Happy New Year!

Happy 2014!

It's been almost 3 months since I last blogged. Time has really flown by. I wasn't taking an intentional break, but little Iris has just been keeping me on my toes. She's been growing, developmentally leaping, teething, and has had a few colds and even a stomach bug that we all ending up catching (the great stomach bug of 2013 as we call it). She even turned one back in November!

So here's a little update on what's going on at our house. 

The holidays were busy and blessed. RJ and I spent a lot of time talking about how we want to spend our time and where we want our family's focus during the Christmas season. For us, it is on the birth of Christ. 

Our family, led by our church, is on a 21 day journey of prayer and fasting. This brings about a time of reflection and renewed strength to start the year. We are both new to fasting, so we are each doing it in our own way. RJ is fasting meat. This has proven to be a little move difficult because he recently went gluten free. So, he is having to do a little more meal planning. I am not fasting food because I am nursing. So, I am instead fasting Facebook. It's been harder than I thought it would be! I will confess that I cheated a few times yesterday. I had to do some housekeeping for a group that I administer, and I was sucked into checking my groups and notifications. Today has been much better. Even though I have wanted to log on, I have resisted the temptation.

Iris is now walking like a champ. She is babbling all the time as well. She is clueless to the fact that she doesn't have any actual words yet, as she is babbling all the time. She for sure knows what she is saying. If only I did! That would help some toddler frustrations. She is also working towards only napping once a day. To me, this seems like such a "big kid" thing! My little baby isn't a baby any more. She is quite the pistol, with her own thoughts, plans, and ideas of what she wants and what she wants me to do as well. She has also turned a corner and is finally eating more solids. This means she is nursing a little less now, which bring about a whole slew of mixed emotions for mommy! Bottom line is that she is happy and thriving, and we give all the glory to God for that. I am so happy He chose RJ and I to be her parents. 

I hope you are having as happy and blessed New Year as us!

Weekend Review

We had a lovely weekend, filled with lots of quality family time. RJ works every other Saturday, so when he has off, it's like a special treat. Saturday, we went out to lunch a new (to us) BBQ restaurant and to a Halloween party at the Birmingham Art Museum. Iris got to color with crayons for the first time, and I was really impressed with the children's interactive art area. Iris really had a great time, and so did the rest of us. Sunday, we went to church. Iris was not happy in the nursery, so she and I watched the message from the Mother's Room (I watched; she pulled everything out of the diaper bag). That afternoon, RJ and I had a dinner date at the Melting Pot. It's one of our favorite restaurants, and we used to go there all the time before our little girl was born. So what if we had to eat dinner at 4:00 so we could be back home in time to put the baby to bed. It was still so special to just have some quality time together. 

The cooler weather is finally here, and I love how all the leaves are starting to change color and fall.

I hope your week has been wonderful so far!

A Little Recap...

Here are some snapshots of our first beach vacation as a family of three!

Vacation!

Today, I am super busy packing for a fun filled week at the beach. RJ and I were planning on leaving tomorrow morning, but today made the impromptu decision to leave tonight and drive while Iris sleeps (hopefully!). So far, I've done 3 loads of laundry and gotten Iris and myself mostly packed. I just have to pack RJ's bag and few more odds and ends. If I'm really lucky, I will be able to straighten up the house some as well (I hate coming home to a messy house). 

We are all super excited about the beach. It doesn't even matter that they are forecasting rain every day due to the approaching tropical storm. We are just excited to be together as a family and for a little change in scenery. 

Have a wonderful weekend and a fabulous next week!

Hopefully we will stay sunburn free!

Happy Mother's Day

I hope all you wonderful mommies out there have a fabulous Mother's Day. 

These past six months of motherhood have taught me so much, and I have gained so much respect for mothers everywhere. Motherhood is one of those things, that you can't justly describe to a person who has never experienced it. All the challenges, joy, and hopes for the future are so worth it. We had a difficult road to parenthood, but in the end, I believe I wouldn't be the mother I am proud to be without those hardships. 

So, relax, sleep in, and have a glass (or 2) of wine!

Happy Mother's Day!

Weekend Review

Friday night, little Iris decided she was quite hungry and needed to eat every hour and a half. So, needless to say, I was quite tired on Saturday. RJ was so sweet and got up early with her, so I could sleep in a little. I, then, went to the grocery store by myself, which felt like a spa day. It was pretty cold here, with temps in the 40s (quite unusual here in the deep south), so I rocked my boots one last time for the season. Sunday, I slept in again (thanks honey!), and I finally felt human again!. We went to church, and it was wonderful. I am so thankful that we are part of a community where God is truly present. It deepens my love and desire for Him. That afternoon, RJ got some needed rest as well. All in all, it was a pretty laid back weekend! 

Best Friends??

Maybe one day. Right now, Iris LOVES Ava, and she squeals every time she sees her. Ava, on the other hand, couldn't care less about Iris. She just misses being the center of our attention, before Iris came along. Hopefully, these two will be big buddies soon.