As I awoke this morning, I thought back to being at a bar in WI.. I was 21 or so at the time (yes I was legal!) and I saw these "older" ladies in their 30's enjoying a few cocktails and dancing... Geesh, they were sooooo old!
I stretched and rolled out of bed, then I remembered that at midnight last night, I turned 35! Ah!!!
At least I was enjoying a few cocktails and playing cards at home with friends and not looking to pick up any guys with my smooth dancing moves... except maybe my hubby who was winking at me from across the table. Or did he just have a little too much to drink and start doing that weird eye thing he does? lol
Anyhow...
Happy Birthday to me and thanks to everyone for wishing me well on my 35th birthday. I survived the night and actually felt awesome this morning. Per usual, the celebrating will continue for at least another week or so.
Thank you Pam for your "award winning" chili.. I had a huge bowl for lunch and plan to enjoy it again for dinner.
I may have more wrinkles and I actually found a bunch of grey hairs (ugh) a few weeks ago, but I can still dance to MC Hammer with the best of them! You can't touch this!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Run A 5K Before Turning 35... Check!
32 minutes.. That's how long it took.. better than I was expecting for sure!
What a great feeling running in my very first 5K!!!!! Now 3.1 miles might not seem like allot to the fit and trim or even two years ago as I worked out to look gorgeous in my wedding dress (lol). When I first brought up the idea to my fellow MOMS Club members in January, it seemed like a distant dream post baby and all the extra weight that seemed to settle where Maddie was once housed. It's still there but I didn't seem to notice so much as I pulled on my running pants this morning.
We picked a race, approx 9 weeks away and I was off and running.. well actually I had to purchase a jogging stroller and wait over a week to get it, then we had quite a few rainy days in February, but then I was officially off and running! :)
My fellow MOMS Club mommy, Erica, her husband Steve, and their little boy Nathan, joined us on race day. Erica and I have been training on Monday mornings and then Wednesday nights without the kids.. we also tried to get out and walk or run when possible. I walked some Tuesdays and for sure on Thursdays. Maddie and I also went around the neighborhood with a stop at the park on several days just because I felt I needed it to prepare.. Erica was my inspiration to give this jogging thing a try again.
I'm so grateful for all those days of sweat because today I felt GREAT! I was so excited and felt tears welling up as the race was about to start.. sounds silly, but I was so darn proud of myself! I set this goal and was about to accomplished it. I am mommy, hear me ROAR! :)
Maddie was a dream running partner.. she was loaded up with her SCHNACKIES (snacks) and talked the entire time. Not a single tear.. she had me worried just before race started when she looked at me and said "up!".. uh oh.. but she was content once I gave her food... anyone surprised?
Erica and I put stickers on our strollers that said "RUN MOMMY RUN" and "RUN LIKE A MOTHER" to keep us motivated.
I just have to say my hubby, Matt was so wonderful. I hope we made him proud today. He's heard about this race for a few months now. He took a bunch of photos to document our excitement and waited at the finish line to cheer us on!
Two of our other MOMS Club members and their families came to support us. We didn't see them until after the race, but it really meant allot to see them there.. Our club name stands for "Moms Offering Moms Support" and these ladies did just that. Thank you Jen and Olena!
Me, Erica and the kids
Maddie and Mommy are Number 1!
Me practicing my awesome one finger, photo finish... yes, I am a dork!
Just before the race started... all smiles and white faces
Nathan
Maddie when you ask her to "smile"!
First corner
Finish Line, here we come!
Erica went back to finish with her hubby
Still excited but now with a red face!
WE DID IT!
Fun in the grass after the race
It was a really touching ceremony when all the paramedics gathered that had responded to the DeMello family's tragedy when they lost their baby girl, Joey, to SIDS. They did a dove release that was really pretty and brought tears to many eyes.. just a great reminder of what we were all there to support and to give our kids that extra hug to let them know they're cherished.
To top off all the fun, we won a raffle price (a haircut) and received bottle of OPI nail polish! Woohoo!
Sooooo.... What's next?!
What a great feeling running in my very first 5K!!!!! Now 3.1 miles might not seem like allot to the fit and trim or even two years ago as I worked out to look gorgeous in my wedding dress (lol). When I first brought up the idea to my fellow MOMS Club members in January, it seemed like a distant dream post baby and all the extra weight that seemed to settle where Maddie was once housed. It's still there but I didn't seem to notice so much as I pulled on my running pants this morning.
We picked a race, approx 9 weeks away and I was off and running.. well actually I had to purchase a jogging stroller and wait over a week to get it, then we had quite a few rainy days in February, but then I was officially off and running! :)
My fellow MOMS Club mommy, Erica, her husband Steve, and their little boy Nathan, joined us on race day. Erica and I have been training on Monday mornings and then Wednesday nights without the kids.. we also tried to get out and walk or run when possible. I walked some Tuesdays and for sure on Thursdays. Maddie and I also went around the neighborhood with a stop at the park on several days just because I felt I needed it to prepare.. Erica was my inspiration to give this jogging thing a try again.
