Everyday things: Running and Laundry

Running is an everyday thing for us here...or at least we're trying to get back into that routine...lol. Sometimes (very rarely) I run alone, like I did this past weekend. Sometimes I run with Peter and Nico. But MOST of the time its me and NICO!

From 1104 Run with Andreas

A couples times in the past 15 months I've run with other mommas---actually I've only run with 3 mommas, Laurel and Julia-in Austin at Town Lake and Lenora, here in LA. Running with other moms is great cause you have a lot of cool things to talk about and they also understand if you need to stop and let your kid out for breaks. The tricky thing about running with other moms is that there are 2 little ones to please; timing is KEY for these kinds of things. FLAT, QUIET, LOW-TRAFFIC, SHADY, and WIDE roads or routes are ideal.

Flat: So that the ride is a smooth as possible for the little pumpkin that's riding inside. This means...avoiding SIDE WALKS. Those ups and downs each block can get really old, really fast.

Quiet: So that if the child actually falls asleep, they aren't abruptly awakened. Even if they're not, it's just nicer, more enjoyable for all parties involved.

Low-Traffic: Safety first! Low-traffic means less chance of getting run off the road by a crazy driver. It also means that you can run on the road vs sidewalks which can possibly mean less ups and downs.

Shady: So that if you're baby isn't sleeping, the sun doesn't upset them IF they happen to look RIGHT INTO IT!

Wide: So that you can fit your momma friend next to you to have somewhat normal convos instead of screaming infront or behind you, potentially, over a crying baby.

**But your lucky if you have maybe 2 of those listed above at any one time. Once you find a route with all 5---you'll probably never run anywhere else again.

Fortunately we had a Flat, mostly wide, low traffic path on our route with Andreas and Lenora.

Unfortunately we caught Andreas at a not-so-good time the other day. Poor little guy, he was really mad at us for taking him on a run, by the beach, on a BEAUTIFUL sunny southern california day...lol. Instead of running the planned 6 miles, we ran 4 and hit up a couple of the parks along the way to let the kiddos play.

Mommies and babies on runs are apparently a spectacle around here. That one day we got at least 8 comments--"way to go Mommas; Go get it; Good job".....and others along those lines.

I know Nico had fun, but I hope he doesn't get any ideas. I've been really proud of him. He has always been good in the stroller, but recently, even better....I know i'm lucky that Nico is such a great running partner =).

Here is the link if you don't see the slidshow below.

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Laundry we don't do as often as my mother would like but we procrastinate a little since the laundry room is a bit of a hike since its in the garage of the next building.

Here is a picture of the most adorable ASSISTANT EVER--even though he does make doing laundry a little more challenging!

From 1104 Laundry-Tomas's Bday

WEEKEND FUN, Visitors, Toma's Party

Most recent Family Portrait:

From 1104 Laundry-Tomas's Bday

We had a lot of activities this weekend---more than the usual hecticness.

I'll start with Friday-

We biked over to Happy Hour in Santa Monica to meet with my friend Brittany Love from UF and Tio Charlie. Brittney and her husband (Ryan) just moved here a couple weeks ago.

It was great catching up.

Saturday I ran 8miles while Peter got the bikes ready for our tour with Logan---who is in town for a couple days for work (NI).

The bike ride was lots of fun...and I caught most of it on camera. We all planned on going out but Logan and Charlie bailed...cause they were too tired. We ended up meeting up with Brittany and Ryan---AND HAD AN AWESOME TIME at a little CLUB in Venice.

From 1104 Logan's visit-Nikki's night out

Check out the pictures here if you don't see the slideshow below .

Sunday was a LONG DAY, LOADED with Fun and Friends:

Early Sunday morning we had Tomas' Birthday Party. We got to meet some new little ones, meet a NEW PARK in our area, sing happy birthday, and eat some yummy food! Nico played chase with a little boy name John, went exploring around the park with Peter, and played with buckets and the other kids before he went down for a nap.

From 1104 Laundry-Tomas's Bday

Check out the pictures here if you don't see the slideshow below.

Laurel, Tim, and MILE'S visit

After the party, I went to pick up the Stelzer Family at LAX!!! We hung out around the apartment, in the sand box at our complex, went for a little bike tour with the two kiddos in the bike trailer, had a great dinner, and then I sent them on their LONG journey back to their temp. home!

Nico had his first play date ever with Miles. In August, Nico's Playmate and my running buddy left to Malaysia and we haven't seen them since. Because Laurel keeps a great blog, we have kept tabs on all the things that they have been up to...so there was a strange, surreal, de ja vu, feeling when we were hanging out in person.

Here they are at 2 weeks old-Miles, and 3 weeks old- Nico.

Here they are at a playdate at Monica and Dylan's house in Austin--around 5months old.

This past weekend at 14months of age.

Nico and Miles took sharing to heart! Nico took a bite, offered it to Miles, and then fed it to him.

They also shared some milk and cheerios in the Bike Trailer as we toured the different parks in Venice:

I chatted with Laurel today and found out that Miles behaved great on the 10 hour flight to Hong Kong--sleeping 8 of those hours and then did well again on the last stretch of the trip to Penang. Glad to hear that their great trip ended so well.

It was so nice to hang out with such special and inspiring people. They're adventurous spirit re-energized Peter and I, reminding us to not be scared to embark on our own mini adventures.

Tim said it best: Having a child is like growing old. There are old people that are always complaining about the things that they used to be able to do, the energy they had, and all the things that were different-----And then there are those who physically age but are always young at heart, staying active, sharing their wealth of knowledge with others, and doing "a version" of what they have always loved to do; That's the type of parents that Tim and Laurel are--the well aging kind!

I look forward to seeing what other great places in the world our play-dates and friendship will take us.

Check out the pictures here if you don't see the slideshow below

FACE PAINTING

I've been on the phones with 10 stores in our area...LOOKING FOR FACE PAINT. After an hour of talking with Grumpy, NON-MORNING, WEEKEND EMPLOYEES, I finally found ELMER. He works a Party City and gave me the great news: YES we do have Water-based washable children's face-paints!

I'm waiting for Nico to get up from his nap or peter to get back from Surfing---which ever happens first to go get a FACE PAINTING KIT. You may be wondering why I need such a kit......WELL...yours truely will be painting faces at a 2yr old's Birthday party tomorrow!

I'm really excited. I have printed out different ideas: Dalmation, Batman, Butterfly, cat....just to name a few.
I'll let u know how it goes tomorrow!

Lots of Updates!

Sorry I havn't posted pictures of Nico in more than a week!

See all the other pictures here.

So last family update, I told you that I got a wet suit...and that I couldn't wait to use it, so I juped into the Marina that same day....Well I've used it 3 times since I bought it (a little over a week ago). LastTuesday, Peter and I got to swim a little in the Marina, right in front of our complex, so that I could practice and get a little stronger. Nico hung out with Patti, while mommy and daddy had a water date!It was SO MUCH FUN!!! And I still made it to class on time to Teach in Beverly Hills later that day.

The rest of the week flew by with everyday stuff...lol--Nico and I have a BUSY mommy/baby friend schedule!

Thursday Morning we went to Music Time at The Cow's End with mommy friend, Darin, and her daughter, Ryan. This Music session was SOOO much better than the others that we have been to at other places. The musicians sang and played songs from Bob Marley, the Beetles, U2, among other nursery rhymes in a cool---NON-creepy way! When we got back to the complex, we hung out with the kiddos by the pool. Alyssa and Lorena joined us there for some fun in the sun.

For Dinner later that day Peter, Nico and I went to Gaby's, the mediterranean place right next the Cow's End.

Friday Morning we went to the Venice Farmer's Market! It was so yummy. There we met up with Kate and Jordyn. We walked around for a little and Nico ate his breakfast while us mommies talked about USC's home track meet (scheduled for the following day).

During the day we hung out with a mommy friend, Lenora, and her son, Andreas who is a couple months older than Nico.

We ran to the park---THROUGH THE SAND along the beach, let the kiddos play around (and we tried to recover), and ran back to my apartment (on the pavement)---Total run: 4 1/2 miles. By the time we got back, Nico had fallen asleep in the stroller, so Lenora and Andreas got in the pool for a little and I just RELAXED. The pool was definitely a happening spot for kids a couple months old to about 12 years old. There were a couple extras tanning...but they just seemed out of place...lol. After the pool, we worked up an appetite and came upstairs for a yummy buffet. Nico and Andreas ate chicken nuggets and baby carrots =)....SO CUTE!

Later that afternoon we Biked with Peter to the Beach to watch him surf for a little. Nico and I played in the water...until my back literally ALMOST CRACKED from being bent over! Nico loved getting in the water....even though it was freezing. He especially loved when the waves were coming. He would get all excited and make really funny sounds. We biked to dinner after the beach...and ate scrumptious Pizza at a little place nearby.

