Up at the crack of dawn...

Argh!!  My boys are waking up more and more consistently at pre-6am hours.  I'll tell you, the last couple of days, coming off of a grueling marathon and sickness that has built up, I'm not making up much for the exhaustion I'm feeling.

In addition to the early wake up times, I will say that Micah has truly started to figure out this potty training thing.  He figured out the pee part within the first week back in January...the pooping and staying clean and dry and definitely taken time though.  Finally 3 1/2 months later, we are getting there.  I haven't changed a poopy diaper in over 2 weeks now, and he's staying clean and dry more and more throughout the night and nap time.  Over the course of the 3 1/2 months, we've had maybe 2-3 accidents during the day, and the other times only come with a pull-up or diaper on that were during nap time or night time.  With that being said, however, he's now waking up in the middle of the night - sometimes multiple times! - and still getting up uber early due to his need to go potty.  I have to remind myself, at times, that I did want this :)  I did want a little boy potty trained, right?

So - all that to say that this morning both Micah and Reid were up by 5:40am, and I decided that I was going out for a run.  It was a real feel of 60 degrees, so the boys wouldn't get too cold, and I needed to get my first post-marathon run in.  Christian and I both have a half marathon coming up in 2 1/2 weeks, so training is not quite done yet!  What a beautiful morning, and since we were out so early, we even made a stop at the park on the way home.

I'm pretty sure both boys were having just a bit of fun!  :)  Love their smiles!!

One and Three Year Doctor Stats

Micah and Reid both had well visit doctor appointments today, and it's fun to look back at Micah's 1 year stats and compare.  Reid's slowed a little in the length area, seemingly, but the other stats are about on par with where he's been thus far.

Reid:
weight = 21.2 pounds (50%)
length = 29.3 inches (32%)
head circumference = 18 inches (27%)

Micah:
weight = 34.75 pounds (75%)
length = 38.25 inches (75%)
head circumference = 20.25 inches (85%)
BMI (apparently they start doing this at 3 years) =17.5 (75th-85th%)
Blood Pressure (another one they start doing at 3 years) = 84/30

Marathon #18

Seriously, have I really run 18 marathons?  Sometimes it seems like it's just old hat, and then when I think about it, it's still 18 marathon!!  That's crazy, and clearly something I enjoy to continue to do them.  This past weekend was my Kentucky marathon (Louisville) and it was a great race.  Christian ran the half, and I honestly think it's the first time we have run a race like this together...meaning, he's done a half and I've done a full.  It was really fun to run with him, as we were together for almost 9 miles of the race, and I credit him with the success of my race.

Usually in races I tend to go out too fast and pay for it in later miles.  This time, I convinced Christian to run a bit faster than he was anticipating, while still keeping me in my wheelhouse for what I was hoping to run, and it worked out perfectly.  I had wanted to run between 8:45-9/mile with him and we averaged 8:50s on the dot.  He then went on to run an 1:57 half (his 2nd best time out of 6) while I had a bit left in the tank and came out with a 3:48 marathon (my 5th best out of 18, and the fastest since I ran Boston in 2007!).  I truly think pacing myself over the first half left me some reserve to finish strong through the end.  I only had one over 9 min/mile, and averaged 8:43/mile for the full 26.2 (well, actually 8:40s for the 26.38 per my watch, but that's the problem with Garmins!).  I truly felt strong to the end and it's one of the few races in which I haven't hit a wall.

It certainly helped to see Micah and Christian at mile 21...giving me that extra umph that I needed to pound out the last 5.  Micah was absolutely adorable, and I stated to Christian that it doesn't get much better than seeing your (almost) 3 year old jumping up and down excitedly as you get close to him on the streets.  What joy in his little face, cheering his Momma on, and what joy for me to see it all.

The other great part about running in Louisville was that we were able to stay with my aunt and uncle, whom I haven't seen in over 3 years.  Although we didn't bring Reid with us, as I felt it was too much traveling in such a short time, Micah came (obviously) and I'm so glad they were able to meet him.  He did great in the car ride both down and back, and I was truly so proud of his behavior the entire weekend.  He was off schedule, on lack of sleep, meeting people he didn't know who were watching him while Christian and I both ran, and he did great.  My aunt and uncle really seemed to take to him as well and I love that we were able to see more family.

Christian ended up having a meeting on that Friday we were supposed to be traveling (and he had taken off, but neglected to put it on his calendar) but the irony of it all was that it ended up being in Louisville!  So instead of having to get out of it, he flew out Friday morning while Micah and I drove down and picked him up at the Expo.  Reid stayed with my friend Laura and her family, and did phenomenal as well.  She was great about sending me picture updates and every time he was all smiles, while helped since we weren't with him.

So, below are our pictures from the race, as well as some of Reid with his time with the Sjogrens.  Enjoy!

