tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57840362011-04-21T11:32:41.638-07:00Time Flies.......A "better-late-than-never" attempt to document and express the wonder of the very beginning of this family we've created.Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.comBlogger1911100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-65065301501543587522007-02-26T15:59:00.000-08:002007-02-26T16:23:42.032-08:00WowIt has been a LONG time since I have had anything important to say, apparently. I have been busy. I ran my second half marathon and am a mere few weeks from my next one. Hayden turned five and Violet is nine months old. Neil is working about ninety hours a week. Everyone in the house has been sick on and off since Christmas day, but at this particular moment, the plague has lifted and allTeam Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1165605539372618642006-12-08T11:06:00.000-08:002006-12-08T11:19:48.286-08:00The 1/2I finally have a minute to post some pictures from last month's half marathon. It feels like a great accomplishment just to complete it, but now I really want to improve on my time for the next one next month. I finished the silver strand half marathon in just over 2 hours and thirty minutes - about 11 minute miles. I know I can do much better, but I was nervous about runnng out of energy Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1164924028092688132006-11-30T13:50:00.000-08:002006-11-30T14:00:31.256-08:00The end is the beginningIt's already been almost two weeks since I completed my first half marathon and I haven't even had a chance to write about it. This time of year is always busy, I know, but this is the busiest I have ever been. I will write more about it soon, and have pictures too. But, for now, all I can say about it is that I am really proud of myself and all the girls in my running Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1161106669186566262006-10-17T10:23:00.000-07:002006-10-17T10:37:49.873-07:00...momentum...I am now in my 6th week of training with my running group. This morning was hard. We only ran 4 1/2 miles with the double strollers , but most of our route was uphill. My knees and ankles are sore already. We ran 8 miles on Sunday without the strollers, and felt like we could easily have done another four or five miles. I guess pushing all that weight from the strollers is helping Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1158808854889590162006-09-20T19:58:00.000-07:002006-09-20T20:20:54.906-07:00In TrainingSince Violet was born, I have been trying very hard to keep up my workout routine. Up to, and throughout my pregnancy, I worked out four days a week at the gym doing everything from Pilates and power yoga to cycling, weights, the elliptical machine, stairmaster, and running on the treadmill. Since Violet isn't really old enough to take to the childcare at my gym, I have been trying to Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1157838198858927392006-09-09T14:36:00.000-07:002006-09-09T14:43:18.870-07:003 MonthsTeam Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1156698252084162202006-08-27T09:55:00.000-07:002006-08-27T10:04:12.096-07:00Superfan Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1155398908965887702006-08-12T09:01:00.000-07:002006-08-12T09:08:28.990-07:00Here are pictures of Hayden and Violet at about the same age in the same baby bathtub.Violet has way more hair and a little different skin tone. It's hard to tell, but it looks like Hayden's eyes were still really dark blue at that age. So, Violet's will probably get light like Hayden's soon.Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1155060502334432122006-08-08T10:38:00.000-07:002006-08-08T11:08:22.413-07:00Since I am now the parent of two children, there are twice as many things to worry about. First, Hayden. We are currently trying to figure out what kind of school setting will be best for him. His current preschool isn't a good fit. Looking back, we should have realized that they just didn't know how to deal with him from the start. His main teacher just wanted him to go with the flow and not Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1154380570920978252006-07-31T14:02:00.000-07:002006-07-31T14:26:32.073-07:00Two Months Violet is now two months old. I keep looking back at my journal and pictures to see what Hayden was doing and how he looked at the same age. About four weeks ago, I read from my journal about how it wasn't that long ago that I was anticipating Hayden's first smiles and that how I already could barely remember when he didn't smile at me all the time. After I read it, I worried about Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1152832623886407022006-07-13T16:00:00.000-07:002006-07-13T16:17:03.943-07:00Last week, I had my hardest day yet with Hayden and Violet. There was a doctor appointment followed by grocery shopping and the baby was crying and Hayden was whining and Hayden had to pee while we were at the store, and then he had to go again ten minutes later, but wouldn't go and instead hopped around the whole store on the brink of disaster. Back in the car, he had a temper tantrum and VioletTeam Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1152109545161594772006-07-05T07:24:00.000-07:002006-07-05T07:25:45.173-07:00Happy 4th of JulyTeam Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1151776081287827412006-07-01T10:19:00.000-07:002006-07-01T10:48:01.343-07:00SleeplessThe first four weeks with Violet were easy. Too easy. I had a feeling it was too good to be true. I think (hope and pray) we're just