First Father's Day

We had a great Father's Day weekend! Maybe a little too much fun for this momma... it left me very sore this week. Well worth the memories though.

Friday night, Annalee made her first trip to Friday's Alive - our summer outdoor concert series downtown - and was a perfect angel! She wasn't too keen on sitting in her carseat the whole time, but was great once she was in momma's arms.

Saturday, our good friends Meg, Matt & Mary Mac came to play and brought lots of goodies! We enjoyed a lazy day of catching up and feasting on fried chicken and all the sides... complete with a lemonade pie and chocolate chip cookies. {thanks for spoiling us, Meg} Mary Mac loved meeting Annalee and enjoyed her first birthday gift from us, the Princess Cozy Coupe!

Meeting Mary Mac

Snuggling with Auntie Meg

We even got out for a little shopping downtown and left the boys to enjoy their Father's Day....

Sunday we made it to church and Annalee got a sweet blessing from Father Joe. Afterwards, we enjoyed a great Father's Day brunch at the Livery - soaking up the 80 degree weather on the deck with Miss Annalee. 

That evening my brother and sister-in-law drove up from a wedding in Asheville for a quick visit to meet Miss Annalee and J cooked us a great Father's Day meal of baby back ribs, collard greens and mac-n-cheese. We feasted and called it an early night! 

Snuggling with Auntie Karen

Meeting Uncle Rob

Hope everyone had a great Father's Day weekend! We certainly enjoyed celebrating J's first Father's Day and the precious time we got to spend with great friends and family. 

Best Gifts for Ones

Tis the season for birthday celebrations, and we have quite a few this season. Today, I wanted to share some of my favorite gifts for one-year-old's... girls in particular, but not to worry, there are boy options too! I'm a big fan of outside toys for the season, here are some of my favorites.

Go and Grow Lil' Rollin' Giraffe 

Snug-n-Secure Swing

Princess Cozy Coupe

WaterWheel Activity Play Table 

We can't wait to celebrate one of our favorite little ones on Saturday with a fun happy from above! What are your favorite gifts for one-year-olds?

DIY | Diaper Wreath

Miss Annalee is doing great - growing, growing, growing! I just  can't believe she's 3 weeks old today, where did the time go? Today, I thought we would take a bit of a baby break - ok, not a baby break - but a break from MY baby - and talk crafting! A few weeks back, we had a fun double shower day for our friends having twins. Double the fun, right? The boys had a diaper shower, while the gals gathered for our own celebration. I made a diaper wreath for the door, and thought I would share a little DIY today.

Supplies: 

24 newborn diapers

4-6 yards of assorted ribbon, any color

1 wooden 24" wreath

Hot glue gun

Scissors

Crafting Wire

Wooden or Paper Letters for the name {Optional}

You'll start by wrapping the diapers individually around the wooden wreath and securing each diaper with a thin ribbon. Alternate the colors as you choose, or use the same. Totally up to you!

Work your way around the whole wreath, covering all of the wood with diapers. 

Next is the bow. I used a variety of colors, textures, and patterns for the bow. 

I started by tying one ribbon and securing with crafting wire, then adding another and another until you reach the fullness you'd like. 

The goal is to not make a perfect bow, but use lots of different shapes and sizes to create a round fluffy bow for the wreath. 

After making your bow, take a variety of ribbons and tie to the wreath to create length.

Attach your round fluffy bow to the front of the ribbon strands to complete your bow.

You can leave the wreath as is, or add a name. I added the letters {made from scrapbook paper, cut with a Cricut} TWINS for the Hastings' twin boys. This was the only shot I took of the letters on the wreath, but they turned out so cute!

The perfect addition to any baby celebration or hospital door. 

Happy Crafting!

Baby Lyons | Week 38 ... She's here!

How far along? 38 weeks


Size of baby: 8 lbs., 4.5 ozs, and 20 inches long

Gender: A beautiful baby girl, Annalee Estelle

Weight Gain: At my 38 week check-up on Wednesday, May 27, I had gained a total of 32 pounds, when I checked into the hospital that night {after my water broke}, I was up only a total of 28 pounds. Amazing that amniotic fluid accounted for 4 pounds! At my one-week post-pardum check-up, I was only up 11 pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight. This breast-feeding is no joke, it burns some serious calories. 

