P90X and Chocolate Cake...seriously, that's what this is about.

This is what I did today.

I made this chocolate cake s'more thing in my microwave and then I unceremoniously scarfed it down in front of Rowan while he drank his lunch-time bottle. 

I. Love. S'mores. I saw this treat on the Sweet Things blog a few days ago (which I highly recommend to anyone who remotely enjoys food), and it has been sitting in my brain, incepting thoughts about creating an ooey gooey, melty, chocolatey, marshmallow masterpiece. 

I'm pretty sure I'm going to need to try it again because it came out significantly less melty than I wanted and a little dry. Don't worry, I'm not one to give up on chocolate and marshmallows. 

In other news, this is what John did today.

The stark contrast between our afternoon activities hit me while I was removing my molten chocolate cake from the microwave. And it really didn't seem to bother me.

My dear sweet hubby has jumped on the P90X bandwagon. Actually, it's more like a fully armored tank,  complete with rockets and nuclear weapons than it is a wagon. It is intense, and I couldn't be prouder of him. I literally had an asthma attack yesterday watching him do the workout. Ok, well maybe not literally, but in my mind, I was definitely having trouble keeping up.

Now, I am 100% on board with playing the supportive wife role as John journeys through 90 days with his torture machine. I'm cooking healthy, not eating junk food in front of him unnecessarily, keeping Rowan from getting trampled by weights and flying limbs etc. But, sometimes, pregnant Ashley absolutely dominates supportive wife Ashley and today was one of those days. So I didn't feel too bad standing in the kitchen, eating my mug full of chocolate cake s'more, watching John suck wind through the last grueling minutes of his workout (just so we're clear, John was "sucking wind" after like an hour of a workout that I'm pretty sure would kill me....literally....someone would have to pick me up off the floor and resuscitate me.....probably using those paddle thingies......(shudder) I always forget how much those things creep me out). Anywho, I fell in love with my husband all over again when I heard him yell from the other room, "No Tony, YOU pick up the pace." I just smiled and enjoyed another bite of cake. 

Ahhhh the things I love about Saturdays at home. :)

Dear John

Dear John,

I don't think it's bad to say that I was surprised at how much I missed you this weekend. I loved getting away with the ladies, but I realized all over again that your are indeed the other half of me. You are the rock in our marriage; you keep me grounded. You are a source of courage and confidence. You get me :) Thank you for taking the time to know me like no one else, to love me like you need me, and to snuggle with me at 5:30 am when your alarm goes off and you don't want to get up yet. I'll be praying for you as I wash your pink football jersey today. I know you are tired at work after a long weekend, but I am so thankful that God has given you a heart to serve and a desire to pour into other men. Thank you for being a man and driving over an hour everyday to provide for our family (even though I try to tempt you to stay home with me). I pray that you are energized today and that He gives you some sweet opportunities to represent Him at work. Thank you for being my partner, especially in ministry and ESPECIALLY in the ministry of parenthood. I hope you know how much your son missed you this weekend. He's only 11 months, and it's already obvious that he looks up to you. You already hold a special place in his heart. He must take after his mama. Thank you for being such a good daddy. Thank you my sweet blessing of a husband for being just that. I can't wait to see you tonight. In case you miss us, Rowan and I will be the loners in the stands cheering on our favorite man in pink. One of us will probably have applesauce on our face.

Love,
Ashley

The Road Less Traveled

On our first New Year's Eve together, John and I were cruising the streets of the French quarter dressed to the nines, watching our friends duck in and out of clubs, and waiting for the Riverboat fireworks display and the fleur-de-lis to drop. Fast forward two years and one baby later; I am writing a blogpost at 10 pm on New Year's Eve while the sweet sound of gunfire and online gamers serenade me in the background (thank you Modern Warfare 3). The funny thing is, aside from hating stupid video games that suck the life from my very soul, I don't really mind this Rowan-ized New Year's Eve. Something in me feels a little rebellious at the thought of going to bed before midnight. Will the new year still come if I'm not awake to ring it in? This departure from the majority makes me feel just cool enough not to feel like a total doop (I think I just made this word up, but it seems to fit). Plus, John and I figured out our own way to celebrate the end of another very eventful year.

Two words -- Sherlock Holmes. Eight more words -- most expensive movie theater experience of my life. We knew we were in trouble when we were greeted at theater #4 with a cheerful, "Are you ready to be seated?" and "Would you like a menu?" I was very confused as those two phrases fit nowhere into my movie-going paradigm. Clearly we had stumbled onto one of those fabled dinner-and-a-movie theaters. You know, the ones with the fancy shmancy leather seats and waiters who are at your beck and call the entirety of the film. Needless to say, this threw us off a bit, but what the heck -- it's New Year's Eve and we were planning on having lunch after the movie anyway (yes, going to a movie before noon greatly enhances babysitter availability -- we just get cooler and cooler). One grilled chicken salad, a flatbread pizza, soft drink, and small popcorn later we had racked up a $50 dollar tab. What?! Add this to our $20 matinee tickets and $15 parking fee and I was leaving with a stomach ache. The best part was when we realized we had just paid $85 to do what we always do -- sit on our comfy couch, eat dinner and watch a movie. Not cool, New Orleans, not cool. We did however manage to find a deliciously free dessert option when I discovered some left over Christmas candies in our car. We felt a little better after that.

Yes, this year I believe we are taking the road less traveled. Matinee movie, blogging and Modern Warfare 3. (Side note: John would like it to be known that he is NOT playing the afore mentioned video game alone. And I quote, "Can you at least say that I'm playing with someone." It's better if you can imagine it being said with a slight whine.) :)

I may not be conscious when you arrive, 2012, but I'm excited to hang out with you for the next year. Happy New Year!

Rowan and his daddy

My Boys. They are two peas in a pod. 

First Date

This past Saturday was date night - a one night memorial of pre-parenthood life....kind of. John and I went to the ACME Oyster House a la a gift card from the parents (thank you mom and dad). We spent a lot of the night comparing our first date ever with this, our first date as parents. It wasn't too hard to remember what it was like being on that very first date - not with our host making comments like "good luck man" and our waiter asking us if we'd like him to split the check. We must look younger than we think. But we did make some pretty interesting observations.

1) I talked a lot more this time around and John talked a lot less.

2) We are now ok with silences and awkward pauses.

3) We're significantly more comfortable talking about bodily functions (although monthly cycles is still a growth area for us).

4) We were still nervous on the drive to the restaurant (John almost ran a red light -- I smiled a lot).

5) My husband still knows how to make me smile.

6) We may have wondered if there would be a second date, but it was for entirely new reasons.

7) And the biggest difference is that we get to come home to the same house, the same bed, and one sweet boy who one day may miss us greatly, but at this point doesn't really recognize that we're gone (I try not to take it personally).

It was good to get out of the house. I think we needed it more than we realized. So, I'm already looking forward to the hopefully not-so-elusive date #2. We have a gift card to the Olive Garden so the odds are pretty good. :)