The Weekend

As an athletic director, it is not uncommon for Trevor to work on Saturdays, but this Saturday Trevor was off, and it was such a relaxing weekend. Friday night was relaxing, Saturday consisted of a morning run for me, babysitting a friend's baby, and then more relaxing for the rest of the day. Sunday we squeezed in a play date with Jack Mansell and his mommy. Here are some photos and more thorough descriptions of those events.

Here we are on Friday night. It is so great to spend unlimited time with Jackson on the weekends. I do miss being with him all the time, and I can't wait until I am finished with this contract
Family Time

Since I have gone back to work, my friend Kelly and I go for long runs on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Kelly is a great running partner for me. This weekend I let Trevor sleep in, so Jackson joined us on our run. He is also a good training partner as he get fussy when I start to walk, he only likes riding at full speed.
Ready for the big run!

A super large Earthworm
Last but not least the play date with Jack. Jack and Jackson have so much in common. They were born within one month of each other. Jack is also a Canadian/American born in Hong Kong growing up in China, and Jack's nanny is best friends with Jackson's nanny. Actually Jack and Jackson have played together while the mommy's have been back to work, but this time Kendra and I were there. It was so fun to discuss all the new things these boys have been doing.
Jack and Jackson

Jackson was tired from playing.

A Photo Update

Relaxed after a warm bath.

Getting cozy with daddy.




Jumping around, please excuse the middle finger.
A Birthday Cake I made for Kelly's 27th

Quick Change

Quick change summarizes Jackson. He has been growing up so quickly just like every other baby. I took him to the doctor at 4 months and he weighed 18 pounds. He is in the 95th percentile for weight. Next Tuesday Jackson will be five months. I know this happens to every baby, but it seems so personal as a new mommy. Here is a photo taken two months ago.

I Almost Forgot

I was recently browsing a friends blog, and found another blog that she has that is about photos she has taken. As I was looking I found some pictures of Jackson and I here. I had asked Karen to photograph Jackson and I at the beginning of December, for a gift for our families and Trevor. Here they are: Thanks again Karen.

My Secret Admirer

I have a secret admirer. His name is Jesus. I guess it's not so secret, but He reminded me this week of his tender care and love for me. I am a runner. I have competed in several small races, and one half marathon. My goal was to complete a marathon by the time I was 30, but I have had to post pone that one a few years I guess. Now, that I am totally recovered from having Jackson, I am running again, and training for races this summer.
I have asked my mom and Trevor's mom to keep thier eyes out for second hand jogging strollers at garage sales/or consinment stores. I have always thought it would be cool to take my kids running with me, but I thought it would be better to get one of these strollers second hand to make sure it would be used, or to make sure I even liked it.
Here's the fun part. This week I was talking to a co-worker about how I run with Jackson at the track. This friend asked if I had a jogging stroller, and I said no, and that I just run behind his normal stoller. He then tells me he and his wife were given a jogging stoller that they have never used, and that they would love for me to have it!! Can you believe that. He (Jesus) has been thinking about me and how He could work that blessing into my life. I feel very special, and loved, and I want to draw closer to Him as a result.

Isn't it great. When Trevor brought it into the house, all three tires were either popped or out of air, and it was quite dirty. Yesterday the Ayi and I took all the canvas off and put it in the washing machine. We then set out to find a bike repair shop. We figured it would be pretty easy as so many Chinese people ride bikes, and we were right. About 10 mintues walk from our house was a little bike repair shop. The storekeeper said the tires were fine, and just needed some air. He aired up all three tires and tuned up the brakes for about .60 cents. Isn't that fun. That is one thing I will miss about Asia, getting things fixes is so easy.

Shocking and Slowly but Surely

A while ago I posted a blog called "Let the Countdowns Begin", if you want to refresh your memory, you can click here. I thought I would post an update on those countdowns. At the time, Jackson was 4 days away from being two months old. He is now four months old, and is growing cuter and fatter by the moments. As you can see from these photos.

He was smiling right before I took this photo, as soon as he sees the little light from my camera the smile vanishes.
Jackson getting some morning exercise on his Boppy from Grandma Bergman.
Taking a rest.
This is the little play area I set up in the living room. We don't have carpeted floors, so I had to give him something soft to hang out on.

I was also counting down the days until we got to see our families, which at the time was 5 days, not it's more like 5 months. Our visit with them was incredible anyways.

I have started training for a race. Which was on my countdown list. Last weekend I ran both Saturday and Sunday for two miles. I am training for a 10K in either Texas or Canada this summer.

The title of my this post is about the shocking reality of how large I was at 9 months pregnant, and how my body is slowly but surely starting to resemble it's old self. At the time of my countdown, I had twenty pounds to lose. I also had to survive Christmas and Chinese New Year holidays. As soon as I returned to work I committed to really start this weight loss countdown. I set a goal for one pound each week. So far I have lost three.

I am sucking in...but who cares right.

OH MY GOODNESS

I'm Addicted

Both of my parents are hardcore coffee drinkers. By hardcore I mean they drink it every day. I used to always tease them about being addicted to it. At the time of my teasing I believe they were drinking caffeinated coffee, and they probably were addicted. These days they only drink decaffeinated. Actually my mom mentioned that if she has no stess in her life she will drink caffeinated coffee.
I learned this week that I am addicted to caffeinated coffee. Everyday the school sends a bus to pick up all of the teachers. Our bus stop is right outside of a Starbucks coffee store. This store used to open up at seven, but since our bus leaves at seven, they started opening ten minutes earlier for all the teachers who wanted a coffee. I would go early a couple of days a week just for a treat. After I became pregnant I cut back allot, but every once in a while I would to and order a decaffeinated coffee. As soon as Jackson was born I researched caffeine and breast milk, and I was comfortable with having a bit of caffeine after my research.
To make a long story short, I am convinced that I am addicted to caffeine, I never thought it was possible since I don't drink tons of coffee. This week I put it to the test. Monday-no morning coffee. I was lagging all day, I was unmotivated, and my energy for teaching was almost gone. Tuesday (today) had coffee. I am full of energy today, I am inspired to teach, I am inspired to blog, and I feel great.
This is not the first time this has happened either. I have started noticing a pattern. Is this okay? My mom told me that caffeine is soo bad for the endocrine system. Is there anyone else that is addicted to caffeine. I love all the drinks that contain caffeine, so it would be really difficult to give it up.
I hate addictions.