Saturday Morning Scene

Bright and early T and I were up getting some photos taken together in a sunflower field. The amazing, talented and sweet Tiffiney just posted a couple, so I figured I would link up and show y'all our Saturday Morning Scene! 

Tell me, is he not the sweetest thing ever? I am so glad we got some mommy/son photos!

What are y'all up to this morning?

Wauck-Wauck Friday!

Monday Timothy had on the cutest little jon-jon. It was a duck! And it had feathers coming off the top of its head! So in love!! Anyway, when I put it on him, I said, "look T- a duck. A duck says quack-quack."

Well, the rest of the day, he would randomly say wauck-wauck. I know in the video I am getting him to say it- but seriously him in the carseat yelling wauck-wauck, adorable. So I had to share!

Happy Friday!

Baby. Oh, Baby!

Well, I am in the process of cleaning out our study. Over the last year, it has become a catch all for all the crap that we can't put in the garage or storage because it's "indoor stuff". Mostly it's tiny Tbird stuff I just can't bring myself to do anything with. It just sort of makes me sad he is growing so fast.

Then to throw salt in the wound, I found Tbirds P-XS diapers. My mom joked in the NICU that the diapers looked liked a panty liner! Sort of gross, but, oh so true!

Here is a photo I snapped of his current diaper {size 3} versus the P-XS.




How crazy is that? Sorry, ole Blogpress won't let me it flip the picture.

And I am beyond excited because one of my nearest and dearest best friends, Mel, just gave birth to a beautiful baby girl! I haven't gone to see mom and baby yet, I want to make sure this stomach bug thing has left my family! I can't wait to get my sanitized hands on that sweet girl! :) Here are a couple pictures of the presh baby!







Also, for the first time ever T got a good report from daycare about his eating, yesterday. Then, we got home, he wanted more food! So, while I cooked dinner for BTB and me, he ate away. And because he looked oh so handsome- I snapped this cute picture of my babe! Look at those eyes! And this picture is with my phone!




Finally, I stocked up yesterday on my lovely smocked loveliness. Check out the loot I got at two local consignment shops.. So happy I found so much!

WILW

I haven’t played along in a few weeks, so I think it is time once again.. to tell you What I’m Loving Wednesday

I’m Loving the fact that one of best friends ever, Tina, is coming to play this weekend! I absolutely adore this woman. She is a beautiful, caring, sweet, super funny {boom} girl. And we always have a blast any time we are together.

I’m Loving that I had lunch with the absolutely incredible singer Karen Parks on Monday. Timothy LOVES Karen. He hangs on her every word. And yall know me, we hit up Lieu’s, of course. Karen just got back from an International tour in Europe. She is tres famous in the opera world!

I’m Loving that T did better in physical therapy on Monday. He loves the swing!

I’m Loving that I am getting over this stomach bug! Blah! No pictures of this.. It wasn't pretty!

Hope yall are having a great week!

Wood You Be My Bride?

As y'all know Saturday was my six year wedding anniversary!

Unfortunately, BTB was on the way home from his conference and wouldn't get home until late. I picked him up about 9:30 that night. With that, we didn't get to celebrate our anniversary this weekend. We are in the process of deciding when we will and what we'll do. Any suggestions??

There are a few traditions we always follow.

First. We always give that years traditional gift. This year is wood! We haven't gotten each other anything yet. I will let yall know when we sort it out!


Second. I always put on my wedding dress for BTB. No, I didn't have it put away in a box somewhere. My mom still has hers hanging in her closet-- so do I! Here are the pictures from this year.

Please pardon the no make up and baby float in the background. BTB said I was still as beautiful as I was 6 years ago..{awww..}

And I love this second picture. T is giving mommy some primetime kisses! When I came down the steps, he smiled and said, ohhhhh...

Sunday we went to the pool at The Walker Course. We've been members there for like five years and hardly ever go.. But we enjoyed it so much! Afterwards we went to Clemson for ice cream!

Hope yall had a great weekend too!

SUYL: Marriage Stuff

This week's Show Us Your Life is all about marriage advice. I don't know that I am really equipped to offer advice. But I will tell you what works for us...

BTB and I have been married for six years.. TOMORROW! Our friendship/marriage/life is based on our partnership. We do everything as a team and we do it together seeking the Lord in our decisions. He will always come first for us.

