Family Pictures 2012

Seth is a great photographer, I am a picky "client".  

It is amazing to me that he is willing to do our pictures every year.  

Prepare for photo-overload.

She went from saying "cheeeeeeese" (above), to "cheetoooooos" (below).

The kids were good sports, but Hazel's attention span is a little short, and soon she was finding ways to entertain herself...

The "winner" for the Christmas card:

 

Thank you, Seth!  (Sorry for posting these before you had a chance to "play" with them!!)

Boo!

 For a solid year, Hazel has been telling me she wants to be a lamb for Halloween, and she wants Averett to be a duck.  I did my mom-duty, and reminded her that that is exactly what they wore last year, but she had no interest in changing. 

 (Relief to me, as I really didn't want to make new costumes this year!)

They have worn their costumes off and on the past year.  

Making sure they fit.

We kicked off our festivities with a Boppa Tang Halloween box (if you can't be there to party with my mom, she'll send the party to you).

We put a skeleton back together, made Halloween shirts, raced creepy crawlers and played a witch hat ring-toss.  (We used her pumpkin decorating stickers later).  Thanks Mom, for the fun!!

We did a test-run of our costumes at the church's Trunk or Treat. 

Success!!  (We were the Old MacDonald family again, so Seth and I were "farmers").

We paused in our celebrating to hunker down for Hurricane Sandy.

But, figured we might as well carve pumpkins while cooped up inside.

Hazel wanted us to carve our pumpkins to look like the little ones...um, we did our best.

The storm finally passed, and we had a feast on Halloween, followed by some awesome trick or treating.

 Considering I couldn't even snap Averett's costume between his legs, I have a feeling I won't be able to re-use the costumes for a third time, next year - better start planning now!

Perspective

Tonight was one I don't want to forget.  Ever.

In case you've been living under a rock, I'm pregnant.  And in the off-chance you didn't know me during the last two pregnancies...I get sick.  Like, really really sick.  And, I have to preface this story with that, because I may or may not gross you out.

This afternoon, like every other afternoon, I knew I was going to throw up.  Sometimes (like one out of one thousand), the feeling will pass.  I knew I wouldn't be so lucky today.  It was coming, and I couldn't do anything about it.

It's Seth's "late" day, so it was just me and the kids.  As I am currently super-mom, we had frozen pizza.  I usually avoid pizza.  (the sauce is red, red = burning vomit).  Avoid burning vomit.  But, let's be honest, Totino's doesn't exactly layer on the sauce.  I took my chances.

Post-dinner was bath-time. 

Then story-time.  Definitely not feeling good, I envisioned myself finishing the stories, saying prayers, tucking the kids in bed and escaping to the kitchen sink.  All alone.  Just me, the sink, cold water running, and the disposal on.

I had Hazel tucked in, and holding Averett as he waved goodnight.  He's a mini linebacker, and the weight on my stomach was too much.  I quickly set him down and dashed to the bathroom.  Just making it to the toilet.  (FYI: I do NOT throw up in the toilet, garbage disposals are my best friend).  But, alas, I found myself kneeling in front of the toilet, saying goodbye to the two baby slices of pizza. 

If this is too much information, this is actually where it gets good.

I am pretty sure the kids were in the bathroom, with me, before I even made it to my knees.  Hazel was standing to my left, and Averett to my right.  They stared at me concerned for a minute or two, I closed my eyes, and instantly felt a little three year old hand rubbing my back, and in that same moment I heard Averett cough.  I looked up to see him pretend-coughing and spitting into the toilet.  Both doing their best, in their own ways, to comfort me.

I pray every night for the strength to be "mom".  I am not asking for super-powers, our house is not as clean as I'd like, and the ironing pile is taller than me, our meals are less than amazing, I feel completely overwhelmed 97% of the time, and Seth has never once complained.  But I still need to be a mom, the kids have places they need to be, meals to eat, and they just need me.  So I pray for the energy to be "mom".

Tonight I am grateful that I had the perspective I did.  Instead of pushing the kids out of the bathroom, it was comforting having them there with me.  And as slightly disturbing as it was to watch Averett cough and spit, it was one of the cutest things I've experienced in the presence of a toilet.  Annnd, with sweet Hazel's hand patting my back, as she told me it would be okay, I realized that as crazy and head-strong as she can be, she really has the sweetest, tender, little feelings. 

I am also so glad I could see the humor in the whole situation, because as miserable as it is to throw up - it is pretty funny to watch your baby do his best impression of your heaving.

Here's to 6 more months.

Pickin' Pumpkins

 Pumpkin Picking at Brad's... one of our favorite fall traditions!

It had poured the day before, and the field was a little muddy.  Hazel liked showing off the poop mud.

We had so much fun, the kids and I went back a few days later for Hazel's preschool field trip.

 

Camping!

Seth and I spent our first three and a half years together camping.  We went as often as possible; it was so easy, we would pack up his Bronco and bumpity-bump we'd be in Moab, the Uintas or out in the desert with his buddies.  We loved it. 

Then we sold the Bronco (sniff, sniff), moved to Maryland and had not one, but two kids.  Not sure exactly where the time went, but it has been FIVE years since we've really gone camping.  I'm so embarrassed to even say that out loud.  Gag. 

Each Spring, we say, "let's go camping this year"...and then November comes and we've missed another year.

THIS was our year.  We were short on time (and really not sure how the kids would do), so we decided we'd go local and for one night. 

The campground called to warn us they had a massive stinkbug (but they aren't REAL stinkbugs, they are like "shield" bugs...totally annoying) infestation; and we could cancel if we'd like.  We debated, but figured we would play the odds and go anyway.  (For the record, other than the shack we checked in at, we didn't see any stink bugs - score!)  We picked a perfect night, it was an unseasonably warm October evening.  Hazel was a little sick, so we gave her some Benadryl and were on our way...can you tell she was on drugs?

Just kidding..that's her awesome "thumbs up" to camping!

We ate a tasty dinner (or the kids and Seth did, as I just avoid food altogether right now...especially hot dogs. Oh, vomit).  Then we had the BEST s'mores EVER.  Graham crackers, nutella, marshmallows and strawberries.  Sweet deliciousness.

I envisioned us sitting around the campfire, nice and late.  However, since Hazel wasn't feeling well, she kept asking when she could go to bed.  We made her wait until it was somewhat dark (uh...7??) and then we all crawled into the tent.

Hazel and Seth: out immediately, but then Hazel doesn't handle Benadryl well (I don't know why we even bother with it), she would wake up every hour, on the hour, and cry for a minute or two while Seth held her and then fall back to sleep.

Geri and Averett: Godzilla baby, he was so excited he just kept walking all over me, and looming over me.  After about an hour (which seemed like three), he decided the best way for him to sleep was to lay on my stomach, which meant I had to be on my back, which meant I wanted to puke all over him.  We worked ourselves into a routine, he'd fall asleep on my stomach, I'd scoot him to his own bed...he'd sleep for a while, come find me again, sleep on my stomach, scoot him away, repeat.

At one point Seth and I were both awake, positive the sun would be up any moment, I made the mistake of asking Seth what time it was. 

10:30.

Oh dear, a long night, indeed.

Eventually, the sun DID rise, and surprisingly, everyone but Momma G was asleep.

He did eventually pass out.

We ate some delicious breakfast and went for a little "hike".

It was so fun, sure the kids had a rough night, but in their defense neither one was feeling 100% healthy.  Hazel keeps asking when we can go again...she's going to have to wait until the Spring...it is cooling off fast!

Preschool: First Day

Hazel has been waiting patiently for her first day of school.  She was pretty excited...

 Just like her first day of nursery, when it came time to drop her off she didn't even look back.  I like her independence (and it helped that she was super excited when I picked her up after school).

She is in preschool with a bunch of other three year olds, and so far it seems two days a week is perfect for her.  

I think I confused her with her "first day" pictures, because for several days, she thought we needed a picture on our way to school.  

So did Averett.

Girls Weekend: Colorado 2012

What: Girls Weekend

Who: The Girls (well, 6 of the 8)

Where: Denver, CO

When: September 2012

Why: Really?  Why NOT?

The Girls are some of the most amazing girls I have ever known.  We all met in college, and the memories and moments we have shared could fill up several books.  I can't begin to describe how much I love these girls and love being around them. It was decided earlier this summer that it was time we buck up and start our girls weekends.  Colorado was the determined destination, and I think we all would have been content to just hang out at the sweet house we'd rented, but we did find time to get out and explore a bit...

