Blog Hiatus...

So I find that when life gets dull I don't write. Not sure why but I get into these blogging moods where all I want to do is type and then there are other days where I have to make myself get on the computer. Oh how life has changed, when we were first married all I wanted to do was get on the computer.

Well life has been the same since the last post. Tillman has turned one and I had all these great pictures of his birthday but my camera was in RAW mode and my computer doesn't seem to read them from the card so I am not sure how to change that in order to see the pictures. I should google that but I am not sure what to google.

Tillman is really starting to get brave with standing! He won't take a step by himself but will cruise along with furniture. He loves to push behind this grocery cart and other rolling thing. He loves to show us and moves so quickly.

Boy does our son have a temper. He is beginning to show his true colors when he gets mad. I do have to say the temper comes from me. When he gets frustrated with something he will fling his head forward screaming while turning red. I can't help by laugh, but I am not sure how to stop it because I don't feel like I am giving in when he is throwing a tantrum.

As a new mom there are so many things you have to learn and remind yourself of. For example explaining everything you do and why you do it is new for us. There are times where I will be feeding him dinner and I haven't said a word to him. Then there are other times where I look like a fruit loop walking around a store talking away even answering my own questions. I see now why people say your first is always your learning curve!

We leave in two days for our family reunion in KY! I can't wait because it has been since my freshman year that I have seen these people! I can't wait to introduce Tillman to them all!! I am also excited to get away since when your on vacation the rules don't apply to food and fun!!! I hope the ten hour drive will be ok with the baby but we shall see!!

Also I haven't taken a picture of my son in weeks! What is wrong with me!!

You know your a mom when...

Well it has been awhile since I have done one of these...but the past couple of days I have many moments of motherhood!

You know your a mom when you dig through your purse and find: a spoon, pacifier, baby food puffs, a toy, baby tylenol and food crumbs from always eating on the go!

You know your a mom when you like you finger and then wipe stuff off your husbands face.

You know your a mom when you leave the bathroom door open when you have not so close guests because it has become a habbit to NEVER close the door now that you have a mobile kid!

You know your a mom when get to bed a realize you haven't eaten anything because some how instead of you eating your dinner plate you cut it up into TINY little pieces to feed to your child.

You know your a mom when you get into your car and it seems that it has become a traveling house with extra underwear, new set of clothes, food, toys, books and an endless supply of wipes!

You know your a mom when you can go from a screaming child to a happy little one with turning ANYTHING into a toy.



I know there are more but these are what I got for now! Off to putt the munchkin to bed and he will wake up a one year old!

Daddy's Boy

As a mother I always think I do most of the work! I know the mommas out there are nodding their heads out there! Well in the past few weeks Tillman has become way attatched to Matt. It has become an issue now because he refuses to do anything unless Matt is with him. It breaks my heart because he always wants Matt! I keep reminding him that I was the one who fed him, changed him, played with him...but Matt is all he cares about! I know this will change through the years but as a momma my heart breaks because all he wants is Matt. When he is sad, hurt, hungry, happy he begs for MATT! The one up side is I get out of the dirty diaper duty since all he wants is MATT! :)

Great Grandparents Visit

One thing I love about having a child is that family now has a reason to come visit. A few weeks ago Tillman's great grandparents came to visit! They had never been to Raleigh to see our house but made a special trip to celebrate Tillman's first birthday! Tillman loved showing them his rocket ship and how he scoots across the floor!

Oh the places you'll go!

Well change is in the air! This year our principal made some changes to better our school and one of those changes is me moving to second grade. Being that I have taught third for four years, I was shocked to hear that I was the one moving. I knew changed needed to happen and I knew people were moving all over the place but I NEVER thought it was me. I am excited for the change! I am always up for a challenge and for a new experience. I student taught in second grade and never thought I would go back but here I am. I am a person who believes that everything happens for a reason and so I know this move is what is meant to happen. As a person who has all her ducks in a row months before school starts I am scared about a couple things. The scary parts are I don't know what room I will be in, I have no idea what second graders are like and I really have no idea what I am teaching! :) All that I will learn and be part of a new team. Change is good and I know that this move is good! Keep me in your thoughts as I embark on this new journey next school year! The group of kiddos that are moving to second grade need a little extra love and I know that my heart is ready to give it to them!

