Marini Madness

My little runner!

2011-04-25T17:39:00.000-07:00

Mia ran her first race this Easter weekend (4.23.11), a Kids 1 mile bunny hop. I am such a proud mama, I have to say I got quite emotional when she took off and then again once I saw her coming in to finish. On our practice runs the weeks prior, our mile pace was about 9-10 minutes Mia did her race in 8:16. Pretty damn good! and she said she stopped 2 times to walk.

Mia had so much support of family and friends, we made her a sign and had thunder sticks; it's probably safe to say she had the biggest and loudest entourage there. My besties daughter who is a few years older then Mia also ran and stayed with Mia the whole time, she wanted to finish together. It was so sweet.

I just hope she knows how proud I am of her!

A mommy wake up call...

2011-04-12T14:26:00.000-07:00

So Mia has decided she would like to start running with me and I couldn't be happier! So we go out and get her some new running shoes (thanks nana & papa) and signed her up for her first "kids" race (1mile) in 2 weeks. On the couple of races that I have done (5k's), I have had the support of my family; nothing is more exciting and rewarding then crossing that finish line with your family there encouraging you to finish and finish strong. This certain feeling just rushes through my body once I see that finish line and even more when I see Anthony, Mia and Bella. I just can't wait for Mia to experience it and feel the family support and encouragement when she crosses that finish line.

Yesterday Mia and I went for our first run together, first we did 1 mile and as we were there stretching I asked her how she felt. This is when the mommy wake up call comes in. It was sooooo HOT... sweat was dripping from both of our faces and she looks at me and says in a tired voice... "is it ok if I don't finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th?" and I respond quickly with "of course!" "did you think I would have gotten mad if you didn't?" at that moment Mia shakes her head yes and I felt ashamed... I mean my own kid thinks if she doesn't finish at the top I will get mad? How could I let this one happen... am I really that hard on her? Ohhhhh man... well I guess I am when it comes to softball... naturally LOL. I immediately assured her that just being out there and crossing the finish line is a proud moment for me. TOTAL mommy wake up call... I want my girls to be afraid of me if they lie, or sneak or when they become teenagers... but certainly not when it comes to achieving a sport or hobby or even academics.

I told her I only want her to give it her best! I now ask my self, how do I reassure her I am always proud of her? I do try tell her all the time all I want is for her to give it her all, no matter what she is doing. Am I a bad mom? I know there are always going to be moments that come up that I will second guess my parenting decissions but this one hit hard and I must find a way for her to know that I am super proud of her no matter what! At the end she smiled and wanted to do one more lap together to finish out 1 1/2 miles for her first run, she said she enjoyed it! The whole time running I just kept telling her I was so proud of her for trying and we had fun racing to the end of the lap... she beat me that little bugger!

A Beautiful Moment...

2011-04-02T10:31:00.000-07:00

I have to share the most beautiful moment I had this morning.

Feeling good on my run, jamm'n to the Beastie Boys on my iTouch and thinking how nice it was out... the stars are still shinning bright, the air was still cool and my breathing and stride feels great. I finally came to the "Sea Burger" and the boardwalk, a safe meeting place we usually meet at or make it apart of our route... ya know for all us "Runners" to meet, since it's still dark out and we all have our different paces.

We look out to the ocean and I see the most beautiful horizon... I can't explain it. At this point I am not happy that I didn't run with my phone so I can try to capture the moment; I just take it in mentally. The water crashing, the refreshing smell and the beautiful purple color that was beaming as far as the eye can see. I said to the other runner, "quick, lets get back to our cars to see the sun rise" which were parked at another beach about a 3 more miles down.

Hurrying back, still feeling amazing with my pace and stride all I could think about is getting back to what I hope is going to be a gorgeous sunrise. I think I had my best run today as I got to my truck to grab my phone to hurry up on the sand. I get closer to the water and as you see in the pictures below... it was just beautiful (well the pics don't do it justice)... I sat there by myself for about 15 minutes waiting for this sun to come up. It was sooooo PEACEFUL... standing there all I could think about is how lucky I was to have a good, healthy and fast run and to make it back in time to witness this beautiful moment. I swear a rush, a charge... energy just shot through my body... I definitely had a moment. There wasn't a worry in the world at that time for me, all my stress I was feeling just an hour before were gone.

