Flashback Friday!

Check out this pic of Miss L.'s first bath at home. I remember her being tiny, but this pic really puts it into perspective. Sure love my family!

First Day of School!

Miss L has been registered for Mother's Day Out at a local Catholic school since August...but all students must be walking before they can attend.

And well, a week ago Monday, our girl literally just took off! And she hasn't stopped since!

After spending a week in Nashville and getting settled back into Memphis, she started 'school' today. :) She was a little hesitant when we first walked in, but opened up about two minutes later. There was another sweet little girl in her class that seemingly took Layla under her wing right away. Miss L looked so happy! My heart melted and I boo-hooed all the way to my car. She didn't need me. I'm not sure if Mother's Day Out is better for her independence or mine.

I was so excited to pick her up...now I know what parents talk about with carpool lines. :) Miss L came out with a smile and a shiner in her head. :( Her teacher said she had a wonderful day, except for the tumble she took on the outside playground. Apparently, she worked hard to keep up with the other children. Layla didn't cry and remained happy all day long...and she even laid down on her mat for a nap! I couldn't believe it! I still rock her to sleep for naps and at night! Oh, well...I guess that is for me, too. :)

It looks like these three half days a week are going to be good for us both...

Working Momma

Before Miss L was born, my focus was my career. I loved my job and the people I worked with and there wasn't a day that went by that I wasn't grateful for the opportunity to love what I did.

In early July, 2010, I was at a business dinner with a colleague, my boss and the Chairperson of a Committee I oversaw when my water broke unexpectedly (and early) around 10 in the evening...I was wrapping up a 14 hour day. And then it seemed my career stopped.

About eight months later and with a lot of consideration I took on a small part of what I was doing before Layla joined us. Just part-time and from home. It has worked out wonderfully for me! But, there is one week a year that we all work basically 24 hours a day as we host the largest hardwood industry meeting in the world and nearly all of my fundraising events take place during this time. I was so looking forward to it because I missed seeing everyone so much...work friends from all over North America!

I was a little worried about missing Layla since I spend most every second a day with her. I was so blessed to be able to take her to the meeting...Shane took off work and brought her to Nashville so I could see her sleeping in a sweet crib every night while I was there. 

I was forced to leave her in the hospital that scary July. And I can't think of many things that are worse than leaving the hospital to go home after having a baby...without your baby. What an awful night it was...I snuck out because I didn't want to be pushed in a wheelchair like all of the other mothers...balloons, flowers, cameras... and me without my baby. After 10 days in the NICU, I haven't spent one night away from her.

So...again my work blessed me by allowing my sweet girl to come to our meeting. Granted, I only saw her when I snuck in at night and when I snuck out in the morning...but she was sleeping right there with Shane and I.

Another thing that is for sure...LAYLA HAS AN AMAZING DADDY! Shane took off work to be with her while I did my thing. They had a wonderful time being tourists in Nashville and even visited some friends while there. I know the experience was wonderful for them as they have never spent that much straight time together. Here are some pics Shane took and had taken during their great adventure!

Notice what happens right when the video ends...a little germy :) But, nothing is better than seeing my baby giggle- especially when I am nowhere around. May she forever be happy everywhere she goes!

Football Menu- Game Two

Dallas wins! Too bad it wasn't televised. Not that it mattered because we had an Open House with our realtor this afternoon.

So, we went to Mama Mia's Pizzeria in Collierville and then Shane listened to the game on the car radio, while I treated myself to a mani/pedi.

Since I didn't prepare food for the game, I thought I'd share a pic of the table of lemonade and cookies I left for the Open House.

Hotlanta...ATL...Atlanta....Home

I've long called the city of Atlanta many things, but never have I called it home. That's about to change.

My Shane received a well deserved promotion that will soon make our baby a 'Georgia Peach.' We are headed South the first week of November and I have mixed feelings.

Some may remember that we were singing this same tune about a year ago when Shane was lined-up to work at a newly acquired dealership down there...but things changed last minute...and I mean so last minute we were about to sign a contract on a rental, had plane tickets bought for our friends that were helping us move, house packed in the garage and ready to head out the next morning. We were blessed with another year in Memphis. I was so happy. The whole thing felt so rushed, as our sweet baby had only been home from the NICU for a month or so and we had family members that at that point had not met her (the doctor limited us to visitors since Miss L was so tiny).

But this time, it feels right. Don't get me wrong I am really going to miss my life in Tennessee and those that we love here, but my Shane has worked hard and it is so wonderful to see him grow professionally.

I know we will be back often to visit family and friends and those that are close to us will always remain close to us because our relationships are just so darn tight. :)

And for the first time in my life, I will be living right in the middle of the places that I love the most...West Tennessee and Central Florida. :) I will be within reasonable driving distance between both of them. I smile when I consider that I may just be getting the best of both worlds.

