Family Vacation-Day 1

We left for Florida on Friday afternoon and made it as far as Cordele (The Watermelon Capitol of the World, in case you were wondering) before crashing for the night. On Saturday we were up with the chickens and on the road after breakfast in our room. We made it to the Florida state line just in time for Allie's mid-morning feeding. We posed by the "Welcome to Florida" sign for our obligatory photo and then were on our way. Lunch was at Steak and Shake where kids eat free on the weekends. (Bonus!) We hopped on the turnpike and were at our hotel by 3. Technically hotel check-in didn't begin until 4, but thankfully our room was ready. I walked in the lobby of the Contemporary Resort and was immediately greeted by a Disney employee. "Welcome home," he said. I kinda liked that. We got our room keys and went off to get settled. We were staying at Bay Lake Tower, but you have to check in over at Contemporary.

We walked in the room and...WOW. That's all I can say. Sleek, modern, and the most amazing views. We could see Space Mountain, Cinderella's Castle AND Bay Lake from the balcony. We've now been ruined forever. None of us ever want to stay anywhere else ever again. Allie needed to take a nap so Ainsley, Anastasia and I donned our suits and hit the pool. It was a great pool. It even had this awesome waterslide which totally rocked my face off. I think I enjoyed it more than the kids. We ate dinner in our room and did more swimming before heading up to the roof for a glimpse of the view. The girls made character masks in the community room and then we turned in for the night. Jamie and I watched the Magic Kingdom fireworks from our balcony (can we say freaking awesome?!?!?!?!) and crashed. It was a great first day of vacation.

Up next: Isabelle's party and Girls Night Out!

Dorothy Was Right

There really is no place like home, even if you can't see fireworks from your balcony or swim in a pool with an awesome water slide. We arrived home from vacation around midnight last night. It was a fabulous trip and truly one of our best adventures to date. Over the next week I'm going to blog about each part of the trip. We did theme parks, a birthday party, the beach, pools and everything in between. I'll share plenty of pictures from the trip as well. For now, here's one to hold you over. It's the view from the balcony at Bay Lake Tower, our Disney resort. This is sunrise on Sunday. It was breathtaking. (Now back to laundry!)

Responsibility on the Road

I try hard to be a responsible runner. I tell someone exactly where I am going and how long I plan to be gone. I also don't wear headphones. This is a big one for me. I used to not be able to run without an iPod (think Sampson and all that hair...same thing) but now I don't like to run with one unless I'm on the treadmill. I need my ears open to listen to my body and to listen to the environment around me, especially if I'm running on the road. In my opinion too many runners are plugged in and tuned out. That makes for a dangerous combination and why most races are outlawing headphone use and will disqualify your finish time if you are caught wearing them.

In addition to the above precautions I wear an ID tag on my shoe. It's a way for me to communicate important information about myself, even if I can't talk. I know it's hard to imagine me NOT talking, but if I was incapacitated it could happen. Jamie's phone number is on the tag as well as my name and blood type. It's a flimsy little plastic tag though and is starting to show some wear and tear. In case anyone is looking for a 30th bithday idea and want to shop early, you can head over to Road ID. It has a way to store all the important information, just in case. Just another way I try to be responsible out there on the road.

(Disclaimer: Those are NOT my legs in that picture!)

Down the rabbit hole

Ever since she was a baby, Ainsley has had a special man in her life. Well, less a man and more a rabbit. Rabbee (as he is known in our family) is a stuffed rabbit that has spent every night in Ainsley's bed since she was about 4 months old. There have been many nights of delayed bedtimes as a house-wide search party was conducted for her beloved stuffed animal. Recently I realized it had been a while since Rabbee had been washed. I told Ainsley I needed to launder him and she looked at me like I was off my rocker. "I'll have him back to you by bedtime," I promised. He came out of the laundry bright-eyed if not bushy-tailed.

He still had his "Ainsley Smell" about him though. It's this intoxicating aroma of early childhood that just smells like her. It's infused into Rabbee's every square inch and I love that about him. One day he will be stuffed into a box labeled "Ainsley's Keepsakes," but for now he's enjoying his place of honor right next to Ainsley each and every night.

Coconut Monkeys and Card-playing Sea Shells

About a year ago, we returned from a vacation in Florida with a unique gift for our friend Sarah. It was a coconut monkey. And in case you aren't up on your tacky Sunshine State souvenirs...this is what it looks like.
He was so cool, we later bought one for our house too. Ever since, Sarah has been trying to find a way to repay us. Recently she went to Charleston, SC and found the Palmetto State version of a coconut monkey....

Yes, it's a bunch of cigar-smoking shells playing cards (while drinking Coca-Cola no less!). Now the hunt is on. We'll be heading to Florida for vacation soon and we are SO going to find something even more tacky.

