Nap Time.

Nap time is when I can finally get stuff done. And by stuff...naturally I mean everything I used to do on a daily basis.

For instance, I used to do laundry, straighten the kitchen, start with dinner all in one night... Hell I had a career. A real, big girl, full time job! and I got all of that done after a full days work.

Now this sweet baby girl takes up every waking ( and even sleeping) moment!


I was going to try to update you on our past 3 and a half months of figuring out being parents, learning the ropes, the countless number of smiles, new tears of joy, new fears, and new routines... But that would take such a long post... And nap time is all I have. Plus every time I go to do something for myself- she knows and decides that she is going to wake up and want to go on a walk.

Vivi is great, and motherhood really is a dream. I am so incredibly thankful that I am able to stay home with our girl... This week I would have been my second week back to work. She will he 14 weeks tomorrow (4 months on the 18th) and I honestly do not know if I could have done it. Gone back to work that is..

I know that most moms do return to the workforce because they want to and out of necessity, but I feel so blessed and thankful that I am able to be here for everything. It was a decision we had made a long time ago for me to stay home. I had a great job, but I knew that this is what I was meant to do. I am not trying to start a debate on working mom vs stay at home moms. There isn't a right or wrong, it is what's best for your family. This just happens to work best for us.

With me staying home, part of me thinks that I should be able to do it ALL... Pull on my invisible cape and be able to calm crying eyes, get rid of her pain of cutting a tooth ( yes Viv is getting a tooth VERY early!) get laundry done, folded and put away. To be able to keep a spotless house, floors always vacuumed, and even dinner on the stove by the time JM comes home. But that is not how I roll. At all.

Usually we wake up for a bottle at 6. Then back down for a little nap- I could get stuff done then, but no. I usually pull Viv in the bed with me to sleep for an hour or two. Then it is time to laugh and sing and dance. Umm not Viv, me. That is what I do be get her to smile while I am making a cup of coffee ( in love with my Kuerig!) and making a bottle at the same time. I used to watch Live with Kelly at 9. Last week Viv starting hating the show. Turns out she loves Sesame Street. So we watch that... Hey don't judge, I must have my coffee to function now, and she will sit calmly in her MaMa Roo and laugh at Elmo. ( it is the only show she watches besides football of course)

After that we usually do tummy time or we read a book. It's different everyday. Sometimes she just wants to be held close for a nap or wants to 'talk' to me. Today it is be held and take nap while I type this on our iPad. Then JM comes home for lunch to see his baby girl. It's so nice having his job 3 miles from the house! Then it is Viv's lunchtime followed by nap time or errands with mommy. Somedays, a lot of days, we don't leave the house. We do actually get laundry done, we do actually get the kitchen straightened, or we do get dinner started.

I am learning how to pull out that cape and get it done. And learning to also accept that it might not all get done and that it is ok. Another lesson I have learned is to ask for help. My mom, JMs mom, his sisters... Whoever can come over for a while to help with Viv is great! Even if it is an hour. It helps my sanity as well as it helps me get this place clean. Or gives me the time to sew a bib!
Yes I have dusted off the sewing machine and am makin bibs and burp cloths!

But my favorite time of day is when JM is home for the night and we just love on our girls. Yes girls... The cats still need attention too!

This week is a busy one. Getting the house painted. The whole outside- brick and all. We are also having the painters paint the master and sealing and painting the basement. The "ManCave" will be done so soon! JM cannot wait I am sure!
I actually did take before pictures... and we have a TON of other projects coming up too....
Hardwoods on the stairs, painting the hall upstairs and adding a gallery wall up there too!

I know I never posted a New Years Resolution or goals post either... To be honest I am not making them this year. I fail every. single. year. SO this year is to be in the moment, put the phone down more often, and love my family with everything I have got.

I hope the everyone has enjoyed this post.... I enjoyed writing it. Now to go get Vivi up.
Nap time seems to be over.

It's been a while.... and A LOT has changed.

Well my Google Reader says it has been at least 8 weeks since I last posted... That is a new record for me.
Pretty sure I have a great excuse... and I am going to call it my Maternity Leave.


This was taken right after Miss Vivienne Charles McCracken was born on October 18, 2011 at 1:13pm.

