18 Apr
26th Birthday (Did Not Go As Planned)
Thanks so much for all of your fabulous birthday wishes friends! Things did not go quite as I had planned, but it was a good weekend nonetheless.
The Good
I won the weight loss challenge that ended on my birthday! I’m really looking forward to taking a class at the French Pastry School with my winnings. Yum!
I squeezed into my pre-pregnancy jeans and wore them in public for the first time!
Shirt from Express, undershirt from Shade, pants from American Eagle, shoes from Zara, Avocado necklace from Etsy
I look really tan in that photo above (I fought with the color on that picture forever because I feel like I look orange, but if I take the red down everything looks sickly green!) and I think it’s from all of my running outside. I have a slight tan line from where my Bodybugg sits.
I went to something called LPF for the first time (basically free dinner for business school students and their wives on Friday afternoons) and TH said it was the best LPF they’ve ever had. Thanks for the nice birthday present Booth!
I received some wonderful presents from my family, including a necklace from my in-laws that would look fabulous with the outfit above, a touching card and pair of earrings from my sister, an iTunes gift certificate (which I’ve used up most of already 
), salt and pepper grinders from TH, and two books from the Mortal Messiah series from my parents.
TH and I spent Saturday evening on our couch, eating super cheap (yet delicious!) sushi from Lawrence Fish Market and watching Harry Potter. I want to own all 8 HP movies when they come out in the collectors edition DVD set, I love those movies so much.
The Bad
My pre-pregnancy jeans are from American Eagle and they are not made for bending down and picking up babies. So I’m going to get rid of them and buy a pair that cover my bum better.
T1 had a slight fever on Friday, but we gave him some tylenol and he seemed fine. On Saturday when I woke up for my race he had a fever ranging between 102-104.
Because of said sickness I didn’t get my day free of responsibilities.
Also, because of said sickness, I didn’t run in my 5k. 
$40 invested and nothing to show for it!
The timeline:
Jenna wakes up at 5:30 am to get ready for race
T1 wakes up a few minutes later whimpering and crying
TH gets up with T1, Jenna continues to get ready for said race
TH asks Jenna what the normal temperature for babies is. T1 is sweating and shaking.
T1 has a temperature of 102. No wait, 104. No wait, 103. No wait, 102. (We really need a more reliable thermometer!)
Jenna begins googling. She feels that they don’t need to call the doctor or go to the hospital because T1 has no other worrisome symptoms.
TH makes T1 a bottle and tucks him into the master bed. Jenna looks over and thinks how cute the scene is. As she does up her sports bra T1 spews vomit all over the bed.
It is 6:30 am Jenna is now not sure she should go to the race. Her options are:
A. Have baby and daddy come to race. This is stupid and reckless. Immediately out.
B. She drives car up to race and tries to find parking. What if baby needs to go to the emergency room and is stranded without car? Out.
C. She takes public transportation (an hour!) up to the race. She is away from baby and maybe he has to go to the hospital. She will barely make it in time for the start of the race and she doesn’t have her packet yet. No way.
D. She takes a taxi ($$$$) up to the race. What if baby goes to the hospital? Out again.
So instead of doing my 5k I stripped the bed and went down to the laundry room to wash our vomit-covered linens. I alternated between worrying about little T1 and pouting for myself. T1 slept off and on that morning, and TH spent most of the day pacing the living room with his son in his arms (so sweet!) because T1 would cry if we put him down. We never called the doctor or went to the emergency room, just kept using tylenol, sleep, and fluids until his fever broke later in the afternoon. He was back to normal by Sunday morning when we woke up for church!
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Not quite the 26th birthday weekend I imagined, but I’m actually really happy with it. It’s a fun story to tell, and it’s really indicative of what it’s like to be a parent. I’m going to wait for warmer weather, find a race with a lower fee, and sign up for another 5k. Then I’ll make T1 pinky promise that he won’t get sick for the next one.
I'm a farm-raised almost-crunchy stroller-pushing picture-taking lifestyle-blog-writing gastronomy-obsessed divine-seeking thrift-store-combing cheese-inhaling pavement-pounding laughter-sprinkling lover of individuality and taking chances.
Awe. It sounds like you did a good job rolling with the punches. Also - congrats on the pregnancy jeans! Even though you aren’t going to wear them anymore it is still a huge accomplishment! yay!
