Three Years and still at it!

Almost Three Years Ago to the day, Becca and I meshed our love of talking and running into a partnership that continues today! We started this running on a subzero day in January, 2009 and marked its anniversary with another subzero temp morning run yesterday! May there be many more runs (maybe warmer though) to come!

What is it about first borns?

I just dropped Lucas off for his first day of first grade at his new school (We switched him from private to public). He was so excited and didn't seem nervous at all. He of course was quiet and a little shy when meeting his teacher last night but still was looking forward to starting today. I, on the other hand was getting teary just looking at his little desk! What is it about my first child that makes me get so emotional about every new step of his life?? I will tell you what... it isn't anything about him, of course it is me. I am a worrier and unfortunately, somewhat of a catastrophist (I know that is probably not even a word, but it gets the point across). I think about all the possible things that could go wrong instead of focusing on all the wonderful things he is going to experience today. In my twisted mind, first grade is a war zone. He could have to play alone (oh wait, he loves doing that), his Toy Story backpack is so 2010 and these hip first graders are going to notice, he could be worried about who to sit by in the lunch room, the dangers lurk around every corner!
When I stop to think, I realize what my worry says to Lucas...You are not capable of navigating the extremely complicated and rigorous world of the first grade. Just the opposite is true. Obviously I try not to show my emotions and instead show my confidence in him, but I know he probably reads my anxiety. I need to lay off and allow him to experience his great ability to thrive in the world. My worry will only hinder him. He is a great kid and I don't have anything to worry about. Now, my head needs to tell the rest of me this message. In the mean time, I will avoid the urge to drive by his school during recess (that is how crazy I am) and enjoy a glass of wine with my lunch today.
Tomorrow, I take Ben to preschool and won't even bat an eye. What is it about second borns???

Pity Party

It has been a long time since I have blogged and I am not sure this is the best time to do it, but oh well. Cue the sad music....
I miss my family today. I get busy and bogged down with the day to day life and don't always think about what we miss out on. Today, I am reminded that we are far from home and we miss the day to day of my nice and nephews, my family, and in turn they miss out on ours. I know there is so much to be grateful for, and I am grateful for all our times together, but everyone keeps moving, changing and living, and I want to see it all!
So,family, I miss you and I can not wait until August when we will be together. August..so far away!!!! UGgh!Now in the mean time, can you just stop growing up so fast!

Take a Lesson from Me

Today is Jake and I's 10 year anniversary! It has gone by so fast, of course. We were able to celebrate the occasion with a trip to Australia last month, which was incredible. Today has been a great day just hanging out with the family, lunch and a little trip to Target, I know how romantic. We will head to dinner, sans kids, this evening.
So go with me to Target for a moment...It was great. I bought a calendar planner, which if you know me, I just love to get all organized and planned out. This year I will actually need one with going back to school. We also got the boys backpacks for starting school, of course they pick the most obnoxious ones, with "3D Buzz Lightyear" flying off to space plastered all over the back. Anyway, we are checking out and the nice lady checker is helping the boys put their backpacks on after ringing them up. Sweet lady, I am thinking, and then she asks it. That one question I learned a long time ago NEVER TO ASK A WOMAN EVER. Here goes our short exchange...
Sweet Lady, soon to be not so sweet, Checker:(Looks me over with a smile before asking) Are you pregnant?
Me: No
Checker: You're not?
Me: NO
Checker: (to try and make it better, although not sure how it could) Well, you look so skinny...

My now thoughts and internal dialogue as I walk away without responding...
I look so skinny??? You mean except for the obvious girth I carry around my midsection? No, just fat lady. Excuse me as I go consume a shot of high fructose corn syrup in the form of an Icee to accentuate said midsection. Wow, I am feeling extremely beautiful right now, thank you.

This is the third time this has happened while not pregnant. When will people learn? Unless a person is so obviously ready to deliver any moment, NEVER ASK THIS QUESTION!!! And even then, it may be better to do a little investigating before asking. If it is a total stranger, MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS UNLESS YOU ARE TOLD OUTRIGHT. It is never flattering to be asked this question.

Ok, now that I have voiced my opinion on the subject, I will waddle out and enjoy my Anniversary feeling oh so much like the thin bride I obviously no longer am. Time to go change my shirt apparently. Seriously, I am done now, I promise.

Final Trip Update, Homecoming, Jetlag, and Potty Training

We have made it home from our big trip of the summer, it is nice to be back! We had an amazing trip. Townsville really redeemed itself after switching hotels. It was awesome to be able to swim, take walks, lay on a beach and read uninterrupted for days (I made it though 4 1/2 books!). The only bummer was the day that we planned to go diving ended up being a really stormy day, with no very poor visibility in the water so...no diving. BUMMER, especially after lugging our dive stuff all over! Oh well, other than that, it was fantastic.

The last night, Jake's conference had a closing dinner at a wildlife sanctuary. The had private showing with the animals (great for a group of biologist geeks :)). Jake got to hold a huge python and a crocodile, we got to pet a wombat, and I got to hold a koala. The boys favorite story from our trip was the one I told them about holding the koala and it pooping in my hand. Boys... they love the poop stories. We also got to just walk around seeing all the birds, kangaroos jumping around us, and other animals in their enclosures, while drinking a glass of wine. It was lovely.

The next day Jake went to a few more talks, I spent the morning at the beach, and then we flew back to Sydney. Our final night in Sydney was incredible. We stayed at the oldest hotel in Sydney, at the Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel. It was my favorite hotel, it had so much charm (highly recommend!!!!). There was an awesome pub on the bottom floor that was full of life. Lots of people just out watching rugby and enjoying a few beers and dinner. We had an awesome dinner and drinks, and then took a walk around the Rocks area of town. It was a beautiful night in Sydney!

The next day, we had breakfast at the hotel, walked around, and then headed to the airport for the marathon journey home. It was really great to see the boys after being gone so long, I swear they both grew!We then flew home from L.A. yesterday and it is so nice to not be living out of suitcases for awhile. The only downer about being home is the bugs! I am being eaten alive!! My garden seems to have survived, despite the deer chowing my soybean and strawberry plants. The plants are growing like crazy and the eaten ones are already making a comeback. We have had salad from the garden and I can't wait until the rest of the veggies and fruit are ready to eat! It is good to be home!

Jetlag has totally set in. I have had no more than 3 hours of sleep a night the past two nights. I finally start feeling tired around 4 Am and of course with kids who are also a little jacked up with their sleep and schedule were up at 6:30 and 7. Hopefully tonight will be different although it is almost 11 and I feel totally awake! We are all a little out of wack around here.

So of course, me, being my intelligent, reasonable, rational self, had the bright idea to start potty training Ben. He is three, completely happy to be in diapers, and coming down from the high of ten days with grandparents. Then there is me. Sleep deprived (aka impatient and somewhat grumpy), unpacking and getting settled after three weeks away, laundry... You get the picture. Recipe for success?? I don't think so. It was a battle at times, just to get him to sit on the potty. By 5 o'clock the score is...Car-1, Floor-8, and Toilet- .02 (2 drips). Of course, cleaning up pee accidents every time I turned around, not to mention stopping to take Ben to the bathroom every 20 minutes- a great addition to any day, especially one that needs to be productive. Great idea Rachel! Not a great start. But the evening proved to be much more successful! Jake came home, our neighbors came over for dinner, and something tuned for Ben. He had a couple more accidents but the evening score was...Car-0 (I was smart enough to not leave the house the rest of the day), Floor- 1 1/2, and the Toilet-4! I know what you are thinking, this kid pees a lot! Here is where I share way too much so feel free to skip. :) He was trying so hard to push pee out, then it finally worked, it would come out in short spurts. Finally, before bed, after several short spurts, it started flowing. He was thrilled, "It is coming fast Mommy!!" Hopefully tomorrow will be less battling and more scores for the toilet! I will also enjoy less laundry, unpacking, and sleep deprivation (hopefully).

Australia Update

Well, we made it to Townsville. You can check out Jake's blog at jakekerby.com for the details of our arrival, but in short, it was not what I had in mind. I do not need a luxury hotel by any means, but when I am able to hear the man upstairs peeing quite audibly, I have a problem. The "resort" was a little sketchy and not close to anything. We relocated today to another hotel that s MUCH better. We have a beautiful view of the ocean and Magnetic Island and I can walk, sit and read, or swim (an ideal way to spend the day for me!) and feel totally comfortable being by myself while Jake is in meetings during the day.
Now, I can truly appreciate Townsville!

Cramming it in!

Normally, I am a sit on my butt, read, sleep, eat sort of vacationer with a little activity intermixed. The past three days, however, Jake and I have been the ultimate tourists, cramming in as much of Sydney as we can in our limited time here. I already described mot of our first day so I will pick up where I left off.

Yesterday morning started off with a trip to the Sydney Aquarium, which was "quite nice" as people say often around here. Then we grabbed a train and a bus for Bondi Beach. That was actually one of my favorite spots. It is a beautiful beach and we were able to walk all around to see the views and grabbed some fish and chips to eat on the beach. We then headed back to main part of the city and hit the Australian Museum for some Natural History. I have to say that by that point in the day...I was completely toast! It was a great museum, I think, but mostly, I was just hoping to go take a nap. After some down time, we forced ourselves out for some sushi for dinner. This morning we were the ultimate tourists! We were picked up by a tour bus for a day in the blue mountains. What a beautiful place! We literally saw it all! The best part of the tour though was our bus driver. He literally talked ALL day. I learned a ton about Australia though and much I am sure I didn't need to know about our driver's taste in music, night life, etc. Let's just say he did play "Hungry Eyes" at one point (one ofthe few points that he wasn't talking). THe day ended with a stop at the 2000 Olympic Games Park, which was cool to see. Then it was a ferry ride back into the main part of Sydney and then dinner in The Rocks section of town.
Tomorrow morning we fly to TOwnsville, where I won't have much to blog about, as I plan on reading, sleeping, and eating for a few days!