Warmth regardless of Snow

It's one of those rare mornings ... The schools are closed, so I'm off work.  We had ~ 5" of snow yesterday so of course our town is barely functioning.  The dealership is opening late so Kris didn't have to rush out the door too quickly.  Piper is asleep in her swing and Palmer is watching cartoons.

It's been an emotional morning for me.  I read an article of 2 young parents leaving their 5 month old in his car seat for 8 days until he died.  I couldn't help but cry as I sat on the couch and watched baby girl in her swing and Palmer running around the living room.  What kind of human are you to watch your child waste away, knowing you have the power to keep him/her alive?  It broke my heart for that baby ... he died clenching his car seat strap and with his eyes open.  He was waiting for someone, anyone, to save him.  I'm sure my Savior welcomed him home with arms with open.  I pray for the "parents", if you can call them that.

I'm sure today will be a trying day ... keeping a 3 month and 3 year old entertained while stuck inside.  I'm so thankful that we have a roof over our heads and heat.  The little things really do matter.  We have each other!  My kids are healthy and happy.  What more could a mom ask for?

Piper - Just Beautiful!

While I was out on maternity leave, I visited a photog friend of mine. She was looking for a newborn "model" and I happened to have a newborn. It was a quick session as I had to go out of town that morning ... but Julie was so sweet and welcomed us right in. Julie is expecting her 4th baby but rocked out our session. Piper of course, was wide awake most of the time. I appreciate Julie (of Julie Gayler photography )taking the time to capture my sweet baby girl. I can't wait to have some family photos done ... sadly enough, we have 1 from Christmas day! Check our my sweet Piper baby!

I can't believe she was 10 weeks old yesterday! Time is flying by!

Quit blogging much? Why ... There's so much to share.

I really don't know what happened to my blog. We had a beautiful baby and BAM! It happened ... I didn't make time to sit down and capture all the little things going on. Well, I'm going to do my best to recap the last 2 and a half years.  Last November we moved to Greenville.  It's been nice being "home" and close to my family.  My parents have been a blessing to us.

Our most recent joyful news is the birth of our daughter, Piper Autumn Jolly. She made us a family of four on October 17th @ 12:35 am.  She's absolutely beautiful and is as happy as Palmer was when he was little.  She was born with a head full of dark brown hair, slate blue eyes and a complexion to die for.  From her birth to now (and I'm sure it'll continue) she is my 0-60 child.  She goes from laughing to ticked off in an instant.  This would be how I went from some twinges/pains at 6:30pm and her being born at 12:35am.  I'll write my birth story in another post.

Palmer just turned 3 last Friday!  I can NOT believe he's already 3 years old.  We go for his 3 year old visit next week.  He's getting ready to move up to the 3 year old class in the next week or so.  He's smart, loving and absolutely adorable.  He randomly (and constantly) goes up to his sister and gives her "loves and kisses."  It's so sweet how he'll kiss whatever part of her body is accessible and then lean his head down to her and love on her.  He's the tallest kid in his class.  (and probably has the biggest feet too!)  We're transitioning him into 5T clothes.  YES!  You read that right, 5T!  He's solid!  He's wearing an 11.5 shoe as well.  So solid and has a good understanding.  He gets his feet from me.

Happer Easter! Happy Spring!

Of course I'm late doing Palmer's 4 month post. Life is busy as usual but things are great! We are settling into a schedule of work, baby and life. (Although Kris might tell you that we need a date night soon!)

I photographed some of Palmer's Easter pictures the other day. Without any help I might add. They turned out pretty good and I hope to photograph some more today. I had hoped to do some yesterday but the weather here was seriously bad.



We had major storms and tornadoes in the area. Lives were lost, including 3 young children in Raleigh. We are incredibly blessed to be alive and those we love and not to have sustained any damages.

On to My Boy! He was 4 months old on the 6th. Amazing! I can't believe how time is flying. I try to cherish each and every day I have with him. He's eating cereal out of a spoon! We will start veggies next week. Unless we hear different from the doctor on Tuesday, we plan to start with veggies because it's said that it encourages better habits later in life. That way they don't start off with the sweetness of fruits.




He didn't like it at first but eventually warmed up to it.


He's eating 8oz of formula every 3-4 hours. Sometimes he goes longer because he's sleeping. He is sleeping thru the night more often. We have found that if he stays up past 9 he will sleep til about 6 in the morning. Although last night he slept in the bed with me. I'm guessing the weather yesterday probably effected him more than we realized at the time.

