NYC - Adults only

Jeff & I had a nice couple's trip to NYC last weekend.  It was actually a business trip for Jeff, but we still got to have a lot of fun, and I got to hang out with my bestie who lives there.  I wouldn't call it a 'relaxing' vacation, as New York City is anything BUT relaxing, but it was definitely a fun and much needed trip. As much as I hated being away from Allie, Jeff and I really needed some adult time to do fun things that we can't exactly do with an 8 month old tagging along.  I'm talking blackout curtains, a king size comfy bed, and 3 nights of uninterrupted blissful sleep people!


We saw Mickey & Minnie in Times Square, Allie would have been in heaven.

We spent about 45 minutes in the Disney store.  My NY trips have changed quite a bit over the years.  Jeff was trying to walk out with a life size Minnie Mouse, but we settled on an ornament & a normal size Statue of Liberty Minnie Mouse.  We are so screwed when Allie gets old enough to actually ASK her Dad for things, he is a total sucker with that little girl.  It's very sweet though, he just loves spoiling her, and I love watching him spoil her.  

Yes, I watch the Kardashians, and yes, I took a picture of their store.  Don't judge me.

I didn't get any pictures of our dinner Thursday night, but we went to the City Winery where we had a great meal and watched a live comedy show.  This was my first live comedy show and I really enjoyed it, minus the 2 or 3 really awkward, not so funny comedians.  The others made up for it.

Friday night we had dinner at the Loeb Boathouse in Central Park.  The same exact spot where we'll be celebrating my best friends wedding in less than 3 months! It was gorgeous, the food was amazing, and I cannot WAIT to do it all over again with all of my closest friends!

We went to a Met's game on Saturday.  The weather was perfect and Lindsey & Bryan met us there and we had a lot of fun.

Lindsey's fiance Bryan (BK) showing off his modeling skills. 

I've always wanted to see the Lion King on Broadway.  Lucky for me, it was included as part of the business trip...the only way I could drag my husband to a Broadway show.  I thought it was pretty spectacular, and though he would never admit it, I think he enjoyed it as well...at least the parts he was awake for.

This is the view from Lindsey's condo in NYC.  I guess I can see why she's not quite ready to move back to TN, though I really wish she would.  While I can't offer her this kind of view, I can offer lots of trees, beautiful rolling hills, and large pastures of green grass for Chloe to run around in.  

My God daughter Chloe.  Isn't she a cutie.

We spent our last couple of hours walking around China town in the rain trying to get some sweet deals, but unfortunately, I think we just got ripped off.  I get very uncomfortable in these places and Jeff is just impatient, a bad combination when you're trying to negotiate.

We seriously had a blast, but I was really anxious to get home to my baby girl.  I thought she'd be a lot more excited about the souvenirs we brought home for her.  This was not quite the reaction I was going for...

Country Music 1/2 Marathon

Well folks, I actually completed my very first half marathon, and I have a shiny (and very heavy) metal to prove it.  I am extremely proud of myself and it was an amazing feeling to accomplish something that I never thought possible.  I never understood those people who said they actually LOVE running (I really just thought they were liars), and while I still wouldn't call myself one of 'those' people, I would put myself in the category of 'I don't hate it as much as I used to.'   I might even go as far as to say 'I LIKE it.'  But love is a strong word, and I'm not quite ready to make that commitment.  

About three weeks ago, right after I had completed a very rough and discouraging 11 mile training run, my very sweet and supportive husband (sarcasm implied) turns to me and says "would it make you feel better if I ran it with you? I could probably do one long training run and be good to go."  I slapped him.  Not really, but I wanted to.  While I'm sure he meant it in the most loving way possible...it was the very worst thing to say to me in that moment.  But he did redeem himself on Saturday, being Mr. Mom and braving the seas of people to be there with Allie when I finished.  He was walking around for two hours searching for me without a cell phone, the fact that he found me was a miracle.  I looked over and I saw his frantic face walking up the stairs with Allie in one hand, a diaper bag in the other, and a man behind him carrying the stroller up the stairs.  And despite the fact that Allie's clothes were on backwards and her diaper was full of poop, I was so very proud of him :).  I actually felt really bad, he was trying so hard to be at the finish line when I finished, and it just didn't work out for him.  He looked more exhausted then I was. I think he has a new found respect for Mom's.

My official finishing time was 2 hours, 38 minutes, and 1 second (though my Nike GPS begs to differ).  Most people would be disappointed with this time.  I, however, was ecstatic.  I was just happy to have crossed the finish line on my feet and not on a stretcher.  Everyone keeps asking me if I would do it again, and now that my body has had 2 full days to recover, I would say yes.  While I'm normally not the competitive type, I'm suddenly finding the urge to run another one just so I can shoot for a better time.  Who is this girl that has taken over my body?!?!?!

It's all mental really, if you convince yourself that you're a runner, then you'll become a runner.  It's kind of like the time I taught myself how to ski in Lake Tahoe by having a dream I was a good skier.  I went from spending 4 days on my butt in the snow, to flying down the slopes like a pro...overnight.  Maybe not a pro, but I did make a huge improvement, all because of a dream I had.  Sound crazy?  Well it kind of is, but it really happened.  I think the self help books call this 'the power of positive thinking.'  

