Florida Trip

We went down to Florida a couple of weeks ago to visit family. Well, Bob actually had to attend a conference for work, and Bobby and I stayed with my parents. We were there for just three whole days. Because of Bob's work, we couldn't leave Birmingham until 2pm on Wednesday afternoon. We arrived in Orlando around 1am, ready and willing to hit the sack.

Bob didn't have to be at his conference until dinner time on Thursday, so we were able to spend the day together. We visited with my best friend, and her little girl, Bryn. Bryn turned one in December, and is just as cute as can be. This picture of Lisa and I is actually from our visit in January. The one from this actual day turned out hideous (of me), so I'm not posting it!

After our visit, we ran a few errands and headed back to my parents' house. Bob soon left for his conference, and Bobby and I hung out with my dad, and their new dog, May-May. No, my parents did not name their dog that, but she was a rescue lab, so the name sticks. Bobby loved May-May, and said her name all weekend long. It was pretty cute. That night, my sister came over for dinner, and we enjoyed each other's company.

On Friday, my mom took off from work, and we spent the day together. We started off by doing a little shopping in the morning. Each season, my mom has done a pretty good job of starting Bobby's wardrobe. This trip did not fail - we hit up Gymboree and The Children's Place, and walked out with a ton of stuff. Thanks Mom!

I made an appointment with my old stylist before leaving Birmingham, and was able to squeeze in a haircut too. My mom babysat for me. Oh, the simple pleasures!! After the day was done, my parents, Bobby and I, and my sister went out to eat.

Saturday morning came, and we headed out to Oak Haven Farms, in Sorrento. Sorrento is about 45 minutes away from my parents house (which, is actually 20 minutes north of Orlando). Oak Haven is a strawberry picking farm. This little adventure included my mom, sister, Bobby, and my brother's family (wife + 4 kiddos).

My niece Meagan, and my sister Kathy.

My family picking away!

My niece Ava.

Bobby sampling the goods.

My mom and sister took my two younger nieces on a hay ride.

We grilled hot dogs for lunch!

We also did a wine tasting while there, and brought home a couple of bottles to have with dinner that night. Bob's conference ended around noon, and he met us back at my parents' house. We later went to my brother's for a delicious dinner!

We added our picked strawberries to our wine that evening...

Bobby played with his cousins outside, and was in heaven! He loves these little playhouses. He's always in the one at the church nursery, where I go to Bible Study.

Silly boy.

Playing on the swingset in the backyard.

We called it a day, later that evening and crashed. We then headed back home to Birmingham, the next day. I really enjoyed our visit this time (not that I normally don't). I think I felt a little bit more homesick than usual, this time around. I wish so badly that I lived around family, and the weather... Oh, the weather! It was spectacular while we were visiting.

Until next time...

"It's a Preemie Thing" Photography Giveaway

For those of you that are new to my blog, our son Bobby was born 6 weeks prematurely, in April of 2009. As you can imagine, this was one of the most difficult times in our lives. Bobby had a tough start to life, but was amazingly cared for by the nurses and doctors of the NICU. Bobby was in the NICU for 12 days before joining us at home. Although it can be hard to remember those days now (with an active toddler!), I will never forget them.

So, imagine my delight, when I came across a friend's posting on Facebook about a giveaway just for all the preemies out there! Photographers throughout the country are donating their time, and talent to give a free session to a family of a preemie! How awesome is that!?!

I do hope Bobby can have one - especially since his second birthday is right around the corner!

Thanks to the amazing website and company, It's a Preemie Thing, parents of preemies can connect and give support to one another. What a great idea!

I need your help!

Hi Readers!

I need your help! Remember this post? I entered a picture of Bobby and Winston in the My Funny Valentine - Cutest Couple Photo Contest hosted by Webbisodes and Six Cherries on Top.

Can you please do me a favor?

Click here or here, and scroll down to the bottom of the post. If you can, please take the poll and vote for Bobby and the Regal Pup to win the contest.

Thanks again to my father-in-law, for taking such a great picture!

And, thanks to ALL of my readers, for taking the time to vote!

xoxoxo

Valentine's Proposal

We had the honor yesterday of witnessing a marriage proposal of one of our best friends!

Bob's friend, Mike (or, as he says "a brother from another mother") proposed to his girlfriend yesterday. In Birmingham, each year, the Mercedes Marathon always falls right around Valentine's Day. Mike, and his girlfriend Brandi ran the race together. The big plan was for Mike to propose to Brandi at the finish line.

Bob received an email from Michael earlier in the week, with very specific plans and details about the proposal. It was a special email, in that he included us with his family (which drove from SC to witness it), and her family. We've known Mike for five years, and it is strange (but cool!) that he is now living in Birmingham. He lived just a few houses down from us in our old house, in Orlando.

Once Bobby was born, Mike became "Uncle Mike." Now, it looks like he'll be welcoming a new aunt into our family. We love you Mike and Brandi! Congratulations!

The Good... the bad... THE UGLY...

The Good: We cancelled our cable to save money, and to not idolize so many different TV shows.

the bad: We signed up for Netflix through our Wii.

THE UGLY: Now we're just hooked on shows we never saw in the past {future post coming soon}.

