Life Lately in Pictures

Nothing too eventful going on around here.

We've been in town the past few weekends and just enjoying family time at home and out and about.

So, I figured I would just do a picture dump on here and fill you all in on what's been going on.

Shelby turned 11-months old this past week.

These monthly pictures have been fun but they've gotten harder and harder each month.

Between her not wanting to sit still, keep a bow on her head or look at the camera, it's hard!

So, here's what I got for this month.

Still cute, because she's a cutie!

It turned off REALLY cold here this past week.

In fact, it even snowed on Tuesday.

At our house we only got sleet but it was in the 20's in the morning and 30's when I would get home.

We live in a 3-story town home with no backyard so we have to physically get out and walk Buddy.

I do it in the morning while Brad gets Shelby ready for school and drops her off.

Then in the afternoon when Shelby and I get home it's part of our routine to walk Buddy again.

NOT so fun when it's 30-something degrees, blowing wind and sleet and you're trying to push a stroller, wrangle a dog.

UGH!!

But, we do it!

I just bundle Shelby up and at least Buddy isn't into cold weather.

Since then the weather has warmed back up to 70's during the day.

This weekend we made a trip to a park down the road from us.

Brad dared me to do the monkey bars.

WOW!

Harder than what I remember.

Then he took a turn.

We were laughing our butts off!

 I posted this on IG and a lot of people comment that they do this at boot camp and Cross Fit.

I can see why.

It's a workout for sure.

We tried taking Shelby down the slide but she really didn't get it.

 My turn.

(BTW - I look horrific)

She put her foot down so we really didn't make it down.

 Shelby has 8-teeth now and eats pretty good.

The only thing she's really not into?

Stuff with pasta sauce.

Like lasagna, pizza, etc.

 We just started this weekend trying to get her use to eating off of a plate instead of just off the high chair.

It went ok.

Not great, but ok.

So, my question is - when do you introduce a spoon and fork?

 We got a sitter last night for the first time since June, and went out for our friend Keith's birthday.

Total blast!

We literally didn't get home until 1:30am!

 Our sitter finally texted and asked what time we would be home because her Mom was worried about her driving late at night.

YIKES!

 And, last but not least I'm in holiday mode peeps!

I actually bought the leggings on the right.

Even thinking about wearing them for family photos!

Who am I??

 That's all I have for tonight. 

I'll try and think of more exciting posts for later this week.

Happy Sunday!

Weeks worth of stuff

I can't believe I only posted once this week!

Not sure why that it is, but it is.

I generally do a Friday Five but today Ill just do a random check in on what's going on. 

Shelby finished 10-days of antibiotics Monday morning and late that afternoon I got a call from the school that she had a fever. 

What?!?!

Brad and I couldn't believe it.

I stayed home with her Tuesday because of the 24-hour rule at the nursery school. 

I think it might have been teething. She seems to be fine now.

This is a week or so old but I found Shelby's Halloween costume!

She's going to be a lobster!!

Cute or what?

I was a cheapo and bought it on Craigslist for $20. It retails for $50.

Kids wear them once so I thought no harm.

I'm going to organize a Halloween get together with the other families in our hood with babies Shelby's age.

I cooked 3xs this week and the fav was Skinny Taste's spaghetti squash boats with grilled chicken. 

Brad loved them !

I've been working on letting go and forgiveness recently. 

Not easy friends but I'm praying hard to let it go that some people just don't and never will like me no matter what I do or say. 

I had a great lunch yesterday with Hopsy from Kappa Prep.

She was in town from Dallas and I can't tell you how excited I was. 

We literally could have talked for hours!

Lastly, I'm headed to Baltimore tonight to spend a girls weekend with Patra from I Do Declare, MCW from Saving the Best for Last and Tricia from B'More Girlie!!

Just wait for the post next week!!

Until then, TGIF!!!

Happiness

Happiness.

Have you ever sat down and actually thought about what makes you happy in life?

I'm not talking material things.

Chocolate, wine, a new dress, or anything of that sorts.

I'm talking about real happiness.

The Webster's Dictionary defines happiness as:

 a : a state of well-being and contentment : joy. b : a pleasurable or satisfying experience. 3. : felicity, aptness

So, I'm talking about A out of the dictionary.

For years, happiness for me was having a successful career in television news, seeing the world, making friends from around the country.

Then after all that was obtained my focus on my new happiness began.

