Mom's Birthday Weekend!

(one of the first pictures with my new camera!)

We have been so busy around here that posting a new blog has almost become an impossibility! However, since it is my birthday weekend, I have a little time off to play.

Let me start out with Friday night. Ben came home with a delicious cookie cake for my celebration on Saturday. Later, we went out to get our tree so we could decorate this weekend. When we returned home, we discovered that all three animals-cat and two dogs- had somehow finished off my birthday cake without it even falling on the floor yet somehow managing to get icing on the refrigerator!!! Yep, my birthday cake was GONE! But, hey we did have a tree.

Saturday, we woke up and began the process of decorating our tree. Ben did a great job putting the lights on, but he is a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to his REAL Christmas Tree, that it took a few hours. By the time he finished the lights, we had just enough time to all shower and get ready to head up to Dahlonega. We ate at the Smith House for my early birthday celebration. It was so nice having both of my families come to celebrate! We did however, miss GiGi very much. I'm sure we will see her soon though.
I did a good job and sat through the entire meal without asking for a present. Most people know I like the good stuff at the beginning, but no one mentioned it so I was quiet too (however dying inside!) Anyway, the best part finally came and I got to open my first present. I was soooooo excited to discover that the entire family pitched in and got me the camera I have been wanting for almost a year- a Canon Rebel EOS!! It was love at first sight! Thank you everyone! I don't want Aunt Brooke thinking that I was not as excited for her present though. She got me my first ornament of the year, a beautiful Lenox Christmas tree that allows light to shine through it. If you really know me, you know I LOVE Lenox ornaments and I try to get at least one each year. This year we have been so preoccupied with our move and decorating, that I have not had a chance to do this year's ornament shopping. Thank you Aunt Brooke for the ornament, I really do love it!

So, before we could leave the Smith House, we all took a million pictures with my new camera! The decorations were so beautiful and we were all so willing to get our individual pictures with Lucas.




































After our family photo shoot, we all headed out in the bitter cold to walk around the square of Dahlonega. Of course I was camera crazy and took a ton of shots...
























We ended up spending a lot of time inside a store called "Upstairs Downstairs" which does a wine tasting of all the North Georgia Wines. If you have never been, you really need to make a trip! After the wine tasting detour, we all bundled up and went to the sqaure to watch the parade. Lucas was bundled up in his stroller with blankets all over him!
The parade was great! Lucas got to see some really old cars, horses, dogs and cats, The Grinch and even Santa. To top it off, he even got a few M&Ms and lollipops, which Grandmama used to keep him happy towards the end.

I had such a wonderful early birthday and am so happy to have such a wonderful family! Thank you all for celebrating with me!

Saturday night when we returned home and after Lucas went down for the night, I got to play with my camera and read all about it (yes, I read the owner's manual-thank you dad, I am unable to get a new gadget without reading every detail!)

By the way, this is our beautiful fireplace decorated by the very talented, MiMi.

Sunday morning we woke up and finished decorating our Christmas Tree. I love Christmas, but this year I am really tired of cleaning up after it! Every time we add some more decorations, I end up cleaning! Nonetheless, our tree is now decorated and we have lights outside our house. While Ben was busy with the outside, I was busy inside with...my new camera! Here's a bunch of pics, I would apologize, but I think they are all beautiful! (To really see the clarity of them, click on the picture to make it larger)

Well, that is our weekend and I could not have asked for a better birthday celebration! I promise to TRY and keep up with the blog, but don't get pushy, you have all met Lucas and know that at the end of each day, I just want to watch TV and enjoy a glass of wine!

Thank you all for a wonderful 28th birthday!

Happy Birthday Grandmama!

August 10-August 23

Monday was a very productive day for us. I was able to completely clean the house while Lucas played in each room. Usually I do my cleaning when he is asleep, but he is becoming so independent! Later, we went grocery shopping and then as a reward for him being such a good boy at the store, we headed up to the pool. It was so wonderful because we had the whole place to ourselves and didn't have a million kids there.

Tuesday we had playgroup at our house. Lucas and Olivia crawled all over the place and were fascinated by the gate. Poor Olivia even got a bump on the head, but it never slowed her down! That girl is one tough chick! Jackson was a little tired and took a nap up in Lucas' room while we all ate and Selena just hung out with the girls and Luke.

Later that night, we packed up everyone and the two dogs and headed up to the Wheeler's house for the night. We were staying there over night because it would cut 30 minutes out of our trip for the next day when we took Trinity to UGA. MiMi was such a help and came with us so that I could concentrate on Trinity while she kept Lucas entertained. After several hours at the vet, it was decided to leave Trinity up there over night and they would do a biopsy tomorrow and then she could come home.

The doctors were great at UGA and called several times to give me updates on Trinity. I was able to pick her up Thursday afternoon. I dropped Lucas off at MiMi's so he didn't have to do the 3 hour car ride and the waiting at the vet. When I returned to pick Lucas up at 7:30, he was fed and happy. Thank you MiMi for watching him!

Friday night was a fun day for all of us around here. Lucas got to go to MiMi and Pop's house while Ben and I went to the Incubus concert with Olivia's parents, Sam and Steve. I know that I am a little over protective of Lucas, but I think I did a pretty good job without him. We all had a great time despite one little incident of mine that happened that I would like to forget, but those there with us, hum-hum Steve and Ben, will not let me live it down!









