thirteen point one

Sunday, April 23, 2017, I ran my first half marathon, The Flying Pirate, in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. That's 13.1 miles.

I set the goal to run my first half marathon this time last year. My best friend, Meghan, was a big inspiration for this. She was training to run her first half marathon when Fletcher was born and was set to run the 2016 Flying Pirate race. Not only was she in great shape but she seemed happy and excited about running. So, I set my goal to run my first half by the time Fletcher was a year old. I chose the run the same race as Meghan for several reasons, but mainly because of the beach and mostly flat course.

After I was cleared by my doctor, about 6 weeks after birth, I started working out off and on but I didn't get serious about training for the half until January. I used the same training program as Meghan, because, why not. Jared got me a treadmill for Christmas so I could no longer use the "I don't like running in the dark at night" excuse. Finally, I started paying for Orange Theory to use as my cross training days. If I pay for something, I am determined to use it and make the most of it. With all the barriers removed, I could focus on running and increasing my mileage safely.

Jared was a huge support throughout all of my training. Especially the evenings where I had Orange Theory and Saturdays when I did my long outdoor runs. Since he is quite familiar with training for this sort of thing we was able to offer a lot of advice from pacing myself to race day prep.

Four months of training seemed to drag. There were days, where I wanted nothing to do with running. I wanted to be on the couch with Jared [and a glass of wine] but I did it because I knew I would regret missing a day. I slowly added miles to my bank and gradually saw my overall pace decreasing. This is what kept me going [and the fact that I told everyone I was planning to run a half]. Those that know me well, know I don't back down from a challenge and once I tell one person I am going to do something, I follow through. For example, natural birth.

I logged 172.4 miles and saw my average mile time go from 11min 30sec to 9min 30sec. I started to feel like a real runner.

two days before the race with all my swag

Race day was here before I knew it. I was so nervous the morning of the big day. Much more nervous than I had anticipated being. What if I failed? What if I got sick? Or hurt? What if I get lost? Not to mention the off and on rain that was testing me.

We left before Fletcher woke up. Not to fear, my mom and brother were at the house with him. Jared walked with me to the starting line. He reassured me the entire time that I was prepared for this. He promised me that I was not going to fail. But most importantly, stressed how proud he was of me. Good thing he stayed too because I couldn’t get my stupid headphones to work. Dang technology. At 5 minutes to 7 we were directed to go to our corrals. I was in Corral B because of my average pace time (as Jared explained to me). After we were corralled like some cattle, he kissed me goodbye and I was alone to run.

The gun went off, I shoved my headphones in and people started to move. This was it. No turning back now. The beginning of the race was very emotional for me. I felt myself getting teary eyed as I passed under the first time sensor. But then tears started flowing after I saw Jared had stayed to watch me cross the start line and was snapping pictures of me. Good golly, I have one sweet man. The touchy-feely-feelings didn’t last long because I was quickly reminded that I was running a race with 1199 other people.

I heeded Jared’s advice and ran painfully slow, like 10min 39sec slow, for the first mile. I didn’t want to rush and get a cramp trying to be a badass. I did have to complete 13.1 miles after all. I was here to complete the race not beat any records. Which I had to keep reminding my overly competitive self.

The course was beyond beautiful. We ran backroads through neighborhoods, along the Albemarle sound and were cheered on by locals (despite the cold and drizzle).  I really felt a sense of community from the other runners and the spectators. I was actually having fun. The miles were flying by thanks to the gorgeous scenery and Jared’s epic Dad Jams 2017 playlist.

We came to a long flat stretch between miles 9 and 10. I could see a bright red NC State sweatshirt in the distance. There they were! Fletcher was bundled up in Matthew’s jacket and didn’t see me. Sweet Jared was holding a sign and attempting to clap and wave to me. My mom and brother were cheering so loud. It was just the motivation I needed to get me 3.1 more miles.

The last three-ish miles were spent in the Nags Head Nature Preserve. Tiny rolling hills and off-road terrain. I kept thinking how much Jared would love running back here. The narrow trail was lined with signs made from volunteers which contained knock-knock jokes and fun facts about the Outer Banks. The perfect distraction for the last several miles.

Mile 12 came and the course went from 3 to 4 people wide to just 1 and it was the hilliest mile. Some people were walking but I felt like I was booking it. Luckily, I trained in the rolling hills of Raleigh so I was prepared for this. I was passing people and feeling good. There was a volunteer at the bottom of the last hill cheering and letting us know this was the final stretch. At the top of the hill you could see the finish line. It was exhilarating. I just kept thinking, don’t fall and roll down this giant hill in front of all these people.

the very unattractive "I just ran 13.1 miles look" at the finish line

I sprinted through the finish line and saw my family again. Fletcher finally caught my eye and it was the most amazing feeling in the world. This was for him. One mile for every month he has been alive. Thirteen point one miles. I didn’t cry at the finish like I thought I would. But, I felt accomplished.

