Gatlinburg

We've been burning up the roads! The day after our first Christmas in our new home, we headed up to  Aiken to do Christmas with Mima and Pops. Then we were off to Gatlinburg for a short but enjoyable family vacation. Jack's first trip to Gatlinburg! It was a lot of fun.

We were only there for two nights but we stayed in the best hotel near the aquarium (Greystone Lodge) overlooking the creek. The rooms are so nice and the view is very charming. Our first order of business was to drop everything and head to the Doughnut Friar. For those of you who don't know, it's a sacred Cleveland tradition. To my knowledge (and I have little), the doughnuts are made in the shop that's been there since Jesus was a boy, they are fried and warm and amazing. Jack devoured about three before we had to put a stop to the grandparent induced sugar madness.

Next, we walked the strip, a bunch of shops on the main road in Gatlinburg. We bought a pair of cute pajamas for Jack, checked out a clock shop, and just killed time. My favorite thing to do in Gatlinburg! That night, we went to Hard Rock cafe and Jack went back to the room with Mima and Pops (presumably to consume more doughnuts) and the rest of us when to the arcade.

Below is my mountain man...back up ladies, he's spoken for. :)

The following morning, we ate at the all-time best breakfast place on the planet...the Apple Barn. I can't even tell you how good those apple fritters are. I want one right now. After visiting the gift shop, we went to the outlet malls and found some great deals!

Back to the room for a quick nap, followed by dinner at Loco Burro, and then, the aquarium. Gatlinburg has one of the best aquariums. Jack thoroughly enjoyed himself and it was the most fun I had the entire time.

Jack enjoyed making a huge mess of the last place we went to eat. He's a quick one, I tell you. Fastest hands in the south. He managed to turn my coffee over before I knew what was happening. It was the first time that had ever happened and luckily it was cooled so no one was injured in the making of that horrendous mess.

Despite the rain and cold, we managed to have an absolute blast! I can't wait to go back, hopefully next time, we can stay longer...and maybe it won't be so cold! :) Katie doesn't like the cold!

Merry Christmas!

Things have gotten crazy around here with a quickness. Shortly after Jack's first birthday aliens snatched him up and replaced him with a wild, independent toddler. He is into everything, has a big personality, and is very mischievous. He'll throw his sippy cup in the floor and we'll pick it up, tell him "no, it goes here," point to the counter, and he'll look at us dead in our eyes, pick the cup up and throw it in the floor again. What do you do with that?

During the terrible week of infirmary, Jack ran a fever for about four days. He was absolutely pitiful and to make matters worse, Justin was out of town. Thankfully, Granna saved the day and was able to come to Charleston, keep Jack, and made the week possible. I am eternally grateful. Santa needs to know how good she's been this year. Unfortunately, she got deathly ill the very next week. Poor Granna!

To the right, is our Clemson tree in the game room. I love that tree. And below, is the tree in the living room. Note the stocking hung by the chimney with care :)

Check out this Santa Baby!

We went to Granna and Papa's the weekend before Christmas to enjoy time with extended family and Shannon's crew. Jeffrey and Jennifer were in town with Caroline! We were so happy to see them, I think it's been well over a year since we saw them last. Caroline is doing so well, such a precious girl! We were thankful to spend time with Jojo and Pawpaw, Whit and Sherry, Tyler and Missy and Paiton. Only wish the day could have lasted longer.

Tea party with Granna!

Jack and Julianne enjoyed playing with the water table that Granna and Papa bought Jack.

 Jack, enjoying all the cool toys Granna has at her house!

Christmas rolled around and Sherry and Cliff came back to town to enjoy Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with Jack. We had a delicious dinner of roasted pork loin, garlic mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, and green beans. There wasn't a bit left by the next afternoon.

Santa brought Jack a train for under the tree. He loved playing with the remote control and watching it go 'round and 'round. I wasn't sure how much he'd like it but he had a ball. Santa brought lots of other goodies as well. Justin got a lawnmower and I got an embroidery machine!! I am SO excited and can't wait to use it! Now, I can't look at something without thinking how cute a monogram wound look on it, the color and font. If it holds still long enough, I'm going to embroider it (it=anything that will hold still). 

And Santa ate the cookies we made him and drank all the milk! :)

Below, a tired Jack is playing with the power tools Santa brought him.

Then onto stockings!

Below, Jack is enjoying his Grinch bath water on Christmas Day!

Christmas is such a wonderful time of year, we are especially grateful for a year of health for our family. Cliff's cancer has been in remission since surgery, dad is doing well several hospitalizations for atrial fib, and everyone has a clean bill of health. God is good!

Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!

It's a girl!

I can't believe I haven't done this post yet. I was waiting for the reveal pictures from my grandfather's birthday and just got them last weekend. We found out some time ago that we were having a girl. We went to the same place to find out Jack's gender. Of course, I already knew it was a girl ;) I knew from the second I found out I was pregnant. Same for Jack. I was just certain, something in my gut, a little voice telling me. I was more certain about him being a boy and her being a girl, I would have bet the farm...or the condo :)

It was such a fun day. Justin met us in Summerville over his lunch break. Katie was in town too, just for the occasion. She and I were team pink and Justin thought boy so he wore blue. It seemed to take forever as we were going through the sonogram, looking at her face, her smile, her arms...she held them over her head like a little ballerina. At one point (before we knew gender), Katie even started referring to her as a her. It made us all laugh. When the moment came and she said girl, we cheered. Poor Justin had to be convinced...honestly, I had a hard time telling what I was looking at too. Boys are so clear. Girls...eh, not so much. It took the tech telling him several times and the doctors office confirming a few weeks later before he believed it.

