Happy New Year's!

Happy New Year!  I am so excited to see what 2011 will hold for us.  We spent New Year's Eve with my bestie, Amanda and her sweet family!

I love these kiddos!  The only one missing is Aiden, and that's because he was asleep!

Sugarland FLS 30K

No, I did not run a 30K.  I did, however, run 2/3 of a 30K, and supported my awesome friend Elle during the last two legs of the 30K that she ran.

Let's start by talking about mistakes.  Number one, I was at Mike's company Christmas party the night beforehand.  Until 1 in the morning.  Wearing heels.  Not smart.  I was tired, and the balls of my feet were killing me after mile 3.  Number two, I did not fully think through the details of getting myself 1/3 of the way down the course until the morning of the race.  So I spent an hour looking, and ultimately finding, a ride to mile 6.  For some reason, I thought this was a triple loop course, just like the 25K we did several weeks ago.  It is, in fact, a triple loop course, but first you run about 3 miles to get to the triple loop area, and at the end, you run about 3 miles to get back to the finish.  So arriving exactly 1/3 of the way in proved a bit challenging to say the least.  Many thanks to Gerry for being such a good sport and giving me a lift!  We'll get to mistake number three in a bit.

So, let's talk about the weather.  Cold, a bit windy, but sunny and clear.  Since I'd decided to carry my cell phone in my hydration belt this time, I didn't have room for all my Gu packets, so I wound up pinning them to the front of my pants.  When I tried to pin them to the inside of my pants, they started falling down (which is kind of a good thing considering I bought them a month ago.  It's a bad thing because they were $57).  So, on the outside they went.  And I learned, 6 miles in, that Gu pinned on your pants gets really annoying, because every step you take it is slapping on your leg.  I'm really glad that I somehow ended up running all of the Warm Up Series races this year, despite the fact that I'm only a halfer.  I seem to learn a bit more at each and every race!

I love this pic - the look on my face is priceless - I love running!

And now, let's talk about the race.  The Sugarland FLS 30K is a bit different.  Since it's not a straight course, and a triple loop, you are literally getting passed by faster runners throughout the entire race.  Usually, you might have a period where runners are passing you, but then it fades.  And if you run a negative split, you usually have a period of time where you are passing other runners at the end of the race.  But during the 30K there are runners passing you all the time.  And that's ok!  You just have to stay focused on your race.  The only difference is, when the really, really fast runners go by, they yell "elite runner going through."  Normally, that doesn't happen, but the 30K is not a closed course.  The outside lane of Sweetwater Drive is still open, and the elite runners run on the right (which is not normal - normally a faster runner passes on the left), which basically puts them in the flow of vehicular traffic.  In addition, since you are running a loop 3 times, you see everyone at least 6 times.  It's a good time to observe other runners, and to cheer each other on!

Look at my pinned on gloves . . . it was cold for a mile or two, but after that I was done with them!

When I jumped in at mile 6.2, Elle was already running a 10/1 interval.  This means we run for 10 minutes, and we walk for 1 minute.  I'm normally a continuous runner, but I run at a bit slower pace than Elle does.  If we run a 10/1 split, I'm able to keep up with her faster pace since I get a minute of rest.  We ran approximately 10 minute miles for about the first 7 miles I was on the course.  At my mile 7, and Elle's mile 13, she was hurting badly due to the development of several blisters, and she wanted to walk.  We walked for approximately 5 minutes, and I convinced Elle to run again by telling her we only had to run 5 more times, and then we could be done.  We took off again, passing several runners who had passed us while we were walking.  I vividly remember hearing them call out, "Go Girls!" while we ran past.  That certainly felt good, but again, I was only at mile 8 or 9 by this point, and Elle was starting on mile 15.  At that point, she had to walk.  I tried in vain to convince her to run again, but she was in too much pain.  I remember trying to yell at her to pick up her feet, and she told me just to go on.  I told her it wasn't my race, and I wouldn't leave her.  I'm glad I didn't - I've never experienced running on blisters, but I imagine it must be pretty painful. 

