My Little Pumpkin!!

On Sunday, Carol and I went to Jackson's Orchard. I LOVE visiting Jackson's this time of year!! They have all sorts of activities for kids and adults....a petting zoo, hayride, yummy snacks, pumpkins, giant slides, face painting, and much more!! Of course, Preston is still a little small to enjoy all those things but it was still fun to push him around in the stroller. And of course it was a great opportunity to get some cute pictures.

Hope you enjoy a few of my favorite shots!

It was a VERY windy day and we both have crazy hair!! Well...my hair is because of the wind. Preston's hair has a life of it's own these days. I can't get it to sit down! I don't mind it sticking up though...I think it's so cute!

LOVE this face!


Preston LOVED playing with the hay!


Checking out the scaregrow with Grammy...



This is my absolute favorite picture of the day....

wonder what he is checking out!


What a FUN day!!

Vacation and such....

I never got around to that mid-week vacation post I promised. Vacation was well....vacation. It was awesome to be at the beach. We had a great condo with a beautiful view and it was so nice to spend an entire week with my boys. But the truth is that I was sick...majorly sick. I have had the worst UC flare since my diagnosis 8 years ago and it has been very challenging. I'm feeling MUCH better now and am finally on my way to recovery. The last 6 weeks have been quite the roller-coaster since our lives don't necessarily stop for my disease. I have continued to work, be a mom, give presentations and take tests in my class, and rest. Granted, I have done all these things halfway while I have been sick but they have gotten done. Thank GOD for Chuck and my mother-in-law for picking up the slack over the last few weeks so that I could rest. And thanks to my Mom for coming in town last weekend to entertain Preston while I moaned and groaned on the couch all weekend. I'm not sure how I would have survived without all their help.

The best part of my flare is that I have lost ALL the baby weight and then some! WOOHOOOO!!! Although I'm sure to gain it back now that I'm taking enough steroids to become a prize fighter...my appetite and weight will creep back up without a doubt. But, I'm enjoying my leaner figure until then. The worst part about my flare is that I have had to cut back on breastfeeding. Preston started on formula last week and is doing great with it. I swear my child will eat ANYTHING and for that I'm grateful. But, I'm struggling with the fact that my that our nursing days are coming to an end. It's just such a bonding thing for me and I'm really not ready to give it up. I'm still trying to nurse in the morning and at night but my milk is almost gone so I'm trying to brace myself for the end. It's hard. I'm not ready for him to grow up. But, I need my as much hydration and vitamins for me to get and stay healthy that I know this is the only option. Sigh......

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from our vacation.

This was the view from our patio...not bad...not bad at all.

A very kind man walking on the beach took this picture for us...I love it. :)

Preston loved the sand and water! He only got a few handfuls of sand in his mouth!


An after dinner stroll on the beach...I love P's face...it doesn't even really look like him. :)


This mirror provided much entertainment for P. I might just have to get one in our house.

Happy boy playing on the beach.

Life...

Ugh! I hate it that I have let so much time pass without a blog post. I will say though that we have been extremely busy!!

First, Chuck and I have been super busy at work. School started last month so that means lots of college fairs, tours, and high school visits for me. I like it better when it's busy so you'll hear no complaints from me. Plus, I love my job. I love what I get to do everyday and I especially love the people that I work for and with. I couldn't ask for a better job at this point in my life. Yay!

Second, I have gone back to school....eek! Yes, I have always wanted to obtain my master's degree. And one of the benefits of my job is that I can take classes tuition free at any state college. I'm only enrolled in one class and it is looking like that is all I can handle until Preston learns to take care of himself (ha!). I'm spending all my free time studying and little time having fun. But, this is important to me so I'm going to do my best to push through. Overall, I'm really enjoying it so far. And the few hours I get to myself on Saturday mornings at Starbucks with my coffee and homework really are therapeutic for me.

Third, I've been a little sick. My ulcerative colitis has reared it's ugly head again and tried to take me down. Of course, I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that I do too much and run myself ragged half the time. I'm just not the type of person to let this disease dictate my life. In an effort to get it under control (again) I've started a new treatment. I'm doing Remicade infusions which has been a pretty interesting experience so far. I'm getting one as I type this post, actually. I go to the hospital every 8 weeks and get an IV with the medicine. The 4-5 hours it takes is time-consuming but I'm hoping it will be worth it. Some patients report a complete remission of symptoms so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I'll be forever grateful if I can feel normal even 75% of the time.

