tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23591173176325758512024-02-07T03:49:20.099-08:00The Puckstopper's WifeJenna Rowlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07077383194892938165noreply@blogger.comBlogger240125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359117317632575851.post-63875253775193587402014-12-12T11:27:00.003-08:002014-12-12T11:27:57.944-08:00The heart grew three sizes that dayI am not sure where to begin. First, my last post was in February. I am sad to say that nearly a year has passed. But with an almost-three-year old, and a 50 hour/week job, I spend every spare minute with my nugget.<br />
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These past 10 months have been busy, to say the least. There have been ups and downs and bumps and bruises. Mostly my own! And company and travel and the zoo and play dates and new friends. I'll try to catch up. But today is about the heart that grew three sizes.<br />
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As a parent, it is our instinct to do everything we can to protect our children. It leads to overreacting and being irrational from time to time. But it mostly results in what is ultimately best for everyone.<br />
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Our little nugget is almost 100% potty trained. This is not a poop blog, but that's the only part that isn't "trained" yet. No more wet pants...but wet pants is where this blog begins.<br />
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I am a working mom. I have to rely on others to care for, nurture and stimulate my child for 9 hours a day, 5 days a week. That is a difficult pill to swallow on a good day. On a bad day, it's hard to not just quit my job. And in 10 months, there have been plenty of both days. Recently, Bry's potty training had regressed. And there seemed to be a lot of inconsistency at school. The director was absent for what seemed like weeks. The teachers were all over the place. The children in B's room outnumbered the teacher at a ratio of sometimes 15-1. I know...laws prevent that. It was a mess. A huge mess.<br />
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But there were two teachers that made me feel as if it were time to either quit my job, or find another school. With foreclosure not being an option, I took a tour of another school. A new friend of mine, who also happens to be the mother of Bry's BFF, was along for the ride. We both realized that people cannot change behavior if they do not know the behavior is problematic for others. So we spoke up to the assistant director. The problem got better, but we were still skeptical of the longevity of our relationship with this school. <br />
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Fast forward a month: We were told that "a new student" had joined the school and their mom dropped off at the beginning of nap time. This mid-day drop-off made for lots of tears and loss of sleep for all the kids. No naps for a week makes for some meltdown-prone children. 15 of them. Which adds to the stress for the parents, the teachers AND the children.<br />
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On Wednesday, I was picking Bryan up after work and all the children were outside enjoying the last 15 minutes of daylight on the 65-degree day. I bent down to let B run into my arms when a little girl came and sat on my lap. I had never seen her before. And it was weird. Children of this age do not generally like to sit in a strange lap. Let alone force themselves into it. I frantically looked for a teacher hoping for a little relief in this very odd situation. The very friendly little girl quite obviously had some special needs. She is non-verbal and her hands seemed clenched as if she has cerebral palsy but she walks (and runs!) quite well, so that's likely not her condition. Her sweet little face is asymmetrical with a protruding forehead and sunken eyes. <br />
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I found the entire 30-second exchange quite odd, but didn't really give it another thought. Yesterday morning, I was dropping Bry off when i saw TWO girls. Yes. It seems that the lap-sitter from the day before has an identical twin sister. They were quite a handful for the two teachers who were also managing a room of 10 other nap-deprived children that were not loving drop off time. <br />
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And now we get to the part I am embarrassed to write.<br />
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I immediately thought, that's it. THIS is the last straw. Those girls are the problem. They are why Bry isn't napping and they are requiring too much attention from the teachers that should also be spending time with the other children. This school is not equipped to handle these two girls and it's affecting my son's well-being. After the holidays I'll find a new school for him.<br />
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Yesterday afternoon, I picked Bry up a little early so that we could go to a birthday party. I had not had a great day. Work was even more stressful than usual, other things were cluttering my brain, and the icing on the cake was running late to pick B up only to find he had pooped in his underpants as I was walking in the door. Ugh.<br />
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I got him cleaned up and we walked back in his classroom to get his jacket. The two new girls were there. Bryan saw one of the girls had dropped her favorite classroom toy and was somewhat distraught about it. My son saw the toy across the room, walked over, picked it up and handed it to the little girl. And without a second thought he said, "see you tomorrow (name I didn't understand)" and turned to walk out with me.<br />
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To paraphrase "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," I puzzled and puzzled till my puzzler was sore. Then I thought of something I hadn't before. "Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more!" <br />
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You see. It is not my son that needs a new school. It was his mother that needed a new perspective. My son cried through his first nap on a cot. And he cried through the nap the day he got stung by a bee. And he cried through a nap one day because he missed his mommy. It is not a "condition" of the child that makes them cry through their nap. It's their state of mind. These two precious little girls were dropped off in a new place where all the toys had been put away, the lights turned off and all the kids were sitting on really weird little cot thingies. That's no fun. I'd cry too. It probably looked like a concentration camp to them.<br />
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Their mother is faced with the same dilemma I face every day. Balancing her fierce love of her children with the fact that bills do not get paid if she does not work. She doesn't like dropping them off any more than I like dropping Bryan off. And her daughters want the same thing my son wants. To play and make friends and have fun and be cared for and feel safe when Mommy can't be there. <br />
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And we want the same thing for our children. Health and happiness and for other children to be kind to them. I want to thank those precious little girls for helping me better understand...well... everything! My heart grew three sizes that day. <br />
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There will be no school changes any time soon. <br />
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<br />Jenna Rowlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07077383194892938165noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359117317632575851.post-85920638920681530602014-02-24T10:50:00.000-08:002014-02-24T10:50:00.954-08:00one-forty-fiveYou all know how much I love the mantra of Braver-Stronger-Smarter. But my oldest and dearest mantra is one-forty-five. And yesterday it took on a whole new meaning for me. Here's the story.<div>
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In February of 1992, I was racing slalom at Crystal Mountain on a Friday afternoon. The week leading up to this particular race was filled with practice on not-so-great conditions that had me "walking" out of my bindings. That's skier lingo for, "my boot kept coming out of my binding for no good reason." It happens sometimes. So we tightened my bindings a little so that my skis would stay on when they should, but not so tight that they wouldn't release if necessary.</div>
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Fast forward to that Friday night. Six of my teammates were to race that night and I was scheduled as the alternate racer. Unfortunately, one of my teammates went home from school sick so I needed to step up and fill her spot on the team. No big deal. I was ready. We had to leave class at 1:45 to catch the bus "up north" for the ski meet. I was pretty terrible at remembering those things, and we didn't have cell phones with timers, calendars, reminders or alarms. So, what did any typical high school sophomore do? I wrote it on my hand. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I recreated it today. This is not the original photo. There is no original photo!</td></tr>
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<br />It was my turn in the start shack. I was nervous as all get out, but felt strong and ready. I took the first few gates full steam ahead and was feeling great. I crested the headwall (flat ends and steep pitch down starts) and took the next two gates a little too aggressively and caught the tip of my ski on the third causing the now infamous "sit-down." I knew there was something wrong. I heard the pop and felt the pain, but my skis were still on. Everyone yelling at me to get up. I asked for the "DQ" (disqualification) and told the gate keeper to call my coach. Charlie slid down the hill, and dad walked up from the bottom. And then the ski patrols joined us with the toboggan, strapped me in and and took me down. That was the longest and worst sled ride EVER. <div>
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In the patrol house, they cut my race pants off me and my knee instantly swelled beyond belief. They cut up a cardboard box and duct taped it around my leg to immobilize it. Mom and dad loaded me in the car and from Dad's portable bag phone (pretty state of the art back in the day), we called ahead to the ER in Mt. Pleasant. It was the longest drive ever. I can't remember which was worse...the pain or the fear. That was the night I met Dr. Tom Keating for the first time. </div>
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As we sat in the ER waiting for Doc to see me, Dad looked at my hand and said, "Jenna! What on Earth did you write on your hand?" I turned and looked and said, "oh, 1:45. That's what time I got out of class today." What Dad saw was this: </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFp-V6bl57-u0YGRYK64kyp1jTKvFjVsSpFJDgE3aWHILHCQocP99bP8kOYXz8kPPvYSgLqY-3zwFoTd_3y2iFGZPpgWHOtt-vWfQTA8s_a9oZvG5m0bG2lxFHm7pC6TRnfk6kWXJ3jlwN/s1600/145+the+wrong+way.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFp-V6bl57-u0YGRYK64kyp1jTKvFjVsSpFJDgE3aWHILHCQocP99bP8kOYXz8kPPvYSgLqY-3zwFoTd_3y2iFGZPpgWHOtt-vWfQTA8s_a9oZvG5m0bG2lxFHm7pC6TRnfk6kWXJ3jlwN/s1600/145+the+wrong+way.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same recreation, just upside down.</td></tr>
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<br />From that moment forward, our family has stuck with 1:45 happens. And it sure does. A few years later, my brother gave me this pillow for Christmas to commemorate the now healed knee:<div>
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That fateful Friday night, Doc Keating told me that "someday" my activities would be limited but not for a long time. Well, a long time is here. I've come full circle on this story. </div>
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Mom, don't be mad at this part of the story, and rest assured that it's not really going to happen. I have been saying for years that if I could find something that I wanted to remember for the rest of my life that meant a great deal to me, I would get a small, subtle (easily concealed) tattoo of it. I've never found exactly what I wanted so have never been inked. After this whole "I'll never run again" thing came up, I realized that the thing that represents strength, bravery and perseverance to me was that clock reading the time 1:45. So I hit the boards of Pinterest searching for the perfect 1:45 tattoo. You'll never believe what I found...</div>
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Luke 1:45 "Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her." Wow. I know He does not share His plans with us. However, if I were to take the beginning phrase only, "Blessed is she who has believed," I think my mantra has actually been this all along, I just didn't know it. I believe in His plan for me. I believe in my strength, bravery and perseverance. No ink necessary. On my hand or as a tattoo. I have all the 1:45 I need in my heart and my soul. One Forty Five is an even more spectacular mantra than I could ever have imagined. </div>
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Blessed is she who has believed. </div>
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Jenna Rowlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07077383194892938165noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359117317632575851.post-50376663963672403982014-02-20T14:42:00.001-08:002014-02-20T14:42:55.601-08:00Braver Stronger Smarter. Part III know, I know. I need to blog more frequently. I have lots to say, pictures to post, updates to share. But today I need to just breathe and think of the bigger picture.<div>
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I've posted about running a lot. Like <a href="http://puckstopperswife.blogspot.com/2013/08/back-at-it.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and <a href="http://puckstopperswife.blogspot.com/2013/06/faster.html" target="_blank">here </a> and <a href="http://puckstopperswife.blogspot.com/2013/03/trying.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and <a href="http://puckstopperswife.blogspot.com/2013/01/mark-my-words.html" target="_blank">here</a>. And feel free to snoop around and find a dozen more...maybe even more than that. Today is my last post about running. Forever. Not because I am sure you are tired of hearing about it, but because I will not be running any more. </div>
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It's been 22 years in the making, but two weeks ago I heard the words I was dreading all this time, "you will need a knee replacement someday..." But not until I am over 50. In the meantime, my orthopedic surgeon (now know as Doc) said, "I wish you wouldn't run but I know you love it and I don't have to tell you to give it up just yet. Do it while you can because your days are numbered..." I thought we were measuring in years. Not number of runs. And I didn't know the number was 2. Yes, that's right. Two 3-mile runs. </div>
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So, a little history.</div>
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My BFF, Angie, is a "coach" with the Beachbody company. You know, the people who make the workout DVDs such as P90X and TurboFire. Anyway, it's a bit like Amway, but my Doc said that I needed to do more cross training and I hate the gym so an at-home, cost effective DVD was my weapon of choice. I began doing the T25 workouts and LOVE them. Since starting them in November, I've lost almost 20 pounds and about 2" off my waist. They work and they are 25 minutes five times a week. Can't argue with those results or the time commitment. </div>
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Three weeks ago, I was in the final 30 seconds of the video, doing an in-place full-body run when I heard a "POP" noise and felt shooting pain down my leg. The same knee that I've already had five surgeries on. A week and an MRI later, I learned that the good news was that I didn't tear, sprain, strain or break anything. The bad news is that I have moderate cartilage degeneration in my right knee and from time to time I will do something that will slough off another layer of the cartilage causing severe pain and swelling. Eventually they will probably have to do a debridement surgery to get it out of there, but not until it is debilitating. Awesome. So I have that to look forward to. </div>
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Fast forward to this week. Back at the DVD workouts for a couple weeks, I look at my training plan and realize it's time to start running. I've registered for the Colfax half marathon on May 19 and need to get those miles in! I ran on Sunday for the first time since before Christmas and felt pretty strong. My knee was a little stiff and achy, but overall, I was confident I was doing great. I worked out in the living room on Monday and Tuesday and went out on Wednesday for another 3 miler. I felt great. Strong. Free. Able. By the time I hit the 5k mark (3.15 miles) I was stiff, achy and ready to stop. Thankfully I was only a block from home. By the time I hit the shower an hour later, I was in a great deal of pain and my knee looked like I had inflated a balloon inside. I had no range of motion and couldn't navigate the stairs very well. It got worse as the night progressed. Tears, Advil, TED (compression & anti-embolism) sock and an hour of ice made it a little better, but the pain kept me up last night. My hourglass had expired on a perfectly sunny and warm Wednesday in February. </div>
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This morning, after several more tears, and a very long conversation with the most perfect and supportive husband on Earth, I decided to hang up my Garmin permanently. And being full of the stubborn gene, that was no easy decision to make. But this is what is best for me and most importantly, best for my family. </div>
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I have no regrets. I can say that I have completed four half-marathons. And it all started <a href="http://puckstopperswife.blogspot.com/2011/02/braver-stronger-smarter.html" target="_blank">with this blog post...</a> And re-reading that, I really do believe that the decision to stop took as much Bravery, Strength and Smarts as the decision to begin. Thanks Mom. </div>
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Jenna Rowlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07077383194892938165noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359117317632575851.post-88031053726016121382013-11-25T10:03:00.000-08:002013-11-25T10:03:19.538-08:00Happy HallowAnnivThanksgivMasBlogging hasn't been my thing the last couple of months. Between all my travels (six out of 8 weeks was WAY too much) and having company in October, finishing up the racing season and stuff, it's just been a little nuts around here. I'll try to be better as we close out the year, but no promises!<br />
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I can't even remember September, so I'll skip it. In October, I finished that darn half marathon that made me start to hate running. Between the pain, the asthma and the other problems that got in the way of my training, I can only take pride that I finished 2 half marathons in a year. I even finished both of them without an ambulance...the second required a stop at the medic tent for an unyielding asthma attack, but other than that, I finished on my own two feet...just a little slower than I would have liked.<br />
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We had Bryan's 18-month check up in October, and he grew up, but certainly not out. He likely reclaimed his label, but nobody cares in that developmentally, he's "measuring" closer to 27 months than 18 and has a rapidly expanding vocabulary. And his fine & gross motor skills are developing quickly too! Who cares if he's really skinny? He's otherwise very healthy. I'll take it! Thankfully, my sister-in-law is willing to let us have the 12-month pants back for Bryan. I have a feeing my nephew and Bryan will be in the same size pants by April! That's OK. I'll take smart and skinny any day of the week! <br />
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After all that and celebrating our 7th wedding anniversary, we rounded out the month with Bryan's first Halloween costume (he dressed as his lovey, "Frasier") and his first trip into the mountains. And his first real snow experience. It was so much fun.<br />
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We are gearing up for a small Thanksgiving at our house, followed by first Christmas here and then we head to MI for a week to celebrate second Christmas. <br />
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Bryan's list of words include: Abby, apple, baby, bye bye, hi, night night, no, yes, uh-oh, beep beep, moon, cracker, juice, cheese, more, please, thank you, Elmo, Dur Dur (Frasier), Bert (as in Bert & Ernie), and by the time I pick him up from daycare, there will be another, I am sure. Seems like a word a day lately. Some more decipherable than others!<br />
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Here are some pictures of the last couple of months! See you all soon!<br />
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<br />Jenna Rowlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07077383194892938165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359117317632575851.post-22035989169904020062013-09-03T12:27:00.002-07:002013-09-03T12:27:53.071-07:00ContentmentWe are a happy family. But like all families, I think sometimes we take for granted how wonderful our lives really are. How often do you take a step back and count your blessings? Which, BTW, is one of my favorite Christmas songs. The Rosemary Clooney and Bing Crosby version only, though.<br />
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I think the answer for all of us is, "not nearly enough." While I keep a happiness journal of one good thing that happens every day, I still get lost in the daily grind, routine, rut. Whatever you want to call it.<br />
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Friday night, I was one of the very privileged Coloradans to see Keith Urban play at <a href="http://www.redrocksonline.com/" target="_blank">Red Rocks</a>. Red Rocks Amphitheater is only about 20 minutes from my house. It's a park. People exercise there. It hosts high school graduations and Easter sunrise services. And there are concerts several nights every week from mid-May through late-October. I've been several times and it's fun. It wasn't until Keith Urban moved into the middle of the crowd, about four rows down from me and told us WHY artists have Red Rocks on their bucket list of performances that I really began to appreciate how fortunate I am to have this in my "backyard." It really is an amazing venue and no place on Earth has a better view. From that point on, it seemed that my blessings flooded my thoughts. And in that moment, I felt utterly content. Completely happy. And so incredibly blessed to have the life I have, and I wouldn't change a thing. I wish I could have captured the next several minutes on camera, but I got bits and pieces:<br />
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And just after we took this "selfie," Keith Urban sang my favorite song of his, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3TWpWf798s" target="_blank">"Without You" </a>when I saw fireworks erupt from three places in the south-Denver metro area festivals. It was breathtaking. Absolutely breathtaking. <br />
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And the weekend didn't end there! I've been on new Asthma medications (two new ones plus my rescue inhaler) which helped me have the best long run I've had in a LONG time. After I logged seven miles, I called my mom and told her of my dream that my sister-in-law had gone into labor that day. <br />
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As soon as I got off the phone and out of the shower, we took Bryan to his Mimi and Poppy's house for his first sleepover there while Chris and I went into the mountains. It was a perfect escape from the heat of the city. We went to the Breckenridge Spice shop and grabbed refills for our Black Truffle Sea Salt and bought a sample of their Smoked Bacon Sea Salt. We took the long way home and just before we crested <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loveland_Pass" target="_blank">Loveland Pass</a> at 11,991 feet above sea level, we drove through a little rain shower. But when we came out of it, we were ABOVE the rainbow. Wow. That's all I can say. I yelled "we're above the rainbow. ABOVE THE RAINBOW!!" until Chris could pull over so I could capture this picture. You can't just pull over anywhere on the two-lane S-curve highway. But in return, this is what I got:<br />
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It was absolutely breathtaking. And twenty minutes later, Mom called to tell me Shannon had gone to the hospital and was in labor. See, sometimes dreams do come true!<br />
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Chris and I tried a new restaurant close to home and were 100% impressed with not just the remarkable food, but the low (relatively speaking) price. It was a fantastic night. And as soon as we got to the car to go home, I got a call from Mom that my little brother was a Daddy!! I know he has the two older kiddos, but this is his first baby. And I am in awe. <br />
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By the time we got home from dinner, my mother-in-law had texted me to say that Bryan was a perfect angel and they wish they could do this all the time. Bryan loves his Poppy as much as he loves his Papa! </div>
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And we slept. And slept. And slept. Until 8:00 a.m.! It seemed like we had wasted half the day by sleeping in that late! It was wonderful. </div>
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So today, I started my day with a renewed sense of purpose and perspective on what really matters. And that list is short. What matters most to me? My family, my friends, and love. That's it. With those three things on my side, I will conquer all. </div>
Jenna Rowlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07077383194892938165noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359117317632575851.post-24655543960987973872013-08-27T12:29:00.001-07:002013-08-27T12:29:35.647-07:00SimplicityWe've taken Bryan to all sorts of places. Airports, rec centers, malls, Ikea, the pool, restaurants, Target, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, grocery stores...you name it. It occurred to us last weekend that we haven't taken Nuggs to a park. This summer has either been too hot or too rainy in the afternoons to enjoy a park. We finally caught a break on Sunday. Rain threatened our plans, but we managed to avoid the downpour. We passed more than an hour in a perfectly grassy park (with playground stuff Bryan wanted NO PART OF and a sandbox his mom and dad wanted NO PART OF). <br />
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I was smart enough to grab the camera before we left. Something I've been neglecting lately. And while I see my errors in some of the photos, I managed to snap a few that I think could be frame worth. It also helps when the subject matter is so beautiful.<br />
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I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as we enjoyed being lazy in the park!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brave little kiddo. This was about 20 yards from where we were sitting. He's pointing out a "car car" which is Nuggs code for airplane (two syllable mode of transportation is a car car)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A loud car passed by. He demanded an explanation!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing sweeter than when he crawls in Chris' lap and wants to hold hands.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juice please!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am going to spit out the juice please!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezftZdVXNHLLQ21tsmA4XuoBkdNRhFdxZQDOTcP-quyonX7KELv9AL2Ex02Pa9bope78KyRrReHOIjASSMutEpgYpaB28vYfmz3cDAd8CyfjWSKCSgXLnkVH4Qnz3Rgpqgahn8VKoFsHZ/s1600/DSC_0259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezftZdVXNHLLQ21tsmA4XuoBkdNRhFdxZQDOTcP-quyonX7KELv9AL2Ex02Pa9bope78KyRrReHOIjASSMutEpgYpaB28vYfmz3cDAd8CyfjWSKCSgXLnkVH4Qnz3Rgpqgahn8VKoFsHZ/s320/DSC_0259.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little Nugget of perfection. I love him more than anything I could ever have imagined!</td></tr>
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<br />Jenna Rowlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07077383194892938165noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359117317632575851.post-14077640642811191712013-08-22T09:39:00.000-07:002013-08-22T09:41:03.668-07:00playtime<div style="text-align: center;">
There is absolutely nothing better than watching a toddler play! </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwNflsHwdCvpuFqFyrTNv4BgWvkmnoHrRdQp0F-vlWfYPpRFVXTmQ49q5zwXmiM3OseH9ONkH0Wqu1sz1ex_Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
Jenna Rowlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07077383194892938165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359117317632575851.post-38016409822105386412013-08-19T11:13:00.002-07:002013-08-19T11:13:23.296-07:00Lifting weightsLast week, Bryan weighed in two ounces heavier than he did at the end of July. So, he's gaining (on average) about an ounce a week. I have no idea if that's good or not, but he had a major growth spurt in the last few weeks. His diapers are too short in the rise (he looks like a little plumber running around sometimes!) and a few of his t-shirts that he's worn all summer are showing his belly now. I think his weight gains are exceeding his height gains finally! I have no idea how much weight a 16 month old should gain in a week. The doctors stop talking about that stuff when you stop measuring age in weeks. But here's the really good news:<br />
1. He weighs enough that he looks like the other kids in his class. You can't see his ribs anymore which has been our benchmark for a while now.<br />
2. The somewhat inaccurate questionnaire to determine developmental age based on achievements measured Bryan at approximately 19 months, 2 weeks. Which is a very non-scientific way of saying that my kid may be on the little side, but he's strong and really smart. Uh oh. I'm in HUGE trouble!!<br />
3. Nobody's worried about anything, except maybe that GI doctor, but he's just one opinion.<br />
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So, for now, I have a toddler that runs everywhere, is getting louder by the day, eats like a typical toddler, has a mind of his own, loves art, loves to play outside, loves to push things and climb stairs, is almost completely done with bottles (he would be if his Mom wasn't hanging on to them for dear life!) and is talking up a storm with words and non-words alike. He only takes a few minutes to warm up to new people and loves his school so much that when I drop him off, he pushes me out of the way to go play. Nothing warms my heart more than knowing my son is so happy. <br />
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So, all is well here. We keep plugging along and with every passing day we can see our little Nugget conquering something new and leaving babyhood that much farther behind him. <a href="http://puckstopperswife.blogspot.com/2012/08/cereal-smiles.html" target="_blank">Time really does fly. Here's a post from a year ago! </a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nuggs has his own little chair and LOVES it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG7OGsV9gSrqSJ0njx_FQslLG2sP8wqm9-ZMfUm85d-zd_4t8X6F4OiW4amBc120BlcmTtA5PTKUBaz770xXlm8oul8vwnnc_Jfc0H0m92xkT_whpjXYaxT390m-LvcMqQqPfGDRS6rKV3/s1600/Chair.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG7OGsV9gSrqSJ0njx_FQslLG2sP8wqm9-ZMfUm85d-zd_4t8X6F4OiW4amBc120BlcmTtA5PTKUBaz770xXlm8oul8vwnnc_Jfc0H0m92xkT_whpjXYaxT390m-LvcMqQqPfGDRS6rKV3/s320/Chair.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a little man. And so big! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2iMKIA8poyIS0QoC7kkiffVHa9YeKDkawuXlobrlTrhTomFVoVRJHrlFrDZwBZnYqHiLo_zqJiwOl-0Qm4ZDKbNQp8HvACi4JprvZbhOQGHUG-hJc55BqGXHqbx6RlQREZZRkH719tnR_/s1600/raspberries.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2iMKIA8poyIS0QoC7kkiffVHa9YeKDkawuXlobrlTrhTomFVoVRJHrlFrDZwBZnYqHiLo_zqJiwOl-0Qm4ZDKbNQp8HvACi4JprvZbhOQGHUG-hJc55BqGXHqbx6RlQREZZRkH719tnR_/s320/raspberries.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That night his dinner was a cup of baked beans and a pint of raspberries. Without a doubt, he is 100% my kid! He may look like his Dad, but he eats just like his Mom. We could each eat our body weight in fruit! </td></tr>
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<br />Jenna Rowlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07077383194892938165noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359117317632575851.post-15786703926106341832013-08-12T10:43:00.000-07:002013-08-12T10:43:37.316-07:00back at itI think I should do some research to figure out how many times I've started a blog or email with "it's been crazy around here." I think I should accept that crazy is our version of normal. <div>
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We are moving at warp speed around here. Bryan is chatting up a storm. A few real words (uh-oh, car, mom, dad, dog, ball) and a ton of pretend words. Everything he doesn't have a word for has become a car. At least he points up in the sky when he hears an airplane and says, "car car!" Oh, and we get car car when the word he wants to say has two syllables. I think that's pretty darn smart.</div>
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My job is keeping me on my toes in a lot of great ways. I still hate the travel part, but it's a small price to pay to be able to go for a run and/or hit the gym at lunch time and know that I can be home with Nuggs if he gets sick. And speaking of sick (knock on wood...lots of it!), Bryan hasn't been really sick since we put the tubes in his ears! BEST. DECISION. EVER!! </div>
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He's getting a little dairy in his diet now. We are giving him Pediasure in that real milk doesn't have the caloric density that he needs to fatten up a little. By the end of July, the GI doc wanted Bry to weigh in at 21 lbs. We showed up and he weighed in at 20 lbs, 14.5 oz. Really. We missed it by an ounce and a half. If he would have just finished the banana before we left, we would have hit the goal. I know he's growing like crazy. He's out of his 18-month PJ's...they were too short and his feet too big. So now he's swimming in 24-month PJs. He hasn't outgrown anything else in that I had no summer clothes that fit him anyway. He's finally growing into what we have, but most of the shorts are still too big. That kid is perfectly proportionately skinny! With big feet. Thankfully, they still seem to be "normal" rather than his dad's inherited 4-E width! Keeping my fingers crossed that his feet stay longer than they are wide.</div>
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We have his 15-month check up tomorrow, on his 16-month birthday. We waited an extra month so that we could see the GI doc before we did this follow up, then an extra week because I traveled last week and he needs more immunizations. Chris was a little apprehensive to do that while I was out of town. </div>
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And I am back in full swing in my training. I have a 15k on October 6 (that's 9.3 miles) that fits perfectly in my training schedule for the half-marathon on October 20. There may be a few 5k races here and there, too, as fall weather takes over. Over the summer, thanks to Lisa K., I realized that I have the potential to run a lot faster than I actually run. I just don't push myself and I seem to get hung up on my darn Garmin watch. While I love the knowledge it gives me, I perform better if I don't have the instant feedback. So just go, and listen to my body, not the beeps. Not rocket science but man, it sure is refreshing to know that I will not die if I run faster than a 12-minute mile. How about a 10:45 minute mile. Yep. I did that. With a few more after that. So, from now on, I'll turn my Garmin on and either wear it around my ankle so I can't see it, or stuff it in my run-belt. I like the ankle idea...if it fits around my ankle, that is!</div>
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Ok, that's it. I am excited for Bry's weigh-in tomorrow at the regular well-baby visit. It's exactly two weeks after the GI weigh-in so we'll know if his growth trajectory is starting to correct itself or if we need to reevaluate. My money is on trajectory correction!! </div>
Jenna Rowlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07077383194892938165noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359117317632575851.post-5565228081120681212013-07-29T07:37:00.000-07:002013-07-29T07:37:06.802-07:00Fear.For the past two weeks, my alarm has been going off at 5:00 every morning for me to get up and run. And it's been nothing short of impossible for me to actually lace up and go. I've been excited, ready, awake enough, motivated and prepared to make a four- to five-mile loop every morning. But there's been something stopping me... FEAR.<br />
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Two years ago, during my summer of run, I was out the door every morning by 6:15. But now with a kiddo on a schedule, daycare drop off and starting my work day, I have to get out the door an hour earlier to get the run in. The problem with that: The sun isn't on the same page. By 6 am, there's enough daylight to make it happen. But not enough time left before the routine begins. At 5:15 there's just not enough daylight to be crossing 5-lane roads with speed limits of 45 where drivers regularly exceed 50-55 MPH. And then there's the ongoing "investigative reporting" of mysterious white vans trying to mug women running alone, and the reports of aggressive coyotes approaching runners, walkers and pets across the Denver metro area. One runner in Boulder County was bitten by an aggressive coyote. The damn things are taking over our city!<br />
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And now that I am a mom, I take this stuff a lot more seriously. I can deal with the coyotes, but the muggings and traffic are the real deal. On Saturday morning, a cyclist was riding in the bike lane along the road I want to cross when a car hit and killed him less than a block from where I'd cross. I really don't think I need to be crossing that street on foot the dark.<br />
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So, I am faced with with two choices: running on a treadmill; or in the heat of the day. And to be honest, a pack of aggressive coyotes sounds like more fun than either of those two options. <br />
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But alas, I have two race registrations paid for and a knee that won't tolerate me not training properly. So, with a little extra cross training, a few treadmill runs and (temperatures permitting) outdoor jaunts, I will keep my shoulders back, breathe deep and lace up. Fear may change my method and time of day, but I won't let it change my goals.Jenna Rowlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07077383194892938165noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359117317632575851.post-8993251952416189892013-07-17T10:18:00.001-07:002013-07-17T10:18:17.666-07:00Two pictures from five daysI will not be winning the mom of the year award for my picture taking during our trip to MI last week. I managed two lousy iPhone photos during the entire visit. <br />
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A better trip update will follow. I am on the road again in sunny California and have a three hour drive ahead of me today. Right to the western edge of Death Valley. SWEET! It's supposed to be cooler there today. High around 109. Good grief!<br />
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Bryan picked out a ball during our Target outing. He loved his new ball so much, he pitched a fit when I tried to put it in the seat next to him. This is how he sat all the way from town back to the river. What a kid!<br />
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Oh how my travels have changed. This pocket used to have a bottle of water, an iPad and an iPhone. Now it has water, a sippy cup, a zebra rattle, a Sohpie giraffe teething toy, a Dr. Seuss book and some graham crackers.</div>
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He was a great little traveler. Slept all the way home and had no issues with time zones in either direction!!Jenna Rowlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07077383194892938165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359117317632575851.post-69337539550151572182013-07-08T11:57:00.001-07:002013-07-08T11:57:51.938-07:00It's just not a travel day without...Fearing delays, bad weather and bumpy air. Only this time I get to do with a toddler in my lap! Here's hoping tomorrow is awesome and not in a sarcastic kind of way!<div>
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Nothing says "Jenna's traveling again" like large hail and strong winds! BRING. IT. ON. But after 2:30 eastern time, please!</div>
Jenna Rowlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07077383194892938165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359117317632575851.post-5291598551743780482013-07-03T12:46:00.003-07:002013-07-03T12:46:56.739-07:00The value of loyaltyIt's no secret that I travel enough for work to reap the benefits of being brand loyal to hotel chains (Hilton), rental car companies (National) and airlines (United).<br />
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My United loyalty stemmed from the convenience of my home airport (Denver) being a hub for the airline and the fact that they offer direct flights to two airports in Michigan and every client I visit each year. This used to be a BIG selling point for me. Bend, Oregon would take a day to get to on any other airline.<br />
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This week, I traveled to Detroit for the day. No overnight bag, no luggage. Just me, my iPad, my purse, a toothbrush, toothpaste and a change of underwear (just in case!!). I had to fly <a href="http://www.delta.com/" target="_blank">Delta</a> because it was the only airline that could get me to Detroit by 1:00 pm and home the same night. United didn't have the options to get me there or back. Nor did Frontier, Southwest and American. <br />
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Begrudgingly, I booked my Delta ticket and prepared for the day. And it was a typical airport/airplane experience until the security video started. Delta has gone out of their way to spice it up a little. I actually giggled a couple times. I appreciated the surprise as I usually can recite those videos verbatim. <br />
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I had meetings, it rained a lot, blah blah blah for 2 hours. And then it was time to come home. When I checked in in Detroit for my flight home, I noticed I had a 20 minute delay in Minneapolis and my previously scheduled 42 minute layover had been cut in half. In a panic, I went to a gate agent who said this to me, "Mrs. Rowland, I would really love to help you, but unless your delay overlaps your next departure, my system won't let me rebook you. However, here's what I can tell you. Inside security, there's a Croc's shoe store near your gate. Stop in and get some comfier shoes. In Minneapolis, you are scheduled to arrive at F2 and your flight home is scheduled to depart from G20. I know that seems like a long walk, but if you keep moving and use the walkways, I am pretty sure you'll make it." <br />
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Wow. I did not buy the shoes (although I wished I had!!), but I appreciated the suggestion. And I was thrilled to know exactly where I was scheduled to be going, even if F2 and G20 were subject to change. When I got on the plane in Detroit, I noticed how roomy it seemed for an MD-90. I know my butt is getting smaller, but I really felt like I had plenty of butt AND leg room. That's an airplane rarity these days. We departed on time for our 20 minute delay. <br />
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After landing in MSP, everyone was in a hurry. The gentleman behind me was also connecting to Denver and offered to ask the gate agent to hold the plane for me. He was wearing sneakers and was dressed as though he were a physically capable person. Apparently I am a bit more physically capable in heels than he was in sneakers. I beat him to the gate. They were just beginning the boarding process when I got there and then they announced the maintenance delay of 30 minutes. Phew! Me and my new foot blister had time to grab a bite to eat, a bottle of water, use the restroom and see Kelsey Grammer! No joke! I saw Frasier (and not the flat giraffe!!). <br />
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We boarded exactly 30 minutes late. But then we sat. And sat. And sat. And sat. For another 60 minutes we sat on that plane. But hey, I was doing a there-and-back day trip...this is a small price to pay to sleep in my own bed and get Nuggs ready for school in the morning.<br />
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While on the plane, I felt comfortable and content. I never feel comfortable and content on airplanes. Maybe it was the captain keeping us updated and referring to maintenance as "those knuckleheads" that had me at ease. Maybe it was Delta paying for a drink for each passenger. I did not partake, but I could have had a free glass of wine at 30,000 feet! Maybe it was the comfort of the seat? Or the legroom? Or the cleanliness of the plane? I guess I don't care. <br />
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And then today I received this email from Delta:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">We are very sorry that your flight was delayed on July 1, 2013. Your
feedback on this experience is important to us. We ask that you please provide
feedback on your experience while at Minneapolis/St. Paul Intl Airport using
the survey at the link below. The survey is between 4 and 12 questions,
targeting your specific circumstances, and should only take a couple of minutes
to complete. We thank you in advance for your feedback and again offer our
deepest apologies for this inconvenience</span></blockquote>
Really? United has stranded me in a dozen different airports and delayed MOST of my flights, and never...NOT ONCE...have they ever asked for feedback on my experience. I have held status on United for seven years. I don't even have a frequent flier number with Delta. I have only one word...WOW!<br />
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This service, level of communication, commitment to traveler satisfaction, and recognition of loyalty has me questioning my own loyalties. Is it time to switch? Switching to Delta will get me direct to Detroit, but have me connecting in MSP or ATL for every other trip I make. Is it worth it? Thoughts?Jenna Rowlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07077383194892938165noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359117317632575851.post-61317961627822012992013-06-28T07:38:00.000-07:002013-06-28T07:38:07.558-07:00Water BugBryan loves water as much as I do. Splash Day at school was a huge success. Bryan's classmates hated the water so he got the table to himself. As the story goes, Nuggs was very disappointed that he couldn't climb into/onto the water table. According to his teacher, they just wanted to know if he'd like the water before they have him get in the kiddie pool. While his classmates sat in the shade and cried, my kid laughed and splashed in the water.<br />
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Starting next week, he gets to "swim" with the bigger kids!<br />
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We really aren't surprised by Nuggs' reaction to water... do you remember this? Sometimes I forget how far we've come!<br />
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<br />Jenna Rowlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07077383194892938165noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359117317632575851.post-65286025218410463492013-06-26T14:09:00.001-07:002013-06-26T14:09:10.882-07:00You know you are doing alright when...The trainer leading the class at the gym pulls you aside and says, "Jenna, I am so proud of you. Look at your heart rate! You are recovering so quickly... athletes work long and hard to get to this point and you just had a baby 14 months ago!" <br />
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She called me an athlete. I think I recovered quickly and had to work harder to get my heart rate up in the first place because I was on the spin bike. I HATE that thing. But talk about awesome cross training. And who cares. I am an athlete that had a baby 14 months ago. I'll take it all as a compliment :-)<br />
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<br />Jenna Rowlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07077383194892938165noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359117317632575851.post-16967739434128089192013-06-21T11:24:00.001-07:002013-06-21T11:24:42.809-07:00Faster!!I have always had a knack for learning lessons the hard way. And in May, I learned that if you run four miles once a week then every Saturday run one more mile than you did the Saturday before, you can finish a half marathon...and get really close to a personal record (darn side stitch got me at mile 13!). So, yeah, that was good to know. But did you also know that this lack of running and lack of at least decent cross training can also lead to patellar tendonitis? Yeah. That's not so awesome.<br />
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My racing in started on April 28 with a 10 miler, then two more 10-mile long runs followed by a half marathon on May 19, and a 10k on May 27. After that I took a much needed three week break to heal my achy knee and feet and ankles. <br />
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This week I am "easing" back into it. I have another 10 mile race on Labor Day, a couple of fun 5k races and another half marathon in October. This time, I am committed to the cross training. And by "committed" I mean my orthopedic surgeon said that if I, "don't get in the gym and do SOMETHING other than run, then I am not a committed runner and will never be able to do this for the long term because it will ruin my legs." Ok. That's all I needed to hear! YIKES!!<br />
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Our air quality has been really poor so I have been hitting the treadmill a little more than I'd actually like to. But at least I got two shorter runs in. And two other cross training workouts that included an eliptical and a spin bike, each followed by some circuit strength training. <br />
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I know it's only been a week of effort but I feel really good. Like "running five miles on Saturday will be pretty easy" good. I feel stronger and faster than I did in May. Maybe I just needed a little rest to recharge the batteries and heal my legs. BRING. IT. ON!! <br />
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<br />Jenna Rowlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07077383194892938165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359117317632575851.post-1909955981948162322013-06-19T07:49:00.004-07:002013-06-19T07:49:53.350-07:00We pulled back the curtain and...So the Wizard of Oz (our pediatric gastroenterologist) totally redeemed himself yesterday. It was a rough start, though, so we were wondering how this conversation would go. Our appointment time was 11:20 and at 12:40 we were still in the waiting room with a hungry toddler. Thankfully, as any smart mom would, I came prepared for the hungry toddler part! <br />
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We told the Wizard of our troubles with getting information from his medial assistant. We also spoke of the waiting times in the waiting room. The office manager was promptly called in and assured us that not only would we not be charged a copay for yesterday's visit, but our insurance company would not be billed either. I didn't even know a doctor could do that. I guess it's considered pro bono work. Regardless, after the discussion of our frustrations and his office staff not measuring up to the reputation of the doctors, we were more than satisfied with the outcome.<br />
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Now on to the results. Nugget tested negative for all food allergies. That's awesome. But his labs came back positive for inflammation, and the upper portion of his small intestine was inflamed and irritated which is typically indicative of a food allergy. The Wizard believes that Nugget was born with an allergy to something (most likely dairy...which explains all the formula issues we had) but has outgrown it. Unfortunately, until the inflammation and irritation in his small intestine subsides he will not be asymptomatic even though he's outgrown the allergy. Sounds confusing, huh?!?! <br />
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So here's the plan. We've switched Nuggs from Prevacid (there is no evidence of him ever having reflux, but the symptoms of reflux and a food allergy in infants are very similar. Without testing there's no way to know for sure.) to an antihistamine that will help calm the inflammation in his small intestine as well as a combo medication that is another form of antihistamine combined with an appetite stimulant. <br />
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His growth trajectory not only did not improve, it actually got a little worse (he's under the 2nd percentile in weight) because he is growing taller but not gaining weight. Everyone is hopeful that these two medications for a short period of time will right the ship. We have six weeks to put a pound and a half on the little man.<br />
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So, how are we going to do that, you ask? That's the fun part! We've been asked to turn Nugget into his Papa. Per the Wizard's orders, "put peanut butter on everything. Anything that you can imagine would be good with peanut butter, spread it on, including spoons. And don't use the healthy, grind-your-own, all natural, Boulder-esque peanut butter. I want you using Jiff or Skippy or another brand with added fat and oil." Ummm...OK! <br />
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Here's why. You make 19% of your brain cells after birth. In order to make lots of them (according to the Wizard, this can equate to up to 9 IQ points), you need fat and protein as an infant and toddler. Especially the fat. Lots and lots of fat! And because there isn't much irreparable harm caused with food this early in life, its' best to load kids up on fat from sources like avocados, peanuts, almonds, and olive oil. BTW, for you naysayers out there, in April of this year, the AMA and the American Association of Pediatrics released new guidelines with regard to peanuts and children. And the new ruling is to feed your kids peanut butter much earlier in that it greatly decreases the likelihood of a peanut allergy. <br />
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Maybe we should rename Nugget to Skippy! Nah. We like Nugget. Here's hoping that in six weeks we have a chunky Nugget!Jenna Rowlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07077383194892938165noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359117317632575851.post-83841117722794184882013-06-18T08:27:00.000-07:002013-06-18T08:27:03.780-07:00The hope of an angry momma bear...Today is the day we've been waiting for since May 20. Actually, this dates back way farther than that...like months and months. Maybe even 9 or 10 months. <div>
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Bryan has been through the ringer. Between the dozen ear infections in 6 months, the reflux, the persistent cough and the bazillion doctor appointments, I am amazed that he hasn't tried to run away yet! We keep telling ourselves that despite the "concerning" weight loss and frequent typical childhood sickness, we have a really happy little boy. Not only is he really happy, he's developmentally either right on or slightly ahead of the curve. You'd never know by spending a day (or a week, or a month) with him that he's been through so much. Even at his fussiest, he's not nearly as fussy as his otherwise healthy "friends" at daycare. </div>
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Here's the list of what we are really hoping to learn today (emphasis on HOPING):</div>
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<ol>
<li>We missed the mark on the dairy "allergy." There really isn't one and we can start re-introducing dairy products again (or at least soy).</li>
<li>We can stop giving him the toddler formula that costs $35 for 8 bottles, smells and tastes like a marshmallow and is 54% corn syrup (no joke. That's what the label indicates!)</li>
<li>There is nothing anatomically, or physically "wrong" with Bryan. The endoscopy tells us that he's totally normal.</li>
<li>There are no other food allergies</li>
<li>Our kid is just a really picky eater and we will have to keep trying new foods until we find what he loves the most</li>
<li>He's gained enough weight that he's back on the growth chart and is no longer considered tiny for his age. And even if he is tiny, we will just be happy if his growth trajectory is headed in the correct direction!</li>
</ol>
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And here is what we are hoping our doctor will learn today (actually, he will learn this. I am taking a list with me!):</div>
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<ol>
<li>When you tell parents that this is an urgent matter and that it cannot wait a month, you must also be prepared to arrange your schedule such that you can follow up with said parents in a reasonable amount of time. </li>
<li>A month later is not a reasonable amount of time.</li>
<li>When you tell parents that you will take their call to discuss results so that they don't have to wait a month, you need to provide them with the best way to contact you. </li>
<li>Your medical assistant is not the best way to contact you.</li>
<li>When a parent leaves a voice mail for your medical assistant asking questions two days after surgery, they expect a call-back the same day... or at least within 24 hours.</li>
<li>When parents don't get called back, they will call again and leave a second message. They expect a call back within 24 hours.</li>
<li>If a parent has to call back a third time on a third day because nobody has returned their call, expect an earful from a pissed off mom. </li>
<li>I am that mom. Sorry about your luck.</li>
<li>If your medical assistant thinks it's OK to not respond to a distressed mom, you need a new medical assistant. </li>
<li>If you piss of a mom, she'll tell everyone she knows, including the pediatrician and managing physician of the practice that sent her child to you.</li>
<li>Make it right by the mom or she'll blog it, hashtag it and make sure the entire area knows how great you are but how lousy your practice is. Don't expect your "best of the best" award for 2013.</li>
</ol>
<div>
I feel like this doctor is the Wizard of Oz. He's capable of a lot of awesome stuff, but when you pull back the curtain, he's just a smart man with some fancy machines. He's no better than we are. He just knows different stuff. But for him to perceptually hold the keys to our kingdom for a month has been tortuous. Like flying monkeys and wicked witches tortuous. </div>
<div>
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<div>
But in two hours, everything will be different. I hope.</div>
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Jenna Rowlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07077383194892938165noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359117317632575851.post-7724005915990887772013-06-11T07:58:00.000-07:002013-06-11T07:58:00.998-07:00Oopss. Sorry about the delayI think I've opened blogger two dozen times since my last post. It's been a bit of a whirlwind since then. Some fun stuff, some interesting stuff, some scary stuff. And most of you know about Bryan's challenges with weight loss (2 lbs in about a month is too much for a baby). And to be completely honest, if I had blogged as we traveled this extremely bumpy road, I am not sure you would have continued following me. It has been two months of tears, frustration, trial and error, accomplishments and setbacks. Two "surgeries" (ear tubes and an endoscopy) and a GI x-ray and we know no more today than we did when this all started at the beginning of April. And to rehash all of it just makes me sad. So I am not going to. Let's consider today a fresh start. I'll fill you in if we actually learn anything, but in the meantime, let's focus on the good stuff!<br />
<br />
Here's a brief description with accompanying picture and/or video that will paint the picture of our lives in the past few months (and believe it or not, they are in chronological order!)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkA5zPhvK5JDhwCbbE7NDa1kj_VGoH03L5pJX8Rhejh-okbvTq36tdSjzWx-KvkN8skwp-8hkuide3Ip7jwYS4DBIHR6E1qF9zZg9DWoX3zsBnS9wUZHXc1k_bPc05M5p7KXimU5L1j47/s1600/BB+Project.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkA5zPhvK5JDhwCbbE7NDa1kj_VGoH03L5pJX8Rhejh-okbvTq36tdSjzWx-KvkN8skwp-8hkuide3Ip7jwYS4DBIHR6E1qF9zZg9DWoX3zsBnS9wUZHXc1k_bPc05M5p7KXimU5L1j47/s320/BB+Project.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Bear cake turned out pretty well!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-osoNFcfgwp1q6q6rRGaDt20sjXDlevKkOTlUMi9qk0xPL5t1cQVF5mRsAzSfxMKQbXYqzjIoXqaJ4o5fhT44T_ElS7nKkFgmMsqFZcDoPUR6zrkTRyoDgtoAFaOJmIZf_HR3Wpdzfl7H/s1600/bell.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-osoNFcfgwp1q6q6rRGaDt20sjXDlevKkOTlUMi9qk0xPL5t1cQVF5mRsAzSfxMKQbXYqzjIoXqaJ4o5fhT44T_ElS7nKkFgmMsqFZcDoPUR6zrkTRyoDgtoAFaOJmIZf_HR3Wpdzfl7H/s320/bell.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">new bike</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lz8fsw3mqfaLNQj4jzghn2bVReB9czyFkpwFve5J1W9YSqwo_UDgYNvDKfidvEF83p5eH8tVegsZ-JUPV_cgJuZwX1y31IbggF1mQEsTMmIYcCv4FQyEqeXJ0ZIKzOoy1-XaVJCEsQ7z/s1600/blocks.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4lz8fsw3mqfaLNQj4jzghn2bVReB9czyFkpwFve5J1W9YSqwo_UDgYNvDKfidvEF83p5eH8tVegsZ-JUPV_cgJuZwX1y31IbggF1mQEsTMmIYcCv4FQyEqeXJ0ZIKzOoy1-XaVJCEsQ7z/s320/blocks.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blocks in a wagon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWELx42fikB9BcRGPtr850h86Ri9MToPYN2gWsIYJqDGyJmGptemPueGfCDFuZnKoGB_aGg_DqQ0svyyFzcGY8BFzYsKg9SFEjWpmjqkQX3fpHNWiFPGqeJUJNR-jGEz9rRBIGTg4zkMzW/s1600/bubbles.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWELx42fikB9BcRGPtr850h86Ri9MToPYN2gWsIYJqDGyJmGptemPueGfCDFuZnKoGB_aGg_DqQ0svyyFzcGY8BFzYsKg9SFEjWpmjqkQX3fpHNWiFPGqeJUJNR-jGEz9rRBIGTg4zkMzW/s320/bubbles.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">first bubbles</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYQqsvl8ImaHp4ZDXN7-Pxdvh2qdk9QRNafWyZQvVrPwZe6yQe4ob_iIl-3LiYF-QyvDYKq4EtSToTNywgogDo_Bp1OKZouly3jXpyRW3oRF714f79XSk7ta_r_EdPIcjqTtRpZwOi6g3/s1600/cake.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYQqsvl8ImaHp4ZDXN7-Pxdvh2qdk9QRNafWyZQvVrPwZe6yQe4ob_iIl-3LiYF-QyvDYKq4EtSToTNywgogDo_Bp1OKZouly3jXpyRW3oRF714f79XSk7ta_r_EdPIcjqTtRpZwOi6g3/s320/cake.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">digging in!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMCVnBiqRJkLUIc1BolTxBS4hirk4FGRsKBTgAZYT0xFnVS6qmPULB4xjU8hbm2DgQImjY2iYwBFFNLvbJkHymVwXFUcSBMB8j1RjZdaLpq25WLgdVgMTxGib8lDxC8Qwoo4Qzige_5Qx/s1600/cake2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMCVnBiqRJkLUIc1BolTxBS4hirk4FGRsKBTgAZYT0xFnVS6qmPULB4xjU8hbm2DgQImjY2iYwBFFNLvbJkHymVwXFUcSBMB8j1RjZdaLpq25WLgdVgMTxGib8lDxC8Qwoo4Qzige_5Qx/s320/cake2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">first cake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAcMf4H5eTOZ0pMxqLepMwHfJbvRPP0ylkjHpIwzDaBf-B5YB-AATjWVhAFMRQ7vUY6NfXKRwtg7vpzO78jJ23YVleJGfxcaPVjj9BRRE8zeyT4byr2sBYWAo9cnLrw6KZ7KynmAehqaJ/s1600/coy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAcMf4H5eTOZ0pMxqLepMwHfJbvRPP0ylkjHpIwzDaBf-B5YB-AATjWVhAFMRQ7vUY6NfXKRwtg7vpzO78jJ23YVleJGfxcaPVjj9BRRE8zeyT4byr2sBYWAo9cnLrw6KZ7KynmAehqaJ/s320/coy.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">coy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyv5HjyjyGM8E_jxjr3iAJ7JtOjcjdRlXmaBd3mhSlMaeH9UUDKUZKZbb7W1Co6znHgTQieADtMqWeyacjgMXaoHDfMj4GWVGA_SZt5K7yRZsSEi47QBsk7SWWbEOrdCfXHaCUEmSLVIQ1/s1600/dig+in.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyv5HjyjyGM8E_jxjr3iAJ7JtOjcjdRlXmaBd3mhSlMaeH9UUDKUZKZbb7W1Co6znHgTQieADtMqWeyacjgMXaoHDfMj4GWVGA_SZt5K7yRZsSEi47QBsk7SWWbEOrdCfXHaCUEmSLVIQ1/s320/dig+in.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cute</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7y8KnqRhuBC8idbwkJtRMT5gSTq04lsx_xoRQHd9MF1-IQ9VzUWXaI6lsCTlWXCKI7IMmrdvzsnCEBogCgvoRVmRDGQ9ZaW68fjC-4TbElPd1_Yf9mZr8k7VpV6MpvHGSuyiUjoGjtefq/s1600/fingers.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7y8KnqRhuBC8idbwkJtRMT5gSTq04lsx_xoRQHd9MF1-IQ9VzUWXaI6lsCTlWXCKI7IMmrdvzsnCEBogCgvoRVmRDGQ9ZaW68fjC-4TbElPd1_Yf9mZr8k7VpV6MpvHGSuyiUjoGjtefq/s320/fingers.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">curious</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1neF3VXKKX4j7YARuAZnauC8fnt419jtfzVu1ZTlS3z3SL_kbabdXs7VQCW3ioGnl2O8KMK6z5_19dd_sedXPrtOD1x2bE4o8LyoXTMxvci3zT9t0M2NSf6C-r92DEslc-hKufSZbhJ8/s1600/fish+face.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1neF3VXKKX4j7YARuAZnauC8fnt419jtfzVu1ZTlS3z3SL_kbabdXs7VQCW3ioGnl2O8KMK6z5_19dd_sedXPrtOD1x2bE4o8LyoXTMxvci3zT9t0M2NSf6C-r92DEslc-hKufSZbhJ8/s320/fish+face.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">not sure what that look is!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtuMxXPO9mciz5HWbekK9IhqsUvbyLDBxvtqtoTsJlLGxEzGDEQMJc8DfUGl-nKR9eUHv1PJpxOzEjhLzgzoh3ekbC6AS_PNgApRgfbQ5YlLtUN_alQO_HymaqMcXCC_5Uj-yaVk4jyknE/s1600/papa.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtuMxXPO9mciz5HWbekK9IhqsUvbyLDBxvtqtoTsJlLGxEzGDEQMJc8DfUGl-nKR9eUHv1PJpxOzEjhLzgzoh3ekbC6AS_PNgApRgfbQ5YlLtUN_alQO_HymaqMcXCC_5Uj-yaVk4jyknE/s320/papa.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">best friends</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYujph1DSzixeBI9bG7KAdA4DEaYiIMk0bTUPoyor4pcBf2FUHMT0z9xvBO5UekhJfbHP0iM4a5CpWCisvfGYvddeaREX2g7CP8IZo89aBXTeMwmnAi4dfjGSg2lDALyhTFrhW8UHiW1x/s1600/tubes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYujph1DSzixeBI9bG7KAdA4DEaYiIMk0bTUPoyor4pcBf2FUHMT0z9xvBO5UekhJfbHP0iM4a5CpWCisvfGYvddeaREX2g7CP8IZo89aBXTeMwmnAi4dfjGSg2lDALyhTFrhW8UHiW1x/s320/tubes.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the day of ear tubes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-picasa-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0coQdfwJnO8j_LlzedvMHeXE-fS9p8U_i0SbN5-r4et9AyEUeH9B44mbEglCefhPXx5Ngyk_v6OVV5GQdpa3N2yj1EWTO0quCfocbXayiJp8zQ7Ig5FAE0NIUDCUVOSaqrEpCVoG-QlGO/s1600/laughing.MOV"><param name="movie" value="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fredirector.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D9d7b3ed82619517c%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1373554100%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3DAD440BE576D85B7C92FF9143EBE5D77EA665E7F2.AA64596F02794C3D9D345F0ABCA00414D60422AE%26key%3Dlh1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fredirector.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D9d7b3ed82619517c%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1373554100%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3DAD440BE576D85B7C92FF9143EBE5D77EA665E7F2.AA64596F02794C3D9D345F0ABCA00414D60422AE%26key%3Dlh1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
what a ham!</div>
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<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-picasa-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVlGw4NQ8aM5rv4TKRjm2TBJEdpJO4WEZClNvoSa2eAxrVVikAxVLiT-ipCc9hkGSRmchMJNRFA5rGudEahc3XaQ8mGv0yeTx2Zjp1VglhgBoy7FCQ1-FZyYJ5gbSh-bSgH1Tz8IuYUqgD/s1600/walking.MOV"><param name="movie" value="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fredirector.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D0df3bd00077c7595%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1373554106%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3DA7DCFB2CE888921B9E67027D6D38957F7534A284.5B05EFF366B5867D18F639B13AF7B93B8E2DF0D%26key%3Dlh1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fredirector.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D0df3bd00077c7595%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1373554106%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3DA7DCFB2CE888921B9E67027D6D38957F7534A284.5B05EFF366B5867D18F639B13AF7B93B8E2DF0D%26key%3Dlh1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
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I caught his first steps on video!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0-0H_uBgvRXZFkmbDA8aPts9ZiG60IXQtxDX_xqQPcY6XaJMCQxco2HY6FhUXc1kiMQSfCbDyb_-A2X-0SG9mOIYLDJ5yhfnTm0rNV5M5yItKovbtY_-oiBXqxKFYpccaGBF_ZCsBRJG/s1600/bunny.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0-0H_uBgvRXZFkmbDA8aPts9ZiG60IXQtxDX_xqQPcY6XaJMCQxco2HY6FhUXc1kiMQSfCbDyb_-A2X-0SG9mOIYLDJ5yhfnTm0rNV5M5yItKovbtY_-oiBXqxKFYpccaGBF_ZCsBRJG/s320/bunny.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">love the bunny</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-X0BKYQxJisMKnn6dqX5b6UxvOFjdZ-a6IQSFOUnpf4Bf96OkOYDLCldVgyjESpAzIYv38DKfr4TDRZ5LotEIWdwfG0zreRZqtw1bom8EVN1Kt7b9Ifs0LguK8y6AJ_Dwbyya7erUC7_/s1600/nupboard.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW-X0BKYQxJisMKnn6dqX5b6UxvOFjdZ-a6IQSFOUnpf4Bf96OkOYDLCldVgyjESpAzIYv38DKfr4TDRZ5LotEIWdwfG0zreRZqtw1bom8EVN1Kt7b9Ifs0LguK8y6AJ_Dwbyya7erUC7_/s320/nupboard.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nupboard in the cupboard.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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Jenna Rowlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07077383194892938165noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359117317632575851.post-59919909776976969212013-03-27T08:58:00.001-07:002013-03-27T08:58:00.807-07:00We are almost thereThe one year mark. So much has changed in a year. The fact that I have locks on my kitchen cabinets makes me giggle a little. I feel like I am growing along with Bryan...at a similar pace. The things I used to worry about before I let roll off my shoulders now. Here's a short list of the things that stressed me out six months ago:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>Is Bryan eating enough</li>
<li>Is he developmentally average</li>
<li>Is the floor clean enough</li>
<li>Is everything clean enough</li>
<li>I am sweaty...I shouldn't hold him</li>
<li>Is he sleeping enough</li>
<li>Am I doing this right</li>
</ol>
Here's my take on that list today:<br />
<br />
<ol>
<li>He ate. And pushed the bottle/spoon/food away. Good enough.</li>
<li>He's keeping up with the Jones' in his daycare class. Good enough for me!</li>
<li>Is the floor dirtier at home than at daycare? If you can't see dirt/debris/dog hair, it's clean enough. I vacuum once a week.</li>
<li>Yes. Everything is clean enough. </li>
<li>Yep. I am sweaty. Put a long sleeved t-shirt on and get over it. He'll learn to appreciate what I did to get sweaty.</li>
<li>If he sleeps until morning and takes a nap during the day, he's sleeping enough. He'll let me know when he's tired.</li>
<li>Who knows what "right" is, and who gets to be the judge of that? Dumber people than me have raised perfectly wonderful children. </li>
</ol>
<div>
Overall, I have an extremely happy, generally healthy 12-month old baby boy. Kids in daycare get sick. But better now when attendance doesn't matter than when he's 5 and it does. In 12 months, that kid has had 6 ear infections, several colds, croup, influenza a, gastroenteritis, 2 throat infections (non-strep) and one weird virus that just caused a fever. That's enough. I also had all of those things (but only 2 ear infections, and bronchitis twice). We hear that year two is much easier on the pediatrician co-pay budget. Here's hoping! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The best part of all of this. Bryan has a very keen sense of what he wants and what he does NOT want. It sure makes our life easier to not have to guess at so much stuff. And that kid laughs at everything. Is there any better sound in the world than the laughter of a child? </div>
<br />Jenna Rowlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07077383194892938165noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359117317632575851.post-70900724323317329482013-03-14T15:37:00.001-07:002013-03-14T15:37:42.234-07:00Bryan Bear, Bryan Bear...What do you see? I see my mommy acting like a crazy person and thinking she's good at art when she really isn't. That's what I see.<br />
<br />
Or something like that. Wondering what I am talking about? Remember back to a couple weeks ago when <a href="http://puckstopperswife.blogspot.com/2013/02/selfishness-and-amazing-bar-and-some.html" target="_blank">I posted this</a> about my Amazing Bar. Well, it ended up being a little more complicated than I had envisioned. Wait, back up... Here's a recap of how my Amazing Bar came crashing down to a height of humbleness because of a hand print.<br />
<br />
A couple weekends ago, I decided to run some recon on my ideas for Bryan's birthday party. Keep in my the guest list includes the three of us and Bryan's four grandparents. That's it. Six adults and the birthday boy. I am planning to execute a "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See?" theme. Because I think fondant on a cake is disgusting and not really edible, I thought, "hmmmm...could I put sugar cookies around the cake as decorations?" Of course you can. It's my idea. I can do whatever I want to, right!?!?<br />
<br />
Well, it took me a while to realize that I was going to have to order cookie cutters, find a recipe for the cookies and the frosting and bake them. I perused Amazon and the standard cooking websites for the cutters and came up empty. Until I found the <a href="http://www.cookiecuttercompany.com/?gclid=CNDflPaW_bUCFQqnPAodYWUApA" target="_blank">Cookie Cutter Company</a> where I could pick and choose individual cutters to find exactly what I wanted. And they came as expected, were not very expensive and totally worth it. I found Alton Brown's sugar cookie recipe<a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/sugar-cookies-recipe/index.html" target="_blank"> here</a> and baked them up. I am thinking that I don't actually care for sugar cookies. These were bland. At best. But cute!! Here are the first three I tested with: Green Frog Green Frog, Red Bird Red Bird and Brown Bear Brown Bear. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZIa42SvsStmGB8lWx11RcD5CWyNX4x-X9jDVpFs_R2tEtS3cw_8n9238_n1BZn1PcSQB6wlm3wJG7jst8yJnLtQ-jTFKltjclGLGXhSd3uS9x7uajS23IifJJdDSRtIXqBwIVAYOVbLc/s1600/cookies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZIa42SvsStmGB8lWx11RcD5CWyNX4x-X9jDVpFs_R2tEtS3cw_8n9238_n1BZn1PcSQB6wlm3wJG7jst8yJnLtQ-jTFKltjclGLGXhSd3uS9x7uajS23IifJJdDSRtIXqBwIVAYOVbLc/s320/cookies.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
The cookies were cute but a little lackluster in the taste department. But the most valuable lesson I learned: Ingesting that much food coloring has consequences that can cause unnecessary concern (use your imagination, people... and think: toilet). So, that idea is a no-go. I may be back on fondant since you shouldn't eat that much food coloring, and nobody eats fondant.<br />
<br />
Up next: The invitations. <br />
Let's start with the idea. I wanted to take Bryan's hand print in brown finger paint and where his thumb would be, I wanted to put a bear head. This would make it look like Brown Bear, Brown Bear, right? Sure. That prompted four trips to Target and two to Michael's. I started with brown felt, scissors, brown paint and white note cards. First mistake...the paint. I needed non-toxic finger paint. Back to Target. Second mistake...my scissors were really dull. Back to Michael's where I picked up a super awesome scrapbooking razor thingie. Have I mentioned how badly I suck at arts and crafts? Third mistake...trying to razor cut brown felt into a bear head. Back to Target for brown construction paper. Fourth mistake...black Sharpie does not do well on white note cards. Or the other white note card underneath. Back to Target for Crayola markers. Fifth mistake... making eyeballs with said Sharpie. Back to Michael's for googly eyes. Sigh.<br />
<br />
When I finally sat down to make the bear heads, so that I didn't waste perfectly terrible brown felt circle-ish shapes, I used them to make ears and a nose for the bear. Not to self. Razor STILL does not work well on felt. Neither did the super dull scissors. Louder sigh. I refuse to go back out at this point. Don't forget, I am only making 2 invitations. Seriously. Just two. It was now time to assemble the bear heads. Uh oh. Being a new mom, I don't have Elmer's in this house. Nor do I have a hot glue gun. Or any other adhesive that is intended for arts and crafts rather than permanently bonding something to something else. So, super glue it is. Do you know what happens when you super glue two tiny felt bear ears and a tiny felt bear nose to paper? The glue soaks through. Do you know what happens when super glue soaks through said brown felt? It sticks to your fingers. Do you know what happens when said brown felt is super glued to your fingers? You laugh hysterically and add Elmers to the grocery list. Also, you ask for help putting contacts in because for the next 24 hours it looks like you are growing brown hair from your thumb and index fingers. Loudest sigh EVER. <br />
<br />
The bear faces turned out OK. I traced them from the cover of the book onto tracing paper, then used the razor to cut the tracing paper and construction paper at the same time. It worked. In hindsight, just plain circles probably would have been cuter. On to the hand print. <br />
<br />
Did you know they don't make brown finger paint? But thanks to the food coloring fiasco (and the back of the food coloring box), I knew the proportions to mix different colors into brown. So that was great. What wasn't great? Getting a 10-month-old baby to flatten out his paint-filled hand to make an obvious looking hand print. I grossly overestimated Bryan's level of comprehension of the fun this task could be. Oh, and my kid HATES getting his hands yucky. A great trait he inherited from me. Sorry about that, Nuggs. So, while they didn't quite meet my Amazing Bar, they certainly humbled me. And the grandparents loved them. My intention is to take on a craft every couple of months until I am a badass mother crafter. Take that Pinterest! <br />
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Oh, and here's the finished project.<br />
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<br />Jenna Rowlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07077383194892938165noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359117317632575851.post-49700425868008929792013-03-14T14:35:00.001-07:002013-03-14T14:35:50.559-07:00Trying...<div>
Let's think about this for a minute. </div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something." Franklin D. Roosevelt.</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"I have learned that the success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he as had to overcome while trying to succeed." Booker T. Washington</blockquote>
I think sometimes we use inspirational quotes like these to make us feel better when we have not had the success we were so determined to achieve. For some, Franklin Roosevelt and Booker T. Washington will inspire you to try again...maybe the same thing in a new way, maybe something new altogether. There are others who will hear these words and think, "Oh well. I tried." and walk away. I am a member of the first group.<br />
<br />
I will not give up. I am braver than I believe, stronger than I seem and smarter than I think. I have never regretted trying. Because when I try and fail, I do not give up. But I already said that. So, to the pile of brainy thoughts for the day, I give you this:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" Vincent van Gogh </blockquote>
If you'll<a href="http://%22what%20would%20life%20be%20if%20we%20had%20no%20courage%20to%20attempt%20anything/?%22%20Vincent%20van%20Gogh" target="_blank"> remember,</a> I had a pretty lofty goal of running 1,000 miles in 2013. Well, I am almost certain that there's no way for me to meet that goal. Here I am on March 14 telling you this. But I am not admitting defeat or failure. I am telling you that, while I may not reach the 1,000 mile mark, I will complete 2 or 3 half-marathons, a 10-k race, a 10-miler, and probably a few 5k races too. So rather than saying I failed, I am choosing to look at the bigger picture. I am 100% on track for my other two goals (taking better care of myself and being a better friend). And I will complete all the races. But I may not get all my training runs in. And that's OK. Because taking better care of myself also means taking care of my family. And their needs (ok, Bryan's needs!) must come before my running.<br />
<br />
I my weakest running moments (and it seems there have been many lately) I have spiced up my mantra a bit. In addition to my mantra of braver-stronger-smarter, I have added "Do or do not. There is no try." Thanks, Yoda!<br />
<br />Jenna Rowlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07077383194892938165noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359117317632575851.post-85387340007617259302013-03-01T09:17:00.002-08:002013-03-01T09:17:43.161-08:00WeaknessI don't notice Bryan gaining weight. For me, it's like adding a feather to the stack every day. As he gets bigger, I get stronger and so gaining a pound in a month isn't really noticed in our daily activities. Except when I carry that infant carrier/car seat in to school every day. <br />
<br />
What I have noticed is that he's freaking heavy when I lug him around in that thing.And to make matters worse, his feet hang over the edge a little so pulling him in and out of the seat while it's still attached in the car usually results in tangled feet, a bumped head and a few teas. I think I have a chronic lump on the back of my head from all the bumps. He laughs at me every time. He has an odd sense of humor right now...the tears are mine!<br />
<br />
Earlier this week, I got an email from Babies R Us informing me they were having a one-day cyber sale offering 20% off the brands that NEVER go on sale like Britax and BOB. I already have the BOB stroller, but I've have the Britax Marathon car seat on my radar for about six months. It comes highly recommended by a few of my friends and gets some of the highest safety ratings from Consumer's Report. Imagine my delight when I learned I could save 20% on the purchase I was planning to make in two months if I did it RIGHT NOW! <br />
<br />
So we did it. We are now the proud owners of a big-boy, airplane compliant, really huge, rear-or front-facing, honest to goodness car seat. The kind you don't prop in a shopping cart. The kind you have to wake your kid up to get him out of. And Chris installed it this morning.<br />
<br />
Bryan made his first trip to school in his big-boy car seat this morning. And I think he loved it! He babbled and giggled until the magic road sign that makes him fall asleep made him fall asleep. I guess that means he likes it! I'll post a picture this afternoon. <br />
<br />
I think the next parental milestone for me will be the day I decide I don't have to take a bottle and the formula upstairs with me at night, just in case he gets up. Maybe next week. <br />
<br />
<br />Jenna Rowlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07077383194892938165noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359117317632575851.post-48512785821664645872013-02-28T15:25:00.001-08:002013-02-28T15:25:21.042-08:00Selfishness and the Amazing Bar, and some pictures!I have decided that if I write a book someday, that'll be the title! And tragically, it would be non-fiction! The good news is that the Amazing Bar is not a watering hole. It refers to the bar of amazingness that I keep setting for myself, but more on that later.<br />
<br />
Things are really busy around here. Between really busy work, lots of traveling, family visits (here and there), icky winter weather (here and there), being a mom, a wife, and a nurse, it's been difficult to also find time to be a runner. The intention is made every day, but until all this snow melts, sidewalks are too icy at 6 am, leaving mid-day or pre-daycare-pickup as my other available times. See the list above for why it's difficult to fit that all in. But this week was three runs, each a little longer than the previous, and a long run (only 4 miles) scheduled for Saturday.<br />
<br />
Here's the selfish part. And I almost hate to admit this. One of my BFFs and also my running partner (Best Running Friend or BRF) is my inspiration and my side kick. She always manages to push me to run a little longer and a little faster. She has three kids, the youngest is only 4 months! She's amazing. And if she can do it, then what's my excuse? Yep. I don't have one!! Unfortunately, the new baby stirred up trouble while she was on the inside and made Lisa's gallbladder go bad. She had emergency surgery this week to have it removed. My first question was "Are you alright?" My second question was "Do you need anything? Help with the kids? Food?" And my third question was "When can you run again?" Really? She's in the ER waiting to be admitted for surgery and I asked her when she can run again. S-H-E-L-F-I-S-H!!! I quickly realized my gaff and followed up with "I will miss you. Can we still have girl time when you are back on your feet?" Good recovery, right? Sigh. I hope it was good anyway.<br />
<br />
As for the amazing bar. Well, Pinterest has ruined me forever and ever and ever and has caused me to set the bar of amazing so high that I end up feeling less than successful much of the time. It's a character flaw, I suppose. Oh, and I SUCK at arts & crafts making the amazing bar impossible to live up to! My skill level is so bad that in 3rd grade my art teacher told the whole class to buy me an eraser for Christmas. A day that probably ruined me for life and has prevented me from ever really trying again. Until now. Thanks to stupid Pinterest and new mommyhood. There's something about being a mom that makes me really want to try again. I will get better over time, right? I have a great imagination. I have had some great conceptual ideas that someone else has always brought to life. But now it's all on me. Wish me luck! I'll post pictures as the projects are complete! I have faith that the amount of love that goes into the projects will more than compensate for their lack of prettiness!<br />
<br />
Now, onto a lighter note. Bryan is mobile. I mean, not just crawling mobile...that started a month ago, but crawling at light-speed, pulling up on EVERYTHING, walking around things, and now he's climbing stairs. YIKES! I still haven't baby proofed the kitchen! Here's hoping he doesn't find the mandolin stored in the island! Here are some pictures from February. It's hard to believe he's only 13 days away from 11 months! We've had to switch his formula to soy in that the pediatrician thinks maybe many of the ailments (and refusal to eat) was because of a dairy sensitivity...we aren't calling it an allergy yet! At the end of January he had dipped into the 10th percentile in each of his measurements, which was of concern in that he was born in the 50th. But we are on track to have a 20+lb 12-month old! He weighed in at 19 lbs, 9 oz this week! Nice work, Nuggs!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just like his Papa, Nugget loves raw potatoes! Sans salt, of course!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahJEiV5CYSqubSin077CpMICbL-w5oiOKtUyPglbYe8l03gWc-mJUJaADR9NR-5NhyphenhyphenI2B7Jc8PmLlSrrEsehq_zDxWLkntPqNNxTIloo6XB6A6Vz-iFhLUgREsU4P8JShM9TMxfzHYwtp/s1600/Stairs+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgahJEiV5CYSqubSin077CpMICbL-w5oiOKtUyPglbYe8l03gWc-mJUJaADR9NR-5NhyphenhyphenI2B7Jc8PmLlSrrEsehq_zDxWLkntPqNNxTIloo6XB6A6Vz-iFhLUgREsU4P8JShM9TMxfzHYwtp/s320/Stairs+1.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey, Mom! Don't look. I want to climb these while you aren't looking!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Zd1vIlrbAO5LnqOwMD6CGqMVWk8R3diGOU42Kwr0AgHupy75leaK12TYr2_M-43RBTCYKdRe4EkERIwQttFWcLblNw9NeOgsflYFhYmjMXNIta4X6S4OpgF6vJ_okxls8a7deCLOSHNG/s1600/Stairs+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Zd1vIlrbAO5LnqOwMD6CGqMVWk8R3diGOU42Kwr0AgHupy75leaK12TYr2_M-43RBTCYKdRe4EkERIwQttFWcLblNw9NeOgsflYFhYmjMXNIta4X6S4OpgF6vJ_okxls8a7deCLOSHNG/s320/Stairs+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First you put your leg up! He got up three steps before he decided to sit down. Thankfully I was there to catch him. That could have been a MAJOR disaster!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwP76ZPWZIgvqvxpuyLe1Ktp8Dvsdw-i0fjVM8hk4aznfgA0-3xVVtFerUM3GhCDKidRKdnxU_jKDqq3lM5_s29kTXtQD-dzRXXYZXWDmlPUC3V2j3fxx9qPLVCuIKp4UVmmH3cEYOGCH3/s1600/Comfy+with+Nana.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwP76ZPWZIgvqvxpuyLe1Ktp8Dvsdw-i0fjVM8hk4aznfgA0-3xVVtFerUM3GhCDKidRKdnxU_jKDqq3lM5_s29kTXtQD-dzRXXYZXWDmlPUC3V2j3fxx9qPLVCuIKp4UVmmH3cEYOGCH3/s320/Comfy+with+Nana.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just chillin' with his Nana! This is my favorite shirt. He's the Hockey MVP! I keep buying it in the next size up! And apparently I make him wear it a lot!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLl3bumoaCgTUj79ya-fdchpmJZHwEfzfpYyHl_t64OOWh6SfVmI7HNlRo2VbJc-J13dB8-ADmcv_mLHUpbPAaqjv2q4Dzd261YUB_pQQkYwBqQCin5Bujc6krXxruEU5gxxNv-i7M_bga/s1600/Travel+day.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLl3bumoaCgTUj79ya-fdchpmJZHwEfzfpYyHl_t64OOWh6SfVmI7HNlRo2VbJc-J13dB8-ADmcv_mLHUpbPAaqjv2q4Dzd261YUB_pQQkYwBqQCin5Bujc6krXxruEU5gxxNv-i7M_bga/s320/Travel+day.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my new favorite picture. Two little teeth (Now he has these 2 plus 2 that broke through on the top!), his thumb, and Frasier (his flat giraffe) hanging out in the car seat that we are moving him out of this weekend! Where has the time gone? As a dear family friend said to me, "The days are long, but the years are short." Thanks, Sue! I remind myself to enjoy each moment in that tomorrow is a new adventure and a clean slate and he'll never be today's age again.</td></tr>
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<br />Jenna Rowlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07077383194892938165noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2359117317632575851.post-88834275202462104342013-01-03T13:59:00.000-08:002013-01-03T14:47:29.046-08:00Mark my words...My last post was about the whirlwind of 2012. It was crazy, wonderful, rewarding, exhausting and fulfilling all at once. And often times all those things in a single day! <br />
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I have some pretty lofty expectations of myself for 2013. I know some of you are going to tell me I am crazy, but I've given all of this a lot of thought. Chris and I have talked through everything and I have his full support. As for my friends and family, well, you are going to fall into one of two categories. You will either a) support and encourage me or, b) not support me and enable my flaky nature. If you fall into the "b" segment, please expect a verbal lashing from me. Consider yourselves warned.<br />
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So, with that here's what 2013 will bring and why!<br />
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<b>1. I am going to be a better friend. </b> In the past three months, I have witnessed two separate instances with two different friends where I learned the lesson of loyalty and priorities. My own family will always come first, but there is never an excuse to not return a voice mail or text message. Being lazy should never trump a long walk with a friend in need. This is important to me because I want to raise my son to be a caring, thoughtful and patient man. Being lazy and/or putting a video game (for example) before a friend in need is not going to fly in this house. Someday I may be the friend in need.<br />
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<b>2. I am going to take better care of myself</b>. This is pretty open-ended and means a lot of things. Namely, I want to boost my immune system, get to a more healthy weight, eat more of God's food and less of Man's food, exercise regularly but not obsessively, and get more fresh air. This goal doesn't mean measuring, weighing, timing, tracking or counting. I want Bryan to grow up to understand the value of food and that it's what fuels our bodies. You can put any liquid in a gas tank, but that doesn't mean the car will run. I want to lead by example so that he will grow up to be a healthy adult with good habits in place.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHnMPYRsxLiT4XRzF8cTrhL-Dint1iRfmPaCr7QWZ4fljKZd77Q4uig9YsTo9VYbWQmaq5HnC7o8fSIK2Me7B5LYyC-GbzE9Ob7OCvVZxN9rnc58AkzMv2gv1YD8w14HjxYyqQ_G_giYyd/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHnMPYRsxLiT4XRzF8cTrhL-Dint1iRfmPaCr7QWZ4fljKZd77Q4uig9YsTo9VYbWQmaq5HnC7o8fSIK2Me7B5LYyC-GbzE9Ob7OCvVZxN9rnc58AkzMv2gv1YD8w14HjxYyqQ_G_giYyd/s320/Capture.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A screenshot of my running log!</td></tr>
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<b>3. I am going to run 1,000 miles this year.</b> I have registered for the Colfax half-marathon on May 19, the <a href="http://puckstopperswife.blogspot.com/2011/05/summer-of-run.html">BolderBoulder 10k</a> on May 27, the Rock 'n' Roll half marathon in Cleveland on October 5 and the Rock 'n' Roll half marathon in Denver on October 20. Because I am essentially starting from scratch today (having not exercised in two months and have not done any consistent running since, ahem, August 2011), this will be a mighty task. But I have a plan. A weekly road map of how much I should run and a log of how far I actually ran. Fifty-two weeks of awesome if you ask me. This is where I expect you to tell me I am nuts. And if you do, please see above paragraph and prepare for lashing. I will not tolerate any flakiness enablers, haters, discouragement or excuses! Here is a list of why I am doing this for Bryan:<br />
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<ol>
<li>I want him to grow up believing that he is capable of anything if he sets his mind to it. Sure, I can tell him this every day for the rest of his life. But wouldn't it be better for him to <u><i>witness</i></u> that it's possible? </li>
<li>I want him to see that being active affords you opportunities in this life. It helps clear your mind so you can focus on your work later, it allows you time to talk to God, it keeps you young and healthy, it will help him avoid the unhealthy genetics he was born into (cholesterol., blood pressure, diabetes, etc.), it helps you set and achieve goals and gives mornings a purpose!</li>
<li>This will be an hour every day that we can spend together because I am going to take him with me as much as I can. Whether it's in the jogging stroller, on his bike with training wheels, or running by my side. It will be an hour of chatting, or just being together. If he hates running, I'll take up whatever it is he loves. I hear there are good swimmers in the area (Missy Franklin!)</li>
<li>Finding something that you love that costs next to nothing to do and can be done anywhere is a hobby that will stick with you for the rest of your life. <a href="http://www.designthoughtsblog.com/2013/01/5-things-we-do-in-real-life-that-we.html">My friend Kim's </a>Dad is going to run a marathon in September in New Zeeland which completes his running of a marathon on every continent. Mr. Doty is in his mid-60's. That's awesome. Even if you never run a race, it is an activity with no learning curve, no right or wrong, and definitely no losers! By running, you will always be faster than the person who never started.</li>
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Now the list of why I am doing this for me:</div>
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<ol>
<li>See one through four above.</li>
<li>Because I need some fresh air every day.</li>
<li>Because I can.</li>
<li>Because I get girl time with one of my BFFs for every long run!</li>
<li>I have never had so much confidence in EVERYTHING that I did than when I was running.</li>
<li>Because I love it. Even when I am slow.</li>
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That's it. Three goals, especially THESE three goals, ought to keep me on my toes this year. Literally!</div>
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<br />Jenna Rowlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07077383194892938165noreply@blogger.com3