balancing it all ...

On Friday, I got a message from a very dear and long-time friend of mine. She just had her second child earlier this summer and like me, lives very far away from her family. The message read like this:

"How in the hell ... do you have 3 kids, a job, run and have sanity? All while being without your mom? I am dying here. I want my kids to have my fam and they can't. Write a blog about that."

OK, Aim, here's the answer (sorry if this is harsh) ... I just do it. I want my kids to see their family more. But, unfortunately, that doesn't really happen. So, we try to make the most of the time we do get to spend together.

And I know you will be OK too. I firmly believe that if you think you can do it all, then you can. It takes a positive attitude, hard work and dedication. I try to keep in mind that things could always be worse. We are all happy and healthy and although I have my moments, we usually get along.

I'll admit that it's hard. We have a lot going on and parenting is NOT AN EASY JOB. And it's made more difficult by the fact that our support system is hundreds of miles away. But I take comfort in the fact that if I was really in the trenches, I know that my family would be here in an instant.

And, it gets easier (in ways) as your kids get older. Now that Dilly is 18 months old and far less dependent on me, I am no longer pushed to my limits everyday. New babies are hard. They require a lot of attention. And can do nothing for themselves. But eventually, things change and parenting becomes less of a physical battle and more of a strategic one.

But, if you were wondering how I do it EVERYDAY, how I manage to fit it all in. Well, then the answer is slightly different. Yes, a positive attitude carries me through, but the SCHEDULE is the key to it all. My entire household runs on a schedule. We try not to deviate from it. There is very little "wasted" time. I am all about multi-tasking. Here's what happens on a typical day:

5 a.m.: Wake up, get dressed, eat breakfast.
5:30 a.m.: Run
7 a.m.: Shower, take over parenting duties from J, get the girls dressed and fed.
7:45 a.m.- 9 a.m.: The girls play (in the room connected to my office), catch up on emails, blogs, work, etc.
9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.: Play with the girls, straighten up the house, run errands.
11:30 a.m.: Lunch.
12:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.: Dilly naps, Dizzle and Doodle get computer/art/board game time, call/email clients, catch up on more work (the problem of working from home - you can't escape it).
2:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.: More playtime for the kids, finish whatever dishes/laundry/cleaning/errands that didn't get done earlier.
4:15 p.m.: Make dinner.
5 p.m.: Dinner.
5:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.: Clean up mess from dinner.
6 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.: Get girls ready for bed, baths, stories, etc.
6:45 p.m. - 7 p.m.: Girls go to bed.
7 p.m. - bedtime (usually around 10): Prep lunches, clothes, and everything else for the next day, finish any work related tasks that didn't get done earlier, straighten up the house (I can't sleep in a messy house), watch TV/catch up with J.
10 p.m. - 5 a.m.: Sleep, hopefully uninterrupted.

So, that's how I balance it all. Some days it works. Some days it doesn't. But I try my best and we make it through. Oh, and that part about keeping sane? Well, that's what the running is for.

May rewind ...

Five months down, seven to go. Here's my recap of May 2010 ...

Miles Planned/Miles Ran: 123.3/158.7 (all-time monthly mileage PR)

Rest Days Planned/Rest Days Taken: 9/9

Highest Mileage Week: 5/10-5/16: 41.89 (all-time weekly mileage PR)

Long Runs Planned/Run: 5/5

Donuts Earned: 113.84 (my favorite statistic from Dailymile)

Current Book: I know it's shocking, but I am actually reading a book. It's called The Runner's Diet. I won it over at Getting Stronger, Burning Fat. I'm hoping it will give me some hints for eating "cleaner."

Current Shame-Inducing Guilty Pleasure: Cheese. I have been eating it left and right. And the stinkier the better.

Current Colors: Lime and Navy. Not really sure why, but I am loving that combination right now.

Current Obsessions: Running and P90X - The perfect stress relief after (or before) a long day with the girls ...

Current Drink: Diet Coke. Yeah, I know.

Current Song: Soul Sister - Train (I can't get this song out of my head. But I LOVE it!)

Current Triumph: Lots. A new 5K PR. A second-place age group finish. All time monthly mileage PR. It's been a good running month.

Current Bane of My Existence: The end of preschool. It's shaking up my world. I'm currently on a quest to keep my children happy and occupied while still fitting in 40 miles a week and P90X. Oh, and let's not forget that whole "managing" the household thing and trying to build my coaching business. I still have to do all that too.