We finally left the Sweetwater loop and headed back towards the finish line.  As I mentioned before, we still had about two miles to go in order to finish.  I kept trying to convince her to run, but it was to no avail.  We saw a guy in a kilt at about mile 16.5.  He was on the side of the road, playing bagpipes.  I remember laughing and asking other runners around me if they thought the kilt wearer was wearing underwear.  We all laughed about that for a bit, and one of the runners actually asked the kilt man about his underwear.  Apparently, he wasn't wearing any.  That was so funny - and it was enough comedic relief to give those runners the boost they needed to start in to the finish line.  Elle still hadn't gotten her boost yet.  I'd tried singing, like I did at the 25K, but it just wasn't enough. 

We were about a mile out from the finish line when the Black Eyed Peas song, "I've Got a Feeling," came up on my iPod.  We were walking, and there was a man walking in front of us who we were starting to gain on.  When we got next to him, he started to walk faster to keep up with us.  I turned to Elle and started singing the words . . . I gotta feeling . . . that tonight's gonna be a good night . . . yeah tonight's gonna be a good good night . . .  Elle chimed in, and the man with us turned and his ears perked up.  He said, "Hey!  That's my running song!"  Elle laughed and said, "Then let's run!"  and we all took off!  The walking man smoked us.  He was gone.  I'm glad I helped him finish!

Elle and I, with another runner to the right

And I'm glad I got Elle to run again as well.  Because when we turned the next corner, there was her husband and her kids, waiting to cheer her on.  I'm so glad - I know she wouldn't have wanted them to see her hurting the way that she was.  When we ran in and crossed the finish line, Elle had such a grin of accomplishment on her face.  I'm so proud of her - 18.6 miles is no small feat, for sure.  And for me, 12.4 was the farthest I'd run.  True, I felt a bit cheated when they gave me a medal and a finisher's shirt, but I'll wear it proudly because I know that God had me at that race for a reason.  Otherwise, the kilt asker, the walking man, and my friend Elle might not have finished . . .

So proud of you, Elle!  You are my hero!

Zoo Boo!

Our playgroup went to Zoo Boo at the Houston Zoo today!  We had a lot of fun, although it was a bit hot to wear costumes the whole time.  When will the silly costume makers realize that in Houston, it's quite possible it could be 90 degrees in October??

For those of you anticipating the gnome costumes, I felt guilty for making my children be garden gnomes, and I bought them other costumes as well.  For Sammy, Bumblee from the Transformers movie, and for Sophia, TinkerBell!  The garden gnomes will be making their official appearance on Halloween weekend.  As for now, these will do - plus they will be great additions to our dress-up bin!

Sammy and his 'girlfriend,' Maddie

Sophia loves pum-pins (aka PUMPKINS!)

Someday, I believe Sammy will be quite proud of the interesting faces he makes while I'm trying to take pictures . . .

Sissy-Bear took the slide on her own, with no help from Mama, for the very first time!

Awwww, young love!

Of course, no zoo trip would be complete without visiting the petting zoo.

Tinkerbell is just so sweet!

Chalk It!

This afternoon, we gathered up our sidewalk chalk and went to the park with several of our playgroup friends.  Can I just say that all of the little girls in our playgroup (including my own daughter) are absolutely adorable?  They were all born within 6 months of each other, and I cannot wait to see them together in a year or so . . . although they are absolutely adorable even at this age!

Sara, Sammy and Mackenzie look on as Sophia and Molly talk about their pictures!

Sophia and Molly

I like your shirt!

Sydney gets in on the drawing as well!

Aren't they adorable?  You should see them in person!

Gosh, That's a Lot of Blood . . .

What started out as an ordinary day turned into a catastrophe of epic proportions.  Seriously.  If you are squeamish at all, it's probably a good time to turn your web browser to a different station.  Otherwise, stick around!

We were supposed to go swimming at the Highland Park Pool today with several of our playgroup friends.  However, given the weather, we cancelled our swimming date and switched to Chick Fil A instead.  I love Chick Fil A.  They have a brand new spicy chicken sandwich, and Sammy and Sophia cannot get enough of their chicken nuggets.  I honestly wonder sometimes if Chick Fil A secretly laces their food with cocaine or methamphetamines, or some other highly addictive drug.  Otherwise, why would we voluntarily go there several times a week and still crave it?

