Things I Thought, "that's stupid, I'm not doing that."

There are things that I would see people (parents) do that I thought to myself, or even said out loud, "that's stupid.  I don't know why they do that.  I would never do that."  And here I am doing that.  In no particular order:
*talking in that baby voice.  Thought it was stupid until Critter responded to it and it's tough not to do when you get those smiles and giggles.
*smelling their rear end to see if they went potty.  Sniffing is more of a confirmation of that fart was something more or sometimes to see if they peed since diapers are squishy and bulky to start and you'd rather not have to strip the kiddo down to find out they didn't go in the first place.
*wiping drool/spit-up on your shirt sleeve.  That was always gross to me but with my own kid it's not so bad and you do what you have to.
*get excited for small things.  Other people had kids and would be excited because they rolled over.  Big deal  was all I could think but now that I have a little of my own it's those little things and they are huge deals.  They are major milestones and worthy of celebrations--even if it is dairy free ice cream after the kiddo goes to bed and a high five with your Manfriend.
*making sure bedtime is a certain time and not really wanting to be flexible on that.  Totally get it now. Avoid the major tears and screaming followed by over-tired party animal that doesn't want to sleep and then when they finally sleep not sleeping very long.
*wanting a mini-van.  Well, in all honesty I kind of want one and wanted one before having our Critter.  I have done a few relay running races and mini-van was way more practical than the Suburban.  So before even having Critter I started wanting a mini-van.  If Subaru made a mini-van I'd be all over that since I love my Subaru.
*time is going by so fast.  It does and I get it now.  Don't even go there.
I am sure there are other things missing from my list that have crossed my mind over the past almost 9 months (Critter is growing up so fast!).

If Crocs made Running Shoes...

I have long joked that if Crocs made running shoes I'd buy them.  And I was very serious.  I love my Crocs and own over 30 pairs (they aren't all just those hole filled beach ones either!).  Well, I have heard great things about a brand of shoes called Altra and was wanting to try them.  They boast of a roomy toe box (love that about my crocs, no squished toes) and being a minimalist shoe (I love my minimalist shoes with a 4mm heel/toe drop or less).  Well, someone in a running group was selling a pair in my size and with shipping I figured the price was right to give them a try.

 I headed out the door on an easy run day and took the pink puke peptobismal colored shoes for a 6 miler.  Oh my gosh I fell in love with the shoes within minutes.  It felt like running in Crocs without the heel slippage.  My feet were very happy.  At the end of my run I had to take a little pause and wait for those creatures to cross the road so I could finish up my run.  Yup, two deer crossing the road.  This happens regularly by the way.

 So these are my "new" shoes and I love them.  They have very minimal decoration/details on the toes and it is like wearing a sock with a hard bottom.  The pink across the toes is rubber and across the top of the foot is mesh.  Wearing the shoes is like walking around without shoes because they are that comfy and un-restrictive.  Oh, and that little dot on my right leg is a lovely scar from the Disney bus marathon morning this year.

Looking forward to more training runs with my Altras and hopefully finding another pair or two in the near future.  I will definitely want to go to the store and try on several of their different types to find one that I "love" but these are pretty amazing.

Fashion Night

So on Friday, April 1 I went to Fashion Night at our local Fleet Feet store.  Tickets were $20 or you could get a VIP ticket for $30.  With your ticket you were given $20 off any apparel purchase that night after the event and the proceeds from the event went to our local Children's Hospital--win/win!  I splurged and went for the swag bag--it was all going to charity anyways and I would get some extra goodies out of it plus front row seating for the show.

 At the end of the show they had the "models" walk the runway in their last outfits.  The models were store employees, local newspaper writer that does a lot of focus on athletic events/outdoor activities, local gym owner and a local radio DJ among other runway walkers.  After the show we were allowed to take a turn on the runway--of course I did and modeled my sparkle skirt.

