I don't have a clever title...I'm just trying to make it back.

I haven't updated my blog in ages - shocker.  There are so many excuses running through my head right now...like I'm a busy mom, I work full-time, I'm a wife, I have a house to keep organized...blah blah blah.  

So, when I'm in bed by 8pm scrolling through social media, playing Candy Crush or watching Gilmore Girls reruns...what is my excuse? 

If I'm going to be honest here, I would say that I just kind of lost interest in blogging, and since having a child, I think the exposure of it all kind of scared me.  For someone who loves mommy blogs, you would think that I would find it exciting to share my own experiences, but I think it it intimidates me even more.  

I still enjoy reading blogs though, I love Instagram, and I love getting tips from other moms. 

Being a mom is hard.  Being a stay at home mom is hard.  Being a working mom is hard. 

There are no in-between. 

I try my best to juggle it all: a great job I love, a new house that I've been having fun putting together, a pretty amazing husband, and a daughter who is the absolute icing on the cake that has been my life these past couple of years.  I constantly tell Michael that I am so happy, and feel so lucky that I am terrified something is going to happen; and he tells me I'm crazy. 

He also likes to remind me that we didn't get here overnight, that we worked hard to get to a point where we feel like we have it all (for the most part) together, and that it is time for me to appreciate it, and stop worrying.  But come on...he knows me. I'm one of the most ocd people I know, of course I worry. 

I guess he is right. It wasn't always easy, it wasn't always pretty roses, and we had our own kinds of struggle to get here.  So I SHOULD appreciate it all. 

Damn you anxiety. 

Is this why we decided to add another kid in the mix!? Ah...maybe not, but I couldn't be happier.  In just a couple of weeks, we will be welcoming a second baby girl to our little trio, and I can't wait. 

Our first time around with Milly was intense.  Those first couple of weeks were rough, and she was the opposite of an easy baby.  Feeding issues, reflux, colic, you name it, I think we probably dealt with some of it.  It was a challenge, it made us better people, and most importantly made me realize that being a parent takes a lot of work. 

So I'm ready for this!  Am I scared?! 

Of course. I mean, I worry that Baby E will have the same issues as Milly.  I worry I my emotions will get the best of me again, and I worry that I won't be the best mom to Milly while I am taking care of a new baby.  

I guess all I can do is wait and see?  Who am I kidding? 

I already have a game plan laid out in my head.  You know, us anxious people like to anticipate the worst, develop scenarios, and fix problems that haven't even occurred.  

Well hey, at least I'm prepared! 

So this is it friends...this is my life right now. 

I'm not going to try and catch up for the lost time, but mostly try to pick up where I left off, and see if I can make this blogging this happen again. 

In the meantime, I will at least leave you with some pictures of Milly because well, she's the best, even when she tells me I'm a brat, and give me one of those "I'm going to make your life hell when I'm in High School" looks.  

She is so fierce and I love her to pieces. 

Oh Hey, Friday!

I hope everyone had a great week, and is ready for the Holiday weekend! 

We've been pretty busy on our end, with a short trip to Hilton Head for my cousin's wedding, and getting ourselves ready for College Football. 

If you live in the South, you know that Fall, as well as college football is sacred.  

The majority of our plans revolve around watching college football with friends, and making the most out of our favorite time of the year. 

We kicked off the season with the GSU game on Wednesday.  It was nail biter until the end, but we won, and my husband was a happy man, so double score! 

We even got to tailgate with some of the basketball players!  

  

My girl friends and I got together for a college football inspired craft night.  

We're not the craftiest of ladies, but we were pretty happy with the results!  Most importantly, we had fun, and have to decided to make craft night at least a monthly occasion. 

Plus, it gives us another reason to spend time together, and drink champagne.

Our weekend will be filled with a fun day of college football with friends, some quality time with Milly, and hopefully some sleep! 

Oh and because Labor Day is the end of Summer in my book, I am officially starting to decorate our house for Fall.

we may or may not have planned to wear matching outfits

Oh Hey, Friday!

The weather in Atlanta is nowhere near Fall temps yet, but we've had a couple of cool mornings, which have been the biggest tease.  

This has me thinking about all things Fall. 

*ONE*

I need to figure out a way to convince my husband that I have to own a pair of Tory Burch riding boots. 

It's no surprise that I a huge TB fan, and he's come around to understand that, but at this price, I have some serious convincing to do. 

*TWO*

My girl friends and I are getting together next week for a "craft" night.  

In honor of College Football starting back, we have decided to make wreaths inspired by our favorite teams. 

This is an example of what I am going for - same colors, but mine will say "GSU" for Georgia State University.