Trophy Time

In a few minutes we'll be heading out to Anastasia's last soccer game of the season, but Ainsley wrapped up her season last night. She'd been pestering me for days, "Is it Tuesday yet?" I thought it was cute that she was so excited about playing soccer, but then it came to my attention that she was really just excited about the trophy. Either way, it was a fun evening and while I did get my panties in a wad over the opposing team's coach (Come on dude...your girls can't kick off EVERY time....not cool!) we've had a good experience. I'm not sure if Ainsley wants to continue or if she wishes to pursue other interests like gymnastics and ballet. We'll see where the summer and fall lead us.

Army Crawl

Apparently Allie just needed tubes in her ears to start crawling. Just a few days after her surgery, she took off. It was like someone flipped a switch. Now she is all over the house and has constant carpet burn on her knees and elbows.

You just never know where she'll end up!

Soccer Shazaam

How cool is my kid?

Seriously, look at that picture! She's so cool no other players were anywhere near her as she made that goal. Soccer is coming to a close this week and while I am glad it will mean less running around, I'm sorry that we won't get to watch Anastasia's amazing soccer prowess continue. She'll be relegated to backyard soccer until the fall. Now if Jamie can just teach her to kick with her left foot.....

With Pomp and Circumstance

Today was Anastasia's Kindergarten Graduation. It was just yesterday that I walked her down the hallway for her first day and now she's moving on to first grade. *Sniff, sniff* Nana and Granddad drove down for the big ceremony. Mrs. Herd did a fabulous job planning and executing the ceremony. The kids processed in with their caps in place. Each child got an award and their diploma. After the awards we got to enjoy a lengthy photo slideshow set to music that included photographs from their entire year at school. It made me quite weepy. The show also included a baby picture of each child which really sent me over the edge! We all got a copy of the show so we can keep it forever. After the ceremony we walked with the kids back to their classroom and helped them get lunch started.

It was such a special ceremony. I'm so grateful for a positive experience as we enter the education system. Mrs. Herd and the entire staff have helped Anastasia feel at home and have truly helped her grow over the last nine months. I still can't believe her first year of school is coming to a close!

Remembering How to Run

I haven't been running in three weeks. My last go at it was the Cades Cove Loop Lope at the end of April. And while I had a great showing at that race, it isn't enough to keep up my fitness level.

I went for a run Friday on my lunch break. I changed at the office and ran down to the greenway. It was hot and sticky. Breathing was like trying to inhale with a mouth full of honeysuckle-laced cotton balls. I couldn't even run two miles without stopping. I was discouraged to say the least but I kept plodding my way through the run. I stopped and walked when I needed to. I reminded myself that I needed to learn how to run again. It will take time to get back to where I need and want to be. I've let life get in the way over the last few months. Hopefully I can get back on track. I did a quick three miles this afternoon and it was a much better run. Now if I can just find time to squeeze in a few more runs this week......

Happy Birthuation!

Today my sister graduates from Vanderbilt with a master's degree. It also happens to be her birthday. Unfortunately for me these celebrations are occuring on a work day and half a state away, so I'm unable to attend. I'm trying not to feel guilty about it because Anna is the one who has been telling me for years to "Get off the guilt train." So even though I won't be there to see her graduate, I hope she knows that I am incredibly proud of her. She's worked hard to get to this moment and deserves all the success she has attained over the years.

And lest she get too big for her britches now that she has achieved a higher level of institutional learning than I have....I will remind her of photos like this one.

I will also remind her that she'll always be my little sister. The one who still holds a grudge against me for breaking her Pilot Ken doll's arm. The one who used to sneak into my room at night so we could talk. The one who can recite Clueless from main title to credits. The one who hated playing Monopoly with me. The one kept me company in the backseat as we explored historic markers, battlefields, and national parks from coast to coast. The one who knows my secrets, faults and weaknesses and loves me anyway.

Congratulations and Happy Birthday!

Who needs a hot tub?

Who needs a hot tub when you have the kitchen sink? Allie is so much easier to bathe in the kitchen sink so last night while Jamie and Anastasia were at soccer practice, Ainsley and I gave Allie a bath. She was quite relaxed.

She had a rough night Tuesday night, but did much better last night. She's still pretty snotty and has a cough, but hopefully by the weekend we'll be able to see an improvement. I'm so tired of her being ill!

Allie's Surgery

Apparently my kids think that because I work for a hospital, they should be patients there. Today is the second time in two months I've had to swath one of my girls in a hospital gown. Allie got her tubes this morning. We had to be there by 6:15 a.m. and she couldn't eat before the procedure. She did okay with not having breakfast although she kept trying to pull my shirt down! I was with her until 7:30. They took her back and then about 10 minutes later the doctor came out and said it went well. Right at 8 she was back in my arms. I was prepared for her to be upset since the nurses said sometimes the anesthesia makes them fussy, but of course Allie was fine. The nurse said she was amazing and didn't even whimper. She ate right away and then we were discharged. After a nice nap together this morning, she is happy as a clam. I'm so relieved that it's over and I hope this is exactly what she needs to get rid of those pesky ear infections.

Here's a picture of her early this morning. It's a little grainy because it was taken on my cell phone. She loved her little bear the nurses gave her. What a good patient!

