First things first, I’m KILLING it with the workouts, despite crushing exhaustion (THE FOUR MONTH SLEEP REGRESSION IS REAL).  I had a good week – boot camp on Monday, a bike/run on Tuesday, and more boot camp on Wednesday. I’m leaving soon to go on a long run.

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Many people have asked for a “boot camp transformation” post, and I think I’m finally ready to write it. It will go up sometime next week!  I’ve been going three times a week for six weeks and have noticed a HUGE difference in how strong I look and feel. I am really obsessed with the atmosphere of the classes and look forward to going a lot.  It’s nice to look forward to workouts, right?

 

On Thursday, I rested.  I really needed a break physically and mentally, so I met Brandi at the gym and we hot tubbed it up.

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Drank some of the Vega electrolyte mix while relaxing!

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The rest of my rest day entailed going to the lake with the kiddos, my friend Julie, and her pup Sadie.  It was nice to play outside.  Yay spring!

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Rest day was great, but I got back on track for Ironman April with a Friday run.  The goal of Ironman April is to swim, bike, and run an Ironman over the course of the month.  The first week is over – how are you doing on the challenge? I’m doing pretty well – a little behind on the run and swim, but I’ve got time to make it up over the next few weeks.  It’s always hardest for me to stay on track overall with the bike because that can easily get away from me if I miss a ride or two.

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Okay, onto random stuff…

 

I bought Henry this white noise maker a few weeks ago.  And it works GREAT!  I bought it because he was starting to “investigate” the box fan in the middle of the night – and that obviously freaked me out – so this little tabletop version is perfect.  It’s not as loud as the box fan but it does the job well.

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Awesome product!

 

And speaking of things to buy for the kiddos, I’m on the hunt for baby moccasins.  Are these not the cutest things you’ve ever seen?  I want to put Claire’s little feet in them so badly.  I know the brand below is really popular but I’d like to know what other quality alternatives there are out there – anyone buy any lately?

baby shoes

Suede Moccasins

Metallic Moccasins

Yellow Moccasins

Pink Moccasins

Denim Suede Moccasins

Banana Moccasins (LOLz – I die)

 

And last, but not least in this collection of randomness, is this week’s Book a Week.  This past week, I read a classic – The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood.  Raise your hand if you read this in high school.  Me!  In fact, if asked, I would probably say this book is my favorite book of all time, even though I haven’t read it in 15 years.

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As most of you know, my favorite genre is dystopian novels, and this is the book that started it all.

 

From Amazon: “Margaret Atwood’s popular dystopian novel The Handmaid’s Tale explores a broad range of issues relating to power, gender, and religious politics. Multiple Emmy and Golden Globe award-winner Claire Danes (Temple Grandin, Homeland) gives a stirring performance of this classic in speculative fiction, one of the most powerful and widely read novels of our time. After a staged terrorist attack kills the President and most of Congress, the government is deposed and taken over by the oppressive and all controlling Republic of Gilead. Offred, now a Handmaid serving in the household of the enigmatic Commander and his bitter wife, can remember a time when she lived with her husband and daughter and had a job, before she lost even her own name. Despite the danger, Offred learns to navigate the intimate secrets of those who control her every move, risking her life in breaking the rules in hopes of ending this oppression.”

 

My Review: 5 out of 5 stars. How did I feel about The Handmaid’s Tale after 15 years? It’s just as good. Just as scary.  Just as powerful.  Just as scandalous (oh, those strange sex scenes!). It’s a frightening book with a feminist twist that will keep you turning the pages – Love this book!  Still my favorite.

 

The Handmaid’s Tale is the 13th book of the year!  Only… 39 to go (I’m a week behind).  Hah.  Good thing I love to read. Here’s what else I’ve read this year… You can see all the reviews on my Book a Week 2015 page.

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{ 32 comments }

 

  • Erica { EricaDHouse.com } April 10, 2015, 8:23 am

    I’m kind of a book freak and I’ve never heard of The Handmaids Tale! I’ll have to check it out at the library next time I go in.

  • Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed April 10, 2015, 8:38 am

    Looking forward to you transformation post! Those moccasins are ADORABLE. I’ve never read The Handmaid’s Tail, it sounds like I need to add it to my list.

