Thursday night, I went to New Jersey. That isn’t really a big deal, in itself, since I go to NJ about 4 times per week on average. This time, though, it wasn’t just a run across the George Washington to Fort Lee. I actually took NJ Transit (above), and went to a little town near Newark. Deep Jersey. Snooki/Jerseylicious Jersey. Hahahah. I was there to shoot an interview with the famed tattoo artist Jun Cha, who I errantly reported earlier this week operates out of NJ. He is really a dude born and bred in So. Cal. trained by the likes of Mr. Cartoon. Anyway, here are a few of the shots from the interview:

The dude does traditional So Cal black and grey, in photo-realistic style. If I were ever to get a tattoo (which I never would), this is probably the dude that I would hit up.

Back to the matter at hand.. We are supposed to be blasted by Hurricane Earl on Friday. Hurricane season is the time of year that I suffer the pangs of being a poseur, past-prime surfer. Last time I checked the surf report it was like, double overhead at Coney Island. CONEY ISLAND! DOUBLE OVERHEAD! Can you imagine getting a barrel at Coney? This is the one time of  year where you are more likely to die at Coney by being swallowed by the ocean, than by getting stabbed while waiting in line at the Wonder Wheel. We aren’t even talking the point at Montauk. There is going to be some serious Mark Foo stuff going on out at that end of the island, this weekend. Last time I surfed double overhead, I was a 19 year old resident of the aloha state. These days I am a landlubbing surfboardless Manhattanite. So depressing.

On a less depressing hurricane season note, I watched my University of Utah football team eek out a nail biting season opener against Pitt, on Thursday night. How awesome is college football? I seriously love it.

Just when I could really really use a three day weekend, Labor Day comes along. We have a banger lined up, too. Some items on the agenda include: Party for TH opening a new store in SoHo; Multiple PJ visits; hanging out in the country (Rural CT); a long training run with tight amigos (also in the country); watching the GP race at Misano; a dip in the pool; a fun editorial shoot;  and, some barbecue. Have a fantastic weekend, peeps. And if you end up surfing Montauk this weekend, don’t tell me about it. Because I may accidentally punch you, out of pathetic jealousy.

Maya off to her first day of school in Ketchikan Alaska. Beyond cute–

I seriously love that her backpack is as big as she is. Flawless first day of school outfit, right down to the ruby slippers.

And here is my little nephew Kelton. I’m not going to say these are cute (because I don’t want to risk taking a samurai sword to the knee caps next time I see the guy), but he is a handsome little kindergartner.

Serious props on the hairstyle (he chose it himself). His teacher is going to smell trouble in the air from a mile away with this little guy.  Hahahah.

This next one is kind of old. But it is appropriate because it showcases how wild and crazy Piper Jane is. Notice how many times she tugs on her trach. This was when we were getting weekly phone calls that went something like this “Hi Mrs. Breinholt, this is Piper’s teacher. She pulled out her trach again and she is going to be in time out for 9 years or until she learns her lesson (so basically 9 years for sure)”. Thankfully, she has cooled it on the tracheal-tuggage. So I have been able to cool it on the Pippeal-naggage. Also, what I love so much about this video isn’t Pip’s naughty nature, it’s her tippy toes and kitchen play and giggles, those never ending giggles. She’s washing an Elmo cell phone. Getting it all nice and pipsqueakily clean! Enjoy.

PS let’s all pretend Piper Jane had 50 super awesomely evil ideas before this first video was filmed. That explains her hair.

First of all– Well done, Mr. Schuman, on the above photo. I can tell you right now, though, that there are some mommy bloggers (no disrespect intended) out there, who don’t approve of the way he is wearing that hat, all crooked-like. Hahaha. I bet Nigo and Pharrell don’t have to put up with that kind of crap. Not that I’m pretending to have fashion designer status, but I’m just sayin’.

Actually, thinking about it now, I’m guessing that most mommy bloggers probably aren’t into Bape or Ice Cream/BBC. So, this whole blurb is just a waste of characters. Aaaaanyway, I am generally not too fond of re-posting stuff (especially not from the Sartorialist, since he is probably the most re-posted dude in blogsville). But, aside from being the poster child for my hat rant, I really do dig that shot.

Random topic #2– Sometimes I swear that Jim Nelson and I share the same brain. I just barely was able to catch up on my magazine reading enough to crack the September issue of GQ, yesterday on the train. As I was reading Nelson’s opening commentary, I was thinking to myself “tttttttttttooooooooooooooooottttttttalllly.” For a minute, I was like “I should be a magazine editor. I think exactly like this guy.” Then I realized that the reason Jim Nelson is a magazine editor, is because he can write something that makes everyone who reads it feel like they would be Jim Nelson’s best friend in real life, and that they and Jim Nelson are extremely like-minded individuals. Hahahah. That is a skill that I definitely do not possess.

