I'm a believer

When I moved, I started running with someone who wore Vibram Five Finger shoes:

I was a skeptic, but I started reading shoe reviews and barefoot running theory online. I decided to give them a try, needing new shoes anyway. However, the local running store was out of the kind I wanted, so I decided just to see what the experts (being the running store sales crew) recommended. At the running store, they watched me run on a treadmill with a camera attached to the back to better see my gait, stride, etc. I was told I have a slightly collapsed arch and pronate a tiny bit when I toe off. Liking that I needed special shoes, I bought a pair of corrective Brooks.

Previous to the Brooks, my knees had bothered me a little. I thought the pain was because I needed new shoes. When I started wearing the corrective shoes, my knees started really hurting. They popped and cracked, even hurt to the touch. They hurt so much, I switched back to my old shoes. That didn't help.

I had read Vibram reviews online claiming that the shoes cured shin splints, knee trouble, hip pain, etc., all of which I have suffered at one time or another. I was hesitant to drop another $100 on shoes I wasn't sure would help, but I am SO glad I did. The first time I wore them, I ran a mile in my old running shoes, packing the Vibrams in the back of my pants. I changed shoes and ran two miles in the Vibrams. The pain I felt in my knees in the first mile disappeared in the Vibrams. No pain. I was/am thrilled.

I still couldn't do a full run in the Vibrams because my feet muscles and tendons needed to strengthen. I've had them for about three weeks now and am running in them exclusively, except for Saturdays when I run on a rocky trail. I had shin splints--they're gone. Knee pain--gone.

My calves are what hurt now. I have started trying to run more on my forefoot. My calves actually cramp until I can't run anymore. BUT I'd much rather have muscle soreness than a knee injury or shin splints. I LOVE MY VIBRAMS!!!

Here is a little video on the theory http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jrnj-7YKZE.

Besides taking care of all my running pain, running in the Vibrams is really fun. It's freeing.

Spencer, a sweet and patient playmate and Camille, an adventurer ready to play, fight or get hurt (and make the most of it), have been best friends since Camille was crawling. Recently there has been a change in their relationship, and it's making me really sad. Spencer now has three boys he'd rather play with right next door. I think he'd move in with them if I let him. Poor Camille is left at home. Yesterday after school Spencer was playing in the basement with his friends when Camille came upstairs to tell me that Spencer said to his friends, "There's my annoying little sister." SO sad. Where did he learn that?!?

Camille and Elizabeth are playing together more but have a tempestuous relationship. I hope they can work that out. For now there will be a lot of girl fights, lots of mommy and Camille time, and me feeling a la recherche du temps perdu.

Settling

What we love about our new place, in no particular order.

1. The natural trail going through the woods near our house. It is exhilarating to run at sunrise on a winding, twisting trail. We see deer every morning. It's beautiful. It's by a lake a stream and the kids love it almost as much as I do.

2. Visitors! We live closer than we ever have to family. I've had my brother and sister and their families already for a visit. I love it. My brother is less than 2 hours away.

3. The farmer's market. Every Saturday we start at the French baker's booth for breakfast, eat by the lake, grab a bag of kettle corn, and buy a week's worth of produce. At my first visit I bought a half bushel of apples and peaches, going for the deal, and ignorant of the amount of food I was buying. We didn't have a problem finishing it off. The peaches are the best I've had for years.

4. The playroom.

5. The deck and eating outside.

6. Big yard and long driveway.

7. Seven minute commute for Luke.

8. Trader Joe's and other fun places to do my least favorite chore.

9. A house full of boys for Spencer to play with. He is seriously in heaven and they live right next door.

10. So close to a fun city with tons of free things to do.

Here is a little news on the kids.

After nearly 6 months of working and saving, Spencer finally bought Lego Star Wars Wii. He is only allowed to play for 2 hours on Fridays, but he spends a lot of time making his own Lego Star Wars fighter ships, etc. He even made a little video with Uncle Jared. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmC6PaZBWOA

He’s also learned the joy of playing outside all day with neighborhood friends. He’s never had that before. The kids and their parents are really nice, but I find myself wondering what sort of rules we should have to regulate his play. He starts school on the 7^th.

Camille misses her friends. I know we have neighbors her age, but I haven’t met them yet. I need to look out for some little girls at church this Sunday. Meanwhile, she is my little best friend, helping clean and make bread. Right now she is sitting next to me coating her feet with pale pink, sparkling eye shadow. No serious mess yet. She can hardly wait for ballet to start. I can hardly wait for preschool to start…

Elizabeth is still as round as ever, has a penchant for accessories, and is becoming very verbal. She’ll repeat anything the kids tell her to say. They get a real kick out of it. It’s fun to see them almost falling off their chairs while laughing at her.

