Don't try this at home......

I knew I wouldn't get my full workouts in this week because you can't exactly hire a babysitter if you are the babysitter! She did have gymnastics two days this week, so I was able to work out during those times. Since preschool is on spring break, there was no other "break time" for me in this whole 8 days. And let me tell you, they are LONG days!!

So last Saturday I decided to put her in her umbrella stroller (all 45lbs of her) and run to see how far I got. It was about 3.9 miles though I definitely walked some of the uphills. I did it in 47 minutes. Today we went out again, and I did 4 miles in 46 minutes. My arms are more sore than my legs!! Umbrella strollers are NOT meant for running!! The steering is horrible, the don't do cracks well, and the handles aren't ergonomically correct. BUT both days were major workouts for me, and if I can do this, I can definitely run 6.2 on the 18th!! I'm almost at my last week of training, I've done three 5 milers, and I know that B will help to push me through at the end.

Also, I now give so much credit to stay at home moms. This is hard work people!! Especially when you don't know any other moms in the area to "play" with. And especially when she is a talker!! It's mostly been just the two of us at home for 8 days straight! We have gone to the park twice, gone to the mall, done Build-a-bear, WENT TO SONIC, gymnastics, etc. We also made flower bouquets out of felt to give to each member of her family when they walk through the door. I have to admit, they are pretty darn cute!!

I told her mom the other day that she said to me "I don't like you like I love my family. You just don't understand us kids like my mommy does." Her mom laughed and asked me if she had said "You are not in my heart like Jesus." Apparently that's her way to get back at her mom. I'm still laughing at that!! She's definitely verbal!!

Coverage for the Master's begins this afternoon on USA (just in case you were wondering!)
Ta Ta!!

B's Master's shout out!

So, after reading my Master's post, my husband wanted to let you all know that he doesn't root only for Tiger. He also decided he needed to *edit* my post to include a little more information. Just in case you have a fellow golf lover in your life in your husband, boyfriend, father, or brother (and you could care less), you can share all this info with him and see if he agrees with B!!

Winner: Tiger Woods (Solo second last year while playing on a flat tire- referring to his knee)

Rounding out the Top 5:
2. Geoff Ogilvy (Interesting fact- an Aussie has never won the Masters)
3. Henrik Stenson (big hitting Swede who flies under the radar)
4. Rory McIlroy (English teenager, Cinderella Story, just turned pro last summer, played in the Masters last year as the then-reigning British Amateur champion)
5. Lefty (fan favorite, loves Augusta - fits his game well)

I can see where he's coming from with Geoff and Rory (and I obviously love Phil (aka Lefty)), but I do not think Henrik will win or even contend. Rory is super fun to watch, btw!!!!



Low Amateur (which is important at the Masters, even gets its own trophy during the ceremony at the end): Danny Lee, reigning US Amateur champion from New Zealand of Korean heritage
He is playing really well, so I completely agree with B on this pick.


Total Duds:
1. Trevor Immelman (he'll be too tired after playing host to everything throughout the week as the defending champion)
2. Brandt Snedeker (Tied for third last year at Augusta, playing horribly this year)
3. Greg Norman (just retire, already!)
4. Paul Casey (after winning last week, he'll be too tired to play well)

Feel-Good Story of the Week: Fred Couples (1992 champion, playing well at 49.5 years old).
Freddy Couples is a really nice guy too (just like Kenny Perry)

Now, Ladies, make sure you impress someone with your new found knowledge this weekend. Or you can just watch The Master's in order to see who is sponsored by the preppiest clothing brand!! Brett Quigley is a Vineyard Vines guy, and I think that is awesome (unfortunately he wasn't invited to play in the tournament this year, so you will have to watch for him at other tournaments)! Also, if you are only watching for the cuteness factor, Brandt Snedeker is pretty darn good looking and a Southern Gentleman who went to Vandy!!

Fun Giveaways!!

Hopsy is hosting a great personalized stationary giveaway. You have to let her know your favorite outfit, and, if you win, your stationary will be designed by Ashley Brooke with your adorable outfit on it!! I chose the white BCBG ruffle dress I wore to my rehearsal dinner- it's tres chic!!

KAG is offering an AWESOME Smathers and Branson belt AND keychain. Girls, this is an amazing gift, truly!!! Below are a few of my favorites, but there are just so many amazing choices, I would really be hard pressed to just get one!!!



(This one is birdies and eagles- perfect for a golf lover!!)


Preppy Pink Princess is also hosting a giveaway for her one year blog-a-versary. She's giving away 6 (!!!) A Tierny bangles. So head on over and pick out your favorite colors!!

What we'd wear at Augusta

This Lilly dress (so cute on!) and the gold wedges for the opening party on Wednesday night or for a cocktail party over the weekend. These gold earrings with the aquamarine drop stones would accent the dress perfectly!


Blair would wear these pants, this belt, a white monogrammed button down, and a navy blazer for the cocktail party (with topsiders of course). He won't wear a Lilly tie, but I bet he'd wear this belt!




This outfit is for Sunday. Bright, sunny, comfortable and preppy. Perfect for the golfing world!



For Sunday, this belt, the lightweight linen shirt, khacki shorts, and leather flip flops. Easy and comfy for a long day of walking. He'd want to wear red shorts, but, really, it wouldn't match my yellow dress, and we have to show support for all the players, not just Tiger!!!

I can't wait!!!!

Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday..............some of the best sports days EVER!!! I really enjoy watching golf, but I truly adore The Masters. This year will be all the more fun because Tiger is back, but not necessarily at the top of his game. Granted, he's still amazing, but the field is WIDE open this year. Who will get to wear the famed green jacket?


