Monday, May 28, 2012

Cabin Fever

Last Friday, Gavin woke up feeling very under-the-weather. Like a good daddy, J took him to the doctor to learn that he had early stage pneumonia. No fun.

Little did we know that was merely the tip of the iceberg. During the day on Friday Gavin developed this little spot on his leg that looked like a bug bite. Over night, that little 'bite' transformed into full on hand, foot and mouth disease. Oh, but we couldn't just get the normal run of the mill virus....no, we got the special new strand of it where the 'little rash' is actually full on boils and pustules all over the limbs, hands, feet and mouth. [Gavin looked so terrible I couldn't even bring myself to take a picture to document.] 

On top of that, we were fighting (and loosing) a fever battle. After a few long days and nights, we thought we had it in the bag when Gavin went down nicely on Sunday and we were able to sit down on the couch and put our feet up......for about 1 min, when Ayden turned to us and said "I don't feel well...". We took his temp and sure enough 102.5. It only got better from there. A little vomit, some cold showers and frozen corn to try and break the increasing fever.

Gavin woke up Monday on the (slow) mend. Ayden on the other hand woke up with 103 fever, glossy eyes, and moaning.  We noticed very subtle indications of a rash forming as well. Well, you know where that's going.... the next day Ayden had it all over. The boys seriously looked like they had leprosy. After a few days (and long nights), their moods got better, but here we are, 9 days out from the start and both are still covered in spots - lighter spots - but still spotted..... And the family as a whole??......well, we are suffering from some SERIOUS cabin fever. The only way to leave the house is for one person to stay home with the kids. And on our long weekend with lots of friend activities planned to less :(

The worst part is, that despite the kids feeling much better, they still look terrible and are possibly still contagious, so, we have now missed three of our friend's kid's birthday parties, and a memorial day BBQ =(  Booooo. The kids need the change of scenery and company as much as the adults need some friend time!

Anyway, enough whining. The boys took on the virus like champs. Sarah took on the boys like a pro. J and I took turns on the night shift. And Mimi took on the sleep deprived grumpy grumblings of J and I and helped with the kids.

So, that is the week wrap up. Many of you have been checking in on the boys throughout the week. Thank you for the concern and for thinking about us =) The support, even if just a text here and there, really makes a difference!

This was a busy week and we (I) didn't do enough to acknowledge some important events of our friends' lives. Happy 3rd birthday to Shyla and Leah!! Happy 1st birthday to Brynn!! And happy anniversary to our dear friends: Candice and Kevin (6yrs); Vanessa and David (7yrs); Jamie and Kerry (2yrs); Alexia and Andy (5yrs) and Hillary and Eric (4yrs). [memorial day weekend (or around there) is apparently a very popular time to get married!!]

We love you all and hopefully once our family is out of quarantine, we can get together and celebrate!!!!

Last but not least - some pictures of our memorial day morning =)




Sunday, May 27, 2012

"Our own little splash park"

As Ayden calls it :)


Monday, May 21, 2012

Gavin see Gavin do...

This is just one of countless (literally tons daily) things that Gavin does after watching his brother (or really anyone for that matter) do something. 

Usually it is Ayden 'teaching' him something that requires a little more coordination and balance than Gavin can muster [or mommy feels comfortable with him attempting to muster], like climbing on big rocks, jumping off big rocks, climbing on chairs to then climb tables and the like. See the theme? 

I have to admit there are many other things that Gavin copies that are not on mommy's 'please do don't that!!'-list'. Last night I was upset about something and Jeremy was rubbing my shoulder. Gavin smiled, walked over and rubbed my shoulder....it was down right adorable.

Here was something I caught on my phone. At first I thought...not a good idea....but then I figured really how bad could he get hurt.  And you what - we watched from the kitchen table as he not only figured out how to get himself up on that bin, plant his chubby feet and stand up....but then when no one helped him down....he figure that out too. I have to say I was quite impressed.

The videos show you not only Gavin's triumph, but Ayden's 'teaching'.





Sunday, May 13, 2012

Mother's day treat

For the boys.....



Monday, May 7, 2012

A moment...

Quick sharing of my current emotions......

AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! Idaho (aka the Ironman) is SO CLOSE!

Why do I say that today you ask??

Well, I just looked at my Google calendar, which I always leave on 'Month View', and I noticed that I can see in that view my 1st week of tapper.....that means we are close....so close.

Commence heart palpitations.....[perhaps that is the coffee I just consumed kicking in...] - either way - HOLY COW!!!

=)

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Proud

The themes of my life (and thus my blog) are no surprise: Family, Friends, Health and Fitness. What I get most excited about is when they overlap....which I am blessed to happen quite often.

Recently, I wrote a post with a video of a young man who took control of his life and began running as his path to health and fitness. This video sparked an email thread among some family members that makes me so proud to be a part of this family. I won't drag you though all the details, but there are some accomplishments that I just have to highlight [hopefully they are OK with this :) - if not, I'm posting now and asking for forgiveness later].

