Just the Right Tree

There is one truth in regards to Christmas decorating that holds steadfast in our household year after year, despite any amount of grumbling on my part and that is: thou must cuttest down thou own Christmas tree. It's the eleventh commandment, I think, and this past Saturday we set out to do just that.

Part of that tradition is that we eat eggs and bacon at a restaurant before we head out into the bitter cold, which is the part of the day I really, really like. How much fun is it to slurp hot chocolate and sop up sticky syrup with yummy pancakes on a plate you know you won't have to wash?


But after all that sugary wonderfulness, it's out into the nineteen degree weather. Or was it sixteen degrees last Saturday? I don't know, but it was cold. And we spent a looong time out there. Superdad (and Hank, for, like two seconds) diligently searched for Just the Right Tree while the kids and I whizzed up and down the open lanes in our sled.


Well, OK, I didn't get to do much (OK, any) whizzing. I got to do a lot of huffing and pulling, but at least that kept me with only my toes feeling like they were going to freeze off as opposed to my entire body.

And then, at last, he found it. Just the Right Tree in row four about a third of the way back. We all quickly agreed with Superdad that it really and truly was Just the Right Tree and we anxiously watched while Superdad cut it down.


No, that's not true. I stood and watched and photographed while Superdad worked away. The two big kids on the other hand...


well, those two little bozos found the tallest snowbank ever (so they said) and played there and pretty much ignored both parents for the remainder of the trip.

And, later that day, after mounting Just the Right Tree on the roof of the van, getting him set into the tree stand, throwing on lights, garlands and ornaments galore we all stood back in awe, reflecting on our wonderful day and nodding in agreement that we had, indeed, found Just the Right Tree.

Christmas

I wish it was Christmas.my sister named Elisabeth she likes me and Christmas of course she wants a baby doll, she loves baby dolls.Hank wants a toy car.I want a American girl doll.My family got a Christmas tree!I LOVE CHRISTMAS!

From,
Madeleine

p.s.I took this picture tonight.

Stupid Google

I mean, I don't really think it's stupid, you know, having been smart enough to basically take over the internet and everything, but this is stupid.

Happy St. Nick's Day, 2007

For those who you have no idea what I'm talking about, refer back to my 2006 St. Nick's post.

For the rest of you, have a happy day. We sure did!

Week 6... and Beyond

I have not given up running. I have though, it seems, given up writing about it. Not entirely, I'm sure, it's just that now I'm running the same amount each and every time. Sure, I've had some unique moments, maybe even some bloggable moments but, for the most part, the runs are starting to blend together.

I have stalled out on the Cool Running's plan, though. Not because I don't think it's a good program (I think it's great, actually) or because I've decided not to challenge myself (no, in fact my goal is to run in a 5K this spring) but because, for now, for me, running twenty minutes is enough. It's about all have time for and it's enough to make me feel like I'm getting a good workout. My goal is to maintain twenty minutes until early 2008, and then I'll work up to thirty minutes.

But, honestly? I feel confident now that I could run thirty minutes pretty easily.

It's funny, but I've noticed a clear pattern develop since I reached twenty minutes of running. The first five minutes of running are easy and exhilarating but the next five is where I want to stop and feel like I won't possibly be able to run twenty minutes and start contemplating walking a short distance if only I first run ten minutes. And then that's it. Minute ten passes and I can run and run and run. At that point twenty minutes is cake; I can't imagine tacking on another five, ten minutes is going to be that hard.

I'll update as interesting develops occur (i.e. race dates, etc.) but for now, I am very, very proud of myself. I almost-- almost -- feel like a runner.

Lull

I feel like I'm in a lull right now in regards to many things I normally find enjoyable. Or maybe calling it a funk would be more appropriate.

In any event I have many, many unread books in my home that I'm anxious to read and, yet, can't quite work up interest in any of them right now. Blogging? I love to write, but lately the mood hasn't struck me.

Maybe it's because I've been busy watching the kids build snowmen...

and baking gingerbread men (you really should try the recipe; it's extra delicious, though admittedly, time consuming!)...


and, of course, schooling Madeleine, which really deserves a post in and of itself, but, like I said, I'm in a lull right now. A funk. So maybe later.

First Snow

That's the scene out my front door right now. Interestingly enough, December 1 was also the date of our first real snowstorm last year as well.

It's Up!

It's real. It's official: Christmas is on its way. How do I know? The anxiety advent calendar is up in our house.


Tonight, before bed, Madeleine will pull the first ornament out of its pocket and stick it to the manger scene.

You know, it's funny. As a child we had an advent calendar every year. And each childhood December I remember thinking how stinkin' long it took to open every door or to fill the advent calendar up, whichever the case might have been. And now? I look at it and realize just how close Christmas really is and it simultaneously fills me with elation and dread.

Thanksgiving Recap

Thanksgiving is so last week. It's all about Christmas now.

And, as usual, I'm behind the times.

I just downloaded my Thanksgiving pictures and while I (mercifully!) escaped Super Grandpa and Super Grandma's house without any pictures of the doe Superdad shot, I did mange to shoot at least a few pictures of the gang that assembled there for the Thanksgiving feast.

My favorite picture of the weekend though is of Superdad's uncle. Poor Uncle Johnny. All he wanted was some stinkin' pie and after the meal waited... and waited... and waited some more while people chatted, dishes were done and the pie was forgotten. Finally, he gave up, fork and milk still at the ready.

Jury Duty

Shortly following Elisabeth's birth I was summoned for jury duty. Milwaukee County offers its jurors one six month deferment if they're unable to serve at the requested time. Having a newborn, exclusively breastfed baby I immediately realized I would be unable to serve at the requested time in January of 2006 or six months from then. On the advice of my in-house counsel I took Elisabeth with me, diaper bag, car carrier and all with the hope of being excused.

I never made it into the courtroom. After arriving at the courthouse the clerk in charge of checking the jurors in looked disdainfully down at Elisabeth and sneered, "What is that?!" I explained my predicament but the impatient woman clearly wasn't interested. She'd heard too many excuses from prospective jurors wishing to escape their civic duty, I suppose. Thankfully, the chief judge (is that what the head county judges are called? You'd think I'd know that, being married to an attorney that practices in that courthouse and all) Kitty Brennan was much more understanding in her response to me after I mailed her a letter summarizing my predicament. She postponed my summons for a two year span which, I understood to mean, I'd be summoned again in January of 2008.