Yesterday morning I had to change his PJ's. I happen to find one that was clean and just threw it on him. Not realizing until later it was 9 months! OMGosh! It was a little big but fit length wise. I can't believe how fast he is growing. Time definitely flies when you're having fun.

Life is great! I joined the gym last week and hope to lose the rest of this baby fat soon! (And all the fat I had before Palmer!) I now have a wonderful reason to get and stay healthy versus an excuse to stay fat. Thinking ahead ... I want to be around for a long time to be with my family!

3 months and 1 week

Dearest Palmer,

What a big boy you are already! You are truely a gift from God and you amaze me everyday.




You are now eating 8oz about every 3.5 hours. Yesterday, all we had was regular soy formula and it hurt you so bad. I felt horrible being that your Daddy was home alone with you while I was photographing a birthday party. Needless to say, you will not have any more formula that isn't made for sensitive tummies. I'm so sorry son!

Starting about 2 weeks ago, you started sleeping from about 8:30pm to 4:30am. Mommy greatly appreciates your change in schedule. But with daylight savings time being last night, we'll see how this week goes. You don't like being off your schedule the slightest bit.

You are laughing now! It is the sweetest thing in the world. Last week, on your 3 monthday, I got a 2 minute video of you and your Daddy laughing. You wake up smiling! You constantly talk and interact with who ever is around. You are reaching and playing with the toy hanging in your rocking chair. Your favorite is the yellow Elephant with the rattle in the middle. Probably because it's the one to the right and we are pretty sure you're going to be right handed now. Even though about a month who you did everything with your left hand.



You're wearing size 2 diapers and 3-6 month clothes. You have some 3 month clothes that still fit but the shirts seem to be a little short for you and your belly. You have some of the cutest little outfits. Even though it's incredibly hard to find cute clothes for you without spending the house payment. ;)

Your Daddy and I are so in love with you and what you have become already. 3 months and 1 week ago I experienced the most awesomest thing in the world! I absolutely can NOT believe that my precious boy is 3 months old. Time is aboslutely flying by. You change a little bit every day. We took you shopping today and you slept the entire time. But when you woke up we sat in the parking lot and fed you your bottle. While we were sitting there, I could help but look at you and it took all I had to hold back the tears. You are truely the greatest gift I've ever been given and I thank God for picking me to be your mommy.

I love you my Boy!

Finally Designed our Birth Announcement

I had designed one but wasn't please with the printing of it. So since I found a couple of coupons from Shutterfly.com I decided to design 2 announcements to send out. Better late than never right. Ended up saving almost 80%. I do love Shutterfly!

Seersucker Blue Baby Announcements

Find 100's of cute birth announcements at Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

1 Month and Counting

I feel like a horrible Mom. I'm sitting here in tears and trying to get all this out while Palmer is crying in his crib. Only because after 2 hours of straight crying my nerves can't take it anymore. I totally just flipped on the dog because I can't take it anymore. And not to mention the dog has been horrible the last couple weeks.

Palmer was 6 weeks old yesterday! I can't believe it. Last Thursday night we were having tummy time when he rolled over. There's only been one day since that he wouldn't do it again. It's totally amazing to watch how he progresses from day to day. To think a year ago he wasn't even in the making yet and here I am with my miracle in my arms.

We went for his 1 month checkup almost 2 weeks ago now. He was up to 10 pounds 9 ounces and 21.5" long. He's growing so fast. Next month we get shots. Not my favorite part but I have to get used to it since I'll be the one taking him to most of his appointments. And we're changing doctors and the next appointment as well. At his last appointment the FNP we saw (who we have seen every single time since birth and was great until now) rushed in and out so quickly that I was in the middle of asking a question and didn't even ask the full question when she turned to me and said it's normal and walked out the door. I was NOT happy. Luckily next appointment is with the doctor who owns the pratice and who was my pediatrician when I was a teen. We saw him one day in the hospital. He took his time and explained EVERYthing!

He looks more and more growny everyday. He's definitely not the baby we brought home a little over a month ago. After bath time the other day his hair was sticking up in the middle, so we just went with it. This was the day we went to see my family while Grandma was in the hospital. Palmer and I didn't go to the hospital; Want to keep us germ free for as long as possible. But we did talk to her on the phone and sent pictures to her. Thank goodness for MMS!


So much happens from day to day, I need to be better about writing it all down. I don't want his first year to slip away like my entire pregnancy did.