going through a little phase right now. We've had good days and bad days over the last week and a half. The worst was on Thursday night. She woke up at 2:30 and didn't go back to sleep until 6:00 in the morning. And, she was fussy pretty much the whole timeTeam Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1151337205432748512006-06-26T08:32:00.000-07:002006-06-26T08:53:25.490-07:00One MonthViolet is one month old as of yesterday. We're still waiting for consistent "real" smiles. I think I've seen a few, but for the most part, she only smiles in her sleep or at my chest when she's breastfeeding. Yesterday, she rolled over from her back to her front twice by herself. It's hard to believe a month has gone by already. We are all getting to know each other much better. We've Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1150470585874687612006-06-16T08:08:00.000-07:002006-06-16T08:09:45.886-07:00Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1149443220359497422006-06-04T10:44:00.000-07:002006-06-04T10:47:00.370-07:002 Days OldViolet's newborn picture from the hospital. 36 hours old!Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1149178252712303602006-06-01T08:53:00.000-07:002006-06-01T09:10:52.793-07:00Our BeautyViolet Josephine was born on May 25th at 3:01 pm. She was seven pounds five ounces and eighteen inches long. I am in awe of her. She is so beautiful. I tried to imagine what she would look like for nine months, and I still imagine what she will end up looking like. But, right now, her black, black hair and blue eyes and super long eyelashes take my breath away. She's only a week old, Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1147878607191627242006-05-17T07:56:00.000-07:002006-05-17T08:10:07.413-07:008-7-6-5-4-3-2-1Today, we have our last appointment before the big day. It should just be a routine appointment, and my doctor will be going over all the info I need before the c-section. I am still having a really hard time believing we're this close. I mean, we're having a baby NEXT WEEK! Yikes. I feel so normal and I think that is the part of the problem. I'm not nearly as uncomfortable as I Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1146762543012153612006-05-04T09:54:00.000-07:002006-05-04T10:09:03.103-07:003 Weeks from todaySo, I am going back and forth between excitement and fear. I don't know exactly what I am afraid of, but I think it has to do with the fact that life is about to change drastically, and there's no way to know just what those changes are going to be like. I can't believe how close we are now. I had an appointment yesterday and my OB did an ultrasound to get an idea of the baby's Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1144684839120977162006-04-10T08:57:00.000-07:002006-04-10T09:00:40.973-07:00Long, LostSo much has been happening, it's been hard to find time to write. We have had a lot to do to get ready for Violet's birth. The nursery is just about done, and we have almost all of the gear we need. I'll post pictures when I have more time. Hayden and I are on our way out to the gym for my yoga class, then we're going to the library. We have 45 days to go until the birth and I am Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1141675096627510612006-03-06T11:29:00.000-08:002006-03-06T12:01:38.120-08:00Bring on SpringFebruary has been a busy month. It went by so fast. I just hope the next two months go by as quickly. I am in my third trimester now, and I'm still feeling good for the most part. I'm getting bigger and a little more uncomfortable, but I do think all the exercise is helping my state of mind, and is helping my body cope with all the changes. The main downside to being in my seventh Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1140736446021750892006-02-23T14:49:00.000-08:002006-02-24T07:34:50.000-08:004 I can't believe it, but Hayden is four years old. Four is a whole new thing. Three is kind of a kid, kind of a toddler, but four is new territory for us. As much as it is talked about, I guess I am surprised at how quickly the time goes by. I have moments where I realize that this little person, the complete center of my universe, will be grown up, and that in the blink of an eye, I will have Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1138150799096220552006-01-24T16:51:00.000-08:002006-01-24T16:59:59.316-08:00Everyone has been sick lately. Hayden is still trying to get over his cold - this is day 12. My Mom was very, very sick and had to be rushed to the hospital by ambulance. Twice. But, she is doing better now. And now, I am sick with some kind of cold / sinus infection / can't sleep / can't breathe thing. I just want to feel normal. Being sick when you're pregnant is the worst because you can't Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1137196070525040612006-01-13T15:30:00.000-08:002006-01-13T15:49:19.136-08:00It's a...........girl!!!!We are so excited. The ultrasound went very well. She was moving around a lot, and everything looked great. The technician started off by taking a quick look at the whole baby, then a more detailed look, starting with the brain, then the heart, etc. When she was looking at the abdomen and kidneys, I was just staring between the legs. I didn't see anything, so I looked Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1136859936879669242006-01-09T18:14:00.000-08:002006-01-09T18:41:01.090-08:00And we're back.... La Quinta was beautiful. I didn't go to the spa since I just did a full spa day a couple weeks ago for my birthday. It wasn't quite warm enough to lay out, but we did some