I'm so grateful for all those days of sweat because today I felt GREAT! I was so excited and felt tears welling up as the race was about to start.. sounds silly, but I was so darn proud of myself! I set this goal and was about to accomplished it. I am mommy, hear me ROAR! :)
Maddie was a dream running partner.. she was loaded up with her SCHNACKIES (snacks) and talked the entire time. Not a single tear.. she had me worried just before race started when she looked at me and said "up!".. uh oh.. but she was content once I gave her food... anyone surprised?
Erica and I put stickers on our strollers that said "RUN MOMMY RUN" and "RUN LIKE A MOTHER" to keep us motivated.
I just have to say my hubby, Matt was so wonderful. I hope we made him proud today. He's heard about this race for a few months now. He took a bunch of photos to document our excitement and waited at the finish line to cheer us on!
Two of our other MOMS Club members and their families came to support us. We didn't see them until after the race, but it really meant allot to see them there.. Our club name stands for "Moms Offering Moms Support" and these ladies did just that. Thank you Jen and Olena!
Me, Erica and the kids
Maddie and Mommy are Number 1!
Me practicing my awesome one finger, photo finish... yes, I am a dork!
Just before the race started... all smiles and white faces
Nathan
Maddie when you ask her to "smile"!
First corner
Finish Line, here we come!
Erica went back to finish with her hubby
Still excited but now with a red face!
WE DID IT!
Fun in the grass after the race
It was a really touching ceremony when all the paramedics gathered that had responded to the DeMello family's tragedy when they lost their baby girl, Joey, to SIDS. They did a dove release that was really pretty and brought tears to many eyes.. just a great reminder of what we were all there to support and to give our kids that extra hug to let them know they're cherished.
To top off all the fun, we won a raffle price (a haircut) and received bottle of OPI nail polish! Woohoo!
Sooooo.... What's next?!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Papa and Grandma Lena Came To Town
Maddie and I just spent a stress-free week with Papa and Grandma Lena.. I don't get to say "stress-free" very often when it comes to my new(ish) role of stay at home mom.. it was nice to have the extra help. All the other grown-ups had to work on most days but not us! We got to PLAY! They stayed at Pam and Alyx's house so it probably helped that I didn't have to cook or clean the house more than normal.
Matt and I even got a Date Night! Woohoo.. we went to see Avatar.. cool movie that we otherwise would have waited to see it on DVD but it was sooo nice to leave the house and have some fun with just the two of us.
I have to say, she was the sweetest girl for everyone! She's been giving the best hugs and her spirited personality (while sometimes challenging) was really shinning and I couldn't have been more proud of her. She knows so many words... today she said "bless you" after I sneezed! Ok, she isn't PERFECT! She did wave her hand in the toilet and say "wha-wha" this morning too!
Here she is showing Papa her new shoes that Grandma Lena bought her.
Grandma and Maddie
We did a few "new" things and some old standbys that I thought the grandparents would enjoy.
We went to the Underwood Farms in Somis. They have a small petting zoo (with no actual petting) but had goats, an alpaca, chickens and some sheep to feed and watch. Mommy learned an important lesson.. let the kid play in the mud, you can always take off her pants before putting her in the car seat. Thank you Papa for that reminder. No pics because I forgot my camera (duh!)
We visited the Clubhouse Funzone, a place Matt and I took her awhile back. She still loves to be pushed in the cars and play in the houses.
We fed ducks and played at the park at the Thousand Oaks library. The squirrels were a wee bit aggressive but Alyx was with us to make sure none of them attacked! :) Note to self - next time bring MORE BREAD and an ear of corn!
Rock Climbing!
On the one rainy day, we enjoyed brunch with Maddie's Aunties and stayed for dinner to visit with Pam's folks. We absolutely adore both of them and amazingly it was the first time Matt's dad has met Pam's family. I imagine Lena was star-struck as she heard stories told by Pam's dad about his days working in "the biz". :) He's a great story teller and has met with some amazing people. Pam whipped up a turkey and made the most amazing turkey sandwiches! Who does that?! She's so good to us!
I wonder if Papa was trying to figure out a way to ship this box to Colorado?
A huge THANK YOU to Tommy, Pam's brother. This guy is sooo sweet. We don't see him very often but he left a Daisy Duck for Maddie at her auntie's house.. She said "ooooh!" and gave it the mostly lovingly hug.
Sunday we enjoyed a beautiful day at the Santa Barbara Zoo.. It's a pretty small place but the views certainly can't be beat. Miss Maddie cannot be contained for long and soon begged to be released from her stroller.. "Up, Up, Pleasssseee!" Once she was free, there was NO stopping her!
Fun with her aunties
Famous Dimino Family self portrait.. + Lena :)
I had to include this one.. see the lady between Alyx and Pam in the background? She had a very rough day with her kids running amuck, but looks like she wanted to make a funny face but thought otherwise, last minute.. maybe she was hoping she'd fall off the train and not have to deal with the bratty bunch she was with!