With that said, my heart will surely be sad the day we roll out of here. Tennessee has been good to me. I've been here since 1995 and the days have been beautiful. I say I grew up in Florida, but Tennessee turned me into an adult. I met my husband here, graduated from college here, began my career here and had my baby here. All the while having a loving supporting family and making some of the very BEST friends a girl could have...

A visit from our cousins...

Our cousins visited today!

My cousin Anna, her husband Eric and mother-in-law Lisa stopped by today with Anna and Eric's sweet babies- Ella Grace and Evee. They live in Savannah, so it was a very special treat!

Anna is going back to work soon, as Evee is almost 12 weeks old, so she wanted to bring her girls to Memphis for a trip to the zoo. Miss L and I couldn't make the zoo trip, but we sure had a great time with them when they stopped by the house.

Anna and Eric are great parents and have two adorable little girls. Layla just loved having them over!

Football Menu- Game One

It's no secret that we love Dallas Cowboys football in our house. And Shane is probably still spitting out ill words to the New York Jets after last night's loss. But one good thing came out of it- GAME DAY FOOD!

I thought I'd start sharing the menu for game days around the Oldham House. :)

Since we went to The Germantown Festival yesterday, where we chowed down on fried catfish and rootbeer floats, we kept the menu simple for last night's game, but it was delish!

Before we headed out to the festival, I prepped this  SUPER EASY Crockpot dish:

Four (frozen) medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1  1/2 cup of Salsa

Throw the chicken in the Crockpot and pour the salsa over the top. Cook for five hours on high. Shred it when it is done and yum! Pour it over some tortillas and add cheese. So good!

I also picked up some delicious five pepper jelly made by The Ole Homestead, based in Louisanna, while at the Festival. Spread a little cream cheese on Club crackers and a dollop of the jelly and love it! 

Here's the website to get your own:

http://www.olehomestead.com/

It's notable that Rachel Ray named it the best pepper jelly! :) I agree.

Here's a pic I snapped with my phone last night... :)

Tenth Anniversary of 9/11

Ten years ago today, Shane and I heard the news of the attacks on the radio in our Chevy Blazer. We were on our way to school at UT Martin and only married for about about a month and a half.

Once we arrived on campus, we went went to our classes in two different buildings. I was headed to Dr. Collard's Mass Communications class in Gooch Hall where I saw numerous students crammed into a study room glued to the television. I peeked in and saw what was unfolding on television.

I couldn't believe what was happening...none of us could.

It truly did seem as if the world stopped turning. God bless everyone lost and those that loved them. America can't be broken.

Ten years later, we reflect...

She doesn't know the significance of this photo now, but some day she will.
September 11, 2011

Welcoming Baby Bobby

Shane and I hosted a baby shower for his sister, Missy, and husband, Andy, yesterday at the cabin in Pickwick.

It was such a wonderful occasion! My favorite part? Seeing Missy enjoy so much happiness in having so many people she loves there to celebrate her soon to be born son, Bobby.

It was, however, bittersweet as the day also marked the five month anniversary of death of Missy and Shane's Dad. Baby Bobby is being named after his Papaw. After all, we know Papaw is in Heaven taking care of our sweet baby as his time to join us down here draws nearer.

Here's some pics from this special event...Aunt Crystal is so excited to meet you, Bobby!

Easy invites made with my Cricut

Loved the pacifier tree! Super easy and cute!

Love my Cricut machine...it makes the cutest EVERYTHING!

Geez, Louise! They received TONS of gifts...the amount doubled after I took this pic. This family is so LOVED!

My mother-in-law suggested we do sub sandwiches...I wasn't sure at first, but it sure did make it easy for me! Added some delicious dips, including Missy's favorite hotwing dip. And I love that our Pickwick lake map is in the background of this pic. That lake has so much special meaning to the ENTIRE family!

About to be four! Happy Family!

Big Sister Jadea!

Layla and her best friend, Cousin Abigail. :)

My BEAUTIFUL and HAPPY Sister-in-Law, Missy

Miss L being silly!

Flashback Friday- Miss Layla's Baby Showers

I'm throwing a baby shower for my sister-in-law tomorrow. So excited to welcome Baby Bobby! Thought we'd flashback to my baby showers with Miss L. :) They were so beautiful and so PERFECT!

Since she was a month and a half early, both took place a week after she was born and while she was still in the NICU, hence my 'bling' bracelets.

Pickwick Shower

Sister-in-law, Missy and niece, Jadea.

 My Momma's Side

My Daddy's Side

Katie- my forever friend.

Hostesses

Memphis Shower

Work Friends

Missy and Sweet Maddie

Sorority Sisters

Best Friends and Hostesses

Oh Summertime, how I miss you already...

Labor Day has come and gone and there is no doubt the beginnings of Fall are in the air. If one looks closely, they will see hints of green disappearing from the leaves.

YUCK. YUCK. YUCK.

I love me some Halloween and the smell of good spices in the air, but Fall means Old Man Winter will be here soon, followed by tornado season Spring. We have to go through those two seasons to get back to the best season of all...Summer.

Here's some reasons why I love Summer-