hiking, some shopping, went to the gym, and ate at a few good restaurants. It was a really relaxing weekend, and now things are busy again, as usual. I am back to work after almost three weeks off. It was so Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1136519610322726832006-01-05T19:48:00.000-08:002006-01-05T19:53:30.333-08:00We're still here. Holidays were great. Things are settling down a little. We're heading out of town this weekend to La Quinta resort in Palm Springs. I can't wait.I'm now almost 19 weeks pregnant and doing fine. I'm feeling much better, and love being able to continue with yoga and cycling, and the gym. I haven't gained that much weight yet (about 6 pounds), but my belly is gigantic. I Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1134429604413783392005-12-12T15:18:00.000-08:002005-12-12T15:20:04.416-08:00 Christmas-yTeam Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1134429480901250492005-12-12T15:16:00.000-08:002005-12-12T15:18:00.913-08:00 The Big Boy RoomTeam Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1133910054782532052005-12-06T14:49:00.000-08:002005-12-06T15:01:10.650-08:00Hayden is acting out. I don't know why, but something is going on with him. The last few days at school have been just horrible. His teacher has had to pull me aside and list the bad behaviors that Hayden exhibited during the day. It's so confusing because all at once, I feel protective of him, and then angry at him, and embarrassed that my child is misbehaving so badly. He isn't hurting anyone, Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1132619403970492662005-11-21T16:10:00.000-08:002005-11-21T16:30:04.026-08:00I actually slept last night. I have been waking up every thirty minutes trying to get comfortable for many weeks now. In fact, I had been feeling so pregnant that it hardly seemed possible I was only in the first trimester, and it was terrifying to think how much longer I would remain in this state, getting larger and larger by the day. Over the weekend, either my morning sickness returned with aTeam Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1132085644793110852005-11-15T12:00:00.000-08:002005-11-15T12:14:04.860-08:00Things are still about the same. We rented a Doppler so we could listen to the heart beat at home, like we did when I was pregnant with Hayden. It has really helped to reassure me and alleviate some of the anxiety. I am still bored out of my mind, but my next ultrasound is tomorrow, and I'm hoping the hemorrhage is healing, and that I'll be able to slowly start resuming my normal life. We have Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1131649733719772502005-11-10T10:57:00.000-08:002005-11-10T11:21:19.796-08:00The last week hasn't been easy. I was so lucky that my pregnancy with Hayden was so uneventful. After the previous losses, I don't think I could have handled very many bumps in the road. This time, I'm trying to handle things, but it's very, very hard.After more light bleeding all day Sunday, I went back for another ultrasound first thing Monday morning. The baby is still okay, growing well and Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1131046238946113212005-11-03T11:24:00.000-08:002005-11-03T11:31:21.283-08:00Pumpkins, poker, pregnancy, and what not...Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1130275137366315612005-10-25T14:16:00.000-07:002005-10-25T14:18:57.373-07:00My PumpkinTeam Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1130198477992662232005-10-24T16:53:00.000-07:002005-10-24T17:01:18.146-07:00Last night, I had the tiniest bit of spotting. Because of my previous bad experiences, I immediately tried to prepare for the worst. We were at a restaurant in downtown, and it seemed like the longest drive of my life to get home. As soon as we got here, I checked for blood, and there wasn't any. I couldn't sleep at all and kept getting up all night to check. Nothing. I called my doctor first Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1129508960696502282005-10-16T17:28:00.000-07:002005-10-16T17:45:15.380-07:00Sadly, here are two pictures of my already protruding belly. I'm only seven weeks, but I look about the same as when I was sixteen or seventeen weeks pregnant last time.Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1129493425262061652005-10-16T12:57:00.000-07:002005-10-16T17:28:38.120-07:00Today is a good day meaning I only feel like throwing up 60% of the time. Yesterday was a long, long day. Neil and I went to the gym in the morning. I made it about 20 minutes on the elliptical machine before I realized I was either going to a) pass out and fall off machine or b) vomit my breakfast onto the rows of stationary bikes in front of me. Since neither was a good option, I had to go sit Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1129158958146117152005-10-12T15:54:00.000-07:002005-10-12T16:15:58.180-07:00The news is good - so farWe had our first ultrasound today. I was terrified something was wrong and that today would be the day we would find out. As the ultrasound technician started, I grabbed Neil's hand and wondered how I would survive the next few moments between when she looked at the contents of my uterus, and either showed us the good news on the monitor, or kept it turned away so we Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1128178691728871702005-10-01T07:46:00.000-07:002005-10-01T07:58:11.913-07:00I have relaxed the tiniest bit. I still worry when I don't feel queasy and when my boobs don't feel like they are straining against my bra to escape. But, I feel less like I'm having