Team USA Time Trials

Okay...so the time trials are over. For those of you who didn't know, back in the first week of May the Team USA dragon boat coach, Bob Macnamara, came to Tampa to do time trials with a select few of Florida paddlers. After that time trial he invited 8 paddlers up to Philly to do another time trial to try out for Team USA, which will be competing at the World Championship Dragon Boat Festival in Prague, Czech Republic in August. I was very flattered, and somewhat shocked, when I pulled out the fastest woman time of the day in May and Coach Bob invited me up to Philly. With the help of Dad's frequent flier miles and hotel points it became very feasible for me to make this journey. For the past couple of weeks I have been paddling 3 times a week to prepare for this time trial.

So the day came of the time trial. I traveled to Philly with Shana, another member of my TECO dragon boat team and who would be competing in the same age group as me, and Pam, who I paddled with in Long Beach and who is in the Grand Master division (over 50). Our TECO coach, Joe, also went up that weekend to try out and thanks to him I have these cool pictures to share with you. We had never seen the type of course that we were going to time trial in. It was extremely narrow and very shallow (not to mention...really gross and dirty). But it was fair. The worst thing about the time trials we did in Tampa is that the current would change, the wind can change, and your time can end up being affected by things you could not control. We did not have that in Philly. The weather was eratic, but it did not affect the water at all.

Overall, Shana and I did really well. We had the 3rd and 4th best time of the day (out of about 13 women paddlers). I got a 2:26 on both of my 2 runs. Shana got a 2:26 and a 2:27 on her runs. The fastes woman time that day was 1:53 and 2:17. Clearly much stronger than us. Although we competed really well, we were told that we had to do "significantly" better to knock off one of the Philly girls off of the boat. You can't beat the advantage of living in Philly and being able to practice with the team 3 times a week. We held our own and as the Coach said, we made his team stronger by being there and showing them that thier seats could be overthrown. But....we did not make the team.

It was a great experience and really solidified to me what hard work and concentration can do. If I want to make paddling my life, I do feel I could improve my time to make the team. And I'm thinking about it, but we will see.

On another note, Pam made the Grand Masters team. I am soooo happy for her. Paddling is her life and she made a statement this weekend that she hasn't wanted anything this bad since she was in 5th grade. It was an honor to watch someone's dream come true.

I am heading out tonight to paddle with Pam in the OC's. I have to help her prepare for Prague!!! This is the race course.

Me in the OC1 during my 2nd time trial.

Pam doing her thing. Doesn't she look amazing for being 52! She's my idol!

Shana at the starting line with Coach Bob. I wish you could see Shana up closer. She has the most amazing arms in the world.

A NY birthday party

So we went up to NYC for the weekend for a 5 year old birthday party. It was the most amazing party. They had karate instructors,a magician, bonfire and glow sticks at night. Christian had a blast. We were able to go around the city on Friday for the day. We took a train ride in that Christian thought was so cool. Unfortunately it rained all day and it was in the 50's. So we were wet an cold, but we didn't let that slow us down. We walked to the Empire State Building from Grand Central Station. Then took a taxi to the Children's Museum. We probably stayed there for about 2 hours, while Christian played. He loved it there. I think his favorite part was watching a video on what the inside of your body looks like and how you digest your food. It made farting noises and he thought that was hysterical!! We then had pizza and cheesecake, which was soooo yummy! Christian didn't like the cheesecake though. Then we walked from the museum to Time Square. We had a poncho over Christian's stroller because he started to get cold. We went to Starbucks for some hot chocolate (there really is one on every corner) and a potty break. Christian was sitting on the table and it tipped. He got a nice bruise on his chin, which you can see in one of the pictures. After that he zonked out and slept in the stroller all the way to Times Square. We walked up Broadway. Despite the cold, rain and wind it was a really cool way to see the city by walking. I really hope to do the NY Marathon one day. When we got to Times Square he woke up and we took the train back home. The party was the next day and then we came home. It was a fantastic weekend!!!You could hear Christian's punches above all the other kids. He is so strong!

I was a little disturbed by this. He didn't mingle with the kids too much and really stayed to the side. I can't wait until he starts school.

The birthday boy, Josh!

Waiting for his slice of cake.

Josh's sister, Julia. She was so very cute and full of personality.

There's the bruise on his chin.

Christian loved making marshmallows for his momma and his momma loved eating them. :-)

Madeira Beach Triathlon 2009

We all survived. These are some friends from work that I did it with.I started 16 minutes after the first heat. That is why you see the discrepency in time.The tri went pretty well. It was a 1/2 mile swim, 15 mile bike and 3.1 mile run. I finished in 1 hour 32 minutes. However I did get a 6 minute penalty. Evidently they were really serious about not wearing your ipod. They told me to take it off when I started my bike, so I had it around my neck. I guess because they could still see it...I was penalized. Jeesh!! I learned that lesson. I need to work on my bike portion, but I felt good about the run and the swim. Especially since the run was on the beach. We had to actually run in the sand. It was crazy! Overall it was a well organized race and I would do it again.

Beach Vacation for Memorial Day

We had the best vacation for Memorial Day. The weather was perfect. It had rained all week and I was really worried that we picked the absolute worst weekend to go to the beach. We had about 2 hours of rain the first morning and then the rest of the 4 days could not have been more beautiful. First thing CJ did of course, was jump in the pool!

My little pirate. They had a kids club there that he went to and they painted treasure chests and dressed up like pirates. He had a blast!

Then he made a shark tooth necklace with Red Beard the Pirate. He wore that necklace all weekend.

At dinner that night we had a little gun show going on.

Momma's guns!

Facebook photo! :-)

This was our cabana on the beach. I loved it and only wished we spent more time there. When given the option of the pool or the beach, the pool won out every time!!

We went to Twistee Treat one night. It was soooooo good!! It reminded me of the ice cream place we use to go to in NJ when we were kids.

He finally decided to brave the slide. Look how excited he is!

It was so tall!

Christian made friends in the pool and they had these water guns. The kids had a blast with them. It wasn't long though before security came over and asked us not to use them. Some of the guests were complaining that they were getting splashed. Come on people...go to the adult pool if you don't like it.

Hot dogs and french fries. I was so tired of french fries by the end of the trip.

It was a great vacation!! Off to New York now next week. Should be fun!

Momma's Dragon Boat Race

The race this year was fun. A little disappointing, we took 2nd and 3rd, but still fun. I am in the 3rd row. We just got done racing...so I am exhausted!

The boat looks good here. They are all in good form. This isn't the boat that I race in.

Put your game face on!!

Momma and her little dragon boater!!

Me with Chey and Alyssa in front of the iron dragon.

Florida Aquarium

All of these pictures were so cute that I couldn't limit the ones I put on the blog. Aunt Penny took Cheyenne, Alyssa and Christian to the Florida Aquarium. He had a great time as you can see. They took what I thought would be a short walk to the Dragon Boat races to come see my 2nd race. Then went back to the Aquarium to play in the water park. It was a VERY hot day. So the water felt good!!

A Penquin! Silly boy closing his eyes.

Chey, a Shark, Christian and Alyssa.

He is sooooooo handsome!!!

Checking out the dolphins teeth.

Inside the shell. Check out the tatoos on his leg.

What a cute photo!

On his tippy toes.

Standing on the turtle.

Chey and the turtle egg.

Alyssa and Christian. Blue looks good on you girl!!

He's been so into Gators lately. I can't decide if it is because of the real Gators that live around Penny's house or because of the Florida Gators. I may be in denial.

My aplogies to all...

So I'm so sorry that I have not been updating this blog. We have so much fun with Christian and I've been selfish not sharing it with all of you. He is such a happy kid. I hear from everyone that is around him about how good he is, how well he listens, how he is a joy to be around. As much as I believe that and can't get enough of him, it is so nice to hear it from others. He has a great sense of humor. He loves to sing and listen to music. He loves animals and taking care of them, although sometimes he has a hard time showing it to Cowboy...his love is a little rough. He is so sweet and continues to tell us constantly that he loves us, every minute that he gets. He loves to snuggle at night, and I cherish the moments that I get to put him to bed and read him stories (Thanks to Aunt Penny's generous donation to the Christian library). And even cherish when 3 hours later he is crawling in bed next to me and continues to kick me all night long. He's the typical kid when it comes to eating...living on a diet of Chick Fil A, macaroni n cheese, hot dogs, alfredo pasta, and yogurt juice...with the exception of eating broccoli. So if any of you have suggestions on how to get him to eat more...I'm open to it. It's nice that with Kyle's schedule he is able to spend most of his days with Daddy. When Kyle can't watch him we are so lucky to have Aunt Penny and Aunt Pam as a willing volunteer and GaGa and GaGas close by to stay with. Alyssa is the best babysitter, since Dragon Boat season has started up again. He loves being outdoors. Riding his bike, his hummer, his scooter, jumping on the trampoline. He is so active!!

We are so fortunate to have Christian in our lives. I was watching MTV and they had a show on there True Life that was called "I placed my baby for adoption". It was in the view of the birth mother and it brought me to tears to even partially see a little bit of what Michael Anne might have gone through. To imagine the moments after the paperwork was signed and she went home to Michaela. She did what was in the best interest of Christian and that amazes me every day. She is a loving person, who would have done her best to raise him with the love that she could give, but wanted more for him out of life. Every day Kyle and I try to live up to that. To give Christian the best life he could have. To shower him with everlasting love that he can count on. To surround him with other people that will be a positive influence in his life. He is a gift. A special, chosen child. He was meant to be in our family and I'm so thankful for the love and support that we receive from our family when it comes to raising him. He has a bright future ahead of him. It seems to be going by so fast. I'll try to do better at updating this blog so it won't go by in a blur.

I love you all!!