AJ's 1st Triathlon :)

This morning, after a healthy chocolate doughnut with sprinkles, my big girl participated in her very 1st triathlon, the Mighty Guy Little Tri, here in Hernando.  She left the house pretty nervous and wasn't really sure what to expect, but her daddy said she seemed to have a great time, except that it was HOT, she did complain that it was too hot until she got to play in the water. I think I noticed on the group's website that they had around 300 kids participate in the race this morning!  It was set up by ages and Bobby said the ages had multiple groups in them.  Aylin was in the 5 yr old, blue group ("that is not her favorite color," but she survived it).  I don't know the actual distances, but they had to run a sprint, then ride their bike or scooter, and finally, "the fun part," they got to run through the fire trucks spraying their water hoses!  I need to send this link to your old physical therapist and your pediatric orthopedic :) I can't help but remember him, the PO, telling us that "you would never be a track star without having hip surgery," (we did not have the extensive surgery) but daddy said you did great today, that you ran hard, and gave it your all!  We are so proud of you!  Baby girl, I am so sorry I am having to miss so much with you right now, but I am so glad you decided to do this and that you came home SOOO excited about it!

AJ's PreK Graduation and When I Grow Up Video

Unfortunately this once in a lifetime event was something else I had to miss, but Bobby was able to video some of it so Aylin and I watched it together yesterday :)  There is a slideshow I still have not seen, but her teacher, Mrs. Ellen, is working on getting me a copy of it :) Bobby admitted that he teared up watching the program there, and the other mommas I have talked to said it was a tear jerker, so I know I will cry when I get to watch it :)

 Top left: Aylin and Laney Claire, Bottom left: Aylin and Reed, and Right: Aylin with her friend Claire 

Aylin's preK class :)

A part of the video, they came down and got their "diplomas" and then told what they wanted to be when they grew up.  Ever since our trip to Chicago last year and her last adjustment by Aunt Colleen she has said she wants to be a chiropractor when she grows up :)

*NOTE: The videos previewed after my feature video are not under my control*

Bed Rest Is Boring

If you have ever been on bed rest, you know that it is terribly boring.  I was on limited bed rest for 4 weeks then was put on full bed rest at home and have been for the last 5 weeks.  I have to say we are super thankful for our church family and all their prayers, cards, phone calls, and food!  The food and the prayers have been amazing!  We are also very thankful for our friends who have helped out with the kids at different times during the day and my mom who has come over after work to help get the kids places at night when Bobby has had different obligations.  They have been good about sending me pics of the different things I am missing, too.  Bobby has been wonderful, I know he is pretty stressed out having to do everything around here and still trying to keep up with his work for Southaven.  Our Elders have been very understanding and are allowing him to work from home when he can, so that has helped out tremendously :)  Tonight he and I discussed how great it would be to take a vacation after little Weston is born and healthy enough to travel somewhere, unfortunately we had not planned on one this year so that probably will not get to happen, but that will just make the next one that much better :)  Here are some of the pics people have been sending me of the kids out doing things over the last 5 weeks:

The Joint Birthday Party

I had decided to have Aylin and Hilton's birthday party together once I found out my due date was in July.  I tend to have problematic pregnancies and just thought it would be better to do a small scale party for both kiddos at the same time before I got too far along.  So we rented a park pavilion and were just going to let the kids play with their friends and have some cake and ice cream.  Unfortunately, I should have had the party 2-3 months ago because I got put on bed rest way too early - lol - then, as it has EVERY year on the day of Aylin's birthday party, it decided to rain :( But never fear, we had some friends come to the rescue.  My mom spent the night with us Friday night and iced the cakes and was there to help Bobby get the kids ready and to the party, the Risters' volunteered to host the party at their house for us b/c of the mud at the park and Shannon also Face Timed with me throughout the party so I could pretend to be there, Edy Cozort took pictures for me, and Suzanne Wofford took some videos at the party on our iPad.  Despite the last minute change of location and the fact that I wasn't able to really be there, I think everyone seemed to have a great time and although Hilton didn't care, Aylin got to have her party with her friends :)  We are so very thankful to all that could be there and especially those  who pulled extra duty for me :) Here are a few of my favorite shots from the party:

*Aylin Jewel*

*Hilton Isaiah*

*Group Shots*

Aylin Jewel's 5th Birthday Week

Our little girl is officially a whole hand, and she had an exciting birthday week!  It ended with her being  a flower girl in "her Cody and her Megan's" wedding today.  She just came home a few minutes ago and the very 1st thing she said to me was "At my wedding, momma, Cody and Megan kissed on the LIPS!"  She put so much emphasis on the word lips that I nearly teared up all over again, but this time from laughter.  I did not get to attend the wedding because of my high blood pressure and have teared up a few times over the last 2 days, but am so thankful that she still got to go and participate and that some super sweet people took pictures and videos for me.  Here are some of the pics I was sent today:

We try to do some fun things the week of her birthday, but because of my BP we didn't get to really GO anywhere.  We did go to Krispy Kreme one morning to get her free doughnut and to her "favorite" coffee place - LOL (FYI we never go there and she does not drink coffee)

We also had our family birthday dinner at Chik-fil-a and she got a NEW bike from Kiki, Papaw, Aunt J, Uncle Richard, Payton, and Macey.

And then on May 2nd, a day after her birthday, her new cousin, Ryder Elgin was born!  She was out of town so she actually hasn't met him yet, but Hilton liked him :)

I used this last picture as my FB profile pic this week showing some pics of AJ from birth-her birthday invitation picture: