Unpacking, Decorating, etc.

We've been doing a whole lotta this...

I have emptied so many boxes!  Madison has been very helpful especially when she takes long naps.  :)

I'm finally getting around to some of the decorating.  Today we hung curtains in the master.  (Okay.. Jason did most of the hanging.  He's a little annoyed at my picture taking.  He's asking me to hand him something here.. )

Meanwhile Madison and I goofed around on the floor.  Nana and Pop sent her a Valentine's Day care package.  She's showing off her conversation hearts.  (Madison and I are BOTH enjoying the goodies!)

Helping daddy...

She is posing more and more for the camera.. she loves to say "CHEESE!!"

She spotted herself in my mirror yet to be hung.  I just love these.  It almost looks like she has a twin except for the fingerprints and kiss marks on the mirror.

NOW.. for the curtains...

I hope to one day replace my dining room chairs with BIG SOFT CUSHY white chairs!  I also want to replace the table cloth with something that coordinates a little better.  I plan to pick out some fabric and whip it up myself.  Hopefully I can accomplish it before Baby Boy G arrives.

Travels Continued...

After staying with Mack and Caitlin we headed over to my parents house for a few nights.  They live on the lake.  I was excited to get some "lake shots" of Madison.  However, I forgot I didn't have my big camera and my point and shoot just wasn't fast enough to keep up with her.  This was the best I could do!

We moved inside for a little "If you're happy and you know it..."  (This is my $9.00 Old Navy outfit!  I think it's just so stinkin' cute!)

Next we headed over to my sister Jennie's house for a few nights.  I bought a booster seat for Madison to use over this week.  I figured it was worth the $20 to not ruin my family's homes with her eating on the run.  I gave it to my brother so when they do have kids it's one less thing they'll need.  (I also think it's one of the most important baby items any one could own.)  Any who... so much for the investment.  Once she saw this little table she was FINISHED with that booster!  (This is Madison and her cousin, Austin.. ironic huh?  He's all boy and it takes an apron to do a bibs job.. especially with spaghetti!)

Jennie has a pond in her backyard complete with ducks.   Maddie, Jennie's oldest, has named all the white ducks... Ray, Ray, Ray, and Ray.  Madison LOVED the "quack quacks."  However, this was about as close as she wanted to get to them.

She LOVED to feed them.  She would dump and .....

RUN!!!

Madison and her cousins out in their playroom.

Leaving Atlanta... headed home to Austin.  (Yes.. this is the same attire we flew in wearing.. I'm going for comfort!)

How do you keep a toddler happy on a three hour flight (including boarding, waiting.. etc)?

ELMO!

The video kept her happy most of the flight.  I was so nervous when it came time to turn it off for landing.  I had one more trick up my sleeve.. mommy's favorite!

Madison was THRILLED to see Jason. She would not let him put her down.  The next morning Jason ran to Rudy's for breakfast burritos.  Madison's first... she seemed to like it okay.

This is all I have for now.  We are slowly digging out.  I've never seen so much paper and boxes in all my life! 

To be continued...

My Mack

My brother Mack (yes.. the same one that suggested she be strapped in her carseat to sleep) is called "My Mack" by his nieces and nephews.  He is the greatest in their eyes and the name seems to fit because they all think of him as their very own.  Madison thinks he hung the moon.

so does his dog...

Madison is glued to Mack.  He is that uncle that loves to wrestle with the kids on the floor. He is very patient and sweet.  We are very lucky to have him!  We stayed at Caitlin's (my sister-n-law's) parents house this past weekend.  I think I mentioned that Caitlin is the little sister of my college roommate.  So I've known Caitlin since she was 13 and her family since I was 18.  They are like my own and we had a wonderful time there.  I made Mendy, my college roommate, take all the photos over the weekend.  When she sends them to me I'll post.

I did take a few pictures while out to dinner celebrating a family member's birthday.

That is Mack seated next to Madison.  What I love most about this picture is his shirt sleeve.  Notice the stains??  She loves to keep one hand on him... at all times.... chocolate cake fingers or not.  I started apologizing like crazy .. I swear any other guy would be irritated, but Mack just told me it was an old shirt anyway...

and my favorite picture of the time at Mack's house....

She MADE him sit in her booster and put the tray on.. as best he could.  She's so proud of herself.  If she walked off and he started to get up she would turn around and give him a firm finger directing him back to his seat.  It was hysterical! 

Thank you My Mack and Caity for having us!

First Flight

Our first flight went very smooth.  Jason helped the two of us get checked in.  The beauty of a small airport is that we were the only ones at the Delta counter checking in.  We were also the only ones going through security.  I had lots of help from the security workers.  I not only had to take my shoes off, but Madison's shoes and sweater.  I also had to put her stroller through the scanner.  I'm also visibly pregnant and probably looked pretty pitiful trying to handle all of that.  They were very nice especially expediting "Melmo" through the scanner!

We had a small 10 minute delay due to fog in Atlanta, but thank goodness it wasn't longer than that.  I made it clear to Madison that she was not getting out of her stroller and once she realized that was how it was going to be she relaxed. 

As soon as we got in our seats I started snapping photos of Madison on our tiny plane.

A really nice man sitting in front of us asked me if this was her first flight and he offered to take our picture...  Madison loves to say "cheese" these days!

I also made it VERY clear that she would not be getting up from her seat.  I belted her in and I think she must have felt like she was in the car.  She entertained herself by sprinkling milk on the tray and wiping it around.  (I was not loving this... but it kept her happy!)

She did a wonderful job.  I didn't even have to pull out the DVD player.  I'm saving that for our much longer flight to Texas. 

The view from here...

If you want to become popular in your neighborhood really fast have a few of these parked in front of your house.  Today we said goodbye to all of our neighbors. 

Our entire house was packed in one day.  I am SOOOO VERY thankful I did not have to do the packing. I broke a sweat just watching them.   

Madison and I will be getting up early to head to the airport.  I've already got my little camera packed to capture her first flight.  I hope it's one full of smiles!

Hard To Get

Remember Seth (front row on the right)?  This was their final playdate.  His mom and I teared up as they said goodbye.  They both acted pretty shy.  We were all sure Seth HAD a thing for Madison. Seth's mom deemed Madison his first girlfriend. :) 

Watch Madison's hands....

Poor guy.. never saw it coming!

I promise.. she loves him!  She's just playing hard to get...HEE HEE! 

I Hate Goodbyes

This household has been very busy saying our goodbyes.  Everything we have been doing over the last week has been our last here in North Carolina.  There have been a lot of tears for me.  Madison doesn't quite get it, but I know she will still ask for her buddies once we move. 

I got together with some of my girlfriends this past weekend for a tea at the O'Henry Hotel. 



I was just having a wonderful time laughing and cutting up.  Then they gave me a gift.  I thought nothing of it other than.. "oh how sweet.." and proceeded to open it up. 

Inside was this....

I LOST IT!  I never in a million years expected anything that would make me cry.  When I left Georgia after living there my entire 25 years to marry Jason and move to Texas I was not sad.  I was so thrilled to move and start my new life with him.  When we found out we were leaving Texas to move here I was not sad either.  I had not lived in Texas very long and sure I liked it, but I was excited to move back closer to home.  However, I have found leaving NC to be very difficult.  I think it's all about Madison.  Jason and I started our family here.  Not only am I leaving some wonderful friends, but I am leaving all of these babies that have become a part of our world!  I KNOW there are some great things waiting on us in Texas.  I know there is a plan and we are meant to be there.  BUT this new adventure does not begin without a few tears while getting there!

My friend Katie put together this little collage of pictures she has taken over the past year and a half.  This too made me cry!

I truly believe that people are placed in your life at certain times for certain reasons.  We have been so blessed by all of our friends. 

Friday is the big day.  Madison and I will fly to Georgia to stay with family while Jason drives out to Texas with his dad and our two dogs.  I am already praying that they will have a safe drive because I'll tell you what... the worst experience I have ever had in a car was driving here from Texas.  It was the middle of July and it was HOT.  Abbey, the beagle, did fine.  Charli, the wonder mutt, did not.  Our drive went something like this for 21 straight hours...

Charli - barking hysterically while vibrating her entire kennel behind my seat.
Me - "Maybe she has to go to the bathroom?"
Jason - "She does NOT have to go to the bathroom.. she's just mad"
Charli - more barking
Me - "Pull over.. I know she has to go!"
Jason - He pulls over, gets Charli out of the car, puts on her leash and....nothing!

It was awful! 

I am also praying that me and Madison have a safe trip and good stay in GA. I'm looking foward to some family time.  I am staying with my younger brother for the first few days.  I told him that I would need a pack-n-play for Madison to sleep in.  I asked him if he had any friends with kids that he could borrow one from.  He thought really hard and then gave me a firm "no."  He then said.. "can't she just sleep in the bed?"  I was like "ummm... no."  So then he said..."can you just strap her in the carseat, put it in the room, and shut the door?"  I'm laughing even as I'm typing this conversation.  (For the record, he is a fantastic uncle and no he doesn't have his own kids yet!)

I'll try and keep you up to date on this crazy adventure over the next few weeks!

I think she's trying to tell me something...

I never seem to have my camera handy.. so this is via my cell.

  Madison shoved Abbey out of the way so she could get a drink of water.

  I guess toddlers learn from dogs too.

 I got her a sippy of water right after this.

 She declined it. 

Baby Boy's Nursery Bedding

I had a successful trip to Atlanta.  I was able to get curtains and our baby boy's bedding!  Here is a sneak peek!!  This is a sample piece for the bumper.  I sent it to my husband via my cell and he complimented the "nice pillow."  I had to explain that it was the bumper. :)  It will take a few months for it to come in and I can't wait.  It was so weird to give them my new address in Texas.

Jason sent me this photo while I was away.  Two things crack me up aside from that HUGE smile on Madison's face!

1.  My husbands beard  (he grew that in a just a few days.. that takes talent)
2.  Madison's hair! 

When I got home today I got her up early from her nap.. I couldn't stand it. I was dying to see her.

My Baby's Baby

When I brought Madison downstairs this morning to get ready to go to school she insisted on bringing baby down with her.  I put her down at the bottom of the stairs and watched her take her baby and place her in a kitchen chair.  She then walked around and climbed into her own chair.  (I ran back upstairs to get my camera).

When I came back my child was standing.  I snapped a picture as I was telling her to "SIT DOWN!"  (With her purse!)  She didn't like that!

But she did....  I thought is was so sweet that she gave "baby" a place at the table!

This is how she rode to school this morning.. with her purse.  She cracks me up how she carries it like a little old lady!

Have a great weekend!  I'm off to Atlanta to do some shopping for the new house! Hopefully, I'll find some deals!!