Will You Go With Me To...The Prom?

Back on Valentine's Day, Brian gave me an envelope with something inside.  Nothing shiny or sparkly. Nothing in a little red jewelry box, but a piece of paper.  As I read it, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.  It was a gift certificate for us to go to the "prom" together.  The prom?  Really?  This was for the Ace and TJ (DJ's on 96.1 in Charlotte) Second Chance Prom, which is a fundraiser for what they call their "Grin Kids," or children with special needs and disabilities. All I could think was that I didn't even like my high school prom.  I was a little confused, maybe even a little let down.  BUT, Brian put things into perspective for me, as he often does, and took my blinders off.  All I could see were ugly, unflattering prom dresses, achy feet, and a boring night ahead.  As the date grew closer, I actually became excited.  An adult night filled with friends, food, and fun. Mom kept the littles for us (THANK YOU!) all on her own, as Dad has been in Hawaii.  Brian bought me the "prom" dress of my choice, paid for my up-do, and we went to The Capital Grille for dinner.  It was a perfect night.  Our good friends, Andy and Andrew (insert joke here?) went with us, and the night was full of laughs.  Andy and I got our up-do's done together, and we all met at the restaurant.  After our fabulous dinner of gluttonous food and drink, we headed to the Hilton Center City for the prom.  Everyone was dressed from jeans to tuxedos; Crazy hair, to tiaras.  We drank.  We danced.  We laughed.  Then we headed out into the Epicentre, and to a new bar in the area.  We had a fantastic night, and once again, I need to learn to trust my husband.  He knows me best.  And he made me feel like a princess for a night.  Thank you love...xoxo!

The Hair Transformation

Mom even took "prom pictures"

At Capital Grille

Careful.  That may stick!

Well, it was a fantastic weekend, and I'm not sure this old body can take that much fun all at once.  Friday night was Girls' Night Out.  I have had 2 weekends in a row going out!  I met about 10 ladies out at Fuji for dinner, then we went out for drinks.  I had to take it a little easy because I had to save some energy for the next day's FamJam event with the kiddos, and the prom.  Here is me with Adrianne outside Cloud 9 Martini bar in Baxter Village...

Saturday, before the prom, Brian was up early...he was out the door before 6:30am to go help Rob and Dan with "FamJam."  This is the 3rd annual event that our friend, Dr. Rob Cynowa, has thrown to raise money for the Children's Attention Home.  Last year he raised over $11K, and I'm sure he did very well Saturday, as the place was packed.  It's a fun all-day family oriented event, with many vendors, give-a-ways, bands, bouncy houses and obstacle courses, a teacup ride (which Payton LOVED).  Griffin even got in the bouncy house with me and laughed his tail off.  Both kids had a blast.  We met up with The Collins and Carter families, and the girls were running around like big kids. They got their faces painted and they ate italian ice to cool off. We were out there for 2 hours, and not one complaint from either kid...but as soon as the car started, they were both out like lights.  Neither even woke up when I took them in the house from the car.  I think there should be a festival like this every weekend :)

Waiting her turn for the Teacup Ride

Ready to SPIN!!

No hands!

Madi and Payton spinning their teacup

Bad Mommy!  Someone forgot the sunscreen, so we made do, and other than Payton's pink shoulders, all were okay!

Before our Saturday night date, we had a few minutes of fun with the kids on Grump's basketball court...Payton is getting better at dribbling and trying to shoot the ball, and Griffin LOVES to watch.  You can just see how badly he wants to get out there and play ball.  For now, he just scares mommy by standing up in the stroller...(yes, I use the seat belt when we aren't right on top of him!)

And, last but not least...about the kids.  What a difference a week makes!  Griffin is everywhere.  And fast.  He's now pulling up on everything.  He's walking around furniture, and we pulled out the walking toy we used with Payton, and he can even walk behind that (slowly, but getting the hang of it).  He'll hold our fingers and walk...well, he tries to run.  I think he really wants to keep up with his big sissy.  I could be wrong, but I'm guessing he may be an early walker, if this momentum keeps up!  Of course I thought the same about Payton and she waited until 11 1/2 months, so we'll see!

And yes, cleaning out this "toy box" is on my to-do list...that list is just REALLY long!

This is what a night at Granby's does to a 2 year old!

Payton has cut WAY down on her sleeping...she just doesn't want to miss anything.  Other than occasional whining, she's pretty well-behaved on this new schedule.  I'm still adjusting, but she's usually a big help to me, so I love the additional time we have together.  We have lots of fun, and can go more places and do more things.  Griffin has always been the champ of hanging, even when he's sleepy.  He just goes with the flow, will sleep if he needs to, and usually doesn't get grumpy.  We don't see Payton sleep in the car much, but I think this lack of sleep finally caught up with her.  The picture above was during the ride home from Granby's on Sunday morning.  About Payton:  She's speaking so much more clearly now, and in longer sentences.  Although she still continues to push her limits, which I think is an age thing, she is a pretty decent listener.  Our pool is opening this weekend, and I can't wait to see how much she remembers from last summer.  I think I'll wait a little longer before I get in.  Brrrrrr!

Here are a couple more cute shots from our previous week...enjoy!!

All tutu'ed up for Daddy/Daughter Donuts at School

Someone had a little too much fun with her stamps!  Nice blue moustache, Payton!

I think we need to use the bigger bathtub!

SO ready to go swimming....our pool is officially open, so though cold, we may try to muscle through it soon!

My beautiful runner girl!

And my most handsome 8 1/2 month old....always such a happy boy!

Payton's 2 Year Check Up

Other than a couple of "sick visits," this was our first visit to the doctor where Payton didn't have to receive any vaccinations (YAY!)  This meant no band aid, and no crying.  As we were waiting for the doctor to come in, I was bored, and started taking pictures of the kids, and Daddy, with my phone...

CRASHED after her morning appointment...

 
Payton, as we know, is a big girl...she weighed in at 34 lbs (97-100%) and 37 inches tall (97-100%), and 90% for her head (we all know she's very smart, like her uncle!!)  She's gained 2 pounds over the last 6 mo and grown 2 inches! She likes stepping up on the scales, but still asked to be put in the "infant" scales bucket...She still doesn't like to stand under the height measure thingy that they pull down until it touches the top of your head, so the nurse had to measure her like a baby, on the table.  I told her if she was good, she would get a couple M&M's at the end of her appointment.  She was an angel, let Dr. Nguyen listen to the "bunnies" in her heart, let her look in her ears, and opened wide so she could look into her mouth (no signs of 2 year molars yet).  At the conclusion, Payton hugged Dr. Nguyen, who is about a month away from popping out a baby girl, and then Payton was quick to ask for her M&M's.  The child has the memory of an elephant.  This should keep me on my toes, for sure!

So now to back up a little...since Payton's birthday party, we've been fairly quiet (for us, at least).  Last Saturday was the Charlotte Racefest.  This was the half marathon I'd been training for.  FOR FOUR MONTHS!  I'm not sure how to explain what happened, but all I can say is that I missed it.  I, LEIGH KUGLER, was LATE!  I'm never late.  I'm always organized.  What happened?  I went to bed early.  I set my alarm (for 6:35, but should have been more like 6am).  Got to Southpark at 7:30 (race start time) and was leisurely walking around to meet my group.  I thought I was 30 minutes early.  Turns out...I was 5 minutes too late.  I was walking around looking for my race group when I realized what had happened.  I RAN over to the start line where I saw the race volunteers pulling it up.  I felt that sinking feeling, like you feel when you are in trouble.  When you see blue lights behind you.  When you hear your baby crying, screaming, and you don't know yet what happened.  I rushed back to my car and had a good long cry.  I called Brian bawling my eyes out.  I had let ME down.  Worst of all, I had let Payton down.  She was so excited to come cheer Mommy on.  I wanted to work hard to get her another medal.  I wanted to see the kids and Brian standing on the side of the road pulling for me, looking proud of me.  I failed.  And for no good reason.  My brain just wasn't working.  I went home and ran 9 miles with my faithful sidekick, Callie, and I felt better.  Today I can talk about it, even laugh about it, but not that Saturday.  I was very angry with myself.  And it showed.  So, I will now maintain, and towards the summer's end, I will start training for the Thunder Road Half Marathon which is in November...I haven't ever done this one, so it will, at least, be a new one for me.  I'm still so thankful I ran that Corporate Cup half marathon back in March.  At least I know I *could* have done it!

We spent the next Sunday at Adrianne's lake house, where Payton played in the water (still VERY cold) and Griffin ate sand (yuck!  What is it with babies and eating sand anyway?)  Griffin has been pulling up on furniture, learning to climb stairs (OMG), and bee-lines it to the tub when he hears the water running.  He has become VERY quick at crawling, so this also keeps me on my toes.  And he loves cords.  I remember Payton did also.

Such a little lake DIVA!

Running.  Always running.

Our neighbor's Sea-Doo...Payton saw it and immediately started climbing the trailer...we have our hands full! (look at those LONG legs!)

Look closely...see THE tooth?  It's come in more since this was taken.  It's a little crooked, and the cutest little tooth I ever did see!  I think there are 3 more on the horizon (and sleepless nights to come for us all)

Griffin is now 8 1/2 months old!  It's hard to believe he'll be walking soon, and he wants to skip walking and go directly to running SO BADLY!  His little legs move and kick all the time.  I just hope it doesn't happen too soon!...

AND in more exciting news, Payton got her ears pierced!  She had been talking about it (with a little prompting from mommy) for a while now.  She's seen 2 friends get theirs pierced, but she wouldn't have anything to do with it at those times.  She was SUCH  a brave girl, and barely even cried.  The customers in the store came over afterwards and were commenting on how well she did.  She and I had been talking about what exactly would happen...so when we got to Clare's at Southpark Mall, she knew what to expect.  I made sure there were going to be 2 people there to pierce them at the same time. She looked at all the earrings and chose the pink daisies. She sat in my lap while Daddy and Griffin watched. I would have bet $100 we were walking out of there with no earrings, but boy was I wrong!  She cried for less than a minute, and they let her pick out a sucker. She picked the pink one (shocker).  Here is a picture soon after this all took place:

She lets me clean them 3 times a day, and she's very proud of her "sparkly diamond" pink earrings.

Here's Payton playing around on her scooter and bike (yes, indoors...on a yucky day over the weekend):

That's it!  I hope everyone has a terrific weekend :)  xo