Well, I got the summons and it's not for January of 2008. It's December of 2007-- right before Christmas. Ugh! All I can say is for once in my life procrastination has paid off because Superdad will be in New York during the time I'm expected to serve and I was planning on going with him, I just hadn't bought my plane ticket yet. Whew! At least now the Milwaukee County justice system won't deprive me of the cost of an airline ticket.

At this point I see little hope of being excused from serving. I'll play all my cards; my husband is a litigator, I'm a primary caregiver for our three children, we home school, for Pete's sake. But when it's all said and done I have a bad, bad feeling.

Christmas Dreams

The other day Madeleine, Hank and I were discussing Christmas wish lists and all the toys lately filling their dreams. I explained that Christmas can't bring too many toys because we can't possibly fit thousands of new toys in our house.

"Oh, Mom," Madeleine sighed.

"What?"

"I wish we could get enough toys to stretch all the way to Chicago," Madeleine said wistfully.

"I think we'd need a bigger house," Hank interjected. "But that would be OK."

"But guys, if you had that many toys and that huge of a house we wouldn't have any money!" I reasoned.

A long pause followed this logical nugget. I eased back against my pillow, confident the discussion was over and I'd reasoned them into whittling down their Christmas list.

A small, dreamy smile broke out across Madeleine's face. "Yeah, but at least we'd have a lot of toys."

Pies

I have been up to my elbows in pie today. I'm not hosting Thanksgiving this year, my mother-in-law is. But I'm still baking the pies (which I volunteered to do because I like to bake).

But I'm sick of baking right now. I'm sick of pies. All told I have two apple, two pumpkin and one peanut butter chocolate pie sitting in my refrigerator right now and if you asked me to eat them right now I couldn't. I'm that sick of them.

And bless Superdad. He came home from work and dutifully smelled the pies and ogled over them to an appropriate degree. I now feel my time was well spent.

But I'm still tired.

Off for Thanksgiving tomorrow with my internet-less in-laws. Back in a few days!

Lighting

Lighting. Has anyone else noticed how this seems to be the forgotten stepchild of home decor? I've seen so many wonderfully decorated rooms ruined by an ill-placed overhead light or a cold, harsh light where a softer glow would have better suited the arrangement.

It's because of this that the fluorescent light bulb craze has been slow to grow on me. Yes, I want to save energy and money just as much as the next person, but not with harsh, neon-white light staring back at me, shattering the homey, warm feeling I've tried to create throughout my home.

I've tried all sorts of fluorescent bulbs throughout the years. Those that have claimed to be "soft white," those that have claimed to be "warm" and none have reached the quality of the regular old, soft white bulbs in terms of lighting warmth quality.

Until now. Check these out.These are relatively inexpensive as fluorescent bulbs go and, better yet, their light quality is lovely. If you're like me and haven't found a fluorescent bulb you like yet, give these a go. I've been tremendously impressed.

What I Want for Christmas

Do you think I'm over-reaching?

Candy Massacre

A lot of people gripe about Halloween and all the candy that follows. I must confess that I rather like it. A Snickers here, a Milky Way there... what's not to love?

This year though we had a problem. A thirty-five inch tall problem named Elisabeth. You see, Elisabeth wasn't content with a Snickers here or a Milky Way there. No, Elisabeth spent all her free time moving stools and chairs, building towers, scaling furniture and devising new ways to reach the candy supply to keep a running flow of lolly pops, Smarties and Nerds rushing into her red little head.

I had to put a stop to it. But where could I put the candy where she couldn't go or configure a way to get to it?

The oven!

Yes. The oven. That was my brainstorm. It locks, you see, and Elisabeth hasn't yet figured out how to unlock it.

Aren't you afraid you're going to burn all your candy? Diana asked me just last week.

I assured her, quite confidently, that I wasn't worried. I always, always, check my oven before turning it on, I boasted.

Diana nodded dubiously.

A mere two days later it happened. I was merrily whipping up a batch of chocolate brownies Saturday morning, humming along with my favorite Clementi sonatinas when I smelled something funny. Like burning plastic. Hmmmm. I wonder what that could be?

And then it hit me. All the kids' Halloween candy. Burned. And the basket it was stored in? Ruined. All those luscious Kit Kats and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and 3 Musketeers. Gone. Forever.

I think most parents would consider it a blessing. Think of all the saved money on dentists visits and non-expanding waistlines. But my sweet tooth and I miss the candy.

Week Five, Day Three

I did it. I did it!

I ran twenty uninterrupted, consecutive minutes last night. I did it and afterwards I felt great. In fact, at one point I glanced down at my trusty kitchen timer at a point where I thought I was a little better than halfway through and was surprised to see that I only had three minutes left.

Going into this running program it was always week five, day three that intimidated me the most. I feared that run and figured that if I could do that and not want to die, I could easily make it through to week nine, day three, which is run thirty minutes with no walking.

Honestly, I think I could have run thirty minutes last night.

My goals though, are still the same. Number one is to finish the Cool Running's Couch to 5K walk/run program as prescribed. I don't want to skip ahead or push myself beyond it at this point because I still am very much a beginner and, mostly, because I'm enjoying myself and I credit that to this program for not pushing me too far too fast.

My second goal is to work on my pace and get my mile under ten minutes (Superdad laughingly called that a "girly goal"). I'm almost there now and will start setting faster goals once I reach the ten minutes mark (want to race, Superdad?).

I don't know if you all know this about me or not, but last April when I said my competitive nature was usually repressed I was totally lying. (Sarcasm is a good friend of mine.) So the last goal I've set for myself (for right now, anyway) is to run a 5K sometime in early 2008. For now that's it, but once I attain my goals on running faster miles, I may set a time I want to hit.

Week Five, Days One (again) and Two

After a week of not feeling that well, I just decided I may as well start my lackluster week five once again. I'm glad I did too, because even at full strength these have been tough runs for me. At the end I've felt tired but, more importantly, an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. Not only did I do it, but I could have done more.

Each run in week five prescribes a different amount of running. Like the first time around, my first run had me run five minutes, walk three minutes, run five, walk three and then, finally, run another five. And, like the first time around, the five minutes spurts were manageable and fun.

Last night I ran eight minutes, walked five and then ran another eight. I felt seriously, seriously proud (and seriously, seriously tired) after last night's workout. Eight minutes! Ha!, all you marathoners out there are thinking. But to me? Well, I don't think I've run that far or long in years, and certainly whenever I did it never so manageable or enjoyable.

I won't lie though. Next up? An uninterrupted twenty minute run. I'm nervous!

Most Caffeinated Cities

Which U.S. city would you guess was the most addicted to caffeine? I would have guessed New York. I would have been wrong.

Chicagoans eat more chocolate and drink more cola than other U.S. urbanites, and are among the top consumers of energy drinks and coffee.

Tampa, Miami, Phoenix and Atlanta rounded out the top five most caffeinated cities, while residents of San Francisco, Philadelphia, New York, Detroit and Baltimore consumed the least caffeine.

Week Five, Days Zero and One

I told you I'd tell about the good, the bad and the ugly, right? And this week, in regards to running, has been uuuu-gly!

Tuesday night I intended to go running. I really did. But I just couldn't. I was completely and totally exhausted and was unable to make myself go. I did run Wednesday but it became obvious to me during my run that I was coming down with a bug of some sort. Still though, I felt a sense of accomplishment because I made it through my run anyway.

I also was proud because I realized that when I started out running (a month ago!) ninety seconds was a big deal and now the least amount of running the Cool Running's program doles out are five-minute spurts-- and I can easily do it!

And that's it, folks. Here it is Friday and I need to squeeze two more runs in this week to stick to my goal. I think I need to develop some sort of alternate goal system for when I'm under the weather. Still though, I'm committed to making it out tonight. Or, if our church's social fish fry tonight goes too late, then tomorrow. And Sunday.

Good. I posted it here. Now I have to stick to it.

Happy Birthday, Mom

Today is my mom's birthday. She would be sixty-two years old today and in her honor the kids and I will make Junket today.

Here she is at our village's Independence Day Parade the year she died.

I still miss her a ton and would love to wish her birthday wishes in person and host the birthday celebration I'd most certainly be planning were she here. But, since I can't, this is almost the next best thing.

Happy birthday, Mom!

Happy Halloween!

We went trick-or-treating on Sunday so, for us, the holiday is pretty much over. But to acknowledge the date, I share some trick-or-treating pictures of Madeleine the ice princess, Hank as Spiderman (he's the taller of the two) and Elisabeth as a dog.

Happy Halloween, everyone!

Horse Racing Greats. Hank Style.

To call Hank meticulous might be somewhat of an understatement. He's thorough. He's methodical. He's legalistic in his thought process. And, above all else, he's completely literal.

When he received a new horse Webkinz as a birthday gift, he had to have a special name. A perfect name.

"How about Barbaro?" I suggested, knowing his love for that particular Kentucky Derby winner.

"OK!!" he enthused. Long pause. "But we'll have to look up his picture first to make sure he looks enough like my horse."

Off googling we went. We looked at Barbaro.


"Noooo, now quite close enough. See, Mom, not enough of a white blaze."

Oh. OK. Of course.

"How about Seabiscuit, Hank? You love Seabiscuit!"


Hank's disgust at my inability to grasp that this horse needed to look just like his was palatable.

I sighed. Clearly the memory of a great racehorse wasn't going to do it for Hanker. He didn't care how lame the name was, just that it physically resembled his new horse.

"How about I search for Man O' War, Hank?" I pleaded one last time.

"Does he have a thick white blaze, Mom?"

I gave up searching for the racing greats and instead googled "racehorse, white blaze." We finally settled on Northern Dancer who, while apparently well known in racing circles, doesn't quite conjure up the same feelings of greatness and majesty of some other previously named horses but does look quite a bit like Hank's Webkinz. And, to him, that was all that mattered.

Week Four, Days Two and Three

Yin and yang. Black and white. Whatever Friday's run was, Sunday's run wasn't.

Friday it was night. It was dark and cool. I was alone and had the streets to myself. Sunday was bright and sunny. It was pleasant and the sidewalks and yards of my town were teeming with people.

Friday I was energetic. I was fast. I was ready to run and run some more. Sunday I was slow. Lethargic. When my predetermined program was over, I was ready. Friday I was envisioning competitive 5k races while Sunday I was only contemplating getting home.

Running, I'm realizing, like life, can't always be great and even though I can feel my stamina increasing there are times when I'm just tired and don't feel like running. Learning to push through that is just as much a part of running as increasing stamina.

Birthday Wrap-Up, Part Two

I didn't take many pictures this past weekend. No, actually I did, but I took them all Saturday evening while out in the lobby opening presents and eating cake. I took pictures of nothing else. Pretty lame, right?

We got to Door County Friday night a lot later than we typically do since Hank wanted to attend his last soccer practice of the season and that didn't end until 5 p.m. I think we rolled into the Landmark's parking lot around 8:30 p.m. The big kids headed over to the big pool with Grandfather while Superdad and I (well, OK, Superdad mostly) unloaded the ridiculous amount of things we'd crammed into the van.

That pretty much summed out the rest of the weekend as well. Our agenda was to simply make the kids happy, and that involved lots and lots of swimming. The entire assembled group, however, equaled about twenty people, and as you might imagine not everyone wanted to swim, so in the mid-afternoon a cutthroat game of Sheepshead began, with different players rotating in and out, paused for dinner, cake and presents and then resumed until the wee hours of the morning. Shopping, napping and running took place as well, depending on whims.

The festivities for the kids took place Saturday evening in the lobby of our building, which I can't say enough great things about. It's spacious, the views are incredible and somehow, despite the vaulted ceilings, skylights and floor to ceiling windows, also manages to feel cozy and homey. As always, we chose a condo right off the lobby, so taking cake and presents to the lobby is an easy feat and makes for a completely relaxing, enjoyable time (as does the restaurant and its pizza delivery service).