I did write her Birth Story a few days after we all got home and some what settled in... I actually wrote and sent it to a few of our best friends.... I will post it tomorrow, just so that I have a record for myself to look back at one day...

A lot has been going on in our house as you can tell. We have been parents for 6 weeks and 1 day. Yes there have been tears, happy and sad/ frustrated ones, but it has been the greats thing that we have ever done. Thanksgiving was a blast, and Christmas will be magical. Yes Vivi is way too young to understand and get excited about Christmas, but something is different about this Christmas. I think that it is knowing that we are going to wake up and open presents, but that this year having her with us will really be the greatest gift we could have given each other.

Now I know that you all came to see the pictures of Vivi and not read this... these are from our cameras and of course from our iPhones... Tomorrow I will post all of the wonderful pictures that Mrs. Southern Belle (Candace Carroll) took for Vivi's newborn pictures. They are SO CUTE...

Right before we left the hospital to go home... We couldn't believe that they let us walk out of there with her!

This was Halloween!

One Month Old. I cannot believe that she is already a month and a half! Where is the time going?!?!?

And this is me and Vivi on Thanksgiving... she is such a easy going baby... until she shit all over me that night. That is another story for another time... but believe me that I will tell that story when she goes on her first date.

Now I must go and put Vivi down, and tend to the pile of never ending laundry... She has fallen asleep on my chest again. (who doesn't love a baby sleeping on their chest?) Hope everyone is having a wonderful Wednesday.... I am glad to be back.

XOXO

Becoming more real...

I know that I am a terrible blogger. There has just been too much going on this past week and a half to post.

Well lets start with off with a little update.
I am now 36 weeks pregnant. Or That is what I thought that I was... I went to the Doctor two weeks ago (right after my last post) and she moved my due date up a bit to the 25th. I, meaning Vivi, was measuring a little big....

Then this past week we had an ultrasound as well as a weekly appointment.

I have one big baby growing inside of me! She is measuring at 6.8 lbs... and also measuring earlier. Moved my due date to October 22. So we talked about an induction. We now know the date that Miss Vivi will be born!!! October 18th will be her birthday!
This is also my brother Chip's Birthday! She is named after my dad and him- Vivienne Charles.

But during that ultrasound they also noticed that while my fluid was " in the normal range"... it was in the "very low normal range" , so I have to have another ultrasound on the 11th. Hey- sounds great to me! I like getting to see her! I have been instructed to take it even easier and drink a lot more water. I dont know how that is even possible to drink any more water than I already am! I feel like I am going to just float away!

So now for a little update! I am sorry that some of them are the same as last post- but the strtech marks, I mean battle wounds, are still there... and the belly button is still flat.

How far along?: 38 weeks! I have 15 days left... unless she decides to come earlier!

*Total weight gain?: Well... since I lost close to 15 lbs in the beginning.... I really am only up a little since the starting weight. And I think that I have hit the max... I had no gain for the past two weeks- or maybe it will all show up on the scale this week? I hope not!

*How big is baby?: According to my ultrasound 6.8 lbs... Babycenter.com says 6.8 lbs and over 19 1/2 inches long!

*Sex: Sugar and Spice and Everything nice! That's what little girls are made of!

*Maternity clothes: I am ONLY in maternity clothes.... T-shirts and maternity jeans every day! Oh and my feet are too swollen for anything but this one pair of black flip flops!

*Stretch marks: Looks like a tiger got me. BUT as soon as they come they fade... I just keep oiling up.... I finally accepted that there is nothing in the world I can do to prevent them. IF they are going to happen they will, and the only way to get ride of them short of lasers and a tummy tuck is to just accept them for what they are. Battle scars on the road to motherhood.

*Sleep: Not good. Not good at all.... Vivi thinks that my sides are punching bags and a treadmill. She is most active at night.... I sleep for an hour or two at a time then get up to go to the bathroom and chug more water. I am constantly thirsty... AND ALWAYS have to go to the bathroom.

*Symptoms: Fat feet, sore hips..... REALLY sore hips! Waking up to numb hands is getting worse.

*Movement: Yes, she is a mover and a shaker! BIG TIME! IF I eat anything sweet then she will go crazy... Most movement is at night.

*Food cravings: Not really anything lately...I feel like Im not as hungry lately. Just VERY cold and juicy fruit, cereal, and more cold and juicy fruit.

