Back to Reality

It's been a while since I blogged.  I'm not hitting my 5 blogs a month this month unless something very dramatic happens in the next 6 days. 

Since my last entry Ryan and I went to Mexico with his company.  It was a great time full of relaxation, guacamole, spa treatments, pretty dresses, blue lagoons (that's a drink that left my tongue blue for days if you were wondering), and good times with friends.

It started out a little rough when I dropped Ainsley off the night before we were supposed to leave at my faithful nanny, Mary Beth's house.  The drop went well and we were all packed by 10:00 ready to leave for the airport at 5:45 the next morning. 

I got the dreaded call at 10:20pm that night that Ainsley was sick and throwing up.  She had gotten the stomach bug.  I have to say that it was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do - listen to my child cry for me over the phone, knowing that I couldn't go to her.  Mary Beth earned sainthood that night as Ainsley continued to be sick every 20 - 30 minutes until 4:00 am.  It was horrible.  But we knew it was a quick moving bug and she would be fine by the time we got to Mexico.  And she was. 

And we were able to really relax.  And it was amazing.  And my hair grew exponentially.  And I ate this soup that was half cream of spinach and half cream of tomato and stayed seperate but in the same bowl.  How cool.

We got back late on Sunday night to go to a full work week ahead.  I was catching up on my laundry when my dryer broke.  It's been on it's last leg for years and needed to be replaced desperately, but definitely not the week after vacation when the laundry back up was so high.  So I did what any sane person would do, I bought more laundry baskets...and a new dryer. 

It felt like we were finally catching up when Saturday night I came down with the same stinking stomach bug that Ainsley had a week and half earlier.  Kick my butt and knock me upside the head.  That stunk.  It was the worst I have been sick since who knows when.  Yikes.  The mommy guilt for leaving Ainsley hit a little harder too.  But I'm recovering.  And I have lost all the weight I gained in Mexico. 

And tomorrow looks like just a normal day.  Thank goodness for that.

Although I wish this was still the view out of my bedroom window.

Meet Me in Mexico

I am so proud of my husband.  He qualified for his company trip again this year.  If you remember, last year we went on a cruise.  It was so fun and I so enjoyed getting to spend time with his fabulous coworkers.  I have to say that Jody, Caroline, Mindy and I had a blast.  Oh the husbands did too but who is kidding who.  Girls know how to have fun and I loved hanging out with these women. 

This year we are going to Mexico.  I can't wait.  Last year we ended up on spring break (aka..SB O 10)  This year will be a much quieter trip on the beach.  And we have more people going this year too which should make it more fun.

And this year it's at an all inclusive spa and resort.  I'm not usually a spa kind of girl but after the year I've had, I'm ready for some pampering.

So I am prepping for my trip.  Last year I went on a diet.  And I was successful.  I had a plan and I lost the weight. 

And this year I just am not in the mood to lose weight.  I have some to lose.  But in light of the past few months, I'm going to offer myself some grace and skip the diet this year. 

So I'm prepping in a different way.  I told you that the trip is all inclusive.  So I'm in training of a different sort.  Having recently been pregnant, my wine tolerance is very low. 

Cheers!

Ouch

I'm in Tennessee visiting my sister and her family.  We drove over here on Friday for a long weekend. 

We got here around dinner time on Friday and were enjoying the time with cousins.  They were running around and just having a great time.  We ended up getting the kids ready for bed kind of late.  My nephew John Mark was reading a story to both Ainsley and Riley.  They were being silly and Ainsley bounced right off the bed.  I made the remark that she figuratively and literally hit the wall.  I put her to bed and she settled quickly.

After waking up at 12 and again at 5:30, we were both tired on Saturday.  Funny thing was that she wouldn't move.  She just sat there.  Then she started crawling everywhere.  It was like I was going through the stages of infant development all over again.

So here it is Sunday and she's still not walking.  Poor girl is hurt.  Of course with each passing moment that she doesn't start walking, I start to worry more.  And Ryan is worried sick since he's at home and can't see her to actually assess the damage.

After church today we took her to the urgent care.  After 4 x-rays, the verdict is no broken bones.  They believe that she twisted something or pulled something when she fell off the bed. 

Good news is that she's going to be ok.  Bad news is I have to carry her around everywhere.  But I am thankful that she's still acting as cute as ever with her cousins.

Was I Even There?

Part of being a mom is taking pictures.  I was looking over the vacation pictures and there are a ton of everyone but me. 

All the cousins...

Nana...

Papa...

The Dogs...

Ainsley...

Ainsley and Ryan...

Ainsley and Ryan...

Ainsley and Ryan...

Ainsley and Ryan (do you see the pattern)...

I did at one point ask Ryan to take a picture of Ainsley and I.  Here's what I got...

Guess I'll stick with the self portrait...

Looks like everyone had a great time.  Although it's not really captured, I was there and had fun too!

An Average Day in the Woods

Last week we were on vacation.  We were in the Adirondack mountains in NY, a place I love more than anywhere in the world.  It's beautiful.  There are mountains and lakes and trees and all kinds of good nature.

The weather wasn't perfect to say the least while we were up there.  But the weather was decent for a hike.  Ryan and I love to hike and be in the woods.  Every year we end up doing the same hike, which is crazy because the Adirondacks are full of all kinds of different hikes with different views.

This time we decided to go up Pillsbury Mountain instead of our normal hike.  It's 1.6 miles to the top and classified as moderately difficult.  We figured not a problem. 

We grabbed our friend Todd and off we went.  We quickly discovered 3 things.  1 - Moderately difficult meant pretty much straight up.   2 - We were not in shape.  3 - Lots of rain in the previous days meant lots of slippery rocks.

But we pressed on.  We stopped a lot and enjoyed the different mushrooms (to look at not ingest) and even found a geocache.  We figured we would get to the top and see this gorgeous view.  That's what the Adirondacks are about.

After what seems like forever we got to the top and this is what we saw...

An abandoned cabin in a clearing with trees blocking the view.  But there was also this...

A fire tower 9 flights high with rickety platforms and sketchy chicken wire that got shorter the higher you went up to hold you in.  Oh and dark skies that were obviously going to produce rain.

I am not afraid of heights but Ryan is.  So I went first and quickly climbed to the top carrying my camera and my phone in my hand.  I planned on tweeting from the top because I am that nerd.  I made it up there and then looked down.  It was really high.  And the wind was gushing.  And it was cold.  And it was raining.  And it was super scary. Like I almost peed my pants scary.

After getting to the 8th level, Ryan quickly ran down.  He then started yelling at me to get down and something about a gust of wind taking me right off of the tower.  But I had to get pictures.  So here's my best shaky attempt at a view....

I can't imagine how much better this would have looked on a clear day.  But it was raining and I was pretty sure that I couldn't hold my phone, my camera and the 2 foot chicken wire fence at the same time.

I quickly shoved my camera and phone in my bra and inched my way down.  What took me 3 minutes to climb took me 15 minutes to descend.  I did stop at about level 4 to get a self portrait...

Nice hair.  And my eyes are watering like crazy.  And then we were happy to be on the ground....

And by the time we cautiously descended the steep climb back to the car we were exhausted and ready for a hot shower...

Well, everyone but this guy...

Way to go Tucker the Wonder Pug!  What other 11 year old pug could have made it up that mountain and still have a spring in his step at the bottom.

What I Pictured

Earlier this summer we went to the beach with friends.  While we had a great time, Ainsley did not.  She got suntan lotion in her eyes and didn't like the water or the sand.  She actually fell asleep on a towel within 5 minutes of being there.  I was totally disappointed.  It wasn't what I pictured a 2 year old's experience on the beach to be. 

This past weekend we went back to the beach with Ryan's Dad and his fiance Deb.  This time I was more careful with the sunscreen and it was exactly what I pictured. 

Fun with Grampy

Swimming with Daddy

Fistfuls of Sand

Beach Toys

Potty Break

Mommy's Girl

Family Swim

Enough Said

Oh the Drama!

I bet you think I'm talking about L O S T.  I'm not.  I actually haven't seen it yet so don't spoil it for me.  I'm in a media black out today until I can get home and watch it.  Want to know why...I bet you do.  I bet you are so antsy to know why I missed the biggest TV event of the year because you know I love TV.

Well, I had a fun filled weekend with my sister and her 4 kids in Boston.  I've been looking forward to this trip for months.  It was supposed to be me and Ainsley going.  We were going to take advantage of the lap child rule one last time.  It was going to be so fun to spend the weekend watching our kids play together and enjoying time with Nana and Papa. 