First up, pizza, salad, Jello (a special request from the birthday boy which Super Grandma obliged) and Izzes.


After pizza it was present time. We followed birthday order and since Elisabeth's birthday is two days before Hank's birthday, she goes first. Here she is with all her loot.


And here she is when asked, "How old are you, Elisabeth?"


Elisabeth was way too cute opening her presents this year. Upon opening each new package she would loudly say, "Awwwww." Here she is opening her loot. As you can see, she had quite a few helpers.


And then it was Hank's turn. Poor boy, it's hard to practice patience at your own birthday party, for Pete's sake and not be able to open your presents right away and then, when it is your turn, have your mother direct you to just sit still so she can take a few pictures. It's brutal. But he did it. He forced a smile and everything.


And finally opening his presents...


Then cake. Elisabeth first, again, with her mocha torte. In our family we have always, always put one extra candle on the birthday cake for good luck. I can't believe it, but I forgot to do it for Elisabeth this year so here she is with one candle for each year and no good luck. Bad, bad mommy. She doesn't seem to notice though.

And then it's Hank turn with a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting made by Diana. She did not forget the extra candle for good luck. Look what the punk did though. After we sang "Happy Birthday" Superdad's family-- the Ukrainian side-- always sings a Ukrainian birthday song and then "Sto Lat," a Polish birthday song (Superdad's Ukrainian grandmother spent most of her childhood living in Poland) immediately following, a fact Hank is well aware of. Apparently he just had quite enough of being patient because one second into the Ukrainian version (which I can't link because Ukrainian uses a Cyrillic alphabet) he blew out his candles. But ha ha, Hank, you missed one!

The weekend was perfect in almost every possible way. I always have a great time in Door County, but I think this may have been my favorite time yet.

We capped of our visit with a night with just the five of us and Sunday night and Monday morning we had the Landmark to ourselves, it seemed. The pool temperature had been cranked up and we just had the best time playing in the pool for a few hours, all by ourselves, Monday morning. Even Elisabeth, usually not a huge fan of swimming, was floating around and splashing and playing in the warm pool water. Leaving Monday afternoon was sad, as it always is but is the sadness is somewhat tempered with the knowledge that we'll go back again. Soon, I hope!

Week Three, Day Three and Week Four, Day One

Week Three, Day Three

Door County and, I guess, the Landmark specifically, is perfect for a lot of things, but Saturday's run showed me that running isn't one of them. It's not that I had a bad run, exactly, it was just that there weren't really a lot of options road-wise. And there were a lot of hills. And wide open farm fields. And a gusty wind.

So what I'm saying, essentially, is that it was a hard run. Not a bad run, but a hard run. But I did it, and I handled it with no problem. I noticed something interesting on this run though, that I've noticed on other runs but brushed off as an anomaly instead of the norm I now think it is, it's easier to run the longer into your run that you are.

Week Four, Day One

I'm not going to lie. Before I left for my run last night I was nervous. Very nervous. Cool Runnings Couch to 5K Running Plan was now telling me that I'd be running more than walking. Significantly more so, in fact. The week four breakdown is run three minutes, walk ninety second, run five minutes, walk two and a half minutes, run three minutes, walk ninety seconds, run five minutes. Now, all you experienced runners out there might think that sounds like cake, but to me last night it sounded like a heck of a lot of running-- possibly more than I could handle.

What actually happened far exceeded my own expectations: I kicked that runs butt and had a fantastic time doing it! I got so into my groove and although I felt tired when I got home, I also felt great. I pushed myself, but I could have easily been talking throughout and didn't feel like I was gasping to keep up. Want to know something else? I even passed two other runners!

A few months ago (heck, a month ago!) running for a minute tired me out and now I'm starting to really feel like I've built up some endurance and might actually be able to make it through to the end of this program. I'm so excited and I can't say enough good things about this walk/run regimen. Trust me, if I can do it, anyone can do it!

Week Three, Day Two

Lovely run last night. Temperate weather, a nice breeze, who could ask for more?

I made it through last night with no trouble. Bring on week four, I say. I still have one week three run left, which is good. These manageable runs are not only building up my stamina, but my confidence as well.

It may sound ridiculous to you accomplished runners out there, but a month ago I couldn't have run a solid three minutes without feeling ridiculously winded and exhausted. And now I can not only do it, but I can do it again and, even though I haven't, I could probably do it again. I can't say enough good things about this run/walk program and how great it's been for me in building stamina.

Birthday Wrap-Up, Part One

I survived the first half of birthday week.

Monday, a small dinner and, of course, birthday cake for the two-year-old (!) honoree (a mocha cake with penuche frosting; delicious!).


Wednesday we hosted a lot of kids for Hank's circus party: corn dogs for lunch, circus music blaring in the background and circus game after circus game (thanks to my cousin, Sixty-Five's daughter, for the idea!). It was loud. It was chaotic. And it was really, really fun.

And a really special thank you to Extraordinary Ordinary, who did such a beautiful job painting all those little faces, despite the substandard materials I provided her. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Tomorrow we leave for Door County, where we'll have a family celebration for both Elisabeth and Hank on Saturday. For me though, when I pull out of my driveway, I'll not only be leaving home, but I'll be leaving all accountability behind. While in Door County we will only eat out, the presents will have been wrapped previously and the cakes will have already been made. I already know from past birthday celebrations there, that only fun and relaxation await us. I can't wait!

Happy Birthday, Hank!

I am sitting in my living room surrounded by gobs of helium-filled balloons in a rainbow of colors. In just a few hours fourteen children besides my own will join us for lunch, games and cake to celebrate Hank's birthday. Today Hank turns five.

Hank was born on October 17, 2002. I had expected his birth to be earlier. Much earlier. I was only five days late with Madeleine, and subsequent pregnancies were supposed to get shorter. I was convinced throughout my entire pregnancy that Hank (or Hannah; the name we probably would have chosen if he'd been a girl) would arrive pretty close to his October seventh due date.

