Amazing, incredible baby Ashley....

I have to admit that it's a funny feeling seeing Ashley. From the moment Karen knew she was pregnant Ashley is ALL that we have talked about. 9 months of baby talk makes you very anxious to meet the little bugger! Friday night Karen checked into the hosptial and I watched a movie with her and her husband. Saturday she was being induced and we weren't really sure what was going to happen, but she made me PROMISE that I would be there with her....so I was there! Like really there, as in there for 19 hours. Holy moly. That was a long night. Karen had some excellent pain control by the wonderful labor and delivery nurses at Northside hospital so she slept through a lot of her labor. The rest of us? We sat up watching to size of her contractions and placing bets on how much the baby was going to weigh.

The action finally got going around 1:30 a.m. Honestly, it was no where near as bad as I thought it was going to be. Karen kicked everyone out of the room except me, her husband, and our other BFF Christy. I should have read a book or taken a class or something, because I didn't know the breathing patterns, or how fast to count, or anything other than the nurse handing me a leg. I realize this may sound weird to some of you, why would you want your two best friends watching something like this? You have to understand Karen. She doesn't do pain alone. Ever. When we were in high school I would go to the dentist with her because she couldn't stand the thought of having her cavities filled. So we are friends like that!

Overall the experience was pretty amazing. Karen's husband was a rock. Totally incredible. They are so much closer after the experience. I am still in a bit of shock and awe and have to say that being a woman is really awesome. No offense to men, but y'all just couldn't hang with the whole birthing of a baby.

The baby? Ashley Madeline, 7 lb 14 oz (Karen's sister in law won the pot of $60 for guessing the weight) she is angelic. Red hair, blue eyes, rosey cheeks and a little red nose, it really makes her look perfect. I have been to see her everyday and it's hard to not take her home. Even her cries are perfect~ sounds like a little bird chirp. I am sure that all this will change in time, but I am enjoying my new goddaughter in all her perfection right now!

Congrats to Kelly and Matt!

Sunday night was Kelly and Matt's wedding. It was beautiful, held at the Cator Woolford gardens in Decatur and the reception was at Wahoo, so delicious! Of course Monday morning I had the most wicked headache, way too much wine for the night before a huge test on EKG tracings! Oh well, you only live once!

Wishing you guys years and years of happiness!

I listened to you!

Well, I actually listened for once! All of my favorite healthcare professionals (Tat, Sarah, Dr. Hamid, and Tom) told me the same thing: don't train and go to bed early. After my ART/Gratson session yesterday I was feeling a little bit better. But I had a mild fever and knew that a bike ride may be a bit too much. I came home and vacuumed instead. I wanted to go to bed early but for some reason my exhausted body wasn't telling my mind to stop and sleep. I did manage to get to bed around 10 and slept for a solid 9 hours. And VOILA! I woke up feeling a million times better. I got in a 1.5 hour ride and a 2400 meter swim. Have I told you how much I don't mind swimming these days? It's because I am swimming at Venetian Pools. 50 meters! Outside! Lanes always open! Plus they have a snack bar with ice cream!!!

Tomorrow is a long brick and I know that it will be better because I didn't train on Thursday. It's amazing how taking one day off can curtail a potential disaster

I just talked to Steve Brown who is racing IM Couer D'Alene on Sunday. Water temp is 55 degrees, colder than it's been since 1875 due to the melting of snow on a nearby mountain that feeds the lake. They have hot tubs set up next to the swim exit for people to sit in a warm up! Steve said he hasn't done an IM since 2000 so don't expect anything special from him. Whatever, he's going to ROCK! I am also tracking Bree Wee in her pursuit of an IM Hawaii Pro slot at Japan on Sunday too! Go get 'um!

Noel Marie Ford

She's a perfect little angel!

Congrats to my dear friend Laurie, and her husband Russ on the birth of their second daughter, Noel! She was born Tuesday via a scheduled c-section. I went by yesterday to visit her and Laurie and they were both doing great! Laurie's been on bedrest since day one and is anxious to get back into the swing of things. She even went and bought new running shoes this weekend! I held little Noel and couldn't get over how pretty she was. Even her burps were cute! Congrats again guys!