Sun, Sand, Ocean....

We had a blast at the beach this past weekend.  As stressed as I was about going on a "vacation" with Emma, it was really a great time.  I took a TON of pictures, but sadly, failed to get any with our great friends with whom we went:(  I guess when you have kids, the camera never makes it past pictures of them!  Justin, Cortney, and Eli - we had a blast and love y'all to pieces!!!  I couldn't have had a better time with anyone else!

This wagon was awesome - we took it everywhere (breakfast, dinner, the beach) and Emma was super content riding in it.

She loved the beach!  She ate sand a few times on the first day, but it quickly lost it's appeal.

Just digging in the sand...she would dig in one place, then run over to another and dig again...part dog???

We really had the most beautiful weather all weekend...a little cool in the mornings, but it warmed up.

Going to eat dinner in downtown Beaufort!

I never get sick of this place...the view from the deck at Front Street Grill at Stillwater.

Someone was not in the mood for any sunset pictures with mom....sigh.

She was in the mood, however, for the water.
"Mom, why don't you trust me..I won't jump in, I promise!"

Love her face here....we have dear friends that live on Harker's Island, and we went to visit them Saturday.  This is Emma with Lillian.

Much better!

I was so excited to go to this store on the waterfront in Morehead City.

Emma will be sporting this adorable sailboat dress this summer.

And I racked up on 3 more tops.....I can't enough of their bold prints and easy styles.  Most of their children's clothes start at 2T...so as soon as Emma is big enough, Brent and I will be fighting over the Amex bill every month (just kidding, Brent - love you!)  The peasant dress in the pic below is also from here.  And FYI..their prices are awesome (I HATE to spend a lot of money on kids clothes, so if I bought several, then you know it was reasonable!)

"Mom, not now!  I'm trying to drank!"

"You guys coming or what? I don't want to miss happy hour!"

Emma's sand masterpiece...we are taking bids now. 

She would literally run to the water and wait for it to come splash her toes!

"It's cool at first, mom but I LOVE it!!"

We spent one night with Brent's college roommate, Austin, who now lives in LaGrange.   Casey and Daisy were best buds back then, and we all have fond memories of them playing/bouncing/rough-housing together.  Casey face still lights up when we say the name "Daisy".......too sweet.

Mason teaching Emma about trucks.

I hear there was an exciting baseball game while we were down there....I most certainly watched it in my dreams....but kudos to the crazy fans who stayed at the stadium to watch history!

The view from the Mooring's beach house...I could definitely get used to this.   Many thanks for their generosity...and Happy 40th wedding anniversary:)

One of my faves from the trip....how could you not love an adorable face in a seersucker crab bubble from  La Petite Boutique at Neuse Sport Shop in Kinston, NC.

I am so ready to go back.....all I need now is a boat, a house, and oodles of money (and time off work...)

Ramblings...

Life......a sampling of what's on my mind these days...

1. I am loving summer hours at work (off at 4:30 during the week, and 3 on Friday).  It gives me a chance to run an errand or get Emma early.  But as much as I love this, I long for summer's off.  I wonder if my life will ever be as carefree as it used to be in the summer....ski, sun, play, repeat.  Does anyone else ever wish they were 12 again??

2. Emma had her first parent-teacher conference this week, and of course, she is doing awesome.  They go over a checklist of development milestones and have listed the dates when she completed or first showed sign of them (another reason I am thankful for her teachers...I'm not organized as a stay at home mom to be able to keep that kind of record!).  As I left the conference, I got to watch Emma do music time in her classroom....I am so thankful she loves daycare and that I can work feeling good about where she is.