We don't really have knock-down-drag-out fights. We have "tiffs". We both just say what's bothering us then, and get it off our chests. It works for us because we don't have blow-ups on each other.

We have an unspoken time out rule when we are with friends and family. We will stop debating whatever we are debating about, and two hours later after dinner {or however long} if one of us still has something to say, we will continue the debate so the other person feels heard. But 9.9 times out of 10-- we never even talk about it again. Because usually it is something stupid like "BTB, where'd ya put my bra?"  {As yall know.. he does the laundry}

When we married, divorce was not an option. While I just saw on the news that divorce is down for the first time in 25 years, I still find that people all too often take the easy way out when they reach a valley in their marriage. Life is a series of valleys and peaks. You have to take the really good with the really bad. I can't imagine my life without the duh-husband. There have been moments in my life that without him, I would not of been able to face the day.

Our son is a product of our love for each other and our faithfulness in the Lord. He has blessed us with our beautiful boy and we can both now appreciate the love He has for us as his children.

I don't really know that any of what I just wrote is in any way advice. But this is what works for us. I hope it helps! I can't wait to get tips from yall! :)

BTB's grandparents have been married for 57 years.. So we soak up any advice they can give us.  Someone told them their marriage wouldn't last three months. How funny is that?!?

I Smell of Beef

I have so much to say today.


First off the amazing, wonderful, super-nice Megan, and I met for lunch Tuesday. She is so great and I love her even more in person. And you know who else I love? Her sweet E. This little girls blue eyes will melt you! Absolutely adorable. Absolutely a good wee little one too. She sat in her high chair and was the best baby for a solid hour. T wouldn’t have made it!

Unfortunately, I had to kick it back to work, so we couldn’t chat longer, but I think the two of us could of sat there for hours talking about life, the children and love! {Pretty much what we both do on our blogs!} But we were both bad bloggers and took no pictures of our first lunch. But we have plans to start making it a routine thing, so you will be seeing some pictures of us soon!

With BTB out of town, I am forced to know what life would be like if I were a single mommy. Answer: Not for this girl!

I admire you single moms oh so very much! I just can’t even stomach the thought of having to do this parenting thing alone. {I am so co-dependent!} But BTB and I are a solid team. We do this parenting thing together with a united front on everything! So, with the duh-husband being on a biz trip, T and I are flying as a duet instead of a trio-- yesterday he threw up at daycare.

Daycare/DHEC makes you come pick up your child from daycare if they vom, diarrhea or have a fever. So off I went at 3:30 {almost made it all day} to pick him up. Well the kicker to this little rule: you can’t bring them back for 24 hours. So that means I would not be able to take him back to daycare until 3:30 today! But my fabulous in-laws came through, again! They are keeping him today so I don’t have to miss a day of work. {I am a lucky girl, I know!} But he is totally fine. He hasn’t thrown up again and acts completely normal.

Because he acts fine, I didn’t cancel my plans for a girls night! My friend Whitney and I went to The Melting Pot. We had such a great time! Whitney and I have known each other for over ten years now. We had a waitress that was new. Her name was Holly. Super sweet girl. But old Holly made one colossal mistake: She left our burner on too long and all our broth boiled away, smoke bellowed across the restaurant we both ended up smelling like beef this morning. What? She sent me a text this morning telling me her hair smelled of beef. Funny thing. Mine did too. And I was way too lazy to shower this morning. Good times. We laughed so hard last night, my stomach hurts like what imagine it feels like after you workout. Because we all know, I don’t do that!

Whit is not a blogger, but is super curious about it. I attempted to explain the friendships and how us bloggers make connections, but it was a little difficult for me to explain. We also got into the conversation of the different types of blogs and how people blog.

I told her that I like real blogs. Not superficial, “on the surface” blogs. If I find a new blog, the first thing I do is scan for the nitty gritty. I want to know that real life happens to them. It doesn’t have to be tragic stuff. But if I read a mommy blog and the mom says her little darling never has a stinky poopie diaper. I want to throw something at the computer and often yell, “liar” and go back to reading my tried and true blogs.

