Something's gotta give

It's been a busy week. I ALWAYS find time to blow dry my hair even if I'm just at home doing nothing. Not this week, I've gone 2/3 days without using a blow dryer. Today I followed my swim at the gym with a shower and planned to come home to dry my hair....but it didn't happen!

Poor Baby!

Miss Ella can't catch a break! Her diaper rash is back and it's even worse. I feel so bad for her! We have changed NOTHING that I can think of and I'm thinking back to the foods she's eaten the last few days and nothing jumps out at me.

I am scared to put anything new on her, but the rash was not getting any better with vaseline, so I tried Aquaphor last night and then went out to Walgreens after she was in bed and made some aquaphor/maalox and applied that when she got up at 1AM. I just knew I needed a plan of attack for the overnight wake up.

I remember how much we dispensed aquaphor/maalox when I was working in Denver and thought it was worth a shot. Quite a sight to see me with a big bowl and whisk mixing up some diaper rash cream! I told Joe it would have gotten about a B+ in school and he gave me an A.

We have an appointment with her pediatrician this afternoon. She hasn't even been to daycare since Friday and we are not neglectful, but I feel like a horrible Mom taking her in with such a hideous looking rash! She just cries and says owie and I want to cry with her!

I just don't know what to do next!

The search is on....again!

We have had no luck contacting the wonderful babysitter we found for Ella. It's so strange, but I'm guessing she paid off the bills she had and is taking the summer off or found a great summer job. My fear is something bad happened and I worry.

We paid for another month of Care.com and we are in the interviewing process. This is a tough process, but I want to find the right person to care for Ella. Wish us luck!

The major bummer is the latest applicants are much more expensive....but I know we were getting a steal of a deal with our last sitter even paying over what she asked! It just kills me to know that our daycare used to be open 24-7 and oh, how I wish that was still the case!

Also, I am amazed how many people advertise themselves on a website for finding childcare and then not even respond to our messages......seriously? I guess it makes the weedout process that much easier for us!

I'm making movies!

I love the Flip video recorder I got for my birthday last year! We own a very nice video camera, but we don't get it out very often. I love the ease of the Flip. I know our family loves the opportunity to watch a little Ella action via YouTube and it's quite easy to upload! I have many flip videos backed up on my computer, but I never know what else to do with them.

I wanted to come up with a great Father's Day gift this year and I was determined to make my Dad a DVD of chosen Ella videos. It took me over a week of trying and searching and reading online. I kept having issues of the sound not matching the picture --- I think I went through 30 DVD's! Finally, I bought this program and it made it so easy! I chose the videos I wanted in the Flipshare program and then made a movie within that program. Next I had to save the video to my hard drive and then run it through the iorg converter and then to DVD. It's easier than it sounds......and I hope I remember how to do it next time!

I'm excited to be able to burn DVD's for Ella to have and others to give as gifts. I have the Lightscribe on my DVD burner as well so it really makes a nice gift with a picture burned into the top of the DVD.

In the process of all this, I had the Ella Movie playing on our TV and Ella thought it was the coolest thing ever to watch a movie of herself! She changed from pointing the remote at the TV and cheering for Elmo to cheering for Ella!

Music Suggestions?

This song is a for sure in my playlist for the Tri. Any other recommendations?

Camping?

I was discussing this with a colleague last night. I may need one of these before our next camping adventure! Even with this, I think I will still go with a 2 night maximum!

We need to find a weekend to try out camping with Ella. Poor Nicky has to be in camping withdrawal!

Little Miss Independent!

I think the terrible two's may have arrived at our house! She knows what she wants and she thinks she can do everything HERSELF. Nothing like her mother.....

Learning to leave the house with a newborn was challenging, but doable. Doing the necessary steps to leave the house with a toddler is a whole new game!
Diaper change was an easy success, the dress was not going so well. She refused to let me put it on her in room and was in the living room with the dress on her feet before I got out there.
I kept telling her it had to go over her head and continued to offer help unsucessfully.

"NO, I do NOT need your help and I will make sure you DON'T get this dress"

Getting closer to over her head!

Oops, I made the mistake of helping again, now Nicky must protect her and her dress!

Then it got kind of cold for the naked baby!

