Goodbye September, and other things.

Lately my life has been super hectic and busy!!

Once your baby starts crawling [at least for mine] he also starts pulling up and cruising, and that comes with a lot of falls and injuries. I pretty much have to have my eye on Slade at all times. Which is very time consuming! The first thing to suffer is my blog.

Today is the last day of September. My favorite month! So with that comes a lot of goodbyes. Goodbye to being 20. Goodbye to summer. Goodbye to my teeny little baby who used to just sit quietly and play. Awhile back I said I wanted to be at 125lbs by my birthday and this morning I stepped on the scale - it read: 126.2 O M G !!! I nearly peed on myself. I was just weighing in at 130.0 at my Dr. appointment this past Tuesday! A miracle? Maybe... So goodbye leftover pregnancy weight. Only 13 more lbs till I'm back at my pre-pregnancy weight. And for a friend- goodbye to singledom and her last name!

That's right, my best friend will be tying the knot tomorrow. I am her maid of honor and so excited to share this moment with her. Not even a year ago I was saying my vows at the courthouse in Wilmington. This is not her "official" wedding, but it's definitely going to be more classy that hitting up the courthouse. Dane and I wanted to be low key, after all I weighed a whopping 170lbs on our wedding day and I really didn't want the big blowout like some people have. One day we will renew our vows and have the wedding we deserve. He's never allowed me to put up pictures of that day, but here's a sneak peak....and no I didn't wear white.

So not only have I been preparing for visitors coming in town, we ourselves just got done with a mini vaca in Charlotte. Dane's soon to be brother in law owns seats to the Panthers and had invited him to go.  My dad and Dane's dad also tagged along. I was surprised with the honor of being a bridesmaid in his older sister's wedding which is on May, 27th 2012.

She had told me we were going to see some choices for her wedding dress. I was honored she actually cared about my fashion advice! When we pulled up to the bridal shop she said, "Before you go in I wanted to give you this" and it was a card. With some really sweet words ending in "I want you to stand next to me on my wedding day!" uh, how could I not cry?! Then she said, "and we aren't here to see wedding dresses. You're here to pick out your bridesmaid dress." I think I cried like a little baby.

As soon as we got home, my mom came into town- to see Slade and I and to help me out with him since I had so many things going on this weekend. It's nice to have help because I never do. None of my family lives here, and only a small portion of Dane's family does- and they are all busy with their own lives. I also try not to ask people for help. I actually was able to get a pedicure yesterday for the first time in over a year. It felt nice to relax for once.

how could you not love this baby?

A non-relaxing topic I have been avoiding is my cat, Louie. I adopted him and Sassy [our Siamese] when they were 4 weeks old. They were abandoned strays and were nursed to health by another mother kitty this nice cat man owned. He posted a listing on Craigslist and a year later they were still with us, through the birth of our son, and our move into our new house. They are a part of our family. If you know anything about me, you know what a soft spot I have in my heart for animals. I really feel like crying even writing this but one day Louie didn't come home. He and Sassy are both inside/outside kitties. He could be gone for 3-4 days and then come home looking hungover, eat, and sleep for a day, then repeat the process. Almost three Saturdays ago I held a yard sale and the next morning is the last time I saw his sweet little face. Everyone told me not to worry, so I didn't put out signs like my heart told me to. I didn't check the pound. I didn't call the vets. I didn't do what I should have and maybe if I had, he would be here. When we left last Friday for Charlotte I left a bowl of food and water out for him. I kept Sassy inside and knew if he was coming back to eat the food would be gone when I came back. Early morning hours of Monday when we got home I checked the food immediately...it hadn't been touched. I was worried sick. So the next day I checked the pound and they didn't have him but the girl knew of a big black male cat that was found with severe injuries. I went to the animal hospital and the girl told me the cat had suffered severe head trauma and was euthanized. I was trying my best to hold back tears. I think she felt bad for me so she promised she'd talk to his doctor and give my description of Louie to see if it was really him. Part of me wants the waiting to be over- but the other part hopes he is still out there and is going to come home. I just miss my boo boo kitty. Call me lame, but I love/d him. I'm hoping I don't have to say goodbye just yet.

