Life Lately

I haven't been paying my little blog the attention it needs lately.  My apologies to my readers (ahem Dad... Mom... ).  So much has gone on over the last 6 months.  I've gotten back into a routine at work, we've established a weekly routine at home, we visited Pennsylvania for Easter, vacationed on Fripp Island with family, had a handful of Supper Club dinners, traveled back up to Pennsylvania for Jessie and Max's wedding, and celebrated Griffin's first birthday!

 

So, why sit down and blog today?  Well, today was one of those days that I wanted to wave my white flag and surrender.  I've been feeling stretched thin between work responsibilities, responsibilities at home, and caring for our sweet Griffin, who has had a bit of an upset stomach.

 

Motherhood is joyously rewarding, but it can also be hard.  Just downright hard.  And sometimes days just don't go exactly how you planned... like yesterday... or today.  So, here I am, just trying to pick myself up, brush myself off, and focus on the good.  And also praise God for these challenges as there are so many who have bigger crosses to bare.

 

Easter in Pennsylvania

4th of July fun

 

 

Fripp Island

Our happy place

 

 

Sunday brunch

 

A trip to the South Carolina Aquarium

To Pennsylvania we go

 

 

Wedding wild flowers

 

 

Jessie and Max's wedding

The most beautiful venue in Dallas, PA

 

A family picture where we are all (somewhat) looking

We have a 1 year old!



Six Months!

*This post was written on 2/22, but between a cold, first ear infection, and a night shift, picture taking was a bit delayed.

It's hard to believe that six months ago today, I was being prepped at the hospital, anticipating the arrival of our sweet baby girl.  We expected to wait ALL day.  However, Griffin Helen entered the world at 2:56 in the afternoon, changing our lives forever. 

 

Never in my life could I have ever imagined how being a mom would make me feel.  My heart is full and my love flows deeper than words could ever express.  This is what I was put on this earth to do - to be a mother.

 

6 month stats:

 

1.  Griffin has perfected rolling over.

2.  Griffin is sitting well in the Bumbo and perfecting sitting on her own.

3.  She loves to play.  When I place her on the mat at daycare, she immediately reaches for all the colorful toys.

4.  She really enjoys daycare, her teachers, and watching all the other kids.

5.  Her newest noise is babababa, so we've been spending a lot of time talking about all the animals (including the babas) we will see when we visit Grandaddy Tom and Nini's farm in April.

6.  Griffin loves to hear us sing (even if we are a little out of tune).

7.  Griffin sleeps well, but typically never past 6:30am.  She's a morning person like me, not her daddy.

8.  We've introduced solids into her diet - rice cereal, bananas, carrots, peas, spinach, apples, butter nut squash, and sweet potatoes.

9.  Griffin loves to laugh.

10.  She weighs 14 pounds, 14 ounces and is 26 inches long.

Happy 6 months, sweet girl!

Hydrate

I drank A LOT of water when I was pregnant to stay hydrated and to keep swelling at bay.  However, now that I am a busy mom, sometimes I forget to hydrate.  And I can definitely tell when I haven't had enough water.

 

I found this "recipe" online and thought it sounded delicious.  Plus, it helps to flush out impurities and maintain a flat belly.  Yes, please, said the new mom of a four month old.

 

2 lemons

1/2 cucumber

10-12 mint leaves

3 quarts water

 

Brew overnight and enjoy!

 

 



Santa!

We attended the Hibernian Christmas party a few weeks back and guess who was there... Santa! 

As we stood in line waiting to visit with Old Saint Nick, Griffin, who was all dressed up in her smocked snowman dress, drifted off to sleep.

Although she slept through her first Santa experience, how precious are these pictures?!




ABD Holiday Gift Guide

Well, I guess this year's gift guide is for the last minute shopper.  But, better late, than never, right?

 

Interested in taking a look at the ABD Holiday Gift Guides from 2011 and 2012?  You can see them here and here.

 

I hope you enjoy the gift ideas I put together this year.  Happy Holidays!

 

1.2.

 

3.

 

 4.5.

 

6.7.

 

8.9.

 

10.

 

1.  Giraffe Trinket Dish

2.  Liberty Print Wallet Case for iPhone

3.  Wishbone Serve Bowls

4.  La Pavillion iPhone 5 Case

5.  Round Linked Watch

6.  Limited Edition Golden Monogram Mug

7.  Floral Jacquard Pleated Full Skirt

8.  Crystal Button Earrings

9.  Pocket Datebook

10.  Letterpress Gift Tags



One Month

I can't believe Griffin is actually 6 weeks old as I'm writing this!  I knew this time would go by quickly, but I wasn't prepared for how quickly.  I'm just trying my best to stay in the moment and soak in this time with our baby girl.

 

We decided to follow the trend and take monthly photos of Griffin to document her growth over her first year of life.  I'm so glad that we'll have these pictures to look back on and remember this special time in all of our lives. 

 

We're thinking that Griffin is going through a growth spurt as we speak.  She's generally a pretty easy baby, but has been a bit cranky today and very hungry - two major signs of a growth spurt. 

 

So, it looks like our plans for today consist of rocking our sweet (somewhat cranky) baby, watching the Dallas game, and thanking God that she is healthy and growing.



Griffin Helen

Griffin Helen Bailey was born on August 22, 2013 at 2:56pm (much earlier in the day than we had anticipated).  The second I laid my eyes on her chubby cheeks was the best moment of my life.  It was love at first sight. 

 

A few things about our little love...

 

She weighed 7 lbs. 5 oz. when she was born and was 20 inches long.

 

She is very alert and has been since day one.

 

She was born with a full head of dark hair.

 

She loves to be held and rocked.

 

She found her smile (my favorite smile in the world).

 

She has her Daddy's chin.

 

She loves the Baby Bjorn, but doesn't care for her car seat.

 

 

 

xoxo,

from this proud Mama