Better Late Than Never.....

So I'm a bit late on this but I decided on a few New Year's Resolutions. Well I guess I'm not a big fan of NYR's because they fade away quicker than you make them so I guess I don't want to label it as a NYR but more of a few goals. I want to keep it simple at 3 just to make sure I follow through with it.

1) I want to workout 2 times a day. Once in the morning before Chase goes to work and once when Chase comes home from work. We decided together that we will workout together after Jayda goes to sleep. We did it tonight and it was so fun to actually work out with someone else and it helped push me (although he didn't workout with me the whole time since he is starting out). I was super proud of him!

2) I want to explore with food and not have the same old same old. I want to try and experiment with fruits and veggies that I never use or have never even tasted. It will be a bit intimidating but I want to broaden my food pallet.

3) Chase and I are going to quit having soda (including diet) and junk food unless we are out to eat or have it over at someone else's house.

SLC trip recap!

So I've been putting this off and just need to get it done. This week has sucked because both Jayda and I are getting over colds plus she is teething about 6 teeth all at one time. Its about time though! I'd rather get them all done at one time thank you!

So we headed up on Thursday because we wanted to get there to have all day Friday and not have to worry about traveling. The only bad part was that it was snowing and there was black ice on the road so it took forever to get there. At that point though we were happy we didn't bring Jayda because it was scarey! We got there in about 5 hours so not too bad considering we were only going about 55 a majority of the time. We stayed at my sister's house in Orem the whole time. We just crashed on her couches :D.

On Friday we got up and played with my neices and nephew for a bit and then headed off to SLC to just go do our own thing. Man it was FREEZING cold! I am a desert rat so it's really tough on me in the cold. I HATE IT! I staying inside as long as I could though. Chase was crazy and didn't want to really wear a jacket. He's nuts! :D

So then we went to lunch at Olive Garden and had soup and salad hmmm....especially when its cold outside! After that we went shopping although we didn't really buy anything (I bought $10 jeans because....it was $10). After awhile of just doing whatever we met up with Nicole, Phil and their cutie Carter. We first went to the visitors center and saw their new SLC temple replica. It actually shows whats inside the temple. There were people swarming around it trying to get a peak. We sat there and chatted about life and jobs and Nicole was chasing Carter around as he was crawling everywhere and trying to eat leaves. haha Funny kid!

After the VC we decided to go up to the Garden restuarant. It is a restuarant right at the top of the Joseph Smith Building. It was beautiful especially since the lights were still up on the temple. I forgot my camera but Nicole and Phil used theirs. I still need her to email them to me before I post them. After that we went back to Phil and Nicole's house for a bit but then we left to go see a movie. We saw "How do you know" with Reese Witherspoon. It was a strange movie but we both liked it because it was different from other romantic comedies.

On Saturday we went to lunch with my sister, her husband, and the kids. It was this yummy sandwich place called Zuppa's. After that we decided to take my 2 neices Sadie and Jessie to the Nickle Arcade. They had a blast and it was so fun to watch them get so excited!

After that we decided we wanted to head off to SLC again to look for a ice skating rink. We found one but it was this dinky outside one brrrrr. So we decided not to do that and go to another movie. We went and saw Gulliver's Travels with Jack Black. It was actually pretty cute. The wierd thing about SLC movie theatres is that you get assigned seating. So strange.

We just kinda played around for awhile and then we went to dinner at The Cheesecake Factory. After that we headed down to the Jazz game. We met up with Phil and Nicole again. It was a lot of fun. Mostly Nicole and I just talked and made fun of how we weren't sports savy. haha The boys really enjoyed the game though. :D By the end of the night I was exhausted! I was so glad that we got away for a few days to spend some quality time but I also missed my little jader bug! She missed us too!

We headed home first thing in the morning and it was a lot better roads coming home. Driving in bad weather and on ice just sucks. I hate it and I don't know how people live in that stuff! BRRR! I would take 100 degree weather any day of the week! I was SO glad to get home to my little girl though. She is getting so big!

Christmas at the Blakes!

So this Christmas was SO much better than last year. Last year we were finally discharged from the peds unit at the hospital on Christmas Eve because Jayda stopped eating and got a bunch of tests and a feeding tube. Needless to say that year sucked. This year was SO much better.

On Christmas Eve we went to the NICU to drop off baskets for all the poor families that have to be there on Christmas worrying about their sick babies. I was so grateful that my mom helped me sew the carseat covers for all of them and that Chase's parents contributed $100 to help with buying everything. It was very stressful getting everything ready but so worth it. In each basket there was a carseat cover sewed by my mom, burp clothes that my mom sewed, a dvd that I made of a whole bunch of success stories of preemies, homemade sugar cookies, candy, hand sanitizer to put on your keychain, hand lotion, crotched hats that Chase's grandma Blake handmade, and different odds and ends. We also baked a bunch of cupcakes for the staff. It was so awesome to see all the nurses that took care of Jayda and they were so glad to see her. We went during shift change so we didn't get to hand deliver it to the families but I'm sure they were very grateful (I know I would have been!). There were some sick babies in there too...a 24 weeker and a 14oz baby!! My goodness that is almost HALF of what Jayda was! My heart broke for that family and I pray that baby makes it. He is in good hands though! They are miracle workers down there!