*nothing to do with second grade but I hate posting without a picture! I hope that second graders don't eat pine needles!

One year portraits

As a momma and an avid picture taker I am constantly trying to get portraits of Tillman. A friend of a friend is a photographer and does some amazing work! She did Tillman's first year portraits and they were amazing! My favorite is the one attatched to this blog. If you want to see more go to www.AJdunlapblog.com and look for Tillman's session! You should book her if your in the Raleigh area!

Happy First Birthday Tillman

Dear Tillman,

As I sit and type this you are scooting on the floor getting into EVERYTHING! I sit here and watch you explore the drawers in the dresser, the door stopper on the base board, the zipper on my luggage, the curling iron that was in the bag. I sit here and watch this little boy who just a few short months ago was my little (or not so little) infant. Tillman this year has been the most amazing journey I have been on. Watching you change each day and watching your eyes sparkle with excitment when you see new and bright colors makes being a momma the best job ever. People say when you are pregnant that there is nothing like having a child and they were right! Our lives changed on June 20th at 5:13. They changed in a way that we would have never dreamed of. They change because you became part of our family. My hope for you in this coming year is for your heart to continue to fill with joy and love. For you to continue to learn new and exciting things. I hope this year you will begin to realize the amazing world around you. Tillman I can't begin to tell you the love your father and I have for you. When we take a moment and look at you all we can do is smile because of those bright blue eyes and that infectious smile! Tillman I hope that twenty years from now you will understand how much your father and I love you! Thank you for allowing me to be your mom and for making me the happiest luckiest person in the world! I want to say Happy First Birthday sweet boy and that I love you with all my heart!

First Haircut

Well it was time because the hair was bothering his ears and eyes! I love his hair long but I also am not attatched to his hair and so I thought it would be so special for his great aunt to cut his hair. She cuts hair professionally so it was really special for her to cut his hair. We went home to visit for my grandmother's 80th birthday which is another post and so she brought her scissors. He did so well and didn't cry once. She brought an extra comb because as soon as he saw hers he wanted it!

Happy Early Birthday

Well the coolest part about being Tillman is that his aunt and uncle are in the process of owning their own Chick-fil-a which means chicken for LIFE! Well that isn't the best part, the best part is that they love him more than the world itself! Well some exciting new came down and that is they were being sent on their first assignment to run a CFA which is the second to last step before they get their own store. The stinky part was they had to leave last week which means they wouldn't be here for Tillman's first birthday! That is ok though because we celebrated EARLY! Aunt Katie made cupcakes to eat and Tillman wasn't sure what to do with it! Even though they can't be there it was so nice to celebrate early. We are all so proud of them for taking this chance and go to a big city to begin this journey! We know it is hard being away from all the family but in the end it will pay off, and by the way we want our FREE chicken ;)!!!! Love you guys!

Playing with Puppy

Well Stella has always been part of the family and as Tilley grew she started to fit back into our family now that he is more active. The other night we were playing around and Stella started dropping the toy into Tillman's lap instead of ours. He thought it was the funniest thing in the world!



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Love to read

As a teacher and a mother I strive in my mothering to encourage Tillman to learn. It is odd to say out loud but I really want him to enjoy learning and enjoy asking questions. When I had my baby shower I asked people to not give cards but sign the inside of a childrens book so Tillman would have a library to read. Now that he is more mobile and loves to look at things he has pulled out his books and loves to flip through them. I love to watch his face as he flips through the pages and he then holds the book up for me to see. I want Tillman to love books and I hope that through my love of reading he will love to read. As a teacher I love to spark children with their love of reading and I always look for new books. I capture a moment with Tillman enjoying all the wonderful books people gave him!