Pinterest

*THREE* 

The Flair Exchange had a $6 off code yesterday in celebration of reaching 6K followers on Instagram.  I couldn't help myself and ordered two of their tassel garland kits.  

I got this Fall inspired garland, and customized my own in GSU colors (see above).  

Tassel Garland

*FOUR*

BabyGap has some of the cutest Fall clothes for babies/toddlers.  They recently had their friends and family event with  40% off your entire purchase, so I picked up a few things for Milly. 

iPhone pics are not the best

Of course no outfit is complete without our favorite felt bows from A Little Lady Shop. 

I'm pretty sure we will have every color by the end of the year.

My husband thinks it's silly, I think it's pretty awesome. 

*FIVE*

Have you heard about Bright Lab Lights? 

Jordan from the blog Oh Happy Day! has lunched a new shop, and sells these oh so pretty lights that looks like those felt ball garlands.  

I'm seriously thinking about getting one for Milly's room.  

Bright Lab

How awesome would these look in a kids room? 

I kind of think they would look awesome in our bedroom too...hmmm.

Linking up with Karli and Amy.

Happy Friday friends!

Anyone?

Hello? Hi? Anyone? 

I am even allowed here? 

This morning, one of my good friends Amber who blogs over at Amber Cooks kindly pointed out to me that I had not blogged since December.  Ouch.  

I have to admit that I totally dropped the ball on this one.  I would love to say that I've been so busy working full-time, and being a wife, a mom, a daughter, a friend; but we all know that would just be a cop out.  

The truth is, I got a little overwhelmed at the thought of trying to keep up with the blog, and sort of let myself fall off the train.  After a little while, the train was just too far away to catch up. 

However, I have realized that I can actually have a blog, and only post 2 maybe 3 times a week, and that is still OK.  

I don't know why I set these unrealistic expectations for myself sometimes, but I guess I just caught up in the whole "if I can't blog everyday, then I'm just not going to at all". 

Silly. 

There is so much to talk about, so much to catch up on.  

What's funny is that I have not fallen off the reading train, because I still keep up with all my favorite blogs. 

And if these mommies can do it, then so can I. 

(insert fist pump emoji for motivation)

So bear with me, while I make my way back into the blogging world. 

I'm excited, and nervous, because I don't want to drop the ball again. 

But I am trying...and that's the first step. 

For now, I'm leaving you with a little sneak peek of Milly's 1 year pictures.  

To say I'm in love is an understatement. 

<3 

Brooke Whitney Photography

Five on Friday

It is the week before Christmas, friends, and this Momma is getting into the spirit! 

We are planning on taking LOTS of pictures this weekend, as I am learning to use the manual mode on our Nikon.  It has been a lot of fun to play with, and I can't wait to see how our pics will turn out. 

Till then, here goes my Five on Friday. 

*ONE*

The Merlin Magic Sleep Suit. 

If you are a new mommy, and your baby is struggling with transitioning out of the swaddle, then this suit will be your new best friend. 

We started using it 3 weeks ago, and Milly has been sleeping from 7.30pm-6.45/7am EVERY NIGHT.  Without waking up once.  

When you are a new parent, getting a full night sleep is like winning the lottery, and these past 3 weeks have been nothing short of magic.  Oh yes, pun definitely intended! 

*TWO*

 Who doesn't love those adorable Freshly Picked Mocs?

I got a pair of Platinums for Milly, and Mimi couldn't resist getting these for Christmas.  

I can't wait for her to wear them! 

*THREE*

Being a new mommy, I am constantly looking at pictures from when Milly was first born.  I think this is because the first couple of weeks are such a blur, that you kind of forget some of those precious moments.  

I am thankful for my sister-in-law Betsy, and the precious pictures she took on the night Milly was born. 

this picture of M & M makes my heart ache in the best possible ways.

*FOUR*

Milly already has 3 cousins: Sara (7), and Jake (2.5) on my side, and Davis (2.5) on Michael's side.

She is getting another baby cousin due in June 2014!

Betsy & David are expecting a sweet baby girl, and I couldn't be more excited!

I come from a big family with many many cousins, and I've always hoped my children would grow up with lots of cousins too.

I LOVE the way they announced it to everyone!  Such a CUTE idea.

*FIVE*

I am saving details for an actual post, but I am loving playing with the manual setting on our Nikon.  I did a little photo shoot with Milly last weekend, and these were my favorite pics! 

I still have a lot to learn, and need tons of practice, but I am pretty excited about it.  I think Michael was worried that we had spent so much money on a camera, and I wouldn't take the time to use it properly.   Told him it was an investment!  ha! 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!