St. Jude Fairway 5K

This past weekend, I ran my first race since February. It was my goal with this pregnancy to keep running for as long as possible (given that my body cooperates and it is still ok by my doctor). Unfortunately, there aren't a ton of races in Memphis in February-March (and it has been unbearably cold), so I haven't been training as much as I'd hoped lately. So, going into Saturday's race, my expectations were pretty low, and I was just hoping to finish in under 33:00 (or about an 11:00 min/mile...versus my non-pregnant average 9:00/mile).

Saturday morning came, the weather was gorgeous and I felt good. I was excited and ready to go. Michael and Emmie came to cheer me on, which is always some good motivation!

I met up with some friends for a quick photo before the race started, and then we took off!

Yes, my shirt does say "running for two." That way it's clear that it is a baby bump and not a beer belly...ha!

Overall, the race was great. It started out a little crowded but it thinned out substantially after mile 1 (my slowest mile, due to fighting the crowds). Mile 2 flew by and before I knew it, we were making our way back to the golf course to finish on the fairway. There were a couple of tough hills at the very end, but somehow I was able to push through them and finish strong. I was watching my Garmin very closely from mile 2 on, since I realized a sub-30:00 5K was very possible and at mile 3.11, it flashed 29:17. Once I realized the course was a little long (3.18 according to the Garmin), I knew my time would be off, but I still finished in 30:02, or 12th out of 54th in my age group. I'm pretty proud of that for being 6 months pregnant this week! 

Needless to say, this race was some much needed motivation for me to keep training and keep racing. I said from the beginning that I would love to keep running into my 3rd trimester, so here's to hoping I get there! There's another 5K on the calendar for this weekend, so we'll see if it goes as well as this one did! 

What I'm Loving . . .

Good morning! Here is what I'm loving this Wednesday!

1) These Ikat Toms.

I know I'm totally late to the game on this one, as people have been wearing Toms for years, but they are amazing! They're so comfy and are cute with everything...skinny jeans, shorts, etc. I have been wearing mine like crazy.

2) Target's Threshold curtains

I have been on a decorating kick lately, trying to wrap up a bunch of unfinished rooms and projects around the house (early nesting, maybe?) and these curtains fit the bill in our den. I love the pop of color, and at $20 bucks per panel (on sale this week!), they can't be beat. 

3)  These face exfoliating wipes

I picked them up on a whim at Target recently for those nights when I don't feel like washing my face (which has lately been every night...) and they are great. They actually make my face feel clean and exfoliated after using them and they remove my makeup easily. Love them!

4) The Voice!

I can't tell you how glad I am to see this show back on TV. My Monday & Tuesday nights are much more entertaining now and I have to say, I really like the addition of Usher and Shakira (I never was a fan of either Cee-lo or Christina, to be honest). There are a few contestants from Memphis, too, which makes it even more fun to watch.

So, that's it for me. What are you loving today? 

The Big Apple, Part 1

A few weeks ago, my stepmom, 2 sisters-in-law and their moms all went on a girls' trip to New York. We had a blast! We did not stop moving the whole three and a half days we were there. Needless to say, I came home and crashed hard! Get ready for recap and picture overload...just a fair warning!

Diane and I flew in from Memphis Thursday morning and took a cab to our hotel, The W. The hotel was fabulous...modern, clean and very accommodating. We dropped our bags off and headed out the door to grab a bite to eat. We stopped into Cafe Metro at the recommendation of the concierge and enjoyed our meal immensely. After that, we met up with Kristen and her mom over at the TKTS booth and were able to score tickets to see Nice Work If You Can Get It for that evening. From there, we headed back to the hotel to meet up with the rest of the crew and get ready for dinner.

That evening, we dined at Tony's Di Napoli and stuffed ourselves on arugula salad, shrimp scampi, chicken parmesan and eggplant parmesan. (Got to love family style dining...you can try a little of everything!) Then, we headed on to the show!

Now, I am not a Broadway fan by any measure. But, I was sold on the show by the promise of Matthew Broderick (SJP's husband! Yay!). Unfortunately, he was off that night, but the show was very entertaining without him and we did get to see Blythe Danner, which was neat. After a quick stroll through Times Square, we went back to the hotel to rest up for Friday. 

Friday morning, we had big plans. We were heading to Rockefeller Center at 6:00 a.m. to stand in the crowds at the Today Show with the hopes of getting on TV. Well, that we did! Diane (my stepmom) had made a very loud sign, complete with ruffles, flowers and flip flops attached to it, in order to get the anchors' attention so we could be on screen. When the weather anchor that day (Dylan Dreyer...Al was off!) came out and started greeting everyone, she headed in our direction and asked if we wanted to be on camera with her. Of course we did! We were featured in a quick snippet while she went over the weather forecast and we were excited. She was unbelievably friendly and posed with us all for a picture afterward.

With our goal of being on screen fulfilled, we headed on to get some breakfast at Burger Heaven. Then, it was time for shopping and sightseeing. We hit up St. Patrick's Cathedral, The Empire State Building, The NYC Public Library (site of the ill-fated Carrie & Big wedding...yes, I did make it a point to see as many SATC landmarks as possible), Grand Central Station, The Flatiron Building and a few other shops along the way. 

After all that walking, we needed something to eat, so we grabbed lunch at The City Bakery (another SATC landmark). The food was delicious! I had some wonderful marinated turnip greens, roasted fennel and pasta salad that served as the perfect fuel for the rest of our jam-packed afternoon. 

We were scheduled for a walking tour of Greenwich Village and Soho after lunch, so we headed onto that. The tour was great. Very informative and interesting and we got to see a lot, including the Friends building and a few other pop-culture sites. 

While this isn't the best stopping point, I'm having some issues with Blogger and adding photos, so I'll finish up this little recap later this week. Thanks for reading! 

Menu Monday

Good afternoon! I hope everyone is having a good Monday. It seems like the weather here has finally turned to spring, so here is to hoping it sticks. I thought I'd pop in and share a few recipes I am trying this week, as a couple of them are new and sound pretty appetizing. Here's what's on our menu this week:

Tonight- Crockpot chicken and dumplings with Arugula and Tomato Salad
I actually found this recipe via a friend's blog but the original link is above. Michael LOVES chicken and dumplings, but to be honest, it always sounds like a lot of work, so I've shied away from making it in the past. When I saw this recipe, I knew it would be a good one to try out! If you know me, this is totally not a recipe I would normally make (I try to use whole food ingredients most of the time), but I did try to health-ify it as much as possible by using organic chicken and organic cream of chicken soup. We'll see how it turns out!

Tomorrow night- Mini Italian Meatloaves with Four Cheese Risotto and Roasted Broccoli
I've always made traditional meatloaf, but have been wanting to try some mini meatloaves, so when I saw this Rachael Ray recipe, I was sold. I'm not going to trouble of making her mac and cheese from scratch, since I've got a box of Archer Farms Four Cheese Risotto in the pantry just begging to be used! (Has anyone else tried the Archer Farms Risottos? They are SO good and super easy!)

Wednesday-Italian Chicken with Green Beans and Potatoes
I found this recipe on Pinterest ages ago and can't find the original website, so here it is:

-4 raw chicken breasts
-new potatoes, diced
-green beans
-1 stick of butter, melted
-1 package of Italian seasoning

Place chicken down center of 9x13 baking dish. Line with new potatoes on one side and green beans on other. Sprinkle entire dish with Italian seasoning, then top with melted butter. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 for 1 hour.

Source

This recipe is unbelievably easy and a good standby. I like to sprinkle parmesan on mine when it comes out of the oven. Yum!

What's on your menu this week?

Exciting News!

Yep . . . Emmie is going to be a big sister in early August!!

Now that the initial shock has worn off, we are super excited to grow our family by one more. We had an ultrasound today and everything looked great. We saw the little peanut moving around and waving at us and the heart rate was 162 (high like Emmie's was!).

Needless to say, we cannot wait to find out what we are having! Clearly, 2013 is going to be a crazy, fun, exciting year for us!

WILW

Hello! Happy new year to everyone! It's a dreary day here in Memphis, so what better what to cheer up and kick off a new year of blogging than a WILW post?! Here are the things that are making me smile lately.

1) This painting.

(same wall in both photos, the lighting just makes the color look different)

When we hosted Thanksgiving recently, my grandparents were here and mentioned that they had a painting that they thought would go perfectly with our style/house. After showing us other works by the artist (Richard Karwoski for any art buffs out there!), we were super excited and anxious to take if off their hands. Apparently, they bought the original (which you see in the frame), along with all of the prints from the artist decades ago. They never could find a good place for it, but had held onto it for all those years hoping to find a home for it somewhere in the family. We are happy to give it that home! I took it to a local frame shop last week and had it reframed and matted and absolutely love how it turned out. We don't have any other original art, so I am super excited about it and look forward to keeping it in the family for years to come! 

2) Nightly tea. To me, nothing warms you up like a hot cup of tea, and I've been enjoying a cup of this each evening. So tasty and relaxing!

3) Vitamin D. 

