Pancakes

A Kirby Sunday morning staple!

C25k Week 4

Week 4, Day 2 stats:

Distance...2.79 miles

Time...30 minutes

Calories...298

Breakdown:

Warmup, 5 mins...4.0 mph

Jogging, 3 mins...7.4 mph

Walking, 1.5 mins...4.0 mph

Jogging, 5 mins...7.1 mph

Walking, 2.5 mins...4.0 mph

Jogging, 3 mins...7.4 mph

Walking, 1.5 mins...4.0 mph

Jogging, 5 mins...7.2 mph

Cool Down, 3.5 mins, 3.5 mph

I will be doing 10 minute miles soon; it's a personal goal! Almost there!

Pinterest

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As if Facebook, my 3 blogs and Twitter weren't enough to keep me occupied, I have gone and joined Pinterest. If you don't know what it is, it's like a virtual corkboard where you can "pin" anything from the web that strikes your fancy. It's awesome. It's fun. It's ADDICTIVE. I LOVE IT! If you are already on there or decide to join, my username is Ashley Kirby; would love for you to follow me!!!

Redeeming Love

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It's that time again...time for a new book! I have been devouring all the books on my reading list because they have all been so good! I got some really wonderful suggestions. Thanks to all that helped me make my list!

Attempting 18 Month Pics

This morning, we met Angie from AC Studios at Latta Park for Branner's 18 month picture session. OOOHHHH, MY! What an interesting session we had! It started out great; B was playing in the park looking absolutely adorable in his (brand new) special outfit. Then, he noticed the sprayground and wanted to check it out. While exploring outside, he fell in a huge mud puddle and black, yucky mud got all over the butt of his jon-jon and all in his shoes. So, we changed him into his bathing suit and attempted to get a few more pics. We'll see how they turned out. Angie says there are a few good ones, and at this age, that is really all I hope for. We didn't get any family shots this time, unfortunately, but I'm just going to be happy with the shots we did get. Gotta roll with the punches when you have an almost 19-month-old!!!

Play Date

Remember this article I wrote over at Modern Parent? Well, I have been trying hard to do better about making new mom friends lately. Particularly ones with children close to Branner's age. I have actually had a lot of success this summer! There are a few moms that we hang with at our pool. AND, I made two brand-new mom friends! One through Gymboree and one through blogging :)

This morning, Branner and I met Beth from momsie and her youngest son, Sullivan, for a "date." We took the boys to Toys & Co to play and then had lunch at Chick-fil-A. We had a great time! The boys had fun and we both actually got to eat lunch before any major craziness started. Even though we had to rush out because the boys were done, we still finished our meals. If you have kids around 2, you understand that this is actually a big deal!

Thanks, Beth, for reaching out and for coming up with a fun idea for a play date!!!

Sarah's Key

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Just downloaded this to the Kindle, and I can't wait to start reading it!

Mundane Monday

After all the yummy food, family and fun that filled our Sunday, the past several weeks we have fallen into a Monday routine of:

• Doing laundry.
• Starting day 1 of my latest week of C25k.
• Total Strength class.
• Grocery store trip.
• Afternoon pool time.

We have a busy week ahead! Hope everyone is having a great day!

Sundays are for...

• Sleeping in (thanks, Barry)!
• Yummy brunch out with a sweet baby boy!
• A little neighborhood scouting (hello, Bellemeade)!
• Tractor rides (see below)!
• Beach music!
• Baking banana bread!
• Trips to the pool!
• Grilling out with friends!
• True Blood and Real Housewives of New Jersey!

Tractor Time!

Uncle Joe let me drive his tractor!!!

Lunch (Or Not So Much)

Lunch is a hit or miss affair at our house. Most of the time, we miss. Branner is really just not into it. Breakfast and dinner are more his speed. He generally eats well in the morning and at night. In the middle of the day, he picks and barely eats anything. I'm not going to be winning a "Mother of the Year" award anytime soon judging by what he had this week...

