Valentine's Day Dash

Deven signed up for his first race this month. Well actually, I couldn't stand not signing up for the dash again this year so I made the whole family come with me!! We got Deven his first running shoes and prepared him by talking about the race all week. When we got to the race he prepared by running almost the full length of the neighboring soccer field, downed a dum dum sucker from the packet pick-up table and inhaled a full banana. He was good to go.



After I felt satisfied with the number of pre-dash pictures I had taken it was time to get him lined up. Kiddos his age were required to be at the back so Nick and Deven got ready...the competition was pretty fierce. There were lady love bugs everywhere! I am pretty sure Deven (accompanied by Daddo and Momma) were last. I'm talking the people making sure the course was cleaned up had to slow down for him to finish!! Regardless, he had the best time and celebrated with his honorary ribbon and tons of hugs and kisses from Grandma and Grandpa Bodle!


Next up was the official Valentine's Day Dash. I made the decision to stop running around 26 weeks (6.5 months) so it had been almost two months since I had even put the 'ol running shoes on. Thankfully edema has not been an issue this pregnancy so they actually fit...no, they would not have fit at this point with Deven! I strapped Deven into his spaceship (aka stroller) and we headed to the outer most corral so as not to disturb those 15 minute 5k finishers.

I decided to do what I could running wise, which proudly was about 3/4 of a mile, before it was just too uncomfortable. I finished the rest walking as fast as I could which wasn't as fast as some stroller mommas but I managed to finish before they cleaned up the coarse! Bottom line is Deven and I finished in about 49 minutes. Nick circled backed to make sure baby sister was still in my belly so we all finished as a family. Uncle Aaron presented Deven with his first trophy after we crossed the finish line.

The race was a success and officially a tradition for the Johnston Family. Will we enter into our 4th consecutive St. Patrick's Day Dash?? TBD!!

A big day!

Or a big weekend may be a better title to this post but that is how I explained to Deven why momma was running around all crazy like this last Sunday. I think I can honestly say I don't think we have been busier as a family than this last week. The summer and all the BBQs and parties have begun - regardless of the sun being here or not. Don't get me wrong, I love this time of year but this was a pretty intense week even for us 'about towners.' Forgive this play-by-play blog post. I am using this one both as evidence that we survived and as a sort of detox from the mania that was our life.

Monday - My back was still in recovery so I worked from home. I only put about an hour total of pressure on my lower back this day hoping, hoping it would heal fast for reasons described below. The evening was all Backyardigans all the time. By this day Deven was pretty much done with my back being "broken." Our routine was completely off and all our house rules had been out the window for three straight days which is NOT good for a little boy that relies on all of these things to feel safe in our insane world.

Tuesday - A blear - I know I went to work but I think all the ibuprofen and icing made my brain freeze. I think we actually made dinner that night and Deven was starting to get used to me not being able to hold him...sadness.

Wednesday - Our first official normal day in 5 days and Nick and I started thinking that our week/end plans just might come to fruition. I was finally able to get to my to do list from the prior weekend which mainly consisted of weeding and cleaning various areas of our yard and house. For those of you that stopped by for the festivities, I'm hoping you didn't notice the many areas that didn't make my "must do" cut.

Thursday - We enlisted my sister Jessica to hang out with Deven while we went to celebrate a friends 31st birthday at a rope climbing/swing course. I decided to sit the course out since my back was still really sensitive but I got some fun pictures of the gang. I was able to stand for a couple of hours - though still medicated with only a little pain. We had a great time kicking off the weekend festivities.




Friday - Nick and I took the day off. Yes, we dropped Deven off at school in order to get some business done. So...a while back I think it was late January or early February, I definitely got peer pressured into signing up for a run, not just any run, a freakin' half marathon. It just so happened the run was this weekend, the only weekend that we could have Deven's birthday party and the weekend that one of our good friends was having his bachelor party. Silly me, in March when we figured that all these things would be on the same weekend I thought it would be sort of difficult but totally doable.


My to do list for Friday was to get down to Quest Field Event Center to finish up the registration process for the run and get all the groceries we could possibly need for the rest of the weekend. No easy task. Thankfully Nick's bachelor party departure time was moved back and we were able to go down town together. It was the most relaxing time of the weekend - the calm before the storm. Deven and I survived the grocery trip but a cake pop a la Starbucks may have been involved - don't judge. I knocked a few other things off my list, packed for my morning run (aka 13.1 miles), tucked Grandma Bodle into the guest room and crashed about 11pm.




Saturday - My alarm went off at 3:45am, too early, even for me! After having to explain to Sam that he and I weren't going running together no matter how many times or how loud he beat his tail against the walls I was out the door and on my way down town. I caught a shuttle at the Weston and was at the starting line by 5:45. As I walked up to it I couldn't quite tell if I was shaking from the cold or from pure nerves. It was one of those moments in life where thoughts like, "what in the hell have I gotten myself into?" start racing through your mind. A nice lady I met near my corral took pity on me and gave me a hug with big sweatshirt until I was warm again...I know that sounds weird but I was really freakin' cold and I would have taken anything at that point.

I started in the 7th corral which was about 7 minutes after the official start time. It was so exciting and I was so pumped to do my best for my friend Shannon aka the peer who pressured me back in February. Shan was forced to sit this one out due to a stress fracture, not to worry though she will be back with a vengeance asap! I still can't believe there were 26,000 people there that morning to run...at least I wasn't the only crazy person. Most memorable moments include:

1. Crossing the starting line with some seriously athletic people - I felt humbled

2. Realizing that my phone app wasn't working and I was not going to get updates on my mileage and speed. I had been training without it for a couple of weeks so it only made me anxious for a bit when I realized they had clocks and mile postings up ever couple of miles or so.

3. Seeing the first clock and knowing I was hitting my time goals.

4. A sign a spectator had around the 4th mile that said, "it's not too late to turn back" and consciously acknowledging that this was in fact true...then consciously deciding that I would not be turning back!

5. Seeing the I-90 bridge in the distance and cursing at myself internally.

6. Reading a cheerleaders sign that said, "Pain is temporary but pride is forever," and using this a couple of miles later when my knee started screaming at me. I told it to be quiet.

7. Getting to see the tribute to our US troops and feeling American.

8. Running through the I-90 tunnel. I know 26,000 other people do this every year but I felt pretty cool being apart of that crowd.

9. Seeing my sisters and my Aunt excited to see me around 12 miles. It was just want I needed to pump me up for that last bit.

10. Getting the thank you for participating meddle at the end - I actually had NO idea they did this and was honestly as kiddy as a 5 year old to get it! My sister had my time engraved on it and I will never ever get rid of it!!

11. Seeing my ladies (Codie, Shannon, Jeannie, Jaymie and Jessica) after the race and having them so proud of me.

12. Showing Deven my meddle, telling him that it said 'momma' on the back and having him whisper, "woooowwww!"

The rest of the day consisted of nap time, a last minute Target fun for some bday party supplies and watching for air planes in the back yard with Deven. A great end to a great day. My official chip time and such can be found here.

Before:



After - I will spare you the pic Codie took of my poor toe!!



Sunday - The big day was finally here. Deven's HAPPY BIRTHDAY PARTY!! We started the morning off running with a list of little things I had forgotten to pic up at the grocery store Friday afternoon (there was more but I didn't figure that out until mid party!! :). Then we met up with Great Nana and Bubba Bodle for coffee which is one of Deven's favorite things to do. There was chocolate milk, oat meal, balloons and presents over flowing. For the past week when ever we are near a Starbucks Deven says, "meet up with Bubba? balloon??"





We ran home just in time to have the cup cakes delivered. Yes, I had cup cakes made...and delivered to my house. I feel a little lazy about this but they were pretty darn fancy and way more delicious than anything I was capable of doing with the amount of effort that I had available!! Deven was super excited to see his favorite cartoon faces on his 'happy birthday cakes.'

Then it was nap time and the real work began: four salads, beer battered brats, home made hamburgers and pb&j sandwiches. Thank goodness the Blocks and Harringtons showed up extra early to help us divide and conquer. Nick was back and visibly exhausted from his Boys weekend but he pulled it together like the best fathers do and took one for the team. The yard looked better than it had that morning (I know hard to beleive) and the brawts and burgers a la Codie and Alex were awesome.

When our last guest left that night and Deven had gone to bed, nick and I finally collapsed on the couch. A very successful week/end but I can honestly say I could NOT have fit anything else in and my body could NOT move a single inch more.

Here are some memorable moments from the party:

Cupcakes!!

Frosting

Bestie Hadley taking control of the situation!!

New Bicycle from Uncle Aaron - a party favorite

Where the kids ended up that evening - we were OK with there choice of venue

Happy birthday grandma(s)

Happy birthday to the grandmas today!! 

Bellevue 10K

Nick and I decided to step up our fun runs a notch and signed up for the Bellevue 10k this month. We woke poor Deven up at the crack of dawn and made it down to Bellevue by 7am - no easy feat especially since Nick and I were celebrating a friend's 30 birthday and Deven was partying with his buddies at school until 10pm the night before!! We met up with Grandma and Grandpa Bodle who gladly played with Deven in a vacant mall while Nick and I endeavored our first run without Deven. It was sort of strange but also fun to see what we could do minus Deven and the stroller's 30+ pounds. We both kicked butt - but I must brag just this once - I totally beat Nick!! Awesome!! Here are our final results.

angela - my Bellevue Breakfast Rotary 5K & 10K - 10K results

nick - my Bellevue Breakfast Rotary 5K & 10K - 10K results

There was a Marine troop there who did the 5k and so we ran into them when the two races combined at the end. I was so energizing to see them/hear them as we ran and it really got me through that last mile!!

Auntie Jay!

So last night a group of our friends decided to get out and celebrate our friend Erin's birthday. The dinner was at 7 which is nearly past Deven's bed time so we decided to make it a "date night" and have my sister come up to watch our little fella.
Right before we were set to go Jaymie was playing with Deven and set him up with his "walker," a little toy that he can push around (thank you Grammy Johnston). Nick and I have not felt like Deven could handle pushing it alone for fear of a face plant of sorts. Jay not know this, let that kid just take off!
It was amazing (to us any way). Deven just trucked all around the living room and kitchen, all by him self!! You could tell he was so excited and proud of himself (at least that's how I'm interpreting it).
So we just wanted to give Jaymie a shout out and say thanks for watching Deven; he was so excited to have someone come up and tell mom and dad to chill out and let him get his walk on!!
I will of course be taking picture of this activity this weekend and get them up!! ; )

Nick's Birthday (part three)

Per my previous posts we have really been celebrating Nick's 29th birthday for the last few weeks. First with Nick's family at the Tap House and then with Nick's Ski Marathon. Next I planned a fun night for the two of us. We finally got a chance to see Avatar in 3d. It was pretty awesome and even months after the first showing the theatre was still packed. Next we trucked down town for reservations at Ipanema Grill. I have been therefore but Nick needed to go! Brazilian BBQ is awesome. Unfortunately, with all the fun we had playing with Deven that day I had forgotten to eat properly and after watching a 3d movie and getting a head ache it was only a matter of time before I had to call our night a bit early. We were able to make it to our buddy's Alex and Codie's house in South Lake Union for a night cap and some birthday cake. We had to relieve Grandma and Grandpa Bodle a little earlier than planned but it was nice to get in a little extra sleep before our big run (see following post). Hoping to get out on the town soon to redeem myself!!

8 Month Checkup

So we didn't have a check up this month per se, but with all the doctor visits it sure seems like we have had one. We don't know height or head circumference but we are certain he is 19lbs 12oz. There has been so many milestones this month, Nick and I are proud parents!!

Milestones: Pincer Grasp, scooting, crawling, pulling himself up first with the laundry basket and then to the coffee table, connecting different babble sounds.

Likes:
* Erin Wright's Palates ball (see subsequent post) - I'm thinking we need to get her a new one
* His new music table - Deven really likes to bang on all the keys
* Sam - Deven laughs and laughs at his brother Sam
* Holding his own bottle - he's a big boy and can handle it
* Food - this month he has been increasing his solid food intake but also maintaining his milk...growing perhaps?!?
* Coasters - of all his toys coasters seem to spark the most interest of late
* Running and "The Bob" - though we have only gotten out running once he seemed to really like taking in all the scenery. The family is participating in the Saint Patrick's Day Dash in a couple of weeks, wish us luck.
* His two bottom teeth - so freakin' cute!
* Other kids - Deven laughs and laughs at other kids


Dislikes:
* Cinnamon - so far each dish I have given him with Cinnamon has caused a forceful gagging reaction...hmmm...
* Getting his nose wiped - his bronchiolitis and cold/asthma attack this last month each had an accompanying runny nose...yucky pooh...
* "The Nebulizer" - although he seemed to love it when he was super sick, the moment Deven felt a little better the Nebulizer became the enemy...Grandma Bodle can attest to this!
* Wheezing - OK so this is more of a mom and dad dislike because it didn't really seem to stop Deven.
* Medicine - Medicine tasts gross and makes Deven gag...I wonder if it has Cinnamon in it??

Our Mr. Man is growing up so fast and it is so exciting to be able to explore this crazy world with him.

Here are some pics of Deven celebrating Auntie Anne (2/22) and Dadda's (3/6) birthday at the Tap House in Bellevue. Deven had sour dough bread and alder plank salmon for the first time!

Grandma and Grandpa Bodle

Grammy and Gramps Bodle came up to visit a couple of weeks ago and took some great pics. They played with Deven while Nick and I tried to kick butt at soccer. We lost literally in the last second but I got my first goal ever! Deven had a really good time and can't wait to see them again.

SOON...we hope!

We've been pretty busy the last couple of weeks; nick finishing the room, me trying to read as many baby care facts as possible... We also took a new born preparation class this last weekend and decided that we were very prepared to swaddle the baby; other things may be more of a challenge but at least we have one thing down!!

We have started visiting the doctor once a week. During this week's visit we discovered that the little guy is in fact a big boy! The doctor "hopes" he decides to come around 38 weeks and we concur! He is in the right position and I have started dilating so who knows...maybe he will share my sister's birthday on 6th or the grandma's birthdays on the 18th!! We will keep you posted!

This is me and the little guys at 36 weeks!