Thanksgiving Point Race

When I registered us for the Thanksgiving Point 5K I thought it sounded like a great way to stretch the legs after our Half Marathon the week before.  It probably would have been a good way to stretch our legs too, until I got the stomach flu only hours before.

Let us rewind.  Originally this was the big race that Baylee had been training for.  She loves to be involved in racing just like the rest of us crazies.  Well this week when I went online to confirm registrations I realized that I had failed to register her.  Looking back I remember why, I had emailed them to make sure it wouldn't be a problem for her to run with the younger kids since she techinically is too old.  After they confirmed it was okay I forgot to go back and actually register her.  MOTHER FAIL.  At which time it was too late and the registration had closed.  However, Evan and Rachel came to the rescue.  On Friday (or maybe Thursday) the two of them had called and emailed Thanksgiving Point enough times that they graciously agreed to let her register the day of.  Thanks so much guys!!!

So the race was on ....

Well I had gone out for a 4 mile runch (that's what I call a running lunch break) on Friday.  Probably not my best idea.  I should have rested my legs even if it was only for a 3 miler the next day.  It didn't help that I came down with a cold this week either.  But what put me over the edge was the stomach flu I began fighting at 3:30am Saturday morning.  Man did that suck. I have Wyland to thank for it since he had it on Wednesday night.  So I had tired legs, a cold, dehydrated from barfing, lack of sleep from barfing .. yep I was in tip top race shape.  I debated about not going but I needed to go at least for Baylee and if I was going then I was running. 

Needless to say it was my worst race ever.  Every step was hard.  I was totally depleted of energy.  The entire first half of those miles is uphill.  My heart rate was through the roof.  Those 11 minute miles, which for me is an "easy pace" were HARD.  Fortunately I was running with Rebecca because had I not been I would have slowed down incredibly. She kept me moving though.  She was my rabbit.  We crossed the finish line together and literally finished with the exact same time down to the second.  Jeramie had started out running with Rebecca's husband and quickly learned he was SPEEDY.  He ended up placing 1st in his age group.  Jeramie still PR'd. He ran an awesome race and I'm really glad he didn't stay back with me.  When I finished I literally lay on the grass, just to let my poor heart recover.

Rebecca and I crossing the finish line.  We were matchy matchy again.

One of my favorite running skirts. 

Rebecca gave it to me for my birthday this last year.

I got several compliments on it too.  So cute!

I love running with the hubs.

So once we were finished I felt truly miserable.  I walked to the car to get Baylee's race packet and I just felt like I was going to hurl.  And then I did.  Again.  I am so very grateful that Evan and Rachel had brought Baylee down and were willing to stay.  I felt so bad that I couldn't tough it out to stay for Baylee's race.  I went home, climbed into bed complete with my complete race outfit and restlessly slept until 2pm that afternoon.  I felt a bit better when I got back up. 

Baylee did awesome at her race.  According to Evan and Rachel she ran a good part of it and I'm so proud of her.  Guess I'll have to find another race with a kids fun run so we can go watch her do that.

She LOVES racing!

Love the thumbs up!

Love how this one shows how hard she's working!

Many thanks for this day!

Thanks to my dad for getting up early on a Saturday to come sit at our house

 with the boys while we went out and raced.

Thanks to Evan and Rachel for not only getting Baylee into the race,

but also for picking her up to bring her down.

And also for staying with her and bringing her home.

And especially to Rachel for the GREAT race pictures.

I seriously love my family.  You guys are all the best!



Jackson starts baseball

Jackson had his first baseball game last night. I say baseball because he did in fact hit coach pitched balls minus the tee. He got one really good hit too. Only once did he run from 3rd base back over to 1st base. But he didn't make that mistake again. It was such a pleasant surprise when Uncle Evan and Aunty Rachel showed up to cheer him on. I sent out his game schedule and there they were! He is officially on the Rangers. And while he didn't actually have that much prior baseball experience he did pretty good and really had a blast! He's already excited to do it again tomorrow. I also have a small degree of relief that Wyland wasn't bothered that he's not playing. He was happy to hang out on the sidelines for an hour. And Oliver just loved getting to go outside period.

Salt Lake City Half Marathon

So the big day finally arrived.  After much debate about whether the race was even going to happen they pulled it together and the next thing I knew it was 4:50am on a Saturday morning and I was climbing out of bed while Jeramie mumbled, "5 more minutes."  Before we knew it we were off to meet my friend Rebecca.  After much debate we had decided to drive down close to the start line and then ride trax up to the start.  This meant parking was free and also that we could meet up with Rebecca who otherwise would have had to ride up there alone. 