• Monday: Two free Harris Teeter sugar cookies while in the store and some Gerber whole grain snack puffs.
• Tuesday: Iced lemon bread from Starbucks at Target and a few whole grain snack puffs.
• Wednesday: An apple cereal bar from Trader Joe's. He actually ate the whole thing and pointed to it to tell me it was what he wanted.
• Thursday: A couple of bites of turkey, half a whole wheat cracker and half a taste of hummus.

And, I already know what he's having for lunch tomorrow. We always get Chick-fil-A after Gymboree on Fridays. So he'll probably have one and a half chicken nuggets and a few bites of fruit. Maybe one day my good eater will return. Sigh. 

Maggie

Just started another book last night, y'all-- Maggie by Charles Martin. This is the Sequel to The Dead Don't Dance. It is amazing. I can't put it down; I may finish it today! Highly recommend these two books!

C25k Week 3

I started Week 3 today! I made it through without any problems. Every week that I start a new workout that I breeze through, I am grateful I am training using this program. I am happy to ease into it and I really feel like it helps me stick with it. I plan on doing my second workout tomorrow and my third workout on Friday after Gymboree. I'm going to start looking for a race soon! EEEEKKK!

18 Month Check-Up

We're just in from Branner's 18-month check-up! Luckily, this is the first time we have been back into our doctor's office since his 12-month well visit in January. The verdict? B is very healthy, very social, very expressive, very active and right on target.

Dr. Craig and I talked about all kinds of things from language development to eating habits to temper tantrums and eczema. He was impressed at how not shy B is. Apparently, 18 months is when most children act uncomfortable around strangers. Not our child. B has never met one! He loves new people! Dr. Craig also mentioned that his children, too, started tantrums early (around 14 months in B's case). He said that this may be B's most difficult stage; that children who act out early have a tendency to be easier as time goes on. Hmmm, I hope he's right! Not that B is terrible, but he can be difficult.

His 18 month stats are as follows:

• Height: 31 inches (25th percentile)
• Weight: 23 lbs (20th percentile)

Looks like his exceptionally tall height and high weight at birth have evened out. I knew he wasn't going to be huge. I mean, look at Barry and I! 

Hopefully, we won't have to go back too many times to the doctor between now and January! Happy Tuesday, everyone!

Modern Parent--The Dreaded Question!

My latest blog is up over at Modern Parent! Interested in when Baby Kirby #2 will be arriving? Check it out! You know I live for your comments, so please leave one :)

The Dead Don't Dance

I'm ready for a new book (finally)! The Dead Don't Dance by Charles Martin comes highly recommended from several friends. Can't wait to get started!

Gymboree, Level 4

B enjoyed his first day in his new gymnastics class! He even got a Gymbo stamp :)

More Fall Fashion

I have decided I also need these. I mean, hello? Teal Hunters? I can already envision my jeggings and skinnies tucked into these beautiful boots. I'm dying over the color!

Hunter High Gloss Rainboots

Switching gears completely, I die over this "jacket"...

Odille Noisette Jacket


And, this, I NEED this...

Crimped Striped Poncho


Lastly, this sweater is a must. Oh, and it's on sale!

Of-The-Ages Pullover

I think that's enough for now!

Half Birthday!

I. Love. Chick-fil-A.

Let them eat cake (cupcakes, that is)!


Why? Because it's Branner's 18 month birthday! I can't believe it. Where is the time going? Out the window, it seems. I can barely wrap my head around the fact that 6 months from today, we will be celebrating the second anniversary of B's birth. Since we entered tantrum territory several months ago, I'm not really scared of the "Terrible Twos." In fact, I'm not going to think or worry about that at all. I have really honest, good friends, so I know that what I really need to save my worries and energy for is age three. But, that's for future discussion. Today is for celebratin' with...

• Gymboree. FUN! It was B's first day in his new class, Level 4. He loved it!
• Cupcakes. We went to SAS and picked up a 6-pack of cupcakes. We have a combo of chocolate cake/vanilla icing, vanilla cake/chocolate icing and a chocolate on chocolate for Gigi. We even have a candle for festivity's sake :) The cupcakes will be consumed after dinner...can't wait!
• Chick-fil-A lunch. Who doesn't want a yummy half birthday lunch? B even got waffle fries instead of fruit just because it's his special day.
• A visit from Gigi! 
• Yo Gabba Gabba.
• Scoot-n-Zoom rides.
• Maybe an afternoon walk depending on the weather.
• Sidewalk chalk.
• Bubbles.

