13.1 Beautiful Miles

Well, I did it!  I actually completed another half marathon.  I even beat my goal.  I wanted to finish it in two hours or less, and I ended up finishing it in 1 hour and 57 minutes.  Yay!

We had to wake up a smidge early . . . okay, it was 3:45am.  I suppose that's MORE than a smidge . . . of which I haven't had to do that since Evie was 3 weeks old.  I met up with my darling sisters and friends at 4:30am to load the busses.

Those busses hauled us all the way up American Fork Canyon to our starting destination at Tibble Fork Reservoir.

Here we are just outside of the "Honey Buckets" as we all make our last efforts to empty our
bladders.  I love these beautiful girls.  From left to right:  Amber, Me, Jen, & Becca.

This is also at the starting line.  I had to snap a picture with my good friend, Jen.  We had a similar training schedule as we were both plagued with some challenges (me = newborn and Jen = travel and international moving).  We even hooked up and ran a couple long runs together before race day.  We haven't run in a race together for YEARS (like at least ten) so I cannot tell you how happy I was to be at the starting line with this fine woman!  

Jen and myself.  Besides that I love that we're together, I love seeing the canyon behind us too.

The run went well.  I actually paced with Jen and Becca for the first 6 miles (they are fast runners) and then had to pull back a little on my pace to ensure that I would make it to the end without wanting to die.  That was a good thing, because it was pretty tough to finish when I did.  I love this run because I love American Fork Canyon and it always makes me happy to run while surrounded by such beautiful scenery.

This is an event where every person who finishes, gets a medal.  I think that's only appropriate.

Jen, Me, Becca.  We all met up at the finish line. 

Amber and I at the finish line.
This was the 2nd year in a row that we both conquered this amazing event! Go us!  

I was SO happy to see my little training buddy at the finish line too.  Beau and Evie came to see me finish and I might have to say this was one of the highlights of my day.  Evie deserved to be there as much as I did.  She logged A LOT of my training miles right there with me.  Maybe one day she'll actually be running with me, instead of rolling with me.  Either way . . . I'll take her!

When I found Beau & Evie a random runner looked at me and in amazement asked, "Is that your baby!?"  I proudly responded, "YES!"  She then asked, "And you just ran that race with her being so new?"  I could tell that she had assumed I had carried & delivered Evie (I mean, why wouldn't she?), but I played along and took the compliments of how incredible I was to finish.  However, I broke down & told her that Evie was adopted.  That being said, I still deserved some extra credit.  After all, training on a newborn's schedule is hard and not very convenient.  So, I am VERY happy to have finished so well.  (That being said, I would like to go on the record and say that I would give up running for my baby girl if that was what was needed or required.  She is SO worth it.)

These two are my support & cheer group!  It's probably not the easiest to be married to a runner and I thank Beau for supporting me, working around my training runs when he could, sacrificing some of his Saturday mornings so I could go on long runs, and for coming to see me finish!  I love my family!!

I love these two SOOOO much!

I love how much Beau loves & adores little Evie too!

Beau took me out to breakfast to celebrate my victory.  Evie & I then relaxed by the pool for a few hours.  I figured I deserved to do next-to-nothing after putting in all those miles.  Really, I don't deserve anything.  I'm just SUPER grateful to be healthy and fit enough to accomplish such things.

Here's the proof that I made it (this is my GPS watch that I wore during the race).  The top number is my overall mileage pace.  Man, I barely stayed in the 8-minute miles. . . ha, ha!  The bottom, left number is my total time which was 1 hour, 57 minutes.  The bottom, right number is the distance I ran of 13.1 miles.

I'm so gonna beat that next year!

She's Perfect - 2 Month Wellness Check

We've been anxious to get Evie in to see Dr. Mumford for her 2-month Wellness Check.  We wanted to see what her actual weight and height progress was, as well as ask the doctor some simple questions.  Beau was able to make arrangements at work so he could be to the appointment with us.  He loves to be with his girls and he didn't want to miss this!

