Weekend Catch Up

 Hey! I'm back and it hasn't been a whole month. I take the small victories these days. Two weekends ago we had a great weekend. Then the stomach bug hit our house. This weekend was also fabulous. I'm covering two of the three. Guess which ones?

Running post baby. I could do a whole post on this subject but the main takeway has been flexibility - in pace, schedule and distance. I've switched things up and have run at days and hours my pre baby self would find ungodly. Heck, my post baby self finds them ungodly too, but mind over matter.

All that being said, we are in the short and sweet time of year that Saturday morning runs can be enjoyable after 8 a.m., which means we can go on some family runs (yay!) outside our neighborhood (double yay!). Don't be fooled by the picture: he enjoyed it. Don't be fooled by the picture: I didn't push him.

I did push him around the grocery store after to get the fixings for sausage cream cheese crescents. This was before I broke the news he wasn't getting any just yet.

We went to a friend's to watch the game - they have a baby girl about Wright's age - his first football date. Roar.

He always asks to wear this shirt. Give the baby what he wants.

Saturday mornings are just about my favorite time of the week. We put on a pot of coffee, the Food Network, and watch Wright play. He is so happy jumping in his exersaucer or playing on the floor. It's so nice to have that one day a week we aren't rushing to get somewhere and can enjoy the morning.

That face!

Another favorite time: patio date nights. We try to do these once a week or so just to get out from in front of the television and enjoy catching up. As you can see from the picture, they are very fancy.

Blonde baby. Velour track suit. Big pumpkin.

I love this little man. I think the feeling is mutual.

We made Plain Chicken's Cheddar Bay Sausage Balls for the game this past weekend. We decided we also needed chips and rotel. Wright claimed the chips.

Saturday I headed out to a local consignment sale to pick up some fall and winter clothes for little man. I did not know what I was getting myself into. I wasn't prepared for the line, nor did I bring a Radio Flyer.

Meanwhile, back at the home front, the boys were snacking and football watching.

Saturday night we got to leave the house for a date night. (Grandparents are the best).
After an Alabama loss, a fried Oreo seemed fitting to end the meal.

Sunday morning we took this cutie to brunch. The last time we came to this restaurant was the morning we found out we were expecting Wright, so it was fun to bring him along. Spoon fed, baby led weaning, he does it all. He ate enough for a 3 year old.

Toast, eggs and pancakes that stole the show. What better way to end this post?

Weekends are a little different know, but they sure are a lot of fun.

Weekend Done Right

Yes, it's Friday and I'm just now getting around to blogging about last weekend. I'm cutting myself some slack for various reasons, but mainly because at least I'm blogging. I know about 8 people read this, but I do love looking back and remembering things we did and how we spent our time. This past long weekend was a great one - we got a lot of things done around the house and had time left to relax and spend time together.

Little man is with his Mae Mae for the summer until he starts daycare in August. Our most favorite daycare picks lottery style next week, so we are anxiously awaiting to see if this little rushee gets a bid. In the meantime, it sure is nice to get pictures like this all day.

He's footloose and fancy free and doesn't seem to care one way or another. He does not get that from me.

Spaghetti with leftover sauce on Friday night. We are living large, I tell ya. It was followed up with slice and bake cookies and Barbara Walter's farewell special. Don't judge - it's the end of an era! I had to watch, since my love for Barbara began many a moon ago when she was on 20/20 post TGIF.

Wright spent Saturday morning laid back in his gym.

Dad decided to join him.

The fun ends with mom, but it's nice to have a cleaning buddy. I count this as an extra workout.

Saturday night we had a little in home date night with take out and cocktails on the patio. Adult conversation and we managed to (finally) get the birth announcements squared away.

Sunday we headed to the lake with the rest of the state. I have to agree, he's mighty cute. Wright loved watching the boats and floats. He did not love me taking his picture.

We stopped on the way home for a large Whataburger milkshake. Hey, it's a long weekend.

This weekend will be hard to top, but we will certainly try.

Notes from the Weekend

It was rainy heading home from the office Friday, but these guys were in no hurry to let me get home. They weren't budging.

The only thing that could get me off the couch Friday night. I heard carbs go directly to plumping up baby. I doubt this is backed by any scientific fact, but I'm currently participating in the 2014 research.

Exhibit A.
Buffalo chicken sandwich and onion rings on a romantic date night.

Exhibit B.
Pancakes round 2.

Exhibit C (not pictured): First round of weekend pancakes at Cracker Barrel. I'm not ashamed. Ok, maybe just a little.

I did a little retail therapy. Found these pillows, but they only had a set of 2. Sad trombone.

I made up for it with this vase. I can't decide if I'm sold.

Namath slept off his disappointment of the Georgia defeat.

MS was kind enough to join him. Twice.

Hope your weekend was restful - or more exciting. Whatever your heart desires.

Five on Friday

 Life's gotten in the way of my blogging, but I'm back with lots of sugary favorites to share. I'll start with the one treat that doesn't spike your insulin levels...

1. OPI's Boris and Natasha

Found this little gem from the Russian collection at my Veteran's Day pedicure. It seems all the dark colors I've picked lately have been more on the black side when they actually go on, so this was a welcome change. Love the way it looks! 

2. No-Bake Cake Batter Cookie Bars

Is there anything about the name of this recipe that isn't appealing? I saw this over at Lambert's Lately and had to try it. I had no idea they made birthday cake Oreos, but they do. It was the perfect celebration after Alabama beat LSU.

3. Hot Chocolate by the Fire
I've been craving some hot chocolate lately. We've also enjoyed many a night by the fireplace. I plan to marry the two this weekend...it should be lovely. Will a 2 hour documentary on the assassination of JFK dampen this winter scene? I'll report back next week.