Pre-race pictures.  My cousin Abigail ran her first half, and finished in a stellar 1:50!  Unfortunately, she was in a different corral than Christian and myself, so we didn't actually see her on the course at all. 

Micah chillin' on the course at mile 21, waiting for his Momma to come running around the corner :)  Best feeling in the world to see your child cheering you on.  I love the next sequence of pictures!

 

Waiting for me at mile 26 with Christian's medal on.  Future runner, maybe?  I love the picture of Micah on Christian's shoulders.  I was kicking it pretty hard at this point, but still gave some big smiles in seeing my boys.  I didn't expect to see them there, so it's always an added bonus!

And below are the pictures I received from Laura throughout the day...  Reid seemed pretty happy!  And Alex as well, to have another little one around to take care of :)

The next morning, while running my race, I received these texts - just waking up in the morning and wishing me good luck:)  Then they headed out to Blackberry Farm for the beautiful day they were having.  Love!

Fun times with fun memories...  'til the next marathon...

ONE!!

Well, it's official...Reid has turned one.  What a great day!!  Reid decided today would be a good day to learn to walk, and while it's only been a few steps, we were able to capture it on video with my super excited Momma voice as well :)

I was very grateful that Reid chose today to walk, versus tomorrow or Saturday, as we are dropping him off at my friend Laura's house while Christian, Micah and I head down to Louisville for a race.  He's been close all week, and what joy to see his excitement through putting two and two together and moving on his feet.  Oh, how much I love my boys. 

We, of course, had to get one last set of pictures with Mickey as well.  And to end on a good note, since the 11 month set didn't go quite as well due to his sickness.  I love his hair and love that he's overall such a happy boy (with a bit of a stubborn streak in him we are discovering ;) ). 

He's so quick with his "so big" - it's quite funny!  After the Mickey pictures, we headed downstairs for some cake.  We opted to go with a cupcake this time around versus the intense chocolate cake with caramel inside.  He pretty sure he had his fill from that during his party :)

 

 

I told Christian I think this is a face we might see in the future!

 

Maybe this one too though - so, so sweet :) 

 

Anticipation of me coming with the candle!

 

Fire!!!

 

 

Just as sweet as I remember it!

 

And, I'm done.

What a mess we had to clean up, but what a fun memory to create as well.  Micah enjoyed singing as well, and proceeded to ask me to give him a "3" candle for the cupcake he was about to eat.  Soon, buddy...all too soon, we will!!

Reid has enjoyed playing with some of his birthday gifts this well - particularly an Alphabet Train we received from my friend Kate.  He has loved using it to walk, riding it, and putting all the pieces in the train.  Micah has enjoyed it as well, so it's become a current favorite in our household.

Such sweet smiles!! 

Oh, Reidees - you have been such a blessing to us.  You light up the room when you come in with your sweet smiles and laughs.  You have changed so much this year (as is expected in your first year of life, of course!) and I look forward to each day with you.  I love how you bounce in your crib every morning when I come to get you, and how you have become such a snuggle bug this month.  You love giving hugs and showing affection, and it just melts my heart.  You are such a great sleeper, both at night time and naps (usually!) and you love hanging out in your crib with some toys surrounding you as well. 

You are also such an active boy.  You are constantly getting in to something, and I'm always having to be on my toes with you.  You love exploring and try to get into any little cranny and nook that you can.  Your excitement for doing something new is contagious, as if the laughter you get when I come running after you to stop you from getting into something new, haha.  You are going to help me stay active, whether I want to or not! 

With the beginnings of your walking today, I know we're in for a whole new world with you this summer, and I have to say I'm excited about it.  I can't wait to watch you and big brother grow in your relationship, as it's already so obvious how much you both love each other.  I pray you both grow up to be great friends and look forward to being a Momma to both. 

Thank you for being such a sweet boy Reid.  Thank you for loving us back just as much as we love you.  Thank you for always keeping things lighthearted and bringing such joy to our days, with your smiles and laughter.  We have been forever changed in such a great way with your life Reid, and I'm so looking forward to the next year of life with you.

We love you baby boy!  Happy 1st Birthday, Little Man. 

Happy Birthday Little Man!

Wow - what a party for Reid!  Though not 1 yet, his party was this past Saturday and what a memory maker it was!  We were going to have his party at a park in downtown Oswego.  Nice little park, but really pretty location right along the Fox River with a covered pavilion and bridge and lots of room to run and play for the kids while the parents socialized.  Nothing short of rain (and lots and lots of it) would alter our plans...and apparently that's exactly what was in store for us! Two days prior to the party, we had the largest flooding the area has seen in 20+ years.  It was bad - lots of people had damage to their houses, water in their basements, electricity out, etc.  Thankfully we were saved from all of that (one of the bonuses to living in a town home where the "basement" is at ground level), but our venue for Reid's party was not.  The entire park was flooded - to the point that you could only make out the top of the slide - and Christian and I were left to punt... 

