Archive for May 8th, 2008

Back to Running

Thursday, May 8th, 2008

So, I’ve actually been running again lately.  At the OKC 1/2 Marathon Expo, I went on the prowl for a new pair of kicks.  I had been looking for a while, but couldn’t decide on what I would end up with.  I had whittled it down to a new pair of Saucony Hurricane or MC5 or MC6, or Brooks Adrenaline GTS, Addiction or Trance.  I was leaning toward one of the Brooks as I’m still digging on the Beasts, but wanted something a little more streamlined (so the Addiction were low on the list).  The Brooks have lasted extremely well, and I think I’ll still keep them around for walking and light running as they don’t feel worn out quite yet.

I also hadn’t written off a pair of Pearl Izumis either, but hadn’t been able to get much info on them.  But they had a booth at the expo advertising a sale, so I stopped by.  The very nice lady sent me toward their other station which had their motion control/stability shoes, so off I went.  But I ran across a stand of sale shoes on the way there and low and behold, in my size at over 1/2 off were a pair of Brooks Adrenaline GTS.  Tried them on and was immediately sold.  Extremely comfy, great cushioning, and solid in the right places.

I’ve now been on 4 runs in them (2.5 miles, 3.5 miles, 4.2 and 4.7 miles) and am really digging them.  They are not the plushest ride, but they are solid and give great support.  There is a fair amount of cushion, but like the Beasts, it is definitely more of a thick cushioned material that, as the Beasts have shown has lasted for a long time.  So I think I may be becoming a Brooks man.  Sorry Saucony.  You shouldn’t have messed with the Omni 4 which sent me off on my search.

8 Months

Thursday, May 8th, 2008

Happy 8 Months G&A. It was another busy month full of lots of new tricks. The biggest has probably been you 2 both sitting up all on your own. You both love to sit around your cool music and alphabet play table hitting the buttons and making noise. The sitting up has also made bath-time much more bearable as you love to sit up and grab for toys and the cup that I use to rinse you off with.

George has gotten extremely strong and has taken to rolling over from front to back and from back to front. You also graduated from your sleeping “blocks” and have taken to roaming around your crib while you sleep just like A. We have been surprised to find you rolled over onto your stomach even. You are still sweet as ever and still love to break into laughter at the drop of a hat. The first two weeks of the last month were filled with ear infections. However, to combat what seems to be horrible allergies, we’ve been giving you regular Dimatap, and (knock-on-wood) you’ve been ear infection free since. And you love the grape-y goodness.

Abigail has become our on-the-go girl. You have lost all desire to stay in one place, and have become very adept at rolling from place to place. You have also begun creeping forward and backward on all fours. Well, all fours plus your head. IT is quite entertaining to watch as you get up on all fours and rev-up by rocking back and forth and growling at the same time. You have also begun sleeping on you belly with your monkey for a pillow and your knees pulled up underneath you, kind of like Child’s Pose. Very cute.

There have been all sorts of great new foods such as plums, zucchini, carrots and broccoli. You have also move to eating your first “solid” foods. You both really enjoy the little puffed rice alphabet crackers and love to try to pick them up off your tray and stick them in your mouth. Mommy also found you some great rice crackers that have a lot of crunch to them and are perfect for you to hold and chew up.

This past month we had a visit from Grammy and Grandpa who rushed in when I had to go to Amarillo for a business trip. They stayed for the weekend and helped us plant flowers in the garden while keeping you two inside out of the pollen. Uncle Billy also came down to meet you for the first time. He also ran the OKC Half-Marathon, which I was supposed to run with him. Grammy and Grandpa came up that Saturday but had to return to Austin quickly to see to Oma, who began having breathing problems. We had a great time with Uncle Billy though, showing him around Norman and OKC, even attending your first outdoor festival, the Oklahoma City Arts Festival. We missed seeing Uncle Billy cross the finish line, but did bundle up for what turned out to be a cold and blustery morning, to watch some of the other finishers and ran into quite a few friends.

We continued the festivals this past weekend, heading out to the Mayfair in Norman.  Lots of neat art and some rockin’ kids bands.  Plus the weather was just gorgeous.  The other big event, at least for me, was this past Sunday, taking you 2 out for your very first bike ride.  We got the bikes in working order and loaded you into the trailer and went for a spin around the neighborhood.  You were both just looking around at everything and seemed to enjoy the whole event.  Can’t wait to get out again.  We’re thinking the bikes are a perfect way to get out to restaurants and church this early summer.

Funny event of the month was when the refrigerator door refused to close. Turns out the fridge the previous owners of our house had left for us was 23 years old. The inside of the door had become cracked and so it lost all of its rigidity. Being so old there was no chance to find a replacement, so we ended up getting a new fridge. But before the new one came in, we had to use a chair to prop the door shut. We contemplated using duct tape, but decided that would be too redneck.

love,

Daddy-Doo