Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from our little Dragon!

Freshly carved punkies (note the cars in his hands - they rarely leave his side)

The obligatory, forced photo (can you tell by his overly excited expression)

"Scah-crow"

Even scary dragons can stop to smell the flowers!

Visit to the Farm

To round out our "fall weekend", we stopped out to my grandparent's farm to let Gavin run around and explore. Brad and I will be purchasing a portion of the farm land in December and have been giving much thought lately to the home we will build there in the next few years. We spent some time today exploring where we might build. The corn hasn't be cut quite yet, so I think we'll go back in a few weeks when we can get a better view.

Here are some photos of our exploration...

Uncle Bill - Gavin couldn't resist sitting on the tractor, hope that is okay!

The Perfect "Punkies"

Yesterday, we held on to our yearly tradition of picking out pumpkins ("punkies" as Gavin calls them) at the Morse's Farm, Brad's Aunt and Uncle. Given the weather was beautiful after I left work, we thought we'd beat the gloomy weather that was in store for the weekend. We had a fun time!

Apple samples, too.

Here's our little family of three - aren't they cute!

Fall Harvest

We headed to Fruit Ridge Hay Rides farm this afternoon to enjoy a hay ride, cider, donuts, apples and pumpkins. It was a beautiful, sunny fall day. Gavin loved exploring the farm. We wished we would have had more time, but lunch and a delayed nap were calling.

Marathon Finisher (woot woot)

WE DID IT! When all odds were against us - stomach flu, dehydration, oppressive heat, to name a few - Brad and I completed the 2010 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. It gives me goose bumps just to type that! This crazy idea that I dreamed up back in February became a reality.

It has been a surreal day. It started at 5:15 this morning as we awoke, got all geared up, and headed to the 7:30am start. The day started off in the low 60s and quickly rose to the mid 80's by the time I finished. For any other activities, it was a beautiful sunny day. MUCH TOO HOT for a marathon, however.

Brad, being the super premier marathoner that he is, was fortunate to have a seeded corral (A) for the race. Low lifes like me were in the open corral. It was fine though, took me about 10 minutes to get to the start line once the "whistle blew". And we were off! I was so incredibly nervous all last night and this morning, and for about the first 8 miles of the race. Then, I think my nervousness turned into nausea and fatigue, coupled with the increasing temps. I wasn't feeling good. In fact, was thinking of dropping out. But, no, I had worked too hard for that. I pressed on, taking one mile at a time, alternating running with walking for about the second half. It was exhausting. But I came around the corner and saw the finish and there was no way that smile was leaving my face. I did it (not in the time I had hoped for), but I did it!

My time ended up at about 5 hours 19 minutes (about an hour slower than what I thought - in better weather). Brad finished in 3 hours 15 minutes (about 15 minutes slower than his goal). BUT WHO CARES about time - we finished!

And now I'm in a world of hurt - sitting with my feet elevated, blogging away. Every muscle from my hips down is aching. I can barely walk. I have massive blisters on five of my toes, I'll likely lose two associated toe nails (thankfully we're exiting sandal season). My right calf, which has been bothering me since my stomach flu/dehydration incident, is KILLING me. From about mile 18 to the finish, it was on the verge of ceasing up on me, hence the walking. Brad is tired as well, but given his experience with marathons, he's not in as rough of shape as I am. My headache is finally subsiding. I'm a bit sunburned (you can't unfortunately reapply sunscreen while you're running, so this morning's application quickly sweated off).

Pain and agony aside, I'm THRILLED to have finished!

So, my list of thank yous (I'm sure I"ll forget some): First and foremost, to my fabulous husband for his support and encouragement - there is no way this dream would have been a reality without you. All of our schedule juggling has finally paid off! Second, to my parents for watching Gavin in Chicago this weekend so that we could fulfill our dream. It was so reassuring knowing that he was in such loving, capable hands - no worries as we ran. And finally to the following list, for allowing this dream to come true: Jelly Belly Sport Beans, my hydration pack, non-blistering socks, my running shoes, the lady who always waved and said hello on my early morning Sunday long runs (she's so cute!), Body Glide, PowerAid (and the guy who sold it to me at Charlie's party store when my supply would run out), the fabulous City of Chicago for your hospitality (it was an impeccably planned marathon, particular for the weather conditions), the woman who gave me my medal at the end, and the woman who gave me an ice cold towel at the end. And also to all of our friends and family who have supported our running endeavors - your support and prayers mean the world.

So, that's it for this little chapter of 2010! Woot, woot!

Marathon Eve

We're in Chicago, ready for bed pre-marathon tomorrow. Just wanted to post a few photos of the expo today. Say some prayers for us tomorrow morning that all goes well. We will be running in unseasonably warm and sunny weather, which may take it's toll physically. But we're optimistic and blessed to be here!

GI Disaster

I'm itching to get out of the house right now. But no can do. We're living in a GI nightmare. Gavin came down with gastroenteritis (stomach flu) on Wednesday night, vomited 20+ times over the next 36ish hours. We thought we were on the mend yesterday - introducing bland foods back slowly, fluids were staying down, and toddler activities were resuming. Enter 2AM today: I wake up to what I thought was a dream (really a nightmare) - Brad vomiting in the bathroom, repeatedly. He was subsequently quarantined to the basement, were is still residing after 20+ episodes of vomiting in the past 13ish hours. Enter 9:30AM today: Gavin woke up his usual happy self. I went in to get him up from his crib only to find that he filled his diaper with the most absolutely disgusting display of diarrhea known to man. To the tub he went, more fluids and bland foods today. No diarrhea repeat yet. And he's currently napping peacefully.

And here I sit, typing away, a ticking time bomb awaiting my round of gastroenteritis. Of course this kind of crap (pun intended) always happens at the worst time. Gavin's started as we were away from home, staying in a hotel in Traverse City where I needed to be for work on Thursday. We made it through Thursday, then headed home earlier than expected that evening. More poor timing - we have the Chicago Marathon in one week. I can see it now - my GI symptoms will hold off for a day or two longer and then start and will linger through the weekend, ruining my big dreams of completing my first marathon. Four months of dedicated training down the toilet (again, pun intended).

On a positive note, I was able to attend church last evening and received the annointing of the sick, so there is hope that God will spare me from the GI disaster. Oh please, please spare me!

I've experienced my most unglamorous moments as a mom and wife these past few days. And there are likely more of these days in store for me this week. Please pray that God is with us as we work to abolish this illness. And that it doesn't affect our ability to compete next weekend.