It's a Wonderful Run

We headed up to Bedford Falls (aka Seneca Falls) in early December for their It's a Wonderful Run 5k that has been held since 2009.  This was my 3rd year participating in the event and my mom, dad and hubby joined me along with Critter in her first 5k.  We all walked it together.  

 We made it to town early so that we could send out our holiday cards with a special post mark that they only use for the weekend of the event.  There is even a little parade through town that has the characters from the movie It's a Wonderful Life.  I was issued a ticket from the cop in the movie for having a "baby in shirt."  So many people said she was so cute and I guess (I can never see her little face when I am holding her).  I had her in my carrier and zipped my coat around her in addition to having a blanket wrapped around her.  It was a warm for December day in the upper 40's.

 We had lunch at a local restaurant and then it was time for the 5k.  We got all kinds of lit up since the race starts at 4:40 and it gets dark shortly after.  My dad had a blast using my Prep & Landing trees.  He kept saying, "hold on a minute, I have to direct traffic."  This for the lines at the port-o-potties (everyone had started by now and we were at the back with walkers and dogs).  Then after the race while I was feeding Critter in the car and they were hanging on the sidewalk when group of people would walk by.

 The race starts by going across the bridge that George Bailey jumped off in the movie.  We even saw a few people dressed up in more than Santa hats and such this year.  We saw an Elf on the Shelf, a Snow Man, Gingerbread Boy and a tree.

 It was a beautiful night for a stroll with my family and my mom enjoyed a quick little rest at one of the homes along the course that had a tiki bar set up and had their little set up all tropical.

The BoB stroller

Thanksgiving morning we got up early (well, at the same time we have been) and volunteered at our local Turkey Trot.  It was the first time Critter went in the jogging stroller (not for a jog but just to hang out).  She loved it and the fact that she got to sit "big girl" style (not in a car seat) meant she could see the world.  Papa Bear had fun pushing her around while we waited for the race to start and then we parked ourselves on the course and directed runners at the split for the long run and the fun run.  

We had great weather and I am so happy my little Critter loves the stroller.  We will be going for walks once the weather stops being so rainy and come spring she will be ready for running.  We have volunteered at the split for at least the past 10 years and look forward to many more years with Critter helping out now too!

Pre-Marathon Tips and Tricks

So you've done all you can do to prep for and train for a marathon and the big day arrives.  To help make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible (except the weather--you cannot control that) here are some things I've figured out over the years.  Some might work for you, others might not.  Of course, there might be even a few things I forgot or that I haven't thought of.  In no particular order:
1.)  A night light.  Yup, you might be taking on that marathon in the morning but tonight you are staying at a hotel and no one wants to go blind in the middle of the night from all that hydration by turning on the bathroom light.
2.) Stay off the painted lines in the road. Those little buggers get slippery when they are wet and can be a little slippery even when the roads are dry.
3.)  If you have to go potty at the start try to skip the first bank of port-a-potties if you can and wait for the second group of them.  Everyone seems to stop at the first group so if you can hold it for a few more miles you won't be waiting in line while minutes tick by.
4.)  Wear gear that you've worn for a long run before.
5.)  You just might want to hang onto that long sleeve shirt you planned to toss if the weather is on the chilly and possibly rainy side.  Tie it around your waist for later.  About 20 miles in you might want that shirt if the winds kick up and it starts raining.
6.)  Bring clothes you don't mind getting rid of.  Over sized sweat pants and a beat up old shirt will help keep you warm while you wait at the start.  I cannot stress enough the over sized sweat pants because you *will* have to pull them off over your shoes.  Go buy a cheap pair at Wal-Mart if you have to.
7.)  Speaking of keeping warm one of those disposable ponchos are the best for the start.  It acts like a wind breaker, keeps you toasty warm and dry.  If you don't think about this a garbage bag works just as well but it isn't as awesome.
8.)  Bring a towel or old blanket to sit on in the corral/start area.  You might be sitting around for a while before the start.  Why stand when you can sit but the ground can be chilly/damp in those early morning hours.  Plus you can use it to stretch on as well.

Crazy, have a kid, become insanely crazy

So Crazy for me started in middle school when I decided to run cross country and didn't know a single person on the team--paired with the fact that not a single person in my family runs.   All throughout high school I could never understand why people would want to run a marathon.  I mean, it's really far.  The idea of me running a marathon started to form in my freshman year of college and then I read about the Disney marathon that handed out candy at mile 22, took my first trip to Disney for spring break with the track team and became an addict.  That trip to Disney convinced my family that I *needed* to run a marathon and it would be Disney.  Yes, let's go to Disney and run a marathon without running a half marathon first to see what it is like and do no training other than what you run for your college team workouts.  Whoops!

first marathon

It didn't matter that I was exhausted and sore beyond belief.  I loved it and was hooked.  It was fun and I would sign up for more of that kind of crazy for the next 10 years--with the addition of a half marathon then a marathon.  I started to see the Ultra Runners as the ones that were crazy.  Who wants to run more than a marathon?

Apparently, marathons aren't enough for me anymore.  In some form of sleep deprivation and the need to feel like "me" again I decided that I was going to run an Ultra Marathon (anything that is over marathon distance).  Yeah, that's right.  I signed up for an ultra.  Apparently running is the only time that I feel like I have my stuff together so I figured if I run really far then I will really have it together.  My support crew (aka Mom) is already on board for this crazy adventure that will be 12 hours of running the same 1 mile loop over and over again.  I can run as much or as little as I want.  There is a bathroom and aide station every mile.  Will it be boring? Maybe.  Will it be fun?  Perhaps.  Who am I kidding--with mom involved it is always fun.  So on May 14th I will be running Mind The Ducks.  No idea how to train for this but I am thinking I've got a good start with my Goofy training that I do every year.

Body 4 months Post Baby

Don't hate on me for this post but Critter hit the 4 month mark and I am down to my pre-pregnancy weight.  Before you get all upset about that (I know, I know, it takes people years to lose the baby weight) let me also say that although I am at pre-pregnancy weight I am not at pre-pregnancy shape.

My belly is a little pouch still so my clothes still don't fit (except my sweatpants, I am living in sweatpants and I love it--so comfy).  My hair is still shedding like crazy---apparently it will peak the shed between 4-6 months (fingers crossed we are on the down side and can stop feeling like Cousin It from the Adams Family lives with us with all the hair everywhere!).  Other than my belly, everything else is the same.  Maybe the belly pouch is thanks to my diet that consists of 2 crispy chicken sandwiches, medium fries and medium strawberry lemonade 2 days a week from Wendy's or the fact that on my day off from running I just devoured the Wendy's meal for lunch and polished off the day with 2 burgers from Don's Original after a bagel and cereal for breakfast and almost half a bag of ginger snap cookies. Hungry all the time.

Running post baby was hard at first but now it is going extremely well.  I am cruising through my workouts faster than the paces I trained at 2 years ago and feeling great.  Thanks to my support crew (aka my mom) I am able to get out and do all my runs for sanity hour(s).

It's not passion, it's obsession

You know that you love something when it slowly takes over.  We aren't talking the grass growing in the garden because you love the green summer brings.  We are talking about stuff taking over your house, magazines and books about what you love and of course, your thoughts continually drifting back to what you've accomplished and how you are going to accomplish what is next.  

When your laundry room floor looks like a shoe store you might be a bit obsessed.  Especially if you own more than one pair of the same shoe.  The floor isn't all that has been taken over.  The shelf above the laundry is filled with bins of hats, gloves and mittens plus my jackets and hydration pack that is hanging out in the sink.  

But wait, there's more.  The linen closet that is filled with your running clothes.  Tanks, shorts, long sleeve techs, long sleeve cottons, capris, leggings, pants, tech shirts, socks, compression sleeves... and the office closet is full of SparkleSkirts because they are seriously the most comfortable thing you've ever run in and you enjoy looking good while logging all those miles.  

You have to have all the right gear if you want to pursue your passion obsession.  Your office is a shrine to your running accomplishments and where you plan your next adventure.  Those medals are stuffed in a drawer cause you haven't had the time to get another curtain rod to hang them on since getting in those miles is more important than putting another hole in the wall.  

 How do you find the time to get all this done and the energy?  Well, I used to eat all kinds of gels and gu's--even for some of my shorter runs until I found RunGum.  It gives me the little bit of extra that I need without all the extras that I don't need.  Because we all are obsessed with something, why not go the extra mile and pursue that passion.  Plus, this little face is waiting for me when I get home (and can't wait until she's a little bigger to join me in the stroller until she can go on her own adventures).

Scarrier Games

On Tuesday, October 27 there was a full moon and it was pretty close to Halloween.  A local running store called Med Ved hosted the Scarrier Games.  It was basically 75 minutes of scavenger hunt where you had challenges and check points to earn points for your team.  We didn't really have to find anything but actually run to destinations and take photos to prove our team was there.  I was on the team Social Butterflies.  It was with 3 women dressed with wings and Pinterest/FB/Instagram pinned on their shirts (social media).  I was with 2 fellow MRTT momma's and a random guy that needed a team.  We had a lot of fun touring the town to find the places.  Teams got points if they were dressed in costume, wearing Saucony or weartesting their shoes and for bringing a toy for the Pirate Toy thing.

I am located in the top left next to the guy with the shaved head in blue.

 The night started with a team member being sacrificed for an eating challenge.  I was the winner of the sacrifice because of BF'ing Critter and being hungry all the time.  So after 3 powdered donut holes we were ready for our photo hunt.  I should mention that dinner involved 2 Crispy Chicken sandwiches, medium fries and a strawberry lemonade from Wendy's in the car on the way over.

 We had our photo taken with the Chef at the pizza place next to the running store before going to the plaza sign where the running store is located.  All of our checkpoints and challenges needed to be posted to the stores web page.  and doing tree pose at the yoga place Breathe in the village.

 Our hunt involved 2 cemeteries and a "lone tomb" that was a plastic one with a gorilla that jumped out at us along the canal path.  We did the one challenge (those were optional) where we found a stranger to sing the Monster Mash with us.  I was hoping to do some trick-or-treating but with 75 minutes and about 6 miles of running it wasn't really possible since we had to stay together.

We had a blast getting to run around town and do wacky things.  After they had pizza and beer at the store but I needed to get going so I could shower and take care of Critter who was once again a good girl getting a stroller ride in the fresh air compliments of my mom who continues to let me do all these crazy things and keep running.

Ready, but NOT

We woke up to that dirty little 4 letter word that starts with S the other day.  It was icky and called snow.  Yup, it happened in October this year.  I am ready for the weather meaning I have the gear but I am NOT ready for the months of endless cold that are to follow.  

 In my laundry room, which is adjacent to our garage door entrance, I store my running gear that is for as you head out the door.  Meaning hats, gloves, jackets and shoes.  My actually running clothes are in the upstairs linen closet--yup, a whole closet devoted to my running gear and the office closet devoted to Sparkle Skirts (spoiled in closet space and running gear).

 I have my reflective vests and bright jackets hanging on a hook over the laundry tub sink. My visors are clothes pinned to the front of my storage bins.  I have 3 bins.  One holds all of my gloves and mittens.  That's a lot of gloves and mittens but when you think about how I have fat ones, thin ones, warm ones and cool ones so I am set for all kinds of weather from fall to spring.

 Another bin holds all my hats and ear bands.  I have a lot of ear bands and it all depends on the weather what one I will wear.  They get tossed in the wash all the time so it is necessary to have many. When they become "tattered" they become throw away gear for a chilly morning at Disney.

 The last bin holds things I don't need on a daily basis in the winter or summer months.  This includes my hand held water bottle, head lamps, reflective slap bracelets and bandanas along with extra visors and hats.

 The last thing that is by the door is my shoe collection.  When my shoes get old I hang onto them for an especially rainy day when I don't want my good training shoes soaked.  I will also use an older but not "dead" pair of shoes for putting my yak trax over so the salt doesn't completely destroy a good pair I need for the marathon and a half.

While I am not mentally ready to admit that winter is on the way I am prepared with my running gear to keep getting out the door.

weekly recap (it's about time)

I've been back running for a while now and things are going well.  I just started workouts in my training cycle as I prepare for Goofy race #11.  Last week I ran a total of 38 miles and 2 workouts plus 4 easy days.  I nailed my workouts too!  I was scheduled for my first "long run" but I felt cruddy so I bailed and just did some easy miles.

Sunday--the long run I bailed on and opted for an easy 4.
Monday--track workout where I did 7x600meters with 400 between and then wrapped up with a 400
Tuesday--day off from running
Wednesday-- a 5 mile tempo run in an average of 8:04 pace and a total of 7 miles for the day
Thursday--easy 4 miles
Friday--easy 8 miles
Saturday--long run of 8 miles and average of 8:32 pace

My paces are faster than the plan calls for but I know that will settle down as the miles pile up a bit more.  For now I am just generally tired but happy to be getting out for runs.

Dairy Free

So Critter has been kind of fussy after feedings and often spitting up curdled milk 30 minutes to hours after each feeding.  She sounded "wheezy"  a lot of the time like boogers were stuck in her throat.  Dr.Google to the rescue I found out that it *might* be a dairy intolerance/allergy.  Her symptoms fit and the only way to know for sure would be for me to eliminate dairy from my diet.  Yah, that sounds like fun for the girl who will easily drink 3 gallons of milk by herself in a week plus yogurt and string cheese daily.  I have very strong bones and the one time I ended up with a running stress fracture it was almost healed completely 1 week after not running when I finally was able to see the doctor.

Well, I bit the bullet and cut dairy from my diet and knew it could take up to 2 weeks for the protein in cows milk to be eliminated from my body completely and to see results in Critter.  If you are wondering a dairy allergy/intolerance is different than a lactose allergy/intolerance.  There is a protein in cow milk that is different than lactose so even if a food is lactose free it does not mean that it is dairy free.  Shopping has been interesting and I've become an expert label reader.  About 2 days later she was a happier baby and I haven't looked back.  She still gets a lot of mucus but I guess that is just her.  She is significantly less fussy after all feedings and will actually konk out after most of them in a matter of 15 minutes instead of fussing for an hour or more.
Has this been hard for me, YES!  Is it worth it?  YES!  And even better news I can try to add dairy back into my diet when she approaches 6 months and most likely she will have outgrown the intolerance.  If I were to continue eating dairy she might continue to have the intolerance/allergy for a long time or never outgrow it so it is a win/win in my book.  Well, other common allergies are nuts and wouldn't you know that she doesn't tolerate nuts well either.  I love me some PB sandwiches (I was eating 3-4 a day) but she would have puffy/red eyes and be awake for a while after I had one so I eliminated nuts as well.  I eat foods that may have traces of dairy or nuts, meaning they were processed on shared equipment because the intolerance isn't that bad but as a rule I try to not have any.
I never realized how much a mom is willing to do or give up for her own child(ren) until Critter.  Now I get it and can never say thank you enough to my own mom for everything she has done and sacrificed for me and continues to do and sacrifice.  (giving up free time to watch Critter so I can go running).

I Don't Love Every Minute

So many people have said, "love every minute" or, "enjoy every minute."  OK, but guess what.  I don't love every minute of being a mom.  Don't get me wrong, there are many moments that I love it and I wouldn't trade my little Critter for anything.  Here are some of those I don't love this moment parts of my day--and I highly doubt anyone with kids ever looks back at the "baby" stage and says, "give me some more of those minutes please!"
Being awake at 3am with Critter because she was hungry and then doesn't want to go back to sleep because she has the hiccups which then cause her to spit up all over me.  Can't exactly say that I love being out of my cozy warm bed where I was sleeping to find spit up dripping down my hand.  But I do love that look on her face other days at 3am when she is getting burped, wraps her hands around my wrist and squeezes (almost like a little hug) and kind of half smiles at me as she drifts off to sleep happy and content.
I am not a fan of witching hour, which is a lie because it lasts for hours.  Every evening for weeks it has lasted from about 6pm until 11:30--sometimes not ending until 1am!   It doesn't matter what I do she fusses, cries and acts like a spaz.  Totally need more spaz memories in my mind to remember fondly someday when I look back.  Oh, and wanting to eat but then screaming at me when I offer her food because she'd rather scream and cry real tears.  However, I will take more of the daytime smiles and endless snuggles on the couch where she naps happily on my chest.  Those little cooing noises when she is awake and we are chittering at each other and I get that Critter Chitter going.
What I am trying to say here is that there are many moments where I just really don't love being a mom.  It doesn't make me a bad person--it makes me human.  I know that someday I will look back at this time in my life and miss it. But I will probably be thinking of the little snuggles, toothless gum smiles and little "hugs" instead of the spit-up and sleeplessness. I may laugh at some major poopie diaper explosion someday but at the time I am changing it not so funny.  We have a way of forgetting some of the more "unpleasant" parts of life and remembering with great fondness the happy parts.  Just like with running I tend to forget the tough workouts where I feel like trash and remember the days where everything just felt perfect, like I could run forever.  Being a mommy is probably just like going for a run in many ways. I am going to have good days and bad days, where I struggle because "nothing" seems to be going well (even if there are small parts that are good--there always are) but the good days make it more than worth it.

Meeting an Olympian

Fleet Feet hosted an event where you could go for a short run--2 miles maybe? with an Olympian. I signed up and of course brought my mom and Critter.  Mom pushed Critter around in the stroller then entertained her in the car while I ran and listened to the Q & A session.  We met Nick Symmonds, 800 meter runner and creator of RunGum.  Let's just say he is super fast--running his 800 in the time it takes me to run a 400 during marathon training track workouts.  Yes, 1:42 is fast folks.  He invented RunGum during one of his breaks between seasons/training cycles while sitting around for a month doing nothing but some active recovery that involves fishing and hiking.

 It was a chilly evening but perfect for a run.  It had been raining almost all day so it was a welcome evening when the rain ended and we had a dry run.  Nick said he liked my pants.  Thank you Sparkle Skirts for making the amazing JellyBean Mudd Buster Capris that are my go to fall running gear.  Nick is sponsored by Brooks so I guess it is a good thing I also wore my Brooks shoes and vest.

After the run and before we headed inside for the Q & A session I was able to stop him for a quick photo with Critter--because everyone brings their 2 month old out for a run with an Olympian.  The other neat part of the event was the Monroe Milers were there--a group of kids that choose to train for a 5k and get together to run as a group twice a week.  Thank you Fleet Feet for hosting such a great event and I look forward to attending other events like this in the future if Critter is willing to continue to cooperate and mom is willing to continue to put up with my CraZy.

2 Months post baby

Well, Critter is 2 months old and doing well.  I am doing well and the running is getting back on track (finally--breathe a sigh of relief).  Yes, I go out running most days and love it.  Am I  tired, you better believe it but am I skipping that run--most days no!  I need that run to feel like myself again.  It is a great break from everything at home and I just need that 30-90 minutes to recharge my batteries.

 I spend most of my day wither Critter attached to me in some way or another.  Whether I am carrying her around in the moby wrap or holding her in my arms.  She is a little snuggler and I know that this won't last forever.  I try to enjoy as many snuggles as I can but let's be honest I love to move so getting out the door keeps the crazy away for me.  With all the carrying of Critter my arms are getting quite strong and I am doing quite a few squats when I bend to pick stuff up while holding her--work those leg muscles!

 I am still up 6 pounds and have a little belly that sticks out but it is getting better.  I just really need to start doing some ab work but I've slacked on that.  Manfriend still tells me daily that I am beautiful and amazing so I guess it doesn't bother him at all.  He doesn't care that I wear the same pairs of black sweatpant capris everyday with the same rotation of t-shirts while my hair is continually up in a  messy clip.  Speaking of hair, when does the hair shedding stop?  Seriously.  Showering I pull out strands upon strands of hair and then again when I comb my hair.  I feel like I might go bald.

So, that is where I am 2 months after Critter decided to have a birthday.  I cannot believe I have a 2 month old.  She amazes me everyday and I cannot believe how big she is getting.  It really is amazing to see her grow and change.  

New Brooks Gear--yes please!

I kind of wore the treads down quite a bit on my old shoes but wasn't ready to admit that I needed to buy new shoes because let's face it, they are pricey and I like the neutral cushy shoes that tend to cost the most.  Well, zulilly had a sale on Brooks gear and I love me some Brooks gear.
Last year I got to test out some mitten/glove combo apparel at a group run at a local running store.  I loved them but not the $50 price tag.  Hooray for me getting them half price.  They also have a light on them for running in the dark since we all know that winter running often happens in dark or getting dark hours.  Added bonus they are neon orange with reflective piping.  The orange mitten part flips back and tucks into the wristband pocket so it isn't flapping around when you get toasty.  These also have the thumb that flips open as well so you can start chilly and "peel" off a layer as you get warm.  A key to winter running--dressing in layers!

 I already own the neon yellow jacket that I purchased several years ago.  I bawlked at the price then and still do now, but considering it is one item that I wear almost daily for 5 months of the year and it is beyond comfortable compared to other windbreaker jackets I've owned it is worth the investment.  I kept staring at the hot pink vest for when it is chilly but not enough for a jacket and Manfriend decided that had to go into the cart for me.  "Babe, you love running and will use it.  You're getting it."  At least he understands my obsession with running.  And the last item to drop into my cart was  a pair of new shoes.

These are the Brooks Launch.  I had the opportunity to be a wear tester for these shoes a few years ago before they were released to the public and loved them.  I love my Green Silence more but since those are long gone/discontinued I went back to an old favorite.  I really like the fact that they haven't changed anything about the shoes with each model upgrade other than color.  The groove pattern on the sole is the same along with the placement of stitching and design elements on the shoe upper.  

Trail Running Film Festival

Awhile ago our local Fleet Feet sent out an e-mail and had it listed as an even on their Facebook page that a Trail Running Film Festival movie would be in Rochester.  I asked Manfriend about it and we decided to have a date night.  It was our first night away from Critter other than when she was still in the hospital.  My mom was our fantastic baby sitter and we knew she was in great hands.  

 Manfriend splurged and got us the VIP tickets that came with a swag bag.  All the money raised from the ticket sales went to our local county parks that host a bunch of trail events for runners.  It was a win-win.  I ended up with some great running stuff.  Our VIP also came with a free beer from ROC Brewing.  We both had the Badass Pale Ale.

 Our VIP bags had our names on them and most of the bags were pretty much the same with a few small differences.  We also were given a raffle ticket that they did during intermission since several short films were shown and it was a 3 hour event.  Raffle items were 4 pairs of shoes, shirts, socks, race entries and such.  And they were not stingy on the quantity of raffles.  Of course a pair of shoes ended up being the raffle ticket number smack dab between our two.

 Above is my swag bag items.  A pair of Brooks compression type socks, some lock laces, adidas sweat band things, a saucony beverage warmer and a metal camping style nike trail running coffee mug filled with 2 gu's and some gels.  Also a sticker and air freshener.

 I have never used lock laces for my shoes but think I might give them a try.  I know they are awesome in a Sparkle Skirt as a drawstring so you don't have to tie/untie.  Below are my Brooks socks.  I went for a run in them the other day and they are comfy and so soft. They compress slightly but not as much as my sleeves.  I see these enjoying many fall and winter runs to keep my a little warmer and add some support as my runs get longer.

