Oh.my.goodness.
I have not spent this much time in bed since I was 36 weeks pregnant and assigned to my bed.
Mom and Dee Dee came this weekend so we could make our semi-annual shopping trip to the Kid's Exchange (more to come on our sweet findings, but let's just say it included some of my favorite gals Lilly [Pulitzer], Patsy [Aiken] and Kelly['s Kids]. Plus lots of pretty smocked dresses. Poor Emma Grace won't have a thing to wear for the next two years). Since Jereme and I are headed to Atlanta this week for a pre-moving trip to find housing and explore the area, it was a great time for Mom to take Emma Grace back to Jacksonville so the grandparents could keep her while we are out of town.
I miss my sweet baby so much. But I have enjoyed having nothing to do! My house is clean (remember that the maids came last week?) and I can't really pack since we have movers to do that for us, so I really haven't had much to do. I was tempted to begin a small craft project, but I never could muster up the energy. So I'm basically getting up in the morning when Jereme gets up for work (just so it looks like I have plans for the day) and promptly getting back in bed once he leaves. I have watched so many re-runs of Law and Order and CSI.
When Jereme got home from work today, he asked me what I did all day. If it had been a movie, this would be where you'd hear the crickets chirping.
I did leave the house for about an hour this afternoon to run a few errands (boy is it nice to do that without a toddler) and did a load of laundry, but that's pretty much it. I could certainly get used to this lazy lifestyle, but that's not going to happen! Before I know it, I'll be chasing a busy toddler around the house once again.
And, seriously, I'm looking forward to it.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
The times, they are a-changin'
This is a horrible picture taken with my phone, but I thought it so wonderfully depicted life right now. Emma Grace is standing at the window watching a man drive a for sale sign into our yard. Yes, sweet baby, the times - they are a-changin'.
Between Realtors, maids (not complaining about that one), photographers, appraisers, and movers, we've had a packed house this week. While this has been a long time coming, once we got the final word that it was happening it seems like everything has taken off! Jereme and I looked at each other yesterday and said: "This is really happening, isn't it?"
Jereme and I are going to Atlanta next week to meet with a Realtor and look at houses. I am so excited to have several days to play tourist before we move there. Jereme will start work there soon and Emma Grace and I will stay back until everything wraps up here.
(I almost gave specific dates and had to retract. HELLO! I'm the one who drops to the floor when someone knocks on my door at night and Jereme isn't here. Was I really about to tell the Internet when my husband would be in another state? And because it makes me feel better, I must say this: Please remember that our house is armed and clearly [if you recall from previous posts] I am quick to draw. And I'm a mother to a defenseless child, which puts me in a category of crazy that you don't want to mess with.)
Ok, I feel good about that.
Anyway, it's been a hectic week. But it's also been exciting too. More to come...
Between Realtors, maids (not complaining about that one), photographers, appraisers, and movers, we've had a packed house this week. While this has been a long time coming, once we got the final word that it was happening it seems like everything has taken off! Jereme and I looked at each other yesterday and said: "This is really happening, isn't it?"
Jereme and I are going to Atlanta next week to meet with a Realtor and look at houses. I am so excited to have several days to play tourist before we move there. Jereme will start work there soon and Emma Grace and I will stay back until everything wraps up here.
(I almost gave specific dates and had to retract. HELLO! I'm the one who drops to the floor when someone knocks on my door at night and Jereme isn't here. Was I really about to tell the Internet when my husband would be in another state? And because it makes me feel better, I must say this: Please remember that our house is armed and clearly [if you recall from previous posts] I am quick to draw. And I'm a mother to a defenseless child, which puts me in a category of crazy that you don't want to mess with.)
Ok, I feel good about that.
Anyway, it's been a hectic week. But it's also been exciting too. More to come...
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Park Day
We had great weather yesterday! Nothing like getting snowed on for a month, then having unseasonably warm temperatures. Only in North Carolina!
I got a call from Lou Ellen inviting us to the park, and I was so glad that our schedule got rearranged and we were free to go for a little while. We met them at Fletcher Park and had the best time. Thanks Lou Ellen and Henry (Hay-hay as Emma Grace calls him!).
I got a call from Lou Ellen inviting us to the park, and I was so glad that our schedule got rearranged and we were free to go for a little while. We met them at Fletcher Park and had the best time. Thanks Lou Ellen and Henry (Hay-hay as Emma Grace calls him!).
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
18 month check up
BAD MOM ALERT: Emma Grace's 18 month check up was 2 weeks ago and I'm just now remembering to blog about it. I thought about back-dating the post so it would look like I did it the next day, but then decided to keep it real.
Emma Grace had a great check up! She did great for the doctor and even used his stethoscope on herself (she has a doctor kit at home). He was happy with her development in all categories. In the next couple of months, we should see her start to put more words together to form ideas. She's already a great communicator with a large vocabulary, but she doesn't really put words together to form baby sentences yet.
He doctor was pleased with all of her stats...still our big girl!
18 month stats:
Height: 33 inches (90th)
Weight: 27.7 pounds (85th)
Head: 19 1/4 inches (95th)
I could care less about her head, and I know height isn't something that can be controlled, but I always ask the doctor about the weight and if we should be concerned. He showed us her chart from the time she was a couple of months old (and finally got feedings worked out!) and she has followed a steady curve from the very beginning. And he's pleased that she is proportionate. But let's put a few things into perspective. She's in the 50th percentile for a 2 year old. That means if she was 6 months older, but in her same body, she'd be bigger than 50% of her peers. Baby girl is going to be taller than her momma for sure. Generally speaking, you can double a two year old's height to get their adult height. She still has 6 months until she is a 2 year old, but if we were to double her height today, she would be 5'6 as an adult. Obviously, she will add several inches in the next 6 months. So I'll probably be looking up to her when she's 16 and telling her she can't have the car. Lord, help me.
We are so thankful for our healthy baby. We certainly don't take it for granted, especially when we hear about sick babies all the time. Emma Grace got her finger pricked and she was so brave...didn't even bat an eye. I held her while she got a shot and it broke my heart when she screamed. She got over it though and was happy after we left the office.
Emma Grace had a great check up! She did great for the doctor and even used his stethoscope on herself (she has a doctor kit at home). He was happy with her development in all categories. In the next couple of months, we should see her start to put more words together to form ideas. She's already a great communicator with a large vocabulary, but she doesn't really put words together to form baby sentences yet.
He doctor was pleased with all of her stats...still our big girl!
18 month stats:
Height: 33 inches (90th)
Weight: 27.7 pounds (85th)
Head: 19 1/4 inches (95th)
I could care less about her head, and I know height isn't something that can be controlled, but I always ask the doctor about the weight and if we should be concerned. He showed us her chart from the time she was a couple of months old (and finally got feedings worked out!) and she has followed a steady curve from the very beginning. And he's pleased that she is proportionate. But let's put a few things into perspective. She's in the 50th percentile for a 2 year old. That means if she was 6 months older, but in her same body, she'd be bigger than 50% of her peers. Baby girl is going to be taller than her momma for sure. Generally speaking, you can double a two year old's height to get their adult height. She still has 6 months until she is a 2 year old, but if we were to double her height today, she would be 5'6 as an adult. Obviously, she will add several inches in the next 6 months. So I'll probably be looking up to her when she's 16 and telling her she can't have the car. Lord, help me.
We are so thankful for our healthy baby. We certainly don't take it for granted, especially when we hear about sick babies all the time. Emma Grace got her finger pricked and she was so brave...didn't even bat an eye. I held her while she got a shot and it broke my heart when she screamed. She got over it though and was happy after we left the office.
Waiting on the doctor to arrive. Reading books to pass the time.
We went to lunch after her appointment and Jereme and I got the biggest kick out of how she held her finger that got pricked. The nurse put a band-aid on it and from that point on she held it out away from her body and wouldn't move her entire hand. Jereme said it reminded him of how I wouldn't move my arm for a whole day after giving blood while I was pregnant. Maybe she has a little of her Mommy in her after all.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Daddy/Daughter Day
Jereme and Emma Grace had a Daddy/Daughter day last weekend and one item on the agenda was the neighborhood park. Emma Grace loves a park, especially the swings. It was pretty cold that day, but Daddy made sure to bundle her up!
Oh, and Charlie had fun too!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Wine and Design, Part 3
We can't get enough of this Wine and Design thing. It's an addiction, really. The start of the class finds me really stressed out, since the hardest part for me is getting started. But then I'm usually happy with the outcome and glad it's over.
My mother-in-law gave me a gift certificate for a class for Christmas. It didn't take much convincing to get Stephanie and Lou Ellen to join me. This particular class was the Raleigh skyline, which we have all been eyeing since we started going to Wine and Design. It was especially exciting to me, considering we are moving to Georgia soon. I will proudly hang this in our home and be reminded of Raleigh.
