Senior Tea

At my first year at Brentwood, my Mom and I planned a senior girls tea. We had such a fun time planning it together and Ms. Alicia helped with her perfect touches. We had a pinterest board, cooked a lot, and really enjoyed working together Friday night at Saturday morning. I have to be honest, every year I do a little less. The first year I feel like we cooked quite a bit, the second year I bought a lot of it but from a lot of different places, this year I bought everything from Costco. 

Of course you will never have a date where every senior girl can attend. This year 16 ladies attended and it was a very fun group! 

Mom's china

I'm just now realizing I forgot to put doilies on the plates :) whoops. Anyway, it was a lot of fun and the girls really seemed to enjoy it. I'm not posting a picture of the students but know they are very pretty, nice and smart! We had a lot of fun and I love getting to use Mom's china. Last year this event was really fun but sad for me because I just kept thinking of how much fun Mom and I had putting it on together but this year I was able to think a little bit more about the fun and a little less about the sadness. Baby steps. 

This was also the last event we will have at our old house. We close in a week and a half and will have to focus on making memories in our new house. 

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

first ER visit

15 months from when we came home from the hospital we returned for our first scary trip to the emergency room for Austin. We were 15 minutes away from leaving to go to the Ben Folds Project at the ballet. I was trying to do too much at once, get Austin's dinner ready, pjs, diapers, etc. not to mention attempting to get myself ready. I looked up and Austin was on the third stair. We have gates but I left it open and I was about to get him off but decided to put his clothes down before I got him. Obviously that was the wrong decision because he lost his balance and fell right on his head on the hardwood floor. He instantly starting screaming. He was dizzy and even when we wanted to get down he couldn't really walk well. I asked Philip to google signs of concussion. About 5 minutes after he said puking was a sign of concussion, Austin puked twice all over everywhere. We quickly changed Austin and rushed to St. Thomas. Poor Sharon received most of the vomit (both times) and still came with us. I grabbed a shirt of mine and she changed in like 10 seconds and came to the ER. I could tell he was feeling better but I am so glad we went anyway. The doctor said he looked like he was improving but he wanted to watch him for a while rather than doing a scan. He said levels of radiation are low but he believed we over scan people and he would rather just watch him eat and hang out before we scanned him. Of course his appetite didn't suffer and we were finally free to go. We were supposed to wake him every 2 hours but he woke himself up a couple of times so we didn't really set an alarm or anything. 

The doctor said, "I have 2 boys, this will be the first of many ER visits". Let's hope the doctor is wrong about this! 

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

Pumpkinfest

This year we went to Pumpkinfest in Franklin with some friends to celebrate friends and fall. 

Here we had the great idea to take pics of all our kids. I absolutely love these because there is not one where everyone is looking. The one below I love so much because Austin is macking on the sweet babe to his left. Play on playa. 

And my absolute fav. Clayton is picking his nose, Reese is DONE taking pictures, Austin took his lion mane off days ago and literally no one is looking at the camera. This is true live with kiddos. 

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

Charleston

This fall break we took our first family vacation to visit Ashley in Charleston. I admit I was so flipping scared about the whole flying aspect. I've been on a plane with a screaming baby and you feel for the parents, you really do, but after 20 minutes you're wondering why something hasn't been done. I've heard countless times, just do something... what that something is, nobody seems to know but people's good graces give up after a while and we all just want to sit in peace. I am so happy to report that Austin did SUCH a great job. I read countless articles for tips etc. and had bottles, pacifiers, toys, books, galore and he was so flipping happy. He loved seeing people and the change in pressure did not bother him at all. He loved looking out the window and seriously it was probably one of the happiest times he has ever been. I don't know which comes first, the chicken or the egg, but we did decorate his room with a lot of planes so maybe something has stuck. Who knows, but the kid loves to fly. 

Please notice he is wearing a shirt and shoes with a plane on them. Oh yeah, I'm that Mom. 

Anyway, we got to Charleston, Austin took a brief nap and we went to dinner. It was the first time we have gone to dinner out. I know...he's 8 months old and we've never been out for dinner together. The kid is tired and I mean tired at 6:30 and we are not 80 yet so we end up not eating with him. Something about that city made him happy chappy though because we went to dinner and he was all smiles, sat in a high chair and loved being the center of attention. 

The next day we went to Sullivan's Island. It was really quaint and pretty. The beach was so clean, not super busy and not overly developed. It was semi-warm so we decided to try the beach with him which was a huge failure. He hated the sound of waves and every time the waves would come up he would cry. After hours of coordination we were only there 45 minutes, but we tried!

Later, we went to the market downtown and to a rooftop bar for a snack and some drinks. He rallied here and was the life of the party. 

He is wearing one of Philip's outfits from when he was a baby. It's a little sailor uniform, really perfect for Charleston.

We came back to the hotel and Sharon stayed with Austin and Philip, Ashley and I went to dinner. It was delicious and a nice night out. 

Lastly Sunday Philip went on a fishing trip with a guide so it was a girl + Austin day. We were so excited to meet Aubrie and Sloan for brunch. The weather was perfect and it was so fun seeing our kids interact. They immediately began touching faces, taking toys, pacifiers, etc. Super cute. I had such a great time catching up with Aubrie and wished we lived closer to our babes could hang out more. Austin is only 2 days older than Sloan so Aubrie and I have really enjoyed comparing baby stories (at least I know I have). 