I finished just under my goal time of 2 hours and 10 minutes. The guy who finished in first completed the race in 1 hour 12 minutes 13 seconds #overachiever. But I did finish in the top 35% of the overall race and in the top 25% for my gender. Pretty badass.

We spent the next couple hours at the after-race party. Fletcher slept in the Ergo on me because who doesn’t strap their nearly 13 month to them for a nap after running a half marathon? We watched the winners get their awards. My friend Christa won the random $500 cash prize raffle so that was fun. But mostly, we were enjoying the free beer, company of other runners, and basking the glory that I had just finished my first half marathon.

with Christa the big cash winner!

It is a wonderful feeling to know that I completed this goal I had set for myself. It wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. I assume thanks to the 4 months of training. There is something to be said for that cathartic feeling you get while running.  I am actually thinking about running another one in November. I am sure that is the runners high talking though.

Fletcher's First Birthday (and Party)

Then, March 28, 2016, 10:32 pm:

Now, March 28, 2017, 10:32 pm:

Fletcher's first birthday fell on a Tuesday, there was too much celebrating we could do. We still tried to make it special. Jared and I woke him up for the day by serenading him with "Happy Birthday." We think he enjoyed it.

I left work early to get him from daycare. We got home in time for a wagon ride around the neighborhood. And in time to snap a few pictures in front of his magnolia tree. The tree was a gift we got on the day we brought Fletcher home from the hospital. We planted it in the front yard and will enjoy watching the tree grow with him over the years.

Once Dad got home we headed off to get Fletcher's first haircut! He sat in the police car chair. Dad got to pick the movie from a very wide selection of VHS's on the wall. Of course he chose Fox and Hound. I think this might have been the first time Fletcher had ever really seen a cartoon before. He's not very interested in the TV, thank goodness. He did so great while the sweet lady cut his hair. He got a little antsy at the end because he was tired of being strapped in.

Big boy haircut meant big boy dinner. Where else would we go for our child's first birthday? Sawmill, of course!

It was a very low key day and wasn't anything too out of the ordinary for us. I still felt all the feels of my sweet little boy turning a year old and sobbed while I rocked him to sleep. After he went to bed I replayed the video of him being born and looked through all 300 or so pictures of the first few days of his life. Then we promptly went in at 10:32pm to wish him official happy birthday.

April 1, 2017: Fletcher's First Birthday Party!

We completely underestimated how many people were actually going to show up for Fletcher's birthday party. Can I just reiterate that we have the most wonderful family and friends? People traveled from all over to come celebrate our boy with us. Many made a day trip just so they could wish him a happy birthday which just made us feel incredibly special. We are so lucky to have everyone of those people in our lives.

Fletcher on the other hand was a little overwhelmed with all these people at his house. The poor boy woke up from his nap and the next thing he knew 30 people were there, some even that the audacity to bring their children to his house (who Fletcher is normally excited to see, by the way). He was not interested in entertaining or showing off his little personality. He either wanted to be held by me or his JuJu and no one else. I definitely think the saying "its my party, I can cry if I want to" comes from a first birthday.

 He did warm up after he had his smash cake (and I let him play with no clothes on). I guess the boy is more comfortable sans pants but, aren't we all?

I made him a low sugar smash cake with blueberry icing on the inside and covered in raspberries

The bib was made by his Aunt Charli Kay and was gifted to me the Christmas before Fletcher was born. When I opened it I knew I wanted him to wear the bib on his first birthday. There is something very special about being a Rice man. I guess you have to be one (or be married to one or have one as your dad or son) to know just what that means :)

Fletcher got so many gifts we didn't even know where to start opening them. For a kid that had a very small corner dedicated to his toy collection in the living room, I am sure this was overwhelming too. He did enjoy opening some gifts and made everyone giggle when he was just as obsessed with the lama wrapping paper as everyone else.

see the awesome lama wrapping paper? next to Fletcher, Kelly's wrapping paper was the talk of the party

Overall, we had a great time! It was definitely more a party for us considering the food (pork and chicken wings) and beverage choice, but we figured this was probably going to be one of the few birthdays we could actually have a say in the theme and decorations.

sweet Elizabeth came all the way from...Kernersville :)

Thomas and Gigi (Virginia, pregnant with baby Bledsole, due in July) came from Wilmington for the day!

