Hello all!

It is me, your long lost stay at home mommy friend. So sorry that it has taken me over a week to say hello. We have been busy and trying to enjoy every last second of the summer. I can't believe that in one month Isaac will be starting pre school. I am so ready for him to go as lately when I have tried to "teach" him anything he is completely unfazed and uninterested in what I have to say. (i.e. how to spell the name, etc...) I am sure that this is just what children are hard-wired to do. I think, no, I know that I went through it. Just didn't think that it would be at 4! He has become such the communicator lately and is all about the why questions. He cracks me up with some of the stuff he comes up with. He is becoming quite the protector of his little sister too. I have been trying to let them duke it out and figure out how to solve the problem lately as soon enough I will not be able to be readily accessible for referee duties. They are doing well but surely becoming the best of friends and the worst of friends depending on the situation. I cannot believe what little people they are turning into. They are no longer babies, but little kids in training. I completely understand the importance of stopping and counting to 10 (sometimes 57) when the time is right. I am hanging on. Some woman told me at the beach last week that the best is yet to come. I wanted to run to her and cry and tell her that I was tired, but I held back and proceeded to wrangle my wet and sandy children to the car. And then I stopped for a frozen mocha.

Last week I had the honor and privilege of having one of the sweetest, nicest 12 year olds here for 6 whole days! My sweet cousin was here from downstate to stay with us. She was such an incredible help that I would be willing to sign a contract right now for as much help as she needs for her graduation party, wedding, baby shower when she needs it. It was priceless and my babies had such a great time with her. Not to mention I did too. There are a lot of years between us and sometimes I feel more as if she were my little sister than cousin. She is such a delight and I love the fact that she wanted to be here with me. I know that my time is short as she will soon be in the throws of "teenagehood". I am just so grateful that I am getting to know her now and hopefully we can have a great relationship as she grows into the incredible young woman I know she will. I think that in the end she is helping me prepare for what my relationship will be with my daughter. She makes me feel not so freaked out. It makes me much more calm about the fact that I will share in the life of another female. I hope she knows how much I adore her. Thank you PK!

As of today, I have not run in 9 days. I miss it. I miss it like it were an appendage missing. I miss it so much that I am starting to dream about running. I am in great hopes to get back out tonight once my crazy monday critters have been picked up and carried off to bed. My leg is just about to the final stages of feeling normal again. No more scabs or anything but the bruise still remains. In the interim, this little boy has grown and is starting to really move. Jeb was reading last night that he is around 12 inches long already. I am in love with this whole stage of just being able to tell exactly where he is and what may be pressing against various internal organs. He is very active immediately after I eat which I haven't been able to do much of lately. I am full after a few bites. This is something that I don't remember with the first two. It is kind of frustrating as I need to eat almost ever 2 hours. I hate food preparation! I hate that I have to put thought into it. If I were smart I would prepare stuff the day before for the following day so that I wouldn't get so angry when my body and "Tres" are telling me I should have eaten something 15 min ago! All in all, I am starting to feel big and am starting to get to that point of, I have no more control over what is going to grow and how big it is going to grow. This stage I do not enjoy. This is where I wish that I had a tape recording of my "non-pregnant former self" telling me that I look wonderful and that I am carrying a new life. I made myself a little motivational check list for the week to make sure that I am staying active so these thoughts of looking like Mrs. Turnblad from Hairspray won't creep into my head. It will be fine, its just a phase, right?! :)

Ok, so this is pathetic! It is now Tuesday afternoon and I am just getting back to this! AH! Guess what?! I ran last night! I was able to get out before dinner and still finish and have dinner with my entire family afterwards as Monday's are Jeb's rest days. It was wonderful! I was only able to do 2 miles but it felt great. I am thinking that 3 will be my absolute max until this monkey says that we need to stop. So 2 it was. I really in a nutshell had to force myself to get up and go do it but once I did, I was so glad. And I slept wonderfully too! I am so proud. I think that I will set a goal for 2 more weeks and see where that gets me. I will be 24 weeks pg this Sunday so that gets me more than what I had originally expected to do. I hope that he will allow me to keep going a little longer. Its good to be back in the saddle again. There are a hand full of women that I correspond with online at RunnersWorld.com that are 37 weeks + pregnant that chat every morning about their runs. They are all still running almost 30 some miles a week! They are such an inspiration. They are all in their 40's too! I wish that I could meet them.

Last night my little man was a rockin fool! He was so active and it was so much fun to see him poke out as if to say hello. Jeb was able to see him very clearly. (Which still amazes him after 2 previous pregnancies) I suppose that it may have also been due to the fact that I was eating a bowl of caramel chocolate ice cream as a treat to myself. :) (Only 3 scoops!) He is more active with each day. I am so in love. We have dwindled the name list from 12 to 9. But then I added 2 more today. I can't believe that I am not feeling one way or the other. It is so frustrating! Either way, he will have name. I need to go out and buy us a book!

Ok, so thats it I guess for now. I am so not in any mood to do anything and I have so much to do. It will all have to wait. I think that I will go and sit in my rocking chair for 15 minutes until 3pm when I have to wake Isaac. Tomorrow is my 9th anniversary. I can't believe it! Plans to finish. I will post tomorrow.

Word for the day: Fartlek

Look it up, use it in a sentence. I think that I will go and plan out my fartlek for tomorrow.

hee hee

My love, all my love,

Cassy