Sarah and Fred's wedding in CT

We just got back today from Sarah's beautiful wedding in CT.  Congratulations to Sarah and Fred!!!  Here are some pics I stole from Sarah's friends on FB until I see the professional pics.  My sister was the most stunning bride I've ever seen.

A cute pic before we left at home:

 The plane ride there and back were about as expected.  Reese was easy to entertain with books, coloring and food.  Asher, not so much.  He screamed for the last 40 minutes of one flight on the way there and was "a challenge" on the way home.  Reese did sit behind an older gentleman on the way home today and despite my best efforts she still kicked his seat a few times (although considering it was a 5.5 hr flight I thought she did pretty well!)  His comment to me about 30 minutes in: "That child is kicking my seat" said like she was some kind of small animal.  Luckily she fell asleep soon after and slept for most of the flight.  For those of you who travel often, bet you never get your windows decorated with the stars of Toy Story...

 the kids riding the luggage cart at the hotel

 after the wedding we went to a pumpkin patch/corn maze in NJ with Dan, Venus, Jeff and Michelle.  It was fun despite the cloudy weather

 I think CK and Dan had more fun feeding the goats and sheep than the kids did

 I tried to show off my P90X guns but couldn't quite hit the top

 Jeff, however, had no trouble

 the kids loved the bouncer and even got a ride just the two of them

 We also got to visit Dan and Venus's new house in Cranford, NJ.  Beautiful!  CK and Dan put up their new dining room chandelier after dinner.  Of course, Asher had to assist.  Any question whose kid this is?

2nd trip to the ER in 2 weeks

Reese and Asher were playing on the air mattress in our office today and whether Reese pushed or Asher fell (I think we all know which one is most likely, however, neither CK nor I actually saw it happen so we can't prove anything) Asher rolled off and hit his head hard on a charger that was plugged into the wall.  Hard enough to knock the charger out of the wall, dislodging one of the metal "prongs" which subsequently sliced his poor little scalp.  A trip to the ER and 2 staples later and he's back in action.  Funny enough when the PA came into our room in the ER he said "this is becoming a bad habit for early October".  Of course I thought he was referring to CK being there just over a week ago when he sliced his forearm open with ductwork and needed 7 stitches.  But he was actually referring to last year, this very week (early October 2010) when Reese pushed Asher off the couch and he hit his head hard enough that CK took him into the ER.  Hopefully October 2012 can break the trend :).  I spend enough time in Emergency Departments for work; I'd really prefer not to be there on the weekends, too :)

New house pictures

CK has been busy working on the house and we finally got some pictures to prove it.  Here is the flooring which will hold the radiant heat

 This is the radiant heat in the upper garage (the one the cars will actually go in or so I'm told)

 view from the back of the garage looking south

 this week CK poured the garage floor so it's now complete.  Here's Reese, Andrew and Kaitlyn checking it out yesterday

 Reese admiring the final product (and the view)

 CK also poured the supports for the front deck.  They're still in the forms but this gives you an idea

 After the move (From condo to condo) last weekend CK moved his tool trailer up to the house

 the wall mount faucets for the master bath

 and windows!

We're moving!

Unfortunately not into our new house.  That's still a few months off  (at least).  However, we are moving.  Our current condo rental is one of a four-unit grouping.  Our landlords (who live in one unit across the street from us) built all 4.  They live in one, one has sold and two are on the market.  One of those is ours and one is the unit caddy-corner from us that their mother lives in.  Ultimately, they would like her to move into our unit.  So recently, they decided to have her buy our unit from the bank and keep her unit on the market.  Her unit is bigger (ours is 2BR/2BA and one floor, hers has a 2nd floor with a bonus room/extra bathroom upstairs).  Because of the market (and their unwillingness to come down on price) that condo is not likely to sell right away (it's already been on  the market for awhile).  So we told them we'd be happy to do the "swap" as long as we don't pay more in rent than we are currently (because, although the extra room is nice, we don't really need it and therefore don't want to pay for it).  They agreed and are closing on the purchase next week.  So our move/swap date is September 10th.  That means a lot of packing this weekend and moving boxes (all of 100 feet) on the 10th.

