Banjos and Boiled Peanuts!

What a fun weekend we had!  Jeff and I decided to drive up to Dahlonega for the day on Saturday.  We love going up there to stroll around the town square and meander in and out of the little shops. (A little harder with a stroller, I might add)  It was so nice out and there was some awesome people watching going on.  There were the usual group of bikers hanging around and there was a small music festival going on with several banjo players and guitarists.  They were great and it was the perfect background music while we ate ice cream.  There were hints of Fall everywhere, I just love it!  This was Blakely's first "trip" anywhere, I think she had a pretty good time.  She was happy just to chill out in the breezy shade and people watch with us.  I intended to take pictures, but my batteries died, boo!  It was so fun just spending some quality time with my two favorite people! 


There are a few things that we always buy when we're in Dahlonega.  Fudge/turtles from The Fudge Factory, some Georgia Peach Preserves from The General Store, and BOILED PEANUTS!!  We love them!  We always buy them from an old man on the side of the road.  He just sits out there with his big 'ol pot and lawn chair waiting for people to stop by.  One of the reasons I love Boiled peanuts so much is because they remind me of my grandpa in Savannah.  Since he is no longer alive to make them, old man river on the side of the road to have to do!! 


Sunday was great too!  We took Blakely to church, also a first.  I know, I know...bad mama.  It's mainly because I do not feel comfortable leaving her in the nursery yet (nothing wrong with it, I'm just a crazy germaphobe and don't want to risk her being around sick kids) and I don't want to disturb people during the service with her baby noises.  She "talks" a lot now, and everyone else might not think it's as cute as we do!  We decided to go anyway, and I'm so glad we did.  We sang my favorite hymn, "Come Thou Font of Every Blessing" and Blakely was quiet!  She loved listening to everyone sing and fell asleep during the sermon.  We took lazy afternoon naps too...simply the best.

It's all in a day's work!

So I had quite the day.  Explosions were happening left and right!  Blakely was being her happy self sitting in her Bumbo chair.  She loves that thing!!  She can sit up and watch me and the dogs, making cute little squeaks and squeals all the while.  The only problem is that when she starts to grunt and get red in the face I know a diaper change is soon to follow.  I think the combination of a rather large "load" and sitting in her chair caused everything to go up, up, and out!  I have never had problems with her diapers leaking (if they are put on right) but this time it went everywhere!  EEEEWWWW!  Once I got her all cleaned up, I put her back in her chair because I still had some vacuuming to do.

In the middle of the room, mid-suck, the vacuum decided to explode too.  It's like a reverse button was hit and suddenly hair and dust was being spewed all over my floor!  Gross!  How was I supposed to clean this up when my vacuum was going in reverse?!  I could feel myself getting sweaty and flustered.  As I stood there wondering what in the heck had just happened I heard the dreaded sound.  The umph, umph, umph noise that every dog makes right before they yak!  I looked over only to see Gus heaving on my floor.  I tried to rush him out the door, but it was too late.  Great!  So now I had a huge dust bunny, no, more like a whole litter of bunnies, and several piles of puke to clean up.  ~Deep breath~

After some fidgeting and a few unnecessary smacks I got my vacuum to start sucking again.  I cleaned up the dog vomit.  Blakely sat staring at me wondering what in the world I was doing.  I just smiled at her and explained, "Honey, it's all in a days work!"

Fur Babies

As a new mom I am completely obsessed with my baby girl.  I think about her every second of every day.  I miss her when she's just in the other room.  Because of this infatuation, my three dogs have taken the way back seat when they used to be riding shotgun.  I feel bad, but I know I have my priorities right.  Let's be honest, they still live a pretty cushy life so I don't feel that bad.  This is a tribute to them.  They've taught me  a lot through the years, mainly responsibility.  I really think dogs are good practice before having children in that you have to think about their needs.  Let's just hope that Blakely doesn't grow up to jump on people! 
Buddy, my pit mix, has been my guardian from the day he found me.  After being hit by a car and almost loosing him, I have treasured everyday he has been my Buddy!  He is quirky and skiddish, but loyal and protective.  I. LOVE. HIM. 
Boss is really my husband's dog, but I love him just the same.  He is a lab-shepherd mix and is the perfect mix of guard dog and lovable mutt.  He is so funny...he watches TV.  Really.  He will sit about a foot away from the screen and watch.  He waits on a dog or some other animal to appear so he can chase them off the screen!  Boss holds a special place in Jeff's heart and mine.
Gus is our papillion.  He is cute and energetic and my lap baby.  Well, not so much anymore...Blakely is there most of the time.  He holds no grudges though, Gus LOVES Blakely and they will be friends for a long time!  You really can't help but smile when you look at him.  I've told Jeff that one day I could see having a whole herd of papillions, they're the best!

