The Marathon

Dear Abigail,

Mommy and Aunt Ash-ash decided back in December to partake in, yet again, the Country Music Marathon, or at least 1/2 of it! After learning you were becoming a big sister, we decided we'd just walk, instead of run, or rather Mommy decided she'd walk and threatened Aunt Ash-ash if she tempted to run! So, here we are, the big weekend of the marathon, and is it a big one! Mommy's good friend dating all the way back to 5th grade (Miss Erin) decided to run in the marathon and stayed with us on Friday night (she lives in Memphis) with her hubby Chris, along with Ash-ash, Clara Lee, and, of course, Mimi. Mimi and the crew arrived Friday afternoon, and you patiently waited for them in Daddy's closet window, which is your latest way to watch for Mimi. Finally they arrived and you, as usual, were super pumped to see Mimi, and the rest of the gang, too. Clara Lee, as usual, was thrilled to see you and the 2 of you immediately began playing, playing and playing! Mr. Chris and Miss Erin arrived shortly after and we all dived into Mellow Mushroom pizza that Daddy picked up for us!!! You and Clara Lee played a ton outside and got all kinds of dirty and before long, it was clear you both needed baths. You were being extra clumsy that night we found you on the ground more than usual, whether it be from tripping on a toy or just your own to feet! At one point, you fell on your elbow and that was the defining moment of bath time. Ash-ash and Mimi took you girls upstairs and bathed you while Mommy & Daddy got to mingle with old friends. I don't think any of us realized the degree of injury you had until after the bath and how you continued to hold your elbow and just look so sad. We couldn't really see much from that point, and you could bend your elbow, so we assumed all was okay. Mr. Chris offered an 'explosive kiss', to which you accepted. However, I don't think it was quite what you expected, and, well, you burst into tears immediately upon receiving this kiss!!! Mr. Chris got a little upset because he upset you, but I think it was just your bedtime. So, off to bed we went. Mommy had warned Mimi about your bad bed time habits lately, but you showed me up and went straight to sleep. That is, until about 10 when you woke up and we could not get you to go back to sleep. We'll just blame it on the elbow. I'm refusing to accept that you just don't sleep as well as you used to... and, unfortunately, Mommy had to end up letting you sleep in the bed with her, and you didn't seem to care!!!

Well, 5:30 came super early that morning (yes, that's what time we had to get up for the race!!) and us girls headed downtown while the rest of you rested and got ready to meet us at the finish line. We thought a) the double stroller would work better and b) it'd be no problem getting to the finish line because we could text you (since we were walking). Unfortunately, that did not work out, to say the least... For one, the double stroller was way to big to try to get through that crowd, and the parking was not like last time! So, unfortunately, you didn't get to see Mommy and Ash-ash cross the finish line. I have to say, we were a bit upset at first, but we decided next year we'd have you guys see us on the course, rather than at the finish line. Yeah, we're already talking about next year. We must have been on an energy high or something because based on Mommy's feet (and body), I'm never walking again, much less next years marathon!!!!

Here's you and CL and Daddy coming across the pedestrian bridge...

Here's everyone after the race! You girls were ready to be out of that stroller. Mommy just wanted to sit in it and be pushed around!!

Sisters with their babies!!
There was all kinds of fun music playing at the race and you were ready to burn some energy, so you danced and danced away...


And then, to show us how you'd run the marathon, you ran circles around Daddy over and over again!!!! At this point we knew it was going to be trouble to get you girls back across the bridge!

After the race, we had a little celebration party to go to for Miss Auburn's Daddy, that's Chloe's grandaddy. We ran in honor of him because he has been sick (but doing really well now!) and after the race everyone goes to his favorite spot to celebrate yet another year of fighting through his nasty sickness! That's why we're all wearing the blue t-shirts, too!!! So, before we went to the celebration, we had a little time so we went and grabbed a quick lunch at Otters. You were pumped because it was chicken nuggets and french fries! Mommy was excited because it was food!!! You girls did pretty good there, considering the walk back to the car was pretty terrible, and the drive was, well, a little loud, so we didn't complain that you 2 ran around the restaurant a little more than usual. So after our lunch, we headed to Mr. Rodney's favorite spot, Roberts! Now, let me just say, Roberts is a country honky tonk - in other words, a bar. BUT, it was 1 in the afternoon, and it was upstairs rather than downstairs where the live band was, so it wasn't too bad that we had a baby, in a bar :) You however, weren't too crazy about said bar. Apparently, it was just too loud for you...

You pretty much did this the whole time you were in the bar part. I'm pretty positive I'm going to get your hearing checked. Not because you can't hear, but because I think your ears are SUPER sensitive. Don't get me wrong, it was loud in there, but no other kid (or anyone for that matter) came close to walking around the whole time with their ears plugged!!! And this isn't the only time we noticed it either!! But we'll figure that out later.

You did take a small break from ear plugging to feed your cousin some sweetness! And of course, she gave you a little too, although you immediately sat your cookie down and ran outside. Not sure whether that was the sweetness or the loudness!

Thankfully, Roberts had a back door that led to an alley way, so you and the kiddos could run around out there, and avoid the loudness. AND thankfully Mimi took extra vitamins (or caffeine!!) that morning so she could chase you two around while the rest of us rested our feet!

At one point, Clara Lee was aggravating you a little more than you cared for so you told her you were mad at her and went to the corner until she leaved you alone.

Unfortunately/Fortunately, Clara Lee doesn't give up that easy, and before long, the two of you were friends again!

Everyone was getting a little restless (and certain people's feets were REALLY hurting) so wrapped things up and headed home. You were out within seconds, but a certain crazy haired child didn't quite have the same reaction...

It was such a pretty day, that when we got home we had to continue to play outside, and Daddy was grilling out for all of us (did I mention Uncle J, Pic-pic and Jesse drove up?!). So you girls played and played and played. We tried to get you to drive the Jeep, but no go on that one. Clara Lee rode it for a bit but was having trouble steering so she kept ending up in the grass. Then her meany brother told her the battery was dead and I've never seen someone so upset!!!! And it wasn't!! That Jesse, he aggravates just like big brothers do... After we gave up the jeep, you girls went to the back yard and found plenty to play with...

including Daddy chasing you...
and lots of climbing...

and then bubbles. oh the bubbles...
of course with Clara Lee around, there was baby playing!!

After lots and lots of playing (and lots and lots of dirt!), you girls were bathed and we let you relax in front of the tv. Well, that little miss CL was asleep before we knew it, before you!!!! She was exhausted and not too long after, Mommy followed behind!!!! And then you! You weren't the first to go to sleep - ha!!!!! The next morning, we woke up to lots and lots of rain and so we had to cancel our Franklin festival activities. Instead, we had a yummy breakfast, watched recaps of the royal wedding and made a quick trip to Costcos!!!

All in all, a very busy weekend baby girl, but all for a good cause!!!

Love you!!!!