We Must Protect This House!

This was the mentality my dog took when he jumped out of our second story bedroom window last Friday.  I came home from work on Friday and was getting Isabella out of the car when I heard a familiar panting.  I walked around the car and saw our beloved black lab Tucker.  I stood there in complete confusion trying to figure out how he could have possibly gotten out of the house.

Scenario 1:  Did he sneak back out when I came in from my run and I missed it?

No that couldnt have been it because I fed him after I came in and I remember him standing at my feet while I filled his water bowl.

Scenario 2:  Did he sneak out when I was loading the kids in the car before I left?

Maybe, but how did I not notice him while putting the kids in the car, or while pulling out of the garage or even when I pulled back in at the end of the day.  He is an 75lb dog so he would have been hard to miss.  .

Scenario 3:  Did he get out because someone had broken into the house?

No, when I went inside all the doors were closed and locked.  Nothing in the house looked like it was out of place or missing.  Well no more out of place than when we left (we have a 2 year old – everything is out of place).

At this point I”m completely stumped.  Friday was the third day of the last four that I had gotten up at 4am to go for a run so I could quite possibly have missed him run out of the house.  Then I went upstairs to put in some laundry.  With two kids under three and two parents who workout daily we have a lot of laundry.  It was then I noticed the drapes in our room blowing.  I walked over to the window and sure enough Tuck had pulled the screen off the track and jumped out of the window.  At this point sheer panic sets in.  Why in the world would he do such a dare devil, crazy thing.  Tucker is a rescue so he is not one for trying new things without mommy there.  Of course at this point I’m so worried and completely stressed out that he has injured something.  I’m feeling so guilty that my dog is jumping out of windows – I must be a terrible mother.  I run downstair and inspect the escape route.  Donavan and I notice there are droplets of blood on the ground.  I begin to get nauseous and tell Donavan to inspect him because there is no way I’m going to be able to handle my baby seriously injured (I’m in trouble I know!).   Don finds a cut just under his skin that must have been the source of the bleeding and caused from prying the screen.

I race over to the local vet emergency room.  They take a look at him and determine that there is nothing broken.  He doesn’t seem to have any internal bleeding.  They give him a few staples on his chin and send me home with an antibiotic and some pain meds.  Guilty mom syndrome sets in and I start wondering why would he have done such a crazy stunt.  The only explanation I have is that there has been some construction going on at the lot in front of our house so he must have been trying to keep them away.  I don’t know what he did that day (which is even more frightening).  We are just so lucky that he did not seriously get injured, did not attack anyone or get picked up by animal control.

Tucker is doing well.  He seems to be over all the soreness he had from jumping from the window to our concrete patio.  He is still taking his medications for the next two days.  I have been battling the idea of boarding all of our windows to prevent this from ever a happening again but decided we will just keep all windows closed when we are not in the house.   Thanks to everyone for your support and kind words  I cant tell you how much they helped that night!

ps – stay tuned from his super cool Halloween costume. (not shown in the picture below)

 

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Hulk Smash

I have yet another brother celebrating a birthday.  Happy Birthday to my brother Brett (a.k.a. Hulk Smash).  In an effort to create equality in the family I am doing a few things you didn’t know for Brett as well.

Things you may know:

1.  Brett is the oldest of the 3 boys but still comes in 2nd to me (of course)

2.  He is often referred to as “No Neck”

3.  He graduated from JMU with a degree in Bio-technology (Alum-NUS)

4.  He is a foodie and a wino

5.  He once wrote a paper for class describing me as the person he looks up to the most.

Things you may not know:

1. He played Santa in his fifth grade play (picture to follow)

2. He likes to sing show tunes while in the shower

3. Was once used to describe ADD by his best friend during a game of Catch Phrase

4. “Thank You Mister Easter Bunny” – ’nuff said

5. His favorite TV show is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Turtle Power

Happy Birthday!

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Committed

I finally committed to running my very first FULL marathon.  Thats right 26.2 miles all at one time.  I will be doing the Country Music Marathon on April 30th, 2011 – which just so happens to be the day after Miss Isabella’s first birthday.  As some of my readers know this was my very first half marathon and I got engaged as I crossed the finished line to my wonderful husband.  I am going to be running it with my very best friend Katie Riesenfeld.  She is the one who got me running in the first place and came to support me on my first half in Nashville.  I will be sure to keep you updated on all my successes and struggles through out my journey to becoming a marathoner.  My next race is the US Half Marathon in San Francisco on November 7th.