a never-ending anxiety attack and more like I am fluctuating between happiness and paranoia on a minute by minute basis.I've had my blood drawn twice to check my HCG and Progesterone levels. Before the second Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1127846467592373902005-09-27T11:31:00.000-07:002005-09-27T11:41:07.653-07:00and the neurosis sets inIt's true - I am pregnant. I found out Sunday morning. And though I am so excited, I am also so paranoid I can barely breathe. Yesterday, I felt I would be able to handle this. I know that it either will or won't be a healthy pregnancy. I know my body is capable of carrying a baby to term. I know that I am really fertile, and get pregnant very easily. I know if it doesn't Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1127667510925398402005-09-25T09:55:00.000-07:002005-09-25T09:58:30.930-07:00Look closer....Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1127413981992285062005-09-22T11:31:00.000-07:002005-09-22T11:33:02.000-07:00DisneylandTeam Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1126637420679259082005-09-13T11:49:00.000-07:002005-09-13T14:59:46.473-07:00The ScholarToday was Hayden's first day of preschool.It felt so strange to walk out the door. The last three and a half years of his life flashed through my mind as I drove away. It is still incomprehensible to me that he is really this big already.When we visited the school initially over the summer, the director suggested we place him in with kids a year older because she thought that Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1125878656209219862005-09-04T17:01:00.000-07:002005-09-04T17:04:16.213-07:00Hayden: When I'm 16, I want a silver Honda Odyssey. I will buy it for $2.00.Me: What year? A 2003 like our old one?Hayden: Maybe like 2004.Me: Deal.Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1125356001323718402005-08-29T15:32:00.000-07:002005-08-29T15:53:21.363-07:00With so many hypothetical situations going on in our heads, it's no wonder we feel so lost at the moment. We have decided to try to conceive in October. That's our plan, but with how erratic my cycle has been, I have no idea if this will even be physically possible. I finally did get my period over the weekend, but it had been over three months since the last one. My late, late, late period also Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1124378131691058792005-08-18T08:10:00.000-07:002005-08-18T09:36:17.093-07:00Neil and I just got home from three (technically four) days in Vegas. It was a less-Vegas-y Vegas trip than we've ever taken before. The first night, we were actually back to our room at 10:00. PM! We went to the pool. We shopped. I went to the gym. Neil read the paper. We went to the movies every day we were there. We only gambled for a few hours each night, so we stayed out of the casinos most Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1123598561241722682005-08-09T07:33:00.000-07:002005-08-09T07:42:44.656-07:00After watching Six Feet Under last night, I had a dream about my less-than-ideal recovery from some sort of accident or illness. I was first explaining the aftermath to my next door neighbors while my friend sat in my car, waiting to go to Pilates class. She was getting impatient waiting, and I finally got in the car and apologized as we started driving away. I broke down and told her it was justTeam Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1123085508825962942005-08-03T09:06:00.000-07:002005-08-04T14:42:28.956-07:00Hayden just came running in here, explaining that he only had one "A" and couldn't spell what he wanted for dinner tonight.I told him he wouldn't be home for dinner tonight since he would be at his Grandma's, but that we could have Yakisoba for dinner tomorrow. And then I thought to myself, "Am I really having this conversation with a three year old? A three year old that can spell Yakisoba?"Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1122770389015417722005-07-30T17:38:00.000-07:002005-07-30T17:40:29.853-07:00AttentionThe Hayden formerly known as "bug," or "little bug" will be known from now on as:The Notorious B.U.G. (a.k.a. Buggy Smalls)Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1122761459925122262005-07-30T15:05:00.000-07:002005-07-30T17:38:39.500-07:00pure bug beautycrayon on paper chalk on drivewayTeam Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1122135287445034082005-07-23T08:55:00.000-07:002005-07-23T09:39:18.450-07:00Being Busy Takes Up All My TimeLast Saturday, we took Hayden to see Madagascar. In a theater. His fourth movie in a theater. He was fairly interested. Okay, to be honest, he was all about the popcorn and the Skittles we bought to keep him quiet. It didn't quite work out as planned since he hummed through the whole movie while shoving unhealthy "food" in his mouth.That night, we took him to JulianTeam Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1121213025103094412005-07-12T16:37:00.000-07:002005-07-12T17:03:45.136-07:00Today has been a good day because:I decided to do the Pilates class at the gym today and surprised myself by being able to do all the advanced positions and moves even though I've never done Pilates before (except for a few DVDs at home right after Hayden was born). I did weights and abs before the class, and ran and did the Stairmaster after, and it felt great to mix up my usual routine.Later inTeam Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1120539310476666822005-07-04T21:51:00.000-07:002005-07-04T22:00:35.006-07:00Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1120269845188390402005-07-01T18:55:00.000-07:002005-07-01T19:05:53.446-07:00Some PicturesThese are out of order. Recap:We went to the fair.My sister came home from a monthin Costa Rica.Hayden is growing up too fast.The roses are from our rose bush.Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1118889139367522332005-06-15T19:09:00.000-07:002005-06-15T19:32:19.400-07:00Not a word about the remodel...Quite a few things have been happening this week. We went to the zoo on Sunday and had a great time.Hayden bought some "Stretchy Bugs" while we were there.And we went for a walk on the golf course that evening.On Monday, I signed Hayden up for preschool. This was the second preschool we visited, and though it wasn't quite as academic as the Montessori school we Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1118628473962856092005-06-12T19:07:00.000-07:002005-06-12T19:14:11.030-07:00Julie and Bill - June 11, 2005More wedding photos here.Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1118341686717158842005-06-09T11:12:00.000-07:002005-06-09T11:28:06.750-07:00I know, I know. It's been nothing but remodel picture after remodel picture on this blog forever now. That's because the varying stages of house completion have been an undeniable presence in life around here for two months now. But, there has been life outside of granite tile and wonder-board. Neil graduated, we went on vacation. Now we're home and trying to adjust to this new life. I love that Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1118275287022260102005-06-08T16:46:00.000-07:002005-06-08T17:01:27.033-07:00The tiniest bit closer to doneThe new gas fireplace insert was installed today. It kicks ass. I have a remote control to start a fire. Perfect. You can even set the temperature (on the remote) and the thing will come on and go off to maintain the temperature. Hallelujah. No more looking for kindling (there never was any), lugging dirty wood in the house, spiders, and stuffing newspaper after Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1117395127584476562005-05-29T12:20:00.000-07:002005-05-29T12:36:18.540-07:00ProgressKauai was great. Here are the pictures to prove it.Since we've been home, Hayden started his summer swimming lessons. The first day was a nightmare. He was screaming and whining and basically harassing the instructor the whole time. I probably would have pulled him out, but some Moms who showed up for the next age level classes told me how horrible their kids had been the year before. I Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1115476853333783212005-05-07T07:32:00.000-07:002005-05-07T07:42:16.910-07:00This is how the house looked on Friday when I left...This is how it looks today, Saturday morning, 10 hours before the party...The copper accent pieces for the backsplash were not ready in time; the little white squares are just placeholders.The current state of the patio and built-in barbequeMaster BathAll the new patio furniture crammed into the master bedroom.One of the workers is here alreadyTeam Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1115214032543819482005-05-04T06:36:00.000-07:002005-05-04T06:40:32.550-07:00Freaking OutIt is 6:30 in the morning. I have been up since 4:30 and I went to bed at 1:30. I have about an eighteen hour day of errands in front of me, and my head is just spinning. My house is completely torn apart. I have no sink, no stove, no counters in the kitchen. My bedroom is filled with our new outdoor furniture. The guest room is full of remodel materials. My garage...I don't even wantTeam Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1114905725422914092005-04-30T16:51:00.000-07:002005-04-30T17:03:47.570-07:00We saw Wilco last night in a tiny, tiny ballroom at UCSD. It was the most unbelievable show we have ever been to.Look, there's Jeff...I don't even know how to describe it. I just wanted to soak it all up so I could remember each moment forever. It was all so beautiful.Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1114210025914511592005-04-22T15:09:00.000-07:002005-04-22T17:53:40.770-07:0023 DaysThe last two years really have been so, so hard. It's been two years now since we have had the comforting pattern of dinners together, watching TV in the evening, talking about our days. I have spent so many long days with just Hayden, and so many nights alone, that I genuinely find it hard to remember any other way of living. Our life has been MBA this and MBA that for as long as I can Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1113971584329984902005-04-19T21:13:00.000-07:002005-04-19T21:33:04.330-07:00I'm sure this will be of little interest to anyone other than me, but I felt this inexplicable urge to document the day of total efficiency Hayden and I accomplished. Even more astonishing is that I had mapped out the entire day before we started, timelines and all...7:00 - 9:30 - breakfast, shower, make shopping lists, etc.9:30 - out the door10:15 - first stop, Lowe's to buy two outdoor ceilingTeam Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1113173665582398132005-04-10T15:37:00.000-07:002005-04-10T15:54:25.583-07:00Remodel Phase 2We are about to embark on the second phase of making the house we can afford into the house we want. You may remember the results of phase 1. If not, you can revisit them here.In this episode we are doing the following (and by we, I mean hired professionals):1. Removing the sunroom and replacing with a new covered, tiled patio with a built in barbecue and granite counter and bar.2.Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1112713662148315092005-04-05T08:04:00.000-07:002005-04-05T08:07:42.150-07:00EndlessLast night in his sleep, Neil said loudly"What? That's at least 1000 hours over forecast." That statement woke me up from my dream about trying to rinse poop out of one pair of Thomas the Train underwear.We never escape.Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1112657550663633952005-04-04T16:30:00.000-07:002005-04-04T16:32:30.663-07:00As of today, Neil and I have been together for 14 years. Amazing.Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1112331295216367622005-03-31T20:46:00.000-08:002005-03-31T20:54:55.216-08:00Things Hayden Said TodayThis morning in the bath;"Why does water splash? Air doesn't splash."Tonight, our rendition of "Old MacDonald" - following the first round with a cow, and the second with horse.Me: "And on his farm he had a............"Hayden: "rhino"Me: "I don't know what noise a rhino makes. Try another animal. A farm animal."Hayden: "Okay"Me: "And on his farm he had a ...........Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1111955329764405952005-03-27T12:22:00.000-08:002005-03-27T12:28:49.766-08:00Easter 2005Easter Egg Hunt at the ParkAt home on Easter SundayBubble MachineEaster BasketTeam Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1110830452540984312005-03-14T11:55:00.000-08:002005-03-14T13:30:34.576-08:0060 Second UpdateThings are unbelievably busy.Hayden is doing a little better pooping on the potty.(wow - he looks like a politician in that picture)We had a great time at the Coldplay concert (Sounds Eclectic show in L.A.). Our seats were like 20 feet from the stage. The other bands were good too.Here we are back at the hotel; after the show and after the after party at like 3:00 in the morning.Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1109997794487673442005-03-04T20:34:00.000-08:002005-03-04T20:43:14.486-08:00Hayden has been doing really well with potty training. He's in underwear all day, and only wears a pull-up overnight because he still sleeps in his crib and can't get out. He's a great pee-er. He can stand up and pee, flush the toilet, wash his own hands; he's a pro. The problem we're having now is that he refuses to poop on the potty.He just won't do it.I have washed poop out of about six pairs Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1109716672679683062005-03-01T14:26:00.000-08:002005-03-01T14:37:52.683-08:00Today (so far)At preschoolBack at homeI have planned on posting every day since last Monday, but just haven't had the time. Things are so, so busy. Neil's final semester is really taking its toll on all of us. Only 75 days to go. That has become our mantra. 75 days.Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1109027579635116352005-02-21T14:21:00.000-08:002005-02-21T15:17:41.720-08:00The Long RoadAll day today, I've been thinking about life with Hayden, and life before. Neil and I waited so long to have a baby. We were married six years before we felt ready. We decided to start trying in September of 2000 and I got pregnant right away. My due date was to be June 21st. The day we found out, we told all of our family and all of our friends, despite a few people's warnings aboutTeam Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1109005836759719582005-02-21T08:56:00.000-08:002005-02-21T09:10:36.760-08:00Happy Birthday HaydenToday, Hayden is three years old.It is just so hard to believe.This morning, it is rainy and cold and I can't think of anything fun (and indoors) to take him to do on his "actual" birthday. I don't think he really cares. At his party yesterday, he got enough magnetic letters to spell words with more than one of the same letter. When he opened them, he yelled out, "Now I can Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1108684403274931002005-02-17T15:46:00.000-08:002005-02-17T15:56:34.430-08:00FamilyMy Mom has been writing about her family memories. She has been working on it for a few months now. She just gave me the second part to read over. I hope there will be much more to come. Here are a few paragraphs about my Mom and my uncle - two of the most original people in the world...My brother Mike and I spent a lot of time riding in his 1966 Volkswagen convertible, a red cutie with aTeam Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1108426596905439942005-02-14T15:57:00.000-08:002005-02-14T16:26:14.656-08:00Out with the OldFarewell 2003 Honda Odyssey. You served us well for the eighteen months we had you. We will miss your power sliding doors and substantial cargo capacity. We really did appreciate your no-nonsense practicality, unmatched safety, and general convenience, you just weren't that cool.Sorry.Embarking on our minivan's final journey; a one way trip to Gardena.Here is the new car in townTeam Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1107482176693578162005-02-03T17:43:00.000-08:002005-02-03T18:00:53.716-08:00Since Neil and I have decided to try for a second baby this summer (after his graduation and a well earned vacation), my body is pretending to be pregnant. A trial run, if you will, complete with sudden fits of intense sleepiness, severely heightened sense of smell, and voracious appetite. Yesterday, I was almost overcome when I walked in the kitchen by the pungent stench of Hayden's dry CheeriosTeam Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1107389027825673842005-02-02T15:54:00.000-08:002005-02-02T16:08:13.970-08:00Hayden is obsessed with letters and numbers. Though I am very, very proud of him, it is strange to have a not-even-three-year-old who can read. I mean, as in actually read. Words.
Most kids haul around stuffed animals or blankets everywhere they go. Hayden brings numbers and letters. We have various magnetic fridge door ones, some wooden puzzle piece ones, some kind of plastic-y-foam ones, and Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1107315909152025972005-02-01T19:41:00.000-08:002005-02-01T19:45:09.153-08:00hiking at mission trails
Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1106957571357428122005-01-28T16:06:00.000-08:002005-01-28T16:14:52.793-08:00Random 10 - The Sequel
1. In The Mood - Glenn Miller
2. I Can't Wait - The White Stripes
3. Darts of Pleasure - Franz Ferdinand
4. I've Got It All(most) - Modest Mouse
5. Madame George - Van Morrison
6. Lovely Day - Bill Withers
7. Here Comes Your Man - The Pixies
8. Dope Man - NWA
9. Amie - Damien Rice
10. How To Fight Lonliness - Wilco
(random indeed)
Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1106361557039619272005-01-21T18:31:00.000-08:002005-01-21T18:39:17.040-08:00Random 10
So, I have seen this in a few places. I'm going to see what happens. I promise to provide accurate information, no matter how embarrassing. Please keep in mind that I currently have like 3000 songs on the thing...
From your Ipod (or whatever) library, select Shuffle Songs and list the first ten songs. Here's mine:
Kodachrome - Paul SimonSabotage - Beastie BoysSomewhere Else - Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1106265761403324092005-01-20T15:25:00.000-08:002005-01-20T16:05:49.456-08:0050 Things
(in no particular order)
1. Neil rarely snores
2. I have never thrown up due to alcohol consumption and I haven't thrown up at all in like thirteen years
3. Hayden and I have a secret handshake
4. "Carnivale" on HBO makes me happy
5. My Ipod makes me happy too
6. 50 is a big number
7. Hayden told me that 7 is his favorite number and he loves the letter "n"
8. My Mom and sister both Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1105977218473089422005-01-17T07:43:00.000-08:002005-01-17T07:53:38.473-08:00Letdown
Yesterday, we were mere moments away from buying the car of my dreams. I have wanted a Volvo XC90 since I was pregnant with Hayden. Neil got a small, but unexpected increase in pay, and when he told me about it, he said we should buy the Volvo. For once, we decided, we should reward ourselves a little and buy something luxurious, even if it isn't the best use of the money. We went to theTeam Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1105635585485227422005-01-13T08:58:00.000-08:002005-01-13T08:59:45.486-08:00My cable hasn't been working right for the past week. We're not getting channels between 30 and 100. This means I am not getting Bravo and I have now missed Project Runway two weeks in a row. Heads will roll!
Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1105403149200236842005-01-10T16:08:00.000-08:002005-01-10T16:25:49.200-08:00We have had some ups and downs with our dog, Haley. We got her from a rescue shelter almost four years ago. We don't know a lot about the first 12 weeks of her life, or her breed. Early on, we realized she was very afraid of certain people, especially tall men with glasses. She never acted outwardly aggressive, but she would growl and walk or run away. We took her to puppy training school and didTeam Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1105137032851749432005-01-07T14:23:00.000-08:002005-01-07T14:32:15.876-08:00Yesterday, we went up to Laguna for Hayden's second snow experience and Haley the Dog's first.
Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1104685205579411522005-01-02T08:50:00.000-08:002005-01-02T09:01:59.470-08:00Happy New Year!
Neil's Mom watched Hayden for us. For the whole night!! This is how we spent the last night of 2004 at our friends Aaron and Maureen's house. For some reason, everyone was in the garage for the ball drop.
some guy with pepperoni nipples
neil and reid
me and joanna
joanna, me, and maureen right before midnight
right, right before midnight
midnight
cheers
Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1104168812326497612004-12-27T09:15:00.000-08:002004-12-27T09:33:32.326-08:00Christmas
Still a very nice Christmas, even though we were all sick, and Hayden didn't want to open any presents.