Sold

I think the house is sold. The option period ended last night. The only worry now is that the buyer won't be able to get financing. Luke tells me not to worry about that. When was the last time you stopped worrying because someone told you to stop?

We are moving to Virginia at the end of the month. I am excited but still a bit in denial. I'm planning on loving it. I like the little house we found, and the schools look good for the kids. However, I am sad to leave Texas. I've made some great friends here whom I will really miss. The kids have good friends. Texas is a great place to live. I'll also miss our first home. I never thought I would, but I will. I love my house. Now that I'm leaving I even love the color of my living room. I think it's because I know I will never see that color on walls again.

Spencer

Spencer turned six last month. He also lost his first tooth, read his first chapter book (the first Magic Tree House), and graduated from CCDC. He loves basketball and swimming and action figures and those stuffed animals he has in that first picture.

Camille

Sweet and devilish (you can see it in her eyes). That second to the bottom one she reminds me of Jack Black. I don't know why. She turned four in May. She is the delight and fear of Elizabeth and the friend and foe of Spencer.

Elizabeth

Identifying body parts

Big News

After a trip to the dentist and an internet session researching images like this:

Camille has decided to say goodbye to her thumb sucking habit. She told me she wants to look at that picture every night before bed to help her remember. So far she has been amazing, and even gave me all four of her "blankies" last night without my asking. I have a new respect for her. She is trying really hard. It's maybe the first really hard thing she's ever had to do. Well, she did have to welcome Elizabeth into the family, but she is still working on that :)

Speaking of Elizabeth, guess who climbs on the kitchen counter? The little stinker.

Luke and I just returned from a trip to Paris and Amsterdam. We had a fabulous time. I won't bore with a travel log. We came home to our three children, and I feel like I see them, if not with new eyes, at least with refreshed eyes.

I think the oldest child is a marvel to all parents. I couldn't believe it when Spencer started crawling, was astounded at his walking, thrilled with his first word. Right now I am dealing with my first literate child. He can read, write, add, subtract, count all day, tell great stories, ask insightful questions. I know all this is typical, but to me it's amazing. Not only that, but he is very sweet and empathetic. I am staggered by the child. And now, to top off all this normal development, he has his first loose tooth. I know! I just can't believe it. What an amazing child I have!!

The second or middle child has to fight a little more than the first child for attention, but Camille is clever in battle. She can be charming or wicked, sweet or manipulative. She understands her victim and knows how to ingratiate herself to people. She knows Luke will give her anything, and that if all else fails, she can make me really mad. She is fun, passionate and entertaining. I just love her. And she loves to play with me more than the other kids do. Nothing thrills her more than a tea party with mom. I hope she always likes spending time with me.

Poor Elizabeth is a third. But she doesn't care. She is self-satisfied and confident. Like all 18-month-olds who are discovering the world, she thinks everything in it is for her. I think she cries from outrage when we tell her "no." She has a new penchant for nudity, making it very difficult to dress her. She becomes furious at the suggestion of re-diapering. She likes to identify parts of the face, the nose in particular, but is unsatisfied at merely pointing at it. She likes her finger comfortably inside.

On a side note, we went to the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam. Anne's father said that although he had a very good relationship with Anne, it wasn't until he read her diary that he knew her thoughts and feelings. He concluded that parents don't really know their children. That makes me sad. I hope I can know Spencer and Camille and Elizabeth.

I just realized this might be even MORE boring than a travel log. :)

Camille told me she doesn't like my hair but she does like my body. I guess if I had to choose one...

Ten years ago, I cut my hair similarly short. I hated it. I frantically died it a dark reddish color, made myself up and put on a new dress in attempt to make myself feel better. It was to no avail, and I wept over my shorn locks. My dad found me sad in my room and in an effort to comfort me said, "Emily, you will always be beautiful and it isn't your hair. It's just that you're wearing too much makeup." That put the smile back on my face.

Here's the new do. I'm happy with it. Hello 30 second hair.

Excuse Camille for trying to expose her belly button.

Should I cut my hair off?

What d'y'all think?

Several months ago I was at Target looking for rice milk. Target hides the rice milk, so I asked a store-guy for help. He walked me to it, and asked, "Is this for you or are your kids allergic to milk?" I told him it was for my husband. As I walked away, I realized that somehow he knew that I had kids. I didn't have them with me, but he knew! By looking at me!

I look like a Mom.

I turned 31 the other day. Turning 31 reminded me that I look like a mom. However, I am very happy to be a mom. And I am very happy to be 31. . . rather than 41. I need ten more years to get used to that. At least 10.