The Family That Hikes Together ~ Amicalola Falls

Let me tell you about last Sunday...

~ 1 ~

Amicalola Falls...a beautiful end to a crazy, poorly planned day. 

#viewfromthetop #doesnotdoitjustice

It was suppose to be a day of rest. We had done chores, gone to mass, and gone to a party on Saturday. When I went to bed that night I had visions of a day of rest at home. 

~ 2 ~

But there is something about fall air that makes us crazy, and by the time I was done nursing Lucy first thing in the morning we had decided to drive to a pumpkin patch up in North Georgia. We threw things together and got the kids in the car and left. We had no diapers assembled so I threw all the diapers from the dryer and assembled them on our drive. 

#theclothlife

~ 3 ~

After being stuck in traffic, going about one mile in 30 mins, to get into the pumpkin patch, we realized that other than a hay ride, which also had a very long line, there were just...pumpkins. We had just assumed there would be things to do. There were so so many people and nothing to really do, since we already had a free pumpkin (probably rotting) on our porch at home, we decided not to stay. After one nursing session in the car (where I saw an argument for the parking spot next to us almost come to blows), and a few minutes of Matthan dipping his feet in the water, we hopped back in the car and drove about a half mile to Amicalola Falls.

#peopleareseriousabouttheirpumpkins

#feetinthecrick  #mykid

~ 4 ~

A quick car ride later, we were headed towards the waterfall. Matthan climbed the 175ish steps to the falls. 

#waterfallselfie

Here is our attempt at a family pic. Resistant toddler, sleeping baby in the carrier...

#thefamilythathikestogetherstaystogether

#onlyfamilypicwehave?

~ 6 ~

I was looking for a place to rest and nurse Lucy, and I saw a sign for the lodge. I didn't have a full grasp of how far it was until I was already part way up and therefore committed. 400-something more stairs later, we finally reached the top. Matthan hiked the whole way up by himself.

#ourhikingboy

I was pretty worn out by the time we got to the top. But I have to say...

...best view I've ever had while nursing a baby. Totally worth it.

We split the protein bar that I had grabbed from the diaper bag three ways and supplemented with some candy I found in the gift shop. Again, awesome planning by us.

#nursingspotwithaview

~ 7 ~

After the more than 600 stairs to the top and a ride down in the hiking pack...

#conkedout

...he got to sleep for 20 mins before we stopped for lunch...at 5:00pm. Matthan was a trooper and we all were worn out but it was a fun day!

Happy Friday everyone!

Now go visit Kelly and find some new blogs to follow! 

Snakes For Dinner and More Hashtags

Today's Link-toberfest question from Kelly is "How many 7 Quick Takes have you posted?". I probably have not tagged or linked appropriately for all of them, but this one is supposedly #27, which makes me feel like a big slacker because I thought I had a much higher number than this. But you don't care, you're here for the kid pictures, and I'm cool with that.

~ 1 ~

So many expressions. 

#canyouhandlethismuchcuteness?

~ 2 ~

#itstiringbeingthiscute

~ 3 ~

On a whim, I told Little Man that I had a special job for him. I wanted to see if he could use the big spray bottle, in hopes that one day he can really do some chores. He went to town and cleaned the breakfast table. He was so excited. Based on the amount of water he used, we won't be graduating to actual cleaner any time soon. Three year old entertained, mommy got to clean the kitchen...

#littlevictories

~ 4 ~

During a play date at the park, the boys became mesmerized by a guy riding a skateboard. He saw how interested they were and gave them each a turn standing on it. That wasn't enough for Matthan. He asked to ride it and the guy held his hands and helped him ride it. Matthan couldn't get enough. 

#cowabunga

~ 5 ~

Whether it's playing cars, riding skateboards, or riding his bike, Matthan seems to love things with wheels...and riding them in weird places. He likes to ride his bike in the crevice between the grass and the sidewalk (making me nervous that he's going to topple into the street). Here he is riding in the gravel behind the bike rack at the library.

#aboyandhisbike

#becausethesidewalkisntgoodenough

~ 6 ~

I made this. Little Man occasionally likes to play upstairs in the office/crap room...I mean craft room... so I steal a few minutes here and there while listening to LM play the cymbals and sing songs that he has made up. His latest ditty is "snakes for dinner". 

#hopethatisnotacrackatmycookingskills

#Imadethistoo

~ 7 ~

We had our first poopsplosion (defined as a poop explosion not properly contained within the diaper). Lucy, me, changing table...

#therewerenosurvivors

#allclean

Happy Friday everyone!!!

Kid Pics Galore, Wedding, and Bike Rides

You should definitely visit Kelly for 7 Quick Takes because 1) she's an awesome blogger and 2) she's doing some great giveaways.

~ 1 ~

Technically it's 7 Quick Takes "Friday" which clearly I'm behind, but you know, newborn in the house and all that. I feel like Kelly would totally understand. 

So how 'bout some nice pics of my girl?

~ 2 ~

My Little Man is not seeming so little these days. At some point I'll record the hilarious things he says but my tired sleep-deprived brain forgets them before I can jot them down. One of his latest phrases, if he really likes something, he says "____ is the best I ever had!!!" 

Example: Tim made bread and gave Matthan some, to which Matthan exclaimed "this is the best bread I ever had!!" His enthusiasm makes it that much more awesome.

~ 3 ~

Matthan also really likes to hit "send" for me when I'm texting someone. He also likes to text selfies and random letters to Daddy. Exhibit A

~ 4 ~

Matthan likes to play "sleep". He also likes blanket "nests". A boy after my own heart.

~ 5 ~

The weather is cooling off which means the beard is back! I'll get a pic one of these days. Until then, I found The Hubs' Christmas present ;)

~ 6 ~

We went to the wedding of Tim's coworker. Getting two little kids ready for a wedding was an all day exhausting process. His coworkers that attended the wedding doted on Matthan and Lucy and allowed us to break out our dancing skills. I came home with some killer blisters but it was totally worth it.

~ 7 ~

We've been taking Matthan on bike rides. Our neighborhood is very hilly but that has not slowed him down, and he likes to go on the same long route every time. We got half way through the route (not a short distance, I assure you) and Matthan decided he was done. He told me to carry his bike. I told him I wasn't going to carry his bike since I was carrying Lucy, and he was going to carry his own bike or ride it home. I was holding my breath for a complete melt down, but instead... he decided to carry his own bike. 

I admire his gumption. He made it about ten feet, and then pushed the bike the whole way home. 

That stubbornness and determination did not come from me. He is his Daddy's son. I'm sure it will serve him later in life...or something like that. 

That's a wrap! Happy (belated) Friday... or Wednesday!

The Infection, The Cake, and The Wardrobe (7QT's)

It's seven quick takes time!

~ 1 ~

Last Friday, I decided to brave library story time. It was a smashing success despite the grumpy look on Lucy's face and that this picture looks like our library doesn't have books. I'm not in love with the idea that our kid's section has iPads, but it allowed me time to nurse Lucy while not fearing that Little Man was pulling books off the shelf and rearranging the entire library. He was even disappointed when I opted to not check out books this week (because I can't rely on my postpartum brain to remember returning library books right now), so book nerd momma for the win. Lucy slept beautifully the whole time, except for this picture. Thanks little one.

~ 2 ~

 I love this little girl. She sleeps great...during the day. Then wants to party from 8pm-12. We gotta work on this.

~ 3 ~

Sorry to those who follow me on social media, but a few repeats are a must this week. I posted this picture with "I use to pin weekly chore lists on Pinterest, and now I just laugh as I scroll by."

When you have to sit for a significant portion of the day nursing a baby, you notice the cob webs accumulating in the corners. Sometimes I get squirmy about how dirty my house is, and then I just laugh at myself because who am I kidding, like I'd clean if I had the time...nope.

~ 4 ~

We decided to go to a Bluegrass Festival not far from us, but come Saturday, I woke up with pain in my...chest area. More on that in a second. The festival was a little disappointing with one mediocre bluegrass band, one pretty terrible barber shop quartet, and another band who didn't play bluegrass. However, Little Man won his first cake walk! I'm not sure he grasped the concept of a cake walk, but he quickly understood that he got a cake.

Mommy easily coaching him towards the chocolate cake.

Ever the graceful picture taker - blowing hair out of my face

Holding his prize, hair still in my face

~ 5 ~

By the time the above pictures were taken, I was in some serious discomfort. By the time we got home after lunch, I had some serious fever and chills. I could barely nurse Lucy because I was shivering so bad. We quickly realized that I had some serious mastitis and jumped into action. I had mastitis after Little Man was born and it ended in a surgical removal of an abscess (another post for another time, maybe), so we took this really seriously. I was prescribed an antibiotic by that evening and had a very very miserable weekend. My symptoms continued into this week, so it's been rough. 

~ 6 ~

We had friends bring us meals and I asked for prayers on social media and was blown away by the response. I'm so thankful for community (on and off the internet) that we have. Thank you to everyone who offered prayers for me. I have slowly been improving all week.

gratuitous picture, but you know you love them ;)

~ 7 ~ 

The Hubs rescued this from the side of the road because he can't stand the idea of something being thrown away. It ended up being too deep for the space he wanted to put it. Little Man has commandeered it as his personal play thing. It's going to a very nice home at a friend's house.

Quality craftsmanship there

Happy Friday everyone! Now go see Kelly for more quick takes.

Inappropriate Use of Hashtags ~ A Week's Worth

It's Seven Quick Takes Time. Here's a glimpse at our riveting week with all the glorious hashtags and grainy iPhone pics to go with it.

~ Saturday ~

I don't even remember what happened on Saturday. There was sleeping and eating and baby feeding. 

~ Sunday ~

Lucy slept through mass. #secondchild #angelbaby

~ Monday ~

My husband went back to work today. My sister in law goes home tonight, which means I'm on my own tomorrow for the first time with both kids. #IwishIdrankcoffee #Imighthavetostart

#excusemewhileIgocryinacorner

I think I struck fear in the heart of my 3 year old when he realized that I was willing to stop feeding the baby to discipline him. #mommydoesntdodefiance #timeout #cansomeoneputmeintimeout? #mommyneedsanap

~ Tuesday ~

I kept myself and the two kids alive all by myself. #weareallstillinpajamas #maybewecandothis #Imighthavetotakeupdrinking #coffeeImeandrinkingcoffee

~ Wednesday ~

Got the kids ready and in the car all by myself #twice #applauseplease

It's Daddy's 30th birthday! 

#gotdressedup #butnoonetookapic #adultdrinkswerehad 

 ~ Thursday ~

Got a few minutes of outside time. #wasonthevergeofbecomingahermit #sunlightwhatsthat

~ Friday ~

Mommy got a shower. #becausetheinsurancemaniscomingovertonight #bothchildrensleeping #cantdecidewhattodofirst #blogofcourse

That's a wrap. Go visit Christy, who is hosting Seven Quick Takes for Kelly. 

Happy Friday!