Medal Me... Medal Easton.

I came home from a run the other day and noticed Terrence had put up a medal rack for all of my running accomplishments. I was terribly excited to celebrate my runs... yet, it had me thinking.  On a six miler today, Thanksgiving of all days, I started thinking about what I was proud of, thankful for, and countless other things I could put prepositions at the end of to showcase my poor grammar.  So what did I think about on this run, well, all those medals of course. I have medals for placing in my age group and finishing big races - but to be honest, the real runs that aren't honored on my medal rack are all the training runs that got me those medals. In particular I thought of an 8 mile run, back when the twins were very little.

The twins never slept, at least it seemed that way. By the time they were 6 weeks old, I was insane. I was sleeping 45 minutes some nights, 2 hours the next, and none the following. I slept in a chair. I could fall asleep on our steps, but was awoken immediately by crying. Thankfully, those days are over. It was so hard! I ran, a lot, then. To keep me sane. One night, I remember Easton wouldn't sleep, couldn't sleep, or both. I had maybe a few minutes of rest while Easton squalled - I was crazy. At 5 a.m., I packed him into the car and took off for the Greenway. I put him in the  stroller and took off. We ran the entire Greenway. I passed a cyclist who said "that baby has run more than I biked!" My goal was to get him to sleep. I was successful. It did not help my exhaustion, but I remember "this too shall pass." (In fact, I sleep at least 8 hours a night now.) In any case, it was cathartic. Yet, I received no medal for this monumental and exhausting run. Runs like this, have made me the determined, goal driven, and passionate runner I am. Yet. I have nothing but a memory I have described here, to show. Memories are a lot, but I cannot remember them all. So this is my medal and Easton's medal for that 8 miler after no sleep. Because it means more to me than a half marathon I did in Todd, NC once... long ago.

In a total different world, Easton was evaluated by the CDSA again this week. He qualified for the Infant-Toddler Program------ again. This time, I am not worried. He needs some oral motor therapy and has delayed fine motor skills. He refuses to color and stack blocks - big whoop, says the PT and the pediatrician, he will when he is ready.  My response, that's Easton. He is doing well over all. And guess what? No Cerebral Palsy! Isn't that awesome? I wanted to cry with joy. I am so proud of him! Thanks CDSA! I needed that... Easton medaled in awesomeness!

What's the going rate for a babysitter?

Read this post... and the title will make sense... I promise. 
The Easton saga continues... only indifferent news (as I now call it - it isn't good it isn't bad) gets easier to handle... and overall, the kid just gets harder. In seven days, my twins will be 18 months old. I want to say, I can't believe it, but really I can - 18 months with twins is like 6 years in the looney bin. Just kidding! With that being said, 18 months is a milestone age. At 18 months, a child should be running stiffly,  jargoning, combining words into little phrases, following simple directions, and learning to play.  We are there, well kind of, with Easton.  The past two months, I have watched him stumble, fall, and trip - we have had stitches, doctor's visits, and black eyes - I have called more people than I prefer to, trying to figure it all out again. Then there was the orthotist. Rewind back to October - Easton was fitted for inserts, then fast forward to present - we have inserts.

Today has been a whirlwind (and I am thirsty for something stiff to drink - my energy is crumbs.) I need a 10 mile run.  Anyhow, back to the whirlwind. Our appointment was at 2 and I worked the first part of the day. I had a protein shake for lunch-- haha, you were waiting for me to say that, right? Well I did, Cookies and Cream Spirutein in almond milk. Then I started the journey. When I picked up Easton, it was buy one Bumgarner get one free - so Ava came along. We made it to the appointment, paid our balance, and went back for the fitting.  I could bore you with how Glen said he was scared of Ava, Ava screamed when I told Easton not to touch the closet door because an alarm would go off, and how Ava soaked her shirt from the water fountain... but this is about Easton, so I won't. (And by the way, I am mother of the year, I have the coffee cup to prove it, so quit smirking at me.) So basically, we got the inserts and left. Now here's the crazy part. The damn ridiculously awesome things are to fit in "most shoes." I went to 6 stores before I found a pair that the inserts actually fit in... 6 stores times 2 children and me equals not fun.  I got home from a 2 p.m. appointment at 7:30 p.m. I feel neurotic.  Let's just end the story by saying in the five+ hours of torture, there was some joy... At 4p.m. we visited our former PT, Ms. Kathy, the joy of the day.  Her bright smile and sweet spirit is what we needed. God has a purpose for us all, and you meet certain people for certain reasons. Kathy has brought more to this family that she will ever know, and we certainly will never be able to repay her for all of her guidance, help, and love.  Now, if I can just figure out how to make her babysit... 

Top Ten List

Running is my yoga - my zen - my free thought time.  I spend a few hours a week out on the trails and on road thinking.  I never listen to music, because I need to think. Some of my best blogs are written on my runs. I have determined my mind is pretty tough as I conquered the marathon. Now, I just need to find a device that can transcribe thoughts into a word processor - futuristic?! In any case, today I came up with a top ten list that I thought was funny and inspiring, again I did this during my warm-up before hill repeats so it may be crazy. Just a little background, when I was 14, I wrote Top 10 lists for all of my friends in silly little notes we passed around the high school.  I was Letterman obsessed... (he always does a Top Ten List - for those who do not get the reference). My Top Ten Lists usually made fun of something, talked about drinking beer, or just made my friends smile... Well girls, I am bringing it back! Thank you running, limited time to think, and beer wine. (Haha)

TOP TEN LIST OF HARDEST TO EASIEST THINGS I  EVER DID 

****10 = oh my gosh, never again hard; 1= oh my gosh, do it again NOW****

10) Carrying twins to term (ha - ha- ha, have you followed this blog? If not see TWIN FUN)






 
9) Running a Marathon (not at all a good time)

8) Giving Birth - naturally, 3 times (notice the marathon was harder)




















7) Quitting a job I loved (almost as hard as a marathon even)



6) Leaving Germany, for good (eek, heart ache)

5) Being 14 (Hard but also easy)







4) Getting a college education and a masters degree (not really hard)
3) Becoming licensed in speech pathology (easy)
2)  Devoting my life to helping others (piece of cake)

 1) Marrying Terrence (easiest decision in the world, and one of my greatest; my other great decision was to have children with Terrence)

We have a great life! Prost! <3