Are we there yet…

Another busy weekend. Another week without updating the blog. I’m going to do my best to get it together one of these days, but for now, I’ve traded in the Internet  for my sewing machine. If I would have known that having two kids in the house would have boosted my sales so much, I may have had # 2 a lot sooner!

We’ve got yet another exciting weekend ahead of us. This weekend will mark Hutson’s first trip to the Georgia coast. We will also be celebrating Big Daddy’s birthday. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again…few things in life excite me more than a weekend at the coast, boiled peanuts, and Georgia football!

We celebrated Reynolds third birthday last weekend in Griffin.

To escape the hot afternoon sun, his mommy came up with the idea for a morning, pajama party. Breakfast goodies like doughnuts, biscuits, and bagels were served while the kids jumped in the jumpy castle.  

Sweet Reynolds was a true sport about MR opening his gifts.

We also got in a weekend visit from Gran C and Big Daddy, which allowed us a date night to celebrate or 6th wedding anniversary.

On Sunday, the boys attended the Braves game and got to watch the Bravos make a huge comeback to win the game!

This was the homerun that Diaz hit to tie the game.  Thanks to our DVR, I got to capture Big Daddy and G enjoying the moment…

Monday marked MR’s first day of school. Not a single tear was shed as Gran C and I waived goodbye and headed to the liquor store. We were certainly a sight to be seen; arriving at the store before 10 am with a 6 week old baby. In our defense, we there not to drink our day away, but to score Julie a wine crate for her kitchen. After a few more errands, it was time to pick up sweet MR and head to Athens for an overnight stay. Our visit included lots of time with Gran C and Big Daddy and dinner with Uncle Brother and Cook.

The next few days are jam packed with activity; G returns late Friday night. On Saturday, we’re off to Griffin to celebrate a birthday; later that night, Gran C and Big Daddy return to watch the kids so G and I can go out and celebrate our 6th wedding anniversary. On Sunday, G and Big Daddy are going to Turner Field to cheer on the Braves. And on Sunday night, we’re planning to eat hamburgers and hotdogs with our supper club. Until then, I’m up to my knees withPetey Pie orders. Ive got two days to get 22 shirts done. Hoping and prayaing  that the Little Man will cooperate. He’s still eating A LOT; usually every 2-3 hours. And still loves to be held. And despite having very little time for myself , I still love every ounce of him!

I stayed up extra late on Saturday night to make a dress for MR’s first day of school. When she awoke the next morning, I asked her what she thought of it. She frowned and replied, “that’s not good mama. I wanted a dress with a banana”. 

We’ve never had a baby in the family with this much hair, so it was hard for me to get on to G for styling Huston’s hair in a mohawk after a bath. The look didn’t last long; after a few pictures, I promptly brushed it down and returned it to the classic sweep over.

Garrett’s return from New York was short lived. After being home for three days, he was off again. This time he was headed to Idaho to a remote wind farm where cell phones and communication were hard to come by.

The day before he left, we headed out with a realtor to look at houses. Because of G’s job, we have never lived anywhere long enough to even consider purchasing a home. We had several houses lined up, but there was one in particular that I was very excited about him seeing. I feel in love with the house a week earlier and hoped that Garrett would like it as much as I did. It had everything we wanted: a kitchen open to the living area, a  playroom on the main floor, a large master, two rooms for the kids, and a guest room for the grandparents. It even boasted a perfect downstairs office for Petey Pie’s.

It didn’t take much to convince G that this was the house for us. By late that afternoon, we were already in the process of making an offer. The next day, G boarded a plane to Idaho. Throughout his 6 day visit and limited cell phone service, we managed to firm up an offer. Papers were signed last Saturday and our closing date is set for the end of March. Although we have a lot to do in a short amount of time, we couldn’t be any more excited!!! 

With the new house on my mind, I almost let Petey Pie’s first birthday pass by. A year ago today, I decided to put my sewing machine to use and start making handmade appliques for children’s clothing. A year later, the shop has sold more than 350 pieces!!! The business has been such a blessing to our family as it has allowed me to set my own schedule and work from home, while also caring for sweet MR. 

God is good and we continue to thank Him for His many, many blessing!

Under Contract!!!

G and I think the house needs black shutters (hopefully they will look better than the ones I made in Microsoft Word!). The builder has agreed to add them per our contract. Black rocking chairs on the porch and potted plants are also in the works.

I love the openness and use of space in the new house.  After spending a year and a half in a home that was built in the 20’s, the fact that it is brand new construction is also very exciting!!!

I’ll be trading in a cramped laundry/tool/fabric room for my own Petey Pie’s space! The small office has lots of storage and counter space for my sewing machine and fabrics. Its right off of the kitchen so I will be able to work while the kids play in the playroom.

Happy first birthday, Petey Pie’s! Please visit my etsy shop to see more of my collection. The shop offers classic, everyday clothing for your little one!