Saturday Morning we went to the MDR run Club where we ran a 10k with the group after doing our own 1 mile warm up to the meet-up. We were the 3rd people to finish in the group...WITH NICO in the stroller =) so proud! We ran between 7:45 and 8:10 pace throughout the run, switching stroller duty.

During the day, Peter got some time to relax and catch up on work stuff while Nico and I went to COSTCO!!!

At night we invited another Mommy friend, Amparo, over with her two sons (2yrs and 5 months)and her husband for DINNER. Due to her work schedule, she can't meet with us and the other moms during the week, so we hadn't even had a chance to hang out in the last couple weeks, since the day we met! Charlie also came over.

I made a really yummy dinner: Spinach and Cheese, and Lobster and Cheese Ravioli's with my own Alfredo sauce and baked brie with strawberry preserves. Amparo brought a delicious dessert..which I didn't get to try (due to my lenten promise). We laughed a lot...but I can't really remember what about now...lol.

Sunday we went to the Main Street Farmer's Market for some snacks before heading to the Sunset Beach for the majority of the day.

I got a little guttsy and tried to swim out at HIGH TIDE, like if I knew what I was doing. Like Peter and Charlie like to say, I GOT ROCKED! No for real...my hands and knees were shaking. I don't think I'm quite ready for the open ocean just yet.

After I made it out...barely alive, the three of us hung out on the beach for some time while I regained control of my body. Peter and Charlie went out for a little while Nico and I went to pick up lunch and talked to Eneida--Peter's abuelita.

In the evening, we went to a Pot Luck that a Co-worker from Berlitz was hosting. We had a great time...and fit in just great thanks to Nico. There were a bunch of little munchskins running around. The funniest part of the evening was when the sales director said that he was very careful about what he feeds his 16 month old....they TRY TO give him every organic and WITHOUT ANTIBIOTICS...hahaha. I almost lost it laughing but held my composure!

Monday we hung around here because I had some work to do before going to teach in the afternoon. But yesterday we went to a NEW Music Story-time right by our grocery store. There was a puppet show with monsters right next to a beautiful fountain! It was great. We're gonna try to make it to more of those!

Well that's my update! Of course there's always a million things going on here in our lives...but we're always trying to take time to keep you---who are reading this because you want to know what's up--updated.

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I want to give special shout out to CASH, HENRY, ISSAC, AND ARCHER--Nico's Austin friends who celebrated their 1 year birthday this past weekend!

We missed it but we were there in Spirit! You have all grown up to be such handsome, WELL BEHAVED, young one year old gentlemen! I'm sure you are all making ur mommies' very proud by just being ur cute little selves and reaching all the milestones that you have reached!

Congratulations on ur first BASH!!! I hope in 21 years you invite us to celebrate as well! =)

And to you mommies...

Dear Stephanie, Candy, Heather, and Bethany:

Congrats on making it to the 1 yr mark! Your babies are beautiful...which are a reflection of YOUR HARD WORK, YOUR UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, and PROOF of what AWESOME WOMEN YOU ARE! I'm so glad that I'm friends with you girls =).

Love, Valeria

Manuela's BIG WALK

Do any of you watch Parenthood? Well you should...it's an awesome show!

Max has Asperger's Syndrome, which is a type of high functioning Autism. With shows like this and other things, people are learning more about pervasive development disorders and educating family members, friends, and loved ones who may know a child with Autism.

Manuela,my sister, is participating in the WALK for AUTISIM. I really admire her work at the Children's Learning Center at Nova University where she works with Autistic kids while getting her Masters. I have only one Autistic kid in my Roosevelt CREST program and have gotten a tiny glimpse of the dedication, patience, and love that she and the other teachers have with these children and their families.

Check out her letter to friends and family:

To Friends and Family!!!

Please join me in my fight to make a difference in the lives of the more than 1 million Americans living with autism today.

I am participating in Walk Now for Autism Speaks to help change the future for all those affected byautism. Autism is the second most common developmental disorder in the United States affecting one in every 110 children born today. Despite some promising discoveries, the cause of autism is unknown and a cure does not exist. Research is crucial. Every 15 minutes another child is diagnosed with autism. Not only must we find ways to improve the quality of life for children and adults withautism, but we also must find a cure, and soon.

Walk Now for Autism Speaks is our chance to make a difference in the fight against autism by raising money for autism research and heightening public awareness. Please join me in my fight as I raise money to help fund essential research. You can donate to Walk Now for Autism Speaks and/or join my team online using the links at the bottom of this page. Donations can also be mailed to AutismSpeaks using the donation form located on my page or send me a check made out to AutismSpeaks.