Current Goal: Race my upcoming 17.75K (with G, Katye and MCM Mama) at goal half-marathon pace (no faster, no slower) and not die at the end.

Current Indulgence: Chobani Greek Yogurt (yes, I know this is a healthy indulgence). I could eat it ALL DAY! It's so fantastic.

Current Blessing: Life. Things are good. We are healthy and happy. And I have nothing worth complaining about.

Current Excitement: Bloggy meetups. I'm lucky enough to race with G, Katye and MCM Mama next weekend. And if all things work out, I will get to have lunch with Shelly next weekend. Oh, and let's not forget about booking my trip to WA in September to meet up with Tall Mom, Jill, Zoe and Kerrie.

firsts and lasts ...

Dilly - One Day Old

Dilly - One Year Old

Dear Dilly,

It's amazing, but somehow I blinked and my last baby is suddenly one. You'd think that after going through the first year with each of your sisters, I would have known exactly what to expect during yours. But, I'd be lying if I said that I did. Sure, some things were easier, some things less confusing, but almost nothing was what I expected. Which, if we are being honest, is exactly what I should have expected.

From day one, you were your own person. When people would ask me who you looked like, or who you reminded me of, I always answered, "I'm not sure. I guess she's most like Dilly." And that's still true. Sure, you share traits with each of your sisters, but you inject so much of your own personality in that you really don't resemble either.

There are a million things about you that make you the Dilly that I love. These are just a few of my favorites.

I love that you are the EASIEST child ever. You can ask anyone. You never cry. OK, maybe you cry, but it's usually only when you hurt yourself. Like last week when you fell down, bashed your head and instantly looked like you were growing a horn. (No worries, you're fine.)

I love that you know how to play me. That when you want your way, you'll look up at me with those big brown eyes, in a way that is eerily similar to Puss-N-Boots from Shrek.

I love that you act so much older than you are. You have an immense amount of confidence. And truly believe that you can do anything you put your mind to, even if that means climbing the banister (seriously, I have caught you climbing the banister. You can't even walk yet. Give me a break.)

I love that you do everything on your own time. Prime example, drinking from a cup. You would rather dehydrate yourself than drink on my schedule. So, I weaned you. And you held your ground. Refusing to drink anything. I said, "Have it your way." And you did.

I love that you love kisses. There is nothing better than slobbery baby kisses and you are happy to serve them up to anyone who is interested.

I love that you admire your sisters. Sure, they might not always be the best examples, but I could sit for hours watching you watch them with such love. I hope that you feel the same way for the rest of your life.

I love that I can always calm you down or make you laugh by singing, "I Got A Feeling," by the Black Eyed Peas. It's your favorite and to watch you dance to it, is the best.

I love that you let me parent you the way I have. That you quickly adapted to everything I have thrown at you. In a way, I have never seen you as a baby. I've tried to treat you like I treat your older sisters. And I think it has worked. We've found our groove. You've helped me become a more confident and a more relaxed parent. And I thank you for that.

Dilly, watching you transition in your first year from a newborn to a toddler has been bittersweet for me. Most of your firsts were also my lasts. The first time you took a bath was the last time I would ever give a first bath. The first time you "cried it out" was the last time I would ever Ferberize a child. Your first meal, your first smile, your first attempts of everything are all my last experiences of babyhood. It makes me want to smile and cry, all at the same time.

I am excited for all that is in store for us. I can't wait to see how you will continue to grow and blossom. How you will mesh with your sisters. How you will grow up. But for now, I will relish in the fact that today my baby is one. No longer a baby, but not quite a big kid. Happy Birthday Dilly! I love you more than you will ever know.

xoxo,
Mom

now I get it ...

This past fall, during marathon training, G and I were completing mid-week eight milers. I thought they were agony. I hated the thought of getting up early to run them (so not an early morning runner) and squeezing an eight miler in while taking care of three little ones is not an easy task. But somehow, I logged the miles, rather begrudgingly.

G, on the other hand, seemed to enjoy these runs. She even said to me, "Once this training is over, I think I am going to keep doing these mid-week long runs." I looked at her like she was crazy. I just couldn't understand why anyone would want to or could manage doing that. Until yesterday.

You see, yesterday was the first day of preschool for Doodle (she and Dizzle are now in the same class). Which meant it was the first day that I only had one child to watch. For four hours. It was bliss. My house was quiet. I wasn't stressed.

Taking advantage of my lighter load, I put Dilly down for a nap and jumped on the treadmill. My plan had been to run three. But while I was running (and decompressing) I wanted to go further. So I did. And in that moment, I understood what G was talking about. I could picture a day where I had no kids to watch (or just one to push in the stroller). I could picture a long mid-week run with ease. It was magical. And I can't wait for it to happen ...

2009 review and 2010 goals

It's been a big year in our house. We had our third (and last) child. We bought a new house, one which we hope to live in for a VERY LONG TIME. J started a new job. I started my own business. We've watched our children grow and flourish. We've watched them frustrate (both us and themselves). Things have been good. We are blessed. And happy.

It's also been a big year on the running front. It started with me all huge and waddling. Running at the end of a pregnancy is a rather awkward thing (but I would highly recommend sticking with it if you can). Once Dilly arrived, I was forced to take a three week hiatus. I did. Then returned to running (and racing) 23 days after Dilly's birth. I ran the Youngblood 5K, which I finished in 27:35 and somehow placed 3rd in my age group. Yes, there were only nine people in my age group, but I still beat six of them!

I used the rest of the spring to build my speed before marathon training began. I ran two 10K, an 8k and two 5Ks between April 1st and May 31st. By the end of May, I had gained back most of the speed I had lost during my pregnancy. I even set a new 5K PR of 25:19. Definitely the highlight of the year.

June 1st started half-marathon training, which led right into marathon training. Over the next 24 weeks, I logged almost 600 miles. In that same time, I PR'd at the Patrick Henry Half in a time of 2:18:18. That same day I suffered severe dehydration and was inches away from heat stroke. Not my best running moment. But at least it taught me to NEVER run another half marathon in the middle of summer in the South. Seems so obvious now ...

After that half, marathon training went well. Until four weeks out. My ankle started acting up. I had to back off on mileage. And then I fell down the stairs and hurt my other foot. It was rough. I did almost no running in the last three weeks of training. But on race day, I was standing at the start line ready to go. Before the race was half over, my ankle gave out. I didn't know at the time but it was severely sprained. I finished, slower than I had hoped, but amazingly I loved every moment of it.

I would have to take the next three weeks off due to that injury. But after a cast and a dose of cortisone, I came back, perhaps stronger than before. Today, I logged my last run of 2009. And while I missed my goal of 1000 miles, I am rather happy with what I did accomplish. And very hopeful for 2010. So here they are, my 2009 totals and 2010 goals:

2009:
921.35 miles run
110,562 calories burned
3 PRs set
at least 50 cupcakes eaten

2010 goals:
run 1000 miles
run a 2 hour half marathon
run a sub-25 5K
run a sub 7:10 mile
eat less than 50 cupcakes

What will you do in 2010?

where are my capris?

On Sunday, I got a day off from child rearing while I attended a workshop. That meant that for the very first time, J had the girls all day. From 7:30-4:30. That's like a good 5 hours longer than he had ever had them before.

I tried to prepare him. Gave him a quick rundown before I left and as I walked out the door, I threw the girls' outfits for the day on the playroom floor. I knew the girls would be OK. I was a little afraid that J might panic (he didn't).

Feeling good about leaving them all day, I went to my training and didn't even think about them again until it was time to nurse Dilly. So, around 1:30 I called J and told him to come over with the girls sometime soon. When he arrived 40 minutes later, I took one look at them and I knew something was off, but I couldn't quite figure out what it was. I checked them all one by one. J was normal. Dilly was as cute as ever. Doodle had some CRAZY hair working, but she was fine. Dizzle also had that messed up hair, but there was something else. I just looked at her and thought, "Capris? I'm almost positive I didn't leave her capris to wear. Wait, Dizzle doesn't even own capris. (Dizzle lifts her shirt) Huh, those pants aren't even zipped or buttoned. OMG, she is wearing DILLY'S PANTS!!"

So there she was. My 45 pound, 43 inch tall, four year old wearing a nine month old's pants. It was hysterical. And what was even better was that J had no clue. And now I understand why he usually leaves them in their pajamas ...

191 to go ...

Have I ever mentioned how hard it is to get all of your mileage in with three kids (two that don't nap), three jobs, one preschool board position, dance classes, soccer practice and a husband who travels a lot (including weekends)?

Well, it's hard.

Yet, somehow (and I'm not really sure how) I have only missed two runs in the past nine months. Actually, if you ignore the three weeks my OB demanded that I had to take off after delivering Dilly, I have only missed two runs since September 2007. Once when I had a sinus infection and once when I thought my ankle was going to break. I have been running four days a week for the past two years. I've run through illness and bad weather and an entire pregnancy. And with 64 days left in the year, I am 191 miles away from reaching my goal of 1,000 miles in 2009.

And as long as my ankle (which is hating me right now) holds up, I am so there ...

doing my work ...

So, the girls have these chalkboard circles on the wall that they can write on. They are a super great invention. The girls love them. They were really cheap. And they are totally removable. Overall, an excellent investment.

This afternoon, Doodle was drawing on them. After a few minutes of not paying attention to her, I turned around to find her standing on her IKEA stool (another great investment, by the way). I told her get down. But rather than listening, she turned to me and said,"Mom! I'm just doing my work. I too small to reach. I have to stand on my stool."

OK, Doodle. You don't want to listen to me? Then go ahead and "do your work." But, don't come crying to me when you break your arm. I promise, all you'll get from me is a big fat "I told you so."

let's just pile it on ...

Like usual, things have been hectic around here. On top of all of our usual activities (which keep the girls and I constantly on the go), marathon training is in full swing. This week's short (I use that term loosely) runs include an eight miler. Not really sure how that classifies as short, but I guess compared to next Sunday's 18 or today's 16, it is.

Speaking of today's 16 miler ... that pretty much bit the big one. But at least I finished, especially considering that we ran in the pouring rain AND I have a sinus infection. Not exactly ideal conditions for a long run or any run. G and I probably mentioned how crazy we were (she was sick too) a good 20 times this morning and I am sure every person who drove past us thought the same thing.

Really, who does that? No one in their right mind would run in the cold rain while sick. Except apparently us. It's like I totally forgot how horrible I felt 48 hours earlier and how much harder it is to take care of three kids when you want someone to take care of you. But, you know me, I'm an overachiever. Nothing is going to stop me. Not even some crazy illness.

And do you know what else that crazy illness couldn't keep me from? Starting my own business. That's right, on top of everything else, I decided to take my craftiness and put it to good use. So, now that you're interested, click here to check out my website.

with splenda and apple juice?

Last week, I was reading an article that claimed there was no such thing as "pregnancy" or "mommy" brain. Apparently, there is no evidence to suggest that during pregnancy (or the 18 years after) women become more prone to forgetting things.

As a mother of three, I would have to disagree. I forget things nearly everyday. Fortunately up to this point, I've never forgotten a child. That would be bad. Sure, I've forgotten to buckle their seat belts, but I've never actually forgotten one of them.

This morning, I proved that this so called "scientific study" was completely inaccurate. You see, I was making myself a well-deserved cup of coffee when I showed the classic symptoms of a brain fart. I had just been thinking to myself, "Oh, I should get the girls some apple juice." Then I opened the fridge, grabbed the milk and poured it into my coffee. About 10 seconds later, when I realized that my coffee was not getting any lighter, I actually looked at my hand. And what was I holding? That's right. The apple juice. Irish cream coffee with a scoop of splenda and a splash of apple juice ... DELICIOUS!

are we there yet?

I have a new, least favorite phrase ... now, everyone, say it in your whiniest voice possible, "Are we there yet?" I have dreaded that phrase every time we have embarked on a road trip for the past four years. Up until now, I only feared it. But now, I have lived it. OVER AND OVER AGAIN!

I swear that we were twenty minutes into our trip (our 12 hour trip) when Dizzle first asked. And then she asked every 28.7 seconds after that. At one point, I told her if she asked me that again, I was going to turn the car around and go back to Virginia. She told me that would not be fun. Obviously, Dizzle. Obviously.

All joking aside, the first 12 days of our month long adventure have gone pretty smoothly (other than the constant nagging, of course). We have driven A LOT. (J far more than the rest of us - thanks to a quick trip back to VA for two days.) We've caught up with a bunch of people that we haven't seen in years. (Like, so long ago, that we didn't have any kids. And I'm pretty sure longer than that for a few of them.) Plus, J and I were fortunate enough to go on a few dates in RI and I even spent the entire day with just Dilly, while J and his parents took Dizzle and Doodle to a friend's pool. And somehow, I have managed to get every single one of my runs in. Things have been good. Hopefully, they stay that way. Because ...