That was to be a wife and mother.

Well, let me tell you what folks it was a long hard road to get there.

Years and years and years and years of dating and bad boyfriends.

Years of fertility treatments.

BUT..

It finally happened.

 I can honestly say that as I sit here right now I'm the happiest I've ever been at any point in time in my life.

While at the beach I looked at our family of three and felt so complete.

An awesome husband who loves me and is the best partner any girl or mom could EVER ask for.

We have a beautiful, healthy daughter.

A sweet dog who is nice to everyone including his sister.

And, we have our health and faith in God.

On top of the world!

But, isn't it funny how some people just can't be happy for you when you FINALLY reach that point?

People try and burst your bubble.

Well, I vow NOT to let that happen friends!

Brad, Shelby, Buddy and I are a strong, committed family and no matter what we will ignore anyone who tries and break down the level of happiness we have right now.

Just my random thoughts for tonight.

What is your definition of real happiness?

Going Private and Lately

Hello Everyone!

Everybody is wondering why I'm going private.

Well, I'm not going to get into it on here just take my word for it - it's probably the best thing for a while.

Will it be permanent?

I hope not but you never know.

I know private blogs don't get as much traffic and hits because they're just that.

Private.

I have truly enjoyed everything that blogging has brought to my life and find it sad that others judge me for that.

So saying that, this is the way it will be for a few months, weeks, who knows!!??

I'll be sure to let you know if and when I switch back. I just hope that all of you continue to stop in and catch up.

So, because I'm about a week behind on my adventures I'll give you a brief recap.

Shelby and I went out and visited with my first cousin and her husband.

They're really more like my Aunt and Uncle.

Shelby loves Lloyd!

 Shelby enjoyed creeping around Katie's sewing room too.

Cousin Katie was so sweet to hem a few of Shelby's dresses.

Then we were off to do some shoe shopping.

Shelby will be 9-months next week and is SUPER close to full out walking!

Her teachers at school suggested hard sole shoes.

Brad wanted to go to Wal-Mart to buy her first pair but I shot that down and we headed straight to Stride Rite!

The clerk tried to get us to buy lace up shoes but after about 2.5 seconds of her having them on she started untying them.

So, we opted for velcro Mary Jane shoes instead.

So far so good!!

We just got back from the beach today and at one point over the weekend she was standing in the middle of the room by herself with a toy over her head!!!

 We celebrated my 38th birthday last week.

My Mom was sweet enough to come in and visit with us and babysit Shelby so we could go out for dinner. 

Shelby is getting to the point where she's not crazy about bows.

I'm so BUMMED!!!

I'm hoping that changes but we will see.

(First time seeing a balloon)

 

 We went to dinner at one of our favs.

Buca.

Tons of food but they always send coupons and we have leftovers! 

 Afterwards we hit up a favorite wine bar of mine and enjoyed a glass of Flora Springs 2011 Cab to prep for our upcoming Napa trip.

One of my good friends from college works here and we love their wine.

If you haven't tried it, you should!

There is so much to tell including an entire post on our first family vacation and beach trip.

Thanks again for continuing to read!!

XOXO

Mommy Night Out

Before getting married and then having a baby I was quite the social butterfly.
Not to say that I'm not now, it's just that I don't get invited to as many events as I use to.

That could be for many reasons, one of the biggest being, that I'm not in television news anymore. Instead I work in corporate television producing internal messages and training videos.

But, back in the day I went to charity events, political events, you name it, if I was invited I went.

Well, last night I had a glimpse back into my 'former' life being invited to an event at The Charlotte City Club for the Former NFL Players Orgnanization and the Kiwanis Club.

My former colleague from Fox Charlotte invited me.
Alexis and I go way back.

The event was a fundraiser for charities helping children with childhood cancer and the place was packed!!

The bartenders were former NFL players. It was so fun to see just how many different people live in Charlotte that never necessarily played for the Panthers.

And, it was fun and amazing to see just how many teams some of these guys played for!

There were several players there from the Panthers team that traveled to the Super Bowl.
Colin told me that the year that they went was actually his rookie year!

Can you imagine?

The highlight of the night was getting to see this guy.

I worked with him for YEARS at Fox and he was always available for a last minute interview or to fill in on the set. He was a TRUE life saver!

I had not seen him in 8-years. It was fun to share with him that I had gotten married and had a baby.

The entire night brought back so many memories and back to a place in my life that has long set sail.

