335.

My little monkey enjoying today's nice weather at the park. 

334.

Fort Gordon Christmas Festival

We picked up our Christmas tree, thanks to 'Trees For Troops'.

We ate pizza, thank to Domino's.

We drank hot cocoa and ate cookies, thanks to MWR.

We had good company, thanks to our friends the Johnsons.

We had amusing entertainment, thanks to our spunky and energetic Baby J.

333.

MM says the odds are against us, but why not try?

I say the thought of winning stresses me out.  

MM says I'm weird.

Am I the only who thinks winning might not be all good?

 

Update: We don't have to cross that bridge yet, because as hard as it is to believe... we didn't win.

332.

A little turkey art for your enjoyment.

331.

 
With Daddy at night class, Mommy and J snuggled down to watch 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas' (the old cartoon version).  He liked the singing the best, and the puppy second best. 

330.

A long weekend lets this soldier take a break from the military's strict daily shaving rules.  I think he looks handsome with some scruff.
Baby J didn't like it nearly as much, he said "owie" after each kiss.

329.

It has been a football-filled day.  The Moores - Sean and Kristen (MM's co-worker) - hosted a football party at their house this afternoon to watch the Ohio State vs. Michigan game.  They are from Ohio and get just almost as passionate about their team as MM does about Oklahoma!

Sean and Kristen have 3 boys, who have a couple dozen, little, boy, friends in their neighborhood.  Baby J had a blast hanging with the big boys... running around outside and playing cars and wrestling and jumping on a trampoline.  He should sleep well tonight.

As soon as Ohio State clinched their victory, we headed home to watch our Sooners battle Oklahoma State.  Bedlam is always a good game, but this year's was a little too stressful for my liking.  After 4 quarters of struggling to stay with the Cowboys OU came back to beat them in overtime!

So much excitement has left this momma tired.  Ruby Girl and I plan to spend the rest of the evening just like this...

 

328.

Ayla and I battled the crowds and traffic for some Black Friday deals.  We weren't as crazy as some; we had a firm rule that the sun had to be shining before we went out and about.  I have been working on my Christmas list early this year, and today I finished it up!  With Jellybean coming sometime in the next 5 weeks I want to make sure to have everything purchased and wrapped ahead of time.
Now for the hard part... keeping all the gifts secret for an entire month!   

327. "look"

326.

Bedtime Routine...
Sitting in his special chair, wearing his favorite pajamas, and ready to read his trash truck book.  The same book he chooses from the shelf night after night.  Mommy and Daddy can read it verbatim without glancing at the pages. 

325.

I am 34 weeks today and baby sister has decided to cooperate, turning head down.  Such a good little girl. 
I am so thankful to have her in the correct position and to have the ECV procedure decision taken out of our hands.
The rest of this pregnancy will be spent close to home, enjoying the holidays as a family and waiting on the arrival of our newest member.   

324.

This baby LOVES the shower!  We can make him instantly happy by suggesting one.  We can also make him instantly mad by taking one and telling him that he doesn't need to join. 

323. All Day Pajama Day

 

It wasn't me.

322.

This afternoon's fun as explained by Baby J...

"Zoo!"
"Animals!"
"Ellie!"  (elephant)
"Giraffe!"

321.

The Quest band put on an awesome concert tonight.  It was called a 'Night Under the Stars'.  Everyone brought food and drinks and lawn chairs and we took over the Columbia County Library amphitheater.  The band sounded great, playing a 15 song set.  Not to mention their keyboardist is hot!

I hired a babysitter to watch Baby J at our house for the event.  Some friends brought their kids over to play with him and take advantage of being kid free for the evening as well.  MM & I enjoyed a late night dinner date after the show.     

320.

It took a while for Autumn to make it's way to Georgia.  Now, it has arrived and in full force!  I love driving around the city and seeing all the pretty colors.  It's beginning to look a lot like... Thanksgiving!

319.

 

It's hard to get this little boy to look at me when I take his photo these days.  He will deliberately avoid glancing in my direction if he knows I have the camera ready.  Once in awhile I can catch him, but he is usually saying "cheeeeeeeese!" and this is the accompanying face.  Silly Little Cutie Pie.    

318.

Everyone needs a little Ruby Girl Princess Head in their life.
And, yes that is her full name.

317.

Baby J begged to walk the dogs.
When we visit Uncle Matt and Aunt Sheila there are 5-6 dogs present between our families.
J loves it!!!

We harnessed up the smallest pup (Chance) and took J out for a his desired walk. 
He was distracted by the trash truck down the road...

316.

A lovely afternoon in Southport...

Topped off with a delicious, beach-front, seafood dinner at Island Way.
The asiago cheese covered sea scallops were delectable.

315.