I love these crazy dogs!

Boss

Buddy

Gus

The boys enjoying Lake Lanier

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." - Unknown

The ladies need some help!!

I'm serious yall.  I can't even begin to explain how sick I am of wearing nursing bras and tops.  Don't get me wrong, they've been perfect for breastfeeding, but they do not do ANYTHING to make the girls look their best.  I knew I wanted to breastfeed before Blakely was born and I have loved it.  I really couldn't imagine doing it any other way.  The bonding, the nutritional value, building her immunity, the fact that it's so convenient and cost effective. 

Yada yada yada....she has sucked the life out of my once perky boobs!  I plan on continuing to breastfeed Blakely until she's ready to take on solids, but I really really can't wait to get into a sexy, non-nude bra from Victoria's Secret.  I have my eye on this one.

Look how happy she is!  It's because she knows her boobs are where their supposed to be.  When Blakely is onto solids and not looking at my chest like a snack tray anymore, I will be purchasing several of these with matching undies!  I have been so happy to have my body back in shape, having lost ALL and more of the pregnancy weight, I think I deserve this.  I don't mean to flaunt, but I have been busting my butt to shed the lbs.  I don't want to turn into one of those doubty moms that has the unsightly FUPA.  Gross!!!  I simply won't allow it! OK, enough of that...I'm going to work out.

It's in my blood...I wish!

So most of you know that my mom's an artist. She owned her own business for years doing hand-painted linens. She's an amazing artist and has created some of the most beautiful work I have ever seen. I do not claim to have even half of the talent that my mom possesses, but I get inspired every now and again to do something artsy. Recently, I decided to paint something for above our couch. We have a giant green wall that was very bare and needed a splash of color. I had three blank canvases and got to work....

So first I just put color to canvas.  I love blues and greens...they're just so cool and calming.  I want my home to be a place of serenity and peace.  The more spa-like I can make it feel, the better!

 I got fern leaves out of my moms garden, painted them, and pressed them on the canvas.  I really like the way this looked.  I think I was a little too conservative, but I was afraid to go overboard with fern leaves!

What do ya think??  

I'm happy with the way they turned out.  I truly love getting inspired and do something creative.  Now, on to the next project!

3 Months and cuter everyday!

I can't believe that Blakely is 3 months old already!  Well actually as of today she's 13 weeks.  She is able to do so much more now and her personality is becoming more apparent.  She can hold her head up and look around at us and the dogs.  When she locks eyes with either Jeff or me, she smiles so big and inhales with delight!  She makes the cutest cooing noises and even laughs!!  When Blakely laughs I start to crack up, which makes her laugh more, and so on and so forth!  It is the best thing in the world to sit here and laugh with my daughter.  I hope we spend the rest of our lives laughing together! 
 As far as sleep goes...she sleeps through the night.  Has been for weeks now, and I am so grateful!  I am not delusional, and I am fully aware that this will most likely change when she starts teething, but I am taking full advantage of every night up until then!

So happy!

Watching TV with daddy.  She loves snuggling with her dad :)

Beautiful Blakely Anne

Baby Steps

I had no idea how complicated this is.  Kudos to those of you who make this look so easy.  I hope to get the hang of it soon so that people actually want to read the nonsense I am sure to write about.  I am starting this blog not only because I have enjoyed stalking my friend's blogs, but also because I REALLY need some sort of outlet.  Maybe just to ramble or vent or simply express myself.  Motherhood can be hard, even with a happy baby.

Did I mention that Blakely is the cutest baby girl in the universe?!  I am willing to share her with all of you through pictures and video....if I can figure it out!  I only wish I could have started this earlier, Blakely is 3 months old as of yesterday and she has already changed so much from those first few days of life. *tear*  She is truly the love of my life, along with my handsome hubby!  I am so blessed to have these two in my life!

Just three months ago to.....

This!  Just shy of 3 months here.

Blakely and her daddy!

Ok, that's all for now.  Like I said....baby steps!