This is the unit we are currently in and here's the unit we're moving to.  Never a dull moment!

Day 90! My P90X journey is complete

Today marks Day 90 of my 90-day journey with P90X.  I made it!  90 days of workouts and clean eating.  90 Days without sugar, chocolate or Diet Coke.  It was a tough road but I'm glad I stuck with it.  I feel stronger, more toned and in great shape.  I don't want to lose this feeling, either.  In fact, I've decided that after a few days off this weekend, I'm going to start Insanity next week.  It's more cardio than P90X but I think it will be the right mix for my next challenge.

So what are my results?  While I definitely don't look like the people in the pictures above, I have considerably more muscle tone than I ever have before, especially in my abs.  I won't be taking official after pictures/measurements until Saturday morning after I finish out this week's worth of workouts and a Shakeology cleanse that I'm currently doing.  But as of my 60 day mark, I lost 4 inches on my waist (definitely where I needed it most) and lost about 5 lbs.  I think I likely lost a lot more weight in terms of fat than that but I added so much muscle (which weighs more than fat, of course) that the overall numbers didn't move that much.  Fine with me.  My clothes fit much better and I finally have the energy to chase the kids and the strength to pick the little buggers up without worrying about throwing out my back.  I also feel good about setting a good example for my kids, who now know whenever I put in a DVD and put on my sports bra: "Mommy exercise".  Here's a picture of Reese "flexing" with me around 60 days in.

P90X2 actually comes out sometime this fall and I think I will be trying it after Insanity.  I really do like the program.  For those of you not familiar with it, it's a great mix of weights, cardio, yoga, karate and stretching.  It's definitely a challenging regimen, especially the eating part.  The workouts are tough, but to eat completely clean (no processed foods) for 90 days is hard.  It makes a huge difference, though, in your overall results and, even more importantly, how you feel.  I'm glad I did it and would definitely recommend it to anyone.

Reese at 3 years

I took Reese to the pediatrician this morning for her 3 year checkup.  She weighs 41 lbs (98th percentile) and is 39.4 inches (95th percentile).  The nurse took one look at me and said "not sure where she gets that from" (then I filled her in on Dad's dimensions).  They ask you to fill out a form asking a bunch of questions about social skills, motor skills, etc.  As I was filling it out, Reese was drawing on a piece of paper.  She drew an "H", an "E" and then a perfect "R" and announced "R for Reese".  The doctor looked at her, looked at me and said  "Yeah, you don't need to fill that out. She passed."   She only got one shot, her 2nd (and last) Hep A and she didn't even cry.  I think she was too excited about the sticker she was promised after the shot :)

Yesterday was also a big milestone in our house.  Reese's last day with a binkie.  Last night when she was heading to bed she asked for it and we reminded her that only babies need binkies and big girls who are 3 don't need them anymore.  When she protested CK gave her the last binkie we have, but he'd cut off the actual sucking part.  "My binkie's broken" she said, very sadly, so I asked her if she wanted to throw it away, and to my surprise, she did.  This morning she woke up and announced, "My binkie is broken and now it's in the garbage."  We talked again about how big girls don't need them and all the binkies should go to the little babies who do need them.  She seemed satisfied with that answer so here's to hoping we have moved on...

Reese's Birthday Party

We celebrated Reese's birthday tonight with Val, Jen and all the cousins.  Reese had a great time.  Here are some highlights.

Pre-party it was tough keeping her away from the pile of presents

 Asher showing off his new finger puppet from Nana

 Reese and Asher playing finger puppets (until Reese took both and ran off with them seconds later...)

