Ladies of leisure? I wish.

A few weeks ago I was outside planting some flowers in my front yard, and my neighbor (let’s call her Sarah since I haven’t asked her permission to write about her on here) was leaving to go walking with another woman. I chatted with them for a minute then off they went, pushing their little boys in jogging strollers.  When Sarah returned from her walk she told me that she and her friend, let’s call her Samantha, go walking once or twice a week and invited me to join them.  Samantha lives around the corner and has 2 small kids just like Sarah, and while their older ones are at preschool they walk with the younger ones. 

Tess likes being outside in the garden with Mom.

I’ll be honest, I felt a little bit like I got invited to sit at the cool kids’ lunch table at school when they invited me to go along with them.  I know, I’m such a geek, but I don’t have many friends in my neighborhood nor do I hang out with many people with kids – I also haven’t made new friends in longer than I care to admit, so this was super exciting for me all around. 

She REALLY loves being outdoors.

A couple of days later Sarah texted me saying they would be meeting at 9am the next day if I wanted to join them.  I said I’d be there, and planned my morning to make it happen.  Tess had been taking her first nap of the day right around 9, but since I really wanted to join them I thought I’d just shift her nap to start earlier.

HA! Rookie mistake.  First rule of Parent Club is when you make plans, nothing goes to plan.  I put Tess down for a nap at 8am thinking she would sleep til 8:30 at the latest since it is always a battle to get her to nap for more than 30 minutes.   This would have given me a whole 30 minutes to do one last feed and diaper change before heading out to meet the girls.  I even picked out a cute little outfit for her to wear. 

Just because we are exercising, doesn't mean we can't be fashionable.

Well, of course this one morning Tess decided she needed a good long nap.  I was basically sitting there watching her sleep, waiting for the slightest indication she was waking up, but she was completely comatose. 

8:45 came and went.

“OK, we will skip the feeding and just change her diaper, we won’t be gone long,” I thought.

8:50. 

8:55. 

“Well, hopefully she hasn’t pooped because she’s not getting a diaper change now either.” 

8:59. 

I was in a serious moral dilemma at this point!  Do I wake a sleeping baby?  Hell no!  An hour-long nap is like my dream – I will never be blessed with an hour-long nap again if I wake her!  She probably also wouldn’t stop crying the entire walk if I woke her. 

Andy did happen to be home still so he said he’d stay with her and I should go alone.  But this was a “Moms-Who-Walk-With-Babies” group! I can’t go Sans Baby!  They probably only wanted a cute little 4 month old cute baby girl to join them anyway, they didn’t care about me being there!  I was only a vessel for the baby! 

The cute one in front is clearly the draw here.

I briefly considered bringing my dog Twickers in the stroller, covering her with a blanket and telling them she was asleep. That plan would have worked too, had Twickers had a bath more recently than a month previously.  They instantly would have smelled a rat. Or a hound, as it were.

Fenway says 

"Why does the little bald puppy get to go for walks 

and not me when she can't even WALK!?"

 Finally, it was 9:05, I saw Sarah and Samantha out in the street loitering and knew it was do-or-die time.  I needed to go or else I would get kicked out of the moms walking group on my first day for tardiness.  The second I decided to just go alone, I saw Tess stir in the baby monitor video.  YES!!!  She is awake!!!  It may have been the first time I was actually excited to see her wake up. 

Tess and I walked a 5K for the 

Susan G Komen Race for the Cure

I quickly poked my head out my front door and shouted that Tess was just waking up from a nap and I’d be out in a second.  I ran back in, grabbed Tess, threw her into the baby carrier – no food, no fresh diaper, no cutie little outfit.  (Yes, yes, terrible mother that I am but I didn’t have that kind of time! I was desperate).  In her PJs, eyes still half closed with sleep marks on her face, looking like a deer in the headlights, I paraded her out into the street so I could make friends. 

Tess likes making new friends too.

I was very glad I exploited my poor hungry, soggy-diapered baby girl for my own benefit though, because I had a great time on the walk. And let’s face it, so did she!  She likes the stimulation she gets from being outdoors. 

Clearly looking very stimulated.

I did feel a bit overwhelmed from all the baby-raisin’ info I was inundated with though.  Gymboree, music class, reading groups at the library, choosing a pre-school, baby proofing, playground groups, vaccinations, learning to talk.  I have convinced myself my baby is going to be delayed because she does not go to Gymboree, will never get into a good pre-school since she isn’t already on a waitlist and I can't afford it anyway, and I not only need to cover my entire property in bubble wrap but need to get rid of my pool as well.  In fact, when Andy came home the first thing I said was: “We have to move.” 

OK maybe we won't get rid of the pool quite yet. 

