Sunday, November 27, 2011

Catching Up

I'm back.  Sorry for my absense.  Last Sunday night I drove from Clinton to Charlotte, a total of four hours.  We spent the night with George and Betty one last time and then got up and at 'em the next morning and made the nine hour trip back home.  BY-MY-SELF.  To say it was tough with a two-year-old and being pregnant would be an understatement, but I was determined.  Determined to see my hubby after a two week absense and sleep in my own bed.  Sleeping in my own bed was glorious (insert my sing-song voice here.)  The lower back pain I awoke with the next morning was not.  The only complaint I've had this entire pregnancy has been the back pain.  It's tough getting Grant in and out of his crib and car seat and some days it's all I can do to stand up straight.  The following days consisted of unpacking our suitcases, cleaning out the car, cleaning up the house, grocery shopping all in the spaces of time I felt some relief from the awful shooting pains I've become accustomed to in my lower back.  With all this said, I felt better by Wednesday but I seemed to have overdone it.  Thanksgiving morning I sneezed and that was all she wrote.  I cried out, Ron caught me and poof!  Couldn't move.  I was in an awful state the majority of the holiday, Ron was so wonderful at taking care of me he even once had to drape me over his shoulders and carry me to the bathroom.  It was miserable.  Three days later, I'm feeling like myself again but taking it easy.  My hope is this back pain will stay at bay for awhile and I plan on avoiding long car rides at least until Christmas.  So, that's what's been going on and why I have left you lingering with the final details of our trip to North Carolina.  So now, on with the story.
Five weeks ago, my dear Mother underwent knee replacement surgery.  She has had a tough recovery so a lot of the time spent at home was spent at home, with her, keeping her company.  We did venture out to my friend Jill's baby shower the Sunday afternoon before I left.  Here I am with my Mom and Dad.
The Rouse sisters, Jennifer, Mom-to-be, Jill and Grant's Godmommy, Jessica
Jessica and our pal, Georganne
Grant had a great time playing with Papa during our visit, they did a lot of fun things together like riding Papa's "tractor"
We also spent a couple of nights in Mt. Airy with Ron's Mom.  This day we ventured out to the local park and threw rocks in the creek.
Grant could literally do this for hours.

Another highlight of our trip was helping host a sip and see for my great friend Emily and her beautiful daughter, Collins.  Collins was born in September and looks just like her Daddy!  It was a joy finally meeting her and being reunited with so many of my dearest friends.
Pregnant pals and best friends.  Both of these gals have been with me through it all and were in our wedding.  Now, we're sharing the journey of pregnancy together, just wished we lived closer!
Emily received so many pink, girly things for Collins.  The shower was so fun!
A good majority of my sorority pledge class.  Oh, how I miss these girls!
Had to include these because I love all things crafty.  Emily gave these flower pins to all the hostesses.  The best part?  She made them!  They will be accessorizing all of my sweaters and jackets this season.
And that's about it.  We covered a lot of distance, traveled many miles, packed in a lot of fun with a lot of friends and the trip was a success!  Time with family and friends in NC is always so bittersweet because I never know when my next visit will be.  That's why these times are so cherished and I'm so glad there all documented right here.  Even after the long drive and consequential back pain, we are glad to be back in Sweet Home Alabama!

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Back to Wilmington

On Wednesday, Grant and I traveled to Wilmington to catch up with my friend Brooke and her two kids, Borden and Maggie.  Brooke just moved back to Wilmington from Winston Salem, so we paid her a visit in her new casa, it's gorgeous by the way!  Wilmington has always held a special place in my heart.  I traveled there as a child to go to my parents beach house, Ron and I were married there and we lived outside of Wilmington our first two years of marriage.  I always feel at home in a way when I return.
My dear friend, Kim was able to meet us at Brooke's.  I was itching to get my hands on Kim's seven week old, Gabe and boy, he didn't dissapoint!  He is the best baby, never makes a peep and is already sleeping through the night!
Gabe was very generous with his smiles for Auntie Jena
After some play time at Brooke's house and some adult conversation, we went out to lunch and then let the kiddos run wild!
Grant and Maggie always enjoy their time together, these two are only a few months a part in age

Grant never misses the opportunity to kiss a pretty girl!
Our time together is always precious.  These visits mean the world to me and are always too short!  Our kids are growing up way too fast...

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Betty Turns One

We celebrated our niece, Betty's first birthday on Saturday in Charlotte.  George unfortunately awoke the night before with croup sending everyone into a tale spin.  Lesley called all the party guests that morning and gave them the option to come or stay home, so needless to say a lot of the little ones didn't get in on the birthday excitement.  The party was fantastic though with lots of family and great food!  Thank goodness, Grant never showed any symptoms of croup, I kept thinking each night, "Is this going to be the night he wakes up barking like a seal??"  Poor George was not himself and Grant couldn't understand why George couldn't play with him.  He kept asking, "George go night night?"  "George hurt?"  Betty on the other hand was jubilant on her big day!
Lesley made the cutest cupcakes in ice cream cones, they were a hit!
Having a boy, I delighted in all the pink, love these seersucker napkins
Lesley made all the poms that were used on tabletops and hanging from the ceiling as decoration
Grant and I with Aunt Lesley and his baby cousin, Betty
Grant loves their lab, Drake, which is the sweetest, most gentle dog you could ask for
Grant and Emily, distant cousins and a month a part.  Check out the photos from the last time these two were together, they were just one and two months old.  My how they have grown!  Click HERE


Time to sing "Happy Birthday to You!"  Lesley and Lanier with Betty
"Hmmm, this is good!"
Betty making a mess

and when it was all over, she had eaten the entire thing!
Grant loved his cupcake, it was so funny to watch the kids with these, the majority of the group didn't know whether to lick them or bite into them.
Later in the day, George and Grant getting ready for the oyster roast Lesley and Lanier hosted for 100 of their closest friends.  Yep, it was a busy, crazy day but sooo much fun!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Playing in PJ's

It was time.  Time to hop into the car once again and travel to NC to visit our loved ones.  After all, I had not seen my niece and nephew since Easter!  The thought of letting Betty's 1st Birthday Party pass me by was just too much to bear.  So with Grant by my side as my co-pilot we made the trip to Charlotte.  He was an angel in the car.  Have Diego?  Will Travel.  Grant loved spending time with his cousins.  He followed George around all weekend saying, "Geo--rge" in a sing song voice and was thrilled by all his toys.  We had many adventures but spent a lot of time playing around the house in our pajamas.
The boys loved having stories read to them by Mimi
Sweet Betty opening her birthday present from Grant, a "Jenna" Melissa and Doug Baby Doll.
Grant was introduced to George's favorite cartoon, Transformers.  He also wore George's goggles around the house all weekend, hence the strap around the back of his head.
George had awesome GIANT coloring books and they colored pictures for Mimi's office.
Grant flipping through a toy catalog making his wish list for Santa and goofing off with his cousins.
These three are so much fun!  In case you're wondering what we were doing here? 
Waiting on Poppy to make our delicious breakfast in his "Big @*$ Pan"
and boy was it yummy!
Now on to the amazing foliage in Lesley's front yard, this is what I miss about living in NC, seasons!
The trees on her street were breathtaking, even more so when a big gust of wind would stir up all the leaves and blow them about.  Ah, I love fall.

Friday, November 11, 2011

I Have a Secret

Grant's going to be a BIG BROTHER!

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Sunday Funday

Grant's not letting the thought of Monday ruin his Sunday.  He has a big work week ahead but he's still in great spirits and enjoying showing off his hard hat...