Work, Boo Boos, & Pictures

Yesterday was my first official day as Courtney, RN back to work! haha It wasn't bad. I took a couple pics of Ayla to "show off" my little one to my co-workers. It was great seeing all the familiar faces and warm welcome. I was glad to know how comfortable I was and easy it came back to me. But, I can't say that I will be dying to go back again very soon. hehe I like being a mommy.

We had our church directory pictures scheduled for when I got off work. Of course, when I went to pick up Ay she had a little "accident". She fell into the table and had a huge goose egg on her noggin! Isn't that how it always goes though? I think they still turned out cute regardless!

After we had some pizza at Fat Boys. Man, I love that place! :) Here's a pic of Ayla's battle wound as we're waiting for our dinner.

ps. It really was bigger in person.... I swear!

Cousins...

Parker and Ayla are only 7 mo apart, same as my little brother and our cousin Cameron. I know they will always be close to one another. Right now Parker is sick with laryngytis and so we haven't been able to visit him lately.

Updates...Yay!

The house is going along famously! We got our cabinets in the kitchen and bath. Walls are being painted. Molding is going up. Lights are being lit... Take a quick peep at the pics! We'll be at the house all weekend painting the bricks outside and prepping the bedrooms for paint. Stop on by if you'd like to visit and see it in person.

Full View of the Kitchen & Dining area

Close up of some of the cabinets

Master Bath (cabinets, water closet, shower door, & corner tub)

Prayer Request

Please be praying for Andrea Boes. I just heard her condition may have changed. She is such a wonderful woman with a great circle of family and friends. Let's surround them with prayer and help comfort them and protect them during this time.



More info at... http://threefromabove.blogspot.com/

Our trip to Cincinnatti...

We finally made our trip to Cinci this weekend. It was a quick one, yet productive. We've got so much stuff going on around the house we decided to get back for Sunday to make some final decisions and squeeze in some much needed family time.

So here he is blog readers.... Ridge Allen Owens. wiggly. strong. loud. sweet. love him.

On our way home we stopped and found some great deals! We got some shower tiles WAhoo! (1/3 of the price we orginnally found! yay!) I can't tell you how stressful our shower tile-planning has been. It SO expensive. And to be honest, its a shower! ha But, I have to admit its kinda fun too. :) We also found a gap outlet 7 mins before its closing and I asked Jeff how much he loved me and if he would stop so I could power shop for 7 mins! He obliged, of course, because he loves Gap to. He stayed in the car with Ayla and I ran around like a woman on a shopping spree! Too bad it wasn't for free, but I did find a couple good deals in my 7 mins.

Now that we're home we're planning a trip over to the house to clean up and see what's next on the list to get done. Hopefully, Ill have some more pics up soon. Our contractor told Jeff yesterday that "We'll be moving quick this week". So Im sure we'll be seeing some changes.

For Brittney & Mandy..

We just got back from playgroup and I thought I would put a few pics on here for the Brittney and Mandy. It was really nice... just a small group getting together. All girls played well together and no meltdowns occurred, ate M&Ms (the pic of ayla loving them). All in all a great afternoon. We missed the other faces, but it was kinda calm and great to enjoy the weather out at the park :)

PS. Ayla is napping!

So for Brittney and Mandy... I got some great shots of the girls!

Meredith's first time swinging at the park! She really liked it...

Emily explored and was trying to be mommy and push her stroller! Independence.

15 months and counting...

Ayla had her 15 mo well-baby check today. It just seems like not that long ago she was 15 days old. Im not sure where the time has gone, but I know I never wanna go back. Life is wonderful being a mommy and sharing that with my wonderful husband. Though times are not always covered in daisies-- I love it! She weighed in at a whopping 21 lbs 6 oz & 31 1/4 in long (lil bug) she just got over a flu bug and her appetite is stinky so I was a little bummed not to see her tipping the scales more. She's always been "average" or 50% on her growth charts. That is just fine with me. We go through life so much hoping to be better, bigger, faster, or stronger than what we are. What's wrong with just being. God made Ayla so perfect... there is nothing "average" about her.

Ayla 1 mo

Ayla 15 mo

I had to add this picture of Ay and her "protectors". We spent the day at the park with her cousins Fischer & Whyatt before school started. They fought over who got to hold her hands, neglecting to realize there are two of them and she has two hands! :) Sweet boys...

Another week down...

