New beginnings

I'm trying to be better about posting, but here lately, it's been a little hectic!  Trip's regular day care is closed during the summers, which means we have to use the Regions back-up day care.  It's a great facility and the price is amazing ($75 a week).  The only catch is we can only use it three weeks in a row, and then he has to stay home for a week.  With me going back to the office and having him off of daycare, it's been crazy.  He finally started back up at Shades Crest Baptist this week and it has been an adjustment.  I have to get up at 5:45, get ready, so I can be at work by 7:00...so Michael does all the morning routine with Trip.  It makes me really sad because mornings are always the best time with Trip and I get to see him all of 5 minutes now.  I go into work at 7:00 so I can leave by 4:00, since his daycare closes at 4:30.  Ahh!

Being back in the office is different and a lot has changed since I initially started working from home almost two years ago.  I like seeing the people every day, but I sure did enjoy my freedom and schedule when I worked from home.  I always knew in the back of my mind that it wouldn't be forever, I just didn't realize it would be so short-lived.  I think when you are a mother, you feel guilty no matter what.  Whether you stay home with your kids full time, you might have the guilt of not "providing" financially.  If you go back to work, you have the guilt of not being there for your children.  There is no perfect answer, and I struggle with it constantly.  I felt like I had the best of both worlds when I was working from home.  I had the freedom of having time with him in the mornings, getting him to school at 7:45, working out (which not only for my health, but it was "my time" and it was a great release), coming home and working, then picking him up at 4:00.  I could still keep a clean house, cook dinner, and I felt it was the best balance for me.  That has all changed.  When you are exhausted, that takes away your patience...when you take away your patience, you tend to take it out on your child(ren) or husband.  I hate that.  Adding on major stress of my job on top of exhaustion, I'm having a hard time getting back in a good state of mind.

On a lighter note, Trip is adorable and is in the cutest phase right now.  He is talking more and more and I'm getting a better understanding of when he needs/wants something.  Previously, it was a pure guessing game.  I find him mimicking me a lot.  He isn't eating much at all, and I still try and introduce all kinds of new foods every week.  He will like something one day, and the next he won't.  I'm going to say this right now.  I previously judged parents constantly.  About how they disciplined their children, to what they gave them to eat.  You do what you have to do to get through the day.  Some days I'm a better parent than others.  Guilt constantly runs through my mind in every aspect of my parenting.  I will put together a deliciously balanced meal of protein and vegetables.  Some days Trip will love it--others day, I toss it in the trash and he gets Easy-Mac.  People can judge me all they want, but this is what I do and I'm not afraid to say it.  I do what I can.  I think the fact that I worry about all this stuff constantly makes me somewhat of a decent parent?  Well, that's what I'm going to tell myself :)

Photo's galore!

I've been so bad about posting lately, that I'm just going to dump a bunch of photos with captions, sorry!

First goose egg.  Took it like a champ.  

Um, some of these go back a ways...how cute is he in his hat?!

Late night snuggles when he just won't go back to sleep

Fundraiser at church/daycare!

Decided to get some toys after his 18 mo photo sesh

Disregard the wet hair.  Mornings aren't exactly glamorous.

What happens when I won't let him watch the ipad.

Baller.

Loves his new ride!

Went to the beach with William and Katie and had so much fun!

This kid knows how to relax.

Finally!  Some ipad time.

Rehearsal dinner for Jared and Kristin.  Such a fun weekend!

Mimosa's and prepping for the big day!

Ya better redneckognize!

Zoo day!  

I just love this one.  

Giraffes and a ride with daddy

Regions golf classic...turned into torrential rains. 

Saturday morning at Waffle House.  The waitresses were in love with him.  

Ice cream at the ball park!

Ball game cancelled due to rain, but look at those curls!

Froyo date @ Yogurt Mountain

Adorable.  Just, adorable.

5:45 a.m. wake up call

Selling on Paula's magazine is, well, interesting to say the least now.

River for the 4th with Kevin, Nicole, Dad, Pat, Jared, and Kristin.  Rain didn't hold us back (too much)

2nd goose egg.  This one was accompanied by a bloody nose.  It terrified me. 

Nursing his injury with some milk.  Love the new outfit from Pat and Dad!

McWane Center fun!

Making new friends @ McWane Center

Until next time, tootles!

