The Peach State

Faegan and I packed it up this weekend and went home to the wonderful peach state. It is always so refreshing to drive those familiar roads where I grew up. I love living in the mountains, but since we live in a valley, I don't get to see beautiful sunsets too often. This was just before turning in to my parents house and it made that Friday-afternoon-through-Atlanta-traffic-with-a-not-so-happy-baby drive more than worth it. 

We had a pretty laid back weekend with my family. Saturday was filled with shopping in some local shops and talking to a few people at the Peaches to the Beaches yard sale. We didn't do much shopping with them, but I did manage to get Faegan some new shoes for $5 and $6. We also hit up one of our favorite children's boutiques and stocked up on summer hair bows and some summer sandals. 

We were trying to keep Faegan awake a little longer and resorted to, what else, food! I have been dying to let her try a strawberry and mom had a flat from Sam's that I couldn't resist. No surprise, she loved them! She ate three whole (huge) strawberries! 

Ash decided to spend the night on Saturday. We all (minus the boys) went and ate sushi on Saturday night and it was fabulous. I think I could eat sushi every week and not get tired of it. 

Faegan is absolutely enamored with Blair. Every time she sees her she kicks her legs and says "mmmm mmmmm". Blair is still wonderful help and is going to be the best big sister. 

Watching Elmo perched upon Ash.

Our trips to Georgia are always too fast and we never want to leave. I think we are both looking forward to the summer when we can stay longer!

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20 Weeks and My Visitors

I'm halfway there!  We are both so excited we can't stand it. Ben poked at my belly the other night and said "Hurry up and get here!". We have a crib and she has a few outfits, but other than that we haven't done much planning.

 Here she is! 20 weeks!

She is the size of a banana.

Movement: I think she may have turned sometime this week. I may be wrong, but her movement is in different places and more up high than down low.

Total Weight Gain: Fluctuating between 9 and 10 lb

Cravings: Kiwi, Peanut Butter M&M's (thanks to one of my students that always has a bag in class)

One of the more exciting things about this past weekend was my company. I have had the pleasure of having my family up here for two weekends in a row and I am rotten now. I keep waiting for another group to come in for the weekend. Blair and Ash came up Friday and they were able to stay until Monday morning. It was so nice to get to spend time with them and play with Blair. She is full time!

 

First things first, brownies! Blair is a pro at making anything. She can measure flour, sugar, pour, crack eggs, and stir. She is even great at cleaning up the leftover batter :)

We had a baby cow born while they were here that Ben thought wasn't drinking milk. Just to be safe, we gave him a bottle of colostrum to give him a head start. He is up and running now, but he was not feeling so hot the day he was born. You normally don't want to be able to get this close to baby cows - it usually means that there may be a problem if they aren't running from you, but it was fun for Blair to see him up close and personal. As soon and she saw the big cows she said, "Mama cows!".

 

She was a little apprehensive of him at first.

 She finally gave him a little pet,

 

and even a kiss!

I had such a wonderful time with my company and can't wait for them to come back! 

(The only way I could get Blair to take a picture with me was letting her push the button on the remote!)

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Sweet Blair Turns Two

I can't believe that Blair is two. I will never forget racing down to Georgia that sunny afternoon hoping I would get there in time for her arrival! She has come a long way and is quite possibly the sweetest child ever. I know my sister always says she is so sweet, but she really is! Every time I go down to Georgia I fear that she will have forgotten who Aunt Linnie is, but thanks to Ash and my mom, I think she thinks the pictures around the house have come to life when I am there! She used to be a little skeptical of me, but this weekend she actually let me hold her around my mom - HUGE feat in my book! That girl loves her Gigi! When I left to go home, she smiled and squeezed my cheeks and told me very enthusiastically "BYE BYE". I think she may have been ready for some one on one time with Gigi!

My sister, Ashlee, planned the cutest owl party for Blair's second birthday. She thought of everything and the food was delicious. She made the precious owl invitations and Blair donned an owl dress from Kelly's Kids that was the inspiration for the party. You can read more of the details here. Of course, Mom and I started planning our contributions to the dessert as soon as we found out the theme. Mom made the cutest cake that matched Blair's dress perfectly. I wish I was as talented as my mom! Her cakes are stunning!

I made owl cookies to match the day. I think Blair really liked them too! When she wasn't sticking her finger in the icing on the cake, she was eating icing off of the cookies. She was too cute. The first round she grabbed every single blue one. Then she went to the orange ones. I don't think she ever started handing out the red ones!

Detail picture since I didn't get a good one at the party.

Blair would pick up the cookie and say "hoooo"

I love you sweet Blair!

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Yumminess in a Jar

While at my parent's house in Georgia, I was able to pick blueberries to bring home with me. One of my dad's friends has about fifteen blueberry bushes and they were LOADED.

I literally ran my hand down the branch and just put my bucket underneath. It might as well have been Christmas that day (minus the sweltering 100 degree heat index) I was so excited. One of my favorite things about summer produce is making jams and preserves.

Blair got in on the action too and I think she was equally excited about the fact that we were picking blueberries in the blazing sun. She was a good sport about it, but was so excited to get back in the air conditioned car.


She was even generous and gave away some of her loot.

My blueberries now look like this:

and are housed in my precious jars.

I have used this recipe for several years now and have had great success with it!

Wild Blueberry Preserves

4 cups fresh or frozen wild blueberries
4 cups sugar
1 pouch liquid fruit pectin
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon rind
2 tablespoons lemon juice

Pour half of the blueberries into large Dutch oven; gently mash to just break up. Stir in sugar and remaining blueberries. Heat over low heat, stirring often, until sugar dissolves. Increase heat to high and bring to full rolling boil and boil for 1 minute. Stir in fruit pectin, lemon rind and juice; return to boil.

Pour into hot sterilized jars, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Cover with prepared lids; screw on bands. Boil in boiling water bath canner for 10 minutes. Let cool on rack. Check seals. Refrigerate any jars with lids that have not sealed. Store in a cool, dark, dry place for up to 1 year. Makes 4 cups.

I have peach too!!

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The Right Moves

I recently was able to spend a few days in Dreamland, aka my sister's hometown. I affectionately dubbed her town Dreamland years ago because of the many things happy there. It really is a surreal little town and I love when I visit there.

1. They have the taco truck. This truck drives around the farms during the summer and these coolers contain the best Mexican rice and beans that will ever enter your mouth.


2. This is what you see driving down the road. And I'm not talking about one or two. This is the traffic in Dreamland.


3. The taco truck.


4. These two live there.


5. The taco truck.


6. They have convertible buses for watermelon picking.




7. Did I mention the taco truck??


In all seriousness, I love spending time with my sister. She always has something fun for us to do and it makes me realize how much I miss them when I return to Alabama. I wish I got to see them more often!

For the grand finale, and for your viewing pleasure, I proudly unveil the new Beyonce video featuring Blair. Enjoy!
**I have no hair because I have been trying for days and can't get this video to rotate. Until I find a solution to my video skills, please turn your head or computer screen. Sorry :) ***

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