She seems to be enjoying it so far...

I do feel grateful that I’m learning this stuff now and not when she’s 5.  At least now I can try to maybe undo all the harm I’ve already caused by my naïveté.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m putting the pressure entirely on myself – Sarah and Samantha are totally chill and not at all like those crazy Moms who are all, “WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU HAVEN’T STARTED GIVING HER PIANO AND CHESS LESSONS AT 5 MONTHS?!” They were just chatting about this stuff, which then made me start to panic that I didn’t know about it all.  I’m a type A personality, and always will be.  I want to be an expert in everything before I start.

We do our own version of Gymboree anyway.

She can already roll over in both directions!

and is ALMOST sitting up on her own, at least while sitting in the boppy!

Not bad for 5 months!

We have continued to walk once maybe twice a week, and I really do love it.  Both Sarah and Samantha are at home with their kids too, so it’s nice to talk to them about life as a “SAHM.” I also get plenty of reinforcement that I’ve made the right decision to do that. 

The bad thing is they don’t just walk… They also often run.  I have thus far avoided the running since I bring Tess in the baby carrier.  They told me I need to invest in a jogging stroller so I can run with them.

Ug. Running.

Tess' reaction when I suggested we start running.

"Say what???"

Running and I have a sordid history.  It is most certainly a love-hate relationship.  After I had my first ACL replacement surgery at 18 and had to give up playing contact sports, I started running for rehab and to keep in shape.  Throughout college I would run up to 6 miles or so for fitness on a pretty regular basis.  One summer I lived with my brother Ron and we would run together.  I would run off and on when I started grad school, mostly off during our insanely hot summers. 

When my brother died I did something crazy and convinced Andy to train for a marathon with me for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The Team in Training group will provide coaches and training opportunities for marathons, triathlons, century rides etc if you raise a certain amount of money for them.  It was my therapy in grieving Ron’s death, Andy and I would go out and run and I would think about Ron, his illness, his life, our relationship. It was a very special time in my life and gave me a sense of clarity that I was desperate for at the time.  I also raised a ton of money for the LLS due to the extreme generosity of my family and friends, I was the #3 top fundraiser in the state of Georgia!  It was the best decision I’ve ever made, to run that race.  It was the proudest moment of my life. 

This was a video my friend Devon put together to commemorate our marathon.

But that was 3 years, 20 pounds, a second ACL surgery and 1 C-section ago.  I tore my ACL a second time last winter and had surgery just before getting pregnant.  I haven’t gone for a run in 18 months. 

I’ll be honest, when Sarah told me I needed a jogging stroller, my blood ran cold. I started plotting how I could avoid her from that moment forward so I wouldn’t have to face the fact that I probably couldn’t jog 1 mile.  How could I possibly admit this to her?  I have a 26.2 sticker on my car for Christs’ sake!  AND a 26.2 tattoo. I feel like a fraud.

Maybe I should show her my jersey and medal so she believes 

I was actually capable of running at one point.

This morning I was too sore from spreading 800 pounds of mulch in my yard the previous day to bring Tess in the baby carrier, so I walked with her in my regular non-jogging stroller.  Sarah asked if I wanted to try to run with the stroller I had.  Oh, no! I wouldn’t dream of it! Of course, I didn’t admit it wasn’t that I feared the stroller wouldn’t hold up for a run, it was the person pushing the stroller I was concerned about.  I didn’t want them to have to take Tess out and put me in it to get me back home. 

I think Tess wants to go out to lunch with Dad instead of go running.

As much as a part of me can’t help but think “Goddamnit, why did I have to befriend active moms who run? Why couldn’t I have met ladies who lunch and drink wine?!” I do kind of hope this inspires me to start running again. After my last knee surgery I did my PT, did a lot of walking, circuit training type of stuff.  I try to keep in shape in other ways.  But running is so good for the body and mind in a different way from all other kinds of exercise.    It’s just impossibly hard to start. 

Tess also thinks we need to spend more time going to lunch 

with Auntie Megan rather than exercise with the new friends.

Alas, I suppose the journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step.  So, in that vein… anyone out there have a cheap jogging stroller they are looking to get rid of?

Nanny London visits!

Hello!  Bringing you another guest blog post from me, Tess!  I made Mom let me tackle another post so I could tell you about meeting my Nanny London!

Nanny London is my other Grandma I hadn’t met yet – she lives faaaaaaar far away in England.  She came from so far away just to visit me!  Isn’t that so nice??? 