I appreciate when Erin tells us that she curses {Let’s be honest, if you have children and you say you have never cursed, you have a bigger problem on your hands.. it’s called LYING.. Talk to Jesus about that!} Or reading and relating to Heather with Brayden and all my other preemie moms out there.. Or AP’s adventure trying formula and breast milk. { It’s a great post if you haven’t read it.} I gave Whit the example of I want to read about a mom getting spit up on and the poop sausage that comes out of the Diaper Genie. {Seriously guys, how gross is that thing!} Not a mom that claims her baby is like a rainbow and a butterfly. Note: Life is not a rainbow or a butterfly. Quit acting like your child is one!

Anyway, I think I did ok trying to provide some insight into our little corner of the world. Here is Blogland. But as I sit here- I wonder, what my life might look like from the outside. We are extremely blessed by the Lord. We enjoy life. But if my husband gets bit by a shark or Timothy has an insane poop explosion that defies gravity; please know as we say in my house: “it will make the blog. It’s blog worthy.”

Wordless Wednesday

Yet another scheduled post that didn't post! Dang Blogger!

Anyway, enjoy my little Tbird! :)

Scheduled Post? AKA Garden Goodness

Note: Blogger failed me. This post was scheduled for this morning at 10:00. Clearly, blogger had other ideas.

Well, I absolutely cannot start this post without apologizing to yall. {Something else I have picked up while living in “The South”—Always be apologetic}

Last night, after a long day of work and coming home and making dinner, then starting my “completely from my garden, homemade, from scratch marinara sauce” for tonight’s eggplant parm {yummy yummy.. my house smells AMAZING!} I went back a reread my post from yesterday. {Something I hardly ever do.} I usually write it, schedule it, and go—never ever looking back. But whatever made me do it yesterday.. I am glad I did!

My grammar and lack of words or words used in the wrong place was terrible, even by my standards {Which are very low!} I was shocked by the fact that yall were even able to follow my line of gibberish. But I guess by now yall know me and have forgiven me for my bad, bad ways!


With that out of the way, back to my sauce! I am soo pumped about it! All the ingredients came out of my garden. And my parents have eggplant coming out the wha-zoo in their garden so I swiped a couple of those over the weekend. I love fresh, yummy stuff.

Speaking of fresh, yummy stuff...BTB, Tbird and I went to the Pendleton Farmers Market on Saturday. We had a blast! We shopped the various vendors. T scored a wooden turtle puzzle that the child would not turn loose.


Not even asleep in his stroller. He was so cute! We got lots of yummy stuff while there. Including:






Whole wheat blueberry muffins
Pepper jack whole wheat cheese bread
Zucchini bread
Banana nut bread
Cucumbers & Squash compliments of our friends at Family Time Farm {They also have chickens if yall are interested!}


We then ate an amazing lunch at 1826 On The Green. The super amazing square in Pendleton has the vendors all around the restaurant, so we enjoyed the cooler weather and ate lunch outside. I had the crab cakes and salad while BTB had a wrap that looked super yummy. He wouldn’t share it.. So I have to only assume it was outstanding! T slept through lunch so it was almost like a lunch date!









You can't see the turtle in this one. But he is holding him! :)

Well y'all, that's my exciting post that was deemed not exciting enough by blogger to post when it was supposed to! Sheesh!

The Mom Guilt

The Mom Guilt. {In the south, phrases have “the” strategically placed in front of a phrase to add emphasis on the object we are speaking of.. The Target, The Diabetes, The Mom Guilt.. Get it? Good!}

I think the mom guilt is far worse than any other type of guilt out there. Moms everywhere are totally able to blame and reprimand themselves for the job we do raising our wee little ones. Sometimes I think if our children could get in our heads and hear the garbage we spew at ourselves, they would be ashamed of us! Here is my latest bout with “The Mom Guilt”

Friday, I was off. And as my faithful readers know, Friday is water day at daycare. Well, I was torn. Torn because T had only been to daycare one day last week anyway because of my work trip, I wanted to spend the day with him, I wanted him to enjoy his friends and water day because he loves both, I wanted some down time to do nothing. Literally. Nothing. I am sure you can see where I am going with this. Here I was day off, wanting to spend it with my baby, wanting my baby to have a fun day and me wanting to selfishly have a day of doing what I want.

I did something I never, ever thought I would ever do. I took Tbird to daycare and I wasn’t working. BTB sort of made me. Well, that’s not entirely true. He suggested since it was water day and he had only been at daycare one day that week and he loves his friends that he should go. I caved and took him.

