A Different Approach

I just got back from a really good five-mile run outside on a lovely route that I created using the awesome Gmaps Pedometer. The weather is overcast and mild today; my ideal kind of running conditions. A little while back I decided to take a break from training for races. I still wanted to run for exercise, but I also wanted to try something new so I found Basic Training (BT). I signed up for BT this past April with the intention of only doing it long enough to get the drills down and then I would do it on my own, but I ended up falling in love with everything about working out as part of a team and I've been doing BT ever since. I am amazed at the results that I have seen and can confidently say that I am happy with my body. I'm smaller than I was before getting pregnant and more toned than from any other weight-lifting program I've tried in the past. Ladies, if you have the opportunity to try this type of workout for one-month, I promise you'll love it too!

So back to my run today; though I haven't been running as many miles a week as I used to before starting BT, I think my stamina has improved. My sis Jamie and I have signed up for the Shamrock'n Half Marathon and I will switch back over to training mode soon. I'm going to tweak my normal training plan a bit and try a different approach; I plan to incorporate BT-type of workouts and I'm getting rid of my watch. I will not be timing my miles until a week prior to the race. I want to stop focusing on the time that's ticking on my wrist and focus on the way the run is making me feel. The last few times I've left my watch behind when I go out for my run, I've enjoyed it more.

Happy Meal

Mallory and I were on our way home this evening and I decided not to push my luck by waiting until we got there to feed her dinner, so I stopped off at McDonald's. I wasn't completely thrilled with the idea as I really don't like fast food period, but I figured it was better than listening to a total melt down for 20 minutes while stuck in the car. I know my daughter well enough to understand that 1: she's SERIOUS about her feeding schedule, and 2: she knows how to throw a MEAN tantrum now. (I got called again by her school today in regards to her temper tantrums. Whose kid is this?!)

Since this was her first happy meal and I plan to make sure her next one is far, far in the future, it was worth documenting the satisfied reaction on her face. She didn't scarf it down like I imagined she would, which I'm thinking is because she kept getting distracted by the TV right above us. She also kept giving flirty eyes to some of the workers that would walk by us and give her any sort of attention. I'm definitely sure that she favored the fries over the cheeseburger. And even with all of the junk food she had in front of her she still chose to eat at least one apple slice; maybe my healthiness is rubbing off to her already...ha!

The shape of the old container was better

Fries over cheeseburger

Hanging with mom

Such a big girl

Again! Again!

Christmas According to Mallory

We had a quiet, relaxing Christmas this year; just the three of us. All of the family members that we typically get together with were out of town and while it would have been nice to get out of town with them, this was the first time that I can recall not having somewhere to be or guests to entertain. As much as I love hosting and entertaining, I needed a little break so a peaceful Christmas was welcoming.

Though this wasn't Mallory's first Christmas, it was the first Christmas that she was old enough to be involved in the activities. She still didn't quite understand the concept of the presents and what to do with them, and was more intrigued by tearing the wrapping paper than the actual opening of the gift. But once we opened up the toys for her she was all in to it; especially her shopping car from Uncle Jeff and Aunt Sara. Then after her nap, she woke up to her Cupcake Kitchen and was having so much fun playing she ignored the fact that it was lunch time. Here is Christmas according to Mallory:

Christmas Eve present

Yanking her stocking down

Christmas morning cartoons

Intrigued by the paper

What's in here...

Elmo!

Shopping car

Vroom!

Happy, happy

Cuddling with Leo

Kitchen time

Honking the horn

2011 Christmas Card

Although I wish we had gotten at least a couple of family photos on to our 2011 Christmas card, I still VERY much like the way it turned out this year. Besides, Mallory is the star of our family anyway so it's only appropriate that the photos are all of her. Merry Christmas everyone!

Front

Back

Chasing Mallory

Mallory LOVES to run now. If you give her space, she goes and goes and goes. It is so adorable to watch; she totally gets her hips into it and swings her arms side to side. Taking pictures of her is becoming harder.

I took Mallory with me to old town Folsom last week to browse a shop that has a TON of Christmas ornaments (can't remember the name for the life of me). There's a section in between shops with long hallways and she went CRAZY. I was chasing Mallory back and forth for a good 10 minutes before I finally had to pick her up just to get to the next street. Being a kid is fun!

Mallory's Dedication

We had Mallory dedicated this morning at our church. She was among five other babies being dedicated and surprisingly the oldest. The youngest was a three month little boy who immediately started crying when his dad handed him over to our pastor, Brad. I remember hoping that when I handed Mallory over to him she wouldn't freak out and cry. For the most part when she meets new people she won't cry, but if she's already in a sensitive mood she will. Thankfully when it was our turn and Brad reached for her, she willingly surrendered without a peep. And her face and composure while he held her was priceless; it was as if she was pretending to be a statue and fade into the background. I'm pretty sure the photographer ended up with only a mug-shot pose from Mallory for our family picture with the pastor, but at least she wasn't bawling her eyes out.

Although Mallory's dedication was casual and quick, it meant a lot to Jody and I as parents raising our daughter together in this crazy world. We're committed to provide Mallory with a solid, faith-filled upbringing so that she can grow up to make good decisions on her own. It's going to take a lot of prayers and trust (I remember what I was like when I was a teenager!), but with the help of God and our family it'll make raising our child a little more manageable.

Before & After: Christmas Tree

The Playground

Mallory LOVES to be outdoors. Even when it's freezing cold, and her hands are icicles and her nose is rosy with snot coming down, she has no problem running around having a good time. Especially when it involves the playground.