Flashback Friday!

Flashback Friday...coming at ya!

Since I just posted about running it is only fitting that today's Flashback Friday is the...

Wine Country Half Marathon. Mother's Day Weekend, 2010

The race takes place in the Santa Ynez Valley. The pre-race and finish line festivities take place in Solvang. Which is where the movie Sideways was filmed.

We had quite a group for this race: Amy, Eamon, Kari, Josh and me.

And let's not forget Drew, our domestique. (Nod to the Tour de France)

Pre-race - Look how shiny I am! Safety first!

All done!

Look, Mandi was there too!

Cheers!

I would totally recommend this race. The course is beautiful but challenging. There is one corkscrew hill that is a beast. I remember thinking "how can those people be so high, they aren't that far from me". I soon found out. As we approached, I turned to Josh and said, "don't talk to me until we are at the top".

All in all, one of my favorite runs and a great way to send Mother's Day.

"I was ru-ning" - Forrest Gump

Hello, my name is Maggie and I am addicted to running.

I haven't always been this way. Until Lucy was born, I had included running in my fitness routine because it got results, but I hated every minute of it. My favorite part of the run was taking off my running shoes at the end.

But then Lucy was born and my parents gave us a magnificent BOB jogging stroller.

It was orange.

It was expensive.

It was pressure.

Initially I ran, once again, for the results (and to not let their generous gift sit in the garage). But then a funny thing happened, I started to like it. It was a fitness routine I could do with her in tow. AND SHE LIKED IT!

Then I found some great friends who liked to run with their kids. We would run for about an hour 4 or 5 days a week and we would talk the whole time. Honestly. Our husbands would ask, "what do you talk about" and we would answer "you".

Together we decided to train for a half marathon. And then another. And then another. Sometime during all our training and all our talking, I fell in love with running. And guess what? I want YOU to love it too. Just ask my sisters-in-law or my former college roommate or my husband. I am a running pusher.

My next half marathon is The Woodlands Half on March 3rd. I am so excited that my sisters-in-law and Molly's husband are going to run it too! This will Anna's second race. We ran the Rock N' Roll St. Louis in March.

Our official training program started December 26th and we kicked it off with a run together.

You'll see this post again. I like to take this picture after every race.

See.

Rock N' Roll St. Louis - 23 October 2011

It's not too late to sign up!

The Woodlands Half Marathon - March 3.

http://www.thewoodlandsmarathon.com/

Think of the new running clothes!

Think of the finisher's medal!

Think of the sense of accomplishment!

Thankful

Today is December 29 and I am thankful.

I am thankful for my parents.

Today is my parents' 38th wedding anniversary. 38 years. In the age of divorce, the years alone are an accomplishment. But not only have my parents managed to stay married, they are still in love.

As many of you know, my dad has been bravely fighting cancer for 12 years. This Fall has been exceptionally difficult. It has been awe inspiring to see them band together. So, here's to you Pat and Tom. Happy 38th anniversary. Thank you for being an example. I am proud to be your daughter. I love you.

I am thankful for my son.

A year ago today I checked into the hospital with pregnancy complications. Hayes was not quite 31 weeks and I was, for the second time, in labor. Me and my boy stayed in that hospital until January 20th. I left, praise God, still pregnant. Hayes arrived almost a month later, just 2 weeks early. It took a lot of faith and the effort of many people to get our family through that period in the hospital and the other 5 weeks of bed rest. Looking back, I know that I was insanely scared and guilty about not being there for Drew and Lucy. But today I am having trouble remembering what it felt like. Because today my Hayes-man greeted me from his crib with a huge smile and a loud "geeeeeeeeeeeee" and when I picked him up, his little arms hugged me back.

God is good.

All the time.

Amen.

Maggie vs. Christmas Morning Pan

Fancy P.A.T. (my mom) gifted me this cutie pan to make holiday pancakes. I decided, in all my wisdom, to try it for the first time on Christmas Eve morning. Probably should have done a test run. My first batch were beautiful. All golden and fluffy. You could clearly see the snowman, tree, santa and gingerbread man shining in their pancake houses. Pancakes for Lucy, check!

The second batch were less than glorious. The snowman, tree, santa and gingerbread man were very saaaad sitting a top their burned little disks. Sorry Drew.

After testing another one I decided to throw in the towel and make normal size plain no fun imprint pancakes. I know, I know, quitters never win. But they do eat golden fluffy pancakes.

In review, I will definitely try this again. I think I had the pan too hot. The directions to medium to low heat, but I think it is much closer to low.

I will absolutely be making the delicious egg nog pancake recipe printed on the pan's package again. Maybe tomorrow. Well, not tomorrow because we are having cinnamon rolls. Woot woot! But next week for sure.

You should go and make these now. Hurry, hurry before all the egg nog is gone.

Egg Nog Pancakes

2 cups flour

3 Tbsp sugar

1 Tbsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

3 large eggs

2 cups egg nog (I used 2%)

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional. I used this because I always use the optional vanilla)

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in medium bowl.

In a separate bowl combine eggs, egg nog and vanilla and whisk lightly to combine.

Add the egg mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until combined. (I used a whisk because I don't like lumpy batter )

Let sit 5 minutes before using.

Merry Christmas TOE All

Merry Christmas TOE all!

Yep. You read that right.

Hayes is a crazy crawler. Turn your back for one second and he is halfway up the stairs. Or in the bathroom. He discovered how to flush the toilet. Lovely. Soooo proud of himself.

At least 20 times a day Lucy shouts, "Maaaaaamaaaaaa, Hayes is on the mooooooove".

Yesterday, he was one of said moves, so I sprang into action and my foot sprang right into the leg of a couch.

Broken toe for Christmas? Why thank you Santa, just what I wanted. Chubby old elf.

What? You want to see the toe?

You're welcome.

Judging me for my chipped nail polish? How dare you? It's been a busy month.

Also, am very aware that I have finger toes. No need to comment.

And TOE all a good night.

Flashback Friday!

It's back and better than ever! Flashback Friday!

Flashback Friday needs a theme song. Suggestions welcome.

And without further ado...

Lucy's First Halloween - 2009

At Irvine Railroad Pumpkin Patch

Lucy's favorite pose fort he first year of her life.

Ready to go to the Manhattan Beach Pumpkin Race

Stroller Strides Halloween Class and Party

A party can really wear a bee out.

Waiting for the trick-or-treaters. Hands up? Why not!

Hayes Bieber

Hayes was born with glorious hair. People pay for highlights like that kind of hair.

We had quite a bit of fun styling his mane. There was Professional Part Hayes, Don King Hayes, Mow-hawk Hayes and, of course, Justin Bieber Hayes. But then his hair started falling out and he became Patchy Hayes. So we (Drew) did this...

I may or may not have cried. There was only one witness and he isn't talking.

But you can't keep Bieber hair down. Soon it was back and Bieber than ever.

Recently he started batting at his ears a lot and we thought there might be something wrong. When we realized it was just his hair tickling his ears, we knew it was time for hair cut.

Which brings us to today. Hayes-man's first big boy haircut.

He looks like such a little man now.

Off to college and everything.

Dean Sib Gift Exchange

This weekend we gathered with Drew's family to celebrate Anna's 25th birthday and to participate in the sibling gift exchange. Drew has 3 sibs and with 3 spouses in the mix that is a lot of people and a lot of presents. So a few years ago, at Pam's suggestion, we each drew 1 name and got that person a fab present. It is super fun because instead of buying little things for everyone, each person puts thought into 1 special gift. This year was especially great because for first time, in a long time, we were all together.

And because my streak of figuring out who everyone had remained alive. Self high five.

(Molly may have also figured it out, but this is my blog. She can brag on her own)

I am the champion, my friends.

Not that it is about that.

But it kind of is.

Of course, Lucy and Hayes could not be left out! They each got to open a few presents. Lucy loved opening her presents and played with them right away.

Opening her Dr. Lucy coat. Courtesy of Dr. Aunt Caro and Dr. Uncle Marc

Drew and I could totally beat them in charades. Also in sports trivia. I'm just saying.

Anywho, look at the joy on her face.

Hayes loved the boxes.

Mom, look at this shiny box.

How do I get in here?

Never mind. I'll just drag it under here so no one gets it.

Nothing to see here. Move along, Mommy.

Hayes - 10 Months

Hayes-man is 10 months today.

This is how he greeted me this morning.

Being a mom is the coolest.

Almost erases the fact that I was just handed a toy with his poo on it. Almost. He's cute, but I mean, poo on a toy. Really? I'm not even sure how he did it. Ninja.

Don't worry, I washed my hands. You can totally read the rest of this.

