John David and I took a much needed vaca to Missouri a few weeks before Thanksgiving. We asked his parents if they would like to join us and spend some time with Khloe Bear. It was great to spend almost a whole week hanging out and enjoying the mountainous views the city had to offer.
Nana Teresa enjoyed all the loving she got from Ms. Khloe.
In the {almost} five years John David and I have been married, we have only went on one vacation (NYC) that wasn't on a tropical beach. It's funny how having kids change just about everything in your life! : ) Of course, we had to spend a little bit of time playing on the fun playgrounds.
One....Two... Three.. GO!
Pappaw LOVED the fact that she wanted to sit with him rather than Nana! ;)
The Great American Steak & Chicken House.Very yummy!
Khloe didn't get spoiled.. at all... HA!
Love our little family!
Watch as Khloe learns how to open the door and then takes off. Danger! The rest of the trip was spent with the latch hooked at all times!
The fall leaves were just BEAUTIFUL and Khloe had fun running through them!
Look at that adoring Nana standing in the background. Just so cute!
Great memories made, special family time, and lots of love. What more could a girl ask for? Through the ups and downs, I love this life and feel so special to be a part of something so wonderful: my family.
Have you ever had those days where everything, and I mean everything, that could go wrong does go wrong? That’s been the theme of my last three or four months. I can’t count how many times I’ve sat down to write a new blog and got halfway through and deleted it after one quick glance. It didn’t matter what the subject was, but every new entry seemed sad, uninspired, or even angry. Two months later, there has not been one new update. : (
Last night, I stood in the shower and silently spoke to myself. Sometimes, that’s the best therapy. I know I need to update my blog, and I know everyone is wondering where I’ve been, but where do I even begin? And then, like a flood, it all came pouring in. Like previews at the beginning of a movie, the last year flashed before my eyes. It’s been one whole YEAR! I’ve come so far. I can not believe I actually made it. The pre-planned five minute shower evolved to a motionless fifteen minute meditation.
It was just over a year ago that I found myself in the saddest and darkest time of my entire life. Khloe was a tiny little newborn baby and I cried every single day. Not a moment passed that I didn’t beat myself up for feeling sad and not enjoying every second I shared with my sweet little girl, but I literally could not stop the sadness and the tears. Everyone that knew me was seriously and legitimately concerned. My OBGYN convinced me to keep taking the antidepressant she prescribed a month before I gave birth, but John David and I both knew my depression wasn’t anything medicine would fix. It wasn’t a mental problem; it was one hundred percent circumstantial. I took the pills anyway. It was the only solution that was tangible or realistic at the time.
I was five months pregnant when we moved to Alabama. John David intentionally set his schedule up so that the first half of the year would be the busiest so that when the baby came, he would have more time to spend at home with us. No one could have prepared for just how bad my first pregnancy would be. I spent nearly every day completely alone, crying, and vomiting with severe migraines. John David felt completely helpless. He had no control over his ridiculous work schedule and couldn’t be there for me when I needed him the most. My family did everything they could to come see me, but I never felt happy because I had complete anxiety knowing they would be leaving me in just a few days. I couldn’t make friends, even if I wanted to, because I physically could not leave my house by myself. Problems with our realtor left our savings completely wiped out and money was tighter than I had ever even imagined it could be. Khloe was finally born, and I wasn’t sick, but I was still home alone and everything John David and I touched seemed to crash underneath us.
I stood in the shower with tears falling from my eyes remembering just how desperate I was only one year ago. I thought about the little things that have had me down over the past couple months and couldn’t help but laugh. “If I can just make it ONE more year..” I said aloud to myself.
For a long time I’ve been very embarrassed and ashamed that I was sad and depressed during what was supposed to be “the happiest time” of my life. There are only a handful of people that even know I took antidepressants. At some point, you realize you are not alone. Just because other women have had amazing experiences during pregnancy doesn’t mean that I should have had the same experience. There are families all across the world that would give anything, ANYTHING to conceive and carry a baby in their womb. My experience was absolutely horrible, but at the end of the eight months I delivered the most precious little girl who has become such a huge part of my life. I am completely convinced that I have lost my mind, but I want to do it again. Maybe even three more times. Don’t get ahead of yourself. I am not getting pregnant anytime soon, but I definitely want more babies, even if it means eight or nine months of complete torment.
Here’s my point: we all have our ups and downs. I have had an incredible life full of happiness and sadness, heartache and joy. I can not think about all of the things that have went wrong in my life because your past does not define you; what you do with the present does. Though I’ve had a rough couple months, I still praise God for the things he has done for me and the unseen things he has prepared for my life. Things may not be going the way I would like, but I know God has brought me through before and he will do it time and time again. He never fails.
Ecclesiastes 3: There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be bornand a timetodie, a time to plantand a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and enjoyed every minute spent with your loved ones. We are all so blessed. Sometimes we take for granted the little things in our lives that many people are not fortunate to have. Hug your babies tight and kiss your husband every single day. There are people across our world that would kill for the crazy lives we live at this very moment!
A day that's "all about Heather." That's just the perfect day, if you ask me! :)
Twenty five feels old. My teen years are LONG gone and I'm not getting any younger! My baby cousins are now the "cool" kids that wear the cool clothes and know the cool sayings and laugh at me when I attempt to be "cool". Wasn't it just yesterday I was THAT kid?? Nope. That was YEARS ago, Heather. I like to tell myself that I'm still cool though. :)
Regardless, it was a great day. The hubby always makes me a grilled cheese sandwich on my bday, but this year I was craving a McDonald's hotcakes and sausage breakfast - not to mention, we were running way low on groceries anyway! After breakfast we decided to check out the Farmer's Market Downtown Mobile. We were so disappointed when we got there and realized it was closed. We didn't have any plans for the day, but the Hubs was off ALL day, so we wanted to make the most of it. On a whim, we decided to drive to New Orleans and spend the day window shopping and relaxing in the French Quarter. :)
We started off with lunch at Bubba Gump's Shrimp Company. It {the chicken} was very yummy. Jd said the shrimp was good. I wouldn't know, because shrimp is another item on my do-not-eat list. LOL!
The {old} Bday girl. :)
Khloe wanted in on the onion ring tower action. Look at her licking her lips!!
The birthday girl & K Bug in front of the St. Louis Cathedral.
I heart this picture!
Apparently, August 13th just so happened to be the Red Dress Run in NOLA. I have never seen so many men in dresses. It was.....disturbing.
Yep. That's a guy. In red lingerie. It was not pretty.
Guy riding a bike... in a red dress.
It seems like every time we are in New Orleans they are having a parade! Actually, I don't think I've been when they haven't had one. Craziness!
I was a little sad that I had already eaten, because this hot dog stand looked yummy.. and it reminded me of the hot dog stands in New York City.
The thing about New Orleans that I love/hate is that you just never know what you are going to run into. I enjoy NOLA during the day, but am not a fan of the night life. It's just not my style. Again, I'm obviously not "cool!" ;)
There are a ton of people that dress up and encourage you to take their picture (for money, of course!) They get a little agitated when you don't drop a few coins in their buckets. This kid painted himself in all silver and sat on the corner hoping for a few bucks here and there for people to take pics with him. He couldn't have been more than 14 years old. It was 100 degrees outside and I absolutely do not know how he didn't melt!
I'm not EXACTLY sure what he is. I think a statue? There's another form of this guy who dances like a robot. We try to avoid him when we are there because he is very verbal about someone taking his picture and not paying. Ruuude!
And then there's this car:
This is a for-real car, that someone actually drives around. It looked like a homeless person lived in it because it was crammed to the top with junk. The only open space was the driver's seat. Weird.
After a couple hours of strolling through the sidewalks and boutiques, we finally made it to the French Market.(John David was convinced he knew exactly where it was, but he was wrong.. and his wife was RIGHT.. he still won't admit it).
John David brought me here a couple years ago for Valentine's Day and I bought a really cute yellow purse. They have a little bit of everything. I really wanted to buy some of the yummy looking fruit, but didn't want to tote it around the city for the rest of the day.
After a long, fun filled day, Jd snapped a pic of me and Koko on the steps of the entrance to the Cathedral. I love the vintage look of those wrought iron gates!
Khloe, of course, wanted to get down and walk around. Little monkey!
Spending the day with my hubs and baby girl was the absolute best birthday present. Family days are few and far between with John David's crazy busy schedule. We always have the best time when we are able to spend quality family time! I love that husband and baby girl!!
All of the cards, texts, and FB comments wishing me a Happy Bday made me feel very special and very loved on my August 13th National Holiday {wink!}. Thank you to everyone who made me feel like the center of attention! You know I soaked it up! ; )-
And did I mention I got a new camera? Because I did. And I ADORE it. Still learning all the functions and how to work it. Thank you to my amazing familia for making the number one item on my "wish list" come true!! ;) I require no Christmas gift this year. My camera was enough of a gift for the next 5 Bdays and Christmases!! ; )
Happy 2-5 Bday to me! Now, back to the world revolving around Miss Khloe. Her bday is coming up and I can't WAIT!! :)
If you know me, you know how much of a picky eater I am. Just to be clear, when I say I am a "picky eater," what I really mean is I have the taste buds of a five year old. Salad, steak, fish, ranch, and sweet tea are just a few of the items on my do-not-eat list. Chicken nuggets, french fries, mac & cheese, and coke are the staples of my everyday diet. For most of my life I have been such a picky eater because I was just too scared to try new things. As I've gotten older, I've become very self-conscious and embarrassed of my not-so sophisticated palate.
