Wordless Wednesday

Running with my little man

Tonight, a first for me and Brady. I took him on our first run together. All four of us ran in the Firecracker 5K this summer, but Chris was pushing Brady and Kennedy in a double stroller. So tonight, Chris took Kennedy to gymnastics and so it was my chance to have a little one-on-one time with my sweet boy.

Uh, the last time I actually ran with the jogging stroller was when Kennedy was 2 years old and I just started running. I had forgotten how HARD it is to run pushing something. But the air was crisp; there was a light breeze; and we both took in our surroundings and enjoyed a little peace and quiet.

That is, until Brady started fussing.......

Britney... boogers.... and BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!

Britney: Susie and I went to see her in concert. Yes, Britney Spears. No - we aren't screaming teenagers (at least not in public), but when you're a Louisiana girl, you need to see THE most reputable young female pop star of our generation. She's from our state. So I wasn't exactly blown away, but it was a good show. She is a performer first, singer second. She was certainly not singing that night... lip syncing all the way through. She didn't interact with the crowd much, but she looked good and is doing the best she can to be a good entertainer and mother to her two boys. (I sound like I know her... ha!)

Boogers: We are overwhelmed with boogers from Brady! His poor nose is so raw from us wiping it over and over again. He is teething, dealing with allergies, and CRANKY! This is not the most fun age because it seems that he is always fussing.... except when he's eating. I did teach him the sign language for "eat" - so he is constantly telling me he wants to eat.

Busy, busy, busy!!: Since the fall started, I have not been able to update my blog as much as I'd like to. I started school (which I am thoroughly enjoying); Chris is traveling more; Kennedy in kindergarten; my job has me working on more projects than I have time for. I am working in the evenings a lot. NOT fun at all... But getting my Masters degree will pay off for me later. I'm just keeping that in mind!

Here We Go Again...

So the last post was about one of the kids (and myself) getting sick while Chris was out of town. Guess what? It happened again. I think I might start keeping a chart. I got a call from Brady's teacher today; he was throwing up and had diarrhea. Chris is in Orlando and I had back to back meetings today, so it wasn't a good day for one of the kids to get sick. Who am I kidding? It's NEVER a good day for someone in our family to get sick. It's just harder when I'm on my own.

In other news, I am really enjoying my MLA course. (Surprise!) Yes, I really am. I had so many emotions going into this program: fear of failure; excitement for embarking on this process; nervousness since I know many of the professors (which means they'll recognize me! NO anonymity!); anxiety about taking on yet another "project." But so far, so good!

When I get stressed about it, I just remember my long-term goal: teaching at the college level. As my friend DeAnn said the other day, "I can do anything... for a short period of time." So - want to know what my research paper topic is? Comparing the techniques of female Renaissance painters. I'm even enjoying research! Shocking, I know!

Chris on business trip = sick kids

Usually it's Brady. This time, it's me and Kennedy. When Chris travels, someone gets sick. Since Brady is one, I guess he's out of that weekly coughing-fever-we'd-better-head-to-Dr.-Mack's-office stage. He still gets a runny nose several times a month, but we just give him so meds and keep going.

But when Kennedy runs fever, it's not normal. And since I was hacking up a lung, I decided we'd both get an appointment since I have Kennedy at our family doctor's office now. Convenient? Oh yes.

Prognosis? Kennedy has mono. I've got some bronchial virus thing. We're both contagious.... and lucky for us, Chris isn't here to handle Brady for us. Damn! Seriously, we have all been relatively well for the past several weeks. Is it coincidence that when Chris leaves, someone is sick? Probably. But it happens EVERY time. I'm dead serious!!

Last week was the worst week, but luckily he was here to help me through it. I had several rough days at work (as in I finally broke down and cried). And then Friday, we got word that our closing has been moved back two months. Just when we're ready to be rid of that house that we haven't lived in for almost THREE years, we're delayed. Very frustrating week.

So I ran five miles Saturday morning (with a little cough, but manageable), did my grocery shopping that afternoon, and on Sunday - the sickness seeped into my family.

So with mono, Kennedy has to be out of school for most of this week. Poor baby girl is so bored already because I won't let her play outside. I'm NOT a strict mommy (okay, I really am) ... I just don't want her recovery to take longer than it has to!! Wearing herself out playing outside or riding her bike will only complicate it!

So we'll be quarantined probably until daddy gets home. And then, it's HIS turn!!