Once we arrived on trax the sun started to rise and it started to get just a tiny bit warmer.

But not much.  We took a couple pictures before going up to the start line.  Oh, and hit the porta potties.  Just in time actually because as soon as we finished there were lines at least 20 people deep.

I actually really like this picture of Jeramie and I.

Rebecca and I wore matching running skirts.

We didn't actually manage to catch up to Evan and Rachel before the race. They got there right before it started and as we headed up to find them, they had headed down to the porta potties.  So we completely missed eachother and then next thing we knew the gun had gone off.  Rebecca headed over to line up with the 2:30 pace group while we thought we were around the 2:20 pace group. 

As we started off we were puddling along and all of a sudden I noticed a tank top just like mine.  Then a tall guy next to her and there were Evan and Rachel.  Rachel and I had worn matching tanks. I got her one for her birthday.  It was nice to catch up to Team Daddy Long Legs just to say hello and then they were off.  We continued to puddle along at a faster pace than I had initially planned but it was a slight down hill so we just went with it.

Things were going pretty well for the first half.  We continued at about the same pace.  I felt pretty good other than a bit of a belly ache around that halfway point.  But just kept trudging along.  I kept hoping that if I maintained my pace that I would eventually catch up to TDLL .. it was not to be had this race.  They did freaking awesome.  Around mile 9 I noticed that Jeramie had dropped behind me and for awhile he was right at my heels and then he slowly faded back.  As I kept trudging along.  We had discussed this possibility and he knew I had trained hard and had big goals.  It was agreed that it either of us had to stop to pee or needed to slow down the other would carry on ahead.  I was getting a little tired by around mile 10 and before I knew it we hit the infamous State Street and the final big hill.  I'll be honest it wasn't as bad as I had feared it would be.  But at the same time if it hadn't have been for that hill I could have hit a sub 2:10.  That was the only point I began to slow down.  Stupid hill.  My accomplishable goal had been 2:20.  I felt pretty confident that I could pull that out with the training I had completed.  My secret goal was a 2:15 and those that I talked about in depth knew this was my secret goal. Meaning I would really have to push myself but it was maybe possible.  I should mention my time in Vegas was 2:45, so I was really itching for a 30 minute improvement.  That's a lot in the world of racing.

Here's TDLL (I've officially named you guys that).

Finishing strong.  Rachel's goal was 2:10.

Their official chip time was 2:10:03!! 

So proud of them both.  They killed it!

Then here I come by myself.

Official chip time 2:12:27!!!

SOO SOO proud of that.

I worked hard for it and it wasn't easy.

But there I am at the end with a smile on my face.

Jeramie having completed his first half marathon.

Chip time 2:23:47

Hey .. that's better than my first.

So proud of him too.  And I really enjoyed running the first 9 miles with him.

Kind of like me and Rebecca in Vegas.  Even though he never actually talks to me EVER.

 My parents brought the kids down with them to cheer us in.

These signs were such a pleasant surprise.  I don't think you realize how truly wonderful it is to

have loved ones cheering for you at a race.  I'm so grateful they came!!

Here we all were at the end.  It was such a GREAT day!

Me and my best friend and running buddy.

Thanks again to my family for coming down.

Truly so glad to have you guys there.

Mike and his kids too!

Afterwards we went to meet the fam for breakfast.  Oh my gosh, I'm not sure my stomach was ready for that much food.  After hanging out at my parents most of the afternoon I think I may actually have my mum talked into training for a 5k maybe towards the end of summer.  I would LOVE to run one with her.  Racing is so much fun.  I truly wish I could talk Mike into doing it as well.  But for whatever reason he's dead set against all things running.

I was feeling really good yesterday.  However, when I woke up this morning my quads are ANGRY.  Like I literally have to walk down stairs sideways.  I never felt anything like this when I ran Vegas, so clearly I didn't run to my true potential there.  In a way it makes the PR event sweeter, it's kind of like it's making it all too clear to me that I pushed myself hard for that goal.  I think we may also have Evan talked into running the Timpanogos Half Marathon in July.  Maybe.  I'm excited and already looking forward to it.

Awesome .. awesome day.

Conversation

Between Wyland and I last night:

Wyland:   Are you going to work?

Me:   No.  But I have to go to stupid work tomorrow.

Wyland:   I have to go to stupid school.  Do you like work?

Me:   Yeah.  But I wish I could stay home and play with you all day.

Wyland:   I hate my school.  Stupid school.

