What a week. It has been full of random appointments that we don't normally have, busy things to do and also helping my mom prepare to more. Unfortunately, there isn't a lot I can do to help with my two boys, but I tried as much as I could. Tomorrow is the big day, moving day! I'm so excited for her and I can't wait to see all the fun memories we make in her new place. Solomon is excited also, and since Gigi is getting a new house, he says we need to get a new house too. A beach house. HA! I told him to talk to daddy about that. I sure  hope you all have a beautiful weekend and enjoy Labor Day! 

Solomon received some fun treats this week, since he has definitely turned a corner with potty training issues!!! I'm really praying that we are finally seeing a light at the end of the long and dark tunnel we've been in! PLEASE GOD, PLEASE!!!

These two... I can only imagine how much cuter they will become while playing video games together in the future. 

Sweet baby Asher started clapping yesterday and he officially called me momma this morning. I love seeing him grow and learn every day!!! 

Asher // eight months.

Hello Squishy!

That is your official nickname now. So many people call you that, and I kind of love it. Especially when your big brother calls you squishy and squeezes your cheeks. He’s getting better about how hard to pinch them, thankfully! He also calls you buddy all the time now since I tend to call you and your brother that all the time. If you are crying, he will so gently say, “it’s ok buddy! Don’t cry, buddy.” It kills me, and I really hope and pray you guys will be the best buds ever.

Solomon asked to take pictures with you and I couldn't say no... just the way you look at him. Kills me every single time. 

When I hold you at night, rocking you to sleep before I lay you down in your crib, I notice how big you have become! Your head is pressed tightly under my chin and your body is pressed against my stomach while your legs are on either side of my own legs and are now bending to sit in this position to sleep. You are no longer a baby. I have felt this way for a while now, but all the signs are truly their now. You are closer to your first birthday, than the day you first arrived. You are getting bigger by the day and it makes my heart ache a bit. To see the past eight months gone, it is such a bittersweet feeling. Those eight months of changes and growing and laughter and love, they made me a better person, and you have taught me so much already. I can't imagine what else we will learn together.

You looooove eating. I mean, we all know this is true (#rollsfordays), but you are the cutest thing while you are eating at the table with us. All I have to do now is ask if you are hungry, then you start smacking your tongue and your lips with excitement!! You open your mouth wide like a baby bird waiting for each bite. A few weeks ago, you opened your mouth three times in a row for more peas without even trying to swallow the bites you already had in your mouth. It’s so sweet to watch you. You also make this loud humming sound if I start to eat my food and stop feeding you. Trust me, baby boy, I won’t forget you!!!

Another thing you are loving is music!! In the car, on my phone during the day, or even on the tv. Whenever music comes on you stop what your doing and put all your attention on the sound and then you start to bob up and down. Your little dance to any tune is the cutest thing, I love it!! We are definitely a music loving family, but I’m hoping you or your brother will learn to play an instrument, unlike your daddy and I. That would be a lot of fun!!

We are heading into my favorite month, and I’m so excited to share it with you. Last year, I had a very round belly during all the fun fall activities, but this year you are here with us to enjoy it. I can’t wait to have another little pumpkin to love on. Apple picking, cool mornings at Swamp Rabbit, pumpkin patches and planning Halloween decorations, all of it is going to be so fun with one more little guy in our arms.

We sure do love you!!

stats //  27.1 lbs & 28 inches

eating // thanks to some cutting teeth (both lateral incisor & now his right center incisor), he has been comfort nursing a lot more, which I don't mind at all. I missed his nursing since he was more interested in food recently. He still loves food though!! Eating banana in bites now instead of mashed, loves strawberries and oatmeal, and still a huge fan of peas. 

sleeping // it's funny how quickly sleep habits can change with a baby!! He is still only having two naps a day, but they have switched to no morning nap and then a late afternoon nap. His sleeping at night has become drastically better, also! Praise Jesus, I'm just hoping that the new tooth cutting now won't change that!

wearing // all 18-24 month clothes now. 18 month still fits very well but I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do about pants for the fall/winter. Because of his butt and legs, he needs 2T bottoms, so I'm probably going to need to have all of his pants hemmed. HA! 

firsts // army crawling and moving so much, so many fun places like Kangaroo Jax (which included his first merry go round), and the Children's Museum, waving at everyone, and he cut both lateral incisor teeth & trying to cut his right center incisor now.

favorite things // clicking his tongue and cheesing at everyone, sophie the giraffe which we have named georgie because we don't want him to bite a sophie since he has a cousin named sophie (HA!), going on walks, splashing in the bathtub, pulling mommy's hair and daddy's beard/chest hair which is NOT fun for us, and also LOVES to chew on any cords/paper he can find.

& after we were finished with pictures I said let's go downstairs, then Solomon said "what about you mommy?? I take it!" so of course I had to do it. Sweet boys, I am so crazy about you both! I sent these pictures to your Gigi to show her and she replied back to me saying "What a sweet life you have!!!" and she is so right. So much sweetness that I do not deserve, but I am so thankful for it!

