Goodies for Summer Fun

I thought it would be fun to share a few of our recent purchases for summer fun.

For Dad | Chacos & Chubbies

{both Father's Day gifts}

For Baby | Blankets & Water + Sand Table

For Momma | Coverup & Crossbody Bag

and...

For Entertainment | Cast Away by Zac Brown

Happy Hump Day Friends... 2 days to go.

18 hour Travel Day | AOII 2016

Let me start this by saying that I typically have great luck with travel. Well, yesterday was not my day. It was long... and I was tried from 4 solid days of meetings/fun. However, I kept having to remind myself that I was safe, fed and perfectly fine... just a long way from home and ready for some momma snuggles.

You better believe I snuck into Annalee's room at 2am for some snuggle time too. She was so happy to see me - I thought she would never let go of my neck. Best hugs ever!

And somehow in the 4 days I was away she also turned into a little girl. How did that happen?

A couple pics from Dad while I was away...

This picture cracks me up.

Was anyone else stuck in an airport somewhere yesterday... I made lots of friends at a random bar in Atlanta. Wine was necessary at 9pm... with 5 hours still ahead of me. It was the longest day ever... after leaving my hotel at 8am in Nashville - I arrived home at 2am this morning. Needless to say, I did not make it to the office today - instead I called in for a couple meetings - slept - and have been working from the sofa waiting on my luggage to arrive.

I am so happy to be home - with no planned trips ahead of us for almost three weeks - but my short trip away was actually really fun.

I volunteer with the absolute best group of women - sisters, mommas, friends and most of all, super fun gals. Every time we are together, I am reminded just how special they are to me - and how neat it is that AOII is what brings us all together. They are selfless and kind and are always looking out for everyone but themselves. I always return from this trip rejuvenated to do good and help others. It's not to say that we didn't have some fun - and lots of bevs while we were together - but above all we had time to give back to AOII!

Just a couple pics from our time at AOII Leadership institute 2016. 

Training at HQ

Friday Night Network Fun... Olympic themed, of course. 

Awards Night Saturday Night. 

Cheers to a fun holiday week ahead!! 

Annalee Estelle | Twelve Months

Dear Annalee, 
Sweet girl. It's hard to believe that just one year ago we were holding you in our arms for the first time. I still remember that day like it was yesterday - the excitement, the anticipation, your beautiful eyes when they placed you on my chest for the very first time. I still don't mind staring into those beautiful blue eyes... although it's getting a bit harder to keep you in my arms these days. You are on the move... crawling and standing and trying to walk. It's funny to watch you stand and grunt because you want to move those little legs of yours so bad. You are full of spunk. You love to eat. Love being outdoors. Playing with books, puzzles, balls and your baby doll, who you carry around and give big hugs too. We've had such an amazing year watching you grow and every day you are discovering and learning so much more. We've been blessed with good health and a great eater and sleeper. How did we get so lucky? I hope that you will always have that sparkle in your eye and give big snuggly hugs whenever we ask. I hope your determination only continues to deepen in all that you do, and that you will always find happiness and joy in the simple things in life. You certainly dance to your own beat sweet girl and we couldn't have asked for anything more. We love you so!

Twelve Month Highlights:

