Last night, we went out for hubby's birthday dinner with another couple.  For months, everytime we passed House of Crabs, my husband would say "I want to go here for my birthday".  Well, yesterday was that day, finally!

My husband loves seafood.  I do not even eat shrimp.  Luckily his friend was his seafood buddy, and I sat on the other side of the table with his wife, who is just days from giving birth.  He ordered raw clams, mussels, lobster and even escargot.  I got a pulled pork sandwich.  To be honest, the food was not really good.  The pork was dry and the asparagus was greasy.  My friend ordered a greek salad and it was served in a bucket.  Not cute, just weird.  Everyone had the same opinion of their food as well.

Were all the bowls dirty?

Still the company was good as was the sangria.

Then we headed back home for cake.  Not a bad word can be said about Oreo cake from Dominick's Bakery.

With that, life at 36 began for hubby. 

Today, I have a buddy at work since camp ended and school starts next week.  Luckily he will be lunching while mom is doing a tempo run.  He knows... mom's gotta run :)

Off to work

Sharing is caring: What did you do for your last birthday?  Would you eat salad out of a bucket?

An Escape Artist & A Birthday

Nope, they are not one in the same person!

The escape artist is of course my mini me. Yesterday, we bit the bullet and changed her beautiful crib (which is no longer an obstacle for her) into a toddler bed.  Hubby had been putting it off and thought it would be a mission, but it literally took 10 minutes.

Before

This box has been in our basement for nearly 3 years, and its day  has come.

After

Happy Camper

Well, it is true that she liked the bed and she even got in it at bedtime.  Sadly, she was back in my room by 10 p.m., then 12:30 a.m. and what felt like every 20 minutes after that.  Every time I walked her back into her bed and put her blanket over her, she laid down and pretended to go to sleep... until the next time.

I have no idea what to do next? Except maybe invest in a caffeine IV drip.  Needless to say, I couldn't have coffee fast enough this morning! I needed to wake up, because today is a special day.  It is hubby's birthday! and we are going out to eat tonight.  House of Crabs, here we come! (If I can stay awake long enough.)

A great father

and an amazing husband 

Happy Birthday Boo!

More About Me

Last week, Allyson of SuperRunnerMom tagged me in a Q&A post.  I haven't done one in a while and so I thought it might be a good chance for me to tell you more about myself.

1. What's your current running/fitness goal?

I am training for the NYC Marathon on 11/4.  It will be my 3rd marathon (first since having my daughter).

2. What's your guilty pleasure running song?

Ha!  I run to either 90's hip hop or New Kids on the Block.  I am guilty and proud of it.

3. Do you have a favorite post race meal/restaurant?

I'll take any excuse to eat.  However, I usually run mornings so it's usually eggs and whole wheat toast.  I know it's not very interesting.

4. Do you have siblings?

I am the oldest of 4.  I have 2 sisters and a brother.  I look like none of them.

5. Are you right or left handed?

Right handed.

6. Best meal of your life?

Steakhouse in Cancun with hubby before kids.  I just remember having the best time there.

7. Where would you want to retire?

Look at the economy!  Retirement may never be an option.  I do however see myself in South Florida at some point.

8. Favorite day of the week?

Saturday

9. What did you want to be when you were little?

A dancer, lawyer and a teacher.  Yup, all three at once!  I had big dreams.

10. Cat or dog person?

Always dog.

11. Ever have major surgery?

No, just minor foot surgery.

My 11 boring random things:

1. I wore entirely too much make up as a pre-teen and I wear entirely too little make up as an adult.

2. I considered joining the Peace Corps when I finished college, but decided that I could not be away from my family on holidays.

3. I was in chorus in junior high school, but I cannot sing for my life.

4. I cannot touch wrinkly fingers and toes from being in the water, not even my kids'.

5.I love anything pink and sparkly, just like a 5 year old girl.

6. I love all things 80s - music, movies, rubber bracelets.

7. I looked like Nicholas from "Eight is Enough" when I was about 6.

8.I lived in Florida briefly in the seventh grade and again in the 9th grade.  I hated it.  However, I'd love to live there now. (Not RIGHT now - maybe after hurricane season)

9. I had two epidurals each time I gave birth because the first didn't work.  They didn't hurt, until afterwards.

10. I never played sports as a kid.  I even failed gym four times in high school.

11. I didn't go to my (or any) prom.

SuperRunnerMom's 11 questions for me:

1. What is the oldest piece of clothing in your wardrobe (that you actually wear)?

Ambercrombie shorts that are about 16 years old.  They fit perfect!

