I am SUFFERING!

It's true. I am wallowing in suffer, even as we speak. Last week, after a day of Pilate's and elliptical, I stepped out of the shower, and thought, "Odd. My right shin is numb. Maybe the water was too hot." It didn't go away. Thanks to Google, I was able to self diagnose that my ailment was the result of a compressed disc/ nerve in my back, caused by (gasp) RUNNING! What?! And exacerbated by Pilate's maneuvers that are not recommended by chiropractors. UGH!! Just when I was starting to get faster and run for longer, this happens! Poor me. Now you see why I suffer. I am going to Dr. Berg, Chiropractor, from the ward, who, by the way, has THE most modest patient gowns I've ever seen. They Velcro in the back and go past my knees and almost to my elbows. I may "accidentally" walk out with one in my purse. I'll have to bring the big purse next time. He is doing stimulation therapy on my back (feels like a million little hands massaging my back. And, like other massages, he takes me off of it just as I am falling asleep. Meanie.), followed by distraction therapy. This is stretching out my lower back, although, I'm not sure why it is called "distraction", because I like it. He does distract me by talking about Kevin, so I guess that could be it. Every time I have gone, I have asked him, WHEN can I start running. He says maybe four to six weeks. I have decided, that maybe doctors orders are really just suggestions, and meant to be a sort of guide. In the mean time, no Pilate's, no running, but I can "pool jog". Stepped in to the pool this AM and almost died from exposure. Like hypothermia, not exposing my neighbors to me in a suit after four months of no tan. So, I will not be pool jogging until June, maybe May if the temperature gets above 105 by then. Oh well. Kevin and I are planning a trip to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon for a down and up in one day (approximately 28 miles with an average grade of 21%) and the doctor did say that walking was good for me. He NEVER said that I shouldn't do it at a 15% incline with a 15 lb backpack on. Alright, maybe the SUFFERING was a little dramatic, but you know me. My mom always said I should have been an actress.

The Way to a Man's Heart...

Ladies, how many times did you hear this saying when you were dating? I know I heard it a lot and made plenty of dinners, treats, breakfasts (just kidding) for gentleman callers, and I still employ this tactic today. Not just today, meaning Valentine's Day, but today as in the present. I love love love to cook. Love it! Especially when it is gourmet or fancy. It is my creative outlet. I don't decorate (Kevin-our new lovely bathroom, all him), I don't sew (Myrissa-Could you hem these pants for me?), and I don't scrapbook (poor kids. Only Dillan do I love enough to have a scrapbook. That or he was numero uno and therefore, I didn't have any other people vying for my attention). So I cook. When I discovered that Valentine's Day fell on Sunday, I was a little disappointed. No flowers delivered that day. No dinner out. But then I realized, it was the best because I got to use my culinary skills to make a dinner for my sweetheart. And four observers. The menu was Beef Wellington with Gorgonzola, Yukon Gold Potatoes with Fennel Puree and Rosemary Butter, Roasted Carrots, Texas Rolls, and Not Yo' Momma's Banana Pudding. Why do I even bother to go out when I can make such a lovely meal? Oh yeah. The dishes. However, it is tradition (one that I feel I have to announce every Sunday, just like I do for my Sunday afternoon nap) that Kevin does the dishes. He has recently recruited Dillan to be his sous washer. I will put a request in now that every Valentine's Day be on Sunday. P.S. Not only did my dear husband love his dinner, but the observers did too. I'm pretty sure I knocked this one out of the park.

You're a great provider!

Yesterday, I was thinking about how Kevin is a great provider for our family, when it reminded me of another great provider, me. I will now share how. When Olivia was born, I went to Dr. Stamps for her two week check up. Her birth weight was 7 lbs 15 oz, but she now weighed in at 8 lbs 14 oz. A pound weight gain after the initial weight loss, which provoked Dr. Stamps to exclaim "You're a great provider!" while simultaneously glancing at the source of nutrition. What's a girl to say but "Thanks!" I relayed this story to Laura, who had delivered Charles eleven days after Olivia, so she was anticipating the same reception when she took him in for his weigh in. Charles did gain a significant amount of weight, but there was no mention of her status as a provider. Sad. But, I was able to pride myself on the title of "Great Provider for Nursing Baby" for at least a year.