I'm not sure if it's the winter weather or what, but my husband and I have both been feeling sluggish and tired lately and our energy levels have been low. As two people who love to stay active and "go" all the time, I immediately started researching and looking for ways to naturally boost our energy. After talking to a friend who is into holistic healthy, I started us both on a vitamin D supplement. Wow. Within days, we both were in better moods, had more energy during the day and were generally less tired. Maybe it's the placebo effect, but whatever it is, I'll take it!

4) These photos:

(Sorry for the small thumbnails! I tried to increase their size but they got blurry.)

One of my sister-in-law's good friends is a photographer, so on the way back from Christmas in the mountains, we stopped in Atlanta to have her do a few shots of us and Emmie. I love the way they turned out! After just a 20 minute session, she was able to get some awesome shots that I can't wait to get printed and framed. If you're ever in the Atlanta area and need a good photographer, check her out:

http://www.jkmitchellphotography.com/ 

Well, that was a wordy post! So, tell me, what are you loving this week??

Catching Up/WILW

Well, hello! How about a nearly four month blogging hiatus? Why, yes, I think I will!

Anyway, in all seriousness, my break from blogging was not intended. Life has gotten busy and I have gotten lazy about blogging! Emmie is now over 11 months old, Christmas is next week and somehow 2012 is nearly over. I think it goes without saying, but this year has absolutely flown by. I need to get back into blogging regularly. Not only do I miss it, but I know that I'll regret not journaling all the memories we are making.

What better way to get back into it than a WILW post?!

1) L'Oreal Youth Code BB Cream

This stuff absolutely rocks. My old makeup routine looked like this: wash face, apply moisturizer, apply concealer, apply Bare Minerals foundation, then apply Bare Minerals Mineral Veil. Well, due to this magic stuff, now, I have completely eliminated the moisturizer, foundation and some days, even the concealer. The BB cream goes on smoothly, makes my skin tone so much more even and even has anti-aging products in it. Love.

2) Homeland

I know I'm a little late on this, but this show is amazing. We just started watching Season 1 a few nights ago and have blazed through 11 episodes already. We are die-hard Dexter fans in this house, but Homeland is giving Dexter a run for the money, big time. 

3) Pura Vida Bracelets

I picked up a couple of these last month on a whim and haven't taken them off since. I got a white one with a circle and a tan one with a cross and I love how they layer well with other bracelets, or just look cute on their own. They're also waterproof and super light, so they are super versatile. And the proceeds go to a great cause! www.puravidabracelets.com

4) Christmas

Between decorating, shopping, baking, etc., I am in the full on Christmas spirit this year. I've always been Christmas crazy, but I think this year is even more exciting since it will be Emmie's first Christmas. What's more, we leave tomorrow for the Blue Ridge Mountains in GA for a mountain Christmas with my family. I think it's going to be so much fun to have everyone together and to create some new memories!

What are you loving today?? 

Emmie - 7 Months

Emmie-

Happy 7 months! And what an exciting month it was! We were actually in Atlanta on your 7 month birthday, thus the delay. You have grown and changed so much in the past month that I can barely believe it. You are SO mobile now and are constantly on the move. Every day, you become less of a "baby" and more of a "person". It is so much fun to watch! Here is what has been going on with you lately:

Loves: Going on walks, swinging at the park, meeting new people and having them talk to you, eating, feeding yourself, being tickled, being tossed in the air, being held upside down

Eating: Nursing 4-5 times per day and eating solids twice per day. I'm pretty sure you're ready to drop to 4 nursing sessions and will be dropping the fifth session this week. You have been eating solids like a champ lately. You absolutely LOVE feeding yourself puffs and yogurt melts and are taking down those plus 4 oz of baby food at breakfast, then puffs/yogurt melts plus 8 oz of baby food at dinner. I can't wait to start making the transition to "real food" in the next couple of months. 

Sleeping:  You still sleep so well! 11-12 hours at night (lately 12 -- ever since we put the blinds in your room back up...it must have been the early morning light waking you up) and taking two naps per day. Your morning nap is usually around 9-10:30 and afternoon nap is 2:30-4 or so.

Clothes: 6-9 month/6-12 month. Size 2 diapers. 

Firsts: Lots of firsts this month! First time eating "real" solids (non-purees), first time flying on a plane (you did great, as expected!), first time pulling up (and now you do it all the time...uh oh!), first time waving "bye-bye", first time swinging at the park, first time visiting the mountains, first time meeting your cousin Baylor and Aunt Jenni.

Here's what happens when we try to change your diaper. You immediately turn over and try to crawl away!

And our photoshoot was a bit of a challenge this month. 

 Smiling and posing...

Oh, let me grab that camera!

