Just workin' on my Fitness

Well, these bad boys came in the mail this week:

Which means that its definitely going to happen. I am definitely going to travel far and wide to run 26 miles.  Does that seem crazy to you? Because, it should. 26 miles is a long way no matter who you are. My training has gone according to plan and I have even started to run in the afternoon to "heat train".

My training buddy/coach. Loves to "cheer" when I'm running and can't wait to get her workout in when I'm done.

This marathon feeling reminds me of when I was pregnant. At first, I was excited and wanted to do everything just right. Then about half way through I was slowly getting annoyed with being pregnant, but still so excited to meet my baby. Then, by the end of pregnancy I was willing to do ANYTHING to get the baby out of me....until I walked into the hospital. Then, I was terrified, I didn't feel prepared and I hated myself and my husband for getting me into this mess.

That's how marathon training feels.

In January, I was motivated and excited, in February and most of March I was getting a little tired of training but still excited and proud that my body could do all the training. Now that the paper that allows me to pick up my number came in, I am terrified and wondering why I would be so stupid, crazy  motivated to do this race!

I guess that's just part of the labor pains.

I have done enough races to know that this feeling will pass and I will be fine and the race will go great, but for now, let me wallow in my self pity. Ok?

Fact: Running does make you weird. So weird that you want to carry around your mothers keys by holding the key-flashlight in your mouth.

And yes, she pretends to huff and puff when she runs. Apparently, she wants me to hear how I sound when I run. My little coach is so wise.  

DID YOU KNOW?

In 1967, Kathrine Switzer was the first woman to run the Boston marathon. After realizing that a woman was running, race organizer Jock Semple went after Switzer shouting, “Get the hell out of my race and give me those numbers.” However, Switzer’s boyfriend and other male runners provided a protective shield during the entire marathon.The photographs taken of the incident made world headlines, and Kathrine later won the NYC marathon with a time of 3:07:29.

{Embrace the Camera} March 29th

 

I am embracing the camera today with my naked baby butt at the lake.

Sister decided she wanted to go swimming when we were down on the dock without her swimsuit....but honestly when you've got a bum like that it's a crime to cover it in a diaper.

So What!

This week I am saying So What!

That I loved the Hunger Games so much that I was sad when it ended. What should I read now?

If my April is so booked up with trips that I am hardly going to be home. Boston, Nashville....Doesn't get more exciting than that!

If I bought Isabelle's Easter dress a month and a half ago. It's over the top and amazing. There is nothing cuter than kids dressed up. She is going to look like the spokesperson for Easter attire and a tad bit like the Easter bunny threw up on her.

 If I haven't gotten a hair cut in 4 months. Sure, my split ends are screaming for some freedom but I never feel like sitting in that chair and small talking about nothing. So I'll just pretend like I'm going for the hippy look.

My sister and nephew come in town all next week and I can hardly wait. What is it about when you get back with your siblings you suddenly turn into being 12 again?

My Jayhawks play on Saturday night and I'm already nervous. Of course I'm excited that we are in the final 4, but we are so close to getting to the big 'ship I can taste it! (I say "we" like I am on the team or something. Don't judge, but I feel like I am on the team...they need me).

If Izzy is turning into a mimic bird so I would rather not watch the Jayhawks play when she is in the room. I sound like a sailor/ a person with turrets sometimes when I watch them play and mama wants her baby to grow up with a pretty mouth. In my defense, the s-bomb just comes out. It's my moms favorite "naughty" word and she passed that gene down to me.

Lake Girl

This weekend, we ventured 7 hours (and survived, thanks to Dora movies) to Mr. T's parents new lake house. The drive there went by quickly because Isabelle slept for most of the trip (we left around dinner time) and I finished  the last Hunger Games book. Holy moly this book is amazing. I am going to see the movie next weekend....and I can hardly wait (although I am nervous that Hollywood will screw it up, they always do. Except for Harry Potter).
The weather this weekend was awesome and we basically played outside all day. Isabelle was the perfect lake girl. She didn't have to bathe, she was constantly sticky from sunscreen, she fished and she ate like a truck driver. I did the same thing except I did shower, but only because I ran a 14 miler and I was drenched in sweat and bugs (my last long run before Boston!! yaya!!).

