Potty Training

Potty training sucks... unless you have a buddy!

Michael is 3 1/2 and he was fully potty trained with #1 by the time he was there.

Still working on #2.

Juliana is just now starting... and she has a partner to help her out.

Love these two people...

Chicago Marathon Training: Week 8

I was nervous about getting my long run in when we were in Indiana, but seeing that it was a "rest week" (9 miles), I was able to do it!

It felt great and I was proud of myself for getting it done!

This is what my week looked like!

9 miles... so relaxing, lol.

RIP Yia Yia ~ Merrillville, Indiana

Over the past 5 days my family and I paid tribute to my husband's Yia Yia, Clara.

We traveled, as a family of 4, to Merrillville, Indiana.

My husband was born there, but moved to Virginia at 3 months old.

Our trip to Indiana took us 11 1/2 hours to get there (11 hours to get home).

We left at 4:30 am and made 2 stops .

The kids and my husband did great.  

Only one meltdown occurred, when we were almost there - by a child, not my husband, hehe.

I, on the other hand, wanted to jump out of my skin.

I was tired, uncomfortable and in charge of entertaining two toddlers from the front seat.

It was exhausting to say the least.

The biggest hits were movies, stickers and cars for my son.

And snacks... lots of sugar free snacks.

Once we arrived though, the trip was wonderful.

Everyone traveled to show their respect, including many cousins.

The kids had a blast staying in the "nice room", as Michael would call it.

We had big family dinners, saw the hospital and house my husband began his life in, swam in the hotel pool and played outside.

My husband also took advantage of the mall that carried tons of Chicago "stuff"... lots of Bears gear was purchased and he was happy.

The viewing and funeral were beautiful and touching.

She had 6 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren and many of them were in attendance.

Family is so important.

Maxim's Family Restaurant 

Carolyn and Ryan's first home... my husband said he still remembers the smell.

My beautiful girl... so full of life

LOVE this picture... walking into the viewing

My ridiculously cute boy

Cousin love (Nic is the "coolest"!)

A little fun at the mall & in the pool

RIP Yia Yia

Mophie Juice Pack

I love my Mophie Juice Pack!

LOVE IT!

 

At first I was looking for something that would lengthen my battery life during races, but once I made the purchase, I realized I would use it all the time.

 

The case makes your phone a little bulky, so I simply keep it fully charged in my purse.

If I not near an outlet or in a long meeting where I am unable to charge my phone, I put the Mophie on and when my phone is about to die, I flip the switch and watch it charge.

Genius

It shouldn't come as a surprise that iPhone batteries suck, so this is a temporary fix that I'm ok with.

I will definitely get my money's worth.

 

It comes in  many different models and colors.

 

I chose the

mophie - Juice Pack Helium Charging Case for Apple® iPhone® 5 and 5s - Pink

 

It retails for $79.99 at Best Buy

Mophie - Juice Pack Helium @ Best Buy

 

 

Product Features

Fits Apple iPhone 5 and 5s

To keep your phone charged and ready for use.

Polycarbonate and ABS materials

Help guard your phone against damage. The soft-touch finish offers a secure grip.

Rechargeable 1500 mAh lithium-ion polymer battery

Provides up to 5 additional hours of talk time on 4G and LTE networks, up to 6 additional hours of talk time on 3G networks or up to 12 additional hours of talk time on 2G networks.

Also offers up to 30 additional hours of audio playback, up to 7 additional hours of video playback or 270 additional hours of standby time.

USB charging

With the included micro USB cable delivers a 1-amp charge for speedy battery replenishment without having to remove the case.

Acoustic sound enhancement

Features open ports at the bottom and front of the case to redirect sound for rich, full audio.

4-light LED status indicator

Helps keep you aware of remaining battery life.

Form-fitting, ultrathin design

Adds minimal bulk to maintain your phone's slim profile.

RIP Sweet Yia Yia!

My husband's grandma passed away yesterday morning.

She was 89 years old and lived a wonderful life.

She had 6 children and 12 great grandchildren!

While her passing is very sad, I can only dream of living a long life and seeing all the beautiful things she was able to see.

 

On Friday we are traveling to Indiana for her funeral.

I am beyond nervous to put two small children in a car for 12 hours.

We will make it work though.  I have received tons of ideas from my mommy friends.

I will post what worked... and what didn't.

 

This is Yia Yia at our wedding in 2010

This is a great picture of her and my son

 And another picture of her and two of her great grandsons

Grandmas loooooove their boys

RIP Clara





Juliana is 2!

I can't believe it's been 2 years since my little girl was born.

From the moment she was conceived, I was beyond ready to share my life with her.

She is fiesty, strong willed, cute as a button, funny and FULL OF LIFE!

I love her more than words can say and I will love her until my last breath.
She completes our family.

Here are a few pics from her party!
It was Calliou themed and we invited just close friends and family.
It was perfect.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And of course, her birthday wouldn't be complete without a visit to the NICU

 

 

 

And to complete the evening... Despicable Me 2 under the stars...

 

  

My heart is full.

 

 



Chicago Marathon Training: Week 7

I pushed myself a little harder this week.

I added two 4 mile runs during the week instead of all 3s.

I was dreading my long run on Saturday for multiple reasons:

 

a) It was 14 miles

b) My daughter's 2nd birthday was that evening

c) It was 14 miles

d) I was dreading the hills and humidity

e) It was 14 miles

 

So... at 0545, when my alarm went off, I made a game time decision...

TREADMILL

 

It was a great decision too!

I watched two episodes of Ladies of London and was able to enjoy the AC!

Avoiding the hills and humidity really helped my energy for the rest of the day.

I was ready to go!

 

Here's a pic I snapped after my run with my son.

We were sitting on the porch enjoying the beautiful morning.

 

 

This is what my week looked like

 

 

Next weekend is a REST/RECOVERY RUN!  9 miles!  Whoohoo!!!!!

 



IR4

IR4

...is a non profit organization designed to match runners with children who are not able to.

The organization was established by Tim Boyle.

When I joined, we had about 3,000 members.  Today, we have 22,107!!

 

Here is a little bit about our group:

We all have friends who say “run some for me” because they don’t WANT to run… what about those who physically CAN’T run?  After an inspiration from a close friend who was battling bilateral hip dyspasia – Founder Tim Boyle found a whole new inspiration to run.

The mental and emotional encouragement for both runner and honorary runner is proving to be a whole new level of motivation and awareness.  Runners are able to find a whole new sense of purpose in their running while sharing who they are running for and bringing awareness to diseases and disabilities of all types.

We hope you will join us to run for someone special that you may not know yet…. but you will instantly form a bond.

To find a runner to be matched with or to find someone to run for, click the “Match Me” page above. Just sign up and when you get matched – dedicate your runs/workouts to your match!!  You can make signs, tshirts, body paint, whatever you want to do to make your match feel special!!  Upload pics and tag the child’s parent on the facebook group!  Give  your running a whole new motivation!!

http://www.whoirun4.com/

 

This is my buddy, Zach!

He's pretty much the cutest little guy ever.  He lives in California with his sweet mom, fisherman dad and brothers.  I have also become close with his Grandma.  She is a runner too!

 

Every time I run, I run for Zach.

I post pictures and stories for his mom to read to him on our IR4 FB page.

We interact all the time and I truly adore him (and his family).

I hope to meet them one day.

 

Goal - Meet Zach and visit my step-brother and his wife next spring!!

 



Quality, Not Quantity

I am 36 years old.

I have learned a lot in my lifetime.

One of the biggest lessons has been about friends.

I have been burned... I have been hurt... I have been heart broken.

But it was all for the best.

In the end, I realized that it's all about QUALITY, not quantity.

Since that realization, I have been happier than ever.

I have 2 best friends... a few great friends... and tons of people I like to hang out with.

But 2 best friends.  That's all I need.

Those are the only two people I share everything with.

Life is better that way.

They have my back and I have theirs.

We started as young kids, having fun, going out, being crazy...

Now 2 of us are moms and the other has moved away to follow her life goals.

They are both awesome and I am PROUD to be their friend.

 

This is Laura.

I love her more than life.

She completes me and I would be lost without her.

 

And this is Katie.

She's as loyal as they come and I love her.

She makes me smile and I can't imagine life without her either.

 

Next weekend Laura and I are finally visiting Katie!

She's been gone for a while... this is way overdue!

 

 



Ipsy & Birchbox - July

Ipsy and Birchbox

July 2014

 

Christmas in July!!!!!!!  Love receiving my samples!

 

Ipsy

5-in-1 BB Advanced Performance Cream Eyeshadow

Pixi Beauty Mini Tinted Brilliance Balm

Pop Beauty Sunkissed Bronzer

Hand Ten Dark Tanning Oil SPF 08

Sexy Hair Soy Renewal Beach Spray

Birchbox

Real Chemistry Luminous 3 Minute Peel

Beauty Protector Protect & Treat Mask (hair)

Naobay Body Radiance Lotion

8 in 1 Power Serum

Coastal Scents Palette Sampler

 

The jury is still out on these products.  They will pop up in my blog if I love them!

 

MFT

Just for fun... and to look back on in years to come

 

Some of my favorite things

 

Randoms

Spending time with my family (fun, chaotic or otherwise)

Running

Sweating in general

Reality TV

My iPhone

Seeing my kids smile and laugh

That hour between putting the kids to bed and going to bed myself

Face products

Hip Hop

Dancing

Elliot in the Morning

Having drinks with friends

Getting dressed up

Washington Redskins

Football in general (NFL)

All live sporting events that involve a crowd, cold beer and a good game

Concerts

Buying a new outfit

Wearing black

Jeans

Flip Flops

Purses (favs right now are MK and Kate Spade)

Shoes

Black House White Market

The beach - any beach

Nice people (so rare these days)

Ryan Gosling, Robert Downey Jr., Johnny Depp & Zac Efron

 

Food

Dunkin Donuts Coffee

Dunkin Donuts Coffee

Dunkin Donuts Coffee

w/ a Blueberry Muffin

Sprite

Water

Eggs (over medium), bacon and toast

Pizza (plain, pepperoni or sausage)

McDonalds - anything (and I dont care)

Any salad that involves corn and dates

My mom's Thanksgiving dinner

My Grandma's pies

Afghan Kabobs

Fake sushi (california rolls, shrimp tempura)

My meatloaf (ketchup, mustard and brown sugar on top)

My baked salmon (mustard and brown sugar on top)

Pasticio & Loukoumades

 

80s movies!

The Breakfast Club

Sixteen Candles

Pretty in Pink

Footloose

Goonies

Legend

Labyrinth

Money Pit

Top Gun

A Christmas Story

Big

National Lampoons... anything!

Good Morning Vietnam

Uncle Buck
When Harry Met Sally



Running on Empty

I am not a perfect runner.

Far from it.

But my biggest running demise is FUEL.

 

I don't like stuffing my face full of pasta the night before (I do it anyway).

I don't like eating before a race (nerves).

I CAN'T eat during a race.

 

I must learn how to do all of the above.

 

With marathon training in full force, I have found myself feeling tired all day after my runs.

This makes me nervous about the big day.

Not eating properly will leave me feeling sluggish and beyond exhausted at the end of the race.

I don't want this - I want to feel OK!  Not great (let's be real), but OK!

 

My neighbor is having a "Fuel Party" for our running group on Friday.

Everyone is bringing their favorite fuel for the group to try.

I am bringing my new favorite.

 

Honey Stinger Waffle in Vanilla

 

 

Oh my goodness... these are delicious.

I actually crave them during the week, but make myself wait until Saturday morning so I wont get tired of them.  They come in Vanilla, Honey, Chocolate, Strawberry and Lemon.

I've only tried Vanilla, but it's a winner in my book.

 

They're easy to digest and give me a little boost during my run.

 

They're a little pricey at about $1.50/waffle, but you can save a little by ordering them on Amazon.

I suggest trying them first to make sure you like them.

I've seen them at REI, Dick's, and Harris Teeter.

 

Vanilla Honey Stingers on Amazon

 

Goal

Find something I can eat DURING the race that wont make me nauseous and is easy to chew/digest

 



NieNie Dialogues

NieNie Dialogues

I read her blog every single morning

It's the most inspirational story I have read in a very long time.

Reading her blog makes me feel good.  It gives me hope and shows me that love has no boundaries.

 

She also motivated me to start blogging.  Sometimes she just posts pictures, sometimes her entries are very short and easy to read, sometimes it's deep and meaningful. 

I thought... I can do this too.



This is her "About Me":

My blog began in 2005. I write daily about whatever I am doing, mostly about my five children, my husband Christian (Mr. Nielson), my struggles, my blessings and my strong Mormon faith. In 2008, Christian and I were in a airplane crash. I was burned over 80% of my body. I am living a beautiful life despite pain and challenges.

 

They are a beautiful family.

I encourage you to read her blog and feel the love they feel for each other.

It's beautiful.

 

Photo by Blue Lily

 

http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/ 

 

Peter Thomas Roth

I'm not going to lie.  I found out about PTR by watching Rich Kids of Beverly Hills.

I told you I was addicted to reality tv trash.

But I'm also addicted to face products.

 

I have since stopped watching the show and reading Morgan's blog because it was driving me crazy.  I can't say I'll never watch the show again, but her blog is dead to me.

She had a launch party for that crap??  I digress...

 

Peter Thomas Roth

Therapeutic Sulfur Masque

 

At $40 (without coupons), this baby is amazing.

You know it's working as soon as it hits your face.

I apply the mask while blow drying my hair about twice a week.

The directions say "once a week".  I would stick with that unless you're like me and can't stop.  It's the summer and I'm a little oily due to the humidity so a little drying action is ok by me.

 

This mask does what is says it will do:

A skin-clearing masque that banishes blemishes and unclogs pores for a flawless complexion.

My skin feels bright and smooth after every use and I haven't had a "monthly break out" since I started using it! 

 

At once a week, it will last you forever.

 

PTR Therapeutic Sulfur Masque @ Sephora

 

Tons of coupons and freebies at RetailMeNot

RetailMeNot for Sephora

 

I also love the PTR Un-Wrinkle Peel Pads

  

I dont know how well they work (YET), but they tingle and leave my face feeling super clean.

I use them every other day.

 

Un-Wrinkle Peel Pads @ Sephora

Chicago Marathon Training

I am currently training for my 3rd marathon - Chicago!

I've done the PF Changs Rock n Roll Marathon in AZ and the Marine Corps Marathon in DC.

Both times I swore I would NEVER do it again.

And here I am...

 

A lot of this has to do with my running group.  I now have a dedicated group of amazing women (moms) who love to run and motivate each other.  Last year many of them did the Marine Corps Marathon.  I found myself envious and wishing I was there too.  I joined 3 lotteries this year and secretly hoped I wouldn't get picked for any, lol.  I didn't get picked for NYC, but was chosen for both the Marine Corps and Chicago.  I chose Chicago because

a) I've never done it before

b) It's "flat and fast"

c) My husband is a huge Bears fan

d) It's one of the most popular marathons in the world!

 

I want to document my progress this time.  I am more dedicated and have been much more into running than ever before.  And smarter.

I honestly can't even remember timing my runs during previous trainings!

I had no idea what I was doing, lol.

 

So... a little late to the game, but here's a training recap thus far!

 

Week 1

Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri - 3 miles

Saturday - 10 miles w/ Christine and Alissa

Week 2

Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri - 3 miles

Saturday - 10 miles w/ Christine and Alissa (and then the Greece World Cup game!)

 

Week 3

Mon, Wed, Thurs - 3 miles

Saturday - 9 miles w/ Alissa, Sara and Stephanie & Sunday - 3 miles

Week 4

Tues, Wed, Thurs - 3 miles

Saturday - 10 miles w/ Alissa

Week 5

Mon, Tues, Thurs - 3 miles

Friday - 11 miles w/ Elizabeth & Saturday - 4 miles

Week 6

Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri - 3 miles

Saturday - 12 "solo" miles



 

Goals going forward

Increase run distance during the week

Work on fueling during and after