Gate River Run

Growing up in Jacksonville, the Gate River Run has always been a prominent tradition in our community. It's one of the most significant weekends of the year in our fair city, for both runners and non-runners. If you've never thought of running as a spectator sport, then you've never been to the Gate. A large portion of the race is throughout neighborhoods and people go all out, throwing huge parties in their yards. The entire 9.3 mile race route is basically lined with spectators. Some just cheering you on with signs and music, others handing out water and snacks, some even bold enough to offer you beer or mimosas, and food straight off the grill. I have no idea who could possibly manage to drink a beer and eat a bratwurst while in the midst of running 9 miles (definitely not me), but the option is there if you want it. Whether you're running the race or just partaking in the festivities, this is definitely a big day for all Jacksonville residents.

I've never been a runner. In fact, up until about two years ago the farthest I could ever manage to run was about half a mile. After that, I felt like I was going to die. In the summer of 2013, I decided that I wanted to try and run a 5k. I trained for about a month and accomplished my goal of running an entire 5k race without stopping or walking. I thought that was the end of my running career. I always dreamed of possibly running the Gate once day, but I never thought it would be possible. I struggled enough with running a 5k start to finish, so having to run three times that far seemed completely out of the realm of possibility. Then last year Jared ran the Gate while I was pregnant and I was super jealous. Seeing him accomplish what I had always dreamed of doing made me think that maybe I could actually be crazy enough to try it for myself.

After Peyton was born last summer, I had a new sense of self-confidence. Delivering a 10 pound baby with no drugs makes you feel like a superwoman. I was convinced that my body could do absolutely anything. I decided that if I could power through natural childbirth like a champ, then surely I could run 9.3 miles. So I signed up for the Gate in October. I hoped that signing up 5 months in advance would give me plenty of time and motivation to train for the race. I was wrong. Apparently, I'm still a procrastinator at heart...you'd think I would have grown out of that after college. Not the case. The new year rolled around and I still had yet to begin my training. Finally in late January, I began a very inconsistent running routine. I managed to run a 10k (6.2 miles) the Sunday before the Gate and up to that point, that was the farthest I had ever run in my entire life.

Going into race day, I knew that there was no way I would be able to run the entire race. I decided that my goal would be 7 miles (a personal record for myself) and then if I had to walk the last 2 miles so what. The 8th mile (out of 9.3) of the race is up and over the Hart Bridge (nicknamed "The Green Monster") and I knew that I wouldn't dare to try and run that mile of the race because I've heard the horror stories the thought of having to run up a bridge after already running for 7 miles terrified me. I was perfectly content with the idea of having a nice walk up the bridge enjoying the beautiful view.

Race day finally arrived and I was pretty nervous. I do not run with other people. It is not a social activity for me. In fact, I don't want anyone I know running anywhere near me. I hate feeling pressured and watched by other people when I am trying to run. I'm not a competitive person at all so I do not derive motivation from other people, I just get angry and uncomfortable and self-conscious. Therefore, Jared was instructed to part ways with me at the starting line. Plus, I knew he wanted to run at a faster pace than me so I didn't want to hold him back.

Getting ready to line up at the starting line...here goes nothing!

I was pretty proud of myself for keeping the same pace for the entire race. I knew it would be hard to maintain my pace at the beginning of the race because I would be all amped up for the race and everyone else would be taking off fast right off the starting line. I quickly realized that majority of the runners in my wave (12-13 minute mile pace) only run across the starting line for the picture and then about 100 yards out, they all just stop running and start walking. Slackers. This totally threw me off because I was just running along nice and slow and everyone was blowing past me and then all of a sudden I hit this wall of people who just came to a halt out of nowhere. I literally almost ran into a bunch of people. It was so frustrating. I basically spent the rest of the race weaving in and out people who would just randomly stop in the middle of the road. I'm pretty sure that I actually ran an extra half mile or so simply from crossing back and forth across the road constantly.

The first 5k of the race was super easy even with having to go over the Main Street Bridge during mile two. By the time I hit the 10k mark, I was pleasantly surprised by how awesome and energetic I still felt (thanks to my GU Chomps). I also felt a little extra kick of adrenaline because I was determined to make it to my 7 mile goal since I was so close at that point. Once I hit 7 miles, I just had to see how far I could really push myself.

Once I hit the Hart Bridge (aka: The Green Monster), I couldn't possibly quit now. I had made it so far and there were less than two miles left, that I just had to try and finish out running. As I headed up the bridge, I felt like I was going in slow motion and that even though I was running, I felt like I wasn't moving forward. However, the fact that everyone else around me was giving up and walking, kept me running. As I made it to the top of the bridge, I could see the finish line and knew that the final mile was downhill. The exhaustion and muscle pain in my legs was lifted away and I was ready to conquer that last mile. There was no way I was going to give up now, after running over 8 miles, I just had to finish.

Running that final mile was such a surreal experience. I was shocked and amazed. I could not believe what I had just accomplished and it was an amazing moment for me. For a minute, I seriously thought that I was going to cry out of sheer joy as I crossed the finished line, but I was just so excited that I couldn't help but smile from ear to ear. 

I finally earned my first piece of race bling and it truly felt well deserved. I still can't believe that I actually ran 9.3 miles start to finish, without stopping or walking. Going from being a total non-runner to a Gate River Run finisher is huge accomplishment for me and I will cherish this proud moment forever. I am so happy that I finally challenged myself to take on this goal that I've always dreamed about and successfully check it off of my bucket list!

Jared beat me (but only by 10 minutes!) and successfully completed his 2nd Gate River Run. 

I'm so glad that Jared and I were able to share in this awesome experience together and I'm thrilled that he was there to support me in my special moment! Congratulations to all of the runners!

Peyton's 1st Zoo Trip

We went on our first family outing to the zoo this month! I've been wanting to take Peyton to the zoo for a while now because I knew she would love it; however, Jared didn't want to miss out on her first zoo experience so we had to wait for a time that we could all go. Of course Peyton doesn't travel anywhere without her entourage, so Grandma DeeDee, Grammy and Auntie Erika came along for the fun as well!

We wanted to visit during the morning hours because that's when all of the animals are out so you can see them really well. This kind of stole into Peyton's nap time, but she didn't mind, she was having too much fun!

Admiring the rhinos with Grammy

Not sure who is more excited about the elephants here, Peyton or the grandmas/auntie?

My absolute favorite part...baby lion cubs!!!!

Checking out the lions with daddy

Peyton and I plotting out how we can steal one of the lion cubs and bring it home

Peyton was mesmerized by the giraffes. She loves them and I think that she could have stared at them all day. She was actually a little sad when we left their area. I can't wait to bring her back when she is big enough to actually feed the giraffes herself. 

Watching the giraffes with Grandma DeeDee

Too busy chatting away to smile for a photo with Auntie and Grammy

The new tiger exhibit was pretty cool, except that the tiger kept getting mad and wanting to either spray the visitors or hide away. 

We love the zoo! Peyton really seems to love animals so I have a feeling that there will be many zoo trips in our future. In fact, we already got a membership because it's such a good deal. 

She loved watching the penguins swim around too!

Of course we had to go on the carousel and sit on the giraffe. This kid loves a good carousel. 

We can't wait to go back to the zoo again soon!

Peyton's 1st Disney Trip

I love Disney. Probably more so than is really appropriate for any 27 year old adult to love Disney. We used to go to Disney World all the time when I was a kid, we even had annual passes back before they cost a small fortune. Jared proposed to me at Disney, it's just my favorite place ever. Therefore, it was only a matter of time before I would be itching to take Peyton to Disney. In fact, the minute I found out that she was a girl, I was already planning out our future Disney trips in my head. "Who would be her favorite princess? What was she going to wear? I better start looking for monogrammed outfits now." There have been so many exciting "firsts" for Peyton this year, but I have to say that taking her to Disney was the most anticipated and exciting one of all, for me at least.  

Back before I actually had a kid, I always said that I wouldn't take my kid to Disney until they were old enough to "appreciate" it. Yeah right. I should have known that was a never going to happen. Then I had a kid, and if it were up to me we would have gone to Disney straight from the hospital. Ok, not really. But basically ever since Peyton arrived, I've been dying to take her even though I know she won't remember it or even appreciate it at this age. However, I will remember it and my family will remember it, and we will appreciate it forever. In light of some unexpected and tragic events in my family over the years, I've learned that we cannot take a single day or a single occasion for granted. I no longer wait around for the "perfect" time to do something or put off things that I want to experience for a "better" time. There is no "perfect" time for anything. We are not guaranteed a tomorrow and I want Peyton to have as many special experiences as possible with the people who love her. Going to Disney with my parents and grandparents were always such special memories for me as a kid (even the trips I don't remember but have photographs of), and I want Peyton to be able to look back fondly on those memories just the same. So maybe taking a 7 month old to Disney is insane, but I know that the 8 of us adults still had a blast escaping to the Happiest Place on Earth and sharing in these cherished moments with Peyton. She might forget, but we never will.

Peyton and her entourage: Uncle Chris and Aunt Melissa, Auntie Erika, Daddy and Mommy, Grandma DeeDee, Grammy and Papa Jim

We arrived on Saturday (January 31st) afternoon and got all settled into our hotel room. We stayed at a new Disney hotel that I had never been to before, Disney's Art of Animation Resort.