Of course I caught millions of fish. No I didn't touch them or bait my hooks. That's for rookies. And fish stink and give me the heebie jeebies.

The water was a tad too cold to get into, but we managed to find fun things to do.

The ride home was also great because we listened/watched KU beat North Carolina! If you are a Kansas person you know how monumental this win really was. It was amazing. The last time I watched KU beat UNC, I was in a bar drinking beer with my friends. This time around...I was driving home from a family weekend listening to the game and hearing Dora and tiny laughter in the background. My how times have changed. 

She was pretty pumped about the KU win though.

Thank you all for the awesome support with Noonday. I am so excited to be able to share the awesome stories and how we can bring awareness to a growing problem.

So now for The Giveaway winner: The winner is.....Bethany from Life Unexpected.

Email me Bethany and I will email you the voucher!



{Embrace the Camera} March 8th

 

I am embracing the camera today enjoying the aftermath of days of rain....MUD!

Isabelle loved to splash in the puddles and was laughing hard, until she realized the muddy water got her shoes dirty and her pants wet. Her girly genes immediately kicked in and she was done with the puddle.
It was fun while it lasted.

Have you joined me in helping to change the world? One accessory at a time.

My First Giveaway!!!

I am so excited to finally tell you guys that I am a new Noonday Ambassador! I am completely honored to work with such an amazing company that is really making a difference in the world. I know that we ALL love jewelry and beautiful things and wouldn't you love to buy it and (not feel guilty) know that you are making an impact in the lives of women.
By purchasing (or hosting a trunk show) you are allowing women to receive fair wage for their work which can help them educate themselves and their children, feed their families and change their community! How amazing is that! You are not just giving handouts, you are making a change!

Working with this company has been such an answer to prayer. I knew that I always had a heart for orphans and orphan care, but I felt overwhelmed at how I could actually help! Noonday has given me a chance to help!

I think it's time we start being aware of where our things are made and how they are made. Please read more about me and the company at:
http://www.melissatruitt.noondaycollection.com/
And to get you SUPER excited about the company I am giving away a $50 gift certificate to Noonday!

To enter:

1. Be a follower of my blog (1 entry)
2. Go "like" me on Facebook (1 entry)
https://www.facebook.com/MelissaTruittNoondayAmbassador?ref=ts
3. Tell me what your favorite item is from Noonday (1 entry)www.noondaycollection.com
4. Blog about it, send friends, tweet, facebook, etc. (3 entries)

4. Buy something from Noonday from me! (5 entries)

Winner will be chosen on Monday, March 26th.

Now hop to it!

SO WHAT! Wednesday

It's that time of the week again. Time to feel like a sane mama when I get to see that there are tons of ladies out there that do just as weird things as me! So come join us in our strong dose of reality.

This week I am saying, SO WHAT:

-If I can't put down The Hunger Games. I told you it was going to take over my life. You agreed. We were both right.

-That I originally started the Hunger Games, so I would have something to do on our 7 HOUR car trip. That idea was a bust. I'll be done with the series by tomorrow....before we even leave.

-If I am going on a 7 HOUR car trip with a 19 month old and I have no book to read and drinking and riding is generally frowned upon. I guess I am just going to have to (gasp!) talk to my family.

-I just typed out that I have a 19 month old and I didn't even get a little sad or nostalgic. Babies aren't really that much fun (do I lose my woman card for saying that??). Toddlers are hilarious and a constant source of entertainment. Everyday is more and more fun. Sure, I loved when my baby was a baby, but I like this toddler stage the best.

-I can barely wait for the Bachelorette to start. Emily Maynard is amazing (and my girl crush). I love the way she carries herself like she's Kate Middleton or something. Plus her style is ridiculous. I could go on and on about her, but things could get weird.

-If my baby doesn't want to poop on the potty, but rather poop in a box. That's correct. She goes and stands in this box and if I get near her she yells, "No! Go mama!" and shakes her little finger at me.  Like she needs privacy to do her business. Makes me laugh and take pictures every time. I guess it is a step up from our old routine.

Pooping in a box, while holding a peanut butter cracker....life is good.

She's really going to appreciate me sharing these stories when she gets older.



April Showers..

