Isabella Teresa's Baby Shower

Myself and 22 other hostesses (whew!) had a Baby Shower for mom-to-be Angela and her due-any-day-now daughter, Bella on Sunday. Ang's mom created some BEAUTIFUL flower arrangements I thought I would share! It was a wonderful day!

The theme was nursery rhymes, so the centerpieces were actually the hostess gifts with books brought by guests. So cute!

Harley - Four Months

Wow...four months! So much to say about Miss Harley at 4 months. She laughs & coos & grabs things (like Mommy's hair!) and watches TV (she's her Mother's Daughter for sure). She went to the beach (PCB!) and did just great! She loves her Cousin Bryan because he loves playing with her! Harley loves her excersaucer, her play mat, and she's starting to like her swing more and more. She also loves sitting outside in her bouncy seat while Mommy and Daddy eat dinner. She's going to sleep earlier and normally wakes up around 6 or 6:30. She's such a good, sweet baby! Everyday is something new & fun.

Update - 6/17/10 - Harley rolled over from her stomach to her back!! Still working on rolling from her back to her stomach but it will be any day now!

Click here to see our family's beach pictures!

Mother's Day Celebration

We had a wonderful (early) Mom's Day Celebration at our house on May 15th. Love the fam!

Click here for the Mother's Day photo album!

Click here for the May 2010 photo album!

Greta's Baby Shower

Very soon, Baby Boy Flynn will be here!! We celebrated his upcoming arrival with a baby shower last month at Inverness Country Club. Good food, good gals, good gifts...good times. :)

Click here for the photo album!

Harley - Three Months

On May 3rd, my little baby girl was THREE months old!! She's getting so interactive now - smiling and laughing and cooing. She loves to lay on her back and flail her arms and legs around. She loves to look at toys & books and her hands & feet. It is so cool to see the fascination on her face when she spots something new. She loves looking at Mommy and Daddy talk and make faces. Her favorite song is "All around the Mulberry Bush" and she always cracks a big smile for the "POP goes the weasel" part. She definitely knows Mommy, Daddy, Abbie, Yokie, Pop, Nan, SheShe, and Granddad. Nan (my Granny) can make her smile & laugh like no one else. It is so cute!

Click here for the April 2010 Photo Album!

She enjoys visiting with Aunt Sandra & Uncle Allen and Aunt Amanda & BFF Ruby. This past weekend was our Mom's Day celebration and cousin Bryan had a lot of fun playing with Harley. Bayron kidding-ly told Bryan to be careful because Harley would bite...a few minutes later Bryan said to me..."Um, Amy...when I was that little, did I bite?" Adorable. I said "she doesn't bite Bryan; Bayron was just kidding with you." :) Harley is looking forward to her first trip to the beach next week and spending more time with Uncle Lane, Aunt Lori & Bryan.

Cousins Mary Beth, Bryan, Harley & Madeline

The Family - May 15, 2010

Pin-Up Theme

Last month, some fabulous gals and I hosted Emily's Pin-Up Lingerie Shower. April, Amy S., Tammy, Lindsey & I had a blast putting the event together and making sure the Pin-Up theme was in full effect. Lindsey was able to set up the Photo Booth that her company, Feel the Beat, rents out for parties. Fun stuff!

Congrats to Emily & Brian on their engagement & upcoming nuptials!

Click here for some funny photos from the photo booth!

Harley - Two Months

It's so hard to believe that Harley is two months old! I'm a week late in this post, so she's actually 9 weeks old now. We had her two month doctor visit today & she weighs 7 lbs 1 oz and is 20 inches long.

Harley has always been very alert, but she's even more so now! She follows me with her eyes and definitely knows her Mommy and Daddy's voices. She knows her nights from her days which is awesome! She loves looking at her toys and loves our black and white Ansel Adams photos hanging in our bedroom.

Our first "outing" other than to see family was on Monday. We took Abbie for her regular vet appointment and Harley came too! Dr. Randy and the vet techs were all very excited to meet her.

Here is Harley celebrating her first Easter:

Click here for the March photo album!

Milk Coma

Harley gets in what Greta calls a "milk coma" after she eats. It's hilarious. You can tell when she "wakes" up. ha!

Harley - One Month

Harley turned one month old on March 3rd! I can't believe it! She's so sweet and we love her so much. She's very alert and enjoys looking in the mirror, at Abbie and outside. She loves when Pop talks to her. She also enjoys riding in the stroller when Mommy & Daddy go for walks in the neighborhood. Daddy bought her a Minnie Mouse rattle which is her favorite toy. She doesn't like baths too much yet but I'm sure she will soon. Her jaundice level is going down which is great! At her last doctor's appointment, she weighed 5 lbs and 9 oz.