2. What is your favorite drink?

I usually drink Cabernet or a vodka and soda.

3. What's your favorite race distance?

Half marathon.  It's an accomplishment, but you do not need to give up 12-16 weeks of your life to train for it.

4. If you could give your teenage self just one piece of advice, what would it be?

Apply yourself more now and it will make life easier later.

5. What did you study/major in college?

Sociology

6. Cilantro - love or hate? (I've determined that there is no in between on this issue)

Love it!  Hubby hates it.

7. Brandon or Dylan? (Inspired by the Old Navy commercials)

Hmmm, Brandon was a punk and Dylan was a jerk so neither.  I just want to hang out in the Peach Pit with the gang

8. Have you ever run a relay? If yes, which one? If no, why not?

Not yet... but after hearing the recaps of Hood to Coast from BlondePonytail andStephanie,I want to.

9. How did you celebrate your 21st birthday?

Too much alcohol and great friends, like most birthdays between 18-25.

10. What movie(s) could you watch over and over again?

Dirty Dancing, Cocktail, Ferris Bueller, Sixteen Candles, Breakfast Club, (and anything else from John Hughes)

11.How often do you update your blog?

I try to post at least 2-3 times per week, life permitting.

Now, I'm tagging a few new friends....

Jessica http://www.deploymentdivas.com 

Krista https://cantsurviveonyarnalone.wordpress.com/ 

Lynda http://www.healthyhobokengirl.com/ 

Erin http://agirlandhermutt.com/ 

Christina http://www.forkyou-noforkyou.com/ 

Phyllis http://www.galfriday4hire.com/

Cherie http://cherierunsthis.com/

Laura http://www.joyfulshimmy.com

Renee http://www.bendifulblog.com/

Anything I missed that you want to know?  Comment here or ask me on Facebook or Twitter.

Long Run Fail

The main events of this past weekend were to be nephew's first birthday party and my 14 mile training run. Only one of the two happened. Guess which one. Hint: The title is a spoiler.

I hoped to get my long run done Saturday morning but hubby was working and sister needed my help early. When it was all over, we had a great party aside from badly bruising my toe. I banged it against a piece of wood that was clearly not it's right place. I cried in pain and then kept it moving. It was a long, fun day with family and I was asleep the minute I hit my bed.

The birthday boy! 

Her first ever pigtails for her cousin's party :)

My big boy

Pinata madness

You don't keep a bouncy house in your living room?  I thought everyone did.

Sadly, I never confirmed a sitter for Sundays long run, even though I could asked my younger sister to come and stay over. So when mini-me woke me up (after climbing out of her crib- the new norm), I realized that I was not running again. My morning check of Facebook alerted me that my yoga studio, 5 Boro Yoga was hosting yoga on the beach. I fed and dressed the kids and we were off. The yoga session was for donations for a woman with cancer and the theme was about doing for others and not having regrets. I did yoga and the kids played in the sand. It was refreshing and I decided that while I will plan better going forward, how can I regret a morning spent with the kids on the beach. And I managed to help someone in need, if even just a little bit.

The kids playing during yoga.

Yogis on the beach :)

 

Namaste

Mommy Moment: Crib Escape

So last night around 2 a.m., the inevitable happened.  I was sleeping and turned around to see mini-me standing on the side of my bed.  Oh, did I mention that she sleeps in a crib?!  After I got over the initial shock, I scooped her up for a diaper change and quick interrogation.

Me - "Hmm, baby girl, how did you get out of your crib?"
Her - "I climbed out.  I wanted you, Mommy."

The scene of the crime (not sure what my son is doing in this pic)

A little warm milk coaxed her back to bed and bought me a little more sleep.  Then at 4:30, a crying mini-me showed up again because this time she got a boo boo during her escape.  I explained that it was still dark out and I would wake her when it was morning.  I hid under the blanket for 30 minutes more and then I knew it had to be yoga time.  I didn't run as I had planned yesterday and I was feeling tight.  Luckily I got 90% through it before she was up yet again.

A simpler time back when she was happy to stay in the crib.

So, now what?  Hubby says we should be trying to keep her in the crib.  I feel that we need to get the toddler bed set up and start teaching her to stay in bed.  Although I have no idea how to keep her there.  Four years ago this step was much easier.  My son (like his mommy) loves sleep and stayed in bed until I woke him.  Help!

Hump Day

How is it Wednesday already?  I am clearly experiencing Healthy Living Summit withdrawal.  I have been reading so many new blogs and adding twitter feeds whenever I find a free minute.

Note to self: Update Blogroll 

Between that, work and life, I am exhausted.  To add to the fun, my little princess has decided at 2.5 that she no longer wants to sleep through the night.  Instead she yells "I want you Mommy!" until I take her out of the crib.

She wants me... at 2 a.m., 3 a.m., 4 a.m...

 Interrupted sleep makes for 0 morning workouts this week.  It's sad too because the weather has been nice and I want to run outside.  I even programmed a workout in my Garmin for my speed work yesterday morning.  However I wound up on a treadmill at lunch.  Regardless though, run completed.  I did sacrifice lunch though (no time) and a hungry Jen is NOT a happy Jen.  Thank God for the Dancing Deer Fruit and Nut Squares I had brought into work from the HLS swag bag.  Really yummy!  So, today I am better prepared.

Salad + hummus + avocado + banana = Happy Jen

These days anything I can check off as completed makes me happy.  With September looming, I have a million things to do that I swore I would do earlier in the summer.  Not to mention that I have not studied for my ACE PT certification all month summer.  I think September will (have to) be a fresh start. I'm going to start working on some goals and plans for a better, more consistent diet.

FYI - Wine will be on that diet

With marathon training runs getting longer I'll need to squeeze more run time in.  Somehow I also need to be doing some strength workouts.  I feel like I have lost so much strength since I stopped doing the Jamie Eason LiveFit program. With Super Spartan in two weeks, feeling weaker is not optimal.  I just need to start moving.  Once I'm going, you can't catch me.

Sharing is caring: Do you become another, more scary person when you are hungry?
Moms: Is it normal for a 2.5 year old to change her sleeping patterns?  How do I fix it?

Healthy Living Summit 2012

This past weekend I attended the Healthy Living Summit in Cambridge, Ma, which was kind of a big deal for me since this was my first weekend away sans hubby and kids.  It was the first time in 6.5 years (my son's whole life) that I ever slept away from my children for more than one night, let alone two whole days!  It was all made possible by a supportive husband and a visiting mother-in-law.  (Thanks to both of you!!)

Bright and early Friday morning, my friend Nurys and I headed to Boston via the 8 a.m. Bolt Bus.  During our bus ride, we had mini rice cakes, peanut butter and wifi. Who could complain?! One four hour ride and a few stops on the red line later and we were in front of MIT.  

The bus literally stalled 7 minutes from our destination, but luckily started back up. 

I want to be an "ale wife."

It was at the Kendall T stop that we met our first two HLS friends, Debbie and Christina.  They had been on our bus and apparently we had to travel four hours to meet two girls from my hometown (Go Brooklyn!).  I even gave out my first business cards, which was "Big" moment for me.

A quick taxi ride got us to the beautiful Hyatt Regency Cambridge and within minutes we were unpacked and ready to start our weekend.  We had lunch in the hotel restaurant, outside overlooking the Charles River.  We split a delicious pizza and a salad.  Of course we also had to celebrate our arrival in Boston with a pair of Sam Adams.  

Ready for lunch

The beautiful Charles River

Pizza Deliciousness

Fresh and yummy

After lunch, HLS registration was underway.  I had been so excited about the swag that I could not wait to get my bag.  We got a pair of very nice Reeboks in advance of our Saturday CrossFit workout (more on that later).  

Thank you Reebok Crossfit!  I love my swag!

We joined the tail end of Greatist founder, Derek Flanzraich's session and stuck around to chat with a few bloggers about our lives and our blogs.  It was interesting to learn that there are bloggers from all walks of life and while everyone has different goals, we all find that our blog is important to us and we want to make it better.