I'm not sure who was pooped more at the end of each day.. Maddie or her grandparents?!
We had a great time and can't wait to see you guys again!
Matt and I even got a Date Night! Woohoo.. we went to see Avatar.. cool movie that we otherwise would have waited to see it on DVD but it was sooo nice to leave the house and have some fun with just the two of us.
I have to say, she was the sweetest girl for everyone! She's been giving the best hugs and her spirited personality (while sometimes challenging) was really shinning and I couldn't have been more proud of her. She knows so many words... today she said "bless you" after I sneezed! Ok, she isn't PERFECT! She did wave her hand in the toilet and say "wha-wha" this morning too!
Here she is showing Papa her new shoes that Grandma Lena bought her.
Grandma and Maddie
We did a few "new" things and some old standbys that I thought the grandparents would enjoy.
We went to the Underwood Farms in Somis. They have a small petting zoo (with no actual petting) but had goats, an alpaca, chickens and some sheep to feed and watch. Mommy learned an important lesson.. let the kid play in the mud, you can always take off her pants before putting her in the car seat. Thank you Papa for that reminder. No pics because I forgot my camera (duh!)
We visited the Clubhouse Funzone, a place Matt and I took her awhile back. She still loves to be pushed in the cars and play in the houses.
We fed ducks and played at the park at the Thousand Oaks library. The squirrels were a wee bit aggressive but Alyx was with us to make sure none of them attacked! :) Note to self - next time bring MORE BREAD and an ear of corn!
Rock Climbing!
On the one rainy day, we enjoyed brunch with Maddie's Aunties and stayed for dinner to visit with Pam's folks. We absolutely adore both of them and amazingly it was the first time Matt's dad has met Pam's family. I imagine Lena was star-struck as she heard stories told by Pam's dad about his days working in "the biz". :) He's a great story teller and has met with some amazing people. Pam whipped up a turkey and made the most amazing turkey sandwiches! Who does that?! She's so good to us!
I wonder if Papa was trying to figure out a way to ship this box to Colorado?
A huge THANK YOU to Tommy, Pam's brother. This guy is sooo sweet. We don't see him very often but he left a Daisy Duck for Maddie at her auntie's house.. She said "ooooh!" and gave it the mostly lovingly hug.
Sunday we enjoyed a beautiful day at the Santa Barbara Zoo.. It's a pretty small place but the views certainly can't be beat. Miss Maddie cannot be contained for long and soon begged to be released from her stroller.. "Up, Up, Pleasssseee!" Once she was free, there was NO stopping her!
Fun with her aunties
Famous Dimino Family self portrait.. + Lena :)
I had to include this one.. see the lady between Alyx and Pam in the background? She had a very rough day with her kids running amuck, but looks like she wanted to make a funny face but thought otherwise, last minute.. maybe she was hoping she'd fall off the train and not have to deal with the bratty bunch she was with!
I'm not sure who was pooped more at the end of each day.. Maddie or her grandparents?!
We had a great time and can't wait to see you guys again!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Meltdowns and Tumbling
Today was our first major meltdown/tantrum and I wasn't sure if I handled it correctly until talking to our instructor at the Horizon Hills program. Yes, I did take a photo because I wanted Daddy to see the mess she was in.
I'm sure it's the first of many but it really took me by surprise. Maddie has been such a pleasure to be around lately, so talkative and fun, but today was a REAL challenge. Two glasses of wine in the evening worth! It may have to do with the fact that we've just weaned from the breast feeding (yay) or just developmentally the time that it starts (she's 16 months) but it wasn't pretty. She was covered in mud and grass on both sides, lots of boogies and lots of tears. I'm happy to report we got through it and I still got a hug and kiss at the end of the night. :)
In the afternoon our Horizon Hills class met up at The Little Gym for our first field trip. Maddie was pretty freaked out by the bouncing (think bouncy house) in the beginning and was pretty clingy for the rest of the class but she did finally relax and climb on a few things. What a neat experience for the two of us.
Does this hair make my head look big? :) This is Maddie after the rubber bands come out of the ponies. We enjoyed brunch at Alyx and Pam's on Sunday and got to visit with Pam's parents.. So glad and grateful to see Edy back to her healthy self!
We're looking forward to a visit from Papa and Grandma Dimino! They just love Miss Maddie so much and we're so glad to see them as often as we're able to! Too bad the weather looks like rain for the weekend but I'll be sure to post what we do while they were here!
By the way, Maddie and I are training for our first 5K coming up on March 13th! We've been running a bit each morning and hopefully we'll have good weather on race day. You should come out and cheer us on as we reach the finish line! The race is on a Saturday morning and we would certainly love the support! The race is to benefit SIDS research and support families dealing with a loss in their family. I was so grateful when we reached the year mark and seemed to be in the clear... I can't imagine life without Miss Maddie, tantrums and all.
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