Finnegan's Blessing

Personalize your own free invitation card

Running vs. Racing, and Dentistry

I had my 6-week postpartum appointment yesterday and the doctor says all systems are a go. Thank heavens! I have been feeling so restless since Finn was born. I have trouble with RLS in my arms (not officially diagnosed, but according to all descriptions I'm sure that's what it is) when I'm inactive. It's not bad enough usually to wake me up at night but it will keep me up if I haven't done enough physically for a couple of days. But for the first month or so after having a baby I'm supposed to take it easy (which is understandable) and so it gets really bad during my night-time nursings. I had the same problem when I was breastfeeding Madeleine. I finish nursing and then I have to get up and do some push ups or something to get back to sleep. It's a good thing I'm typically an active person or it would bother me all the time!

To celebrate, I decided to start on my postpartum activity. With Madie it was swimming three times a week. We do have pool in our complex here but it's not very warm at all, so that's a no. Instead I've decided to pick up running. I was telling Mike that I used to love running in high school but the few times I've gone on runs since then I've found it torturous and boring. Even sprints seem horrendous to me.

Then it hit me: running is all fine and well but what I really liked in high school was the racing. I don't get to race people when I'm just running on a trail. Anyway, I've decided to start running again on my own and I will race my own times. Hopefully beating myself will keep me distracted enough to not think about the fact that I can't breathe or feel my legs.

I've got a long way to go before I can keep up with Mr. I-Do-A-Triathalon-Every-Morning Mike, but it's a start.

When I got back Madie commented on my pony tail and headband and asked, "Are you going to Zumba?" I explained I was wearing it just for a run which makes me sweat like Zumba (actually, Zumba probably makes me sweat more--TMI?). Then she ran into her room and got herself a headband. Then got Dad one. Then got Finn one.

 

Nothing like a sequined orange headband to make you feel masculine.

In other exciting news, Little Lady Madeleine had her very first dentist appointment yesterday! She came home with a CARTLOAD of goodies--floss, new shades, and a Winnie-the-Pooh toothbrush that she got to pick out! Then Dada--who also had a dentist appointment but came home with far less-exciting loot--took her across the street to the bakery for breakfast!

I'm still not sure if that was a treat more for her or for him. (Actually, I am sure, but to save his face, I won't disclose...have I said to much?)

Modeling a pair of shades. The ones she came home with are multicolored. Very chic.

Strawberry Fields Forever

Walks and Weddings

One of our favorite family activities is going for walks. When we were expecting Finn we went on a walk pretty close to every evening after supper. On the weekends we would go once after breakfast and again after supper. We loved it! We've kept up going on walks on the weekends, usually after breakfast. If we have time we'll go down to the brook and let Madie throw rocks or run around in the water. Yesterday she decided to strip down and go almost-skinny dipping.

Ahhh to be a two-year old! What I wouldn't give to be socially able to run around in just my panties in broad daylight next to a dog park!

I love the shades. And the tan line. She's got a distinct swim-suit shadow.

Looking for rocks to throw.

Dad found a boat! They went up stream a bit and let it go to watch it hit the little waterfall and pick up speed.

The evidence on shore.

This is one of Madie's "wedding dresses." (The other is white with little pink hearts all over it.) She's really been noticing my wedding pictures lately--we've got two in the living room and a picture of the temple we were married in. My wedding dress, for those who may not know, is a little girl's dream wedding dress: big, puffy skirt that swishes when you walk and a sparkly bodice. And the Boston temple, of course, looks very much like a palace. You can see one of my absolute favorite pictures of it right here. So you can imagine the kind of fascination a wedding holds for a girl like Madie.

Add to this fascination the fact that she's turning three and we have some awesome conversations on the topic. Here was one of our first:

Me: Yes, when you get big you can wear my wedding dress and be married in a temple too.

Madie: Will you marry me?

Me: Oh, I'm sorry honey but I can't.

Madie: Why not?

Me: Because I'm married to Dada and I want to stay married to Dada.

Madie: But who will marry me?