But things never go as you plan.  We put Ainsley to bed on Tuesday night and I thought I heard her cough.  I got nervous because I knew I didn't want a sick kid this weekend.  I heard her cough again and I thought that was a strange cough I should go check on her.  So I did at 9:45.  Turns out she wasn't coughing.  She was throwing up.  She was covered.  The bed was covered.  It was a mess.  But I was thankful she didn't sleep in it like last time.  After a quick sleepy bath and a sheet change she was back in bed (actually the pack and play since it's easier to clean up) only to puke once more but not as bad. 

Ryan stayed home with her on Wednesday.  She seemed to be doing well.  Then she woke up from her nap and got Ryan with a direct hit.  By Thursday she was fine.  We debated and debated on whether to bring her anyway.  There were pros and cons.  Everyone had an opinion.  It was a major distraction at work on Thursday.  I don't actually know if I did any work and I have to take some time today to figure that out!  There were tears and frustration. It felt like a big family drama.

So I packed our bags and made a decision that she was coming with me.  By the time I got on the plane it would have been 40 hours with no incidents.  That felt safe but I was still nervous.  So I prayed. I prayed that if I wasn't supposed to take her with me that it would be clear. 

And it was clear.  I woke up on Friday to catch the plane.  I got myself ready.  I went in to get Ainsely up and ready and there she was covered in puke.  Clear as day.  I was so disappointed. 

So I got on a plane and flew to Boston by myself. I read a book and drank coffee on the plane.   I had a great time with my sister and her 4 kids.  I enjoyed my time with Nana and Papa.  I was really able to focus on the reason I was there.  My nephew, Anthony, received his first communion.  He took it very seriously and I couldn't be more proud.  He really is a wonderful kid.  There are some great pictures of me and him but they are on my sisters camera.  But I must say he is the cutest little boy I know.  And his heart is made of pure gold. 

And I was supposed to be back by 8:45 last night.  In time to watch L O S T.  But USAirways sucks and so I didn't get home until 11.  So now I'm on a media blackout after I hit post. I hope it's worth it.

My Feet Went on a Cruise

I decided that I wanted to give you the summary of the cruise but thought a typical post might be boring with all the pictures of us having fun (side note, if you want to see them, click here.)  So I decided to let you know where we had been via my feet.

After a pedicure on a snowy day in Greensboro, my feet were ready to go

After boarding the ship in Miami, we took a load off on lawn chairs, still in my jeans.

Relaxing on my balcony after a run in the gym on the ship.

Back in flip flops with Caroline while we waited to not play bingo.  I'm not paying $40, $60, or $80 to play bingo

On a boat in Grand Cayman getting ready to snorkel after we swam with Stingrays.

All dressed up for a night "out" on the ship with Ryan's coworkers.  These sandals were borrowed from my mother in law and she might not get them back.  I love them and I wear way more red than she does.  Look out Lonnie.

On the beach in Cozumel next to my once very clean and very light green shoes after a crazy dune buggy ride.  Thanks for the mud Ryan.

On a make shift lawn chair after all the spring breakers took all the real ones by 8:15am.  Still one of my favorite times on the cruise.

Fresh from an afternoon nap

At the Fort Lauderale airport, I had to buy some sexy slipper socks to go under my sandals and my capris.  My feet were FREEZING!  It's hot I know.

Home again in my comfy jeans and socks...looking so forward to the spring weather that seems to have arrived while I was gone.

Hope you enjoyed the journey as much as I did...probaby not though, cuz we had a ton of fun. 

Teaser

Most of you probably know we leave for our cruise on Sunday.  It's here and I couldn't be more excited.  And here's my top 10 list of things I'm looking forward to in no particular order.

1. Alone time with Ryan
2. Coffee on the balcony of my room
3. Mai Tais by the pool
4. Uninterrupted Sleep
5. Swimming with Stingrays
6. Snorkeling
7. Not having to cook for 5 days
8. Dessert
9. 80 degree weather
10. Feeling refreshed

I did some google searches this morning for images.  Couldn't find any really great ones but here's a few preview pictures...

Our Ship - The Norwegian Dawn

Our Room with a Balcony

Our Excursion in Cozumel is riding ATVs and then Snorkeling

Our Excursion in Grand Cayman is swimming with Stingrays.  He's smiling at me!

Here's a picture of where I will be spending much time on the boat.

And here's a picture of a place that I can thankfully avoid this trip!

See you in a week.  Happy Cruising to me!