1.31.2016

Annalee Estelle | Eight Months


Annalee,

You are growing so much every single day. You daddy had a quick trip at the beginning of the month for just three nights and when he got home he felt like it had been a month because you had grown so much. You are sitting up on your own now, trying to pull up on toys, grabbing for anything and everything.... especially when you see your bottle or someone's phone. You took your first real bath and loved kicking in the water and splashing around. You even gave us a little shiver when we poured water over your head. melt my heart! You are so stinking cute. We had a big snow on January 22 and we spent three days with you at home, some of the best memories. You learned to pull up and play while sitting on your knees. You're wanting to crawl so bad, but can only figure out how to go backwards for now. You love rolling around on the floor, bouncing in your doorway jumper and playing with your trains in the exersaucer. You're little personality is so sweet and we have loved watching you learn each and every day.

Eight Month Highlights:
  • 17lbs, 5oz., 28.5 inches, 17.2 in head circumference, still rocking those bright blue eyes and are blond hair. 
  • Wearing 6-9, 9 or 6-12 month clothing and 9 month pajamas \\ Pampers size 2 diapers
  • Nicknames: Anna Banana \\ Bananas \\ Sweet Pea \\ Little Bit \\ Pumpkin
  • Tricks: You are sitting on your own so well \\ You can now get on all fours \\ You love focusing on small things and grabbing things with your fingers \\ You started moving backwards on Jan. 17 and pulling up on toys the same day
  • Favorite toys: doorway jumper \\ v-tech walker \\ books \\ sassy rattle \\ exersaucer 
  • Favorite books: TBA \\ TBA 
  • Food: Momma's Milk, bananas, sweet potatoes, green beans {your least favorite}, peas, blueberries and baby oatmeal. We gave you your first sippy cup on Jan. 18 and you did great with it. 
  • Trips: We drove home from the coast on New Years' Day and the day after. You were a sport. We took you to Richmond for the first time to enjoy the city where mom and dad met - complete with Bottom's Up pizza and Three Monkey's - our first date spot. We took a trip to Charlottesville too, for a play day with friends. 
  • Holidays: Your first New Year's was spent in the car. We did stop at Cracker Barrel for black-eyed peas and greens. You spent your first MLK day at Mi-mi's, while mommy and daddy got some chores done. Much needed! 
  • You're starting to pull up on toys and your crib (almost time to drop the mattress)
  • When we say bye-bye and wave, you are trying to give us a wave with your little hand. Your right hand for now - maybe that means you're a righty!? 
  • You are up on all fours now, rocking and pushing yourself backwards. Not long and you'll be on the go!

Eight Month Favorites {Items We Couldn't Live Without}:
Exersaucer \\ Doorway jumper \\ Sassy Rattle \\ Bumpo seat \\ Wubbanub \\ humidifier \\ silicone bibs \\ tethers \\ taggy blanket \\ spiral activity toy \\ v-tech walker \\ spoons \\ sippy cup \\ Sophie

Pictures from this month:










One // Two // Three // Four // Five // Six // Seven



1.26.2016

Snow Fun 2016

We had the best weekend - snowed in Thursday night to late Sunday afternoon.... when we finally dug out for a late lunch at the Palms and outing to Lowe's. Surprisingly, we weren't really stir-crazy at all. We loved just hanging out, watching movies, cooking, eating and most of all - playing with our little bit.

On Saturday, the snow finally let up and we suited up for some snow fun! {photo dump time}

She was so stinkin' cute. Just saying.







We also decided to break out some Champagne... because, why not? 

And break out a puzzle to pass the time.

We also cooked a lot. I attempted these oatmeal raison cookies, which turned out eatable, but not a repeat. We also made this hummus recipe for snacking, which was pretty tasty. I also threw together some shrimp and grits for dinner Sunday night, which turned out pretty healthy {thanks to no heavy cream on hand} and not too shabby if I say so myself. 

I'm not a snow girl, but man it sure is pretty!  Kudos to our city for snow removal and clean-up. We were back to work first thing Monday morning - which I guess I should't be thrilled about, but this gals got some pounding to do to catch up. Wish me luck!

Cheers to a great week friends!


1.22.2016

Five on Friday SNOW day!

It's a SNOW DAY for real today! It's early and we already have a couple inches on the ground. They are calling for over 28" through tomorrow. Needless to say, we are settling in for a long weekend indoors. Which means, puzzles, PJ's, snuggles, and happy hour at 4, or 3. Or Bloody Mary's at 10 - no shame.

