Vacation Wrap Up - Part 1

Warning: this is not my usual ranting.... Vacation was actually refreshing and even, dare I say relaxing. I mean, not your couples resort on the beach for 10 days with mimosas relaxing, but as close as one can come with 2 couples, and four kids under the age of 5. :)

The sheer logistics of the transportation was enough to require a vacation. With the 4 adults and 4 children came 2 double strollers, 2 car seats, 1 booster seat and oh, yea, luggage! The kids were great on the plane in comparison to the nightmares that I have heard in the past. My princess sat on my lap and while it wasn't optimal for two and half hours, she was so good. Other passengers actually complimented me on how good she was after the flight. I know they were surprised because as the last group to board the plane, I could see the look of sheer fear and disappointment on the faces of those seated near us. If you could see a thought bubble, it would collectively say, "Oh no, not a baby, I cannot handle a screaming baby for this entire plan ride. Please don't seat here!" That look was only to be matched by the car rental agent who assured us we needed a bigger vehicle (read: more money) and then watched us pile in clowns. Even Barnum & Bailey would have be proud!

Once we were checked in and unpacked (Yes, I'm crazy like that. I must unpack as soon as I arrive), we started with some food shopping for the week. Yes, food shopping. For those without kids or with lots of money, this vacation included a full kitchen and lots of home cooked meals. When you think about it, the kids waste more than they eat, for that I'd rather feed them in the room and then head out to our destination. Plus, since it was a vacation, the adults needed beer and lots of it :)

The week was chock full of Disney and Sea World with just enough pool to keep from exhausting ourselves in the 85-90 degree heat. More to come...

Working for my "Vacation"

So the good news is that we are headed to the happiest place on Earth for a week. Although, of course, nothing ever comes easy these days... Packing for 2 children and 2 adults in a feat in itself. I literally spent a full day - from morning until night - preparing for this trip. I must have did ten loads of laundry and I still have a bag of baby clothes to fold and put away, a blanket in the dryer and another load to start. With T minus 36 hours to go, I have the children and myself "mostly" packed and hopefully the Hubby has made his pile (very wishful thinking). Work tomorrow and then the evening will be dedicated to the last minute stuff.

My only hope is to make it onto the plane in one piece, well four pieces... Oh how I miss the twenty-something trips to South Beach with a duffel bag of bathing suits and club clothes on a flight after work on a Thursday.

To be continued

Running a Different Kind of Race

So, it's Monday again. The weekend flew by and left me with a sense of accomplishment and some major soreness. I'm a runner... and by that I mean that when given the opportunity (aka babysitter or husband at home) I slap on some running sneakers and head out on my own for as long as can without them coming to look for me. It is my zen, my happy place, my coping mechanism for stress. I would not go so far as to say I'm good or fast, but it makes me happy, so I do it when I can.

This Sunday I ran the local half marathon in my town. I had been training for this race for a few months. In my plan, I was running at least 3-4 short runs during the week at lunch (at the gym) and a long run every weekend up to 10 miles. It was a great plan. It even had some strength training in the form of exercise videos and evening kickboxing classes. Trainers and magazines always say that you have to schedule your runs and stick to them... apparently they are not working mothers. Unfortunately my training was dependent upon work being manageable and my husband or neighbor being willing and able to watch the kids for up to two hours early on a Saturday or Sunday morning. In the end, I was able to run maybe 1 day a week and a long run every other weekend and maybe a video workout once a month.

That said, this Sunday morning I woke up and snuck out of my house at the crack of dawn and headed to the starting line. I started running and for the next 2 hours, 14 minutes and 15 seconds (a personal record!), I was only responsible for putting one foot in front of the other. While it was exhausting, at least it was a new kind of exhaustion. I only had keep myself moving and focusing on the finish line. It was refreshing to say the least. And even though I hadn't followed the original training plan, I cannot say that I was untrained. Every day I get up and start running, to get the kids dressed and to school, to work, to the bus and to get them to bed and ready for the next day.

So the official race ended and I arrived home shortly after with breakfast in hand for hubby and my Boogie. The baby even had some of my egg sandwich. Then it was time to get moving, I heard the gun sound off in my hand and I was off.... laundry, cleaning, park, etc. Sometimes I wonder if I can ever stop running, but the truth is... I wouldn't know what to do if I didn't have this race I call my life.

No Time for This

So like most working moms, my biggest issue is not having enough time. Hey, here's an idea... take on a blog - way to stop stretching myself thin, Jen!

On the flipside, I cannot afford (and of course, don't have time for) therapy so instead I can rant to an audience of zero within the virtual society of the internet. Since I talk to myself all day, figure I must as well write it out for the history books.

So... let's talk about me... Working mom (you got that part already) of two little ones, almost 5 year old son I like to call Boogie and my beautiful 10 month old princess Cita. I work full-time in the city with a less than desired 1-2.5 hour commute (every day is an adventure with the MTA!) I also have a husband that I love very much who does try his best, usually, to make it easier.... usually.

I went back to work about 11 weeks after giving birth. It was easier the second time around because at least I was familiar with the feelings of abandonment and heartbreak when you leave the child you created and spent every waking moment with up until that point. Plus the second time around you are juggling all types of logistics about dropping off two kids and who goes where and until when and so you don't have as much time to sit at your desk and cry about it. Although I still found some time for that. ;)

It's now seven months later and my daughter is as comfortable and happy in her daycare as she is in our house, which makes it easier, emotionally. Logistically, I am still trying to figure it all out. Now Boogie is in kindergarten which means two different drop off locations, at two different times with two sets of backpacks, lunches, etc. and THEN I get to start my commute. Oh joy!

I guess that's enough of an intro, plus I'm exhausted! Until next time....