Berkeley's 1st Haircut

Berkeley had a somewhat traumatic week this week. He went to the doctors Thursday to find he had a double ear infection. He went back to the doctors on Friday for his flu shot. So when we took him to get his hair cut Saturday, I think he associated the florescent lighting, sitting on dad's lap and having a sharp object come towards his body as a REALLY bad thing.
Christian has been telling me for months that Berke needed a hair cut; I really didn't want to cut these beautiful "Goldy locks" so I was giving him trims here and there to make sure he didn't have a mullet, but the time came and I agreed with Christian.
We went to Lulu's Family Cuts on Mass Ave and as you can see Berke did really well with the whole experience.

Poor kid. I am sure it didn't help that he still wasn't feeling 100%. I cannot believe what a big boy my little baby looks like now.

Visitors

We had a fun visit from Grandpa and Grandma Gentry this week. It was fun to have them here and see them interact with the little man.

Berke thought it was pretty fun to bring Grandpa every single book he owned. Silly kid.

Berke and Christian got to hang out with them one day while I was at work. They went to the Plimoth Plantation and had a nice time. Berke was mainly interested in chasing the hens and baby chicks. Christian said they did a great job of making you feel like you were in a completely different era.

(Plimoth Plantation)

Sadly Berke was sick much of the time G & G were here, but for the most part he was a happy little trooper.
It is always nice to have fun visitors! We sure do miss being close to family.

Tufts 10K for Women

For the last couple of months I have been training with these beautiful women from my church in preparation for a 10K. For over 1/2 of these women it was the first race they have ever done and it was the first 10K I have done. We decided to sign up for this 10K because it is a race for all women. They reported that 8,200 women signed up to run the race this year; it is the 34th year of the races existence and seems to be growing as time goes on.
Here are all my wonderful friends before the race.
(Total Hotties!)

Most of us after the race!! We did it! I was able to complete the race in 1:06:43, which is my average 11 minute mile pace. The race had so many women that it was hard to get into a groove at first. I thought after the first mile running strides would be hit, but I felt as though I was dodging in and out of people until mile 3 where I was finally able to get into my groove. It was a beautiful day, perfect for running. The route was breath taking overlooking Boston and running downtown Boston around the Boston Commons.

Nicole has been a wonderful running partner, we have run together 3-4 days a week for a couple months now. This was her first race and she did AMAZING! We also ran with Aubrey, who had never ran more than 4 miles until today and totally rocked it!
Terese told me she was emotional when she "won the race." She is so adorable!

No reward is greater than a "I am so proud of you mom" kiss from this little guy. If it were not for this little munchkin I am not sure I would be doing the wonderful and healthy things that I am doing. He inspires me to be a better person, to take care of myself so I can be a good example to him and be around to take care of him as long as possible.

Berke had a great time with Auntie G (aka Gloria) while mom was running. He got to go on the carousel at the Common and play on these adorable little duckies.

It was a lot of fun to run with so many great women, all of whom I admire. Only 5 weeks until the 1/2 marathon and then I think I may do something.....ANYTHING besides running!

My Little Problem Solver

Last night Christian was using the piano chair at a desk to grade some students papers. Berkeley was upset because he couldn't reach the piano. Next thing I know, I look over to see that Berkeley had pulled his chair out from the corner to the piano and was standing on it so he could reach his beloved instrument. This kid cracks me up; he is so clever.

Also as of late when he gets in trouble, he will start to cry and cry out for Elmo. I am not sure what he thinks Elmo is going to do for him, but apparently he is the one "person" who provides him comfort when the going gets rough.

Tonight, he was playing with sticks outside and McDuff came and grabbed one out of his hand and started chewing it up. Berke thought it was pretty funny and then proceeded to eat the stick in his hand. Glad these two can teach each other such wonderful things.

Berke can finally point out Jesus in a picture thanks to the Friend magazine, it is really cute, he says, "jejoo."

Last year Berkeley was watched by a friend who had a daughter a little older than him named Lily. He didn't learn to say her name until this summer when he rarely saw her. Now any child his age he sees he points to and says, "Lily." Doesn't matter if it is a boy or girl, they are all Lily.

He is basically OBSESSED with Elmo right now. He asks for Elmo when he wakes up, when he sees the computer, when he sees the TV, the phone, an ipod, the camera, in his high chair, when he is in the stroller, etc. You get the point, this kid loves that red little monster. So much in fact that when I put on a Barney Halloween movie for him yesterday, after 20 minutes he turned tome and said, "Elmo?" and one minute later, "Elmo?" There is no fooling this little guy.

Complete Bliss

Today I celebrate 8 wonderful years of marriage with my sweet Christian.
We were so young and in love; now were are a little older but more in love than ever.

I love that after 8 years we still say I love you when we end all of our conversations on the phone, every time one of us leaves the house, and before we go to bed. I love that we still call to check in each other throughout our days apart. That we still try to go to bed at the same time, so we can talk about our day as we fall asleep.
I love that Christian continues to think I am simply wonderful even though I get upset about silly things, and blame everything on him a good majority of the time.
I love that Christian thinks I am hot, even thought I have ranged from 130- 203 lbs during our marriage. He has always loved me for who I am.
I love that we made the most beautiful man child on the face of the earth, and that we get to be his parents.
I love that in our 8 years, together, we have earned 4 college degrees and are working on a 5th.
I love that Christian knows that my goals and dreams are equally as important as his.
I love that we have lived in 3 states in 8 years and have made so many incredible friends everywhere we have been.
I love that we are are still so different from each other, because for us, that works.
I love that my road rage has worn off on him.
I love that Christian loves to cook, cause we all know I don't.
I love that I turned Christian into a true dog lover.
I love that we are both adventurous and always have something new we want to do or try, some where we want to go or see.
I love that 8 years ago I made the best decision ever, to marry the best man for me there could ever be.
I love that for our anniversary we saw the group YOUNG AT HEART, a group of elderly folks who sing and dance to rock and roll music. I hope we end up that cool when we are 80!

Happy 8th Anniversary!

THIRTY TWO

This handsome gentleman had a birthday today, which means now when people ask him how old he is he can no longer say thirty one, he has to say thirty two.
This lucky devil has a hot wife and an adorable kid who think he is pretty hilarious. He made them laugh every single day of his thirty first year.
This thirty two year old husband of mine, has a little less hair on his head, a lot more knowledge in his brain, a few more pounds lost from his waist, and a whole lot more love in his heart than he did when he was thirty one.
I think his thirty second year is gonna be pretty great; I just have a feeling!

I love you Mr. Thirty Two, I really do!