Road Trip Recap

So, I have been planning on recapping since Monday but was having trouble getting my pictures to load, and honestly what is a recap without pictures? BORING! Ok, so Thursday evening after work, a great dinner by my amazing grandmother, and kissing every inch of my sweet boy- I pulled out to head to Nashville. Thanks to a new car and a few free months of Sirius radio, I listened to country music the whole way there. I typically only listen to a Christian radio station just because it is always uplifting. But I thought it would be sinful to be driving to Nashville and listen to anything but country music!

It had been a hot minute since I had listened to country music! I kind of missed the twang! :) So I have been listening to it a little bit more! Anyhow, I arrived in Nashville late Thursday evening, although they are a hour behind so gained an hour! MAJOR score! Here is the best picture I could get while safely driving!

I checked into my hotel and rested up for what was bound to be a busy weekend at conference. Friday morning was mostly just mingling with other people, which I am shamefully awful at!! I am so not that girl who can go up to a random person, introduce myself, and start a normal conversation. I am so totally that girl who can introduce myself to someone, ask them the run of the mill ordinary question about where they are from and then not be able to think of a darn thing else to contribute to the conversation!

So, I cut my mingling short and went to visit with a friend of my sister's out by the pool. My sister lives in northeast Georgia where the company I work for is based. Thus, she knows a lot of the people that work for Initials Inc. The founders of the company go to church with her and one of her good friends, Andrea, has a husband works there. So Andrea was there for the week. I went to sit by the pool and catch up with her because it was frankly less awkward than trying to think of something to say to a stranger! :) While on my way to the pool, I snapped some pictures of the beautiful resort!!

Like seriously, this place was gorgeous!! All this was indoors! It was definitely a lovely sight and I hope to maybe go back one day when I can afford to stay there, instead of a less exquisite place a couple miles away!

I missed this little guy terribly and was thankful for mema's pictures she would send to get me through the weekend! I absolutely love this one...I mean he is the cutest thing ever!!

Friday night was the highly anticipated Fashion Show! We were all VERY eagerly waiting to see the new fall and winter collection!! After my team meeting, we all went to wait for the doors to open! We sat there for a while but it paid off because we got front row seats!! It was incredible. Unfortunately I can't post any of those pictures until the catalog goes live tomorrow! But have no fear, I will!!

Our crazy Matt Paul! They give you these ribbons to put on your badge that have different accomplishments on them. As you can see, Matt got a little carried away playing with the ribbons on his name tag.

Mema was in charge of the Sunday morning snapshot this week, she can get a smile out of this happy little booger too!!

While looking around in one of the shops in the resort I saw these coasters. I thought that was great and instead of buying them for an outrageous-overly-priced-because-we-are-in-resort-amount, I snapped a picture instead! 

After an amazing time at conference, where I didn't take as many pictures as I wanted- I got to come home to this sweet thing!! I missed him so much and was happy to have him back in my arms. Thanks mema for taking such good care of him! I think it will be a while before I can leave this sweet one again! Maybe next year if I go to conference- he can come with me! :) We carry some large bags in our line- I think he could fit!

Not ready!!

Well, I am both very excited and extremely anxious. After work today I go home to pack up my car to head to Nashville! Our Initials Inc conference is this weekend!!

I am excited about going and am VERY excited about seeing the new Fall/Winter line which I will no doubt love because I love all their products!! I can't wait to see all the new fabrics! I am excited to learn how to be a better creative partner and share these wonderful products with people I love. I am very excited about getting my free products when I get there and about meeting a bunch of people who I really only know by name. My leaders are awesome and I have seen them on facebook and talked to them on the phone but I am very excited about finally meeting them in person!

