It happened almost eight years ago now. I waddled my way outside to my car, dazed, crying and feeling completely overwhelmed and unhinged.
I was eight weeks pregnant and had just received the news of the century.
Twins.
A few weeks back I received another piece of not-quite-as-shocking-but-also-very-exciting news.
My story of how I found out I was having twins, and subsequently telling everyone I know, is being included in a new anthology – Multiples Illuminated!
I’m very excited to share my story and space with some brilliant and overachieving moms of multiples, including the masterminds behind it all, Alison Lee and Megan Woolsey. In the coming weeks and months I will have much more to share, as this process is really only beginning, but you can sign-up for email alerts and announcements so you will know the moment you can order it.
[Tweet “News of the Century! And other great #multiples stories @multiplesillum anthology. #twinmom”]
And now, in other news…
WEEK OF NOVEMBER 23, 2015
RUNNING
It’s November in New England and it’s cold. Except when it’s not. This past week had a low of 20 and high of 60. You seriously have to love it…and if you don’t please either move or move.
It’s a scarf. It’s a neck warmer. It’s both!
I ran all bundled up Monday through Wednesday and then enjoyed a little warming effect for the rest of the week. If the entire winter could be dotted with a 60 degree day here and there, everyone would be much more pleasant to be around.
Turkey Trot for two on Thanksgiving morning with my SIL. Photo credit: Miles Burdick I just took that bat (with a flag?) out of his hand so he could take the pic. I haven’t a clue what he was using it for or what the picture on it is…
Total mileage: 21.6
SWIMMING
I returned to the pool and hoped the best for my newly removed teeth. I’ve been on a steady dose of Advil most days as the pain in my sockets set in around Monday last week and didn’t let up. I was a little concerned about all the breathing and what could be living in the pool. Ewww, I know but it’s the truth.
Transiting from outside to poolside in the winter is tricky business…
I survived unscathed and felt really good just free swimming. I have to say, I’m enjoying this “no schedule” training schedule.
BARRE
I retuned to Barre class this week and I dare say it was even better! The reason? I was able to run four miles prior to class and it was the best I have felt on a run since I had my oral surgery! The sun was shining, my pace felt effortless and afterward I worked out all the kinks in class. I think this will be part of my weekly routine and, next week I can to and from class! #HowExciting
Peering into the class door…
GARAGE BOOTCAMP
This is one of my most favorite parts of Thanksgiving week! My brother, husband, SIL and I gather in the garage for a boot camp challenge the day after Thanksgiving. This year, my dad and stepmom had all the kids sleepover on Thursday night, so we enjoyed a leisurely morning and garage boot camp. Best day ever.
Also, because we live in the middle of a mountain, we included hill repeats in between each round. It was awesome.
Mam said knock you out! You can also see my old personal training studio sign, and this blog’s namesake, in the background.
FUEL
What haven’t I eaten this past week? Probably my most favorite treat was from a local candy shop. Totally not my usual love around the holidays (or anytime) but Munson’s chocolates is making candy cane truffles for the season and I almost melted when I bit into the first one. I only bought two, so I will definitely be making a return trip for about a half dozen more!
I don’t have a picture because I ate them too quickly. What I do have a picture of is the feast my stepmom laid out on the big day! She cooks all of this herself. She is a one-woman Thanksgiving machine.
GEAR
Of course I have been loving my KUHL gear and, I will be sharing some of my all-time favorite things here on Wednesday so, in the meantime I will share a very unexpected gift I received from Sue at This Mama Runs for Cupcakes:
I took this pic as soon as I got it. I’ve worn it twice since and it fits like a glove 🙂
I had commented that I loved the one she had and, lo and behold, it showed up in my mailbox last week. Blog friends are the best! Thank you so much Sue!
THINGS I LOVE
That Black Friday is becoming a thing of the past. Since more and more people shop online, there is really no reason to go out on Black Friday…of course I never saw a reason but it still existed and was part of our culture and news for days on end, and mostly in a horrible way.
I loved waking up to this headline on Saturday morning:
Suck it Black Friday! We’re taking the holiday back and putting more emphasis on family and the spirit of giving. And Amazon. Thank God for Amazon.
THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH
The return of the elf.
Which of course means the return of this reminder on my phone every night:
READING
I’m almost done with The Martian and cannot wait to see the movie! The book was fantastic and listening to it on Audible in the car has become one of my favorite things. I may start driving around aimlessly just to finish it!