Thank you for taking an important step in the fight against autism.
Donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Autism Speaks 501 (C)(3) Tax Id #: 20-2329938
Matching gift program: Many companies provide their employees with matching gifts. Please consult your employer on its matching gift guidelines and attach matching gift forms accordingly.

Follow This Link to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support Autism Speaks

The walk in on Saturday April 9th, 2011. Please help my sister raise her goal of $100.

Extra Information:

Event Location:

The Sherman Library Green on Nova Southeastern University 3100 Ray Ferrero Jr. Blvd. Fort Lauderdale-Davie, Florida Map link

Event Schedule:

Check in & Registration Begins 4/9/2011 8:30 am Walk Begins 4/9/2011 10:00 am

Fees:

Walker Registration: No Fees General Registration

Rewards:

T-Shirt ($150.00 + ) Each registered walker who raises a minimum of $150 will receive a 2011 Walk Now for Autism Speaks t-shirt! Grand Club ($1,000.00 + ) This prestigious group of walkers have raised $1,000 or more for Walk Now for Autism Speaks this season. The program was created to give extra recognition and VIP treatment on Walk Day to these top walkers. Our goal is to double the number of Grand Club members in 2011. Want to join us? Start fundraising today! Rewards: VIP treatment - and extra recognition

Kelly's Big Race!

So it's kinda the IN thing now to run 1/2 marathons and triathalons and things like that.

Kelly Allegro...I forget that she has a new last name...hahaha, is preparing for a 1/2 Marathon in Napa Valley. Unlike me--just running it to improve my time, she is doing it for a GREAT CAUSE! Here is her letter to Family and Friends that i'd like to share with you, in case you don't get one in the mail....

Dear Family and Friends,

I’M RUNNING A HALF MARATHON!!!!!!

As many of you already know, the past two years has been quite a challenge bouncing from doctor to doctor trying to determine the cause of my ailments. After numerous medical exams, I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in August of 2010. Through this exhaustive process I have created much empathy for those affected by this disease. Being the proactive person that I am, I have discovered Team Challenge.
During my involvement I learned of an upcoming event in which I am ecstatic to be a part of. I am currently training with Team Challenge to run the Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon on July 17th. I feel honored to be involved with Team Challenge that will help raise funds and awareness for research leading to a cure for Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis.
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are known together as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). These two IB Diseases are painful attacks on the digestive system and as of today, are medically incurable. The cause of IBD remains unknown. However, the effectiveness of recently developed treatment methods and steady advances in research brings us closer every day to finding the cause and probable cure of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
My personal goal is to raise $4000 for Team Challenge which benefits the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America. The CCFA has funded more than 1,100 grants allocated to research for IBD. More than 80% of every dollar I raise will directly fund the mission of CCFA, to cure Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Being personally affected, I am dedicating my time to raise funds and awareness to this great cause, in efforts to improve the quality of life of children and adults who are also affected by IBD. I am hopeful that you will join me in the fight against Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis. If you would like to help, you can mail me your contribution check, payable to CCFA, or by visiting my website and making your generous tax deductible donation to the CCFA in my honor.
Please make your donations before May 14th, 2011, my personal fundraising deadline. I thank you in advance for your generosity and most of all your support!

Love,

Kelly

So make sure you check out her website. Her personal goal for raising the $4,000 is MAY 14th,2011. That's in 5 1/2 weeks! Peter, Nico and I will be in Napa on July 17th to run alongside with Kelly and cheer her on! We can't wait. Good luck Kelly!

San Diego 1/2 Marathon

It's OFFICIAL! I'm sign-up and committed to racing the

San Diego 1/2 Marathon

June 5th 2011

Thank you! Your registration is complete.

You will receive an email confirmation of your registration shortly.

Message from the Event Director

Register for Another Rock 'n' Roll Series Event

Registration

Event: 2011 Dodge Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Marathon & 1/2 Marathon - Half Marathon

Participant: Valeria Flores

Items	Price	Quantity	Total
Individual Half Marathon	$125.00	1	$125.00

Subtotal: $125.00

Processing fee: $9.69

Total: $134.69

I'll keep you all posted on my training. Including this week, the race is 9 short weeks away. No time to lalagag! Right now, Nico and I are running between 3-7 miles. We plan to move that up in the next 2 weeks to 5-9 miles.

Side note, Kelly Gimbel might also race in San Diego as a prep for her big 1/2 Marathon in Napa Valley a couple weeks later. Read here for more details.