Monday, May 30, 2011

THE BEST

Still here. Still very much pregnant.

I went to the doctor last week and I am already at 3 cms but I could be this way until the 10th of June which is my predicted due date. Something tells me this kid will come early though. I just hope it isn't before June 1st.

As funny as it sounds, we really want a June baby but it has to be after June 1 because Vans has his mountain bike race. I know I know "big deal" but it means a lot to him to race. He's raced the past 2 seasons with perfect attendance and for him, that means a lot. He doesn't come in first and isn't the fastest racer out there. He knows this but he is probably the most dedicated. I would hate for him to miss out. I told him I will do everything in my power to make sure Trailbaby stays put until at least 8 pm on June 1 ... his races typically end about 7 or so. He may have to race home but hey, he'll at least get to race right?!

I also stop working on June 1. Yes. I have to go to work tomorrow, for one day but most likely I will not be staying the whole day. As it is, driving or just riding in a car is very uncomfortable for me. Trailbaby does not like for me to be seated for long periods of time and since the Peanut will not be going to school on Tuesday, I'll be commuting by myself. That means no carpool lane. Not good for an uncomfortable pregnant lady!

In more exciting news, my mother-inlaw and father in-law told us what they are giving to us as a "baby gift" when Trailbaby arrives. Of course no gift is needed but they are grandparents and you can't tell them what to do right? Maybe it was the "complaining" I did in my last post but my mother-inlaw heard and answered my prayers. Their gift to us is one year of once a month cleaning service with our awesome cleaning lady Rosa! Seriously, is that not the best gift ever?! To have someone we trust and know come into our house once a month to clean is a dream come true. It also inspires one to keep the house a little bit on the cleaner side than normal. I mean, you don't want this person thinking you're a total slob right? haa

So thank you Grandma and Poppa! We truly appreciate it. It will definitely be a life saver this summer while we're running around with two little ones.

The Peanut and Poppa hunting for Easter Eggs

The Peanut and Grandma reading

Friday, May 20, 2011

TOUR OF CALIFORNIA - PHOTOS

I've been struggling lately. Just Tired. Yes, with a capitol "T" THAT kind of tired. My nesting instincts kicked in Tuesday night and I made the mistake of cleaning our 3 bathrooms which included 3 toilets, 5 sinks, 5 mirrors, 3 floors and 2 tubs . . . by 9 pm my back was so sore I could barely walk. By Wednesday I was extra sore and hobbling. Back in the day we used to have a cleaning lady that came twice a month to do our condo. Vans had used this woman for years, since his bachelor days and as much as I scoffed that I didn't need a cleaning lady when we got married, and that we could save that money for other stuff . . . it was heaven. We lived in that condo and used her services for six years! I was spoiled. Now don't get me wrong, I love taking care of my new home. In much the same way it gives Van's pride to work on our yard/garden it gives me pride cleaning and maintaining our home Yet, I forget I am 9 months pregnant, 21 days shy of my due date and that physically it is pretty darn tough. Oh yeah and I am also still working full-time.

I've hinted to Vans that a "great" having a baby gift (ahem, I'll find any reason/occasion to say a gift is necessary) would be to "hire" our old cleaning lady for the months that I am on maternity leave! If I think it is hard maintaining the house now while pregnant, I can't imagine doing it with a newborn while also picking up the Peanut from daycare each day. Alas, I also forget that being home on "maternity leave" with my very (VERY) small office also means my income is very much reduced for the summer . . . if I get any income at all that is (near the end of my leave it is completely unpaid). I know so many stay at home moms that can do it all. I read those blogs ... they cook, they clean AND they watch their kids at home instead of sending them to daycare. I bow to them. I commend them. Unfortunately, I am just not one of them! However, it looks like I am going to have to learn to be this summer . . . or at least figure out a way to fit it all in. Wish me luck.

On to more exciting things . . . photos from the Tour of California . . . and Tahoe.

Playing in the SNOW at the bike start ... normal right?

Sky Team's bikes

The Shack Team's bikes

More bikes

Waiting for the start . . . or rather the announcement that the race was cancelled

Still happy no matter what!

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One more plug for this ... I ask that if you read this blog or follow this blog at all to please head to the Circle of Mom's Top 25 Health and Fitness Blogs and vote for me (no registration required). You can click on the link or click on the badge on my right hand sidebar. You can also vote more than once!
Thanks! Trailmomma~ 

Monday, May 16, 2011

THE TOUR OF CALIFORNIA 2011

Wow, it's been a while. A long while actually. Don't worry, Trailbaby has not made a spontaneous appearance in my absence.

