I did it!

As you can see Tessa brought her game face! And I was psyched too, totally pumped, I had butterflies and terrible race jitters for days preceding the race and it all came to a head yesterday morning.

Here's the (boring) play by play: Got up at 5:15 got everyone ready to go and left to the bus station just before 6:00. Boarded a bus (they have special shuttles that go straight to the start line) that left at 6:20. Traffic was pretty bad and we didn't arrive until 7:40 our start wave was supposed to leave at 7:49 and there were about 10,000 people and 2 blocks between us and the start line! I made a bad choice and drank a bottle of water on the bus and needed to use the facilities (which were nasty port-a-potties with a line a mile long to use) so I opted for holding it... another bad choice. We said goodbye to our supportive husbands and jogged up to the line (well as close as we could get) but still missed our wave... no big deal we have our own timing chips so it was ok, the gun shot in the air and we were off! I felt awesome that first mile, we were in a slow start wave so we just shot past people like crazy my adrenaline was pumping and let it carry me, I did a 7:27 the first mile. After having past so many people (literally 1,000's) I thought we'd be kind of out in front soon but there seemed to be an endless flow. That was probably the most difficult part of the race was having to wait for people and look for holes to pass because it was seriously packed! Not a good race for the claustrophobic. On the other hand it made me feel SO FAST to be passing so many and not being passed by anyone, I only got passed by maybe 3 people the whole race. The problem with that was that I felt like I was going faster than I actually was and I slowed down every mile to the end. But there's another reason for that... so remember how I mentioned about drinking too much water on the bus? Well the need to go started hitting me hard as I descended a hill in mile 3 there were some port-a-potties but I didn't think it was worth it to stop seeing as I aaaa.... well.... ummmm... had already "leaked" a bit. I won't disgust you any further but I'll just say that it was bad and definitely made me hold back the rest of the race not wanting to run too fast and loose it all. Gross I know. But I figure probably only like 3 people are going to read this HUGE paragraph anyway and they probably really love me and won't disown me for wetting my pants. Anyway, I continued on at a slower pace to the finish line not feeling very fatigued and feeling very embarrassed. My time was 52:17 (8:27 mile pace). Not thrilled about it but pleased considering I only trained for 2 months. I'll do better next year for sure! We ran together a bit but all finished on our own.

Let me explain a few of the pictures: in the big one it's Angi, me, Susan, Emily, and Jill. We're all friends who know each other from church. The crooked one on the side is on the way home when everyone feel asleep, my face is supposed to say, "who's the one who just ran a race?!?" Sophie was cranky when I finished (hence the kiss picture) but was all smiles when we got her a popsicle. Oh and Tessa's game face is caused by her new teeth coming in, she pulls some funny ones!

All in all it was a good race and I'm so glad I did it. And I definitely plan on doing it next year! Here are some fun facts about the BolderBoulder 10k:

• it's the 2nd biggest race in the US
• 5th biggest in the world
• over 50,000 runners and 150,000 spectators (at least)
• it's at 5,300 feet making it an altitude challenge as well
• it's 31 years running

Oh and I think it's funny to hear my places since they are so ridiculous in a big race like this: I was 6,722th overall; 1,618th (out of 26,182) women; and 66th out of 728 in my division. If my math's right, that puts me in the top 9% of my division... that sounds better. :)

Who's going to do it with me next year?

only 2 more days

 

My race is in 2 days, I am SUPER excited and plenty nervous!  I just finished my last run before the race.  I hope it all comes together; the weather, my energy level, what I eat, and how I feel.  I feel like it's a delicate balance to get it all right.  I've been dreaming that there's a wolf stalking me when I go running for the last few nights so I have to make sure I keep up with Jill and Angi so he won't get me.  Creepy.  Maybe it's a sign I need to push myself... or else?  This is my first running race I've ever done (I've just done a couple triathlons that I didn't really train for), any last minute advice?

who turned up the heat?

We've had a hot start to this week.  Monday and Tuesday were in the 90's and today it's 85!  So I took the girls swimming for the first time this summer.  This sorry picture was taken before we got in, Tessa was half asleep and Sophie was VERY excited to get in, NOT to get her picture taken.  I couldn't very well take a picture of them in the water... who would hold them?  I actually have a pretty cute picture of the 3 of us swimming taken by a kind sun bather, but... well, (awkward silence)... aaaa, I've got too much cleavage in the pic to be sharing with my friends and family :)(throwing that suit away, how embarrassing!!).

Anyway, here are some pictures from our night out bowling with the Lawrences over the weekend.  Sophie really enjoyed jumping off the 2 inch ledge and dancing for us in her dress.  She dances a lot anyway but if you put her in a dress with a full skirt, and turn up the music, boy are you in for a treat!

Speaking of princesses, check out these cute girls!  I got to watch 2 of Sophie's friends while their parents were at the temple on Saturday.  She really loves Emily and Ally.  Sophie is very into princesses lately and often asks me to sing her the princess song... ("Mommy sing-a me prince!") I don't know what she's talking about so I just make it up... every time!  She will make me sing it several times consecutively telling me what to sing Princess Sophie doing (dance, color, sleep on a pillow, sit on the potty, etc.) I think it's pretty cute.  She'll nod her head the whole time as if in agreement that she IS in fact a princess.

Tessa was 5 months old on Sunday, and wearing a size 18 months dress... yep it's pretty big but not as big as it should be!  I had morning meeting right before church so Dan got the girls ready, I think he did a pretty good job!  He even put that flower in her hair.  The other day she was wearing the same thing when an elderly gentlemen in our apartment complex said, referring to Tessa, "he don't need that thing in his hair!"  We told him Tessa's a girl and he just said, "oh, that's fine then, you wear that."  Silly guy, maybe people forget that ALL babies have short hair and assume that short hair means boy.  I think she pulls it off quite nicely!