After eating with our friends, we headed into the play area.  For a while, I was able to let Sammy go into the play area by himself, and have girl talk with my friends while Sophia happily babbled, but now that she is mobile, my presence is required in the play area.  Especially given that she wants to climb up in the play structure!  Which is what she was doing today.  She climbed about halfway up, and then was content to sit and laugh joyfully through the mesh at me.  Sammy, meanwhile, was really not interested in playing much today, and instead was sitting by the door on one of the benches, drinking his lemonade. 

Seconds later, I heard a loud crack followed by an immediate scream.  I looked over to see Sammy flat on his back in the corner, hollering and crying.  I immediately ran to him and picked him up.  Sammy's pretty heavy, so I turned to sit on one of the benches and began to rock him while holding his head, when one of the other moms in the play area announced, "Um, there's a lot of blood."  I pull my hand away from his head to see that there is, indeed, a lot of blood.  Enough blood to make me feel sick to my stomach, and to announce, "I think I'm going to be sick."  My friend Alison ran out of the play area to get help, and another mom said, "Look at me.  You are not going to be sick.  This is your child.  You are not going to be sick."  I shook off the nausea and said, "You're right, I'm not going to be sick."

Let me interject here to tell you the reconstruction (as far as I can tell) of what exactly Sammy did.  He was sitting on the end of a bench and drinking lemonade.  I believe he turned to place the lemonade on the window ledge, and as he did, his behind slid off the edge of the bench, and he fell backwards into the corner.  In the corner, there was a square shaped metal pole, and when he fell back, he struck his head on the pole, cutting it open.

OK, back to being sick.  Or, not being sick . . . Just then, my other friend Phyllis who used to be a pediatric nurse arrived inside the play area.  I pulled my hand away from Sammy's head, and she said the cut looked pretty deep.  Deep enough to need stitches.  I took a deep breath, tried not to panic, and said, "OK, so do we need to go to the hospital?  Can I drive there or do we need an ambulance?"  Then the Chick Fil A management team, including the owner, Rusty Wylie, and a manager, Amber Norwood, showed up with towels and bags of ice to help.

After deciding to drive, I realized that I had to do something with Sophia as well.  It's hard to think about everything when one of your children is bleeding, but despite some fuzzy brain, I did.  Another mom crawled up in the playgym and got her, while a second one gathered up my purse for me.  Phyllis loaded Sophia in the truck, and then I sat there trying to decide whether to put Sammy in his car seat for the drive or place him in the front seat with me.  To be honest, I was sort of in shock.  It's hard to think straight when your child is in pain like that, and you are worried.  Phyllis recommended that I needed to hold pressure on his head so that he didn't lose more blood.  While I tried to figure out how to do that and drive at the same time, the Chick Fil A manager, Amber, volunteered to drive me to Katy Memorial Hermann.

Wow!  Can I say that they went above and beyond to help me?  I'm so glad that Sammy cut his head open at Chick Fil A, because I don't think we would have gotten as much help from any other place in town.  The manager, Amber, drove my truck to the hospital while I held Sammy in the back and frantically called my mom, and then my Aunt Linda, to meet us up there and pick up Sophia.  To top it off, when we pulled up to the ER, Amber dropped me at the door so I could get help for Sammy quicker, and then parked and brought Sophia inside and sat with her until my family could get there. 

Turns out while we were sitting in triage, there was quite a party going on in the waiting room.  The "CFA Lady" Amber (as I termed her in my franticness), Sophia, my mom and my niece Amber, my Aunt Linda and her granddaughter Kirsten, my friend Phyllis and her son Jackson, and my BFF Amanda and her children Grayson and Bailey all showed up to make sure Sammy was ok.  Some friends are forever, and I'm so glad I have such great friends!  To top it off, Sophia, Kirsten and Bailey were all wearing their petticoats, so Linda termed it a petticoat party and suggested we have our next playgroup in the hospital ER waiting room since everyone was having such a good time out there!

In the meantime, we were helped by an awesome nurse named Erik.  He was extremely friendly to Sammy and helped keep him calm while placing lidocaine (for numbing) and gauze in place until the doctor could come in. 

Upon seeing this picture of his head wrapped, Sammy decided that he looked like a soldier and decided it wasn't too bad.

Here's a back view.  At this point, with the blood cleaned off and him no longer screaming, I was beginning to doubt my decision to bring him to the ER . . .

