It's been awhile. We're still potty training and dragging the Lighting McQueen potty with us wherever we go. People are still trying not to stare as he sits in the trunk and I've had to delete many a picture from Facebook because W is not wearing any pants. My mother assures me that I will look back at this time of my life and laugh. Ironically, after only a few days of staying with us she looked at me and told me she was tired of this whole "potty business". Oh Mother, you have no idea. I'm super excited about the 10+ hour trips we're embarking on this summer. That should be a blast. I think I'm going to keep track of how many states we stop to pee in.
On top of the potty training shenanigans, my daughter has decided that she CANNOT live without me. "MOMMY!" is a constant refrain heard in our household. I think if she could find a way to become surgically attached to me and her blankies she would. When she's all cute and snuggly, it is wonderful. When she's screaming and crying, (she is not a pretty crier. Another trait she inherited from her mother.) it makes me want to flee the room. She's also fresh. I tried to get a video of her in full on fresh mode so that people would see that I can't make this stuff up (because I know that's what you think. I know you think that there is no way that beautiful blond haired, blue eyed child could be anything less then perfect.) but my camera died. So now you only have my word.
Thankfully, I've been able to escape potty central and the Fresh Princess of Georgia to run. What do other people do to relieve stress? Drink? Gamble? I think I would probably be a compulsive shopper on the road to Hoardersville if I didn't run. Not only am I running but I've been happily running. Each run is a new chance to push myself a little further or an opportunity to clear my head. Heading into the summer, I have plans to trail run once a week with a dear friend. This same dear friend is single handily attempting to turn this road runner into a trail runner in time for a 15k in August. Who knows? She might even be successful.
Are you running? If not, why not? What's holding you back? Work? Children? Weight? Take a half an hour a day or every other day and walk. Get out there. It is worth it, I promise.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
trails and parking lots
Guess who is a PR'ing machine? This girl! Last weekend I ran in the Hartwell Dam 10k and not only finished 2 minutes under my goal time, but I placed 3rd in my age division! I am now the proud owner of a mug. I've had a really good racing season so far, and am looking forward to keeping up the trend. A dear friend of mine, Maggie, has agreed to drive 45 minutes once a week so we can run trails together. I'm a little nervous. I've always been an asphalt/concrete kind of girl. Not so much into sticks, rocks, and possible wildlife sightings. However, I read an issue of Trail Runner Magazine the other day, and was convinced that running trails will help make me faster. If I don't break an ankle that is.
In other news, we're still potty training. There has been progress, but still a whole lot of pooping in the pants. He's tired of having to sit every 13 minutes, and I'm tired of fighting with him to sit every 13 minutes. I'm just trying to remember that only a few short weeks ago I was knee deep in urine soaked underwear. It's hard to keep things in perspective when you feel the end is no where in sight.
We've started taking our Lighting McQueen potty with us when we leave the house. On Sunday, after church, we went to Athens for lunch and to pick up a few things. W sat on his potty, in the trunk of the car, before we went into Panera, and then again as we were leaving. Then again in the parking lot at Academy Sports. It's a good thing that I have no shame, because otherwise I would be horrified. I'm one of those people that does crazy things with their children in public. When did that happen? When did I become one of those people?
You could tell by the looks we were receiving who had children and who didn't. Mothers and fathers of older children gave us sympathetic "been there, done that / may the force with be with you" looks, while the not yet encumbered by children couples were clearly frightened and thinking "I hope that never happens to me". I tried to concentrate on telepathically convincing W to go to the bathroom so we could pack up the sideshow and get on the road. Eventually, the timer went off and we were able to move on, but not without providing someone with a funny anecdote to share with their family and friends. That's what it has come to - making other people feel good about themselves because their kid isn't sitting on a portable potty in the trunk of a car in a store parking lot. You're welcome people, you're welcome. Glad we could help.
In other news, we're still potty training. There has been progress, but still a whole lot of pooping in the pants. He's tired of having to sit every 13 minutes, and I'm tired of fighting with him to sit every 13 minutes. I'm just trying to remember that only a few short weeks ago I was knee deep in urine soaked underwear. It's hard to keep things in perspective when you feel the end is no where in sight.
We've started taking our Lighting McQueen potty with us when we leave the house. On Sunday, after church, we went to Athens for lunch and to pick up a few things. W sat on his potty, in the trunk of the car, before we went into Panera, and then again as we were leaving. Then again in the parking lot at Academy Sports. It's a good thing that I have no shame, because otherwise I would be horrified. I'm one of those people that does crazy things with their children in public. When did that happen? When did I become one of those people?
You could tell by the looks we were receiving who had children and who didn't. Mothers and fathers of older children gave us sympathetic "been there, done that / may the force with be with you" looks, while the not yet encumbered by children couples were clearly frightened and thinking "I hope that never happens to me". I tried to concentrate on telepathically convincing W to go to the bathroom so we could pack up the sideshow and get on the road. Eventually, the timer went off and we were able to move on, but not without providing someone with a funny anecdote to share with their family and friends. That's what it has come to - making other people feel good about themselves because their kid isn't sitting on a portable potty in the trunk of a car in a store parking lot. You're welcome people, you're welcome. Glad we could help.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
just breathe
In my quest for inner Mommy peace, I have turned to yoga.
My first foray into the land of meaningful breathing came in college. My housemate and I contorted our bodies into downward facing dog and bridge pose as another one of our housemates watched and tried not to wet her pants. After I signed up for my first half marathon, I decided that I needed to cross train and started attending a weekly yoga class. It was a wonderful experience. I stretched, increased my flexibility, and attempted to find inner peace. I failed. I couldn't figure out the whole breathing thing. I couldn't breathe into my back as if it had gills. I couldn't "be in the breath". For as long as I can remember, I have always been one step ahead, never content with the here and now. Yoga is all about the existing within the moment, being aware of your breath. I couldn't seem to quiet my mind down long enough to even control my breathing, let alone allow it to control me.
After W was born, I dabbled in some video yoga; all the while ignoring the instructor's "inhale, exhale" exultation. During week 2 of potty training boot camp, I found myself online searching for a yoga studio. I needed to get out of my house for more then hour. I needed to be somewhere where I'm not a mommy; just a woman trying to be the best she can be with what she's been given. A quick Google search led to me to a local studio, about 40 minutes away. It wasn't until I found this studio that I realized how much I needed it. The classes are donation based which is helpful for my wallet and they have evening classes. I can help Seth with dinner and then head out the door while trying to calm my crying son who's not used to Mommy going somewhere without him.
I've been taking the gentle yoga class which is an hour and a half of stretching, listening to my body, and letting go. During the last class, as a thunderstorm raged outside, I found the peace I had been looking for. I finally figured out how to breathe and it really is as cool as everyone says it is.
My first foray into the land of meaningful breathing came in college. My housemate and I contorted our bodies into downward facing dog and bridge pose as another one of our housemates watched and tried not to wet her pants. After I signed up for my first half marathon, I decided that I needed to cross train and started attending a weekly yoga class. It was a wonderful experience. I stretched, increased my flexibility, and attempted to find inner peace. I failed. I couldn't figure out the whole breathing thing. I couldn't breathe into my back as if it had gills. I couldn't "be in the breath". For as long as I can remember, I have always been one step ahead, never content with the here and now. Yoga is all about the existing within the moment, being aware of your breath. I couldn't seem to quiet my mind down long enough to even control my breathing, let alone allow it to control me.
After W was born, I dabbled in some video yoga; all the while ignoring the instructor's "inhale, exhale" exultation. During week 2 of potty training boot camp, I found myself online searching for a yoga studio. I needed to get out of my house for more then hour. I needed to be somewhere where I'm not a mommy; just a woman trying to be the best she can be with what she's been given. A quick Google search led to me to a local studio, about 40 minutes away. It wasn't until I found this studio that I realized how much I needed it. The classes are donation based which is helpful for my wallet and they have evening classes. I can help Seth with dinner and then head out the door while trying to calm my crying son who's not used to Mommy going somewhere without him.
I've been taking the gentle yoga class which is an hour and a half of stretching, listening to my body, and letting go. During the last class, as a thunderstorm raged outside, I found the peace I had been looking for. I finally figured out how to breathe and it really is as cool as everyone says it is.