Sights + Seats // Stella's Brasserie

We recently had Restaurant Week in Greenville, which is one of my favorite weeks!! In the past, Peter and I would go out to a couple of spots, but now things have changed quite a bit. Instead, we snuck away for an early dinner at the closest spot on the list, HA! Thankfully, Stella's Brasserie has been on my "want to try" list for a while now. I really wanted to try it since I've only heard great things about it, plus the ingredients are all from local farms. A true Farm to Table style restaurant is always a favorite of mine. Peter's brother and sister-in-law were excited to try it with us, so it was a wonderful double date night, away from all the kids and babies!

One of the best spicy margaritas I've ever had! 

Then, Joy and I were excited to try the cheese appetizer once we sat down at our table, so delicious.

The Restaurant Week Menu

I obviously chose a lot of meat since they are known for their meat dishes, but the pistachio cake was to die for! Peter and I both loved it!! I was also a huge fan of Joy's shrimp and grits. It reminded me of my favorite shrimp and grits dish at High Cotton. I will definitely choose that for my meal next time. It was a fun night out, with a long and slow dinner, just what two sets of parents need!! I'm so thankful to have family who live in town that we love to do things with. (& a mom who always begs for us to have a date night!) It really is such a blessing!!! 

weekly three.

This week has been a fresh of breath air!! It's been a good one, and it has been so needed. The weather has been amazing, like needing a light sweater for a morning walk, kind of amazing. We have a very busy weekend, once again, but I wouldn't want it another way. So many fun things to do and sweet people to see. Hope you have a wonderful weekend, too!

Second cups of coffee have been a must this week! Solomon has started to skip his nap again, so the coffee is replacing my little bit of rest that I used to get during that time. 

Swinging with mama, Asher loves to fall asleep here on the swing and Solomon just sat with her and talked her ear off! HA!

And some swinging outside, I love watching Solomon play where I grew up playing. Makes my heart feel warm and fuzzy!! 

holding tight.

I think this time of year is always so exciting. The summer is coming to a close, which means the leaves will be changing soon and soup will be poured into dinner bowls and apples will be picked off the trees while the pumpkins are sitting on the porch. All very, very good things in my book! Another big change for many of us are the new schools, and teachers and classrooms, but I decided to sneak in one more year with both my boys at home together, while I could. Don’t get me wrong, I thought about it, and even toured a church preschool for a pre-K class, but I changed my mind for several reasons. One of them being the ache in my heart to keep Solomon close to me just a little bit longer. I’m thankful to have many friends with toddlers, so he’s never far from time with other children, but I know that isn’t the same thing. I know be would love it and thrive and grow so much at the chance to be away for a few hours a week, but it just didn’t feel right. Partly selfishly and then partly realistically. Either way, I’m holding tight just a little bit longer.

All this preparation in my heart for the possibility of letting go a little bit made my mind race. I see All the posts from friends as they send their kids to school. I hear the nervousness in my sister-in-laws voice as she talked about her son going to public school for the first time. There are a lot of firsts for us all, but I kept hearing the Lord reminding me that nothing is a first for Him. He knows the plans of our future and he holds us all in his hands. One of the many posts that I saw this week reminded all the parents out there of a very important truth simply stating “God loves them more.” And that is true. He loves us, and he gave us these little lives to love, teach, and then release out into the world, but then we have to remember that he loves those lives more than we could ever imagine. More than we  ever could possibly love them. They are his. 

So, as I soak in one more year with my little guys, playing and learning together, I will work my hardest to show them Christ in our home. Hopefully that will prepare Solomon even more for his first day of school. More than practicing numbers, letters and writing his name, but teaching him about the one who created the stars in the sky, and made him the strong and smart boy that he has become. Working on his heart more than his mind, so that when he is away from me, he will know he is loved by a real God & also treat others with kindness and love. 

I'm praying for all you parents who drove away from your babies this week. Those who dropped them off for a couple of hours & those who won't see them till their next holiday break. I can only imagine how your hearts must have felt and how tightly you wanted to hold on, but just remember, God loves them more. And he loves you, too!

& I can only imagine how many more hours I will spend laying on the floor coloring with my big boy. He's obsessed, and I absolutely love it!!!

thursday nights.

Somehow, any random Thursday when I don't meal plan well enough, we always end up heading to a brewery in town for a family date night. We had heard a lot about the latest one downtown, Liability Brewing, which is also conveniently next door to Moe's Original BBQ! So, when I told Peter I had no idea what we were doing for dinner, he quickly suggested we check it out. Which I quickly said OKAY! The BBQ was pretty good, but the wings were amazing! After we had dinner we walked over to the brewery for a beer. They had very tasty beer plus a super chill & family friendly brewery, which is our favorite combination! I know we will definitely enjoy several family date nights here in the future. 

what would a brewery be without some cornhole!?!

My sweet boys! 

Solomon was clearly excited to see this painting on the wall... his face, goodness, he kills me!

weekly three.

It has been one of those weeks where we are so busy but somehow it still drags by! These kind of weeks always make me extra happy to see Friday arrive. It's going to be a busy weekend also, but I'm excited about all the fun we have planned. The end of summer is officially here with all the sweet photos of first day of school kids. I'm super thankful that nothing is changing in our home yet since we are keeping Solomon home one more year. His mid-September birthday is a big blessing! Happy weekend to everyone!!!

I know I've said it before, but watching these two playing together now is so cute.

It also creates a lot of learning opportunities for Solomon, which is interesting, but also fun!

Sprinkler running with Jaden! This is a must on the 90+ hot days!!!

Another favorite Color Street nail & a fun evening at a new brewery in town!

weekly three.

It has been such a busy week for us, with family coming in town for a quick visit, and a lot of fun plans. I've been a lot less stressed about some things this week also, which has been so nice. I'm trying to have the mentality of "give it to God and let it go" with potty training. If there is one thing I've learned, I can't make it happen. Plus, when he's ready, he will let it happen on it's own. I'm just ready for my sweet and happy boy to be back to himself again!! I'm thankful for family and friends that have been so supportive with prayers and checking in on us. I know it seems silly, but the past month has been a long month!

Celebrating with a popsicle after a four day strike!

My new favorite combo for nightly tea!! One drop of Theives and my Mother's Milk tea. I think I will continue this even after the cold is completely gone!

Sweet baby cousins meeting for the first time!! They are so sweet!

taking stock // 017

Fun morning at the splash pad!! Soaking up all the summer fun while we can!

Making // plans for all the fall activities coming up!

Cooking // dinner for the whole family, and our special guests, tomorrow!

Drinking // lots and lots of water!

Reading // my quiet time almost every day. 

Wanting // all the afternoon summer thunderstorms to stick around. 

Looking // for some ideas for Solomon's birthday gift this year.

Wishing // I had a maid. 

Enjoying // the end of summer with Solomon, but thankful we don't have to worry about school yet.

Liking // that all the Fall TV shows will be back on soon!!!! This Is Us, Can Not Wait! 

Wondering // why Asher is getting his upper lateral incisor tooth before his central incisor??

Loving // my alone time with Solomon today while Asher naps. Gonna see how things go with Solomon skipping naps again, I think? 

Hoping // that skipping naps will help with bedtime, cause that has been brutal, recently! 

Marveling // at how FAST this year has flown by. How do I have a seven month old, AND an almost three year old!

Needing // the weekends to be longer!

Smelling // thieves essential oils, trying our best to get rid of this cold in our house.

Wearing //  my beautiful glitter dipped nails!!

Knowing // that the last month was REALLY hard around here, but I'm super hopful for this month to be different!

Thinking // about cookies. It's a problem.

Bookmarking // so many fun giveaway ideas for my Nails on Cloud Nine page!

Opening // the fall decor soon.... August is fall, right?!? Too soon?

Giggling // at how chubby Asher is, and about all the MANY comments he gets every day from strangers.

Feeling // tired. but thankful, haha!

weekly three.

This rainy week has been exactly what we needed in a serious way. I don't mind the cozy rainy days... especially when we have house work to do, and a cold is knocking us down one by one. Thankfully, Asher hasn't gotten it, and I'm hoping the massive amounts of breastfeeding he's doing, will keep him protected. I swear he's trying to cut a tooth so he has been attached to me this week. Even all night, so these slow days are wonderful! Hope your week has been great, and that your weekend is wonderful, also!!

These Crew and Co. Advent Cards makes me SO EXCITED for Christmas this year. We used them last year also, but we never put them away since Solomon loves them so much. His favorite story to read in his Jesus Story Book Bible is the "star story" about Jesus being the light of the world. Pure sweetness!!! 

Our chicks are laying!!!! And we got some pretty eggs! Loving them in my pretty Jocie Pots!

I recently picked up a chore chart from the Target dollar bin area so we could start working on some clean up time every day. Ever since we got it Solomon wants to put the pillows on his bed like I do on my bed every morning. It's so cute... and I love that he can put them on any way he wants and play in them. Its a fun part of the day now while Asher has his morning nap, we can sit and read books in his big pile of pillows!! 

little letters.

dear baseball,
I always dreamed I'd have a little boy to enjoy you with.

dear summer,
sorry, but I'm ready for your better friend, fall.

dear lush scrub,
I used to love you, but now I hate you.

dear beauty counter,
thank YOU for fixing all the zits from the scrub mentioned above.

dear laundry,
if only I could stay caught up....

dear cloth diapers,
it's kind of hilarious that I was even considering you this time around.

dear charleston,
I really, really want to see you soon.

dear football,
I'm super excited for you to be on our TV very soon.

dear Jesus,
thank you for your grace, and teaching me to show it toward my toddler.
& I think you are trying to teach me a lot about patience right now.... I'm trying my best!