October seventh came and went... and went... and went... and there I was. Still pregnant. By October seventeenth I was convinced I would be pregnant forever. We were still in Janesville at the time. Superdad was still in law school and I was finally staying home full-time. I remember taking Madeleine to the library that Thursday morning. It was rainy, dreary day and yet I felt at peace. When I said I felt like I'd be pregnant forever, I meant it. I really almost believed it and just accepted it.

Later that afternoon I remember Madeleine taking a nap, not as common an event as you might think of a girl who'd just turned two-years-old. I sat upstairs and paid bills and wrote some thank-you notes and cursed the Braxton-Hicks contractions I kept feeling.

Later that evening Diana came over to watch Madeleine. I was meeting Superdad in Johnson Creek, about thirty minutes north of Janesville, and there we'd drive to Milwaukee together for our last Bradly Birth class. I left around five p.m. and during the drive up to Johnson Creek my contractions started to get pretty intense and I started to realize it maybe was labor. But, like I said, I was going to be pregnant forever so I sort of just ignored them and did some shopping until I met up with Superdad.

It took Joe, like, half a second after seeing me to realize that I wasn't just sort of in labor. I told him I was fine and that we should just go to Milwaukee (a good sixty minutes east of where we were; a solid ninety minutes from Janesville). Superdad put his foot down. Home he said. I insisted I was fine and that there was no need to leave a car there. I could drive.

Once I started driving it started to rain. And then I realized that my contractions were only about four minutes apart. I think we made it back to Janesville in record time. We dashed home to pick up my hospital bag and tell Diana what was going on and this I remember vividly: Madeleine was watching Sleeping Beauty and I leaned over to kiss her good-bye and a felt a sudden pop and gush. Yep, my water broke all over my living room floor. Lovely.

I forget how dilated I was once we got to the hospital, nor do I remember the time (8 p.m.? 9 p.m.?). What I do remember is being monitored for a very short amount of time before a doctor came in whom I'd never met, and wasn't part of my obstetrician's group, and told me we were going down for a c-section, and that we were going now. Apparently there was something wrong with Hank's heart rate and he was dipping far lower than anyone was comfortable with. I don't remember what we said, but I do remember somehow asking how necessary it was and the doctor made it clear we didn't really have a choice.

And then, only fuzzy memories: drinking some awful, awful liquid, having a spinal put in and being told to hold still even though I was contracting constantly, it seemed. I remember bright lights and a ride in the elevator. I remember Joe being taken somewhere and telling them (the nurses? Doctors?) to go and bring him back. And then I remember getting into the operating room and Joe was waiting there. I remember my anthesologist asking me if I could feel him poking my stomach. I could. He looked at the obstetrician on-call (whose name I can't remember) and him shaking his head and saying, "There's no time." I remember feeling pulling and pressure and, finally, relief. I remember looking at Joe and seeing his face turn white and staring over the sheet that blocked my view. I remember being aware-- very aware-- that I couldn't hear any crying. I asked over and over, "What's going on?" I received no answer. I remember doctors rushing in and doing things on the other side of the room where I knew my baby was. I remember asking if the baby was a boy or a girl. No answer.

And then, finally, after three excruciating minutes, a cry. A loud, full-throttle new baby cry. I remember crying with happiness. So was Joe. And then, finally, someone told me the baby was a boy, and that he was going to be fine. A few minutes later another doctor I'd never seen or met before, a pediatrician, walked Hank over and stuck him a few inches from my face. I remember my first thought so, so clearly, and it was shock. For some reason I'd expected him to look just like Madeleine and I remember being surprised that he didn't. That silly thought still makes me laugh today.

There you have it. Hank's harrowing birth tale. Both older kids love the story. "Tell us about when Hank was limp and blue again, please Daddy?" they often ask.

But my favorite memory of his birth was a few hours after his 10:16 p.m. arrival into this world. After spending an hour or so by myself in recovery (Hank was taken for observation and Joe went along) I was wheeled down to the post-partum floor. As I was wheeled down the hallway Joe was pushing Hank out of the nursery towards our room. I met him there and even though I didn't get to see him for awhile after his birth, besides the doctors, I got to be the first person to hold him. There, in the still of the night on that quiet hospital floor I held and nursed my new son. And it was heavenly.

It's hard to believe that was five years ago. It seems overdone to say it but, it's true, the time has just flown by.

Happy birthday, dear Hanker-buddy. We love you!

Week Three, Day One

I did not want to run last night. After finishing up a roast chicken dinner, birthday cake and a glass of wine all I wanted to do lie down and enjoy the memories of all the yummy food. And cake. And wine.

But this is birthday week. Tomorrow is Hank's birthday and this weekend we celebrate both Elisabeth's and Hank's again, with family. That's four cakes in one week. How in the world can I not run with one cake behind me and three in my future?

Both weeks one and two were heavier on walking times than running times. But not week three. Now the running is equal with the walking portions. It requires ninety seconds of running, ninety seconds of walking, three minutes of running and three minutes of walking. Repeat.

I'll admit it, I had trouble with the first three minute running stretch. I was going uphill and I think I ran too fast during the ninety second run. I was winded by the end. But during the second three minute stretch I found my groove. I experimented with my stride quite a bit and discovered that by intentionally lengthening my stride I could still cover a lot of ground without having to run very quickly. I admit this sounds obvious, but my natural inclination is to take short, easy strides. Those long strides strain muscles I didn't know I had, but in a good way.

In any event, I made it. I easily ran a half-mile last night, no small feat for a non-runner like me!

Happy Birthday, Elisabeth!

Today is my baby's second birthday. My youngest-- my baby-- is two-years-old today. I can't quite believe it.

Many of you know that Elisabeth's birthday also coincides with my mom's unexpected death. Every aspect of her birth corresponds with some awful phone call or tense conversation with a neurologist. So, I don't want to share her birth story. Births are happy. Joyous. And hers was too, but it never seems so when writing it out, thinking about the events leading up to it and putting it all into context.

Here's the birthday girl at just three days old.


To see what the little cutie looked like at one-year-old, check out her birthday celebration last year.

And here she is just a few weeks ago (the photo credit belongs to Madeleine for this shot).


Happy Birthday, sweet Elisabeth Jane! We love you!

Week Two, Day Four

I know, I know. I'm only "supposed" to run three times a week. But it's been a stressful week; I needed to get out.