I was weary taking him and did what any first time mom does when she needs some reassuring words about how she is raising the babe--I called my mommy! She reminded me that the only confirmed sightings of T walking have been at daycare, he loves his little friends and probably misses them and finally, until I can understand all the gibberish that he is currently telling me when we “talk” I gotta do what I think will make him happy. She was right. Moms always are! {Teenage me would want to kill adult me for that statement!}

Long of the short. I let him sleep as late as he wanted to. {Most mornings I have to wake him to go to daycare. Breaks my little heart in two} I got him up and dressed and took him to hang out with his friends around 9:15ish. Then, came back and got him around 2:30. He wasn’t there long at all.

Really, I think this was the best of both worlds. He got to go play and spend most of the day with me. While I got that alone time moms forget we ever had. i.e. peeing alone, dressing alone, driving alone, eating alone.. Do you ladies remember those days? {I really don’t know what T thinks would happen to me if he wasn’t in the bathroom with me.. fall down the toilet?}

After I picked him up we headed to Clemson to hang out with The BFF. {see how I used the “the” to add emphasis?!?} Heth was working at The Beaded Tiger {not for emphasis this time..that’s the name} for Jodi, the owner, who is in Texas getting cancer treatments. Heth is a total giver like that, that’s why she’s my BFF. She and T have a great bond and love each other very much, so I knew it would make his day to see her! We hung out with her for about an hour and half and then headed home. The more time we were together—the less I felt the pang of guilt.

I am trying to get over The Mom Guilt. It isn’t something that is easily erased from your head and heart though. It usually pulls at you like an annoying gnat. Then slowly creeps away, only to be replaced by a fresh wave of guilt for something else you think you’ve done. From the moment I found out I was preggers, I have worried about my T. And, I have heard from older and much wiser mommy’s than me—it never, ever, ever goes away! Moral of the story: This will not be the last time you hear a tale of The Mom Guilt!



SUYL:Preggers

I can't start off this story without a little background first. BTB and I struggled to conceive. Not in painstaking, taking decades to get pregnant sort of way. But we struggled. Enough so that I had my doubts that it was ever going happen. Wondering if maybe, just maybe, God had another plan for us-and our children.

We kept these struggles pretty close to the cuff. A few very close friends and family members knew. Oh and dozens of message boards I scoured and commented on. {Yep, I was that crazy TTC lady!}

Anyway, September 5, 2009, I took a pregnancy test. Now, this wasn't the first or the last one I took! I had peed on so many sticks through fertility monitors and pregnancy tests- I needed to buy stock in Clear Blue Easy.

us that day!

But I did it. Laid it on our garden tub and proceeded to get ready for the Clemson game. After brushing my teeth, I walked over expecting to see the usual suspects "not pregnant" to be showing. To my absolute delight and answering many prayers, it said "pregnant" woo-hoo!!

Our little peanut bear

BTB was downstairs getting all of the tailgating supplies together for the game with one of our friends. So I called for him, "BTB, can you come up here?"

He came up without question-thank goodness! And when he opened the door, I was holding the stick! Jumping up and down! :) BTB doesn't get excited about much, but this-he threw his arms around me and we just hugged. It was great!

We decided to tell my parents that day. Because we were going to see them at the game. So, I took a picture of the the test with my phone, and we headed to the game.

Once we got our tailgate all set-up, I called my mom over to the side of the truck and said, "I want to show you this picture on my phone." She was so excited! Then, I did the same thing with my dad. As a self-proclaimed favorite child, and baby of the family, my dad was so happy for us-he cried, right there! :)

The next day, I took another test so we could show BTB's parents. We put the test in a pen box. When we got to their house, BTB told his mom to check out the box. She opened it and said, "well....." with a huge smile! And handed it to my FIL without saying anything else. My FIL has wanted a grandchild since the day we got married. So to say he was excited, was an understatement!

We then went to BTB's grandparents to tell them. And we snapped a picture of his papas reaction. Something we will never forget!

Where in the World is Tiff?

You may or may not of been asking yourself that same question over the last few days. I blogged about the lake, then, poof gone!

In the suitcased, ready to go!

I had a work trip to NC. It was nice because my family got to come with me! {Poodle patrol included!}
I had to work into the evening, so our quality time was dinner! We went to a yummy place for dinner in Winston-Salem. But the highlight of that night- dessert at Kernel Kustards. Oh. My. Word. Love, love love this place! And I want one closer than four hours away!