OK, let's try this again!

Now with my coaching she is trying the arms again.

OOPS, I tried to help again and got an all-out fit!

Eventually we left the house with Ella in the dress, but she was naked for over an hour. I left her alone and got ready for the gym. I was ready and finally said you must wear the dress and it's time to go. I pulled the dress over her head with no issues!

OH MY! I was exhausted and it was only 7:30 and I hadn't even started my workout!!!

Sometimes the best gifts are those you didn't know you needed!

Barb gave me this Spibelt while they were here. She thought of me and all my drama with losing my wallet, phone and she's seen me in action trying to get it all together while usually carrying a toddler!

I should use it everytime I leave the house.....but I've been using it while exercising. The pocket expands and expands and expands as needed. You can just keep adding things and it remains close to your body and doesn't move when you do! I've worn in walking and biking and tonight I wore it running. I carried my phone and checked my speed and distance while jogging --- it was awesome!

I plan on wearing this in the big race as well!

Thanks Barb for such a thoughtful and perfect gift!!!! Think of getting one or gifting one soon!

Also, Spibelt is made right in Austin, TX --- I love it when I can find things made here in the USA!

Now if only it would turn me into the model in the ad....

Triathlon update

The triathlon is getting so close!  Joe watches the countdown here and I know it freaks him out!

 

I am scared and at times regretful of my choice.  I have wanted to give up many times! 

 

My swim is going well.  I think I can complete the swim in less than 15 minutes.  I was most worried about the swim in the beginning and feel the training went the smoothest for this portion.  This is likely because

it is a much smaller time commitment to accomplish the swim and it involves going to the gym, so I planned better.

 

The bike --- I can bike it on a stationary bike with no issues.  I know the real deal is harder.  Worst case scenario it takes me a while....but I feel confident that I can accomplish the distance.

 

The run -- I suck!  I don't enjoy running.  I have never experienced the "runner's high".  It's hard and I am trying, but not as hard as I should be.  I hit a block (likely all in my head) and I give up.  At this point I anticipate a planned run/walk in the final race.  I might be able to run the entire 5K by the time of the race, but I don't think I could do it after the swim and bike and then add in HEAT --- it's been in the high 90's here.  I am just realistic....

I work best under pressure and I'm definitely feeling the pressure so I will set realistic training goals for the next 2 weeks, give it my all and see how it all turns out!  I will do all in my power to be there on July 10th with a good attitude and the desire to finish!

Bike ride

We went for a bike ride with Ella's new trailer.  I was tired before I got the bike and trailer out and her loaded up.  It's hard and this will be good for training the next 2 weeks and then I will feel light in the race. 

Photo after she took her helmet off.

I think I just found a fun family activity!

Ella and her faces

These are some of the faces I captured during snack time this afternoon! She is big into faces and she does this adorable scowl. I'm not sure where it came from....

I guess I had the camera out today!

Where's Ella?

Today she was reading books on the couch and wanted Baby Elmo's binky. I was on a mission to find it and while looking she wanted almost EVERY toy she could find. Before I knew it, I couldn't find Ella!

Say Cheese!

This only works while she is confined, but she will smile if we say, "cheese". I think she learned it from her cousins in Long Island and it's adorable!

Patience

Patience is doing laundry with the "help" of a toddler. Wow......thank God I had a good workout today or my fuse may have blown!

Surprise Playdate!

My friend Marlow had a daycare snafu this week so Ella and I went over to hang out with Mason. They both took naps and then played. They greeted eachother with hugs, and shared snacks pretty well, but Ella thinks everything is HERS. Thankfully they have the same doggy lovey which came in handy. It cracked me up that Ella knew which one was hers and with prompting she would go and get Mason's for him. I am hoping more playdates will improve Ella's desire to share!

I LOVE that they are matching and after seeing Ella in this dress, I want to put her in dresses everyday! I told Marlow Mason is going to want a pink pillow!

Hello Pediatric Dentist!

I hear kids should see the dentist before age 2, and we have dental insurance, so I decided to make an appointment for Ella at a pediatric dentist. I am so jealous! Maybe I wouldn't have such a fear and hatred for the dentist if it could have been a more positive experience for me as a child!