Several months ago, I mentioned to G that it would be fun to mark his thirtieth birthday with a tour of the Okefenokee swamp. Growing up in Waycross, Georgia, he had spent most of his life learning and exploring the Okefenokee, but the tour would allow us an opportunity to spend three nights canoeing and camping in remote areas that many have never seen. While the conditions were not ideal (think, canoeing up to 13 miles a day and sleeping on platforms surrounded by gators and bugs), I thought the experience would be memorable to say the least. By mid November, the plans were set. G’s mom had also decided to embark on the journey and Papa Joe and Meme had graciously offered to take care of sweet Mary Reese.

Fast forward to the week of G’s birthday (Nov 18). Without getting into too many details, I had been having irregular menstrual periods and decided to visit my gynecologist in hopes that he would once again prescribe the progesterone pill to start my period. After a quick urine test, it was obvious why I was late again. I was pregnant! At the time, G was in New York for the week on business. I made up my mind that I would do my best to keep it a secret and surprise him upon his return home. That lasted all of two hours.

Since we were very early on, we decided to just tell the family. The news was especially exciting because my sister and I would be pregnant at the same time and due within 2-3 weeks of each other. As the big news sunk in and my waist started to expand, it was obvious that this was not my year to experience the Okefenokee swamp. Instead, G and his mom would brave the three day trip and Mary Reese would get to spend some quality time with her grandparents while I caught up on some things around the house.

While we’re on the truth, I can tell you that I’m only around 7 or 8 weeks, which is still very early on. I can also tell you that I am already showing and am very close to unpacking my maternity clothes. Our next sonogram is planned for Monday so we should find out our official due date then.

And finally, I can tell you that I barley managed to survive the week without G and sweet MR. And barley got them unpacked before we were in the car again, headed to Waycross. I’ll post pics later in the week of our trip, but for now, here are a few pics of my number one girl!

MR got to sit on the big mans lap last Wednesday.

Consulting over this years Christmas list

Random, but worthy….Thanks to Gran C, MR has been broken of her “Bobbi-C” (pacifier) for the last 4 months and in a “big girl bed” for the last 2. The transition was much easier than expected. We’re praying that another grandparent will step up and get this child potty trained before the arrival of baby 2!

Wednesday morning was spent with two new friends. We met Lofa and Nicole during our summer swim lessons and look forward to many more playdates together.

Me: Where are you going, Mary Reese?

MR: To the “gras-rey” store, mama!

MR’s first haircut!

We said goodbye to the curls and hello to a new Farrah inspired cut.

In the last couple of days, we have:

seen a lot of these guys and spent a lot of time outdoors,

successfully completed a week of swimming lessons,

scored a new summer wardrobe thanks to my sweet and generous friend, Kristi,

eaten our weight (times 2) in “Meme Crackers”,

jumped on Cousin’s big-girl bed,

and giggled every step of the way!

Sometimes the best form of birth control is a place full of dogs and kids…

Just when I think I’m ready for baby #2, I get a reality check. Sunday’s Bark in the Park baseball game at Turner Field set me back at least two more months. Between MR and Sadie, we barely got a chance to watch the Braves take on the Astros. We did, however, score a few good pictures of our “girls” enjoying their time at the ballpark…

If you happen to be watching the Braves tonight, keep an eye out for this handsome guy…he’s in the fifth row behind the Braves dugout.

And if you happen to see me out and about in the next few days, be prepared to see this and know that my soon to be famous husband had nothing to do with it. It’s simply a case of poison ivy. And a great excuse to be a shut-in:)

I vowed to learn to sew in 2009. G vowed to spend more time in the outdoors. So far, G is fairing better than me. Last night he headed south for an early morning dove shoot. Later today, he is off to Eastman, Georgia to deer hunt. Always the overachiever, I’m sure his new found hobby will require lots of expensive accessories…guns, ammunition, camouflage, land. As long as it does NOT require mounting a deer head in our living room, I’m fully supportive.

G and I both agreed that 2009 would also be the year that we get out and do more. New Years eve seemed like the prefect occasion to do just that. After dinner for two at a great Chinese restaurant, we met some friends for drinks at a nearby inn. Having stayed out until almost midnight (which is way, way, way past our normal bedtime) we were pretty proud of ourselves! When we returned home, we got to watch the ball drop with Gran C and Big Daddy. And MR, who was also up way, way, way past her bedtime. The next day, we were off to watch the dawgs take on Michigan State with some neighborhood friends. I know, I know. I hate to get overly ambitious this early in the game, but I do like to start out the new year with a bang!

Here’s to hoping that we are succesful in keeping our resolutions for 2009! May this new year bring many blessings, lots of time for reflection, sewing and outdoor activities, and many, many new friends to carry us through!!!

This sweet girl is ringing in the new year with two new teeth and a growing vocabulary! Her new favorite word is “Hannah” (Hannaaaa)

New Years Eve

When daddy’s away, babygirl will play…