6 Months!

I just sit here in awe that I am already writing this post.  I simply am dumbfounded with how fast Evie's first year is literally racing past me.  Where does the time go?  It is so true that the days crawl by but the years fly.  In 6 more months my little baby will be 1.  Goodness.

The past month has been great and challenging.  Evie got her first two teeth this past month!  They are so cute and I just love them.  When she smiles and laughs I just love to see those two little bottom teeth buds poking through.  She got them relatively early all things considered and unfortunately the great teething journey has begun in earnest. Her sleep has gone terribly south and I tend to dread the night times these days.

Evie loves to talk and giggle, especially with her sister.  Lily is absolutely the most entertaining and funny person in the bunch.  I think it is a great source of pride for Lily because Evie just lights up whenever she comes into the room.  There will be days when Evie will cry the moment Lily leaves the room.  It makes my heart smile.  How precious to have the bonds of sisterhood already.  I cannot wait to see it transform!

Evie is taking her time on the moving front.  A month ago I was convinced that I would have a non stop roller on my hands by now, but such is not the case.  She has all the ability to roll both directions, but is just not in a hurry to do it consistently.  Its funny because she wants to move so badly.  She spends most of her days kicking, jumping and frantically moving her bottom half.  I keep telling her, "start rolling babe and you can get places!"

She just discovered her toes today!  I came into the living room to find her on her back in "happy baby" pose.  Its too bad that it is so cold that I can't leave her feet uncovered so that she can play with her toes.

One of the things that I just love about this little girl is her absolute confidence with anyone that will hold her.  She is so social and loves people.  Complete strangers have held her for me and she is content to smile at them (given she can see me!).  The other day we had a bunch of people over and I attempted to put her down to nap.  She was not happy about it, but the second everyone left she conked out completely.  Little social butterfly.  This past weekend Evie got to spend some quality playtime with her cousin Elly.  Such cuties.

We have just recently started rice cereal.  She loves it!

I put off starting her on it because I am just not ready to begin the "weaning" process.  Its such a bittersweet thing.  I want her to grow and learn to eat her fruits and veggies, but I have loved the nursing relationship that we have.  Since starting her on food, I have this new reality, that everyday I am closer to that last day of breastfeeding.  She is taking to food like a champ and I think I am going to have to really work hard to keep the breastfeeding up to the year mark.  Boo.....

Evie is a content little lady and willingly goes anywhere.  She still loves to sleep in the jogger and is only too happy to get bundled up in 4 layers when her crazy mother goes running in 15 degree weather.

 

Dear Little Evie Bee, this month has been kind of a hard month for me.  You have grown and changed so much and I see the tiny little baby you were slipping away.  Its a good thing, but you are just growing so fast. You are beautiful little girl and joyful.  I pray that life would never steal those things from you.  Every month has made me love you more little girl and I want you to know how important you are to me.  I wish I could squeeze you hard enough to show you how much I love you.  You are a light in my life.

I love you little one, Happy half year!

Sub Zero Sub Two

So I have been a runner for many years.  I started running in high school and the hobby just stuck.  The running high that it gives me is indescribable and it is much cheaper than therapy.  Since running I have done many races many of which have been half marathons.  With every half marathon, I have always had times just over 2 hours. 2:02, 2:04, 2:11, 2:07, 2:01.  I have never been able to crack the 2 hour barrier.  Running for a time goal is not really enjoyable to me because I run for fun.  If it ceases to be enjoyable, I hate it, but this is one time goal that I have been determined to do.  Just once.

6 months after having a baby might, to many, have been too soon to attempt such a goal, but I have been in a different physical and mental place since delivering Evie.  That experience changed how I see myself and has completely altered my perception of whats possible.  I AM STRONG.  I can do anything that I put my mind too.  I was going to break that barrier.

Of course, the temperatures out here in Denver have been miserably cold.  Goodness. And yesterday was no exception.  We woke up to -6 and come start time at the Fa La Half Marathon it was a balmy 0.  We huddled in the car until right before the start.  When it was time we strapped on our Vibrams, put on our hats and gloves and braced for the cold.

Bob was amazing and paced for me.  Basically what that means is that I just needed to stay with him and let him get me across the finish.  I didn't have to worry about time, pace, distance, food or water, he did it all.  What an amazing husband I have.  He was encouraging and uplifting.  He held me back when I pushed too hard, and pushed me when I started fading.  HE WAS AWESOME!

The snowy trail was perfect and with only a couple hundred runners it was open and spacious.  Sure my butt, legs, arms and wrists were frozen, but it was a beautiful run.

I felt so strong the entire time.  When we headed back towards the finish lineI knew I had it.  I pushed a little bit harder, and passed a few of those runners I had followed for 11 miles.  This was my time, my race.  Nothing is stopping me now!

I crossed the finish line at 1:56:11 and felt AMAZING!  I had done it, and done it well.  I saw my girls at the finish line and smiled.  How special for them to see their mother accomplish her goal.  I hope they know what I have just begun to learn.  Strength of mind, strength of character, strength of will and strength of heart give you a beauty time can't take away.  The strong woman is a beautiful one.