Breakdown Aisle ~by Emily Carpenter

So... it was THAT day.  It's Winter Break, my husband is off, time to relax.  Except both of our daughters are sick.  And today I had two appointments and a meeting and my husband had a doctor's appointment, but we had to get the girls to the pediatrician to get checked.  My husband took the task.  During my meeting, he called to tell me my 8 month old has RSV and my reception was so bad I had to call back 3 times.  (Sprint, you are really starting to tick me off, put up more freaking towers.)  Of course my husband didn't have details ("She has RSV, but it's okay."), but okay--- she got a prescription, she'll be okay.
Meeting over, I raced home to swap places with my husband who had an appointment in 20 minutes-- got a 3 minute recap of the Sick Status. 

As soon as he peeled away, I realized he forgot the baby's prescription!  Then I looked at the prescription and realized we need a nebulizer to administer it!  He thought we had one.  Sigh.  I call the insurance, call the pediatrician, and wait for the girls to wake up from their nap to pile them back in the car to go to the pediatrician to get a nebulizer.  Baby wakes up very congested--- nurse her, then pack her and very cranky 3 year old in the car.

Two miles into the journey, my husband calls and is done with his appointment and has collected 3 more prescriptions from his doctor.  He meets up with us, I collect the nebulizer, we get on the road to Publix Pharmacy.  Cranky sick girls whooping it up in the backseat. I decide the best plan is for the 3 of them togo to Panera while I drop off the 'scrips.  Long line at Publix.  Finally get up to the window... they don't have baby's medicine.  They call Walgreens and CVS... they don't have baby's medicine.  They tell me to go to the hospital pharmacy... in the morning because it's closed.  They don't have 2 of hubby's 3 medicines.  On the verge of tears.  Go back to Panera.  The baby is burning up.  Go back to Publix--- no infant tylenol (or knock-off).  Go to Customer Service--they point me to the wrong aisle--- where I proceed to break down in tears.

Meanwhile-- my husband held it together all day.  A crazy day of failings.  That's what I felt like, anyway.  Totally inefficient, dragging my kids around when they needed to be sleeping, not connecting to any one moment in the day.  I always hear moms say they feel like they are failing and I think, "Don't be silly, you are doing great!"  But the failure comes in subtly, after a steady collection of things that don't go according to plan.  Even though we know better.  Even though we know, with kids, plans are really just "a nice idea".

I still managed to make a casserole at 11pm for a friend who just had a baby.  Last week I told her I'd drop it off Wednesday morning.  So, the funny thing is, this morning I arrived at her door, casserole in hand, kids groomed and fed... no evidence of the total mess I was 12 hours earlier.

Exercise of the Week!

Reverse Lunge with Bicep Curl:
Place one foot on a Gliding Disc or plate and the other on the middle of your tube. Slide the disc foot backward into a reverse lunge and back up, at the top of the lunge add in the bicep curl. (This can be performed without the disc or plate by simply stepping back into the lunge).

Watch for this at an upcoming class!!

Stroller Strides Says Plan Ahead to Celebrate With Healthy Choices

Stroller Strides Says Plan Ahead to Celebrate With Healthy Choices

Mom Night Out-Wine and Wrap

This month's moms night out is a Wine and Wrap at Vanessa Eskolin's house in World Golf Village!  Bring your presents, wrapping paper, wine (or favorite drink), and a dish to share.  We will wrap presents, eat, and have girl talk! 

Please RSVP through email or Facebook under the events tab.  Let us know what dish you are bringing!

Vanessa's address is 4239 S Franklinia Street St. Augustine, FL

Can't wait to see all of you there for some wrapping and talking!!!

December Playgroups

We still have 3 playgroups left for the month of December!  Hope to see you there!

Dec 15 - Holiday Ornament Craft
Dec 22 - Handprint Mold Ornament Craft
Dec 29 - Winter Photo Frame Craft

Please make sure to RSVP via email or Facebook under the events tab so we will have enough supplies!

December Mom of the Month!

Congratulations to Emily Carpenter! She is our December Mom of the Month! Emily is mom to Zoe and Teagan! She is also one of our Stroller Strides instructors and is ready to make you give it your all during her workouts! We are so proud to have her as part of our Stroller Strides family! Here is a little more about Emily...