I think the embarrassment began while working at Scruggs, Sossaman & Thompson, a law firm in downtown Memphis. Every holiday or special occasion was a perfect excuse to have a celebration dinner at a super swanky restaurant. While attempting to place my order during the first Christmas dinner with the firm, I had a full fledged panic attack. Filet Mignon was the only thing on the menu that I could actually read and understand what it was. I have never really liked steak, but at least I knew what I would be eating. Turns out it was 32 ounce steak! Yes, THIRTY TWO ounces. The waiter was astonished when I returned the steak and asked for it to be cooked more thoroughly. "The chef will be offended," he informed me. He (along with the rest of the table) was APPALLED when I went even further and requested a side of ketchup to dip the steak in. I ate THREE bites of the steak and was over it. The attorneys NEVER let me live down that experience!
By no means do I enjoy being so picky. I feel so awkward and uncomfortable when refusing such pretty and well prepared food at friends' house. I hate it. So much so that I have recently began forcing myself to be a "big girl" and just try it.
This is the {true} story of the biggest accomplishment I've had with new foods to date. As you remember, Khloe's birth was a sudden and very unexpected experience. If you missed the story of her arrival, you can read about that here. Sunday afternoon a nurse came by our hospital room and told us not to make plans for dinner. The hospital prepares a "special dinner" for Doctor's and their wives after giving birth. How SPECIAL can a hospital dinner really be, I thought.
We could not believe our eyes when they rolled in a cart with white linens and fine china plated with a Steak dinner for two. Juicy steaks, baked potatoes, salad and sweet tea. "Babe, when I get done eating, I'll go and get you some chicken nuggets," my sweet and understanding husband said. I waited patiently as he cut piece by piece of his thick and savory smelling steak. I'm not sure if it was the smell or the fact that I hadn't eaten in three days but I wanted a bite. John David sneakily watched as I ate the two pieces he cut for me, and then continued to place two more bites on my plate until I realized I had just devoured an entire steak.
Seven days later, I wished I had ordered a steak at Applebees when everyone's steak orders came out. It wasn't until that day that I discovered my love for steak, which is a very bad thing considering Longhorn Steakhouse is less than a minute WALK from our house!!
After eight years of being together, I was so excited to go on our first Steak Dinner Date to Outback last weekend. It was yummy!
(picture of a very excited wife on our first real date withOUT Khloe since she was born!)
We have had more steak in the past nine months than I can count! John David is loving it since it has broadened the range of restaurants that I am willing to go to now that chicken is not required to be on the menu!
So there you have it! One day at a time I am becoming quite the big girl! Stay tuned... you never know what I might try next!!
It has been a crazy busy month and I have been MIA. Let's play catch up!
Around the first of the month, Khloe began to learn how to sit up. She loved practicing against the bumper in her bed. I just happened to have my phone with me and was able to capture her first attempt.
I loaded Khloe in the car at 4:30 in the morning and headed North to see my family. Up to that point, I had never made a 7 hour trip by myself. Mom offered to meet me in Jackson but after getting everything packed into the car, I knew it would be easier to just keep driving rather than unload and RELOAD all the junk we had. I hoped by leaving so early that Khloe would sleep at least most of the way but was still really nervous about it. Thankfully, she did. The trip was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be!
My sisters and I had a much needed "sisterssss bonding time" when we took Koko to the Memphis Zoo.
(I know- we look nothing alike. Ask my mom why. ha ha ha, love you mom!)
We couldn't stop talking about how much we loved it there and how many changes they have made since the last time we were there (years ago).
She really loved the ride on Auntie KK's shoulders! (The "K" in Khloe's name came from the "K" in Kelli's name.)
This was my first to see the Pandas. The zoo keepers had just cut a pile of Bamboo and set it out for him to eat when we walked up. It was so neat to watch him use his hands and teeth to clean the bamboo sticks. I could have watched him for hours. So neat.
I think the seal exhibit was so neat. On one side you can see the Polar Bears as they swim and the other side the seals. Khloe loved watching them swim by.
Nana & Poppa Tullos drove up to see us Khloe :) We had a great time visiting with them!
Gigi bought Khloe a new toy, that she loved, it really helped her learn to balance herself while sitting.
The next day, I found her sitting up all by herself in her playpen.
Khloe loved her time with Nana Rhonda. I would say this was the only bad thing about going home. My little PRINCESS was under the impression that she should be held 24/7 when we got home! :)
Not to forget Auntie Tooty. Khloe smiles SO big when she calls her "Koko Channel" (Khloe's middle name Brooke is from Melanie Brooke -aka- Tooty)
We upgraded to the bath sitter this month. She loves loves loves this thing.