He was awesome! He chatted with us first and then really cleaned her teeth. I didn't expect that. I thought she was too little and he would just look, but she got a cleaning and some fluoride.

I held her and she screamed, but in the end she got a new toothbrush, kid toothpaste and a duckie. She left smiling and blowing kisses!

I know this appointment was more for me. We have to brush her teeth. Letting her play with her elmo toothbrush just isn't cutting it. We've done it for 3 nights. It takes both of us, so it will be hard when I'm at work or Joe's out of town, but I hope it gets easier with time. We will start with bedtime and when it gets easier we will try for the goal of 3 times a day.

I also learned it's OK to use fluoride toothpaste (pea sized amount). I am hoping that starting dental health early will save her some money in the future. Joe and I could have bought a boat or something with the money we have spent at the dentist the last 5 years!

NY Days 4-5 - The CITY!

What a difference a year + makes! Photo on the left March 09 -- look at those chubby cheeks!

We went to American Girl and Ella got her very own Bitty Baby! We learned you CAN split up the twins, you just have to ask and they have them in separate boxes. Advice -- arrive early, the place was insane by the time we left! Dear Grandmas, Ella may love clothes and accessories for her bitty baby for gifts!

Mmmmm......one of the many things I love about NYC! You will never find a crust that even compares outside of NYC.

Hotel lobby -- we had a great location. Thank you Joe for using up all your Hilton points! We were about a 5 minute walk from Times Square, Central park and Rockefeller Center --- perfect!

Enjoying a street vendor hotdog with a view --- this is the life!

FAO Schwarz -- every kids dream come true! We just let her RUN through the baby/toddler area in the basement.

The Piano from the movie Big! She had fun, but she needs to gain more weight to make the keys go!

Central Park Zoo

We bought her a handful of food, but she wasn't interested. She preferred to pick up the tiny pieces of food from the ground and feed them those -- silly girl!

That's a lot of pics, but I just love the joy on her face!

Ella's favorite number is 9. She yells 9 when she sees any number or letter --- I HAD to stop at this photo op!

Getting ready for our big night out!

We rode to Carmine's in style. The convention at our hotel had just gotten out and the taxi line was ridiculous. The guy on a bike with this buggy offered us a ride and it was a perfect adventure through Times Square. Ella waved at everyone and he even stopped at at a red light for this photo op!

Dinner --- we found a babysitter, Elmo on DVD and a sucker. Perfecto! Sometimes you just do what you gotta do!

The adventure back to the hotel. You never know what you'll find in NYC!

A cute little girl is the perfect excuse for a photo op with the NYPD! Joe's cousin Jennifer works Manhattan one night a week!

NO WAY! It's Elmo in Times Square --- she LOVES Elmo, but this was Scruddy Elmo and he just didn't sound right. She was scared to death! He was quick to show us his "purse" and said we could have a picture for a price!

Within the next block she was screaming for Elmo (pronounced Daddo, Daddo) and kept looking for him. I was egging her on and we even have video. Are we horrible?

This was the 45 minute line we saw every night for this street vendor outside our hotel. It was Greek lamb, beef and rice. It didn't even look good to me....but the people waited and waited and waited.....

Bath, jammies, and an ice cream run --- who wouldn't want to be in NYC?

This was my view at the Today Show! I found the very last front row position!

Al was by far the most friendly! He greeted everyone!

The camera guy --- he was hilarious and he put us on a few times! What a fun job! Random people just SCREAM for you every morning!

Valerie and Ann

I've watched the TV for years, it's so fun to see it all come together. These producers are so fun and the entire crew just laughs and jokes the entire time.

I picked a great day to hear such fabulous music! The violinist and orchestra were outstanding!

This is the line we beat by about 3 seconds to get on the carousel in Central park!

Ella thought it was great until it starting moving......really fast!

We didn't take many pictures in the park, but we did go there both days. It just feels so good and then you look up to see all the skyscrapers! What a life! We were stopped a few times by people asking for directions, so I guess we looked like we fit in.

NYC always pulls me in and it's always hard to leave and keeps me wanting to plan our next trip! We constantly throw around the idea of moving to NY someday......but with Miss Ella and our beloved Nicky whom both require a backyard, it would not be Manhattan!