So this class was a little more of a free-for-all. We had a couple of different pictures of the Raleigh skyline that we could reference, and we could really do whatever we wanted, which is why everyone's picture looked different. We were all happy with the finished product and had a great time!
My mother-in-law gave me a gift certificate for a class for Christmas. It didn't take much convincing to get Stephanie and Lou Ellen to join me. This particular class was the Raleigh skyline, which we have all been eyeing since we started going to Wine and Design. It was especially exciting to me, considering we are moving to Georgia soon. I will proudly hang this in our home and be reminded of Raleigh.
So this class was a little more of a free-for-all. We had a couple of different pictures of the Raleigh skyline that we could reference, and we could really do whatever we wanted, which is why everyone's picture looked different. We were all happy with the finished product and had a great time!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Bath time with Daddy
You know the great thing about this age? You get to do things that will all too soon be really weird. Like take family baths.
Emma Grace loved having Daddy in the bath with her. And Charlie kept trying to drop his ball in the water. And crazy Mommy took pictures the entire time. Just a typical circus around here.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
For Papa
Dear Papa,
Mommy put me in these overalls today. I really like them because pink is my favorite color. They also remind me of what I see you in just about every time we are together. I thought you would be proud.
Love,
Scooter
Mommy put me in these overalls today. I really like them because pink is my favorite color. They also remind me of what I see you in just about every time we are together. I thought you would be proud.
Love,
Scooter
Georgia Peaches we will soon be
Ray Charles sang "Georgia On My Mind" in the 60s. My mother would scorn me if I didn't note that Willie Nelson recorded the same song in the late 70s. I remember hearing this song when I was younger and thinking that it really made Georgia seem like a nice place. You know, for people who live there.
I much preferred songs like "Carolina in My Mind" by James Taylor or "Carolina Girls" by Chairmen of the Board. I could relate to them. Now that you have some personal insight into my regional song choices, you should know that this post has nothing to do with songs. But it does have to do with Georgia and North Carolina.
I've traveled to other states and countries and have seen some beautiful places. But North Carolina has been my home and I guess I always thought it would be. I didn't think I'd ever live anywhere else, primarily because I didn't WANT to live anywhere else.
So when Jereme called me from work back in August and asked what I thought of him applying for a job in Georgia, I gave him the go-ahead. It's not that I didn't think he was qualified, but I figured it was a long shot. Lots of applicants in a down market. What are the chances?
When he got called for a phone interview, I congratulated him and told him I was happy. But deep down inside I didn't think anything would come of it. Because did I mention that wasn't in my plan book? When he had his second phone interview, I still wasn't worried. Well, phone interviews turned into him flying down there (Funny side note: I told my parents and friends that he was going down there for a presentation. And he totally was giving a presentation. But I left out the part that it was FOR A JOB. Some totally believed me. Some had suspicions. But I was pretty adamant that I didn't want to make a big deal about it if it turned out to be nothing. I guess deep down I was HOPING it would be nothing. Isn't that so selfish?).
Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21
He came home from the trip with this for Emma Grace:
I decided it would be either just another stuffed animal in her collection or be very symbolic for our future.
The rest of the story is long and spans weeks and months. And I'm not sure that everything is entirely appropriate for the internet. But the abbreviated version is that he got a verbal offer and was told that they would be in touch after the new year. Over the course of a few weeks, my heart was really changed about the possibility of moving. Sure I was (am) scared and nervous about packing up our lives and moving to Georgia, but I knew (know) that it is such a great opportunity for Jereme and our family.
So, while we had a verbal confirmation that they planned to offer him the job, nothing was in writing. And until we had that, we knew it could change at any moment. We also knew that we would need the offer to include relocation. Jereme's company has an amazing relocation package that they can offer, but we just didn't know if they would offer it to him. That very thing was the deal breaker for us. If they couldn't take the house off our hands, we couldn't move. In addition to that, we needed the pay increase to be substantial enough to justify the move. We had lots of requirements, huh? Really, we just prayed that it would be very obvious what we should do.
Jereme got a phone call last week. They formally (in writing) offered him everything. Everything we knew we would need to make the decision: the house buy-out, the pay raise, the moving expenses, and more. Thanks for making it clear, God.
I bought this book today.
Guess I need to learn a thing or two about this new city that we will call home for a while.
Jereme will be down there soon to begin working. Emma Grace and I will go down once we close on our house here and have all of the loose ends tied. It will probably be several weeks/a couple of months. This is a great opportunity for Jereme and for our family and we are excited to begin this new journey. Our hope is to transfer back to North Carolina before Emma Grace starts school.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
I much preferred songs like "Carolina in My Mind" by James Taylor or "Carolina Girls" by Chairmen of the Board. I could relate to them. Now that you have some personal insight into my regional song choices, you should know that this post has nothing to do with songs. But it does have to do with Georgia and North Carolina.
I've traveled to other states and countries and have seen some beautiful places. But North Carolina has been my home and I guess I always thought it would be. I didn't think I'd ever live anywhere else, primarily because I didn't WANT to live anywhere else.
So when Jereme called me from work back in August and asked what I thought of him applying for a job in Georgia, I gave him the go-ahead. It's not that I didn't think he was qualified, but I figured it was a long shot. Lots of applicants in a down market. What are the chances?
When he got called for a phone interview, I congratulated him and told him I was happy. But deep down inside I didn't think anything would come of it. Because did I mention that wasn't in my plan book? When he had his second phone interview, I still wasn't worried. Well, phone interviews turned into him flying down there (Funny side note: I told my parents and friends that he was going down there for a presentation. And he totally was giving a presentation. But I left out the part that it was FOR A JOB. Some totally believed me. Some had suspicions. But I was pretty adamant that I didn't want to make a big deal about it if it turned out to be nothing. I guess deep down I was HOPING it would be nothing. Isn't that so selfish?).
Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21
He came home from the trip with this for Emma Grace:
(from the Atlanta Zoo)
The rest of the story is long and spans weeks and months. And I'm not sure that everything is entirely appropriate for the internet. But the abbreviated version is that he got a verbal offer and was told that they would be in touch after the new year. Over the course of a few weeks, my heart was really changed about the possibility of moving. Sure I was (am) scared and nervous about packing up our lives and moving to Georgia, but I knew (know) that it is such a great opportunity for Jereme and our family.
So, while we had a verbal confirmation that they planned to offer him the job, nothing was in writing. And until we had that, we knew it could change at any moment. We also knew that we would need the offer to include relocation. Jereme's company has an amazing relocation package that they can offer, but we just didn't know if they would offer it to him. That very thing was the deal breaker for us. If they couldn't take the house off our hands, we couldn't move. In addition to that, we needed the pay increase to be substantial enough to justify the move. We had lots of requirements, huh? Really, we just prayed that it would be very obvious what we should do.
Jereme got a phone call last week. They formally (in writing) offered him everything. Everything we knew we would need to make the decision: the house buy-out, the pay raise, the moving expenses, and more. Thanks for making it clear, God.
I bought this book today.
Guess I need to learn a thing or two about this new city that we will call home for a while.
Jereme will be down there soon to begin working. Emma Grace and I will go down once we close on our house here and have all of the loose ends tied. It will probably be several weeks/a couple of months. This is a great opportunity for Jereme and for our family and we are excited to begin this new journey. Our hope is to transfer back to North Carolina before Emma Grace starts school.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Emma Beeps
This is the funniest thing to me and Jereme and I want to make sure we always have this memory.
For some reason, Emma Grace calls grapes "beeps". I'm no pediatric speech expert, but I guess they sound the same to her and I can kind of see it. We'll say "do you want grapes?" and she'll say "beeps! beeps!". We can point to it and tell her it's a grape, but she still calls it beeps. We know what she means.
So we started trying to teach her how to say her name. She says Emma really well. But I guess Grace and grapes sound awfully similar. So guess what she thinks her name is.
While I do hope she learns her real name, we sure do get a kick out of her calling herself Emma Beeps.
Monday, January 3, 2011
New Year's Eve
Jereme and I spent New Year's Eve in downtown Raleigh with the Wrights. Mom and Dad kept Emma Grace for us and it gave us the chance to have fun and ring in the New Year! We made the same plans as last year: use our free night stay at the Marriott on Fayetteville Street (read: the middle of Raleigh's New Year's celebrations) and this year the Wrights joined us!
Dinner at Sushi Blues
It took a sweet forever to get to the Marriott because of all the downtown traffic. So Lou Ellen and I passed the time by taking pictures in the back of the car.
Our men
On Fayetteville Street
Acorn drop
Happy 2011!
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