On a happy note, in less than 24 hours my bestie will be a Benjaminson. Her little family will be complete! In less than 24 hours we are going to be together, spending some quality girl time together and I'm really excited!!

Saturday is my birthday dinner/party- I'm beyond ready to rage! look out DT. I'm finally legal.

my big boy!!

On 9/11 Slade turned 8 months old! Kind of gloomy, I know. That's probably why I didn't do a "birthday" post. butttt I finally caught him crawling on video today and decided to share it on here for his "8 month birthday update"!

he's crawling
eating people food
using a sippy cup (we're trying to wean him...and failing)
saying "words" like gaga, nana, baba, dada, mama, etc.
still a super happy baby
he has 6 teeth!!!
he still isn't sleeping through the night
taking big boy baths
walking using walker/pusher cart thing or holding hands
he can roll and throw a ball to you
he tries to pull up on certain things (chairs, crib, etc.)

everyday it's pretty much something new and I love it! At each stage I want him to stay that way until he reaches the next milestone and I think "No, stay like this!"

mish mash

Thanks for all your great input for the DIY shower invites I made. There were so many comments, I couldn't read them all! NOT. You guys suck! Anyways I finished ONE invite but then got frustrated and threw them all away. Guess crafty just isn't one of my talents (although I'd like to think it is) I'm way more creative in my mind than I am on paper- or maybe I'm just a perfectionist and get frustrated when any little detail goes awry.

ANYWAY!

Yesterday, Slade crawled for the first time! Don't get me wrong, he could definitely get around before but it was more of a scoot, with one foot under him and one foot on the ground. He still isn't crawling on demand (you kind of have to taunt him with a toy to get him to come to you) but he's finally on all fours and on the move! I think these toy cars I got him really helped (they would go flying across the room and he's chase them) and also seeing a couple other babies do it. I was sort of worried at first that he wasn't going to crawl like a typical baby- but then I read it's not even a milestone because some babies never do it. I'm glad he did though because it's nice for him to be able to go somewhere on his own and I don't think I could have waited until he was walking (which we are working on!).

The month of September has been extremely busy for us. Labor day week my family was in town, then we all got sick, and this past weekend I had a yardsale with a friend and her co-worker/friend/neighbor. Really we are all neighbors. I walked away $80 richer and kind of mad because at the end I sold 2 pair of jeans I was actually trying to keep for friends! I was caught off gaurd and totally let them go for way cheaper than I should have. Oh well, guess a little baby has some super cute jeans for this winter!

This coming weekend we are headed out of town to Charlotte. Dane's going to see the Panthers play! We're also going to be visiting with his sister and mom and possibly seeing my family for a little bit too.

My birthday is a week from today. Kind of scary... I've been waiting forever to turn 21 and I'm not even that excited anymore. I can't go out until the Saturday after which is October 1st, but my friend is also having her "wedding" that day! It's gonna be one tiring weekend. Not sure how it's all gonna pan out but I know either way it's going to be fun.

I'll be sure to post more about the coming events...and I still need to do an 8 month birthday post for Slade (totally slackin' over here!) Not that it matter anyways because I know you people don't even read these things.

DIY Shower invites!

As most of you may or may not know, my friend Nadia is having a baby due Jan. 21, 2012. She lives two hours away from me and all of our friends which is sad! Since most of us won't be able to make it to her shower, I am throwing her a small one at my house (roughly 6 or 7 of us.) So on Monday while out running errands with Dane I stopped by AC Moore and picked up supplies. I sort of copied my sisters idea for my baby shower invite (which she and her bestie made for me, thanks guys!!) because she's just so darn creative!

my baby shower invite, handmade by my sister- kelsie
and a hand painted giraffe I did at age 14 on slade's nightstand
(his room is sort of giraffe themed)

