First month pics

A first month of pictures! 

I love this picture. This was around 2PM the day he was born and all our visitors left for a while and we were left to sleep. P took a short nap and Austin fell asleep on my chest. I think that's when it set in that this was our baby and I was so in awe. 

Going home outfit. I mean, I know it's over the top but I couldn't handle myself. He will only not have an opinion for so long so I'm taking full advantage of it! 

This was the second day I was home. Ben was really sick with a terrible cold and he came to look at Austin through a window, prison style. 

Right after first bath! 

Another first post bath picture. 

Excuse my gross self but there is my babe's first Valentine's Day! Thanks to Rebecca for the sweet onesie. 

I asked Jenna to make this onesie for Philip for Valentine's Day, too. Presh.

First time meeting Aunt Ashley. 

Meeting Taylor! 

First walk...I hope I was just so sleep deprived that we didn't realize we had the car seat in the stroller the wrong way! Whoops!

Okay, that's enough for now. Although almost every minute of every day is a "first" right now, I realize I'm becoming one of "those moms". I promise to try to blog about other subjects. No promise of when.

For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Although life can feel totally insane I am attempting to be all lovely and positive today...

This was on the blog last year too, I think on Valentine's Day. This is my favorite picture ever of a couple and I only wish Philip and I had first thought to do this and then actually had the courage.

I am in love with...

The hubby

A beautiful mother who I can't wait to see later this week!

My wonderful father who everyone should attempt to be like.

A brother who makes everyone in his life smile...

Amazing friends who I love and miss like family.

A job that I actually love!

The promise of sleep in the middle of March...(hello end of musical and Festival competition!)

An unhealthy relationship with Bravo.

Overall...a lucky life!

Okay...back to Valentine's Day!

So many surprises on this wonderful Valentine's Day.

I'm teaching my students and in walks my vice principal. All the sudden I get all jo jo circus clown and think holy Lord this is it... I'm about to be randomly observed. Do I have the standards posted? Yes. What about the daily objective? Yes. What about the "I will" statements? Yes. (seriously, half the class could consist of taking care of these little pesky if you let it) and then I looked at her hand and what did she have? A rose! A bruin, gold rose. "Happy Valentine's Day!" beams my now favorite vice principal. I am so surprised I believe I blushed. Sadly I do not have a vase at school so I put it in a Styrofoam cup. Next my lunch inspired completely by Pinterest. One of my classes is so cute and creative and actually created a power point presentation displaying every one's obligation for the potluck. The best part? They actually brought...everything...and more. Cake balls, homemade salsa, mint brownies, bacon wrapped jalapenos, buffalo chicken dip, and so much more.

When I got home from my now standard 12 hour day, my husband surprised me with the champagne that we toasted with at our wedding! He also cooked dinner, unloaded the dishwasher and surprised me with a new fossil watch!

Now I can finally be cool with the rest of the gold train! Only 5 years behind but who's counting?

Happy Valentine's Day!

For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne.

tainted love

Everyday at a middle school can feel similar to an asylum but Valentine's Day leads to an entire new level of insecurity, sugar overload, drama, and overall cray cray. The day started with extra "vigor" as tomorrow's leaders rushed in to see who brought what and who received the most balloons and stuffed animals. All the girls stampeded to the bathroom (gross, why do they hang in the bathroom?) to compare what all they brought and then attempt to talk each other into giving the present to a unsuspected boy "for a friend". Although the extra stage of hyper was annoying some of the events of unrequited love were painful and the material everyone needs for a Prozac prescription and a career in the arts. At first I was surprised with how many girls brought their "boyfriends" (who they were afraid to even go up and give their presents to) Valentine's presents only to be left with nothing. Then I decided I wasn't that surprised. Girls are always more organized and usually plan ahead. The girls planned for weeks what they would get the boys, when and how they would give the present to them, what they would say, how to wrap it etc the boys had not thought past how to eat a biscuit while sneaking in a football at the same time. Like they do everyday. But still try every. single. day. A few of my female students were upset so I attempted to give them my best buck up and do crossed with "The Rules" speech ever. I even got so fired up at one point that I told a student to go ask for the present back, especially if the candy was good. Luckily there were no fights today so I can only assume this student did not attempt to take back her candy. As painful as it is I believe it is a right of passage to have an awful Valentine's Day. Everyone needs to know the pain of bringing a chocolate rose with the price tag still on expecting to find one in return only to be laughed at. Why this has to be a requirement I'm not too sure, but I do now that Middle School is pretty awful for almost everyone so you might as well get it over with then. (REALLY easy for me to say that now).

I hope everyone had a better Valentine's Day than some of my students. For Natalie's News this has been a very loved, Natalie-Corinne.

My funny Valentine

I hope everyone had a wonderful day. Although I posted some of the worst kisses ever this is by far my favorite Valentine (other than P) of all time. It is one of my life goals to be witty enough to come up with a great idea like this and then have the guts to do it and then send it to people...with eyes...where they can see it.