 The funny part is, when Erik the nurse asked Sammy what happened, and Sammy was telling him about falling off the bench when he was turning around to put his lemonade back on the shelf behind him, Sammy realized something that was pretty important and began to cry again . . . "Mommy, I left my lemonade at Chick Fil A!"  Erik thought that was hysterical - Sammy's cut his head open, blood was everywhere, and all he cares about is he left his lemonade behind.  That's a classic!

When the doctor came in, she took a look at the cut (which they were now terming a 'laceration' - sounds so much more serious!) and asked me whether we wanted stitches or staples.  At first she was pushing me to have his head stapled (hello - FrankenSammy), but after much texting and discussion with both my husband and Phyllis, I decided on stitches.  The doctor didn't seem to happy about that, but from what I understand, staples are easier to put in now, but more uncomfortable to take out later.  Stitches, while more difficult to put in at first, are easy as pie to take out, so I focused on that prospect.  Then they shaved his head.

I know, it's gross.  But seeing it without hair in the way anymore, I knew I made the right decision to take him in for stitches.  Poor thing.  It looks terrible!

It turns out the doctor wasn't even the one who would be stitching Sammy up.  The nurse practitioner did, with a little help from a different nurse who held Sammy's head still while I laid on top ofhim to keep his body still.  Honestly, the stitches weren't that bad.  I should know, I saw them right up close while they were being done.  Right after they stuck a needle inside of the 'laceration' and injected several places with more lidocaine to numb the area. 

Just so you know, if you promise to take a picture when the doctor is through, my child will sit still.  When he saw this pic, he announced, "Oh Mommy, it looks like windmills, just like on Thomas!"

It's funny - I held that sick feeling in my stomach on edge until we were all done and I was carrying Sammy to the car.  Once he was safely stitched up, and then buckled into the vehicle, I felt the nausea rising in my body again.  It's amazing how you can put your own personal feelings aside in order to be strong for your kids.  Looking at these pictures again makes me feel queasy for him all over again.  I'm so proud of how strong he was - what a brave little boy!

In the meantime, I think I have some thank you notes to write . . . one to Chick Fil A for sure - God knows they went above and beyond the call of duty!

Blackberries!!!

Every year, I try to take the kids to one of the local farms in the area and have them pick blackberries.  I think it's so important for children to learn where food actually comes from - not just the produce section in the grocery store.  Plus, I just plain love picking blackberries!  The place we went last year, Blackberries of Houston, was all out of blackberries by Memorial Day weekend, so we drove just a bit farther to the Matt Family Orchard.  We had to walk a bit farther, but overall we still had a great time!

Sammy and Grayson had a great time palling around!

And Sophia enjoyed eating blackberries!

As did Sammy - look at that bucketful of blackberries!

Sammy, Sophia, Bailey and Grayson

What a great day - after picking to our heart's (and heat's) content, we loaded up and headed to an air-conditioned restaurant.  Yes, we enjoyed our trip down Memory Lane, but at the same time, it's way too hot!  Too bad blackberry season has to be in the hottest part of the year!

Gar, Matey!

Happy (Early) 4th Birthday to my handsome son, Samuel Arnold Chase!  Today was the first year that you have been more excited than anything about your birthday, and we've spent the last few months planning a wonderful party just for you!

It all started with our pirate theme - you've been begging for a pirate party all year long, and here it is!

These were your invites - I mailed them in a "treasure map" bag, and the pic was from Halloween this year.

Next we ordered some supplies . . .

An inflatable water slide, and  . . .

an awesome Pirate Ship water table!

The water table was definitely the hit of the party, but you loved the water slide, too!  Mommy really thought there would be more of a splash area at the bottom, but we inflated and filled another pool as well right before everyone got there, so all was well!

Overall, it was a beautiful day - most of your friends and family were in attendance, and Gigi made a beautiful pirate cake for you . . .

Can I just say again how extremely talented Gigi is?

Happy Birthday, Sammy!  I cannot believe what a wonderful little boy you are - every day you amaze me with your beautiful spirit, and your sweet nature - I love you so much, Sammy-Bear!

You look super sweet with fake nose-rings and eye-patches, by the way!

Did I mention how much we love you?

And in the meantime . . . does your sister, Sophia, have a boyfriend?  I think his name is Harrison - you might want to check into that . . . make sure he's keeping it real . . .

Oh, and did I mention how much we love our friends and family?  Many thanks to my BFF, Amanda, who kept me sane . . . Mike's parents, Rita and Bob, who brought the awesome cake and brought our nieces and nephew as well . . . my parents, who brought my grandmother from Oklahoma and many chairs, as well as helping us with logistics, and my aunt and uncle, Linda and Tim, who noticed we needed more chairs and actually drove home (ok, a mile and half) to get them to help us out in the middle of the party!  We love everyone!  And, Happy Birthday Sammy!

It's the Last Year of My 20's . . .

It's the last year of my 20's . . . yes people, you heard that right.  Today was my birthday, and I turned 29.  I cannot believe it - it seems like just yesterday that I was turning 21, Mike proposed to me, and we spent all night at the square in San Marcos.  Here we are, 8 years later - an almost 4 year old son, a 1 year old daughter, and we spent all night at my brother's house swimming . . . boy, how life changes!

And what a wonderful change it is!  Had you asked me 8 years ago where I would be today, it would be a completely different story - I would have been the youngest female CEO of The Hartford, living somewhere in the Northeast and wearing power suits.  Instead, I'm living in Katy, organizing a playgroup, and wearing sweats.  Or, a T-shirt and shorts most days.  Other days I put on my bathing suit!  Do I regret it?  Never!  We are having the time of our lives, and I am so grateful for the direction God has taken for us!

So, where does that leave me in the next year or so . . . I have to be honest and say that since I was 22 years old, it has been a dream of mine to run a marathon before I turned 30.  Looks like it's time for that dream to come true . . . almost!  My awesome sister-in-law, Trish, her best friend Kelley, our friends Cheryl and Monica, and anyone else we can recruit, will be running a half-marathon this January 2011.  Yes, we are running the Aramco Half Marathon on Sunday, January 30, 2011.  And if you mean anything to any of us, you better be there at the finish line, cheering us on!  OK, it's not the marathon dream - but it's halfway there, and that's better than nothing.  Maybe when I turn 40 I'll do a full.  In the meantime, I'm proud of myself!

I've registered at KatyFit.com, and I'll be training starting from mid-July on.  I suppose in conjunction with this marathon goal, I can say that in the next year before I turn 30, I'll probably lose about 20 lbs.  Which would fulfill another age 30 dream of mine.  I've had two kids in the last five years, and while I've been proud of how I look, I can't wait to get fully in shape while I'm training for the Aramco Half.  Can we say "hottie"???  Just teasing!

This year should be interesting . . . I'm running the Aramco Half, it's Sammy's last year before he starts kindergarten, and it's the last year of my twenties . . . I don't think it gets better than this, people!

Day Two . . .

Apparently, we have survived day two of Sammy's tonsillectomy.  I would say it was day two of Sophia's tubes as well, but she is still Little Miss Sunshine - like nothing ever happened.

Honestly, most of the day, Sammy was like nothing ever happened, either.  After faithfully setting my alarm every four hours overnight to continue his pain meds, we seem to be ahead of the pain.  For now.  In the meantime, Mama's pretty tired.

We woke up at our usual time, which in our house is unthankfully around 7 am.  Sammy was in good spirits, and even requested jello.  Strawberry jello.  I'm sure it tasted great, but unfortunately it looked horrible after it was vomited on my $250 comforter.  It looked even more horrible when my husband announced "Oh, shit!"  mid-vomit stream.  I'm sure that made Sammy feel wonderful.  I know it made me feel awesome . . .

Therefore, we started our day with a bath.  And went uphill from there.  Sammy was feeling great - he got very mad at me when I told him he had to sit on the couch.  I'm not sure what the ENT and surgical staff were thinking when they stated that my almost 4-year old needed to practically be on bedrest for 7 - 10 days, but either way, it's not working out too well for us.

I ended up putting Sophia down for an early nap at 11 am, and then got Sammy to take a quick 20 minute nap.  Which was interrupted when PappaTony called to check on the patients.  No big deal - we were greeted by an excellent suprise when we walked into the living room.  I looked out the door and noticed a large "Get Well Soon" balloon floating around on my front porch. 