Haircut time

I will readily admit that hair is not my thing. I've never had great hair myself and sadly, I've passed that on to my girls. Lately they've looked downright scraggly. Anastasia's weekend social calendar was far too busy to allow for a grooming appointment, so Ainsley and I had haircuts on Saturday. She ended up with an adorable little bob that suits her perfectly.

8 months old

I can't believe Allie is 8 months old today! She is growing so quickly. Unfortunately we are celebrating this milestone with surgery tomorrow for her ears. We have been battling a continuous stream of ear infections since January, so hopefully tomorrow's procedure will take care of that.

She can roll all over the place and is starting to get the basics of crawling. Once she figures it out, there will be no stopping her. She likes pears and peas, but isn't fond of peaches. She will play with a spoon for hours. Allie loves her big sisters and loves taking baths with them now that she's bigger. The three of them can soak the bathroom walls in :45 flat. She is more vocal these days and can make the dadadada, mamamama, and nananana sounds. She's starting to learn to wave bye-bye. She sleeps through the night, but wants her breakfast as soon as the sun comes up. She's still breastfeeding like a champ and shows no signs of slowing down. She weighs about 16 and a half pounds now. Allie loves being outside in her swing and has recently discovered grass. She will sit on the edge of a blanket and run her fingers through the blades while studying them intently. She has grown out of her infant car seat and is now in a regular rear-facing seat. It's been a busy month for Allie. She continues to bring so much sunshine and laughter into our home.

Happy Mother's Day

We had a wonderful Mother's Day weekend. It was packed full, as always, but it was really nice. After a soccer game, two birthday parties and a lot of chores, we drove up to visit Nana and Granddad. It was a quick trip, but exactly what we all needed.

Soccer Portrait

We got Anastasia's soccer pictures back from the photographer this week. Look at that kid. She looks so....old, so grown up. Next week she'll be six-and-a-half years old. Which means we're staring age seven in the face. Her kindergarten days are winding down and soon she'll be a first grader. She can read and write sentences and do math problems faster than I can use a calculator. Boys are asking for her phone number and she's going to school dances. I miss her being a baby and toddler, but I am very much enjoying getting to know this person she is becoming.

An early Mother's Day treat

When I got home from Florida on Sunday (after they demanded their "special surprises") the girls each handed me a sheet of paper. It was a "Happy Mother's Day" coloring sheet they had done at Texas Roadhouse. Ainsley's was colored beautifully. Anastasia's was as well, but it read: "I love my mom because she cooks good food."

I think it's funny that of all the parts of motherhood I would want to be commended for, my cooking isn't really high on the list. I just love getting hand-written stuff from the girls though. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

Can you hear me now?

Allie went to see the ENT specialist yesterday. After she morphed into an exploding poop monster and destroyed her carseat, we finally saw the audiologist. She tested Allie and found copious amounts of fluid in both ears. Next we went into a sound booth where Allie's hearing was tested. She didn't respond to several of the tones, which was pretty distressing. The hearing loss is minor at this point, but it is definitely there. She's having tubes put in next Tuesday. I hate the thought of her having a procedure done, especially one that requires her to be put under but I know the end result will be a great improvement for Allie.

Here's a cute picture of her from our weekend in Orlando. She got to borrow Miss Isabelle's hairbows and quite enjoyed it!

Operation Birthday Surprise

Since early March, Jamie's mom and I had been planning a surprise birthday trip to Orlando for Ryann's 30th birthday. After months of secrecy, the time finally arrived. Friday morning my co-worker dropped us off at the airport a little after 11. We didn't check any luggage so we hauled our carry-ons and the stroller through security. We had a minor snag as the screeners thought Beth's tiny flashlight was a can of mace, but then we were on our way. Unfortunately our seats were on the NEXT TO LAST row of the plane. The view out my window was of the engine. Our flight left Knoxville right on time and we actually arrived in Orlando 20 minutes early. Allie did great on the flight. She was awake the whole time. I think she was afraid she would miss something. After we landed and got settled into our rental car, she conked out for a long nap.

We stopped and bought groceries, including flowers and a cake for Ryann. We made it to their house around 4 p.m. so we had plenty of time to kick back and relax. Ryann got home around 7. She was VERY surprised. Their neighbors were too as they called the cops about a "suspicious car" in their neighborhood. Scott assured them it was just a rental car and there was nothing suspicious about it! We all ate dinner together and then Isabelle and Allie played all evening. I so enjoyed getting to be "Aunt Caroline" for a little while. It's not a hat I get to wear very often and I certainly loved it!

Saturday we did some shopping, took naps and let the girls play again. They were so cute together! After Scott got home from work we went out to celebrate Ryann's birthday before coming home and getting our stuff packed for the return trip. We made it to the airport on Sunday morning without any problems. Our flight home was quick and uneventful. The other passengers bragged on how well-behaved Allie was which made me feel good. All in all, it was a wonderful trip. It was far too short, but I'm so glad we were able to be there for a few days. I put together a slideshow of the trip. Enjoy!