I thought I would join the Five on Friday link-up today, since I have lots of time on my hands - which happens, never. YAY! I thought it would be fun to list five things that are going to keep us busy today, and a few good things to fill our tummies.

{one} We started the day with simple French Toast made with leftover french bread from shrimp scampi earlier this week. I love making french toast when I have good bread laying around.

We also had a couple of Wright's Barrel Aged Bourbon Bacon no the side. It was ok. Great for sandwiches, but maybe not breakfast. Not bad with french toast though.

{two} A good bloody mary is a must for a snow day. When I worked at the Oyster Bar in Perdido Key we made our homemade bloody mary mix, and to this day it's still my favorite, however, this one is pretty close.

  • Ingredients
  • 1 48 ounce can of tomato juice, or about 6 cups
  • 3 tablespoons prepared creamy hot horseradish
  • 3 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
  • 2¼ teaspoons celery salt
  • 3 teaspoons garlic salt
  • Tabasco sauce
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon celery salt
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • Pickle-infused vodka, or regular vodka if you prefer

{three} Apple, Cheddar, and Caramelized Onion Grilled Cheese. I am grilling up a big batch of these for lunch today. A grown-up grilled cheese. Perfect for a cold day!

{four} I love a good puzzle. It's been years since we did a puzzle, but you better believe I'm going to dig one out this weekend. Something so simple and fun about puzzle time.

{five} A little online shopping anyone?  Old Navy is having a 50% off sale, and get an additional 15% off Clearance with code ENJOY. I love these Boat-Neck Tee's and I already have this Embroidered-Yoke Top. Both are on sale today for $12. I picked up this Funnel-Neck Sweater for $15 - a cute look with leggings and boots.

Have a great snow day friends! I nice break for us after a couple of really busy work weeks.


1.19.2016

Sippy Cups and Baby Food

We have passed the 7 month mark and guess what folks, it's time for the Sippy cup!

Some would say we were sorta late on the food train, but it really does take time and planning. And really, let's be honest, who has all kinds of extra time laying around during the holidays?

Sorry sweet pea. We are adjusting to this whole parenting thing.

We started with rice cereal at Thanksgiving. At 5 months and 29 days, ahead of the plan - score.

Not for long. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, our child tried exactly two foods. Bananas and Sweet Potatoes. Which both she loved! Well, sorta. Add in 10 days of travel at the end of the Holidays, and next thing we knew it we were past the 7 month mark going on 8, with very little variety in her diet.

I digress... we were talking sippy cups, right?  So, we just started introducing a sippy cup after meals, or umm... fruit/veggie snacks, and Annalee is loving it! The only sippy cup we have right now is a cup that came with a Makenzie Child's toddler set we received as a gift.

Have you all seen these sets? So precious you guys! If you are looking for a great gift - this is it.

But, it's not exactly "6-month old baby friendly". I pretty much just hold it while she sips water.

So, we are on the hunt for the perfect transition cup. These are some suggestions I've gathered from other moms. Tell me, what's your favorite?



Tell me momma's, what works best?

As for baby food. We are on a roll.  Well, almost.

We made a big batch of green beans - not the biggest hit - but we are still trying them. Bananas and Sweet Potatoes are also still a big hit. We tried baby oatmeal and blueberries last weekend and those were also a hit! Tonight we made a big batch of chickpeas and blueberries. A Carolina Charm favorite.

Next up, apples, sweet peas, and corn. Still introducing one at a time for these, so hopefully by 8 months my child will have moved to her second hand to count the number of foods she has tried.

See variety.

I think we are getting better at this baby food thing. Updates to come!




1.13.2016

If you knew me in high school


get to know you posts are so much fun. Like karli said, "it's like a little sneak into the past that you didn't get to be a part of" and it's also really fun to think back to such a simpler time. i mean...when was the last time you thought about the person you were in high school?

if you knew me in high school...
i had nooooo idea what to do with my curly hair. It was earth kinky curl or a frizzy mess. 

if you knew me in high school...
i worked at the flea market, making fresh-squeezed lemonade.

if you knew me in high school...
i played three sports. volleyball, basketball and softball. i think volleyball may have been my favorite... and the sport i was the worst at. maybe it was fun to be the kid that only played occasionally.

if you knew me in high school...
i was totally the teacher's pet. I was your student council "secret pal", National Honor Society president and even got the Principle's award senior year. Does that count as biggest brown-noser? 

if you knew me in high school...
my house was the party house. my brother was one year older, so we always had guys and gals hanging around. 

