Five on Friday

One

Georgia Grace has had a week of transitions as we adjust to our new schedule and routine. She loves going to her Grandmomma's to play with her friends and seeing the school buses in the morning but she doesn't love naptime, brushing her teeth and bedtime. I'm hoping next week these things will start coming easier. It's been hard on this momma to see her upset by the things we know she needs although she doesn't think she does. I think this selfie face says it all!

 

But she's still a happy girl all the other time! Let her play outside and watch Frozen and you're set :)

 

Two

Yesterday the SEC Network launched! And the first live game for the network will be a UK basketball game today which is super cool considering it's August. I know this will be our main channel this fall. College football season can't get here soon enough!

 

Three

When I found out I was pregnant with Georgia Grace my mom gave me a copy of "Little Mommy". I had a childhood copy but the pages were ripped and it wasn't in good condition so she found me a brand new copy. I read it to her sometimes and tonight she specifically requested it. I was blown away that she remembered the title! I screamed for Marcus and showed him that she was pointing at the book saying "Little Mommy". I feel like I have made it as a girl mom :)

 

Four

Yesterday marked the 15 year anniversary of the motorcycle wreck that nearly took Marcus's parent's lives. They were victims of a hit and run incident with a drunk driver that left them both in serious condition. Today we praise the Lord that He spared both of them on that night! God wasn't finished with them. I'm thankful GGH has a Ma and Pa here today that we all love so very much!

Five

I'll conclude with one of the highlights of my week. My sweetest friend Beth Lau sent me the most encouraging note this week to congratulate me on my new job. Her words are always so life giving to me. It was exactly the pick me up I was needing. I'm thankful God brought us together during our WKU days and continues to allow us to be in each other's lives despite the distance.

 

Happy Friday friends!

Five On Friday

The week following a vacation is always a toughy. We've had a lot on our plate this week so I'm extra glad to see the Friday date (even if it is the 13th). And I'm even more glad it's the weekend because we get to celebrate the dads and we will be do so accordingly on the lake! We can't get enough of the liquid stuff :)

Here is our week recapped into five things-

One

The week started on a bad foot for my Georgia Grace. We noticed her eyes were red when we were coming home from the beach but associated it to tiredness and sun/water. When they remained red and irritated through the weekend we called her pediatrician to get her seen about. Poor baby has conjunctivitis :(. Treatment is just eye drops and no antibiotics, that's a silver lining. Another silver lining is she was much less anxious this appointment than at her 18 month check-up (vomit on the pediatrician's shoe-remember?) Her eyes are improving, I'm hoping they will be all clear by the weekend!

Two

I posted this on IG and Facebook to see if it was just me or if there is a resemblance between my daughter and the Olsen twins. I think we are all in agreement these two favor! My Mom says all of those episodes of Full House we watched rubbed off on my first born ha! I was (still am) crazy about Full House. Anything Mary-Kate and Ashley really. I belonged to their fan club, bought every VHS and book with their face on it and wanted to go to San Fran just to see the Full House house ha! I don't mind this similarity one bit :)

Three

My charming, dainty daughter has a new frequently used word--"pooie". Pooie equals either a toot or the real thing. She always lets us know when she does something down there and doesn't care who she is around or where we are at when she makes the announcement. She even uses it in past tense- "I pooied". You have to appreciate her expanding vocabulary. Hey at least she owns it!

Four

Our church's VBS has been going on all this week and my Mamaw took Georgia Grace with her today. She must have been a sleepy girl because the two pictures I got from friends she has her eyes closed in both. She had the best time! Somehow she moved up to the 5th grade girls class (bet cousin Payton has something to do with that...) and already knows the dance to the theme song. VBS is the best!

Five

Tonight we are meeting with our architect for our first set of revisions to our house plan. We hope to have the plans finished and finalized by the end of this month if all goes as planned. I've been looking at interest rates (hello--so low!!) and making financial plans this week in preparation for our much anticipated ground breaking. Ready or not this train is rolling! Hope I can hang on.

Happy Friday y'all! 

A List For Friday

I've got lots of random things I want to blog about so I feel like a good list is suited for today's post. We've had an unconventional week with Marcus having five snow days and my normal work hours being skewed to be safe in the snow. Unconventional and altered schedules calls for an end of the week list to organize my thoughts.

1. Hard Drive-this is something I've been needing to do for a long time. We've been flirting with disaster having no backup for our files/pictures besides our work computers, social media, and blogger. I bought this hard drive after seeking expert advice from our IT Director at my hospital. I was clueless as to what I needed so I'm thankful she told me exactly what to get and all I had to do was click "Add To Cart". I guess this is what my weekend will look like...

2. Molars. We noticed on Tuesday that Georgia Grace's lower first molars (both sides) were in. I thought that it was odd that these came before her canines but it appears normal teeth development is first molars before canines. And I thought she was young but she's right on schedule! These are teeth #9 and #10. She has handled teething like a champ from day one. She has never drooled, ran a fever, acted cranky. Teething has been a breeze with this child.   

3. Frozen. I told Marcus that if we had known this winter was going to be so cold we would have saved our trip to Jackson Hole (I'm sure my dad is glad we didn't) for a milder winter and headed some place tropical! I've got beach fever. I'm trying not to complain because I really do love snow. Maybe this next round that comes through this weekend will be the last of it.

4. Sesame Street Live. We are taking Georgia Grace to her first live show in May to see Sesame Street Live. I'm really excited about it! I realize she is not in the Sesame Street generation but she has watched it some and loves Big Bird so I hope it's a big hit. We are going with my good mommy friend Abby and Georgia's boyfriend Ace. Their first official date-with their mommies :) Maybe they will let us tag along when they are 16 too!

5. Big Girl. This week Georgia Grace has spent more time with her AKK friends while being home with daddy. They go up there during the day and she plays and does activities with them. She even got to eat lunch at the table and paint a picture with her new buddy Eliza. She definitely feels like she's a part of the preschool group now. And I feel like she is gettng too big too quick! Sigh.

6. Pediasure. We had our 15 month check-up last week and our pediatrician recommended starting GGH on Pediasure to promote weight gain. Being a dietitian I thought we were probably headed in this direction since her growth curve has not stayed on the upward trend. She was a rather big baby and remained near the 50th percentile until she became mobile. Dr. Lee said she's never going to be a "75th/75th" child because she's just petite but he would like to see her a little bigger so supplementing it is. I'm really good with this decision and so far she has accepted it well. I'm thankful that our baby is healthy and that this is something we can remedy. She will be thankful for her great metabolism someday :) 

5. Snowy Thursdays At Home. Yesterday we dug out of the snow (it's not that deep but when neither vehicle is a 4WD it doesn't take much) for some mexican food. It's going to take more than snowmageddon to keep us from Garcia's ha! It hit the spot.

Speaking of digging out of the snow, this is what I tweeted Wednesday afternoon after three days of white knuckle driving in rough road conditions. I had a wreck three years ago this month due to snow so I am a little gun shy. The husband said, "Let's get a new SUV!". I said, "Let's get some beach front property!". Guess we will stick it out since we can't agree LOL!

  

I got to enjoy my own snow day with my snow baby in our winter wonderland. Before her tubes we literally ran to put her in the vehicle and ran to take her inside because we were so scared she would get another ear infection. Now I feel more secure about letting her enjoy the outdoors. We still bundle up and make quick trips but I'm so happy we can do these things now! I think she is happy about it too.

More snow is in the forecast for tonight, tomorrow and next week. We're having ourselves a good old-fashioned winter. TGIF!

Five On Friday

Is it just me or has this felt like a super duper long week?

It's probably just me considering the eventful week we have had. I feel like we are limping across the finish line to Friday.

I think I jinxed this week when I sat down and planned out our meals. It seems like everytime I do that our schedule gets turned upside down and I don't get a chance to cook one time. I loathe changes in schedule. It's probably my biggest pet peeve.

So the question is could this be a sign for me to stay out of the kitchen? Maybe so :)

One

Sweet girl is doing so well. There's nothing much to report because she seems really normal. No drainage and lots of energy. I think she drug out every toy she owns last night and played hard. But Owen was her favorite toy of course. He puts up with a lot, such a good dog.