It just struck me as a really funny conversation.  I wasn't prepared for him to compare my work to his school.  And just for the record I actually don't think he hates school.  I'm currently debating whether to move him to another preschool next year or not.  Jackson really struggled moving to Kindergarten, I don't feel like he was very well prepared.  Wyland already knows most of his letters and I feel like maybe I'm doing him a disservice if I don't send him to somewhere that might push academics a little bit more.  I'm considering the Challenger Preschool program.  Would increase the cost we pay a lot.  Or there is a home run preschool that my neighbor sent her son to and she felt like he was pretty prepared for kindergarten.  This one would actually reduce the amount that I pay, but the smaller class size could actually provide more 1 on 1 time spent with him.

Ugh .. I don't want to overreact to Jackson's experience.  And I don't want to compare him and Wyland.  But at the same time I don't want to not see it as a sign either.  Anyone have any thoughts either way?

Easter!

Baylee was by far the most excited of all the kids for the Easter bunny to arrive.  She talked about it for days and kept asking me if I was excited.  Then the night before she wrote a sign for Jackson to remind him to wake her up.  Like she really needed waking up.  She will text people in the middle of the night some times .. we're talking 3 and 4 in the morning.  I guess because she is the only person in the basement she was worried we would forget her down there. 

Alas, the big day arrived.  When Jackson woke up I heard him tip toe downstairs and then come back and say in the saddest voice of all, "The Easter bunny forgot to come."  To which I said, are you certain?  He went and looked again and sure enough the bunny DID come.  What a relief!!

The kids all loved their loot.  Baylee might have been slightly disappointed that she didn't get a chocolate bunny, instead she got some Vitamin Water Zero.  A six pack none the less!  I was further appalled when she got the new Footloose DVD and didn't know what it was.  Tragic.

Jackson loved his new video game.

My cute little snot goblin!!

After hanging out at home for awhile it was time to head up to my parents house. 

And yet another basket of loot.  These kids are spoiled rotten!

There is no keeping this kid off tables.

It's exhausting.

We had an egg hunt in the back yard.

My parents have a big and beautiful back yard and it was heavenly warm!

Oliver just kind of walked around picked up an egg then dropped it back down.

What is it pondabout that darn  that all the babies have to play in the nasty water??

I love how this photo captures Wyland's excitement.

Evan and Rachel just a couple of big kids.

Clearly.

Oliver was lucky they even let him  have a turn!

I love that one of our family photo's turned out well this year.

And I wasn't even pregnant .. like so many other years.

I've decided this shirt isn't especially flattering on me.

We had an awesome Easter for sure.

We wrapped it up with the most delicious turkey dinner.

When I weighed myself the next morning I had literally gained 3 lbs.

That was 3 lbs of turkey dinner deliciousness!



Gettin' on my soap box

Notice what Baylee has in her hands? 

Yep, it's a DIET Dr. Pepper.

This weekend because my mum is out of town I went and did my grocery shopping alone.  I don't know why people are extra rude when I'm by myself but it seems like it never fails.  So we grabbed some lunch at the Costco food court.  We each had a hot dog.  Baylee gets to have a Costco hot dog for lunch on Sunday's if she skips her breakfast.  It's a treat and it happens once a week. It's the lowest calorie item on their menu, including their salad.  More often than not though I pack a lunch for Baylee that she eats while the rest of us eat at Costco.  She brings her lunch in with her and people STILL stare.

So this week once we finished our food we headed to the soda machine to fill up our cups.  I asked Baylee as she was putting her lid back on hers what she put in her cup.  She answered, "Diet Coke and lemonade".  It's light lemonade.  Next thing I know this little blond lady bends over into my face and says, "ASPARTAME ...." 

Really?  Thank you, know it all bitch for the lesson in diet drink ingredients.  Mind your own freaking business!!!

What she doesn't know is that Baylee doesn't EVER drink water.  Lots of kids with Prader-Willi Syndrome don't drink water.  For whatever reason they don't like the texture.  I "allow" her to drink Soy Chocolate Milk, a measured 1 CUP with her breakfast.  After that it's nothing by diet drinks.  Which means yes aspartame!  'Cause guess what?  She's more likely to have complications from her weight than she is from drinking aspartame.

Know what else?  This same lady was drinking regular soda and GUESS WHAT?  That's not all that much better for you.  Now clearly I'm not all anti soda.  I've cut back to mostly water, tea and coffee.  But I still buy regular soda for Jeramie.  And I really don't judge people AT ALL for what they drink (I guess unless they were getting drunk all the time).  I still order myself diet coke when I eat out a lot of the time.  I still like it.  How dare this lady judge?  ASPARTAME!!!

