Stops and Starts

Finally asleep after throwing up for several hours straight.  

For the last seven weeks, my sweet Tess has been sick with one thing or another, one after another.  First, she got hand, foot, and mouth disease (oral canker sores - she did NOT want to eat!), then strep, then a crazy rash from a reaction to the antibiotics, followed by a week of vomiting and a fever.  She was granted about a five-day reprieve and then she came down with a cold, complete with coughing that wakes her up.  UGH.  

After the cold hit, we took her in to the doctor's office (again).  My mind had already gone to a paranoid place where I was starting to feel sure that she had cancer or an immune disorder, or something else that would account for her weakened immune system.  Luckily, the sweet nurse practitioner assured us that Tess displays NO red flags that would indicate an underlying sinister disorder.  It's simply bad luck, and happens to most kids at least once in the first five or so years of their lives.  But she gave us the paperwork necessary to get blood work done if we need the peace of mind that that would give us.  I think we'll pass for now, as that would be traumatic for Tess, but it's nice to know we can do that at any time.  

Sleeping in Mom and Dad's bed after being diagnosed with strep.  

Needless to say, the last seven weeks have been L.O.N.G.  I have had my fill of crying and whining, and I can't remember the last time we were able to sleep through the night.  I am so dang tired.  Which isn't really anything new...it's just been worse during this ordeal.  I've still exercised during all of this sadness, but not quite as regularly as I usually do.  I really struggle mentally on the days that I don't exercise, so that didn't help.  But there were some days when I knew that I needed sleep much more than I needed to go running.  

Seeking comfort from the TV and her puppies.  

I designed a training plan for myself right after my coaching class at the beginning of the month, but I have had to make major adjustments to it, based on what Tess needed from me.  It's been frustrating.  I have my sights set on a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving, and I wanted to be measurably faster and stronger by that time.  But life has intervened.  I feel like I've had to restart, over and over, as far as training for this race is concerned.  And, really, it's okay.  I can still have fun pushing myself over the next few weeks and during the race.  Plus, this helps me as I learn how to tailor training plans for possible future clients when life forces them to adjust their running goals.  

And now, a few random pictures of our life lately.  You're welcome.  :)

Maia is in the swim club at the gym we attend.  These pictures are from her most recent swim meet.  She won both of her events!  

Love this silly teenager.  :)

Maddie competed in her second Taekwondo tournament last weekend.  She got 3rd place in her division in Individual Poomsae, and also had a small part in the Demo team performance.  She did a great job!  

Maddie and her bronze medal.

Two of Maddie's cheerleaders.

Sister love!

Tess smelling Maddie's medal.  Toddlers are silly.  :)

A sick Tess being comforted by Grandpa.  

Post -11-mile run in the pouring rain.  You can't tell, but I am wet through in this picture.  It was rather unpleasant!  

Tess and I finally got out of the house today and spent time shopping with two of my best friends, Tina and Kayleen.  Tess loved all the Christmas decorations at Pier 1...

Thanks for reading!  Have a great weekend!