Get Over It--The Bridge That Is

Growing up in Charleston, there's one thing that has always been the iconic image of this city in my mind and that's the Cooper River Bridge. While most of my childhood there were two bridges, one of which still gives me nightmares about driving over it, the Charleston skyline is nothing without it/them. Somehow I have never done the popular Cooper River Bridge Run, so it seemed fitting that now that I'm back in my beloved city I would celebrate by crossing the CRBR off my bucket list. And to make it more fun, I got 7 of my closest friends to come run it with me.

Everyone got in late Friday evening, and we spent the night loading up on carbs, carbs, and more carbs (I may have had wayyyyy too much food) and catching up. Before we knew it, we had only 5 hours before we had to be up and getting out the door to get to the race. Don't get me wrong, I love races, but I really hate how early they require you to function.

Fast forward a few hours and a trip on a bus, and we were in our corral and ready to go. The weather was perfect. We did have to sit for about 2 hours waiting for the race to start so I'm glad I had the crew with me. 

Finally at 8:45 it was our turn to cross the start line and off we went.

I'm not sure this was my race. (Here is where I start to whine just a bit.) The 10k distance is not my favorite because I've 1. not run enough of them and 2. I can't seem to figure out my pacing for them. This one also includes one large hass bridge in the middle of it. 

 

After having to wait for so long before starting, I was STARVING by the time the race began. Within half a mile, I was already cramping. Boo Hiss Blah. Thankfully, my never fail breathing technique to get rid of cramps worked and I carried on, but still... not a good way to go out the gate. 

Then there were the woggers. Now I have nothing against run-walkers at all. I often am one. However, they were everywhere. EVERYWHERERERREEE. I spent the whole race weaving in and out and around and through walkers 5+ wide. (I told you I was going to whine...) It's one thing if you want to walk some or all of the race, but I've never been around so many people who clearly have never heard of race etiquette. #endrant 

I love my city. I love that bridge. And the race course was really cool. All and all, it was what it was. Still have mixed feelings about it. Maybe if I do it again, I'll do it without any goal in mind other than just to finish it and enjoy the view. 

The rest of the weekend was spent eating, hanging out, eating, hanging out, and eating. Can't complain about that! 

Pictures of the kiddos

Since I had the camera out for Clare's 5 month post yesterday, I thought I'd snap a few extra. Clare already loves having her picture taken... ham... and well Damian is a nut. Soooooooo here ya goooo! Enjoy!

Is she killing you with cuteness yet??

Then I asked to take a picture of them together and got this look...
"You want to do what??"

I then told Damian I didn't want to see the food in his mouth so I got this model pose.
Also, anyone else think he's looking more and more like Nate by the second?

Just a typical day in the life of Clare... being attacked by her big brother. For some reason she loves it and giggles hysterically, which only encourages him more.... sigh...

I then asked Damian for his...

Happy Face

Silly Face

Sad Face

We may need to work on "emotions" next...

Happy Hump Day everyone!!

5 months...

Dear Clare,

Is it really 5 months already?! This month has been "the best yet" just as all months have been. You continue to be so happy and sweet--full of smiles, squeals, and laughs. You're an absolute joy, and I swear you're getting cuter by the second. In other words, we are still completely smitten by you and wrap around your chubby little finger. 

This past month...

You began to sit independently. At your four month appointment, your pediatrician said that we should be on the look out for you pulling up on things around 6 months. I'm not ready for that. Ok?

Speaking of your 4 month appointment... Your stats are as follows-- Weight: 17 pounds 11 oz Length: 26.5 inches. You are "sturdy" for sure. But your cheeks and rolls are delicious.

We played peek-a-boo the other day. You thought it was hilarious to lean over to your feet and then pop up when I would say "Where did Clare go?" You've also started reaching out for me some, rolling over in the bed towards me to hug my face, and giving what I call kisses but I know is just you hungry and attempting to nurse my face. I'll take it though! It's fun seeing these beginning moments of social interaction and communication.

You've attempted to get into the crawling position twice.... And I may have stopped you... Once again, I'm not ready... I love you, so when I say this, I mean it will all the love in my heart, but I think you're buddha baby chub may keep you from moving for a bit anyway. This is a fun stage where you can just sit and play, so let's enjoy it a bit. Although, I do look forward for when you can go steal your toys back from your mean big brother who apparently has a new love for baby toys. I guess this is what being the second child is like...

You LOVE to bounce in your Johnny Jump Up. 