3. We are going to the beach this weekend and I am super stressed. We had planned to go a month ago, but the weather has been awful, so we postponed it.  I didn't realize this was a holiday weekend, and I really dislike the beach during these times - too many peeps.  I think I am trying to get used to the fact that there aren't really vacations with kids anymore....or so they say.  I am running around crazy trying to pack, and it seems like there is SO much to take now.  Any hints, suggestions, words of advice, encouragement, prayers, humorous stories, etc.. are all welcome:)

4.  I can't get enough time with these sweet cheeks.....she's such a joy to be around, and the best part is, God trusted ME to be her momma....so blessed:)

First Mother's Day

My first real Mother's Day...what a blessing!  I picked up Miss Em from daycare and received this little beautiful gift she had made.  These mean so much to me, and I keep every single thing she brings home:)

Emma also decided to share her cold with me, so I was not feeling 100% but at least I had an excuse to steal a moment or two on the couch:)  Brent really does an awesome job of appreciating me and making me feel special everyday, and I am grateful.  It was another jam-packed weekend and TONS of fun.  Friday night, I stayed up way too late making these gifts for my students that were graduating.

By way too late.....I mean 11:30pm.  So before you judge, keep in mind that I NEVER sleep past 6:30....EVER.  Emma gets up by then no matter what time she went to bed the night before - guess she is anxious to get the day started!  We also had a pretty sleepless night because Emma coughed the entire night.  So I was feeling pretty AWESOME Saturday morning.  Brent and Emma came with me to Peace's graduation, and I was so thankful they did.  I loved sharing the moment with them, and also getting to hang out with them outside on that gorgeous day.  I decided not to process at graduation and sit with the "common folk."

These lovely ladies graduated...and I am so proud of all of them.

Sadly, I didn't get as many pictures with these lovely ladies as I wanted...and I am hoping they did and will share!

After graduation, Brent and Emma took me to the mall to pick out my Mother's Day gift.  I decided I wanted some arm candy for my gift...something that I would look at everyday and cherish.  I have never really had a "real" watch, except for the awesome wood watch Brent bought me one year for Christmas.  So, I wanted to nice watch that I could wear everyday.  I do love the Michael Kors watches, but it seemed like everyone and their uncle had one of those, so when I saw that my girl Kate made watches, I was all over that...(and sorry for the iphone pic...still needing a camera)

Brent bought me the pearl bracelet after Emma was born, and the gold monogrammed bangle was a gift from my parents the first Christmas I was married.  Now, I have my first Mother's Day gift to complete the arm......

After picking out this beauty, we walked around the mall...another one of my presents.  usually Brent tags along behind, sighing, looking over my shoulder...RUSHING ME.  So, I was super happy to make everyone enjoy shopping, people watching, and strolling along like I do.  We completed the day by getting our seafood on at McCormick and Schmick's.

Emma is a huge fan of Pottery Barn and PBKids.....she loved all the comfiness in the store!

Sunday, Brent took Emma on a long walk/nap before church so I could get some household things done.  This was another present because I love an organized and clean house, and am super annoyed when I can't get these things done.  Then,we headed to church and had a delicious lunch of Jersey Mike's (all I could think of was eating a #2 throughout the whole sermon!)  We sprinkled in a little bit of laundry, cleaning, and playtime, then went to my parents for dinner and drinks:)

This is THE best pomegranate margarita mix EVER.  You can buy it at Southern Season.....it's the perfect compliment to some homemade guacamole, and grilled chicken legs.

I have always wanted  Dash and Albert tote bag, and when we went to Fearrington  last weekend, they had an awesome selection.  My mom, dad, and Aunt Paula picked this one out for me and I love it.....beach trips, here we come!

I had an awesome weekend....again. I am so thankful for my family - I am beyond blessed to have the great relationships I have with them.

You'll need a hero, and a good dog...especially a good dog....on the journey of your life

I have loved this song for awhile....I heard it on my iTunes today while working and immediately was overwhelmed with emotion.  This sing came out not too long after our sweet Daisy passed away, so every time he talks about "a good dog," I tear up.  I think now about all the precious memories we COULD have had if Daisy had been alive to see Emma.  

I see her snuggling up with her, them both following each other around, and so on.  I miss Daisy like crazy, and still feel horrible that her life had to be cut short. 

