What a year it has been...part 2

Ok so we left off with May which was a great month.  I was getting back into the swing of things.  We had an amazing anniversary weekend...so bring on June....

June

This month the boo boo turned 5 months old...I couldn't believe how fast time was flying by.  Before I had the baby I promised myself I would enjoy every second with her because I know how fast they grow.  I was also way too busy when the big girls were babies and also admittedly too selfish to realize how precious that time was.  I make a conscious effort to take more pictures and to update the baby book every chance I get.  I keep up with milestones on my phone and enter them into the book every few months.  Anywho..back to June...the summer was officially here.  The hubs and I continued with our date day promise and enjoyed some time together.  This was the month Lizzie ate cereal for the first time and rolled over.  I know you are thinking jeez isn't five months a little behind for rolling over?!?!  It may be for some of the over achieving first time moms out there...for me it was perfect timing.  She was a month early after all and I enjoy every minute of her being a baby so I do not rush things when it comes to milestones.  They will all roll over, sit up, crawl and walk in THEIR own time when they are ready.  No reason to stress...  So here are a few pictures of the beginning of our Summer here in beautiful Savannah, GA.

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

Kindergarten Graduation

Cousins(another trip to Valdosta)

We went to Ball Ground for Father's Day this year to visit Papa B and DeDe and this is one of my favorite pictures from that trip.  Daddy playing the piano with his baby girl!

Jaycee loves her baby sister...she would take Lizzie in her room while I cooked supper to play.  They were a little too quiet one day and this is what I walked in on.  So precious!

Here she is with her newest toy at the time.  She loved laying on her mat. 

This is from our Father's Day trip as well...we took the baby hiking at Amicalola Falls in North Georgia.  We also to Jager...as you can see in the background...this trip was eventful!

Here are my silly girls sending me a picture of all of them from Aunt Jessica's house.  They all had Bieber fever and were giving her a concert bless her heart!  My sister is the best.  The girls usually stay with her for a week during the summer and by the end of it she is READY to ship them home :)

Another trip to Ellis Square to play in the water

Mimi must have been here this weekend because Cristyn says Mimi = pediCARE.  This was also Lizzie's first pediCARE!

July

I have already been informed that my blog post for July must be all about Cristyn since July is in fact her month!  July was just a continuation of June.  We were doing anything and everything to stay cool.  The girls were in Valdosta for another week and we enjoyed Fourth of July with some friends around Savannah...finally a weekend we DID NOT have to travel. 

Here we are celebrating Toot's birthday before they left for Valdosta.  I can't believe my Baby Girl is 6!

First time on a boat and in a pool on in the same week!  Happy 4th everybody!

This is my FAVORITE little 7 year old.  The Diva Baileigh waiting on the fireworks...her future is so bright she's gotta wear shades!

Jaycee got a new bike this month and we haven't seen her since jk...she also made a new BFF Alexa.  Alexa has lived around the corner the entire time we have been here, not sure how their paths haven't crossed before...they are definitely two peas in a pod.

And this was taken when Aunt Jessica came to Savannah to visit us and to get her wedding dress I think.  Or it could have just been a random visit...not sure. 

Ok.  Right now you guys are witnessing the most peaceful time of my 2011.  From this point forward my year consists of being on the road every weekend for 12 that's right TWELVE weekends in a ROW!  I wouldn't change a thing about the first 9 because I was busy celebrating two of my most favorite ladies in the WORLD!

August

 August begins with a shower for one of my bestest frands in the WHOLE world.  I have known this special lady for 20 years and I love her to the moon and back.  The next weekend, you guessed it, back in Valdosta for another shower for my sweet Tracie!  I wouldn't have been the most AWESOME MOH if I would have missed anything now would I?  Here are a few pictures from the shower.

  

A few hours after Tracie's first shower I got a wild hair.  I have always wanted a tattoo that had some symbolization for the girls.  Now that i felt my family was complete seemed to be a good time as ever.  I was in Valdosta where I knew of a good artsit so I called and I went.  Here it is.  I have gotten the jokes, smart comments etc. about it being not so original or "guess you'll never forget their birthdays" haha.  I laughed it off of course because I didn't get the tattoo for anyine else.  I got it for me and I love it.  I know I would rememebr their birthdates whether I had this constant reminder or not...I'm their Mother.  Every time I look at my wrist I see three beautiful, perfect little girls that rely on ME.  And I also see three beautiful girls that I helped create!  I DID that!  So say what you will about it...just know that I LOVE it and am glad I got it.

The next few weekends were a blur.  So on to September...

September

September started off in a continued celebration of the future Mrs. Ellenberg...the bachelorette!  We had a blast and I absolutely loved meeting all of the other ladies.  I also got to catch up with some people I hadn't seen in years.  The second weekend that month she was the beautiful BRIDE!  After two weekends of celebrating Tracie is was time to begin the celebration of another special someone...my SISTER.  She was finally getting married!  We started off with her shower which was a success.  The next weekend we were back to Valdosta, yet again, for my 10 year high school reunion.  Had fun catching up and I got to see my Lacey again which is always a blast.  The last weekend of the month marked Jessica's bachelorette.  Here are several pictures showing the events of September..it was a fun but LONG month....by the end of the month I was SO ready to be home for just ONE weekend.

Jessica's Shower

Fave Picture from Reunion...he is SOOO Handsome!

 Jessica's Bachelorette

This is all I have for now...September was a busy month...will have more later today, until then...

What a year it has been...

I have read a few blogs today with others reflecting on the past year and became inspired....thanks mainly to Plain Ole Shealey Girl :)  I started this blog many months ago in an attempt to keep up with the little things that happen within "my family unit".  I did good for a post or two and now more than six months later I believe I have a whopping 3 posts.  I am going to try my best recap everything from 2011....hope it interests you...here goes. 

JANUARY

January was a HUGE month for the Echols/Hughes Household.  I was hospitalized and put on bed rest just before Christmas due to the little Boo Boo aka Lizzie Ann Echols trying to make her debut roughly 8 weeks early.  By the end of the first week in January we were cleared to come off of bed rest.  Got off of meds and bed rest on Sunday and she was born Tuesday.  Here she is...one the three most beautiful girls in the world :)  This picture was taken her first day at home.

Lizzie Ann Echols

January 11, 2011

6 lbs. 10 oz.

The two proud BIG sisters!

Lizzie took her first trip to Valdosta when she was only two weeks old and had A LOT of visitors.  This visit home showed me just how much this little girl is loved.  Here are a few pictures from her first visit to Valdosta.  This trip was the first of MANY trips home.  I have put so many miles on my vehicle this year going to Valdosta, that I had to trade it in.

             

 Granny Lizzie & Lizzie Ann

Four Generations...These ladies make my heart smile :)



February

February was also a very special month for our family.  My nephew, Tucker Lee Pendergrass was born.  His birth was a little bittersweet because I wasn't able to be there for it.  Lizzie was only 3 weeks old and I didn't want to have her at the hospital due to possibility of her being exposed to any sickness since she was premature.  He was so precious and tiny :)  He had my heart from the beginning.  We met him for the first time when he was only a few days old.  Here are a few pictures from our first meeting with the Emperor of the family. 

 Ok so this is not one of the cousins meeting but this was the first time Lizzie met a very very special lady.  Her Aunt Lacey.  Even though we don't see her very often she is always on my mind.  I love this lady like she is my sister!  Back to the meeting of the cousins....

Papa Milton, Nana, Lizzie Ann and Tucker Boo

March

Nothing comes to mind that happened in March other than my birthday which came and went without notice...birthdays after having children are generally "just another day".  Learned that ten years ago so it was no big deal when this one was the same way...I digress.  I guess the reason nothing comes to mind for March is because I went back to work March 8.  Now that I think about it March 8 was also the day after the Lakers played the Hawks.  Why does this matter you ask?  Well, my husband is a die hard Kobe Bryant fan so me being the most awesome wife that I am I bought him tickets to the Hawks/Lakers game for Christmas along with a night in Atlanta.  When I booked all of this I thought I would have a one month old baby instead of a two month old baby so I was left alone with three children (one waking up every 3-4 hours) the night before my first day back to work after 12 weeks...whew!  I was ready but I wasn't ready if that makes any sense at all.  I can't recall much of anything else that happened in March so here are a few pictures that most likely were taken during that month.  The main thing that sticks out in my mind is that Lizzie FINALLY started sleeping through the night....I was seriously on the way to the Looney Bin from sleep deprivation and somehow I really think she picked up on it.  It's like I was at my breaking point of crazy town so she decided to throw me a bone.  She has slept through the night ever since...nobody wants a crazy Mama....I am sure the big girls appreciated this as much as I did...bless their hearts. 

We also found out some good news in March...Our friends Andrew and Katie told us they were expecting in November!  We were so excited for them...and us because this meant we would no longer be the ONLY one of our couple friends that have kids.

Silly Girls!

So this obviously wasn't in March but I love this picture of these two!

April

This is the Boo Boo sleeping in my lap in the car waiting on the girls

one Sunday afternoon in the big town of Nahunta

             On the way to church                    Cousins                         

One of my favorites...all of the kiddos

It's a rare occasion that Jaycee doesn't run from the camera

The Boo Boo is 3 months!

May

May was a FUN month.  Our anniversary was this month.  I desperately needed a vacation but I couldn't be too far from the baby seeing as how I was still a human milk factory and Lizzie's only source of nutrition...My wonderful Mama came over and stayed with the girls for the weekend while we stayed at the Westin in Savannah.  We were close enough to make milk runs if need be but just far enough to enjoy our time together.  Thanks to my 10 week training in Atlanta, I racked up enough points for our stay and some much needed spa services at the Westin.  We enjoyed our day at the spa and had an awesome dinner at Ruth's Chris downtown and quick dip in the hot tub!  Thinking about this makes me realize I really need another weekend like this ASAP!  This was the month we decided that we definitely needed a date day once per month and we decided the last Sunday of the month would be perfect for this!  Finally, life was getting back to normal!

More good news this month! Another of our couple friends were expecting!! Yay for more babies! We were so happy for Daju and Ange! They are super special to us and I know they will be AMAZING parents! As I type this now, I am anxiously waiting a call/text from Julia any day now saying Brooks is on the way! Can't wait to hold that sweet little boy! 

Trip to Ellis Square           Meeting Papa Butch

on Memorial Day                                         

                                    

Muffins with MOM @ MHE!

So once again this was obviously not taken in May...LOVE these two!

I had all intentions of finishing this tonight because I thought it wouldn't take log at all...I mean my life is by no means exciting!  I am so glad I decided to do this because looking back makes me happy. I will try my best to finish tomorrow....

To be Continued...