My brother sent me the following article from The New York Times with this statement:
“According to this article, you should have won the NYC marathon.”
WTH?
Ask Well: Does Foot Size Affect Running? It’s a very interesting article about the correlation of foot size, running and why they make those running shoes so very light!
Obviously my brother thinks I have the foot size of a toddler but I wear a very normal size 7. If I could fit into kid-size shoes I could buy at least five more pair.
[Tweet “Does foot size affect #running? All the answers are on #TheRundown this week! #NYTimes”]
RANDOM QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“HELLO FROM THE OTHER SIDE!” sung very loudly and poorly by everyone, most especially my SIL, who continued to belt it out all.week.long. #MyEarsAreBleeding
How was your holiday?
Are you going to buy Multiples Illuminated? < – – of course you are!
What is your favorite food of the season?
I always loved we were jews and had no elf to deal with…until the child got a mench on a bench from a friend last week and now I have THAT SUCKER TO MOVE AROUND TOO!!!
Mench on a bench?? Oh that is just wrong. So sorry you couldn’t continue to dodge that bullet!
all I remember about learning I was pregnant with twins was screaming and shouting oh my god over and over. I don’t think I said anything other than that for days. And speaking of twins. That damn elf!!!
It’s a blur for sure!! I was totally dazed and couldn’t sleep…and I’m sure there was a lot of screaming…and of course, now there is so much more!
Great job on your training this week!! I love that you had a garage Bootcamp post thanksgiving ! So awesome. I didn’t buy much of anything this Black Friday weekend a) there was nothing I needed except an ironiing board cover (and that is everyday stuff!) I did buy some $9 memory cards because I am constantly filling mine up. Other than that no spending for me!!
Good for you! I’m more in the cyber Monday camp since I can get all the stuff for the boys on Amazon…actually I can get pretty much anything for anyone there 🙂
I won’t lie…I’m glad the elf became a thing after my boys outgrew Santa…
Looks like a great week for you. It has to feel good to be back at it!
Lucky mom!!
And yes, it feels great to be back at it. Thanks Wendy!
Ha I cannot even imagine about having twins. I’ll buy multiples illuminated if you sign a copy 😉 The elf…I’m LOLing.
That is a deal 🙂 Thanks Hollie!
Oh how exciting you are going to barre!!! Yay! So glad you like it!
I love your leggings in that bootcamp photo.
I was trying to explain to people in Australia the concept of Black Friday and they were all like “what is this Black Friday thing?” They think we are crazy! Haha. I’ve never been a fan of it personally.
It IS crazy! They are correct. So glad that’s something you don’t have to deal with there 🙂
The leggings are from Spandits!
OH and I’m so daft!! CONGRATS!!!!!!!!! 🙂
Congratulations Allie, from another Allie:)! Excited to be in the book with you.
What a great name! Thank you and congratulations to you too!
Yay! Congrats on the anthology and so excited for you! That is the best news. And I’m not going to lie. I love the warm weather although it does make me a little nervous about what’s in store for this winter! And also? So glad we never introduced the elf into our house!
You are a very smart woman Christine…although, the reason I keep the little bugger around is because he actually does work. They truly believe he is watching their every move. It’s totally worth it.
Congrats on the feature- that is awesome!! I am jealous of the garage boot camp. I need more family members that like to work out! So far it’s just my neice- she’ll go on runs with me (she’s 10.) Looks like a great Thanksgiving!
LOL – at least you have her!!
My family was not always like this so it’s great to now be able to kick their butts on the holidays and not be the only one going out for a quick run!
Thanks Laura.
i can’t wait to read more of your multiples pregnancy story! i’m early in mine and no multiples, so very excited (?) to read about your experiences.
that garage boot camp looks awesome!!!! i’m so envious of your mountain and area! i love where we live but no mountains. at least we have concrete hills and trails and trees 🙂
Congratulations!! And, be happy there is only one baby in there 🙂
The relationship with the mountain is definitely a love/hate!!!
OMG, I woke up at 4am this morning because I had forgot to move the F’ing elf. I’m totally setting an alarm on my phone now!! So glad you like the sweatshirt….every boymom needs one in my opinion!! Love the bootcamp idea…I just sat on my lazy ass instead in my PJ’s doing my black friday shopping from the comfort of my couch. Thank GOD for Amazon Prime.