Hayes is into clapping, climbing our stairs, babbling and cruising along the furniture. He loves going for runs in the stroller and riding in the cart at the store.

He does not like having his nose wiped, getting his face "zambonied", having his diaper changed or his clothes changed, for that matter. Basically anything that involves being restricted from clapping and climbing the stairs is on his "no thanks" list.

He is so curious that Lucy has made it her main mission in life to keep him from "danger things". Lucky guy.

Making sure Lucy has plenty of opportunities to decorate the tree.

My early morning baking accomplice.

Flashback Friday!

Hootie hoo, it's Flashback Friday!

Today's Flashback Friday moment is...

January 24, 2009 - Welcome Lucy!

Lucy Helena Dean was born at 10:29 PM on January 24, 2009 in Long Beach California. She was 7 pounds 12 ounces, 21 inches long and the most beautiful thing we had ever seen. I remember how amazing it felt when they put her on my chest and she wrapped her hand around my finger. I tearfully said to Drew, "I didn't know they could do that yet, she must be advanced". And so it began.

First family photo.

Drew called her "his little prize fighter" because her poor little nose was caddywompus from delivery.

Odd. Spell check does not like the word caddywompus.

Holding mommy's hand

Daddy and his little girl

Also, a very special birthday wish to Anna! Happy 25th Anna! In keeping with Flashback Friday, here is a picture of Lucy and her Nana in Greece.

Lucy is a little over 4 months. Just look at that little nubbers.

Spell check does not appreciate the word nubbers either. Why you gotta try to keep me down, spell check? Who do you think you are? I will ignore your dotted red line.

Caddywompus.

Last Day in the LBC

Our last day in Long Beach was bittersweet. Although we were excited about Drew's promotion and returning to our families, our time in Long Beach was very special.

4 months after getting married we found out we were moving and month later we were in California. I remember telling everyone we were moving to "The LBC" and that Snoop was probably going to be my neighbor and that I would have to learn terms like "packin'. Color me surprised when we arrived in a charming beach town with friendly people and nary a Snoop to be found. (maybe I was a little disappointed at the Snoop part. )

We ended up loving Long Beach. It was where we spent our time as newlyweds and where we became parents. Twice. We made some great friends and had some great adventures.

On our last day we went to Coffee Cup, our favorite breakfast spot. Get the Baja Burrito or the Breakfast Quesadilla. You will thank me. Lucy and Hayes both went to Coffee Cups when they were days old. Mama likes the Kona Coffee and aforementioned burrito (egg whites, no meat).

Here is a picture of Hayes-man at The Cup on our last morning.

Just for kicks, a picture of Lucy sitting in the exact same spot the morning of her 1st birthday.

After that we went to say goodbye to our house.

Imagine they are both looking at the camera. It's what I do.

Then we went to the playground and to lunch with Mandi and Finley.

After that back to the hotel and one more run along the beach. We capped off the day with a meal at Belmont Brewing Company.

It was hard to say goodbye to our friends and we still miss them. But we are really enjoying our new home and being back near our family.

Here's to the start of our new adventure!

Boo Hoo! Why so sad?

I am, because I am posting my Halloween business in mid December. This is what happens when you decide to start your blog in December following a very busy fall.

Thank goodness for Flashback Fridays.

Flashback Friday, that sounds awesome! What's that? Like I would tell you. You will just have to wait. Until Friday.

Halloween day was a fun, but emotional day for us. Lucy was super excited for the festivities which included the Stroller Strides Party, her last Applesauce Music class and trick-or-treating with Finley, but it was also the day the packers showed up to pack up our little Long Beach house.

Just like we had the year before, we gathered at the Berkes' house for dinner and trick-or-treating. The kids were amped up and it was all we could do to get a few pictures. During a flurry of activity Hayes fell over (was knocked down) and Lucy yelled, "Oh no, the monster is crying again". At the door of the first house, I asked Lucy, "what do you say" (hoping all our practice has paid off) and she looked up at the lady and said, "FILL UP MY CUP"! Great. When I said that wasn't it she tried again, "Pleeeeeeeeease fill up my cup". Good thing we had a lot of houses to get it right.

Without further ado, some pictures.

At Pa's Pumpkin Patch

I own this patch!

Lucy with her buddy Finley at the Stroller Strides Party.

Hayes-Monster at the Stroller Strides Party

Ready to go

At the first house

Because I am feeling sentimental. October 2010