Lunch with Daddy

Thursday we went to visit Tay at work for lunch! We sat outside and it was glorious! 

Aunt Heather stopped by at the end for a quick visit. Unfortunately for her, Daye had just finished a poop explosion that was escaping the diaper. So, Aunt Heather made the wise choice to wait to hold her until a time when she wasn't wearing her professional attire. Sorry Aunt Heath!
But, we did make a quick trip up to visit a few folks on Daddy's floor. She was in a super mood and, I must say, her Daddy was EXTREMELY proud to show her off :) He even put her down on the rug in the receptionist area to show everyone how she is scooting across the floor so fast . . . hehehehehe! He was VERY proud :). And I loved watching it from the back of the room!

You would guess she's fondly gazing up at her daddy . . .

But, in reality she was saying "Give me that apple!"

week 5

usually when I post anything having to do with tracking time it is in regard to the growth of baby Daye . . . but this "Week 5" is referencing to my training for the Thanksgiving Half Marathon!


I can't believe I am about to say this but I have actually begun to enjoy these runs. 


Now, I don't necessarily look forward to them. Before each run I could have any of thoughts:
- "I'd really much rather be drinking my coffee in my PJ's while Daye falls back asleep."
- "I could go later, but it's always so hard to go later. Then it will be hanging over my head all day."
- "Why am I doing this again?"
- "Walking was so nice and it's great exercise, why am I choosing to run rather than walk? I miss walking."
- "I hate these hills and no matter which way I end my run I will have to end running up hill."


But, there are many other reasons why ONCE I'VE COMPLETED the runs I can categorize it as enjoyment :) :
- It doesn't take as long to complete run as it would walking. (well, technically that's not entirely true - because a. I run so slow that it may not even be considered a jog. and b. now that the distance is increasing considerably, it is taking much longer, but, we'll just stick with the fact that my old walking route takes a shorter amount of time when I run it rather than walk it :).
- When I go with someone it goes by TREMENDOUSLY faster
- When I go by myself I can listen to good music (if I start out with a fast song, I feel like I run with power!)
- It gets Daye out an about in the beautiful creation (and human handiwork of asphalt and cement :)
- The weather is much more delightful these days (I really wasn't enjoying the runs in 90 degree weather while gasping for air)
- I am sore - which strangely is a good feeling :)
- I am working towards something - a goal (and I may have just walked into Marshalls the other day to check out some cute shoes I could potentially look forward to getting as an "I ran a half-marathon" treat. . . as if the whole accomplishment of completing it isn't enough!?!? :)
- I am not keeping track of time as I run, I am simply running to finish and there is freedom in that!
_ I am earning my Thanksgiving Turkey. 
_ I am joining Tay in one of his passions, I'm thankful he's invited me in. (He is VERY patient with me and my lack of speed. I mean seriously, it looks like he is hopping along kicking his knees so high when he runs with me, trying to stay back at my pace.)


But in all seriousness. . . (like this needs to be a serious post?) Last week was my longest distance yet. I ran it with Steph, Tay and Baby Daye and I actually enjoyed it WHILE I was running. Didn't know that was possible! And, I felt those endorphins releasing after I completed it in a natural energizing sort of way - it was awesome! 


So, here's to running and a completely random blog post! :)

Things I want Daye to know

It's been a sweet reminder to me that as I speak the Truth over Daye, God is also speaking it to me . . . 
I pray she hears His Love for her, believes it, receives it and chooses to walk in it.


. . . and I now have a greater understanding that this is His Desire for me too. 


So thankful


Here are some simple (and may seem silly) things we sing or read throughout the day that I have begun to realize have a magnitude of meaning:


1. "Jesus loves me . . . the Bible tells me so." 
(John 15: 9-17)

2. "I guess it's better to be who you are. Turns out people like you best that way, anyway." 
(Matthew 5:13)

3. "God loves you as much as pancakes are fluffy and maple syrup is sticky sweet and butter is golden and melty." 
(Colossians 3:12)


4. ". . . down came the rain . . . out came the sun" 
(John 16:33) 

5. "He's got the whole world in His Hands" 
(Isaiah 40; Romans 8:31)


6. "Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world." 
(1 John 3:1-2)

7. ". . . what if I were a super smelly skunk, and I smelled so bad that my name was stinky face?" 
"Then I would give you a bath and sprinkle you with sweet-smelling powder. And if you still smelled bad, I wouldn't mind, and I would hug you tight and whisper in your ear, 'I love you Stinky Face."
(Ephesians 1: 5-7)

8. "Yes, from head to toe tip, you're truly original, a creation-in-progress, a distinct individual. Look the world over, and you'll never find a duplicate of you-ness that's your one-of-a-kind."
(Psalm 139: 13-16)

9. I love you right up to the moon - and back." 
(Romans 8:38-39)




1. Song - Jesus Loves Me
2. Big Bird - Sesame Street
3. That's How Much God Loves You by Chris Shea
4. Song - The Itsy Bitsy Spider
5. Song - He's Got the Whole World in His Hands
6. Song - Jesus Loves the Little Children
7. I Love you Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt
8. Hooray for You by Marianne Richmond
9. Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney

Thanks Cassie!

