New Beginnings

Sorry from the lack of posts. Summer is dwindling down, and my days are spent chasing my favorite one year old everywhere. A week from tomorrow I go back to work...full time. 

When Brooks and I decided to buy a bigger house, we knew deep down that this was going to be a possibility. Bigger House=Bigger Mortgage. And while we could have swung it with me still part-time, I wasn't a fan of living paycheck to paycheck. This has definitely been a hard decision. I know a lot of moms would think I am crazy for trading extra time with my child for a bigger house. But until you have lived in a two-bedroom townhome with a baby-toddler, a dog and no yard, while your poor in-laws keep your other dog- don't judge. 

Yes, it pains me when I hear of morning music classes and play dates. I hate thinking that I won't be the one to cuddle with him after his naps or our constant hugs. To make matters worse, one of my best friends (who happened to teach with me), has decided to be a stay-at-home mom. In the past two years, all four of my teacher/mom friends have left!

But, I refuse to let this get me down! Even though these are tough things, here are all the things I am grateful for:

• A wonderful principal- He worked hard to find me a part-time position. Then, when I told him I needed full-time, he put me in the grade level I love (fifth), teaching the subject I love (math.) He has been so encouraging and every time I talk to him, I actually get excited about returning full-time.
• My team- I love fifth grade! Seriously. I have worked with every grade, and it is my favorite. Not to mention one of my good friends, Lisa, is Grade Level Chair! 
• My profession- I am fully aware that teacher hours aren't always 7-3. In fact, that is the rarity. And that summer has been cut from three to two months. But after seeing my sister go through 12+ hour work-days five days a week, I will take it. I still think teaching is the best profession.
• Woody's Caretaker- Seriously, love her. She loves Woody so much and takes wonderful care of him. Bonus, she lives super close to my school. I know he is happy there. Oh, and she cuts his nails for me. (Hate doing that.)
• Showers- You know what I am talking about. It is HARD to get in a shower with a baby-toddler! Woody is sometimes on his third (precious) outfit of the day, while I am still in my pajamas. I am glad I have an excuse to shower, put on make-up, and pick out an outfit. (Superficial? Maybe.)
• My Mission Field- I realized this last year. Our church was doing 30 days of service, and I was thinking, "I have a child! I don't have time to volunteer!" It hit me that I work in a service field. My school has the poorest population in the county. (And it is a big county.) These children need an education, but more importantly, they need so much love and support. (Funny how having my own child made this clear to me.) God is constantly working in me to have more patience and to see these students as His children. I know He has big plans for me this year.

Thanks for reading my long soap-box. Now some Woody pictures!

My mom brought Woody this plastic Cars chair, and Woody is obsessed with it. He drags it all over the house and just sits in it.

In the kitchen

In the Dining Room (excuse the mess)

Back in the kitchen

In the family room

His BFF Burke (Jessica's son) came over Monday morning. We are working on hugs.

The only time he wants to sit in my lap is when he gets up from  nap. This is the closest we come to cuddling, but it counts in my book.

Oh just the cutest video ever.

Happy Birthday Woody!

Dear Woody,

Yesterday, you turned one! I cannot believe that you have been a part of our family for a year. The time has flown by, but it is hard to imagine life before you.

The day Momma and Daddy found out that you would be a part of their family, we were a little nervous, but knew God had big things in store for our family. Before you were born, I was worried of how our lives would change. And on July 14, 2012, our lives did change... for the better.

You are the sweetest, funniest, happiest little boy. (Well, not always happy from the hours of around midnight to 3:30 am.) You are an explorer and never content. Even though it is exhausting, I love that you are  always trying to find the bigger and better. You bring the biggest smile to anyone you meet. I hope you always use your personality to bring joy to others and show God's love. 

You made me a momma. I never could imagine how much I would love that job, but I believe I love it so much because I get to be YOUR momma. Happy Birthday Woody Man! I'll eat you up I love you so!

Pictures from the weekend

Practicing on your new bike from Mimi and Papa

After church

Daddy and I gave you a cupcake last night with dinner. You loved it! (And thank you for not complaining about the mounds of boxes behind you.)

Our Fifth

Sorry for the long blogging delay, but we are in our new home! And we got internet last night (at a quarter til 8!)

Not only was yesterday a big day because of the installation of cable and internet, but the Hubs and I celebrated five years of marriage! It was a bit of a crazy day- he flew home from Houston after being gone for a week, and I fell asleep at 8:30 due to exhaustion of Woody waking up at midnight and 3:00 am for the past three nights. Romantic I know.

But what is romantic? Husband surprised me on him drive home from the airport with a love seat I told him that I was desperately in love with at a flea market. If that's, not love, I don't know what is.

All joking aside, I am the luckiest girl to have had the pleasure of being married to Brooks for five years. I love to look back on our wedding day and thank the Heavens Pinterest wasn't around think about how excited I was to start my life with Brooks. I was all of 21, and made (oh and am still making) some dumb decisions, but I was smart enough to not care too much about the wedding- just wanted to start a marriage with my best friend.

