Road Trip!

First of all, so excited that vacation time is almost here! Not sure who needs it more-me or my husband. I really enjoy him giving in to the suggestions of "let's take a break!" Thursday we are headed to St. Helena Island, SC so we can check out all the close by places to hang out. Last spring, my mom and Claire and I grabbed my sister from Atlanta and visited Savannah and Charleston. We had a wonderful time. Nate was interested, so as unusual as it is for us to visit the same place twice, I couldn't resist this temptation!

Now, Nate and I are hauling our pop-up camper to the east, being hauled by the Jeep AKA my husband's "other wife". He did profess his love to her last summer when someone was interested in buying it.  Only one reservation about this...unlike this being our camper's maiden voyage out of state, this may very well be the last voyage for the Jeep. It is a little old, a little less than perfect, but we have high hopes for it. I guess I figure, what's the worst that could happen? We get a newer SUV? Hmmm....ok, let's not get our hopes up. I really don't want to be stranded in the hills of Kentucky or something.

This trip has helped me learn a few things. I have again figured out how to put a book on my nook and how to charge it! It was WAY dead. I also loaded audio books from two different sites onto my iPod. Well, I am almost done with the second. I am also learning how to pack conservatively so there is room for one of us to sleep on the backseat of the Jeep...we'll see how he does packing :-)

Besides the obvious of missing my dear sweet Claire, I am going to miss the coming home of my friend's baby Lillie. Bless her little heart, she was born 6 weeks early and gave her mom and dad a run for their money at the NICU in Iowa City. She is now doing just fine, coming home so soon. I will be just dying to hold her again when we get home. And, I'm so eager for our date at Little Mexico which has been a long time coming! Missing my friend being close to home, too. 

It's almost here!

A few days away until Claire's big day! I'm just excited to let her show everyone her walking skills because she has it about down pat, especially if she is carrying a toy.

Besides the big day, the weather has been just beautiful. It is so fun letting Claire be outside with her cute little jacket and now with her little shoes. Fall is here and the temperature has been so nice.  It has allowed us to get the grass seed planted in the torn up yard-and the grass is actually growing!

So what will the next endeavor be? To figure out a way to store these things kids require...

Birthday pondering

As the middle of September has arrived, I am getting eager to celebrate Claire's first birthday. Part of me feels like I did when I was a kid, eagering awaiting Christmas to come. I'm not sure why that is, but as special as she is to me, celebrating this first fast year is coming and I just can't wait! I never want to wish away days, but truly, I am just excited to share her first birthday with friends and family.

The planning process has had my mind buzzing for weeks.  I browse and browse and browse and before I know it another day has gone by. First, I anticipated making all these great things but as it gets closer, I've decided maybe I was being too Martha Stewartish. I am not a perfect planner and never have been very good at throwing parties.  Either way, we'll have a good time.  I do know, we'll have BBQ pork and some sides, lots of cool decorations (that I and my friend are making), and hopefully a good crowd gathering for the day.  I've not finished her outfit yet, but I'm hoping she will allow me to put something cute on her head-we'll see though, she's not a fan of headbands any more :-(

For the rest of this month, I guess I will keep making my lists and remaking them because that is what I am good at.  Luckily, I hae no shortage of paper while at work, so I can jot down all kinds of things while patients sleep. Enjoy the cooler weather!