We visited ol' Buffalo Bill's grave.

And back at home, we talked, laughed and tortured one another for much needed information.

We visited the Italian Festival, where we were treated to delicious food, coloring with 4 year olds, bacci tournaments and men in tights tossing flags.  A pretty average day, if you ask me.

  

(It was a lot to take in for some of our more "narcoleptic" friends) :)

The weekend was just what I needed.  Talking and visiting was a giant boost to my soul.  I felt so re-charged afterwards.

I've said it a million times before, I do not know how I ended up in this circle of friends, they are s.m.a.r.t (how many masters degrees and beyond can one group of friends have??), caring, inspirational, full of unconditional love and truly a blessing in my life.  Like I said, I don't know HOW I ended up with them, but I do know WHY.  They came into my life at a time I needed them most.  They have loved me like a sister, because only sisters would put up with my craziness.  I feel honored to count them as my friends. 

Besides, how many friends do you have that are willing to hold your hair back and pat your back while you throw up?  The pregnancy secret was definitely out of the bag. 

Love you girls! 

(And seriously, Wein, why did you have to TAKE this picture...you need to be IN it....noted for 2014)

Epic.

Who wouldn't want to run Epic again??

In case you forgot...

Logan, Utah to Jackson Hole, Wyoming

12 runners.  2 vehicles.  36 hours.  205 miles. 

It was fun (and a little rough) last year, but I was toting around a nursing 4-month-old...

how hard could it really be this year??

Well, honestly it shouldn't have been too bad, runners are ranked in difficulty 1-12.  When the original "leg" assignments came out, I think I was like 10th in difficulty, or something awesome like that.  I saw the email just as I headed out the door to run some errands.  When I came home two hours later I had been thrown under the bus by my two lovely sisters, who felt I needed "more of a challenge".  

I now had the opportunity to be number ONE in difficulty, Runner 7. 

Punch me.

Worst case?  I die.

My first leg was Friday, I was a little worried about running in the heat - but totally lucked out when some awesome-heaven-sent clouds came out just in time to run.  I also scored a sweet wind at my back.  I was s.h.o.c.k.e.d to finish 7.08 miles in 1:03.  

For me, that is A.MA.ZING.

(Not to worry...that was as good as it got for me this weekend!)

Ah, the second leg...I really don't know what time it was.  Dark time?  After torrential-downpour-violent-thunder-and-lightening-storm time?  It was dark.  I'm not necessarily a fan of dark, lonely, dirt, country roads...in case you were wondering.  Especially when my headlamp decided to die on me (yea for support van!).  The road was all washboard-y like, so rolled ankles were inevitable.  What did surprise me were the freakish amounts of LIZARDS on the road! What the??

I know this run was only 8.44 miles, but it seriously went on for.ever.  I was positive I started running in slow motion the last mile or so!  1:28...yep, I was slowing down.

Although we were supposed to get some sweet sleep after our late night runs, the rain put a wrench in our plans and well...who needs sleep?

(Left: 1st run - feeling GREAT; Right: Last run - almost to the top of my deathly hill...it literally DROPS off behind me! What a difference 24 hours makes!!)

24 hours after my first run, my last run began.  Or should we call it the DEATH March.  I really freaked myself out before the run, something about the 8-9% grade for the first two miles.  I think I would have been better off to never look at the elevation map!  I could list off about a hundred more excuses...

dirt/loose gravel roads. tired. one toenail already gone.
blazing sun. tired. hills. hot.
blah blah blah.

Really, it wasn't THAT bad.   I might have had to walk a little, and tears may have been shed when I finally finished.
 (Sorry team, for telling you to "leave me alone" half-way through...I didn't need witnesses of my death!)
But, I survived.
5.26 miles in 1:02 - (yes, I am aware that I ran 7 miles the day before in practically the same amount of time...details).

(the team. Star Valley. the wind was LITERALLY pushing me over. our "kills". the death of my toenails.)

Really?  All in all, it was a total blast, and without a doubt I will do it again....and again...and again!  I even want to tackle the same legs next year.

Best of all, I ran with family, cousins, friends and my sisters (Mollie ended up in the other van, so no pics of her sweetness), but Karen and I were together, and well...you know how we can be.