!! Showing off church dress!!

 

Preschool Zoo Field Trip 

I miss the thrill of running.  I still manage to get a good workout on the EFX (a more sophistocated eliptical) machine at the gym and can get 10+ miles done in 2 hours, but it's NOT thrilling!!!  My bladder sure appreciates it and I can keep my heart-rate below 150!!! I'm now 15 weeks prego and my uterus is moving out of my pelvis which is a huge relief!!! With not so much pressure on the bladder, it should help with my running aspirations!

Last weekend, the highlight of my running adventures......included hitting the trail with Aaron and Cece (in the jogger) and getting him to run 5 miles.  We did an out-and-back from Folsom Bridge to Willow Creek and before we got to our 2.5 point I was begging him to just try and run 10 miles.  I did have to stop for a pee break every mile or so...(which he is getting used to my poppin' a squat).  At first, seeing his wife search for a bush to piddle next to was rather awkward and he would say...."let me find you a better place" and proceed to search for another 5 minutes to find the perfect, hidden area.  After a few times, he finally realized that I was a professional bush squater and left me to do my business.  We would hit the trail 30 seconds later and he was impressed!!

I am doing more upper body strength training, too.  In an attempt  to keep my core muscles strong (without doing crunches at this point), I am having quite an experience.  I've included more planks and side planks with the body ball and I can totally feel it.  Just experimenting and finding position to engage those core muscles is fun and hilarious all in one!!  I figured out that doing a push-up with my lower legs resting on the ball totally works both my shoulders, triceps, chest and abs (while pregnant anyway).

Anyway...I may be the only one who enjoys reading and writing and talking about fitness crap...so, I will change the subject.  Oh...but one more thing...I'm gonna try to make Aaron run 7.5 miles this weekend.  MMHHH...I don't feel guilty cuz he wasn't even sore after his last run, so...I'm bumping him up!! LOL!!!! (do you hear the evil in my voice)?!!!!!

Cece is loving preschool and getting ready to finish this year in 1 week!!! We will have a free summer of fun and leisure!!! She is a smart little thing and has begun sounding out words.  I have a series of "you can read" books that start with simple words and sight words.  She amazed me when I first opened the book and said..."when you see a C- it makes a  sound like Cat. " and so on.  She picked it up so quickly!   She pretty much reads the first book in the series...and I include guessing in my definition.  It's all part of the literacy process.  She uses the pictures as cues and recognizes those sight words like "and".
I just incorporate it into our night-time reading routine and have really only tried to "read" 5 times total!!!
She will be 4 on July 31and her skills amaze me!!!

On the prego tip, I had my 15 week doctor appointment yesterday and all was well.  I got to meet my doctor for the first time and he is quite a hottie!! I've been seeing his nurse practioner so I had know idea that he wasn't an old, ugly, creepy old man!!!  It was a nice surprise that he was handsome and kind and had a really re-assuring bedside manner.  He came in the room and introduced himself and said.."how's it going?"...with this 'kickin' it' demeanor!!  My blood pressure was great, no weight gained=happy me...and the BEST NEWS of ALL...the baby's heartbeat was super strong and good!! The doctor found it right away with the doppler.

My next appointment will be next month and it will be the "tell all"!!! I'm anxious and that's about it!!! I will even have more anxiety to discuss as the appointment gets nearer.  Boy...let me tell you...I'm a white coat nervous nelly and have to do meditation just to get my heartrate to normal and blood pressure before I go into the room!!!

We are excited to be heading to Santa Cruz next week for a time of togetherness, relaxation and some good fun!!! My sis-in-laws and families and cousins Brad and Karrissa will be there too with their kiddos!! I'm so in love with the beach and just laying on it soaking up the sun and lovin' me some girl talk......Aaron will be there too, but I'm sure he will be happy with just a kiss and a spank on the butt and sending him on his way!! LOL!!!  woo hoo!!!!

The Grief of a 3 year old!