It made me think... I truly am so thankful for everything and everyone in my life... no matter how hard we have it we are reminded that things could be and some have it worse.

LOL ... I mentioned before "us Runners"... well I like to think I am becoming a "Runner" :)

50 kisses, 50 goodnights, 50 go to beds...

2011-03-30T18:00:00.000-07:00

I miss this age... where they can't get out! Seems every night we are constantly telling this girl to go to bed, constantly giving "1 more kiss"... but what melts my heart the most is the 50th time of Bella coming out of her room and Anthony and I yelling "WHAT NOW!?... GO TO BED!" She just looks at us and says in her soft little tired voice "I love you mommy" "I love you daddy"... awwwww...Love you too Bella "Now get to BED". Seriously we start bed time at 8pm and they are both still awake past 930. There is a new excuse each time... "more water", "have to go potty", "I want a kiss", "what are you watching"... the list can go on and on and on. Come on girls... mama needs her quiet time! I do thank my lucky stars I have 2 beautiful healthy girls!

I'm backkkkk... Fast forward.

2011-03-28T18:40:00.000-07:00

Ok, well it's been a while huh!? Almost 2 years ago was when I wrote my last blog... whats been going on you ask? Well Anthony and I decided it was best to move back to Vero Beach, Fl where we were married (2002) and Mia was born (2004). I can't tell you how much I miss my parents and all my family and friends, it was a really tough decision but I do love it here and feel it was the right move for our little family. It's a much slower pace and absolutely beautiful!

picture of the beach close to our house. Soooo blue and pretty.

Once we got over the fustration of moving, we settled in pretty quickly. Mia was inviting her "new" friends over for a pool party on her first day in her new school and Bella just loved seeing new and different things. They miss their Nana and Papa soooo much... Thank goodness for Skype, we are able to video chat often.

I started running and have done 2 5k races, I am going to complete a few more of those and work my way through a 10k and hopefully a half marathon before the year is over. I did a 6 week boot camp and lost 15lbs of body fat, lost about 15lbs of over all weight and gained a few pounds of muscle. I went down 2 sizes and continue to work out and run. I have never felt so good and never really thought I would become a runner... I am trying though. I have also took on a few projects around the house and love shopping at antique and thrift shops.

Anthony is back to playing softball during the week and weekends and ejoys playing with his old childhood friends. He is very happy to be back in his home town.

Mia and Bella are your typical older sister/younger sister combo, they can be soooo loving for maybe a minute then it's back to the drama. Mia doesn't like it when Bella comes around her and her friends... ya know Bella has that "little" sister syndrome that Mia is afraid of getting. She is just way to cool to have her little sister around. Bella likes to copy Mia and I find it really funny when Mia gets annoyed with it... but it really is funny to hear the 3 year old say some of the things Mia does with attitude... Like she picked up on Mia say "blahhh blahhh blahhh" and "mom, just answer the kid will ya" LOL... ohhh the joys of having 2 girls. HELPPPPPPP!

Well that is where we are at now, I am sure I will think of more later and post more pics and thoughts of the move. I will now be keeping up with my blog (hopefully) so check back and stay tuned.

POO POOO.... YEAH!!!

2009-08-14T20:27:00.000-07:00

OK, I have to update my blog so bad... I am so out of order... LOL... I have so much to tell and things to share from even before Bella had her ER incident. But I have to talk about what just happened... So my precious Monster Bella(22 months), she loves to sit on her toilet which is just an attachment onto our toilet; well she usually flushes the whole TP roll down the toilet but I have become wise to her and put it high up where she can't reach it. So earlier today she sits on the "potty" and again NOTHING... but this next time she was standing next to us eating her pizza NAKED... so cute... her little buns!!! I love lil buns and toes!!! Anyways... she became silent and still... well we know what that means. "Bella, do you have to go poo poo?" we say... "POO POO" she says while holding her bottom. So off to the "potty" we go... couple of minutes later she comes running out... "POO POO"... to our surprise Poo Poo was actually in the potty!!! Whoooo Hoooooo... Bella went poo!

