Couch to 5K

Today is the first day we tried the Couch to 5K program. My calves are still burning (and we did it five hours ago). I have no idea if we'll keep it up. Maybe week one will make a repeat appearance as week 2 and 3. But for now, we're working on it. I realized how completely out of shape I truly am. Twenty minutes of run/walk is more than I've done in a few years. And this summer I was walking 2 miles every day and doing 30 minutes on the Wii Fit. But this is much more intense. I can't even imagine what I'll feel like next week. I'm kind of scared, actually. I haven't run a mile since high school (and that was 15 years ago). And this program will supposedly get me to 3 miles in 9 weeks. I have my doubts.

Oh Happy Day!

Oh happy day... who knew that an insanely screaming baby could be calmed and switched over instantly to a sweet hugging baby with a few cheddar goldfish? The new things I learn every day. We had a great night (after we figured that one out). Owen actually picked out his own books to read tonight for THE FIRST TIME EVER! It was so cute. When he picked out his Sesame Street Easter book (his all time favorite for this moth at least), a smaller book fell down. And he would not bring me the book to read until he had put that book up exactly where it went. Ah... my kid. We read two books and sang a few songs. He wasn't happy until the second song, but that was a million times better than the other night. He was so sweet and offered me many kisses while we were singing and rocking. It was an awesome night. The day overall was pretty sweet because I went to a history workshop (read: got to sleep an hour later and got out an hour earlier than usual). The bonus was that it was across the street from my neighborhood, so I got to come home and have lunch with Erik. Overall, we just had a great day!

We're Going to the Zoo

Well we went to the zoo in San Antonio today. We had an absolute blast! The weather was great. And almost all of the animals were out for Owen to see. We packed a picnic lunch and brought along Owen's new wagon (which stood the test and mightily carried all of our junk). Owen loved the black leopard and the elephant. He was fascinated by the hippos and the okapi. I really wish we lived closer to the zoo. I would so become a patron and go at least once a month. It really was better this time since Owen could walk. That's makes all the difference. We had a great day today, which ended with a Red Lobster dinner at my parents' house. Owen was his normal charming self, dancing and smiling and gobbling up shrimp and mashed potatoes. He's also finally getting over his cold (that he so kindly passed on to me and Erik). And he's even been having normal temperatures at night. He's got two new teeth coming in (for a total of nine), and sticks everything in his mouth every chance he gets.

On a totally separate note, school is going well so far. Unfortunately, I have 165 students this year, which is more than I've ever had (and is apparently more than any other core teacher in the school). I like my students so far (even though they're a mighty chatty bunch). But this many students is making me seriously consider banning homework altogether! It just takes so darn long to grade everything!

Fun Weekend

We had an awesome weekend! First of all, it rained for four days. Normally that would make for a very un-fun weekend around here, seeing as we have a son who insists on being outside as much as possible. But we decided to take advantage of inside time this weekend. And we loved just about every moment of it. We were lucky to have a few rain-free hours on Friday night. That made it possible for us to go out and watch Hays, unfortunately, get stomped on by Bowie. Man, it sucks to start out the season 0-3.

On Saturday we started out the day at the McKenna Children's Museum in New Braunfels. We had an amazing time, so much so I'm thinking of becoming a member (which means we woud pay a one-time fee and get to go back as much as we want without an admission charge). I wish we would have thought things out better and brought our camera. Unfortunately, we forgot. But we had a good time playing with Owen, so maybe it's better one of us wasn't tied up taking pictures the whole time. They have a hospital with babies and an ambulance, a house with a kitchen and dress up, a grocery store where kids can put things in the little carts and actually check them out at the register, a spaceship and NASA control center, a campsite with tents and a kayak, and train tracks set up with lots of little trains. There's also an outside area with winding water activities that are sceince related. It was so much fun! We definitely plan to go back often. I think next time we'll pack a lunch so we can stay longer. But we decided to go to lunch at the Gristmill in Gruene. We love eating there, and we hadn't been since I was four months pregnant with Owen. While we enjoyed our meal, we did not enjoy the tantrum Owen had while we ate. He refused to eat unless it was mashed potatoes, had to be taken outside by Erik to calm down, then would only eat chicken if he was allowed to walk around while he chewed. It was miserable. And I'm really afriad we won't be going out to eat much for a while. He's just so unpredictable. His moods are so fragile, and he's becoming a picky eater. I'm hoping this phase is a quick one.

Today we stayed in. But we play A LOT! We played dinosaurs all morning. He had a difficult nap, but at least he woke up happy. We watched football and had a blast. Erik built Owen's first living room fort. And he (and the cat) had a blast playing in it. I can tell this is going to be a common thing around here. Owen is now eating all of his meals with a fork. This may or may not be late for his age. We have no idea. But his face breaks out so easily with all the drool (poor boy has sensitive skin). So the less he mashes food into his face, the better. Next weekend... THE SAN ANTONIO ZOO!!!!! We bought Owen a Radio Flyer wagon last weekend, which he loves to play in (and it lives in the house). And we're so looking forward to an awesome trip to the zoo on Saturday.

Angry Morning Baby

I don't know if this is a common thing, it never used to be around here, but lately Owen has decided he only wants his dad in the mornings. This has gone beyond preference to the point that he actually screams bloody murder if I try to even touch him, much less pick him up from his crib. Now once his diaper is changed, and he's content, he comes to me with open arms. During the day, there are times he won't even go to Erik, he wants to be with me so badly. And when we're out, he gets shy around strangers, and he always clings to my legs and wants me to pick him up, not Erik. This freaking out in the morning thing is new and is totally weirding me out. I know kids are all different and go through phases and preferences. I was just wondering if anyone has seen it at this level.

Hand, Foot, and Mouth... Oh My!

We don't know where it came from, but it hit us hard... and we'd like to send our regards out to the infectious toddler (annonymous as she may be) for the week of pain. We thought Owen had chicken pox, but it turned out to be this coxsakie virus (hand, foot, and mouth). Not fun at all. Besides the blister-like pustule thingies on his... wait for it... hands and feet (we missed the mouth, thank goodness), they also covered his little private parts. Because it's viral, there is no drug or treatment. His fever spiked on Monday, but his spots cleared up. Poor little boy ran around 103 for three full days. He was so sad. He just wanted to lay on the couch with us (Erik on Monday and Tuesday and me on Wednesday) and watch Elmo all day. And this is not a lazy child. He was truly tuckered from this fever. Lukily he felt great today and went back to school (which allowed us to get back to our routine, even if we prefer to stay home). But yesterday at home pushed me pretty behind at school. I am not sure how I can feel so behind and overwhelmed when it's only the end of the second week. But here I am. When I admit these things at work, my next-door-teacher likes to say, "sounds like you're human after all." This kiddo business (and especially the toddler end of it) has definitely messed with my ability to get things just so. On the bright side, Owen decided tonight that he wanted to put all his books back on the shelf after he finished reading them (too cute). And he said Percy, which is the name of the Penguin he takes everywhere. Of course my thought was, wow, kid can say Percy but not Owen, grandma, or nite nite. Hmm...