After that we attempted to look at lights but we learned early on that that doesn't work with a cranky toddler that doesn't like to sit still so we went home opened one present and then put her to bed. Chase set up her little kitchen that night.

Then when I woke up the next morning we had her open presents from us. We got her a few small toys, a leap frog lab top, a kitchen set, and some clothes.

After that we went over to the Blakes and opened presents with everyone. Jayda got some clothes, some little toys, books, and the big present was a little 4-wheeler. She liked to climb on it but I don't think she fully understands it yet. She will love it when she gets older though. His parents also got us a nice video camera which we will definately use! Cason got Chase a dehyrdater which we will DEF use! And Cait got me an Aero sweatshirt and an aero purse. Then we had breakfast over there.

Then after her nap we went over to my parents house and opened presents. She got ALL kinds of toys, clothes, cute head bands/bows. Her favorite was the baby stroller set and this toy my Aunt got her that shoots balls out in the air. She got tons of books which is great because she LOVES me reading books to her.

We also got to meet my brother Travis's girlfriend. We only got to hang out for a bit because we went over to teh Blakes for dinner (although we werent hungry :/ ). We stayed there a short time (by that time I was pretty much done and ready to go home I was so tired). We left Jayda for a sleepover and went back to our place to play games with Travis and his girlfriend. She is way cool and it was nice to get to know her. She seems like she will fit right in. Then we went to bed and watched Storage Wars. It is actually a way cool show. Then night night! :D

Christmas was pretty fun but next year we won't be doing as much back and forth. Next year will be relaxing instead of stressed about sharing time between grandparents. Other than that it was great to see Jayda so excited! She's had a busy couple of days and has been sleeping pretty much all day! She even fell asleep on Chase's lap today and he was THRILLED because she NEVER cuddles! She was just THAT tired!

My little girl is growing up! Tear :(

Jayda is getting to be such a big girl! She turned 17 months old last week! Here are some of the things Jayda is up to these days:

-She is FINALLY taking a sippy cup!

-She is weaning off her bottles and eating mostly table food (when she is hungry she'll go whine next to her high chair).

-She is starting to really talk! She now says mama, dada, bye bye (as she waves), hi, gama (grandma), puppy (more like puppa), baby.

-She is running everywhere (old ladies stop and comment on how cute and little she is, they get a kick out of how small she is).

-She has 6 teeth and working on 2 more.

-She can sign poo poo or pee pee by putting her hand over her nose.
-When you ask her where her nose, eyes, mouth, head is she will point to it.

-She can kick and throw a ball (underhand)

-She LOVES chocolate and suckers

-She loves to play with her baby and will give it hugs and kisses. She'll take it across the room and just play with her for awhile.

-She is very social and isn't afraid of people or other kids.

-She loves grandma's house because of all the fun stuff there.

-She loves ciara (Chase's sister). She always wants her to hold her.

-She's not liking the time change thats for sure!

-She is weaning off of 2 naps and some days will only take one (NOOOOOO!!! I love her naps)

-She loves just wearing a diaper or being in the nude. :D

-She loves puppies!

-Oh and she loves to climb on things. She has gotten up on the couch a couple of times but she is mostly too short haha!

Thats about all I can think of now. She is busy busy though that is for sure and learning new things ALL the time. I'm sad how fast she is growing up though. :(

Snow Canyon Half Marathon

So this past Saturday I ran my first half marathon! Yes that is 13.2 miles and I ran every one of them! I have been training for the past few months and had been looking forward to it so much.

I woke up around 6am that morning. I didn't get much sleep the night before because I was so nervous. I had my alarm set for 6:45am but I just couldn't wait so I got up and started getting ready. I made myself a PB&J sandwich, had a vitimain water, and a banana. Then I woke Chase up so that he could drop me off at Snow Canyon High School. Then I made him take my "before" picture.

I was SO nervous as we drove there. I got out and immediately went on the bus that would take us up the canyon to our starting point. I sat in the school bus seat by myself until a girl I recognized from high school came and sat next to me. Her name was Hailey Caplin (I forget what her maiden was). She was so nice and calmed my nerves. She had just ran the St. George Marathon (her second) so I thought it was crazy that she was running a half about a month later! It was nice to talk to her though.

So when the buses dropped us off (a little before Diamond Valley) I stood in line for the potty. It could have been that I was just really nervous since being nervous can make you pee a lot but it wasn't even 15 min after I peed that I needed to pee again. BUT the line was SO long I couldn't because we had to start lining up at the start. I was toward the front probably about 1oo ft from the start. As I had my Goo Goo dolls playing I noticed a girl in front of me that had a shirt that said "Runners Rule". I was like YEEEEAAAH. I was SO pumped. Then all of a sudden it started and I couldn't believe I was FINALLY running in the half marathon! My feet were so cold it felt like they were asleep, but soon that went away.