So, yes, September is here. Ads galore in all of the mags. At some point I’ll be posting some of my favs along with commentary. But interestingly enough, I have been a lot more taken in by the articles in this year’s September GQ than I have by the flashy fall looks. In addition to Nelson’s article mentioned above, I read another piece yesterday that I found interesting. It was about keeping the flame alive after marriage, kids, etc.. It wasn’t the typical Cosmo-style, “10 ways to keep your spouse at constant climax” sort of thing. It was about figuring out the logistics of “date night,” when you and your spouse both have insanely busy lives. I thought it was pretty cool.  The article is by Joel Lovell and it is called “How to date your wife.”

Reagan will probably punch me in the neck for admitting that a magazine article is what convinced me that I need to focus a bit more on spending structured “date” time with her. I might be safe, though, since I waited until this far into the post to admit it. She told me this morning that she doesn’t really read the stuff I write when it gets too wordy. Hahahaha. Anyway the article isn’t online yet. But, I found it interesting enough to recommend checking it out (if you haven’t already) when it does show up .

To wrap things up– I’m pretty excited about some of the stuff that I will be shooting for the rest of the week. One item in particular, is a famous tattoo artist who operates in NJ. I have never even been in a tattoo parlor before. So I’m keenly interested to see what it will be like. Tomorrow night college football starts (go Utes). And finally, as we all know, this weekend has three days. What’s not to be excited about?

I’m feeling too lazy to write anything fancy (running and a busy salon are taking over me), but I want to look at some pictures with munchkins in them. And I thought maybe you’d like to, too.

If you don’t have a dunkin’ donuts near you, then you probably don’t know that donut holes are called “munchkins” there. If Piper Jane is a munchkin, then I’m toasted coconut donut and Jake is probably an everything bagel. Don’t you think?

The end.

(see? lazy.)

We had a blast doing these shots of Reagy on the roof, for an eye wear co. I’m not sure if I will be able to use any of the shots from this set, but I liked how they came out. Reagan is such a cutie (and a good sport).

One more-

Reagan and I had Piper outside again on Sunday. This was probably our most lengthy outdoor excursion, so far. It was still a bit bright for Piper, but we had her in the shade, and she seemed to acclimatize after several minutes. Occasionally she would look up, only to look straight back at the ground and cover her eyes with both hands. So Cute. Reagan snapped a couple of shots of (pre-haircut) me and Piper hanging out.

Part of it is the white balance, but doesn’t Piper look like a zoned out little porcelain doll, below?

We capped off the weekend by watching one of my favorite sleep over movies from when I was a kid– Tron. I forgot how awesome/nerdy that movie is. What was even better, is that we watched it with a bunch of our friends while eating some super-delicious cookies.

Can you believe that this week is already September? I’m in denial.

I read (and Piper kicked) a Bargain for Frances. Which is probably my top 5 favorite children’s books. Frances is pretty scrappy and she is always singing songs. You have to sing the songs while you read or it’s just not the full effect. Don’t piper’s feet look huge next to her scrawny legs?

Sunday:

We skipped church again to party with that pippy. It was worth it. I made some new headbands for her because she has been coming up with so many evil plans that her brain/head got too big for for her old ones.

I joke that we were on our way out to the pants store. I usually just put her in diaper covers when she isn’t wearing a dress, because shorts/pants fall off that skinny butt. Plus she’s got gams to die for. We’ve got our very own Edie Sedgwick on our hands.

I really think Piper’s eyes are getting used to the natural sunshine. It was really bright outside, and she adjusted so quickly. Of course we were still in the shade, but she did great. I just love her. I squeezed her times a million.

I am so glad Piper had a chance to think about life during our visit. I can tell she had a lot on her mind. I read somewhere that the farther you tilt your head, the deeper the thought. (note: I never read that)

I love more than anything when those teeth stick out just enough. People ask if her eyes really sparkle or if it’s just in piptures. They totally sparkle. I asked her what her secret is and she gave me a look like “you wish, lady”.

Good weekend. So good. And tomorrow is Tuesday, so Booyah.

I just finished a veggie delight from subway and now I’m blobbing and listening to The Doors nice and loud-loud for a married lady who goes to bed at 10. I love The Doors.