*Labor signs: Having some period type cramps occationally and also some Lightning/sharp pains in the cervical area....which I read means things are progressing! I was checked at my Dr... and NOTHING. So really they are just Braxton Hicks contractions! However this weekend it looks as if I have "dropped"....

*Belly button in or out: Flat-ish... At night after I eat and am full... it wants to come out. I want it to stay in.

*What I miss: Being able to sit up, taking a deep breath, walking normal, sleeping on my back, sleeping through the nite, not peeing every 5 minutes, my ankles... I do miss having a Coors Light. Classy right? I mean it is football season... I missed it at the lake this summer as well... I thought I would miss wine- but really? I don't miss it at all. That was last week. This week I still miss Coors Light.

*What I'm looking forward to: Dr. Appt. this Friday... This Friday is also my Dad's birthday AND my wonderful sister-in-law Rachel's Birthday!!

*Best moment of the week: My wonderful Shower!!!! It was absolutely perfect! My Windsor Oaks Mama's are the best! It was so very girly and just perfect. We got everything we needed and more! There were so many beautiful handmade sweaters, hats, and blankets- Those women are talented!
Now to write a ton of Thank You notes tomorrow- and yes I already have the stamps! Picture to come on the shower!
Today we went shopping for the rest of the essentials and ran in to a great couple who gave us some of the BEST advice on what to get and not to get! INstead of the swing that I really really wanted we went with a MamaRoo.... It is the coolest thing I have ever seen and I really would like one for myself. I mean it even has an iPod/ iPhone adaptor. Yes that is right. SO that she can also listen to music off of there! It seriously looks like something from the Jetson's, but it is AWESOME.

Coming up this week I am going to start the washing process. I have my Dreft and I am ready to use it! From blankets, to towels, sheets, and CLOTHES. It all has to get done. As I write this JM is installing the car seat... today he set up the video monitor, set up the carseat adaptor for our stroller. He has also assembled, added batteries, and also is going to hang stuff on the walls tonight! He is so excited because it is all becoming so real. Vivi will be here SO SOON.
And at the same time. I still have no clue what we will do once we bring her home! It will all come naturally right? I have read books on what to do, and I know that I will just "get it"... that or I will be calling my mom and MIL to come right over!

This week I am going to do a post on the nursery! Everything is in there! It is done. And I cannot wait to show everyone! It is my absolute dream nursery... and I cannot wait for you to see it!

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

34 weeks and 3 days...

How far along?: 34 weeks and 3 days!

*Total weight gain?: Well... since I lost close to 15 lbs in the beginning.... I really am only up a little since the starting weight.

*How big is baby?: According to Babycenter.com 18 inches long and 4 3/4 pounds...

*Sex: Sugar and Spice and Everything nice! That's what little girls are made of!

*Maternity clothes: I am ONLY in maternity clothes.... T-shirts and maternity jeans every day! Oh and my feet are too swollen for anything but this one pair of black flip flops!

*Stretch marks: Looks like a tiger got me. BUT as soon as they come they fade... I just keep oiling up.... I finally accepted that there is nothing in the world I can do to prevent them. IF they are going to happen they will, and the only way to get ride of them short of lasers and a tummy tuck is to just accept them for what they are. Battle scars on the road to motherhood.

*Sleep: Not good. Not good at all.... Vivi thinks that my sides are punching bags and a treadmill. She is most active at night.... I sleep for an hour or two at a time then get up to go to the bathroom and chug more water. I am constantly thirsty... AND ALWAYS have to go to the bathroom.

*Symptoms: Fat feet, sore hips..... REALLY sore hips! Waking up to numb hands kinda sucks.

*Movement: Yes, she is a mover and a shaker! BIG TIME! IF I eat anything sweet then she will go crazy... Most movement is at night.

*Food cravings: Not really anything lately...I feel like Im not as hungry lately. Just VERY cold and juicy fruit, cereal, and more cold and juicy fruit.

*Labor signs: Having some period type cramps occationally and also some Lightning/sharp pains in the cervical area....which I read means things are progressing! I get checked for the forst time next week and I am scared... What if she wants to come now? I am not ready for her just yet! Ultrasound in two weeks to see what is going on...