Julia, Will and Wade traveled to Greenville then to Raleigh to spend the night which allowed Fletcher and Wade to have their first official sleep over!

sweet Meghan and Ryan came all the way from Charlotte for the day. Meghan came to meet Fletcher the morning after he was born. She is one dedicated Aunt and we LOVE her so much.

all mamas wild college friends aka Fletcher's crazy aunts who spoil him rotten with toys and sugar.

I wish I had taken more pictures of everyone that was there, especially more of those that had made a trip to see us, but we have the memories to last. We can't thank everyone enough for coming to celebrate our sweet boy turning ONE!

Cheers to us officially having a TODDLER.

Fletcher 12 Months

Man, what a roller coaster of emotions that hit me on March 28, 2017. Our baby is now a toddler. That just doesn't seem real [the unwarranted tantrums are certainly real]. My mind can't quite wrap itself around the fact that a year went by in what seems like the blink of an eye. All those clichés are oh so true. I am steadfast trying to hold on to every.single.moment. But, here we are, with a ONE YEAR OLD, our one year old, and I just can't believe it.

TWELVE MONTHS

Similar to the emotions I felt on his birthday, this age is a lot like a roller coaster. One minute we are happily playing and the next, the world is ending because the toy fell out of his hand incorrectly. The tantrums can be intense. We know they are happening out of shear frustration because he can't fully communicate his needs. That fact doesn't make them any easier to deal with. We just think he gets his expressiveness from his mom. Since the time he took his first steps, he has been on the move, and goes non-stop until he falls or passes out. He is truly a mamas boy but lights up the second dad comes into a room or he sees him pulling into the driveway after work.

MONTH HIGHLIGHTS

walking everywhere, mom and dads first weekend away, blowing kisses, visit to mama's work, second snow, mama's 28th  birthday, Saint Patrick's Day, brushing hair, solo weekend with mom, tantrums for no apparent reason, trip to Wilmington, first haircut and FIRST BIRTHDAY!

second time in the snow. which promptly melted about an hour later.

birthday boy! standing with the sign I wrote a few days after he was born.

FAVORITES

Activity: walking [especially outside], playing "hide and seek" and mini chase. He loves when we gasp and say "I'm gonna get you." He squeals and "runs" away. Enjoys taking sunglasses and hats off and putting them back on [over and over].

Food: carbs, any fruit, and cheese

Toy: he got a ton for his birthday but probably likes the magnets on the fridge the best, thanks to his Great Aunts.

DISLIKES

upset because he put pasta on his own head.

Activity: being frustrated, not getting his way, not being held the second he gestures to be picked up, being strapped in, laying down for diaper changes and getting dressed, and being left at daycare by mom. yes, we are going through a little attachment issue phase right now.

Food: meat

TYPICAL DAY

Eating: we slowly transitioned to whole milk one week prior to turning 12 months. We mixed whole milk with breast milk until he was only drinking cold whole milk. We chose to use FairLife milk. Won't bore you with the details of why we chose this but we plan on sticking with either the ultra-filtered milk or organic milk. In addition to starting whole milk we dropped the bottle. All milk is now consumed from a sippy cup, four times per day. The transition to both were much easier than I thought they were going to be. Praise.

Sleeping: at daycare he is napping on a cot now! Like a little boy. Be still my heart. He only naps once there, 12pm-2:00ish. On the weekends we are still getting two naps, one morning (9-10:30) and one afternoon (1:30-3). Night sleep is still the best. Since switching to sippy cup a night he doesn't drift off while drinking his night milk so he is wide awake when we put him down. He will roll around for a few minutes but puts himself to sleep pretty quickly. He sleeps in the craziest positions.

PICTURES FROM THE MONTH

our first weekend away

one happy boy

mamas boy

hanging out at work with mom

welcoming dad home from work

visiting downtown Wilmington

with his two favorite ladies

first time trying ice cream at Kilwins

celebrating Vance's birthday (sans Fletcher)

its all good baby baby

With the number of times I mention the word tantrum in this post it probably seems like all he does is freak out. But the truth is that we are just so used to having a very calm child so to see him fall out on the floor for no apparent reason can be a little shocking. Just like everything else we know this is just a phase.

Sweet Fletcher James, this has been the best, craziest, fastest, funniest, hardest, and most loving year of our lives. You have changed so much since you were born. I never thought I could love you more than the first time I met you, but my heart grows for you everyday. You fill our lives with your constant joy. You have such an infectious smile and wonder for life. Thank you for giving our lives purpose. Having you here just makes sense. You are our greatest accomplishment. We love you more than you will eve know sweet boy.