Hippie Hair

Before:



After:


Not the best view of the cut, but the best picture of me. And really, isn't that what's important?



Posting pictures, as promised, Sissies.
I cut off about 7 inches.
No more hippie hair.

As a side note, went to the eye doc today and I am officially blind (well, almost). My prescription is now -6.00 (left eye) and -4.75 (right eye). When, oh when, will my eyes stop getting worse?

Progress

It's been (almost) 7 months.
7 months since I made a commitment to make exercise a part of my life.
7 months later, I am happy to report that I have made good on my commitment.

Things that keep me motivated...
*I am down 10 pounds (as of April 1st - haven't weighed myself since)
*I (finally) reached my pre pregnancy weight.
*Flexing in the mirror (joking, kind of)

I am still working out with a trainer a couple of times a week, and she has really helped motivate me and keep me going.

About a month ago I made a goal for myself to run a 5k by my 30th birthday (this August). After running (no pun intended) this goal past my sister and workout partner, Stacey, we started running and haven't looked back.
I am now up to running a steady 2.5 miles without stopping....and it feels good!
Stacey and I (and maybe Dave) are hoping to run our first 5k in the next couple of months.

I realized my first goal was so minuscule, and I have upped the ante...

My new goal...
I have decided to run the half marathon (13.1 miles) in December. And, of course, Stacey is on board with me as I think she might enjoy running even more than I do.


**Make no mistake, this whole running and work out thing has not come easy to me. I have had my good months and bad, and by no means do I crave going to the gym. However, over the last couple of months I have really started noticing changes. It has taken so much longer than I had initially expected, but overall I am at a very good place and feeling very positive about myself.

Sign?

We leave for San Diego soon, very soon. I have been so excited as this is our first family vacation since Marlee was born. It's also the first vacation Dave and I have had in years.

I have envisioned long walks on the beach, a trip to Sea World, shopping, strolling through Balboa Park, etc. Walking, lots of walking.

Only problem(s)
-I think I sprained my ankle today. It is swollen and sore.
-Has anyone else been following the swine flu outbreak? It seems to have originated in Mexico, which neighbors San Diego. Great.

Do you think it's a sign?

San Diego or bust!

Easter 2009

We colored eggs, which M thought were balls.


The Easter Bunny stopped by and left M loads of good stuff...


and hid some eggs for her to find.


First time blowing bubbles, and yes, she tried to eat the wand.


Favorite photos of the day


...


We finished Easter off at Grampy and Grammy's house with my family. Dinner + egg hunt = fun time (other than the Marlee mishap).

**Last photo courtesy of my sister, Kristy. Two photographers in the family...aren't I lucky!

One Year Nine Months

At one year nine months, Marlee Kay...
-weighs 27 pounds
-measures ????? inches tall (reminder: Measure M)
-is still in a size 4 diaper
-wears 18-24 month clothes
-shoe size is 6w
-has 16 perfectly straight teeth, all but her 2 year molars
-sleeps 12 hours at night
-takes one 2-3 hour nap
-gets into e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g
-is fearless
-repeats everything
-put her first two words together - thank you



Favorites...
-being outside. period.
-jumping on her trampoline
-putting things in her mouth when she knows she shouldn't
-Mr. Bear - her lovey. Mr. Dog comes in second and Mr. Frog third
-shoes
-bath time
-water
-books
-drinking out of a big girl cup
-Sid the Science Kid and Curious George cartoons
-Shrek (the movie)
-carbs - especially bread products
-testing me
-climbing. still
-Elmo and Abbie Cadabie
-blankies
-balloons
-grapes, bananas (which she calls mine), cheese, and noodles
-DADDY!
-Cooper and Mollie - especially Cooper (or as she says Coocer)



Dislikes...
-getting dressed
-brocoli, asparagus, leafy greens - any green veggie but green beans
-the blow dryer and vacuum (this is new)

**First photo courtesy of, yes-you guessed it, my sister Lesley.

The What If...

I would like to preface this post by saying (or writing) that I am what many consider a "helicopter parent". I'm that Mommy at the park that gets on the play structures with my daughter, helps her down the slide, etc.

We have a pool. It is gated. Marlee is not on the patio without Dave or myself. Ever. The gate is not fool proof. We also have a latch at the top of our back door leading outside. Just in case.

Sometimes when she naps, I have crazy fears about her climbing out of her crib (which is now impossible since we put the crib mattress on the ground and basically placed the crib around it) opening her door, getting to the back door, getting all three locks unlocked, getting outside, getting through the locked gate, and drowning in the pool. Kristy, you know my crazy fears!

Our pool scares me.

Today we went to my parents house for Easter Dinner. They, too, have a pool. It is not gated. Dave and I are a pretty good team in keeping an eye on her. If she goes missing, one of us is on her pretty quickly. She is fast. So fast.
She was in the living room and the next thing we know she is gone. Dave asks, where's Marlee? We both immediately start looking for her. Dave to the front door and me to the back. As I approached the closed and locked back door, I could see nothing but a child's hand as I looked out through the blinds. Yes, it was Marlee. I screamed Dave's name and went running outside. Marlee was out there on the patio, happy as could be, playing with Hunter, my parent's dog. Once she saw and heard me she went running towards the pool, thinking we were playing some sort of game. I caught her less than one foot from the pool.

I was so choked up I could barely talk. There was a moment that my heart completely stopped. Everything around me stopped. A horrible moment.

Marlee is fine.

Come to find out Marlee had went to the back of the house (which she had done quite a few times to sneak into the toy closet), went out the door to the garage, went out the outside door, and went around to the pool (I think).

As I said, she's fast.

I believe if it wasn't for her interest in Hunter, the pool would have been her interest. Marlee had been watching and talking to Hunter through the glass of the backdoor earlier. Also, she had to walk by the pool to get to where she was on the patio with Hunter.

Tonight, Daddy got Marlee her bottle. About halfway through she got up off the couch, went into our room, laid on our bed, and finished her bottle. Dave and I lied on either side of her, and just snuggled our baby.

I kept thinking, what if.
What if.
What if.
Awful feeling.

If it's possible, Dave is even more crazier than me when it comes to our pool.
If he has his way, Marlee will be swimming before summer's over.

Sorry for the dreary post.
Stay tuned. Tomorrow will be a much happier, Easter post.

Marlee Lately

Month in Review...


Feeding the ducks (or as M calls them: quack) at the park.



Graduated to the big swing. After playing with my friend Jessica's daughter last month, Marlee wants nothing to do with the "baby" swings anymore.



Goodbye high chair, hello booster (3/19). You can see from her expression, she loves her big girl chair.



M's new ride.



Can't get enough of the Cheetos.



Relaxing in a storage bin.



First good owwwwwwwwwwwie, as M would say (4/5)



Loves horsey rides from Daddy.

Number 7

Happy Anniversary to the man who is meant for me.



After 7 years, you still make my heart go pitter-patter.
I love you...so much.


4.3.2
Maui, Hawaii