Would I give up my time with Shelby, Brad and Buddy to do this every night?
NO!!!!

But, I have to say it was nice to get out and have a little 'Mommy night out' and catch up with old friends and colleagues.
Thanks to Alexis for inviting me!!

Currently

Lost for blog content I've decided to rip off my friend MCW(who I'm going to do an entire girls weekend with in October) and do a 'Currently'.

Currently I'm watching Redskins football with my husband and snuggling with Mr. Buddy while Shelby snoozes.

Drinking a glass of wine trying to write this blog and go upstairs and watch my RHOOC reunion part 2.

Glad I bought these Inchworm bottle labels. WtheH no one told me about these for nursery school mommies before now, I'll never know.

via

Wondering how Shelby got so big.

 I walked into her nursery school today and in comparison to the other babies in her class(granted, she should have moved up already) she's HUGE!!!!!!!!!!

8-months and on the move!!

 Planning my morning workout which involves laying out all my clothes, shoes, socks.

and finally...

Thinking that my hair looked dumb today at work.

Our main manager told me that it looked like her attempt at having her hair straight.

 As for our beach weekend?

We had a good time despite rain.

The highlight for me was Brad's comb over.

Cute or what?

LOL!

 And, Sunday was glorious because we were united with our Shelbs.

She had a WONDERFUL TIME with my parents and vice-versa.

She's a GiGi and Poppi kind of girl!!

Hope you all had a great weekend too.

CIAO!

Random Pictures and Thoughts

It's been a while since I've done a true 'update' on what's been going on around here.

So, here it goes.

* First off, I feel as life is starting to get back to a pace to where it was before we had Shelby. We're back out going to events and even doing things with friends.

Not that we totally stopped but last weekend was the first weekend we actually stayed on the go the entire time. 

Before we would do a few hours out then head home.

Now I'm feeling more comfortable feeding on the go and changing diapers on the go.

* My eating habits have been slacking.

That is despite the fact that I have now vowed to start working out at 5:30am every Tuesday and Thursday.

This is my 2nd week at it and so far so good.

It's SOO hard to find time to workout at night that I knew I had to do something.

I still plan on power walking with Shelby around the neighborhood 2-days a week after work, but now if the weather stinks I don't have to be upset because I'll still have 2 days in.

* Shelby is a rock star at school. 

We got a 'happy gram' from her school today that she's rolling all over the classroom. Literally from one side to the other!

We see her rolling here at home but we don't have nearly the room they do at school.

* Brad and I are both into making baby food.

Thank goodness my cousin Cindy gave us her baby food maker.

Shelby has enjoyed, carrots, peas, sweet potatoes, avocado and tonight I made summer squash puree!

After a few days of that we're moving on to fruits.

We're having the school feed her because by the time she gets home she's way too tired.

* Speaking of cooking.

I feel as I'm 'starting' to get back into the swing of things.

I haven't had the desire or energy to really cook for weeks but the last week or so I feel as if I'm getting back into the swing of things.

I even prepared these last night for us to enjoy for dinner tonight.

Baby steps back into 'real' cooking.

It's all about time management!!

* I forgot to include the gorgeous flowers I received for Mother's Day.

My MIL got me this fun pig pot with petunias in it.

LOVE.LOVE.LOVE!

And, my Mom bought me this gorgeous vase of flowers. 

We're still enjoying them.

* In other random news.

Shelbs is still liking her exersaucer but I feel like she needs more toys.

I'm also feeling as if it's time to put up the swing.

We just found out Brad's cousin and his wife are expecting so we're saving all our stuff to give to them.

A few random pictures from when my parents were here.

Shelbs enjoying some GiGi time.

And, some Poppi time!

With my parents in town we took advantage of the babysitting and headed out to a friend's graduation party.

You might recall my friend Karen who threw me a baby shower back in October.

So proud of her!

She graduated from Belmont Abbey over the weekend after 4-years in night school to finish her 4year degree!

All while working full time at the bank!

I could not have done it!

They had a few of their neighbors over and us to celebrate.

Her family is as proud of her as we all are!

And, the last random photo/tidbit for the night.

A picture a friend of mine sent of me and Shelby at the crawfish boil Saturday.

Love it!

I still can't believe I have a blue-eyed baby!?

Where in the world did that come from?

I can't believe this is my 3rd post this week.

I'm on a roll!!!