 The awesome Elmo cake made by a friend of ours

 The crew enjoying tacos

 Asher and the remains of his tacos

 Reese calling Grandma to tell her to come over

 Enjoying having everybody sing Happy Birthday to me

 Blowing out the candles...she knew exactly what to do and blew out all 3 on the first try

 Opening the princess card from Jeff and Michelle

 The present opening paused for about 10 minutes while Reese put each of her new stickers on her new book

 Opening gifts with gusto

 Reese enjoying her new easel

 When it was time to go potty, she just pulled the easel over for easy access (note the back of the portable potty sticking out the back)...some day she will probably kill me for this picture

 Asher cuddling with a tired Daddy

 Reese protecting her chalk from the cousins

 Asher found some unique ways to play with the easel himself, mostly pushing it around while Reese was drawing to make it a moving target

 It didn't take long for Daddy to start using the new toy...I'm sure it won't be the last time :)

Happy 3rd Birthday Reese!

Dear Reese,

Happy 3rd birthday to my smart, beautiful, independent daughter.  Although I can't celebrate with you today (I'm still in CT due to Hurricane Irene) I am thinking of you.  Your 3rd year has been even more fun than the first two.  You and your brother have started to play (and fight) like real siblings and you are becoming your own little person.  You continue to amaze your father and me every day with the things you learn and remember.  I hope that good memory stays with you for your whole lifetime as it will come in handy.  A few of the "milestones" currently present in your life as you reach your 3rd birthday:

• After some intense focus from us this summer, you are almost potty-trained.  I would say you're about 90% of the way there and you've been doing really well lately.  I'm sure you'll be really excited some day when you find out that I've been talking to everyone about your bathroom habits :)
• You discovered the Sprout channel this year.  Or maybe Mommy and Daddy discovered it?  Either way, you are now somewhat obsessed with the goodnight show and would watch it all day long if we let you.  You don't seem to understand that that show in particular is actually only on at night but you also don't care and will watch Sprout any time of day.  We tried telling you that you could only watch in at night when you're going to bed but that backfired a bit when you started waking up in the morning and immediately telling us that "you were tired" and wanted to lay down and watch the good night show.  You love all the "sub-shows" of Sprout but Caillou and Angelina the Ballerina are your favorites.  You also like putting on your tutu that Aunt Sarah have you and twirling around like Angelina.  It's pretty adorable.
• You still like to read a lot.  Sometimes you want us to read to you but you still like to sit in your chair and read to yourself too.  You know a lot of the stories by heart so you often just "read" them all by yourself.
• Mommy has been working out a lot this summer using DVDs and you like to "exercise" with me.  Usually you do the warm up stretch and maybe a few of the jumping moves but then you get bored and move on to something else.  Sometimes you come over and act as my trainer, telling me "Good job Mommy" or repeating what the instructor is saying to motivate me, which is pretty cute.  When I do downward dogs in Yoga you and your brother like to crawl under me.
• Daddy has taken you on some ATV rides around the neighborhood and you still love to go on bike rides.  You love being outside and you come home most nights from daycare filthy and with sand all in your hair, which to us, is just a sign that you had a really fun day.
• You are an incredible eater.  You love almost everything but cheese is definitely your favorite food.  You ask for it at least 10 times a day and think it should be part of every meal. You will try pretty much anything, though, which is great.  You love fruits and vegetables, which I am so thankful for, especially since your brother won't go near anything that's green (gets that from Daddy).
• You love music and sing all the time.  Daddy has been playing you Long Tall Texan and every time we get in the car you request "Giddyup" which is your name for the version he has.  You know all the words and sometimes sing it karaoke style into your mini keyboard in the playroom.
• You love to color and draw.  You definitely seem to have an artistic streak in you.
• We are still renting the condo near Aunt Jennifer's house in South Helena.  Daddy has been busy building our house and I sure hope we're in before your 4th birthday next summer ;)
• Unfortunately you are still using (and loving) your beloved binkie.  I am hoping the binkie fairly will show up this week as we've been discussing the fact that only babies use binkies and once you're 3 years old you're a big girl and no longer need a binkie.  You seem amenable to this plan but we'll see how that changes once the actual binkies are gone in a few days.  I know you'll forgive me someday (probably by the time you graduate from college, I hope).
• You were a flower girl in your Uncle Dan's wedding this spring and you let Nana carry you down the aisle.  You're also a flower girl in your Aunt Sarah's wedding this fall so maybe you'll be ready to venture down on your own this time? 
• You have started to play make believe.  You bring your dolls with you around the house and put them in chairs and talk to them and make up stories.  It's really pretty amazing to watch your little mind work and create and dream. 
• You're pretty excited about your birthday cake.  The presents get your attention too but whenever we talk about your birthday, the cake takes center stage.