I love my parents for placing me in my playpen and then proceeding to play any of the following music:
Bob Dylan
Pink Floyd
The Doors
The Beatles
Neil Young
Van Morrison
Jimi Hendrix
Bob Marley
and the eagles, whom I can actually only take in small doses. Neil Young too.

But thanks mom and dad for giving me a rockin’ playpen. I swear I remember it.

I don’t feel guilty, and here is why…

I was given a very healthy and strong body. I am ever grateful for that healthy and strong body. And I show my gratitude by taking great care of it and using it in ways some people aren’t physically able to. Piper Jane wasn’t given a healthy or perfectly functioning body, and that is crappy. And for the life of me, I won’t ever be able to figure out why my little girl was chosen for such a big and hard job. All I can guess is that it’s because she is more special than the rest of us, and more awesome too. Don’t be jeal. So, baby girl Piper Jane? I run for you my little P-nut snack. I run twice the distance, for both of us. Mama loves you.

On the contrary, I would feel very, very, very (a million verys) guilty to waste such a healthy and strong body by couch potatoing it up. I was given a healthy body (remember?), running far and jumping high and loving all the places it takes me is how I show my gratitude for my unbelievably great fortune.

Next, I know multiple women who run marathons with kids at home. I dont think having kids means you don’t have time to work out. You can always find time to work out. You really can. And anyone who says otherwise is just making excuses, and I think most of them would even admit that. It’s good for us and also really important for a happy, healthy, long life. So there.

As for “getaways”. I don’t feel guilty, because I don’t think we do it too often. And the way I’m able to clear my head and relax and refresh for my hectic life is priceless. Because of our “getaways”, I am able to leave any stress in Blythedale’s parking lot, and have a perfect, fun, happy, lovable, cheesy, awesome visit with Piper Jane. I believe children have stress radar. Taking time for yourself and your marriage is important to be a good mom. And also Piper Jane is in very good hands with nurses who love her very very much.

When it comes to being “put together”, I don’t really spend that much time on my appearance actually. I put product in my hair after I shower and my make-up takes me literally 3 minutes to apply. Then I get dressed, because if I didn’t wear clothes I would get arrested, and that I actually don’t have time for. Having Piper Jane at home wouldn’t mean I’m moving to frump-city. I really seriously doubt I’d look any different.

In conclusion, I couldn’t disagree more with this question. And the “Obviously not” that was squeezed in made me feel like it was written with a very judging tone. There is a lot of guilt involved with having a child with special needs, but it’s more the kind of…why am I healthy, and she’s not? Why can’t I make her all better? I don’t think I should give up on things I love and curl into a ball of depressing sadness. I’m sorry if that’s what some people think I should be doing.

PS I don’t mean to be on a soap box, and I don’t mean to get defensive, I guess I just have never really been asked something like this before, and I was a little caught off guard. The questions that were semi judgmental about the way I dress or write and all that didn’t bother me at all, I guess because maybe I think they have a small point. But I’m very proud of myself (and not to mention, proud of my Jake) for how upbeat, positive and happy we have been considering our unique situation. And I just never really thought I should feel guilty about that. So, yeah, I’m going to defend that.

I’m not trying to attack the person who asked this question, I’m just trying to clear up how I feel just in case other people are thinking the same things.

Well, bye.

PS part two. Maybe I was asking for it by making formspring. and maybe I’m done with formspring.

Since Reagan and I both chose to have a lazy morning, instead of getting up really early and hitting the trail. We had to opt out of Governor’s Island, today. But we still had plenty of time to hang out with Piper. She had just woken up when we arrived. So she was in the mood to play, but not super smiley, yet. It takes her a few hours to warm up into chipper self, when she wakes up from a nap. Above, she is getting some good snuggle time with Reagan, and of course, the monkey card. Below, she is actively engaged in “A Bargain for Francis,” By kicking the page, as Reagan reads to her.

Grade=A

Total Miles=49.96

Average Pace=7:11 per mile

This was a pretty good week for me running-wise. I was frustrated with my pace on the shorter runs, but I was able to really pick it up on Wednesday and Today. I was able to push out a 7:05 pace today for 16 miles. That is probably the fastest pace that I have ever had for more than 10 miles. I don’t want it to seem like I’m bragging, because believe me, I’m well aware that 7:05 is not some sort of amazing pace, especially when you take into account that there are plenty of people who can do a marathon at better than a 6:00 per mile pace. But I’m just saying, for me, I’m feeling pretty good about this week. Six weeks until the Hartford Marathon and 10 weeks until NYC. Woot!