Making cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve
The first thing Hayden pulled out of his stocking - a calculator. It was nearly impossible to get him to pay attention to anything else afterward.
The bike
"They're mine...all mine...mwaaa haaa haaa haaa haaa!!"
Just happy or Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1103909001567270062004-12-24T09:09:00.000-08:002004-12-24T09:23:21.566-08:00Curse you Tylenol Sinus
We are all sick AGAIN. I barely slept the night before last because I was so congested. Then, I discovered Tylenol Severe Sinus made me feel a lot better during the day yesterday. So, I took a fourth dose of the stuff at 10:30 last night, thinking one good night of sleep is all I needed. Big mistake. I'm still up. It's now 9:15 in the morning. No sleep. Not the kind of noTeam Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1103777864681634142004-12-22T20:57:00.000-08:002004-12-22T20:57:44.683-08:00it's my birthday!!!!!
Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1102954947433703602004-12-13T08:17:00.000-08:002004-12-13T08:22:27.433-08:00Abstracts by Hayden
Hayden took 153 pictures the other night. These are a few of our favorites...
Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1102545120322036242004-12-08T14:24:00.000-08:002004-12-09T10:19:20.180-08:00I feel like I've been waiting my whole life to have one of these on my fridge.
(edit - the picture file was huge, so i had to replace the picture. it's hard to make it out against the refrigerator's white background)
Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1102468135412080552004-12-07T16:52:00.000-08:002004-12-07T17:10:46.486-08:00Size Matters
Every year, I say I want a huge tree. Like the trees you usually only see in shopping malls. That kind of tree. Think Rockefeller Center. We have very high ceilings in the living room, so even an eight foot tree looks kind of small. Last year, after we already had our tree, Neil saw a tree lot in Del Mar selling really tall trees. But, we were short on time today, so we either had Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1102349940959195992004-12-06T08:12:00.000-08:002004-12-06T08:19:00.960-08:00Sleep Guilt-ing
Neil got home from work at 1:30 this morning, then was back to work before 6:30 am. He'll work until 6:00 tonight, then to school until 11:00.
I feel a sense of shame for having slept for eight straight hours...waking up and "rushing" only so I can get to the gym by 9:00, the least crowded time when they still have child care.
But, I just burned the hell out of my finger takingTeam Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1101865270291736092004-11-30T17:21:00.000-08:002004-11-30T17:41:10.290-08:00I don't know how people pack up and move away from all of their family. What do they do when disaster strikes? For me, disaster struck yesterday. I woke up with the kind of unbearable sore throat that makes you shudder to breathe, refuse to yawn, and stifle a cough if it kills you. If there's one thing I can't stand, it's a sore throat. I made it through the day on Advil and Halls. Neil had Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1101608246885396692004-11-27T18:10:00.000-08:002004-12-15T14:56:27.133-08:00Preview
I took Hayden up to Mount Laguna to take some holiday pictures. I'm saving the best picture to use on our Christmas cards, but these others were contenders:
Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1101156729584196352004-11-22T13:51:00.000-08:002004-11-22T12:52:09.586-08:00Hayden just informed us:
"Spiders are spicy."
Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1100732855317160042004-11-17T14:50:00.000-08:002004-11-17T15:07:35.316-08:00These are some of the words and phrases Neil and I are trying desperately not to make permanent parts of our vocabulary despite how much we love them.
Hayden calls boobs "hutes" and butts "hupes." I have no idea where these words came from. It is a daily battle not to interject these terms into every conversation.
Hayden pronounces zero "zee-yay-o."
We explained he was to walk away if a dog Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1100636199639495742004-11-16T13:02:00.000-08:002004-11-16T12:17:30.266-08:00Today was one of the best days Hayden and I have ever had. And we have had lots and lots of good days. It was only the first day, but already I know I made the right decision signing him up for the mom and tot preschool. The program is so well run, and the teacher seems very good at determining a child's level of ability and adjusting the tasks to suit each kid. Hayden loves her. The class is Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5784036.post-1100563284674699492004-11-15T15:41:00.000-08:002004-11-15T16:01:24.673-08:00I am feeling so much better. My friend Becky are her two boys came up on Saturday night. It was amazing to see Hayden playing with her five year old and nine year old. I think he just really relates to older kids better. He had the best time with them. They are also great at treating him like an equal, and not a baby.
Sunday, we ran some errands, did some shopping, I bought some new books to Team Stronghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16888708304039541065noreply@blogger.com0