Weekend before our trip

Thursday I picked up my parents from the airport and we all went out to dinner at a Mexican restaurant on the way home. M loved every  minute of being the only grandchild. He loves the attention and of course being with Papa. Thursday night I had band rehearsal at church, but M still got to be with them all night.

Friday we packed them back up and headed out to Hannah's. We met her and the kids at Chickfila and let them play for awhile. M and I headed back home after that.

Craig and I decided to make something else with all the apples we had. I found a recipe for Country Apple Fritter bread and we whipped that up together. It's so fun to bake as a family. Micah loves to help stir the ingredients.

Here is the finished result:

Saturday Rachel came over with Caleb and we got to play at the pool all day. I don't know why but I didn't take any pics. It's hard when you are in the pool. We came home for naps and then went out for burgers. It was a great day for Caleb and Micah to be together. They play so well and love each other. Micah likes to touch Caleb a lot and hug him and I don't think Caleb is really into that. haha You can tell who doesn't have siblings around. M just wants love all the time. 

Sunday I had to be at church at 7:30a.m. to sing for the kids in C3. The songs were so fast and so many words I would say I started off my rapping career with a bang. My two neighbors Betsy and Kristi even came to watch me sing. They are so sweet. 

Craig and I might be leading a life group soon. We signed up to be leaders and took a training class on Sunday too. I hope it works out. The only problem is the parking situation at my townhouse stinks. I didn't even think about that. I'm determined to make it happen so I will try and figure something out. 

This week is so busy!! I can't believe it. We are leaving on Thursday for some COOL weather in Chicago! woohoo. so excited about that. Today I got to meet baby Eliza while Micah and Noly played. They are so cute playing together. Here's a little video of them this morning.

She is so tiny! only 6 lbs 9 oz when she was born. She is such a good baby and so chill already! Leslie has already got this two baby thing down. It's incredible how quick she is bouncing back. She makes us all believe in miracles!! lol

Tomorrow is out first Bible Study Fellowship in Roswell, Wednesday is my OB appt and Thursday we have a music class in the morning before leaving for Chicago! I haven't decided if I'm going to go to it yet. Depends how I'm feeling and if I'm ready to make a 1 p.m. nap happen. He needs to nap before we get on a plane!! HE will have his own seat this time though, so it will be a piece of cake when we are ON the plane. 

One more thing... Craig decided to shave his beard off and surprise me at church yesterday. Micah was obsessed with talking about daddy's beard so him and I took a picture of us trying to look like daddy did.

Happy Monday ya'll!!

Pee in the Potty

Today I stayed home. I know right? Like what's wrong with me? What happened? It was weird, but also really nice. My parents are coming into town to take my nephew and niece to Florida for the week. I am picking them up at 330 and since I didn't want to go anywhere and rush home for nap I decided to stay here. We took our time and got up this morning. I was about to change M's diaper and then just didn't put one back on him. I figured we were staying home, so I could try out the naked approach to potty training. I really haven't been pushing it on him since I don't care myself. Yesterday after MOPS the childcare worker told me he was ready to be potty trained. I don't know why she told me this, but I guess she was right. He peed twice in the potty today and was so happy about it. I think the naked training will work best for him, but I never stay home all day so I am really going to have to commit to it soon. I just don't want too. I know it would be nice to have only ONE in diapers soon. It just really doesn't bother me to change him.  It's nice to know he can do it if he wants. And he definitely loved getting M&M's for it. I think I may have slipped him a few too many.

Here's a pic from today:
It's PG rated.

We had a blast at the Apple Orchard and can't wait to go again with the Hooker's in Illinois. It was still a little hot outside and the bees were everywhere. I'm glad M didn't get stung because that would have been a sad situation. We got like 70 apples. haha I made apple crisp last night and will probably make something else soon. My neighbor let me borrow her apple peeler and it's the best thing ever!! I was so excited to see my apple peeled like a flower pedal. ha M loved it too!

Here he is just as excited as I am to eat a peeled apple.

