5K

Saturday Charles, his brother Jeremiah and his wife Monica, and I ran a 5K in San Dimas. This was my 3rd 5K. The first was in Sept. 2003 a month after I returned from my mission. The 2nd was with Charles and Azure in March 2008.Running is so much more mental than physical. Last week I did a zumba class at 24 hr fitness. It was beyond awesome! I am not a fan of cheesy aerobics which I thought zumba was. Turns out zumba is a Latin dance class for an hour straight. Why did no one tell me?! A vital part of my soul is composed of salsa with a tad bit of merengue. My hips can not help but sway whenever I hear those sweet rhythms.

I thought the class was 30 mins. At the 30 min mark I realized it wasn't over. The song ended and I thought, "I'm getting tired. I'm not sure I can keep dancing for 30 more mins." As soon as I said that to myself another song started and my body just started moving again. As long as those songs were playing, my body would move and I would tap into some reserve energy. I started making some mental connections about endurance and physical strength and childbirth and positive affirmations.

I realized after an hour of intense cardio workout that the upcoming 5K would be relatively easy. It would probably take me about 30 mins to run it and I just did double that with really no problem.

I remembered laboring for almost 48 hrs with Vince thinking how exhausted I was, but once he finally turned (from posterior to anterior) I tapped into some reserve energy which gave me 3 more hours of strength to push him out.

After these thoughts and experiences I went into the 5K knowing that I could do it even though I had only been running about 1-1.5 miles 2x a week for the past 6 wks or so. That realization alone was worth 2 wks or more of training for me! While I was running up hills during the race a small thought of "this is hard" would creep in and I could combat it with "yeah, but, I could do this for an hr. Remember the zumba class? Only 15 mins have gone by."

Running with family members/friends is really motivating too. As we passed each other on the course (there was a part when you turned around and went back the way you came) we called each other by name and said, "Good job, keep going" etc. That was so motivating!

Since running track in high school I learned that you pick up the pace on the last 100 meters and you sprint the last straightaway. After the mile 2 mark I tried to pick up my pace but, there were still lots of hills and I felt like I only had enough strength to keep my current pace and not stop. At this point some people had already finished running and were walking back to find family/friends to encourage them to keep going.

Even though I didn't spot Charlie among them, I knew the end was near. I thought about how essential it is to cheer each other on. We are all running in the race of life. In my mind's eye I saw that those on the sidelines were like our ancestors that have gone before and our unborn posterity. They are cheering us on. I felt of their strength. I started tearing up a bit and realized I had never felt the spirit so strongly when running b/c I honestly don't enjoy running THAT much.

I should note too that I forgot earphones for the iPod so I had to strap it to my arm and turn the volume up. Sometime just before mile 2 the shuffle got turned on and would play a song for about 5 seconds before going to the next b/c of me bouncing around so much. To be honest I was pretty frustrated about it, but looking back I realized that when I was trying to get it to work, I was distracted running up a couple hills and so I didn't have the thought that I wanted to stop. So, it not working turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

I finally saw Charles and Miah at the finish line and I was able to sprint until I crossed it. Unfortunately I didn't get my time b/c the chip fell off my shoe and I thought holding it in my hand would still get me my time, but the sensor was at our feet. I didn't even see the time as I crossed the finish line so all I have to go off of is that Charles said it was 33 mins.

My goal was to get under 30 mins but, those hills really slowed me down. Especially b/c I didn't train on hills. I really couldn't in Savannah, since there are none. All in all a wonderful experience. In Feb Charles will be running a half marathon on Tybee and I will do another 5K with the kids in the double jogging stroller. I'm looking forward to it!!!

Jeremiah won 1st place in his age group!

Babbles

Just this last week Vince has started "talking" much more. Strings of "da-da-da", "ma-ma-ma", and "ba-ba-ba" have been almost constant from him.

Today he was playing with the blinds. I saw him grab something and thrust his fist into his mouth. As soon as I said, "Chubba", he started laughing hysterically and was startled like he realized he had been caught. Sure enough, I found a leaf in his hand. It was so cute! I love watching his personality emerge.
He's making more attempts at crawling by getting on hands and knees at times, but he still can't figure out how to lunge forward. When he wants to move forward he gets back down on his belly, arches his back and kicks his legs. It's interesting how unique each child is. At this age, Azure was cruising around all the furniture.

