This Month on Babble

September was a busy month. There was back-to-school and well, back-to-school - because that's enough to keep any parent busy. So busy that maybe you haven't had a chance to read  what's been going on at Babble. 

Catch up with September's Babble posts:

• The Pros and Cons of Being Working Parents
• 7 Tips to Ease Transitions for Kids with Autism
• A Summer of Firsts Captured on Instagram
• Oh! The Things I Would Do If I Had My Kid’s Energy
• 6 Video Games My Son with Autism Loves To Play
• The Only That Matters When Your Kid Has Autism
• Play-Doh: Fun and Therapeutic for Kids with Autism

4 Miles of Hope in Central Park: I Ran My 1st #NYRR Race

Today we ran our first race as a family. We've been members of the New York Road Runners club for years but really only The Husband runs. The Boy ran his first kids race earlier this year but me? I've never run a race. 

This wasn't just any race. This was the 1st New York Road Runners Autism Speaks Race. The Husband said I had to do it. Those were his exact words: You have to do this. 

Now I'm not the kind of woman to feel obligated to "have to do" anything, especially if my husband tells me. But this I knew I had to do.

I'm not a runner. I've never run four miles before. But it motivated me to go to the gym and really hit the treadmill. I got up to two miles. The most I've ever done.

Today I ran four. Okay, okay...I walked most of it. But I did it.

PROOF!

By mile 2, I was done. The Husband and his cousin had finished their race. They were waiting for me at the finish line. But my friend (and skilled runner) Rosa talked me through the whole 4 miles, encouraging me the whole time to keep going. I am so grateful. Had she not been with me, I really would have quit.

Rosa: Come on Lisa! You're almost there. We gotta hurry up or else we'll miss Norrin's race.

Me: I've seen him run before. (Towards the end, not even my kid could motivate me.)    

I didn't think anyone could be so chipper while running up and down the hills of Central Park. But Rosa, she was pretty chipper. Even while I was complaining and cursing The Husband for making me sign up to run 4 miles.   

Rosa aka "Coach Cookies" got me through it! Thank YOU! 

It was such a beautiful day in Central Park, the perfect day to spend with family and good friends. I feel extremely lucky that our friends came out to run in support of autism. They not only cheered me on but they cheered The Boy on.  

The Family That Runs Together Stays Together.
With "Uncle Julio," Rosa,  The Husband and The Boy

And then it was The Boy's turn. He did such an awesome waiting his turn and following the directions. He had his moments but all in all - he did great. I'm proud. This race was longer than the last. And I ran along beside him (that was the stretch that did me in). 

The Boy was so happy with his ribbon.

I didn't think I could do it. But The Husband believed I could. Belief is what keeps our little family going. Because we believe, we can never lose hope. 

And maybe, just maybe, I'll run again.

10 Things We Haven't Done This Summer (And The One Thing We Did)

The last few weeks of summer are dwindling down. Every season is the same. It flies by too fast and we wonder where the time went. And yesterday The Husband and I couldn't help but think of all the things we have not done this summer.

We haven't been to a BBQ. The Husband is very upset about this. He's missed out on hamburgers, hot dogs, coleslaw and potato and macaroni salads drenched in mayonnaise. 

We haven't been away for a long weekend. This year we haven't taken a vacation. When The Husband had off in May, The Boy was in school and I couldn't get time off. The Husband won't have vacation again until October. I'm really bummed about this. I thought we'd be able to squeeze in a weekend getaway but just didn't happen.  

We haven't been to the beach. I repeat. We have not been to the beach. Have I mentioned we live less than fifteen minutes away from the beach? 

We haven't walked along a boardwalk. There's something so romantic about walking along the boardwalk, breathing in the ocean air on a early summer evening.

We haven't been to Great Adventure. We really wanted to do that this year. We've never been to Great Adventure's together. 

We haven't been to City Island. For those who live in the NYC area you know that City Island is great summer destination for good seafood and fruity drinks. We live 15 minutes away from City Island and we haven't had fried shrimp or calamari or a Mojito or Pina Colada all summer.

We haven't seen fireworks. Because...well...this. 

We haven't gone fishing. Um, I could care less about this but The Husband seems to be really upset by it. And I'm not sure why considering he hasn't been fishing in the entire time we've been married. (We've been married ten years.)    

We haven't been to Coney Island. As a kid we always went to Coney Island. We've only been once with The Boy. 

We haven't gone to the aquarium. Not sure why we haven't, we have the membership and a parking pass.

My list could go but I'll stop at 10 because all in all - it hasn't been a bad summer. And there are still a few more weeks left to cross some of these off the list. Except for the fishing. That ain't happening.    

And the one thing we did do is...

Register for the NY Road Runners 4 Miles of Hope race. We are all running on September 7th. 

Tell me about your summer so far. What have you done? What have you not done? 

The Boy's 1st NY Road Runners Kids Race

I scanned the crowd of excited kids and anxious adults. There were too many to count. Too many to be out so early on a bitter cold Sunday morning. The wind whipped as we waited for the race to begin. Not only was it Norrin’s first New York Road Runners Kids Race, it was his first race with ‘typical’ kids.

There was music blaring. Kids laughing and chatting. Parents gossiping, running in place trying to keep warm. There were cops and volunteers with their bull horns, whistles and walkie talkies. And all I kept thinking was, could my son do this? What if Norrin ran away? What if he got lost in this crowd? I cursed myself for not thinking of bringing his ID necklace.

The kids were divided by age groups. Norrin was with the seven to nine year-olds and among them, he stood out. It is only among Norrin’s typical peers that autism is painfully obvious. The other kids are waiting with their friends, while my husband, Joseph, and I stand on either side Norrin – each of us holding a hand. Praising him for his “good waiting” and explaining the instructions of the race.

I turned to Joseph, “Maybe Norrin should run with the five to six year olds?”

Read the rest on Babble Kid by clicking HERE

NY Road Runners Coogan's 5K Kid Races