here's to happiness

I follow this blog, Rockstar Diaries.  Periodically Naomi does these happiness posts that I love, so this time I decided to take part in the happiness.  

So here's 10 things making me terribly happy this week.

1. my freshly painted nails 
2. colorful & clean cloth diapers littering Ezra's floor
3. Cambria's use of the phrase "what the heck" 
4. friendly greetings from strangers while running on the trail
5. Ezra's adorable laughter
6. coke {this makes me feel embarrassed and guilty but most importantly, happy}
7. afternoon visits from my mom
8. the prospect of cooler weather in the near future 
9. my lovely sisters  
10. kisses from every member of my family

So now all you blogging girls have to make happy lists and share.  C'mon, it'll be fun!

Baby Mohawks were making me terrible happy this time last year. I can't believe how much she's GROWN.

A family run

This weekend Kyle and I ran the Heart of Savannah 5k for the 2nd year in a row.  And this year Cambria ran the 1/4 mile kiddie run with Grandma.  She was hesitant at first and only wanted my mom to "hold ya" but when the race started she took off!  My mom didn't realize the race was as long as it was so her and Cambria started off sprinting {well, Cambria's sprinting :)} As tired as she was, she ran almost the entire distance.  But when she saw Kyle waiting at the finish line she started crying and reaching out for him.  She received a ribbon at the end of the race and I think that made it all better.  We were so proud of her, and I think she had a good time as well.  

She gave me a smile even though she was sorta terrified and out of her element.

Can you find Cam??

There's a genuine smile! She thought that Chick-fil-A cow in the corner was hilarious.

Ezra chilled like this most of the time.

Cambria almost to the finish line, reaching out for Kyle.

Kyle ended up beating his time from last year by two minutes and he reached his goal of running it in under 30 minutes. I improved my time by about 20 seconds, 25:07 (and 4 months pregnant) to 24:50ish this year.  It's such a beautiful run around Forsyth Park and then five or six squares downtown.  Lots to look at!

The best shot my mom got of me.  That girl and I raced to the finish....we came in at the exact same time. I was NOT going to let her pass me. haha

Kyle coming into the finish.  His dad is the guy two people back in the white shirt. Go Kyle for beating your dad! ;)

I was so proud of him.

The family.

7 months

I forgot to tell you guys....Ezra turned 7 months on Friday.  

We took family pictures that day, so it was a little hectic and I didn't have a second to blog about my sweet baby boy.

Important accomplishments this past month: he started eating, he grew 3 teffers, he got his first shot since being born, he continued waking up all through the night (grrrrr), and he became semi-mobile.

I know I say it every month, but me and that boy have something special going on. 

He is soooooo unbelievably attached to me + his food source ;)

Sometimes I don't like it (3 a.m. for example), but most times I loooooove it. 

I think it's how it ought to be.
Enjoy some of these recent pictures of his cute self. 

angry, drooly, nakey Ezzy

sleepin poots

We both love my Maya Wrap...I think he would stay in it all day long if he could.

tickles

love his smile in this one

my son <3

An update on all things marathon training

new kicks, Brooks Defyance 4

Have YOU donated to TEAM FREEMAN yet? 

If you forgot what it's all about, here's a link to my original blog post.

We've already had a few sponsors, but aren't near our $200 each yet.

Just follow this link, scroll down to the bottom of the page, and fill out all necessary info.

Please consider donating to this cause. It's a good one.

$1, $5, $10....any and everything helps.

Please and thank you!

Now an update on my training.  After my 10 mile run at the end of week 9 of my training (two Saturdays ago) I developed a pain in my hip/leg.  It worsened as the days went on and on Tuesday, when I tried running again, I didn't get 50 yards before turning around. It was just too painful.  I quickly made an appointment with my chiropractor who is also a certified Chiropractic Sports Physician.  Since then, I've been seeing him regularly and we've developed a training plan of sorts that is working to strengthen the weak muscles/tendons in my hip and IT band.  I'm doing lots and lots of stretching, new strengthening exercises (leg lifts, pelvic tilts, lunges) and icing my hip area after activity. 

Since my injury, I've run 3 miles, 5, and then 4 today.  Each run I've felt better and stronger, but with a little soreness, which is to be expected.  I've definitely fallen way back on my training and I'm taking it very slow easing back into it all.  My chiropractor said that you lose 30% of your conditioning in 2 weeks...scary.  I'm hoping this was just a slight bump in the road and that I continue to improve.  I still have two 12 milers, 14 miles, 18 miles, and a 20 MILER.  I'm taking it one run at a time and trying not to think too far ahead.  If everything doesn't go as planned, I've already decided to just downgrade to the half.  We'll see.

Here's a picture Kyle took of me before heading out for a run.  I never leave without my ipod, my Nike + sensor, my phone, a headband, TWO sports bras, and tight fitting clothing.  I don't like the loose shorts or cotton-t's...too much material for me. 

And after my long runs I HAVE to make a smoothie.  Below you can see some of my staple ingredients: frozen fruit, protein powder, Greek yogurt, soy or almond milk, wheat germ, flax seed, peanut butter, and oatmeal.  Everything filled with the fuel my body needs.  This blog has some amazing, hearty, and delicious smoothie recipes perfect for recovering after a long morning run.

So remember to sponsor Kyle and myself by donating to The Freeman Project.

It would be greatly appreciated by not only us, but by all those beauitful children in Afghanistan and Iraq, and other war-torn countries. 

Thanks again!!!!

I don't want to talk about it

Conversation from today outside of Fresh Market: 

(Cambria runs away from Kyle in the parking lot after telling her to stay put.)

After he catches her: 

Kyle: Cambria, I told you to stay by me and you ran away.  That was a bad decision and it made me sad. Cambria, what did you do wrong? 

Cambria: Run away. 

Kyle: Yes, I don't want you to do that again. 

(I walk around the car to where they are) 

Kyle: Cambria tell Mommy what you did wrong.  

Cambria: No, no, no talk about it. 

And then Kyle and I laugh hysterically because our two year old just told us she didn't want to talk about it.
Gosh I love her.

Food for the birds

Today we made bird feeders...

 First we covered a pine cone in peanut butter.

 Cambria got an idea...

 And turns out it was a good one.

 Then we rolled the peanut butter covered pine cone in bird seed.

 Ezra watched.  

Cambria continued to lick anything with peanut butter on it. 

 We rolled it until it was completely covered.

 Then Cambria tried to drink the peanut butter.

 I wrapped string around the top then tied it to a fabric braid I made using scraps.

 Then we hung it outside on our came-with-the-house-and-needs-some-love bird feeder.

So far, I haven't seen any birds...I guess we'll see. 

 Bird seed was all over the floor.

 So I used my AWESOME dustbuster. {thanks Katelyn and Chris :)} 

Seriously, it's the best thing for little ones who make big messes. 

 Meanwhile, Ezra found a fun new toy.

It was the cutest thing ever.

 

And then Cambria joined in on the fun and THAT was the cutest thing ever. 

Hope your day is a happy one! 

366 Project

Today was busy, busy. 

We woke up, ate breakfast, went to storytime at the library (it was awesome!), came home, ate lunch, went to storytime at The Ice Cream Stop, came home, took naps (well, Cambria did), woke up, went to the chiropractor, got dinner at Seasons of Japan, went to the Farmer's Market, played at the park, came home, got baths, went to bed. 

Whew, it was long, but I loved every minute of it.

Right now, nothing else could compare.

...now onto my {newly titled} 366 project...

A few days ago Kyle realized my 365 project is actually going to be a 366 project.  

2012 is a leap year. 

SO my 365 project is now my 366 project.  

And I'm posting all the pictures I've taken up until today and starting next week I will start posting them weekly.

Day 62- mowing, out the window

 Day 63- big girl underware

 Day 64- one of our family's favorite foods

 Day 65- 1st night in the big girl bed

 Day 66- Mr. Cutie

Day 67- banana pancakes 

 Day 68- avett brothers love

Day 69- baby shower invites

 Day 70- boys + FREE chair

 Day 71- pretending to sleep in a crib

 Day 72- pink sky at night

 Day 73- grilling pizzas, drinking wine, enjoying the evening

 Day 74- the worst chore

 Day 75- high-school kids a washin' my car

 Day 76- 3's taste yummy

 Day 77- flowers from the garden

 Day 78- watching Adele