Thank GOD is right!! I pretty much did all the boys shopping today in about 10 minutes. click. click. and click.
Thanks again for the sweatshirt. I love it!
Congrats on the book! I’m already sick of hearing about that damn elf – sorry you have to deal with that evil little turd.
I have done all my shopping online, racking up over $50 cash back already from Ebates. Problem is, most of what I bought are gifts for me. 😉
I have exactly the same problem.
Aww, Allie! I’m so glad that your story is going to be shared in this anthology; I love that you describe your walk to the car after receiving the news – GAH! What a moment! Does it seem like it’s been eight years?!! Is it bad that I want an Elf and I don’t even have kids? Maybe I can make my husband play along – ha!
Some days it seems longer! I feel like I was so clueless when this all started and now, I’m a pro 🙂 I wish I could go back and tell the pregnant me to relax!!!
That is funny about the elf. I think if there’s not the pressure to move it every night, it might be fun!
Congrats on the anthology – how exciting! I was so glad to read that Black Friday sales are down – and thank goodness for Amazon Prime so I can lazily shop from home and spend time outside rather than in a crowded store. Those candy cane truffles sound delicious – just thinking about them is giving me a sweet tooth!
OMG they are so good! I’m going to need a supply to last though the winter 🙂
Thanks Laura!
Oh my gosh – I think the stinkin elf is stuck in one of the boxes I haven’t unpacked since our move!! Crap – the elf!!! I was totally cracking up about the reminder on your phone. I have to do that – otherwise it’s me waking up in the middle of the night in terror because I didn’t move the elf!! Only to find out Jerold moved him. But see, that is a loss of sleep for no reason! 🙂
Yes, I definitely want you to sign my copy of the book! Love your sweatshirt from Sue!
So glad you had a great week of work outs!!
If the kids don’t remember then just leave him in the box!! And I know all too well about waking up panicked about the thing, which is why I need my nightly reminder. SO sad.
Thanks Natalie! Hope you’re having a good week so far.
:)…we totally have the same weather. One day it is 60 the next 30! I am just thankful that we don’t have 12 inches of snow like some other areas!!!
Our holiday was great!!! We all did a 5k in the morning (including my dad) and my legs cooperated better than I thought they would :). Then had a relaxing afternoon with great food. I am a major carb fan on Thanksgiving! I LOVE the mashed potatoes and homemade rolls!!!!!
Ok so I only know this because my youngest daughter wears a size 7 and I found this out while I was trying to find her some reasonably priced basketball shoes, but a size 7 is the same as a size 5 in youth shoes….so you could wear youth shoes if you found a pair you liked!!!! I on the other hand wear a 9.5 :)!
OMG that is awesome about the shoes!!! Thank you for telling me that since I obviously had no clue 🙂
I know you had a great race and I’m so happy you enjoyed the holiday. I also saw you were at one of our most favorite places – Hershey park!!
Yes we were!!! It was a blast :). I have never been there before, but I do love chocolate so it was a given that I would love it! I can not even begin to imagine finding out I was pregnant with twins!!!! I can’t wait to read all about it!!!! I meant to tell you too you can find some fun elf ideas on pinterest!
sue is the sweetest! and i have to say, i love kids but i’m kinda glad we don’t have to deal with the elf on the shelf stuff yet 🙂 sounds like you all had a really nice holiday! love the bootcamp idea!
Yes she is! I’m hell bent on meeting up with her this year so you have to join us!!
Be so, so thankful you are not dealing with the elf 🙂
Twins… yeesh!! That is my simultaneous hope and fear with my next kid.. hehe!
Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Seriously though, the first three or four months were awful but the next 5 and half years have been amazing!
I am SO glad that the Elf did not exist when my kids were little. I would not have been mother of the year, I can tell you that. I couldn’t even get my act together for the tooth fairy. She forgot a lot. My kids were gypped.
I have screwed up both so far… As for the elf, I just keep it simple. I definitely just move him around and don’t even try anything fancy. I think if I made some elaborate display, the kids would start to think he wasn’t real 🙂 That is a win/win.
Thanks Michelle!
Oh goodness, the first part of your post just made me relive the moment I found I was having twins. Let’s just say there were some tears involved! And now my girls will be turning 7 on Thursday! I can’t wait to read your story!
Wow! Congratulations! I’m almost there and, I have to say, everything past the age of 4 has been great 🙂 But yes, there were A LOT of tears in the beginning. Thank you!