Chicago

Well, I am the worst blogger ever! However, I did want to blog about our trip from last week.  There is no way to fit this all in a Facebook album and I want to document.  My family decided to take a trip to Chicago this summer and drive there from Nashville.  There is 10 of us now (including spouses and babies).  We actually took a 15 passenger van from Nashville to Chicago.  Lots of together time, but pretty cool.  The babies did well, and my dad actually gave his best shot at watching Catching Fire.  There was a lot of explaining to do on that one.  If my wallet was as big as my dreams of traveling, I would have gone to a lot more places by now.  This was my first time going to Chicago, although I have wanted to go for some time.  I have been to New York several times, and I guess that is the closest thing to compare it to.  My family had this comparison discussion several times on the trip.  New York is so big and the sheer size and character is what makes it so special.  I absolutely love New York.

The thing that makes Chicago so neat (in my opinion) is the water that surrounds and goes through the city.  I was surprised at what a pretty and clean city it was.  The people were also really friendly.  My sister did a great job booking a hotel in the heart of downtown for an incredible rate.  Right in front of the hotel we had the North River and the heart of downtown.  Off to the right a few blocks down we had Lake Michigan and Navy Pier Park.  Couldn't have asked for a better view.  Between eating great food and watching fireworks from Navy Pier on the 4th, it was an amazing time all around.   Below are some pictures and highlights.

View right outside of our hotel the first day

Best place we ate by far was Lou Malnati's deep dish pizza.  I want some right now just looking at the picture!

Stalker time.  Bill and Guiliana's house.  My other favorite restaurant was the Pancake House right down the street that we ate at that morning.  Best chocolate chip pancakes I've ever had.

After the pancakes, we went walking by the water and beach.  Pretty awesome.

View from the sky deck in the Willis "Sears" Tower.  Loved the scenery.  We were told that the locals refuse to call it by it's new name - Willis Tower.  So in the spirit of Chicago, let's call it the Sears Tower.

The best thing we did was the Architecture tour on a boat through downtown Chicago.  Beautiful views and very interesting.

Creepy picture by me of a kayaker.  Charlie and my brothers did this the last day on the North River.  They said it was their favorite thing.

Right outside of the Bears stadium.

Grant park

Buckingham Fountain.  Beautiful.  We did so much walking this day.  Had to work off those pancakes.

The famous bean in Millennial park

We had to get some Garrett's popcorn.  The Chicago mix was delicious.  There was a line down the street to get in.

On the last day we did a tour of the cubs stadium.  We wanted to go to a game, but they weren't playing while we were there.  I would definitely recommend the tour.  It was the 100 year anniversary and not much has changed at this park in 100 years.

On the field.

Charlie got a few "Roll Tide's" wearing this shirt.  My dad actually yelled Roll Tide at a random guy wearing an Auburn shirt at the Sears Tower.  I think it took him by surprise.  

Special thanks to my brother in law who did a lot of the planning for this trip.  Made it easier on the rest of us.

Two Important Things...

My sister-in-law Julie texted me earlier this week and said it was time for another blog post.  So here you go Julie. lol.  She is awesome and has a blog too (just throwing that out there).  In all reality, I have trouble blogging unless I have something I really want to talk about.  So, bear with me if this is long.

I realize that I plugged the book Baby Wise on my blog a while back.  When I posted about the book, I had not yet finished the book or had a baby to know if it worked.  Charlie bought me this book at a work book sale because so many people in his office recommended it.  I had no idea when he bought the book that it was so controversial.  The purpose of this blog is not to convince people who are against this book that they should read it.  I understand that every baby is different and that every parent has a different style of parenting, and I completely respect that.  All I want to say is that for me this book has been a lifesaver and the best thing I have done in regards to parenting so far!