I love you Reese and can't wait to see you to celebrate with you this week.  Enjoy spending your birthday with Daddy and Asher.  Don't grow up too fast, Mommy is busy enjoying every moment.

Sarah & Fred's shower

As many of you know I was in Connecticut this weekend for my sister's couples wedding shower.  Despite the impending hurricane the shower was a success.  We had to move it from the park we had reserved to Sarah & Fred's house at the last minute and a few people didn't make it but otherwise I think everyone had a good time.  I'm still in CT (my flight this morning was cancelled since many east coast airports are closed today) but will head home tomorrow night to celebrate Reese's birthday a little late (good thing she doesn't really know or care!).  Here are some pictures from yesterday:
Sarah showing off one of her gifts

The bride and groom posing with their Pug cake

The canine bride and groom

Another pic of the cake

Sarah and Fred practicing their pose for the wedding

 

My first earthquake

As most of you know, I am working in Central Virginia right now (Charlottesville, at UVA Medical Center).  Unless you've been living in a bubble you've seen the news reports (sensationalized especially on CNN) about the East Coast Quake.  While I recognize that an earthquake on the East Coast is relatively rare and one of a 5.8 magnitude is even more rare, the reality is that this wasn't really a big deal.  Aside from some relatively minor damage near the epicenter (a town called Mineral, VA where there isn't really much of anything- thank goodness- but that is about 35 miles from where I was on Tuesday in C-ville) and some damage to older buildings in DC (the Washington Monument had some cracks, the National Cathedral lost a few angels) there wasn't much to report on.  Still, I was amazed by the extensive (and ongoing) coverage of this event in the national news. 

For me, it was the first earthquake I had ever been in.  They had a pretty big one in Seattle right before I moved there in 2001 but I missed it.  This one occurred right before 2pm.  I was actually on the 3rd floor of a very old building on UVA's campus in a small 6x8 conference room alone and had just finished a conference call.  When the shaking started, it didn't immediately register that it was an earthquake.  In fact, I first thought someone was just shaking the locked door, trying to get in.  Next thought was that is was caused by the constant construction that is going on outside of that building.  In fact, by the time I realized it was an earthquake (and shouldn't be standing by the window looking out) it was pretty much over.  I went into the hallway and basically ran into a stream of people running down the hallway for the stairs.  This seemed a bit dramatic to me so I calmly walked down the stairs and back to my team room to see how everyone was doing.  When I walked in, it was a pretty funny sight.  My team room (for context) is a large old ballroom with chandeliers and big ornate windows.  There are almost 40 of us in there using folding tables and chairs as desk space.  Anyway when I walked in it was pretty quiet.  I asked why everyone was still sitting calmly in their chairs when everyone else in the building seemed to be in doorways or running for the exits.  Some people (those from Seattle and California) were under their desks (pros, they had been through this before).  Others, like me, who had never been in a quake, were just looking around at each other probably wondering what had just happened.  It was pretty funny all in all.  The funniest moment was when of my newer analysts (name withheld to protect the guilty) asked "Was that a drill?"  Ha, yeah, someone just reached out and shook the entire building.    Basically we paused and then just kept on working (dedicated consultants that we are).

Anyway it was an experience.  We had a few aftershocks including one last night at about 1am that woke me up.  I am on off of work today and tomorrow and am currently sitting in ATL waiting to board another plane to Connecticut for my favorite sister's couples wedding shower on Saturday.  Today and tomorrow I'll be busy cooking for 40 or so people and hoping that hurricane Irene decides to follow her intended course and not show up in CT until late Sunday after the outdoor shower on Saturday and my flight home Sunday morning so I can see my beautiful daughter on her 3rd birthday.  Where does the time go?

To sum it all up, here's a picture I saw posted online under the heading "DC Earthquake Devastation" (of course, DC takes credit for the quake even though it occured far south of there)