Somehow, I had to make it slightly different...which is where my creativity kicked in. I used more stamps (even for the letters) and made a border instead of a ribbon. The length and height of the card is different, and so is the color scheme. Even though I told her it was (surprise!) this isn't the finished finished product. I am kind of a perfectionist which is really tiring, but I want it to look REALLY good so I can make copies and send them out by next Monday. I think I like just his name in stamped lettering and maybe I can figure out a way to print in cool font the rest of the words? I have a lot of thinking to do! So help me out guys and leave a comment below! Let me know what I can do to improve it. I'd love to hear your thoughts!

had to bleep out my number because of those crazies out there.
(kelsie you know what I'm talkin' about)

Also, as I was logging on to the computer today my SS instructor posted a link to this website. It had some really good insight (I read each day) and I plan on reading everyday now!

Happy Thursday everyone!!

:)

Having a baby really me want to have a better relationship with God. I went to church a lot when I was young and sometimes in my teens. It's a really complicated relationship - there is so many things to understand. When Dane and I started going to church after Slade was a few months old we found a group of young adults (many with children) and we just really clicked. For awhile we were even doing a Bible Study and really enjoying it.

Since then a lot has happened...
Irene, vacation, Slade being sick...

Which Caused us to miss church. I hate that. I feel like church needs to be everyday so I can stay focused on the good and what my life is really about, being his servant.

Things happen in everyday life that try to tear you away from him and so sometimes I try to read the bible on my own, which I find really hard. I get overwhelmed! I'm someone who likes to read fast and you kind of have to take your time because every sentence basically has a deeper meaning behind it.

Anyways I was trying to go back over some stuff I had read one night...but I couldn't remember the verse. Was it in...Psalm? No. I opened my Bible and literally it went right to the book, ISAIAH. And something clicked in my head and I thought "Oh yeah, ISAIAH 53" (:6-11.) It just really clicked for me when I read it. maybe it would for you too

Just funny how God works sometimes! So hopefully I will be better by Sunday. Actually preferably before because I'm doing a yardsale on Saturday morning! I'll definitely be posting about that soon, and a post about DIY baby shower invites.

Get excited people!!

Vacation!

A week ago today my family arrived from Winston-Salem to spend the week at the Kure Beach (which is about 20ish miles from our house) with us! My dad rented an amazing house, and I previously blogged a little about our week. Dane was lucky enough to have vacation time to use and took off Tuesday and Wednesday (and also had off Monday due to labor day!) here's a little peek into our fab vacation!

Saturday:

Kelsie (my older sister) and Todd (my brother in law) came over to our house around 1:30pm while we finished packing. Meanwhile, my Dad and Grandma Peggy were still traveling after taking the long way (riding the ferry and then through Ft. Fisher to Kure.) We arrived at our BEAUTIFUL home we would be staying in the rest of the week and simply relaxed. We watched Slade play while catching up on everything going on in our lives.

baby slade's newest feat, pulling up!

Sunday:

(l to r) Aunt Paigey, Baby Slade, Aunt Kelsie, and Aunt Hayes

I usually attend church with Dane, but since we were about 20-30 minutes from our church which is in Wrightsville Beach - we opted to enjoy the beautiful weather and time with our family. It was great! Sunny and beautiful, and of course there were a million vacationers (I guess we were some of them!) on vacation for Labor Day. Dane's older sister Paige and her fiance, Jeff were also in town for the weekend dabbling in some wedding planning. They met us, along with his Dad and younger siblings at our house and spent the second half of the day with us. Although Slade napped for most of their time there it's always great to see them. I definitely get along with his family well, and consider them my own. Although they were all salty and sandy I got all of Slade's aunt's together for a picture with him, which isn't something that happens often (or ever!)

Night time boat rides with the hubs

Later that night we headed out to a party boat with Dane, Kels, and Todd. I think it either went down the river or inter coastal waterway. Grandma, Angie (my dads friend) and my Dad looked after Slade. We had way too much fun! Kelsie and I even did the Cuban Slide (?) and I heard a song I used to love when I was little (The Electric Slide) I couldn't remember the steps but I sure did my own version! It was one of my favorite days/nights we had.

Monday:

Early that morning while Slade had his first nap of the day, Dane and I drove up to Ft. Fisher which is just a hop away from Kure. It's really beautiful there, we explored a little bit and found a really awesome...rabbit hole? I don't know how to explain it other than it's a huge hill looking thing thats made out of little trees, and there was a hole on the outside (see below) and when we looked inside this is what we saw (below). Dane checked the waves and when we got back, Kelsie's friends Joel and his fiance Anna were at the house. Todd and Joel made up a new version of "12 Days of Christmas" and Kelsie, Anna, and I talked about random stuff while sun bathing. We all (even Dad!) jumped into the ocean to cool off and had to fight the current while talking and joking the whole time. With the hurricane off the coast the waves were getting bigger everyday we were there. Which of course made Dane really happy. That night we ate at The Lazy Pirate, it was yummy but they didn't have high up highchairs to reach their tables so we had to sit outside...it was hot and I was being eaten alive by mosquitoes and I wasn't a very happy camper...

inside the "rabbit hole"

Outside of the "rabbit hole"

Joel  & Todd

 

Tuesday:

double rainbow

Wednesday was a pretty lazy day. Dad, Kelsie, and Todd all went to South Port which is a 15 min ferry ride. I've never been there but after a full day on the beach we three were exhausted and took a long nap! On their way back, they saw a double rainbow from the ferry, and I caught a glimpse of it out on our porch. My grandmothers cousin came for dinner with his wife and we had a good old time!

Wednesday:

Wednesday morning I drank a cup of coffee on the beach while playing photographer to my surfer husband. I got some great shots, and so did my dad who was next to me surf fishing. Sadly, they were on his camera so I'm not too sure when I'll be able to post them. We finally got time to go to the Aquarium and I must say I was pretty excited!! I had been for the first time the previous summer with Dane and it was way more exciting with Slade on the outside! Dad had never been so that made it that much better. We had a great time and Slade even touched a horseshoe crab! Sadly it was Dane's last day off but we ended it nicely and grilled out chicken Kabobs which were delicious!

Thursday:

wokeup it was 7AM and he was shaving. He didn't make it surfing (I later realized I had set my alarm to 6:15PM oops...) We left entirely too late and instead of dropping him off at our house to get into his car and go to work, I ended up having to drive him there. Then I was left with two dilemmas: He had no lunch, and I was going to have to drive from Kure Beach to his work (about an hour long drive...again.) NOT FUN. When I finally made it home I realized I had left my house keys at the beach house. Another roadblock. I was planning on having my friend, and neighbor Morgan follow me to his work in my car and then she was going to join us at the beach house with her daughter, Alaina. I had no keys to get inside to get his keys...but then, the back door was unlocked!! SO not safe for our new TV, but I was thankful at that moment. All went as planned and we spent the day with the babies playing in the sun and sand. My friend Megan also dropped by to say hello. Dane drove back after work and said he felt sick, although he surfed again for a good hour or so before we headed to Jack Mackerels for dinner. I got a Salmon Bacon Sandwich on 7 berry bread...SO YUMMY! My camera was dead at this point in time, so no pictures on my camera from this day...but here's one of Slade from Monday:

beach bum

Friday:

Thursday night we stayed at home, and so Friday afternoon after Slade's nap I drove to the beach house and spent a few hours on the beach before putting him down for another nap around 3. Dane wasn't feeling too good and wanted to have K&W for dinner and just go home and sleep so I left and met him in our driveway and we went to dinner. We picked up a movie [Paranormal Activity 2] It was stupid, and made me mad because the evil spirit wanted (and got) the baby in the movie. Me no likey. Don't watch it, the first one is better.

yucky peaches! haha his face is too funny.

Saturday:

We woke up this morning, and cleaned our house. Two kitties can really dirty up the place if left alone for more than a day. Then my dad and grandma came over and chatted awhile before we all met for a farewell lunch at Castle Hayne Cafe which is about 3 minutes from my house. Oddly enough, it was my first time there. Technically we live in Wilmington but we are minutes away from Castle Hayne (kind of a hick town with nothing in it) but it's pretty there and the food at this particular restaurant was yummy. I could tell my family didn't want to say goodbye, and neither did I. It's always sad but you just have to tell yourself it won't be long until you see each other again.

So that's what I did.

Papa Thor and Baby Slade

kisses from Aunt Kelsie

Looking ahead:
My birthday is in 15 days! (I'll be 21)
We're headed to Charlotte on the 23rd, Dane's going to see a Panthers game & I'm gonna hang with Paige!
Then my bestie is getting married and hopefully spending her honeymoon here in Wilmington.
I'll be celebrating my birthday the first weekend in October...
and guess what?
I think we found the idea for our Halloween costumes today.
Take a wild guess (the hint's in the picture) :)

no place like home...for a vacation.

This past weekend my family drove up from Winston-Salem, NC to Kure Beach, NC which is about 15 miles from our house in Wilmington, NC. My dad rented an ocean front home with it's own private beach access from Saturday to Saturday! It's great, especially since our house is (sorta) right around the corner. What's even better is stepping out the back door, and seeing the waves breaking in what should be the backyard or eating grits, bacon, and toast with homemade apple butter on the deck overlooking the ocean. The best part though is watching Slade and my family interact on our "home turf". It's funny to see him eat sand and all the sounds and faces he makes. Today it was supposed to rain, but it hasn't yet. All I see is a clear blue sky, so while I'm inside eating lunch I decided to share one of the many pictures that we've taken so far. I'm happy to say it seems we are living just where we are meant to be.

Rinsing off in the outside shower with Dada

I don't want to share too many details because i'll be doing a blog later on, but when I was saving this picture from my email to my dads computer, I found some pictures he took when Slade was first born. It made me happy, yet sad. He's getting so big, and he's proof.

First picture EVER taken of Slade

picture taken right after birth

two days old

about to head home for the first time



obviously a mama of a newborn: TIRED







sleepy boy

my little bruiser is growing right up :)

fall

So maybe fall isn't for 22 more days on the calender but it's already in the air. It's my FAVORITE season.
I love the crisp feeling in the air every morning.
That it's actually warmer in my house than it is outside.
When yellow butterfly's are everywhere.
I can go outside and not sweat.
And lots of other things, like it reminds me of really happy times.
Such as, my birthday!

The past few days have felt fall esque, so yesterday I finally had the nerve to step outside past 10am and take Slade to the pool. Of course I didn't take any pictures because it's kind of impossible when you are alone!  I didn't realize until we were getting ready that Slade was out of diapers and we had forgotten to get some at Target (my dads favorite store, ha ha) the night before. So I loaded the diaper bag up with clothes, toys, sippy cup- the usual. I put a swimmer on Slade and went to the pool thinking "we can stop by Food Lion afterwards."

When we got back to the car about an hour later after swimming in the freezing water (must be cold from the hurricane) I realized he was now wet with pool water and I had no other diapers, and I couldn't buckle him with a towel under him to protect his car seat. So I took off the wet swimmer and put him in a onesie. Food lion is literally 2 seconds from us so I figured I'd be fine.

So I walked into Food Lion and of course, I feel the worst sensation I could have felt...warm pee. I literally walked to get diapers AND laundry detergent and walked to the checkout with a wallet, keys, both items and a baby in my arms...with pee running down my light pink dress. Slade had a huge wet spot up to his hips and it was very noticeable because he was wearing grey. I smiled and acted like nothing had happened. I mean for all they knew it was pool water, I was obviously wearing a bathing suit and my hair was wet.

Yeah, I know. I'm supermom. That's how it's done ladies!!

Except, when I got home I went to put the diapers away, and throw the old box out...and what do I find? About 16 diapers, hanging out. In the same box I had checked that morning...