Happy Halloween!

Back to Work

I returned to work yesterday. It's been bitter-sweet. I love seeing all the families again, but I really miss my time with MJ. Fortunately, she seems to like her new school. Every time I peek in on her, she is happy and busy. It's true what "they" say...daycare is much harder on Mommy! I just focus on the fact that I'm lucky enough to have her just a few steps from my office.

The Trip Part Two

The drive from Tennessee to Virgina through the Shenandoah Valley was beautiful! We were there just as the fall colors were their brightest. It made the drive feel like a bit of a vacation itself. I regret not taking pictures.

It was so great to see the Mas! We've missed them terribly and enjoyed our quick visit. We rolled in Saturday around 8 and had a delish dinner of frozen pizza, pizza rolls, and motz sticks for old time's sake. We chatted about Marlee and Pru and introduced them to each other. We did some shopping on Sunday and went out for a fun dinner. The food was awesome, but spending time with our good friends was ten times better. After dinner Michael and Chris watched some football while Kacey and I bonded over our motherly duties. It felt like we had to leave as soon as we got there, and we headed home Tuesday at 6am. The drive took 14 hours due to Tiny Dictator, but it was uneventful.

Pru and MJ stylin' in their shades.

The Trip Part One

We're back! We got back Tuesday night, but this is the first chance I've had to write since I returned to work Wednesday. We had a great time on our road trip. Marlee was great, of course. She is such a happy, easy baby (knock wood).

We left Friday afternoon and arrived in Townsend, TN around 9. It's a pretty quick drive, but we had to stop about every 3 hours or so for Marlee time. Michael has named her the Tiny Dictator. We got a chance to introduce Kathryn and Steve to their niece before hitting the sack

Saturday morning we got up and met some of the family for breakfast, including Marlee's cousin, Allison. We had lunch with the Wymers and returned to the hotel to rest up for the big event. The wedding was beautiful. Meg was a gorgeous bride, and the setting was picturesque. Everything was perfect from the flowers to the perfect fall evening. Marlee sat quietly through the ceremony and slept for most of the reception.

We set out for Virginia after another family breakfast.

Road Trip Preparations

Friday the Wymers are hitting the road! We're off to Tennessee for cousin Meg's wedding and then to Virginia to visit the Mas and Pru. We'll be back Tuesday night. That's 5 days, but I feel like I'm packing for a year. I started preparations on Saturday with one of my favorite pastimes...list making. Packing for Michael is easy. Finding five days worth of clothes I like that actually fit me is another story. And toughest of all is Miss Marlee. I'm pretty sure we're taking everything she owns. And let's not forget George, who's off for a vacation at Grammy's...his bag needs to be packed too! Gone are the days of throwing a few things in a duffle for an impromptu weekend road trip. Endless preparations aside, I'm really looking forward to our first family vacation!

Make New Friends, Keep the Old

I'm so lucky to have so many wonderful old friends. A fun lunch date with "Sissy Teeny" made me thankful for all the people who have been a part of my life for years and years. It's hard to maintain relationships when our lives are so crazy, but worth the effort. The best friends are the ones you can go forever without seeing and pick right back up like no time has passed. Mindy, Katie, Christine, and Matt...you all have been around for an awfully long time, and I'm so glad to have you in my life today.

Parade Plus Pumpkin Patch=

A fun fall day! The morning started with the Roswell Youth Day Parade, which goes right past our house. We parked the Pathfinder at the end of the driveway and sat in the back to watch the floats and bands go by. Once our street was re-opened, we hopped in the car and headed to the pumpkin patch. I was excited about Marlee's first visit to the patch, but she was too worn out from the parade and slept the whole time! We still got some really cute pictures!

Ahh, Fall!

Fall is here! Okay, so it's officially been fall for a few weeks now, but we're just getting our first taste of cooler weather here in Atlanta. Fall is our favorite time of year. We started dating in the fall, got engaged in fall, and were married in fall. The brisk fall air seems to bring all of these memories front and center, much like a smell can remind you of a person or place. The weather reports say that the cool weather is only temporary, but we're enjoying it while we can. Even Marlee is taking advantage of the chill and dressing for the season. Isn't she a little "deer?"

Happy Wednesday!

Separation Anxiety

Saturday night I did it. We left Marlee with my mom (and Alex and Jenna) and went to see a movie. We attempted this last weekend, but I couldn't bring myself to leave. MJ is going through a fussy evenings phase, and I hated the thought of not being there to comfort her. It had nothing to do with my mom's ability to take care of her, and everything to do with my ability to be away from her. I knew that the day was going to come, and figured it would hurt whether it was sooner or later, so might as well get it over with.

We saw The Heartbreak Kid, which I found to be disappointing and even offensive at times. I can't believe I left her to see a movie I didn't even like! It served it purpose of distracting me though. I only left the movie once to call and check on Marlee. I did shed a couple tears on the way home, desperately missing my baby.

As hard as it was, I'm glad to have gotten that first time over with. I think it will get easier each time...not that I'm planning on doing it again soon :)

6 Weeks Old

Marlee is 6 weeks old today! It's amazing how much she's changed. Her little personality is really starting to emerge. Here are some pictures of our big girl!

A New Look

New colors for the blog. Pretty, no? :) By the way, I'm liking the current blog name. It was meant to be temporary, but I think I'll stick with it for a while.

The Scoop on Poop

Since Marlee was born, it has become a frequent topic of conversation in our house. For the past couple of weeks, MJ has decided to go only when she feels like it, which can mean skipping several days. After calls to the pedi, I've been told that this is because breastmilk is the perfect food and creates very little waste. This is BS. Why do I know this is BS (at least in MJ's case)? Because when she decides to go, it is not "very little waste." It is 4-5 days of poop. Out the diaper, up the back, in the armpits and hair kind of poop. "Very little" my pregnancy-enhanced tush. And both of the times I've had the pleasure of experiencing the big poop, it has been just hours after giving my sweet girl her bath. So she gets another. It's a good thing she likes it. My advice for mommies with babies who have skipped a few days...try a bath.

First "Play Date"

Marlee and Emily's first meeting...Best friends already!