Happy Half Birthday, Branner! WE LOVE YOU!!!!!

Go Bananas!

This is what happens when Branner wants a banana and Mommy is trying to do something else...

First Fall Fashion Find!

I have officially started my fall shopping! Here's my first purchase:

Lucky Andria Boots

Can't wait for them to arrive. I think I need these, too:

Steve Madden Sarrina

And, I know for a fact these will be mine:

Tory Burch Leopard Eddies

Next up...cute tops and dresses! Stay tuned!

It's All About the Booty...

...Pirate's Booty, that is! Branner has a new favorite snack :) I think he likes it!

C25k Week 2

I started Week 2 on Saturday! I plan on doing my next two running workouts Wednesday and Friday evenings. So far, still going well. Anyone else want to try it with me or run a 5k together this fall???

Boats and Bicycles

Looks like Barry was trying to dress B fast for bed last night!

Fabulous Fourth

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I love, love, love long weekends! Even though sleeping in rarely happens in our house, and my job as a mom is 24/7, I still look forward to Barry having an extra day off. OK, I'm not going to lie, he usually lets me sleep in at least one day. And, I adore spending time as a family. There isn't anything I enjoy more than a holiday long weekend, and this past weekend was no exception. We had a blast! Here's how it went:

Friday... As I mentioned before, we love to take a cooler down to our pool and hanging with our new friends there. There was a special event, "80's Pop and Popsicles," and it was SO FUN! B danced his little heart out and devoured a cherry popsicle.

Saturday... We went to the gym and Costco and had date night with the DiPs at Enso. We followed that up with ice cream at Coldstone for Tracy and I, a game of cornhole at Mortimer's for Barry and Vinnie and a drink at Kazba.

Sunday... A visit with the tractors at Home Depot and a trip to Toys & Co for B, followed with us picking up lunch at Salsarita's is how we spent the morning. After nap, we headed to the DiPs for a cookout complete with a waterpark for the kiddies to play in. We ended the night with a drink with Jen and Trey.

Monday... Pool day! SS&R had an awesome 4th of July celebration complete with a DJ, foam party, bounce house (B LOVES bounce houses!), games and a delicious BBQ lunch. We capped the weekend off with our own cookout with friends and watching neighborhood fireworks.

Festive red, white and blue outfits were worn by all of us! We are already looking forward to Labor Day!

(Editor's Note: Pics to come)

Branner is PROUD to be an American!

The face says it all...

Party in the USA!

Branner partyin' in the USA :)

Mommy Makeunder

My latest article, Mommy Makeunder, is up on Modern Parent! Pretty please with sugar on top, will you check it out and leave a comment or feedback on the site? THANKS!!!

C25K

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Remember my list of things to accomplish this summer? If so, you know one of my goals is to train for a 5k. I was waiting until I got back from vacay #1 to start, and I decided yesterday was the day! I am so excited to get back into running; a million years ago I ran track and loved it! I'll keep you posted on my progress. I'm not having any problems with the first week's workout, but we'll see what the future holds. Wish me luck!

Beat It!

B's Pool Performance!

80's Pop and Popsicles at the Pool

Summer Friday evenings, you can find us at Sardis Swim and Racquet with smiles on our faces, beers and juice in the cooler and lots of friends! Tonight's theme? 80's Pop and Popsicles at the Pool. B thoroughly enjoyed his popsicle after working up a sweat breaking it down to some Michael Jackson. I'll post that video shortly. Already looking forward to next Friday night for some family fun!

Oh, My! It's July!

We're halfway through the year! Here's what we're looking forward to this month:

• Celebrating the Fourth of July!
• Upcoming Birthday Parties/Celebrations!
• Branner's Half Birthday and 18 month Checkup!
• A Wedding Shower!
• Boat Rides!

Happy July, y'all!