As you can see, Evie now weighs 12 pounds, 4 ounces.

That puts her in the 55.68 percentile.  I'm not going to lie, Beau and I thought she would be off the charts, but she is pretty darn close to average.  What a healthy, little girl!

Her length is now 23.5 inches and she's a bit higher on the charts here.  This lands her in the 73.71 percentile.  She's got some long legs and she loves to kick them!

They also measure her head and she's in the 46.88 percentile there.  (You might find it odd, but people often give us compliments on her head shape.  We hear about how beautiful her head is.)

So, in summary, Evie is growing perfectly.  It's one thing for us to say she's perfect, but so did the doctor.  Thus, it's TOTALLY true!  No questions asked!  In fact, Dr. Mumford said she is baby contest material and she could totally win.  Of course she can!  (While we believe that Evie would win by a landslide, we are also not too naive and we're guessing he tells most parents this about their babies.)

Next on the agenda was getting Evie's immunization shots.  We were not looking forward to this event!  We fed Evie a little bit before the nurse came in with the needles.

Come on girl!  Let's get you ready for your shots.  You're strong, you can do this!

She got three shots.  One in one thigh, and two in the other.  The nurse was super fast, but this baby girl was NOT happy about the pokes.  She cried like Beau and I have NEVER seen/heard her cry before.  Her sweet face was red and tears were overflowing out of her sparkly eyes.  I could not calm this girl down for minutes.  Even singing to her wouldn't help much . . . and it usually works like magic.

Doesn't his face just break your heart?  It broke ours!

I held her as tight as I could and eventually she calmed down.  I think she mostly calmed down because she had worn herself out from such a hard cry.

Oh, how I love this girl more than words can say!

At least the nurse had some cool, purple band-aids to put on her wounds.  Besides, how can you not love those legs?  Seriously!

After she calmed down, she ate and then we made our way home.  She was SO wiped out that she took a much needed, long afternoon nap.  Then she was back to her happy, smiley self.

That doctor's visit wore me right out!

We are happy to have such a strong, healthy baby girl.  She's growing right like she should (even though it's faster than we would like) and she's our little angel.

Farmer's Daughter Goes To Her First Concert

While Evie is technically a farmer's daughter and we all might like Rodney Atkins' #1 country hit, "Farmer's Daughter," we certainly aren't ready for Evie to be the girl/woman in that song!  That said, we had a great time going to the Scera Outdoor Theater, spending the evening under the stars, and listening to some good country music.

We started off the evening with some good food!  We had a BBQ with our good friends, Bret & Ashlee.  Ashlee gave Bret concert tickets for his birthday too (Bret and Beau's birthdays are only 1 week apart).

Look at these handsome birthday boys!

With full and happy tummies we made our way to the concert.  Right when we got there it started to rain.  It wasn't a downpour, but it was a nice and steady rain for about 5-10 minutes.  We actually thought it was kind of fun and it helped to cool things down . . . which in the end made the night SUPER comfortable and that much more enjoyable.

Here's Bret & Ashlee trying to stay dry from the rain.

And, here we are.  Evie had the best seat.  I'm sure it was more comfortable
and it came equipped with a fabulous rain cover.

During the rainstorm, Evie didn't love to be completely covered.  She loves to see what's going on.  So, Beau found a way to keep his little girl happy.

This little rainstorm sent us a little gift.  We witnessed the brightest rainbow we've seen in a long time.

And, as if that wasn't enough, it turned into a double rainbow moments later.

We had a great time enjoying a beautiful summer night as a family with delicious food, good friends, and a talented performer.

And . . . one last picture of the farmer and his daughter.  They make quite the pair!

Popular Songs by Rodney Atkins:
Farmer's Daughter
If You're Going Through Hell
Take a Back Road
It's America
These Are My People

Evie on Macro Lens

I swapped out my normal lens to the macro lens so I could photograph some food for my food blog.  While I had the macro lens attached, I thought it would be fun to get a close-up of our Evie doll.  She was just laying on the couch kicking her legs, blowing bubbles (she's really turned on the drool), and smiling.  She's a beauty!

Beau Is Officially 1 Year Older

Happy Birthday to Beau!  When I told Evie that it was daddy's birthday she seemed pretty content with that news.

Yay!  It's daddy's Birthday!

When I told her how old daddy was turning, she COULD NOT believe her ears!

He's how old!?

Beau has been working some CRAZY hours these past couple of weeks, so we weren't really sure when we would see him come home from work.  So, I just planned a quiet night inside.

Beau's mom and stepdad wanted to come visit.  They said they wanted to come because it was Beau's birthday, but we know that they really wanted to come see Evie.  We really cannot blame them one bit!

Evie with Grandma & Grandpa Bird

The Birthday Boy finally made his appearance at home when the clock struck a little after 8pm.  All he wanted was his little girl in his arms.  His birthday wish was granted.

Evie loves to watch her daddy!

After Beau threw a few smiles Evie's way, she was smitten. 

(Beau was talking when I took this, but I had to capture Evie's face.)

I prepped all the food so we could all make our very own grilled pizzas.  We popped the dough on the grill, came back inside to "decorate" our pizzas up with whatever toppings we desired, and then put them back on the grill to cook to perfection.

While we ate our delicious creations, Evie was completely content and fascinated with the baby swing and the mobile above it.

Here is Beau's gift pile.  

After eating dinner, I asked him if he wanted to open gifts and he said, "No Way!  I want to feed Evie and get her ready for bed."  He cared very little about his gifts and just wanted to snuggle with his princess.  So, again . . . his birthday wish was granted.

Beau picked out his favorite pair of jammies.

Then he swaddled her right up and fed that beautiful girl.

When Evie was sound asleep for the night and mom and dad had said their goodbyes, Beau finally opened up his gifts.

I gave him a new lawn mower (he has to pick it up himself . . . I'm nice like that).  Evie gave him tickets to a concert in the park (taped to some yummy candy).  We get to go see Rodney Atkins as a family next week.  We also got him some little bunt cakes from Nothing Bundt Cakes, but it was way too late to eat cake so that's what he ate for breakfast the next day.

Speaking of the next day . . . since we didn't really have a lot of time to celebrate on the actual birth day, we had all sorts of fun today.  Beau took the day off (although he still ended up working a little from home) and he woke up early to go glass for deer with his brother, Chance.  While he was gone, Evie & I logged 6 miles.  Then we all went to breakfast at Mimi's Cafe.

We also all got an afternoon nap & made a trip to the chiropractor.  We are feeling good! 

 Happy birthday to the love of my life!!

My Little Kangaroo

Sometimes - okay, all the time -  Evie just wants to tag along with me everywhere I go.  I certainly don't mind that one bit!  Sometimes, in order to get things done, I put her in her sling.  The sling is pretty handy because it relieves pressure off my back, it puts my little girl close to me, and Evie seems to be pretty content to sit in it.  When she's in the sling it feels like I have a little pouch so I call her my little kangaroo!

The other night I started to make dinner and she just had to be held.  So, in the sling she went.  She sat there and watched me make dinner the entire time . . . content as could be.

When Beau got home he said that she looked so cute sitting in there that we had to get our picture taken.  You can't see it, but she's wearing a little onsie that has a big cupcake on it.  All day long I called her her my sweet little cupcake.  Well, then she turned into my sweet little cupcake kangaroo.  :)

She's LOVING to suck on her hands as of late.  She's always sucked on them, but not like she does now.  She's so stinkin' fun!

Play Mat Time

Evie's been SUPER at following movement and nobody can deny how she loves to lay down and kick her legs.  She's a little mover.  I figured today would be a perfect day to see if she might like her play mat.