Me: I don't know. I guess a very nice, handsome man will.

Madie: But who will marry me?

Me: Well, who do you want to marry?

Madie: Maybe Ezra will marry me? 

Me: Ezra? Talia's Ezra? (Not to be confused with Uncle Ezra, Talia's Ezra is one of Madie's 2-year old friends.)

Madie: Yeah. Talia's Ezra.

Me: Well, maybe. I'll mention it to his mom and we can see what can be arranged.

And then yesterday we had this little discussion while I was putting her shoes on for our walk.

Madie: This is my wedding dress.

Me: Oh yeah? It's beautiful. *Grampy's wolf whistle*

Madie: Will you marry me?

Me: No, sorry. Remember? I'm married to Dada.

Madie: (calling out) Dad? Will you marry me?

Mike: (all grins--a dada's dream come true) Oh, sorry. I can't. (Bends down and gives her a big kiss.) 

It's official folks: we have entered that stage.

This and That

It's been a while since any of you have seen pictures of my sweet ones, so I figured I'd oblige.

Finnegan rests in his sling. It took a little learning to tie it--and I can still only tie it one way very well so far--but I must say, I love it. It took like $20 bucks and an hour to make it. Compare that with dropping $104 on the sling I copied and I'd say I saved a little money.

Mike took Madie on the first bike ride of the season last week. She loves to go for bike rides with Dad! And she so willingly modeled her helmet for us.

"I can do it!"

"Does it look good?"

"What am I saying? Of course it looks good."

"Almost embarrassingly good."

And one last shot of the little man. Hello, looker! 

Is that a smile I see creeping up those cheeks?

Visit from Nana

Nana arrived late Wednesday night and was able to hold Finn right away, which she was excited about.

The first thing the next morning, Nana went out and bought Madie this pink stroller. Madie has been into strollers for some time now, and we have been waiting for an occasion or a family member to get if for her as a gift. And she couldn't have been happier to push around her dollies.

On our way to the Alameda County Fair.

These piglets were born just a couple days before we got there. Piglets are cute, but if they turn out like big mama right there I don't know if I would want one. She was huge!

Lots of animals to see.

Finnegan was a good sport and slept through most of it.

Award winning rabbit. This thing has a gizzard, what else needs to be said?

Thank you for visiting and helping us out Mom! Madie especially liked sharing her room with you.

Pickles & Tractors

Madeleine has always been a very adventurous girl. Ever since she was a baby, she has loved being outside. She used to cry at the top of her lungs, and the second we stepped outside she'd calm right down. She loves going on walks, and begs us to play at the playground. I don't think I have ever been turned down when I invite her to come with me on a walk or a hike. When we start heading back home, she knows it and says, "I don't want to go go home." She sincerely loves being out and about. Until this man shows up:

Mr. Pickle, our local sandwich shop mascot. 

Madie is suddenly terrified of this guy. We really have no idea why. I'm thinking that maybe she had a bad dream involving him? I remember I had a bad dream about a man with a pumpkin for a head when I was three. Yup, you may laugh now (Mal is laughing as I type this in), but I was freaked out! I had a dream he was watching me sleep! But, that is what we are dealing with right now. 

That, and the tractors. They started repairing our parking lot last week...big tractors/trucks coming in and working on asphalt for a few hours over the span of two days. Madie was literally terrified of them. When they came back from the store one morning last week, Mal got out of the car and unbuckled Madie. She told Madie to run to the grass in front of the car so she could get Finn out on the other side. Madie ran to the grass and cried, "Mom! Don't leeeave me!" She was balling out of fear of the tractors and loud noises. She had tears running down her face. Later that day we had to go somewhere and tried to motivate her to go. She insisted on staying, no matter what we offered. We finally had to force her. Same with going outside to use her new dolly stroller, go on walks, or go to the park. She has been refusing to go outside. I've had to force her to do all of these things that she typically loves. I guess no matter how much you try to protect your kids from 'scary' things, they just reach that stage when they discover fearsome things around them....even if they are Mr. Pickle.