Tuesday night we went to food trucks and it was 100 degrees out. BLAH. I'm so ready for fall ya'll!!! just like 80's would be nice. I'm getting all hot and bothered. I'm so happy I'm not going to be huge while it's 100 degrees. I'll probably be wearing dresses until December here. haha

Here's a pic of Lindsay and baby Weston at food trucks. They are the cutest.

First dress I ever purchased for my sweet baby girl. It's from screaming owl. IT's an online boutique. It's so cute and actually matches the coral color pretty well in her room. I can't express how excited I am to be able to see these cute outfits and actually buy them for my own! I'm trying to keep calm right now and wait awhile till I see everything I have. With hand-me down and gifts. I don't want to go too crazy. But c'mon...this is too much cuteness. Now all we need is a sweet face to put in it.

Can you guys believe it's Thursday? I don't even know where the time has gone. We should have Monday's off every week. I declare MONDAY as FAMILY day forever! (only in my dreams) 

Love you all.

Eliana's Bday

On Saturday morning we had a nice visit from Hannah and her family along with her in-laws who were in town for the holiday weekend. They ran a 5k in the morning and got to come over for a bit afterwards since the run was in Marietta. I did the 5k last year, but obviously didn't want to do it this year. Rachel was supposed to do it, but the boys were still sick today so she had to stay home.

At 2pm we had Eliana's first birthday party. Everything was so cute. She is the cutest little girl. I grabbed some awesome photos with my phone. I was so proud of myself. This just makes me so excited for headbands, skirts, sparkles and everything pink!! Micah stayed up past his nap time and did well. He then went to bed around 4 p.m. and woke up at 6:30pm. I took a nap at the same time and was surprised when I woke up that late. So now it's almost 10 pm and we are all up and still going. haha At least it's the weekend.  We might go apple picking on Monday. I'm so excited for this month and for it to get a bit cooler outside. I hope to take some cute photos of M picking some apples. It will be his first time doing it.


Here are some pics from the birthday party today. So cute!!

So happy to have these people in our lives. They make life so much fun. Micah loves these tents and has one of his own now! I might want to get one for NJ's room too. I love how they look. 

On Monday we are celebrating 7 years! Can you believe it? Wow. It's crazy and so nice that it doesn't feel that long. 

Happy Labor Day Weekend to you all!!

sickness ruins everything

When the first week of school started no one was too thrilled about it. School starts so early here in Atlanta, not only that but the first week Averie caught a bad stomach virus. It's not even fall yet and all the kids are going through a horrible virus. We had to cancel our plans for Averie's birthday celebration and now this weekend looks like our 5k/boys stay over/Craig and I anniversary night is no longer happening. We have been planning these last few weekends for months now. The 5k has been on our "looking forward to" calendar for quite some time. It's so depressing when one kid gets sick over there. They can't escape it going to all the kids. Then it seems like it lasts a whole month. Just enough time for someone else to catch something else. Please be praying for the kids and Hannah/Rachel. I wish I could be of more help. I'm helpless over here. Praying for them, wishing there was something I could do. Or even give them more sleep.

Sleep is precious and I'm soaking it in as much as possible on this side of the city. My little man is still sleeping great and taking 2 hour naps. He is still sleeping in his crib and loves it. He played with his animals and will sit in there and be content until I come get him (most days).

Yesterday I took him to Soap Creek Trail to feed some fishes and turtles. It was so cute to see him watch them eat the bread and get so excited. When you watch the video ...you will hear how excited I get as well. I may be just as thrilled do these things as M is.
The funny thing is when I tell him to smile for a picture right now...he looks like he's in pain. We are trying to get better at this because his real smile is so cute. I swear he is happy in these photos.