But while I will be here with amazing women, my little bit will be at home with mema and pop! I am going to miss him soooo much!! I know it is just the weekend and all moms have to do this at some point. I am also fully aware that he will be perfectly fine and he will be still be in his usual element! All that makes me feel a little bit better but I am still going to miss waking up and having his precious smile be the first thing I get to see in the morning! His smile just melts my heart so much and I can't imagine not seeing it in person for a whole weekend!! So pray for safe travels as I head to Nashville, TN- for the first time ever, and as I have to leave my little love bug behind!

What's Up?

Little bit had his doctor's appointment yesterday. Aside from his worsening eczema, which I finally got her to give me some cream for, he is a healthy boy! He is doing pretty average with weight but he is in 26th percentile on height. Guess he has got some more growing to do. Towards the end of our visit he got a little tired so I resorted to entertaining him with the camera on my phone. I turned it around so he could see himself.

He enjoys looking at his reflection. Of course all the experts say he doesn't yet know it is his own reflection but he still enjoys it! 

He then started talking to himself which was way too cute not to video!!

He is quite the little "talker." I did get tickled at him watching a video the other day on the computer though.

Anticipation

I truly feel a bit sorry for the royal family as they are currently awaiting or have already had their little bundle of joy! I would hate to have that most sacred moment made into such a huge deal by the press. I feel a bit sorry for them, and then I remember that they have all this fancy stuff and live a comparatively posh lifestyle, then I just think- do I really feel bad? haha.

Anyhow, the weekend started off with a bang. My sister and two nephews came down Friday to go swimming and hang out. I really love watching them with my baby boy. They are great cousins!

My sister said the oldest was very excited to see his little cousin when they were on the way. They are so sweet with him. They give him kisses and ask sweet questions like, "Can he stand up yet?" Precious!

Baby boy loves to babble and "talk" to anybody who will listen. He got Aunt Laura to talk to him for a little while. I have a feeling when he starts talking, he is not going to stop! Haha.

We had a lot of fun swimming. Baby boy got sleepy while in the pool and decided to nap on Mema's shoulder. After that I let him dry off and eat. Sam, my three year old nephew, wanted a shark towel like Ian's. He asked, "Can you get me a towel like that?"

After the rest of us ate lunch, I let baby boy get in dry clothes and he took another little nap while we swam some more. I love hanging out with my nephews and it makes me look forward to Ian being older but at the same time makes me cherish him being little. We are heading to the doctor tomorrow for his 4 month check up!!

He loves smiling! I told him yesterday that eventually he was going to have to quit smiling and flirting with all these girls! He smiles at just about anybody that talks to him. It is cute though! 

He still loves snuggling with mommy and I certainly do not mind!!

Apparently, I am not much fun to watch get ready in the morning. He was so tired that while he was playing and laying on the bed, he just decided to take a little snooze while I finished getting ready for church.

Then it was his turn to get ready for church. I love this little guy so much!!! 

4 and Flying By

This little guy is 4 months old today!! Where has time gone! He is a third of the way through his first year! These are some of his three month pictures. I can't wait to capture his 6 month so you can see how much he has changed! Here are some things to know about my sweet little boy! 

Nicknames: Stinker, Peanut, Booger Bear

Likes: Standing, smiling, kicking his feet, grabbing things close by, talking, and putting everything he can to his mouth!

Dislikes: Being left alone, tummy time for too long, missing naps, and being late at meal time!

Weight/height: We haven't been to the doctor yet, so that will come later next week when I have the official height and weight but I am guessing somewhere around 14 pounds or so.

Clothing Size: 3-6 months

Milestones: Rolling over (a few times), scooting legs around to spin

Sleep: Takes a couple naps during the day and one right before bed time. Sleeping through the night, as long as he doesn't manage to worm an arm out of his swaddle.

Random tidbits: You have discovered and love your feet. You pull them up to your hands and grab on. You are very close to being able to roll from back to tummy. You smile at just about anyone and it melts me heart every time you do. You laugh every now and then but when I tickle you, your body tenses up and you try to hold back the laughter. You are getting awful squirmy during bath time which always makes things fun! You are convinced that you have places to go and things to do, but you can't quite get yourself there yet. 