My sister posted something on Facebook and happened to mention this book and got a lot of mixed reviews back.  I think the misconception about this book is that it works for every baby or that you have to starve your child to follow the instructions of the book.  I can say that, to my knowledge, Tays has never gone hungry.  If you happen to look at him, you can see that for yourself.  Any friends I know that actually read the whole book and applied its principles have had similar results.  This book is all about scheduling (feed, wake time, sleep).  The book says that if you follow their scheduling instructions (giving yourself room for flexibility during growth spurts or times when you feel your baby is hungry) your baby should be sleeping through the night between 8 to 12 weeks.  Tays was sleeping through the night by 7 weeks in his own bed.  I am not naive enough to think that his laid back nature did not play a huge role in this (or that our next baby will be this good).  Charlie was a great sleeper as a baby and I was not.  Maybe he just took after Charlie.  But, I also have to give this book some credit.  If I had not read this book, I would have felt so lost in regards to sleep and breastfeeding.  I am very "follow-the-directions" and crave structure, so this book worked really well for me.  I know that those things are not important to every parent, so I realize this is not for everyone.  

The book also encourages you to allow flexibility.  We travel to see family a lot, so I try not to be uptight about scheduling around family or friends or those working in the nursery.  The book says it is a privilege for someone to watch your child (like they do in the nursery at church), so you should not expect them to follow your same rules.  In the beginning, I didn't follow the nap time rules exactly (swing naps were too good to resist), but now Tays pretty much takes most of his naps in his bed with no problems.  I really hope people understand that I am not trying to say that this book is perfect or Tays has been perfect (he definitely has his days!), but I am trying to convey for anyone about to enter parenthood how much of a lifesaver this book has been for me personally.  I would have been lost without it! I still refer to it to see what he should be doing at this stage (it is so nice to have some kind of guide).  It doesn't mean that I follow every single piece of advice from the book, but it has definitely given me a guideline that has worked when I didn't have one.  The book even says that it would not work for certain babies (especially colicky babies).  It might not work for everyone, but boy has it worked for me! A happy and well rested baby, makes a happy and well rested mommy!

On to the next thing!  I thought I would share a little about a sermon I recently heard that really helped me.  Before I get there,  let me give you a little background.  My dad, being the preacher nerd that he is (God love him), has a hobby of visiting other churches to get ideas about church growth and how to do things.  For example, when I was in junior high my dad spoke at junior high impact at Lipscomb University and was scheduled to do the first night of senior high impact.  Instead of going back with my youth group after junior high impact, I hung back with my dad because that Sunday was Father's Day and I didn't want him to be alone in Nashville on Father's Day while he waited for the senior high kids to get in that night.  Well, how do you think he wanted to spend his Father's Day?  Visiting three different Nashville churches to get ideas.  Not the most fun day for a junior high kid.  Whatever, it was his Father's Day. lol.  

Flash forward a few years to when I was in college.  My family stayed up in the mountains of North Georgia for Christmas.  Instead of having a relaxing Sunday in the mountains, my dad had already made plans to drive in to Atlanta to tour North Point Community Church and get church growth/ministry ideas.  I agreed to go with him so he wouldn't have to go by himself and because the mountains start to make me claustrophobic after a while (and, side note, I do love spending time with my dad).  That trip turned out to be a huge blessing, because I heard North Point's preacher, Andy Stanley, for the first time.  I was at a time in my life where I was questioning and trying to decide who I wanted to be, like many college students.  I really loved the way Andy took a Bible story and made it simple and applicable.  He is the kind of preacher a non-Christian (or searching college student) could listen to and get it.  His messages are simple and challenging.  They are very practical in a "this is the problem, this is the big picture and this is how we should change."  Did I mention I like directions? He also happens to be a pretty big deal (which I didn't know at the time).  Outside of my dad (obviously my favorite with a similar style), and all the great Church of Christ preachers I've heard through the years, he is my favorite.  

My sister shared with me while we were driving last week that there is an app for his sermons.  Unbeknownst to me, she listens to his sermons regularly too.  You can find his app in the app store by searching Andy Stanley or Your Move.  There was a resolutions sermon on the app (trust me, I've heard a million new years sermons too) called "This One Thing."  It challenges you to find that one thing in your life you need to change or take a stronghold against.  I actually shared the sermon with a friend of mine who is struggling big time with something.  I know the way Andy lays it out will be easy for anyone to understand at whatever point you are in life.  Below is a link to the sermon:

This One Thing

I also share all that to say that one thing I want Charlie and I to work on this year is really saving money.  There, I put it out there on my blog so you can all hold me accountable.  I feel like we are pretty smart with our money (we live in an old house and drive used cars without a car payment).  We have tried to live below our means and even paid off some student loan debt early.  However, we had several huge house repairs last year and car trouble that serve as a reminder to always be prepared.  Through the grace of God, we have been able to pay for all these things.  I have been itching to take a big trip this year and Charlie is itching to buy a new truck.  I feel like God is calling us to make this a year of "hunkering down" and saving.  Maybe we can do these things next year, but this year needs to be about making wise financial decisions.  Did I mention I am on an extended, unpaid maternity leave?  It is such a blessing that I can do this, but it also means that saving will be different and more difficult than it has been for us in the past.  It is so easy at this point in our lives to want to "keep up with the joneses" so to speak, and I am praying that God gives us the wisdom to continue to live below our means, be generous and prepare for the future.  So, any money saving tips you may have are welcome (do I really have to start couponing?).  Maybe it's time to revisit a Dave Ramsey course...

My thoughts on the book "Daring Greatly" to come soon...

Learning to Live in Pure Joy!

So, our precious bundle arrived two months ago on August 5th.  I have yet to blog since he arrived.  To say everything started off perfectly would not be accurate.  I had to have a c-section due to the position of his head after a couple of hours of pushing.  The silver lining is that he was perfectly healthy.  We had an amazing doctor and labor and delivery nurse.  We could not have done it without them.  The picture below is with our labor and delivery nurse - Marie.  Her husband works with me at Calhoun. She was awesome!

Charlie and I were so elated during the first couple of weeks, but we were also going through a huge change.  Breast feeding is hard work y'all! No one told me this beforehand.  For some reason, I just always assumed I would breast feed, but I never thought through what it would be like.  Luckily, Tays latched on easily and after a couple of weeks, it became increasingly more natural.  I feel thankful I have been able to do it and have the experience.  I just remember having a moment at 3:00 a.m. the first night we were home where I thought, "My life will never be the same."  I will never be able to do anything again.  I will always be sleep deprived.  I'll never make it when my mom leaves, etc.  By the way, I had a serious crying session when my mom left.  I have since learned from several of my friends that this is very normal! I cannot tell you how many people told me they cried when their mom left too (that includes my sister who had a baby last week).  Sleep deprivation and hormones off the chart are not a good look on me.

Once again, luckily, life has really returned to normal.  Tays sleeps well for his age (pretty much sleeping through the night already).  Thanks to pumping and getting him in a routine, we take him everywhere.  He has already made a trip to Montgomery, a couple of trips to Florence and a couple of trips to Nashville.  We are taking him to the beach later this week.  Charlie and I like to be on the go and like being social.  So far, he has adjusted well to our lifestyle and we are adjusting to taking a baby places.  I know as he gets older and sleeps less he might not travel as well, so we are getting it in while we can.

Ok, so on to the pure joy part...I love this baby!  He has changed my life for the better!  I never understood why they would ask celebrities who just had a baby how being a mom has changed them.  I always thought I would be the same person plus a child.  I know this sounds weird, but I guess it is something you can't understand until you are there.  I have never been happier in my life.  I love waking up and seeing that precious baby every morning (even if it is 4:00 am).  I could also get annoyed with those people who post a million pictures of their kids all the time.  Guess what? I've joined the club.  Sorry for those I am friends with on facebook and follow me on twitter.  We think everything he does is amazing and precious.  I told Charlie I could just look at his pictures for hours without getting tired of it.  I feel like I appreciate life more.  I am living more in the moment.

I had a thought while we were in Nashville the weekend of my 28th birthday a few weeks ago.  Life is so fleeting.  I look back at every stage and think, "Why didn't I enjoy that more?  Those were the best days."  I told Charlie that it hit me that weekend that this really is the best time of our lives - this stage with young children.  We will never get this time back that we have while Tays is a baby, and I really don't want to take it for granted.  And for the first time in my life,  I feel like I am consciously enjoying the moment.  I wish I could describe the joy this baby gives me, but it is indescribable.