John David had a week of vacation this month. Usually, we try to go home for 3-4 days and spend time with both families. This time, we decided we wanted to stay at home and avoid all the traveling and just have family time. (First time we've done this since .. ever.)
We spent a day at Bellingrath Gardens, a 65 acre Garden Estate. Mr. Bellingrath first purchased the property as a fishing camp. He was quoted saying, "See what your wife can do to a perfectly good fishing camp!" Good job Mrs. Bellingrath. It's gorgeous!
Their rose garden was voted the best in the world a few years ago!
The next day, we all loaded up and drove to New Orleans to visit the Audobon Aquarium.
The Aquarium was awesome! I had heard mixed reviews on it, but I was happily surprised at how nice it was. I read that after Katrina (where they lost most of their 10,000 fish) the facilities have really improved and they continue to add more species to their exhibits.
They even had a sting ray exhibit where you could pet them! (I was a little too scared. Let's not forget the freakish death of Steve Irwin!)
I tried to get her to sit in the clam so we could get a picture, but the little monkey just wanted to stand!
Cheeeese-y! :)
She was so afraid she would miss something that she waited until the very end to finally fall asleep.
Vacation at home is always so nice, but it seems so rushed because we try to spend time with everyone. It was so nice of his parents to come to our house for a couple days and do some sight seeing and do even more damage of spoiling Khloe! :) Khloe is not a big "cuddler." She never has been. So, when she fell asleep Nana Teresa ate up her hard to come by cuddle time! :)
Later that week, we packed the sun block and swimsuits and headed to the Beach! Instead of stopping at Gulf Shores (on Easter weekend) we drove an extra 15 or 20 minutes into Florida and stopped at Perdido Beach. There was no more than a handful of people there and the weather was incredible. We will definitely go back to that particular beach!
Miss Thang wore an itty bitty pink and blue bikini!
She loved her beach time! She played under the umbrella for at least an hour while Mommy & Daddy soaked up the sun.
Then it was time to celebrate Easter! This was our first time to not be home for Easter and we were sad to miss all our families Easter Dinners, so we felt very loved when some friends from Church, Cliff & Shannon, invited us over for an Easter Lunch!
Khloe wore a bright yellow polka dot dress that Nana Teresa sent her with a big girls' headband.
Doesn't she look like such a big girl!??
This is the smile that melts your heart, and makes life worth living!
And somewhere between all this, she began crawling. Within a week of learning, this is where I found her: underneath the swing, which she thought was just the funniest thing ever. She couldn't stop giggling.
And this: pulling up on anything and everything she can get her hands on.
Click the video below to watch her!
Just when I thought the month was going to slow down and I could get some projects done, I got strep throat. Being sick is no fun, but being sick and still having to take care of your baby makes it seem a million times worse. Those are the times that it makes it so painful to live so far away from home. Thankfully, John David had a slow week and was able to come home early a few days and take care of her (and me).
We had our first dinner party at the new house Saturday night. Although, I have a lot of decorating to do, the house is finally starting to feel like "home." It was a very nice feeling to not have to explain "why" about every inch of the house, like we did in that junk house in Jackson. Knowing that this is where Khloe will spend her first five years makes John David and I smile. This is a great house for her and I know she is going to have some really great memories here. It's going to be fun to move the cars out of the carport and give her a box of chalk and let her go crazy. :)
May, oh May! It may not be as busy as April was, but it's still going to be a crazy month. Starting today. John David started his month long rotation of night shift: 6pm-6am plus 24 hours every Sunday. Needless to say, I hate night shift. Thankfully, this is the last month that he will ever have this rotation. My baby sister is graduating next Saturday! (Can't believe it!!) Which means, this week I have to plan/pack to go home again. Who knew a little trip home could be so much work! Two days after I get home from Memphis is my hubby's bday!! I'm still working on a plan for the big 2-7 celebration. It's on a Tuesday, and he has to be at work at 6pm and he won't wake up until probably 2pm (which is ARONIOUS* hunny), so it will be a brief celebration. I think everyone would agree that you should have a paid day off on their birthday, right?!
June we have Tooty's wedding showers and then July is her ROYAL wedding. August will be my 25th Birthday, and then begin to plan for Khloe's ROYAL birthday party in October. And before you know it, it's time for the Holidays. I'm exhausted. LOL!
The infamous couch makeover is coming up THIS week. I know you haven't forgotten the BEFORE picture I showed you about a month ago! Get ready for a "Blow your mind" transformation from this piece of junk!!
So, now you can all stop sending me "hate" emails and comments about not updating. I am a busy person. :)- And for those of you stalkers who never miss a post, you better be a "follower"! We're up to 10. You can ask my husband.. Every time my number of followers goes up, I squeeeel! So please, make my day and click to follow me if you already haven't!