1.  I am a control freak.  As in, "Seth, you know that's Zoe's cubby, why did you put Teagan's shoes in it?"

2.  My junior year of high school I won a top award for Chemistry.

3.  I had vocal surgery in 2001 to remove a cyst from my right true vocal cord.

4.  I love Penn State, proud to be a graduate, and hope all my kids consider it for college.

5.  There were 54 people at my wedding.
6.  Seth has a sister Carey who's birthday is Oct 13 and is a soil scientist.  I have a cousin Carrie whose birthday is Oct 13 and is a soil scientist.
7.  I am incredibly impatient.
8.  I like doing our budget, bills, taxes, and making things click.
9.  I would love to become a professional organizer, but not sure I want to start a whole new venture.
10.  I cannot believe the difference between having one child and having two.  It is way more than twice as hard with two.  It's a whole different ball game.
11.  My favorite color is lavender.
12.  I stay up too late (midnight or later) and wake up too early (6:30am) with too many wake ups in between.
13.   I want to be 100% sure we are ready before we get a dog.  (Maybe 7 years from now, LOL)
14.  I badly want a breast reduction!!-- I want to go from a J back to my normal DD-- that's 4 cup sizes!  Waiting till I am a year out from the last baby I wean.
15.  If I am not in the mood/space/or kids going nuts I do not answer my phone.  I really believe it's a convenience and if it's inconvenient, I ignore it.
16.  I have no full blood sisters or brothers, but I do have one amazing stepsister (Shelley) who has been in my life since I was 3, another stepsister since 3, a lovely stepsister since 21, one stepbrother who I have only seen once since 1998, and 4 half brothers whom I met once .
17.  I feel happy every day about who I picked to be my partner because he is my best friend.  It's something that sounds good when you're single, but as each year goes by, I constantly think, "If this dude wasn't my bestest friend and so awesome, how bored and annoyed would I be?"
18.  I wish Seth's dad lived closer and our kids could know him like a third parent.
19.  I used to care a LOT about my birthdays--like... a LOT.  Now, it surprises me that I don't care so much.  I care WAY more about Mother's Day or my kids' birthdays and half birthdays.
20.  I really love that my job allows me to be outside, be with my kids and be with other moms.  I never thought I'd still be doing Stroller Strides 3 years later.  I haven't stuck with one exercise regimen for more than 3 months.
21.  I did two tours with Cirque du Soleil playing character clowns with my husband.  We met performing on Royal Caribbean.
22.  Though I don't always practice, I think kindness is probably the most important thing.
23.  I’m a vegetarian.  Sure, sparing animals is okay, but I do it for the environment primarily and secondarily for health.  When I learned that it takes more water to produce one pound of beef than all my showers over one year combined—I started leaning into the lifestyle.
24.  I really like the new show “The Talk” (CBS 2pm) and not ashamed to admit it!  (Give it a chance!)
25.  In general, I think everything is headed to a good future.

Last Day of the 10,000 Strides Challenge!

It's the last day of the 10,000 strides challenge. Make sure you get all your steps logged before midnight 11/22. Who will be the grand prize winner of the 1 hour massage?

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10,000 Strides Challenge Week 3 Winner

Desiree Thibault has taken the prize again for week 3!!!!  CONGRATULATIONS!!   She is well on her way to winning that grand prize 1 hour massage from Massage Green!! 

Are you going to let her "step all over you"???  Get out those pedometers (if you need one email cjs@strollerstrides.net ) and get moving!!!  Then make sure you log your steps!! 

November Mom of the Month!

Congratulations to Jen Gardell!  She is our November Mom of the Month!  Jen is mom to twins, Grant and Grayson.  She has been part of our Stroller Strides family since June. Though busy working full time and keeping up with those beautiful boys,  Jen makes it to at least one class a week!  Go Jen!!  She is energetic and a great motivator!  Want to know more about Jen?  Read more…

1.        I have a brother and a sister

2.       I was born in Tampa

3.       I went to the University of Florida (Go Gators)

4.       My first love is my Rottweiler Emma

5.       I met my husband at a work training in Atlanta

6.       My favorite color is green

7.       I always said growing up that my biggest fear was having twins.  I said I would give one up for adoption---Best part of my life now but so funny that I always said that and now have twin boys

8.       All always said I would never ever breast feed and ended up pumping 80 ounces a day for 6 months :/

9.       My boys were born at 33 weeks and spent 3 weeks in the NICU

10.   The doctors thought I would be a boy and my parents were going to name me Michael.  My mother in law thought my husband (Michael) was going to be a girl and she was going to name the baby Jennifer

11.   I am the medical banker at SunTrust Bank

12.   I am a morning person and hate staying up late

13.   I was pre-vet till my senior year at college when I saw a dog be put to sleep working at a vets office

14.   I am a total blackberry addict.  My husband threatens to throw in out the window daily

15.   My favorite movie is Pretty Woman

16.   I am blind as a bat without my contacts.   

17.   My dream vacation is a trip to Australia.  My husband hates to fly so I might be taking the trip solo

18.   I have not slept through the night in 1 year (reference #7 for the reason why)

19.   In college I had 14 foster animals at one time.  Animal control gave me a list of the dogs/puppies on the euthanize list and I couldn’t control myself.  $600 bill at animal control and one unhappy roommate J

20.   I am a super picky eater.  I like very plain food and have determined I could probably live fine on baby food.

21.   Through college I was a camp counselor at Doggie Daycare called Camp Wag a Lot. 

22.   I have had my hair highlighted since I was 13 so I really don’t know what my current hair color is

23.   I have a tattoo on my lower stomach

24.   I got married on campus at the University of Florida

25.   I honeymooned in San Francisco

10,000 Strides Challenge Week 2 Winner

Join me in congratulating Desiree Thibault as she takes the title of week 2 winner for the 10,000 Strides Challenge. 

