Beautiful.

Harry Potter love.

December 08, 2009 a much awaited date, Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince came out on DVD. B. surprised me with the movie last night, after he told me on the phone that the store had "sold out." He likes to aggravate.
Last night we sat down as a family and watched it, I even think C. enjoyed it to. I have loved Harry Potter for years and years. I have read all the books over and over again, as well as watched the movies over and over again. Every time I read one of the books or see one of the movies, I get that feeling that you can only get from reading a good book or seeing a good movie. Harry Potter has been an escape for me for a very long time, through good and bad times I have always escaped into one of the books or movies when I have needed to do just that, escape. I think it's like that for everyone that reads the books or sees the movies. You are transported to a magical place that actually becomes real to you as you read or watch. I imagine that kids do actually believe that Harry Potter is real, that Hogwarts exists and that Hogsmead really is a village in England somewhere. I hope that as C. gets older she will love Harry Potter the way that I do, I want her to believe that it all exists, because what is childhood with out a little magic?

Take a trip.

C. and I had to go out of town for my job this past week. It's something new that my work is trying with me, this was a trail run. Traveling with a baby is always a daunting task, traveling in general is always a daunting task for me anyway, usually I bring everything and the kitchen sink. Now through a bunch of baby stuff in there, and you have a real fiasco on your hands! So we packed up and shipped off on Tuesday and got back yesterday afternoon, B. had to come and get us early because C. projectile vomited yesterday morning on the way to my office and I was convinced she was sick with some awful stomach bug. Babies and stomach viruses horrify me, but that is another story. We finally made it home and we were both so worn out, I mean slap worn out, exhausted. C. did wonderful the whole time we were gone, but I knew she was worn out, and I was ready to get home, light the Christmas tree and relax, and most of all I was missing B. One of the best feelings in the world is when you haven't seen your other half for a while and then you get to see them. It is an awesome feeling.
So last night we had some apple cider and rum, watched one of my favorite movies of all time "Love Actually," and spent a much needed, relaxed night together, thankful for each other and thankful to be home.

The stockings were hung.

Yesterday we went to Wal-mart, (I am ashamed to say one of my favorite stores) to get our Christmas tree and decorations. B. talked me into a fake Christmas tree this year, even though I LOVE a real one. As much as I complained about getting a fake one, I have to say it turned out really nice, well beautiful is more like it. We got home, put the tree up, decorated the mantle with garland and lights and hung the stockings. We also bought a massive star to hang from the front porch. B. is in the process of building me an arbor to decorate with Christmas lights, so the outside is the next project to tackle. We found out in the process of decorating that C. hates garland. I mean she is absolutely terrified of it, she also is not to fond of touching the tree, hopefully she'll warm up to the Christmas decorations though.
I sat on the couch last night after everyone went to bed, drinking some milk and looking at our tree and the decorations. I love the way that Christmas lights look and most of all I love the feeling of comfort that you get from looking at a twinkling Christmas tree. This time last year we weren't in the best of positions, I was 7 months pregnant and we had just left Savannah in a hurry due to jobs disappearing, we had to leave what had been our home for four and a half years at the spur of the moment, and we weren't sure what we were going to do. We moved in with B.'s parents which was a blessing,B. got a good job, I had C. in March and we lived with them for 8 months. In late August we got our house. I sat and thought about how blessed we have been, blessed with a beautiful baby girl, blessed with love for each other that has been tested and that has succeeded, blessed with a loving family, blessed with jobs, blessed with a house that we have made into home, and blessed with little things like Christmas trees.

Run.

As you know I am trying hard to start seriously running again. I am a book dork, so of course I would buy books on running. B thinks it's hilarious that I would buy a book on running, he doesn't understand that their is more to it then you think. So I bought The Idiots Guide to Running and Bill Rodgers Lifetime Running Guide. Bill Rodgers has written both of these. The books are awesome because he makes you feel that anything you do, even if it's just walking or running for a couple of minutes makes a difference. He has a walk/run combination plan that I have been meaning to try, but haven't really committed to as of yet. So far I've wanted to just walk and run a little to get used to the neighborhood, my shoes, and pushing Clara in one of the most bulky strollers that have ever been made for a baby. The thing is HEAVY! So this week I am going to try and do the running plan that's in the book, heavy stroller and all. First thing first I need to build my endurance, and get used to hills, because this neighborhood is really hilly. I look forward to being able to run without feeling like I'm dying and to be able to run a least a mile by the first of the year. I want to reap the benefits of running for my body, but also for my mind. Being outside and walking around the neighborhood gives me a sense of calm that I don't usually have in my day to day life. I also really enjoy spending the time outside with C. because I know she benefits from it too. So for Christmas I'm asking for a jogging stroller from Target, and maybe I can squeeze some good running shoes out of Santa Claus.

C. on Thanksgiving day.

Dropping the pounds.

When I found out I was pregnant I started eating and eating and eating. Now of course some of that was pregnancy cravings and needing the extra calories and then some was me enjoying the fact that I could eat whatever I wanted and have an excuse for it. After Clara was born and 55lbs later, I really wish I would have watched my diet a little bit better. Losing baby weight is hard, losing weight in general is hard. Three years ago I lost 50lbs and was at my goal weight, I felt good again. So recently I decided I wanted to feel good and look good again. I went on slim fast and eat between 1300-1500 calories a day, I keep a food journal and I started walk/running, with my ultimate goal being able to run 5 miles no problem, I'm still working on mile 1. I've been on this diet and exercise plan for about a week now, and last night I stepped on the scale, and to no avail I have not lost any weight. Disappointment I must say. I was at least hoping for a pound or two. So now I am determined to lose weight, hopefully at least 20lbs by C's. birthday in March. I really really want to start running full time, like I used to in highschool, I would love to run the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta July 4, 2010. Right now my goal is to be able to run a mile again.
Now don't let this post fool you, I want to look and feel good, but I also want to be healthy for my daughter, I want her to have the best of me, I want her to have a mama that can chase after her without getting winded, that can pull her in her wagon fast, that can play with her until she gets worn out. That's what I want. That's what I'm working towards, and no matter how long it takes, and I'm sure with some bumps in the road I am determined to get there.