10 months

I can't seem to wrap my head around the fact that in two short month my sweet little one will be turning one years old! I am amazed at how much has changed in the past month. He wants to see everything while also moving everywhere...the catch is he can't move! :) He has a lot of weight to move and the boy is trying but really can't get the coordination down to get his legs underneath himself. It is very entertaining to watch. Every time I look at him my heart melts with joy and love. Only a mother can explain what it is like to love a tiny human more than life itself. When he smiles I just light up and when he giggles I giggle..he just is my everything. Then the best part is watching him with Matt. When I see the two of them play or giggle or just grunt to each other I just fall in love all over again. Having a family that is just Matt me and Tillman is an amazing feeling!

He loves to eat and now he has had turkey and a little hummus. He likes corn, broccoli and green beans. He still loves all things baby food which is good since I have a TON of veggies still frozen. He also loves anything puff. The boy loves his carbohydrates!

He is starting to mimic things that Matt and I do. He will wave and clap his hands. He loves to do things right after we do them like stack a block or open a lid of a toy. It amazes me how much he loves to learn new things!

Here are a few pictures for your viewing pleasure!

Sisterly Love

So eveyone said that when Tilley was born Stella would move down a few notches on the importance list. Matt and I both diagreed but what did we know. Well Tilley was born and Stella was Stella. She wanted our attention just as much as the new little one did! As time went on Stella adjusted to the fact that she no longer was the center of attention. Matt still loves on her but she couldn't always be where we were whenever she wanted.

Now that Tillman is older and starting to really enjoy having her around, she is taking advantage of the extra person to love. She really loves food time since Tillman is such a kind child and shares EVERYTHING with her.

She loves play time because she will plop beside him and beg for him to touch her and love on her.

She also loves when Tillman is on the floor because Stella's pas time is to lick everyone and everything! Well in my many photo shoots I caught Stella licking Tillman's hand as he reached out for it. Such a sweet moment!! Of course the hand went right into Tillamn's mouth but hey what harm is in a little sisterly love!

Sisterly Love

What we are just chillen!

National Boards...oh my!

So the past five months my life has been consumed by a little old thing called National Boards. This is an honor that teachers can receive if they attempt the portfolio and assessment and pass! This also brings a 12% pay raise (right now, that could all change with the NC budget) which is really nice.

Now this board project is no small feat. Until someone attempts it, it really is something you can't understand. My friend Nancy did it two years ago, and I thought I was supportive but I had NO IDEA what she was going through.

It is an emotional rollar coaster because you put your heart and soul into the portfolio. You put yourself out there for a stranger (who doesn't have to be board certified) to read and decide if you meet all the accomplished teacher requirments.

My friend Laura and I decided on the last day to sign up to take the plunge and get it done. Now the fact that NC has stopped paying for NBCT to do the process helped nudge us a little more!

The past five months ended on March 22nd when we sent the boxes and then on April 1st we took the test to end it all. We won't know until November or December whether or not we passed. Now the odds of passing are very low the first time. Many great educators I know didn't pass the first time so I know that it won't be a shock if I don't pass. It still will be hard though because I really want to pass.

Please send a prayer for peace come November so that when the scores do come back my heart will be at ease with whatever happens. Being an educator isn't just a job but a passion. I take everday seriously and this year has been hard with all the changes and having a new baby, but I wouldn't change it for the world!

Spring Time!

So the weather has been teasing us latley with such nice weather. The windows are open and the breeze is flowing! I took Tillman outside for a quick photo shoot and got some great pictures. I couldn't take anymore because all he wanted to do was eat the grass and we all know what happens when he doesn't get his way! (read post below) He did get a leaf and it was so cute watching him investigate the texture and the colors, then it went straight in his mouth. I got the leaf as he began to chew!! He def. is all boy!

Hey mom!!

Yummy Leaf

Ewww what is this?

Spring Time!

Sickness Sickness Go Away, DON'T come back another day!

Well the past week we have been fighting some kind of cold bug! Last Friday Tillman had a fever and we took him to the docs and got medicine. My mom came up to visit for the weekend and took care of Tillman because I caught whatever the little guy had. The doctor gave us antibiotics and an inhaler which helped the cough. He was not a happy guy with having to take it! The antibiotics weren't working so we had to go back and get a stronger one. The poor thing is just now feeling better! The picture shows him playing with the inhaler spacer. I wanted him to see it more as something that doesn't always make him mad. It worked because after he played with it for awhile he took the treatments much better!

