Fatherhood Quote #2

Since I did this for Mother's Day, I' probably shouldn't completely drop the ball for Father's Day.

I think this one's hilarious!

"When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years."

~ Mark Twain

Race Photos

Dam to Dam 2010

Who knew the race had set up professional photographers? To view all images click here.

First Steps

Skylie took them today! I'm sure it'll be a while before she's all-out walking, but she's well on her way.

This sneaky girl also got her hands in the toilet water...
and the roll of toilet paper, which is now all over my bathroom.

Guessing it won't be the last time that happens.

Skylie's Nine Month Pictures

Even though this beauty had no smiles to share, I consider the $4.23 well spent.

My favorite:

The complimentary one for Mother's Day:

Not so sure why I chose this one.

Like I mentioned before, she was somber for her photo shoot.

Click here and enter "Erin Pitcher" as the customer name to view all the pictures.

Favorite Dam Race

There's something intriguing about shivering in the pouring rain for an hour with 8,000 other runners and losing all dignity by retreating to the privacy of trees in mass minutes before the starting gun fires. (Know what I mean?) Sometimes I wonder why I pay money to put myself through pain, but hearing my name on the loudspeaker as I trudge through the finish line makes it all worth it.

Saturday I ran Dam to Dam, a race locals rave about, and it really was as great as people say.

Dam to Dam 20K 2010

Distance: 12.4 miles

Time: 1:33:38

Mile Pace: 7:32

Age group finish: 10th of 457

Of all women: 38th of 3,564

Thank you, Matt for watching Skylie so I could go on long runs, for driving all over town to cheer me on, and for the sacrifices you make to allow me time to do things I love. You rock.

Gone

The last few weeks I've said goodbye to friends as they've moved away. At first I baited off reality rationalizing that "I'll see them in a year at graduation". Thankfully, I will see some of them even sooner. (Sara, this is the first time in my life I've been stoked for the month of February to arrive!)

But I think it's really hit me. Each time I drive in or out of our parking lot, I'm reminded. Ellis' aren't here. Payne's are gone. And so are Gavin and Amanda. Those are just the friends who live in our apartment complex. A dozen other friends have moved or are moving soon.

Living in Des Moines has been a blast, but I don't think I'd like it nearly as much if I didn't have wonderful friends by my side. Thankfully, some friends are sticking around. Good thing, because I'm not sure what I'd do without them in the upcoming months when Matt will be gone.

I'm not the greatest friend and am often forgetful, unthoughtful, or totally oblivious. But I consider myself fortunate to know and learn from so many great women. Here's a few of them:

Nathalie, Erin, Amanda, and Nikki

(Miss you, Amanda!)

P.S. If there's one thing I fail at, it's phone calling. But, I'm trying to be better! Hold me to it -k-.

Skylie's Nine Month Stats

Weight: 15 pounds, 7 ounces; 3.44 percentile
Height: 28.5 inches; 75th percentile

I miss our regular doctor. She just had a baby (her fifth!), and the nurse practioner I saw today for Skylie's appointment didn't quite cut it for me. Seriously, who has to ask three times to find out the percentiles only to get incomplete information? Notice, no head circumference or weight to height ratio stats.

Crazy medical people. ;)