Spring plans

It's warming up, so we're getting motivated. Jason and I have made a bold move and decided to sign up for a half marathon in September. No promises that either one of us will be able to run the whole thing, but if we work hard over the next 5 or 6 months, we should be in pretty good shape to run most of it, right? I made a pact with one of my coworkers to exercise before work 3 days each week -- Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Hopefully having to check in with her about it will guilt me into actually doing it!

We've also been looking around our house and thinking about tackling some of the projects we've been putting off since we moved in. Number one on my list is to paint the blinds from natural wood to white. It will be tedious work, but all of the DIY blogs tell me it can be done. I think it will make a huge difference. Those blinds have bugged me since I first looked at the house 2 years ago!

Number one on Jason's list is to paint the dining room. He is not a fan of the red and I think it's finally time for it to go. We're both feeling pretty motivated right now -- let's hope we can get through these projects without losing steam!

Ugly blinds. Outdated paint color. Cute daughter. 

O'G updates

What have we been up to in O'Gradyland?

• St. Paddy's Day came and went. Molly reluctantly agreed to wear green, so long as I also let her wear a pink tutu and purple beads. She and Jason celebrated our Irish heritage with friends, but I pretty much skipped the holiday this year in favor of having dinner with my sisters for B's birthday. Happy birthday to the B! I did at least wear my leprechaun socks. 

"Charming Like Mommy." Molly thought that meant this shirt had something to do with Prince Charming. Probably another reason she consented to wear it. 

• Speaking of Molly, we finally made it to the allergist to find out more about this walnut allergy. She's also allergic to pecans, which shouldn't be a huge problem, except for Thanksgiving. Poor kid!
• Molly is still a happy, girly, singing and dancing machine. She's 3 feet 2 and a half inches tall and 31 lbs of energy. She still likes princesses, fairy tales, arts and crafts, and Curious George, but we've also added a really cute show called Doc McStuffins to the list of favorites. The best part about Doc McStuffins is hearing Molly say it. I'll have to try to catch it on video because it's pretty cute.
• Jason has been on a little bit of a health kick. which means I'm also on a little bit of a health kick. We're cooking healthier food, going to sleep a little bit earlier every night, and exercising as often as is possible with our busy schedules. I don't know about Jason, but I feel great!
• I'm also feeling great about my Cincinnati Bearcats and their March Madness prospects. We've landed a 5 seed and face Harvard in the first round. I felt a pinch of doubt during the selection special when the announcers immediately picked Harvard to upset UC in the first round. But I think we will prevail. We better. I have UC winning the whole shebang in every single one of my March Madness pools! Not to mention a $20 Vegas bet at 60-1 odds :)
• As a final note, I think we're starting to see the first hints of spring. It rained today, washing away a little bit more of the dirty snow. I hear it might still be cold next week, but I'm hoping that's the end of it. I'm getting tired of cleaning up the house to host playdates on Saturdays. It's time to stretch our legs and ride bikes to the playground!

Pull this thread as I walk away

Back in October, I started a new knitting project, thinking that I'd have it finished by Thanksgiving or Christmas. Thank goodness we had a long winter, because I didn't end up weaving in the final thread until mid March! Today was the first day in the last week or so that it has been cold enough to wear my new creation -- for once, I was happy to see snow on the ground and a 20-degree temp on the thermometer. My sweater didn't draw any compliments, but it kept me warm all day and I don't think it looks too obviously handmade.

Looks comfortable, right?

Close-up -- unfortunately, it's hard to see too much detail since I knit it in black

Anyway, there's no rest for the weary. I promised Molly I'd make something for her next and also have my eye on another pattern for myself. At the rate I've been going, I'll need to start now in order to have these ready for next winter!

Owl sweater for the Molls

Off-center cable knit for me

One year ago yesterday...

...we met James for the first time!

Itty bitty

Now see how much he's grown:

Birthday boy -- about to eat ice cream cake!

A boy and his truck

Standing tall -- he can even take a few steps!

Couldn't resist including one with Molls

One year ago yesterday...

...Sean spent a good chunk of his 29th birthday with Susie and I, driving back and forth to Prentice Women's Hospital to meet James. Sean then had the best 29th year ever, graduating business school, getting married to my wonderful sister, and starting his new career. Now, he gets to join me in the glorious decade known as the 30s, where hangovers last just a little bit longer and midsections get just a little bit softer. Just kidding, just kidding. Happy 30th birthday, Sean! And happy first birthday, James!

Sean and Sus at party #1 (for James). Party #2 (for Sean) featured craft beer and old school arcade games. Both were fun :)

Mother and child

Some kids carry around a blanket or a baby doll. Molly used to be attached to her duck. But for the last 6 months or so, her toy of choice is a naked Barbie that she calls her "child."

Molly takes her child almost everywhere, though we drew the line at school. She can't fall asleep without her child. Many nights, when I stop in to give Molly one last kiss, she will be sound asleep, clutching that hard plastic toy to her chest like it's a stuffed animal.

I don't know why Molly doesn't like her child to wear clothes, but the doll is almost always nude. Even in the cold. Maybe that is punishment -- Molly's child gets in trouble a lot. Usually for hitting or not listening. Even as I write this, naked Barbie is in a time out while Molly watches Doc McStuffins.

Who knows how long this will last. Molly does love to play dress up, so I'm hoping she eventually discovers the joy of dressing up her dolls. Until then, the child goes where Molly goes, naked or not.

Mother and child -- gotta keep Barbie safe!

For your entertainment

I had Jason upload a few recent videos. Enjoy!

Molly at the Memphis airport -- we were delayed, but luckily the terminal was empty enough that she could play to her heart's content on the moving walkway:

Having dinner at Flattop Grill -- she actually does a pretty decent job with the chop sticks!

Getting into my laundry basket -- who needs princess dresses when you have Mommy's undershirts!

 

The neverending winter

Check the date. March 2nd. Now look at the pictures:

Snow bubbles

Snow angels

Snow banks (enhanced photo from Google +)

We've had months and months now with ice and snow and below-freezing temps. Today was still cold, but we managed to get out for a half an hour or so to jump around in the front yard, blow bubbles, and race down the sidewalk. The snow was too powdery to pack, so we couldn't build a good snowman. Maybe next weekend. I'm starting to see why people say Chicago only has two seasons -- winter and construction. The winter isn't bad every year, but when it is, it certainly makes an impression!