New Hair Curt: April 2012

Nashville Rock-N-Roll Marathon.

This weekend we took a road trip to Nashville for the Rock-N-Roll Marathon. This was Elliott's first time out of Arkansas, and he was such a trooper! We left Friday morning, stopping in Memphis to eat lunch at the Beauty Shop, and arrived in Nashville right as 35,000 other runners arrived, spent an hour and a half in stand still traffic, making it to the convention center just in time to retrieve my bib, shirt and swag bag. It was a long day, but our little man hung in there and was ready to crash by the time we checked in at the Marriott at Vanderbilt.

Saturday morning Gary and Elliott walked me to the start line and wished me luck, returning to the hotel in time for Elliott's morning nap. Meanwhile, I made my way through 13.1 miles of steep hills in unseasonably warm weather. The hills and heat took a toll on me around mile nine, when I gave in to my achy knees and walked the remainder of the race, finishing almost 30 minutes slower than my personal worst. I was disappointed, but happy to be running a race less than 4 months after birthing a baby. Training was a challenge, as I have to plan everything around Elliott's meals, and I admit I should have put in a few more miles per week, but now I'm more motivated than ever to get back in the shape I was in pre-baby.

Gary was such a huge support this weekend, walking 3 miles (as many of the roads were closed to cars) carrying E in the Baby Bjorn to the finish line to meet me. Seeing their sweet faces at the end of a tough run was the best reward. The 3 mile walk (uphill) back to the hotel felt like 10 for me, and I would have paid a taxi $300 to break the law and drive us (with no car seat) back. But, we made it, and after a shower, a half a large pizza, a 2 hour nap and 800 mg of ibuprofen, I was a new woman. We spent Saturday evening in our hotel room icing my knees, watching the Mavs loose the first game in the first round of the playoffs, and listening to Elliott's sweet jibber jabber after finally discovering his voice.

Traveling with a baby will wear you out, but I'm proud of how well our sweet boy adjusted and rolled with the punches this weekend.

What a difference a year makes!

A year ago today, on Easter Sunday, I saw two pink lines appear on a home pregnancy test. Those two lines have forever changed my life for better. I could not have imagined how different my life would be just one year later! Elliott Knight was born January 5th of this year, and he is our world. He's only 3 months old, but he is teaching me so much. He has taught me the meaning of sacrificial love, and shown me how selfish I've been. I feel so blessed to have been chosen by God to be his Momma! Most days I still can't believe he is ours.

First doctor's appointment.

It's a boy! Elliott at 16 weeks.

My growing belly- weeks 12-41.

Shortly after we arrived at the hospital to induce labor.

Elliott Knight Grant born at 6pm, 1.5.12! 8 lbs, 11 oz, and 20 and a quarter inches long.

First time I held my baby, love. at. first. sight.

Coming home as a family of 3.

What a difference a year made for this little family. So thankful!!

Life lately, according to my iPhone.

[1.] Elliott enjoying his Bumbo. [2.] Weekend walk downtown.

[3.] Baby Bjorn. [4.] Triple date with the Hayes family.

[5.] Elliott with his great grandma. [6.] Happy 80th birthday Grandmommy.

[7.] My handsome fellas :)

Elliott's 3 month photos.

A couple of weeks ago, we had some 3 month photos made of Elliott. He has already changed so much since his newborn photos, so we've decided to do a shoot every 3 months during his first year to document his growth. I loved the way they turned out! If you're in the Little Rock area and are looking for someone to photograph your baby, Amy Hough is the way to go!

Life lately, according to my iPhone.

[1.] Big bed, little baby. [2.] What's wrong with this picture?

[3.] Visiting with Uncle Bustin. [4.] Hanging with Uncle Kirtie.

[5.] E's first day of daycare. [6.] Good morning.

[7.] Meeting Kristin. [8.] Elliott wants a cupcake.

Ronald McDonald House.

When Gary was a little boy, he had a surgery to correct his Pectus Excavatum (his chest was curved in from birth) at a hospital in Virginia. While they were there, he and his Mom stayed at the Ronald McDonald House. During their stay, families came to bring dinner and visit with the guests each night. Their kindness and generosity made such an impact on him that he decided when he had a family of his own he wanted to give back to Ronald McDonald House. So, about 6 months ago, Gary and I began taking dinner to the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House near Arkansas Children's Hospital once a month. This month we brought Elliott with us for the first time. The families and workers enjoyed meeting him over a dinner of fried chicken, beans, and potato salad. It's our prayer that Elliott will grow up serving the families at the Ronald McDonald House as far back as he can remember, and that this will instill in him a heart for serving others.

If you're looking for a way to serve others as a family, check into finding a Ronald McDonald House nearby. The families staying there have children who are often fighting for their lives, and something as small as bringing dinner to their parents can truly make a difference. It did in Gary's life.

Happy Easter!

Today was our first Easter as a family of three. We went to church with my parents and sister this morning, and had lunch and family photos with my Dad's side of the family at my Aunt and Uncle's house afterwards. I thought Elliott looked pretty darn cute in his Easter attire, and our family spoiled him with lots of Easter goodies. This time next year he'll be hunting eggs.