I figured since I am almost to week three anyway I would incorporate one of the longer running stretches prescribed there into my final week two run. I was wrong though; next week I'm up to three minutes stretches of running, but I thought it was five. Those two minutes made a big difference to a beginner like me and by the time I got home I was tired.

I did it though, so I'm confident conquering week three and its three minute stretches of running will easily be within my grasp.

Zoo Trip

I have warned you that all I've been doing lately is either home schooling Madeleine, reading books in preparation for schooling Madeleine or running. Well, and of course, cleaning, laundry, cooking, et cetera, but what's less exciting than that? Perhaps running, which Superdad has called the subject of "the most boring blog posts ever?"

Yesterday, just to notch up the excitement level around here, the kids and I took a field trip to the zoo. Dad, freshly back from a week long sojourn to Germany and the Netherlands, decided to tag along since he'd missed us all ever so much.

The kids and I spent the past month studying various large cats; tigers, cheetahs, leopards, you get the idea. Considering themselves now experts in all things feline, the kids decided to observe their subjects in their natural habitats. Or, at least as close as you can get to their natural habitats when not living or frequently vacationing halfway across the globe.

Armed with paper, clipboards, colored pencils and crayons, we spent our afternoon parked in Big Cat Country at the Milwaukee County Zoo. Our first stop was the cheetahs, who were outside staring over a small ravine at a herd of impalas (something both Madeleine and Hank noted as being exceptionally cruel; Don't they want to jump over there and eat them, Mom?!) We observed through a sheet of glass the two cheetahs who playfully ran just an inch from our noses (Elisabeth jumped back in fright!) time and time again. We learned the two cheetahs were both males, and we surmised that they must be brothers that since, like other large cats, cheetahs do live on their own but, unlike other large cats, brother cheetahs are often the exception to that rule, staying together for life.

Here is Madeleine's drawing.


I have to say, I'm pretty impressed by it, and here's why. First off, she noted the cheetah's tear marks, the distinctive black line running from their inner eyes down their noses, which all cheetahs have and make differentiating them from, say, leopards, extremely easy. Secondly, unlike all other cats, cheetahs are unable to retract their claws; they need them to dig into the ground to help them run as quickly as they're able. Clearly Madeleine remembered, and noted, that interesting fact.

Hank's picture... well his was a bit less anatomically correct, but at least he got the spots. And hey, he's only four.


Next up, the lions, who were inside. They were slightly active, if you categorize yawning, preening and an occasional stretch as active. Still though, there was a wide rock ledge right in front of the lion and lioness in which to park art supplies and child-sized derrières, so the little artists got right to work.

We also saw a jaguar, a sleeping tiger (that lazy tiger has never once been awake in all our trips to the zoo) and a snow leopard.

Madeleine's tiger.


Hank's tiger, who looks very happy and awake for such tired cat, does he not?


And, finally, the full sheet, the pièce de résistance, the cumulative product of all the kids' laborious efforts. First Madeleine's masterpiece is shown. Hank's work follows immediately.

Week Two, Day Three

I'm sorry for all the running entries, but this and home schooling is about all I've got. And anyway, I want to track my progress, so I apologize for all the boring talk about running.

Last night of week two--whew. Next week some much longer running intervals get thrown in, but I feel ready.

I chose a different route tonight. North, instead of east. I never realized how few people pull their blinds in their brightly lit front rooms. Came you blame me, slowly jogging by covered in darkness that I looked (OK, stared) in? Interesting to see how others decorate their homes, the furniture they choose, the paint colors they use.

Anyway. The ninety seconds of running with two minutes of walking was easy. Easy, I tell you. So easy, in fact, that I went out for almost forty minutes instead of the prescribed twenty. I am ready for week three.

Week Two, Day Two

I told myself all day that I was going to go running after our evening bible study at church. I looked forward to it all day long and then, right before we left for church, my soup just didn't sit right with me and I got a stomachache that just wouldn't go away.

I decided to run anyway. Who knew when I'd get another chance this week.

It was a fine run. Not great, but fine. The running, once again, felt like it was plenty easy enough and the two minute walking reprieves felt a bit too long.

The highlight though, was the weather. Last night was our first fall night. The temperature was in the fifties and there was a strong wind blowing crisp, fallen leaves across my path. The smell of fireplaces, probably enjoying their first use this season, permeated the air.

A beautiful night and an OK run/walk. That about sums it up.

Hank's School Picture

Ah, school pictures. Some of the worst pictures I've ever had taken of me have appeared in yearbooks for hundreds to see and for generations to come. I've always hated school pictures.

Until this year. Did you ever see a more photogenic little boy?

First Concert

It was this past Thursday, I believe, while driving to the bank that I heard the ad. The Milwaukee Symphony was going to be performing Franz Liszt's Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major for piano and orchestra and Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 5 in C-sharp minor. I pressed number two on my cell phone, my speed dial short cut to Superdad's office, and said we should go. After all, the Milwaukee Symphony, while a good symphony, is not known for its excellent discernment in musical selections; they're a bit too fond of newer composers and infusing a choral component into all of their concerts to please my purest palette. But this-- well, this sounded good!

So Superdad snagged us two tickets. All I had to do was snag us a babysitter. No problem. Thumbing through our church directory, teeming with child-loving teenagers, I began making my calls. No. No again. An no again. And again and again and again... local homecoming festivities, it appeared, were robbing me of all possible babysitters.

Saturday came and we still didn't have a babysitter. I then suggested to Superdad that he take Madeleine to her first symphony concert. We had a few concerns, namely the late hour of the concert (it began at bedtime) but we assured ourselves that if she hated it or was too tired they could always just leave at intermission.

Madeleine happily dressed in her fanciest attire and even more happily posed for pictures.


Madeleine arrived home at 10:30 p.m., bright eyed and brimming with excitement.

"Did you like it, Madeleine?" I asked as she raced into my arms.

"Oh, yes, Mom, I loved it!"

Superdad would tell me later that other concert goers kept smiling at her and telling Superdad how good she was throughout the evening. He did confess he witnessed a bit of impatience during the second half, but overall his impression was that she was very interested in everything, especially the conductor practically jumping off his podium at different moments.

I'm still sorry I missed it, but am thrilled for Madeleine having seen, and loved, her first symphony.

If you're curious, here's a You Tube clip of the Liszt piece.

Week Two, Day One

Yay, a new week and a new running challenge!

This week's running plan is to alternate between ninety seconds of running and two minutes of walking. Sound easy? It was.

Thankfully, though, I figured beforehand that it would be, so when I took off around four this afternoon I invited Madeleine to come with me. She gleefully raced upstairs to change since she'd been asking me just a few days ago if she could come sometime.

She made it the whole twenty-five minutes too, only stopping to walk instead of run on the final two runs. I did a lot of circling back, but it was fun to have company, especially a cute, talkative seven-year-old girl.

Week One, Day Three

My last Week One run. My last run with sixty second runs and ninety second walking reprieves.

I went out last night, after 8 p.m. I'm starting to realize my visions of running at sunrise will probably never happen. And why should they? Running in the evening brings its own beauty. And certainly in this ridiculously hot October, it brings cooler temperatures.

There were people everywhere. Teenagers, mostly. Last night was our high school's homecoming football game and there were swarms of people all over town.

And the run? Fantastic. I felt the ninety second walking intervals were too long and I just wanted to run already. But I didn't; I followed the Cool Running's plan to the letter.

My reward? Today I treated myself to a new pair of running shoes.

Christmas in September

I know everyone says that every year it gets more ridiculous with Christmas decorations being put out out earlier and earlier and every year people always complain and roll their eyes without, in fact, really knowing if it's starting any earlier this year than it did last year.

Well, I have proof. The other day I was in my least favorite store in the entire universe but, hey, I needed inexpensive diapers, and while roaming through Hell Walmart I noticed that, a month before Halloween they were setting up red bows, Christmas CDs and snowy villages.

Sick, I tell you. Sick.

Week One, Days One and Two

According to Cool Running's website, a great way to transform yourself into a runner is to follow their Couch-to-5K Running Plan. Ah, who knows. There might be better plans out there but to me, a novice, a walk/run program seems like a good, non-intimidating way to get started.

According to this plan, during the first week I am supposed to commit to three runs lasting about twenty minutes and I am supposed to alternate between walking and running, with an emphasis on walking.

Day 1, Monday

I went out at 8:15 p.m. and a cool, foggy night greeted me. I followed the Cool Running's plan as closely as I could considering I only had my cell phone with me, which doesn't display second increments, only minutes. I probably ended up walking for two minutes between runs instead of the recommended ninety seconds, but I also stayed out for thirty minutes instead of the recommended twenty.

I wound about our village, exploring different blocks but not enjoying myself quite as much as I thought I might since I was preoccupied with timing myself. Not good for the introspective, peaceful run I'd hoped to have.

Towards the end of my time out, I found myself running (OK, and walking, too) across the street from the narrow park that separates our peaceful, relatively crime-free 'burb from one of the more dangerous parts of the city next door. Hm. Not such a good idea in the pitch black night.

All in all though, I felt great afterwards. I felt challenged, but not overly so, and knew what aspects I wanted to change.

Day 2, Tuesday

I didn't really want to run two days in a row, but since I've been very, very not self-disciplined about getting up in the morning, I knew Tuesday would be my last chance for an evening run for a few days.

I felt like a bit of a tool, but I took my loud, beeping, digital kitchen timer with me and ran straight through the most well-lit, busiest road in our village.

Now I understand how people can get addicted to running. Unconcerned with the clock or my safety, I was free to enjoy the crunching leaves beneath my feet and observe the lives being lived in the houses I walked or ran past. The night was gorgeous; a storm was rolling in and I could enjoy the cool breeze, the somewhat scary winds as they blew tree branches beyond their comfort zone and feel the preview of a few, errant raindrops. I also felt I was developing a peaceful, easy rhythm during my running times and was actually enjoying myself, something I never have done before while running!

I probably didn't feel completely challenged, running-wise, but I followed the program exactly and didn't try to run more than was instructed even though I believe I could have. I have tried running too much in the past and gotten burned out very, very quickly, so I feel that, for me, erring on the side of not pushing myself enough is better than doing it too much.

New Look

I bet you all think I rearrange my house all the time too, based on how often I change the look of my blog. Well, you'd be right. I like change.

That said, I really didn't mean to change how it looked this time. All I wanted to do was add the third column, which I did, obviously (which, I did with the assistance of this incredibly helpful and wonderful blog). But, while doing so I erased everything else, format-wise, and had to start over with colors, spacing, et cetera.

I like it but I may continue to futz with it. Until, of course, I re-vamp it completely once I get sick of it.

UPDATE: I just asked Hank what he thought of the new look of my blog and he said, "I hate it." So there you have it. Lovely.

Exercise

I've always been an active person. I love to bike, take long hikes and I walk for a purpose or for pleasure at least once daily, usually more.

That said, I've never been one who "works out." The drama of a gym bothers me: the noise, the TVs, people strutting around in ridiculously expensive workout attire. To me it misses the point. Shouldn't exercising be about more than toning and shaping your body; shouldn't it also be about exercising and toning your mind? A rare chance to be alone with yourself and let yourself think the thoughts you're too busy to think at any other time?

Eschewing traditional gyms and resting on the idea that I have always been active I've sort of just always assured myself that I was in fine physical shape and needn't worry.

And then, last month, while in New York, I climbed Hadley. I was fine, and even climbed it in a reasonable amount of time. What I took issue with was just how I felt while climbing. I felt more winded than I felt I ought and during that climb I realized that something was going to have to change.

But what? Should I dash out and gather all the newest, trendiest workout gear, buy an iPod and start watching Orange County so I could fit in at the gym? No, besides disliking all the things about gyms that I've already mentioned, what I hate more the most is being inside. Exercise is about moving and, to me, there seems no better place to do that than outside in a vast expanse of space and fresh air.

Running? Running has always appealed to me; the movement and the solitude, but the idea scared me. In the past when I've tried running I'd be exhausted before a reasonable person would and I'd give up, dejected, figuring I'd never be able to do it as well as other people. As well as real runners.

