Not just a cookie anymore

Yay! I finally spent some time yesterday using Picasa to create a collage of special things/moments/people in my life to put as the new image on my blog. I'm really happy with it!!!

Yesterday, I was supposed to have a "mom's night out" with this meetup group I've joined. We were going to go to Shinto's steakhouse in Strongsville and I was gonna have sushi and a (strong) drink. But I got only ten minutes out of the neighborhood and I could hardly see in front of me (it had started snowing earlier in the afternoon) so I had to turn around and go back! BOO!

Well, that's ok, because I treated myself to a Left Hand Milk Stout at Edison's Pub in Tremont, while awaiting the delicious pizza I decided to pick up for me and Derek. Watching the snow was very relaxing (and of course the beer helped too!).

Tonight, I've got a yelp elite event at Visible Voice Books here in the neighborhood, so it looks like I will get some time to myself after all. And Derek's home today, so...perhaps a run? We'll see. Only nine days 'til my race ... YIKES!

I vow...

...to never:

Refer to the bathroom as the "potty" in the company of adults.

Post every single milestone my kid does on Facebook as if she's the first kid to have ever smiled, rolled over, or taken a crap having the consistency of peanut butter.

Identify myself as "Lorelei's mommy" instead of by my name.

That's all that comes to mind right now, but those were the ones bugging me today!

Mission: Semi-possible

I'm trying to figure out just how few training runs I can do and still be "ready" for the Jog into Spring 5K on April 9.

I did one run two weeks ago...then another one on Sunday. Well, let's just say they were both difficult and I couldn't run the entire time (duh).

The problem is, I'm still not sure if it's ok to take the baby in the BOB, so I'm waiting to do that. And I can't really get away that much, and I am TOO DAMN TIRED most of the time anyway!

Moms! How do you do it?! How do you balance running and motherhood? I need to know. Now that I have a "deadline," this is getting scary. I mean, I know I can finish it...but I'd like to do it comfortably, and I'd like to not have to walk too much.

Do I have to wait until she sleeps through the night before I can start running again in earnest? Is it bad for me to run on next to no sleep? Or is it necessary?

Ten questions you should never ask a new mom

The other day, I came across this masterpiece on Twitter, posted by ScaryMommy (read her blog here). It was written by PregnantChicken and totally summed up how I felt during pregnancy.

That post inspired the following list, which I'd like to call "Ten questions you should never ask a new mom," the responses to which I wish had the balls to repeat each time I'm asked any of them.

(Note: I realize that these questions are, more often than not, asked out of love, so no, I'm not truly pissed off when people ask them. It's just that these questions cover the subjects about which I am either a) the most self-conscious or b) the most frustrated. They are also -- whaddya know?! -- the subjects that come up ad nauseum and therefore have to talk about again and again. I know my friends, family, and perfect strangers mean well when they ask them. It's just that I'm kinda sick of answering them.)

Ten questions you should never ask a new mom:

1. Is she sleeping through the night yet? No. Not even a little. And if you tell me once more about your friend's baby who slept through the night at 3 weeks, or about how "a little formula might work," I'm gonna lose it.
2. When are you going back to work? I. Don't. Know. Do I want to? Not really. But also, yeah. Have I considered daycare? Of course, but again, I'm not there yet. I'll let you know if and when I'm returning to work.
3. Wow! She's so [big/little]! How much does she weigh?! Oh, did I forget to mention I'm [overfeeding her/starving her]? That's what accounts for her size. Not like, genetics, or her metabolism, or randomness, or anything. But I appreciate you taking the time to point out how [huge/petite] she is. (See also: What size clothes is she wearing?!!? My baby wore 9-month onesies at 2 months! etc.)
4. When are you going to wean? Again, I don't know. It's personal. It's not really like going on a diet, where you all of a sudden alter your eating habits. It's a gradual process. I'm not ready to stop breastfeeding yet, and when I am ... I'm not going to tell you anyway.
5. Are you still running? Now, this, I admit, is a fair question. A question about ME. However: Try not to look at my midsection when you ask this, nor at the bags under my eyes or the spit-up on my shirt. I'm really busy right now, and really, I'd rather be running than talking to you about not running.
6. When are you gonna let her cry it out? Probably never. Next question?
7. Has your hair been falling out? My sister/friend/coworker's hair fell out! Yes, and thanks for noticing. What, you don't like the strands of hair on my sweater?
8. When's the next one? ... Next what? Oh, NEXT BABY?! Geez. Again, personal! And also: I can't even frickin' IMAGINE that right now. But I'll tell you what, once we start trying again I'll announce it on Facebook, k?
9. Why didn't you send out a birth announcement? The same reason I still haven't finished sending all the thank-you notes: because I'm lazy.
10. Wow, you take her out to restaurants? Why yes. How else will she learn good manners AND good taste?

