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After G's nap and lunch we went shopping to look for new office furniture. We found a great place with 2 potential desks. Both are hardwood, black finish (what we wanted to match a special rocking chair that will be in that room), and have all of the necessary features (built in file cabinet, CPU cabinet, keyboard tray, etc.). Both also have matching bookshelves, which is key because we plan on getting one or two to hold my massive collection of books and magazines. We plan on measuring in the morning and placing our order tomorrow! I'll post pictures once we decide and order. I also have a whole theme for the office figured out. I want it to have a vintage world travel feel - old maps framed, greens and browns, a trunk a as a coffee table (since we have a couch in there). As a side note, it is a good sign that Eric is all concerned with buying furniture that will fit once we combine the office and guest room when we have another child :)
This evening we went to a cookout at a friend's house. Grady was very social - hugging the little girl, chasing their dogs, and just being his super smiley self. Eric and I both got about 20 kisses a piece today. I love that G now puckers up to kiss.
Tomorrow we are going to order our furniture. I am also planning on doing some cooking and baking. I plan on making cookies, a big nice dinner, and some food for G for the week (I got a new toddler cookbook). I may also go do some clothes shopping for myself if I get time.
- Mood:
happy
Here is a picture of my new diaper bag I got. Well, it's not really a diaper bag, but it serves the purpose very well:
I am planning on getting another one too - maybe a backpack type so I am chase Grady around the park without losing my bag.
This weekend we are doing the yard sale Saturday morning and then going to a BBQ at a friends house (one of Grady's baby-friends) that afternoon. I'm not sure about Sunday.
As far as house stuff goes, the office and playroom are high on the agenda right now. Depending on how much we can make at the yard sale, we may do a lot or a little. I am hoping to paint the playroom in a nice scrubbable paint. I have those pale robin's egg blue microfiber couches in there, and a chair with tan and blue stripes. So I have to work off of that. I am thinking of pale blue-green walls. Then I may actually use a coral or orangey color to paint fish and stuff. We'll see. I have also been looking at those Wallies things to stick up. I definitely want to do a beach theme. I plan on framing a bunch of pictures from beach vacations (including this year's) and hanging them too.
Grady- His sleep was a little off (crying for about 15 minutes at bedtime and getting up about 1/2 hour earlier) but it seems to magically be back to normal now. Luckily, he still STTN the whole time.
He has been trying some new foods. He loves veggie burgers! I am excited about that because I am always looking for ways to sneak veggies into him!
He has been ALL about "Mama" lately. He hugs me incessantly, says "Mama" constantly, and just wants to be in my arms a lot. This is strange because he has always been a very independent guy. I am sure it is just a phase, and I am certainly enjoying all the hugs and kisses. I just feel bad for Eric because he will cry if I leave the room and Eric is with him.
He is talking like crazy - new words all the time. He also loves animal sounds. Yesterday we were in the car and passed a sign with a giant duck, so I hear quacking from the back seat. Then we pass a van with a picture of a dog, so I hear "woof woof". It's so fun.
Travel- I am SO SO excited about our trip to Turks and Caicos now! I keep hearing great things about the resort. Here are a few more pictures...
Grace Bay - the beach it sits on:
part of the pool - actually, I think this is the spa pool:
the restaurant, which is supposed to be very good:
I am also getting super excited for our trip to Hilton Head in a little over a month. I found an infant life vest for G so we can go boating. I definitely want to do a few excursions while there. I got some really nice new beach towels for E and me too.
Now I need to figure out where we should go for my birthday. We will probably do 2-3 nights somewhere close. G is coming for sure too. I would love to go to the beach, but it is tough because no one is going to rent us a house for 2-3 nights at that time of year (August), and it is hard to get a suite at a hotel. Many places don't even have them. So I need to work on that.
House- We are currently working on office furniture. We put the screen porch stuff on hold until it goes on sale at the end of the season. Our outdoor season is basically year-round here, so there is no reason to buy in the high season. We can buy in September and still have tons of outdoor time to enjoy it this year.
Well the darn video won't paste in anywhere except here. It's just a cute one from the weekend that I forgot to post before. G is loving the fountain!
Well, I must say I am glad it is already Wednesday. Eric was off Monday, so it's a short week, but it's hard to have guests for several days and go right back into the week. This morning I did have a playgroup at my house, which was fun. It was 3 other moms and babies - 2 girls and a boy. The boy is about 14 months and the two girls are just G's age - one about a week younger and the other about 2 weeks older. I was so proud to host it, since we just moved here, and I have never hosted a whole playgroup before.
- Mood: happy
Grady-Just wanted to say thanks again to everyone for your concern over G-Man. He has a runny nose now, which I know usually comes at the end of croup. Luckily, he STTN again last night from 7-8 (yay for the time change tricking him into sleeping later!). We are going to his regular pediatrician when he gets up from his nap, just for a follow-up. Then we may go to Target. I tend to shop when he is sick because it is good to have him in the stroller or cart. He just chills and lets himself relax. Otherwise, he forgets he is sick and tries to run around like he usually does, which only makes him worn-out and cranky.
Travel-Well I am getting very excited for our trip to Hilton Head, in about 2 months. I have been getting G's beach wardrobe in order, and I need to decide what water toys/floats to get him. We will also be planning our couple trip soon because Eric gets his bonus on Friday! We will be getting our surround sound speakers with that first (the house is already wired for it) and then using some of it for our trip. Random thoughts on where to go: Belize, Puerto Rico, Turks and Caicos, Key West, Mexico. I ALWAYS want to go to Mexico, but I am 99% sure that is where we are taking our family trip next year (probably in Feb. or March) so I think we will hold off.
House-We are trying to find curtains for the guest room right now. We will probably hold off on new furniture in there. As Eric said "that may become another nursery soon anyway." WHAT!? Maybe he will be ready sooner rather than later ;) We have 4 bedrooms plus a bonus, so if we have another baby, we will have 2 kid rooms (G's and the baby's), the bonus room as a playroom, our bedroom, and a guest room/office. If we combine the guest room and office, we will probably get a Murphy bed.
One Year Album-I am just finishing up on Grady's one year album on Shutterfly - finally! I have been really taking my time, including excerpts from journals (including my CC one!) and quotes from books and stuff. I LOVE how it came out, though it is going to be $$ because, despite my best efforts, I could not narrow down the pictures any more!
Family Baby news- My crazy cousin (the closest in age to me) has a baby who is about to turn one, and she is already 3 months PG again! It was a whoops! but she is super excited. It's a bit scary because she found out when she basically started having a miscarriage. They discovered 2 sacs and one baby. Apparently she had been PG with twins and miscarried one. She has still been having some issues, so I hope the other one is fine.
Eric's cousin also just had twins - a boy and a girl! Don't tell me twins may run on both sides of our family! I could never handle that!!!
I also have a friend who is due ANY day (I think tomorrow), so there are lots of babies all around!
These are not great since the old tiny TV that we were using (not our second best TV, but our other one was too big to fit) is on the floor and the box for the new TV is in the way. Also, we haven't finished the room, obviously. We still need window treatments and stuff in the entertainment system. Anyway, here you go...
Grady- TONS going on here. Grady has had a huge developmental leap, I think. His talking is REALLY taking off. First of all, he is now really saying "Dadda" to Eric, like when he gets home. He will smile and run towards him and say "DADA!" He is also saying "MAMA!" when he sees me. This is a change from the somehwat random babbling of those words he was doing. He is also saying lots of new words, though they are not always super clear - the other day he got on a kick with "WOW!" and that WAS super clear. Another funny thing happened too - he was looking at a picture book quietly. He turned the page, pointed to a picture of cheese, and said "cheese", clear as day. He also makes a rooster sound and a sheep sound now.
Grady also has started to become a clean freak. He is really into the idea of putting things away where they go. He also loves to wipe things up with a rag or cloth, including his own face. IF his nose runs and I say "we need to wipe your nose", he will go get a cloth and wipe his nose. The other day he took a burp cloth and went around the room "cleaning" everything. It was hilarious and I got it on video.
He is also dancing up a storm! It's really crazy. Before my mom saw him, I would tell her he danced a lot and she was like "yeah, most babies dance". Then she saw him this weekend and was like "YEAH, this is a little beyond what's normal, I think" :) We brought him to the mall yesterday and was ROCKING OUT in Abercrombie and Hollister. I mean BIG time. At one point we were not holding onto the stroller, and he was rocking so hard the whole stroller was swivelling back and forth to the beat. It was to the point where people were all just pointing and laughing and commenting. Even in the car, he will either act out motions for songs (if he knows them - like "Wheels on the Bus") or do the sign for "music" or tap his foot. He cannot sit still if music is playing.
HOUSE- We have lots going on here! Our great room furniture arrived last week and looks great! I will take pictures tonight to post. We also went out yesterday and bought a 40" LCD flat screen TV for it. And we are in the process of looking for speakers for the great room too. We have a receiver and the house is wired for surround sound, so we just need to buy the speakers.
WEEKEND- We had a good time with my mom. The most fun was Saturday. It was in the 70's and sunny, so we went to the park and zoo. Grady had a blast. He saw lots of dogs, and was making a "woof" sound (more like "wooo, wooo"). He also loved the zoo, as usual. And my mom surprised us by buying us a one year membership to the zoo. So 4 adults and their children can go at anytime. This means we can bring friends, relatives that visit, etc. It will be great because we live close to the zoo and this way we can just pop in for an hour or so and not feel we aren't getting our money's worth. It is also good at other zoos all across the country - admission is either 50% off or free at over 100 zoos. We also had fun at dinner on Friday night - we went to Joe's Crab Shack, and Grady had a blast. We gave him a cherry off my mom's drink, and he of course immediately started signing "more, more". Those things are so sweet! Then the waitresses dance to loud music, so of course Grady loved that and was dancing too. So cute.
Oh, and of course my mom brought Grady tons of new clothes, which is always fun - sandals, swim shorts, a rashguard for the beach, a coverup, jammies, rompers, etc. I'll post some pictures. I LOVE the beach stuff. It also has me OH SO EXCITED for our trip!
SHOPPING- Well I'm not sure G NEEDS more clothes, but since the baby sale is going on at Gymbo AND I have a 20% off coupon, I am definitely ordering some things tonight. I went with my mom yesterday to scope out what looks really cute. So I'll place my order tonight.
OK - guess that's it for now. I'll have weekend and house pictures tonight (hopefully).
- Mood: pleased
Well I totally forgot to mention earlier that we sold our house today!!!! OK - it's not as exciting as it sounds because we sold it to the company, but here is why it is not really a bad thing:
1. It was a terrible time of year to try to sell, so I understand the trouble and don't take it personally (since I think our old house was beautiful)
2. We still made about $45,000 in 2 years. Since we don't pay any closing costs or realtor's fees, that all goes into our pocket. So although I think we could have made more if we kept it on the market, that's pretty good (and we aren't paying 2 mortgages anymore!)
Grady was SOOOO cute this evening. He took a great nap today (almost 3 hours) so he was in a fabulous mood this afternoon (why can't he always nap like that so he feels great?). I took him to Gymboree open play, where he had a blast. Then we came home and Eric was already home (early). He went to play with him while I started dinner and finished up dessert. While I was doing that, I got a dozen long-stemmed roses delivered (from Eric). Anyway, when Grady was getting changed into his jammies after his tub, he was blowing me kisses! I don't know how he thought of that, but he was being SO lovey, like he knew it was Valentine's Day :) Then, as I left (Eric give him his last milk before bed in the dark with lullabies playing) he said "bye bye". Apparently, as Eric laid him down in the crib, he said "bye bye" again. Just like that. Like, "don't worry about me, go have fun, I am off to sleep". TOO CUTE. That boy is my reason for living, I swear. I have never know such joy as I find in him. As I always say to him "I am madly in love with you, Grady". And Eric isn't half bad either. ;)
We took him to the ped. yesterday and found out his ears are fine (though they have fluid, which could be irritating him). But because he had a low fever there too, they think he must have a sinus infection (he has no cough, so that rules out some other scary things). We started antibiotics last night, so hopefully we will see improvement soon.
We had plans to get together with his "baby girlfriend" today, and I decided to keep the plans. Her mom knows he is sick, but I am sure he is not contagious at this point. It is about 65 degrees and sunny, so they are coming over so the babies can play on G's new climber.
In other quick news, my mom and I have found some very nice options for our HH trip, and are in the process of narrowing it down. I'll post some pictures once we have it down to a few.
House stuff is an ongoing project, of course. I think we will be painting the DR soon. The whole first floor is that wheat color, but I think it would be nice for the DR to stand out. We are using spicy colors to accent the great room and kitchen (deep reds and terra cotta), so we may paint one of those colors and then tie everything together with a rug.
The playroom is still coming along, but there is plenty to do still. G's room is mostly done, except for blinds (the valances are up) and getting everything hung on the walls.
- Mood:
okay
Well after an unhappy post yesterday, I wanted to post something happier today. The day started out OK - Grady slept until about 7:30, but Eric woke up with a migrane, so that stunk. Some guys came to install blinds in some of the rooms in our house (just white 2" wood blinds - nothing exciting - did them in the guest room, laundry room, one bath, and the office). We also talked to the ILs who said that now they don't even think they can come on vacation at all this summer. This is perfectly fine with me (and Eric, actually). So now it will be the three of us, my mom, and my step-dad. I think it will be great! We are still leaning towards Hilton Head, but now that we only need three bedrooms, we may get an oceanfront condo. I think I would rather give up the idea of a single house, which would have the perk of a private pool, and get an oceanfront place that is super close to the beach and has a shared pool. Some of the places are gorgeous with wrap-around balconies and stuff. I'll post pictures soon.
Anyway, Grady took an almost 3 hour nap this afternoon, which was really amazing for him! Then we decided to head downtown to hang out and get dinner. We walked around a bunch and realized how excited we are to live here and what a great city it is. Then we went to Sicky Fingers (one of our favorite places!) for dinner. Grady was really good while we were there and had many fans - everyone who walked by our table would stop and say something - it was fun. We just got back and Eric is putting G to bed.
So things have been better with me and Eric. Tomorrow I plan on going out alone for a bit too, just to relax. I would have today, but Eric felt so bad in the morning that I didn't want to leave him with G.
- Mood: cheerful
pediatrician -Yesterday we went to Grady's new pediatrician's office. We had to just go fill out forms and stuff. We got several recommendations for this place, and it was very nice inside, so I am hopeful that we will like this one better than his last (we only had on doctor in network in our last city). As soon as they get his records from his old doctor, we will set up an appointment for him to just meet the doctor and everything.
neighbors- I thought it was so nice that our new neighbors stopped by the other night with homemade cookies and a card with their names, phone number, and email address. That was so sweet. Everyone here has been very welcoming.
cold - As you read this, imagine me whining the entire time :p I am sick of the cold! WTH is going on here!? Didn't we move to SC? I know the whole country has been pretty cold and most places are a lot colder, but 38 degrees for a high!? It has been cold since Friday, and I am so DONE with winter!!!! They were even talking about how freakishly cold it is here on CNN, since they have been down here for the primaries (they've been in Greenville a lot, actually!)
bathrooms- We need to get going on new bath stuff for all three bathrooms. Restoration is having their semi-annual sale, so we will get new towels and mats from there for our bath. For Grady's bath, since it is no longer the guest bath too, I want to make it special and fun. I am thinking of going with a jungle theme to match his room. I found a really cute shower curtain with monkeys embroidered on it at Target, so I may get that and start from there. For the gust bath, I think I am going to see what I can find at Stein Mart. If I don't have luck there, I will probably do RH for that one too.
storage- Well this doesn't sound exciting, but I am pretty excited that we have set up both of Grady's closets (his room and playroom) with storage systems. We got the white cube things that have pull-out fabric drawers. We even got cheetah print drawers for the one in his room! They are both huge walk-in closets, so we needed to do something to utilize the space. Now everything is so organized!
Gymboree- We are set to do our first class this Thursday! I am so excited to see how we like it. It's a free class, but we will probably get signed up while we are there.
- Mood:
tired
Then, I finished Grady's room. Eric painted the base color. I did the tan stripe and stamped the monkeys and elephants. I think it came out cute!
- Mood:busy
The designer came to our house on Monday and measured, took pictures, and just checked out the house in general. Then she will put together a design board for us and present it to us on Saturday. So it should be fun. We also want to do a large ottoman, rather than a coffee table. I hope to find one with storage inside. Then we want a club chair or recliner (the type with no handle on the side) for the corner by the fireplace. We are also hoping to find a new media center. I know the way to go now is minimal. Most people get a flat-screen and hang it on the wall with a little console beneath. The problem with that is that the wall it will be on is HUGE. It is something like 22 feet high and very long too, with no break. So we need something to take up space visually. We will be getting a flat screen though and putting the other TV in the playroom/family room.
As for the play room, we will be using the couches and chair from our old great room. The couches are microfiber which is extremely durable. They are also covered by warranty if ANYthing happens to them (marker, blood, cuts, etc.). The chair is actually upholstered in Sunbrella fabric, so if it can withstand the outdoors, it can handle Grady :)
Here is the furniture (in the old house):
But we will get new wood pieces. For a table, I would like to get this activity table from PBK (in either chocolate or white, not the honey it is show in):
It is super durable and very hard to scratch. It would have storage, be a play table for G, and be able to be used for drinks, etc. when G is in bed or once he gets bigger.
We would like to get a small media stand for that room that matches the table. Eric told me to just find that stuff online and order it, so that will be my project over the next few days.
- Mood:creative
OK, I am going to try to really get going over here on LJ, since I don't think the CC journals are coming back any time soon. So, for those of you who don't know me already, here is a little background...
My real name is Rose-Anne, but my DH calls me "Rosa" (hence, the screen name). I am 29 years old and have been married to my fabulous husband Eric (also 29) for about 5 1/2 years. This year we celebrate 10 years as a couple! Last year we welcomed a new baby, Grady, into our lives. He just turned one in November and is the absolute joy of my life. I am a stay-at-home-mom and feel like I have truly found my purpose in life. I used to stress a lot about my career (I was an attorney before staying at home), but now that just seems so unimportant. I mean, what could be more fun, rewarding, and important than being with my little butter bean all day long? It has been a wonderful (but often exhausting) journey so far. I hope to stay home for a while, probably until all of my kids (we want 2 or 3) are in kindergarten. We are tentatively thinking of TTC #2 starting in summer 2009. Last time I got PG on the first try, so we won't start until we are good and ready! For now, I am happy with one. He is so much fun (and quite a handful) that I can't imagine having another yet.
In other exciting news, we just moved from Virginia to South Carolina ("just", as in 3 days ago!). My husband got a great promotion with his company and we jumped at the chance to move here, since this has always been one of our favorite places. We love our new house, and I am really excited to make it my own. I love to decorate, so we are already in full swing around here!
I will probably post lots about Grady, my house, and my travel plans. We used to be big travellers before G came along, and we are hoping to do more now that he is getting bigger. We did do a nice family trip last year to Isle of Palms, SC, which was a blast. Grady loooves the beach and any water (tub, ocean, pool, you name it). This year we plan on doing a couple trip (to celebrate our 30th b-days and 10 years together). I have been eyeing Belize lately, though or original plan was Hawaii (where we took our honeymoon). We also plan on doing another family trip - maybe another beach house in NC or SC, maybe a cruise, maybe a resort in Mexico - who knows?
OK - now for some pictures...
DH and I being crazy in college (about a year after we started dating):
And on our wedding day - July 27, 2002:
Here I am, a couple weeks before giving birth...
And the little baby that was in that belly - he was born on November 27, 2006 at 12:39 AM. It was a wonderful experience that I will never forget. I actually can't wait to do it all over again! He was 7 pounds, 2 ounces and 21 inches long. He is still very tall and somewhat thin now.
happy family ready to leave the hospital:
recent pictures:
my boys:
doing "so big!":
playing at the children's museum:
A recent picture of Eric and me (on New Year's Eve)
And here is our new house. It is just under 3000 sq. ft. with 4 bedrooms plus a huge bonus room (which will be a playroom) and 3 full baths. There is a big, flat, fence backyard for my little G, and he has a big playground set arriving any day. 
backyard (it has a big screen porch that I am really excited about)
kitchen (with granite counters and stainless appliances - woo!)
entryway and stairs to the second story:
OK - that's it for now. But I'll be back with my latest pictures of Grady and lots more about what has been going on with us!
- Location:our new office
- Mood:
anxious - Music:the lullaby music through the monitor
