11 months!

Ayla Cupcake turned 11 months old on the 28th. Where has the time gone??

She now has 4 teeth (bottom two came in about a month or so ago. Top two just started poking out in the last two weeks, so they aren't on full show just yet) and Chris thinks he sees a back molar popping through! She has also started walking (at around 10 1/2 months)! Our friend Kelsey was watching Ayla while I was coaching for Girls on the Run and that's when the little Cupcake decided she'd take some steps. Sneaky girl! Not a big deal, she's been "cruising" (walking while "bordering" or holding onto the furniture), so we knew she'd be taking wobbly steps soon (she could have even possibly taken her first steps, but we hadn't seen it. I know she'd try and make it from the ottoman to the couch by leaning over and kind of falling head first into the couch). She's gone from taking 2-3 steps at a time to 7-8-9 steps (or more if she's really got her balance on that day!) in a row. She even walked a few steps, stopped to regain her balance for a few seconds and then continued walking. That takes skill! ;)

Mama, Daddy and Baby all attended the Shamrock Run 5k (3.1 miles) a few weeks ago in Portland. The Cupcake and I ran the ENTIRE 5k, which we've/I've never done before! I was pretty excited about it (she just slept through it). We were passing people left and right (yeah, we're pretty awesome like that) and finished with a time of 34 minutes and 30 seconds (which is a new record for me). It's not super fast, but I have little legs, so I'll take it! Chris finished just a few minutes behind us, which isn't bad considering he hasn't been training/running, he just does sporadic 5ks with us throughout the year. He and I will be doing an 8k (4.97 miles) with some friends on April 15th (Bridge to Brews through Terrapin Events), so Ayla is going to hang out with Grandma Peggy while we run (I could probably push the stroller an extra two miles, but this way Ayla can keep Grandma company while we crazy people run around Portland). I've got plans for a few more 5ks this year and even a race series (with obstacles to climb over, under, a mud pit, etc... Check out the website: ) ***Since starting this post a week or so ago, I ran the Race for the Roses 5k with my good friend Laura and we ran the whole thing together without stopping and finished in 34:03. A new personal record, woot!

Our friends, Liam and Kaiya, stopped for lunch on their way through Portland and they finally got to meet the Cupcake! The last time we saw them (I'm pretty sure) was our wedding a year and a half ago (and the Cupcake was baking at 3 months). We met up at the Lucky Lab right behind my work since they had their pup with them (and Lucky Lab has outside seating). I was able to run over real quick on my lunch break to get some aawesome hugs (seriously, Liam and Kaiya give some of the best hugs ever... it must be all the practice they get on trees), lunch, and baby kisses.

Ayla loves taking weekly trips to the library! We try and pick out some books that she would enjoy reading, but it's always a hit or miss. She has a few that she really likes (Monster Opposites, Hello Lulu, At The Beach, Dr. Seuss' The Foot Book, and her two cupcake books) and the ones she doesn't like... well, she doesn't sit still for very long. She likes a certain few and loves to read them a few times in a row. Funny girl.

We got to visit with my brother for just a little bit before he left for Texas (for National Air Guard). He'll be there for about 6 months, but at least it's still "here" (Texas).

We're trying to plan for Cupcake's 1st birthday! We'd really love to have it outside at a local park so we can barbecue and enjoy the nice weather. Our fingers are crossed that will work out. It's not going to be anything big, just a few family and friends, but we're excited about it!