Five on Friday

 

 

Happy Halloween Friday!!  Halloween, Friday, and a Pay Day?  Can't get any better than that. huh? 

 

Today I'm linking up with some of my favorite bloggers.  Feel free to join in.  Just talk about five things, any five things and link back to their blogs.  

 

1. This little dude is celebrating his First Halloween.  All his firsts are so exciting.  Maybe for me more than him, but that's okay.  He also decided to surprise me with rolling from his back to belly this morning.  Whoa!

 

2.  The House.  The house is now moving at a snails pace it seems.  I use to go by the house everyday because there was always a big change.  Right now the inside details are being done, i.e electrical.  We will be getting our first round of inspections on Monday and then the drywall will be going up.  We are also in the process of designing our cabinets.  Who knew there were that many shades of glaze to pick from.  Do I want a heavy or light glaze?  Decisions.

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3.  We have a cold front coming in with possible snow.  What?  I love cold weather but I'm not sure if I'm ready for snow.  Give me Fall first.  But, this plaid scarf could warm any neck.

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4.  Something like this will be happening next week.  Be on the lookout.

 





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5.  Saved the best for last.  My family is coming into town this weekend!!  I am like a kid at Christmas.  They haven't seen Griffin since he was 2 weeks old. See that little cutie with her Mama?  That's my new niece, Norah, and I will finally get to get my hands on her.  I may not give her up.  Next week while they are here we will be celebrating a Baptism, Birthdays, and Christmas.  Be on the lookout next week because I may overload y'all with pictures.



 

That's it!  That's my five.  Be sure to link up with the ladies and share your five.  Happy Halloween!

 

Halloween Costume Party Link Up

 

 

 

When I saw Julie from The Girl in the Red Shoes was hosting this fun party, I knew I had to join in.  What a neat way to see all the ideas for children's costumes and to be able to share your own.



 

  

Being a new mom I am excited to celebrate all of Griffin's first holidays.  Before I was a member of the "parent club" I loved seeing all of the littles dressed in their Halloween cuteness, no matter their age.

 

This year is going to be fun!  I knew I wanted to have a costume for Griffin to celebrate but I was uncertain what I wanted.  If you know me, then you know I am picky.  I don't like cutesy stuff on my little dude and I wanted something that would be easy since he is only six months old. 

 

 

This was the inspiration for his costume this year.  How adorable right?  I showed a co-worker what I wanted and she went from there.

I love the detail of the "hay" cuffs on his arms and legs.

We didn't have any problems with the hat staying on his head.  He cared way more about the cuffs that his adorable burlap hat.

 

 

Can you spy my little scarecrow?

 

I love how happy he is.  Pure Bliss.

His Moccs from Hello Moccs went great with the "hay" leg cuffs.

 

 

Thanks so much Julie for hosting such a fun link up.  If you want to show off your little's costume this year link up with the Halloween Costume Party and share!

#boymoms: Guest Post

In case you missed my guest post on Monday, here it is.

Hi Friends!  I’m Sydney and I blog over at Raisin Southern Grace.  There I talk about some of my favorite recipes, building a house, how I struggled with infertility, and the new addition of our son, Griffin.  Since my husband and I had to deal with infertility, we didn’t have a conversation regarding if we wanted a boy or a girl.  We just wanted a baby.  We wanted to be parents.

After going through infertility treatments for a little over a year (we miscarried in May 2013), we found out we were expecting on our second wedding anniversary, August 27, 2013.  To say we were thrilled is an understatement.

We were able to find out the sex at our 16 week ultrasound.  Once the ultrasound tech showed us “the money shot”, I knew right away and I asked if I could be the one to tell me husband.  Finding out that we would be parents to a boy was overwhelming. 

Even though we would be happy with having a boy or a girl, we LOVE having a boy. 

And who says boys aren’t fun to dress.  I am having the best time dressing my little guy like “a little old man.”  People say that boys are Mama’s boys and Griff (who we call, The Boy) fits that to a T!  He is the best snuggle bug and always likes to nestle into my neck.  My boy can make this #boymom’s heart just melt. 

Since Griffin is only 6 months old, we are really looking forward to the stages ahead.  I’m looking forward to trips to the park, making mud pies (bring on the dirt), and kicking the soccer ball around. Dada may prefer to toss a basket and go hunting with the boy though. 

I believe the world needs more good men and it all starts now.  I look forward to teaching Griffin to be a man, be a good husband, and raise good children.  I’ll be teaching him to hold doors for women, to be polite, to put the toilet seat down (your welcome future wife), and to French braid (for your future daughter)

One word to describe being a boy mom is Fun!  We laugh play constantly, we laugh constantly, and we love hard.  I feel like all my children will be boys and that they all will eat me out of house and home.  And I’m okay with that. 

Moccs

Feel free to follow along with me more on Raising Southern Grace for updates on my little guy and some of our favorite things each month.

What a fun series Elizabeth.  Thanks so much for including me in on the #boymom movement.  



[Griffin: 6 Months}

Wow, really? 

 I can’t believe half of your first year is gone.  I’ve said it before (and I will probably say it again) but 6 months have been the best yet.  It feels like overnight you have changed from Mama’s baby to a little boy.  You have changed so much this month, it’s unbelievable. 