A spontaneous suggestion by MM expanded into a weekend trip to Oak Island, NC to visit his brother and sister-in-law.  They moved there this summer, closing the distance between our 2 families from 8 hours to 4 hours.  This was the first time we have been able to make it up to their new place.  [Here they are pictured on their front stairs.]

314.

MM has a 4 day this weekend, to kick it off right we went to Cracker Barrel this morning for a hearty breakfast!  French toast, eggs, bacon, biscuits & gravy, grits, chicken fried streak, hashbrown casserole...  we did not leave hungry!

Baby J was fascinated by the big, roaring fire.

Since his birthday party he refers to candles as birthdays and when he saw this he got really excited and yelled, "bir-day... yay!"  I suppose to him this was the biggest candle he'd ever seen!
Before leaving the restaurant we had to say bye-bye to the fire. 

313.

32 + weeks pregnant. 

At our OB check-up today we learned that Sister is still breech.  She turned about 4 weeks ago, and has yet to flip back to the correct head-down position.  She is complete breech, which I've been informed is the "best form of breech".  Approximately, only 5% of complete breech babies stay this way at delivery time.  So the odds of her turning are on our side.  Complete breech means that her head is up near my rib cage and her booty is pushing down on my pelvis, with her legs folded (aka sitting Indian style).

She has 4 more weeks to turn herself.  I have researched some yoga positions that are suppose to aid in helping babies flip.  If at 36 weeks she has not turned herself head-down, MM and I will have to make the decision whether to schedule an External Cephalic Version (ecv).  ECV is a procedure where the doctor will attempt to manually turn the baby into the correct delivery position.  It can be painful.  It will not be scheduled until the 37th week of pregnancy and would have to be preformed in the labor and delivery ward at the hospital.  There is risk of fetal distress, which can cause the mother to have to deliver the baby at that time.  Hopefully that decision will be taken out of our hands by her turning on her own.

No wonder I have been complaining that she is more uncomfortable to carry than when I was pregnant with Baby J.  

312.

I walked passed Baby J's bedroom door and caught a glimpse of this...

It was melting my heart to  watch their interaction.

I am so blessed to have such a fabulous parental partner.  MM is an even better Daddy than I had predicted he would be, and I had pretty high expectations.  I'm getting joyfully anxious to watch him with our daughter.    

311.

310.

I have been scouring craigslist, sales, consignments, etc for a few months, hoping to come across the perfect (size, condition, price) dresser for little sister.  She won't have her own nursery, but instead we are turning a section of our master bedroom into the "baby nook" for now.  MM and I both feel better having our tiny, helpless, newborn children near us (personal preference), especially at night.
Anyway... the colors I am using to decorate her nook are pale pink, gray, and sage green.  So when I came across this dresser, tucked in the corner, at an antique store I knew it would work perfectly.
It was a good price, it had recently been sanded and painted (no work to be done!!), and it fits well in the space.  I think the ombre gray is so fun, and now I am brainstorming ways to girly it up a bit.  Vintage glass knobs?  Indian-inspired painted medallions? Pink framed and matted art?  Apothecary jars?  The crafting/designing possibilities are endless!   

309.

Sundays tend to follow a similar pattern week to week.  Church.  Lunch.  Jordan Family Nap Time.  Park.  Dinner.  Football.  It's wonderfully predictable and relaxing.  Our weeks are BUSY.  Too busy lately.  Making me even more grateful for these calm and family-filled Sundays.

Today at the park we broke out Baby J's new golf set...

"dolf wit daddy"

hockey style putting

308. Baby Girl Jordan Shower

Sugar and Spice... Girls are so nice.

In Celebration of Baby Jellybean Brunch.

The Decor & Food...

coffee, lime water, fresh fruit, pumpkin muffins...

 

 

ombre frosted lemon mini-cupcakes

cheesy eggs in bacon cups

The Guests...

Beki and daughter

Kolbie... cutest guest!

Mrs. Lynn made it, and that made me happy.

It was a small and cozy gathering of good friends.

good... and silly... friends

The Gifts...

The Bubbly...

Don't worry folks it's only sparkly cider.

It was a wonderful morning.  I am blessed to have such sweet friends here in Augusta.  Thank you Meghan and Jasmin for honoring me with a most fabulous and girly brunch!  Love you girls!

307.

Pansies, Pansies, Everywhere! 
These cool season flowers are popping up all over Augusta. 
They are pretty and cheerful and make me happy. 

306.

Baby J and I, both, look forward to Thursdays.  It's the day of the week he goes to preschool. 
I usually try to schedule appointments or run un-toddler friendly errands while he is away.  But, sometimes I use the time for myself... and it feels so good!  This morning I went to Panera, ordered coffee and an egg souffle, found a cozy little booth and read. 
Momma Bliss.