Celebrations

We have gone a whole 3 weeks without seeing a doctor...I don't think we have gone that long since I was still breast feeding!!!  Trip got tubes the beginning of January, had two ear infections back to back, then had a stomach bug, and then had the croup.  Awesome.  Not to mention, he got the bug a day before we left to go out of town for Nicole's wedding.  Poor thing.  He seems to be doing much better, other than teething (getting his molars), but he's been getting up at six a.m. and there isn't a thing I can do to change that.  Oh well :)

We have been quite busy these days.  In January, I went to NOLA for Nicole's bachelorette party and we had a blast.  We did the Bourbon St. thing on Friday night, and of course, got way too excited, so Saturday we were all pretty worn out.  We threw a lingerie shower Saturday night, had a nice dinner at Jaque Mo's (spelling?), and then went to Frenchmen St after that.  Frenchmen Street was way more my speed.  It had a great outdoor art market with jewelry vendors, paintings, etc..plus more of the blues/jazz clubs.  The weather was great, so it was a nice break from this gloomy winter we had.

I became officially old in February and turned 30.  Michael went above and beyond.  He got me a beautiful set of David Yurman earrings and matching necklace, plus flowers for both bday and Valentine's.  We met up with Katie and William that Friday night to Gianmarco's wine bar which was as delicious as always.

The week after my birthday, we headed off to Ft. Lauderdale for Nicole's wedding.  Ft. Lauderdale in February was exactly what we needed!  The weather was absolutely gorgeous...highs in the lower 80's and it never got below 70 degrees at night.  It was perfect!  Nicole was a beautiful bride.  Even though there was some drama with the florist not showing up, everything turned out beautifully, and they had a great send-off into marital bliss :)

The weekend after the wedding, we went over to Atlanta to visit our friends, Brad and Cori, and their little girl, Julia.  It was a nice visit and we stayed in and grilled out.  It's funny how much our lives have changed since kids!  Trip had his first sleep-over.  There wasn't room in the guest bedroom for the pack n play, so we put it in Julia's room.  They both did great!

Trip wasn't so sure of sharing a tub

All in all, things are going great!  Michael got a promotion at work, and I'm still loving working from home.  Trip gets funnier and funnier every day and his personality is really coming out.  He has started dancing whenever a song comes on.  He loves the Geico commercials.  When he runs, he only swings one arm (the other night he entertained himself for an hour running around the house laughing).  He's such a ham, and a big flirt with the ladies.  I'm so excited for spring, so we can take him outside and play more and more.  Until next time, here are some random pics!

 First snow

Tis the Season!

Whew!  We had a busy holiday season!  For Christmas, we stayed at Mom's house from Saturday through Wednesday.  Trip did pretty well considering he was out of his comfort zone, and his schedule was way off staying up late with family/dinners/etc.  He stayed with Dad and Pat on Sunday night and they said he was so great, so I was happy to hear that.  He got entirely too many presents, but that's what happens with the first grandbaby I guess :)

Loved his Christmas play set from Pat!

Playing at gma DD's

NOT a fan of Santa.  Maybe next year :)

Michael reading "A Night Before Christmas"  Can you tell how terribly tired little man is?

I've started introducing more and more table food and I'm trying to overcome the fear of choking.  He still doesn't like meat all that much and spits out even the smallest bits of ground beef in pasta.  He's walking like crazy now, arms up, Frankenstein-style :)  He gets so proud of himself and it's just about the cutest thing I've ever seen.  

He absolutely refuses to say "mama" no matter how hard I try.  

While we were at Mom's over Christmas, Trip had another ear infection (two back to back).  That made four ear infections in three months, so he is getting tubes put in tomorrow.  I'm nervous, but I'm so thankful he's getting them put in.  I just hate seeing him so miserable.  

For New Year's I went down to see Beth since I couldn't make it down for her actual 30th birthday.  Coach met up with us and we went out in Destin.  It was a much-needed break and I forgot how much I missed and needed to see my friends!  

As I look over this past year, I wouldn't have changed a thing.  Trip has blessed our lives more than I could have ever imagined.  I have a wonderful and supportive husband, terrific friends, a beautiful baby, and great family.  Moving into 2013, I'm so excited to see what's to come.  Until next time, tootles!