These pics were taken a while ago when all she did was sit on the potty and as you can see pull on the TP off the roll...

Hopefully it's our last time in the ER..

2009-08-01T17:16:00.000-07:00

Well it's official; Bella made her first trip to the ER. I have never been so scared in my life... well I guess just as scared as I was when Bella decided to run across the street during Mia's T-Ball practice and I couldn't find her. This girl is going to kill me... I can already tell. I feel so guilty and at fault, I know I can't be in all the places all the time but I now know I can't take my eyes off of her for a second! She is a dare devil and has no fear!

I had just changed her diaper on the bed and turned around to go brush my teeth when all of a sudden I hear this big bang; Bella had climbed over the foot board and crashed to the floor. When I turned around she was on her back and when I picked her up her eyes were rolling in the back of her head. I immediately yelled for my cousin Jason who was over to call 911, Bella was completely out of it and her eyes kept rolling in the back of her head. The ambulance arrived in about 2 minutes and began to check on her; the poor thing was just laying there wondering what was going on. They put her on a little stretcher and a spinal board and completely strapped down; she didn't even cry this whole time until they put an IV in her on our way to the ER.

Once we got to the ER she began to be her normal routy self; talking, laughing, trying to pull all the wires and IV out and not sitting still. The doctors didn't want to do a cat scan because she was not showing any signs of brain neck or spin injury... THANK GOD! We are back at home and she is CRAZY... has not taken a nap yet, playing, climbing and singing! I am praying we don't have to take her back to the ER tonight. She is back to yelling at Mia and saying "NO MIA". What a scare we experienced today!

My little tagger...

2009-06-27T20:57:00.000-07:00

Just as I thought I was going to be able to take a little cat nap; "Ohhhhh MY Gosh, Bella has a marker" Mia yells... sure enough Bella had found a black Sharpe and decided to tag the kitchen cabinets, stove, floors, walls, printer and herself!!! Luckily we got most of it off.

She got herself...

Inside Tupperware cabinet...

Kitchen floors....

Stove...

Wall and more cabinets...

and.... 1 Month later... (this is a long one)

2009-06-22T19:56:00.000-07:00

Well a lot has gone on in the past month since I have posted my last blog... I have been on a diet and been running (walking) every night; by the time I get home and get the girls a bath and to bed I am exhausted. I know... no excuses! OK where should I start; since the last blog I have lost 16 pounds, turned 31, we got a new puppy and Mia finished T-Ball with a bang. Bella is still a monster, Mia is getting excited to start Kindergarten, Anthony started a new job and loves it! The girls still don't sleep through the night in their own bed; what is it with our bed? I mean right when then come into our bed they are sound asleep; why can't they do that in their own bed? ughhh! Here are a few photos to start off the blog:

Here is the new addition... her name is Adrian (from the movie Rocky) and she has fit in very well. She loves to attack Bella as she walks by; I am guessing because Bella is the lowest to the ground. It's so funny to hear Bella's lil voice "stop" "stop" "dog".

Adrian immediately went after Rocky's (cute huh... Rocky and Adrian) "extra" rolls; he has put up with a lot from her already. He is starting to show her who's boss.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mia had a big weekend during her last day of T-Ball; her team "Storm" got to receive their trophy's at the Lake Elsinore Storm (San Diego Padre affiliate) field. As they announced each of the girls names they got to go on the dugout to receive their trophy; then they were able to run out to the field to a position and meet the player and get a ball signed. She was excited and loved hanging out with her friends; she had a big support team there. Thank you Mom & Dad, Grandma & Wayne, Uncle Anthony & Aunt Cindy, Michelle & Jason, Female & Tommy and Darren! We love you guys!!!