Cassie sweetly gave me in the Versatile Blogger Award :) So thoughtful! Thanks Cassie!
What you need to know:
1. Thank the person that gave you the award & link back to them in your post
2. Share 7 things about yourself
3. Pass this award to a few other recently discovered bloggers



7 Things about me
1. I met my Tay in 3rd Grade a children's church camp. He made up a song, "Sally Sally Sue, where are you?..." and all his buddies made fun of him. 
2. I LOVE getting to be a mom! One of my greatest joys at the moment is walking the front of our neighborhood to push her in the swing. She giggles and smiles and I want to squeeze her so tight - she's such a little peanut!
3. I am training for my first ever 1/2 marathon - Thanksgiving Day. I've been scared to mention it on the blog due to some sort of weird accountability I feel like posting it would bring - but, I'm officially signed up and now officially held accountable because I just typed it here :)
4. I have always wanted to write a book.
5. I love wearing lounge pants so much. 
6. I cried Tuesday night watching The Biggest Loser. 
7. I have grown to REALLY love The Braves this year - not sure why, but I LOVE them!


Some other Versatile Bloggers I'd like to acknowledge:
Romance - a delightful way with words about faith and a new phase of life in London
The Curtis Casa - a precious lover of all things garden, fashion and cake-baking!
The Quiet Place - a beautiful approach to life, motherhood and a documenting her young family's move to Hawaii

Chatty

Last weekend we went to Chattanooga to visit Robby and Alaina. It was a BLAST! They live in the most awesome house! Robby is a handy-man and Alaina is a serious Recycler of Interiors, aka, coolest creative decorator - they can truly take all the credit for it's awesomeness. 
We enjoyed being with them so much! Tay and Robby mountain biked Saturday morning while Alaina, Daye and I lounged around the cabin and went for a leisurely stroll with the pups. Then we went to downtown to enjoy the park down by the river (Daye's first experience with grass =she hated it!), ride a merry-go-round, eat delicious pizza and ice cream and walk to a local market. Perfect day to be outside! Then we came back and watched football and made our OWN sushi! It was so fun and so tasty! We will for sure be replicating that evening in our home many nights to come!


I did a terrible job of documenting the weekend with photos but managed to do a scramble as we were literally walking out the door to make sure we captured the fact that we were there!


Well, I did have Tay take this one Saturday when rode the Merry Go Round. Daye really did LOVE it! It was great fun - and only $1! :)

"Ey Ma! Lookey here - I've got Alaina's chin!"

"Oooh Uncle Robby - you make me laugh so hard I have to close my eyes!"

Their awesome log cabin!

"Eh, you guys keep snapping these photos I can only manage a side swipe smile for this one"

"Daddy and Uncle Robby"

"Well Whadaya know - Daddy's wearing that shirt AGAIN! It must be a really great shirt!"

Braves Game #2

We went to the Braves Game again yesterday. . . just us girls (Nana, Aunt Peggy, Alice (Eecie)! We lasted much longer this time (1st game we only made it to the 3rd inning) and stayed til the very end.


I love my little pal




Stretching my legs . . . that was an awful long time to sit in one place Mama!

 Homey

This was a very important play we were watching!

Here I am with my Great-Grandmother (Nana), Mama (whose slicked back hair is not her best look), and Eecie (who is obviously more hip than my Mom - look at her stylish glasses!) - 4 generations! 

The LORD is my light and my salvation - 

whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the stronghold of my life - 

of whom shall I be afraid?

When evil men advance against me 

to devour my flesh, 

when my enemies and my foes attack me, 

they will stumble and fall.

Though an army besiege me, 

my heart will not fear;

though war break out against me, 

even then will I be confident.

One thing I ask of the LORD, 

this is what I seek;

that I may dwell in the house of the LORD 

all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD

and to seek him in his temple.

For in the day of trouble

he will keep me safe in his dwelling;

he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle

and set me high upon a rock.

Then my head will be exalted

above the enemies who surround me;

at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts

of joy;

I will sing and make music to the LORD.

Hear my voice when I call, O LORD;

be merciful to me and answer me.

My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”

Your face, LORD, I will seek. 

Do not hide your face from me, 

do not turn your servant away in anger;

you have been my helper.

Do not reject me or forsake me,

O God my Savior.

Though my father and mother forsake me,

the LORD will receive me.

Teach me your way, O LORD;

lead me in a straight path

because of my oppressors.

Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, 

for false witnesses rise up against me,

breathing out violence.

I am still confident of this:

I will see the goodness of the LORD

in the land of the living.

Wait for the LORD;

be strong and take heart

and wait for the LORD

Psalm 27

5 months and Tay's birthday!

Holy Cow! I cannot believe it! 5 months old?

I was just reading about the first year and next month she will be considered an "older baby" because she will be closer to 1 year old than a newborn - sheesh! Is this flying by or what?! Too fast for my comfort. She is quite the smiler and giggler (although her giggles don't always make noise).  This age is delightful! I love it! She has 2 teeth popping through her bottom gum and I am wondering if she is going through a growth spurt due to her much longer napping and occasional waking up in middle of the night to feed?


The emotion of feeling "in love" has come at a rate we were unaware was possible. If you recall what I described here when my mom said, "I forgot", I can now understand how she forgot.

 

Because the way we feel about Daye (and the excitement we can now see that we will have about our next child) is pretty remarkable compared to those first two months of bewilderment at this new phase of life.
So, reminder: if you are expecting your first child or if you've just had your first child - IT IS A BLESSING and it GETS BETTER WITH EACH DAY THAT PASSES. Just hang in there, and forge through. It was comforting to read this one morning this week:
"Between recovering from the demanding physical biathlon of labor and childbirth, caring for a newborn who hasn't yet figured out the difference between day and night, and adjusting to the round-the-clock responsibilities of parenthood, virtually all new mothers feel like walking (and diaper-changing and breastfeeding) zombies at first. But while the postpartum recovery period is officially over at 6 weeks (yeah right!?), feelings of exhaustion don't usually end with it. Rare is the woman who escapes continued paternal fatigue syndrome during the first year. And it's not surprising. . . For the first-time parent, there's also the stress inherent in any new job: mistakes to be made, problems to solve, a lot to learn. Once the fog of the first 6 weeks postpartum have lifted and the aches and pains of delivery have (mostly) faded, you'll probably begin to feel vaguely human again. You may even begin to feel as though you're falling into a rhythm with your baby (albeit an exhausting rhythm) and that the routines you struggled with before now come to both of you almost easily. Still, once you've started getting the hang of this parenting thing, many challenges still await you in the first year of your baby's life: from finding time for your spouse to finding time for your self, from reentering the workplace to reestablishing friendships, from working on that balancing act they call parenthood to recognizing that even professional jugglers drop a few balls from time to time. And just when you're starting to wonder whether your life will ever be the same as it was pre-baby, you may be surprised to suddenly realize that you're really glad it isn't!"


That pretty much sums up a lot of what's been rolling through my head throughout this journey :)




In other news: We had a birthday dinner for Tay last night. It was the PERFECT evening to sit outside and enjoy this amazing weather!


BG, Tay and Daye (by the way, "BG" stands for "Beautiful Grandmother" :) The grandkids have always called her BG and I love it!)

Daye, Birdie, Norah and Isaac

Tay got a new headlamp (the one on Isaac's head) for his birthday to replace the monster (on Tay's head) he used to wear for his early morning runs. They had an exploring adventure last night with them

We went to The Old Hickory House this morning. We had to whip out the tutu for Daddy's birthday!

 

And, during one of Daye's naps this week I was doing laundry and when I rounded the corner I found Phelpsy like this . . . He likes to snuggle with little lovey's too :) sweet little buddy!

And, look what we discovered this morning! A little SCOOTER! (sorry for the bad quality)

Bravos!

Daye had her first trip to the Braves Game on Friday night! As you remember, she LOVES the Braves when we watch it on TV, so we knew she'd be pumped to watch them in person. Her cousins, Beau and Handley Reid, joined us for the evening. It was a blast!

Tombo, Beau and Daddy walking in . . . pretty precious

"Hey guys, look at me hold my 'First Game Ever' Certificate." 

"Handley Reid I can't wait til I get old enough to clap and cross my feet like you."

"Um excuse me Beau, what are you doing?"

"I think that's something like the line-sky or Atlanta behind us? I don't know, I really don't care, but what I do want to point out is that shirt my Daddy is wearing. You can have your very own if you want! Click on the Buy Now button to the Left!"

 "Sheesh! This little Bravo is pooped!"

 Beau and Bots - Braves Buds :)

We went to Eecie and Bots' for the rest of the weekend. 

 Eesie and her granddaughters

We had a little birthday celebration for Tay on Sunday night. His actual birthday is this coming Saturday, the 10th. We had a delicious meal and finished it off with some carrot cake. Happy Birthday Birthday Boy Bukes!

The Culprit

I found him!

This is the guy that took over the blog yesterday.

I always knew he'd looked a little creepy.

Now, if I can just find her REAL GameDay Gear aka Gamecock Nation . . .

Oh yes, see how excited she got when I said "Gamecock"?!?!?!

Daddy don't look at this post (or any Stephens family member for that matter)

"Notice how I am not smiling, but I am being polite and wearing this because someone gave this to me as a gift..."

"There, that's more like it, If I turn over you can see how great I look in red, without seeing that absurd thing on the front of this onesie..."

"Yeah, if I cover it up, it's not so bad..."

"Oh, Thanks Elmo! You saved the day again! Now my Bots can look at this post and smile with joy because he sees me and not my outfit!"