7.06.2016

A typical day with a 13 month old

A typical day is exciting. curious. funny...and tiring - for Miss Annalee and for Momma.

She is just changing and growing so much. I wanted to document what a typical day is like for us at the moment, tomorrow will probably be different - but for today...

6/6:30am - Annalee wakes up and plays in her crib for a little while. We started giving her a a baby doll to sleep with... or errr.... to entertain her when she wakes up in the morning.
Momma gets you from the crib, does a quick diaper change and takes you into our bed to nurse and snuggle.

7am - We are up. Dad jumps into the shower, we head out to make coffee and play with puzzles, books and your picnic basket. Usually we'll also get you dressed and pick out books to take to Mimi's.

7:15am - Time for breakfast. You typically have oatmeal or a whole wheat waffle and fruit... bananas, strawberries and blueberries are your favorite at the moment. You also love pancakes and scrambled eggs and cheese.

7:30am - Dad takes over breakfast duty and mom heads to the shower.

7:30-8:30am - Typically involves you following us around the house, watching us get ready and entertaining yourself with whatever toy you can find in that particular room.

8:30am - We pack up and head to MiMi's. I usually pack your backpack and lunchbox the night before, so it's ready to go. We load up your backpack with a bib, spoon, snack container with Cheerios, outfit change, sun hat, daily journal and books. Sometimes we send a toy or stuffed animal too. You have been eating a TON of food - a normal day pack includes:
Yogurt - Applesauce - Chicken - Blueberries


I also throw in a fruit or veggie pouch {or 2}, shredded cheese and whatever breakfast is leftover.... sometimes a half of a waffle or cup of oatmeal.

At the moment we are sending three bottles with 2 oz breast milk + 2 oz whole milk each. {Still working on getting you transitioned to a full bottle of whole milk.} 

Since we live in a tiny little town we like to both drop you off, but that rarely happens anymore with our busy schedule. Most days one or both of us has an 8am or 9am, so we're out the door early leaving the other to fend for themselves in drop off duty.

8:45am - We drop you at Mimi's and say our goodbye's. If we ride together, Jesse drops me off since my office is downtown - which means 2 hour parking - and my office is two blocks from our house... so I can walk home for lunch.

9:15/9:30am - Mimi gives you the rest of your breakfast, or yogurt and fruit, and you have your first bottle of the day.

Circle Time - Stories, Bible Verse and the Pledge, of course. :) I'm not sure what the rest of the day entails... lots of outdoor time, reading, blocks, toys and fun!

11:30am - Lunch time - Chicken, Avocado and Cheese - followed by a bottle.

12pm - Nap time for you. As for Mom and Dad - On a typical day, Jesse swings by and picks me up and we head home for lunch, which usually means leftovers or a salad. We also pick up the house, prep dinner, start/fold laundry.  Other days we'll both have work meetings and grab something on the go together or separately.

1:45pm - You're up from your afternoon nap. Sometimes you'll sleep longer. And sometimes you take a morning nap after your first bottle - which pushes your afternoon nap later.

3:00pm - afternoon snack - applesauce, fruit/veggie pouch and Cheerios.

4:15pm - Bottle

5/5:15pm - Mom or Dad does pick up and if you haven't had two naps, you usually fall asleep on the way home, on our long 5-minute commute. Pure exhaustion from all the playtime!

5:30pm - Dinner, sometimes on the porch. Typically we'll feed you some of what we're having if I have it ready, or chopped veggies, fruits, meats - sometimes a PB&J or similar to what you have for lunch. You will try mostly anything these days.

Some nights we slide out for a walk after you eat dinner. Sometimes you get a bath first, and then walk - just in case you fall asleep on us.

6:30pm - Bath time!
7pm - Jammies, {sometimes a book} and a bottle/nursing. You're still not a fan of just whole milk, so I'm still nursing in the morning and at night to keep up my supply. I think we're getting close to weaning you off. I'm going to miss our time together sure certain, but I know you're ready.

7:15/7:30pm - You are down for the night!

We usually spend the rest of the evening cooking, eating, cleaning the kitchen, having drinks on the porch - laundry, lunchbox prep, watching a little TV, while blogging and/or checking emails.

10:30pm - Our typical bed time... which sometimes turns into more like 11/11:30. MUST get more sleep.







7.05.2016

All American Weekend

We had such a fun long weekend at home - celebrating all things America!

Friday, our sitter took the day off, so J and I took turns with Miss Annalee between work meetings and outings. There is no way I could have her with me at work every day, but it was a fun afternoon at the office with Miss Annalee.
Friday night we went to Friday's Alive - live music downtown - and took turns volunteering and chasing Annalee around. Dad worked until the end and mom headed home early to put Annalee down and cook dinner. We called it an early night.
Saturday we started the day with doughnuts from Pure Eats, went for a long walk and made a trip to the pool in the afternoon - which lasted all of about 30min b/c the water was freezing and Annalee only wanted to run around - out of the water. ha!  So we spent the rest of the afternoon on the porch...
Saturday night we had a sitter come over after putting Annalee to bed and we headed to Lime Kiln for another outdoor concert. It was a beautiful night under the stars and a fun little date night.
Sunday we made it to church - first time in a month - and decided to have folks over for a cookout Sunday night. We enjoyed ribs, potato salad, baked beans and homemade ice cream. The perfect All-American meal. It was so good! Kudos to the hubs!!
The 4th was a rainy day, but we made the most of it. Our neighbors put on a fabulous brunch, so we brunched and hang out - while Annalee napped at home. It was lovely to be so close!

We didn't do much the rest of the day - our fireworks and events were canceled due to rain... and mom wasn't feeling so hot. But we enjoyed a break in the rain for some time outside.

...and Dad cooked Bacon, Basil, and Peach Burgers for Dinner. 
Hope you and yours had a wonderful Independence Day! We are so very lucky to live in such a beautiful place... the land of the free, because of the brave. 




6.29.2016

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 Momma | Coverup & Crossbody Bag
and...

For Entertainment | Cast Away by Zac Brown


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




6.27.2016

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!! 


6.22.2016

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