Back to School...For Real

Today marks the end of my maternity leave, as I will be returning to part-time work on Monday. How do we spend our day? Woody is getting four shots. Mom of the Year.

I am so lucky that I am only working part-time. I never want to take that for granted. I also really like the lady who will be keeping Woody for the four hours we are away (and am very thankful for my mother who is keeping him my first few days back.) It's not Woody that I have been worried about.

It's been school. I have lost sleep about returning to school and not being prepared. I must confess, I went to school twice only to talk to teachers and return home without doing anything in my classroom. Last night, I ventured one last time to get stuff done, and it hit me.

I. Am. Blessed.

I teach with some of the greatest people ever. Really. They were the first friends I made in Atlanta, and they care so much. This week, I cannot count the number of phone calls and texts from my co-workers asking how they can help. One co-worker, with a child of her own, offered to pick up her child from daycare and come back to school to help me set up. Three co-workers moved all my stuff over the summer, so I wouldn't have to come to school when Woody was an itty bitty. And every time I go to school, there are hard working teachers who stop what they are doing to ask how I am.

So, I know Monday will be hard, but I am excited about this new chapter in my life. Thank you to all my amazing co-workers who make coming to work something to look forward to!

Delicious.

Woody's Nursery

Earlier posts here, here, here, and here...

You know, my child is two months old, and I am finally getting around to posting pictures of his nursery. For something that I obsessed about for months, quickly got put on the back burner once Little Man arrived.

The room we decided to use as a nursery, formally my closet (tear), was a pretty nice size for a townhouse- 13.5' x 12'. It was also convenient that it wasn't an irregular shape.

Here is the layout of our upstairs, except flipped (stairs are on right)

Husband's grandmother, Jane, painted these for Woody. 

Changing Table/Dresser. Notice the super tiny changing pad? Yeah, Woody has outgrown it. His diaper basket is about to be relocated to the top drawer as we will be purchasing a full size changing pad...that will take up the entire top.

Pie Safe=Storage Solution times gazillion

This was Husband's father's (aka Papa)  id necklace. Jane explained that the initials were based on the father's name, and Husband's grandfather was named William Jake. It works perfect for my little Woodfin James :)

Yep, that is Bear Bryant. Also, Papa's silver cup. To-do list? Polish it.

Woody's Birth Announcement Photo

My rocking horse from when I was a little girl. It is huge, and I love it. (I might change my mind when I have a toddler falling off of it.)

More details...

My momma (who also made the crib skirt) made my fixed roman shades. There are blinds behind the shades for extra privacy.

Love my ottoman. Thanks Husband :)

Woody's Going-Home Outfit and his golf hat from Laura and Charles. Note to self: buy a pretty hanger and replace buttery light switch cover.

Burp Clothes (mostly from Sister) and Pacifiers

As I said in an earlier post, I love elephants (see above hooks), but I didn't want a theme. However, I hid elephants in subtle places...

Knobs on Pie Safe

Book Ends

Sources

Crib-Gifted from In-Laws Jenny Lind from Amazon

Bumper Pad- Carousel Designs

Crib Sheet- Target

Crib Skirt and Fixed Roman Shades- Made by Melinda Hollon/ Fabric from Fabric Guru

Glider-Gifted from Parents  Georgia Baby and Kids

Small Table- Kirkland's (no longer available)

Ottoman- T.J. Maxx

Room Divider- ?? My in-law's house

Lamp Above Chair- Z Gallerie (shade) and my talented husband wired it

Rocking Horse- My childhood bedroom

Mirror Above Rocking Horse- ?? My in-law's house

Pie Safe- Antique from Husband's family

Elephant Hooks- Gifted from Friends (Anthropologie, but no longer available)

Bar and Basket (holding burp clothes and pacifiers)- Ikea (but I spray painted it)

Changing Table/Dresser- Thrifted...and painted

Painting Above Changing Table and Dresser- Gifted from In-Laws ( Kirkland's)

Animal Paintings- By Jane Starke, Inspired by Berkley Illustration

Because it makes me happy...

:)

Oh, and this cute little guy...

Dying. 