What?! The camera is not for me? Alright, see ya later!

So we move to the floor to try to get you to cooperate! 

 And that lasts for a minute or so.

 Hiking in Gatlinburg. The Smoky Mountains!

So excited to be with family in ATL.

Swinging at the park for the first time. 

What a fun month! As much as I hate watching time fly by and you grow up, I love the sweet little girl you are becoming!  

Emmie - 6 Months

Emmie-

This post is a little belated, as you are now approaching SEVEN months, but better late than never, right? I can't believe your 6 month birthday has come and gone. You continue to be such a joyful, happy baby and we are so thankful for that! This month has brought a major increase in mobility, as you are trying very, very hard to crawl and a little more independence with that. Here's what's been happening with you:

Loves: The dogs (ANY dogs for that matter), playing peek-a-boo, being sung to, playing with keys or sunglasses, being tickled, taking baths.

Eating: Nursing 5 times per day and eating solids twice per day. You are finicky with your solids, as you lose interest in eating about halfway through each meal, but we keep at it, since your doctor told us we need to up your intake of solids!

Sleeping:  Sleeping great! Bedtime is at 7:30 and you typically wake up at 7 the next morning. At your 6 month mark, you were still taking 3 naps per day (one long one in the morning, usually 9-11, then two afternoon catnaps). 

Clothes: some 3-6/6 month, some 6-9 month/9 month. Size 2 diapers. 

Firsts: First tooth! You handled it like a champ. One morning I was feeling your gums as I thought you might be teething and was shocked to find a tooth that had broken through! First time spending the night away from home (Papa G and Gigi kept you and you did great!). First time drinking water (you love water!). First time sitting up on your own.

Here are some photos of you!  (Yes, that is blue painter's tape on the wall. Still trying to find the time to paint the trim!)

Looking forward to month 7!!

Wednesday Love!

Good morning! I hope everyone is having a great week! It's been H-O-T here lately and I am ready for a break from this weather. Here's what I'm loving this week!

1) Emi Jay hair ties. I've heard about these and seen them around, but didn't understand the appeal until recently. They don't dent your hair, look sophisticated and cute (in your hair or on your wrist) and come in a plethora of colors! I'll definitely be ordering some more.

source

2) This recipe. I made it Sunday night for the first time and it was a huge hit. I subbed out ground turkey and broccoli for the ham and zucchini and made them bigger, as I didn't have a mini muffin tin and they were great! Michael and I both happily ate the leftovers for lunch on Monday, too!

3)  The Fifty Shades of Grey books. I know, I know. I got sucked in because I wanted to know what all the fuss was about and while the writing is terrible and there are an awful lot of sex scenes, I was intrigued by the storyline and finished the first book in less than two days. I am now shamefully reading  book two. 

source

What are you loving this week? Have you read Fifty Shades yet? Go link up with Jamie and let everyone know!

Emmie - 5 Months

Emmie-

Somehow you are 5 months old now. I cannot believe how quickly this is going by! I've said it before, but each month, I think, "This is my favorite age," so I'm sure it will continue to be that way. It is such a joy to watch you grow and discover the world around you and I'm so thankful that I have the opportunity to be home with you while you do so. 

You continue to be the happiest, sweetest girl. If I had a dollar for every time someone told me that you are "the happiest baby," I'd be very rich! You LOVE seeing new people and places and having others talk to you. I can already tell that you are going to have the best personality and I love watching it develop!

Here are some highlights from this month:

Loves: The dogs (My goodness, you LOVE those puppies! You could be crying your eyes out and the minute you see them, you start to smile and laugh!), eating, Sophie the Giraffe, going on walks/runs, grabbing your feet & toes, being outside.

Eating: Still nursing 5 times per day and now eating solids 2 times per day, once in the morning and once in the evening. So far, you've tried bananas, avocado, apples, pears, sweet potatoes and squash. You're still wary of anything that's not mixed with breastmilk & cereal, but I would like to start Baby Led Weaning at 6 months, so hopefully that will change!

Sleeping:  We are back to sleeping well! You are sleeping about 11 hours per night (going to bed at 7:30 and getting up at 6:30-7:00) and taking 3 naps per day. I think the sunlight streaming into your room in the mornings is contributing to your early wake up time, though, so I hope to remedy that soon with some blackout curtains!

Clothes: All 3-6 month/6 month clothing and now size 2 diapers! 

Firsts: First time eating real food,  first time rolling from back to tummy (you've been rolling from tummy to back since month 2),  first time drinking from a sippy cup, first time staying in the nursery at the gym, first time swimming.

Some recent pictures:

Now, on to month 6. I can't believe it!!