What I found out was that she LOVED laying on the play mat and kicking her legs, but she wasn't necessarily in love with the eye-catching toys above her.

She was mostly facsinated with the colors and would kick her legs while she stared at the green tube to her right.  I would move the little bear and butterfly at the top, but she still liked staring at the green tube even more.

This picture isn't great because the focus landed on the toy, rather than Evie's face, but you can still see her sweet smile.  Thus, I had to throw it on here for you to see.  I love it when this girl smiles at me!

Although she loves to wiggle, she still has a calm and mellow temperament about her.  She is so much fun!

Eight is Great, Great, Great!

Today is our 8th Anniversary!  We feel so blessed to have found each other and to have the opportunity to build a life together.  Like most years, we stayed pretty close to home.  We decided to take a little family trip to Manti, Utah.  The destination was determined when we found out that our dear friends, the Howe's, had a missionary homecoming and farewell on our anniversary.  They live in Ephraim and we love the Howe's and didn't want to miss hearing Jan and Jens speak.  So, we made a weekend trip out of it.

Joe and Kjirsten Howe recommended the Yardley Inn to us.  It's a quaint Bed and Breakfast located a few blocks from the Manti Temple.  It's run by a a darling woman who was as hospitable as they come.  She seemed to be snagged right out of a classic fairytale!  When we got there she took us for a tour of the house, she showed us to our room, and brought us some fresh water to drink.  Everything in this place is natural . . . she uses essential oils, purified water, and she cooks with vegetables and herbs from her own garden.

We took this picture after Mrs. Yardley made us a delicious breakfast (9-grain carrot waffles, scrambled eggs, and bacon). We asked her if we could get a picture with her and she didn't hesitate at all and was quite pleased with our request.  After debating what spot would be most perfect, we decided the front entrance to the house was the winner.  When we got there, she asked if she could stand in the middle.  She's a hoot!  She loved Evie and kept calling her "Precious."  She is spot-on with that one!

After breakfast we finished getting ready for church and headed to the Howe's ward building.  It was PACKED!  The Howe's are such great people and the way that chapel was filled was living proof that they are loved by many (it seriously looked like Stake Conference in there).  Jan is on his way to Nicaragua, and Jens just got home from the West Indies Mission.  The Howe's provided a lunch after sacrament meeting and they decided to have it at the Elementary School down the road because they had so many people attend.  

Kjirsten, Joe, Emilee/Evie, & Beau

After lunch, we headed back to the Yardley for an afternoon nap.  Mrs. Yardley said she didn't care how long we stayed and we were welcome to stay all day.  We took her up on that and all three of us snoozed for a while before we made the drive back home.

We LOVED our little get-away.  It was nice to drive out to the quiet country and break away from our busy life at home.  As always, I love any amount of time I get with my sweetheart and it was so enjoyable to have him for 24-hours without anything else getting in the way.  I love my Beau and look forward to many more years ahead.

Wondering How an Angel Sleeps & Awakes?

Just in case you didn't know how an angel sleeps, I thought I would show you.  I'm warning you right now that she might just melt your heart here.

This is a our angel asleep in the cutest & most cuddley jammies ever! 

You needed a closer look, didn't you?  That's what I thought!

And, you must see what we see in the morning when this angel awakes.  She's the happiest little girl with the biggest smiles.  Oh, how she melts our hearts every day!

This is what we get as soon as we go to get her from her bed.  We say "Good Morning, Evie Doll!" and we are greeted with the biggest grins an angel can possibly give!  

I mean really!  How can you not fall in love here?

Her eyes sparkle too.  Can you see it?  

That's what angels do.  They sparkle, smile, and make you feel all warm and happy inside.  Thus, Evie is definitely our angel.  No questions asked!

Lastly, here's Evie in her cute outfit that I put her in after I changed her out of her PJ's.  Is that pink skirt cute or what!?