The following Tuesday, we had our play date over at Mrs. Lindsi's house where Lucas and Olivia got to play together. Those two are so cute together!









Friday was Grandmama's birthday so we had our first celebration over at GiGi's house. Lucas was his charming self and helped make it a very special event! Happy Birthday Grandmama! Grandmama even took time to teach Lucas how to blow out the candles from a birthday cake since his birthday is just a week away!!!!


















On Saturday we continued Grandmama's birthday celebration and went to one of my favorite places to eat, The Smith House up in Dahlonega. Lucas had one of the best meals of his life! When he got tired of one food, we just gave him another to eat up. I have never seen him eat so much in one sitting! He loved it!

On another note, Lucas had a great time at church on Sunday (and I did even better.) We also found out that the next time he goes, he will be moving up to the ONE YEAR OLD class!!

Check back soon for his ONE YEAR BIRTHDAY blog!

Mommy cried at church!

August 3-August 9

Monday began our week with a trip to the vet. I dropped Lucas off at MiMi's so she could watch him while I took Trinity to the vet. She was going for her vaccines and for them to look at a knot on her leg. When they did a biopsy, Dr. Mills discovered that it was a form of cancer called a Mast Cell Tumor. I had such a bad feeling about it that it did not shock me when he told me. Our next step is to try and get into a drug study at UGA to help treat her. Because of her age, we didn't think that surgery is the best option until we know what other treatments are out there. So now we just have to wait until Dr. Mills can talk to someone over at UGA to get us an initial exam. We are hoping to hear something on Thursday.

Tuesday we had our play group over at Mrs. Sam and Olivia's house. Lucas really likes playing over there and feeding their dog Opie. Jackson was a very active little boy this week! Both Lucas and Olivia took turns wearing little Jackson's hat. Well, Lucas didn't really want to, but I had to insist!

Here is a sample of all the fun we get to have when we do playdates!

Wednesday we didn't have much on our agenda. We did get out for a quick trip to go pick up MiMi and take her to Pop's office so she could have work done on her mouth.

Thursday we were really starting to get bored, so Lucas and I went to Poole's Mill Park and played around. Lucas felt like a big boy because he got to walk around the park all by himself and without having to hold my hand. We attempted the swing, but there were so many other things to look at, that it didn't keep his attention long. Next, we walked down to the river and played in a small pool area closed in by rocks. He was fascinated at the older kids sliding down the rocks and splashing into the water. I saw a quick glimpse into our future with a strong-willed, dare- devil!

Friday morning we went to the elementary school that I used to work at to meet with a girl that will be making Lucas' birthday cake. I really wanted to do a Lil' Prince theme, but I had to change my mind when I realized how much Lucas likes Mickey Mouse. Anyway, Sarah designed a beautiful Mickey Mouse cake and I can't wait to see it!
I also heard from Dr. Mills today and Trinity has an appointment next Wednesday to get an evaluation done and some blood work to determine her eligibility for the chemo treatment. I am excited to get there and get her treatment rolling!
Later that day, Lucas and I went down to visit GiGi for a diffent kind of Friday night dinner. Lucas was the only boy there!! Pop-Pop and Uncle Taylor went fishing in Florida and Daddy went out with some people from work. Since it was such a small crowd, we treated Lucas to pizza and ice cream. He even got his very own baby cone which he really LOVED!

Saturday, Ben got out and did some yard work until he ran out of gas. It takes a lot to cut an acre!! Since Lucas and I were getting restless inside, we decided to take Daddy to Poole's Mill Park and show him around. Lucas got on the swing for a long time while Daddy took a million pictures! After the photo session, we went down to the river and played until someone yelled snake and we were out of there!










That night we met MiMi and Pops at Chili's for dinner. After being told it would only take 15-20 minutes because we needed a high chair, and then waiting for over 30 watching several larger groups with babies who needed a hair chair flipped over for the carrier, we got fed up! Ben and Pops spoke with the manager who was not helpful at all and was listening to the lying hostess. We were so mad that we just left and went to Outback instead. They seated us instantly and were very accomadating with a baby! If you know me, you know that once you make me mad like that, we will not be back (no matter how good your margaritas are!)

Sunday was a day that I probably wont' forget! We were trying out a new church that day, Mountain Lake Church, and we were putting Lucas in the nursery for the first time. When we got there, he got a name tag and they showed us which room he would be in. As we were checking out the room from the hallway, Lucas just leaned right over the baby gate into one of the volunteers arms and never looked back! I don't know what happened to me, but I lost it right there! Tears were pouring out of my eyes and I couldn't stop. I was so shocked by how quickly he adjusted that I didn't even get to ask all of my responsible mommy questions! We were even meeting some friends, Sam and Jason there, and I'm sure they thought I had lost my mind! Fortunately I was able to get it together by the time the service started. The good news is that we really liked the church and will be trying it out for awhile.

Later that afternoon, we went to Hudson's first birthday party. Lucas had a great time playing with their toy grill and cooking hot dogs on it. He even thought that Olivia needed a bite too! Lucas went outside and played with the water toys in the yard and got soaked! When we came back in, I was changing Lucas when another baby crawled up and grabbed his hair and wouldn't let go. Poor Lucas was screaming! It really just went down hill from there. Next, a big kid threw a dinosaur at him and hit his toe and really freaked him out. With the party being during Luke's nap time and him getting sleepy, we decided that was our que to start packing up! Thanks for inviting us and Happy Birthday Hudson!