My advice to anyone who calls themselves a 'non-runner' like myself and thinks they could never complete a half marathon, is to just give it a try. If I can do it, trust me, you can too.  And if that's not enough inspiration for you, take a look at this gal. 

Almost to the starting line!

She's my super hero.  Seriously, she's amazing.  If you don't know her story, please take a minute and go here.  While she is a seasoned marathoner built for running, her current situation makes it a lot more difficult.  But despite everything, she made the half marathon look like a walk in the park. I was so proud to run side by side with her for the first 4 miles or so on Saturday.  She is truly an inspiration to everyone around her.  I'm so proud of you Ashley, you are unstoppable and I know you're going to kick that cancer's a**.

We did it! 

The best prize of all was seeing this sweet face. Although, she didn't seem too impressed.

My biggest cheerleaders.  Even though her clothes are on backwards, I was super impressed he remembered to put a sun hat on her.  Good Daddy.

I ended up finishing the race with my friend Michelle from Morgan Keegan.

Ashley & Zafer

Thank you all for your support and encouragement.  And a special thank you to those who donated to St. Jude to help sponsor my run, it really meant a lot to me and it's such a great cause.  I ended up raising $575 in only 3 weeks, not too shabby!  

8 months old!

Using mommy's phone for entertainment/chew toy

Doesn't go anywhere without her wubanub 

Allie is becoming such a little person with so much personality, and she's quite the little diva I might add.  At eight months old she's already very head strong, and she knows how to get what she wants.  It's not that hard though, I'm kind of a sucker.  


She now has six teeth, two on bottom and four on top.  She grew all four top teeth last week, that's quite an accomplishment for one week.  Needless to say, I've had a lot of sleepless nights.  


She wants to be on the move so bad she can't stand it.  She's getting close to crawling but not quite there yet.  She has, however, figured out how to spin herself in a full circle while on her stomach.  I guess that's a part of learning to crawl.   

She's very curious about all of her surroundings and wants to get her hands on anything in sight.  If I leave her in a seated position she immediately sets her sights on something in the room and face plants to try and get to it. She's very persistent and determined...just like her daddy.

She loves standing up, she's always so proud of herself.  She's just now started trying to pull herself up, but she only makes it to her knees.  She loves her standup/walking toy from Nana.  

"Look at me, only one hand, I bet you can't do this one handed!"

One handed again, on marble floors...livin on the edge.

I know she looks terrified, but she was actually loving every

minute of it. I swear.

She's started talking...a lot.  It's more of a babble I guess, but whatever it is, it's super cute.  We think she's saying Dada, which would be her first word (other than Hi) but it's mixed in with a lot of chinese sounding language.  Here's a video so you can judge for yourself. First word or not a word at all?

She just learned yesterday how to pick up her puff cereal with her finger and thumb and get it into her mouth (the pincer grip I guess is the technical term according to google).  They used to just end up all over the floor, so this is a very exciting step for me.


She still won't take a sippy cup.  Poor little sippy cups take a beating against the highchair and end up being slammed to the floor.  I've tried several different kinds, she doesn't want anything to do with any of them.  Suggestions welcome.


More random pictures from the past month...

Always has her eye on Kiki, making sure she doesn't get too close.

Trying to pull up in her crib...probably time to lower it.  Although, I don't know 

how to do that.

Always making sure Daddy's watching her

Play time

Nap time

Playing with Daddy

Looking cute in Daddy's hat

More sweet nap time. It was really hot that day, she doesn't normally sleep naked.

She rarely wants to snuggle with me anymore so I truly cherish these moments

Bedtime "bible" reading with Daddy.  I love these

sweet moments.

Enough about Allie, let's talk about me for a second.  And the fact that I have to run 13.1 miles tomorrow morning.  Yea that's right, I'm actually going through with this.  I know, I can't believe it either.  But it's paid for and I've collected several donations for St. Jude so there's no turning back now.  I wouldn't want to disappoint all three of you who read my blog.  So wish me luck, this is really happening in less then 24 hours.  Time to go carbo-load (or is it carb-load?) on some pasta...now that I can handle!

Allie's first Easter

Easter was my favorite holiday growing up.  I'm not sure why, but I loved it even more then Christmas.  I have fond memories of easter egg hunts with my cousins, Easter baskets, going to church, and of course the frilly dresses.  I was so excited about Allie's first Easter, but I'm even more excited about next year when she can participate in Easter egg hunts...oh how I love egg hunts...the hiding and the finding.


We went to the early service at church and then met Jeff's whole family for brunch.  We love our church (Crosspoint of Nashville) and it was an amazing service and Allie always does so well when we take her.  


I really didn't expect her to care about or even notice her Easter basket, but to my surprise, she dug right in with excitement.  The first thing she grabbed was her Bible and she carried it into church with her.

Nana sent Allie an Easter basket too so it was double the fun

With Aunt Liz at brunch

Uncle Art

Aunt Sue

Grandma & Uncle Henry

Uncle Michael