The Trailmomma Family actually went to Tahoe this weekend. We were super excited to see the Amgen Tour of California which was starting in South Lake Tahoe. We've had our rooms booked since February. I knew that I'd be 36 weeks pregnant but I had no doubts that we'd be able to make the race.

I did not of course, factor in the weather. Oh boy that tricky tricky Tahoe weather.

The Trailmomma Family left on Saturday. Of course for some strange reason, the State of California decided the week the Amgen Tour of California was here was the "best" time to close down highway 50. Lovely. We were forced to take highway 88 up towards Kirkwood ski resort. Saturday's drive would be fine. Sunday's drive home however, would be um, interesting?

Arriving on Saturday was great because we checked into our hotel and then walked around south shore checking out all the buzz. There were team cars, media, cyclists and all sorts of craziness just wandering around. South Lake Tahoe is not that big and there really are not too many places you can go.


 The Peanut was thoroughly loving it. She kept saying she loves Tahoe and asking when were we going to be "in" Tahoe (even though we had already arrived). We walked around Heavenly, drank copious amounts of warm coffee (or um, beer for Vans) and met up with the Scrapbook family and their two kids for ice cream. All the kids were pretty hyper from having been in the car for over 2 hours ... why not serve them more sugar right?

It was at some point in the middle of the night that I woke up absolutely freezing. I knew something had changed. They were calling for snow so I had a feeling that mother nature had actually delivered.

the view from our window

Yup, she delivered and then some! The race start was supposed to be at 10:30 am. At around 9:00 am we got word that the start time was delayed until 1:15 pm. No biggie. We asked for a late check-out, the hotel granted us until noon. The entire California Highway Patrol (and ahem their super nice BMW motorcycles) were all staying in our hotel and were milling about the lobby area waiting for word on the race start. What was the hotel to do? Kick out everyone?

We decided to head on over to the host hotel for the race and see what else we could find out. We saw the Versus Sports Caster Bob Roll and countless other media people. We saw the team cars and team buses.


We also saw a lot of snow however. We watched the start banner being assembled, talked with some of the officials and just enjoyed the energy. We took refuge in the host hotel Montblue which is where everyone was taking refuge from the storm. Occasionally we'd see something worthy of a photo opp and duck back outside.

Like the Radioshack Team bus
(notice the horizontal falling snow)

The Peanut was well bundled and completely enjoying herself. In fact, I was sort of glad the race had been delayed because when else would we have an opportunity to rub shoulders with so many people from so many different countries? It was just amazing listening to the conversations (and languages) around us.

Finally it was getting close to check out time so we made our way back to our hotel. Along the way, I ran into a guy who was on his cell phone. He had a press badge on and looked to be someone semi-official. I heard him say "they just had a quick meeting and they are going to cancel the race because of ice." Mmm, interesting, I wonder if this guy is legit? Pretending like we heard nothing, we went back to the hotel, had lunch, used the restroom and checked out.

We loaded ourselves into the car and decided to try our luck at getting as close to the race start as we possibly could . . . which meant that Vans figured out a way to park amongst the other media trucks. Sweet. I had a clear shot of the podium and starting line. It was a good thing too because when I turned around to get the Peanut ready to head back out into the cold I found this:

out like a light

Oh well. Vans still went out and meandered around taking photos and pretending to be a "real" photographer. I'll have to share some of his "professional" photos later. I was nice and toasty in the car and I could hear and see the MC doing his thing on stage. The riders also were warming up and down on their bikes directly in front of my car.


You can't see much in that photo because the skies are so dark and the snow was falling.

this photo and the one below, compliments of Scrapbook

warming up

At about 1:00 pm they started doing the count down to the race start. Riders were signing in and doing quick speeches with the MC guy. The mayor of South Lake Tahoe addressed the crowd and they had a school choir sing the National Anthem. Then about 3 minutes before the race, I cannot even recall who it was they called up onto stage, but the gentleman made an announcement that quieted the crowd in one breath. The race, was canceled. They introduced Levi Leipheimer who has won three Tour of California's to ease the crowd down gently. It was sort of surreal. Everyone sort of just turned around and started walking back to Montblue.

Wow. The disappointment was high but the reality of it all was no surprise. The weather was terrible and if it was terrible in South Lake Tahoe it was bound to be worse in North Shore. They were even going to re-route the race from the East Shore to the West Shore through Emerald Bay which, c'mon, if you have ever driven through Emerald Bay in your car, you already know how crazy those roads are without snow and ice on them.

So Vans returned to the car (with a free t-shirt that he snagged) and I used the bathroom one last time before hitting the road. Of course the Peanut decided at that moment to wake from her wonderful nap.

The ride home was adventurous due to the snowy conditions and the closure of highway 50. Highway 88 was covered in carnage. It had drivers who didn't realize it was 20 degrees out with black ice on the road or they thought they were invincible with their SUVs or snow tires. We passed quite a few accidents on our long 2+ hour drive back from Tahoe. Thank you Honda for the built in DVD player.

Just getting to Hwy 88

Overall I can't say I was too disappointed. I had a blast. I know The Peanut did as well and even though Vans had to do all the driving (and was factoring in the gas mileage in his head as we drove) was probably quite happy with the trip too. I saw it as one last threesome Trailmomma Family get-away before we are graced with Trailbaby (who by the way, really disagreed with the altitude changes on this trip).

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On a completely random note, I ask that if you read this blog or follow this blog at all to please head to the Circle of Mom's Top 25 Health and Fitness Mom Blogs and vote for me (no registration required). You can click on the link or click on the badge on my right hand sidebar. This has not been the best year for my blogging due to the lack of trail running adventures or just running in general but I plan to return in full force once Trailbaby arrives and we've settled into a routine. Trust me when I tell you I'll be back out there doing cheesy JCPenny poses or just having fun with some friends out in nature. I've already signed up for the California International Marathon so there is no turning back now.  Thanks! Trailmomma~

Sunday, May 8, 2011

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Happy Mother's Day to all my favorite moms and mom bloggers out there. I hope you all have a wonderful day. I know my weekend so far, has been pretty great.

For me, it started on Friday with a "tea party" at the Peanut's school for moms. She was super excited to see me and give me her mommy day gift.

a card

that says: "I love you THIS much"
with her hand prints inside

and with a removable magnet of my smiling Peanut!

This just melted my heart. What a cute idea. Thank you Peanut!

After having tea with my Peanut, I met some girlfriends at the movies in Folsom for a little girl get-together/celebrate Trailbaby's future arrival. They surprised me with some great new mom stuff, frozen yogurt and a two hour movie with Bradley Cooper! We saw Limitless which I really enjoyed.

Saturday I woke up early and squeezed in a 3 mile hilly walk all by myself. I needed it. When I got home I had to get ready to work. Work was fun. I enjoy the crew I work with and best of all, Vans said I could do a little "mother's day" shopping for me (and him) since my working days are limited with Trailbaby on its way.

While I was busy working Vans and the Peanut were off on their own adventures. Old Town Folsom had some celebrations going on and the Peanut and Vans went to check it out.

first stop, the train!

The Peanut has been eyeing the Light Rail trains for a while now so Vans decided to take her on a quick ride. She loved it.

The next stop was Old Town Folsom where they were celebrating and had a Johnny Cash tribute band playing (among other things). Both the Peanut and Vans enjoyed this.

Stuck in Folsom Prison!

Vans tried to exhaust the Peanut with all this afternoon activity but it was no use. A nap was not in her future yesterday.

Saturday evening we had a nice dinner (take out, score) and watched a movie. Just the kind of evening I really enjoy.

Today Vans raced out to the store (while the Peanut slept in) and brought home roses and coffee and some breakfast treats for me. I love relaxing Sunday mornings like this. Later we have to hit the pool for the Peanut and then might check out the local wine fest El Dorado Hills is having. Fun!

I hope everyone is enjoying their Mother's Day!

HAPPY MOMMA'S DAY!!

Monday, May 2, 2011

I'M A LITTLE TIGER

The Peanut's "tiger theme" birthday bounce house party went off without a hitch. She had an absolute blast and told me later that evening, "Mommy, bounce houses make me tired." ha! The minute she hit the bounce house floor she was off and running. In January when we came here for a party she could barely climb up the ladders and wouldn't go down the big slides without Vans. Saturday, she was flying solo and having an absolute blast. My little girl is growing up. Here are some bounce house birthday photos to enjoy . . .

Going up the big slide (must have done this 10 times in a row!)

at the top!

weeeeee!

Riding down with Vans and Jersey Girl!
(this reminds me of one of those roller coaster photos)

the tiger balloons I found (and love)

the birthday girl blowing out her candle!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PEANUT!
(my little tiger!)