Wedding Bells

Stan & Beth tied the knot on February 27th, 2010. As Stan says "Hell Hath Frozen Over" since he was the quintessential bachelor. Beth is an amazing woman and I'm so happy she's part of our family now!

Here's some pics from the wonderful weekend and also a video of Mary Beth & Dad (Uncle Dave to her) dancing. I filmed it long-ways, so just turn your head to view. :)

Dinner at Cafe DuPont the night before the wedding:

Wedding day - first dance:

MB & Uncle Dave:

She's here!

I'm a little late in this post, but I've been a little busy! Harley Elizabeth is here! She made her way into our world on February 3, 2010 at 12:25pm, at 4 lbs, 13 oz and 18 inches long.


She had lots of visitors in the hospital and she had a wonderful family waiting on her at home! A full photo album can be found here. Bryan was so excited to meet his new first cousin!

Harley Elizabeth - 2/8/10
5 days old after her first bath by Mommy & Daddy

Almost finished!

I didn't have Harley on Monday. However, I am definitely having her tomorrow at 12:15!! It's so crazy and exciting and surreal knowing that at this time tomorrow, I'll be a MOM!

The extra couple of days helped us (almost) finish Harley's nursery. Me, Bay, Mom and Dad put up the remaining wall coverings and the mirror. We still have to frame some pics, but that can wait!

I'll post pics of Harley soon!

Nursery - Before and After

On (possibly) the eve of becoming a Mom, I thought I would post some photos of the bedroom we changed into Harley's nursery. Enjoy!

Before:

During:After:

We're still missing some items for the walls (a mirror that Mom and Dad are painting, some more branches & birds to put around the "harley" letters), but isn't it cute? :)

Baby Update

I'm 36 weeks. On Sunday, I'll be 37 weeks, which is technically full term. Went to the doc yesterday & my amniotic fluid is too low. SO, there is a high probability that Harley will be making her arrival on Monday. Whoa! Flood of emotions...happy, worried, excited, scared, anxious, did I say excited? Much to do now...gotta go work on some websites. And finish cleaning. And packing my hospital bag. And give some major loving to Abbie & Ezra. :) Keep us all in your thoughts & prayers, please. More updates later!

Good Times and Bad Times

Bad times first...my heart goes out to my brother-in-law, Lane, my sister, Lori, and the entire Lynchard Family. Lane's father passed away on January 18th after a 6 month battle with cancer. He was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed. From Lane: "My dad taught me that success is not found in what you have, it is found in being a good husband, father and friend. Well done dad, your life was one success after another and I could not be more proud of you."

Also, Coach Moore's wife, Charlotte, passed away on January 17th. Even though she's had Alzheimer's and hasn't recognized Coach Moore for years, he visited her every day and he still has a picture of the two of them as a young married couple in a heart-shaped frame on his desk.

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Good times next...Bama won the National Championship. My hubby went to the game with my Roll Tidings. This is one of the souvenirs he brought back for me:

While he was gone, it actually snowed for a minute in Bham. Our lake half froze...not sure if you can tell, but it was pretty cool. After a few below freezing days, it completely froze but you couldn't tell on camera. Probably one of the few times we'll ever see a completely frozen lake in central Alabama!

Finally, I'm 35 weeks now! Harley will be here SOON!

Exciting day today...

Several events have occurred or are occurring today that elicited my excitement. First, it snowed. Well, kind of. I saw snow flakes come down. They didn't really stick, but it was pretty for a little while.

Next, I made a website live that I've been working on since July. I love this site design, I love the products the site features, and I love the gal who creates these beautiful items!

Check it out: http://www.carysrosedesigns.com!

Finally, tonight Bama plays in the BCS National Championship Game! Hubby is there and I couldn't be happier for him. As for me, I'm having a few friends over & cooking a big pot of chili.

ROLL TIDE!!!!!!!!!!!

Black-Eyed Pea Stew

Yummy stew that I made today for the New Year. I substituted collard greens for mustard greens since you're supposed to eat collards on New Year's Day. I also used canned black-eyed peas instead of dried...because it's easier.

Black-Eyed Pea Stew from CookingLight
This stew is a cousin of hoppin' John, a Southern dish made with black-eyed peas and rice traditionally served on New Year's Day. We use mustard greens in this rendition, but kale or collard greens would also work well. Serve with hot pepper sauce and corn bread. Beer pairs well with this dish.