With that joy for me comes anxiety.  I've never had so much to loose.  I keep thinking, "Life is too perfect right now."   My boss showed us a TED talk at a professional development day a few months back.  Dr. Brene Brown was talking about her book "Daring Greatly".  I loved the video and I have since heard several people talk about reading her book.  Then, yesterday she was talking on the OWN channel.  What she said really hit home.  Her book is all about vulnerability and how that is the connection to courage and human relationships.  We all put up armor to keep ourselves from being vulnerable.  Sometimes we even put up armor to keep ourselves from feeling one of the greatest vulnerable emotions - joy.  We start thinking about what bad thing is coming if we are this joyful.  This is something I have always struggled with.  I am a critical thinker, so naturally I sometimes find myself looking for the bad.  This is strange considering I am, for the most part, an optimist.  Living in the moment is something I've always struggled with.  I didn't realize until recently that I can even struggle with admitting when things are good.  She said that we have to learn to live in gratitude in our moments of joy.  We can't worry about the future.  We can only be grateful for that moment we are given.  I share this because I am first of all being vulnerable by saying this, and secondly,  I am trying to live in gratitude with a full heart and thank God for the gift of this wonderful baby.

By the way, I am starting her book this week. I'll let you know how it goes.  This is a long post, but it is therapeutic for me to share my thoughts and feelings during this blessed time!

Nursery and Pregnancy Update

This coming Tuesday will be one week away from baby Tays' due date!  We are at that point where we are so ready/scared at the same time.  Do we have the car seat in right?  If I go into labor, is my bag sufficiently packed?  And, oh yeah, what do you exactly do with a baby when it gets here?  Those are the questions running through our minds.  On the other hand, we could not be more excited!  We are so ready to meet this little person who has been in my belly for the last nine months.  We have been extremely blessed over the last couple of months with showers and gifts (I posted pictures from all of our showers in a new album on facebook).  It has been so busy, and I know it is not about to slow down!

As cheesy as this sounds (and those who know me well will get this), the royal baby's arrival this last week has my mind even more on baby.  I love that Kate Middleton and I are having babies around the same time.  It came out in the news that she was pregnant the day after I found out I was pregnant.  Providence? I think yes! Also providence that we have a swaddling blanket we are taking to the hospital that looks a lot like Prince George's swaddling blanket? Of course!  Ok, I'm a royal family stalker...

Finally, I have been meaning to post pictures of our nursery because so many people have asked me about it.  I am just now posting because we just recently much finished.  We decided to go with gray, yellow and white to keep the nursery gender neutral.  I found baby bedding from Carousel Designs that I fell in love with.  Unfortunately, it was way out of our budget.  I sent a picture of it to my grandmother who loves to sew and asked her if she thought she could make something similar if I found similar fabric.  She actually found the exact same fabric on the website (extremely reasonable for fabric) and ordered it.  She made the bed skirt, bumper pads and curtains.  She did such a great job! Others contributed to the nursery as well.  My parents bought the crib and Charlie's parents bought our glider.  

We got the dresser/changing table from Ikea.  It was the best for the price and the roomiest.  My sister and her husband made an Ikea run in Atlanta for their new place and picked it up for us.  It's always nice to have family stopping by Ikea when you need a new dresser.

This picture is a little dark, but it was the only way to take the picture without the glare.  Our friend

Cheree, who is a graphic designer, made this picture for our nursery in our colors as a gift.  It was such a thoughtful idea.  She is so talented and we are extremely sad that her family is moving from Huntsville in the near future!

Another dark picture.  You can see these pictures hanging above the bed in the picture above.  I found these prints on pinterest and ordered them from etsy.  I absolutely love them and they also go along with our colors.

I love that (thanks to many friends), Tays already has his own library going.

Below is the glider my in-laws gave us and the curtains Nana made.  The glider is one of my favorite things.  Nana had enough Chevron material left over from the bumper to make matching curtains.

I also found this pillow case on esty.  I thought it would look great with our colors, but I also love the elephants since, you know, we like a team in our state that Tays has no choice but to root for one day.  So, it's a win - win situation with the pillow.

Better picture of the bedding.

One of my other favorite things is this pillow that Kim Nall (a family friend in Montgomery) made for us.  She also made burp cloths for Tays.  Once again, another talented friend blessed us.

Overall, it's a light and airy nursery.  Nothing really flashy, but something we can use with our next child (boy or girl).  I wish I would have taken before and after pictures.  Before we painted this room it was a tan color and our office/junk room.  It is so crazy to walk in there and see a totally new room for someone we haven't even met yet.  Hopefully, my next blog update will include a picture of him!