Um, CATS much?

Wow.  I’m still high after last night’s stunner knocking out the overall number one seed, Ohio State.  Though the game also made it very apparent how much has changed since Miss Isla arrival.  I’ve usually started to lose my voice by this point in the tournament, but last night I found that I was whispering cheers due to the sleeping baby next to me.  My favorite quote from the day was a sorority sister’s facebook post:

…People keep calling us the underDOGS. no, no, no. we are the CATS.  the WILDCATS to be exact. and i have no doubt that we will turn this mother out and remind everyone we are not to be messed with! GO BLUE!

I love and hate this time of year—so stressful, but victory is sweet!  I also heard a rumor that Jorts are back in style …

Rollin’ Rollin’ Rollin’

Isla and I do core workouts together a couple times a week in our mini-gym (a.k.a. the spare bedroom.)  Today in the midst of a challenging repetition, I welcomed the break to flip Isla back onto her tummy as she had turned to her side (which she doesn’t like.)  Then she utterly surprised me by immediately rolling over onto her back.  I thought I possibly didn’t put her completely on her belly, so I again put her tummy-side-down.  And, alas, she flipped a second time.  The third time I pulled out the video camera:

Exersaucing

I had heard that babies LOVE the exersaucer.  A gracious friend passed along one that her children had outgrown, and I put Isla in it this afternoon.  She immediately started laughing and batting at all the toys.

Weekend in Wrightsville Beach

One of the perks of living in Charlotte is the access to both the beach and the mountains.  We left early yesterday morning and headed to the North Carolina coast for what turned out to be a wonderful weekend.  We stayed in Wrightsville Beach, a teeny little beach town fifteen minutes east of Wilmington.  Besides the traffic and parking disaster, it is a beautiful little spot to escape.  Plus you have access to Wilmington, which has a lot to offer in itself, including a historic district full of boutiques and many-a –patio.

We spent the day watching the Cats advance to the sweet sixteen (Yay!), wandering the beaches, and exploring the (lack of) town.  Next time we will surely try out one of the many scrumptious-looking eateries in Wilmington, but they don’t fit into Alex’s pre-race routine.  (More on that below.)  We also took Big Gurl for her first swim, as there was a heated indoor pool at our hotel.  She seemed indifferent to the whole experience, but she was also exhausted from her relatively exciting day .

(I apparently like navy and white striped shirts.)

This morning, we all arose early for the Wrightsville Beach marathon—Alex to run, Isla and I to cheer.  The race was well put-together both from a runner and spectator point-of-view, which I have come to appreciate after attending many not-so-great races.  Isla seemed to enjoy all the visual stimulation, and I welcomed access to an Atlanta Bread Co. where we could thaw out in between Alex-sightings.  He had an amazing PR race—placing 2nd overall (and in the money—woohoo!)

 

At mile 11

At mile 22  (The other racers are half-marathoners at mile 11.)

Approaching the finish

On the “podium.”  Congrats, babe!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

It ended up being a wonderful St. Patrick's Day with the Cat's win and the dirty Bird's loss to Morehead.  (Sorry, I'm a hater.  I've tried to cheer for UofL, but it's just not in me.)

Big Gurl had major progress in her tummy time this week.  She can now lift her body up and look around, which makes her look like she could crawl any minute. (Although, I’m sure it will be a few months.)  This milestone made me realize how quickly the baby stage goes.  I now sort of understand why the little old ladies in the grocery store gush all over her.  Sort of.

We are taking Isla to the coast for the weekend and will be sure to post about all the fun afterward.

Catch-up

I realize it’s been awhile since my last post.  Isla had a rough week after returning from our Kentucky trip--I’m chalking it up to being off schedule mixed with a growth spurt.  She was even banished to the cry room at the church nursery!  This week has been back to normal, but nothing new has really happened.  I’ll make this post extra long to make up for my absence though.

We had a really nice trip back to Kentucky, and it was so great to catch up with our family and friends.  Isla slept the entire way there and back, which we can only hope she continues to do.  Here are some pics with the grandparents:

Isla and her cousin, Nolan, with their great-Mamaw

 

Isla and Harmony

Isla and Grandma

Isla and Pops

Isla and DD watching Barefoot Contessa.  A little chef in the making, perhaps?

 

Bath time cycle:

Happy

Not happy  (I promise the water is a pleasant temperature.)

Happy

 

Life is hard:

 

I’m cute:

 

 

Her 3 Month Pic:

 

First SEC tournament: