Sink or Swim

These next few weeks are going to be so busy. We literally have something going on every day and night. Next week Jason will be in Minnesota for work from Tuesday-Thursday, so I will get to do the whole single parent thing for a few days. We have Jason's stepbrother's wedding on Friday and a good friend of mine gets married next Saturday and asked me to be her Personal Attendant, so we got lots going on. I also need to start thinking about Lauren's birthday which will be here in no time. 4, wow, can she really be turning 4 already?

Anyway, onto some pictures...no post is complete without some photos!

Me and Lyla

On our way to dance class...which she is loving so far.

After a nasty storm...the sky was so cool

Lauren helped feed Amelia

At swim lessons, she is liking these too.

Lauren and Aubrey hanging out last Saturday

Introducing Tara's newest...Tate John (TJ) was born on June 11th

Bit By The Bug Again

Lauren and I spent the entire day yesterday in bed. We got hit by a flu bug again and it was nasty! I think going through labor and delivery was easier.

After an eventful evening (Monday) with numerous tornado warnings, we finally were able to go to bed about 10pm. At 2:30am I heard this awful noise and I just knew. Lauren had thrown up all over her bed and herself. So, we had to run the bath and I had to clean up the mess and change her sheets. Got her bathed and back into a clean bed about 3am. I got up just before 4am to put the sheets into the dryer and I heard Lauren say "Mommy my tummy hurts." I ran into her room just in time to catch vomit #2 in the bucket. Poor girl!

Lauren got up at 5:00am and went into the livingroom. I was tired since I didn't really sleep after the 2:30am incident. At 5:30, I suddenly felt ill and proceeded to follow in Lauren's footsteps. GREAT! Both of us with this flu. By 8am, I had cleaned up after Lauren threw up in the chair. We both went in and laid in our bed and napped on and off. I had never felt so awful (maybe close to how I felt after being hit by that semi) My lower back ached, my legs, my head, everything! It was hard to rest since I was so sore, but I couldn't take anything cause I couldn't eat without throwing up.

About 12 hours after the ordeal began, we were feeling better. Thank goodness! Now I just pray Jason doesn't get it. Taking care of your child while you are incredibly ill is quite difficult, but as moms we find a way!

Lauren Funny: The other day Jas told Lauren to come in and brush her teeth before school. She walked in and he had his fist out to give her a fist pump. She gave him his fist pump and then smacked him on the behind like guys do in football or baseball. Totally hilarious and totally unexpected.

Bits and Pieces

Another Friday and we are almost to mid June already. It is another steamy one out there and storms will threaten this afternoon. My bestie, Tara, is having a C-section today with her second child. I am anxiously awaiting the call to find out what she had and the name they have chosen.

I just have a hodge podge of photos from the past week or so. With the hot weather and swim lessons coming up, I decided to chop Lauren's long locks again. I know it will be long again by Christmas. Her hair grows so fast.

She was pretending the weight bench was a motorcycle.

Her final gymnastics class was on June 7th. Here she is with her pal. Lilly.

Grandma and Papa came to watch the show.

Introductions

The balance beam routine.

Her floor routine began with a backwards roll.

Getting her medal from Miss Kate.

Her whole class together

She was testing out her new dance shoes. Dance begins on the 16th. Swim lessons begin on the 15th and are 2 days a week. Let the busy summer begin!

A Few Of My Favorite Things

Homestyle Bakes are wonderful for that night when you have nothing planned and need a quick and yummy meal. Everything is included inside the box and it only cost $3!

PreFenz is wonderful for curbing illness! This stuff works and it is completely safe for children. Leaves no bad smell, doesn't dry out your hands and is not sticky or slippery.

SoniCare Toothbrush is amazing. I feel like I just left the dentist everytime I use it. It almost does the work for you.

L'Oreal Go 360 Clean is wonderful. It is refreshing and keeps my skin looking and feeling healthy. The little scrub works great and makes it so easy to wash your face, even after a late night.

Wedding Attire

With three weddings approaching this year, I was on the lookout for the perfect summer dress to wear. I wanted something with a little color, not black as I usually end up sporting. The two weddings in July are both outdoor ceremonies with the receptions in facny venues. After weeks of looking, I think I found the perfect one.


Dress from The Limited

I love the emerald green color. Green has always worked well for me with my pale skin and dark hair (thanks Irish roots) Now I just have to decide on shoes and jewelry to complete the look and I can wear this dress for all 3 weddings since they are all different circles of people.

Too Cool

The pictures speak for themselves. She had to pick out a pair of sunglasses to have in daddy's new car. So, she picked some purple Hannah Montana aviators. She loves them and I gotta say, she looks pretty cool.

She LOVES her dad's new car. She can listen to her own station/CD with headphones in the back. It is awesome for us as well. She even gives us concerts sometimes and sings along to all the songs: Taylor Swift being her fav!

Madison Marathon 2010

So, Sunday May 30, 2010, I completed one of my goals for 2010. I ran in the Madison Quarter Marathon. For those of you unfamiliar with how far that is, it is 6.55 miles. I have never run in a race before. I am not a distance type of runner. I trained from January until race day. First doing the Couch to 5K Program and then a training schedule for a 10K. I am very happy and proud to say I finished the race. I am not going to lie, it was hard. It was so hot and humid that day. They actually stopped the race later due to people collapsing and such. Basically no shade, a few hills, only 2 water stops and it was enough to make me want to quit. My fingers swelled like sausages and started to tingle during the final mile. I have to say though, coming in the final stretch, seeing so many people cheering and the feeling that consumes you knowing you just completed something many people have not done is the best in the world. As I sprinted across that finish line I felt such relief that it was over, but also a sense of pride and accomplishment. I did it and I know I can do anything I put my mind to. This is something I want to teach Lauren. I have decided to keep my marathon medal in a safe place and pass it onto Lauren on her graduation day as a symbol that she can also do anything she puts her mind to. No goal is out of reach when you have heart and determination. Oh, and that other personal goal to finish in under an hour and a half....my official time 1:25:50.7! I DID IT!!

My bib

Our race tee and timing chip

A pre-race picture with my friends, Melissa and Amber