Tessa is getting better at grabbing toys successfully and getting them in her mouth, she's very social and loves to talk.  She is very close to getting her first tooth, I can see her bottom two through her gums, it's only a matter of time!  I love her chunky rolls and can't help but pick her up and snuggle when she's in her diaper.

Dan's on his "break" right now.  He's done with finals and working full-time (fun break huh?) but he's going to start a couple summer classes on Tuesday, so I'm afraid it will be short-lived.  I just wanted to take a moment and say how much I appreciate all he does for our family.  I know he makes huge sacrifices for us everyday; we love him so much!  Keep it up honey, only one more year!!

My break is coming up too, on Wednesday we're having a family reunion with my parents and brothers and sisters up at Estes Park. I am SOoooooooo excited!! Can't hardly wait.

FREEDOM!!!

Last night we experienced

FREEDOM!

(Said as William Wallace did in the movie Braveheart.)

 

Dan and I got our very first... babysitter. (Who doesn't resemble Mel Gibson in the slightest, just thought it was weird to put the word babysitter, right under his crazy picture.) We've left our girls with family and friends several times but since we weren't paying them I've always felt guilty and in a hurry to pick the girls up.  Consequently, we only use friends and family for necessary outings like going to the temple and to the hospital to have Tessa. :)  And I certainly appreciate all of their help!  But it was just so nice to go out just the two of us, knowing our girls are in good hands and that both parties were benefiting (us: time together, babysitter: money).  I love my girls dearly, but I love them even more after I get a break from them. It's a beautiful thing, I know we'll be doing it again sometime.

By the way, totally recommend seeing the new Star Trek movie.  Never watched the TV show but I LOVED the movie.

obsessions

Meet the object of Sophie's affection this past week, the green apple:

 

We first saw this apple at the grocery store on Monday morning.  Sophie cried out for it from across the produce section, "GREEN apple please!"  I let her hold it... and drop it while I finished my shopping.  I didn't really want it after it was so bruised but, feeling obligated due to the damage inflicted by my daughter, I purchased the beloved green apple.

Sophie continued to hold, and drop, this apple around the house for 2 days.  Even asking to sleep with it for bed and nap time comfort.  Then Wednesday morning as I was trying to get my act together so we could go to play group at the park she begged me to let her bring it along.  It was a sight to see Sophie attempt to climb playground toys she normally has difficulty with apple-free, with this thing tucked under her arm.  I kept trying to get it from her but she refused.  I finally got it away when she was swinging (her first love), the apple clenched between her knees.  I quickly hid it in the diaper bag thinking I had won but as soon as I closed her door for nap time she remembered and yelled, "Mommy GREEN apple please!"  I had to smile as I left the room the second time hearing her tell her apple it was nap time, "go sleep green apple, night night."

It wasn't until yesterday morning she agreed to let me cut it.

 

Sophie can be so weird some times.  Here she is proud of her outfit selection that morning.

That afternoon we enjoyed some beautiful weather on a blanket eating some FRESH apples, blowing bubbles, cloud watching, and walking backwards (thank you Mater for teaching Sophie that one).

  

I set the girls up in some great lighting to take a cute picture... but Sophie wasn't interested and kept squeezing Tessa's arm to make her cry.  So I didn't get ONE picture of either of them smiling together, oh well.  But I did get some great crying pictures in that gorgeous light! :)

Ok I know, this is like the post that never ends but I wanted to share a few more pictures.  Sophie has a hard time sharing (anyone surprised?).  Especially her old high chair, so I had her help me feed Tessa instead of throw a tantrum on the floor, she seemed to like that a lot more.

Tessa seemed a little unsure about it and just stared at me the whole time.  I just want to kiss her all the time, isn't she sweet?  Apparently the feeling is mutual because she's developed a strong preference for mommy lately.

Her second favorite: her right thumb.  Anyone know how to stop a thumb sucker early?

I think my obsession is obvious, taking pictures, especially of my kids. Second place for me is running.  I am excited for my first 10k in a couple weeks, shooting for 50 minutes.  Dan's current obsession would have to be the NBA playoffs, with his finals coming in second.

porcupines poop on the potty

For the record, Sophie has developed an imagination.

Sophie:  Mommy, porkepine poop the poddy.

Me:  Porcupines poop on the potty?

Sophie:  Yeah. (giggles)

Me: Yep, porcupines ALWAYS do their poops on the potty. (When asked, I tell her every animal, fictional and non-fictional character uses the toilet, anything to make it sound more cool!)

Sophie:  Porkepine poop on MY potty!

Me:  A porcupine pooped on YOUR potty?

Sophie: Yeah.  Silly porkepine! (giggles)

At least SOMEONE is using that princess potty.  Sophie has lost interest completely.  I don't make her but I always suggest it when I can tell she needs to go, she always says no and cries.  So I just let it go.  I've talked to a few moms with head-strong first children like Sophie and they all suggest letting her decide to do it on her own.  I think that's what I'll do.  She's kind of like the dad in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, in that everything has to be HER idea or it's a bad idea.

 

On a less silly note, Sophie said something that really surprised me this weekend.  She was pulling on her hand saying "off, off" I asked her what she wants off and she said, "sticker off, brown sticker off!"  Apparently Sophie thinks her mole is a sticker and wants to take it off.  I told her that's her mole and it doesn't come off, she seemed satisfied but asked me again the next day.  I just told her the same thing about it not coming off.  I was wondering when she'd notice.  Made me think again about getting it removed.  Anyone who has read my blog for long knows that this is a REALLY difficult decision for me.  But it's just not a possibility right now.  Maybe after we get new insurance in a year or two.  At least I don't have to decide yet.