Going the Distance: Brooklyn Half Marathon

Before

After

I started this post weeks ago and haven't gotten around to finishing it.  I'm going to just post it as-is! I find this can be therapeutic for my perfectionist tendencies. 

I LOVE the Brooklyn Half Marathon!!!  (If Isabella heard that she'd say I'd have to kiss it and then marry it...oh, five year olds!)  A year and a half ago I would have never-ever thought I would have run 3 half marathons by now...maybe one...but three?!?!  That's just plain crazy.

Last year a friend asked if I wanted to buy her Brooklyn Half Marathon spot because she had just found out she was pregnant and didn't want to run 13.1 miles at that point.  I was excited to sign up for such a big race, but I didn't prepare well enough.  Simon was only 5 months old and I was still struggling with juggling 3 kids (okay, I'm still struggling now, but it is much easier :0)), so finding the time and energy to train for a half marathon just didn't happen.  I had only ever run as far as 9 miles and that was a while before I had Simon.  Needless to say the Brooklyn Half, last year, kicked-my-butt!  My calves felt like stones by mile 9 and the cramping was as painful as contractions.  I was still proud of myself for doing it.  But this year I was determined to be prepared.

I was only planning on doing the Fitness Women's Half Marathon this year, but Erica asked me to do the Brooklyn Half with her and I just couldn't say no.  And I'm so glad I did it.  As much as I love Central Park, it gets a bit dull once you've run the same loop a gazillion times.  And, that's what the Women's Half was: two times around Central Park.

But the Brooklyn Half...it felt quite a bit more exciting.  They changed the course up (just a little bit) since last year.  And they almost tripled the number of runners, so it was crazy packed full of people.  And it felt much more organized compared to last year.  A run through Prospect Park and then straight on to Coney Island.

Brian surprised me by coming to Coney Island with the kids.  It's a long subway ride from the UWS (about an hour...longer often on weekends, when train schedules are sporadic).  It was so fun to run in the water with the kids for a little while.  On the way home we hopped off the train in Chinatown to search for some amazing noodles.  We found some.  Hidden deep--off of Bowery.  I wish I could remember the place, because I often crave that cheap, hand pulled, umami goodness.  (I should have taken a photo!)  Brian, I see another trip to Chinatown in our near future!

A week via my iphone

I love my morning runs in Central Park. 

Monkeys

Women's 10K race with Erica

Water balloon fight at the church picnic

Riding a pedicab around the UWS.
Thanks Lauren & Lena for Oliver's very fun bday gift!

She soaked me!  From the waist down.  I got her back!
Luckily she can usually take it as well as she can dish it out.

This was Simon's first time walking freely into the sprinklers

A beautiful blond boy blowing bubbles in a black and blue bathing suit.

Central Park early in the morning.  Perfect! 

An early morning walk with my sweet girl.
We silently watched the turtles climb on land and get food close to our feet.

Oliver: 3 years!

My sweet, amazing boy turned 3 years old on Monday!  I wish I could jot down everything about him, as a way of capturing him at this moment in his life, but I just don't know where to begin.  He is, simply, amazing.  I wonder if each year I will continue to remember his dramatic birth and thank my lucky stars that this little guy is all mine.

His laughter is the greatest thing!  He laughs easily and it is incredibly contagious.  When he laughs other kids gaze from their strollers at him, or stop their playing just to look at him.  And they always smile, just watching him laugh. 

Oliver is very generous (for a 3 year old).  Often if Isabella or Simon are sad about something he will try to figure out a way he can help.  If Oliver has a snack he will give some to others without being asked.

Oliver loves to cook.  He's a happy boy to be standing on a chair beside me in the kitchen making something yummy to eat.

Lately he has been saying some funny things and in really exaggerated tones (I need to be better about writing them down).  If he is mildly disappointed he will say, "ahhhh!"  The tone is almost a "that's cute" sort of sound (not frustrated) and makes me smile every time.  He energetically says, "Thanks!" all the time, and "please" without being prompted.  He's very good at begging, when it is completely unnecessary, "Mom, please, please, please read me a book!" with hands clasped tight and eyes all puppy-dog-ish.  "please, please, please can I eat an apple".  Of course I say, "yes" and he gives me a huge hug like I'm the greatest person ever.  It's pretty adorable.  

Recently he has started saying, "I have a question..." (and asks a really good question).  Or he'll scratch his head with his index finger, get a perplexed look on his face and say, "I thinking."  His speech is still very staccato, and difficult for many to understand, but he's making a lot of progress. It is rare when I don't know what he's talking about (and he is sharing some pretty complex ideas now).  Brian has been working on some speech therapy with him, and my favorite times are when Brian says, "Say computer."  Oliver will respond, "I dan't say computer!" He will do it over and over again, silly boy.

Also, no matter what I say, his response is always, "Why?" If I turn it around and ask him "why" back he will always sweetly respond, "I don know."

He likes to say "no" just like any kid, but lately he says it in a very deep and slow voice every time.  "Oliver, do you want some more water?"  "nooo."  

"Oopsy-Daisy" is another frequent exclamation.

He knows his letters and numbers really well.  He loves the iPad more than anything and watching movies, aka "mooo-vies".  Second best to movies is reading books.

He loves being at home, playing with trains, rocket ships, and airplanes.  He loves playing with his family more than anything.  Even though he's adjusted to Isabella being at school I think he still misses her.  They play together really well most of the time.  When we pick her up from school he gives her a huge hug and doesn't let go.  She laughs and loves his adoration.

He is still a very passionate boy (I don't think it is just a phase).  When he is sad, he is very, very sad.  When he is happy, he is very, very happy.  The world laughs, and cries with Oliver.  He laughs loud and he cries very loud.  I do what I can, within reason, to encourage the laughter.  :0)

We are in the midst of potty training.  And the best tactic that works for us right now is pure reverse psychology.  In other words, we make it a game.  I'll smile and say in a serious voice, "You sit on that potty, but whatever you do don't pee."  He then thinks it is hilarious and will actually sit down and pee. 

Oliver loves games.  He loves to play UNO, red light-green light, and tag.  And, especially, hide-and-seek.

His imagination is amazing.  He's always in space or flying on a rocket ship.  I love hearing all the amazing stuff that his mind is thinking--he's got a lot going on in there.

When he points to something he uses his whole hand, palm up.  It is very formal.  And adorable.

Oliver we love and adore you!!!  We are so glad you are part of our family because you are so much joy.

Isabella made this crown and he loved wearing it on his birthday...but only on his birthday. 

If you ask him how old he is he will respond, "Three...No, I five!"

Oliver...looking back!

two months old

1 year

2 years

Today is going to be a good day

It's only a quarter after 7:00am and I know it's going to be a good day.

Getting ready to celebrate my big boy's big 3rd birthday.  Crazy!

Tagged and ready to run 10K with Erica!

Newport, Rhode Island

While we were at the Carini's home in CT Brian's aunt informed us she had a timeshare in Newport that she was going to use only for a few days. And offered the rest of the week to us, if we wanted. We jumped with joy, booked a rental car and headed east. Well, I should say, the kids and I did. Brian had to go back to New York to earn money so his wife and kids can take spontaneous vacations. ;)

The photos are of our day today. It rained in the morning and threatened to more the rest of the day.

--The sunrise on the harbor from our living room.
--Save the Bay Aquarium (a small educational space with touch tanks)
--cute kids by the beach
--Oliver rolling in the sand 2 seconds (literally) after I said,"don't get dirty; we are about to get back in the car!"
--Simon making sure we know he is 18 months old, by throwing tantrums every few minutes.
--playground play
--proving that I am actually in Newport too.

Not pictured:
--scenic ocean drive when I attempted to get 1-3 children to sleep. I was 100% unsuccessful.
--swimming in the resort pool. 3:1 ratio is not recommended when going to a pool.
--the hunt for ice cream. I made the mistake of promising an ice cream cone after an early dinner. And not realizing all ice cream vendors near enough to walk to were closed by 5pm. And then settled on an overpriced, lousy piece of cheesecake.

Last Day in Newport

Our last day in Newport was beyond perfect. We went to Sweet Berry Farm, Green Animals Topiary Garden, and the played at the beach until way past dinner time.

Newport: Flo's Clam Shack

Right Now: Newport, RI

Living Outside

We are enjoying the long weekend at Brian's parents' house in Connecticut. It's been lovely and relaxing. I'm longing for a backyard, so my kids can play, roam, get wet and dirty every.single.day. It feels like the perfect way to grow up. It feels gleeful and magical. It feels like what childhood should be.

Right Now: Drenched

Yesterday when I checked the forecast it said sunny skies all day today. I had to run an errand 2 (short) blocks away. No rain when I left the house, so I didn't take an umbrella. Half way there and it started pouring.  I was drenched within seconds.

Oh NYC, I love you! Thanks for keeping me on my toes.

Right Now: Trucks

Oliver insisted we stop and watch the cement trucks. It was quite fascinating as they poured cement into a pipe that led into a building. It was a fun teaching moment. It was fun and quite serious (note Oliver's expression) at the same time.

"I" for Isabella

Isabella's art is currently on display at a gallery inside Columbia University's Teachers College.  The student teacher (Ms. Wall) in her art class picked a couple of pieces of art to go to the art show and her's was chosen. It is a paper mache "I"...for Isabella.  Ms. Coleman (her actual art teacher) said that Isabella had a done a great job with painting a pattern, one of the techniques they were working on at the time.  And, it's true, I was amazed at the very consistent pattern on the entire, rather large, "I".

We were able to go and enjoy the reception, celebrating the artists and their teachers, last Friday.  The event wasn't something we discussed with other friends from school since only a few kids were selected.  But we were pleasantly surprised that one of Isabella's favorite friends from her class was also there; with her letter "A".

After much prodding we were able to finally get Isabella to stand next to her "I" with her brothers (who didn't want to stand still, of course).  And then later, with her friend.  And a little later she was willing to pose with me and her "I".  Never by herself.

Once these girls warmed up to the crazy crowded reception, and the attention they were getting for their job-well-done, they were adorable and hilarious.  It was fun that they were able to share this moment together.

Isabella, I'm sure, will continue to amaze us as she has these last five (and a half!) years.  I'm glad we can share these creative celebrations with her.  But I love the daily moments I get to have with her where she is constantly creating, sharing and amazing me.

Right Now: Central Park

I'm finding my zen as my kids run free in my new (to me) favorite lawn in Central Park. Breathing deep. (It's just south of the Swedish Cottage, if you are curious.)

Bringing in the Wash

This morning I was grumbling.  Grumbling because the clothes dryers in our building still have not been fixed.  Grumbling because laundry had to be done today.  Grumbling because Isabella has been sick and was completely out of all clean clothes.  Grumbling because I had to take all our clothes, with three kids (one slightly sick) to the laundromat two blocks away.  And, to top it off, it was raining.  (grumble, grumble)  Well, it was barely sprinkling, but, to me, it felt like a downpour.

Our trip to the laundromat looked something like this: Isabella skipping (obviously feeling better), me dragging Oliver who was crying because he wanted to sit in the stroller, Simon strapped on my back and the laundry piled high into the stroller.  At the time I was ready to cry.  But, in hindsight, I really should have stopped and taken a picture of us all walking down the street.  It was pretty amazing.  (A mama with 3 kids turns heads on the UWS.   A mama with 3 kids and pushing laundry down the street.  You would have thought I was an alien!)

But, you know what?!  We got to the laundromat and my kids had a blast!  They loved helping me with the laundry.  They loved pushing each other all around in the carts.  They loved dumping the soap in, adding money to the card, pushing the buttons.  Most of all they loved the attendant, Elizabeth, who played with them the entire time.  The kids were so happy to be at that grimy, dirty little basement laundromat.  I couldn't help but smile.  I felt so happy too.  I was so glad that I had dragged them all out, in the rain, to do laundry.  It was exactly what we needed today.  Crazy, but true.

While I was wallowing in my egocentric pity-party this morning I remembered this TED Talk.  And I was grateful that I have a washing machine (or at least access to washing machines).  I am grateful my laundry is done in 2 hours with push of a button (and several quarters).  Even if I do have to haul it two blocks.  It's so much easier than washing it all by hand.  How fortunate I am!

Last week this was our living room.  I had washed two loads before I noticed the dryers weren't working.  I was longing for a backyard, with a clothesline.

Today

Isabella told me she hopes the dryers don't get fixed for a few more weeks.  I completely understand.

Brooklyn Botanical Gardens

Last Saturday we hummed and hawed over what to do.  It was beautiful outside but we were exhausted from our awesome food tour the day before.  With Brian's encouragement I hesitantly agreed to go all the way to Brooklyn to the Botanical Gardens.  I was worried it was too far and I was too exhausted already to make it a good day.  But, as usual, Brian was right.  Hiking out to Brooklyn was the most glorious thing we could have done that day.  We went slow and took it easy, which is exactly the best way to enjoy the Gardens.  It was a perfect day.

My favorite part was watching the kids play as the cherry blossoms were "snowing" in the breeze.  Simply glorious!

Did you know that if you arrive before 12 noon on Saturdays it is free?  How awesome is that?!

smelling

watching

reading
(he's very advanced)

laughing

relaxing

more relaxing

playing