Full Speed Ahead

So, it's been 4 weeks since the fall that put Reese in a cast. And the whole experience has barely phased her. The first week was rough, but only at nighttime - it was like having a newborn all over again - we were up multiple times a night consoling her. I think she felt the pain during the middle of the night mostly because her meds were probably wearing off and she wasn't quite used to moving the heavy arm around in her sleep. Scot and I would take turns with her and one of us would usually sleep on the floor in her room. It was fairly brutal, but thankfully it didn't last long.

The cast hasn't slowed her down AT ALL. In fact, the very next day she was climbing up the ladder again in the backyard, the same one that she fell off. And she runs, climbs, everything that she would normally do, it's a small miracle that she hasn't done something to break the other arm. It didn't take her long to adjust to using her left hand/arm for most things, though after awhile she was able to use and lift her casted arm just as well. Most recently she discovered that the cast makes a lot of noise when she bangs it on the table, wall, any hard surface! Surprisingly she hasn't taken to using it as a weapon (though we wouldn't be opposed to her giving an armful to Ava now and then when she's misbehaving!) She did actually get mad about something Scot said the other day, so she said "NO!" and swung the cast to hit him in the arm! :-) The cast comes off on Thursday.

It's been a really busy few weeks and it doesn't slow down for us in October either! The biggest news is that THE wedding is THIS weekend! So, we have quite a bit of stuff going on to prepare for that - the rehearsal is on Wed, groom's dinner on Friday, and then the big event on Saturday. Ava is beside herself with excitement. She has been drawing a lot lately and most of her pictures have a bride, groom and two flower girls :-)

I realize also that 10-10-10 celebrates Reese's 21 month existence. She is learning more and more words, loves books, has 9 teeth (her first molar poked through in the last month) and also just learned how to jump. She is such a sweetheart!

In my last post, I mentioned that Ava started preschool - she has been enjoying that a lot. This year they do a journal entry every day in a sketch book - so it has been fun to see her drawings and writings. Soon I will have to post some of her latest renditions - she is really doing a good job and often says that she wants to be an artist when she grows up and then clarifies, "Well, an artist and a mom." This Thursday we also have a Family Night at Preschool where they are having a presentation from Underwater World Aquarium, so that should be fun.

Last weekend (Oct 2) we all participated in the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon Weekend events. On Saturday morning, Scot and I ran the 5K - my goal was to finish in under 30 minutes and we did! 29:29 was our official time which I was really happy with. I put a lot more training miles in this year than I did last year, so I felt much better before and during the race. Scot could have ran faster, but he opted to stay with me and keep me motivated - I'm so glad he did! Several heats of the Toddler Trot (50 yd dash) occurred later in the morning, which Reese and Ava both completed. Reese was so much more timid than we expected she'd be - she just walked down the course (despite many successful practice runs in the backyard!) Ava was quick but got a late start (the organization was a little rough). Afterwards, she just could not get over the fact that she got a medal anyway. She kept saying, "I got a medal and I didn't even win!" It was really cute. Lots of fun had by all! JoAnn even came for the weekend at the last minute, so we had a good time with her too.

Here's a few pictures from that morning:

With buddies Keira & Emma:



We attended our friends' wedding the last weekend in September (Sep 25) - which was also a really good time. I met Meghan through my friend Jess and we've all been in book club for the past 3+ years. We've gotten to know Craig too very well over the past few years - they are a very adventerous couple and a lot of fun to be around! Friend Lacey captured it very well on her blog :-) so I think I'll take the lazy route and link hers here.

Oh...and my birthday slipped by too since I last posted! Scot arranged babysitting and made reservations at Luci Ancora - one of our favorite restaurants in St. Paul. He even had red and pink roses waiting at our table. We had a very QUIET and PEACEFUL dinner and just a nice time all around. He gave me an Aaron Rodgers jersey, which I adore.

I also left out my girls' weekend in Chicago in mid-September...though that might just be better left unmentioned. :-)