But it's no wonder my body is revolting against me lately. The life of a working mom (and let's not forget student) is exhausting. However, at times I still feel like I have it easy. I'm so lucky to have the help that I do and believe me...I couldn't do it without them. Chuck has been amazing. He is always ready to be the full-time parent when I'm not around...whether I have a work function, remicade treatment, class, girls night out...he never complains and is always ready to hang with Preston. I couldn't ask for a better partner. He is so hands-on and helpful. And then there is Carol, my mother-in-law. I'm honestly not sure how she does all that she does for us. She keeps Preston 5 days a week. She is amazing with him and I know that he is safe and happy. And in her free time she cleans and does laundry for us! She enables me to spend my weekends with my family enjoying them and enjoying life instead of cleaning. I hope she knows how much she means to me and us. Thanks Carol. We love you and appreciate all that you do for us.

I'm proud to say that I'm still breastfeeding although my supply has started to slowly dwindle. I'm hoping to continue to nurse until he is 1 year but I'm facing the fact that, because of my health, I might have to wean him earlier. I'm at peace with that decision if it comes to it. I'm also at peace with giving up the breastpump...I'll be SO glad to never see a pump again (at least for a few years anyway)!! I can't imagine a life where I'm not a slave to the pump.

So, lots has happened in the 6 weeks I've been away. Preston is now 7 months and he has teeth...his bottom two came in at the same time and they are soooooo cute! He is cutting more and only time will tell which ones. He is now sitting up and he loves to sit-up and play with his toys. He also got his first haircut...goodbye combover!! He looks so much like a boy now. And he has become one of the happiest and mild mannered babies I have ever seen. I know that mother's are biased about their babies but seriously people....MY baby IS the happiest and best behaved baby EVER. I swear it. I'd put money down on it. He spends hours laughing at nothing. It is the most amazing thing ever. I cannot imagine my life without him. tear.

Well, I hope that is enough explanation for why I've been MIA for weeks (and weeks). I'd love to say I won't let it happen again but let's be honest...I'll make no promises.

Chuck, Preston, and I are off to Seagrove Beach next week. It will be our first vacation since last year and Preston's first vacation EVER!!! I can't wait to see how cute he is on the beach. Stay tuned for lots of pictures and maybe even a mid-week post.

And I apologize that there aren't any pictures in this post. Much like the blog, my picture taking and downloading have fallen to the wayside as well. I'll add some pictures next week during my week off.

WooHOOO!! Here's to the beach and an entire week with my boys!!!!

Rolling!!

Well, I have had a plan for the last 10 days to upload the video of my genuis child rolling over. Unfortunately, I'm not a genius and cannot for the life of me figure out how to make the video small enough to download...ugh!!! I wish I was more tech savvy or at least had an IT guy following me around all day to teach me the ways of the computer world. Oh well...for now you will just have to take my word for it.

But, it's official!! My dear, happy, genius child has officially rolled over! Granted, he can only roll over to the left from the back to front but I'm sure he will figure out the rest soon. At least, I hope he figures out the rest soon because he gets so frustrated when he rolls over and can't get back upright. Poor little fellow! It's amazing watching him figure out new ways to use his body and see the excitement on his face when he discovers a new trick. I am constantly amazed by him...his smile, his laugh, and the fact that I'm his mother is still so beyond me. We are lucky beyond comprehension.

We are still loving the summertime! We have had visitors for the last two weekends and it has been wonderful! We've spent lots of time at the pool and lots of time with family.

Nikki and Olivia came to visit a few weeks ago and of course we hit up the pool. P really had fun and I think it shows in the pictures! They were both so cute playing in their floats.

Then last weekend Nana and Cameron came for a quick visit. Cameron loves Preston and was so sweet and loving to him. Here they are getting some morning cuddles. How cute are they!?!?

We are still working on our sleep issues. Preston goes to sleep easily and on his own most nights but has a hard time staying asleep. He is still waking every 3-4 hours screaming like he is having a terrible dream. We can usually get him back to sleep pretty quickly with his pacifier and a little head rub but I'm at a loss about how to get him to sleep ALL night without waking. We've tried letting him cry and it's just not working for us. I keep telling myself that it is temporary and won't last forever. And in those moments when he needs to be held in the middle of the night I just remind myself that it is more snuggling that I get with him.

A few weeks ago, in an effort to get him to sleep longer, we introduced cereal. Our pediatrician reccommended that we breastfeed exclusively until 6 months. But Preston starting waking more at night and was showing an interest in food...he was constantly eyeing everything that we were eating. And I'm such a foodie that I couldn't help but feel badly that he couldn't indulge at least a little with is own spoon. With our Doc's consent we introduced rice cereal. Well, it is a huge myth that cereal will help a baby sleep. It hasn't helped our baby at all!! Ugh! But, it is sooooo stinkin' fun feeding him his cereal each night. It's become my favorite part of the day. He is just sooooo cute!! Just wait until I figure out the video thing. It's so much better live. His little noises and faces make the sleepless nights totally worth it!!