I have learned in four months about a love that just overflows to every crack and crevice of my being.

I have learned that no matter what when I go to get you up in the morning, I am greeted with the biggest grin and it already makes my day!

I have learned about the happiness I am brought when I snuggle with the most important thing God has ever blessed me with.

I have learned that I no doubt have a lot left to learn on this motherhood journey of mine but I know God will guide me along the way so that I can help you develop into a man of God!

Really?!?!

Okay, so admittedly, I have not taken any new pictures since yesterday. Why? Well- frankly because I have some semblance of a life. Haha! Truthfully, we had a Womens on Missions meeting at our house last night. So once I got back from work and picking up my love bug- I helped mom get ready for that, attended said meeting, fed love bug, put love bug to bed, helped clean up, and then hit the sack myself! So, you see- not much time for snap shots! So I thought this would be the ideal time to discuss this...

Really?!?! I am not sure how many of you have heard of this movie. My dad brought it up a few days ago and my mind is still reeling!! I seriously thought he was trying to pull a fast one on me! I was utterly shocked when I discovered this to be an actual movie! Check out the description for this thriller:

"When a freak hurricane swamps Los Angeles, nature's deadliest killer rules sea, land, and air as thousands of sharks terrorize the waterlogged populace."

 Now, I would love to say I am going to give you a review, but honestly...I wouldn't want to put myself through watching it, in order to review it! You know those times where you wish you could be a fly on the wall? I feel like that right now. I wish I could be in the room when this movie idea was pitched...and apparently accepted!! I am just having a REALLY tough time picturing someone legitimately pitching this idea, and then ON TOP OF THAT- someone legitimately accepting the proposal!!

Fred: Yea, we are going to have this tornado start out over the water and pick up all these sharks. Now, we are going to go against the obvious rules of nature and instead of just being flung out of the tornado...the sharks will continue to cycle in the tornado. They are going to terrorize people on land, where sharks can't move...due to their swimming nature. We might even throw in a scene where this guy dives in the sharks mouth with a chain saw, rescues a girl inside (who is still alive after being eaten), and cuts his way out of the shark without bringing any harm to himself or the girl! (I can't make this stuff up, that is an actual scene from what I have heard!)

Producer: That's a great idea...let's do it!

Me: Jaw open, staring in disbelief!!

Whether the pitch man's name be Fred, Bob, Dingo, or Doofus...I would honestly like to meet this guy. I have to believe either one of two things happened here!

1. Fred (names have been changed to protect the stupid) is a REALLY great salesman and came up with a phenomenal way to make this movie sound like it would e a GREAT idea!

2. Producer (if you can really call him/her that) is an absolute moron or sucker!

Who knows, maybe they knew it would make outlandish amount of attention on how absolutely dumb it is and decided that would be a great way to get their name out there? Only one problem with that...do you think people will ever take you serious after that? I am going to go out on a limb and guess NOT! I mean check out the trailer. Sure is good to see good ole' Steve from 90210...that should be a clue about the quality of the movie- right? ;)

Fat Lip...

My crooked frown! haha! I had dental work done this morning so the left side of my mouth is completely numb, hence the crookedness! On the brighter side I am in my new ride!!!

Yep, took the plunge and got the car I have been wanting for a loooong time!! I love it and having a SUV with little one has already made life so much easier. I am still learning how to work everything and still getting used to not having to put a key in the ignition! I feel so weird just pushing a button! haha.

Wrap it Up!

Ready for the weekend recap? Okay great!

First of all check out my weather app for Friday!!! Whoo hoo!! Granted, it still rained later that day, but we had a glorious afternoon of sunshine for the first time in forever it seemed. It did my body good. It was a great day for shopping and running errands with mom and Ian.

Check it out, I even had to break out the sunglasses!! One of the errands we ran was picking up my night stands that go with my bedroom! I ordered a new bedspread and am thoroughly looking forward to a mini bedroom makeover. I will wait until I am done to post pictures!

This guy was a champ all through running errands and a long stay at the car dealership...more on that later!!

Ready for church and waiting on mom to finish getting ready! I am preparing him now that he will have to wait on girls to get ready! :)

He likes sitting in his seat thing, I honestly can never remember what they call these darn things- much less how to even begin to spell it! He likes trying to push up on his feet. He is always moving nowadays and I know that I am surely in for trouble when he starts crawling. When he starts walking...forget it!!

Got in some snuggle time when sweet one took his afternoon nap. He slept for a good little while and I am thankful he likes to be snuggled. I know he probably would have slept in his swing or bed if I really wanted him to but I love when I get to just hold him and savor the moments while he is still small.

Tummy time, hasn't been rolling over a whole lot lately. He gets frustrated when he can't do it right away. We are working on that! This was right before we left to go meet up with some dear friends who I have not seen in a very long time!! They moved out to Colorado and had a little boy! Ian was actually born on their little one's due date, while their little boy waited a little longer. Sadly Cooper slept through our visit, despite Ian "talking" the whole time. Equally as sad is that I did not get a picture at our visit as it was a short one. :( Oh well, it was still great to catch up with them and hope they have safe travels back later this week.

Rain, rain- GO AWAY!!!!

This is what my weather app has looked like for a whole week now! It is so depressing. Excluding last Friday we have had nothing but rain, dreary clouds, and thunderstorms for almost two weeks! It is making me a little stir crazy, and I don't even get out that often! I just would love to have some sunshine in my life...is that too much to ask? I think not! I heard on the radio this morning that we have gotten 20 more inches this year than this time last year! It is craziness I tell you! I think we got about 7 or 8 inches just last week. Of course it rained out the fireworks for 4th of July but that wasn't enough...it just won't go away.

Yes, I am a being a little childish- but I am allowed because...well just because I said so! You like that? I can be childish but I can also use those infamous words, "because I said so!" I can do that now that I am a mom! It says so in the fine print when you sign your hospital release papers after having a baby. I think they should make membership cards. The "Because I Said So Club." Maybe BISSC for short? Who wants to get started on that? Great! I will be looking for mine in the mail!

On baby boy front, he has gotten in a rotten habit. Look, I am even rhyming! He has decided instead of taking a good long afternoon nap that he will just cat nap every now and then. This makes him much crankier than usual and a little more rotten than usual. It ends up in short naps in the car and waking up when we get somewhere. Yesterday I needed to put some clothes away and do some general maintenance in my bedroom because it was looking a little like a hamper threw up! So I decided this would be a good time to try to let him work through his issues of wanting to have someone either holding him or right there with him all the time. So he sat in his bumbo for a little while until he was no longer amused by the movie playing and the toy he had. Instead of picking him up and holding him, I moved him to his blanket to lay down and play. That got old pretty fast as well, until ultimately I decided to let him cry it out for a little while. I ended up sitting down beside him but not picking him up. I know- such a mean mommy right? I talked to him and tried to calm him down some but eventually he wore himself out and tuckered out.

I didn't let him stay like this, I moved him to lay him down. But as hard as it was it did show me he is capable of eventually putting himself to sleep. It is crazy that he is doing this during the day because honestly he sleeps great at night time. At night, I give him his last bottle, swaddle him up (in those heavenly swaddle me creations that do not require me to know how to actually swaddle with a blanket), and lay him down. Sometimes he is not all the way asleep when I lay him down- but he always goes to sleep shortly without any fuss. It is just the napping he is all the sudden having trouble with. Makes me sad because he stays with my cousin during the day who watches a few older kids and I do not want him to be a burden and cranky! I know that he isn't really a burden- he never will be a burden but I want him to be happy, not cranky. So if any of you veteran moms have suggestions for getting him on a good nap schedule- I would love to hear them!! :)