Video Update...

We had a great vacation...Emma Grace woke up better the day that we were suppose to leave and thankfully Ben and I never got sick. The Lord was watching over us. I will work on uploading some pictures from the vacation onto flickr but for now here is a video of Emma Grace saying her bedtime prayers and some random clips from vacation.

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Emma Grace turns 2 and gets the stomach virus...

I can't believe my baby turned two yesterday. She is getting to be such a big girl. Unfortunately she did not have the best birthday...she has had the stomach virus since Sunday...making this the 5th day. Hopefully she is better...so far so good today...keep your fingers crossed! We are scheduled to leave in the morning to go on vacation so please keep us in your prayers. Despite the unfortunate birthday Emma Grace did have a great party this past Saturday. The theme was a beach party...she loves being outside so it was perfect for her. We had a sandbox, a fish shaped sprinkler, and a slide/climber. She and all the kids had a blast. To see more pictures of the party click on the pictures to the right.

ING Georgia Marathon and Half Marathon

I did it! I ran my first half marathon yesterday...13.1 miles. We had a great time...our goal(which we made at mile 8) was to come in at 2 hours or under but my official time was 2:02:58...just over our goal time...if you would have seen the last 3 miles you would understand why! It was a great course...lots of scenery...just a lot of hills! I did learn one very important lesson during my run...I don't EVER want to do a Full Marathon...those people are crazy(excluding my awesome running buddies who have done multiple marathons)! Here are my results along with my friends results.

ASHLEY TROTTER (Half) | Bib #14012 | GRIFFIN, GA - USA | Age 27 | F
START 10K FINISH
7:06:28 AM EST 59:48 2:02:58
TIME Chip Time: 2:02:58 Clock: 2:05:45 Pace: 9:22
Place Overall: 1969 Gender: 689 Division: 207

ANGELA HILL (Half) | Bib #12150 | GRIFFIN, GA - USA | Age 44 | F
START 10K FINISH
7:06:27 AM EST 59:49 2:01:53
TIME Chip Time: 2:01:53 Clock: 2:04:39 Pace: 9:17
Place Overall: 1817 Gender: 627 Division: 143


AMANDA FRANKLIN (Half) | Bib #15552 | GRIFFIN, GA - USA | Age 34 | F
START 10K FINISH
59:49 2:03:09
TIME Chip Time: 2:03:09 Clock: 2:05:57 Pace: 9:23
Place Overall: 1986 Gender: 697 Division: 288


STEPHANIE MILLER (Half) | Bib #13516 | GRIFFIN, GA - USA | Age 34 | F
START 10K FINISH
7:06:28 AM EST 59:50 2:03:10
TIME Chip Time: 2:03:10 Clock: 2:05:56 Pace: 9:23
Place Overall: 1983 Gender: 695 Division: 286


SUSAN SCANLON (Half) | Bib #14227 | GRIFFIN, GA - USA | Age 37 | F
START 10K FINISH
7:06:27 AM EST 59:50 2:03:11
TIME Chip Time: 2:03:11 Clock: 2:05:56 Pace: 9:23
Place Overall: 1985 Gender: 696 Division: 287

Emma Grace Counts to Ten

Here is a video clip we took of Emma Grace tonight counting to ten. As you can hear she is not real sure what comes after six and in between eight...so she just makes something up. Enjoy!

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Bedtime Chat

Check out this video of Emma Grace talking and doing animals sounds while getting ready for bed...Also check out the update with pics underneath.

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Update

It's been a while since we did a true Trotter Family Update...so here goes...Emma Grace is doing very well. It is hard to believe that she will be two in just three and a half months. I get a little teary eyed everytime I think about it! My baby is getting so big. She is very active and talking up a storm. Its as if one day she just woke up and could say so many words. I definately think going to "school" has helped build her vocabulary. She really enjoys going to "school" now. She gets very excited upon arrival. I think it's because she knows its time to eat...or as she says..."eat eat". She goes to school most days and I pick her up after nap time. As some of you know I did not return to radiography school after Christmas break. I really enjoyed being at Grady, but I decided that radiology wasn't for me and that I just could not stand being away from my family so many hours a week. So I am now applying to nursing school which is closer to home (I have an entrance exam today) and looking for a part time job. This is why we decided to keep Emma Grace in "school", we didn't want her to have to readjust later. Ben is also doing very well...he is still enjoying his job of digging in the dirt. Here are some pictures that we have taken over the last month...I hope you enjoy them! Oh...and the potty picture...no she's not using it...she just likes to sit on it!

Your Beautiful

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Emma Grace's 1st Christmas Pagent

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The Picking of the Trotter "Great Tree"

We went to get our Christmas tree a couple of Saturdays ago. While at the Christmas tree farm the dreaded stomach virus hit little Emma Grace and the next week hit the rest of the family. Luckily we are all better now and enjoying the Christmas season. We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas with your family and friends.

First Haircut

Emma Grace finally got her first haircut last Friday. As you can see by the pictures she doesn't really like to sit still, but she did very well.

A Quick Update

We have been very busy around the Trotter household lately. With me (Ashley) back in school and gone 50 to 60 hours a week we try to cherish every moment we have together. It has been a VERY hard transition, but we are doing our best! Emma Grace is doing much better in daycare and maybe one day I will do better with leaving her(but I doubt it!). Here are some pictures of things that we did this past month.

Lazy Days

Emma Grace had an experience that I nor Ashley got to experience when we were growing up. She got to go on 2 vacations in one year. She spent 2 weeks at the beach this year courtesy of her grammie and granddaddy Trotter. Her mom and dad of course had to chaperone this vacation with her so as to make sure she was having as much fun as possible. Her aunt Paige and uncle Eric even came down to help supervise. It was a relaxing trip for us simply b/c we didn't really have to play the full time parent role (feeding, changing diapers, bathtime, etc.) since her grand parents and aunt were so eager to jump right in and help. We did however verify that Emma Grace does not like the beach but really likes the swimming pool. I don't know what the difference is to her but maybe she is intimidated by the oceans size vs. the pool. I know it will take some time so I guess we will have to try again next year! I don't think she will mind.

Emma Grace 1- Day Care 0

Ok, before I start, I must say that Emma Grace is not a rebellious child or even a terror but she did get kicked out of day care. As a dad, I look at this in two ways. One, I don't know what we are going to do for day care since Ashley starts school in 2 weeks and this really is causing a stress factor of exponential proportions for me. -And- Two, the "hey guess who's kid got kicked out of day care?" type of pride that you can impress your guy friends with as they high five you and then you assure them that she was kicked out for stealing other kids toys or smashing play dough in their face. Of course, she is not that way at all. She just had a hard first 3 weeks and I am not sure that the lady that was keeping her was giving her what she needed as far as helping her transition into this new environment. That is just my take on it though. So, now we are faced with a new challenge that comes along with parenting and also learning a new side to parenting in which we have to come up with a plan in the event the first one breaks down...and do it without disrupting the flow of everyday life. I am certain that it will work out. We will have a week at the beach to let it all sink in. IF anyone knows anyone in the Griffin-McDonough area that keeps children, let us know.

Day Care Woes

Emma Grace started day care last week. I will be starting school full time the end of September so we are trying to get her acclimated to her new environment. Right now she is only going 3 half days. In saying this...she is home sick today with a cold after only her first week. I know this is something we will all have to get use to, but none of us are liking it right now! Here is a picture of how we both felt on her first day...

My Little Princess

Emma Grace went to her cousin Aubrey's birthday party this weekend. It was a princess theme party. Emma Grace dressed as a Barbie Princess courtesy of one of my "running buddies"(as Ben likes to call them). I had to make a few minor adjustments to the costume to make it fit, but she loved it. She ran around non stop the entire party, and did not care much for Cinderella!


Princess Emma Grace


On the way to the party



Emma Grace and Cinderella

The great ice cream social disaster...(or) Emma's scary ice cream machine

Someone famous, although I am not sure who, once said,"the quickest way to lose your ice cream freezer canister, is to take it to an ice cream social". Pretty deep huh? Due to this phenomenon, we had to rig our ice cream freezer so that we could make ice cream. It was Emma's first home made ice cream experience. It nearly scared the diaper off of her.

Emma Grace's 1st Birthday

Emma Grace celebrated her 1st birthday on May 16th. She had a great time and received all kinds of cool toys and pretty outfits. Here are some pictures of her on her birthday and pictures at her birthday party at Gran and Poppa's house.




Tasting her yummy cake



My 1st Birthday



Anxiously awaiting the arrival of her guests



Going for a ride in her new car



Posing with Mommy and Daddy

Happy Mothers day!

Today is Emma Grace's first mothers day and also Ashley's first being Emma Grace's
"mommy"! I just wanted to pay special tribute to her. As I have watched Ashley over the months, I have realized that her being a mommy is really quite a challenge and a reward for her. She always seems to know what to say or do at the right moment for Emma Grace. The thing is, I know its part instinct and all gift but I am still amazed at the fact that the woman I married is not just a great wife and friend, she is genuinely a great mother. She has helped me be a better dad just by letting me watch how she handles situations. Emma Grace loves her and that says enough but to see her handle the daily, sometimes not so blissful, things that occur while raising a child, you would think that she has been doing it forever. I think the times that she is frustrated are the times that I have been challenged to learn so that I can do my duty as a father. That is why this is a tribute to her. Happy Mothers day to you!

My Little Walker

Emma Grace took her first steps (without holding onto anything) yesterday. She was so excited and proud of herself. Everytime she walks she starts giggling because she thinks it is so much fun. I think our world just changed again!



Check out the flickr badge to the right to see a few photos of vacation...

Watch Out Destin...Here Comes Emma Grace

We are leaving Sunday to go to the beach for a couple of days...just me, Ben, and Emma Grace. I know what your thinking...I've heard it several times already..."ya'll are taking her by yourselves??"...The answer is Yes...we are the brave parents of an 11 1/2 month old adventurer. These days Emma Grace is "walking" everywhere...when I say "walking" I mean holding on to anything and everything and "walking" from place to place. What this means is...she doesn't want to be held or helped very much anymore. This new found freedom of hers has also led to some new personality traits...if you know what I mean...So watch out Destin...here comes Emma Grace! The following are pictures of Emma Grace trying to learn to feed herself and her on the move...