Hip Hop and CrossFit.
September 1, 2010 | Filed Under Andrea, Crossfit, Eve, Friends, Photos | 8 Comments
A few weeks ago I had to take Eliza to see the doctor. She had mysterious red bumps all over her chubby arms, legs, and face. At first I thought she had irritated her skin by rolling in the wiry New Mexico grass – she had been playing “birdy” with the other kids and the grass had been their nest.
What started out as five small red bumps on her cheek morphed into a full onslaught of red bumps covering her arms and legs by the next morning. I watched them closely for a few days but decided it would be best if I braved the germs at the doctor’s office and brought her in to be checked.
Suffice to say, the doctor had no idea what the bumps were from and she gave me zero solid answers. Or an answer of any kind. Very frustrating.
One interesting thing did occur from our fruitless visit to the doctor’s office. Eliza was weighed as part of the routine check-in… thirty-two pounds. A few days earlier Eve had weighed herself… thirty-four pounds.
My girls, who are four and a half years apart in age, are two pounds apart in weight. My Eve is a chippy bird. Teeny-tiny. I’m not sure the girl has ever been on the growth chart at any of her well-child visits. We haven’t been for well-child since we left Vermont but in the years prior, Eve would follow the chart but always be under it at every point. She’s just a tiny bit of a thing.
Eve, at seven, still wears a 5T and her friend Eleanor, who is six, hands her clothes down to us. All I can say is, she’s healthy and growing, she eats great foods and sleeps plenty. God made her beautifully petite, I guess.
This year we put Eve in a hip-hop class with her two best buds, Eleanor and Kelsey.
I was able to go and watch a class a few weeks ago and I was enthralled! And convinced that I would love to take a hip-hop class. The teacher is a hoot and there’s fun loud music… it’s totally great! I’m not convinced that it’s the class for Eve. She doesn’t really feel the music. What she does have is great hip-hop attitude and a superb hip-hop “face” as her teacher calls it.
Looking through the photos Daniel snapped tonight – he was able to watch her in class for the first time – I’m thinking she’d probably like ballet a whole lot more.
Daniel is convinced she’s gymnast material. Time will tell, I guess. For right now, we’re committed to hip-hop. Perhaps in San Antonio we can explore something else.
On a non-related note, my workout stunk to high heaven tonight. Frustrating to the max. And I’ve never sweat more in my life, I can assure you.
My only comfort is that although I had an awful time with the amount of weight and the movements -because of the weight- I worked hard and I’m stronger for it. Other than that… I’m sticking my tongue out and saying, “Pfffftttt….”
And now…. Bed.
So chill.
August 29, 2010 | Filed Under Andrea, Crossfit, Daniel, Eliza Dove, Friends, It's What's For Dinner, Judah, Photos | 3 Comments
Sunday was fantastically chill. No drama, no huge tantrums from anyone – parents included. There was church in the morning and we were actually early – wonders never cease! After church everyone piled on mama and daddy’s big bed for loads of tickling and uproarious laughter. Following the tickle-fest of 2010 there was a lunch that everyone finished without the need for threats to life or limb, errands, nap time, dinner, and then our highly anticipated “dessert and drinks” with friends in the park.
Daniel was able to sneak away for a bit during nap time to check out a gorgeous 1966 Chevy truck. He’s in great need of a vehicle to drive to work both here, during the winter, and once we arrive in San Antonio. New Mexico is an ideal place to buy a classic vehicle due to the roads being salt-free in winter and the price being low as a reflection of volume in the market. Time will tell what he decides to do!
“Dessert and drinks” was a blast, as always. Gorgeous perfection in the weather department, zero flies (a terrible problem here), and plenty of amazing friends…
Gingersnaps disappeared in record time…
Gorgeous Abby was showered with love…
The swings were never empty…
What’s life worth without friendships? I never want to find out.
I rounded out the day with a back squat workout. I have a tender spot in my heart for back squats. I love them, I do. But last night… no love. The muscles across my shoulders were angry with me from the previous night’s sumo deadlifts and push jerks. Laying the heavy bar onto those sore muscles was no fun… no fun at all.
I set a personal record – which isn’t much so don’t get too excited – my body isn’t built for strength. I was happy nonetheless. I did get stuck once, thankfully Daniel saved me. The last time I dumped the weight while in a back squat I did it incorrectly and hurt my back, I had much trepidation about dropping the weight again. I’m grateful for my man who lifted the bar off my shoulders like it was a feather.
Before we headed to bed, Daniel and I watched a couple of episodes of “Friends.” I love ending the night in gales of laughter…
And now, a brand new week!
Saturday.