Mia Getting her trophy...

Mia getting her ball signed by the short stop...

Go Storm... 2009

The next day it was T-Ball day at Dodger Stadium; being Dodger Fans we were not going to miss it!!! Mia and I got to walk onto the Field and walk around.

Here is Mia and her friend Andy (the only ones from their team that went)...

Here is Mia with Andy and their friend Kayla...

Here is Mia walking the field...

Mia, Anthony and I at the game after she got to walk on the field...

My lil sister was here for a short time to visit... we had a blast... I miss her so much!!!

Well... that is it for now; I am sure I will have more to talk about and I will try to stay on top of this better... No excuses!!!

Nothing really happening in May...

2009-05-21T22:57:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how fast this month is going by; I swear I am losing it... just this evening I just about put the milk away where the glasses go. I think the days are starting to run together. The girls are great; really I can't imagine my life with out them. I am pretty sure it would be dull and boring; Bella is a complete MONSTER and Mia is just becoming a young lady (w/attitude) already... how do I stop them from growing up? Bella is giving us the joy of keeping us up all night; I still don't know if it's teething or growing pains but what ever it is I can't wait for it to be over. I feel so helpless! Mia has all the energy in the world; I really wish she would share some of that with me. Everyday when I pick her up the question is "what are we doing now", "can I go here... can i go there". Every night she hates to go to bed; just right now she is still up at almost 11:30pm asking me if I am going to bed yet; I am sure so she can sneak in. She is always telling Anthony that she is going to sneak in our bed after I am asleep.

Here are a few picture from this month that I thought I would share.Trying to get Bella to take a picture is very challenging, I didn't get one good picture on Mother's Day!

Just when I think Bella is a complete monster she will surprise me. In this picture the girls were taking a bath and Mia was FREAKING out about a minor tiny "ouchy" on her knee and having to clean it; Bella didn't like "sissi" crying so she gave her a hug. It was the cutest thing ever, of course I didn't have my camera so we tried to re-enact it. LOL...

If it's good enough for Rocky...

2009-05-05T21:27:00.000-07:00

If it's good enough for Rocky well then it must me good enough for my Bella... Although the pictures don't do justice, Bella had a mouth and hand full of Rocky's food. I swear she can smell/hear it when we poor him a bowl outside; she comes running out and bam in her mouth! YUCK!!! Doesn't seem to bother her though and Rocky bless his heart is so good with her when she interrupts his eating. BON APPETIT BELLA!

chit chat...

2009-04-29T19:42:00.000-07:00

Nothing much going on here at the Marini Madness house hold, just your usual craziness with the girls. It's amazing how fast they are growing up; Bella is talking so much (most of the time you can't understand her) and going through her terrible "2's" already. She loves to say "uh uh" followed by shaking her head from side to side. Mia is my little teenager; the other day at T-ball practice she was up to bat, waiting patiently for her coach to soft-toss the ball to her, well when he didn't do it fast enough because he was helping another player Mia proceeded with a "hellllooooooo" (with total attitude). The same day after practice she told me to "chill" because I was getting a little angry (I may have raised my voice a bit) at the driver in front of me. Mia loves to torture Bella; just today Bella came in with her face covered in chalk (missed the photo op) and what does Mia say.... "I just wanted to be silly"... well I couldn't help but crack up, Bella didn't seem to mind this time. Watch out Mia, she will get you back some day! Why, why did god bless me with 2 precious, sweet girls... I am in for it big time; my mom always said "you will have one just like you someday". Is it possible to have 2? I'll tell you one thing; I wouldn't change a thing! I am blessed with my two girls for a reason and although there will be times I want to rip my hair out and possibly theirs, it's all worth it at the end of the day when they give you hugs and kisses and tell you they love you. I hug and kiss them as much as I can; Anthony says I "smother" them too much, but I don't think so! :)

Before and After...