We had so much fun when Nanny London was visiting.  We snuggled and sang songs.  She also brought me a lot of fun toys and books, like some of Dad’s old books from when he was little. We have been having fun reading them together. Here is one of the toys she brought:

Here is a fun game she played with me:

We also went to my first festival with Nanny!  There were people and fried foods (which mom wouldn’t let me eat, boo!) and music and a parade, and we even got to go look through lots of strangers houses and gardens!  How funny. 

Mom, Dad & me in someone's backyard!

Dad & Nanny London.

Same backyard.

Me & Dad.

This was taken before I found out I wasn't allowed 

to eat polish sausage and a funnel cake.

We also looked at a preschool that I want to go to – it has an outdoor classroom and chickens and a vegetable garden and all the kids bring their own wellie boots and keep them at the school to go outside to do the gardening.  It looked so fun! But mom said hopefully we won’t be living here still when I’m ready to go preschool.  Oh well, maybe we can find another place like it in Massachusetts?

Three Generations!

It was very sad when Nanny London had to leave.  She left our house and went on a trip to Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans. That’s where Mom and Dad met! I hope we get to go visit her in England someday soon, they have real castles and princesses there! It’s like a fairy tale land!  I also want to meet my Auntie Paula, Uncle Paul and my cousins Katie, Harry and Charlie.  They all live over in England too.  I wish that all my family wasn’t so far away!  Jeez.  Get it together, Mom & Dad!!!

Saying Goodbye :-(

I will remember Massachusetts...

Hey guys!  Tess here, comin’ at ya with a guest blog post.  My mom has been doing a bad job of updating her blog so I thought I’d help her out. It's like she thinks I’m a lot of work or something!  Pffttt… whatever. I’m not buyin’ it.

I wanted to tell you about the big adventure I had last week.  Mom, Dad and I left the furry babies at home and flew on a big airplane and went to this great place called Massachusetts! 

Most nights I like to wake up for some middle of the night snacks, but last Saturday morning Mom and Dad wanted me to wake up to go to the airport at 3:30. I wasn’t really feelin’ that so I decided to sleep in for once.  But they FORCED me out of bed anyway and we headed out.  Mom and Dad brought a LOT of stuff with us, I think they’re high maintenance or something.  We even had to have a nice man at the gate carry some of our stuff for us, because Mom and Dad got coffee and didn’t realize they wouldn’t have enough hands to carry all our stuff - AND me.  Silly parents.

Me at the airport.

It was like the middle of the night - I was tired!

The airplane was awesome! I think Mom and Dad were more nervous than me.  All the people were so nice, and I got lots of snuggles, so I was a happy camper.  The airplane lady even gave us the front seat and we had a whole row to ourselves.  If flying is always like this, then I LOVE flying!  Mom nursed me almost the whole flight so I had absolutely nothing to cry about.  It was the best. 

Me and Mom on the plane. 

Me and Dad watching Elmo on the iPad.
I love the iPad.

After our super fun flight, the first thing we did was see Gramma!!!  I was sooo happy because I haven’t seen her in 2 whole months. I was just a little baby the last time we got to snuggle.  I couldn’t even hold my head up back then!  I think she was happy to see us too, except she looked like she was crying a little when we first saw her at the airport.  I only cry when I’m unhappy or hungry.  She was smiling though, so maybe she was hungry? 

Next we went to Gramma’s house – my first time!  And I also met some of my family for the first time!  Like my Grandpa and my cousin Alex.  I think we are going to have a lot of fun together!  I also got to meet my Auntie Steph, she was nice and warm and snuggly.  I haven’t seen my Auntie Wendy since I was 3 weeks old, so she barely recognized me! But I recognized her and she made me smile when she told me she is going to take me for mani/pedis soon.  Auntie Wendy also introduced me to my new Uncle Steve - they are getting married soon and I can’t wait for the party! Except Mom is probably going to make me wear a fancy dress.  Boo…  I also met some of Gramma’s friends who call themselves The Pussycat Mafia.  Sue and Deb told me I’m an honorary “kitten.” I’m not sure what that means but it sounds fun!

Me and my cousin Alex.

Cousins!

Me and Auntie Wendy

Pussycat Mafia member Deb with her sleepy kitten

Me and Auntie Steph.

Or Auntie Jonny, as my Mom calls her.

We spent the day at Gramma’s house and then drove to this great place called Smith College.  Mommy loves this place.  She always talks about it and puts lots of clothes on me that she buys there.  It seemed pretty cool.  She had a big important meeting there with lots of nice ladies.  It must have been important at least, because I barely got to see her for 2 whole days! 

The Alumnae House of Smith College.

This is where Mom spent all her time while we were there.

So much time that we didn't visit Baldwin House
OR get a single picture of the two of us together on campus!

Guess we'll just have to go back.

