Run Kara, Run!

So, running.  Turns out I like it...a lot.  I'll be honest, I'm not a natural athlete; I never really liked playing sports.  Ask Karl, he can vouch for me.  I'm not a particularly competitive or aggressive person and those qualities tend to be associated with athletes.  I was happy sitting on the side lines when it came to gym class or any other physical activity. 

Last Spring, my friend wanted to try the Couch to 5k program and convinced me to do it with her.  We agreed to meet 2-3 times a week at a nearby track, and our goal was to run in a local 5k in October.  The workouts were painful at best - I struggled to 'run' (word is used liberally) the beginning 30 second intervals.  At first, my lungs burned, my heart pounded furiously, my shins ached, and I had terrible side stiches.  And despite all the discomfort, I liked the feeling I had afterwards - I was sore, but I felt like a champion.  Each time I hit the track I did something I never thought possible - went further, went harder, went a bit faster.

I'm fortunate in the fact that my company has a gym on-site, free to employees.  My running regimine quickly went from 2-3 times a week to 5 and 6.  In a few months I could run for 20 minutes at a time...slow, but it was actual running!  The Summer months were brutally hot and our outdoor workouts took a backseat, and yet I was still working out faithfully on my lunch hours.

I signed up and ran in the Jared Coones Pumpkin Run in October; it was exciting and fun and more difficult than I imagined.  But, I loved the buzz of being around all those runners.  I ran 3.1 miles!  A feat of epic proportion in my mind, considering I couldn't run 30 seconds months prior.  As soon as I finished, I knew I wanted to do more and improve my time.  So, it turns out that my athleticism is just latent...I have mid-life athleticism, if you will. 

Now I've Gone & Done It

It's official, I'm off my rocker.  Why?  I've signed up for a half-marathon!  Yes, I've only just completed my third 5k but somehow I felt the pull to do more, to really push myself.  Actually, I've felt the tugging on my heart for awhile but wasn't brave enough to admit it.  Slowly, I put feelers out there to friends/family that have run a half, but always with a "maybe someday" caveat attached.  Today I decided to put my money where my mouth is and sign the dotted line. 

I'm giving myself 15 weeks to train and prepare.  Oddly enough, I feel like most the workouts need to go on in my brain - the mere idea of running 13.1 miles is a bit daunting.  As nervous as I am, I'm also really excited.  My workout schedule will be posted, with progress reports along the way.  Wish me luck!

Time To Get Personal

This (sorry excuse for a) blog was created for the sole purpose of documenting every precious moment of Haley's life.  Two and a half year later, this blog has fallen off the rails in terms of updates.  Haley is still precious and adorable and loads of fun...she is the single greatest achievement of my life.  However, in the two and a half years since her birth, a second achievement has been in the works (no, not another baby) - me. 

(It's true...it really works!)

I've been on and off Weight Watchers for approximately 11 years; ouch.  When I first joined, with the loving support and encouragement of Mom, I did well and lost weight.  A typical college student I then proceeded to follow the plan on my own...and did not succeed.  Next started a cycle of half-hearted joinings and dropping outs, all without any real success.  When I got pregnant with Haley, I was already unhappy with my weight - adding pregnancy to mix freaked me out.  I was conscience of my eating habits and was able to get my weight gain to 25ish pounds.  However, that added to my already overweight frame was not a good look, nor good for my health. 

Haley was born in August and I asked for a Weight Watchers subscription for my September birthday; my generous parents obliged.  I'm happy to report that I am closing in on my goal and to-date have lost 60 pounds!  I am beyond proud of myself - this has not been easy, but through out the past two years I have stuck it out rather than quit.  I've asked myself why and have a theory.

This time, the desire for weight loss isn't about vanity...that's a lie, it is to a small degree.  But moreso, it's about being the best version of myself for my family, friends, coworkers, dogs...everyone.  The people I love most in my life (husband, kiddo, parents, sibling) deserve more than an unhappy, unhealth, overweight me - and they're finally getting it.  I couldn't be more excited!

2011 Rewind

2011, a year full of stuff...vague, eh?  For better or worse, 2011 was good to our little family of 3.  Full of life lessons and love and fun.  Christmas was no exception.  Haley Bug was excited about Santa Claus and had a long wish list, which included a hula hoop, pink soccer ball, pink car, roller skates, books, and a computer.  (Really, our two year old asked for a computer...and money - that's another story.)  Haley's wishes came true with most of her wish list fulfilled.  It was pure sweetness to watch her pass out presents and open her own.  Having a little one really does put magic back in to Christmas. 

Our little family of three is looking forward to seeing what 2012 will bring!