Sammy noticed it as well, and when I went out to investigate, I found a wonderful care package from my friend, Tanya - and Sammy and Sophia's friends, Matthew and Maddie (and Ambi and Zach!).  They had written us a really sweet card, Sammy got an awesome arts and crafts package, Sophia got little zoo animals, and there was even a Maeve Binchy novel for me.  I was absolutely shocked that Tanya had remembered that Binchy is my favorite novelist - I believe I've mentioned it once . . . what a wonderful friend, and a welcome surprise in our afternoon!

Here's Sammy showing off his handiwork!  FYI - it's a cow!

Come 4 o'clock, we needed a break - I loaded both of the children up and went to Sonic for a chocolate milkshake and a Diet Coke.  Plus we stopped off at the Redbox on the way home, returned Alvin and the Chipmunks Squeakquel from the night before and rented The Blind Side for Mama and Daddy and a Farm Animals show for Sammy.

Overall, it was a great day - I decided Sammy was sick this morning as his stomach was basically empty while he was taking Hydrocodone.  Not a good combination . . . Mike and I worked together and got Sammy to start eating mashed potatoes today.  Mashed potatoes and ice cream.  Not exactly the most appetizing meal, but it works for Sammy, so we are happy!

I did a lot of googling last night, and discovered that days 2 through 4 of tonsillectomies, the patient appears to be doing well.  However, come day 5, the scabs start to come off the back of the throat, and the patient will be in severe pain once again.  Given that, we've decided to continue on our regular pain medicaton dosage.  It meant that Sammy took a 20 minute nap today, and didn't end up going to bed until 10 pm, but it kept my little man happy and feeling well, so that is what matters to me.

Our only down point of the day was after Sammy's bath, and right before he was "supposed" to go to bed.  He began a crying jag at the end of his bath, that continued for approximately 45 minutes.  It was tough - trying to comfort Sammy, and keep Sophia happy as well.  But we made it - lots of prayers, and lots of hugs and singing.

Sammy's asleep now . . . my alarm clock is set for 3:15 in the morning . . . and hopefully tomorrow will be a good day.  Thanks again to my mom's group - my girlfriend Debra brought over some wonderful Ravioli Lasagne today - yum!  I think I am going to have to do some double time on the treadmill this week with all the good food everyone is bringing!

The Big Day

Today was the big day - surgery day for both Sammy and Sophia.  Sophia had tubes placed in her ears, and Sammy had tubes, and he got his tonsils and adenoids removed.  The kids were not allowed to eat or drink after midnight, and we had to be at the hospital at 7:30 am, so we woke them up as close to 7:15 as possible and immediately loaded them into the car.

A few pics of the kiddos pre-op . . .

They took Sophia back first, and she was done in almost 10 minutes.  Sammy went in immediately afterward, but he didn't arrive in recovery until almost 30 minutes later.  Prior to the surgery, we had been warned with horror stories of children waking up violently from anesthesia.  However, I was so proud of both of my sweet babies - Sammy whimpered a lot as he was waking up, but he did not have any fits as I had been warned of. 

We were discharged from the surgery center at 10:50 am, and immediately went to fill the prescriptions for the kids.  After we got home, our sweet princess Sophia was back to her usual self - little miss sunshine.

Sammy spent the day in our bed - watching movies, coloring, and playing his Leapster.  He definitely complained of pain throughout the day, but he is a big trooper.  I am so proud of him!

May I also say how much I love my girlfriends?  My mom's group has arranged to bring dinner over to us each night this week - which is a huge help and load off of me - especially given that Mike will be working late two nights this week.  Tonight we had Angel Chicken and some awesome Banana Pudding from my BFF Amanda.  Amanda's an awesome cook - Sophia definitely approves!

Fun Day at the Farm!

We spent the best day with our friends today at Debbie and her son Travis's farm!  It's about an hour North of Katy, and miles from stress for sure.  The kids played in the yard . . .

Pretty Princess Sophia!

Could Evan possibly be Sophia's first boyfriend?  He was so sweet!

Sammy and his best friend, Grayson

Grayson, Sammy and Travis check out the cows!

Simon, Olivia, Grayson, Travis and Sammy throwing rocks in the pond!  Yes, those are his fireman boots!

Olivia, Grayson, Sammy and Travis hanging out!

What a beautiful day!  Thanks, Debbie and Travis - we were so relaxed!