Have come a tad early. It has been pouring rain for two straight days and isn't going to ease up until late tonight. The rest of the week is supposed to be beautiful and sunny which means we are soaking up this relaxing weather. Trips to the bookstore to play with Thomas the Train and pick up a new book, drinking my body weight in coffee, and playing dress up with the dogs have become regular rainy day activities.

 Rainy day=no pants necessary.

And everyone was right, The Hunger Games is amazing. I am dying for the movie to come out and am currently on the second book.

Beth Moore's, James study is also amazing and life changing. Seriously.

And both go perfectly with coffee. 

Rock Chalk Jayhawk!

And Happy St. Patty's Day!

Friday Pics

Time to sum up our week in pictures:

 Cuddle time at the park with my niece. I told you her and Izzy are WORLDS apart. Izzy barely acknowledges me at the park.

 After a long day playing outside, Daddy's hugs are the best.

Scratch that....ice cream is the best.

So excited for a mani pedi day!

Picnic time! (Yes, my lunch is the one with the Cheeto's and Sunchips).

The weather has been amazing so we have spent just about every second outside. It's pretty warm for March, but I'll take it. My running has been going well, but I am a little concerned that this time next month when I run, The Boston Marathon it will be hot. 65 degrees is too hot to run a fast marathon....or at least for me. This time last year, I ran a marathon in Dallas and it was 68 degrees at the start. I stopped at mile 16 because I got heat exhaustion. I was nursing then so my body was already in over drive, but it is still too hot for me to run that long and that fast. So here's to hoping it's nice and cool up there!

Last weekend marked my last 20 miler and I am so glad to have that over with. As much as it makes me sound like a nut job, I only have to run 16 miles this weekend and that feels like it should be a breeze. Hopefully my Jayhawks win tonight so I don't have to run 16 miles while angry. ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK! If you have them going all the way in the tournament...we should be besties.

{Embrace the Camera} March 15th

 

My baby never and I repeat, NEVER sleeps on me. The last time she has taken a nap on me, she was too young to know what she was doing or we were flying on an airplane (something about the cabin pressure just gets her). So when she was exhausted enough to continue her nap on my belly, we snapped tons of pictures.

I will always embrace these pictures....even when I'm wearing M&M pajamas. 

SO WHAT! Wednesday

This week I am saying, So what!:

- To the fact that I have killed an entire giant bag of M&M's, Starburst Jellybeans (the inventor of those is a genius), and a row of thin mint cookies in a little over a week. If I keep this up after my marathon training you will have to grease the doors to get me out of the house...to go to the dentist office.

-If I eat Cheetos with my sandwich and Isabelle eats an orange with hers and when she wants a Cheeto I tell her it's, "yucky". I don't want her picking up on my bad eating habits.

-If I just realized that this post makes me seem like I need a junk food intervention. I generally eat pretty healthy. Minus the sweets and chips. And there are kind of a lot of sweets and chips. Whoops.

-If I hate "spring forward". I don't care if it stays light later. I hate getting up and it being pitch black outside. Plus, I don't mind it getting darker earlier. Mama likes to go to bed with the blue hairs. 

-I'm dying to start reading the Hunger Games, but from what I hear it's rather addicting. I annoy myself when I read, because that's all I want to do and think about. Not kidding, I talked A LOT about Harry Potter (and maybe in a British voice) and vampires when I was reading Twilight.  

-I am a little embarrassed to admit that I read Twilight now. The movies are sooo bad and Bella is such a weak girl (Unlike Hermione...oh Hermione. You're so awesome).  

-I am ONE month away from THE Boston Marathon and I can get myself so worked up about it that I give myself IBS. I am so stinkin nervous!

-I told you I am getting a tattoo when we go to Boston, but I am not going to tell you what I am getting in case I chicken out. Maybe I'll just get the whole earth!....Any Phoebe fans from friends? Hello..hilarious episode.

-If my running partners don't talk, but still crack me up. They're quite possibly the best looking running group I've come across:

What are you saying SO WHAT! to this week?



Cousin Weekend

This weekend we enjoyed time with Isabelle's cousin (who is only 2/12 months younger) as we watched the two of them interact. The weather was perfect for most of the weekend, so we spent our time visiting the park, playing in the back yard, and watching the girls talk in gibberish. 

They are close in age, but their personalities are worlds apart. Isabelle is a wild little indian who loves to play and explore where Allie loves to sit and cuddle and is the happiest when she is in your lap just listening to what you have to say.