The Christmas Story (HD version)

Amazing video!

Merry Christmas!

Wishing everyone a blessed 2012!

Cousins

I've been organizing photos and came across these; Haley meeting her baby cousin Izzy.  Both girls have changed so much in the last 6 months!

Haley is unabashedly in love with Charlie and Izzy.  She asks about playing with them no less than 10 times a day.  It's fun to watch Haley and Charlie race around at top speed and wrestle each other.  In fact, someone asked us if they were twins recently! 

Haley's baby doll is appropriately named, Izzy.  First order of business each morning is to feed Izzy - baby doll Izzy is placed in the highchair and 'fed' with a baby spoon.  It's fun to imagine this threesome grow up together. 

Best. Cake. Ever.

I rang in another year surrounded by family and friends; stretching my birthday from one day into a multiple day celebration.  Lucky me!  Saturday night’s celebration was loud and chaotic, thanks to Haley and Charlie...our “twin” two year olds.  Cousins just 6 months apart, they race around with enough energy to power a space shuttle.  Sweet baby Izzy watched wide eyed at the pandemonium laughing and smiling at her brother and cousin’s antics.  All too soon, Izzy will be joining the fray. 

The celebration was capped off with a legendary chocolate cake.  My sister-in-law Paige has made this cake synonymous with birthdays in our household.  Even my uber-health minded, anti-dessert, brother has requested this cake three years running.  It is that good.  Rich chocolate with undertones of coffee - in a word this cake is decadent. 

As a loyal Weight Watcher member, I generally am careful if not OCD about counting my points.  I couldn’t bear to calculate the points in a piece of this cake.  It was my birthday, and everyone knows calories don’t count on birthdays.

Beatty’s Chocolate Cake

Courtesy of Ina Garten

Butter, for greasing the pans

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pans
2 cups sugar
3/4 cups good cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup buttermilk, shaken
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee
Chocolate Buttercream, recipe follows

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter two 8-inch x 2-inch round cake pans. Line with parchment paper, then butter and flour the pans.

Sift the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and mix on low speed until combined. In another bowl, combine the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry. With mixer still on low, add the coffee and stir just to combine, scraping the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool in the pans for 30 minutes, then turn them out onto a cooling rack and cool completely.

Place 1 layer, flat side up, on a flat plate or cake pedestal. With a knife or offset spatula, spread the top with frosting. Place the second layer on top, rounded side up, and spread the frosting evenly on the top and sides of the cake.

Chocolate Buttercream:

6 ounces good semisweet chocolate  
1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 extra-large egg yolk, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon instant coffee powder

Chop the chocolate and place it in a heat-proof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Stir until just melted and set aside until cooled to room temperature.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium-high speed until light yellow and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg yolk and vanilla and continue beating for 3 minutes. Turn the mixer to low, gradually add the confectioners' sugar, then beat at medium speed, scraping down the bowl as necessary, until smooth and creamy. Dissolve the coffee powder in 2 teaspoons of the hottest tap water. On low speed, add the chocolate and coffee to the butter mixture and mix until blended.  Spread immediately on the cooled cake.

We're Back? We're Back!

Bug has changed so much in the few months since I last wrote...

She turned 2!

But, so much has stayed the same...

Still in a full-on Elmo/Sesame Street addiction.

Our girl surprises us daily with her sweetness and challenges us equally with her tenacity and spunk.  Haley had a great Summer full of warm evenings outside and afternoons at the pool.  She is quite a water bug!  We're looking forward to Fall and hope to enjoy some apple picking soon...I imagine we'll have to pluck Haley from more than one tree :O) 

Bumble Bee

Long Overdue

Oy, I'm a bad blogger...I failed to keep my promise of more updates.  Certainly not intentional, but I'm struggling with the working mom craziness.  Karl and I get to spend all of 3 hours a day with Haley Monday - Friday, I just can't bear the thought of spending time on the computer vs. spending time with Bug.  I will find time - updates will become more frequent...pinky swear!

Miss Haley is quite the mover and shaker these days!  At 20 months (ack!) she is...
*Talking up a storm - new words every day. 
*Super independent and wants to do things herself - "Mama, I walk!" - is a favorite phrase.  Thankfully for Mama's heart, Haley wants to hold my hand while she walks in to daycare/stores/home. 
*Quite the singer - The Itsy Bitsy Spider and Rock'a Bye Baby have been added to her repertoire.  Happy Birthday is still a fan favorite - in fact, I had the best start to Mother's Day possible.  I heard Bug squirming in her room and before going in, I heard at least 3 rounds of Happy Birthday.  So sweet!
*Very in to dolls and babies.  She recently named her baby doll Izzy after her new cousin.  We need to work on our babysitting skills - baby doll Izzy is often carted through the house by an arm or leg. 

 (Mother's Day 2011)

We're all looking forward to Summer.  I imagine we'll spend a lot of time at the pool, playing outside, and at Deanna Rose.  Pictures will be forthcoming...promise!

Wink, Wink

Haley learned to wink, which is really more of a double squint. 

And in other news, Haley is a part-time (full-time, if we allowed it) nudist and Elmo afficianado.  Here she is waiting "patiently" for an Elmo video.

I Haven't Forgotten About You

So, it's been awhile since I last posted on my blog...Halloween.  Yikes.  Is it too late to make a resolution to be better about posting? 

Haley is awesome as always - here's some photographic evidence.  Her first 'official' haircut!  Karl took care of the mullet a few months ago, but Grandma Nancy decided the Bug needed a big girl haircut.  Very cute!

At 18 months Haley is talking up a storm - each day she says something new.  It's hard to believe our girl is 1 and a half!  

Halloween With Ladybug & Elmo

We celebrated Halloween in style - with a ladybug and Elmo (or Melmo, if you're under 2).  Ryan, Paige, Charlie, Pete, Nancy, Mom and Dad came over for a chili feast and trick or treating.  The kids had a ball playing together!

Trick or treating was a wild success!  Charlie handled like a pro and reaped the delicious candy rewards.  Haley wasn't as confident in her new found begging skills, but loved watching the other kiddos.  Both Haley and Charlie received tons of compliments, as they were the cutest Elmo and Ladybug in town. 



Daddy Daughter Date

Fall Down Tree is an artist I discovered via a friend and think his work is just amazing.  Fun, creative and whimsical - perfect for a kid's room.  This picture is going to need to find a home in Haley's room and soon.  It's titled Daddy Daughter Date.  The baby girl monkey has a face just like Bug's, especially when she sees her daddy.  

The Wiggliest Witch

Our resident witch doesn't ride a broomstick, but instead carries toothbrushes.  She also bounces around the house so quickly Mama Witch cannot get a clear picture!

A Dentist's Dream

Double fisting the toothbrushes.  Clearly, we are big on dental hygiene in our house!

Haley's Big Girl Room

We're probably at least a year away from transitioning Haley to her Big Girl room, but I've already started scheming.  I find inspiration in a variety of places - namely the internet and magazines.  I'm a big believer in DIY, so there is plenty on our future To-Do list; including building some furniture. 

When Haley was born my office gifted us with a really awesome mini duvet from Land of Nod and it's the centerpiece for my room design.  I have no idea who in the office is responsible for selecting baby gifts, but they hit a home run - the colors are fantastic!

We already own the polka dot chair and mini toy box, both in a soft green.  The artwork is a combo of DIY and Etsy purchases.  I have a looooong list (and continuing to grow) of favorite Etsy vendors and could very easily plaster every wall in my home with unique, personalized art.  I adore the idea of a wall full of different pieces of artwork - needlepoint, photography, prints, etc.  Haley already has several pieces of art in her current room that will most definitely make the transition to her 'new' room. 

As for the furniture building - there is an amazing website (ana-white.com) with free carpentry plans.  The pieces are reproductions from Pottery Barn, West Elm and Crate and Barrel.  Even better, the plans are easy!  I think Karl and I can handle a bookshelf and a daybed...

Even though Haley is young, I don't want her room to feel too infantile.  I'm seeking the perfect mix of little girl and eclectic and unique and homey...something she can grow in to. 

Dinner With My Friend

While getting dinner ready the other night, Haley toddled off to her room.  A moment later she returned with Baby Huggums in her arms.  So, Baby Huggums joined us for dinner, but not dessert.  Haley's messy enough for one!                    

A Morning With Haley

Hello, Blog Readers - It's me Haley.  Mom's been slacking on the blog...again.  Ugh.  I'm taking over and wanted to show you some pictures of me and my cuteness. 

Mom dressed me (I look CUTE in black and red) and I'm heading downstairs to play with my toys.  I like to ease into my day with some moo juice, Handy Manny and toys before heading to daycare.

  

 Chillin' in my chair.  I like to climb off and on...and then jump into Mom or Dad's arms.  It's fun!

I'm standing on my chair and Mom's telling me something about putting my tushy down.  Not sure what that's about.  Standing on chairs and climbing things is my new passion.

Whatchu talkin' bout?  I'm calling Grammy and Boppa or maybe Charlie or maybe Australia.  I just like to push the buttons. 

That's all for now, but I'll be back later with more.  

Hugs,

Haley