 My Gu selection involved some chocolate sea salt and maple bacon.  Interesting idea to eat maple bacon on the run.  I think that might get given to someone else.  I also got a variety of sport beans.  Manfriend got the same stuff but no maple bacon flavored gu's.

 Below is Manfriends swag bag (aka mine now :) ).  He got the same things but a metal trail running water bottle instead of a mug.  Each bag also contained some shoe laces.

 The films were awesome and I enjoyed the inspiration that they provided to help kick some of my running into gear.  Rainshadow running presented the film festival.  I enjoyed the short documentary about the 5k-ish race up Mt. Marathon in Alaska.  It was called 3022.  The other one I really liked was Run for Colin about a guy that ran the entire Pacific Coast trail to raise awareness.  It was a great night out and much needed for both of us.

What my day looks like lately

It's almost 3am and I can hear Critter starting to stir in the bassinet next to me.  I get up with her, change the diaper and feed her.  She is wide awake and "witching."  Critter will not go back to sleep so we hang out together with me singing songs, snuggling and just doing whatever to keep her somewhat soothed.  It's almost 4am and I am hungry so we are downstairs and I am shoving a Luna bar in my mouth while trying to keep her calm.  Eventually she spits up some stuff and stops "witching" but refuses to sleep.  Approaching 6am she is hungry again and we've been up since about 3.  I change the diaper and feed her.   She is out for the count before I have her swaddled up.  I put her back in the bassinet and change into my running clothes--leaving Manfriend to tend to her should she start to fuss.  He has been asleep through all of this.  

My Goofy training plan is in place and it starts in a few days so right now I just do what I feel and whatever pace I want.  This particular day I am happy because I was feeling speedy and went faster than the construction traffic cone dropping vehicle.  Upon returning home I grab a bowl of cereal, put dishes away from last night.  I brew a cup of decaf pumpkin coffee because I love pumpkin everything and just love the smell of coffee and holding the warm cup.  The house is quiet.  While eating breakfast I check e-mails, blog or play on Facebook so I can check in with the group I admin. 

About 7:45 I head upstairs to take a quick shower.  If it is a Tuesday or Friday I also clean the bathroom.  Critter is starting to stir so I change her diaper and feed her about 8:30.  We head downstairs for the day and I make Manfriend a lunch if we don't have leftovers from dinner the night before.  Somedays my mom stops over and I go grocery shopping or run an few errands.  Other days I might go over to my mom and dad's and then run my errands.  Somewhere between 2 and 3 hours later Critter is hungry again so we do the changing of the diaper and feed her.  

Around noon I am hungry again so I make a peanut butter sandwich with goldfish crackers and put Critter down for a little bit so I can eat and check e-mails and Facebook plus read some blogs.  She has been held by me almost non-stop since her 8/8:30 feeding.  If it is a Wednesday I vacuum the house (also done as needed other days) and if it is a Monday or Thursday I clean the kitchen.  If she is still sleeping we will blog, edit photos or just read news stories out loud.  

She stirs and we do the whole diaper/feed her thing again and then plop our bums on the couch for an afternoon of reading.  We have been reading chapter books out loud to her.  I will read for about 2-3 hours depending on how long she goes between feedings.  Other days I put on music and sing along while laying on the couch with her snuggled up.  We also toss in some tummy time just as she is starting to stir about 3 times a day.  

About 5:30/6 she gets another diaper change and fed before Manfriend comes home.  When he comes home he is "on duty" while I make dinner, put laundry away or do laundry.  We have dinner together and she sleeps in her bassinet.  He may or may not snuggle with her after dinner (sometimes he has to do more work from home).  I wash the dishes and finish up some chores in the house and get in more Critter snuggles.  

It's approaching 8:30pm and I change her diaper and feed her again.  She fusses a little after so I snuggle with her until she is asleep.  I put her in the basinet next to me and go to bed about 9:30pm.  If she is still fussing at this point I hand her off and Manfriend takes her until 11 when I will feed her again unless she is sleeping in which case I let her go until 12:30am and wake her if she hasn't stirred on her own.