Nursemaid's Elbow

I knew early on that I wasn't cut out to be a doctor or a nurse.

When I was 10, I accompanied my sister to the emergency room with her 3rd (I think?) broken arm. The dr gave her a shot and I passed out on the other side of the room. I spent the rest of the night playing minesweeper on a computer.

When I was a teacher, I was scared that a medical emergency would happen and I would be out cold on the floor, not able to help. I actually designated a student in charge of going to get help if I passed out.

So yesterday Erin H and I were swinging Kiran when her elbow dislocated. I knew it was going to happen- I could just sense it. When Kiran was about 18 months old, we were playing at a park and I lifted her up by her arms onto a platform. Luckily we were playing with a mom who used to be a Physician's Assistant and she knew that Kiran had Nursemaid's Elbow and she knew how to fix it. I had read that after it happens once, the probablity of it happening again is very high. So I had kinda been waiting for it.

So Erin & I swung Kiran and it happened. She grabbed her arm and pulled it close to her. Without thinking I took her arm and put it in the right position for it to go back into place. We all heard it "pop" back into place (oh I'm getting a little queasy just thinking about it now). Kiran said it quit hurting right away and went right back to playing.

I did it. And more importantly, I knew what to do. I don't know if my mom just had a whole lot more knowledge than me or if she was a really convincing actress but she always knew what to do. I feel like I'm always calling my mom or my sister or googling "insect bites" so I can have an idea of what in the world is going on and how do I deal with it. I tend to lean towards the eh wait it out side (we're currently waiting out sienna's fever and throwing up all over me) but I worry one day I will underreact to something serious.

But yesterday, I didn't overreact or underreact. I knew what to do and I fixed it. Without passing out.

Confessions of a First Time 5Ker

I ran my first 5K last night: the Candlelight Run. I set a goal and yesterday was Race Day!

We dropped the girls off at my parents' house and headed over to the race. We checked in an hour and a half before the race and discovered they had already handed out all their goody bags! Luckily we knew the person at the Sportsclub booth so we could get some free 5 day passes (hint: it was my sister). I was so excited to pin on my number and to attach the chip to my shoe. I felt like a real runner. Except that I noticed that everyone around me had these super tiny ipods to run with. Turns out they were ipod shuffles. Learn something new.

Erin & I headed towards the middle of the 2000 people racing for the start and I was so pumped about actually running that I forgot to start my watch when I crossed the start line. I didn't remember until about a minute into the race. Note for next time: start your watch when you hear all the beeping!

We had heard that the course had changed so that the finish was downhill. What we didn't know was that 1.5 of the first 2 miles was a slow, steady uphill. I had forgotten to start my watch, the miles weren't marked and Jonathan was running with his GPS watch that I usually borrow for runs so I just kinda ran. I tried to keep a good steady pace and I hoped it was enough to get me in under 30.

I felt good through the race and I finished strong and fast. But I crossed the line at 30:50 and I wasn't sure how much time had passed between the clock starting and my crossing the start line. Finally this evening they posted the times.

29:28

I did it. I am so proud of my accomplishment. I totally have a runner's high. I actually compared it to labor- not the physical aspect so much but the sense of accomplishment and awe that came right after. I think I want to do this again. Maybe I'll aim for the 28s.

Thanks Erin H- I don't think I would have committed to the race and trained if you hadn't agreed to come run with me!

Reasons #420 & #421 Why I Love My New Computer

I can do things like this:

Kiran in pink bathing suit around 10 months old

Sienna in pink bathing suit around 10 months old

And I can do things like this:

Kiran summer '07

Kiran summer '08

Kiran summer '09

I love having enough space to store all my photos on my computer!

I Have Learned...

...that I'm no good at running without a plan and a goal.

So.... I found a goal and I made a plan. Erin (Lucas) Halsey is going to drive down from VA and we are going to run the Candlelight Run. Its a 5K at night and its all lit up by luminaries. Melanie ran it last year (5 weeks after giving birth!) and she's going to run it again this year. If I can run 13 seconds faster than she did right after giving birth, then I will have met my goal.

My goal is to run my first 5K in under 30 minutes. It can be 29:59. I don't care as long as I get in under 30. That is my goal. And I only have 6.5 weeks to get there!

Anyone else want to run with us? I think we should make T-shirts. Can you even order 2 custom T-shirts? I mean I'm not totally opposed to iron-on but I'd rather it be real.