That Ain't Me...

I wanted to share this with you all today! The only conference I went to of Beth Moore's...well it was a conference streamed at a local church...she shared this story. I cried. It was beautiful! I hope you enjoy it, too!

Source: youtube.com via Julie on Pinterest

Never Say Never

I hate to break it to you Justin Bieber.....but I am saying it....

I will NEVER run another Half Marathon in the city of Atlanta ever again!  Never...Ever!

Sunday Morning was The Publix Half Marathon in Downtown Atlanta.  I was super pumped to run this race! The week prior I ran 10 miles and felt amazing afterwards, so I thought I was prepared.  I thought wrong...big time!  I always say that running is 90% mental and 10% physical...and I am even more convinced of this now.
My body is strong...strong enough to run 13.1 miles.  My mental state was completely crushed at this race!  I was so defeated by mile 3 and after at least 10 hills.  NOT KIDDING!  I feel like at points in the race...the hills were miles long!  The hills were never ending...never I say!  You run up a hill...round the corner...and the hill just continues.  So I hear you say...where there is an uphill there is a downhill...yes well downhills aren't so much fun after delivering 3 babies....not really fun at all!  I can't just let me body relax down a hill!  So...the race was tough...I am done complaining now!

The good thing is...I finished...and I can say I have been there and done that!  And I got to do it with some pretty awesome ladies! 

Temps Are Rising

Here in Georgia...Spring is in full bloom and this gorgeous weather is begging for us to come out and play....

BUT....

We are stuck inside because this little girl has some rising temps of her own.

Yesterday, Zoe started showing signs of coming down with something.  She had a 101 temp and had an extra long nap.  She acted like her sweet self though.  Her fever persisted, so I gave her some medicine before bed.  When I got home from work, she was burning up.  So, I gave her another dose of medicine.  This morning she was up unusually early, so she came in my bed and snuggled with me until Evan woke up.  Her temperature this morning was 102.8, so another round of medicine was taken....and this is how she has been every since.

Breaks my heart seeing her not feeling well...but I do love how much she cuddles with me when she is under the weather.

Our Week

This past week was a little bit more chill for us.  Monday, we started with Toddler Time at the Suwanee Library.  This storytime is always packed so it is great social interaction for Zoe!

Tuesday, we stayed put at home!  Mainly in our PJs!

I am still doing really well making dinners at home for my Hubby!  I made this recipe this week, Balsamic Honey Pork Medallions, and it was delicious!!!!

 Wednesday evening was Zoe's 1st Ballet class!  That day we ran around getting all the necessities for her class :)

This week I also did some Spring Cleaning...we said goodbye to some of our baby items.  The swing, bouncy seat and baby bath tub are now in the attic.  Time is just flying!

Evan took his 1st Bath this week in his bath chair!

 Now Evan and Zoe bathe at the same time...which Zoe just loves!  Zoe helps pour the water on Evan and wash his body...luckily Evan doesn't mind water in his face because Zoe shows no mercy!

Thursday was absolutely gorgeous!  We got to play outside at Suwanee Town Center with friends and then grilled out that night!  I love that grilling season is right around the corner!  

Friday we had a Family Fun Night!  We took Zoe and Evan to see Alvin and The Chipmunks "Chipwrecked".  It was a really cute movie and Zoe did amazing in the theater.  The last time we took Zoe, about 6 months ago, she didn't do so well...amazing what a difference a couple months makes in a kid's attention span.  After the movie, we headed home for Pizza and a Dance Party!  Pandora, I am convinced, is a gift from above!  I just love that I can type in my favorite artist and it plays all their songs and more!!!!  Lady Gaga was our choice for our party...Zoe had so much fun!

Saturday morning came quick!  We participated in The Precious Feet 5K and Fun Run for Prince of Peace's Respect Life Ministry.  This ministry is very close to Zach and I and I am so glad we were able to participate and raise money and awareness for such an amazing mission.  So, Saturday morning, we bundled up the kids and headed to Flowery Branch Train Depot!

 It is too early, Mom!

Lauren and I did the 1 mile walk and the Hubbies did the 5k.

 The kids had so much fun cheering on their daddies!

Saturday Night, I had a wonderful and quite relaxing evening with the ladies!  A Pedicure and Dinner Out was just was I needed!  And some great company makes it that much better!

Another wonderful week for this house!  Hope you had a great week, too!

7 Months Old

Another Month has come and gone...but this one I feel like Evan has grown and changed the most!

• Evan was 16lbs 8.8oz at his checkup a week or so ago.  I doubt he has changed that much since then.
• Evan wears 6 month and 6-9 month clothes...some 3-6 month things have been left out but they are getting pretty snug.
• Evan wears size 3 diapers.
• Evan smiles and smiles! and giggles a ton, too.  Whenever he smiles real big, he pulls his chin to his chest and squints his eyes really tight.

 

• Evan breastfeeds in the morning around 6am, has breakfast after his morning nap, breastfeeds again around Noon before his afternoon nap, after he wakes up he either eats again or breastfeeds again around 4pm and then he has his last feeding at 7pm right before bed.  He is extremely flexible and so easy going!
• Evan LOVES eating and has really gotten better eating from a spoon.
• Evan has added more to his list of foods.  This month he ate bananas, apple sauce, sweet potatoes, peas (hated), pears, peaches, carrots, yogurt, and oatmeal.  We are hoping to incorporate more veggies and some meat in the next month.
• Evan has been drinking water during his eating times.

• Evan is TEETHING!!!  He woke up 4-5 times this month in so much pain.  Poor little thing!
• Evan gnaws on everything and anything he can find...and he especially loves his fingers.
• Evan still takes his pacie.  I do not think we have a thumb sucker on our hands this go around.
• Evan loves to play with his pacie...taking it out of his month and trying so hard to put it back in.  We changed Evan's pacie to a 6-18 month.

• Evan's reflux is almost no existent now.  He does still have to occasional spit up, but no where near what we experienced in the first 6 months.
• Evan almost always goes bib free now!
• Evan now poops...big boy poops now that he is eating foods!  He is much more regular and has one poop everyday...sometimes he skips a day, but he never goes a full week anymore.  This was one of my biggest concerns with Evan and I am so glad it is all better now.
• Evan loves to have his diaper changed...he giggles and squeals the whole time.

• Evan has discovered his voice this past month.  He has a really high pitched squeal he does when he is upset or wants your attention.  Otherwise, he does a low pitched "ma ma ma" sound when he is just talking.
• Evan is very alert and attentive!  He follows objects great and turns at the sound of his name.
• Evan can move objects from one hand to the other and has a really strong grip.
• Evan has been sitting in his high chair for meals...and really hates the Bumbo.

• Evan is rolling from back to tummy, but he has only rolled from tummy to back a couple times.  He still struggles with this some. 
• Evan sleeps on his tummy every night and every nap.
• Evan can now sit up!  He does so great, but we still put pillows or the boppy around him just in case.
• Evan loves his exersaucer and he is really interacting with all the toys!

• Evan has gorgeous eyes.  Some days they look green and others just blue.
• Evan has so much pudge!  I just love it!
• Evan's hair is growing and growing and is brown...much darker than Zoe's.
• Evan still has crazy eyebrows!

• Evan loves bath time and now takes a bath at the same time as his Big Sis.  He no longer bathes in the baby tub, but sits in a bath chair!
• Evan is such a cuddler!
• Evan is pretty chill if you ask me.  I have been very blessed to have easy babies.
• Evan now opens his mouth real big for kisses!
• Evan is such a sweet baby!!! I just love him oh so much!

Now...Zoe is not a huge fan of the camera...but boy did she get jealous of me only wanting to take picture of Evan.  I kept telling her to move because I needed to take pictures of him.  She would say "Evan's turn" then "Zoe's turn".  

I love my sweet babies!  Zoe does so well with Evan!  She always wants to include him in our prayers and share with him!  She loves to feed him...things he can't quite eat yet, but I think it is so sweet!  In the morning, Evan is the first thing she asks for and she runs to his room, climbs on his crib and says "HI EVAN!"...scares Evan to death but I can't help but smile.  Zoe also loves to help me put Evan down for his nap...she tiptoes out of his room and always tells me she is going to shut the door "I got it Mommy".  Zoe is such a helper and an awesome big sister!

Twinkle Toes

Zoe's 1st Ballet class was so much fun!

A woman I grew up with opened this dance studio years ago and she had suggested to my mom the Noah's Angel class for Zoe.  I got to see Mrs. Zimmerman last night and she was so kind and helpful getting Zoe ready and getting all the forms signed and so on.  She even let Zoe 'feel out' the class before having us pay...just in case she didn't feel comfortable or didn't do well.

I laughed...the girl didn't even look back once the door was opened for the class to begin!  She was ready to play and dance with all the other girls.

For class, they keep the door closed and there is one small window!  Don't they know Mama needs to take picture of these moments!!!  So please excuse the glare...these were the best I could get...me and two other moms were rotating glances in the window...ha!

I had to apologize a time or two (or five) for Zoe's LOUD squealing!  She was just having so much fun!  I can't wait to head back on Friday!

Noah's Angels

Before I start...I have a question!

How long is it acceptable for me to blame my actions on my hormones?

Forever, You Say!...Okay...Good!

Today, I started tearing up (it's my hormones) while checking out at Ballare!  Maybe it was because I spent a small fortune on an XS pink leotard with skirt attached, size 7 ballet slippers and a pair of nude pink tights...or maybe because I have hit a moment in life that is reminding me of how fast time flies!  

My Zoe Jane twirled and twirled in the mirror while she tried in her new attire for her first ballet class tonight!  And I just wanted to cry.  Where did my baby girl go?!?!

Tonight, we head to Buford School of Ballet, a Christian dance studio located up the street from our house.  I have to share their mission statement because it just makes me so excited that places like this exist!!!!

Our Mission is to teach our students that dance is a gift from God and we give all praise and thanks to Our Heavenly Father.

To instill a Christian and fun loving environment in the classroom while learning the beautiful art of dance.  

To expose the dancer to liturgical dance which is the use of movement to traditional and contemporary Christian music in worship services as well as dance performances.

Amazing, right!?!

I did not grow up dancing...I am pretty sure I had way to much energy to stand still long enough to learn how to...but Zoe constantly asks us to dance with her, to play dress up, and for us to sing to her...and I just know she is going to LOVE this!

Zoe is going to be in 2-3yr old class, Noah's Angels, that meets Wednesday night and Friday morning!  Her class is a 30 minute Christian themed story, that takes the girls on a boat ride where they become elephants, lions, monkeys and turtles.  Can't Wait!