In light of my recent running news I am also excited to share that I got to break in my new kicks from Saucony. I absolutely love their shoes.  I have been using various forms of the Progrid Triumph for 4 years now and I am not sure I will ever which it up.  This is their latest version and I had them broken in by the 2nd run.  Runners do yourself a favor and get a pair…. TODAY!

Baby Talk

I’ve been getting quite a few messages asking what the munchkins are up to these days so here it goes….

Caleb is still doing soccer.  I have posted a video and a few pictures from this weeks session.  At 2 soccer is more of a camp thing than organized games so he is practicing drills and working on foot-eye coordination.  The video was taken during warm-ups and you can seem him running around and dribbling the ball.  He really enjoys soccer.  The pictures are at the end of the session with a few of his “teammates”, Tiago (in red) and Adale (in white).  Caleb and Tiago have been going to daycare together since they were 3 months old.  It has been really fun watching them grow up together and they both have little sisters about the same age!

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Isabella is growing up before our very eyes.  She has begun shooting backwards when on her tummy which only leads to crawling.  She also had her very first “meal” of cereal last night.  There were moments when I thought she might take the spoon out of my hand and start feeding herself.

She has also said her first word…. drum roll please…………….. it was “da da” **sigh**

P-Rod

Happy Birthday to my baby brother Jared (a.k.a. P-rod)  In celebration here a few things you probably already know about Jared and a few you may not.

Things you may know:

1. Jared is the youngest of the 4 of us

2. Soccer Star

3.  He has an uncomfortable obession with T.O.

4.  Sports Fan – Go Skins!

5. I’m his favorite sibling

Things you may not know:

1. He fell in a fountain after getting drunk off Shirley Temples (yes those are virgin drinks)

2. His favorite color is magenta

3. He secretly wishes he was a Duke Dog!! – JMUUUUU DUKES.

4. He makes a mean enchilada

5. He eats mint leaves because they make his breath smell good (no they dont!)

Happy Birthday Stink!

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Nobody Loves Isabella…

Nobody loves Isabella more than Isabella. She recognized herself in the mirror at 2 months and it has been love at first sight ever since. Below is a video we took of her while we were bathing her a couple nights ago. Don’t worry its PG. She also turned 5 months yesterday!!

Me and Him

I stole this from Michelle who took it from Adrienne, who found it on Rebekah’s blog ‘Life with the Edwards’. For a marriage post it sure does get around.

1. When is your “engagement” anniversary?

April 29, 2006 right after I finished my first half marathon

2. When is your “marriage” anniversary?

July, 7, 2007

3. How long have you known your spouse?
7 and half years

4. How long did you date before you were engaged?
4 years – college sweethearts

5. Where did you meet your spouse for the first time?
I lived next door to his baseball teammates in college

6. What is your spouse’s full name?
Donavan Benjamin Almond

7. Do you have any children?
2 amazing kiddies – Caleb (2) & Isabella (5 months)

8. How many? Boys/Girls
one of each

9. Do you have any house pets?
our beloved black lab Tucker

10. Do you own a house or rent?
Own

11. Do you live in the country/town/city?
They call it the City of Santa Rosa but lets be honest its a town

12. What is one of your favorite activites to do together?
The PG version (he he) – gym, playing with the munchkins, movies, watching sports, eating yummy food

13. Do you have a favorite vacation spot?
we spend most of our vacation visiting family and friends on the east coast but we have had some great times in Nags Head

14. When did you first kiss?
It was at one of his baseball parties at JMU but I dont remember the exact date

15. What church do you attend?
St. Rose Catholic Church

16. Is this the church you were married in?
No we were married in our home town at his parents church. Both our babies were also baptized there by the same priest that married us.

17. What town is current address at?
Santa Rosa

18. Do you work or stay home?
Full Time working mommy

19. Where did you go on your honeymoon?
Aruba – it was the best vacation we have ever had. I cherished everyday we were there!!

20. What was the funniest gift you gave while dating?
hmm I can’t think of anything funny

21. How long have you been together?
Officially 8 years on May 5th, 2011 – WHAT?!

22. How long did you know each other before you started dating?
5 months-ish?

23. Who asked who out?
He did of course… so romantic

24. How old are each of you?
Donavan – 27 : Jacqi – 28

25. Where do each of you go to school?
We met and graduated from James Madison University (Go Dukes!!) then we went to Georgia State University (Go Panthers!)) for graduate school. I love school I want to go back and get my PhD in Marketing so I can teach at the collegiate level.

26. Which situation is hardest on you as a couple?
We have the normal marriage arguments – helping with housework, Donavan’s demanding work schedule, my desire to move back east one day.