The newest trick you've got is blowing raspberries, and you are SO proud of yourself. It's also the way you seem to be trying to start conversations with us. If I say hi, you blow me some bubbles. And it's even more fun to blow them on my shoulder and arm. 

We're still working on you sleeping in your crib. You're doing better sleeping for 'longer' stretches in your swing, but the crib is still not working out well for you. On the bright side, you've got a bit of a schedule going. You nap 3-4 times a day starting at 9 AM, and then we start bedtime routine at 7 PM. We rock, nurse, and pray and it's really a nice way to end the day. Now if only you would stop waking up multiple times at night.

You still love your brother and seem to have finally noticed we have pets.

This is just a small thing but you got to ride in your stroller without being in the carseat for the first time and it was so thrilling you fell right asleep.

We tried solids with you considering your desire to put our food in your mouth. I wasn't expecting you to like rice cereal, but you were more than unimpressed by it. Mostly baby food in general does nothing for you. You'd much rather num on a whole banana or a piece of my lettuce. I guess I should look more into Baby Lead Weaning...

And that's about it for this month. 

Love you sweet cheeks,

Mama

This Week

Monday

St. Patrick's Day!! Woot Woot! I have some Irish blood in me so celebrating is both mandatory and legitimate. However, when one gives up alcohol for Lent... and has two kids... celebrating is pretty laid back compared to some. Nate also went to a big ol' Irish dinner with my brother and Dad, so that left me folding clothes and hanging out with my mom. I know... you are all about to invite me to your next party.

Tuesday

Just your usual day getting donuts... Damian got to watch them being made (he has new career aspirations now) and got a free hat. Clare was just confused as to why she didn't get one.

We also took Tibs to get groomed so he could see again. You would have thought he had been gone for a year with how excited Damian was to see him again.

Oh and I bought Clare (ok and me) her first Disney princess movie. And Nate and I watched it without her... And I've had this song stuck in my head since.

Wednesday

Wednesday was "nanny day" or the day that Damian spends with my mom. I got to enjoy the leisures of having only one child who can neither talk nor walk. It's amazing how much faster I can get errands done. #thingsIneverthoughtI'dsay 

Thursday

We spent a ton of time outside enjoying the wonderful weather. I took them on a jog in efforts to get ready for the Cooper River Bridge Run in 2 weeks... I'm less worried about the bridge and more worried about leaving Clare who still refuses to take a bottle, but she will survive. Anyway... We also ran to a coffee shop because I was needing a little extra motivation to get my butt out the door. Damian sang "going to the coffee shop" for a majority of the ride. After the run, I had a boost of energy and got almost all of our second vegetable garden planted. We topped off the night with some friends over for dinner, saving me from another night of solo parenting thanks to Nate being at a conference for work. 

Friday

Weeellll Friday started at 12:06 am with Damian waking up for some reason, me putting him back to bed, not being able to fall asleep until 1 when he woke up again (this kid sleeps like a rock so who knows what was up with that,) and then, of course, at 2 am Clare was ready to go. Sooo much for getting a bunch of sleep alone in my bed. In other words, I was chugging coffee this morning like the true addict that I am. And since Nate wasn't around this morning I was feeling especially deprived of adult interaction making the visit from the plumber more exciting than it should've been. I can only imagine that he was a little concerned by my sudden interest in how our house's water shutoff works. 

Today proceeded to be the slowest day ever, and at 3 pm I couldn't take it anymore. We piled in the car to go find a park. Clare got her first go at the swings, and Damian chased birds around an open field. Success. Which caused a car nap, which led to a car nap transfer to his bed, which means pigs are flying and there's a blizzard in hell. I had to go upstairs to wake him up for dinner and he asked for a bit longer. Is he a teenager already and I just missed it? Nate's currently working on getting him to sleep for the night, sooooooo here's to hoping that actually happens.

Happy Weekend!!!

SPRING IS FINALLY HERE!!!!!

Spring!!! It's finally Spring!!!

I realize that this doesn't necessarily guarantee warmth and happiness from now on, but at least I can say it's Spring.

As you've probably seen on Instagram, we've been busy building our vegetable garden.

We finally got the raised bed filled with dirt-- 50% compost, 50% garden soil, 25% top soil. No, that doesn't add up but that's basically the gist of it. 

I started some seeds in our Aerogarden, and they sprouted like champs. The other seedlings that I attempted in some egg cartons did nothing but kill my confidence in my never.buying.produce.again. future. 

Therefore, I was more than a little skeptical about all the seeds I planted in the raised bed--spinach, onions, cucumbers, zucchini, and squash.