August 28, 2010 | Filed Under Andrea, Daniel, Eliza Dove, Eve, It's What's For Dinner, Photos | 6 Comments
I never really know how Saturday is going to play out. Sometimes Saturday is great. Sometimes Saturday just sucks.
Last Saturday… sucky.
This Saturday… great.
I think the problem lies in Saturday being a wild card day, and I just don’t deal well with that. I have the same basic structure every day of the week with the kids. Sure we change activities once in a while but each day is pretty much the same. Routine is good for the kids and good for me.
Weekends though… we flail.
I don’t like flailing.
Today I took the bull by the horns. I planned ahead and decided that I would keep the day as much like our regular week days as possible. You know what, it worked beautifully.
The only thing that changed was that we didn’t work on any school. Judah was sad and grumpy about that. I tried to appease him by telling him that we could work on a small school project but I just realized that I forgot to. I feel terrible! The boy loves school and I am stinkin’ thankful for that.
This morning and into the early afternoon all five of us worked on chores around the house. We cleaned and laundered and vacuumed and mopped; I even took the kitchen table out to the driveway and scrubbed the tar out of it. Sadly I think I may have scrubbed a little hard because I actually took the varnish off. Our poor little table looks awful now. I’m bummed!
Lunch time and nap time stayed the same, we played with friends afterward, and dinner was normal. Our day worked and I am happy.
Gosh, you know, as I write this I realize that at times I am a slow learner. I should have realized that the loss of routine was the problem way before now. I guess the saving grace is that at least I’m learning.
Daniel made sure to spend some time with each of the kids individually today. He’s been working long days and time at home has been somewhat limited. One of the characteristics my husband has that I appreciate is how he plays with the kids in the way that works for them. Today with Judah he built a high tech airplane out of legos; with Eliza he played house; with Eve he played monopoly.
Eve mopped the floor with her Daddy! And clearly, she felt terrible about it.
Daniel and Eve… two peas in a pod. Terrifically alike in every way.
Eliza and I spent some time beautifying ourselves this evening. The girl is crazy about nail polish; when she spied me painting my toes her main focus in life shifted from sucking her thumb to having her fingers and toes painted too.
The weather was pretty iffy which meant at one point we were polishing amidst sprinkles. But it was fun and she was happy as a clam. And if you’ve ever seen Eliza happy as a clam you know that there’s not much you wouldn’t do to make her be that way again. She’s delightful.
Dinner tonight was BLTs and if you know me at all you know that bacon is one of my love languages. I was a happy girl. I even had two sandwiches. I’ve cut bread out of my diet by about 95% so this was a big deal! I loved every bite.
I rounded the day out with an awesome (and hard!) CrossFit workout. I even learned a new movement – the “push jerk.” Learning it took me more than a few tries, but that was okay! I had ninety-three times to figure that bad boy out. From what Daniel, my coach, said – I got it. I’m pretty stoked about that!
I have to be honest here, I feel like I’m always saying that my day was great… Let me be clear on this, there are times in every single one of my days that are bad – maybe even awful. But when I stop in here at night to think on and write about my day, I can’t help but focus on the happy parts and thankfully, the terrible, horrible, very bad parts slip out of view.
So are we perfect here? No way! We’re just really good at forgetting the yuck.
Working on getting “scary arms.”
August 24, 2010 | Filed Under Andrea, Crossfit | 7 Comments
I received my first CrossFit t-shirt in the mail yesterday! Something snarky like these t-shirts that I see on cafepress would have been fun but I like the simple, clean “CrossFit” logo. And the fact that it was on sale plus I had a coupon!
I had to laugh when I uploaded my photos; Daniel took these photos of me and you wouldn’t believe the number of booty and chest photos I had to wade through! Or maybe, if you’re attached to a man, you would… Either way, he makes me laugh.
For some silly reason I feel like more of a serious CrossFit-er wearing a real CrossFit shirt… like wearing it will add twenty pounds to my deadlifts (don’t I wish!) or perhaps just give me back my chin when I’m lifting… Ha!
She’s got the at-ti-tude.
August 20, 2010 | Filed Under Andrea, Eve, New Mexico, Photos | 5 Comments
Girlfriend started taking a hip-hop dance class a few weeks ago and all of the sudden… POOF!
Attitude.
Nah. That’s not the truth. Eve’s had attitude forever but in a sweet, fun way. And tonight… she brought it.
Here’s her “cute” face. She is realizing that she can be cute. I love observing her self-discovery moments.
But then her shoe fell off. Oh Lordy.
What the girl has more than attitude… is drama. And she ALWAYS saves it for her mama.