Will it be Phil Mickelson (one of my favorites)? Will it be Trevor Immelman again (can he really go two in a row)? Will it be Padraig Harrington or Geoff Ogilvy (they're playing pretty well this year)? What about Kenny Perry? He had a fantastic year last year, and it is really hard not to root for him because he's SO nice!!! Besides Phil, I love Luke Donald and Ian Poulter. Both are young and both wear super fun bright colors on the course. I know B will be routing for Tiger for sure. He just loves him!!!!!!





We're going to tape the start of it as we will go to late service at church and then brunch before coming home and celebrating one of the best days in golf!!! Last year we had a fantastic "Sunday at Augusta" party, but with it falling on Easter and Passover this year, too many people had other plans. So, we'll just make an azalea cocktail for each of us and settle down on the couch to enjoy the afternoon together.

Does anyone else out there love to watch golf? Have any of you been to Augusta for the Masters??? Any other tournaments that you've attended that you want to share or think we should go to?

Just finished bawling my eyes out!

I'm not crying for a bad reason. I'm crying because the pics I just saw made me happier than I've been in awhile and also made me miss N more than I have in a long, long time!!

I posted before about my bestie and her adorable twin boys who were little miracle NICU babies. A few of our friends went together for their shower gift and bought them a session with this amazing photographer for their first birthday pics. Since they had been in the NICU so long, they never had newborn pictures done, and they were still so little and fragile when they came home, inviting people into their home wasn't high on N and M's list of priorities.

Just today, Ksenija posted the one year pics on her blog. You can see them here. Once you open the slide show, you'll be hard pressed not to get a little choked up. Especially if you are a mom. They're just such amazing pictures!! Honestly, she's an amazing photographer---I feel so blessed that they will have this adorable age captured forever!

My favorites are this

and this .

And can we all marvel at how well Henry's eyes match the color of the leather perfectly???


If you are in Michigan and are looking for a group gift for a shower or for a photographer for yourself, do yourself a favor and book Ksen. Also, her blog is a visual work of art, so if you love eye candy, add her to your reader!!!

Help me with my debate, ladies

Okay, so as mentioned in my last post, I am babysitting in MI for the week. Miss Cutiepie and I went to run a few errands today after dying Easter Eggs (great success by the way!). While driving down the street, what did we happen upon???? Oh, yes, it was a SONIC!!!! Now, this may be common place to those of you who live in the south, but, us northerners???????? Sonic is a legend just like Chik-fil-A. So I call B, so frickin excited about the fact that Miss Cutiepie and I are going to have Sonic for lunch one day this week (the diet is totally off for this meal). He tells me that I can have as much Sonic as I want- mmmmmm tatertots- but that I can't have an Orange Cream Slush b/c that's dessert!!!!!!!!!!

B AND I GAVE UP DESSERT FOR LENT!!!!!!!!!!!

So, the question is, is a drink a dessert????? I don't feel that an orange cream slush is the same as a milkshake by any means. But, neither B nor I have broken Lent even one teensy tiny bit. If I could get Sonic every day, I would totally listen to him and not get an OCS, but since there aren't any in Chicago, this could be my only opportunity. But if it's a dessert, I don't really want to break my covenant to God either. So, I really, really need help with this (as inconsequential as it may seem!!!). Let me know if you would consider it a dessert or not.

Thanks, lovelies!!!

The reason I'm going to be slow in posting and commenting for the next week!!

For the next week, I am in Michigan babysitting this little cutiepie!!! Her older sister is 21 and is studying abroad in London. So, mom, dad, and 17 yr old brother went to visit for spring break. Miss cutiepie is staying with me at home since Harrod's and The Tower of London aren't really her thing :)

Our plans include
*dying and decorating Easter eggs
*gymnastics class
*build-a-bear workshop
*playing with friends
*kids club at mommy's gym (I'm using guest passes to work out- thank goodness!!)
*shopping
*movie and popcorn night
*making Easter cookies
*making lemon bread for the "Welcome Home" basket
*lots of art projects
*playing restaurant and house
*a trip to Starbucks for a treat

I had lots of plans to ride bikes, go to the playground, play in the backyard, etc BUT it is raining here today and it's supposed to snow starting on Sunday (ugh!). The weather for next week isn't looking any better and her parents aren't home until Friday late afternoon. It could be stir crazy central!!

Any moms of 4 year olds out there with other fun activities? I'm all ears!!

Great Giveaways!

First of all, MMM is doing the cutest A. Tierney pendant giveaway. So perfect for summer! I love the pink and green stripe as well as the life preserver!!


Also, if you haven't previously won a
Tucker Blair headband, The Monogrammed Nest is giving one away!! I absolutely adore both the green and the pink that have the polkadots. I also love the lobster. Seriously, they're the cutest, and who doesn't need a little needlepoint in their life??

** I am on a Mac for 8 days (I'll explain why later) and cannot figure out how to right click, therefore cannot figure out how to get to the properties section to add a picture to the post. So, no pics for now until I figure this out!!! Trust me though that these items are SUPER cute!!**

** Mac users, they say macs are user friendly, but I am totally struggling with this!!**

Another check!!

As I previously blogged about, last week I finished all the clinical hours I needed for my master's program. Today, I am attending my last in person class as a graduate student!! I am presenting a small assignment today on weight loss in overweight adolescents and turning in all my paperwork for my clinical hours as well as my preceptor evaluation. I have three more assignments for my online class that I am working on (not due until the end of April) and then will be completely done. So awesome!! It will be weird to have extra free time on my hands, but hopefully that won't last too long.

I know a lot of you out there are getting ready for the end of your semesters and/or looking towards graduation as well. Deep Breaths, ladies!! It's almost over!!

Now, what to wear for graduation???? Hmmmmm.......