I am a social exerciser. I like working out with other people and if I can't get a friend to the gym I like going to the 'group exercise' classes.
When I can't get to a class and have no one with whom to workout I usually hit the treadmill or the elliptical. I usually go to the one that is sort of out of the way. I hate getting on when others are already in full swing.
Except that I get a boost out of being next to someone who looks like they're in their zone. So much so, that when a fellow runner hopped on the treadmill next to me the other day I found myself setting my pace to match hers. Okay, I was point one slower - I know my limits.
I ended up jogging further than I had planned (yeah), but was exhausted, more sweaty than ever, and two days later still feel the twinges of that little feat.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Night, Night (Part Two)
"Mommy, can I sleep with you, pleeeease?" she asks. Looking up at me with those big brown eyes. I ask her whether she's scared, needs another book read, or is there anything else I can do for her.
"Why do you want to sleep in mamma's bed?" I ask.
"Because I love you," she replies and gives me a bear hug only a two year old could give.
Game over. Becca one, momma zero. I keep reminding myself that moments like this won't always exist. She'll grow up and go through that don't come near me phase. Perhaps. Hopefully not, as a somewhat new mom, I still believe that I can build a good relationship with her and keep our bond through those trying years.
My mom has reminded me that Cota didn't stop coming to our bed until he was three and a half. That would mean we're about a year away with Becca. I know, I know what you're thinking... but we made the choice to co-sleep first out of convenience when I was breast feeding, then out of sheer joy at the bond we were developing.
Having these beautiful, smiling faces wake you in the morning was pretty wonderful. Morning family talks or pillow fights were pretty cool too. Now that they are growing, though, the comfort factor is setting in. You would not believe how much space such a little body can take.
For now I just look at those big brown eyes looking at me and sigh as I pick her up and walk to my room.
"Why do you want to sleep in mamma's bed?" I ask.
"Because I love you," she replies and gives me a bear hug only a two year old could give.
Game over. Becca one, momma zero. I keep reminding myself that moments like this won't always exist. She'll grow up and go through that don't come near me phase. Perhaps. Hopefully not, as a somewhat new mom, I still believe that I can build a good relationship with her and keep our bond through those trying years.
My mom has reminded me that Cota didn't stop coming to our bed until he was three and a half. That would mean we're about a year away with Becca. I know, I know what you're thinking... but we made the choice to co-sleep first out of convenience when I was breast feeding, then out of sheer joy at the bond we were developing.
Having these beautiful, smiling faces wake you in the morning was pretty wonderful. Morning family talks or pillow fights were pretty cool too. Now that they are growing, though, the comfort factor is setting in. You would not believe how much space such a little body can take.
For now I just look at those big brown eyes looking at me and sigh as I pick her up and walk to my room.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Mom's Albondigas (Meatball Soup)
Ingredients
- meatballs
1 pound ground meat (beef, chicken, or turkey)
1 egg
1 teaspoon of maseca, instant corn masa flour (found in the 'Hispanic' section at the grocery store.)
3 teaspoons of rice
salt
pepper
garlic powder
- soup broth
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tomato chopped
1/2 cup chopped onion (we use Walla Walla sweets)
about five to six cups of chicken broth (either prepared or from boullions)
-extras
3 carrots chopped to 1/2 inch sizes
1 russet potato chopped to one inch cubes
lime (optional)
Directions
Mix meatball ingredients until well blended. Make one inch balls out of the mixture.
In medium sauce pot saute tomato and onion in heated oil. Add broth and bring to a boil. Add meatballs (and extras) and simmer for one hour.
Serve in deep bowls. Add squirts of lime juice to taste. Accompany with fresh tortillas and Enjoy!
- meatballs
1 pound ground meat (beef, chicken, or turkey)
1 egg
1 teaspoon of maseca, instant corn masa flour (found in the 'Hispanic' section at the grocery store.)
3 teaspoons of rice
salt
pepper
garlic powder
- soup broth
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tomato chopped
1/2 cup chopped onion (we use Walla Walla sweets)
about five to six cups of chicken broth (either prepared or from boullions)
-extras
3 carrots chopped to 1/2 inch sizes
1 russet potato chopped to one inch cubes
lime (optional)
Directions
Mix meatball ingredients until well blended. Make one inch balls out of the mixture.
In medium sauce pot saute tomato and onion in heated oil. Add broth and bring to a boil. Add meatballs (and extras) and simmer for one hour.
Serve in deep bowls. Add squirts of lime juice to taste. Accompany with fresh tortillas and Enjoy!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Night, Night
Summer nights with fun, smart toddlers can be difficult. "It's not sleep time. It's still light out. Sleep time is for dark time," they chant. "We're not tired. My body still has lots of energy." While true, mom (and dad) didn't get the energy boost they must have been passing out somewhere.
Most of the time I have energy to burn at night as well. I'm the night owl, while Randy is the early to bed - early to rise type. Rebecca inherited her dad's schedule, so after bath and book time (sometimes in the middle of book time) she drifts off to sleep easily. Unfortunately, it doesn't always mean she stays asleep all night.
Cota on the other hand is like me and after bath and book time usually comes "Mom, if I'm still awake when you check on me please read me another book." I used to check on him within 10 to 15 minutes and typically ended up reading another book. I've stretched that out to 30 to 40 minutes and either boredom or the busy day catches up to him.
I love my kids, but I so enjoy those first moments when they fall asleep. It's like the first whiff of coffee, yummy and soothing. Those first few minutes of quiet solitude allow me to refresh myself for them and Randy. I watch them sleeping peacefully and see all of God's grace shining through their rose colored cheeks.
Ahhh, summertime. So far, that moment has gotten pushed a little later, maybe black out blinds are in order. :)
Most of the time I have energy to burn at night as well. I'm the night owl, while Randy is the early to bed - early to rise type. Rebecca inherited her dad's schedule, so after bath and book time (sometimes in the middle of book time) she drifts off to sleep easily. Unfortunately, it doesn't always mean she stays asleep all night.
Cota on the other hand is like me and after bath and book time usually comes "Mom, if I'm still awake when you check on me please read me another book." I used to check on him within 10 to 15 minutes and typically ended up reading another book. I've stretched that out to 30 to 40 minutes and either boredom or the busy day catches up to him.
I love my kids, but I so enjoy those first moments when they fall asleep. It's like the first whiff of coffee, yummy and soothing. Those first few minutes of quiet solitude allow me to refresh myself for them and Randy. I watch them sleeping peacefully and see all of God's grace shining through their rose colored cheeks.
Ahhh, summertime. So far, that moment has gotten pushed a little later, maybe black out blinds are in order. :)
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