2009-04-21T21:31:00.000-07:00

awww my Bella... I was thinking it was time to give her a little trim; her hair is always all over the place and unless I put a pony on top of her head like a fountain or pig tails it's usually in her face. I try and put one of those cute little barrettes in her hair; now most little girls will leave them in but my sweet Bella either tears them out of her hair and eats them or throws them somewhere. As I attempted to cut her some bangs she didn't want to have any part of it, I tried to show her how exciting the scissors were but she didn't care. I carefully (with out poking an eye out) managed to get some of her hair out of her face.

Taaaa Daaaa.....

I wanted to do the back but that was just not going to happen... I think next time I will have a professional do it!!!

Shhhhhh.... he's sleeping!

2009-04-17T19:26:00.001-07:00

So we are out side chit chatting with out neighbors who are redoing their front/back yard and my lil princess Mia found a lizzard; well she told us "shhhh he's sleeping". ummmmmm Mia darling I don't think he is sleeping! I didn't know my lil princess has a bit of tom-boy in her, I am very pleased to know they enjoy getting dirty and not affraid to "break a nail". Thanks Romney and Erin for letting them enjoy your dirt! :)

A very Happy Easter

2009-04-13T20:21:00.000-07:00

We had a great weekend and a great Easter; from dying the eggs to the Easter egg Hunt it was non-stop. My parents came over for a nice dinner and had a fun time with the girls. Mia couldn't believe that when she woke up she found a trail of carrots that the Easter Bunny left leading right to their baskets. Bella learned how to be polite and say her "Peas" and "Tanktoo's"; it was very precious. The girls enjoyed what the bunny had left for them in their baskets; Mia also couldn't believe that the bunny knew she played Tee-ball and got her rubber bases to run around on when she hits the ball in the backyard. (what a good bunny) ;) They also enjoyed the side walk chalk the good lil bunny got them... I think a little too much....

Bella was on a rampage yet again... as she was trying to hit her little plastic ball off Mia's tee she proceeded to hit Mia in the face rather then the ball... it obviously didn't hurt since Mia was cracking up therefore Bella continued until she had her eye on someone else; she headed right for "Nana" and whacked her right on the arm, I swear it was like a little Chucky Doll running; although we almost pee'd our pants laughing, we tried figuring out why she made a b-line for "Nana" we tried to sculled her and let her know that it's not nice to hit let alone swing a bat at someone. But seriously it was hilarious! (sorry mom). At the end of the night the girls were pooped and crashed early, BUT they still managed to make it in our beds and keep us up all night, will it ever end?

Happy Easter 2009

1.5 Seconds...

2009-04-06T20:51:00.001-07:00

In the Marini house things can go from happy to sad in 1.5 seconds.

One moment we are like this...

and in 1.5 seconds we are like this....

Bella is quite the MONSTER... it is her way or the highway!!! She deffinately has her mind set, if she doesn't get her way she will usually throw what ever is in her hands or if she is not holding anything she will just throw her body instead. I will catch Mia chuckle a bit as we watch her. It's pretty funny! But just look at those tears... how do you resist those!? But she does love to watch her sisi play T-Ball... it's so funny to hear her yell Mia's name out there on the field and Mia just loves it.

First blog... just mumbling...

2009-04-02T19:38:00.000-07:00

Well what could I say for my first blog... The kids are in bed and I am enjoying a glass of wine, I better enjoy it now becuase in about 4 hours we will hear the pitter patter of little feet and the lovely sound of a crying baby and before you know it all 4 of us will be fighting for blankets in our bed. Bella is going through what I believe are growning pains; it only seems to effect her between the hours of 2am and 5am. But waking up to her smile seems to make all the tiredness go away. Now Mia on the other hand... this child does not like to go to sleep, she can stay up way longer then we can. Anthony and I will usually go to bed around 10-10:30 and she is still awake, once she is asleep she snores like a champ and just love to talk in her sleep. Well talking about all this is making me tired and I am sure you are tired by now reading this boring blog. Good Night...