Christmas Holidays, Reed Walking, 100 Days of Running and a Cake

Christmas Holidays

Yay! So I have a chance to write a blog, life has been pretty busy... working lots, getting sick lots, running not so lots... 

Christmas was pretty awesome this year, it always is, but with a one year it was even more so and I am sure it will just get better as he grows up.  I love all the hype, all the traditions, the decorating, the anticipation, the baking, the preparing (Christmas is great time for people who like to make lists... such as myself!) the lights, the wrapping, the shopping, the giving (and yes the getting!). 

We had a pretty low key budget to spend on ourselves, which I went over, but every little thing adds up quickly ....

'Twas the night beforeChristmas ...and we were at my mom's house ...

Reed Walking

The very day he turned one, he ventured out on his own!  Life is sooooooo much better since, he now just goes where he wants and plays with what he wants instead of whining for mommy or daddy to take him there.

100/100

We did get a treadmill and I have been using it, some mornings, some nights, but it sucks working out at either 430am or 730pm, I'm just way too tired.  Reed still wakes up in the night, 2-4 times depending on teething issues, although he has been getting better lately only once, and then he is up for good by 6am sometimes earlier.  So I've been able to average about 3-4 runs a week, which isn't great, but it's something and I can't beat myself up about it, that's life.

So I decided to give myself a little challenge, or a big challenge, as it is so hard to stay motivated to train through the winter, when the races and nice weather are so very far away.  I am following a challenge through SlowTwitch - run 100 days in a row, so ideally, 100 runs in a 100 days, although you can take rest days.  I decided to blog about it a bit, to keep me honest, and I don't think I will officially enter through the website and log all my runs.

I'm on day 11 (although I didn't know I had started on the first 4 days...) only 89 more days of running left!  It's pretty chilly here too, on Christmas day I ran 90min in -20 (not with windchill) and today it was -25 and I braved 40min of the elements.  I actually don't mind the cold for running, if you dress warmly, you're fine.  Pearl can only handle about 20min before she starts hobbling around on her paws, so I've been dropping her off and heading out for more!  I will allow myself one rest day every 10 days, if I need it ... so it will be more like 90 days out 100

This was a xcounrty race I did earlier in the month, tough running hard on snow!

My First Successful Layer Cake

What kind of mom would be I be if I didn't attempt some impressive cake for my son's first birthday?  Although I am no stranger to the cake in a box mix and the icing in a tub, I decided I couldn't live with myself if I didn't do a cake and icing from scratch.  Here are the stages...

Layered 'em up

Even did a crumb-coat initial frosting (as if I knew what that even was before...!)

Second layer of frosting (doesn't look that much better in my opinion) a little lop-sided...

Decorated.... very primitively, very cheesy, kinda looks like a little kid did it...

Set ablaze

Here are a bunch more from Reed's birthday....

A big cake for a big baby!

He was so cranky, we couldn't serve up the cake and ice cream fast enough so we gave him a cupcake to keep him busy ... but he wouldn't have it!

PS.  Reed didn't even eat his own cake, he was way too fussy/cranky/tired/over-stimulated at his little party.  He is getting more teeth, and has a nasty cold/flu (a couple days after he had a fever for 3days!) so sleeping hasn't been optimal, poor little guy (and poor parents!!), it's always something!!