Just Say Julie

So today is my birthday. Yay!  I'm at the point in life where birthdays aren't really a big deal anymore so it is nice when you end up with little surprises like this: One of my coworkers had decorated my desk before I got to work this morning.  Plus there was also a fun card and a box of donuts waiting for me.  Then they took me out to lunch and we shared a cake at the office afterwards.  The morning had started off pretty rough with Jackson being crabby (which is why he wore his crabby but cute shirt to school) and Chris taking something I said the wrong way.  So I needed a little pick me up and I got just that when I arrive to see my coworker's handy work.  It was a nice day and the great start to a long weekend. I really wasn't expecting much out of today and my mood the last week or so has been evident of that.  Pretty much since my mid 20s my birthdays have been a bit of a let down.  My ex was never big on birthdays and, even though I w...

Jackson is working on his molars right now and I swear those things are going to be the death of us.  Teething has turned my happy baby into a fussy, clingy mess.  And I'm secretly happy for it.  You see, even though it was exhausting at times, I got my snuggly baby back at least for this weekend.  Now that Jackson is a toddler, he no longer wants to snuggle with me.  Bedtime consists of a sippy cup of milk and then straight to bed where he will either go right to sleep or fuss until he falls asleep.  I try to snuggle a bit and get him to settle down but he has no interest in it and squirms until I put him down or take him to his room.  Sunday morning Jackson fell asleep in my lap and I didn't want to move because I already miss all the times that he fell asleep on me and I just loved holding him.  I look at him now and I see him growing up so fast right before my eyes.  He isn't my tiny baby anymore.  He is curious and into everything. ...

Jackson turned 9 months old on Friday.  We also had his 9 month checkup that afternoon.  I now understand why everyone kept commenting on how big he was while we were in Alabama.  Little stinker weighed in at 21 lbs 5 oz (78 percentile) and 28 3/4 inches tall (68 percentile).  I guess he is on the big side although he doesn't seem that way to me since I have seen the natural progression of his growth.  I was pretty shocked at how many people said something about him being "a big boy." Someone actually said they thought he was at least a year old. The last month has brought about a lot of change around our house.  Jackson has mastered both the belly on the floor and belly off the floor crawling.  He prefers belly on the floor because he can move faster and this is his method of traveling when he is trying to run away from us.  The living room has turned into a sort of baby playpen. We block off the hall way with one of the dog gates and use the ...

I feel like a lot of my posts have been pretty down recently so I thought I would post something more cheerful. One of the things I love the most about living in Texas is bluebonnets in the spring.  There is nothing like the first spotting of bluebonnets each year to put a smile on my face.   So of course we had to find an opportunity to take some pictures for Jackson's first spring.  Jackson really didn't seem to enjoy having his picture taken but I think we got some good shots of him.

This post could also be titled "Reasons I love the Internet."   So, I mentioned about three months ago that I was attending The Blathering .  I filled out my 13 Things and I never mentioned it again.  Shame on me.  What I should have said is that while I missed out on some of the fun because I had to work and I didn't stay at the hotel, I did get to meet some wonderful women with amazing stories to tell.  I was humbled by the fact I complained so much about Jackson's difficult delivery but still was able to bring home my beautiful boy while I listened to stories of miscarriages and deaths of children.  I realized that these were women I respected because they had been through rough times and they lived to tell about it and had grown stronger because of it.  As so many said that weekend, these were my people. Since that weekend in October, the friendships I made that weekend have grown thanks to Twitter and our blogs. I look forward to the convers...

So I thought I could make this a combination post with my photo-a-day pictures and a couple of other updates.  I'll start with the pictures. Day 15: Happiness I couldn't think of a better picture to take for happiness than one of Jackson laughing.  Chris often says that there is nothing in the world that will bring a smile to your face more than a baby's laughter and he is right.  No matter how crappy my day has been, hearing J laugh always makes me smile.  I had a hard time getting a good picture because he wiggles around so much when he is giggling. Day 16: Morning It was pretty dreary on the way to work this morning.  It was drizzling and it is supposed to be unseasonably warm today.  The morning already started out about 10 degrees warmer than when we went to bed last night.  I snapped this picture at the stop light outside of my neighborhood on the way to work and it turned out pretty cool.  I didn't realize I was getting such ...

