The Launch of Iron Dreams

In an effort to keep the family blog focused on family events I have launched a new blog website to chronicle my journey to the Longhorn Ironman 70.3 in Austin this October and potentially the Florida Ironman next November.

www.annesirondream.blogspot.com

Check it out if you are interested! My race results from last weekend's Sprint Triathlon are posted on the new blog.

Want to know what is so funny about this whole thing? ...

In February I was feeling unfit as I was not back in my pre-Tyler jeans and my photography hobby was getting expensive, so I decided to jump start my fitness program by using a personal trainer that was available through my work. I figured that I would put photography on the back burner and focus on something that was less expensive. Working out is almost free, right?

I worked with Lisa for about 6 weeks and then started working out on my own. In April I did the MS-150 and at the expo I came across a flyer for the Longhorn Ironman 70.3 in Austin in October. Pretty much right then and there I decided I was going to do it.

So, I looked up training programs online and got to work. Well, new running shoes, running socks, heart rate monitor, running clothes, running belt, Hammer Nutrition products, 2 sets of swim goggles, latex swim cap, swim fins, Nike+ iPod, new bike (with Tri upgrades), fluid trainer (to ride my bike in front of the TV), triathlon books, a gym membership, and 3 months later I am well on my way to getting tri fit.

So much for my new hobby being less expensive! I am not going to scare myself by totaling the cost of the equipment listed above. Did I mention that the registration fees for these races run around $75 for the shorter races, $225 for the half Ironman and $500 for the full Ironman -- plus travel?!

The good news? I am back in my pre-Tyler jeans! The bad news? I still have an expensive camera habit / hobby and I have added another expensive hobby to the list!

It is a good thing that I have a supportive husband!

Goodnight Sweet Major (August 8, 2002 - July 5, 2008)

It is with great sadness (and perhaps a touch of relief) that I share with you all that Major has been laid to rest. His quick decline in the last 3 days was quite shocking considering how much he had lived through, but I guess his body just got to its breaking point. The relief stems mostly from knowing that he is no longer in pain.

He stopped walking and standing on Thursday and Doug and I decided that it was time. If his quality of life had been marginal before it was non-existent now and to top it off he just looked miserable. I could imagine that when he slept he dreamt of the long runs we used to take, our trips to the lake and catching Frisbees.

I always thought that Major was a beautiful dog that got dealt a bad hand (for those of you who do not know he nearly died one week after we adopted him from the SPCA), but he always managed to pull through which earned him the nick name Major Miracle. He managed to live long past his life expectancy for an animal with his disease -- and he kept his Labrador "I'm Happy" spunk nearly to the end. Even on his last day here with us his tail still had a slight 'thump, thump, thump', which was his trademark, and he gave everyone kisses.

The boys said goodbye and Andrew told him that he loved him and thanked him for being a good dog. He also told him to be a good boy for Zeke and Shelby. That alone was enough to make me tear up.

Good night sweet Major (aka Champ) - I hope that you are on a long run somewhere right now, chasing cats and retrieving balls back in your 100 pound body. Say hello to your sisters and know that we miss you more than you could ever know.

This is how I choose to remember Major:

Retail Me Not

I am not sure how many faithful readers I have left these days, but of the couple I know of, I thought that you all would appreciate this website, Retail Me Not:

Visit Retail Me Not

I have been able to find coupon codes on this site for nearly ALL of my recent online purchases, which has saved me quite a bit of $$. Check it out!

Running in High Heels

I get it now. I don't agree with it per se, but I get it. The ever cliched "Mom" clothes.

I finally understand that moms that dress in "Mom" clothes are not doing so because they want to be frumpy or because it is just 'easier', it is because (in my opinion) that they don't want to run in high heels, show of their underwear when they bend over to pick up their toddlers, or ruin their favorite shirt with sticky fingers.

I don't *think* that I dress in "Mom" clothes ... and certainly today at work in my khaki suit and brown Enzo sandals with killer heels I wasn't wearing the mom wardrobe. Well, the sandals may have made the outfit, but they almost killed me at 6:06 p.m. when I looked at my watch as I was still sitting at my desk with my computer still on and my bags still in the cabinet. Did I mention that I have to pick the boys up by 6:15 p.m. ... and it takes me several minutes to walk to my car and their daycare is 2 miles from my office? Do the math, it was not looking good.

The good news, I set my watch fast (4 minutes ahead of the time announced by the radio). The bad news, I set my watch to the daycare clock, or at least I did several weeks ago when I almost got in trouble for being late. My clock showed I was on time and their clock showed that I was late, so I set my watch to their clock and I was off the hook. However, I noticed just this week when I was signing the boys in that my watch was faster than their clock, but I couldn't remember by how much.

So, what did I do? I RAN in my heels with 20 pounds of computer, workout clothes, purse and other stuff from my office to my car, up three flights of stairs and up a sloped garage drive and then drove my butt off and got to daycare at 6:17 by my watch(which was probably a world record. I am sure that my blood pressure went through the roof in my attempt to get to school on time. As I was parking my car I noticed quite a few people inside still. Good sign. I walked in (door was not locked, another good sign) and acted like I was not even remotely late and I glanced at the clock as I punched in the code to go to the classrooms to pick up the boys. 6:15. Score. If I wasn't try to act so smooth I would have done a happy dance right there in my heels!

So, have I learned my lesson? Yes and no. I will definitely be more diligent
about checking my watch but I am not giving up my high heels. Heels make me stand up straight, make me look taller and feel skinnier - they are a Yoga class and Prozac rolled in one that you wear on your feet.

Self Fulfilling Prophecy

I was chatting with Allie on Friday and giving her an update on the boys, among other things. She asked how the boys were doing because Tyler had a fever earlier in the week and was still acting a bit off and Andrew caught whatever Tyler had and developed a fever Thursday morning. Well, in the course of that conversation, I said something to the effect of, well at least they aren't vomiting. I should have kept my mouth shut!

***Warning, this post talks about throw up***

Friday night, still under the weather from his fever, Andrew threw up in his bed in the middle of the night. He started crying and calling out so I went straight upstairs and I am still shocked that I did not freak out because his face was covered with red smeared vomit that from far away looked like blood. It was the strawberries from his strawberry short cake -- yummy.

Doug heard what was going on and came up to help. We came up with a plan of action -Andrew ended up sleeping in our room on his inflatable Thomas air bed (the bed we took to Italy with us) surrounded by towels with a bucket next to him. Good thing we had the bucket because Andrew eneded up having to use it several times -- but I was so proud of him because he got everything in the bucket. Andrew was feeling better by lunch on Saturday (no fever, no vomiting) and I thought we were in the clear. Then, right before bed Tyler threw up all over me! Thankfully, it was a one time occurrence.

I am happy to report that everyone is happy and healthy today. I pinpointed the vomiting episode to the strawberries and/or blueberries we bought on Friday. Tyler didn't have any on Friday and he was fine, but he had them for a snack on Saturday and clearly he had the same reaction as Andrew did. Needless to say, we won't be having any more of those.

I hope everyone else had a throw-up free weekend!

Surgery was a success!

Just wanted to give everyone a quick update on Tyler's surgery. He was a total champ -- very laid back and cooperative with the nurses and doctors. The staff at Memorial Hermann was phenomenal. The pre-registration process was fast and they called us back almost immediately to prep Tyler for surgery. The room was ready for Tyler with a baby hospital gown, teddy bear and the flat screen TV on the Disney Channel. Everyone was very nice and reassuring.

We were only separated from Tyler for about 25 minutes for the surgery and initial recovery. He woke up with the nurses and did not cry even though he did not recognize anyone. All of the nurses and doctors commented on what a cutie he is and how happy and cooperative he was. For about 30 minutes after his surgery he laid on my chest and finally fell asleep -- clearly the anesthesia was still working because he never cuddles like that anymore. I so enjoyed our cuddle time!

Time will tell whether the tubes keep the ear infections at bay and help with the pressure in his ears. We are just thankful to have the surgery behind us!

Happy Father's Day!

I am so lucky to not only have an amazing and wonderful husband, but to also have a partner who is a hands-on incredible father. Being a parent is the most rewarding experience in the world and to be able to share it with someone whom I love and respect is such a gift.

Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's out there ... and to the Dad's to be too!

Reminder - click on photos to enlarge. Enjoy!





Lest you think that my boys were angels when posing for these photos - here is a large version of the outtakes that are highlighted in the previous collage.

Guess who Andrew's favorite is? ...

Me, me, me, me, me!!!

I know that there is something inherently wrong about asking a child to pick favorites, but we play this game with Andrew anyway (I know, I know ...) and he usually will pick one of us and then add, "and Mommy or Daddy (the one who was not originally picked as the favorite) and Tyler, etc"

He is such a politician ... that is, until tonight! Tonight, Doug asked Andrew who is favorite was and he picked me and no matter what Doug did to try and disuade him (and he tried!), he replied, "Mommy!" He he he!

Andrew's Class Performance

Andrew's school had their graduation ceremony yesterday for the children that are moving to Kindergarten this fall. Andrew's class did a performance at their graduation ceremony and I was so proud of my big guy -- a vast improvement over his Christmas performance where he didn't sing at all! The children in the very front are actually wearing caps and gowns! The scary part -- that will be Andrew NEXT year!

Doug's Dragonfly

Doug got this great photo of a dragonfly that was perched on his antenna with our new little point and shoot camera. Isn't he talented? :)