Athletic injuries, present and future

It seems I overdid it a few days ago when I went running for an hour. My knee... definitely something going on there. So I'm downgrading to power walking until things get back to normal, and I am considering getting a bike. I don't exactly feel old, but I feel like I am not a teenager anymore. 33 year old knees... definitely not the same as 16 year old knees. Throw in some back pain and all the other body stress from bending and lifting all day long, and there is a noticeable need for a sports massage and a day of yoga. In an effort to save my joints, I have put "look for a new bike" on today's to-do list.

Interesting news of the day

I have just received word that we may be getting a puppy for Nico. Details will be relayed as this saga unfolds...

Activities of the day: drinking champagne while watching Mom, Hubby and Opa put up the Christmas lights (I'm not lazy, I was holding Olivia); designing invitations for Nico's birthday party; nice family dinner; extensive afternoon nap time; guarding the babies while Frank is out for a drink. More champagne, and Sex and the City on demand. Right after Chappelle is over.

Nothing like a good shower

This evening I attended a very lovely baby shower for my dear friend Lauren. As an added bonus, I also got to hang out with my other dear friend, Jackie. The three of us worked together for more than five years, and even though we still get together with each other, and sometimes with the rest of our old work crew, I feel like we just don't get to see enough of each other now that we're all doing our own thing. I guess spending eight or more hours with people five days a week gives you the kind of attachment that doesn't fade away. But that's a good thing. There were also two gals there who used to work for one of our clients, and who I'd never before met in person. They've both moved on to other jobs as well, but it was amusing to sit and chat with them and finally put faces to their names.

It was great to see Lauren today, opening all her gifts, getting ready to become a mommy. She's going to make a great parent, and hopefully she will allow me to babysit. I can't wait to meet her daughter. Yes, it's a girl. Score one more for our team, ladies. One who will be dressed in some super snappy baby clothing, I might add.

I like pie

Tonight I brought back the old fashioned art of the homemade pie crust. Pastry at its best, I tell you. Now that I'm back in the crust swing, I can't wait to make something other than pumpkin pie. I'm patting myself on the back right now for adding a touch of cinnamon to the dough. Num!

Today we had a little family outing for last minute this-and-that. Whipping cream -- oh, yes, I am home-making the whip for my pie -- and flowers for my very festive centerpiece, along with some "Yo Gabba Gabba!" long sleeves and hoodies for the kids to wear at Nico's upcoming birthday party. I also threw the usual necessities into the heap... diapers, wipes, powder... I highly recommend the Johnson's variety with the yellow top. Frank's mom sent some home with him when he visited his family last year, and I have to say it's the best. Love that zinc oxide, boy.

Here is the amazing Olivia taking her first sitting-up ride in the stroller. She is becoming a real daddy's girl. Tonight Frank was mad at me because I was being a jerk to him (the nerve!), and Olivia totally took his side. I was trying to feed her and she kept giving me this furrowed brow look, like, "Oh Mommy, you are SO mean... I'm mad at you, too... arrrgh." But anyway, the stroller. She was so excited, it was difficult to get her to sit still long enough to snap a photo. But there she was, looking all around, playing with her puppy rattle, eating Cheerios the whole time. And loving it.

Giggles

Nico has recently learned that farting is funny. For some reason, he was dropping the stinkiest bombs tonight. I suspect it had much to do with the Vietnamese dinner we ate, but I could be wrong. Maybe it's just because he's my kid, but as downright foul as he smelled when I was tucking him in, it was still cute as hell.

Other cute Nico thing -- he loves going out to restaurants. And we think he's a vegetarian, based on how much he loves brown rice, veggies and tofu, and how little meat he is willing to ingest.

Liz, I know how you love posts about kid farts, so there you go. :D

Oh wait, I forgot... did I tell you Nico finally started calling me Mommy? I'm super excited about this. We were out at the food store and every time I would zip away (don't worry, Hubby was there with him) to get something in another aisle, he would shout, "Mommyyyy!" as soon as he recognized me walking back toward him. It probably helped that I made a big fuss over him, too, in return. I officially no longer feel like we are "that little boy walking with that girl who may or may not be his mother." We are Nico and Mommy, damn it, so get it straight fellow shoppers. Nico and Mommy.

New motivation

Once again, I was asked when my baby is due. That's the third time in the past few weeks. Honestly, I'm not even fat! It's just that one area. The lingering tummy of chub. Curse anyone whose belly immediately flattens out after carrying two big babies. But even that's not much to fall back on at this point. It would sound kind of lame if I were going around trying to explain that there had been almost 17 pounds worth of babies resting in that area in the past two years, stretching the crap out of the skin, and leaving behind enough excess fat to get myself a Brazilian butt lift. If you saw how big my belly got, and you knew I grew some hearty babies, then you might stop and think a moment before asking about my third, nonexistent child. I can't fault people for asking, considering I do have a tummy. The only thing that really hurts is my pride. Perhaps I could persuade them to ask me something else, like where I got my shirt, or who cuts my hair.

With Hubby's break from work comes the fantastic opportunity for me to take my runs during daylight hours. The kids are both down for naps, so off I go. I'm changing into my yoga pants, putting on my running shoes, and hitting the pavement as we speak. Fat, be gone!

I realize this is a recurring post... I'll let this be the final one. From now on, I'll simply update you on how quickly the fat is just melting off. *sigh*