4. Pumpkin Spice Smores
You read that right. When I discovered there were Pumpkin Spice Marshmallows on the shelf, it only seemed natural two of my favorite fall flavors should mingle. It was very successful. You will want some more. Namath just wanted some. 

5. Winner, Winner Chili Dinner
These guys winged a chili recipe for our church's chili cook off Monday night and came in second! I was pretty impressed. So I made them take this dorky picture.

It is cold and dark and rainy here and with next weekend being jam packed, I'm hoping for a lot of family time and maybe a date night this weekend. Soak up all this free time while we can - that's my current state of mind. Happy Friday to you and yours!

Baby's First Race

The Vulcan Run is one of my favorite races in Birmingham. The distance doesn't require a whole lot of training, and the weather early November is always perfect for running. This year presented a few more challenges, but I knew I wanted to run this one, if all went well with the pregnancy, and then I could cruise with shorter runs and more indoor workouts for the rest of my pregnancy when it's cold and dark.

I did a little dress rehearsal the night before. I love some polka dots.

 Hard to believe this baby bump! Aren't you glad you aren't the friend I texted, "Can you see my belly button? Is that inappropriate?"

Per his usual routine, MS laid out all the breakfast supplies the night before. I simply picked the Christmas mug for size - Sunburst didn't need too much caffeine - although I treated myself to half a cup of real coffee.

The pre-race bathroom debacle. Ugh. I literally went 4 times from the time we parked at 7 and the start of the race at 8, and probably could have gone a 5th time about a mile in.

The race day adrenaline didn't fail me. It's so much more fun to run in a race, and my pace was a little quicker than what I've been posting on my solo runs. I didnt get out of breath until the last home stretch, and as soon as I crossed the finish I recovered almost immediately, so I felt like I pushed, but not too hard. That being said, my recovery has been much slower in the muscle department, so this will probably be my last longer run until I'm pushing the jogging stroller.

It felt really great to be able to check this off my list. Here's hoping all this running comes in handy around February.

It's a shame MS has no personality. But, I would be pretty pumped too if I had finished in 48 MINUTES. That's clocking out 7:40 miles. I was SUPER impressed and proud of him - it was a huge PR. I don't know if he'll want to run with me again!

Coach Grizz was pretty proud too. He loves being held like a caught fish. Can't you tell?
 

All I wanted to celebrate a good race and 3 years was to order by number at our favorite local Mexican restaurant. MS indulged me...I think I'll keep him around.

Five on Friday

The last Friday before Daylight Savings Time. I will just be excited about light in the mornings again rather than dreading the darkness when I leave work every day.

That being said, a few things that brightened my week.

1. Trick or Treat
We celebrated the last Halloween without a little one at our house. Everyone got in the spirit.

2. Leather and Crystal
It's our third anniversary weekend. I prefer to celebrate on the weekends - is that weird? It just seems more festive. We did neither the modern gift - leather - or the traditional gift - crystal. Instead, I requested a prenatal massage and Mexican food for dinner. Tis the season of life we are in.

3, Cover Up
Totally shifting gears to drugstore makeup. I've never been much of a concealer fan, but when I saw the ad for one that covers and helps get rid of dark spots, I immediately was sold on giving it a try. After first having to twist the top about a million times to initially get the product out, it's worked wonderfully. The sponge applicator is mess free and I think it provides just the right amount of coverage. I use my MAC foundation brush to blend.

4. In the Closet
Matt is so kindly (with help from my Dad) installing the nursery closet organization system this weekend. Hoping by Sunday we'll have a better place to hang/fold his little clothes, that looks a little something like this.

5. Cold Date

I've got a date with these come Saturday morning. Cannot wait!

Sugar and Shopping and a Wedding

 Since we last spoke, we've done a lot of eating (for MS' birthday), and some traveling east (for a wedding).

First stop - cookie slop pie. Well, the official name is No Bake Cookie Pie. Cookie slop is Matt's mom's recipe and it's basically the same thing in a 9x13 - chocolate chip cookies dipped in milk layered with cool whip. It is absolutely fabulous and ridiculously easy.

We did eat an actual meal beforehand. Pioneer Woman's Penne alla Vodka. You haven't lived until you've been to the liquor store 6 months pregnant.

On Friday's grocery store run I saw this monstrosity. We all know how that game ended. RTR.

Confession: I've never made chili. So of course I decided that's what I had to cook for my family dinner for Matt's birthday. My friend's recipe did not disappoint and it was the perfect meal for a cold Fall night.

Mom made the red velvet cake - Matt's favorite.

Before heading to Atlanta on Saturday we dropped Namath at Doggy Day Camp - aka the vet by Matt's parents house. Boarding him at a different vet has proved way less traumatic for his tender ego. Despite the stink eye in this pic.

I got 3 of 6 magazines read on the trip, and we arrived at the hotel to this cute welcome bag.

The wedding and reception were gorgeous. Loved these centerpieces - I'm a sucker for a hydrangea. They had food stations from all the countries they've traveled together as a couple. Thailand, Italy, France and Australia as well as a Southern food station for Georgia. Delicious! When else can you eat pad thai and mashed potatoes in one sitting?!

You know MS wasted no time getting out on the dance floor.

Erin was a beautiful bride! That dress...maybe one of the prettiest I've seen. If I knew the names of fabrics, I would tell you, but it was really different and oh so pretty.

We made our first trip to Ikea Sunday on our way out of town. We picked up quite a few things, and besides an odd and end, all of our main items for the nursery are purchased.

A sneak peak at one of our finds:

We fit it all in, thank goodness.

Being a mile from The Varsity, there was only one thing left to do.