Little Einsteins Inspired Our Vacation

The Bligh's are headed to Norway. Yep all three of us. J and I haven't taken a big overseas trip since K became part of the crew. We've been itching to bring K along with us, but weren't sure if she was old enough or where we would go. After the move and new schools and all the adjustments she's made it was clear to us that she was mature enough to handle the long flights and unfamiliar food. But more importantly that she would remember the trip and could appreciate seeing another country and another way of life.

Enter The Little Einsteins
The first tv show that K ever watched with interest was The Little Einsteins. The first time she saw the aurora borealis she was hooked. We would spend weekend mornings getting sucked into a YouTube wormhole of breathtaking videos. When a friend moved to Alaska she sent links to watch the lights live and photographs of the amazing show she witnessed from her backyard. It seemed natural to make this her first big adventure.

Norway
J showed me we could fly round-trip to Oslo for cheaper then a trip to Cleveland and I said let's get K her passport. We'll be using Norwegian Air out of JFK. They bill themselves as a budget airline offering non-stop services from a few US airports to Europe and the Caribbean. You pay for in-flight services ala carte (Want a blanket? That's $5 but you get to keep it. That sort of thing.).

Once in Norway we'll be spending a couple nights in Oslo, then flying north to Tromso. Even though we both have traveled overseas several times, it's always startling to see how much cheaper it is to get transportation within a country in Europe. Be that a train or flying. For less then the price of one ticket to get from Norfolk to Savannah all three of us are flying.


But forget all the prices and numbers. Why take a five-year-old to Norway? Because it's supposed to be one of the friendliest places to visit. Oslo has lot's of children appropriate museums and a castle to see. Because it looks like where Frozen took place. And the Northern Lights are like magic.

My Favorite Things September Edition

I haven't lived this far north in years and I forgot how wonderful fall is as a season.  Cool weather means we've opened the windows up and I have a reason to wear a scarf again. K in all five years on this planet has never lived anywhere where fall happens. She's excitedly pointed out the leaves changing on our way to the bus stop. Hope her enthusiasm stays as she's helping rake the yard.

Training I've Loved

• Establishing a one rep max in 5-6 sets (think big lifts; squats, deadlift, bench press). I am guilty of slowly creeping up when maxing out my lifts and finding myself tired by the time I'm near my maxes. My training has called for me to establish a one rep max front squat in 5-6 sets and I find that by taking larger and less jumps I have more in the tank. I'm coming for you 250 front squat!
• Russian twist on the GHD. A fun variation to a traditional ab exercise.  Engages the spinal erector muscles, turning ab work into back strengthening work as well. You can hold onto a plate, kettle bell or wall ball to scale this up.
• Single arm dumbbell press. I re-injured my right shoulder and bicep this month and it was a good reminder to focus on single arm dumbbell work. Using dumbbells rather then a barbell allows you to focus on using your arms independently and works to correct any strength imbalances you may have.

Good Stuff to Eat and Drink

• Quaker Oats Steel Cut instant oatmeal Quick and yummy. I usually make two packets at once and add a handful of whatever berries we have around.
• St. Francis Red Splash 2011 The in-laws serve St. Francis Cabernet for holidays. This is a cheaper blend that I found at Fresh Market for $9.99

Workout Accessories

• Ladies Lift Here 3/4 sleeve baseball shirt and off-the-shoulder sweatshirt. Well fitting and supports an awesome group of women promoting the sport of women's strongman competitions. It looks like they are no longer available but follow their facebook page where they announce limited quantities of apparel and merchandise. 
  

No. 2

I apologize to anyone who came into contact with my daughter this morning. She is napping now and promises to make a fresh start to the day this afternoon.

As a result of a comment I made on a high school's classmates FB post, J and I are planning a trip home for Labor Day weekend. I am most excited about eating watermelon and cantaloupe flavored ice cream at the melon festival, and embarrassing the crap out of my husband by participating in alumni marching band.

Go read this, it's amazing and sums up all that I love about coaching and competing and CrossFit.

No. 1

At two times in my life I have had a moment where I realized just how alone I was. That no matter what plans or arrangements I made, no matter what I'd hoped to accomplish that day, that I am a mother and that ultimately it comes down to me sacrificing everything for my girl. I am an Army wife, hundreds of miles away from family, friends come and go, my husband comes and goes. In the end it is just me.

I was 6 weeks postpartum. A day I had looked forward to since we'd gotten home from the hospital. I could return to the gym. Return to the place where I felt strong and in control. My husband left for work that morning promising to be home in time for me to go to my favorite class. He didn't make it. I sat there in my workout clothes on the front porch like a jilted bride. I bawled my eyes out while my daughter slept. Realizing all at once that when I became a mother I'd given up my freedom. Given up control over my life. That ultimately I could only rely on myself.

And then to tonight. I'd decided that since my husband was gone I would take the opportunity of not worrying about having dinner on the table and Katelyn happy for him to come home to every night to work on becoming a better coach. I'd reached out to friends for the name of a new babysitter and was all setup to head into Savannah for the evening. J has been gone for two weeks, won't be home for three more. I was looking forward to an evening spent talking about biomechanics, squatting, butt-winking and other nerdy CrossFit coach stuff. The babysitter didn't show up. K sat at the counter, excited beyond belief to meet this new sitter that shared her name. I tried to hide my tears of disappointment and of frustration from her as I started her mac-n-cheese. There is no one who can come help me. It's just me and my girl and a rather useless but pretty dog.

I'm ok.

That is an intentional period at the end of the title.  I'm ok.  That's all I've got right now.  If it weren't for friends, a great workout, and a nice hot shower I don't know how I would have soldiered through today.  My child has hit the terrible two's with a vengeance.  And it's just me.  I don't get to say you handle her for the night.  It's just her and me all day, every day.  Today was a bad day.  She wouldn't stop screaming and crying.  I get that she's frustrated because she doesn't know the words to say what she's thinking. She doesn't know how to get her point across any way other than to cry and whine Mommy, mommy, mommy over and over again.  It was horrible.  I tried changing venues, I tried giving her dinner, I tried reading to her, she sat in time-out.  Finally I gave up and put her to bed.  And poured a glass of wine.