Two

This was the text I received from Marcus after getting the news he has Type A flu. He went to the doctor yesterday after being sick since Tuesday. He has felt down right horrible. He has stayed with grandmomma two nights this week so I've been doing the single mom thing quite a bit. Don't like it one bit. We both really miss him. The good news is there is no school Monday (Update-and no school today, another snow day! Beautiful timing) so he will get an extra day to rest and recover. I'm praying he gets well and GGH and I can avoid the plague. I think I've finally talked him into getting vaccinated though...

Three

I love when people love my daughter and she has been loved well through her procedure. We have received several phone calls, texts, messages, prayers, a sweet book from our pastor and of course, food. I was so thankful for all of these things.

And then I checked the mail on Wednesday and found a package from Darcy. It was a get well box full of things to help Georgia Grace make a full recovery and a personal note with each item. PJs for comfort, a Minnie straw sippy to practice our new skills, bath letters to hopefully change her feelings toward that particular event and so on. Seriously one of the most thoughtful and intentional gifts I've ever received. So thankful for her friendship and heart of gold!

Four

Marcus received his Masters diploma in the mail last week. And I submitted his application for a school principal program yesterday. I'm blessed with such a smart & ambitious husband.

Five

Poor daddy was quarantined to grandmomma's house so that called for a facetime date. He received tons of "da-das", phone kisses, and big theatrical jabber stories last night. Hopefully this is our last night of separation. It's not "home" without him.

TGIF times a thousand! Is it spring yet?

Five On Friday

One

We have our first turkey handprint artwork. This may be my favorite children's craft of all time. I can't wait to watch that hand grow year after year. 

I found this picture on Pinterest and I feel like it needs to be recreated by the Harrison family. I just love it and I could display it every season.

Two

Tuesday night we went over to my mom's house to watch the UK game (which come to find out was blacked out in our area-bah humbug!) and mom wrangled GGH for me so I was able to spend an hour of uninterrupted time on Pinterest while we listened to the game on the radio. It was a really awesome hour. I have missed "Pie-interest" as my FIL calls it :)

I am swooning over white kitchens. The only thing I have told Marcus that is a definite for our new house is that it will have a white kitchen.

Who am I kidding? I have told him hundreds of definites for the new house :) Must. Stay. Off. Pinterest.

Three

Ebates. I love Ebates! I started using this site a couple of years ago and I have probably made $100 over the course of time. It is super simple. All you have to do is sign up here and every time before you make purchases online go to Ebates and click on your store and you will earn cash back!

Every quarter they will mail you a check for your cash back.With the holiday season and Cyber Monday coming up, now would be a great time to join. You can thank me later! Can't beat free money. 

Four

I received my first text from Georgia Grace this morning. They grow up so fast!

Five

I spent the day yesterday Christmas shopping and running errands with my favorite girl. I can't brag on her enough for how good she did! She did try to run away from me in the mall once and threw items I had placed in the cart out of the cart at the grocery store but she was happy while she was doing all of these things! She is rotten.

She waved at everyone and tried to talk to most of them. She stole the show everywhere we went. Who could resist a super cute waving smiley baby in a fur vest and winter hat?

This picture is a pretty big deal because Georgia Grace has never been one to give herself her own bottle. It's so funny because as soon as she gets it to her mouth and we help her she let's go and let's us feed her. Sippies too. Total diva move! :) But I thank she has finally reluctantly given in to doing it herself.

We ended the trip with a stop at the grocery store (Aldi) and I had to take a picture like I did last time. There is only 6 weeks difference so not a lot of change but her hair is longer and she looks more girl-ish instead of baby :(. I love my grocery shoppin' Georgia!

Happy Friday y'all!

Five On Friday

Watch out y'all. I am doing two link-ups today. I don't know if that's legal but I'm doing it anyway :) I love my Five On Friday tradition but I didn't want to miss the chance to meet other Kentucky/Tennessee bloggers out there so I'm double dipping. Two times the fun!

One

If this is your first time visiting my blog-welcome! Here is just a tidbit about me.
I was born and raised in Morgantown, Kentucky- a small town in the southcentral portion of the state. And when I say small, I mean small. Three stoplights throughout our whole town small! But I love it, I love Kentucky, and I love living in the south. This is home.

I married my high school sweetheart Marcus in May of 2010 and we welcomed our first child Georgia Grace in October of 2012. The two things I always wanted, to be a wife and mother, I have been given. I can't put a number on my endless blessings.

Currrently we are enjoying life with our one year old (wha?!?) daughter, finding contentment in our 900 square foot starter home but making plans for our forever home, and trying to keep our lives balanced so we keep our priorities in order. I work four days a week as the Director of Nutrition at the hospital in the next town over and I love love love my job. Georgia Grace's great-grandmothers keep her for us the days that I work. This is one blessing where I can't even begin to express my gratitude.

The exhausted, lengthy version of our story is scattered throughout this blog. I just started blogging last year at the end of my pregnancy so I am a newbie but it has quickly become my hobby and I love the purpose and community it has brought to me. This is our virtual scrapbook that we will cherish forever. Thanks for visiting my corner of the www!

Two

As I mentioned on Tuesday, naptime interferred with our Veteran's Day plans so we made new plans and went on Wednesday. The VFW Ladies Auxiliary has erected Walls of Honor for the Veterans in our county that have served in the Armed Forces. My Papaw Porter is one of those Veterans and we are so proud of his service to our country. We found his brick and took a picture beside it. His legacy lives on.

Three

With our trip to Jackson Hole just a month away I decided it was time to start stocking up on new winter gear for Georgia Grace. I am a sucker for anything quilted and polka dots. And her fringed Minnetonkas couldn't be cuter. We are ready for the mountains! 

Four

The Good Life Blog

I'm making a valiant effort to keep our schedules from being too scheduled. I know I am often guilty of being overbooked and boasting my busyness. Motherhood has really opened my eyes to the importance of being intentional with my time. I want my life to be focused on what matters most. November has allowed me to appreciate my weeknights at home just cooking supper and playing with our daughter by the cozy fireplace. Less is best.

Five

Tomorrow will mark the 10 year anniversary of when Marcus asked me to be "his girl". He wasn't even driving yet (I robbed the cradle) so I had to drive to his house in the snow so he could ask me! I could have never imagined on that day that we would be here 10 years later. What a fun ride it has been! Sixteenth birthdays, driver's licenses, proms, graduations, college, first jobs, first home, a baby and so much more. We were just kids and we grew up together falling more and more in love along the way. He is mine forever and I love doing life with him. I could not ask for more!
Happy 10 years of US to my one and only!

Weekend plans of hunting and a trip to Corbin for my sister's wedding shower are on tap. TGIF!

A Thankful Five On Friday

I'm back to my regular blogging routine and it feels so good. I am such a creature of habit. We've had a fun week of just doing normal things. Playing with new birthday toys, doing a little Christmas shopping (I'm happy to report I am 1/3 of the way finished!), and in depth conversations with the husband about the future. I even had time to update her baby book and finish thank you notes. I'm thankful for the slow down as we prepare ourselves for the busy holiday season. 

Here's my thankful Five on Friday. While writing this it occurred to me just how blessed I am and so the thankful concept was born. This time of year always makes me grateful!

One

November is MyPlate month at my hospital so we got a little festive and spruced up the cafeteria area. The fake food was a big hit (always). Everyone wants to touch it ha! We are having a "MyPlate Special" meal next week and other neat events throughout the month.

I love and am thankful for my job! 

Two 

Our good friend (more like family) Chris made Georgia Grace a wooden ruler growth chart for her birthday and I love it so much!! We knew we wouldn't be in this house forever so I didn't want to start making tick marks on the wall. We put our first mark at the 30 inch notch this week. Such a special, intentional gift! 

I am so thankful for talented friends who love us so well.

Locals-Chris can make a wooden ruler for you if anyone is interested. I have already asked him to make two more for me for gifts! I think they would make PERFECT Christmas presents. If you need his contact info, let me know!

Please remember Chris in your prayers as he lost his mother this week. Esther has been so good to us. She made the beautiful fall wreath that currently hangs on our front door and the pillowcase dress GGH has wore in some pictures. I'm thankful she is home now free of pain and suffering.

Three

Tuesday we took Georgia Grace for her 12 month check up. We have a healthy 30 inch, 19 pound baby girl who is smart as a tack because as soon as the nurse put us in a room she knew what was coming and the waterworks started flowing. Her pediatrician reassured us that at the 15 or 18 month check-up she will start liking them again ha! She received 3 shots and a finger stick. The finger stick hurt her feelings the most and she ripped off her bandaid about 2 seconds after I took this picture. She only cried for a little bit and then she was fine.

Everything looked great! Her pediatrician was impressed with her walking running skills and vocabulary. He set a goal for her to be weaned from the bottle by the 15 month check-up. I kind of winced when he said that. And then he said, "I think mommy needs to go to toughening up school" HA! And he's probably right! 

I am thankful for a healthy, cognitively aware baby and a thorough, honest pediatrician. :) 

Four

While I was pregnant I kept a journal of letters to Georgia Grace. I wanted to keep this going but make it less cumbersome than pen to paper so I decided to set up an email account for her! It's unconventional but it's practical and will be easier to jot down my feelings. I have shared it with our family so they can write to her too! I love that I have the ability to shoot a quick email if I have a life lesson or some words of wisdom I want to share just with her for the future.

I also locked in a good email domain for her so she doesn't have to be "ggh12345678" in 2030 ha! 

I'm thankful for technology when it works for the good. 

Five

I mentioned that I gave Georgia Grace her last breastmilk bottle and I never got around to posting the pictures (and without a picture did it really even happen?!?). Our breastfeeding journey was a unique one that was far from easy but the reward outweighed the hardships ten fold. If I had to do it all again I wouldn't hesitate. My goal was for her to receive breastmilk until her first birthday and I met my goal!!! This is definitely one of my proudest accomplishments in my life.

I'm thankful for the ability to provide breastmilk to my baby for 12 months.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Good luck to the birthday boy coach Gran Stan and BCXC at the state championship meet this weekend!

Five On Friday

Taking a quick second in between laundering our garments for the big event tomorrow and writing my MOH speech to post my Five On Friday. No time to tarry so without further ado...

One

Merry Christmas to us-we are going to Jackson Hole, Wyoming!!! We are taking my dad to celebrate the big 5-0 the week after Christmas (he turns 50 January 6th). We hope to visit Yellowstone, the Tetons (a mountain range of the Rocky Mountains), and the National Elk Refuge.

We are staying at The Lodge At Jackson Hole. I'm dying over the pictures. It looks so cozy and dreamy. There is an indoor pool, hot tub, and a spa. Too bad there are so many things to do in JH because I might not leave the lodge ;). I can't wait to visit the old west! 

Two

K-PREP scores are back and our school system scored in the top 25th percentile as a district in the state of Kentucky!! Butler County Schools have earned the classification as a proficient/progressing high progress district. Only 17 districts in the state earned that distinction! (See full article here). I have several family members (including my main man) who work in the school system and I know first hand how hard they have worked to earn these honors. I'm confident in the education Georgia Grace will receive here which will be here quicker than I want to think about. Way to go BC Schools!

Three

#tbt (throwback thursday, an explanation to my 40 year old self reading this ha!) is all the rage right now so I had to post this picture of me one year ago today. We met Georgia Grace 13 days later as Superstorm Sandy hit the east coast and shes' been making waves ever since :). I'm still in denial we are celebrating her first birthday next weekend...

Four

You don't realize how much you need the government until it is shutdown. I saw this screen on my computer several times this week when I tried to access MyPlate materials for a campaign we are developing at my hospital. I told our CEO that we had the best excuse ever for not rolling out the program on time ha! I'm thankful a compromise was reached and all government jobs/services were restored.

Five

Today is wedding day!! My sister and soon-to-be brother in law are tying the knot tonight in front of family and friends in our hometown. It will be a wonderful night of low-key simplicity displaying a love that mimics Christ and the church. I can't wait to see my sister as the bride. Beautiful won't even begin to describe her. I'm just hoping I don't do the ugly cry. #passthetissues

Happy wedding day Eric and Paige!