Why is it called a "Fun" Run?!

Well, we did it... I was dreading Sunday for about 2 months, but it came, it went, and we are alive to tell about it... A little background...

Kevin is a runner... he has done several half-marathons and marathons, and whatnot... he actually LIKES to run. I, on the other hand, used to "cheat" at cross country practice in high school and walk through the woods and through people's yards to get back to the school (I wasn't the only one - there was a group of us - not that that makes it any better). I ran the 5K races each week (with terrible times), and that was it... Don't ask me why I even joined the team - I think it was because my older cousin Jared was a runner and he was my ride home... whatever.

So, after I had Addison, I was really looking forward to getting back in shape. I was even excited about the idea of getting back to the gym and starting to workout again. And I do go to the gym - just about every morning. I really enjoy it. But, for some crazy reason I thought it would be fun to train for a half-marathon with Kevin. You know, something for us to do together... a goal I could work towards. So, we are tentatively slated to run the Atlanta half-marathon on Thanksgiving Day. That may get pushed back to the ING Georgia half-marathon next March because of football, but we'll see.

So we've started training... slowly.

About 2 months ago we decided to register for Sunday's Arcado Elementary 5K "Fun Run" (that's 3.1 miles if you are like me - metric system challenged). I printed out an 8-week "Couch to 5K" training schedule and slapped it on the refrigerator with the intention of marking off each of the 3 workouts a week as I completed them... well, about 2 weeks into it, the schedule somehow disappeared under Save the Date magnets, pictures, and grocery lists. It still hasn't resurfaced. But, Sunday was the race. Now, I had a touch of the flu all last week, and I was still feeling a little of the residual effects of that, so don't think I didn't try to pawn off my race number to another sucker and bow out gracefully... didn't work. Sunday came, and off we went to run the race...

And... I... finished... it... ran every step of the way even. My husband was even sweet enough to take one for the team and run right beside me. Thank goodness he did or I would have bowed out around the 2-mile-marker when my left foot went numb. But, we did it... and I felt great afterwards (that might have also been the peanut butter cookies they gave us at the finish line!). But, I was proud that I did it - and a good bit faster than I thought, too! We both actually finished 2nd in our respective age groups (it wasn't a very big race!). :)

So, now onto our next adventures in training ... a hilly 5K some time in April or May, followed by the 10K Peachtree Road Race on July 4th which, call me crazy, I'm actually kinda excited about.

Anyway... if anyone out there in blogland is a runner, wants to be a runner, or - like me- just pretends to be a runner, we would love to have you join us on our adventure! Just let me know, and I'll keep you updated on the races we are planning to run. :)

And, what would be a post without pictures? Here is little Addison at the race on Sunday. Her Grandma and Grandpa Stewart kept her at the finish line for us while we ran...

And, after the race... Happy Running!!!

Uh-oh... She's semi-mobile!

Addison eats "REAL" food!!

Addison had her first taste of real food this morning (if you can consider rice cereal "real" food!)... she LOVED it! We should have known, since both of her parents love food so much. :) She did so great... and of course we couldn't pass this milestone without some pictures and video. Enjoy... she did!!

WAY overdue update

I know... I am TERRIBLE about updating the blog... sorry...

Addison had her 4-month-check up on Monday. Everything went great. The dr. said she looks great and is right on schedule. She was 15lbs 10 oz and 25.5 inches long (90th and 95th percentile). We are also ready to start some rice cereal, but we're going to wait until this weekend so her daddy can be here to see it. Here are a few quick updates and then I'll put some recent pictures up!!

*Addison rolled over for the first time - 2/19 - she did it twice and has refused to do it again since

* First snow - 3/1 - we got a few pictures at my parents' house, but then she slept most of the rest of the afternoon

* New favorite things: turning the light switch off when we leave her room, making the phshsshshshshshshs sound with her lips, playing in her exersaucer, putting anything she can get her hands on in her mouth, playing with her feet, going to basketball games

OK... some pictures from February and March so far:

The Scars of Motherhood

For the two or three of you that actually read my ramblings, you are probably wondering where in the world I've been. Well, two weekends ago we were in Charleston for Aunt Shannon's (Kevin's youngest sister) wedding. And then last weekend we went to Miss Jill's wedding at the Aquarium, and they both deserve their own posts and I promise to do that soon, along with an update of Miss Addison.

But, right now I'm wanting to talk about something that's been on my mind a lot lately... the scars of motherhood. Now, I've wanted nothing more my whole life than to marry a great guy and be a mommy. Honestly, I know how blessed I am to have Kevin in my life. He takes care of me, and loves me unconditionally. And, I can't even fathom my life without my little girl. In the words of my friend Julie (hi Julie!), my child has completed me. BUT... she has left some scars on me that I'm afraid will never heal... like the 5 beautiful purple marks right under my belly-button... and my hips that are a little wider than they once were... and my (ahem) "northern hemisphere" that is actually closer to the equator than the North Pole now - if you know what I mean.

I have become very diligent about getting up every weekday morning and bundling up the little one, packing the diaper bag, and heading to the gym. Depending on the day, I either take a weight-lifting class or a cardio cycling class. And I.LOVE.IT. I leave there feeling productive and good about myself. I have actually dropped all 31 pounds that I gained during my pregnancy (and a couple more for good measure), but no amount of crunches are going to make those lovely little purple lines go away... I could do lunges, squats, and leg-raises all day long and my hips aren't going to go anywhere... and short of having surgery, I'm afraid I'll be hauling my northern hemisphere back up where it belongs for all of eternity.

But, today when I walked into the nursery at the gym to pick my sweet baby girl up, she recognized me and smiled... and for that second I forgot about those little purple lines. I think maybe one day, I might even be a little proud of them.

Addison's Bling

I've quit counting the number of times Addison has been called a boy. I am so tired of "Oh, he's so cute!" and "How old is he?"... I want to scream - "SHE is dressed in pink from head to toe... do you really think SHE is a boy?!" I have a million bows already for her, but the child will not grow hair, so... Addison got her ears pierced! I took her on Friday (after I got the OK from our pediatrician of course). She did so great. I just knew we would get the first one in and she would freak out and we wouldn't be able to get the second one done. But, after the first one she just looked at me like, "What was THAT?!" and didn't even make a peep. Second one in, no problem. Here is our girl showing off her bling! :)

Tummy Time With Daddy!