He has been acting much more social and going to all 4 of his great grandparents, Aunt Tally, Uncle Angel, and of course Nana & Papa with little to no hesitation.

hAllOwEeN

We are not your cutesy we-all-have-coordinating-costumes-family. But, we have aspirations. Maybe some year. I have been a cholita (native Bolivian woman) for a few yrs now and Charles said he would not let me be that again.

Luckily we had dinner with some friends who happen to own A LOT of costumes and wigs and dress ups. One of their kids pulled out a mullet wig and put it on Charles. With his beard it looked pretty awesome. He said he had a pair of buck teeth and there you have it- with hardly any effort at all he had his costume, a red neck.

Then they said they had a kid's size extra large Power Ranger costume that they thought I would fit into. I haven't really gotten into dressing up for years so the prospect of dressing up in something ridiculous was actually pretty exhilarating. However, when I tried it on, I found it to be skin tight. It wouldn't really be appropriate for me to wear in public and especially NOT at our ward's trunk or treat, which was the only Halloween activity we had planned.

I should mention that I am really proud of the city of Savannah (despite the crime here) for holding a town meeting and deciding that the city would celebrate Halloween on Saturday and not on a Sunday. How awesome is that?! I love living where there are other Christians who value the importance of keeping the Sabbath day holy.

So, back to the Power Ranger costume. Maybe inappropriate to wear in public, but, not inappropriate to post pics on the blog right? Heehee :)

A redneck, a bear cub, and a mouse.

At the last minute of desperation I decided to be a pharmacist and wore Charles' coat and stethoscope. Lame, but, better than nothing.The trunk or treat. Our ward has a very small turnout for these.

Too busy eating her loot to pose for a pic with Tyla.
This is such a classic Vince face. He loves grabbing hair, especially mine or Azure's. This is his excited "Oh my gosh, hair!" face.

Afterwards we headed to a pumpkin patch to take pictures. I think the guy was somewhat annoyed that we only came to take pics without buying a pumpkin. Oh well.

We are mean parents and ate some of Azure's candy while she was in bed. We also have only let her eat a little at a time. Because we have always been sticklers with sweets she knows the drill. When she has just a little candy, she is extremely grateful. I like that. It has also been good to use her candy as bribery :) Works like a charm.And with the cooler temps we have busted out the feetie pajamas again. This blue one used to be Azure's. As I nursed Vince in the glider that night I put him in it, I had fond memories of sweet little Azure in Provo. They grow so fast!

Keep in mind it's bedtime here. Vince thinks this photo op is funny.
Okay, is it over? I'm hungry and tired.
Alright! I've had enough. It's time for bed!

Fall Festivities

I love when fall finally comes to Savannah and I get to wear pants again. I usually stop wearing pants late March, early April and don't wear them again until October. It's fun to pull out the "cooler weather wardrobe". Though it was 80' one day last week and Wednesday's high is 77'.

We've sung many rounds of Autumn Day as I taught it to the primary children and even brought "apples red, and apples yellow" for them. I love hearing the pop and crunch of acorns under my feet. Azure grabs handfuls every time we are outside. I will miss Savannah and all the oaks, the Spanish moss, the acorns, and the chirping squirrels. Yes, they chirp.

We went to a family owned farm where they had hayrides, pig races, a corn maze, a petting zoo, duck races, a cow train and bouncy houses. We went with Azure's 2 best friends and she loved every second of it.

BFFs on the hayride- Azure, (Isa)Bella, and Tyla

Do you see her absolute joy?

Look at his cute little tongue! He loves playing with my hair.

My fave shot of the day- Daddy and Vince in the corn maze.

Our ward also had it's annual Low Country Boil which sadly wasn't as good as the year before or even the year before that. But, always still a good time to hang out with friends when free food is involved.

Breakfast

I found a recipe for oatmeal pancakes. I like the simplicity of making a large mix and having it on hand.

Since Vince has pretty much outgrown eating in the Bumbo seat, he's taken over "Azure's chair". So, that means Azure now sits in a regular chair at the table. She is growing up!

9 months in, 9 months out

Though technically with Vince being 10 days "late" maybe he has been in longer than he's been out...

