Hudson's Newborn Pictures

Seeing that our littlest man isn't a newborn anymore (sadness), I suppose it was only appropriate of my to finish editing and posting the newborn pictures I took of him.  

Back in the Saddle

It's been two months now since Baby Boy hit the scene
And overall, the experience has been quite serene.
But there's one thing still not quite in place
That makes me want to get back in the race
And win back this body of mine.

Kentucky Derby Half Marathon 2007

Two, four, six, eight
What size would I appreciate?
Though elastic is fine
I think it's time
To expand my wardrobe a bit.

I sure would be chipper
If my pants had a zipper
But there's too many a reason
Why this isn't the season
For me to go out for a run.

The kids run me ragged all day & night
So when bedtime comes, it seems just right
For a bowl of Blue Bell to drown my sorrows
I'll think about a run tomorrow.
For now,  just turn on the TV.

Indiana Trail Half Marathon 2008

And my chest (oh that chest!) is so stinkin' huge
If my run's timing is wrong, I'll have a milk deluge.
It'll take two bras--if you get my gist--
Or I'll have to visit the optometrist
When I get poked right in the eye.

Plus, whether you like it or not,
Outside is blazin' hot
And who wants to sweat
When you can just let
The AC be your best friend?

But today was the day I put excuses to rest
Despite the heat, my children, and chest
I laced up my shoes and pounded the tread
(Though it might seem I got pounded instead!)
As I went for a morning run.

Richmond Half Marathon 2008
(I did all the work and Kevin got all the free bagels!)

Breathe in, breathe out, one foot, then two
Go Beck go!  You know what to do!
Think like a Kenyan
But in my opinion
That's easier said than run.

It wasn't long and it wasn't fast
But hopefully this habit will last
Till I'm on my way back to 26.2.
While that might not be completely true,
I'm glad to be back in the saddle again!

Texas Marathon 2009

We Eat What We Can And Sell The Rest

There are several Texas truths that make this a unique and awesome place to live:

• An unexplainable pride and love for the state by its residents.  So much so that at toddler story hour at the public library, we sing an altered version of Bingo that hails this great land.  And I don't even find it strange.

• No state income tax.  That excites us so much that while overseas, we let our Kentucky drivers licenses expire so we wouldn't have to renew a KY permanent address.  That inevitably led to me taking a drivers test and parallel parking while pregnant to maintain my status as a bone fide Texan.  It wasn't pretty but it was worth it.

• And the one of the greatest contributions Texas has made to the world needs no words by way of introduction...

To fully appreciate the greatness that is Blue Bell, we took a tour of the factory in Brenham when Chris & Sarah were in town.  It might seem like crazy idea to take five children on such a tour but it ended up being genius.  For every ticket you purchase, you get a free scoop of ice cream.  Since all five of our kids' tickets were free, that meant the adults got five additional scoops to enjoy.  Sure, Micah, Jonathan, and Sam had their fair share, but Nora and Hudson didn't object too much that we demolished theirs.

Certain members of our family wouldn't even take a break from ice cream to take a picture.

And certain other members of our family did laps around the parlor after consuming so much ice cream.  Was it a sugar high or just his frenetic personality?

With full bellies, we went to explore the rest of the grounds.

Note to self: babies do not always appreciate being stuck in buckets.

Despite the fact that Jonathan puked in the car on the way back to Austin, our Blue Bell tour was still a big hit among the Peek clan.  The KY Peeks departed a few days later, thus ending our week o' family.  But thankfully, it wasn't our final goodbye.  Thanks to a slew of frequent flier miles, we get to make one more trip to Louisville in August.  This will be good practice flying with our posse to prepare for the leap over the great pond we'll hopefully be making in September!

Do I Sense a Trend?

It seems that in order to be a part of this family, you've got to have a certain set of accouterments.  Those accouterments, of course, being a gaggle of children and a Jeep double stroller.

Sister Shannon, twins CeCe & Woody, baby due in September

Sister Terra, twins Morgan & Harper, baby Mia

And these faces you know!

Yours truly, Micah, Sami, and baby Hudson

The Zoo Visits the Zoo

As if we hadn't had enough family craziness the day before, we relocated the party to the Houston Zoo the next day.  The next day, it should be noted, was in July.  In Houston.  With 14 kids again.  Gluttons for punishment we are!

July in Houston also made the zoo splash pad a welcome end to our day together.  

Thus concluded our wild family reunion.  Good times had by all (especially the sleeping newborns).