Runner, I Am Not

So, this week at the gym, I decided to kick things up a notch and run on the treadmill.  About one minute into this, I began thinking it was a bad idea.  I hate running...who am I kidding?!  But, I forced myself to run for 10 minutes.  Ugh...it was torture.  I couldn't take my eyes off the timer on the machine, and kept thinking, "just 7 more minutes, you can do this!", then "I don't think I can go another minute!".  

The next visit at the gym, I decided to run again, this time for 11 minutes!  Now that I knew I could go for 10 minutes, I couldn't go any less than that.  So, I challenged myself to go one minute longer.  I did it...but grudgingly.  Did I mention I hate running?  

Next time, it will be for 12 minutes.  I can't wait.  Is it bad that the only way I get through this is by shouting to myself things like, "Do you want to look good for your 10 year college reunion?!  Keep going!"  "Do you want to lose that butt?! Keep going!"  I'm like my own little drill sargeant in my head.   Watch out, Lou Gossett Jr, there's a new sargeant in town.  

Thankful Thoughts on New Year's Eve

So, it's almost 2008, and I'm thinking about what 2007 was for me.  It was the year I became a Mama, learned how to multi-task (I only THOUGHT I was a multi-tasker before!), made a job change that was right for my family, and started doing some things *for me*, like going to the gym, working with a trainer, and watching what I eat (and losing 5 lbs in the process!!!).  I've got some goals for 2008, but first I wanted to make a list of things I was thankful for in 2007...

1)  The opportunity to finally be a Mom, and get to see our Babygirl everyday.

2)  That both of us found great job opportunities that keep us closer to home.

3)  That I finally made time to start exercising again...it feels good.

4)  That Emmy has such wonderful grandparents, who love her, and love & support us in many different ways.

5)  That my 90 year-old Gram is still here, and still a stinker.

6)  That the cats have adjusted SO well to Emmy's presence in their lives.  

7)  That we are all *finally* healthy after 5 weeks of being constantly sick.

8)  That we have truly fabulous friends, who just happen to live too damn far away (okay, so I'm NOT thankful for that last part)

9)  That we have a warm place to sleep, enough food to eat, and money to pay the bills.

10)  That I have a loving & supportive husband, who still seems to like me after being together 6 years.  

Holiday Happenings

We went to DC for Christmas to stay with Keith's sister & her family.  We were joined by the rest of the Stouders, and had a nice holiday together.  Emmy's first Christmas was fun, although at times she was overwhelmed.  She enjoyed the wrapping paper, playing with her cousin Abby, and pulled up onto her knees for the first time in order to get a better look at a new toy.  Once she did that, she was up on her knees for the rest of the week...something she though was hilarious.   I got some cute video of her bouncing and giggling hysterically.  

Today was my last day at work, and I'll start my new job on Monday.  It was sad to leave my friends today, but I'll stay in touch (and they'll read the blog to get their Emmy fix).  

We're staying local for New Year's...not doing much, except going to visit our friends, Fred & Lennie on New Year's Day.  Lennie is a fabulous cook, and loves to entertain.  Should be fun.  

Keith got me an iMac for Christmas (I should say, got "us" the iMac!).  I had wanted some digital scrapbooking software, but once he read the system requirements, he realized our old computer would need an upgrade to support it.  The old system was going on 5 years old, so it was time to change out.  We're learning how to use the Mac, and are liking it so far.  I feel like I have a ton to figure out, but will take it slowly and play around with it.  Any Mac users out there (besides the Garretts, who've been trying to convert us for years!)??

Chocolate Chip Milestone

I finally did a little baking today, making chocolate chip cookies & brownies with peppermint chips on top (thanks for sharing your peppermint, Mom!). Emmy was sitting in her highchair, eating snacks and listening to Christmas music while I worked in the kitchen. I gave her a little piece of cookie, and she obviously liked it. So, I gave her a half cookie, and she DEVOURED it. Such a good chocoholic! This was her first cookie, and I think she's a fan.

Hello, Amoxicillin!

Well, it had to happen eventually. Em has had a nasty cold/cough all week, which kept getting worse, so I took her to the ped yesterday. She said Em's lungs were clear, but she had an ear infection. When she went 2 weeks ago for her 9 month checkup, the right ear looked slightly red, but nothing to do for it quite yet. Looks like it brewed for a while, and then this cold kicked it up a notch into a full-blown infection. So, Emmy's on the lovely pink Amoxicillin. Luckily, she loves it. She gets so excited when I pull out the bottle, she literally starts bouncing in her seat. We found out yesterday one of the little boys in daycare has RSV...so, we'll keep a close eye on Emmy's cough & breathing.

On the upside, when I picked Em up one day this week we were saying goodbyes with Jeffrey, and Emmy waved and said "bye-bye"! That's the first time she's said a word with an appropriate action/meaning. So exciting! Usually, everything is either mama or dada....not that I get tired of hearing "mamamamamamama"!

Oh, Christmas Tree...

Will try to get more this weekend...

Holiday Buzz

This weekend, I put our tree up, and decorated the house for Christmas. We decided to do a 4 ft artificial tree this year so we could put it up on a table and have it out of reach of the crawling kiddo. She's not sure what to make of the sparkling delight in the front room, but she's interested! We went to church today, which unfortunately, put our schedule out of sync for the rest of the day. Church service takes place during Em's morning naptime, so she missed her nap. We thought she'd crash once we got home...no such luck. She tossed & turned & played & whined, until we gave up 2 hours later and got her up. We had a Christmas party to attend tonight, and really wanted her to nap before we went...nope, didn't happen! She was a social butterfly at the party...went from person to person, without a whimper. Whatever happened to the stranger anxiety she's been having lately?! Guess she decided to put that aside for the night. Keith and I actually hired a babysitter Saturday night so we could have our first date night in 10 months. It was nice to eat dinner in peace, without worrying how many crackers were being dumped on the floor, or whether our dinner partner was putting her mouth on something unsanitary! We went to a movie (Before the Devil Knows Your Dead...sort of a downer, but very well done) as well. Overall, it was a nice weekend, and we finally feel more in the holiday spirit!

Kid vs Cat

We took they boys to the vet for their annual checkup today, and were a little surprised by how much weight Riley had gained in the past year. I guess he's been emotionally eating since Emmy's arrival (Amos' weight didn't change). On Friday, I took Em in for her 9 month checkup, and she's doing wonderfully. She was so happy at the office, the pediatrician kept asking if she was always this even tempered. A funny thing though...Em's stats: wt 18 lb, 6 oz (50th percentile for each). Riley's stats: wt 18 lb, 6 oz...it will be so nice when I can say that my child actually weighs more than my cat!