2 cups dried black-eyed peas
1 tablespoon peanut oil
3/4 cup finely chopped yellow onion
8 ounces turkey kielbasa, halved lengthwise and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
4 cups organic vegetable broth (such as Swanson Certified Organic)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 (28-ounce) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes
1 (10-ounce) bag prewashed mustard greens

Sort and wash peas; set aside.
Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion to pan; cook 3 minutes or until tender.
Add sausage; cook 4 minutes or until lightly browned.
Stir in broth; bring to a simmer, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Stir in peas, salt, peppers, and bay leaves. Cover and simmer 45 minutes or until peas begin to soften.
Uncover and cook 15 minutes or until liquid begins to thicken.
Stir in vinegar, tomatoes, and mustard greens; simmer 10 minutes or until peas are tender, stirring occasionally. Discard bay leaves.
Yield: 8 servings (serving size: about 1 cup)

While the merry bells keep ringing...may your every wish come true!

I hope everyone has a Happy Holiday Season!
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Doing the Heisman...

Went to the Football Building to visit friends and Mark Ingram's Heisman was there! Had to strike the pose...31 weeks pregnant. :)

So thankful...

What a wonderful time in my life. I think I'll reflect a little... :)

I'm so thankful for the bundle of joy growing in my belly. I'm 29 weeks now. She moves around A LOT which makes me happy because it gives me a sense that she's doing well.

I'm so thankful for my fun, frustrating, awesome, handsome, loving husband. Every day is a new adventure and after celebrating three years of marriage (on Nov. 25), I'm still not tired of him. :) In fact, I can't wait to see what adventures are ahead for the two...make that three of us. I appreciate him more than he knows and thank him for supporting me while I've turned Cahaba Creative into a successful business.

I'm so thankful for my wonderful family. My family and the in-laws do so much for us and I'm so appreciative of their love and support. From giving me a fun childhood to putting up with me through high school and college antics to helping me grow up and become an adult, my parents have always been there for me no matter what paths I've chosen, attempting (usually successfully) to steer me in the right direction. And now, with Lori & Lane's help bringing Bryan's nursery furniture up from Pcola and Mom & Dad painting and repairing and cleaning and shopping, they're helping me with my next endeavor in life...bringing my sweet daughter into this world! (I'll be posting pics of the nursery later.) As for Granny, Ava & Charles, April, Steve & Sarah...I'm fortunate that they are a constant support system and are always helping me with whatever is going on at any given time.

I'm so thankful for all of my amazing friends. My B's are like my sisters and I don't know what I would do without their love, humor, and advice. Bay's friends rock too and have taken me in as if they've known me forever. My group of girls in Bham are always there for me when I need them and always up for a good laugh. I'm so happy I've reconnected with my high school girlfriends and glad they keep me up on Ttown gossip. And I can't leave out my boys that are dear to my heart even though I think they like Bayron better than me now. ha! I'm also thankful that my friends have wonderful growing families...husbands, wives, significant others, children and pets...that love them unconditionally.

I'm so thankful for the kids. Bryan, Madeline, Mary Beth, Avery, Ruby, Juliette, Cade, Macey, Mason Grace, Ethan, Tanner, Stephen, Elliott, Carson, Wells, Dax, Ethan, Sydnee, Joshua, and Liv are amazing additions to this world. And there are more on the way!

I'm so thankful for my constant companions, Abbie and Ezra. I love them both so much!

I'm so thankful that I got TWO Thanksgivings this year! Being pregnant (or even if I wasn't!), it's always great to eat that wonderful food twice, plus leftovers. We had a great time at the Baggett/Burroughs Thanksgiving on Thursday; then we beat Auburn (RTR!) on Friday; then we had a great time at the Bryan/Phillips/Bullard Thanksgiving at my house on Saturday!

And finally, I'm so thankful for the Crimson Tide's awesome season! This past weekend, Bay & I headed to Atlanta for the SEC Championship. Unless you live under a rock, you know BAMA won and we are going to the National Championship. It was an amazing game and although I'm too pregnant to go to the BCS game, I'm so happy and proud of the Tide and I'm also happy Bay gets to go and support the team. Here are some pics from this past Saturday's game.


Click here for vids from the game.

There are lots more things I'm thankful for but these are the high points. I hope everyone can be as blessed, lucky, and fortunate as me through the holiday season and always.