I have NO IDEA where she gets all of this personality from.
P.S. Those cute straight from the 80’s sunglasses are from Goodwill. One never knows what treasures can be found in that magnificent store!
Baby, baby…
August 9, 2010 | Filed Under Andrea, Military Life, New Mexico | 14 Comments
I spent a big chunk of my Sunday evening at the park holding my friend Jamie’s baby, Abigail. Oh…. SO sweet! Soft, soft, baby head. And the sounds she made… those amazing baby sounds! And the way she snuggled right into my chest… Awwww. Love her. I’m so thankful that Jamie shared her daughter with me tonight!
I miss having my own baby. But shhh… don’t tell Daniel!
What I wore.
August 4, 2010 | Filed Under Andrea, Military Life, New Mexico | 20 Comments
The presentation for winning the photo contest was yesterday. I was nervous, man! There were a whole lot of people in that conference room. And I don’t do this kind of thing, you know? I wipe my kid’s butts and wash laundry and make copious amounts of food and do dishes…etc., etc., etc. (I could keep going with the etc. because we all know a mother’s work is never EVER done.)
I had to buy my outfit in Albuquerque because I didn’t have the time to order anything online. Can I just tell you, I am a terrible shopper! We went to the mall and the outdoor mall… nada. I ended up going to Anthropologie two times and finally made a purchase there.
I bought a white shirt.
See! Told you I’m terrible at the shopping.
Sigh. Don’t hate me. You all gave me awesome advice and… WHITE SHIRT.
What I did was pair it with dark wash jeans (Gap “perfect bootleg”) and a vintage orange chunky bead necklace, leopard print heels, my red hair, and a smile. It also helped that I had a great hair day!
Daniel said I looked great and I felt comfortable.
The presentation was good; I was broken in by meeting a few people at a time which ended up being much less overwhelming than just being thrust into the room packed with men I don’t know, all staring at me. I did have to give a little speech… Surprise! Looking back I should have expected that and been prepared. But I wasn’t. And I ended up saying the same thing three different ways. Ugg. And I didn’t even thank my husband in it. Major faux-pas in the speech-giving world, apparently.
So that’s done. I have one more presentation and this one is BIG. With a lot more people who will be staring at me. I feel myself wilting as I type this.
Geez… Give me a butt to wipe any day over speeches and presentations!
Who am I?
July 30, 2010 | Filed Under Andrea, Life Stuff | 31 Comments
I was asked a question today that I was wholly unprepared to answer.
Before this morning I was pleased as pudding with my life. Right now I am pleased as pudding with my life.
For a few hours in-between this morning and this moment, I had a frenetic “Who the heck am I” session. It wasn’t pretty. And there certainly wasn’t any pudding involved.
“Mrs. Hubbard, I need a list of your accomplishments.”
That was the question from a very nice gentleman at the marketing office on base. How was he suppose to know that he just sent my head spinning and knocked my world a few degrees off kilter?
I didn’t have an answer for him. I sputtered and stuttered and came up with, “Um, I have three kids and I’m a wife and….” My voice just kind of trailed off because well, there was nothing else to say.
I felt like I needed more. More, something, anything.
After our conversation ended and I hung up the phone, I wandered about the house for a few minutes with a frog in my throat and tears threatening to spill over. I felt inadequate, unfulfilled, and like I’d come up short next to a make-believe ruler.
I barked at my kids to give Mama some peace and sent them outside. I let the thoughts in my head twirl about like a whirlwind… How did I not know that I was inadequate before now? I had never felt like I was. I’m happy and busy and doing what I love.
Yet, to the world’s standards, being a faithful wife and a loving mother and a loyal friend doesn’t spell accomplished. I felt all of that judgment in those brief moments on the phone. The man on the other end didn’t say it, didn’t imply it, but I knew it was true.
I am a failure in the world’s eyes.
But the truth came rushing back into my heart via my wonderful facebook friends. Isn’t it amazing to have a community to rally around a hurting heart? I could never have called each of them and poured my heart out but through a couple lines in my little status bar, encouragement and love rose up like a tidal wave.
I am accomplished. Being a wife, being a mother, being me is enough.
I am enough.
You are enough.
My amazing friend Crystal helped me write a little paragraph about who I am and I sent it off in an email to the marketing office. And I’m happy because I know who I am.
I’m a devoted wife. I’m a loving and slightly crazy mother. I’m a loyal friend. I’m a woman who is passionate about life. And I wear sparkly pink high heels. Because I like them and they are “me” and all of that… is more than enough.
Dress me!