We started the week by heading to Evansville again to see lil William. I just couldn't help myself. So we took them dinner and spent some time loving on the lil man. On our way out of town we were able to meet up with Jennifer and her youngest Bryce. It was great. The kids played while we caught up on the last 5ish years.

Another week gone by sooo fast! I officially started my job this week. I only did some computer stuff and orientation time, but it seemed so weird not being with my little one. It was ok though. She was in good hands. My sis-in-law Julie will be her caregiver most of the time when Im gone and Im so blessed to have her. So why I was gone getting my hair done Ayla got to spend time with her cousins while they were home from school....

Wednesday came and our small group met again! I just love these guys. :) Lanie and Ayla are very close in age and are so funny together. We always try to catch their cute-ness each time we meet. Though Ayla got a little tired and scrappy and tried to bite her... what is this? Mommies... please help. She rarely does this- but I don't want it EVER to happen. ever. (Sorry Libby)We spent the rest of the week trying to get ready for our big trip to Ohio to visit family. Unfortunately, that was canceled.... due to my two sick ones. :)

Making the most...

Since we had to cancel our trip to Cincinnatti due to Ayla being sick we've tried to make the most of our weekend. It's actually been pretty busy! Between Ayla being sicky, appliance shopping, tile laying, and putting corn away for the winter.... Mommy needs a little break. I had made up my mind that we wouldn't go to church because I refuse to allow a sick child romp around with healthy ones...THEN Jeff woke up with the "bug" too! Oh yeah. We still romped around the house though... she's so cute even when sicky!

Flying solo, I decided to forge ahead and try to get the corn done... hehe I had no clue. I had never done this big of a job by myself. At one point in time, my lil ill ones decided they would help me shuck the corn for a bit. That helped alot.

Alot of stuff has also recently happened in the new house. Roof is all done, garage doors in, and the inside was cleaned up and prepped for tile. Today the tile man started his work in the kitchen. Im so excited to see it go down! Now that we're in the last stages of the renovation. The fun/scarey parts come in... Decorating! I love paiting and picking out stuff for the house. But, as we were appliance shopping Saturday I found myself with a huge lump in my throat. It's a chunk o' change for all the stuff we are looking at. I remind myself, its not necessary and the world will not stop turning, if I do not get the couch I want or the best fridge on the market. But, its hard to swallow in our society.

Here is an update on what's going on...

Kitchen and the tile started... isn't it beautiful!!

Really bad picture, but I wanted to show off my new do. :)

PS. Jeff gave Ayla a frog leg to eat Fri night at Dogwood. Seriously. #1 She's sick #2 She doesn't know any better.... and 3. he wouldn't even try it. tisk tisk tisk (sorry no picture- I was sqealing like a girl)

Poor Baby

Well... we had planned to take the trip to Cincinnatti to meet our new nephew, Ridge. As most of you know, with kids, things don't go as planned. Today Ayla has not been able to keep anything down. She is such a trooper! She is acting fine, but boo... Hopefully, we'll be able to see him soon. Id appreciate prayers to help this pass quickly and with least amount of "pain" possible. Hope everyone has a great weekend.... I'll keep you posted!

We got a pool....

..an orange baby pool that is! Those of you who were planning your trip to our home for a swim date, well you still can, just gotta take turns. Ayla absolutely loved it! With it being so hot outside lately, I figured may as well treat her (and mommy) to a little relief from the heat.

Its amazing how excited she gets over little things like splashing or finding leaves in the water. I wish I had a zest for life like a child. I think things would be much simpler.

That is my goal for the week... to let go, feel the wind in my hair, and remember to take time to enjoy the many blessings the Lord has given me and my family! I'll let you know how it goes... haha

Pitter Patter....

We've been hearing the pitter patter of little feet throughout our family and friends lately! Lots of expected mommies and new babies abound! :)

My brother and sister in law recently welcomed their first child, Ridge Allen Owens! He arrived July 26th at 10:12pm at their home in a birth pool. He's a big boy, 8lbs 14oz and 22 inches long!! Unfortuneatly, we've only seen a few pictures, but he is amazingly beautiful. So, I'll be sure to repost after next weekend. Can't wait to meet you little man :)

Also, my best friend from nursing school Cara gave birth (au naturale, also) to another beautiful boy. He arrived Thursday July 31. He was 7lbs 8oz --a whole pound bigger than his big sister was! He is so perfect, check out the pic yourself!

I am so happy and proud to know these wonderful couples. Congrats and God Bless both of your journeys.

William Stanley Sublett