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1I am not sure if you are a member on zulily.com but I read in a previous post that you were looking forward to buying some $80+ spankx, and they have a wide range of them on the site now for $30+. Thought I would share.
Oh and sorry your birthday didn’t go as planned…we just learn to be flexible with little ones
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Jenna Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 8:51 am
I am a Zulily member and Spanx is an awesome brand to push to a bunch of new moms! The shaper I found is actually not Spanx brand though, I just kind of say it is because that’s well known. I am tempted though. Thanks for letting me know about it!
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Darn kids always ruining our plans
I’m glad he’s feeling better, though. It’s just the worse when they’re sick and helpless.
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3I am so sorry that you didn’t get to run in your 5k! No bueno. Glad T1 is feeling better and that you had TH around to help, rather than it coming in the middle of crazy test week or something!
You do look really tan! And skinny and glowing, and in your prebaby jeans too!!!
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4Congrats on winning the contest! Hope you get the chance to do a different 5k!
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5Poor little T1! So sorry he got sick AND it ruined your plans (double whammy). I never wished you a Happy Birthday yet - so Happy #26!
I feel like I just turned 26, but alas I’m turning 29 soon. Time flies!
And can I just say - YOU LOOK FLIPPIN’ AMAZING! I’m not just saying that because it’s nice to say nice things to people and this is your blog and all, but you SERIOUSLY are reaping the rewards of your hard work. You look great. You really, really are a major inspiration to me that with time and dedication (the hard part sometimes!) I too can achieve my goals. All 80 pounds of them…:}
Okay, I really was going to work out today, but now I’m REALLY going to work out and try my best to make even better food decisions than last week (though I must say I’ve been doing better lately!).
Good. work. lady.
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6That picture makes you and Shay look a lot alike. You are getting so skinny lady! I love it! I’m sorry things didn’t go as you hoped, but watching Harry Potter isn’t a bad night. I saw somewhere (maybe it was a commercial) that they are selling a box set of all the movies out…so far. Why they wouldn’t wait until the very last one comes out is beyond me. Maybe you’ll get that for your birthday next year.
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Zoe Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 2:52 pm
agreed! i thought you looked a lot like your sister in that picture too!
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Hi hon - You look FABULOUS! I’m sorry your bday did not go as planned, but it seems as though you had a lot of wonderful experiences nonetheless.
I have a jean recommendation for you! I love love love the DKNY brand from Macy’s - the SoHo ones are a nice flare with stretch, and are medium rise - they come in petite sizes which are perfect (i’m 5’3) so they don’t need to be hemmed. i also like their skinny jeans. I can usually get a pair for between $20-30 on sale/with coupons.
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8this sounds like my life! except my (16 month old) daughter is in daycare so she probably gets sick way more often. I had literally been waiting an entire year to go to my favorite author’s book signing (Jodi Picoult) last month, and when I picked up my daughter from daycare to drop her off with my husband, she had a fever and it was all over from there. Maternal instinct really kicks in, doesn’t it? it’s also super fun when you are running to an important meeting at work and daycare calls and says you have to pick up your kid because she’s puking/coughing/feverish/pink eye/etc. good times. glad T1 is feeling better!
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9Awww! Poor T1 and poor Jenna! That’s too bad that you had to miss your race and the day of no responsibilities.
Glad T1 is better. Did you get a raincheck on your day of no responsibilities?
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Jenna Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 10:49 am
TH says I still get to claim it, although I feel fine if I never do. Maybe I’ll try to redeem it on Mother’s Day?
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Life of a Doctor's Wife Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 3:12 pm
Oooh good idea!
It just sounded like such a nice gift. I’d hate to let it “expire.”
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Poor T1 and poor Jenna. So glad he is doing well now and that you are happy with your decision. I’d have done the same thing in your shoes! You don’t need to be worrying about baby during your first race, just soaking in the experience. Your race is still out there waiting for you!
ps Which S&P set did you get? I remember you were looking for a non-hideous one.
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Jenna Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 10:48 am
This one: http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11612912&search=pepper&Mo=5&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Sp=S&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=pepper&Ntt=pepper&No=1&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1
We like that it has an adjustable grind feature. Also that I can return it if it sucks, no questions asked
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Sarah for Real Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 10:53 am
Oh those are very sleek! Nice job TH!