Today I met a new friend at a place called Chattahoochee Coffee Company. I had heard a lot about it and really wanted to go, but just never did. So I told this new friend I met at the Pastor's bbq to meet me there. It was so pretty. Right on the water. I guess they aren't open to the public on the weekends, only to residents that live on the property. It's really awesome how cool the scenery is. It wasn't that busy because it's tucked away and you would never know its back there.  The new friend's name is Emilee and she has a 5 month old little boy names Andrew. She reminded me of my friend Courtni from College and we totally had a weird connection. So when I was leaving today, she was saying how there was something about me that told her we should be friends. I told her about how she looked like a friend I had and then she said I looked like a friend she had in Michigan. So weird. Like we were meant to be friends. She also opened up to me about a lot going on in her life right now. I know why God has placed me in her life and I hope I can be there for her and (she just texted me) haha I forgot my train of thought. Anyways, here are some pics we took of our fun time this morning.

We are still enjoying our minivan. Micah is watching "Bolt" all the time. We tried to put in other movies, but Bolt seems to be the winner right now. 

Thursday I scheduled my Chiropractor appointment! I'm doing it. I would rather go and be out of pain for a few days then be hurting this much at night. I hope he can help me! They said I can bring M with me and it's not a big deal. Hopefully he will be good. He's been such a sweet boy lately. (I mean he always is) I just get excited thinking about him being sweet to his little sister. 

NJ's dresser is almost done and I have some new ideas for her decoration. I also got a canopy from a friend to put over the crib. It's really fun and different. Can't wait till it's all put together and I can show you all. 

We are getting excited for our trip home. Wish we could bring the van with us. haha It would make for easy travel. Maybe we will try it when Noelle is here, but I doubt it. I feel the possibilities are endless with this van. I can go anywhere and do anything. I have to make sure when I put M in the car we have a few places to go. Otherwise he gets mad because he wants to STAY in the van. LOL

Good problem to have. 

Love you all

MOPS

Hello there!

Hope you all are having a fabulous week. We are having a blast this week. Now that we are the proud owners of a minivan, life has been different this week. Micah just wants to get in the car and go anywhere!! Today we picked up the van from the shop so they could install a DVD player for us. Now M can watch movies. He's so happy. I put on his favorite movie in the car and then he didn't want to get out. So I had planned on going for a walk with my neighbor, but instead I went to DD to get donuts since my son was so content.

This is us the day we brought home the van. I still can't believe it's mine. It's so nice. I will miss my little jeep. I am a little nervous to drive this big boat around town. haha It's really great though. I don't have to use my back to get M in the car because he gets in himself. I think it's going to be a life save when NJ is here : )

Today I am 22 weeks and I still feel huge. I've been lathering up my belly almost every time I go upstairs. I can't get enough of the oil on my belly. I got this stuff called Mama Bee (Burt's Bee) that smells so good. 

It doesn't look too big here, but I feel like it. When I toss and turn at night it feels like I'm grabbing a big melon and turning over. I woke up today ready to call the chiropractor and of course they were closed. I guess Wednesday's are no good for helping people's back pain. I really wanted to see if I could get in tomorrow since some of my plans fell through. 

Last night I got to have Mexican food again and went out with the MOPS mom group for a moms night out. Everyone was having a margarita but me. It doesn't bother me though. I spent like 5 dollars on tacos and ate a ton a chips and salsa. Also, had bad heart burn from it too.

I've been looking for a babysitting job recently. I signed up for Care.com and have already gotten a few requests for babysitting. I like that I can be really picky and chose who I want. I really only want to do like 1 or 2 days a week, but not many people need that. I was thinking while it's just M and I, it would be nice to make some extra money before the baby gets here. He loves playing with other kids, so hopefully we can find the perfect family.

Today I had a play date with some of my moms from my MOPS table come to my house. We had such a fun time. The kids decided to put balls under their shirts and all have babies in their bellies!!

M is so much happier when he has friends over. I just love it. Everyone tells me how much they think he's going to be an awesome big brother. My neighbor even got him a cute little book called, Goodnight, New Baby. He's been loving it.  He loves kissing my belly and feeling NJ through my belly button. (That part gets a little weird, but Craig encourages it)

I'm guessing when Craig gets home tonight we may just camp out in the van and watch a show. haha it will be fun to do things in the van as a family. It's so roomy in there. I think I may start liking this #minimom thing. 

Praying for a lot of people in my life today. So many are going through struggles. My sister is interviewing for a job closer to Hannah's house and this may be an answer to her prayers. I hope she really likes it and everything works out. She needs this. 

Love you all

Roaches

They came and sprayed today for our little friends. It makes me laugh a little bit because I've never seen Craig so afraid of something. He says he's just "grossed out" by them. I don't know. I sense a lot of fear. haha. They are pretty scary and gross looking. Hopefully we won't have any problems after today. I guess they live in the trees here and since we have a ton around us it makes sense that they are getting in to our home. While we had to stay home today (for the pest control) I took M to the small park in our neighborhood and then we played at home and I took some videos.

Then we were in the basement and awhile ago I took a video of him saying his friends name, Victor and Eliana. So today he thought he needed to say their names again. He also remembered his sister's name! So sweet.

Also...when I mention Caleb he remembers biting him! I don't know why he's biting right now. But he has a few times and it really hurts. Maybe he's just trying to see a reaction?

He's a little under the weather but still a fun little boy. He helped me make banana bread this afternoon. He loved mixing and doing anything to help in the kitchen. It really is a sweet time. This week we had MOPS and again he loves it there. The childcare worker was telling me all the stuff he was saying to her. I think he may be the only one talking a lot in the classroom. She said he was obsessed with all the girls. I feel like that's a good sign. I'm glad he likes the girls. One in particular whose name is Tindell. She waited with him by the door and then they hugged and he gave her a kiss. I had to go tell her mom what happened, just so she knew our kids are already kissing each other.  Mostly Micah though, he doesn't understand a goodbye without a kiss yet. 

Yesterday we went for a walk with Lindsay and baby Weston. Micah loves him. He's so sweet. We were walking and he started singing a song about baby Weston and Micah. I mean...seriously. This little boy is the cutest. He surprises me everyday. He's becoming a little man too fast.  I really think the more time he has to understand the "big brother" concept...the better. He is learning and growing and loving so differently now. He might be the best big brother ever! 

Last night I had choir practice and I'm very excited to be a part of this church. The songs are awesome and we all sound great together. It's been a long time since choir. I'm thinking maybe since high school. I have sung in bands at church, but not in a choir. It's a whole different dynamic. 

This weekend is pretty quiet for all of us. Might try and go to hobby lobby again on Saturday and see if they have the bible verse frame I wanted for NJ's room. 

Hope you all are having an awesome week. Happy Friday. Can't wait to see family again in a few weeks. 

Rambunctious little girl

Oh my goodness. This little girl is so active. I don't remember Micah being to crazy at 21 weeks!! I barely started feeling him then and now this one is punching right through me. I mean it's almost to the point where you can see her when I lay down. That's freaky!! haha.  I keep thinking she's so tiny in there, but now I'm starting to think she's going to be a big baby!

I'm so excited I got my nursing poncho and baby girl headbands in the mail today. I worked with a girl in College Station, TX named Nastasia Morris. She was a reporter with me for a bit. She was so sweet and a hard worker. I really loved her. She moved back to Las Vegas and has three little girls now! They are so precious. She also started her own little  business making the nursing ponchos and headbands. I love the poncho! It's so comfy and cute. I can even wear it if breast feeding doesn't work out this time (which I pray it does).

I took some pics.

Also, we got to see Nolan this morning while Leslie visited Lindsay and baby Weston. Micah was so happy to be surprised with a friend. Then we had a lunch picnic with Betsy, Victor and Eliana. Micah loves his friends so much. When I say they are coming over or we are going to see them he gets ready really fast!

I took a pic of him in the car and a little video before we got out of the car. 

I mean. I am so lucky to have this guy. He is so special. He makes me so happy. 

Here is a video from last night as we were watching Olympics.

Love this!