• My boy is growing like a weed. About a month ago I put a 9 mo outfit on him and it was a little tight. A week later I put it on and it fit fine. So, I wondered if he was finally reaching a plateau. Yesterday he had his 9 mo checkup and he is only 18 lbs 12 oz so I guess it's true. He's growing longer and proportioning out a bit. He's gained about a pound in 2 months.The little chunk just awaking from a cat nap
  
• Still only has 2 teeth

• LOVES taking baths with Azure! He splashes with his wide eyes and flailing arms. Azure did the same thing when she got excited so that is just what I'm used to. A few weeks ago a friend of mine laughed out loud when she saw Vince do this face when I pulled out his puffs to eat. She said she never saw a baby got so excited like that. I love my expressive children :)
  
  Look at his little teeth!
  

• We've started teaching him signs and he just laughs and laughs. Apparently I look pretty ridiculous when I teach signs.

• He rolls and squirms and grunts and whines when I lay him on the changing table for diaper changes. Sheesh! It's such an ordeal lately. I usually enlist Azure's help to keep him from rolling all around. She's such a great helper.

• He's getting a little more temperamental and fussy in general (I think b/c he still hasn't figured out how to crawl yet). I think his easy baby stage may be drawing to a close. Heaven help me!

• His sleep schedule has been a little out of whack for the past 4 wks now. It started when we had to wake him up at 6am to drop Charles off in Baxley. Ever since then he thinks he has to wake up early *sigh*. He usually falls asleep around 7pm and wakes up between 6:30-7am. I know, 12 hrs straight is still great. I just REALLY liked 13 hrs better.

He still smells like a baby to me and I can't help but inhale him and kiss his little head repeatedly multiple times a day. I'm somewhat glad that he isn't crawling yet as it prolongs his babyness a little more. We love our little "Vincey boy" (Azure's nickname for him). I've already forgotten what it was like to be a mother of just one.

The Haps around here

Charles is currently doing his 2nd rotation in Baxley, GA which is 2 hrs away. Instead of a daily 4 hr commute for him, I've been dropping him off on Monday mornings and picking him up Thursday afternoons. His preceptor and his wife have so graciously taken him into their home and have fed him some amazing southern eats. And he's given him Fridays off.

We're glad we get him for a 3 day weekend, but it has been somewhat of an adjustment not having him here Mon-Wed. I have nothing to complain about compared to military wives. Since there is a base here in Savannah, we have many friends who are in the military and I don't know how they do it when their husbands deploy.

The first week Daddy was gone Azure and I made Halloween sugar cookies. (Thanks Grandma Jo for the cookie cutters.) It was quite the ordeal making these cookies. Even though they were yummy I think we'll only be making sugar cookies 1-2x a year for my own sanity :) I really need to work on having patience in the kitchen with children who want to "help". Hopefully by the time I'm a grandmother I will be more patient and willing to always bake cookies with my grandchildren.

We definitely had fun licking the beaters together though. I can NOT look at these pictures without laughing hysterically. She is so funny!



I love these pics of Azure feeding Vince. She is so pleased with herself :)

Holy Mangoes!

Our ward had our Primary Presentation on Sun. Oct. 24. All in all it was a wonderful experience. As soon as the kids got up on the stage, tears filled my eyes. Didn't help that the Primary President who is also a crier started off the program, choking back tears. The children were reverent and sang beautifully. They did sing very quiet, but, the spirit was strong nonetheless.

Azure sang in the program even though she is still in the nursery. We planned for all the kids moving up to Primary to sing in it too. Azure and one of her best friends, Bella were the only ones from nursery that sang. Azure knew all the words to almost every song since she had been practicing with me at home and in the car. She even did crescendos! One of our friends said she was the star performer since she was being so dramatic. I love that she is so expressive. I am so proud of her! Here are my 2 cuties after church:

He looks like such a little man in his plaid button up shirt!
Big Sister, Little Brother matching shirts

As our time is drawing to a close here in Savannah, we've been having dinners with people we've always wanted to but, haven't had a chance to until now. I love having dinner with friends. But, I admit that when I am the hostess I get incredibly stressed out about it. Another thing to work on: savoring the moments of dinner/party prep.