After walking around the battery, Sloan and Aubrie went home and we went back to the hotel so Austin could nap. We thought this might be it for the night but Austin rallied and went to Halls for dinner. Omg, the best fish umm ever. We didn't have a reservation so they could only seat us in the bar. They brought a highchair up and Austin was seriously a foot below us. I as about to say we couldn't stay with Philip put the highchair over a bar stool and tied it someway it would be (semi) safe. Again, he had so much fun and smiled at tons of people there and we kept wondering who this night owl baby was. I forgot to take any pictures, sorry.

Today, we took our time getting packed, went to lunch at Poe's tavern on Sullivan's Island, and then made the trip back to Nashville. He was again so sweet and fun on the plane. I'm so thankful that Austin enjoyed traveling so much because obviously we were able to have a lot of fun but more importantly, Philip will probably agree to go somewhere else now :) 

So happy on the plane!

We had an amazing trip, now I"m just exhausted and need a vacation to recover from fall break. 

Clearly Austin doesn't think I need to go to work tomorrow either! 

Such a fun weekend! Charleston was beautiful and I hope we are able to go back some day! For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne. 

First big boy swim :)

Today we went over to some of Philip's family friend's house. They have an amazing pool and are out of town for Labor Day and told us to use their pool as much as we wanted... umm OKAY. Although I didn't love the idea of being in a bathing suit (something has to change... it's almost been 7 months now and I've still got 9 lbs to go. ugh) but I sucked it up (figuratively and literally by sucking in my stomach until I could barely breathe) and we had such a great time. We've only done the kiddie pool 2 other times and I didn't really know if Austin would like the pool since I thought it would be colder than his bath. But since it has been like ridiculously hot, the water was like bath water temp and he really enjoyed it. 

Grandma joined too!

I am super stressed about the sun. He is wearing a bathing suit and shirt from his Aunt Ashley that has spf in it and she bought him a matching hat but since his melon is so big he had to wear this hat that I bought him that's a bit bigger. It's all those smarts! He's also wearing ridiculously expensive baby spf. For Philip and myself I will buy us generic goop that has the consistency of lard but for this babe, he gets gold. 

Philip bought this float a few weeks ago. It has a shade on it so it made me feel better about the sun. I think my Mom being so worried about my fair skin really "influenced" me. 

He used to wear these glasses but not he sees them only as another teething toy. 

Overall, a very fun day and we plan to go again tomorrow while our friends are away and we can pretend we are on vacation at their house :) 

Happy Labor Day! 

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

Seattle for Ray and Robin's wedding :)

This weekend we were so happy to celebrate Ray and Robin's wedding in Seattle, Washington. Same sex marriages are legal in Washington and we were so happy to be able to celebrate with family and their wonderful friends. It was the year anniversary of Mom dying so that was of course on my mind but I believe she was there celebrating with us. 

We arrived Friday night into Seattle to beautiful weather. We went by the hotel and then went to the Pyramid brewery. This was one of Mom's favorite drinks which she often enjoyed with Ms. Alicia (and myself!). 

Cheers to Mom! 

 Mom's fav apricot ale

Friday night we went to Rockbox, a karaoke bar. Ray and Robin reserved 2 rooms and we sang possibly every Cher, Whitney, Brittany, Madonna song in existence. Everyone was dancing and singing so loudly regardless of talent...I LOVED it :) 

 Robin singing "love of my life" to Ray. 

I wish I took more pictures but I was simply having too much fun :) 

Saturday morning we got up and after a trolley mix up, some mixed up walking, and a cab we finally arrived at Pikes Market.. along with every other person in Seattle. After walking around we went to Steelhead diner.  We were there during a "heatwave" (hilarious) and enjoyed the humidity free 75 degree weather all weekend. At the diner we sat on the roof and enjoyed people watching, cocktails and delicious brunch. 

After brunch we took some more pictures. We had such a clear day we were able to see so many more mountains than we were the first time we came. 

I didn't bring my big camera and my phone didn't do it justice.

After brunch we planned on leisurely making our way back to our hotel and getting ready for the wedding when we received a tad stressed call from Uncle Ray. There was a miscommunication with the caterer and they thought the wedding was next week.  Ray told us we needed 10 bags of ice and to stop what we were doing and get to his house. Of course the obvious answer is yes, we are on our way. The reality is we are across town, in awful traffic and still need to get ready. We got back to the hotel quickly and Ben got ready in literally 2 minutes and went on a search for ice. The rest of us got ready quickly and arrived at their house where other family and friends were helping. The house looked beautiful and someone had already called wholefoods and brought prepared trays of shrimp, meatballs, cheese and other delicious food. 

Their view... Frazier has NOTHING on these guys!

The couple "walked down the isle" to Diana Ross' "I'm coming out", I mean what else?

Loved their socks :) 

They wrote their own vows and one of the grooms may have needed a bit of help. I do not consider this cheating rather being prepared. He is the ultimate boy scout. 

Somehow the caterer hustled and got there late and Tim Gunn style made. it. work. The food was flawless and Robin's biggest fear of having to use plastic was avoided. 

They were even able to bake and create the deconstructed wedding cake they wanted. All in Ray's and Robin's kitchen. Even Tom Colicchio would have been proud. 

After the beautiful festivities, Ray suggested we go to this park (I cannot remember the name, this new mommy enjoyed not feeding a baby and remembering what champagne (who am I fooling, lots of other spirits) tasted like). We went there the first time we went to Seattle but the sunset was amazing so I was so happy to go back so Shari and Dad could see this view and sunset! 

 Look at the mountain on the right.

 

Note to self: Tipsy selfies are really never a good idea. 

We were SO happy for Ray and Robin and thrilled we were able to be there and celebrate this wonderful couple :) 

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