In addition to the flooding on Thursday, there was a cold front that swept through the area post rain, causing temps to drop into the 20s - with real feels of 18 and sleeting/snowing/hailing.  Hmph...How are we really going to throw a party at a park?  It's April 20th for goodness sake, it shouldn't be 20 (or even 30 or 40)...but it was, and after pursuing all possible avenues that we could think of, at about 5pm on Friday we resigned ourselves to having it at our place.  With 40-45 people (kids and adults) this was no small task of figuring out how to make it work, but with lots of help from family cleaning/childcare/decorating and friends loaning tables and chairs, it all came together! 

The best part was Reid's happiness and enjoyment of the day, which was the most important part.  He truly enjoyed his party, and that made all the craziness worth it.  I will say though, now that it's over, I'm glad!  It was certainly fun to work on and put together (I might have taken on a bit much this year in the planning area) but there's also a sigh of relief flooding through me post-party. 

Happy Birthday Reid!  We love you so much baby boy.

 

 Party favors for the guests - chocolate bars and chocolate mustache pops.

 

From scratch cupcakes. This kind was a chocolate cake filled with a salted caramel sauce and topped with a salted caramel frosting and a bow tie chocolate mold. (I told you I might have been a bit ambitious on my planning... :) )

 

Reid's Smash Cake!  And just wait for pictures below - he loved it!!

 

The other kind of cupcake was a Vanilla Bean Cake (with real vanilla beans, my first time working with them - yummy!!!) and a vanilla bean buttercream frosting.  Now I happen to be a vanilla fan over chocolate, but I will say both flavors were well received :)

 

The dessert table.

 

 

My friend Alissa made me the shirt you see, which says "If you 'mustache' I'm Mommy's little man"  So adorable and perfectly suited with our theme!!   

 

Reid checking out all the decorations.  

 

My birthday boy - sooo happy!

 

Micah was trying to appease us with a smile, but we had pulled him away from his hot chocolate at his seat, and he was very concerned about it still being there when we were done.

 

Micah's smile getting more and more forced, as he kept looking over Christian's shoulder every 5 seconds (at least!).  Aren't my boys cute though, in their bowties?? :)

 

Daddy and his birthday boy!

 

Reid was loving all the activity that ensues with 20 kids running around our driveway area.  I had placed him next to a heater, so he was nice and warm and happily watching everything around him!

 

Still pretty happy, but not quite as warm.  It was necessary to move him, though, so the cake didn't get all over our garage at least :)

 

"Happy Birthday to you."

 

"Happy Birthday to you."

 

"Happy Birthday Dear Reid"

 

"Happy Birthday to you!"

 

Helping him "blow" out his candle.

And now begins the story from Reid's point of view...

 

Hmmm...what do I do here?

 

Oh, this is quite yummy.

 

So much so that I can't look up for a picture.

 

Seriously, stop trying to make me smile.

 

Okay, I'll give you one picture because big brother came in the picture :)

 

Now, back to my cake.  Get in my Belly!!

 

Oh, this is so good.

 

Seriously, nice job Momma!!

 

Although I really think any kind of cake would have tasted just as good to me :)

 

Oh, what's that over my head?

 

Never mind, back to this delicious goodness right in front of my face!

 

I'm in heaven, Momma! 

 

Don't you have enough pictures of me already??

 

No?  Okay, then here's my next trick: "so big"  And if this is what happens when you become "so big" I can't wait for more!

 

I get presents now, too?  What a great day!!

 

Reid flung cake all over me during the present opening portion...whatever kept him happy, ya know? 

 

Watch out Daddy!  You're not out of my reach either...

 

And you either, Pooh! 

Photo Booth time! This was the one part that we had a hard time replicating from our park venue, as we were going to hang the frame and just have people go over during the party to take pictures with the props, but again, we got creative and made it work!

 

I thought it was hilarious that Micah chose the pipe here :)

 

 

The Smith Family

 

The Lacy Family

 

The Sjogren Family

 

The Isaak Family

 

The Koss Family (they really embraced the theme, and I love it!!)

 

The Cunnington Family

 

The Villarreal Family

 

Uncle Andy, Aunt Katie and Lilly

 

Nana Kay and Papa C

 

Grandpa and Grandma

 

And one last family attempt

 

Nana Kay wanted one more picture with both boys, so we had to do one more the next day.  And of course, if he was using the frame, Micah had to include a prop with it :)

Happy Birthday Little Man.  You are such a joy to our lives, and can't believe it's already been (almost) a year!!  What a great year it's been, and we look forward to what the next year holds in our lives.