Wow, long time no see

November and December are notoriously busy months for me. In fact, I think I was only home for 1 weekend out of the month in November. And only 2 weekends in December. Between my daughter's birthday party, school holiday functions, family gatherings and another trip to Disneyland (which was the day it sold out, but we got in) we were SUPER busy.

I have so much to blog about too. So beware of a ton of entries about a lot of stuff. :)

Why I Love Where I Live

There are runners out every single day. I see them driving my kids to preschool/daycare. I see them around my work, looking out from my desk, out on the trails etc. Rain or shine, I am never alone out there. I've learned to ease slowly out of driveways because a runner might be coming by. I see people running with dogs, other people, huge groups or jog strollers. I love the running community here. In fact the reason why we bought our house was we drove by at night to check out the neighborhood after dark and I saw someone running while it was pitch black out. I *knew* this was the place for me.

In fact, not too far from my house is this trail, I heart this trail. It has beautiful views, water stops and goes on for miles.

Plus, living in the bay area...there is the bonus of races all year long, different lengths, practically weekly. Being so close to all of this has been heavenly. I'm really lucky to have these amenities.

Books Read 2010

2010 Books:

1. The End (Series of Unfortunate Events #13) by Lemony Snicket
2. I Am The Messenger by Markus Zusak
3. Comfort Me with Apples by Ruth Reichl
4. Toddlers Gone Wild! Rants from a Mommy Brain by Rebecca Eckler
5. Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
6. Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
7. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
8. Switchcraft by Mary Castillo
9. Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman
10. Girl with The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
11. The Gift by Cecelia Ahern
12. Restoring Grace by Katie Fforde
13. The Importance of Being Married by Gemma Townley
14. My Life in France by Julia Child
15. A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick
16. Made in the USA by Billie Letts
17. A Wild Affair by Gemma Townley
18. House Rules by Jodi Picoult
19. My Horizontal Live: A Collection of One Night Stands by Chelsea Handler
20. Through The Heart by Kate Morgenroth
21. As Nature Made Him: The boy who was raised as a girl by John Colapinto
22. What Was She Thinking? Notes on a Scandel by Zoe Heller
Bit of a lackluster ending.
23. What The Dead Know by Laura Lippman
24. Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin
25. Naptime is the New Happy Hour: And other ways toddlers turn your life upside down by Stephanie Wilder-Taylor
26. Promises to Keep by Jane Green
27. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
28. The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton

29. They Did it With Love by Kate Morgenroth

30. Animal Farm by George Orwell

31. This Little Mommy Stayed Home by Samantha Wilde

32. Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner
33. Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffeneger
34. Maid to Match by Deanne Gist
35. Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
36. The Story of a Marriage by Andrew Sean Greer
37. UnCharted TerriTori by Tori Spelling
38. Honolulu by Alan Brennert

39. Size 12 is Not Fat by Meg Cabot

40. The Year of the Fog by Michelle Richmond

41. I Did (But I Wouldn't Again) by Cara Lockwood

42. Run Like a Mother: How to Get Moving and Not Lose Your Job, Family or Sanity by Dimity McDowell and Sarah Bowen Shea I loved this book. I actually asked for it for Mother's Day but my wonderful hubby forgot to buy it. He added it to his Amazon cart but never actually ordered it. I finally bought it for myself and thoroughly enjoyed it. Some highlights of the book...comments throughout the chapters from different mothers, hearing stories of the authors runs and races, and most all the inspiration that was laid out throughout the book. I loved hearing other mothers fitting time in their busy lives to run. Another take home message for me, the Hills chapter. I don't know what it was about that chapter but it has inspired me to do hill work. So for the past two weeks I've gone out and put in a day of hill work. (In fact I did a hill run at lunch today.)

This past weekend I was luck to meet the authors of this book at the See Jane Run Store in San Francisco. It was a lovely night of wine, chocolate and reading. I was excited to meet Dimity and Sarah and I loved how comfortable I felt chatting with them. I'm looking forward to hanging out with them again the next time their in my area.

43. Mini Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella. This is the 6th book in the series. I've read them all and each are a light read and somewhat entertaining. There are times where you want to smack Becky (main character) across the head, but overall a fun read.

Currently Reading: Got You Back by Jane Fallon

I decided not to listen to Cold Mountain on cd. I started it and just couldn't get into the narrators voice. So I've skipped that one and am listening to "The Other Queen" by Philippa Gregory

Next Up: Mini-Shopoholic by Sophie Kinsella

My List of Baby Must-Haves

Just wanted to note that this is mine and hubby's list of must-haves. I've since modified it with baby #2, but this is the list I've forwarded to several friends for registry ideas. Note, baby to baby preferences are not always the same. So this is just my experience.

1. Swing

2. Bouncy Chair

3. Crib

4. Crib mobile

5. Crib music soother

6. 2-3 crib sheets, 2 mattress waterproof pads

7. Sleep positioner

8. Humidifier

9. Nose aspirator (washable!!)

10. 2-3 towels

11. 4-5 washclothes

12. infant bath tub

13. non-slip mat or sticky pads for bathtub

14. bath toy holder, faucet cover

15. plastic spoons and forks (use a plastic toothbrush holder for travel)

16. high chair or booster seat with at least 2 trays (3 preferable)

17. plastic bowls

18. plastic bibs (at least 3)

19. changing pad

20. 2-3 changing pad covers

21. lap pads (4-5)

22. cloth diapers/receiving blankets (7-8) we used them only as spit clothes

23. fold up bottle drying rack

24. snack cups

25. bottle brush

26. sleep sacks

27. Exersaucer

28. Activity Gym

29. Umbrella stroller

30. Jogging stroller (if that’s what you’re into)

31. Pack n play (simple unless you’re going to have it out in your house. If you use it all the time, then splurge for the vibration/music. If you just use it for travel, don’t need all the bells and whistles.)

32. Floppy seat cover for grocery cart/restaurant high chair

33. Ergo carrier (much better than the Bjorn)

34. Stroller travel system. If you have two cars and will both be using strollers, get a snap n go for the 2^nd car. I’d buy the snap n go used, cuz you don’t use it for that long. (Revision after 2^nd child, if you need a stroller in two cars, I’d do BOB revolution w/infant seat attachment in one car, snap n go in the other. Later on, Snap n go can be replaced with umbrella stroller.)

35. Go go kids carseat roller (for plane travel)

36. Kiddopotamus Tiny Diner placemat. If you go out to eat often. (We love this!!)

37. Kiddopotamus plastic bib (good for travel as well)

38. Something to swaddle. I’ve tried all the swaddle stuff, the kiddopotamus and ultimate swaddler but I found that regular blankets worked best.

39. Gripe water

40. Baby monitor. If you have a big house, and the baby’s room is far away then splurge on this one. Our house is small, we hardly used it. I just leave our doors open and can here her. I mostly use my baby monitor when we travel to friends/family houses when we’ll be far from her room.

41. Glider (not essential, used in the early years but hardly used now)

42. My breast friend. I like it better than the boppy for positioning for feeding. But the boppy can be used to position the baby in on the couch, tummy time etc.

44. Breast pads

45. At least 3 nursing bras.

46. Nightgowns (for mama) with snaps or button closures for night time feedings.

47. Car mirror

48. Digital thermometer

49. Pacifier (depends on your parenting thoughts)

50. Lovey (depends on your parenting thoughts)

Revised with 2^nd Child:

51. Aden + Anais blankets for swaddling.

52. For cloth diapers if you’re going that route, try the Jillian Drawer’s Diaper trial. We went with Bum Genius 3.0 diapers.

53. Bum Genius Diaper sprayer

54. Robeez shoes (helps keep socks on)

55. Medela Free-style pump

Books Read 2010

2010 Books:

1. The End (Series of Unfortunate Events #13) by Lemony Snicket
2. I Am The Messenger by Markus Zusak
3. Comfort Me with Apples by Ruth Reichl
4. Toddlers Gone Wild! Rants from a Mommy Brain by Rebecca Eckler
5. Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
6. Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
7. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
8. Switchcraft by Mary Castillo
9. Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman
10. Girl with The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
11. The Gift by Cecelia Ahern
12. Restoring Grace by Katie Fforde
13. The Importance of Being Married by Gemma Townley
14. My Life in France by Julia Child
15. A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick
16. Made in the USA by Billie Letts
17. A Wild Affair by Gemma Townley
18. House Rules by Jodi Picoult
19. My Horizontal Live: A Collection of One Night Stands by Chelsea Handler
20. Through The Heart by Kate Morgenroth
21. As Nature Made Him: The boy who was raised as a girl by John Colapinto
(Insane story, true story! A little bit more technical than I liked, but I'm glad I read it.)
22. What Was She Thinking? Notes on a Scandel by Zoe Heller
Bit of a lackluster ending.
23. What The Dead Know by Laura Lippman
24. Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin
25. Naptime is the New Happy Hour: And other ways toddlers turn your life upside down by Stephanie Wilder-Taylor
26. Promises to Keep by Jane Green
27. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
28. The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton

29. They Did it With Love by Kate Morgenroth

30. Animal Farm by George Orwell

31. This Little Mommy Stayed Home by Samantha Wilde

32. Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner
33. Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffeneger
34. Maid to Match by Deanne Gist
35. Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney (Hilarious book, great conversation topic in the break room. Many parents had read this book.)
36. The Story of a Marriage by Andrew Sean Greer (Really loved his book Max Tivoli but this was disappointing.)
37. UnCharted TerriTori by Tori Spelling
38. Honolulu by Alan Brennert I liked this book, but it was a little long winded.

39. Size 12 is Not Fat by Meg Cabot (Was soo disappointed in this book. I really loved Cabot's Queen of Babble series, but this start of Heather Well's series was horrible. I really wanted to stop reading but I felt I should try it out because it was a fast read. I will not be reading any more of this series.)

40. The Year of the Fog by Michelle Richmond (This book was recommended to me by a friend who said if I like Jodi Picoult I would like this author. Wow, this book was intense. It made me think what if my child went missing. I'm now doing "Stranger Danger" talks with my daughter because of this book. I admit, I had to skip to the end to see what happens but all in all it was a great book. I really liked that they talked about a place I've been down to the bridge I've taken a picture with. I don't want to give too much away but it was really great to feel a connection landmark/wise with the book.)

41. I Did (But I Wouldn't Again) by Cara Lockwood (I read her book I Do (But I Don't) a long time ago and that book was about the sister. Anyways, back to I Did. It's a funny chick-lit novel. I enjoyed the quirkiness of the characters. A light read that was enjoyed.

Next Up: Mini-Shopoholic by Sophie Kinsella

Currently listening on CD: Bee Season by Myla Goldberg. Almost finished with that book, will be listening to Cold Mountain next. I saw the movie a long time ago but haven't read the book.

The infamous sub-2 half marathon

It's no secret that that is my goal. Finishing in under 2 hours. I've been close...2:06, but I can't seem to get there. For today's half marathon I trained with a fast runner. I trained hard and I tried to do the best I could. But alas...I didn't even PR. :( I can blame it on a number of reasons but it really comes down to I just didn't have it in me. I wish I could have met up with my new running partner at the start, but I didn't find her. Not that running with her would have guaranteed a PR. She finished in 1:59, amazing! I'm so proud of her, and a tiny bit jealous. :)

But the main thing I need to understand is that not every race will be a PR for me. Since I started running...and I mean really running races, my situation has been a little different. I started running half marathons in 2005. I ran my first half then got pregnant with my first child. After her birth I ran 3 more half's. Each half got faster and faster. PR'd on my last race before I got pregnant with child number 2. Ran 6 halfs since he was born, and same thing...each run got faster and faster (should clarify that faster and faster means I did get slower than my pre-second child but got faster each race thereafter)...except for these last two. But two weeks ago it was just a "training" half so I didn't push myself the whole time. So my PR is still before second child, but I get sooo close. I'm not giving up, it may not be this year but I heard that runners peak in their mid-30's, so I have a handful of years to work on it.

New Songs

I have two new songs I JUST had to have so I downloaded them from Itunes tonight.

Club Can't Handle Me by Flo Rida
Just the Way You Are by Bruno Mars

I am also digging:
Dynamite by Taio Cruz
and
DJ Got Us Fallin In Love by Usher
(Those are my next to download.)

I realized I haven't posted some of my new songs on my running playlist.
California Gurls-Katie Perry
Paper Planes-MIA
Cooler Than Me-Mike Posner
Bulletproof-La Roux
I Like It-Enrique Iglesias
Breakeven-The Script
Sweet Disposition-The Temper Trap
Imma Be-Black Eyed Peas
Your Love is My Drug-Ke$ha
Baby-Justin Bieber

Palo Alto Moonlight 10k

Last Friday I ran the Palo Alto Moonlight 10k with a coworker. It started at 8:15pm so it was definitely dark. The weather was awesome, kinda on the warm side. 70 degrees at 8pm. The run was a loop around the bay trail. Only 2 miles were on city streets so 4 miles were pitch black except for the full moon, glow sticks, flashlights and head lamps. It was beautiful seeing the east bay lights and the moon on the water, the smell of the bay was disgusting though. It was a fun race and fast crowd.

My only issues were, parking was annoying. There were signs pointing in two directions to park and the one I took was full. When I had to make 3 U-turns to get back they were removing that arrow. Thanks for the late notice.

There was no bag check (official) and they handed us our t-shirts when we got our bibs so we didn't have time to go back to the car to put them away. We put them in a reusable grocery bag and set them on a bench (the 'bag check' area).

Porta potty lines were LONG! That's why we didn't have enough time to get back to the car, we waited 10-15 min in line.

Water was a joke. At the end of the race they handed you the itty-bitty dixie cup for water. It was a shot of water, are you kidding me? Then they said keep your cup so you can reuse it. They had arrowhead jugs for people to fill up their dixie shot cup, so annoying. I had my two shots of water and then headed to my car for my bottle of water. You'd think they'd be able to hand everyone a bottle of water.

Other than that it was a good race, longer than the stated 6.2 miles. My Garmin and my coworkers Polar foot pod both registered the race as 6.35 miles. When that distance I was averaging 8:56 pace.

Ice Bath

I had never truely taken an ice bath (full on ice in the tub and everything) until today. Oh it was glorious!! I have been missing out. Today I ran a "practice" half but it was still a race. I finished in 2:09:43, could have PR'd but knew I didn't want to push myself too much. I wanted to heal my legs more quickly because I have a 10k on Friday and my "actual" half in 2 weeks. So I tried it out tonight. Maybe it's the quiet 10 min I get to read while my legs go numb, maybe it's the appeal of a bath that my kids won't want to jump into.

Books Read 2010

2010 Books:

1. The End (Series of Unfortunate Events #13) by Lemony Snicket
2. I Am The Messenger by Markus Zusak
3. Comfort Me with Apples by Ruth Reichl
4. Toddlers Gone Wild! Rants from a Mommy Brain by Rebecca Eckler
5. Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
6. Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
7. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
8. Switchcraft by Mary Castillo
9. Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman
10. Girl with The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
11. The Gift by Cecelia Ahern
12. Restoring Grace by Katie Fforde
13. The Importance of Being Married by Gemma Townley
14. My Life in France by Julia Child
15. A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick
16. Made in the USA by Billie Letts
17. A Wild Affair by Gemma Townley
18. House Rules by Jodi Picoult
19. My Horizontal Live: A Collection of One Night Stands by Chelsea Handler
20. Through The Heart by Kate Morgenroth
21. As Nature Made Him: The boy who was raised as a girl by John Colapinto
(Insane story, true story! A little bit more technical than I liked, but I'm glad I read it.)
22. What Was She Thinking? Notes on a Scandel by Zoe Heller
Bit of a lackluster ending.
23. What The Dead Know by Laura Lippman
24. Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin
25. Naptime is the New Happy Hour: And other ways toddlers turn your life upside down by Stephanie Wilder-Taylor
26. Promises to Keep by Jane Green
27. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
28. The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton

29. They Did it With Love by Kate Morgenroth

30. Animal Farm by George Orwell

31. This Little Mommy Stayed Home by Samantha Wilde

32. Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner
33. Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffeneger
34. Maid to Match by Deanne Gist
35. Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney (Hilarious book, great conversation topic in the break room. Many parents had read this book.)
36. The Story of a Marriage by Andrew Sean Greer (Really loved his book Max Tivoli but this was disappointing.)
37. UnCharted TerriTori by Tori Spelling
38. Honolulu by Alan Brennert I liked this book, but it was a little long winded.

Listened on CD:
The Shack by William Young (Interesting theory about Jesus, but the coolest thing was the little MP3 player the book was on that I borrowed from the library.)
Wives Behaving Badly by Elizabeth Buchan Allright, I was hoping for a funny book but ended up with a slightly depressing book.