More half marathon photos

I would like to say Marshall took all of these pictures and just wrote proof across them to give everyone proof that I really ran. Ok, so really these pictures were taken by the race photographers. They are fun pictures but cost way too much to buy. You will have to enjoy them with the writing over the top. Thanks Marshall for putting this collage together!

Salt Lake City Half Marathon

Saturday I ran my first half marathon. I never knew how many people run the SLC marathon and half marathon. There were thousands of people there. The race started at Legacy Bridge on the U of U campus. There was a band and gospel singers on the bridge at the starting line rocking out as we were all getting ready. You could feel the excitement. It was a blast. The race finished at the Gateway Mall by the fountain. Here are the numbers.

Number of runners at the starting line: 5,192

Number of half marathon runners: 4,125

Number of female half marathon runners: 2,544

Number of female half marathon runners age 19-24: 349

Number of port-o-potties at the starting line: 40 (yes these are the lines for the potties!)

Ratio of runners to port-o-potties: 130:1 (not enough potties!)

Number of fans there to watch me: 2

Numbers of songs listened to during race: 29

Number of ounces drank during race: 8

Number of goo energy pack ingested: 1

Numbers of parks ran past: 2

Number of bands playing along race course: 3

Number of naps James took during the race: 1

Number I took in my age division: 29th

Minutes it took to run race: 110

Overall it was a great race and I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Snowbird

This past weekend Marshall had a work convention at Snowbird. Since I had my half marathon we went stayed up there Thursday to Friday and then came home for my race Friday night. I was glad Marshall didn't have to work the whole weekend so he could cheer me on Saturday.

James and I both got the stomach flu Wednesday and luckily it was gone by Thursday. So it was nice to get out of the house Thursday and Friday and relax. I have to admit I was a little anxious to not be home training for the race but my body needed the break to get over the flu.

The room we stayed in had a huge window with a beautiful view. James loved looking out and entertained himself for quite awhile.

This was the view outside our window. The whole time we were there I had this fear that an avalanche would happen and I wouldn't be able to get to Salt Lake for my race.

Marshall took James for a ride on his bag.

Hopefully if we get to go there again I will be able to go skiing. It was torture being that close to the slopes and not skiing!

8 Months Old

James is 8 months old and changing so much. In the past month we have said goodbye and hello to so many things.

Goodbye to................ Mr. Binks,

..............................................Size 2 shoes,

.........Being in the same place after I set him down

......... and crying when I turned the hair dryer on (thank goodness he's not afraid of it anymore).

Hello to .......................crawling,

.............................................2nd tooth,

.............................................finger foods,

..............AND continuing to have fun together as a family!

Easter

We had a fun Easter. Marshall made us German pancakes for breakfast. They were really yummy and I think the best batch he's ever made.

The Easter bunny brought James a tent, teepee, and tunnels to play in. I got a new dress and Marshall got a shirt.

We enjoyed a nice dinner at my Grandma Jarvis's house that afternoon. I love getting together with family. It was fun to catch up with family.

Happy Easter

Hobbies

I thought when I became a mother I would still have time for all my hobbies, skiing being one of them. Marshall and I have been trying to go all season and atlast we got to go today! It was harder than I thought to arrange for someone to watch James but thanks to Beckie for watching him! Marshall and I had a really fun time. I can't wait until we can teach James how to ski and he can come with us.

Thoughts on Motherhood

Being a first time Mom I find myself learning and experiencing new things everyday. It's so cool to be there when James has his "first" moments. One second he can't sit up on his own and the next second he can. One second he doesn't know how to crawl and the next second he is crawling. You get the idea. It makes motherhood so rewarding and exciting to see them grow and develop.

It's funny how these feelings of excitement change when they use their new abilities to climb the stairs, chew on cords, play with the electric outlet, stand up in the tub when your trying to soap them down, get into all the cupboards, etc. There is so much more responsibility.


I think the quote totally applies, "Where much is given, much is required." The more abilities James develops, the more baby proofing needed. The more he needs to learn what is good and bad, and what is right and wrong. It's crazy to think that in a sense "baby proofing" will take place all of his life. For example when he starts school he will have to be "baby proofed" or taught was is good and bad. When he learns to drive he will learn the correct way to drive, how to avoid accidents, etc.

The more that is given the more that is required. I'm glad babies don't require much when they are first born, just food, sleep, and security. By the time they are teenagers they require that plus much more. I'm glad as parents we are able to prepare for their increasing needs and abilities. It would be pretty overwhelming to start out with a baby that needed everything a teenager needs.


Tonight when I was making dinner I had to keep peeking into the family room to see what James was up to because each time he was doing something completely different. I can see why babies get so many bumps and bruises because even if you leave the room for a second who knows what will happen.

Motherhood.........isn't it the greatest!

Not himself

James used to fall asleep in my arms when he was swaddled up but once we stopped swaddling him he stopped falling asleep in my arms. I could tell he wasn't feeling like his normal self when he fell asleep on my lap the other day. I was showing him a cartoon on the computer and the next minute he was snoring. He doesn't even look comfortable. It was so cute. I loved it.