if you knew me in high school...
i didn't drink. or do anything against the rules. some cool kids called us the kool-aid gang. #totallyjealous

if you knew me in high school...
i thought i was cool. did i mention the kool-aid gang? we totally thought we were the popular kids, now that i think about it...i'm not sure i was. but what a nice world to live in. completely oblivious. however...

if you knew me in high school...
i was my sophomore class president. i also ran freshman year and junior year and didn't win. i finally got the hint and just didn't run senior year. 

if you knew me in high school...
i had zero style. but, i rocked some serious ribbons with my uniform. yes, ribbons in high school. did i mention i never had a boyfriend? 

if you knew me in high school...
i ate terrible. until senior year when i lived off animal crackers and pink lemonade. healthy right? i lost something like 38 pounds on animal crackers. how is that possible?

if you knew me in high school...
i shared a 1990 black jeep wrangler with my brother. aka, i drove once in a blue moon because he was older.  but, it was a pretty awesome car. 

if you knew me in high school...
i took honors classes and graduated with a 3.98 gpa. but i wasn't one of those naturally smart kids. i'm still a terrible speller. 

if you knew me in high school...
i was every guys best friend. and no ones boyfriend. whomp. whomp.

if my hubs knew me in high school...
he would have never dated me. we probably would have ran against each other for SGA president and he totally would have won. 

see, that was harmless... don't you feel like you know me now? I certainly had a good laugh.  grab the button above and play along. 



1.12.2016

Reading Along | Food for Baby | Coloring for Momma

Sorry for being MIA these days. I'm here! Just reading along.

Elise, I love your new blog - HerHeartandHome - so perfect and so you.
Meg, I'm so happy about Baby #2.
April, I'm loving the Tipsy Bunny Bows.
Karli, you keep me laughing on the daily. Thank you!
Classic Annie - I'm loving watching Molly Anne grow. It's fun that her and Annalee are so close.

I keep thinking, man I need to blog about that OR O, I should share that, etc. But it just never happens to make it onto the blog.

So what have I been up to? Watching way too many episodes of Fixer-upper. Trying to find ways to re-decorate our little home. Actually planning out meals for the week, yay! And reading your blogs. It's so inspiring to see how many women out there are doing the same things on the daily. Cooking, cleaning, looking for deals on baby products, clothes, food, and wine. Yes, lots of wine.

Just a few updates around the Lyons' den.

Annalee is sitting up now. O yea, she's also trying to climb.


And yes, she loves her V-tech stand learning walker. Did I mention that both Grandma's got her this for Christmas. Guess it was the hot toy this year. It's awesome though. She loves playing peek-a-boo with the barn door and holding the phone, of course.

We have been enjoying some really yummy, healthy meals this week. My favorite yet was Balsamic crock-pot pork from Skinnytaste. It was so easy, healthy and the best part, the house smelled wonderful when we got home.

This momma actually made a few big batches of baby food this week and love having it handy and ready to go for the mornings. April gave me some great tips on packing for daycare, we picked up some small 4 oz. ball jars and they work great! Just pop out a cube (or two when we can start mixing) and we are good to go. We don't have a Baby Breeza, just the food processor.

Did I mention I've been coloring?  Santa brought me an adult coloring book and this weekend I finally broke it out for some fun. It's fun to feel like a kid again.

Ok, time to get back to the grind. Happy Tuesday, Y'all! 

1.05.2016

The Best of 2015

Happy New Year friends! 2015 was a busy year for us, and the blog has suffered a bit from that. Some months I only logged in 4-5 times for an update, but that's ok,  rest assured I was keeping up with all of you... and soaking up the days with my little one. Trying to pretend that the days haven't been flying by.

2015 brought us our greatest joy - and some of our saddest days as well. I like for this blog to be filled with joy and delight - capturing our days, nights and happy memories for my little family, but April of 2015 was a really hard month for us. We lost Jesse's dad, unexpectedly, on April 17th. Just a month before his first grandchild was born. To say that every day since has been hard would be an understatement. Don't get me wrong - we have been blessed with the most wonderful little girl - but it's hard not to think about all the joy she brings us, and how much joy she would have brought to Mr. Wayford. We see so much of him in our sweet Annalee though, and it's a constant reminder that God is watching over us and continues to bless us everyday.

With that aside, it's been a beautiful year for us! Here are the Top 10 Posts of 2015.










....and in case you're curious what 2014 looked like for us, the Top 10 posts of 2014.

Many thanks to each of you following along. It's so fun looking back at our life via this little space.