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I didn’t get to run my scheduled 5k a few weeks ago due to my own sickness (ended up in urgent care with a kidney infection). Don’t let missing your race slow you down though! There are tons more and you’re doing great! Happy birthday, Jenna!
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12Sorry to hear about the sickness and missing the 5K! I’m so glad you won the contest though, congrats! You look fantastic.
Here’s to the next 5K going a bit more smoothly, for everyone involved. And happy birthday!
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13You look so great… seriously! What’s your favorite new Itunes song to run to? I loooove Adele’s Set Fire To The Rain.
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14Sorry to hear about your missed race (and the unrecoverable $40!)… but Holy Crap you look GOOOOOOOD!!! So I am just starting my “get fit again” mode and right now I am sooo jealous of your face! It looks great!! (You were always pretty and had a great face, but the weight you’ve lost really shows in your face and it looks just great!)
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15There was a lot of good in your birthday even if things didn’t go as planned. Being a mom (and a dad) is a #1 priority and you and TH did wonderfully the way you say it.
You may not have gotten to race nor have a 100% responsability free day, but you got to see your husband taking care of your child and spend a chill evening with him, and that’s wonderful.
There seem to be 5k races every week anyway, so I’m sure you’ll find something fun.
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16I just want to say happy birthday…
AND
You look GORGEOUS in all of your latest pics.. keep up the good work you look so healthy and you’re glowing!
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17Jenna, you really are looking fan-flippin’-tastic. In a not even remotely condescending way, I’m so proud of you! I’m sure you’re an inspiration to a gazillion people trying to lose weight. <3
Sorry the birthday didn't go as planned; I had a stupid hormonal pout about the fact that no one had inquired about anything related to my birthday until the day of (Wednesday) but I wound up having ample celebrations this weekend. Maybe try for next weekend on the responsibility-free present? Find something fun to do, even if it isn't a 5k. Maybe tour some of the Chicago sights you haven't seen yet with camera in tow.
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18I came across your awesome blog today and I love it. SO much in fact that I blogged about you because I can’t stop reading it and I should be working…
Thanks for writing your blog.. I think it’s great and awesome and fabulous, your photography is amazing and you feel like someone I would know already based on what you write about and how real you are.
I’M SO IMPRESSED!
Thank You!
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Jenna Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 2:32 pm
Your post was so kind and made me smile so big! Thanks for letting me know, I’m happy to have you around
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Happy Birthday!!!! I am sorry that it wasn’t the day that you planned, but way to be a great mom! xoxo
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20What a bummer! Glad you have a good attitude about it, but it disappointing you didn’t get to run the race. I was looking forward to your time!
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21So sorry things didn’t go as planned for your 5K! But I’m glad T1 is feeling better!!
You are looking fabulous!! That picture of you is awesome!
Good job on all of your hard work!
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22You are a major hottie Jenna!! Definitely take that day-off raincheck - I always feel a little guilt asking the hubbers to let me, but he’s totally willing and you deserve it - LOVES!!
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Jenna Reply:
April 18th, 2011 at 3:02 pm
Did you see I had sushi for my birthday? After eating it with you I wanted it SO bad.
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Happy Birthday!! Once we’re parents, we find that life often doesn’t go as planned, but that it’s totally ok! Family and kids come first! There will be other 5ks!
But to cheer you up, you could come enter the giveaway on my blog! It’s something that I think you’d love for T1
http://www.lovingthelittlethings.com
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24You look FANTASTIC! I hope you don’t get sick of hearing that
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25Sorry your birthday didn’t go as planned. You have such a great attitude about it though! And, you do look great. Such an inspiration!
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26I remember you posted about your sports bra before and I wanted to get myself one, but now I can’t remember what you said was so great. Care to remind me?
You look great, by the way!
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27happy berfday!!
sorry didn’t go as planned…i sort of had this sad realization (maybe 14 months too late) that i won’t get to do too many more-than-a-couple-hour things outside the house (without major risk of having to cancel) for many a year. pout.
oh AND — you look incredible. go you!!
oh AND — did you or did you not like the regional mormon halloween dance book? just started it and forgot your thoughts…
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Jenna Reply:
April 20th, 2011 at 11:32 pm
Thanks!
I love the Mormon Halloween Dance book! I want all of our teenagers to read it, from a Mormon perspective I think it has a lot of important life lessons.
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