Marriage isn't always easy. I think everyone knows that, but the wonderfully, awesome thing about Brooks is that he makes the hard times easier and can make me smile through the bad. And so in the end, the happier times out-way the not-so-happy times 100 to one. Blessed. Oh, and our marriage was even more blessed with the addition of this guy, two days after our anniversary last year.

So Happy Five Years Brooks! And to five hundred more!

Like It, Love It, Gotta Have It

Like It:

ASOS Oasis T-Shirt Maxi Dress

Comical to think I am buying any clothes right now- I'm not. BUT, if I were, how cute is this? Perfect for summer and fall and looks so comfortable!

Love It:

THIS WILL BE MINE ON FRIDAY!

(hopefully...and if not, you can find me in therapy)

One of my favorite things about new house is the big back yard for Woody and the dogs. Right now we are stuck in the townhouse, which is already not exactly the definition of spacious, but now is crammed full of boxes- including those from our storage unit. In our five years of marriage, we have never had a real backyard. Don't think I am above an above ground pool and year round Christmas lights.

GOTTA HAVE IT:

Chinese Chippendale Chairs

So I know these have been on every blog, and the odds of scoring them on Craigslist are slim to none, but I love these chairs. I vow that I will one day have them. And if you come over, I will make you sit in them. And tell me how awesome they are. And how awesome I am.

Happy Tuesday!

Days Beds in Living Areas

It's FRIDAY! One week from today we will have our new house! I can't wait to paint that bad boy pretty. (But it is going to need a whole lotta paint. Anyone wanna join us? Anyone?)

We will not be buying any furniture right off the back because
1. We don't need that much more than we already have.
2. I hate feeling pressure to buy furniture. I rarely like it. I like to just buy what I like whenever it happens.
3. Oh, money- gotta save those pennies (keeping it real.)

The only rooms we are gaining are an extra bedroom and a formal living room...aka my Ladies Lounge. I fully embrace that Woody's stuff will end up everywhere in my house, but I want this room to maintain some sort of "no toys allowed" status. (You can laugh at me in six months when this room had become his playroom.)

I would love a white settee, chippendale, or, lets dream big, chesterfield sofa in there one day. But for now, I was thinking of adding Woody's daybed in there for a temporary solution.

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And because my mom will be mad if there is not a photo of Woody...

Heart Heart Heart

Woody- Eleven Months

Stink Eye Perfected

Since I took these on Father's Day, I was hoping to get a good Father/Son shot...

Not happening.

Much happier with his momma...

Not happy about naked photos on his changing pad.

Woody Facts

• Weight: Somewhere between 22-25 lbs I would guess.
• Diaper Size: 4
• Clothing: He is still in 12 months. This is the longest he has stayed in a clothing size, and I love it. He has a few 12-18 month that are starting to fit.
• Shoe Size: 3.5-4 wide
• Sleep: Sleeps through the night, from 7:00 pm to 6-7:00 am. Now that I am out for the summer, he often takes two naps, but sometimes just one. 
• Eat: I have started giving him whole milk, and he is doing great with it. I am the one with the issue. Nursing is so easy for us, but I am working on the weening. He is eating lots of solids and is even eating his momma's cooking. I still give him a puree for breakfast and dinner with his solids.
• He has two more teeth coming in up top- that puts him with six!
• Walking everywhere! It is so crazy to watch him move around so quickly...
• ...and climbing everywhere. Baby gates just make him laugh. 
• Woody likes swim lessons, especially because he is with his buddy, Burke. He doesn't like having to sit on the side of the pool or swimming under water to Mr. Randy. (Full Disclosure: Me either) When he goes under water, he puts his hands by his head like he is diving. So cute!
• He prefers Brooks for playtime/ when he is in a good mood. He wants me when he is tired or upset.
• Understands the word "no." It means whatever you are doing is awesome and keep it up.
• Says Ma-ma, Da-da, and du (dog- Lucy)
• His favorite toys are board books and anything he shouldn't play with.
• I cannot even talk about what is to come next month...

TGIF

Are you safe? Whew, those storms in ATL were crazy last night. The five of us (Brooks, sleeping Woody, Lucy, Winnie, and me) were in the powder room with no electricity. We got real close. Winnie was super annoyed that Woody had claimed my lap. Thankfully, the power came back a little after 7:00 am. (I am not sure what Woody would do without his morning cartoons.)

Seriously- I tried and tried, but I couldn't rotate this picture. Good thing he is adorable upside down.

And a very special Happy Father's Day to my baby daddy (Brooks..in case you were wondering) and my actual dad. I wish I could be at home watching you play monster with your grandkids. Woody loves to be scared, and nobody can take it to the next level like my dad. I love you and can't wait to see you in July!!!