[+] I went to the gym yesterday with the best intentions to run 12 miles on the treadmill. I was going to set my pace slow and easy and watch the Canada-Finland hockey game and just slog through and get it done. Thanks to a sore, rolled ankle from Saturday plus stomach issues galore, 12 miles turned into 7 very painful, slow, and aggravating miles. I hated every step and I couldn't wait to be done. I threw in the towel and hit up the elliptical instead for one more angry mile to make it an even 8. It was frustrating and discouraging but I'm trying to use this as an opportunity to regroup and go for it again next weekend rather than beating myself up. 8 miles is better than 0.

[+] We're all done with winter at our house. Couldn't be more over it, in fact. Yesterday was a weather-filled day, not a fluffy snow day but a freezing rain slash ice pellets slash wet snow day. Eli and I holed up in the TV room to watch the Jungle Book in the morning while Peter shoveled our driveway, estimating that each scoop weighed 40lb. It's just getting really old and unpleasant and I curse my ancestors for not settling someplace tropical.

[+] Lately I am just feeling unable to get anything done. I have big plans and I can't seem to accomplish anything. I feel like I'm making long to-do lists and setting these goals, big and small, then doing NOTHING to work towards them. I don't know where to start. Everything seems like this massive mountain to tackle. Even simple things like making a dentist appointment, setting up a meeting at the bank, getting an oil change...I just don't want to do any of it. I HAVE to do all of it. Bad combination.

[+] Just so this isn't a complete waaah-waaah post, some good things have been happening. Valentine's Day! We celebrated with a morning workout and lunch out, followed by a matinee showing of American Hustle. Date night becomes date-day-when-your-kid-is-at-the-sitter's when you have a two-year-old, so we booked the day off work to spend some time together. American Hustle was good. I'd heard it was slow and boring - people lie. Saturday night we watched the newest Star Trek movie at home. Pretty good considering I hate space, aliens, lasers, etc. And yesterday we baked the best sea salt chocolate chip cookies ever. This recipe is my go-to. I can't even count how many times I've made it and the cookies always turn out perfect.

Yes, yes, I do have a child. We haven't gotten rid of him. It's been a while since I've shared an update on Eli's world, but don't worry, he's still kicking around over here, busy being a two-year-old boy. He doesn't sit still long enough to let me take his picture, so I was lucky to get a couple quick snaps of him.


Two is a funny age. We haven't really experienced the "terrible twos", knock on wood, minus a couple of short-lived meltdowns here and there which thankfully, so far, have mostly taken place in the privacy of our own home. Overall he's a happy and agreeable guy. He loves Play Doh, Lego, puzzles, and books. His favourite foods are smoothies, cheese, fruit, sandwiches, fish, cereal, soup (but I have to pick all the beans out if it happens to be a bean-y soup like minestrone), and rice. He's always up for playing outside and going for walks and is fascinated by animals and all things that go - trucks, diggers, boats, planes, trains, machines.

Soooooo, somehow, Eli has learned what twerking is. We'll be having one of our kitchen dance parties - this is a daily thing - and out of nowhere he'll shout "TWERK TWERK" and start bouncing his rump. It's funny but a wee bit disturbing. You're TWO. Where are you learning about twerking? His babysitter is 60+ years old - I doubt she's twerking much. I hope not.

Our boy has always been a chatterbox and he continues to talk up a storm. He loves to help out in the kitchen and insists on dragging a chair over any time I'm getting food ready for dinner to watch and help. So we've had to shuffle things around - knife block out of reach, stand mixer unplugged. Cooking with him is fun, and he gets a kick out of dumping things into a bowl, stirring and mixing, and keeping an eye on whatever's in the oven.

Oh, big news - he has a girlfriend. Her name is Maria and she's three. Apparently she has really curly hair which he patted the first time they hung out and said it was "so soft and pretty". Ladies' man, that one.

January was the longest month of all time, with ALL OF the weather, a lot of lazy days, a lot of comfort food...basically, January was a cozy, comfy cocoon. Which is great and all, for a little while, but I'm ready to shed a few layers, literally and figuratively. I really want to be able to go out in just a jean jacket and flats. I love my boots and scarves but at this point in the winter, I want to pack them all away and never see them again. At least until next October.