The Good: I clean my ears out daily with Q-tips.

the bad: I'm kind of obsessed with doing so, or even addicted.

THE UGLY: Bobby knows where the Q-tips are kept, and is copying me!

The Good: We are going to Orlando in a couple of weeks to visit my family.

the bad: We are road tripping it;

THE UGLY: On a 9 hour drive with a toddler and a dog. Enough said.

My Funny Valentine - Cutest Couple Photo Contest

I'm linking up with Webbisodes and Six Cherries on Top for a fun, Valentine-themed photo contest! Check out their blogs for the details on entering. I hope you play along!

Without further adieu...

"Brotherly Love"

This picture was taken by my talented father-in-law, Bob Ross. Bobby was about 3 weeks old in this picture. The Regal Pup and he are the best of friends, and I think this was the beginning of their friendship.

Wish me luck in the contest!

Happy Girls

First, and foremost,

Happy Belated 3rd Birthday to my niece and goddaughter,

Ava Grace!

Ava celebrated her big number three on Friday! Thankfully, we will be down in Orlando in a few weeks to celebrate with her! Here is the pretty girl, with her pretty mommy at my Grandmother's 90th birthday party.

Secondly, my other niece (from another brother), won her age division for the SECOND time this past weekend in the Miss North Gwinnett (Gwinnett County, Georgia) Pageant!!! Here's a post I did when she won in 2007.

My brother sent a cell phone picture of Ashley accepting her award on Saturday! {Please excuse the poor quality.} She's in the red dress, on the far right.

I am so very proud of both of my nieces! xoxoxo

TGIF!

Are you confused yet? It's not Friday, it's Monday!

(I only wish it was already Friday...)

Actually, I'm just doing a little recap post of our last two Fridays. So, bear with me, as I play a little catch-up on my ol' bloggidy blog.

On Friday, the 28th of January, we headed to the zoo! This was the beginning of a tease of a weekend, weather-wise. It was a gorgeous day out on Friday, and we met five of our neighborhood friends for a morning at the zoo. We followed our outing, with lunch at Taziki's, a favorite Mediterranean restaurant of ours.

Luke and Bobby checking out the goats.

Check out this rooster, hanging out in the petting zoo/barn section...

We hung out with this cute llama for awhile.

Having fun!

Here's Bobby enamored with the tractor!

From left to right: Jude, Jack, Luke, Cooper, and Bobby.

Bobby enjoyed his lunch with Cooper!

We had a great time that day, and it was followed with a four hour nap for Bobby!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

This past Friday, we headed out again. This time, we went for our second Fire station tour, and then lunch at Chick-fi-la. Seriously, I think Chick-fi-la is the mecca for SAHM's during the week! This week was a dud, weather-wise. We had cold, rainy weather almost everyday. I am thankful though, because we were able to do activities each day. It can be so HARD to be a SAHM when the weather is bad.

As for our tour; Bobby was not a fan this time around. It kind of reminded me of Halloween. Remember this post? Needless to say, Bobby was not a happy camper. I think it might have had something to do with the fact that he had not napped in 3 days! {I think we're at the end of a bad nap spell. The kid has them every few months. Let's hope?}

The clingy munchkin with his momma by the fire truck.

Just miserable!

From left to right: Cooper, Luke, Harper, Bobby, and Jude.

"It's ok sweet baby, momma is here..."

Totally bad picture here, but it's just proof he did have fun at Chick-fi-la!

I hope you all have a great week!

Doozie of a Day

Excuse me while I vent... I really can't even see straight right now. My vision is blurry. I really want a glass of wine, but I have a headache.

Today was a doozie of a day for me! It should have been a great, fun, productive day like Saturday was. But, it wasn't. Boo. It was even slightly warm (56 degrees) and sunny!!!

Bobby woke up at 3:45am this morning! Typically, when this happens, we normally let him cry himself back to sleep. But, I was worried he might not be feeling well, because he had a bit of a runny nose yesterday. {Thankfully, that's all cleared up. Maybe it was allergies?} So, I rubbed my groggy eyes and headed upstairs to check on him. I rocked him for a bit, and then placed him back in his crib. I sat on the floor by his crib, and rubbed his back through the crib slats. Finally, I checked the clock in his room, and realized I had been up there for almost an hour. He was perfectly fine, yet awake. So, I did what I dread doing, and headed back downstairs. I turned down both of the monitors (our room and the kitchen's), and climbed back into bed. He then proceeded to cry for the next hour. Of course, I can't fall back asleep, knowing he's upstairs wailing. So, finally at 5:30am, we are both back sleeping.

Then, what does he do? He wakes up for the day at 7:00am. Ugh! I had already decided by this point that we'd be skipping church this morning. I figured both of us would be needing a mid or late morning nap. I went ahead and made coffee, and cooked a big breakfast.

So, fast forward to now. I've got dinner on the stove. It's a little after 6pm. Bobby NEVER napped today. I don't understand how he's even functioning right now, when I can't even barely do so. I was a grumpy, selfish brat all day today too because of my lack of sleep. Poor Bob having to deal with me!

We had to cancel our Super Bowl plans tonight. We will be eating in about 5 minutes, and then going to bed.

Seriously, what a doozie of a day!

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