Peyton (and us too!) loved exploring the hotel! It has four different sections all themed after different animated Disney movies (Finding Nemo, Lion King, Cars and Little Mermaid). We stayed in the Finding Nemo area of the hotel, which is closest to the main lobby and has the biggest pool at the resort! I can't wait to come back and stay at this hotel again and actually utilize the pool and other amenities. This hotel is perfect for families with young children. It is so fun and colorful, fully immersed in the art of Disney animation. In fact, all of the "decor" in the Finding Nemo area is designed to scale as if you were the size of Nemo! It's like you are really inside the movie. I was truly amazed by how cool this place is, so I can only imagine what kids must think of it.

That evening, we ventured over to Disney's Boardwalk for dinner. 

  

Peyton loved our Finding Nemo room at the hotel! They spare no detail in decorating these rooms. There were even sharks in the shower! What I loved most about this hotel was the layout of these rooms. They feature family suites which include a private bedroom with bathroom, a living room with a couch that folds out into a bed, a second bathroom (which is amazing if you are traveling with a large family!), an eating area which features a table that folds up and transforms into another bed, and a kitchenette (which included the necessary fridge I needed to store breastmilk). This room can technically sleep 6 adults, but we only had 4 adults and Peyton in here and it was plenty of room. What a great idea! These rooms are perfect for big families, multiple families traveling together, or multi-generational families like ours.

Peyton wanted to sleep with Grandma DeeDee on her Nemo bed, but she had to go in her Pack-n-Play instead. I just love her adorable Disney Princess pajamas for the occasion!

Sunday morning (February 1st), we were up early and ready to take on the Magic Kingdom! Of course, Peyton had a special outfit for the occasion!

I'm so glad that Jared and I were able to have both of our families there for this special moment!

Our first trip to Disney as a family of three!

Disney + my baby girl = happiest mommy in the entire world

Waiting for the parade to start!

Disney is exhausting! I'm so proud of how well Peyton did. She was in the park with us for about 8 hours and she was awesome. She took one solid nap (which gave us times to go do some of the big kid rides) and she was in a great mood the rest of the time. She absolutely loved being at Magic Kingdom! I knew she would, it's genetic :)

On It's a Small World, her first ride ever! 

The last time we were here was two years ago when we were just beginning fertility treatments and we needed to get away from all the stress and sadness that came along with that process. I'm was so overjoyed to finally be back and getting to share my love for Disney with our greatest blessing ever!

Mommy is a slacker and forgot to bring my child a hat. You're going to Disney World, to be outside in the sun all day and you don't bring the 7 month old a hat. Mommy fail. So I got to buy this super tacky, touristy looking Mickey hat in the park for her to wear. Luckily, this child can basically make anything look adorable so I'd say she did a pretty good job of rocking it :)

Peyton really enjoyed the outside rides the most. She loved Dumbo!

We love Dumbo! Even if Peyton's lack of a smile indicates otherwise.  

Her favorite ride of the day, Cinderella's Carousel! 

She loved every minute of this carousel ride. I think she could have stayed on it all day. In fact, she even got a little upset when we had to leave the carousel.

We had so much fun just watching her enjoy this experience! That was my favorite part of this whole trip, watching Peyton's reaction to all of the wonderful things that I already love so much about Disney. She was truly in awe and it made me so happy to see her so excited. 

Don't worry Peyton, this is only the first of many, many times that mommy and Grandma DeeDee will probably be bringing you to Disney World!

Another day, another outfit...and matching monogrammed bib of course :) 

A family friend of ours owns an embroidery business and made all of these adorable onesies and bibs for Peyton. I found the design ideas that I liked and sent them to her, and I could not be more excited about how adorable everything turned out. They were truly perfect for Peyton's first trip!

On Monday (February 2nd), we stopped by Downtown Disney for some shopping and lunch before heading back home.

Aunt Laura even drove up to meet us for lunch at the Rainforest Cafe! Peyton loved being at the Rainforest. She was so entertained by all the animals and fish tanks around the restaurant.

Of course we had to stop by mommy's favorite store, World of Disney, for some shopping and to check out the princesses!

I promise that next trip mommy will brave the long lines and/or spend the Fastpasses on meeting the real live princesses in the park.

I collect Christmas ornaments from places we travel to, so of course I couldn't resist a special personalized one to commemorate Peyton's first visit.

Peyton had so much fun on her very first visit to Walt Disney World and she's already excited to go back again soon! Thank you to my wonderful family for making this such a special trip for Peyton, I will truly treasure these memories we shared together forever.