The weather was perfect. Not too cold not too hot. And the scenery was BEAUTIFUL! They also weren't kidding when they said to train downhill because a lot of it was downhill. I was FLYING in the beginning. My adrenaline was pumping, plus the downhill was pushing me hard. I kept passing people although there was the occasional person I secretly paced myself with. One thing that did hold me back was that I had to PEE! I thought there was going to be pottys along the way but they were lieing! I neared the 4 mile mark which was the first aid station and yup NO pottys. I was pretty upset. As we passed the 6 miles mark I was about to burst so yup.....I found a big bush and peed behind it (plus my shoe was untied). You wouldn't believe it either but about 1/2 a mile later there was 2 porta potties. GRRRR! When I came behind the bush this girl looked at me knowingly and laughed.

At around mile 7 is when I started to really count down the miles and it seemed like each mile took SO long. It really wasnt until mile 10 that I really felt like I was crashing though. At this point my hips and my knees were killing me! But I pressed on. I walked through practically all the aid stations (except the beginning ones) and at mile 7 I had some vanilla gu (which almost made me vomit the texture was so gross but I knew I needed something).

Toward the end of the race I was dying but as we neared the crowds and the little kids cheering us on it helped. I think I really made some of those little kids day when I slapped their hands in a high five. I wasn't moving very fast but I was secretly pacing myself with this girl and I think she was doing the same because she would walk periodically and then I would pass her and that was her cue to start running again. She would sprint (at least it looked that way) past me and then walk again. Yeah.....she ended up beating me. I wasn't moving fast but I had to keep moving no matter what because I knew if I stopped I couldn't keep going.

When I saw the finish I just wanted to collapse but hung in there. In my pics I really look like i am in pain....and I was. But once I hit the finish I felt so accomplished! I finished in 2hr s and 6 min which is averaged a little under 10 min a mile and great for a first half marathon. It was a great experience and I would love to do it again.....once I am able to walk without gimping again. :)

Purple is the new Pink!

So with October fading away along with the pink I see on every product and every tv commercial, November begins with no purple at all.

Pink is everywhere. Purple is never to be seen. Purple is the awareness color of preematurity.

I'm not asking for a sob story because I'm sure those that started pink never did. They got out there and got results! I plan to do the same thing. So if I start to sound like a broken record....then stop listening cause SOMEONE has to sing that tune!

The fact still stands. Your chances of getting breast cancer is 1 in 8. But did you know your chances of having a preemie are also 1 in 8? That effects not only you but a helpless baby. Billions of dollars are spent every year on saving preemies and most of the time they can't even tell you why you had them early.

Did you know that Stevie Wonder is blind because he was preemature? He was born in a time when they didn't know that giving preemies too much oxygen could cause blindness or ROP (rentinopathy of preematurity). Now that they know this though, the rates of ROP have greatly declined.

That was my facebook status today. Everyday this week I am going to post a fact about preemies to educate those that don't know very much about preemies in honor or Preemie Awareness month. My hope is that one day purple will be the new pink. In that everyone will see purple and think preemie. Maybe one day....

Halloween!!!

Ok so I have been slacking in the whole blogging department! Halloween was a lot of fun and luckily we made it through the weekend without any sickness! In fact Jayda hasn't been sick for like 3 weeks! It's seriously a miracle and a much needed break for her and us! BUT she is cutting 4 teeth so she is pretty fiesty! She's evil with those choppers too. She even bit the crap out of my friend's baby Summer the other day and even made a bite mark! Poor little baby! :(

On Friday we dressed Jayda up in her costume. She was a cheerleader. A couple of months ago my parents went to Hawaii and got this little cheerleading outfit for Jayda. So we decided it was perfect for her costume for Halloween and she looked so darn cute in it! So after I got her all dressed in it in the morning we went to Walmart to go visit Chase and to pick up some things. She had been eating candy, half a string chees, 8 oz of milk, a cracker, a kit kat, and half a cookie. She was just chomping! Well on the way to Harmons to pick up some stuff she threw up EVERYWHERE. I was super pissed but then had to laugh about it later because lets face it kids are supposed to eat so much crap on halloween that they throw up. It's just what they do. :P

So later after we got home and had her clothes cleaned we took her to Karen's work (the Washington school district) for a trick or treating thing they had for their kids and grandkids. We dropped her off and it was fun to watch her getting candy. Granted next year she will really start to understand the whole trick or treating thing she still got a kick out of it and got to reap her spoils with us. :P She had a lot of fun thats for sure.

Later after her nap I took her to a trunk or treat at my parents ward. They had games and chili but she mostly just ran around being crazy. She got too tired and we had to take her home before she got to trick or treat but she didn't know the difference. Next year will be a lot more fun to take her out. It was still fun though.

Then on Saturday I dropped Jayda off at my mother in laws house and I went and ran my last big run before my half marathon this Saturday. I ran 10.5 miles! I was so proud of myself! Then later that day we went over to our friends Bret and Sandi's house for dinner. Then Jayda had a blast going in their back yard to watch their doggy. She loved that dog. Then we went to our house and played games. We had some friends Melissa and Ryan and their cute baby Summer stop by too. She was the poor baby that Jayda bit hehe and she was dressed up as a bee. Too bad I didnt get a pic of them together. Aw well.

Anyways that was practically our weekend. Here are some pics!