Maternity Clothes: Well, my wardrobe for week 38 consisted of nursing tanks and bras, stretchy shorts and pj's. Anything for easy feeding access and easy on the belly. 

Nursery: Got lots of finishing touches done this week with your early arrival and GranDe's visit. It's amazing how quickly things get done when you need them! Papa Sam put on your dimmer light cover, Daddy organized the closet, GranDe washed all your toys and put them away and several loads of laundry have been done for all the new baby girl clothes we've received from family and friends. Our rocker finally shipped from PB and should arrive soon too! For now, I'm doing lots of feeding in our bed or at the sofa. 

Purchases: We have already made several Target trips for nursing tanks, extra changing pad covers, diaper sacks, your monitor and a few other necessitates for mommy. Amazon Prime has also been our good friend, delivering your "Weekly blocks" just in time for your one week old picture, and delivering a carseat adaptor and cup holder for the Bob stroller. GranDe went shopping for some little girl clothes and blankets too and Kara dropped off a large box of baby girl hand-me-downs from Mary Mac! We are all set for you baby girl. 

Movement: You are a bundle of joy and are so alert! You love steering at us with those big dark blue eyes, and you make the funniest gestures with those long lanky arms and hands of yours. 

Symptoms: Mommy is very sore from her c-section (thanks to our little breech baby), but feeling good! Recovery has been really great and we can attribute much of that to our wonderful doctor and staff of nurses at Augusta Health!

Sleep: You are sleeping like a champ! During the day you are awake more, but at night I usually have to wake you for your 3 hour feedings. Mommy and Daddy are tired, but getting the hang of things. GranDe and Papa Sam are staying with us, so they usually help with early morning shift between feedings to give Mommy and Daddy a couple more hours of rest and allow you to play! Mommy has also been enjoying some naps during the day when you nap.  

Workouts: Enjoying lots of time napping and siting. Standing for long periods of time still hurts a good bit, so I am taking it easy. No workouts or walking for Mommy just yet. 

Cravings: Mommy is starving all the time {more so now than when I was pregnant with you} and always thirsty! I enjoyed my first cold turkey sandwich the day we came home, a small glass of vino on Sunday night when my parents arrived, and a Summer Shandy sometime later that week. Trying to keep my belly filled with good snacks and meals as much as I can - you seem to deplete the supply really quickly. 

What I Miss: My big ole' belly! Ok, not really - you are way cuter than that huge belly of mine. 

Best Moment This Week: The realization that you were coming... and quick! Read Your Birth Story here. It was a super exciting day! Also, making eye-contact with you for the first time when they placed you on my chest was pure joy!

Looking Forward To: Maternity leave and spending my days {and nights} with my baby girl. 

Thanks for following along this wonderful 38 week journey with us. It's been so fun to capture each week of my pregnancy and look back on how quickly time has passed. I can hardly believe you are already here in my arms. We love you baby girl!

Our Announcement | Weeks 5-12 | Weeks 13-16 | Week 17 | Week 18 

 Week 19 | Week 20 | Week 21 | Week 22 | Week 23 | Week 25 | Babymoon 

Week 26 | Week 27 | Weeks 28 & 29 | Week 30 | Week 31 | Week 32 

Week 33 | Week 34 | Week 35 | Week 36 | Week 37

Baby Lyons | Your Birth Story

Miss Annalee, I wanted to recap the day you arrived, so not to forget a single detail! It was such an exciting day and one we will never forget! 

Wednesday, May 27th started off like a normal work-day. Looking back, I'm glad I decided to shower and fix my hair, rather than go with dry shampoo and a quick up do like some workdays. We had my 38 week check-up that morning and were excited to get some updates about when the doc thought you may arrive. We had a great check-up with Dr. Hoover, but did our second ultra-sound to confirm that you were in fact, breech. We had found out the week prior, but it was still early, so the doc sent us home with options and also exercises to try and let you flip on your own. We took things hard at first - or I did - but quickly realized that you were healthy, and that was all that mattered. So what if you had to be delivered via c-section, as long as you were ok, we were ok. 