July 26, 2010 | Filed Under Andrea | 18 Comments
When it comes to fashion, I fail. I am terrible at envisioning a stylish outfit. Or seeing a piece (clothing, shoes, jewelry) and knowing the perfect items to go with it.
Honestly I have no idea the time frame I have here but I need help. I have to meet with the base commander for the presentation of my prize package and also to have my picture taken for the website and the paper. In addition, I have another function where I’ll be in a commander’s call for Daniel’s squadron – this event will be slightly more casual.
And I need something to wear for both events.
I’m stressed over this aspect!
Here is where I need you…
Dress me, pretty please?
I have looked on ModCloth and on Shabby Apple. ModCloth, while cute, seems to run a bit short for me. I need something modest and chic. Shabby Apple has a lot of cute dresses but their quality seems to be iffy.
Depending on the time frame I may only be able to order online. Though I could drive to Albuquerque if I need to.
Here’s my specs:
I’m a pear shape = small top and a “J-Lo” booty”
Height – 5′ 8″
Weight- 130
Bust- 34A
Red hair, fair skin (pink undertone)
A knees up recent photo here and a few more on Flickr
Anything else I’m forgetting?
Oh, I know. It’s still really hot here in New Mexico, short sleeved/sleeveless would be good. I totally sweat when I’m nervous too. Gross but true.
Anyway, let me know if I’ve forgotten to include anything!
*To answer G from the comments:
Budget: Around or under 100.
Impression I want to make: Classy but I don’t want to look cookie cutter. I feel like I can carry a “big” style.
My personal style: Yikes… I don’t know if I know. Maybe – vintage-y, fresh, bright, bold.
I would appreciate those of you who are gifted in this area helping me. Thank you ahead of time for any advice and direction.
Losta love,
Andrea aka The girl who is lost in a sea of clueless.
I won!!
July 22, 2010 | Filed Under Andrea, Military Life, New Mexico, Photos | 44 Comments
I am still in shock!
Daniel wrangled (LIED) me onto base this morning under the guise of a meeting with “Very Important People” that have a lot of brass pinned to their chests, for a meet and greet in honor of “Year of the Air Force Family.”
I had no clue whatsoever what the meeting was really for. I had gotten the children all dressed in nice clothes – girls in their matching Easter dresses, the boy had on the bow tie that matched the girl’s outfits – I was wearing white and make-up. Indeed, we were ready to meet these VIP’s.
When we walked into the room I saw my photo blown up on a board and sitting on an easel. I saw the prize pack and a lot of people smiling.
It slowly dawned on me why I was really in that room!
Stunned wouldn’t really describe how I was feeling.
It was wild! Before I knew it I was shaking people’s hands and hearing about all that I had won and how proud everyone is. About how next they are going to schedule a time to have the Wing Commander present my prizes and certificate to me, and how my picture is going to be on the website and in base paper. The Commander even coined me!
Seriously, I’m just me. Andrea. The redheaded dork who bares her stomach on the World Wide Web. I’m the girl who takes photos for fun and because I love to. I don’t actually win stuff! My photos aren’t nationally recognized. I mean, c’mon!
Truthfully, you guys are the ones who really won the contest for me. I entered my photo on a whim. Without your votes I wouldn’t be in this position today. Apparently over 800 votes were cast for my photo. Wow!
Thank you.
Here’s where I get mushy. But just for a second, I promise…
Thank you for believing in me. And in my photo. Your votes of confidence meant the world to me.
And in the effort for full disclosure, I did indeed do the happy dance. Though I waited until I got home. I restrained my glee while in front of “The Very Important People.”
Daniel was so relieved.
In which I bare my heart… I mean abs.
July 20, 2010 | Filed Under Andrea, Crossfit, Daniel | 24 Comments
Some people mark their fitness progress by how much they can front/back squat or push press or by their “Fran” time. And I do too.
Daniel and I are strict 3 days on 1 day off main site Crossfitters. We love it. Together in our garage gym we work really hard; Daniel is a great coach and subsequently my lifts and squats and presses are getting stronger and stronger. My workouts are becoming smoother and faster and I am learning a lot.
But you want to know what else I judge my success by?
Wait for it… it’s deep.
My abs.
I know! Can you believe how scientific my approach is?! It’s just that I’ve never really had any before. And after having three kids, I was sure I never would. My abs aren’t anything special, for sure. But, they’re there. I’m no Heather Bergeron and I still have a fat layer to work through… I can see my abs, though!
And that to me spells: progress.
Want to see? Look hard and maybe you will (*smile*)!
Progress is progress no matter what you choose to judge it by. And I’m proud of you when you make progress! I love hearing other people’s success stories. I get totally inspired.
