Wild For Wildlife

This was the 2nd Annual Run Wild For Wildlife 5K at Busch Gardens.

Here are some highlights from the 1st Annual.

The early morning (7:00 AM) start was our first outing as a family of four.  As we were packing up at 6:00 AM, I realized that we were 

TOTALLY CRAZY!!!

Uncle Tory helped push the behemoth double stroller.

 Clare alternated between the stroller, Papa's shoulders, and "running."

 It was a fun morning with family and good friends.

 Aunt Sarah and Uncle Tory joined us this year.  

After next year, it will be a tradition for them as well.  :)

 Clare's favorite part was the dancing banana!

 She wasn't as sure about the dancing gorilla.

 Isaac slept the whole time.

Next year, he'll be "running" with his big sister.

 The four of us donning our enormous medals.

 My parents, and some friends from our hometown in Michigan, also joined us in the fun and festivities. 

 All smiles down here in The Sunshine State!

 Life is good!!!

Smiling Babes

Do you see any similarities?

And the Winner Is...

The random number generator selected this comment to win the contest I posted last week:

We usually eat cereal, sometimes a scone and yogurt, or if the girls are lucky, pancakes!

We love Kix too! I grew up eating them -- one of the "non-sugary" cereals my mom would allow in the house -- and my girls are just as fond :)

Congrats, Anne!  Enjoy your goodies!  :)

New Blog Title...Four Forward!

Big Sister Clare LOVES seeing her "baby bruver,"

and we had fun introducing Isaac to Ninnie via Skype.

 This was taken when Isaac was exactly 24-hours old.

 One of MANY kisses.

 Daddy performing the first manicure.  His nails were incredibly LONG!

 Peacefully sleeping...what Isaac does best.

 Sneaking out of the swaddle.

 Go Bananas...our little monkey!

 Chillin' with Daddy!

 His eyes aren't open too often, and they're still pretty puffy, 

but this shows his awake face.

We made it through our first night at home.  He filled his diaper about five times, but that was still better than all of the interruptions at the hospital.  We're glad to be back home!

Full of Laughter...Isaac

He's HERE!!!

Isaac John Hillary

Isaac means "Full of Laughter" or "He who Laughs,"

and John is Corrie's dad's name.

November 9, 2010 (his ACTUAL due date)

I had a non-stress test at 1:30 since I had reached my due date.

After a quick check-up, they told me to head over to the hospital because we were going to have a baby soon. 

I was already between 5-6 centimeters at that point.

I checked into our room at 4:00 PM.

Isaac was born at 5:36 PM.

He came quickly!!!

7 lbs. 11 oz.

20.5 inches

The highlight was watching Clare meet Isaac for the first time.

She was totally enamored with him.

LOTS of kisses!!!

Daddy, Mommy, Clare, and Isaac's hands...our family of four!!!

A day that will never be forgotten!



Kid Tested...Mother Approved!

For those of you who don't know this about me, 

I love a good deal!!!  Who doesn't, right?

I collect Coke points to earn free tickets to the movie theater.

I buy the Sunday paper solely for the coupons.

I compare prices before buying anything.

I blog about movies to earn a $15 gift card every month.

I fill out surveys if it means that I will receive something free.

I willingly participate in things like MyBlogSpark.com.

I recently received a box of goodies to "test out," and it was like Christmas morning for this frugal Mama of almost two kids.

When was the last time you had Kix cereal?

www.KixCereal.com

We've nearly polished off our first box in the last couple of days, and it has been a fun change for all of us.  Phil reminisced about eating Kix when he was younger, and Clare has really enjoyed something different than the standard bowl of oatmeal of Cheerios.  I'm excited to try the Honey Kix as well.

We've also had fun with the puzzle, and I particularly LOVE the snack cup because of its tight seal.  I know that many of you have young children at home, and you would enjoy these goodies as well.  Thanks to MyBlogSparkTM, I get to award one of you with the same box of goodies that you see pictured above.  Interested???

In the comment section, tell me about your typical breakfast routine.  

When, if ever, was the last time that you tried Kix? 

A winner will be chosen randomly on Tuesday, November 9th (my due date), so share your thoughts before then.  :)

Day 3 of the 3-Day Walk

First of all, I want to add an asterisk to yesterday's post about pregnancy:

* I LOVE being pregnant.

* I don't get offended by the silly things that people say.

* I find it humorous that complete strangers are drawn to my belly.

I wouldn't trade this experience for anything!

* I LOVE being pregnant!!!

On Sunday, we (my mom, dad, Clare, and I) went to St. Petersburg to cheer on the people walking in the 3-Day breast cancer walk.  My mom and I participated in the walk in 2006, so it was fun supporting those who were making a difference this year.

Clare enjoyed handing out candy, 

and the walkers couldn't resist a sweet treat from such a sweet girl.

 My dad certainly ate more candy than he passed out.

My mom and I passed out bags of ice, and the walkers LOVED that.

 Clare discovered Smarties.

 After all the sharing, she was ready for a treat of her own.

If I Had a Dime...

If I had a dime for all of the pregnancy-related quips I've heard in the past few weeks, I could pay off our mortgage...
or at least buy some ice cream.

YES...I'm pregnant!

~ NO...I'm not having twins...

(although SEVERAL people have said, "You must be having twins").

~ I don't know if I've "dropped,"

but everyone else seems to think that I have.

~ YES...I know all of the supposed methods for getting labor started.

None of them worked with Clare...except for ice cream.  :)

~ I don't know when he's coming.

If I knew how to predict that, I could probably make a fortune...

and perhaps pay off our mortgage.  :)

NO...I don't think that my skin can, or should, stretch any further...

and YES...I am putting lotion on it.  Thanks for the advice.

 39-weeks...and anxiosly waiting.

39-week post when pregnant with Clare (click here).

 Can't wait until I'm reading to both of my peanuts on this chair.

Halloween 2010

Clare was Tinkerbell for Halloween.

Naturally, she had to practice her flying skills.  :)

 Clare has no idea who Tinkerbell is, 

but it was a cute hand-me-down costume.

 Hand-me-down = FREE!

 Clare didn't seem to mind what she was wearing as long
as she got to dance and eat candy.

 Halloween in 80 degree weather...

not quite like our trick-or-treating days in Michigan.

 Tinkerbell in flight!

 Spinning and dancing...as the sugar hits her bloodstream.

 This was our fourth annual Halloween with our Sarah and Tory.

Next year will be extra FUN with 3 kiddos in the mix.

 Phil dressed up as Tory.

 One more miscellaneous picture.

Happy Halloween!