I laugh at myself.

Didn't I say something in my New Year's post about a ho-hum year?  Not much on the books?

Bwwwaahahahahahahahah!!!

I laugh at that post.

I am so funny.



And no, I am not sharing right now.

(but I'm not pregnant...just in case that is what you thought)

Girls weekend

After two of my very good girlfriends moved away from Nashville last year, I was kind of down in the dumps.  Moping around the house, wishing for their company and John telling me he no longer wanted to discuss the newest style in shoe and that i HAD to find some new girlfriends.  Well, I realized I DO have lots of girlfriends, some just aren't here in Nashville.  I then realized I have THREE sets of girlfriends wanting to do girls weekends this year.  How awesome is that?  So, the first of three kicked off the year.

And boy was it a GREAT weekend.

So here is my confession.  I have some friends I met online.  I know, I know.  You are probably judging me or maybe you also have done this too?  I met these women when trying to conceive Anna.  It wasn't the easiest process for us and I needed someone to vent, scream, process, learn and lean on that wasn't John.  So long story short, met them through the BabyCenter, we broke away and made a facebook group and the rest is history.  I "met" them over 4 years ago.  Some had met in person, we have chatted on the phone, texted, supported...you name it. I am grateful for these women...so, judgment be damned.

It may have been a gray Atlanta weekend but inside was full of sunshine and laughter!

We gathered from all over the country and it was just like meeting old friends. I actually think at one point my face cramped up from laughing so hard!  Each of these women brings something amazing to the table.  We have a Nurse Practitioner, a teacher, a PR/Marketing whiz, an accountant, a soon to be Lactation consultant and current Air Force wife/super mom, and a former eye-guru who is now basically a super mom.   Who am I kidding, the term "super mom" needs to be attached to ALL our names.

L: Holly and baby Scarlett, R: Shelley (standing) and Amber

One of the ladies is actually my twin.  Weird, right?  Here's why...  We have sons named Graham, dogs named Cooper, husbands who are only children and attorneys, creative jobs, 5'11", blonde hair...well, the list goes on.  And well, our kitchen dance parties are now legendary.

What did we do on this wonderful weekend?  We filled our souls with talk and maybe lots of wine and coffee and laughter...oh and sweet baby snuggles.  Scarlett came with Hollie as she is still nursing and we were more than happy to snuggle on that sweet little one to give Momma a break!  And BW and AP (for some reason, that is what I must call them Theresa!) came with Theresa and her husband after they enjoyed the Aquarium.

Sweet Aubrey and her momma, Theresa, R: Me Facetiming with Anna while she meets Bryce.  She just said, "I don't like that guy". Hysterical

The sweetness is too much.

The crew

Great friends are not always easy to find.  Ones that you connect with, find comfort with, but when you do find them...well, you hold on tight and then plan your next trip.  Where to next ladies??

Don't ask.  Just enjoy the crazy that is this picture.

A little bit about G.

While we were at the beach our little guy turned 20 months old!  I remember this point with Anna, thinking wow...2 is quickly approaching (and by the time I post this he will be almost 21 months old which means he is closer....ahh, I digress)

People weren't kidding when they say boys and girls are different.  My kids might be polar opposites.  What is going on with Graham-man lately?  Well, let me tell you.  He is a monkey.  Literally, diagnosed the other day as a full on monkey-boy.  (this means he climbs a lot just in case you didn't pick up on that).  Seriously, climbing everything, leaping, jumping, crawling...VERY active.  So much that he really doesn't have time for that eating thing you are supposed to do....so he is our skinny guy.  Still sporting 18 month pants (although too short) but 24m/2T tops because he is so tall with long arms, weighed in at home around 27lbs which means he has lost a little since his 18m appt.  Size 7 shoes are getting a bit snug and still in size 4 diapers (these stats are completely for my benefit years down the road).

All that to say he is awesome.  And ridiculously cute.  You've seen this picture, yes?






























He is getting better with his vocabulary.  Newer words: Train, Airpane!, still loves all his animal sounds (and getting really good!), cracker, apple, nana (banana), water, boat (sail and plain), keys. Still aren't putting words together but he will in time and we are just enjoying his sweet voice.  And although he may not speak in sentences the boy can SING!  His favs?  Twinkle, twinkle and ABC's.  Seriously, he will sing almost the entire song of each and you can actually understand him.  Goal for the next couple weeks--- catch it on video!

You might not know that Graham is a biter.  Oh, wait, you've been bitten by him before?  Not shocking.  The boy may not be able to tell you to stop taking his toy or to move out of his way but he will bite you which probably solves all the previous problems (for him, but gives you a whole new set).  Not kicked out of school yet but we are working on more sign language to help, a new book about what teeth are for and prayers that Church and school continue to be sympathetic.

He loves blowing kisses though, which helps charm all those around him when a biting episode might happen.  He gives big hugs and loves to cuddle in my arms in the morning on our chair.  Our favorite new thing is the hand holding...melt. my. heart.  That sweet little hand wrapped up in mine, might just be the best.

Hoping to be better with kid updates!

Beach bound.

So, I've been a bit slack.  Yes, that is an understatement but this will be a fun post.  In fact, I have two posts at the ready.  On your mark, get set, READ!

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One slow Friday afternoon, John and I were laying in bed waiting for the kids to get up from their naps. It was around 3:45 and we were talking about the beach and just wishing we were there.  John says, "Well, do you just want to go?".

"Go?" I say.

"GO"  He says.

Ummm HELLS yea I do.  So we pack in about 8.5 seconds while the kids were sleeping, wake them from their slumber, throw them in the car and we were on the road by 4:30pm.  No joke.  (John's wonderful secretary promised to keep our dogs alive).

We call a couple places, find an amazing last minute rate and zoom on down to sunny skies and white sands.  Both kids were amazing in the car (as they always are) and we arrived at 1:30am, both kids all smiles as we get settled in our little condo.

The 3-day weekend was amazing.  Seriously amazing.  The weather was only slightly cool (60's) when we arrived but warmed up enough for playing on the beach and even wearing SHORTS.  Hallelujah.

The kids must have known it was special and they were certainly on their best behavior.  Just wanting to explore, play, run and giggle.  We ate seafood, snuggled 4 wide on the pull-out bed at night for a movie, tried on big fat sun hats at Perspicacity, picked out new books at Sundog, built sandcastles which Graham promptly destroyed, learned about drip castles and basically enjoyed our first family vacation with just our little family.  It was heaven.

Here, don't take my word for it, check out the pictures.

Would any of you expect less from my husband but to encourage the photo above?

Anna finding shells and Graham making sure all the sand got back into the water.  These are water babies, correction...BEACH babies. What is it about the ocean that calms our souls and puts a perma grin on our faces?

And this last picture Anna is sharing a look as if to say, "Mom, let's just do this again, ok?"

You got it girl, girl.  You got it.