Then another night we had dinner at Carolina Ale house. They have dessert nachos! YUMMY!
pretty much the highlights of the trip include food.

T sampling the dessert nachos! :)

T did fabulous as usual. He loves the car, loves the dogs and now loves hotel rooms! His appetite has really picked up over the last week. I guess since those darn teeth are finally coming through, it doesn't hurt to eat anymore.

Hope y'all have are having a great Thursday!

Wednesday Words

I've spent the last three days traveling across the great state of NC. And. I. Am. Exhausted. Currently, in my jammies, in bed, writing this post.

I always feel like I am letting myself and Tbird down when I don't post for a few days. So here I am. One eye shut, eye liner smudged and crazy hair trying to write a post.

I will go into all dets of my trip soon enough- but for now- I know all the other moms out there appreciate what I am about to tell y'all. BTB told me to go upstairs and rest. He had Tbird under control. I need to take full advantage, while I can!

Two Summers Ago...

The last time we were on the lake, two summers ago! That's just not right, yall!





We have some friends in town this weekend, so a group of us are going to be spending our day on the boat! BTB went out bought Tbird a lifejacket yesterday, so I think we are ready!

I love the lake! {No sharks!} and in years past we spent w majority of our summer on the sucker. But last year sweet baby T wasn't allowed out of the house, so we had to forgo lake days. I am happy renew this fam tradition with our little boy!

BTB had to go into work this morning, so T and are Hanging out this morning eating mini pancakes! :)




Hope y'all have a great Saturday!

SUYL: Side Dishes & Blackwell Syndrome {it's totally legit!}

Hey y'all! So let me start this post with our favorite side dish. This isn't fancy or complicated- just plain old yummy. Asparagus Salad!




1 lb. fresh asparagus, cleaned, trimmed
1/2 cup Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
make it

BRING about 1/2 inch water to boil in large skillet. Add asparagus; cover.

SIMMER 3 to 5 min. or until asparagus is crisp-tender. Remove from heat; drain and rise under cold water. Drain well on paper towels. Place on serving plate; drizzle with dressing. Cover.

REFRIGERATE at least 1 hour before serving.

{Note: If we are grilling, we will grill instead of boiling for a even
Crispier, crisp taste}. Anyway, if you like asparagus, and you should- because it ahhhw-some, try this! And it's great for party's too. My mom has been serving this at party's for like 15 years!

In other stuff, while this is a short work week for me, it's been nutzo crazo! I guess that whole being away from work for a week and half thing will do that!


And what makes it worse, I am having what I want to call, Blackwell Syndrome. Tell me if any of you other mommy's have this syndrome:

You go on vacay thinking you are going to appreciate your time with your family. And you do. But, once back at work- you start resenting said time, because you miss that little fam way more than you normally do.

This is syndrome also includes feelings of guilt for not being SAHM. But then you remind yourself, that you work because you love it, crave it and need it. {I've said on multiple occasions, I am so in awe of SAHM's.. I could not do it! But, I love my SAHM sisters, y'all rock!}

This syndrome will flare up post holidays, post vacays and long weekends. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for Blackwell Syndrome. But, studies have shown, sloppy wet kisses and big squeezy squeeze hugs from the little ones- helps to control flare ups.

I am hoping this flare up will go away soon.



I mean, wouldn't you have a flare up with this little one loving on you?!?

Timothy Thursday

I know, total cop-out post.. But,  I was exhausted last night and so was Tbird.. Here's the evidence!

{WILW}

Hope yall are having a fabulous Wednesday! I haven’t participated in {WILW} in a few weeks, so I decided to do so today. Enjoy!

I am {Loving} all the time-off I had this past week, to spend with my wonderful, perfectly imperfect, family!

I am {Loving} the yummy ribs we grilled on the 4th of July.

I am {Loving} that my little man weighed in as a 19 pounder yesterday at the doctor’s office! He’s finally in the 1% of other babes his age!! Hey, it may not be much--but we have waited 15 months for him to be in any percentiles!

I am {Loving} that Tbird learned how to drink out of a juice box yesterday!

And Finally, I am {Loving} that I only have a three day work week, this week! Yaya for the weekend!