Really, though, where has half the year gone?
Lately I've been looking at Olivia and just thinking how grateful I am to have her in my life as I watch her become smarter, and funnier, and more beautiful every day. I cannot believe she has been in my life for almost three years now, and she never ceases to amaze me. I am so lucky to be able to spend my days with her, to see her turning from a baby into a little girl.
It is full on summer down here in South Florida now, and we are poolside just about every day, provided Mother Nature cooperates. Olivia and I are both getting quite the tan this year. We spend our late afternoons swimming and splashing after lunch and nap time, and we're either spending our mornings going for walks and tidying the house, or doing errands before the heat gets to be too much.
Since I've lost 50 pounds, I treated myself to a pair of running shoes, and have started doing some more high intensity walking in addition to pulling Olivia around in her wagon a few times a week. I'd like to build up to running at some point, so I think I may try to start Couch 2 5K in October, after the weather cools a bit. It would get me running a 5K before the end of the year, just before I turn 35 at the start of next year. I've never been a runner, so there's something appealing about being able to say that I became one in my mid-30s. I really like the sense of solitude I find when I'm walking on my own, and the feeling of accomplishment that comes with it. Getting out and getting moving makes me feel refreshed. I guess it's probably all those endorphins or whatever, but it does something for me that no other form of exercise does.
I've been trying to keep my brain happy, too, and have read 44 books so far this year. Lately I've been interested in reading memoirs, and have discovered an affinity for David Sedaris. There's a book about Julia Child that I've got my eye on at the book store these days, and I'm sure it's only a matter of time before I cave in and go buy it. Posting over at my music blog continues, but lately I've felt a bit uninterested in it. I'm still enjoying immersing myself in music again, but I think the challenge of posting something every single day is beginning to wear me down a bit.
In other news, it looks like Leo and I are going to start the great search for a new place in the next week or so. The lease on our current condo is up at the end of August, and we've become very tired of putting up with our terrible landlord for the past two years, so we're going to start looking around to see what else is available. I don't think either of us is very happy at the thought of spending so much time and money to move, but at this point, I don't think we can take another year of our current situation. Hopefully it won't take long for us to find something both affordable and suitable for our needs.
Finally some recent photos of Olivia, etc. All pictures taken with my iPhone/Instagram.
This girl LOVES to go get frozen yogurt.
She's such a goofball.
Olivia enjoys our morning walks. So does Mickey, apparently.
Sometimes when we go on walks we see interesting wildlife, like this peacock, which was just hanging out in our building's parking lot one day last week.
All fresh and clean from the shower after a day by the pool. Showering with Mama instead of having a bath is her new favorite thing.
Sometimes a little girl needs a break from the sun to snuggle with her mama under the umbrella.
Olivia and Mama like to have fun in the sun.
It is full on summer down here in South Florida now, and we are poolside just about every day, provided Mother Nature cooperates. Olivia and I are both getting quite the tan this year. We spend our late afternoons swimming and splashing after lunch and nap time, and we're either spending our mornings going for walks and tidying the house, or doing errands before the heat gets to be too much.
Since I've lost 50 pounds, I treated myself to a pair of running shoes, and have started doing some more high intensity walking in addition to pulling Olivia around in her wagon a few times a week. I'd like to build up to running at some point, so I think I may try to start Couch 2 5K in October, after the weather cools a bit. It would get me running a 5K before the end of the year, just before I turn 35 at the start of next year. I've never been a runner, so there's something appealing about being able to say that I became one in my mid-30s. I really like the sense of solitude I find when I'm walking on my own, and the feeling of accomplishment that comes with it. Getting out and getting moving makes me feel refreshed. I guess it's probably all those endorphins or whatever, but it does something for me that no other form of exercise does.
I've been trying to keep my brain happy, too, and have read 44 books so far this year. Lately I've been interested in reading memoirs, and have discovered an affinity for David Sedaris. There's a book about Julia Child that I've got my eye on at the book store these days, and I'm sure it's only a matter of time before I cave in and go buy it. Posting over at my music blog continues, but lately I've felt a bit uninterested in it. I'm still enjoying immersing myself in music again, but I think the challenge of posting something every single day is beginning to wear me down a bit.
In other news, it looks like Leo and I are going to start the great search for a new place in the next week or so. The lease on our current condo is up at the end of August, and we've become very tired of putting up with our terrible landlord for the past two years, so we're going to start looking around to see what else is available. I don't think either of us is very happy at the thought of spending so much time and money to move, but at this point, I don't think we can take another year of our current situation. Hopefully it won't take long for us to find something both affordable and suitable for our needs.
Finally some recent photos of Olivia, etc. All pictures taken with my iPhone/Instagram.
This girl LOVES to go get frozen yogurt.
She's such a goofball.
Olivia enjoys our morning walks. So does Mickey, apparently.
Sometimes when we go on walks we see interesting wildlife, like this peacock, which was just hanging out in our building's parking lot one day last week.
All fresh and clean from the shower after a day by the pool. Showering with Mama instead of having a bath is her new favorite thing.
Sometimes a little girl needs a break from the sun to snuggle with her mama under the umbrella.
Olivia and Mama like to have fun in the sun.