For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne.

Singleness Awareness Day/ Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day from everyone here at Natalie's News. If you are not with a loved one Valentine's Day can seem like this eternal abyss of loneliness (not that I've ever felt this way). And even ruder, Valentine's Day is on a Monday, gross. Although I am happily married and will be enjoying Valentine's Day with the hubby, it hasn't been that long ago when Valentine's day would send anxiety to every nerve in my body. I wish I could say I was one of those mature singles who took this day with a grain of salt and was happy for all my couple friends, but then I might as well also say that I love listening to Rush Limbaugh because I would be completely full of BS. When you're single on Valentine's Day it seems like everyone and their mother is receiving 6,000 roses, countless heart shaped necklaces, stuffed animals, romantic candy etc. Don't even think about going out to dinner. Every restaurant is running some couples special and the air is polluted with sweet nothings that make the average singleton turn to drinking, Dr. Phil, or buckets of cookie dough. Even if you haven't been on a date in this millennium on Valentine's Day whenever anyone walks into your place of employment inevitably your stomach gets all tingly with the silly hope that someone special has sent you flowers. What is the single person to do on Valentine's Day? Have no fear, Natalie's News has you covered. Below are pictures of the most awkward and unwelcomed kisses ever captured in the media. Once you've witnessed these beauties you'll forget all about the Hallmark created holiday and thank your lucky stars that you are not one of these unfortunate starts that were caught in the act of bad lip locks and are too famous to simply detag. Enjoy. You're Welcome.

For Natalie's News this has been a very grossed out, Natalie-Corinne.

Valentine's Day...

When a relationship is new Valentine's Day is so exciting...

Will he go cheesy or romantic? My inner monologue used to go something like this, "I hope it's not a stuffed bear, oh I bet he bought a stuffed bear, well hopefully it's small...no I bet its huge. Get your game face ready. I hope I get some chocolate with some caramel in it.. Oh, will he say the L word?" etc.

Oh what should I get him?

Should I get him something real or try to make something cute like coupons or a scrapbook?

(*I think the homemade thing is only cute in high school)

Our first real Valentine's Day P got me a beautiful necklace that I love and cooked an amazing dinner of steak and lobster.

Then couples are together for a little while and gifts get more practical.
Last year I got a great pair of Sperry rain boots that I adore!

actually boots pictured here, cute right?

No, not a heart shaped necklace, but really cute shoes and I think of him every time it rains or snow.
*Plus according to my students they are "fresh" so that always makes me feel good.

(*Very into * today...)

This year...

We are married.

Oh and homeowners.

And actually need things for our...house.

We are buying each other a...wait for it, wait for it...

a hanging pot rack!

I mean, I know super hot and romantic, right?

But we can think of each other every time we look at the pot rack rather than the holes and random hooks coming from our kitchen ceiling, right?

For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne.

back it up...

Sorry for the blog schizophrenia, but let's back it up and get to Weekend Update. This weekend was so much fun! I hate to be one of those annoying romantics on Valentine's day, but this year was the first in a while that I got to celebrate rather than feel the cold harshness of singles awareness day. If you read the previous blog you know that Friday afternoon I spent with the parents in Oxford enjoying the square. Around 2:30, I packed up and headed to Nashville while the parents made another trip back to Martin to see brother Ben. Since the laundry was taken care of, they actually got to spend time with the college chap and enjoyed dinner at a local Italian eatery. The parents said they were sad to leave me but I think they were most upset about leaving my new addition, Millie (kitty pictured left..the picture really doesn't do her cuteness justice). The new kitty instantly won the affection of my parents and they played were her constantly! I was afraid to leave them alone with her for too long because I wouldn't put it past my Momma to steal Millie for herself..Back in Nashville Philip and I met high school friends Jenna and Taylor at their house in Franklin. Later we met other high school friends Bret and Christina at newly renovated 108 restaurant in Franklin that used to be Monells. 108 is off the square and was once a prison. Yikes! There are still cell doors, rooms for solitary confinement and other spooky reminders of the past. Although the ambiance and martinis were excellent, the food was really lackluster; I would not recommend eating there but if you would like an expensive yet tasty martini, drinking at the bar might be fun. Saturday morning I hung out with the parents. It is a family tradition that on the weekend Papa cooks breakfast for the ladies and waits on us constantly with coffee. Yeah...lucky you momma! Later I did some last minute shopping and met Philip for a special Valentine's Day dinner. He cooked steak and lobster, twice baked potatoes, pasta, salad, and creme brule for dessert! Move on over Food Network; what a meal! Then we swapped gifts, I got a very sweet and romantic heart shaped necklace and Philip got a bass pro gift card. I know...so shameful, but that's what he likes. Sunday morning and afternoon the family hung out and after a quick stop in Brentwood, made the long haul back to Oxford.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentines and beginning to their week, promise to blog about something less self involved soon... well I don't promise but I'll try :) For Natalie's News this has been Natalie-Corinne.