Mini Post: New Morning Ritual

Since the fence was finished we have been spending a significant amount of time outside

and every child should.. it's good for them. 

We have developed a new morning routine in just a short amount of time.

Now, when Caroline gets up in the morning we still have a few ounces of milk,

but instead of following it with breakfast- 

we now go play outside for about 30 minutes (give or take).

& since it's in the comfort of our privacy fence, we're in PJs or no clothes at all

[^Caroline of course, I'm fully clothed]

We play tee ball and we hit golf balls, 

we play on the grill and make ketchup covered everything

(pretend ketchup... don't get crazy now)

we chase Ace and play with our shovels and buckets.

You name it, if we've got it- she's playing with it.

No toy gets left behind.

After playing outside, and only then, is she ready to have her breakfast

and morning dose of Disney Junior or Little Baby Bum videos. 

No complaints over here, it's not a bad morning.

I even get to get some sun during this new ritual. 

This Weekend

This weekend we were, once again, on the road. 

First stop: Niceville

My Aunt & Uncle were in town all the way from Texas so we went one night early to spend a little more time with them. 

College football consumed our morning, afternoon & evening. As it should. Haha. 

Go Noles. Roll Tide. 

I woke up Saturday morning craving donuts after dreaming about them all night.

When in Niceville, the only place to satisfy that craving is Tasti-o's. 

Best. Donuts. Around. 

[if you aren't familiar with them and you're in the area, you really need to check them out. great choices, extremely fresh & a lot of southern hospitality]

I was specifically craving a raspberry filled pastry- so I made sure to get one.

Then we did the usual, chocolate with sprinkles and the never just basic glazed. 

And of course, my dad & Jimmie went all out with breakfast that morning as well.

Eggs. Pancakes. Bacon. Toast. & then donuts :) 

That evening was the main reason we were in town for the weekend.

We had a fundraiser dinner for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

The Harley Raffle.

[ if you aren't familiar with the foundation or the event, please look in to it! ]

[ if you'd like, I'd love to give you information on how to get involved ]

The evening was filled with laughter and food and catching up with people we hadn't seen in years. 

Caroline danced with Uncle Matt a good bit - on his shoulders and all.

Their most well known number that evening: "Born in the USA"  - Bruce Springsteen

She also had Nonnie, GiGi and Opa chasing after her a good bit. 

She waved to everyone hello and when we were done talking she would say Bye-Bye and blow a kiss. She was a huge hit.

Caroline even made friends with a little girl that was her age. The pushed chairs around for a little while, explored the military uniform shadowboxes and had some fun stare downs. 

None of us won anything but it was a successful evening anyway.

You'll find us there every year. 

Second stop: Brewton

Sunday we were headed back to Alabama for a Baby Shower & for (of course) a round of golf.

Sweet little Harper will be here in November and it was so exciting getting to celebrate her arrival and her sweet momma that day.

It was such a pretty shower, with lots of fun favors.

Caroline was tired by the end of it for sure.

She did a lot of running around with her friend, Pheriby. 

[could've had a sugar rush from the m&m's she was obsessed with]

But now we're home & plan to be here for a few weekends in a row.

Ya know, unless something comes up ;)

19 Weeks Appointment

Are you serious? We're already at 19 weeks..

So I'm seeing that it's true what they say- you're so busy with your other child(ren) that time will fly by during pregnancy. It's fact, not fiction.

I'm going to admit, I feel like a bad mom already to this second child. Because time is going so fast, and because I'm trying to keep up with Caroline and fill her days with productive activities- if you were to ask me a question about where we're at in this pregnancy- I'd have to check the app (because it's not something I do on a regular basis)

I couldn't tell you what fruit/veggie she is this week,

or how much she weighs and her length.

I consider myself doing pretty good when I don't have to count back the weeks to tell you how far along I am, OK. 

Soooo- yeah. I'll try to get better though, I promise. 

Any of the who- I was fully aware of this appointment and I've actually been looking forward to it since the last appointment. This week was ultrasound week!!! Which means we got to see our precious Hadley (Haddie). 

It was such an enjoyable experience. We got to watch her kick around and "jump." We got to see all different angles :) - She was laying face down though, so we couldn't get a view of her little face. But, she was healthy & active which is all we care about. 

& Caroline was the sweetest during the ultrasound. She seemed just as excited to see baby Haddie as we were. She sat with me on the table and held up my shirt. Every once in a while she would touch my belly, say "hi Haddie" and get some of the gel on her haha. We were melting. 

Next appointment is in 4 weeks! Yay, October! 

We're getting closer every day to becoming a family of 4. 

Mini Post: We Have A Fence!

The Fence is done, The Fence is done!

I'm having a little party over here.

And so are Ace & Caroline!

We have a fenced in backyard!

We are ready for lots of running around and playing

& all in the privacy of our own fenced in yard!

I know, I'm maybe a little overly excited. Sue me.

We have been patiently waiting & the day has finally come!

A big shout out to my boys Joseph & Ben.

You guys made it happen.

The 3 of us thank you.

Beer and Dinner on me, anytime y'all want!

Labor Day Weekend

This last weekend was Labor Day weekend and we spent it at the beautiful Lake Martin.

No matter how many times we're there at the lake house, the view will never get old. There is just something about it. I couldn't possibly do it justice to make you fully understand but it is just gorgeous and completely relaxing.

The weekend was full of boating, swimming, football and family.

We take the boat out quite a bit while we're there and always give the dogs a few trips to go play in the water and get some energy out. The boys got 3 trips this time - and if you know Ace or have been with him on a boat, you know that I have the best husband in the entire world for allowing him to go 3 different times. :)

Caroline loved it, as always. She is such a water baby- the only time she gets upset is when we take her out of it haha, and even then the sadness is cured in an instant. In the morning you just ask her "ready to go swimming?" and she is ready to go!

This weekend was the opening weekend of college football. Saturday our teams played & Saturday our teams won! So excited for this season! Go Noles & Roll Tide, y'all!

We had such a great time- now it's back to reality. But hey, we have a lot to look forward to this week:

Tuesday we go to Brewton for the afternoon so I can take care of some business

Tuesday night Aunt Kitty is coming to stay the night with us

Wednesday we have a doctor's appointment with an ultrasound

Friday we go to Niceville

Saturday we have a fundraiser

Sunday we have a baby shower in Brewton

If there is one thing for sure around here....there is never a dull moment- we keep things moving! 

Mini Post: What It's All About

This morning came extra early (which is extremely rare. We've got a little one that loves to catch her zzz's).

But this morning was different.

I woke up to my sweet baby singly poking my face and saying "mama?" and doing it repeatedly until I opened my eyes.

The second my eyes cracked open her tone changed "MAMA!" :) :)

The excitement in her voice when she realized that I was awake got me right in the feels. She just lit up.

And then she wrapped her arms around me as in to say good morning with no words at all. oh my gosh, you are seriously the sweetest. 

& that's what it's all about. That excitement she gets from me. Little old me, I make her that happy. I didn't even do anything, I just simply woke up when she wanted me to. & that's all that she wanted.

That is all. That's all I have for this morning. My little is currently eating her breakfast and watching some early morning cartoons - so I'm going to get back to enjoying watching her watch those.

Have a magical day everyone!