Feel free to add your own in the comments!

Your registration is complete

Hell yeah, bitches! First registration since December 2009. Wow, that's scary.


Registration Steps:
1. Registration Options2. Accept Waiver3. Complete Form4. Submit Payment5. Print Receipt
 
Print
Your registration is complete!
You will receive an email in the next few minutes confirming your registration.

Purchased at: March 17, 2011 08:06 PM
Event Confirmation #: 26153143-031711200629
Want some company? Invite a friend to participate!

Event Name: 9th Annual "Jog Into Spring"
Date & Time: April 09, 2011 09:00 AM
Location: Independence Civic Center
(map)
Click here to print a copy of your waiver.

Click here to print your receipt.

Seek and share advice with other runners--Connect in our Discussion Forums

Important Information Regarding Your Registration:
You may still pick up your packet the morning of the race beginning at 8:00 AM at:
Independence Civic Center
6363 Selig Road

26.2 FAIL

No, that doesn't mean I entered and DNFed a marathon without telling you all! It is referring to this:

Yep, that's my 26.2 sticker after a huge snowstorm. My once bright pink, shiny, STICKY sticker reminding me of my goals! Faded and peeled off like a weakling!

Well, I guess it's fitting that, with a new season approaching, bringing with it a whole slew of racing opportunities, I ought to get a new sticker.

Can I get one that says 3.1?

Ha ha!

Getting "back out there"

Well, I did it! I went for a run yesterday. And all I have to say today is...OMQ (Oh my quad!)

Thanks to those who commented yesterday. I know that my feelings were valid. I was just enjoying having a little pity party for myself, ha ha. But the baby and I both took a little nap mid-morning, and then I was feeling ready to run a little in the afternoon. Derek and I took Lorelei to the Rocky River Reservation (my favorite place to run), and he pushed her in the stroller (walking) while I alternated running with walking.

View Larger Map

We were out there for about 35 minutes or so, and I didn't really keep track of how far we went. It was somewhere between 2 and 2.5 miles. Good enough for me!

Afterwards, we stopped at Robeks for my favorite post-run treat: an acai smoothie. Mmmm. That put me in a good mood the rest of the day.

We just took it easy at night, and watched some Grey's Anatomy on Netflix on Demand. I forgot how good that show used to be in its first couple of seasons!!!

Hope you all had a wonderful Saturday. Oh, and I guess we lost an hour today, which sorta sucks, but whatevs!

Yet another race I'm not doing

Can I vent?

I know that in my last post I was really excited because I have a plan to run a 5K on my birthday.

But, a few days ago, I came up with the plan that I was going to "spontaneously" run this quick 2-mile race this morning nearby (the St. Malachi run). I was really excited, thinking that this is what I need, and it'll be great.

Well, it snowed about a foot yesterday.

But then it stopped, and warmed up. Most of the snow was cleared away, and I thought, "Ok, I'll still do it." (Not registered yet)

I even talked Derek into driving with me early enough to register ...

Until last night was HORRIBLE and Lorelei kept us up for like 2 hours in the middle of the night screaming. Ugh! This morning, I could not even get out of bed. Not to mention the fact that I didn't want to wake her to nurse after she had slept so horribly.

For the first time, I resorted to putting headphones on and blasting music super-loud (thank you Alexi Murdoch and Adele) so I wouldn't have to hear her screaming. Derek was soothing her during this time, but she was just too upset. And she had already eaten, so I don't know what's up with that. (She's teething, which sucks, but the doctor said she doesn't like to blame sleeplessness on teething. I don't know if that's right.) And the whole time I was lying there, trying not to feel selfish or resentful, but I did. I know, right?

Confession! I still think about myself. I want to do things that make me happy, and I feel that now, I just can't. It doesn't mean that I don't love my baby, but I am feeling like I will never be able to race again, because I cannot get a good night's sleep. EVER.

So, yeah, no race this morning, and I'm really bummed about it. Sorry to be depressing today, but I am so sad.

At least it's sunny out, so I think I'll try to get out there later today.

Birthday 5K

Thanks to those who voted/commented on the 5K poll. I've made a decision! (Well, sorta.)

I subscribe to Active.com's newsletter, and the most recent one showed not one, but two races in Cleveland on April 9 (my birthday). So I thought, what better birthday present to give to myself than a 5K race?!!?

This gives me just about a month to "train," i.e., to run when I can and just hopefully gain a bit of fitness so that I can finish without passing out. (Yes, mom, if I really do feel like I'm going to pass out, I will walk. Duh.)

