Run, Run, Run!

Ten months and one day ago, I had the scariest, most unexpected experience happen to me: my son was born 2.5 months early due to internal bleeding from my uterus. I was in the hospital for a week, having to recover from multiple blood transfusions and the emergency c-section. I was in pain for six weeks. After my recovery, I was so busy caring for my two precious children under the age of two (one of whom was quarantined to the house, since he was a preemie), we reluctantly decided to cancel our gym membership that was only being put to sporadic use.

But anyone who knows me also knows that I'm not one to just sit still. And I'm also not one who is motivated to work out just "because." And so, in December, I (slowly) ran a short little 5K in the Smokies with some friends. Easy-peasy.



But what's 3.1 miles when I've run too many half marathons to count, as well as two fulls? I needed even more of a challenge.

And so I signed up for the Country Music Half Marathon. I didn't really have much expectation for it - I really only "train" when I can. My goal was to simply finish, and to do so faster than last year's five-months-pregnant time of 3:15 or so.

All week long I was keeping tabs on the weather. The rain was making me second-guess myself. Maybe I shouldn't run, after all. Lissie and Justin won't really want to be watching me in the rain, anyway, so why bother having them wake up early to take me? It's not like I trained anyway.

Justin, in good supportive husband fashion, encouraged me to just do it. And do it I did. We woke up early, had my banana and toast, poked holes in a couple of garbage bags - one for me, one for Lissie - and were on our merry, cold, rainy way.

We were early, so we popped into Panera to stay dry, warm, and let Lissie carb up.



I got to my corall just in time for a moment of silence for Boston.



Lissie had fun in her umbrella and makeshift raincoat.



She even ran up to me to give me a good luck kiss just before takeoff.



It was cold and rainy the ENTIRE time. And, to be honest, I'm pretty sure that's the reason I ran it so well. I zoned everyone out and just ran. Since I've stopped tracking my times, I didn't wear my trusty Garmin, nor did I even pay attention to what the clock said when I crossed the start line. So I.Just.Ran. I didn't even notice the first few mile markers had passed, and when I reached the 5K mark, I was convinced that they had placed it in the wrong spot because I felt like I was running it fast. And then 10K came....and then 10 Miles. And I still felt good. No stopping. No walking. No needing to take a bathroom break. I just ran. And then, just like that, it was done.

I thought that I may have beaten my personal record, made back in 2007 - pre-marriage, pre-kids - but had no idea since I didn't track my time. All I knew, was that Justin and Lissie were going to pick me up at 11am (I estimated being finished around 10:30 but not out of the stadium until 11) and it wasn't even 10 yet!

Finally, we made it home to shower before a celebratory lunch at none other than Five Guys (which was reminiscent to my celebratory meal post-Marine Corps Marathon in 2006). I just checked the live results a few minutes ago, and yes, indeed, I beat my record, having completed my seventh (eighth?) half marathon in a whopping two hours and sixteen minutes!

I've already got my next half in the books - the Women's Half Marathon in September - but now, I'm sort of thinking that perhaps next year, I'll have to try my hand at another full.....

Who's with me?

Dear Xavier - Ten Months

Dear Xavier,

Double digits! And you're celebrating with a real treat: your first night away from home since you left the NICU eight months ago! Your Lolo and Lola are watching you tonight so Mommy (and Daddy and Lissie, of course) can get a good night's rest before the big Half Marathon tomorrow. Because, even though you usually sleep solidly, you have been known for your early morning wake-up calls...and that just won't cut it tonight. Please behave for them, though, so that they'll want to keep you more often!

Well, now that we're inching ever-so-close to the year mark, it's not much of a surprise that I've already almost completely planned out your big birthday bash and purchased many of the needed items so that we can celebrate in style! I can already foresee the tears that I'll be shedding in a couple of months as you move further away from "baby" and closer and closer to "toddler."

This month marked some good news in the health department. You had your nine-month checkup (a little late, I know), and your pediatrician was more than thrilled by your progress! You're developing perfectly, and you're growing like a weed (a whopping almost 18 pounds!) - putting you right at about the 50th percentile for both height and weight, when we adjust your age to account for your prematurity. You also met with the cardiologist, and your hole in your heart is definitely getting smaller! Since everything else looks great, she doesn't even want to see you until you're three years old (I can't even imagine you that old!) - at which time, if the hole is still present, we will start talking about procedures to fix it. I'm praying and crossing my fingers that in the next two+ years it will close up on it's own.