My brother and sister-in-law (Mike and Dash), whom most of you know, recently marked the one year anniversary of their 'life style change'. Over a year ago, they made the decision to take control of their health and fitness by altering their nutrition and exercise routine. I don't think either would disagree with the statement that they weren't and never had been the most physically active people. Let me tell you how, in just a single year, they have squashed that statement. 

I could give you stats (which might play into that need for forgiveness), but what I think is more powerful are my simple observations. There are the obvious physical changes that are just shocking each and every time I see them, and then the more subtle mental changes. I have known them a long time (duh) and I have never....ever.....seen either as positive, patient, and motivated. Whether they know it or not, the change is tangible. I know they are under a LOT of day-to-day stress, but despite that, I see and feel positive energy from them and it is no secret that simply a positive attitude can improve your health and wellness, as well as, how those around you perceive you and interact with you. 

I can't close my post on them without mentioning a few exciting and inspiring physical accomplishments they have made recently. Dasha now avidly participates in spin and swim and has begun running [not to get ahead ourselves....to me this sounds like there should be a sprint tri in her future.....just saying]!! Mike has also begun running!! Yes..... my brother.....going outside....tying up his Brooks.....throwing on his i-pod....and takin' on the road (and some crazy good hills!). They have set a goal for a September race - which coincides with their TENTH ANNIVERSARY!!!! - and what a way to celebrate!! If you can't read the pride between the lines here....let me put it in black and white - I am SO SO SO PROUD of them. What an awesome tale in taking control of their lives and making conscious (not always easy) decisions to better their health and fitness. Whether for themselves or their kids, they have made 21`a change that positively impacts their lives on a daily basis. It may be heard for them to see the drastic change as they are immersed in their daily lives, but it is basically a bright neon blinking sign to those of us around them =)

It gets my heart pounding just writing about it!!!

Part of this transformation has been their diet. I say that word timidly, because it is not that they are on a diet, it is that they made a lifestyle change with regard to their nutrition and food that plays a HUGE role in their transformation. They eat a largely Paleo diet. [If you don't know what this is, look it up :)]

Since then a number of other family members have also 'gone Paleo' and with great success. Again, it is not so much a 'diet' [oooh that word just gives me chills] as it is a lifestyle change. I hope to go into this more in a future post, so I'll leave it at this.

Way to go Mike and Dash! I Loooooooooooove hearing about your daily success. It (selfishly and admittedly) is one of my 'fuels' to get me through a training when I need it.

My love for you and my adorable niece and nephew is endless.

Saying "See Ya!" to my 20s and "Bring It On!" to my 30s

April has been quite the busy month, not the least of which was the anticipation and celebration of my Thirtieth birthday. Just saying that out load is weird. I'm the baby of the family....when and how did I get to be 30?!??!

But, let me tell you. I'm not feeling blue or anxious about reaching thirty. Perhaps a little shocked at times, but certainly not down, because I am SO ready to be done with the 20s. Don't get me wrong, the 20s had some great times and certainly some momentous life changing events.....college graduation, marriage, law school graduation, birth of Ayden, birth of Gavin.....these are huge important life changing events. But with the good sometimes comes the bad. Now, I debated actually fleshing out for my blogging followers those things that make my eyes tear up and lodges my heart in my throat every time I think about them, but I have decided I will simply say, there are things about my 20s that I am glad to be moving further away from. Things that bring tears to my eyes; things I wish I understood more, that I had done differently, that others had done differently, things that impact me so deep they effect who I am, my view of the world, and altered my path in life. 

Does being 30 actually change how I feel about any of this.....no, not really. But to me, I feel 30 marks a new chapter in my life. Over the last year I have settled into what is now my life and I find it quite an awesome and pleasant experience. Much of this, as I have explained in other posts, I attribute to Gavin's birth and some switch that flipped in me, but much of it is of course due to maturing and learning who I am as an individual and what strengths and challenges I have emotionally, physically, mentally, professionally, etc...  And with this knowledge has come the desire & passion to improve. To continue to challenge myself, to continue to question my motives and values, to continue to strive to be a better version of myself today that I was yesterday.  

This philosophy (if you want to call it that), is something that has grown and blossomed from a tiny little seed planted in me around the age of 20 or 21. I say that it was planted, but it is not as though someone else planted it; it was me. I hit a fork in the road where I could either let others and their choices control my life, my choices, and ultimately my happiness, or I could learn and teach myself to be in control of my own. I consider my 20s my learning curve. There were ups and there were downs. All the while I continued along my path of self discovery, self awareness and accountability. 

Whether simply by coincidence, this momentous birthday falls inline with what I feel is the next phase of my learning. I have graduated beyond the steep learning curve; I have established a solid foundation; I have developed healthy habits and routines that further my daily self-learning and reflection; and I have goals.

This is not to say I don't falter (on a daily basis!) and won't continue to do so throughout my life. If I didn't, then where would the learning come from? I am not perfect, merely human. But I can say with confidence that I actively participate in improving myself....and this alone, makes me an overall content and happy person. 

With the tumultuous learning curve behind me, I've settled in and am tickled with anticipation of the possibility and opportunity the next decade will bring.

I have no doubt the 30s will ROCK!

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

April Catch Up Part 2