Merry Christmas Eve!  Happy 1st night of Hanukkah!  Whether you’re celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, (or both, like us!), or simply enjoying a peaceful winter weekend, we hope it’s filled with joy and love.

How we’re growing?:  Oh baby boy, we are growing!  I’m supposed to be gaining ~1 lb. per week as baby packs on weight, too.  At 26 weeks, he’s about 2 lbs., 14″ long, and the size of butternut squash.  I’ve had several dreams that he’s over 10 lbs. on his birth day and joke that he’ll come out with a full beard, just like daddy… Our midwife continues to reassure me his growth is right on track.

How I’m feeling?:  I’m still battling nausea and fatigue every day, some aches and pains, heartburn and swelling, and endless excitement to meet this sweet little guy, who’s putting me through the ringer.

What I’m eating?:  I’ve been craving iceberg lettuce and pickles, which offer nothing nutritionally, so I’m still trying to force some good stuff in there, too… green smoothies and Chipotle to the rescue!

What we’re up to?:  Two weeks ago, Liv got her first haircut, which turned out to be a pretty big deal to me, so I’ll be back with a separate post about it  ❤

Haircut day was epic and our schedules have been packed with nonstop festivities and fun ever since (plus work, errands, and appointments, as usual).  We had fun decorating the tree in our atrium.  (Then Jared had to take most of the ornaments off, because we’ve been getting a lot of rain).

Jared and I both made it to Liv’s holiday party at school, where she (sort of) performed “Dashing through the snow” with all of her classmates.  We did a few crafts together and Liv requested a picture with her teachers.

We braved the rain to go to Holiday Nights at Bernardo Winery, where there were food trucks, cocoa, live music, carolers, crafts, and free visits with Santa!  The line was long, but for the first time ever, Liv really wanted to meet him.  She told us she was going to ask for a “lego house” and tell him that she’s only been “a little naughty.”  But when she got up there, she bravely sat on his lap for a picture, but was too shy to say a word.  To be fair, Santa wasn’t the jolliest…

We had fun decorating a gingerbread house together, where Liv and Jared “accidentally” ate a good amount of the candy.  And when we weren’t looking, that tube of frosting went straight in her mouth, ha!

Aunt Allison has been in town since Tuesday, so we’ve spent as much time together as possible.  Liv was excited to show off at gymnastics.

We also had a blast hanging out with friends at Campfire in Carlsbad.

Since it’s been so rainy, we headed to Dave & Buster’s another day, which was ridiculously fun!  I especially loved watching Liv try out Dance Dance Revolution.

And of course, we had to hit up the photo booth.

Running with Cookie:  I’m so proud that we’re two more weeks into the Holiday Running Streak and continuing to rack up the miles!  It varies a lot from day to day.  Some of these runs include a lot more walking than running, but I’m (working on) embracing whatever feels good for my body that day.

Race Recap – Holiday Half Marathon:  On a race high after the Celebration Half in November, I signed up for the Holiday Half, which I’ve been wanting to do for years.  It’s known as a downhill race and I thought baby and I would enjoy the downhill momentum, ha!  Spoiler alert: there were plenty of uphills, too… I snapped a bump pic before bundling up, because it was 34-degrees when we left the house!

The course runs along the 56 bike path to Torrey Pines State Beach.  Because it’s along the highway, it makes it difficult to spectate, but Jared and Liv were up for the challenge.

• Mile 1 – 10:29
• Mile 2 – 10:48
• Mile 3 – 10:43
• Mile 4 – 9:47
• Mile 5 – 11:30
• Mile 6 – 11:04
• Mile 7 – 10:59

We missed each other between Miles 1 and 2, but I was grateful to catch them for hugs between Miles 7 and 8.  Liv gave me one of her applesauce pouches, which sounded so much better to me than the gels they were handing out, and when I continued on, she yelled: “I’m proud of you, mom!”  It made my heart explode…

•  Mile 8 – 11:28
• Mile 9 – 10:56
• Mile 10 – 11:45

I spotted Jared and Liv again between Miles 10 and 11 for more hugs, and this time, Liv was warmed up and ready to run with me for a bit — another favorite moment!

• Mile 11 – 11:12
• Mile 12 – 11:18
• Mile 13 – 10:59

During the final mile, I ran by a long line of cars making their way to the finish area, and spotted our car for one final boost of encouragement from Jared and Liv.

Official Finish — 2:24:43 @ 11:03/mile

I finished feeling great, exactly one minute-per-mile slower than the half I ran at 19 weeks pregnant, but boy, I was tired!

Holiday Half Marathon 2016 – Rundown:

• Finish Time:  2:24:43 (11:03/mile)
• Lifetime Half:  #37
• Dedicated To:  my grandpa and Baby Cookie
• Spectators:  2 = Jared and Liv
• Fuel:  (pre-race) peanut butter cookie Larabar and (during) one of Liv’s applesauce pouches!
• Post-Race Treat:  brunch at Naked Cafe and eggnog froyo from Menchie’s
• Favorite Mantra:  like Liv’s shirt said — “You Got This Mom”
• Favorite Song:  Cecelia And The Satellite — Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness

“For all the things my hands have held, the best by far is you.”

Weeks 25 & 26 in Review:

• Workouts:  14 runs, including 1 half marathon!
• Holiday Run Streak:  29 days & 110.5 miles!
• Miles with Cookie:  561.1
• Weight gained:  +14 lbs.
• Favorite foods/cravings:  dried mango, cereal, iceberg lettuce, pickles, pink lemonade, Chipotle
  
• Next appointment:  Tomorrow!
• Highlight:  Liv’s first holiday performance at school.  For weeks, we practiced singing the song, but when it was show time, she mostly just stared at her classmates, ha!  Still, it was another surreal reminder that our first baby’s a big girl now… and in three months, we’ll have another baby!

With joy and love, The Lurie Four  ❤