Happy Birthday MoMo!!

My sassy little niece, Marrell (aka MoMo) turned four on September 8. Words can't quite describe this precious little girl. She has so much personality in such a tiny body. Happy (late) birthday sweet girl!

Love, Uncle Robbie Brooks, Aunt Lindsey, and Woody

(We are still working on keeping names straight.)

Woody- Two Months

So happy- even with a bad cold

Hahaha- awkward Woody

Woody Facts

• At six weeks, I had to take him to the doctor due to a clogged tear duct.He was just under 13 lbs. I was supposed to find out his weight on Friday, but we had to postpone his two month appointment until Wednesday. Can't wait to find out my chunky monkey's stats.
• Diaper Size: 2
• Clothing: Sometimes can squeeze into a 3-6 mo, but mostly in just 6 mo.
• Sleep: He is doing so much better. Most nights he goes down at 10:00 pm, wakes up to eat at 2:00 am, and then for good at 6:00am. However, he has been skipping that 2:00 am feeding sometimes and sleeping until 5:00 am-ish. When I go back to work, I will need to feed him for the last time between 5:00-6:00 am, so this is very doable.
• His grumpy period has moved back from late afternoon to right before he goes to bed- usually between 7:00-9:00 pm.
• His happiest period is first thing in the morning. Kid loves to laugh at his half-awake momma.
• His hair is turning really blond and his eyes are still blue.
• He still has no neck. Seriously. 
• He loves baths. He cries when we take him out.
• He still loves to be outside. This is great motivation for me to walk-that-baby-weight-off.
• My friends babysat him for my birthday. When I returned home, they were holding him in this awkward airplane position. It is now his favorite way to be held. 
• He also will stop crying is he hears a hair dryer. The Soother Seal app on my phone has been a lifesaver for this.
• Likes to swing. My sister gave us a swing for the house, and he likes this a lot. However, his ultimate favorite is the swing at Mimi and Papa's (Husband's parents.)
• Takes a bottle very well. However, he seldom gets one. I usually feed him every three hours. 
• Got his first cold :( I gave it to him. Whoops.

2 Months

Today marks my Woody-Man's two month birthday. Part of me cannot believe he is already two months, and yet it is hard to think of life without him. The second month has been so much easier/more enjoyable than the first. Husband would get so upset with me for being "too honest" about life with a newborn. (I felt that I was educating the masses.) However, now he has such a great personality.

I love this little guy to death. I mean, I have always loved him, but now I really like him. (That still sounds bad, huh?) I feel like his momma/his #1 lady. I like that. He can totally hang out with me whenever he wants. Everyday, I am more amazed by him/grow more obsessed with him. Monday I will have his two month pictures and stats up. Enjoy these Woody pictures!

Chillin with his #2 Lady

Pumpkin Head

No Neck Bama Fan

Do you not DIE over that sailor suit?!

Twins

Eat. You. Up.

His First Cold :( But it made him extra cuddly 

Quick Catch Up

via

Well, since my birthday, I have been quite busy.

• My sweet grandmother, Susie, went to Heaven over Labor Day weekend. She was 101 and what a legacy she left! I was able to go home for her funeral and see my large extended family. Grandmother had 21 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren (2 are already in Heaven with her), and 10 great great grandchildren. Amazing.
• This past weekend, we celebrated the wedding of Laura and Charles! It was such a beautiful wedding. I was having too good of a time to take many pictures, but I will be taking other people's off of Facebook to show you soon.
• My sweet in-laws came and kept Woody for the weekend. 
• However, I got a nasty cold that has been slowing me down.
• Woody finally has a Social Security number (long story.)
• My sweet momma came when I was having a nervous breakdown on Monday about my child's citizenship, going back to work, and the fact the insurance companies are terrible people. 

However, I have learned this week...

• I serve a faithful God. He knows what is best for me, even when I don't. And He will never put me through something I can't handle.
• Husband and I were blessed with the best parents in the world. The biggest gift I can give to Woody is to love him like they love us.
• I also have the world's greatest friends here. How I got so lucky? I don't know. 

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.-Deuteronomy 7:9