We also amped up the solid foods this month. You've been a pro at the oatmeal for a while, but I had been taking my time with trying out other things - mostly because I wasn't quite mentally ready to make the jump (or start pureeing veggies and fruits again). Well, it seems like you weren't ready, either. It took you a while to get the hang of acorn squash. You still don't like sweet potatoes or tofu or pears, nor are you a big fan of the puffs or mum-mums. The only thing you've taken to liking quickly has been bananas. I'm not used to having such a picky eater, as your sister has always eaten pretty much anything and everything in sight! I have a feeling that, as soon as you realize that if you don't eat your food, your sister will have dibs on it, you'll change your mind about eating. And fast!


Not loving tofu.


Or squash.


But toes are delicious.

With the beautiful weather we've been having, we spend a good chunk of each day outside - either at a playground or Cheekwood Botanical Gardens or just in our backyard or balcony. After being cooped up all winter, we've definitely started taking advantage of being able to be out and about! You love the swings the best, and you kick your legs with glee any time you so much as see us nearing the swings. Your sister loves having you swing next to her, but I've learned my lesson that swinging WITH her isn't quite the best idea.





Thank you for being such a wonderful, happy, amazingly perfect baby. I thank God every day that you're mine.

Love,

Mommy


Trying, unsuccessfully, to drink like big sis.


Learning how to drive at Publix.


Shopping with Mommy

And a brief video of your sister saying your name ("Xavier, Xavier!") in an unsuccessful attempt to get you to play ball with her.

Dear Xavier - Nine Months

Dear Xavier,

This month, which has been riddled with doctor's appointments galore, I have marveled at how far you have come. You had your LAST pulmonologist appointment and your LAST Synagis shot! You are growing well and doing everything just right. You are, most definitely, my perfect little miracle baby.

This month, we've started to venture even further out into the real world - taking you to places like playgroups, library story time, and various parks. Sure, we still exercise good hygiene, but with the threat of flu/cold/RSV season on the decline, we are getting more comfortable being out and about.




You are such a sweetheart. You are good-natured and happy and love taking everything in. You are giggly and smiley and I just want to eat.you.up. You are now a pro at sitting up. Your favorite toys are Sophie, the activity table, and just about anything we put in front of you that you can put in your mouth because I am convinced that very soon you will no longer be my gummy baby. You are sort of getting the hang of army crawling, but you still prefer to go backwards. And, to my end, I am relishing in the fact that you are relatively immobile because I am not ready for two very active, mobile creatures running around all over the place!

Stay little. Pretty please?

Love,

Mommy


Loved by your Lolo and Lola.


Your silly sister....


A trooper at an impromptu trip to the doc to treat yet another eye infection.


Hard at work.


LOVE.

Lissie's Second Birthday - a Recap

As is seemingly typical of our family's birthday celebrations, Lissie somehow managed to have extended birthday festivities. We actually started TWO WEEKS EARLY and won't stop until later today, the day after she turned the big T-W-O.

After what seemed like an endless amount of time researching fun party venues for two-year-olds, I had my heart set on a music class for Lissie and her fellow tot friends. Unfortunately, the location wasn't available on any of the weekends I wanted, which is why we ended up wreaking havoc on Justin's work schedule and having the party two weeks early.

And it was totally worth it! Even though it took Lissie a little while to warm up to all of the attention, she and her buddies had a wonderful time (and, from what I hear, took stellar naps afterwards)! There was dancing and singing and jumping and twirling and shaking and instrument playing galore. And, of course, there was cake.



Fast forward to her actual big day, and we started by greeting her with birthday ballons and kisses. After a delicious breakfast of "2" pancakes, mangoes, and cottage cheese, she spent a good chunk of time playing in her upgraded kitchen (thanks, Lolo and Lola!) before we headed out to see daddy at work and play at the park.



Following her nap, we went to Mass and then celebrated with a birthday dinner of pancit (gotta have those noodles for a long life!), adobo, green beans, rice (duh!), and ice cream cake!



The celebration continues later today when she opens the remaining few presents from me and Justin when he gets home from work. Phew!

What a fabulous way to rejoice in the fact that she's two! Happy happy birthday, Lissie! We love you!