Baylee is clearly very overweight and guess what her typical day consists of pretty much the same food at every single meal:

Breakfast:

1/2 cup egg substitute

2 slices of diet bread with sugar free strawberry jam

1 cup Soy Milk

Lunch:

2 slices of diet bread, 1 slice of 98% fat free bologna, 1 fat free cheese slice

1 side of the bread gets 1 tbsp of low fat mayo

1 fat free vanilla yogurt OR 1 sugar free jello

1 apple

Dinner:

HALF a lean cuisine or smart ones frozen dinner

**most people complain about the lack of food in a full meal, she gets half**

2 cups of fresh spinach

2 tbsp fat free ranch

Dessert:

1 45 calorie fudge ice cream bar

THE END

And guess what, when I submitted 3 days of her meals to a nutritionist this time last year she basically accused me of lying to her.  She said on that kind of diet she shouldn't be as big as she is.  If only it were that simple.

Most weeknights Baylee also can be found walking for a full 30 minutes on the treadmill at a 4% incline going 2.5 mph.  That's more exercise than most people get.





So guess what, my 14 year old daughter who is severely overweight.  She eats about half as much as most people.  She exercises probably twice as much as the average person and everywhere we go people stare all. the. time.

So from me to you, next time you're quick to judge someone think about Baylee.  If you just looked at her you would assume that A. she eats WAY too much.  and B. that lady must be a TERRIBLE mother to allow her child to get that big.

Both assumptions are way wrong.

Prader-Willi Syndrome sucks.  Every day it sucks.  Some days I feel sorry for Baylee.  Some days I feel sorry for myself.  There is nothing good about having Prader-Willi Syndrome.  It's a tiresome fight always having to tell your kid no when the other kids want milk shakes.  Trying to explain why you have a bigger plate of food than she does.

But Baylee, Baylee is a trooper.  She rarely lets her situation make her sad.  I don't think that she really realizes she's all that different.  And if she does, well she doesn't let it make her sad.

I shall get off my soap box now.  Consider it my yearly dose of humble pie.  For you, for me.
Don't feel sorry for her.  Don't feel sorry for me.  But do remember that you are lucky to not have to deal with something like this.  Everybodies life has sucky moments and bad days.  But don't take for granted the good stuff in your life.

P.S.  Rude lady at Costco .. mind your own f-ing business.
P.P.S.  We really did celebrate Easter .. I may even get pictures posted before Memorial Day.

Updates

Well I'm seriously behind on my Easter pictures.  But as I work on them I figured I would do a quick update on some random stuff going on around here.  Seems like it's been forever since I blogged.

I think it's kind of hard to tell in this picture by I have some serious sock lines going on.  I really don't think my legs have been this tan even in the middle of summer since my beach laying days.  I have a definite tan line from my knee caps to my socks.  I'm adding shorts and skirts into the mix just so that when I'm out running at lunch time that my tops of my legs get some sun too.

I got this text response to a Facebook update last week and boy did it make me smile. Love this girl.

We did away with Baylee's cell phone at the beginning of the year.  However, now that so many of us have iPhone's (all but Mum, Dad and Amber so far) she is now able to text message on her iPod Touch.  And it's somewhat controlled because she can only do it when at home or Grandma's house.  However, sometimes it's in the middle of the night.  This week she's taken to sending me pictures of herself too.  Here she was after bedtime, at which she should be wearing her CPAP mask and going to sleep.  Just made me laugh that after I tell her to put it on and go to sleep, she says Ok, followed by inquiring about what I am doing .. silly girl.

Last weekend I headed to Costco to get some groceries right after running 11 miles.  I was wearing my CEP calf compression sleeves with capri's and needless to say I got a few stares.  Who cares people, tomorrow I will feel zero effects from an 11 mile run. Beat that!

Here's a good one.  Notice anything strange about my mothers socks?  Well we went for dinner at her house a couple weeks ago and she was telling us how she got dressed that morning, grabbed two socks and made sure they were the same color. Threw them on and headed to work.  A little while into her day she felt something weird in her shoe and so she pulled off the shoe and looked at the sock.  Yep, that would be a 3T/4T (as in TODDLER) sock on her foot.  Mystery solved.  However, don't you think it's a little strange that she was still wearing the sock when we came to dinner hours later??  Yep, me too.

I found $5 on Baylee's nightstand one night this week. When she was little she used to take all my money and debit card out of my wallet. I was worried that this is what had happened.  Nope, turned out that my dad purchased all her Easter candy from her for 5 bucks.  YES!!

We wrapped up swimming lessons, Baylee, Jackson and Wyland ALL graduated to the next level.
Here's Jackson swimming off the wall to the instructor.

Then there was Easter.  Lots more pictures to come.