  • Beks April 10, 2015, 8:40 am

    I love that book. I saw the movie first, when I was in high school, but read the book in college. It’s so disturbing, but you can’t put it down. Makes me really see that freedom is a precarious gift that we need to cherish and protect.

  • Ash Diamond April 10, 2015, 9:17 am

    Somehow I’ve never read this one! I’ll have to add it to my GoodReads list! I’m trying to read 2 books a month this year!

  • Laura @ Vegetarianesque.com April 10, 2015, 9:26 am

    The banana booties… oh my lawd… so adorable! haha

    This has nothing to do with this post, but have you come across this photography series? http://www.buzzfeed.com/morganshanahan/this-mom-is-taking-the-most-incredible-photos-of-her-fearles?sub=3748538_5459668

    A mom took some incredible photos of her two daughters doing different activities (including preparing for a triathlon and running in a Girls on the Run race!).

  • Katie April 10, 2015, 9:51 am

    I haven’t read the handmaid’s tale, but I’ll need to after that synopsis.

  • Katie April 10, 2015, 10:05 am

    I saw you mention “How to talk so kids will listen” awhile back and am still waiting on it from the library. The opposite of spoiled looks great, too (it’s something I’ve started to think about. My boo is 7 months). I read Gone Girl and Wild when I was home on maternity leave and they were total sanity savers.

    Seeing all your covers on display is inspiring me to get a book back in my hands! Plus, book covers are so pretty, aren’t they?

  • Feisty Eats April 10, 2015, 10:07 am

    Bison Booties. Handmade & vegan & affordable!

  • Katalina @ Peas and Peonies April 10, 2015, 10:24 am

    Don’t tell me its that warm to actually swim in a lake!!!?? Its rainy and cold in NYC 🙁

  • Krista April 10, 2015, 11:25 am

    I bought some cheap moccasins on eBay. I spent less than $20 and they have held up very well with a crawling baby.

  • Lauren April 10, 2015, 11:36 am

    I need to follow along with these comments – I’m hoping somebody has a suggestion of cheaper moccasins! I’m having a baby girl in a few weeks so I don’t need them quiiiite yet but I can’t justify spending that kind of money on faux shoes until she’s stopped growing at age 18!

  • Stacie April 10, 2015, 12:12 pm

    These are the cutest moccasins: http://www.camp-wolf.com/category/moccasins

    If I had a little one I would definitely buy them a pair!

  • Heather April 10, 2015, 1:55 pm

    I love those moccasins. We have three pairs that I am proud to say we have never paid full price for! If you wait, she does have pretty regular sales where certain colors are $45. I know there is definitely one at Black Friday and one in the spring that just passed. They were all my son wore when learning to walk because they are soft and flexible but not slippery at all. They also stretch so kiddos can get a lot of wear out of them.

  • Erin @ Her Heartland Soul April 10, 2015, 2:33 pm

    Ohh I need to check out that book! And I love those baby moccs!

  • Erin April 10, 2015, 3:04 pm

    My good friend’s wife makes baby mocs! Check out Sail East Couture, she is in Facebook and etsy. I’m not sure what the price comparison is, but she is a stay at home mom, and it’s always nice to support entrepreneurs 🙂

  • Autumn April 10, 2015, 3:34 pm

    Love your book a week reviews. I was hoping for a more definitive end of The Handmaid’s Tale. On your recommendation, I read A House in the Sky and was so happy I did. Amazing story. Thanks for all the book ideas. An easy read (I read it in 1 day-before baby) is Miss Perrigrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. Interesting twist at the end.

  • Tracy April 10, 2015, 4:13 pm

    Baby moccasins are adorable… I am tempted to pick up a pair too for my son. I’ve seen them on Zulily by KhyKouture and have seen some on Etsy too.

  • Julia @ LordStillLovesMe April 10, 2015, 4:51 pm

    Great job on keeping up with the exercise! I cannot imagine doing so with two kids as some days I struggle to do it- I am a single college gal! Have a great weekend!