One Proud Momma

So being a mom has really changed my perspective on life! I try not to take the little things for granted anymore. I try to be a better loving person in order to be a good role model to my son ;) (Still working on this one) There are moments as a momma the past nine months that have melted my heart. When Tillman was born I can't explain the feeling or the overwhelming love that I felt for this little guy.

but..yesterday was one of those moments where I clapped and teared up because Tillman learned how to drink out of a straw!! ok ok I know what a big deal NOT..but I had been teaching him for days how to do it on his own. He wanted so badly to do it but could get enough suction to pull the water up. Then yesterday the water bottle was on his highschair, he grabbed it and sucked away! I was overjoyed!! It was such a proud moment. Typing this and looking back, it doesn't seem like such a big deal, but man was it!! It was the first thing that I had taught him how to do!! Now the boy can't get enough water!! All he wants to do is drink from his sippy cup!! His grandparents were here to witness and we all clapped and Tillman thought we were some weirdos!!

Look at me so proud!!

Just drinking away!!

Why are taking so many pictures mom!!

Exorcist..I mean a boy with personality! ;)

As Tillman grows and gets older his personality is coming out full force! He is one lovable inquisitive child. He is also a want what I want RIGHT NOW type of kid. Now that he understands that when we take something he won't get it back most likely he is beginning to show us that he is one uphappy little guy. His tantrums erupt like the exorcist movie. Head throw back, arms go out, mouth wide open, back arched and all the while a scream as if we are ripping a limb off is being bellowed at the top of his lungs. Then when he gets whatever he wanted such as being held or a toy that fell, head comes forward, back becomes straight, arms come in for a clap, eyes grin, and he gets the biggest smile with a little snicker as if to say "GOTCHA"!!! There are also times where if our attention isn't 100% on him, he will also let us know. The best part is that you can totally tell the difference because there are no tears and it shuts off just as fast as it came on. The pictures were taken in order of a time when I was in the kitchen washing bottles and he wanted me to come play. It was hilarious!

Trying to get moms attention.(do you notice that he really isn't crying)

I come sit with him and he smiles!

I started to get up to go back to the kitchen.

I sit back down to show his ability to turn it off!

I really had to go wash dishes so he would have a bottle for dinner!!

Boy do I love this little guy and does he not have us wrapped around his little finger!!

Wordless Wednesday

Date Night with the Hubby

So as I blogged stalked today I stumbled upon a blog that is doing something called "Project 52" which is her plan to have 52 dates with her husband from now till the end of the year! I was so intrigued because I always say things to Matt like...you never spend time with me...we don't hang out anymore...We don't laugh anymore...ok so that sounds a little dramatic but in reality Matt and I don't really "hang" out anymore unless we are on a mission which involves a task that isn't about us. I always said to Matt that I want us to make an effort to stay in love. I want us to show our children what a healthy marriage looks like and show them all the time that we love each other. I come from divorced parents which means I want to do things differently then they did.

Anyway back to the gist of things here...while stalking this blog and reading about their dates, I saw a guest blogger that said she set up folders for the month and at the beginning of the month they open them together and set the dates. Inside the folder is gift cards, or tickets or already planned dates and all they have to set the date! I thought this was the coolest thing ever!!

My goal for the rest of spring break is to create April to May of next year folders for each month. I am going to set up two dates for the month have them planned and ready to go! I think this will ease Matt's mind because he hates spending money, but this way he doesn't need to spend money for the month. I think I might even coordinate grandparents to come up so we can go out without finding a babysitter!

I am really really excited about this! Divorce is such a ramped thing these days and I know life gets crazy but I think it is so special to spend time to date your husband. I am really going to give this a huge effort and see how it goes. The guest blogger said she loves getting dressed up and hearing her children comment on her clothes and how their parents look so happy. I want that for my children and I feel this way we can take the stress out of "planning" dates because of the necessity of them. They will already be planned and all we have to do is show up!!

**I need idea for cheap fun dates!! Leave a comment and share with me what you think would be a fun date!