I'm Alive!

Oh, my poor and neglected blog. Life has been so busy having an active 11 month old. The months are going by in a BLUR!

It's been HOT and HUMID in Alabama and we've been trying to hit the pool in between the storms.

 

Hazel is crawling and cruising everywhere and getting into EVERYTHING. I call her Hurricane Hazel.

 

She LOVES to splash in the dog water. Ugh.

 

She and Figaro are still best buds...

 

She turned 10 months old in June

I'm ten months old!
I'm speed crawling and cruising everywhere.
I can stand for a few seconds on my own.
I love to drink out of mommy and daddy's water bottles.
... I say "mmmm" when I eat something I like.
I love to push things (remotes, paper, toys) across the floor when I crawl.
I say what sounds like "Hi!" and "Whoa!"
I LOVE to empty laundry baskets, shelves and drawers.
I love Sesame Street and my Dinosaur and Peek a Boo Books.
Peek a Boo is the best.
My favorite toys are mommy's measuring spoons and a water bottle filled with beans--they're so noisy!

She got Mike a Dr. Who shirt for his first Father's Day...

 

She started cutting teeth in late June/ early July

 

 

We had a very rainy weekend at the beach over the 4th of July weekend...

 

 

 

She turned 11 months old on the 10th...

 

I'm 11 months old!
I have three teeth and more are cutting through.
I love to get tipped over when mommy sings "10 Little Indians." I start to lean over way before she even gets to that verse and just giggle and giggle when she tips me over.
I love to stand at the shower and open the curtain.
Squealing fits. Enough said.
... I love to dance, especially to the song at the end of Gilmore Girls and the Elmo's World song.
I do "cheers" with my sippy cup.
Splashing in the dog water is awesome.
I love to hold down the flap of my snap cup and shake it to get my snacks out. I get so many out at once--it's way more efficient.
I LOVE to read. I hold up a book and screech at mommy and daddy until they read it to me. My favorites are "Peek a Boo" and "Good Night Little Bunny."
I took my first steps on June 30th!
I can stand and balance and I'm trying so hard to walk.
I love my little push car but mommy says I'm a crazy driver.
I have learned how to fake cough and laugh.
I love to way and say "Hiyee" to everyone, especially my animals.
I say "mama" "dada" "wow" "whoa" and "hi!"

 

 

Mike graduated from the Senior NCO Academy on the 19th...

 

 

I got some serious blisters on my heels after a 9 mile run a few weeks ago so I've been taking it easy the past couple weeks. I'm almost healed finally so hopefully I'll be racking up the miles again soon-- the Army 10 miler is fast approaching AND I've signed up to run the Princess Half Marathon at Disney World next February. It's the weekend before my 30th birthday, which will work out great. A half is my ultimate running goal and for me to accomplish it at one of my favorite places AND the weekend before I turn 30 will be super special.
I have been BUSY! Did I tell you guys that I'm working on my Accreditation to become a La Leche League Leader? I should be done with that process in the next couple months. There are no lactation consultants or LLL Leaders in the immediate area, they're all about 30-40 minutes away, so it will be good to be able to help the local mamas with their breastfeeding questions. I'm also trying to get a chapter of Stroller_Warriors up and running here at Fort Rucker. I've gone through the application process and now I just have to have a Skype interview with the founder of the organization. We found out that we will be here another two years so I'm trying to make the most of it!   



Another Team RWB Post

I've posted about Team RWB before so I won't bore you with another plug. Just wanted to share a few pictures from our recent activities! We even made the post paper!

Ready for Run as One, an event to commemorate the partnership between Team RWB and Team Rubicon and to honor Marine veteran Clay Hunt, an original Team Rubicon member, who lost his battle with PTSD and depression.
This event took place in over 40 locations nationwide

 

Fort Rucker Team_RWB

 

Oh and Mike and I are registered for the Army Ten Miler in October! Anyone else doing it?!

Team Red, White and Blue

You guys know that I've been running for the past few months, trying to get my post partum body back into shape. Hazel actually ran her first 5K with me last weekend. Mike, Hazel and I ran a race on post in honor and rememberance of fallen heroes and survivors. I shaved three minutes off my previous 5K time and Hazel slept most of the time.

First family 5K. Running for ADV 22 and ADV 11 KIA 25 Jan 09 Kirkuk, Iraq

Mike and I want to start training for a 10k but we don't know how well that will work out since I hear the weather down here is about to get really hot and sticky.

I wanted to tell you about an amazing organization we joined--Team Red_White_and_Blue.

Team RWB’s mission is to enrich the lives of America’s veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity.

Mike and I are really excited about it. Check out this video to learn more and go to the website to learn more! Veterans who join will receive their shirt for free. You don't have to be hardcore to join (hello--I'm not exactly marathon material) and even if there isn't a chapter in your area you can still join. This is a great way to support our troops and especially our war veterans.

What runners and the community experienced in Boston a week ago is the exact same thing that hundreds of thousands of service members have experienced in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past decade. In the chaotic aftermath of the bombing, Team Red, White & Blue members from across the country began posting on Facebook a photo and short video of a Team RWB veteran who turned his RWB shirt into a tourniquet. This action reminded us of the positive things happening amid the evil. It has put the spirit of Team RWB on full display for millions of Americans to see.

Team RWB had 17 athletes who ran in the Boston Marathon last Monday including veterans, active duty and non-military. Thankfully, none of them were injured, but each is forever changed. Within a few hours of the attacks our organization was committed to responding to the evil and pain with hope, strength and optimism. We did this by organizing "Team RWB Response Runs" across the country in over 45 cities. This video captures Team Red, White & Blue communities in action. We encourage you to share this with others. Thanks for your support. IT'S OUR TURN!