We waited to tell friends and family, in hopes that we were able to turn you on your own and have a normal delivery. We also didn't want to add any stress to anyone else that would worry about our little cub. After our second ultrasound we weighed our options - one of which was to try a version to see if we could turn you around. We decided at our check-up with Dr. Hoover to schedule an appointment for Friday, May 29th to do the version. You would be 38 1/2 weeks at that point {late enough to deliver}, but there was a still a chance that the version may work. We left optimistic and felt good about our plan. We would try it out, it couldn't hurt to try, right?  I worked a full day and got lots done prepping to be out on Friday for the version - and on the slight chance that you would arrive early - wanted to be somewhat organized at work. Little did I know that you had other plans, early you would certainly be. After work, your Daddy and I made some final to-do lists, called our parents and told them the updates, and then took J to a lodge meeting before heading out to Wal-Mart to pick up some last-minute hospital supplies and things to put together goodie bags for the nursing staff. 

I stopped by Dollar Tree for some wrapping supplies and Father's Day cards - trying to prepare early. Then went in the shoe store to find some cheap shower shoes for my hospital bag. Next, I headed over to Wal-Mart where I immediately had to pee {hello, 9 months preggo}, and stopped by the bathroom before grabbing a shopping cart. All seemed really normal, and I was enjoying an un-rushed trip to the store. I had made my way through the toiletries section and was on the soap aisle when I felt it. A slight trickle of water down my leg, followed by an immediate gushing of water hitting the floor. It took me a few moments to realize what was happening. Was I peeing on myself? It was surreal. I grabbed my phone and called J immediately, "I am pretty sure my water just broke." Luckily he had his phone by him and answered on the first ring. To which he said, "Ok - are you ok - can you drive?" Me - "I guess I can drive - right? I feel ok, yea I can drive - Ok, should I check out?"  J - "No silly, come right home. I  will call the doctor, or Labor & Delivery? {Yea, that's a good idea.} Ok, I'll meet you at home." I drove home as quick as possible and met J, who has just got off the phone with L&D. They said, "don't break any speed records, but get here as soon as you can."  We'll be ready for you. Of course, we were not "packed" per say, but I had just posted my hospital packing list on my blog that morning, and made some stacks on the guest bed, so I had J open my computer and we started packing. We went as quickly as possible, but wanted to be sure we had what we needed. We threw everything in the car {including the car seat and base that was set to be installed by our local police officer the next day - don't wait until 38 weeks folks, haha} and hit the road to Augusta Health, a nice 40 minute drive up the road to Fishersville, Va. 

At that point I think it hit us - this baby was coming - soon! I picked up the phone to call my parents, knowing my mom would be devastated that she wasn't here. The moment I told her that my water broke, she just started crying. Poor thing! J laughed because I was calming her down and I was perfectly calm like all was normal. We had just told them you were breech, so mom also knew this meant a c-section, so she really wanted to be here. We called Jesse's mom too and then texted friends and family... including my Board President, to tell him I wouldn't be at my 8:30 meeting the next morning. J also called his boss and asked if he would bring J's work camera to us, since ours was MIA in the packing. He was excited to help and he and his wife jumped in the car to bring it to us. Thanks Larry and Dawn!

We arrived at the hospital a little after 8 p.m., which means that all the doors {including the three we checked} were locked. So we entered through the Emergency Room and checked in. They had a nurse waiting for us with a wheelchair to take me up to L&D. From that point it was a whirl-wind. The amazing nursing staff was ready to go and prepping us for a quick delivery. Dr. Coiner was already at the hospital and they were just waiting on the anastegoligist to arrive. I was so glad Dr. Coiner was who was on call that night, he's one of our favorite doctors and made the whole night really light-hearted and fun. J says he would love to drink a beer with him some time, that's a good sign, right? He breezed into my hospital room, where the nurses where working non-stop to prep me for delivery, and went through the whole c-section procedure. Maybe it's best that I hadn't read up on it too much? I still felt really calm and just couldn't believe we were about to meet you!! As Coiner was leaving, he asked what music I wanted to hear in the operating room - to which I replied, country? And he said, "you really want this child to enter the world to country?" So we I looked at J and he said, rock-n-roll, classic rock? haha I think we both just looked at each other and laughed.  So, classic rock it was - and Miss Annalee Estelle was born to Sitting on the Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding. So fitting! The c-section went great and you were born at 10:34 p.m. on May 27, 2015. We got to experience one of the first "family-oriented" c-sections they had done, meaning baby got to come right to mommy after delivery and Mommy, Daddy and baby stayed together the entire time after delivery. She was on my chest minutes after she was born and I was able to feed her back in our room within the hour. Our nurses stayed with us until around 3 a.m., watching me through recovery and checking Miss Annalee out. You stayed with us in the room that night and were a great sleeper - waking every couple hours to feed and going right back to sleep. 