*Belly button in or out: Flat-ish... At night after I eat and am full... it wants to come out. I want it to stay in.

*What I miss: Being able to sit up, taking a deep breath, walking normal, sleeping on my back, sleeping through the nite, not peeing every 5 minutes, my ankles... I do miss having a Coors Light. Classy right? I mean it is football season... I missed it at the lake this summer as well... I thought I would miss wine- but really? I don't miss it at all.

*What I'm looking forward to: Dr. Appt. this Friday... After this one we go to once a week appointments!

*Best moment of the week: I got an AWESOME package from my dear friend in Canada!!! She sent me some awesome loose leaf tea, salsa, and enen a scrapbook of me and JM! IT was a craft project she had on her blog! It is too awesome! Will be sharing pics soon!
Last week was getting my hair done.... this week will be going back to have it fixed. Boo.... I asked for the newest trend... Ombre highlights.... (Thinks Sarah Jessica Parker darker roots, with brighter ends! Very low maintenance....) well there is not enough blonde at the ends! SAD! It looks good, but not what I wanted. HEy if I had the gift certificate then I am going to get what I want right?


So that is what is going on this week...
That and I had a breakdown today. I have not had any serious freak outs until today...
Today I went to Kroger after having lunch with my Grandparents and my Great Aunt Bunny... (Hey Papa! Thank you for the Chinese!) I went to get stamps so I can mail out the thank you notes I wrote LAST WEEK! I have been to the store 3 times for stamps and keep forgetting them...
Today I forgot them again! AND they didnt have JM's favorite yogurt either.
SO when I called JM to ask him to please stop and get them both... I CRIED. Like a baby. I cried all the way down Peachtree Rd. Then I cried when I saw a Pampers commercial when I got home!You know the one I am talking about... I cannot see that commercial without tearing up. Today it was all out boo-hoo tears.

It was terrible. I dont even know why I cried... Because there was not yogurt and that I forgot the stamps? Or because I just want for Vivi to get here? Yup I am thinking that is it... and the hormones are taking over.
I am hot, tired, and sore. But I woudlnt trade it for the world right now. I am so excited that she is going to be here before we know it!

Hope that everyone is having a wonderful week!!!!

A Winner, a Discount, and a few pictures!

Happy Friday everyone!

Thank you so much to those of you that participated in the Give Away from Adorable Banner Co!
Since there were 4 wonderful commenters on the last post... I had JM pick a number 1-4.

Drum roll please.....

And the winner is commenter #2 Snoopymeg- Meghan... we are so excited about your wedding in a few days! Now before your wedding, I hope that you check this blog! Please visit Adorbale Banner Co's Etsy Shop and email me what color towel and what you would like the monogram to be. You can pick ANYTHING for it to say! It could even say "Go Dawgs" if you are cheering on UGA... in our house it would be "Go Eagles" for GA Southern!

So excited for you Meghan! Email me at kmccracken1030@gmail.com to claim your prize!!!

*****THIS JUST IN! **UPDATE** Trixie, the owner and creator of Adorable Banner Co. just emailed me to tell me that if you would like to receive 10% off your order use the code word MCCRACKEN. Her entire boutique is perfect for thoughtful gifts! I love the towels, banners... all of it! Submit your orders now the discount won't last long!******

So since today is Friday and I am in an excellent mood I am going to share a few pictures!







My dear friend Caroline cave over last Friday to hang out and have breakfast with me and we did a few Maternity Shots! She is an excellent photographer... and we always have SO much to talk about I swear we could talk for 3 days straight! We have such similar taste as well. Next time we are going to have a Pinterest Party... More on that next week.

Today I had a great Dr's appointment! I will have one more appointment in two weeks before I drop down to once a week... crazy! I cannot believe how fast time flies... Vivi will be here so soon. And there is STILL so much left to do and set up!

I have learned that nesting is a serious thing.... and it is making me a crazy person... more on that next week too.

For now I have to get back to putting my feet up and relaxing. PLUS we are celebrating this weekend... My dearest husband, JM is having a BIRTHDAY come Monday so we must celebrate all. weekend. long! That is the rule... it is now his Birthday Weekend... the weekend where I don't complain about baseball or football and I cook whatever he wants! and I cannot WAIT to give him his Birthday Gift... More on that next week as well...

I hope that everyone has a great weekend!