  • Michelle April 10, 2015, 5:01 pm

    Hi Caitlin,
    Curious to find out where you can take dogs swimming near Charlotte. Where is that?
    Love reading your blog! Thanks!
    Michelle

    • Caitlin April 10, 2015, 6:56 pm

      We were at Lake Wylie!

  • Aerevyn April 10, 2015, 7:11 pm

    There are some books I can read over and over again. The Handmaid’s Tale is one of them. I love the interiority. So happy to see it on your reading list.

  • Sabrina April 10, 2015, 9:26 pm

    So, when it comes to baby moccasins, Freshly Picked is the number one choice but in my honest opinion, they are way overpriced for the quality. Some leather is good, others are not. The fringes fray really easily, the color wears off. I actually sold our pair and bought one from Feather and Filly, which are handmade by a great mama whose husband is a wounded warrior. She tells you leather thickness, and her Moccs stand up better than a Freshly Picked. She’s on Instagram but she also has a website.

  • Rachel April 10, 2015, 10:57 pm

    Oooh, my dearest friend Whitney makes baby moccs (hand-made!) and they are all the rage in Arizona!

    You can check out her website at whitneyisawesome.com (that’ll take you to her etsy page). She does custom orders for sports teams (U Miami, anyone??), colors, etc. And her moccs are all soft-bottom so that the baby’s ergonomic needs are met. Plus, the little ankle elastics are adjustable so the baby can wear the moccs for up to 6 months (sizes 0-6 months, 6-12 months, 12-18 months, 18-24 months).

    They sell out EVERYWHERE here in AZ and are awesome, handmade, and ergonomic. You must check them out for Baby Claire! 🙂

  • Holly G. April 10, 2015, 11:12 pm

    I’ve been meaning to reread The Handmaid’s Tale, too; I’m really curious to see how it will impact me now vs. in high school.

  • Kate April 11, 2015, 12:03 pm

    Have you thought about Minnetonka Moccasins? They’re not as infinitely adorable as sparkly mocs or banana-print mocs, but they’re still pretty darn cute and I’ve heard great things about them.

    https://www.minnetonkamoccasin.com/Products/Category/Kids/infant-booties

    Also, I LOVE The Handmaid’s Tale. When I was in college and majoring in English, my dad would read some of the books I was reading in class so we could talk about them (yeah, he’s the best.) And we had the best discussion about The Handmaid’s Tale.

  • Andrea Gubert April 11, 2015, 1:52 pm

    Iron man April has been fun! I’m right on track with everything. Hardest part for me has been the runs, as I haven’t been running much for the past year. Going from 0 miles per week to 6 miles per week probably wasn’t a smart idea and now my hip hurts … so I may be subbing speed walking or a run/walk for some of the run to avoid further injury. Hope that’s okay!!

  • Jenny Johnson April 12, 2015, 5:38 am

    If you love “The Handmaiden’s Tale”, I think you will really enjoy “The Gate to Women’s Country” by Sheri S. Tepper. Another book I love is “The Sparrow” by Mary Doria Russell.

  • katie April 12, 2015, 12:01 pm

    I heard of this Apple App a few weeks ago and you’re the first person I thought of. It’s called Scribd. You pay $10 a month and have an unlimited amount of books you can read for that month. It’s not a bad deal seeing as most books are ten dollars or more! I thought that this could help you with your book challenge for the year 🙂

  • Sunny April 12, 2015, 1:24 pm

    Try sweet and swag for moccasins. They’re the most reasonable ones I’ve found and they have good sales! And they held up for several months with my 18 month old who was walking/running well the entire time!

  • Terra April 12, 2015, 4:58 pm

    Freshly picked mocs are the best!! I had tried other brands when my daughter was little and these are a game changer. She is 20 months now so I wish I would have found them sooner. She loves them!

  • William @ Runnerclick April 13, 2015, 11:28 am

    I need to check out that book. love your reviews

  • Shantel April 16, 2015, 6:06 pm

    I LOVE baby moccs. Check out Jaxhoo! We own a couple pairs and they are excellent quality. She also donates $1 from each pair to SIDS research. http://jaxhoo.bigcartel.com/about-jaxhoo

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