Still though, I have decided to try. I'm going to start out with an easy running regimen and make reasonable, attainable goals for myself. My first goal is simply to make it through week one. And you, my lucky blog readers, get to read all about my trials and successes.

Why? Well, one thing that has always intimidated me about running is people who talk (or blog!) about running are already good. They're already running marathons and are totally in shape and never, ever talk about when they were starting out and felt like their lungs would explode after just a few blocks and when they just felt like they couldn't possibly run another inch well before reaching the half mile mark.

But I will. I'll tell you just how pathetic I am and, hopefully, how non-pathetic I become.

Move Review, X

Superdad and I were lucky enough to watch two great movies this past weekend. Saturday night we watched The Aviator. Since this movie has been out on video for eight million years and anyone who wanted to see it has already seen it, I'll spare you my thoughts and simply say that if you're as lame as Superdad and I are about seeing movies promptly and missed this, go see it. It's good.

Oh, and if you're wondering, it stars Leonardo DiCaprio before he visibly hits puberty; in fact, I think it was his last role where he looked bizarrely adolescent despite his adult age.

Friday night we watched another moving starring the lovely Leo (post-adolescence-- look at that-- real facial hair!) and Superdad and I both loved it.


I went into the movie knowing very little about diamond mining or the civil war in Sierra Leone in the nineties and I came out knowing very little more, but feeling like I did and I was ready to swear off all future diamond purchases (not like I'm in the market very frequently anyway). I've since learned a lot more and was happy to realize a lot of the problems shown in the movie have been addressed and some even dealt with.

But oh, such a well acted, moving film. I was absolutely engrossed in every second of it.

Morning Conversation

The following conversation took place this morning.

Me: Guess what Hank! Your class is going on a field trip on your birthday. And guess what else-- I get to be a chaperone!

Hank (with a huge grin plastered on his face): Really Mom? A field trip? And you get to come with?! Yay! (He stops to hug me.) I've never been on a school bus before! Do you think it will be a big one?!

Me: Oh, yes, I'm sure it will. Will you sit by me on the bus, Hank?

Hank: (long pause): Weeeell... (concerned look on face) I might want to sit by Curly*.

Hmph.

*Yeah, so obviously Hank doesn't have a friend named Curly, for pity's sake. It's an alias. A very clever, imaginative alias.

A Challenge of Home Schooling

The hardest part about home schooling?  It's not the academics.  Madeleine is only in second grade; I'd be in serious trouble if that were the toughest challenge I faced.  It's not the actual act of teaching; no, that's amazingly enjoyable for both teacher and student (or so Madeleine tells me).

No, the hardest part about home schooling is the realization that no matter what we're doing, how big of a hurry we're in or how bad or well our day is going, we're constantly on display and queried when we're in public during the traditional school day.  I can't blame people, nor do I resent curiosity or questions.  There are days, however, I'd just like to go into a store, find my gallon of milk, pay for it and make it back to my car without having to explain that yes, in fact, we are home schooling and try and parse down our numerous, complicated reasons for doing so into a socially acceptable, quick response.

I understand why things are the way they are; more people utilize local public schools than don't and choosing something else invites curiosity.  However, it occurs to me that when I run into parents and their children in the process of going to or coming from school I don't say to them, "Wow!  What ever made you decide to send your children to public school?"

I guess the moral of this post is this: if you see a home school family out and about and are curious about what they're doing and how they do what they do and why they do what they do and what curriculum they use and question the legality of their actions and ask them whether their children get enough socialization or not and then (hopefully!) wish them luck and tell them you think they're making a good choice, by all means do so.  Just not when they're rushing in for a quick gallon of milk.

"Work"

My kids will tell you, with rolled eyes and exasperated sighs, that one of my favorite mantras is "haste makes waste." Both older children have memorized the words, if not the more important idea behind the words.

Imagine my glee when Madeleine and I came across the following poem in our grammar text this morning. How many times can I recite this poem to the kids before the eye rolling and exasperated sighs start accompanying it?

"Work"
Anonymous

Work while you work,
Play while you play;
This is the way
To be happy each day.
All that you do,
Do with your might;
Things done by halves
Are never done right.

Happy Birthday, Superdad!

Today is the day-- let's all wish Superdad a happy day!



Love you, Sweetie!

Adirondack Trip, Part 3

As our plane descended into Chicago our pilot happily informed us that it was eighty-two degrees on the ground. Eighty-two? The temperature in Albany upon departure had been in the sixties, which was about the norm for our trip. But just let chilly temperatures stop a child with access to water from swimming.


One of my favorite things about making this trip is the house. Not really the house itself, really, though of course it is lovely, but the memories it contains. When I'm there it almost makes me feel close to Grandmommy, my mom's mom, a woman who died mere months before I was born and even though I didn't know her, she's alive in that house. Her pictures are scattered throughout the house along with stacks of letters penned by her own hand. In that house I can almost believe I did know her, along with scores of other relatives who have since passed.

Because of that lolling about the house and grounds is a favorite activity. Whether it's doing housework, knitting or reading a book, quiet time is all the more special when we're at Fish House, the nickname we've given the house, than almost anywhere else.


And now we're home. But on this foggy, gloomy Wisconsin day I'm still there. I can almost imagine sitting on the front steps...

Adirondack Trip, Part 2

Thursday night Sixty-five arrived at the family home and after an evening spent chatting and catching up we decided that we would spend Friday in Saratoga Springs, New York. We lamented the fact that the horse racing season was over and that we couldn't watch any races but we did discover the presence of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.

Fun museum! The highlight for kids and adults was the racing simulator. The kids each suited up in full jockey gear (silks, chaps, flack jacket and helmet!) and mounted mechanical "horse" stationed in front of a giant screen playing a filmed horse race. Each child got to race three races: a practice race, an apprentice race and a final, real race. Each race would prompt the mechanical horse to move faster and faster and would then elicit louder and more robust shrieks and giggles from Madeleine and Hank.

After the museum closed our group moved on the main shopping district in Saratoga Springs. We poked around the town for awhile, stopping at fabulous, famous bakery and a Food Network featured restaurant and were sure to inspect as many of the painted horses that were scattered about town as possible.