 A tad bit nervous.

 Cousin support is the best.

Chugging Diet Coke-Caffeine free is the way to get the party really started. 

Of course, it's all fun and games until you don't hold up your end of the bargain on the swing.

This picture kills me. My daughter doesn't have that awesome of a stink eye, I just seemed to catch her at the perfect time.

So you know what tonight is right? That's right...the Bachelor finale. I'm so uninterested tonight. Mainly because it has leaked (with pictures) who Ben chooses. I am not really THAT huge of a Ben fan after the whole skinny dipping with a stranger episode, so I am actually happy with his decision. May you live happily ever after Benny boy. Whatever that means in Hollywood terms.

{Embrace the Camera} March 8th

 

I promise your kids don't care that you're wearing the same outfit as yesterday or your hair isn't perfect (and even if they do, take a picture anyways. It's natural for kids to be embarassed of their parents). Get IN that picture with them and embrace it!

Me and my lovely lady on a Sunday afternoon park trip. She's obviously very enthused that we are taking pictures instead of playing on the swing.

SO WHAT! Wednesday

Today I am linking up with Shannon over at Life After I Dew for a little bit of SWW. It's good to get some stuff off your chest every once in a while.

This week I am saying So what! if:

-I have 99 followers and now everytime I see that I sing, "I got 99 followers but a b*!@# aint one". I'm so very Jay-Z...and because none of my followers are the "B" word. I love you all. P.s. Please don't hesitate to be the 100th follower. Mr. T. will love truly appreciate not having to hear me rap that song every other hour.

- I have been slacking on the blog world lately, because the weather here has been amazing which means Isabelle and I have been outside all day wearing her ourselves out.

-I have also been very busy with some exciting news! No. I'm not preggo. Pinky promise. But I do have some exciting news to share on the blog soon. I am working on the post now.

-I just lied and said, "I am working on the post". I am not yet. I am working on it in my head though. I generally don't plan out posts. I'm more of a fly by the seat of your pants kinda gal. (I know you guys are sooo shocked by that right?!)

-It seems like everyone that has a toddler the same age as Isabelle is pregnant again. I am not ready yet. Period. End of sentence.

-My Boston Marathon is a little over a month away! Eeek! I am so excited to see the town of Boston and be a part of such a historical event. I am also really excited to see how my training has paid off (and be done with training). If you have any tips or things to see while there, hit me up!

-I am pretty sure I am going to get a new tattoo while we are there. I don't know if you guys know this or not, but tattoo's freakin' hurt. I have a tiny heart tattoo on my right hip that took about 10 minutes. I thought I was going to die in those 10 minutes. So I will torture my body for 26 miles and then drag needles over it when I'm done. I told you I like to party.

-Tomorrow night Mr. T. and I are going to see Eric Church in concert and I'm pretty sure Mr. T. is going to scream like a Bieber fan. So hot.

What are you saying, "So what!" to?

18 months

Yup, that's right I have an 18 month old, which seems so old to me! Where did my tiny baby go? She's now a hilarious, adventerous, stubborn little toddler that makes me belly laugh everyday.

What she loves right now?
Daddy time, bringing sticks to Spike, taking walks with her stroller, fake laughing while slapping her leg like a little old lady, playing in her little pink car, the park, swinging, standing on her table to look out the window and spy on her dogs, Dora (shocker!), her bouncy zebra, books, puzzles, sparkly anything, and eating oranges (which she lovingly calls apples).

Her favorite words:
Eat (again...shocker!), home, Spike (sounds more like piiike), Luke (sounds like ooooke), Dada, mama, Dora, Bubba (her cousin Carter), HI!, BYE!, Wawa (any kind of drink).
She is always talking and just when you think she has run out of things to say, she goes through an anatomy lesson for you by pointing to your eyes (more like poking you in the eyes) pointing to your nose (sometimes trying to pick it) and pointing to any other body part she can think of to pass the time before she can think of another subject to talk about. Sister loooves to gab.

 This stroller goes everywhere with us. And this doll that resembles a little crack head? Izzy's kind of loves her. She's so not judgemental.

 This ornery little face is my favorite.

And....Flower face plant!

I can't believe we are six months away from having a TWO year old! When did time start going at lightning speed?!