27. Did you go to the same school?
Undergrad and Graduate School

28. Are you from the same town?
No but we are both from Northern Virginia

29. Who is smarter?

Depends on the subject. However we did take a Physics class together in college in which he got an A and I got a B+ (my physicist dad would be so ashamed).

30. Who is more sensitive?
Me but I’m a crybaby

31. Where do you eat out most as a couple?
Solbar of course!! In Santa Rosa I would say Parkside Cafe for breakfast.

32. Where is the farthest you two have traveled as a couple?
California – the things we do for love

33. Who has the craziest exes?
For the most part our exes have managed to stay out of our relationship. We were young when we started dating and have been together for so long that there isn’t a long list. We are also both long term daters so that doesn’t help either.

34. Who has the worse temper?
He holds grudges longer than I do but neither one of us really has a temper

35. Who does the cooking?
Donavan – Thank you honey!!

36. Who is more social?
He says I am but I think we can both be charismatic and outgoing. We like people!

37. Who is the neat-freak?
Me and my husband is the complete opposite plus two kids = I lose.

38. Who is more stubborn?
Him – I’m too non-confrontational.

39. Who hogs the bed?
Me but I love sharing the bed.

40. Who wakes up earlier?
We have two kids under 3 – we get woken up. On a workday he does but he is a personal trainer so he has to be at work by 6-6:30

41. Where was your first date?
Official first date – Emilio’s Brickoven Pizza

42. Who had more boyfriends/girlfriends?
we are pretty even but I might have him beat by one.

43. Do you get flowers often?
they come in waves but he always seems to get them at the right time

44. How do you spend the holidays?
We switch Christmas every year between families. This part sucks I want to spend at much time with both families as possible.

45. Who is more jealous?
Me but I come with baggage.

46. How long did it take to get serious?
2 months I think

47. Who eats more?
My husband by far – his alter ego is a fat boy but he burns calories at work all day so he has to eat a lot.

48. Who does the laundry?
Ha – I do the laundry. Occasionally Donavan will wash his clothes – that drives me crazy!

49. Who is better with the computer?
Me

50. Leave a piece of advice for other couples:
During your next argument take a moment to decide if what you are fighting about is more important than the love you have for one another. If not find a compromise and get back to the lovin.

At our rehearsal

Performance Enhancers

Here are some of my “runner must haves” for all my current, past and soon to be runners and triathletes.

Supplements: Everyone, runner or not, should be taking a mutlivitamin of some sort.  Personally, I take Women’s One A Day.  They offer a bunch of different varieties from mens, womens, senior, and even active lifestyle.  There are a lot of options for multivitamins out there and I highly recommend you get one.  I also take Nature Made Triple Flex which includes: glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM which provide support for your joints.  TMI alert for men.  Ladies I also take an iron supplement when needed but specifically during times that I have excess blood loss.

Energy:  As a runner there will always be days that you feel short on energy.  I use FRS which is “powered” by quercetin commonly found in healthy fruits like blueberries, red apples and grapes.  FRS triggers your body to create natural energy with out loading up on caffiene and sugar.   And a portion of their proceeds goes to support Livestrong.  I have recently started using GU gels for energy during training runs.  I definitely feel a pick me up when using them and the flavors aren’t terrible.  I was also recommended GU Chomps or Sports Beans but drinking and running proves to be enough of a challenge I think mixing running and chewing is a recipe for disaster.

Hydration: During a training session I use Gatorade, largely because that is what is offered in most races.  As any runner will tell you, you should always train with the sports drink you are going to use in a race.  I could bring my own on race day but I figure I already paid for the gatorade with my enterance fee so I might as well get my money’s worth.  Post race I use Accelerade.  It contains both carbohydrate and protein so it helps with muscle recovery and hydration…Win-Win.

Post Run Food: I will combine a Clif bar or Luna bar with the Accelerade for my first post run meal.  Luna bars are just the women’s version of the Clif bar.  I would recommend both.  They are organic, packed full of all the nutrients you need post run and they are yummy.   They make great snacks too.

Sore Muscles: The foam roller oh how you hurt me.  My husband will probably laugh because he knows how much I hate the foam roller but it is a necessary evil.  The foam roller is great after running to roll the lactic acid out of your sore muscles and help remove tension.

Pre/Post Injury:  I have recently started using KT Tape and I love it.  I use it on my old broken down knees that spent far too much time in a knee immobilizer from soccer injuries.  It helps to support and reduce pain.  I’m not sure how it works but I’ve already bought stock in it.  I could not live without my Body Glide when it comes to training.   It is a skin lubricant that is used to prevent chaffing and blisters from sweating.  I use it on my sports bra and on my feet – love it!  When it comes to socks I use Thorlos Exerpia Cool Max for Runners.  They provide additional padding on the heel and the balls of your feet.  They offer varying thickness for each persons preferences.