• 21lbs. 14oz., 30 inches long
• Wearing 12 and 18 month clothing and pajamas \\ Pampers Crusiers size 3 diapers and Baby Dry at night
• Nicknames: Anna Banana or just Bananas, Sweet Pea
• Tricks: Walking with your v-tech walker or a chair - which you love just as much \\ squatting to stand in place \\ putting the lid on water cups, puffs, etc., \\ walking really well holding our hand and even took a couple single steps on May 25 at your one year check-up. 
• Favorite toys: shape sorter, v-tech walker, chairs, boxes, anything with a lid or door that you can open and shut
• Favorite books: Brown Bear, Brown Bear and Baby Peekaboo Book
• Favorite songs: Thumpkin, Bumble Bee, Old McDonald, This little light of mine. 
• Food: New foods you've tried - waffles, pineapple, limes, tomatoes, french fries, sweet potato fries, bread, crackers. You've starting turning down eggs sometimes, but then other times you'll eat them. Otherwise, you're pretty good at trying anything we give you. Avacado is a favorite at the moment. As is chicken and applesauce. 
• Holding your water bottle like a champ! Also loves using a straw now. 
• Refusing to sit still for diaper changes without a distraction.
• Has learned how to sign "more" when you want more to eat. 
• Clasps hands when we pray before meals.  
• Trips: Lots of trips and visitors this month. Molly came to visit us, and we took a day trip to ROA to pick up your dad and have breakfast with Mols before she hit the road. We took a long weekend trip to Charleston on Mother's Day and also visited your dad in DC for a fun family weekend in the city. 
• Holidays: Your first birthday!! A recap here. Also, Mother's Day was very special for your momma. We spent the day driving back from Charleston, but stopped a fun BBQ spot in SC and Ikea for some goodies. 
• You typically go to bed around 7:30/8pm and wake up around 6am. Naps - Usually a shorter morning nap around 9/10a. and a longer afternoon nap around 2/3pm. 
• Without the paci, you like to find your thumb or fingers, so we sometimes revert back to the wubbanub during the day. 
• You're starting to repeat what we do. It's really cute! 
• You are a talker, but haven't really put together many words. "Ut-o" and "Oo-oo-A" are popular combos. Ut-O is probably your first "official word."
• We started swim lessons this month and has been so cool watching you learn to kick, splash and float. Every lesson you get more and more comfortable in the water. We are ready for Memorial day at the beach!

Eleven Month Favorites {Items We Couldn't Live Without}:

The Bob stroller \\ Deluxe Booster Seat \\ humidifier \\ silicone bibs \\ teethers \\ spiral activity toy \\ Munchkin soft-tip spoons \\ Munchkin 360 cups \\ Sophie \\ V-Tech walker \\ Baby Einstein Take Along Musical Toy \\ soft-sole shoes are a must these days \\ outdoor play-yard \\ shape sorter \\ large knob puzzles \\ pop-up play tent w/balls

Pictures from this month: 

We love you baby girl!

Birthday girl!

The 12 month collage is complete. 

One // Two // Three // Four // Five // Six // Seven // Eight // Nine // Ten // Eleven

Kiddie Pool Fun

Just a little backyard summertime pool fun with our little one. Day 1 we started on the porch.

And some Mango surprises.... aka, Mango Rum, limes and club soda for momma.

Day 2 we moved to the yard... since climbing in and out of the pool was actually more fun than sitting in the pool.

The pool was a $7.99 special at Wally | Gully the Seagull was a TJMaxx find and the bathing suites were hand-me-downs. Her seersucker hat was actually my hat when I was a little girl. I loved that my mom kept a couple fun things. 

Hope everyone is soaking up the beautiful summer days... and nights. 

Five on well, Tuesday.

A quick update on life these days. It's busy. And full of summertime fun.

This was my Five from last Friday.... so now we have five on Tuesday.

{one} This pillow. It just makes my heart so happy! Thanks to my bestie, who knows my love for pineapples - it's the perfect addition to Annalee's room.

{two} This gal has been cracking us up all week. Her little personality is shining through more and more every day. Spunky. Cuddly. and full of life! She also wants to feed herself these days. So big! How did this happen?

{three} Jammies are my new favorite thing to buy for Annalee. I mean how cute is a freshly bathed snuggly little one in new jams?

Some of my favs: Summertime jams from Target and Pelican jammies from Carter 

{four} How amazing is this weather?  Umm... yes please. Give me more 75 degree sunny days and cool nights! We have been trying to get out for walks every night. One night and stopped and ran around in the grass on the front lawn of W&L. When did my child get so big?? And a couple nights we pulled her highchair outside and had supper on the porch. because, why not?

Tonight after work we are looking forward to hanging out with our friends that live on the river... my dream is that one day we will have oceanfront property. But for now... we'll pretend on the Maury River is it.

....and the best news!

{five} Two of my besties welcomed baby boys last Monday and Tuesday!  Welcome to he world baby Henry James and James Hudson! Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1: 17
Fitting names for both beautiful boys. They were born less just 20 hours apart... one in VA and one in NYC.

James Hudson

Henry James

I can't wait to snuggle you both. Be good to your momma's and give them some rest, ya here?

Happy Tuesday friends!!