But look! 

My little babies are growing!!

I decided to do my "herb garden" in pots on our steps for easier access and because I ran out of room in my tiny raised bed farm.

The basil is clearly taking the lead here, but oregano is also sprouting, you just can't see it. Italian dinners for all!!

Like I said, I ran out of room, so I decided to try my hand at a non-raised bed veggie garden for all those little seedlings that did grow-- tomatoes and peppers (or toms and peps as I keep calling them to Nate who keeps ignoring my pet names for them. It will catch on. It will.)

The sense of pride I feel for having dug and tilled that all by hand is almost obnoxious. But then I realize I still need to move all this sod and dirt and roots and... I'm tired.

Well there you have it. We'll see how these babies do and if I actually get some veggies from it all.

Happy Spring!!!!!

A Weekend Away

It's been over a month now that we've been in the new house. Every weekend thus far has been spent unpacking, painting, doing maintenance, etc etc. When Nate told me that he was going on a bachelor party weekend, I first cried at the thought of riding solo for the.entire.weekend. but then rejoiced when I realized I could take the kids on a small trip to see some of my good friends (Emily and Jeff.) A weekend without home improvement stores?! Yes please! I then quickly invited myself over to stay with them.

Sometimes, though, I get a little too brave for my own good. (Preface: the trip overall was fantastic... now I continue.) I kinda sorta maybe didn't think about the fact that 3.5 hours alone with two kids in a car is not always... how shall we say it... pleasant. But I decided upon the perfect plan--playdate in the morning and then leave right at Clare's afternoon nap time. Brilliant. Both kiddos will be tired and pass out, and I can drive in peace.

Fail. So much fail.

Damian was too excited to see his BFF Jeff that he "bounced" happily in his car seat almost the whole way there. Clare was a good little angel for the first part, even when we got stuck in stand still traffic only 40 miles into the trip. Thanks to the traffic (and my poorly planned gas station fill-up,) Clare woke up right as we hit rush hour traffic in Columbia. After listening to Clare scream as we slowly made our way through the city, I decided to stop and feed her. Damian and I jammed to some Raffi Pandora Station while I nursed Clare. We had only 1.5 hours to go, I was hoping a full belly and smooth sailing would cause her to zonk out. But no. Sweet girl decided she was done and cried for an hour before finally passing out... Hopefully this isn't a CIO preview...ugh. However, lulled to sleep by the soothing sounds of 4 month old's cries, Damian promptly fell asleep.

Soooo basically, the last 30 minutes of my trip as I made my way through the beautiful middle of nowhere upstate SC was very peaceful. However, I was more than sad that I had given up alcohol for Lent by the time we arrived.

The rest of the weekend was great. It was so nice to be fed delicious home cooked meals and just enjoy quality time catching up with friends. 

Damian and Clare got to stay up past their bed times so I was hoping that meant a nice sleeping in Saturday, but Mr. Rise and Shine was up and at'em right at 6:30 am. I tried to convince him to hop in the bed with Clare and I and snuggle, but he took me a little too literally and bounced on our heads for an hour before I finally gave up. Somehow Clare was able to sleep through all that excitement. 

We spent most of the day in downtown Greenville. It was a beautiful day and Damian was in a good mood, so everyone was happy. Three is a fun age, but, well, you know how it can go. I'd say Clare was in a good mood too but that's just plain redundant. This girl is always laid back and happy. (oh teenage years, please be gentle to us.) 

First stop was a model train exhibit.

 Damian's little boy heart leapt for joy, and I was a little worried he wouldn't ever let us leave. 

Apparently the promise of brunch was a good enough compromise. We also learned an interesting fact from Damian when he loudly proclaimed "I LOVE BACON SOOO MUCH!"  Noted child.

After lunch we walked around Falls Park.

Damian enjoyed running over the bridges, not colliding with other, slower pedestrians, and finding ducks. 

We topped the adventure off with ice cream. I'm fairly certain Damian proclaimed it to be The Best Day Ever! 

My trip back home on Sunday was equally adventurous as the way there, just with less baby screaming and a helluva lot more rain, getting lost, ending up in the middle of nowhere SC twice, and finding a gas station was not only not pay at the pump but also not pay before you pump. Somewhere in this world there is still a much higher level of trust and/or right and wrong. Who knew? 

Not I.

Anyway, that's the story of our weekend away. It was amazingly refreshing considering I was "alone" and traveling with two kids. If you've made it this far, I will leave you with this guy... who we found on our walk through the park, which made me think of this video.

you're welcome.