If you have one or you’re making progress, please share with all of us so we can be happy with you! Some of us need the encouragement to start or to keep going, so don’t keep even the smallest victory to yourself!
Want to know another reason why I am working so hard?
Because I’m married to this guy:
And I’m just trying to keep up!
(P.S. The Fudge sauce recipe is found here. I left out the cinnamon and used raw sugar rather than white sugar. Head’s up – it was way too sweet so my advice is to cut down on the sugar by at least 1/4 of a cup.)
I guess we are related after all!
July 15, 2010 | Filed Under Andrea, Eliza Dove, Eve, Judah | 26 Comments
Here’s the deal. I carried Eve in my belly for 9 months. I birthed her at home so I know there was no switching of babies. I did all of the hard, hard work and I swear, she looks nothing like me. She looks like Daniel, acts like Daniel, has the same taste buds as Daniel…
Last night I whipped out my camera at dinner. Because what’s better than capturing people mid-chew? Actually it was because Eliza was looking so cute sitting in Daddy’s chair; she loves to sit there whenever Daniel’s not home. Her greatest goal in life is to be just like the big kids, you know.
Anyway, Eve made this face:
Instantly my mind went to this photo of me:
I realize I’m scary looking. I apologize. It was post-Crossfit workout and I was bright red and sweaty, waiting for Daniel to finish rowing a 2k, and acting like a dork.
But look! We made the same face!
I’m grasping at straws here, but I feel validated. We really are related. And you know what, God bless her, she’s getting my freckles. I could not possibly be more tickled!
Oh, the irony.
June 19, 2010 | Filed Under Andrea, Daniel, Deployment, Military Life | 9 Comments
I have found a babysitter. Finally. This is big news! I think it was a headline on CNN, actually.
Gosh, it’s hard for me to find a babysitter in a place where I don’t know lots of teenagers. I have issues with letting just anyone watch my kids. I get nervous and jerky about the whole leaving my kids with a (very young) stranger, you know? Anyway, we have a babysitter now. And she’s a jewel.
Daniel and I had a date scheduled for tonight to celebrate that he is home this year on the day I had to leave him last year. Did I lose you with that wordy explanation? Basically, we were celebrating that he’s home and we’re together this summer.
Sweet, huh?
Guess who got a call this morning about deploying? In an extremely short amount of time. You know, on the very day we finally had a date and we were celebrating being together. Oh, the irony. It was an emotionally taxing day to say the least.
We found out at the very end of the day that Daniel’s boss is going to go instead. Daniel is happy to go… wherever, whenever, however his Air Force needs him, he’s there; he is healthy and completely prepared. But this other guy really, really wanted to go. And I am thankful for him.
So, we celebrated tonight, as we had planned but with a little extra. And I will continue to live with a thankful heart for every day that I get to spend with my husband. And for every night that I lay down in our bed and reach my hand out and it bumps into his body. I think that is one of the greatest gifts that as a military spouses we have… extremely thankful, grateful, hearts. We don’t take any of life’s moments for granted. We just never know when it may be the last… for a little while, a long while, or perhaps forever.
Here’s to many more date nights!
This was my night…
May 11, 2010 | Filed Under Andrea, Judah, Photos | 14 Comments
Yum.
Major yum.
Major, major yum.
Major, major gross. Though, clearly it was good to the last drop.
Soon I will write a post with actual sentences.
Because I’m (almost) always the one behind the camera.
March 23, 2010 | Filed Under Andrea, Eliza Dove, Photos | 20 Comments
I don’t want to be a missing piece of the puzzle when my kids look back at their childhood photos. So, this is me injecting myself into their picture memories.
Today:
See how calm I am. Totally chill.
Daniel saw the photo and asked if we still have three children. Or if we’re down to two now.
Judah is alive and kickin’.
And so is my camera. Thank God for neck straps and sturdily built metal lens casings to break the fall. I’ll continue to let Judah take photos… with my camera. And no, I’m not stupid or careless. He has to know that Mama believes in him. And he loves to take photos; who am I to crush his dreams?
This is Sunday:
Daniel and I were taking photos for a special project that I’ll be able to tell you about soon. We laughed a lot. I loved it. We didn’t get “The Photo .” In fact, we got a lot of bad photos. But that was okay… I compared the photo taking to baby-making. All the fun was in the trying.
This one wasn’t what we were going for. But I feel pretty when I look at it. And feeling pretty is an important thing for any housewife/homeschooling mom/stay at home mom/almost 30 year old.
I could snuggle with her all day long. I’m never going to let her grow up. And that’s final.
Thus ends the most narcissist post I have ever written.
