Update

We had a lovely weekend, spending time as a family. Isabella so adores her Ba Ba and is becoming a real Daddy's girl. Watching their relationship bloom over time has been lovely. It seems only a short time ago, she would push him away if she was crying and just wanted her Ma Ma if she woke up in the night. Now she is just as happy with Ba Ba as Ma Ma.

Marathon Update
I said I would update our marathon progress. Well I downloaded a 16 week marathon schedule on Friday. Of course I didn't follow this for the first part of the week, but our long run was suppose to be 7 miles and Terry and I ran 13 miles! So we are quite ahead of the schedule. When I went running after the flu, I was breathless and dizzy at 3 miles and started to really worry, that my fitness had gone!! But I have been increasing my runs slowly and am nearly back to where I was at the end of December. We plan to run 15 miles next weekend and 16-17 the following weekend!And at least 20 by mid February when we go to Vietnam. Sound easy??????? After 13 miles for me it gets tough, but around 18 miles + I start to find it gets easier. This is when you really need to be mentally strong to push yourself on. It would be so easy to give up and go and sit in a nice coffee bar and chill!!!!!!
Below is the schedule and what I actually did. I will really try to follow week 3 mid week runs this week. This schedule if for a sub 4 hours 30 minute marathon which is around 10 minutes per mile. My aim is just to run the course injury free without killing myself!

WEEK TWO

Mon Rest
Tue 1M jog, then 2 x 1.5M (or 11-14 mins) fast, with 800m (5-min) jog recoveries, then 1M jog actual run 4 km (2.5 miles) with Isabella
Wed 4M (approx 45 mins) slow
Thu 1M jog, then 2M (approx 18 mins) brisk, then 1M jog actual run 3 miles in 26.50 minutes in the evening! And without the jogger pram!
Fri Rest
Sat Rest or 3M (approx 35 mins) easy
Sun 7M (75-80 mins) run/walk Actual run 13 miles 2 hours 10 minutes with Isabella and the running jogger

We have had some donations for our charity and have raised some funds via eBay selling. Ideally we would love to raise £1,000 so any donations regardless of amount will be gratefully appreciated. Our just giving web page is http://www.justgiving.com/thewongslondonmarathon all monies raised by our blood, sweat, blisters and tears will be donated to hope4china We have raised £269.77 to date.


Work
Another update is that I have decided to take the full 12 months off work with adoption leave. I have now notified my managers and returned ( will post later today) the return to work forms to HR. Isabella is an amazing child. She attached to me very quickly and whilst we have had a few attachment anxieties which it to be expected and is all part of the process!. These are now resolved and she is really a happy confident little girl. But whilst I wont get any pay for 3 months! We have decided that it would be in Isabella's benefit to have a full 12 months at home before we put her into childcare 4 days a week. I am sure that she would cope, with an integration process. But aged 2, and a year being with her Ma Ma and Ba Ba will probably benefit her more.

Isabella has also gone down with her 4th cold in 6 months. She picks these up in her playgroups, but it will all strengthen her immunity!. But she is not too unwell just a runny nose! Poor thing.