The first night, Dad and I dropped Mom off at her dinner and we went to our hotel.  Poor Dad seemed a little stressed out because he had so much stuff that he had to bring up the stairs.  We had 2 suitcases, 3 backpacks, and my pack n play.  The last people to stay in our room must have been very cold, because it was SOOO hot in there when we arrived!  I was very unhappy about it so I cried and cried and cried and poor Daddy didn’t even have Mom around to help him out.  But Dad got the room to cool down, managed to get all my stuff and set up my bed (all while I cried!) so I finally decided to go to sleep.

This is where we stayed.

Dreaming that I'm Usain Bolt.

Unfortunately, Mom had to leave us again in the morning but Gramma came to spend the day with me instead!  Gramma, Dad and I hung out in this great town called Northampton.  And then they would bring me to Mom’s meeting every couple of hours so she could feed me. I liked interrupting their meeting, but since I’m so cute I don’t think the ladies minded too much. Gramma and Dad also took me to a fun place called The Northampton Brewery.  They told me stories about a great party they had there the night before they got married. 

At Mom's meeting

Me and Dad at The Brewery

The next day I didn’t see Mom as much because Dad fed me bottles instead.  That was sad but I had so much fun hangin’ with him.  He works a lot so we don’t get to spend as much time together as me and Mom do.  We learned a lot about each other and had a great time.  I also got to meet Dad’s friend Adam at that brewery place again. Mom told me that Adam introduced her to my Dad - he's lots of fun, but he has gotten Mom and Dad in a lot of trouble over the years.  They say I should steer clear for a few more years until something they call my liver is stronger.

Me and Adam.

That afternoon something bad happened in a town called Boston, which I guess isn’t too far from where we were.  There was a big long race there that some of our friends were running in. My Dad was going to go cheer for them but decided at the last minute to stay with me in Northampton instead.  Mom was very happy he didn’t go since the bad thing happened.  They didn’t want to tell me about the bad thing because they don’t want me to be scared, but I could tell Mom was very upset about it.  She said she was just glad that me, her and Dad were all together and safe and gave me lots of snuggles, so I was happy.  She was also relieved our friends are such fast runners and were all safe.  I feel sad for the people in Boston, but it seems like a pretty great town so I think they will be okay.

The next day we got to see our family again.  Gramma, Grandpa, Auntie Steph, Auntie Wendy, my cousin Alex, Uncle Steve, and The Pussycat Mafia all came back to see me again!  It was great.  I got lots of snuggles and didn’t have to take any naps!  It was great.

Pussycat Mafia with Dad.

Me and another member of The PCM - this one was also Mom's teacher in kindergarten!

This is what it's like growing up in a small town, I guess!!!

After that I met Mom’s friend Miss Anita and I had my first photo shoot.  Miss Anita was so nice and I liked her a lot so I smiled a lot.  She made me feel like a model.  Miss Anita also took photos at my Mom and Dad’s wedding so it was extra special that she took my first professional photos.  

Here are a few shots!

Me, Mom and Miss Anita

Here is one she took when Mom and Dad got married.

That night I had my first sleep over at Gramma’s, I really liked it so I slept sooo well.  Gramma says we should have more sleepovers and I agree. 

Zzzz....

When we were at Gramma's we got to see lots of old pictures.

This is me posing with a picture of Mom. 

I look scared because I can't believe my mom was ever little like me!

This is a picture of my Great-Great Grandmother!

Her name was Teresa too - just like me!

Her daughter (my Great-Grandmother) was also named Teresa, they called her Tess and she's the one I'm named after.

I come from a long line of great Teresas...

When we woke up in the morning, we took a walk to the lake next to Gramma’s house.  Mom told me stories about how much time she spent at the lake when she was little – with some friends like Miss Anita (the one who took my picture)!  She would swim and fish in the summer and go ice-skating and ice-fishing in the winter there. She says it was a great place to grow up.  It sounds pretty awesome – we don’t have any lakes near us in Atlanta but I think I would like living in a place like that.

After that we had to pack our bags and go back on the airplane.  I was so sad to say goodbye to Gramma at the airport.  Mom must have been too, because she cried and cried when we left.  I tried to snuggle her and tell her we’ll be back soon. She just doesn’t ever like to leave Gramma because that’s her Mom!  I can understand that because I wouldn’t want to leave my Mom either.  That must be hard. 

Gramma makes me smile.

The airplane was fun and I didn’t cry at all again! I just like being held so I was happy to be snuggled for so long.  I was also excited to go back and see the furry babies at home.  I can’t wait to go back and visit again though.  I just kinda wish we lived closer to Gramma so I could see her more.  Oh well. Maybe someday…

Mom was sad at the airport.

I was happy on the airplane.

Dad was tired when we got home.