So now, the only decision left is which one to register for? Here are the choices:

1. Run For Your Life!

• Berea, OH 
• 9:00 am
• $15 in advance, $18 on race day
• Promoting increased physical activity for children
• Also has 1 mile walk

2. Jog Into Spring

• Independence, OH
• 9:00 am
• $15 in advance, $20 on race day
• Renee Roche memorial race

These both seem like they support a really great cause. My favorite half-marathon ever, the Cleveland Clinic River Run,  starts in Berea, and it's really beautiful. I guess the only downside is that it's a bit far away (like maybe 20-30 minutes to drive there). Jog Into Spring is good because it's in Independence, which is right near where Derek works and we know how to get there easily (race-day worries are annoying, especially when you don't really know the area well). Looking at the course maps of both of these races, I'm pretty sure Run For Your Life is probably more scenic, but which could also mean more hills. Also, this race has a 1-mile  fun walk, which Derek could do with Lorelei.

Hmmm, decisions, decisions!

In any case, I'm so glad to have a plan now. Maybe Lorelei's pediatrician will give us the OK to start using the jogging stroller soon, and I can take her out for a spin sooner than later.

New blog!

My pizza obsession has led me to create a new blog about pizza in the Cleveland area, called Clezza. If you love pizza, and you're interested in reading reviews of various slices around town, feel free to read it and follow me!!

In other news ... guess what I got as an amazing early birthday present from my in-laws?!?

YES! YES! YES!

So excited. Can't wait to use it! For the moms out there -- how old was your little one before you used a jogging stroller?

Poll: How Should I Handle My "First" 5K?

Ok. This is getting ridiculous.

I need to run!!!

I was actually going to go today. I really was. But it hailed and snowed last night. So, after about a week of no snow (and just, oh, you know, massive flooding in the area), there's snow again. Dammit.

But I am really feeling hopeful because it's March, which just sounds ten thousand times better than February. And as I was reading Steel Springs' blog the other day, she wished everyone racing good luck. And I was like, "Huh. Remember when I used to race practically every weekend? What happened to that?!"

I mean, I know what happened, but still...

So I am gearing up towards running a 5K. I've had this in the works for a long time now, actually since before I gave birth. Make fun of me if you want! But towards the end of my pregnancy, I was seriously going, "Ok, I'll probably need to take six weeks off, so that's November-ish, so then December-January...I can probably race again in January or February!" Yeah, right. Even if I had the ability to train, even if the weather was great, even if I weren't tired out of my MIND ... etc.

So I keep stalling, and that's making me feel very bad. Not "bad about myself," like I should be doing more, but just ... not like myself, if that makes any sense. I need to be racing. It's a part of me that's missing.

Which brings me to this poll I referenced in the title: How should I go about this 5K? Should I diligently train and try to "race" it? Should I train a bit and then just try to run the whole thing? Or should I keep training to a minimum and then just try to finish it? Ha ha.

Vote please! (I guess I'll figure out how to put a poll up here somehow). And leave your thoughts in the comments. I'd love to hear what you think.

"Five months? That's like, almost half a year!"

That's what my sister-in-law Alida said when she heard that Lorelei was going to turn five months on March 3 (which is, in fact, today). I truly can't believe this. Five months is still sort of like four months. But six months! That's definitely old.

I must say, I haven't really missed going to work during this time. I do consider myself very lucky that I have had the opportunity to take time off during Lei's first year with us. But I have been itching to do something more (which is why I have started writing more regularly for CliqueClack TV). Well, teaching is probably out of the question for now, unfortunately. Not only because the craziness in Wisconsin is heading over here, but also because I just don't think I'm ready. Actually, maybe that's just an excuse because I think I won't be able to find a job. Hmm. I don't know. I'd say, right now I don't feel ready, but if an excellent opportunity presented itself, I would probably go for it.

I also recently joined Barefoot Books as an Ambassador, where I can sell children's books, artwork, and music independently and make commission. Honestly, this sort of thing is a bit overwhelming to me, but I'm going to give it a try. When we were at Ryan and Casey's wedding in February, Derek's friend Maureen, who works at Barefoot in the Boston area, suggested this when I said I wanted to try working from home. Given my background in education, and my English degree, I think this is a great thing for me to be doing. It was started by a couple of moms who wanted to be home with their kids.

Anyway, if any of you who are reading want more info on Barefoot Books, or would like to buy something for your kids, please comment below or send me an email and I'll be happy to help you. And if you know any teachers, educators, parents, etc. who you think would be interested, please let them know too!! Thanks! :)

Here's a recent Lorelei pic from this past weekend: