The Gallup Poll

Yep, that gallup poll. Ever wonder who was giving all those opinions people spout off on news broadcasts? Well, it's ME. I just got a call and was surveyed as to my life satisfaction and my political leanings (Go Obama!). Took about 20 minutes and was not great timing since I've been sick for a few days, but how cool! I know, I'm a dork for getting so much enjoyment out of it, but, now I know how they get those opinions and it was awesome to know I am contributing something. No matter how little.

Ryan's Life Lesson #1

Since having Ryan he has taught me many invaluable lessons, some of which I forget and he needs to remind me (ie. patience always yields the best results and work can be much more fun when you make it play). I want to start keeping track of these things, just to remind myself on the really rough days what is most important.

So... Lesson #1: If it doesn't taste good, why eat it?
Now all things in moderation of course, veggies are a must, but I hate the crusts on most bread so why eat them? They are extra calories I am consuming because I am supposed to but which I get absolutely no enjoyment or fulfillment out of. Ryan never eats his crusts he only eats the gooey, delicious, wonderful insides. And really, what's wrong with that? He gets his fill, he's blissfully happy, and when I let go, we have no arguments or power struggles to get him to eat. So I started following his lead a few weeks ago. Now I'm happily enjoying the crap out of my peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Thanks Ry, mommy loves you. Nibble on.

The next Michael Phelps?

Well, I really wouldn't wish the pressure of being an Olympic champion on him, but if it's what he wants, you can all say you saw him when... Ryan had his second swim lesson this evening. I would have gotten photos from the first class, but when you forget your camera, it's hard to do. But I remembered this time. At least there's that. The pic above kills me with how old he looks. When did he get so grown up?

His teacher, Ms. Allison is the cutest pregnant woman alive. Yes, she's 8 months pregnant. Due in 5 weeks. Can't tell can ya?
He doesn't listen any better in class than he does to me (which is oddly reassuring - he's not tuning me out, he just doesn't listen in general).
He even went so far as to jump in without holding on. We've never gotten him that far before. He let go and... woosh, into the water he went, face and all. I'm so proud. Who needs a gold medal? I've got my happy water baby.

Marathon #1

He did it. He finished his fourth marathon, and with a new personal record, 4 hours 18 minutes (he can tell you the seconds, but I am not aware of them). He finished second in the group of guys from work that he ran with. It was as hot and humid as it could possibly be, 85 and about 160% humidity (based on Sara radar - I was competing with Jae in the sweating category).

Here are some REAL pictures from the Rochester Marathon 2008:
Ryan and Nana waiting for daddy-

Let me help you find him, number 456 in all black. Crazy man.
At the finish line.
Ryan, my future marathoner, receives his medal.
The guys he ran with.

Daddy and Ryan celebrate.
No fake photos this year! One and a half more months til NYC.

Lazy

Since getting back from vacation a little over a week ago, I've been kinda out of sorts and a little sad. Vacations ending always sucks, but when they are complete with angry rides home doing 95 miles an hour, they are made even worse. I have no idea what he was even mad about, but he was being a cranky little bitch. Yes, Mark, you.

Anyway, enough venting. Here's what has been going on:

*On the way back home we stopped to visit Cristina and her wonderful family. I fell in love with her two girls whom she can send to come stay at Chez Sands anytime. Arden took a liking to me and the feeling was mutual. I could eat her up. Ryan liked her too, so bonus. He loved and still talks about "the girls". Makes me wish I lived closer so I could see her everyday (and be a non-plastic neighbor for her) which is partly what has had me in a funk. Realizing you live so far apart from you strongest support systems really sucks. I miss my friends (the ones not here in Ra-cha-cha with me of course).

*I went back to work and realized working is not all it's cracked up to be. Ryan didn't take well to me going back and now when I get home he's super clingy. I miss him too and when at work all I want to do is get home to him. Getting up early, via alarm clock, stinks too.

* Mark finally went back to work a few days after me and I realized our marriage works due to our time apart. I like time together, but too much togetherness = me wanting to throttle him. Here's to work!

* I signed Ryan up for his first swim class ever. I realized after seeing the fish that Lily and Arden are that perhaps I was being just a tad over-protective and that maybe letting Ryan learn to swim could be a good thing. Yes, I knew this all along, but letting him out of my sight is hard. He went to his first one last night and was absolutely adorable, if not paying all that much attention. Not only did he not cling to me (I signed him up for classes without parent) but he was climbing into the water and ready to let go after 45 minutes.

*While deciding that swim lessons are ok, I also realized that, sadly, my child is boring of me for his sole source of entertainment, so in addition to swim lessons, I signed him of for a tiny sports class offered through our town. He'll get to learn sports skills and hang out with other kids. We got him new soccer and basketballs (ok, that was more for mommy) and he seems a soccer natural. What's next? Preschool??? Say it isn't so.

*Mark runs his first of 2 marathons this season on Sunday. I personally am just glad to be getting them over with and hope my sane, and somewhat rational, husband will return once they are over. Running consumes his life about 4 months out of the year while training and it leaves me.... well, bitter and resentful. I know, I shouldn't complain. My husband is healthy and in great shape. He's not out doing other things that could be bad for him. However, obsessing over every piece of food that goes in your mouth and every second of exercise ceased being entertaining to me after my brief stint of anorexia in college. I don't care what you eat Mark. Just fucking eat. I also don't care how many miles you've ran, as long as you don't make me. AHHHHH!

Laziness will once again consume me now as I say goodnight.