Desiree is stepping it up...is there anyone out there who will be able to take the week 3 title away?  Don't forget to wear your pedometers everywhere (even to a Stroller Strides class) and keep a log of your daily steps.  You must log them by midnight Monday of each week! 

It isn't too late to catch up...if you need a pedometer just let me know cjs@strollerstrides.net.

Now...let's get stepping!!!

October Mom of the Month!

This month's mom of the month is Lyndsay Tryba!  Lyndsay is mom to Owen and has been a member of Stroller Strides since March 2010.  We love having Lyndsay as part of our Stroller Strides family and will be sad to see her leave at the end of this month when she relocates to Washington!  We wish her and her family well on the relocation and hope to keep in touch!!  Here is a little more about Lyndsay...

1. I grew up in a small town called Howell, MI
2. I met my husband when we were in 8th grade and we started dating in 10th grade
3. Before we started dating I stalked him and tricked him into our first date to a haunted house.
4.We were married in May and the last time I saw my husband before the wedding was in February. I did not see him before the wedding until I was literally walking down the aisle!
5. I lived in San Diego for 4 years.
6. I went to college at San Diego State University.
7. My major was in Child and Family Development with an emphasis in Family Development.
8. I was involved with the Child Development Club in College
9. I interned with the Office Of Violence Prevention in San Diego.
10.I went through a 40 hour training to be a Domestic Violence Advocate.
11. I was involved in a teen relationship violence study. My role was to survey teens at schools, detention centers, youth groups, etc. about what they thought was appropriate behavior in a relationship. The results were very disturbing.
12. We moved back to Michigan in 2005.
13. I worked for a Nonprofit agency that helped pregnant and parenting teens.
14. I gave birth to my son Owen in Kettering, Ohio
15. We moved to Pensacola, FL when Owen was only a week old.
16. We moved to Jacksonville this past March.
17. We are moving to the state of Washington in November.
18. My favorite past time is to read. I love my nook!
19. This Halloween my husband and I have been together half of our lives.
20. I love going to the movies whenever I can. Since we have had Owen, Netflix has been a lifesaver!
21. My birthday is the 4th of July and for the longest time I thought that the fireworks were all for me!
22. I love to camp and spend time outside.
23. I used to play tackle football with the boys in the neighborhood growing up.
24. I enjoy collecting shells
25. I am proud and honored to be a Military wife!

Mom's Day Out - Thirty One Gifts Party!

Come celebrate, encourage, and reward yourself with Thirty-One Gifts! Thirty-One is more than a 'purse' party. We have storage solutions, stationary, and a host of gifts for yourself or loved ones that can be personalized. October is a great month to kick off your Holiday shopping. Our Holiday collection is now available and you don't want to miss out on this opportunity! Come enjoy food, fun, and most of all shopping!

When:   October 16th at 2:30pm.
Where: The Hawthorn Clubhouse
              6450 Autumn Berry Cir
              Jacksonville, FL 32258
RSVP:  Facebook or email by 10/15

Hosted by Stacy Shihadeh

October Playgroups

Playgroup is every Wednesday at Losco Park from 10:30am to 11:15am.  Please RSVP via Facebook under events or  via email so we can make sure to have enough supplies on hand.  Here are the playgroups for October:

10/6 - Paper Plate Spider Craft

10/13 - Glow in the Dark Pumpkin Carving Craft

10/20 - Trick or Treat Bag Craft

10/27 - Candy Corn Magnet Craft

We look forward to seeing everyone there!!

Introducing The 10,000 Strides Challenge

As moms, we know how busy life can get. It is so easy to veer off track of your fitness program and begin making excuses. This fall at Stroller Strides, we have created a fun challenge to help you stay active and geer up for the holiday season.
   

GOAL: To walk 10,000 steps per day for 6 weeks.

COST: $5 (which covers the cost of your pedometer)

WEEKLY PRIZES: Water bottles, key chains, gift certificates, etc

GRAND PRIZE:The winning individual will receive a 1 hour massage from Massage Green!

Wearing a pedometer, you will track how many steps you take each day. You will be responsible for entering your steps daily.

Think 10,000 steps sounds like a lot? I bet you would be surprised how many steps you walk a day just being a mom. You will wear the pedometer from the time you get up in the morning, until you go to bed at night- including Stroller Strides class! If you take part in other physical activity where you can not wear your pedometer, you can click the following to calculate your steps.

The Challenge will begin on Monday, October 11th and end on Sunday, November 21st.

Registration Deadline is October 8th.

You do not need to be a member of Stroller Strides to participate.

The first 5 individuals to register will have the $5 pedometer fee waived!!

REGISTER NOW

Welcome to the Stroller Strides of the First Coast's blog!

Welcome members and future members! We will be blogging to share information about our classes, fitness, health, and more. We hope you visit often for news, updates, and reminders!