Style (or lack there of)

I envy you ladies (and moms) that can throw together super cute outfits and roll out of the house looking all sexy and creative.  People like my bud Meg. Dang her and those cute parisian outfits and adorable hair!  That's not me.  Today I rolled out of the house looking like I had the flu or something, even though I don't.  I'm really trying to be more outgoing and creative with the way I dress.  I'm also really trying to look more put together and less like I dont' give a shit.  I turn 30 in a few months, better be creative now before I'm too old and I look tacky right?

Here's a few outfits that I've found that I like for fall that I've managed to find most of the pieces of via ebay, or on the cheap.  I'll show you what they are supposed to look like and as I wear said outfits I'll show you what I tried to pull off! lol!

I really like this one but this girl has on jeans in a tan color, I think I'd just wear some thick tan leggings from Forever 21 or something.  I love the contrast of the scarf and I'm in love with those riding boots!

This one might actually work here, because HELLO it's still 100 degrees here!!!  I can sew that shirt pretty easily and I have leggings (or dark skinny jeans), boots and an orangy scarf.

Love this one, I have all the pieces to this one and as soon as it gets a bit cooler here I'll throw my version together and show you all.  This is Jcrew.  I have the jeans, cardigan and striped shirt from jcrew and I just snagged an Ann Taylor gray blazer off ebay for $17!

Hey mommas out there, what's your style?

Just Not Feelin' It Today

My husband had to work all day Saturday and Sunday this weekend which BLOWS for me. I spend all week keeping our little Mimi monster busy.  This week I took her to the children's museum, the park, the zoo, on Thomas the Tank Engine, to the bounce house, you name it!  We were busy.  So not having a break this weekend is really emptying my mom mojo.  I find myself just 'dealing' with her and not engaging with her as much as I normally do.  I am drained and frustrated and need a break.  I want to take my laptop to a coffee shop and sit there and work by myself without interruption.  Normally on Sunday's my husband takes Mimi out for a few hours so I can work (and clean up).  Not today.  I am just feeling a little short tempered and stir crazy.

I hope everyone else is having a better weekend (mom mojo wise) than I am!

Austin "Zoo" and Animal Sanctuary

Today my husband had to work so it was a Mimi and Momma Saturday.  Luckily my friend Melissa (newly pregnant! Congrats!) called me and said her husband was out of town and she was pretty "Plan-less" as well.  We used my groupon and took the kids to the zoo.  She drove us in her gigantic SUV which was pretty swank compared to my poor ol' Mazda. Mimi and I felt like we were big pimpin'.

It was sunny today but not too terribly hot. This place isn't your typical zoo.



With more than 300 animals across more than 100 different species, Austin Zoo and Animal Sanctuary is a private, non-profit zoo rescuing animals and serving the Austin community. Situated in the beautiful Hill Country just outside of town, Austin Zoo is visited by hundreds of thousands of individuals each year.















It's more like a rescue zoo for abandoned zoo animals.  There were however tigers, lions, black bears, peacocks, llamas, deer, etc. There was a great petting and feeding area complete with food they give you to feed them.

The highpoint was definitely the train.  The zoo is kind of up in hill country, so it was a very scenic 15 minute (shaded! yeah!) ride. It was my favorite part, and I think Mimi's too.  It was nice to spend some more time with Melissa and get to know her a little better.  Our girls are in dance class together.

Well, it's naptime here in our house!  I'm going to join Mimi for today's nap. Cheers!

Take a ride.....

Oh having a toddler is fun.  It's kind of cool to be a SAHM and have time and money to do these sorts of things.  I NEVER got to do stuff like this as a kid.  Do you find yourself justifying purchases and activities under the pretense that you're giving your children a better childhood than you had?  I do. For sure. No doubt.

Today I took Mimi on Thomas the Tank Engine in Burnet Texas, a mere 1 hr 10 min away (ouch).  She quietly sat in the back watching Nemo as I navigated us through towns full of Ford F150 trucks and tractor supply stores.  We got there right as our assigned train ride was about to leave.  We made it on, and wouldn't you know it? They NEVER even checked to see if I had tickets!  I could have saved myself the $40 bucks!  Anyway, I digress....

Mimi was somewhat underwhelmed by the train ride.  We take the metrorail here is Austin down to the Children's museum about once a week, which looks and feels like a stereotypical train to a 2 year-old, so I think the whole experience wasn't very new to her.  I think she was excited because all the children around her were.  There were a ton of prada moms on the train.  If you don't know what those are, I will do a blog post for you on them.  

After the train ride, they had a ton of FREE activities too.   Mimi got a tattoo of James on her arm, made a necklace out of pasta, stamped a picture, shopped the giftshop, went to storytime, danced and sang with other kids, and of course found snow cones to eat.  We were back home in Austin by 1 and home for nap.

Would I do it again?  Probably not.  Do I regret spending $40 and a tank of gas taking her? No.  I actually enjoyed driving out there and seeing other parts of Texas around Austin.  Also, driving out through the burbs reminded me why I like living in an apt in central Austin vs a huge house in the burbs for the same price.

Fight or Flight

You hear the stories, mothers being able to harness unimaginable strength and endurance when their children are in trouble.

Now before I go on, I want to say that Mimi is fine (if you were worried), but I did have something of this sort happen to me tonight.

We live in a rather unique area of Austin, where I feel safe out by myself, but there... lingering not too far away are unsafe feelings.  I don't like to run at night without my husband with me.  My husband (in his obnoxious toe shoes) will run behind me with the jog stroller and I keep my snail (yet consistent pace) and he will sprint, then walk and maintain himself about 10 feet behind me with Mimi in the stroller screaming "Pappa! Catch Momma she's getting away!"

Since we just installed the bikeseat on my roadbike, and Mimi LOVES it so much she begs to go for rides in it, he wanted to take her out for a spin, so he said he would circle the neighborhood and keep crossing my running area to watch out for me.  At one point he crossed my path and I stopped him and told him I still had 2 more miles to run so he better take Mimi home because it was getting dark and we hadn't reinstalled the lights on my bike yet and it would be safter for him to head home and get her some dinner.  He agreed and headed home.  I added another mile to my normal loop because I was upping my run from 2 to 3 miles, and on my last mile home, far down the street I saw two police cars, and an ambulance in the road.  My heart stopped.  I had this feeling.  This horrible gut feeling that my husband was hit by a car and him and Mimi were being taken away by that ambulance.  

I had to get to those flashing lights to make sure it wasn't him.  I picked up my pace as fast as my fat legs could carry me.  I ran so fast I thought I was going to vomit.  I cared less about Todd saying in my ear "10 more minutes you can do this" from my 5k training module. In my head I pictured crushed helmets and Mimi being taken away in an ambulance.  My heart pumped, my mind raced, I ran even faster.  By the time I got close enough the ambulance drove away! I didn't make it to see, no one was around to ask, no broken bike on the side of the road. I still had to make sure my family was okay.  I had another 1/2 mile to get home.  I continued to run at this unbelievable pace (for me), for a split second I regretted not running with my IPhone and instead using the ol' IPOD, I could have called home to check things.  I have no idea how my body kept that pace up for that last 1/2 mile.

I got to my door and it was still locked, and I couldn't see the bike inside.  I panicked and pounded on the door like a crazy women.  Finally my husband appeared out of the bathroom where he had been giving Mimi a bath and opened the door.  When he opened the door I came in and hugged him so hard I thought I would have broken his ribs.  I broke down in to tears and explained to him what I saw and what I thought.  Mimi came running out of the bathroom sopping wet and saw me crying and hugged me and said "What's wrong Momma?" I told her I was scared and I loved her so much as was glad she was safe.  I think my husband thought I was kind of crazy.

I have never felt so horrible in my entire life.  The thought that something could have happened to my family and that feeling of uncertainty as I ran like the dickens home to check for them was horrible.  Torture.

Now that I've calmed down and had a bath, I wish I would have timed that last mile! I bet that was a personal best for sure!  I think I'm going to buy the armband for my Iphone.  Then if something were to happened I'd be a little more equipped to deal with it, then keyless, phoneless, running like a mad women through the neighborhood.

Thumbs Down

I am in a weird distracted mood lately.  Today I was thinking how much I would like to have this floating "thumbs down" button that follows you and when someone or something urks you just smash that button and this obnoxious sound would blare. Everyone around you would be painfully aware of your dislike of the current situation.  I read this girl's post today on facebook and I glared at it and thought, how I wish there was a dislike button so she would know how vapid she is, hmmm vapid? is that the word I want?  Anyway...

So life has been pretty busy lately. Mimi's social calendar keeps me on my toes.  I've been kind of stressed out this last week or two which just irritates me.  It tires me out, distracts me from getting work done and just ruins my mojo.  I am on a mission to eliminate sources of stress in my life wherever possible.  I hate feeling stressed.  I am making a pledge right now, as I type this post (well after I finish bitching) to stop stressing crap.

I'm been struggling to get back on my running game but it is SO FRIGGIN HOT AND DRY HERE that when I run I want to pass out and die on the side of the road like roadkill.  I can't take the heat and hate the treadmill but feel anxious and stressed when I can't get my runs in.  I like running with my husband but he is friggin obsessed with his dumb ass 5 finger shoes and says it's uncomfortable to run on pavement, only comfortable on dirt. Well no crap, they're not shoes! It's like having Saran wrap on your feet for Pete's sake!  Ugh, I am going to hide those shoes of his and pretend they were stolen or something.

For some magical reason I've lost weight, probably because I'm so busy I don't eat, then I chow down at 3pm and don't eat dinner cause I had such a huge late lunch...new diet? lol.  However it happened I'll take it.

Do I have anything else to complain about?  hmmmmm.  Oh great Mimi just woke up. See you guys later.

Birthday's and Friends

This weekend we traveled out to the Houston area to see one my good friends and attend a very special 2nd birthday party!  We left town after work Friday and got there really late, but surprisingly all the kids were in good spirits so we were able to get a quick dinner together.  It was really nice, they picked a place that had toys for the kids so we actually got to chat while the kids played with bins of checkers and old McDonald's toys.

The next day was Sophia's fishy party, and wouldn't you know it? It rained.  It hasn't rained in Texas in months, but on poor Sophia's fishy pool party day it rained.  It really didn't stop the fun though.  I was uber impressed at how the party hostess was as cool as a cucumber though.  She didn't let a few drizzles overcast the fun, hahahaha nice pun right?  People dried off chairs, turned on the pool heater and dragged the food table under the cover of the porch.  Everyone had a great time.  It was the perfect length for a kid's party.  I was sad to leave, but happy to come home to Austin.

I hope to go back next month for a longer visit :-)

 Some photo therapy for you...

with pappa in her homemade fishy dress

Mimi stuffing her face with delicious cupcakes

being hipsters together

The birthday girl blowing out her candles

Getting close

I've added a little something into my morning pill taking routine....

Some on you probably think i'm silly nutso  for writing a blog post of what some people call "Pre TTC" but I'm just getting so darn excited I can't help myself.  We have decided that after Christmas all systems are go for trying for Baby #2.  By December we will be 60% to our savings goal, hopefully gave a draft of my dissertation written, and down to my goal weight.

I've started taking my prenatals again because hey, it can't hurt, and I know it's good to get them in your system several months before you are pregnant.

I went and saw my new OB/GYN for my annual visit last week and I LOVED HER.  She was friendly and patient and answered all of my questions without making me feel silly for asking them.  She talked to me about my blood pressure meds and my weight and running and gave me great feedback on all three topics.  She didn't think I was overweight, but come on, 183 for a my height is overweight. Why do doctors brush over it like it's no big deal?  Being overweight (especially with excess stomach fat) is linked to all sorts of medical problems and diseases (including hypertension), so why don't doctors point that out to patients?  I feel like because so many people are overweight (even obese) and they see it so much, that it's become acceptable to be overweight medically because it is the norm.  I only have about 15-20 lbs to lose, and I wouldn't let that one factor hold me back from TTC, but it's definitely on my "list" of things to address before intentionally TTC.

I have my first Asutin 5K on October 9th and I'm trucking away at getting back to being able to run the entire thing (with the jogger).  Last night my husband came running with me and it was so fun.  He can't run the whole 2 miles that I went so he sprinted then walked and would periodically catch up and then gall behind me.  Mimi was in the jogger saying to my husband "Pappa, go catch Momma! She's getting away! She's in trouble!" it was hilarious hearing her tell him that every 2 minutes.  Today is a rest day so I"m going to walk Mimi to the park a mile away in the wagon.  Next week is week 7 of the 5K 101 program I do and I have to run 3 twelve minute intervals (which is about a mile for me) with a 3 minute walk/drink break in between, then in week 8 you run a full 5K. Perfect timing because my 5K is only 3 weeks away!

I was telling my husband this morning that I miss how lean I looked when I was running about 3-4 miles 5 days a week.  I can see it in my face and my body. I'll try to dig up a photo of the difference so you can see what I'm talking about. Even though I dont' weight much more than I did back then, you can really see it my face and stomach.

at my friend Grace's baby "sprinkle" in March

I also like the way I looked at the end of this video, even though it was this past December I think.

Ugh, struggling with my weight just sucks. It's like a never ending battle against myself.

Wow, this happy "pre ttc" post turned into a vent about being overweight. Sorry :-/

Mimi rides

Is this really real? Do I have a 2 year old that is riding a bike outside?  Where has the time gone? Can I ask more rhetorical questions?

I look at Mimi sometimes and just feel so blown away by how much of a "kid" she is now.  She talks in complete sentences, is almost potty trained (in and out of the house if that makes sense), gets food out of the fridge herself, climbs into her own highchair seat, the list goes one. Man, she even can turn on her favorite cartoons somehow.  I feel like my baby is gone.  She even takes showers by herself most nights.  Complete with washing her "lady parts" as we call them.  

I can totally see why the majority of people that want multiple kids start making more babies right about now.  You just BANG realize you don't have a baby anymore, and you miss it!  Also watching Mimi play with her dolls so tender and sweet makes me super excited to make her a big sister someday and watch her be tender and sweet with her own little brother or sister.  

We pretty much were lazy bums all weekend.  Throw in a trip to Ikea amongst naps and watcthing Ponyo over and over on netflix and you'll have our weekend in a nutshell, and you know what? we really enjoyed it lol.  We kind of like being bums all weekend sometimes.  

This week should be pretty busy then we're going to Houston this weekend for a very special birthday party for a very adorable (and also brilliant) 2 year-old.  I'm excited for Franco to meet my friend for the first time as well.  

I hope you all had a great weekend and are geared up and ready for another September week!

Baby Buys Post From a Friend

Hey moms and moms to be, you should check out my friends post on her favorite baby buys. It's always cool to see what other mom's use and find useful.  I did one of these posts awhile ago and my friend Jess Craig also did one when her son Wyatt was younger.  Check them all out.  I can't find Jess's, you'll have to dig around her blog IROCKSOWHAT.COM.

Grace's Post
My Post

This got me thinking of our current fav baby/toddler things.  I'm going to throw out a few.

Crocs--I hate their company's customer service and somewhat random sizing (what his size 6/7 anyway?), but the crocs I do have for her are work horses.  All terrain durable shoes is wicked cool colors that my kid can put on all by herself.

The Go BOB Revolution SE--the only way I can work out while being a SAHM.  She loves it, it fits in my trunk, runs like a dream.  It has awesome features like a wicked cool sun shade, reclines, storage everywhere, fits kids up to 70 lbs, two suspension settings, tall enough for my 5'10" frame, can be steared with 2 fingers while running, safety strap, easy to fold, easy as heck to remove wheels.  Can't say enough about this stroller. My 2011 model has a one click easy installation for the carseat adapter when we try for baby 2.   I will say though, if you're not going to RUN with it don't waste your money. It is designed to RUN with.






Dollar bin sand toys from Target.  These toy go everywhere with us. To the beach, park, at home, the pool.  They are cheap, easy to clean, all fit in my one large bucket, and have survived an entire summer with all sorts of crazy destructive kids using them.  If you can scarf some up before they pack up the summer stuff crab some of these toys.

Playtex Sippy Cups--these things are my favorite. Used at our daycare, we followed suit and bought a bunch.  We will never use other cups.  They have stood the test of time and god know how many times in a diswasher.

here's Mimi in our old jogger with her playtex sippy. 

That's it for now, just a quick post today.  

Part of Last Night's Dinner

Baba Ghanoush 

• 1 eggplant
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup tahini
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• Paprika and olives as garnish

We baked our eggplant whole and unpeeled in the oven @ 400 degrees F for 1 hour. We then peeled the eggplant and put all the ingredients in food processor and blended until smooth.  SO DELICIOUS and a great way to use the 10,000 eggplants we are getting in our CSA.

Great Family Weekend

So far this has been an amazing family fun weekend.  We have all been getting outside and enjoying the break from the 100+ weather.  My husband started running with me, which is really awesome. He's much faster than I, but he tries to adjust his pace to let me keep up. Isn't that funny? I run 12 miles a week, and he NEVER runs and all of a sudden he's faster than me? I think I could go farther than him though.  Mimi loves the Bob Stroller still, although the strap that clips it shut came detached. WTF? $400 stroller breaks after 2 1/2 months!? I have to call the company and get the screw to reattach the strap to the grommets.

My husband and I made it 4 days on the juice fast before we decided to break it.  We both were really just felt like 4 days was a good first attempt.  Honestly, if you look down on me for stopping after 4 days, I want you go on a ALL JUICE diet for 4 full days whilst cooking food for your family and running 3 miles a day and tell me how you feel. Then you can criticize me.  Now that that is out of the way....

I lost 3 lbs on the fast and we broke the fast on the most delicious Kolache's after out 5K jog Saturday.  My belly feels flatter even though It wasn't a lot of weight, I think this is due to the fact that you loose all the bloat because you're eating no salts or animal products.  You do feel amazing, but you really just miss eating dinner as a family (at least we all did).  We actually continued doing juices for breakfast and lunch just because it feels good and we aren't really hungry. By dinner though we're ready for food.  Like this food we at last night...mmm....

I'm not going to lie, I felt sick after eating solids for the first time in 4 days.  That's part of the reason I keep juicing for most of the day.  But man was this good.

It was really nice going out to eat as a family with Mimi. We don't take her out much just because it's a gamble whether or not she'll act like a demon.  On nights like last night, she surprises us with her grace and patience. 

Check out my diva posing in her outfit below.  I made the dress and bow and we got the shoes on clearance at Gymboree for $8.  I'm dressed a little frumpy but I could have cared less. 

Today we ran again and picked up some "pee pee in the potty treats" from Walgreens.  We found that if we give her A WHOLE BAG of M &M's she'll ask to go, hold it to go, and go frequently on the potty.  The only time she wears a pullup is nap and nightime really now.  We bought a bag of those Halloween size bags of M&M's and she gets a whole bag each time she actually goes.  Judge me if you want but it works like a charm.   

It's so nice that we had a great weekend AND my husband has off tomorrow too.  I'm off to put this stinker down for her nap and get a shower.  I hope everyone else is having a great weekend too!