Adios 2013

2013 has been one amazing year for myself and my family. We have had so many blessing bestowed upon us, more than we deserve.

The year didn't start out on a high note. A long time friend of mine passed away at the end of 2012. We had been out of contact for quite some time but it seemed like a friendship may be possible again. Unfortunately, that opportunity was cut short on December 29. I said a lot that I needed to say and heard a lot that I needed to hear before that day, so that helped. Still, the unexpected death was not easy on me.

And speaking of friends, boy did 2013 bring me a new group of friends that I am grateful for beyond words. Early in my pregnancy I joined an online forum for expectant June 2013 mothers. I quickly became regularly active and before long, a few of us (well like 40ish) branched off and have made very meaningful and special friendships. I've never been one to believe in online relationships, but I stand corrected. This group of girls has been so amazingly supportive. They have listened to me complain, question and even brag without judgement. They have opened my eyes to a wealth of new information. You bishes know who you are and I love you all! 

We welcomed 2013 by closing on our first home. I was about 5 months pregnant. Darrell is a saint y'all. It's pretty gratifying to know that we worked hard, saved money and were able to purchase our own home (well, we share it with the bank still) for our growing family. 

And the most important thing of all in 2013, the most important thing of ever, we became parents, a family of 3.

I became a mother. 

Avery Laiken Gibbs was born at 11:29pm on June 4. She came in to this world in a whirlwind and has not stopped amazing us. The amount of love I have for this tiny being is unreal. Sometimes I just sit holding her, staring at her, inhaling her sweet baby smells. It is already going by so fast and as much as I love watching her grow and develop, I want to keep her my baby as long as I can. 

Some other highlights of the year include a new job, my best friend getting engaged, and a fantastic reunion with my life long friends in Knoxville to celebrate the marriage of one of Elizabeth. Darrell and I were lucky enough  to be in Greenville with Erin and Chris and a ton of friends and family to celebrate their engagement. I am so excited for the celebrations to come next year.

And speaking of 2014, there are lots of new babies expected to arrive that I can't wait to meet! As amazing as this year has been, I imagine 2014 has some pretty great things in store for us. My only resolution this year is to be the best mom, wife and me I can be. Hopefully just a skinnier version! 

A vacation would be nice too. 

Happy New Year!

My bebe is half of a year old

Six months ago today I accomplished the most amazing thing I've ever done in my life. Six months ago today I found the reason to be my best self possible. Six months ago today I learned of a love that no words can describe. Six months ago today my life changed forever, in the best way possible. Six months ago today, this beautiful girl made me a mother. 

Health: Avery still has the same cold that she had when I wrote this last month. She ended up getting a cough so we took her back to the doctor. They listened to her lungs and tested for RSV but all of that came back fine. It's just a regular ol cold. She did have another ear infection, or it could've been the same one as before that the antibiotic didn't take care of. I'm a little frustrated with all of this sickness, but she doesn't really act like she feels bad so I guess it could be way worse. Her pediatrician said it's now or kindergarten so I guess it's better now. 

I'd say she's about 13 1/2 pounds now. We go to the doctor Friday so we'll find out then.

Personality: This girl is the happiest, smiliest (is that a word?), most loving baby. She is definitely a daddy's girl, but mama will do if he's not available. Either way, she likes to be with someone. Being left alone is not her thing these days and she definitely knows when you're gone.

Eating: Well we didn't hold off until Thanksgiving for food. She had avocado first and LOVED it. She was basically diving for the spoon, I couldn't get it to her fast enough. She didn't love carrots or peas at first, but I think that was my fault for not cooking them long enough. They were still pretty chunky. She did good with squash, sweet potatoes, apples and bananas. When her congestion was at it's worst, her intake went way down, even with bottles. We still aren't on a consistent food schedule but that's the goal for this month. She usually gets a fruit mid-morning at daycare and a vegetable around 5:00 for dinner. Right now she's doing about 1oz each, but I think we need to up that soon.

Sleeping: Avery is still sleeping all night. She is also still refusing to nap at daycare. She gets maybe 15-20 minutes per day. We're working really hard at home these past few days to put her in her crib for her morning and evening naps instead of in the swing.

Her favorites: Avery loves food, talking, TV, and my cell phone! Already?! She loves anything with lights, but my cell phone has a special place in her heart. There isn't really a favorite toy right now, she's just into everything.

Things she can do without: She really hates having her nose suctioned. Or wiped even. Like really really hates it. 

Milestones: This child is mobile!! She's not doing a real crawl, but is getting around with her army crawl/scoot. And let me tell you, she gets places. She's also sitting up like a champ, turning every which way, and she's even reached for me a time or two. Melts my heart every single time. She has pulled herself up to her knees in her bathtub but it hasn't happened again. 

Big events: The big thing this month was Thanksgiving. So much fun! We hosted Thanksgiving at our house. Not only was it our first Thanksgiving as a family of 3, it was the first time I'd ever cooked a Thanksgiving meal and it was the first big holiday in our new house. We had about 15 people here and Avery was an angel. She was played with and passed around all day and did not cry one time. No lie! Avery got to see her first Iron Bowl too...good thing she's young enough that she won't remember it.

Avery also had her six month/Christmas pictures taken and pictures with Santa. We also got a few family shots.

Mommy: I'm ok. Getting adjusted to working full time hasn't been the easiest. I don't get to see Avery much during the week and it's hard. I'm still being lazy and haven't taken many steps to getting back into shape. I find myself saying "I just had a baby"...except I didn't just have a baby, I had a baby six months ago. It's time to get serious, but that's so much easier said than done.

Dining Room design

One of my must haves when we were house hunting was a formal dining room. I knew we'd only use it a few times a year, but I love the idea of hosting dinners and holidays. After the nursery, the dining room was the first project we tackled...and it's taken 10 months to complete, mostly because were looking for a buffet and a mirror.

This is what it looked like before. The house was new construction, so it's not like we had to remodel. We just started with a clean slate.

This was the inspiration (from Pinterest). I immediately LOVED the dark blue walls and was lucky that the pin had the exact color. I also liked the dark furniture and white accents, but knew I wanted a little more color. 

A few pictures from along the way...

I have to say a huge huge huge thank you to Darrell and my friend Jamee. They painted the dining room one Saturday while I was working. It really was for the best that I was out of the house. Not only was I about five months pregnant, I totally freaked when they started. I was so scared that the color would be way too dark. Both of them rushed me out of the house and updated me throughout the day about how great it was turning out. I let out such a huge sigh of relief when I got home.

Darrell and his dad hung the moulding. I'm so thankful they were willing to take on the project, because neither of them had done it before. I'm also thankful they made it through without killing each other :)

 

This was the dining room table decor in spring, before we had all of the chairs.

 

And here is the (almost) finished project! I'm still on the hunt for the perfect mirror for above the buffet. It needs to be big and round. I have exactly what I want in my head, I just can't seem to find it. We bought one that was close but ended up returning it because it just wasn't the right one.

view from the foyer.

  

 view from the kitchen.

  

view from above?/standing on a chair.

  

the buffet!!! We searched for this beauty for.ev.eerrrr.

 

this is the wall that needs the mirror. The wall is just so huge and dark, it's got to have something. {{I also just realized I need a much bigger center piece on that buffet..eek}}

Bar globe. Darrell and I found this at an estate sale a few years ago when we were living in Fayetteville  

 

This hutch is also an estate sale find from Fayetteville. I love it so much but I'm not 100% sure that it really belongs in this room. There's not really anywhere else in the house I want to put it so here it stays. I'm not ready to part with it.

 

close up view of the crown moulding.

  the chandelier and medalion!! 

Paint: Benjamin Moore Champion Cobalt

Table: World Market Arcadia Table

Chairs: Pier One Mason Chair, Ivory

Rug: usarugs.com

Buffet: Mango Furniture

China cabinet: estate sale find

Chandelier: AF Lighting, Naples Chandelier- clear
Medallion: Home Depot

Moulding: Lowes, painted by Darrell & yours truly

I'm slowly working on the guest room as I find things I like. We're tackling the yard piece by piece but aren't doing too much until the fence is put in.  The next big project will be the master bedroom. The foyer and downstairs bathroom are also on the list for a makeover!