Greatist founder, Derek Flanzraich, his collaegue and my roomie

After our first day intros, Nurys and I headed to Cuchi Cuchi  for dinner.  It is a fun tapas place with great scenery where the staff is dressed in period costumes, which according to their website personifies "the age of Old World Beauty and early Hollywood".  It was packed but we were lucky enough to score the last two seats at the bar and after ordering the last two Sam Adams Summer Ales (literally, there were no more summer ales left in the whole place), we ordered grilled pork rolls and an eggplant dish with goat cheese.  In an effort to carb-load for the next morning's long run, we also ordered some bread (with the fancy olive oil). 

Mmmm Carbs!

Pork Roll

Eggplant Heaven

After dinner and ready to party

Everything was delicious!  I could have eaten all night but we had to hit the HLS Cocktail Party.  It was the first party I had been to since the 7th grade that was all (well, 99%) women.  And it was fun!  In between trips to the photo booth, we met  more bloggers and I also connected with some bloggers that I had met in the past.  We also scored some "Rebootizer" from the party's sponsor which was to have us up and refreshed the next morning.

Loving the props from the photo booth

Me and Jessica 

The next morning at 5 a.m., we were up and Rebootized (or just anxious to get it over with) for a 13 mile run.  By 5:30 a.m.  Nurys and I headed out with a Garmin and a prayer.  We ran around the Charles River, through parks, over bridges and through a Navy Yard.  It was drizzling off and on, but we barely noticed.  It was a beautiful run and I wanted to stop and take some pictures, but I also wanted to finish so no pictures (sorry). 13 miles later we took the world's quickest showers and headed down to the lobby for breakfast and the official beginning of the conference.

Breakfast was hosted by Wild Harvest. They had a recipe contest and the winner's dishes were served as breakfast.  It was a delicious Greek-style egg white dish and a potato dish with asparagus.  My description will not do it justice (I don't write about food, I eat it), but just know that I had two plates, which luckily did not come back to haunt me at the Reebok CrossFit event.  

Talking about   Reebok CrossFit,  I must say that despite being a happily married woman, I was not blind to the fact that none of the instructors were difficult on the eyes.  We were led through a five minute workout of air squats and jumps.  It was not easy.  Five minutes is a long time, especially after 13 miles.

Thank Reebok! :)

Nurys, Sarah & Phyllis 

5 minutes of CrossFit = Sweat

After a quick break to clean up and change, we started our sessions for the day.  There were usually two going on at once, so there was something for everyone.  I attended as many sessions as possible and learned a lot from some popular bloggers including Gretchen, Ashley, Theodora, Rachel, Dori, Teri, Courtney and so many more.  

Mid-session photo op 

After the sessions and a keynote speech from Wild Harvest, makers of the best organic animal crackers and peanut butter in the entire world, we were on our own.  A friend of mine who lives close by picked up Nurys and I and took us to dinner at Vejigantes.  There is nothing like authentic Puerto Rican food... and sangria. :) 

Yucca Frita

Steak

Tres Leches Cake

Later we visited a few dive bars and a club in Harvard Square before heading back to the hotel and straight to bed.  

Harvard Square

Sunday morning I was feeling the effects of a fun Saturday night and was thrilled to find that breakfast included french toast and these beautiful egg dishes.  I filled up on caffeine and said some final goodbyes to some of the great bloggers that I met.

We caught an earlier bus than planned and hubby was at the bus stop to bring me home to my babies.  I had found out that on Sunday morning my son was crying because he missed me and I could not wait to smother them both with kisses.  

On the bus.

When I got home they both attacked me with hugs and then we had fun bath time. They also helped me unpack my swag.  My boy loved the Rebootizer sunglasses and my little one was all about the "make up" aka Chobani lip balm.

Home Sweet Home

I want to thank Meghann, Heather, Tina, Julie and everyone else who worked so hard to plan this event.  Also, the volunteers, the speakers and the sponsors.  It was a great experience for me as a relatively new blogger.  I have a laundry list of next steps which I will add to my "to do" list right after pick up frozen waffles and get my son's glasses from the eye doctor.  Be patient please, I'm a work in progress.

Sharing is caring: Did you attend HLS or any other blogger conferences?  Are they all as good as your "first time"?