P in his bumpo...all ready for the cereal!

Seriously...how CUTE is that face? I LOVE his little nose all squished up.

Victory!! Belly is FULL!!

This weekend will be another fun one! My Mother-In-Law's Sister, Julia, is in town visiting from Germany. And on Sunday, my Dad and Jackie, or "Dude" and "Gramma" are coming down for the night. It's going to be another weekend of family and fun!!

Hope you are able to spend time with your loved ones as well!!

5 Months!

P turned 5 months last week! The time is REALLY flying by! I can’t believe how big he is getting and how much he has changed just in the last few weeks.

P is such a strong baby. He is grabbing at EVERYTHING. He holds on to his toys and playfully hits himself in the head with them. He grabs my hair, scratches and pinches us constantly and has even busted my lip a few times with a quite forceful head-butt. Chuck says he is our little football player and I agree even though I hope he only enjoys watching football on TV, not playing it. I prefer summer outdoor sports…football isn’t really my thing and I’m crossing my fingers that it isn’t his either.

P is also getting better at holding himself up! No rolling over quite yet but we are getting close!

P is also starting to laugh at everyone…he is so happy and social. His smile could melt the coldest of hearts. That little boy smiles with his whole face. His fat cheeks perk up and his eyes laugh with each smile. Seeing him smile every morning is the reward for each tough night and that is just fine with me…there truly is nothing better.


He is such a sweet, wonderful, healthy, and adorable baby and we are so thrilled to be his parents. My only wish is that time would slow down….he is growing way too fast.

i HEART summer

There is just something about SUMMERTIME that makes me happy. I love the heat, the delicious food you find at cookouts, the street fairs, going to the pool, a suntan, flip flops, getting messy with a cupcake....I LOVE everything about summer! And this summer has not disappointed. So far so good!!

July 4th was a blast!! Preston and I went up to Lexington to spend time with friends and family. We went downtown for the parade, had cookouts, swam at the pool, and I even got to have drinks with my girlfriends! It was a blissful weekend! Here are some pics from the weekend.

Preston and I walking around downtown Lexington during the parade.

He was such a trooper in the heat!!

Olivia and Dude being silly...LOVE her outfit!

On Sunday, Mom had her very first cookout at her new house. It was so fun and we had the most delicious food! And of course we had to attempt to wrangle all the grandkids for a group picture...this is the best we got.

On Monday, P and I headed back to BG to have some pool time with Daddy. And we got another great THUMBS UP picture. I love it!!! My boys are so cute!


Chuck, Preston, and I are headed back up to Lexington this weekend for a wedding and I'll be staying a few extra days for work. After this weekend, we are staying put!! I want to spend some summer weekends working around the house on some craft projects I have put off.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and enjoy all that summer has to offer!

Pool time with my favorites!

My sister and niece came in town this past weekend and it was so great to have them stay with us! I LOVE visitors. With my family living in Lexington I sometimes feel so disconnected from them. I always get real pouty when I miss out on birthdays, family dinners, or lazy Sunday afternoons at my parent’s house. So, any chance that I can get to host them in my town of BG is a treat!! I love sharing my life with them and making new memories!

Now, not to upset anyone but my sister is always a very special visitor. Those of you who have sisters surely understand. She is like my other half….the yin to my yang…the peanut butter to my jelly…ha!! You get it? She is one of the few people who can make me laugh until I pee…which seems to happen more lately after giving birth!! And even though she is my baby sister she has taught me many things about being a mother and friend. I love how our relationship has grown throughout the years and I adore our time spent together more than ever now that we are both mothers. She is truly special and my life is so much richer with her and her beautiful daughter, Olivia, in it.

Enough with the sappy and on to the FUN!

On Saturday we took the kiddos the pool. It was Preston’s VERY first trip to the pool so I was a bit anxious about whether he would like it or if I was a terrible mother slathering him up with sunscreen and dipping him in chlorine at the wee age of almost 4 months. Well, I’m happy to say the trip was a success! He really enjoyed it! We stayed in the water for quite some time and he was perfectly content. Plus, he looked so stinking cute in his little outfit and hat. I LOVE a pool in the summer so I’m thrilled to know that Preston likes it too. I look forward to all the pool time fun in our future!!!

My little Beach Bum!!







Olivia is such a good cousin...pushing the very tired Preston out to the car!

Hope all of you are able to catch some rays with loved ones in the next few days too!