Our awesome Student Services staff at work brought in Rescue dogs for students to come visit during exams (how cute is that?), and I flocked to this beautiful golden.....and was fighting back tars like crazy.  It's amazing what that pitiful stare from big brown eyes can do to your soul....

So here's to Daisy-boo....my first baby girl.  
Words can't describe how much you were loved, and missed now.  

A Big Week

I apologize in advance for the poor quality pictures - I desperately need a "real" camera.  As Emma is moving more and more, the iphone just doesn't capture here anymore, and the flash is so delayed.  If anyone has any suggestions on something simple and cheap....let me know!  

I have so much to catch up on...it's only been a week, but it was a BIG week.  First, Emma had a fever and cold Monday last week.  I had to pick her up early from daycare and take her to the doctor...only for them to tell me that nothing was notably wrong and she would just ride it out.  I REALLY hate it when they say that. If my child has a fever of 102.8 then something IS wrong, and I want to know what it is.  Emma is a really good sick baby - she really doesn't fuss much at all and I can't tell a whole lot of difference in her behavior except for her burning hot body and forehead.  Mondays are the worst days for doctor visits - it's always a zoo on those days. Waiting with a squiggly 10 month old is not easy anymore.  Thankfully, we spent most of our time waiting in the exam room and not in the petri dish room.

The only thing that keeps this girl busy is my jewelry. 

I had some things at work the next 2 mornings that I could not get out of...so naturally, I took Emma to work with me.  I officially earned my crazy lady award.  Being a working mom is hard enough, but trying to be a working and a mom AT THE SAME TIME was insane.  Luckily, it was only for 2 mornings, and Brent took her one day on his lunch break.  But honestly, we got through it, and I LOVED showing her off to my students and co-workers:)

A new bear from Mama Sheri!

Making new friends....Sarah is graduating this Saturday and is SOO awesome....In will miss her!

Daddy took Emma for her first Chickfila nuggets!  Of course, she loved them!  If you are ever in Cameron Village, you must go to the Chickfila there...2 stories and super nice!

We stayed home the next few days, as Emma would have a fever in the morning, and then it would go away at night. This was so odd because usually fevers spike at night, but she was happy and acting normal so we just carried on as usual.  I was happy to get to spend the time with her too, even if it meant missing work.  We went to the mall, played outside (when we could...this weather stinks!), and went for walks.

We waited outside for dad to get home each night.

"Mom, are you coming??"

Love me some snuggles!!!

"Oh wait...another picture??? I wasn't ready!"

New obsession - toilet flushing. I walked out of the bathroom to hear her flushing over and over....

zonked out on one of our walks.....

The only fussy day this child has ever had...Friday she woke up crying and unhappy, but without a fever.  This was so rare..she is never in a bad mood in the morning.  We tried to go to Target...and this meltdown occurred.  It was so out of character for her.  Thank God she is not like this all the time....

Friday, my aunt and uncle came to visit my parents, and I was so excited.  They come twice a year because they live in Maine and Florida.  We had such a blast with them...it was a super busy weekend and we were going all the time, but it really was fun.

Uncle Dick and Aunt Paula!

Loving the fountain at Meadowmont!

Hamming it up in Southern Season!

We went out to the Fearrington - a great day trip.  There is a  bird in one of the shops there and Emma was fascinated by it.

We had brunch after church at the Carolina Inn.....Emma had a blast running up and down the long hallways.

Saturday night, I went out to Raleigh to celebrate a dear friend's 30th birthday, and also splurged on a manicure.  It was so nice to get pampered and go out to eat sans kid.  I had been with Emma by myself the whole week (Brent even worked Saturday), so I was really grateful!

Happy 30th Corrie!! 

Sunday, Emma moved up to the next Nursery room - Toddler 1.  She LOVED this room and all the fun toys.  

Snack time!!!

"Stop taking my cheerios or else!!!"

We finished up the weekend with pomegranate Margaritas and homemade guacamole at our house Sunday night.  Despite all the running around, missing work, bad weather, and sickness - last week and weekend were one of the best I've had in a long time!