Misc: Finally the pre-wrap, I use this to keep the hair out of my face.  This was a trick I started in my old athlete days and have just stuck with it.  To this day I wonder how I managed to win over that handsome husband of mine in college wearing clark flip flops, jeans, a jersey tee and pre-wrap in my hair everyday.  It works really well and its cheap.  Other great options include the wicking hats or headbands (like the ones you can find from this fellow runner @goheadband )

I always welcome other products or suggestions from my fellow runners so please feel free to share.

Who Doesn’t Love Shoes?!

Searching for “the perfect _________”

1) t-straps: I love a good t-strap pump. They can make just about any outfit look sexier. I love these Bourne ‘Kylie’ Pump from Nordstroms. I also think its tough to find a good t-strap flat but they can look very sophisticated. These Kimchi Blue T-Strap Skimmers from Urban Outfitters are a perfect example.

2) mary janes: I’m into the triple strap mary janes right now. I have been eyeing these Dolce & Gabbana Triple Strap Peep-Toe Mary Janes since I saw them in the March issue of Marie Claire

3) riding boots: I already have my perfect pair of riding boots. Cathy Jean natural leather, wedge heel boot with buckle. Love them and need a new pair!

4) heeled boots: There is a pair of heeled boots that I have had dreams about I love them so much. They really are the perfect heeled boot. They are a pair of black suede Christian Louboutin Babel knee high boots. Unless I ever win the lottery they will remain a dream BUT they are the perfect heeled boot. I feel sexy just looking at them.

5) gladiator heels: I’m totally into the gladiator trend. I have a pair of brown gladiator booties that I love but if I had to pick the perfect pair it would be these Jimmy Choo Leather Gladiator Sandals.

6) booties: Booties are my absolute favorite trend now. It is impossible for me to pick just one pair. That is like asking me to pick between my children. Here are just a few that I would love to have.

7) pumps: This is the easiest question on here. I want the nude paten leather Jimmy Choo rounded toe pump but I can afford the Steve Madden version.

8) cap-toed flats: Because I love sequence and bows. Dorothy Perkins taupe sequin toe cap flats and pink bow cap flats

9) brogues: Not a huge brogues fan but I could wear these All Aboard Heel from Modcloth

10. Wedges: My black TOMS wedges – love love love them.

fitness shoe: My Saucony ProGrid Triumph no question!!

Stolen from susan not susie, maybe sushi

Where you be?

It is the 13th and I haven’t posted once. Now that is just sad. Here is what you have missed…

Daddy Dearest

Friday my dad celebrated his 58th birthday. On Saturday we were able to get all of us kids conferenced on the phone to say happy birthday and do some good ol family harassing. My dad is an amazing man (you can read about him here ). Happy Birthday Papa Bear!

This picture is too funny not to post

The Kiddies

The babes are getting bigger and better than ever. Isabella is now only feeding once at night and making it 4 hours at a time (Yippee). She is also sitting up and rolling over on her own. She is becoming more interactive with her toys which is nice because she can entertain herself for periods of time. She is giggling and cooing all the time. Caleb is talking more an more everyday. He started fall soccer on Saturday with his little buddy Tiago. I will post pictures next week. He is best in his age group – and thats not just his mommy talking . He’s very much in to Toy Story and carries his Buzz and Woody action figure around everywhere. We are still potty training and learning to get dressed and undressed. He loves to help with his little sister by holding her bottle when she is feeding. They get along so well we are really lucky.

Futbol

In case you missed it. My wonderful alma mater stunned #13 Virgina Tech on Saturday in a 21-16 win. JMU DUUUUUUUKES

And the Skins won their season opener at home against the Cowboys. Donovan McNabb looked great and Shanahan really has the team under control. I’m excited for this season!!

This is an old image but I love it

Off to the Races

My training is going really well. I did 6.38 miles on Sunday and felt really good. I probably could have gone for 2 more but my husband had a training session so I had to head back. I think I’ll go for 8 this up coming Sunday. My knees are feeling the beating but that is expected. I’ve started popping the glucosamine so hopefully that will kick in soon. I’m planning on going to the local running store to get gait analysis and some new running shoes – Yay shoe shopping. 6 weeks and 6 days until the big race day!

Book Club

So I haven’t made much progress on The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo since my last post. Many of you suggested I stick with it so I will. Hopefully I will have a more interesting update soon.