 My swag bag wasn't as exciting at the one from our movie date night VIP.  It was 2 t-shirts--one from a new gym that will be opening and the other from a "clean eating" place that does meal prep/planning and sends the food to you. Included in the goodie bag was also a speed jump rope and a water bottle.  My favorite item (that I now realize isn't in the photo) was a mini-Saucony shoe key chain.  Saucony reps were at the event pouring drinks (free wine, beer and water/soda) with all the tips going to the hospital as well.

The event doors opened at 7 with the fashion show starting promptly at 7:30.  The show lasted just shy of 30 minutes.  Each outfit was listed in a brochure that had our $20 off coupon so we could mark items we liked and get assistance post-fashion show finding what we liked.  There were 25 outfits/shoes modeled and then the shopping began.  I ended up coming home with some Tailwind (a beverage for long runs to try) and a pair of black pants that were on major clearance (we are talking regular price of $105 down to $25) and a pair of really short shorts that I will likely use as bathing suit bottoms with a sports bra.  It was a great evening and I am glad that my mom offered to take care of Critter so that I could have a night out.  Manfriend enjoyed an evening out with the boys.  

First Run Together

The day that we volunteered for the Runnin' of the Green water stop we had un-seasonalbly warm weather (in the low 60's and sunny!).  The day/night before hubby had an allergic reaction to Girl Scout cookies that meant a late evening trip to the urgent care center followed by the ER, little sleep for me and a zonked Manfriend (thanks Benadryl).  Well, if I wanted to go running and enjoy the nice weather that meant I'd have to push the stroller for the first time.  

 I knew I wanted to wait until the weather was nice so that it would be an enjoyable experience for Critter and not awful.  It was close to nap time and I was scheduled to run 8 miles and said to myself let's just do 4, I'm tired and this is going to be a new thing for both of us.  She fell asleep about a mile in and woke up as we walked up the driveway to finish up the run--all smiles too!

I attached her Minnie Mouse crinkle toy with some of her plastic chains and she had fun shaking Minnie and chattering to her "friend."  Let me tell you, pushing a stroller is not easy--even if you have one of the top of the line strollers with bells and whistles.  I was about 1 min. 30 sec. slower per my easy pace miles with the stroller and took lots of mini walk/water breaks during those 4 miles.  I am sure it will get easier with time.  Now if only the weather would go back to being nice instead of our "welcome spring snowfall!"

Runnin' Of the Green Water Stop

We had a most wonderful day for our Water Stop volunteering at the 5 mile Runnin' Of the Green.  The water buffalo arrived at about 8:30 am and we started setting up tables and cups for the race that would start at 9:30.  This has become a family tradition and we've been at it for at least 5+ years now.  Even my little one got in on the action this year.  

 While we were busy filling cups my dad took Critter for a walk along the UofR campus and river.  With such nice weather expected there would be more runners than usual.  Temps would eventually hit low 60's for the day--nice compared to years where we've had ice forming in the cups within 20 minutes of filling them.

 Of course the top runners don't usually take water but this year a few did grab a cup and dump it over their heads.  While a few of us hand out water a few are also working to put out more cups and fill them with water.

 I usually help hand out the cups of water but this year I stood back on the side walk and cheered for runners and kept wiggling the stroller since it was almost nap time for Critter and she was starting to fuss a bit.  Plus I didn't want cups of water getting thrown on her as runners grabbed for them and I didn't want to have her away from me.

 My mom has a giant plastic toter filled with all sorts of St. Patrick's day decorations and accessories for wearing that we all put on to be festive for the race.  My mom and I also wore our Shamrock Sista sparkle skirts.  I love the pockets for my phone and keys, especially at an event like this where you don't want to have to hold a bag or purse (although I now get to tow around a stroller and such).  But, why should I have to dig through a stroller and diaper bag to find my keys if they can be in my leg pocket?

 It was a great turnout for the race and I am so glad that we do this every year and that my family enjoys it as well.  The family stuck around and went to the parade but of course I went home.  I am not a fan of parades unless they are Disney parades.