Where Has September Gone

I can't believe the month of September is almost over - it's been really busy but stayed on track with the half marathon training schedule even with a work trip to Columbia, a trip to Wichita, and a touch of a stomach bug last week. I'm still planning on running the 1st annual Mother Road 1/2 Marathon starting in Baxter Springs, Kansas following historic Route 66 right into Joplin, MO on 10/10/10.

Sounds like quite a few friends some family are going to be joining me for the haul. Thinking Don, Sharon, Dan, and Jen are in it for the 13.1 mile plan. My goal is to finish in under 2 hours but will be happy for a finish feeling good considering this is my first race since having G. They are advertising this race as a walker, stroller, headphone friendly race. Wondering if G would want to come along for the ride ;-) Chanti and Angie are going the full distance and I can't wait to cheer them in at the finish line. The CRC will be represented but not all members will be present. Debbie and Robert are heading to Chicago so that Debbie can run her 3rd Marathon at the ING Chicago Marathon on the same day. Good luck to her :)

Going to run 13 miles this Saturday - will be my longest run in who knows how long (over a year at least) and I'm looking forward to being done. It's great to be back on the road with my friends and it's now time to pick my next marathon. Any suggestions???

Top 10 Things to do By 40

Photo by KTVee

I love being inspired by other's postings on blogs I follow....especially when it's a blog that a friend pens. My lovely friend (and past eMINTS trainee) Alysia, who is almost ready to give birth to she and her husbands first child, recently posted 40 By 40, a list of things she would like to do all before she turns 40.

Being a list person, I of course, LOVED the idea. Only one problem - lovely Alysia is just in her first year of the 30's and I am coming to the end of the 30's :( With just 2 years before I turn 40 it looks like I might need to refine my list to make it more achievable and reasonable for a short time period and a blend of Alysia's idea and David Letterman's Top 10 list is what it's going to be. So here it is (in no certain order):

Top 10 Things to do By 40

1. Start at least 5 new "traditions" for Michael, Greyson & I
2. Take a couples vacation
3. Update Kitchen - paint cabinets, new counters, etc.
4. Learn a Wake to Wake 180
5. Take Greyson camping
6. Learn to cook with my Crock-Pot
7. Run an ultra marathon
8. Have Grandma R teach me to make a blueberry pie
9. Take at least 1 picture a week
10. Learn to knit - and make something to wear

So wish me luck but I won't be holding my breath.

4 Months Old

Greyson turned 4 months old on September 7. Wow, how time fly's. Things have gone really well since the last sclero-therapy treatment although we haven't seen much shrinkage he is doing great. Greyson continues to receive care from his Physical Therapist, Suzy and Special Instructor, Sharon. He really wants to roll but just can't get over. He loves to suck on his hands and uses his hands to grasp toys (his left more than his right). We are working on getting him to prop himself up on his arms when laying on his belly and hold on to toys with both hands. He likes to lift his legs up and kick them all around and has even found his feet a few times.

Greyson had his 4 month check-up today with the pediatrician in Joplin and is growing as he should be. He did have to get shots today which he doesn't like (obviously) but he didn't cry much and didn't seem to feel bad after like last time. He weighs 15 lb 8 oz and is 25 3/4 inches long. That puts him in the 40th percentile for weight and 60th percentile for length.

We have had a chance to visit the lake a few more times and Greyson has enjoyed riding on the pontoon boat now that there have been some cooler days. He traveled with me to Columbia one last time for a week and spent lots of quality time with Grandma Diane. We even took him for his first swim in a pool (he acted like it was nothing - a bath seems to be more fun). Last weekend we went to Wichita to watch his cousins play football and soccer and visited lots of family. One thing we have figured out is that he gets really tired of the car bed and hot as well....and when he's done he let's us know loud and clear. We don't see any long trips in the near future and are working with the car seat lady from Children's Mercy to find an alternative.

Greyson's next appointment is scheduled for October 6 with the plastic surgeons to plan his surgery in January. We are looking forward to an uneventful and quiet fall.

Finally, I figured out how to get the video clips we have been taking of Greyson online for you all to see. Just visit this link and you should be able to see both our mobile uploaded pictures and videos. http://gallery.me.com/higginsb#100150

Back to Sewing - Nursing Cover-Up

Found a small bit of time to make myself a couple of nursing cover-ups after finding some on Etsy.com that cost $25. The local quilt shop has some great Amy Butler fabric on sale for $5 a yard so it was meant to be. Felt like a cover up was something I could make pretty quickly and without a pattern. Hindsight, it needs to be a few inches wider and longer but besides that, they turned out and now my modesty has been preserved ;-)

Stealing an Idea

So I decided to document my KC run as one of the runner bloggers I follow at It's Just One Foot in Front of the Other. She takes pictures of herself after running and posts them along with inspirational thoughts and ideas. No inspiration from me today just a snapshot of downtown KC and an overview of my run through downtown Kansas City, MO.

Being in KC for G's latest procedure meant a morning run through the city while he and Mikey hung out at our room at the Ronald McDonald House which meant starting at the base of quite a hill and that was just the start. It was very different than running in little ole' Carthage, MO - lots of hills, cars, people, bridges, buses, and great buildings to look at. Thanks to my friend Don, I had a 4.5 mile route that took me past Crowne Center, The Sprint Center, and Children's Mercy Hospital. My route was part of the Hospital Hill 1/2 Marathon Route so now I am may have to run that one someday but not sure I can take all the hills....I am feeling those hills today in my shins hope it doesn't affect my 8 miler tomorrow.

Run On!
Brooke

KC Running

One of the sites on my 4.5 miler documented with my Hipstamatic app.

Hipstamatic

One of the sites on my KC morning run. I LOVE the Hipstamatic App.