Scenic Views and Majestic Vistas!

This past weekend, Rob and I spent two nights in Cheaha State Park at a cabin!  It was glorious.  We hiked, napped, ate cookies, went out for dinner, watched movies, and just generally did what we wanted when we wanted (something that goes completely away when you have a kid).  I want to go back every year!

We couldn't take Bells with us (the cabin we were in was not pet-friendly), but we are glad we didn't because it was chilly at times and windy pretty much the whole time.  She stayed with our friends Matt and Jess...and their dog, Butters.  

What an orchestrated event just to go somewhere!

We obviously had to take Harper with us, but we didn't leave Em outside with the cats. (And actually we left the cats inside...)  Anyway, Em spent the night with Joy and Charlie for THREE NIGHTS.  They pimped her out to win a costume contest with Chelsea the dog on Saturday morning.  I don't have a pic of Chelsea (the contest was for dogs), but here is what Em looked like, and she was part of Chelsea's "costume".  They obviously won (what kind of asshole votes against a BABY?), and Em got her picture taken for the Shelby County newspaper!  She is famous!

Joy, of course, made this tutu.  Em and I picked out the shirt last week.

Meanwhile, in Cheaha, our cabin and the view from it looked like this:

We hiked up to here the first day, about a half mile one-way, then stopped for snacks.  Rob took all these panoramic shots.



Before dinner on Saturday, we took the boardwalk to see the gorgeous sunset.

Outside the restaurant where we ate dinner Saturday.  Anxiously awaiting those fried pickles (I don't like pickles any other way!) that we ordered for an appetizer.  Also, if you have not noticed, I have reached the point that I like to call "stupid-pregnant".  32 weeks, counting down, and feeling like a land monster (though in this pic, I at least look smaller than I feel)!

Sunday before we left, we half hiked and half rolled down this hill to get to the small waterfall.  It was a good reward.

And a good view from the top.

Sunday morning, I woke up pretty early and decided it was a great time to paint my toenails.  This adventure somehow ended with spilled nail polish remover, a shattered OPI nail polish (my favorite one!), and a cut on my finger.  I painted my toenails last night in my 2nd favorite shade, though, and they are super cute. (Yes, I can still reach!)  Just in time for mine and Harper's baby party this weekend!

Happy Monday-hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Still here

Hey Everyone!  I am sorry for my protracted absence.  But rest assured that we have not:

a. died
b. lost any limbs
or
c. turned Emerald into an outside baby

Things are busy and I think I'm spending all my free time applying for jobs, chasing a toddler who likes to run into tables and then cry (at least it seems like she must like it from the number of times it happens in a day), and also try to pick up our 20 lb cat.  Here's hoping she's not the world's youngest hernia patient sometime soon.

Anyway, we had Rob's birthday (Rikki, Colby, and Tye came to visit), re-arranged Em's room to also include a space for Harper, got Em into a toddler ("big-girl") bed, and are looking forward to some R&R at a cabin in Mt. Cheaha this weekend (baby-free!  except for the one that is currently attached to me)!

Here are some pictures as proof.

Rob's Birthday-He got a new water bottle (so I can have my pink one back), some Dr. Martens boots, and some new flip flops (with a beer opener on the bottom).  Practical Birthday.

Em didn't think the tissue paper belonged in the gift bags, 

and promptly placed it in the Diaper Genie.

I gave her some money for her purse, and I swear she didn't put it in her mouth for a full hour!

Best. Toy. Ever.

Seeing her big-girl bed for the first time!  

We had our friends Matt and Jess keep her for the day so she could be surprised when she got home.

I swear she woke up a big kid after one night in her new bed!

A nice nap with the ladybug in her big girl bed.

A space for Harper.  She still needs a mattress, and we still need to put up the pictures, but we are getting there. Em likes the new arrangement. But Em likes everything.

And we are so thankful that Joy and Charlie let us borrow Aidan's crib too. No worries.  Aidan is 9.

Blocks and toys in her new room.

Hm, might be time for the first haircut...

This is the part where I inform you that Em eats like her dad.  This is her pack of lunch/snacks for one day.  Yes, her lunchbox comes back empty.

Em dresses Mr. Homie for the day.  She thinks this sparkly scarf really brings out his eyes.

See, he looks cute!

And now some videos!  Em has been enjoying her music, and dressing Mr. Homie. She does lots of other stuff too, but turns a little shy when we turn on the video camera.

I used to have a toy piano (I don't think it was this fancy), and liked to "play and sing"

Note at the end we have to tell her to be gentle-Mr. Homie sure is a champ though.

Alrighty, I think you are updated.  Wow, we are exciting people

BUT TODAY IS $2 Burrito Bowl Day at Moe's!  Guess what Joy and Keri are having for lunch!!

Happy Wednesday!