At 6 months old, you are able to sit up by yourself and actually play.  I still sit behind you for those just in case moments but those are slim to none.  I think this milestone is what really made it know how much you are really growing and learning.  I haven’t left you alone while sitting up just yet, but I know that is right around the corner. 

You are finally rolling over from belly to back consistently now.  We practiced for over a month but I feel like you started rolling when you were good and ready.  I’m okay with that.

You started going to physical therapy to help with your neck from being so tight.  While you would look to the right, you favored looking to your left.  After one visit, I could tell a difference in how lose your neck was.  Mama and Dada had to train themselves to hold you on the other hip and to feed you with the other hand to help your muscles stretch. 

I finally started you on solids.  It was up in the air if you should start solids at 5 months or 6 months, so we started you at 5 ½ months.  I started making your own baby food and I am loving doing it.  So far you have eaten carrots, green beans, peas, and sweet potatoes.  So far you have eaten all of them like a champ.  We will be starting fruits soon!

The first time I gave you green beans was at a restaurant.  You ate the entire thing and on your last spoonful, you choked.  Not gagging, no horrible face.  You were choking.  It was a scary situation and I am so thankful you were able to get it up on your own because your Mama just froze.  The only thing I can think of is that a small string from the green beans got stuck in your throat.  After I knew you were alright it hit me what happened.  Your Mama might have cried in a crowded restaurant.  Needless to say I was very cautious the next few days to make sure you didn’t choke again on the green beans.

When you are done eating I always say “all done” in sign language.  I am hoping to incorporate a few signs gradually and maybe you will catch on to some one day.  You are communicating A LOT and you demand our attention if it isn’t on you, so I am hoping the signing will come in handy when we are out in public.  We shall see.

A fun thing you started doing this month is imitating and mimicking people.  If you see your Dada blowing raspberries, you can’t help but join in.  It is so fun to watch.

You also started being very curious about EVERYTHING!  You still love to study people and you tend just to stare at them until you’ve taking all of them in.  Then you give the biggest gummy smile there is.  Your adorable.

Speaking of gummy smile.  You have not cut a tooth yet but I feel like one is on the verge of making itself known.  You don’t fuss too much over your gums but you sure like to massage them with your teething toys. 

Met Radio at his first T.L. Hanna High football game

You are still sleeping like a champ.  Your Mama feels like a new woman with a full nights rest.  You go down so peacefully and you are really easy to put to bed.  We went back to swaddling you over the past few weeks since the temperature has dropped and you haven’t seemed to mind being all wrapped and cozy again.  You are a mover while you sleep though.  Your head may start at one end of the crib and you wake up with it at the other end.  I tend to find you in the very corner of your crib too.  I think you just like resting up against something while you sleep.

Elephant Jellycat

You recognize when someone calls your name and return the favor with huge smile.  At six months, your personality is shining bright.  It is just amazing how much you have grown and learned in the short time that you have been here.  Cheers to your half birthday baby.  Mama is so thankful for the joy that you bring and the love that you share.

Apple Picking and Pumpkin Patchin'

**Before I start today's post, I wanted to let you know that I am guest posting on Chasin' Mason and talking about being a #boymom!**
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Like I've said before, life is just so much fun with Griffin around.  We have really enjoyed fun outings this fall.
Last weekend we went to Sky Top Orchard in North Carolina to go apple picking.  It was Griffin's first time and I loved being able to experience it with him.
                            

The weather was perfect and it was a wonderful fall morning.



We were able to meet up with some family at the orchard and couldn't miss the opportunity to have a little photo shoot with the sweet cousins.

This past weekend we wanted to do a little something with Griffin to celebrate his 6 month birthday. (Post on that coming later on in the week)  

Overalls// Shirt

 My church hosts a pumpkin patch every year and the proceeds go to several missions in our area.

We picked out the perfect pumpkin to take home and we hope to carve it this week, just in time for Halloween.

Be on the look out for Griffin's six month update and a fun link-up sharing his Halloween costume.

 

OH HEY, FRIDAY!

 

 

Happy Friday.  This has been a long long week and I for one am ready for the weekend.  We plan on doing some Pumpkin' Patchin' this weekend as well as some Christmas shopping.  Sounds about right, huh?

 

Today I'm linking up with September FARM and Carolina Charm for a fun Friday Link Up. 

 

 

 

{ONE}

   

        Having a child is fun!  I am loving any excuse to do family outings now that I have a little one.  This is from this past weekend at Sky Top Orchard.  We got together with some family in North Carolina and the weather was beautiful.  Griff got to go Apple Picking for the first time.

 

Vest//Hat//Shirt

 

{TWO}

 

        I am loving this bathroom!  I have been looking at some inspiration for all parts of my house and I love this clean feel.  I can't decide if I want this type of look in my master bath or the main downstairs bath. 

 

 

 

{THREE}

 

             This is the view from Griffin's playroom.  I love the amount of light that comes into the room and it is going to be so nice to look over the pond with some fresh air coming in.

 

 

 

{FOUR}

 

            I am a Mama in disbelief.  How is this little nugget going to be six months old tomorrow?  Six?!  I really cherish everyday with this snuggle bug because I know they go so fast.  Be on the lookout for his six month update next week!

 

 

 

 

{FIVE}

 

            FALL!!!  I can finally say Fall is here in SC and I am socking it up.  Bring on the outdoor activities, scarves, boots, and all things Pumpkin!