WARNING:  Tears may flow!!!!

Just a quick post to "journal" my experience with Cece tonight at bedtime.  So, earlier today her 4 year old cousin, Kennedy made the comment that the cat at Nanny's house doesn't know Cece because Cece didn't come to Nanny's (their Grandma's) house when she was a baby.  This got Cece thinking and thinking about that and it popped it's head at bedtime.  She said, "Mommy...was I in your tummy?" ....I hesitated because we have talked about the fact that she was in her "first mother's" tummy before we found eachother, so I waited for her to clear it up for herself before I bursted her bubble.  She asked again, this time with tears in her eyes and said, "but...Mommy....I was in your tummy, right?" I started to tear up and couldn't hold back.  With tears rolling down my cheeks I said... "honey, remember....you had to be in your first mother's tummy, then we found eachother...remember?" By this time she is sobbing and I am sobbing. She cried some more and grief stricken said, "But...I wanted to be in your tummy Mommy."

We hugged and kissed and I explained how her first mother would be sad if she didn't get to have her in her tummy first.  Then, I asked if she thought that it would make her more special if she had been in my tummy.  She shook her head yes.  I cried some more.  Then, said a quick prayer in my heart that I somehow could make this little angel feel soooooo incredibly special and that my explanation would help her understand just how special she is!!!!

I did my best to explain this specialness and how Mommy prayed every day and cried to Heavenly Father to help me find her.  And Heavenly Father answered my prayers!!!! uugghghh!!! I am now bawling again!!

So....it is sooooo true what they tell you in these foster-adopt classes about how children have grief and mourning in their bodies and souls that needs to heal!!!! I just hope and pray that our love, guidance and prayers will help her in this healing journey.

Courage, Gratitude and Love!!

So....Mother's Day has now just passed and I can't believe how different one year makes!!
Last year on mommie's day...I was having a pitty party for myself...missing my angel Hunter...yearning to be a mommy again to a special someone.  I can't believe that I am a Mommy NOW in so many ways....!!!!


My pregnancy is going fine and have now passed the 1st trimester and feeling tons better.  I remember this when I was pregnant with Hunter.  This time around, however I am much more thankful for the 2nd trimester cuz I was nauseous as all get out!! My belly's growing but still look bloated and not really pregnant as I enter into week 14.  

I'm finding my courage to face the ultrasound as it gets closer.  I know that knowledge is so important and that I will be able to handle whatever comes our way.  My little baby is counting on me to be brave!! Just as Hunter counted on me and Cece too!!! Being a mommy to a special needs child....or "special situation child"  requires the bravest of Moms!!!

Interestingly...today Cece says to me..."Mommy, you adocted me." We were just talking about how we love eachother or something really basic and she pops off with that fact.  I asked her where she heard that word "adopted" (even though we shared the adoption explanation back in January before and after going to court)....I wondered where she'd heard it lately since I've NEVER heard her actually say it with her own mouth.  She said that she just knows it and that nobody said it to her.

My heart sank as I began to think that she had a negative feeling or a feeling of being different attached to this word "adopted".  I proceeded to remind her that we have always been a family....and that we chose eachother before we came to earth.  We just needed to find eachother again...then the judge signed a paper making sure the "family is forever."......Now we just need to be sealed in the temple!!!!
She kissed and hugged me and was very matter of fact about the whole thing.  She knows in her soul, that we are "forever".. I can't believe how much I just love that girl!!!!

On a running note....this weekend we went on a family trail run!!!! yes....my hubby actually ran 4 miles on dirt trails WITH the jogging stroller and his prego wife...We met Aaron's two brothers and Britni and the girls for an early run on Saturday!!! It was so awesome!!! I did feel like peeing every 30 minutes at first...but the trail was so exhilarating...what a milestone! I'm hoping the hubby can pull this off every saturday from here till September (his 10 mile race)!!! I mean......he needs to train, right? and  of course...he needs me to crew for him LOL!!!!!