Mexico was wonderful.

The week I spent with my husband in this paradise was glorious.
It was everything I expected it to be.

Fun
Relaxing
Romantic

It was everything a week with my husband should be.

In all the world there is not another person that I would rather spend my time with.

Every minute.
Every second.
We are in tune.

This man I married 11 years ago is my best friend, and I am his.

I am blessed.
I am in love.
I am grateful.

Weekly Winners - Fun with Sticks

"Please get me out of this tree!"

"Fetch!"

Girls in the park

"I see the world!"

This will be my only post this week, as I will be enjoying the company of my Husband in Mexico. Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!

Weekly Winners is the brain child of Lotus at Sarcastic Mom. Visit her to see more participants.

Read Me(Me)

MommyTime at Mommy's Martini presented me with a vacation challenge in the form of a meme tag. First here are the meme rules.

1. List three books you’ve always meant to read, but haven’t got around to them

2. Share the two books that changed your life

3. Recommend the one book you’ve been talking about since the very first day you’ve read it.

MommyTime would like to see me take some of the books that I've always meant to read with me on vacation. I have already checked out three books for next week; "City of Bones" by Michael Connelly, "So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish" by Douglas Adams, and "The Jester" by James Patterson and Andrew Gross. I will easily get through these books on my vacation and need to bring a few more. Thanks for the suggestion MommyTime!

Need to Read

I am an avid reader. When hear about a book that sounds interesting, I immediately go to my library's website and check the book out. The library then mails the book to me when it becomes available. It is a wonderful system that keeps me on top of all the books I want to read.

Lately I have felt challenged to read more biographies. After looking at non-fiction best seller lists from the last 15 years, I found three books that should be enriching.

1. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, John Berendt - I enjoyed this movie and was delighted to see that it is a non-fiction book.
2. Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer - This first hand account of a disastrous climb up Everest should be very interesting.
3. For Laci by Sharon Rocha - I remember hearing about the disappearance of Laci Peterson from my Dad's girlfriend, Gay, who worked with Sharon Rocha. I also went to school with Brent Rocha, Laci's brother. I can still recall the look of grief on Brent's face when he stood up at press conferences. My heart aches for the entire family.

Changed my life:

1. The Bible - The Bible has impacted my entire life. The Sermon on the Mount is my favorite part (Matthew chapters 5 - 7). Here are a couple of my favorite parts:

Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:25-27 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

Matthew 7:9-10 "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

2. Let's count the Bible as two books, New Testament and Old Testament. My favorite Old Testament book is Proverbs. Here is a passage that I wrote down and have carried with me since 1998.

Proverbs 23:4,5 "Do not wear yourself out to get rich;
have the wisdom to show restraint.
Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,
for they will surely sprout wings
and fly off to the sky like an eagle."

Recommendation:

Drowning Ruth by Christina Schwarz - Read it. I promise that you will love it.

Weekly Winners: A Day at the Park

Enjoyment

Peeking

Climbing

Climbers

Simplicity

Bubbles

Flying

If you read yesterday's post you know about my inability to follow (web)doctor's orders and keep off my leg. All these pictures were taken while I was doing my best to avoid weight bearing activities, elevate and ice my foot while enjoying the pain deadening effects of Motrin. It was a glorious day. Any ill effects of my decision to enjoy the park were well worth it.

A special thanks to my husband who delayed his grocery shopping so he could go to the park with us. His assistance was necessary because in addition to walking with a severe limp, I have a cold that has practically taken my voice away. As Belle put it, "Mommy, why are the batteries for your voice dying?"

Needless to say a hobbled mommy who doesn't have the ability to raise her voice has limited abilities at a very crowded downtown park.

Weekly Winners is the brain child of Lotus at Sarcastic Mom. Visit her to see more participants.

Achilles Tendonitis

I can't walk. It started yesterday after my run. At first it was a dull annoying pain. Within a couple of hours I was limping. I went to bed last night hoping that a good nights sleep would make all the difference.

I woke up this morning and before I moved a muscle I prayed, "God, please let the pain be gone. I really want to take the kids to the park today." I stepped out of bed, and felt fine. Praise the Lord. Fifteen minutes later I was not fine anymore.

I googled "common running injury". My symptoms of dull or sharp pain anywhere along the back of the tendon, but usually close to the heel resulted in a self-diagnosis of Achilles Tendonitis.

I have an inflamed Achilles tendon caused by poor stretching and excessive hill running. To get better I need to stop running, avoid weight-bearing movements, take ibuprofen for 7 days, ice the area to reduce inflammation and keep it elevated whenever possible.

It is sunny and 78 degrees today. It is spring. Tomorrow and for the next 6 days we are expecting highs in the 50's and rain. One perfect day of spring and I need to stay immobile. I really have no choice. I cannot afford to have this injury linger. One week from tomorrow I will escape the rain of the Pacific Northwest for the sun of Mexico. I have to sacrifice this one spring day so I can enjoy the use of my legs for one whole week in Mexico.

I have never been good at restraining myself. We went to the park. Jeff usually grocery shops on Saturdays, but he sacrificed for us. I guess that is what a family does. Each sacrificing a little of themselves so as a whole we can experience a unity that brings joy and memories. In five years the memory of the perfect spring day at the park will remain with me. I hope that my tendonitis will not.

Thank you, The Long Version.

"Words are things, and a small drop if ink, falling like dew upon a thought, produces that which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think." - Lord Byron

I have had the pleasure of reconnecting with some old friends lately. I’ve found a roommate, a best friend, and favorite companions from years ago. I’ve read their emails, social network profiles and messages. Reading the words of these old friends has transported me back to the days when I conversed with them on a regular basis. I have rediscovered their personality and wit just by reading a few sentences. It leaves me speechless.

I didn’t realize the power of the written word. When I write, I do so to convey a story or a thought. What I am revealing without intention is the very essence of me. I am silly, thoughtful, impulsive, considerate, attention seeking, and appreciative. I have no doubt that you know all this just from reading my words.

I’ve also realized that I know more about you then I thought I did. I visit the blogs of people who comment here. In each visit I learn more about you and I keep coming back. I may not always have time to comment, but you intrigue me. You entertain me. You help me examine the world around me by opening my heart and mind to your opinions, situations and life. Blogging is a powerful thing.

Yesterday, OhMommy at Classy Chaos awarded me with her Classy Blog award. I can’t tell you how honored I am to received this award. OhMommy is a wonderful, caring, outgoing, amazing individual who I respect greatly. She has revealed herself through her blog, comments, emails and instant messages. I know this woman. She is my friend.

Some people downplay the friendships that result from blogging. I don’t. Blogging is an ongoing dialogue between me and other bloggers. It is a special interaction that takes place through reading, commenting and emails. It is an interaction that happens every day, an interaction that can only result in friendships.

I want to thank all of you who choose to spend some time with me each week. Some of you have never met me, some are just rediscovering me, and some of you know me well. I value every interaction with all of you. Your words when poured onto the computer screen come to life in my mind until suddenly I can see you and I know you. These words can exist in a personal message, email, social network, or blog. Their location does not diminish their power.

Countdown

10 days, 6 hours until I wake up before dawn and place my children in a car for a twelve hour car ride to Opa and Nana’s house.

11 days, 5 hours before Jeff and I check into a San Francisco hotel without our kids.

11 days, 15 hours until I hear the sweet sound of a jet plane leaving the runway bound for Cancun with me and my sweetie on board.

12 days, 3 hours before I put on a bikini and make myself comfortable beside the pool at this resort.

My mind is already there. The anticipation of relaxing alone with my husband swims through my every thought. I dream of a sailing a catamaran on a beautiful ocean to the Mayan ruins at Tulum. I can feel the sand of Akumal beach between my toes. I know what I am going to order from the swim up bar at our resort. I am already there.

In so many ways I am prepared. I decided to keep both the bikinis. I’ve managed to lose five of the eight pounds that have been haunting me since the birth of my second child. Yesterday I wore a pair of Ann Taylor cashmere slacks that have been shoved in the “size two, never going to wear those again” section of my closet for too many years. All my efforts are paying off. I am ready for the beach.

What I am not ready for is leaving my children.

A couple months ago I sought advice on a message board. “How do I prepare my children for spending a week without us?” One woman told me to get them excited about what they are going to do while we are gone and not mention where we are going. This shift in focus made a huge difference in our preparations. My children are only aware that starting in ten days they are going to spend a couple of days with each of their grandparents (3 sets in all). My girls, who LOVE sleepovers, are so excited for their vacation to California.

But I am not ready to leave my children.

Jeff and I have written our will. We have decided who will care for our children in case something happens to us. Unfortunately this document is only valid if notarized. It is such a simple task, but it remains undone. I wonder if I am shirking this responsibility because the thought of having a will makes me feel old. I wonder when I turned into a responsible adult. Probably around the same time I turned into a mom, 4 years, 73 days, 4 hours and 35 minutes ago.

Weekly Winners: Old and New

Walking an old dog

Learning new tricks

Drinking from Mommy's old cup

The old farm across the street

New bloom

Weekly Winners is the brain child of Lotus at Sarcastic Mom.

Suck On What?

The Mommy Kelly wrote a post yesterday that sparked my memory.

I tried to breastfeed both my children. It didn't work. I know most woman have difficulty nursing in the beginning. My problems were a little more complex then that.

Belle was born on Monday, January 26th at 10:25 am. Her first outing was Tuesday evening. A friend of mine was hosting a Party Lite candle party and I wanted to go. My sister-in-law, Amy and I bundled up Belle and got in the car. Belle began crying so much that soon I had to pull over and let Amy drive so I could sit in the back seat with Belle.

I was able to calm Belle down by putting the crook of my pinky in her mouth. In the process I noticed that her mouth seemed a little dry and there were no tears on her cheeks. I had been nursing Belle for twenty to forty minutes every three hours, so although she seemed dehydrated, I didn't think it was possible.

The next morning was Belle's first pediatricians appointment. After I met the doctor I told her the story from the night before and we talked about the breast feeding schedule. The doctor did a quick examination of Belle and then opened a cupboard and pulled out a 2 ounce bottle of formula. Without a word the doctor proceeded to feed my child. Belle finished the bottle in record time even though I had just nursed her a hour ago.

We went on to find out that my body was not producing any milk. We used formula to keep Belle alive and nursed to try to get my milk to come in. I rented a hospital grade breast pump to try to simulate milk production. A thirty minute session of pumping yielded less then 1/2 an ounce of "milk". After 2 weeks we gave up and gave in to full time formula feeding.

Seventeen months later Ariel was born. I was determined to breast feed her, but aware that I could run into the same problems. The breast feeding seemed to be going well. At three days old Ariel didn't appear to be dehydrated but still I followed a 40 minute breast feeding session with a bottle of formula, just to see if she was still hungry. She greedily ate the entire bottle.

I once again tried everything I could to get my milk to come in; pumping, beer, hot compresses and even prescription medication. Nothing worked.

My children's exposure to breast feeding is very limited.

Recently my friend Jill breast fed her daughter while she was babysitting my girls. Jill covered herself up during the feeding, but my girls were still enthralled. They asked a lot of uncomfortable questions. Poor Jill, did her best to answer them.

Last week Belle was playing mommy with her baby doll. She asked me to babysit her doll while she went to work. As she handed her doll to me she said, "And Mommy, if she gets hungry, just let her suck on your belly."

I was trying so hard not to laugh that I missed the prefect opportunity to explain breast feeding to my daughter. I need to remedy this, otherwise the birds and the bees talk in 5 years is going to be very uncomfortable.

I Love Google

Google has been working there employees to the bone! Did you see all the improvements and new content they released today? This is what I have found so far:

• "I feel lucky" button for my calender. Tonight I have a date with Johnny Depp. (Sorry Jeff, I am going to have to cancel our plans for tonight. Johnny takes precedence. I hope you understand)
  
• Pre-dating options for Gmail. Now I can go back and un-miss my friends birthday.
  
• The announcement of Gblogs that will have an "I feel lucky button" for whole blog posts. That should be interesting.
• A fool proof wake-up kit.
• Google Maps allows you to add your own locations that will be visible to all users. I added "Under the Bridge" it's one of my favorite places on my mid-day run.
  
• Google Book Search with Scratch and Sniff capabilities.
• The "New Airplane" maker in Google Docs. This was either created by a very smart working mom or a very bored engineer. Click on "file" and open a new airplane.

I'm sure I am just scratching the surface. What new features have you found in your Google Apps?

Have a fun April Fools day!