It took us a day to decide on your name, we knew we wanted to use Annalee, but couldn't decide on a middle name. After going through our list of family names - we settled on Estelle, your great-great grandmothers name. Her name was Sidney Estella Mason and she married your great-great grampa Elleard, my Papa's Mom and Dad. Papa was such an inspiration to me as a little girl, so it means so much to have a little piece of him with you. Ann is mine and GranDe's middle name, which is where part of your first name came from... and Annalee was inspired by the Band. We're so glad we get to keep Annalee company!

Baby Lyons | Introducing Miss Annalee

Our sweet baby GIRL made an early arrival on May 27, 2015. 

Welcome to the world, Miss Annalee Estelle Lyons!

BORN

May 27, 2015 at 10:34 p.m.

8 pounds, 5 ounces

20 inches long

Fishersville, Va.

From the moment you arrived, our world has been filled with so much joy, love and laughter. We can't imagine a life without you right by our side. We love you, baby girl!

Baby Lyons | Week 37

This post is a couple weeks delayed... seeing how this final week 37 pic was taken just hours before my water broke. Eeekkk!! Exciting updates coming soon. 

For now, a look back at my last week of pregnancy... 

How far along? 37 weeks


Size of baby: A winter melon (19-22 in., 6.5 lb.) 

Gender: Waiting for our little surprise in just a couple weeks!

Weight Gain: Holding tight at 30 lbs. 

Maternity Clothes: Outfits are getting creative. Scarves and necklaces help switch things up, but doing lots of laundry. 

Nursery: I think we are ready... as we will be for now. The closet dimmer is so much fun!  I defiant must have for any nursery. So excited to use it. Still waiting for a couple closet organization items to arrive, so we can get things a little tidy in there, but not too stressed about getting it organized before baby comes. Our rocker has yet to arrive, but we have a spot ready for when it does. 

Purchases: My breast pump arrived! So many parts to this gadget... I think I need to do some reading before baby comes. Purchased the Kallax cube from Ikea and a couple Land of Nod striped totes for the closet too.

Movement: Soaking up my last couple weeks with the babe in my belly! Love all the little kicks and punches. 

Symptoms: Feet are feeling better, thanks to comfy shoes! My hands have really started hurting this week... we think it's a mild case of carpal tunnel. Shoot, does it hurt. Feels like ultra stiff-swolen hands with some numbness. So strange. Belly is getting heavy, but just taking things slow and resting a lot. 

Sleep: Sleep has been ok. Getting in and out of bed is proving to be challenging. An occasional sleepless night, but trying to get to bed when I'm super tired so I don't just lay there thinking about the million things left to do before baby arrives.  Is it really only 2 weeks to go? 

Workouts: Mostly nonexistent, other than an occasional walk to work, swimming, stretching, etc. Just trying to take it easy and not wear myself out. 

Cravings: Chipped ice! 

What I Miss: Looking forward to a nice glass of vino! Also looking forward to hugging my hubby without a big belly in the way. Don't get me wrong, I love the little babe being in there... but if there is anything that I miss - it's a good strong hug! 

Best Moment This Week: We had such a wonderful week... celebrating our 4th Anniversary on Thursday; an outdoor concert at Lime Kiln with good friends on Friday night; a wonderful Saturday spent celebrating Brad and Jessie who are welcoming twin boys in July; and and awesome Sunday at the lake with J's work crew {like our second family in VA... plus, being on the water is one of my most favorite things!} We topped off the Memorial day weekend Monday with a little pool time and a cookout... where I got to do a little snuggling with our newest addition, Miss Hadley Rae. It was the perfect weekend! Surrounded by great friends during such a special time. 

Looking Forward To: Our 38 week check-up today! Maybe we will get a better idea of when our little one is going to make his or her grand entrance!! Can't wait to share. 

Our Announcement | Weeks 5-12 | Weeks 13-16 | Week 17 | Week 18 

 Week 19 | Week 20 | Week 21 | Week 22 | Week 23 | Week 25 | Babymoon 

Week 26 | Week 27 | Weeks 28 & 29 | Week 30 | Week 31 | Week 32 

Week 33 | Week 34 | Week 35 | Week 36