Girl, oh girl. We are tickled PINK! That afternoon, I picked Jack up from daycare with Katie with "It's a girl balloons." The daycare workers were so happy for us and Jack was smiling from ear to ear at the sight of balloons. We got a few cute pictures too. The grandmothers were very excited to find out of baby girls pending arrival. Jack gave Granna a "It's a girl" balloon to thank her for taking such good care of him, the weekend we moved in. We got it on video...she cried. I've got to steal Justin's phone from him so I can upload it to the blog. Precious. Mima was surprised with a little pumpkin with a pink ribbon tied to the stem. She was on cloud nine. This is one lucky little girl. She will be welcomed into a loving home and will have a big brother to protect her.

Hard to believe I only have 11 weeks left! Yikes! In less that three months, I'll be a mom of two! She is very active. She moves and wiggles a lot. Jack did too. Neither have liked it when I sit up straight or lean forward a bit. It's getting to where I have to lean back to give her more room. The other differences with this pregnancy and Jacks is that the nausea started sooner and was stronger, but went away quicker. I didn't actually get sick (puke) with either. Thankfully. I feel better with this pregnancy. I'm not as tired, my heartburn isn't nearly as bad, and I feel less hormonal...still hormonal, just less :) I am a little more uncomfortable with ligament pain or I should say that seems to have started sooner. So far, stretch marks are at bay but I can tell what little I got from Jack will get bigger...oh joy. I really can't complain considering just how easy and healthy this has all been. Baby girl has done so well too...passed all her tests with flying colors.

Names that we've liked...

Vivienne Kate (Justin doesn't like Vivienne, sent it back with his veto)
Savannah Grace (I'm not crazy about Savannah)
Lillian Hope (We both like it but just like it)

and finally...

Ella Rose. The shortest of all the candidates but the sweetest. Named for our grandmothers (Rosella & Jorita Rose) and my sister (Katelyn Rose). And, not to mention, there is already a pillow with her name on so we can't let that go to waste. :) She was dreamt of even before she was created. What a lucky little angel!

My sweet birthday boy

My dearest Jack,

This has been the best year of our lives. You are such a wonderful little soul and the greatest blessing we could have ever hoped for. We just love you. In honor of your first year, we wanted to PARTY! The night before your birthday, we decorated the house with streamers and balloons. You woke up the next morning very excited and eagerly pointing at everything. You are very into pointing now and you grunt, as if demanding to know what you're pointing at. I went around all day narrating your life. We must have said, "yes, balloon. yes, that's a balloon" like a thousand times. We were so pleased that you liked everything.

That evening, we ordered pizza and let you smash a cupcake. Grandparents and Aunt Katie watched and cheered you on via FaceTime. You did great!

The day before your party, Granna and Papa came into town to visit with you and spend a little quality time. Not to mention, help get ready. It was wonderful to have the extra hands and they really enjoyed spending time with you. Daddy and I were able to sneak out and run errands.

The morning of your party, Katie, John, Mima, Pops, and Nana came into town and were busy at work hanging more crape paper lanterns, balloons, etc. Dad set up and roasted his very first oysters. It was a big success. Kristi, Kyle, Mason, and Hunter came to your party, as well as Shannon, Maury, Luke, Reed, and Julianne. And can't forget about Sherry and Whit. We had BBQ and ordered the most precious cake. You were so pleased with all the attention you were getting. You were a great little show baby, hamming it up for the camera.

Here is the cute pintrest inspired turkey that Granna made for you out of crackers, cheese and pepperoni. There wasn't much left of him after the party :)

Aunt Shannon made you the most precious turkey shirt to wear so you had a wardrobe change from your cute smocked long all before we ate. You smushed your cake all over the place. When you would eat a bite, the crowd would cheer. It startled you at first but then you clapped and laughed, and smushed and ate some more. You even shared some of your cake with me and daddy...such a precious little fella. When you were done, you reached out for me with your icing hands and gave me a big hug. Icing went all in my hair, it was a blast. We'll have to get those pictures from Granna later. 

You did very well opening your gifts too. Pulling at the paper and very interested in the packages and boxes. It really couldn't have gone better. After the gifts we headed outside for oysters and Nana seemed to really enjoy shucking them. In fact, I think more people were willing to shuck them than eat them :) I snuck one or two and they were delicious! Daddy did a really great job! Papa helped too.

That evening you were eager to help daddy put together your toys. First up, was the big blue car Mima got you. Daddy was hammering so naturally, you got out your hammer and got to work :)

It's bittersweet to celebrate your first birthday. We are so proud of how well you've done this year and count our many blessings of having such a beautiful, healthy boy. Your dad loves you so much too and he is a wonderful father. I am very, very thankful for that. Every day has been so precious and wonderful. My favorite moments have been your first smile. The first dada and mama. All of our snuggly afternoon naps (my absolute favorites), watching you and daddy chase one another around the new house...you pushing your walker and him running behind you, your big belly laughs, watching you play and eat (throw food), and bath time, which you always look so forward to. While I'm sad to see every stage end, the next one is even more fun!

I'm soaking up every minute with you before baby #2 arrives in March. You have such a sweet temperament (must have gotten that from your daddy) and you don't seem to mind when you see me holding other babies. I think you'll do very well.

As we gear up for Christmas, I get more and more excited for all the fun that is in store for us. You are the best part of our lives. I hope you always know just how loved you are.

Here's a look back on the best year of our lives...

Granna giving you a bottle for the first time...you are the first grand baby she every fed. It was too sweet!