Today was our last day with J until we return to VA, just in time to leave for NC. We spent the morning at my Alma Mater, trying to convince the girls to bleed red and blue (J would probably prefer if they just bled red, but let's be honest, Penn beats out Cornell any day). Sure, they are a little young to be thinking about college, but you can never plant those Ivy League dreams too soon.

Anyway, once we decked out the girls in some new Penn gear, we dropped J off at the train station and headed back to my mom's. At which point, I realized that I was left to deal with them ALONE for the next 10 days. 10 days, which I am sure will be filled with fun, but will likely be filled with Dizzle's drama-filled yells and Doodle's two new favorite sayings, "One minute, Mom," and with fingers in her ears, "I can't hear you, Mommy."

God, if they are this great now, I really can't wait till they are teenagers. Here's to more happy travels!

and it was downhill from there ...

I will admit it. I am an overachiever. OK, maybe I would be better classified as an overdoer. I tend to overdo everything. I just keep piling it on. The more on my plate the better. Usually. Until it all blows up in my face. Like today. And yesterday. And last Friday when I got stranded.

You see, today started out innocent enough. Sure, I was beyond overbooked with life and such, but I had a good outlook on things. I could handle it. Easy peasy.

But then I realized, that it was 7 a.m. and Dilly hadn't eaten in four hours. Which meant that if I fed her at that moment, I would have to do it again around 11. Which would mean a total meltdown during Stroller Strides. Which would lead to me publicly breastfeeding - a thing I'm not too fond of. So, I decided to hold her off. I figured if she could wait until 8, I would have plenty of time after class to hang out and then make it home to feed her. So, very wrong. By holding her off, Dilly screamed at me for 30 minutes until I gave in. And then, she still cried during the majority of class. And it was all downhill from there.

Dilly's class time crying was the first of many crying bouts today (myself included). So, why was everyone crying? Well, Dizzle had a rough day at school. After rushing around to make it out of the house (as stressful on the kids as it is on me), she settled into her school day. Until about lunchtime, when she had had enough of a fellow classmate and things got physical. No one was seriously hurt (physically at least) but Dizzle lost out on her opportunity to be "blessing leader" due to the incident. Which caused her to cry the entire ride home from school.

And then we were running late for swimming, due to some work stuff that threw me for a loop. But it gets better. Since class time was so close to the end of the school day, Doodle went without a nap. Which caused her to cry about EVERYTHING. Fortunately, swimming itself was uneventful.

But then we tried to leave. But Doodle had dropped her cup. So I ran back inside. To find out she had her cup the whole time.

Then we really left, but I was feeling the time crunch while trying to sort out the previously mentioned work stuff and I was going slightly faster than I should have been. And then the speed limit changed. And I didn't notice. But the cop did. And I ended up with my first ticket EVER.

Which left me with even less time to feed all of my children and get to my second Stroller Strides class of the day. So, I made a sandwich for the girls (which they ate in the stroller) and ended up nursing Dilly in the parking lot before class. A class where my kids were less than stellar. A class where at the end of it, I realized that Doodle was blowing boogers out of her eyeballs. Seriously, something has got to give ...

easy peasy ...

I have been asked several times this week, "How's life with three?" And every time I respond, "Easy peasy." And although it might seem that I am being facetious, I'm really not. Life with three (thus far) has been surprisingly easy. Aside from needing to allot extra time to get out of the house (and the obvious sleep deprivation), things have remained pretty much the same around here. Maybe it's the tight ship I run, maybe I am just a kick ass parent or maybe I just have really easy going children. Any which way, I'm not complaining.

And speaking of those easy going children, Dizzle and Doodle are a big part as to why things are going so well around here. To them, Dilly is the best thing since sliced bread. They are head over heals in love with their little sister. They always want to be a part of what Dilly is doing (which makes for some pretty uncomfortable nursing sessions). Oh, and the kisses. They are all about covering her in kisses. Very cute and very annoying all at the same time.

But, let's be honest here (if you don't want to slap me with all this "it's so easy talk" by now, I'm sure you will in about 30 seconds). So, back to my point. Let's be honest, I should have expected things to go this way, especially after my experience in labor and delivery. You see, despite being my longest labor, it was by far the easiest. Like crazy easy. So easy that at times I thought, "Wow! This is the most relaxing day I have had in over three years." And it really was. I basically spent the entire day pain-free (even before the epidural). Plus, I'm pretty sure I slept for seven of the eight hours I spent in that hospital bed. It was fantastic. (Go ahead, curse me out. I completely understand. I'll shut up now.)