So there was this little football game last night.  I don't know if you heard about it.  #1 LSU versus #2 Alabama. The big rematch.  Yeah...that one.  I have spent the last month listening to people complain about Alabama being in the big game.  No one thought we deserved a second chance to play LSU.  We had already had our chance and we lost.  It should have been Oklahoma State or Stanford or anyone other than us.  Alabama went into the game with a chip on the shoulder. They had something to prove and prove they did. Alabama played a great game led by starting quarterback, AJ McCarron (a Mobile boy!), and the #1 defense in the nation.  LSU's offense came across as overly excited, never settling into a rhythm, while Alabama's team seemed as calm as could be given the stage.  The game ended with a score of 21-0 and Alabama had sealed the championship with the first shutout in BCS history. To say I am proud of my team would be an under...

So the big day had finally arrived.  I can't say I was nervous or anxious because I was pretty comfortable with my decision to marry Chris.  I was just excited and ready for the ceremony.  As with the rest of our trip up to that point, we hit the ground running that morning.  First it was breakfast at the lodge and then it was time to start getting ready.  While I was getting my hair done and a pedicure, Chris was enjoy a massage at the salon.  We then had to swing by the dry cleaners to pick up my dress which had been dropped off the day before to be pressed before heading back to the lodge for the picnic lunch we had ordered.  Once again, I can't say enough great things about the staff at Berry Springs Lodge.  Lunch was waiting for us in our cabin when we got back along with the flowers my mother had ordered for us for the ceremony. I mentioned yesterday that my parents came to Pigeon Forge for the wedding.  What I didn't tell you is that...

The sheriff and I got hitched a week ago. Needless to say free time has been limited with getting ready to head out to Tennessee and then returning to the real world in Texas. Without any prompting from me, my parents decided to surprise us in Gatlinburg and came to the wedding. It was great to have them there. We had a nice night visiting with Mom and Dad after the wedding. The whole trip was wonderful and I plan on telling you all about it soon. However, for now, I just wanted to check in and leave you with this:

Day One - Friday, May 2nd Jenny& I woke up at 4 AM for our 6:15 flight to New York Delayed in Dallas (big surprise!) but got to watch 27 Dresses on the plane (score!) Arrived in NYC about 20 minutes before Mom & Shannon and the rest of the group Hotel - Milford Plaza located on the corner of 45th and 8th Dinner - Charley O's - Parmesan Crusted Tuscan Tilapia (yum!) Show - The Little Mermaid - I was skeptical but it was well done and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A little disturbed by King Triton's nipple ring (which I could see from the balcony) but I now know a good use for wheelie shoes. Post Show Dessert - Snickers Cheesecake at Roxy Delicatessen *Random side note for the day: It is interesting having a TSA agent in the family, especially one who has worked in this capacity for 4 days. Apparently Clay thought that Jenny and I hadn't been on a plane or through an airport in the last 5 years since he proceeded to instruct us on how to handle our baggage through secur...

For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to see Jimmy Buffett in concert. When James told me he was going, I jumped on the chance and finally made it happen. So Saturday morning I woke up at 3:30 AM to get dressed and head to James' by our 5 AM departure. We arrived in Frisco around 8:30 with plenty of time to stop at Kroger to buy last minute supplies before heading to Pizza Hut Park for the pre-concert tailgating. I must say that there are some truly die hard fans out there and I learned a lot of lessons on what to do next time. Tiki bars and some form of motorized transportation are a must. Have you ever seen a crusin' cooler? Somehow I managed to get away without a picture of one but it was the most awesome thing I have ever seen. You don't have to worry about your drink getting warm while you are walking around. It is on ice under your butt! We made friends with our tailgating neighbors which made for an even better day. Wow...there were so many great th...

I am heading to Dallas tomorrow morning bright and early to see Jimmy Buffett in concert. I am super excited about this since I have never gotten to see him live. The man did grow up in my home town and he rarely plays there. So this evening I made a last minute run to Walgreen's (because they have everything!) to grab a few essentials for my trip. As I was about to stroll down the snack aisle to grab some granola bars for the road, I spotted a new Dr Pepper product that I just had to buy. Dr Pepper Soda Pops...Dr Pepper Freezer Pops. Who knew!?! They are like the Flavor Ice things I used to eat all the time as a kid but in Dr Pepper flavor. AWESOME! So...of course I bought some and you better believe I will be sucking on one in the morning on my way to James' house for our 5 AM departure. Oh and the Krispy Kremes are for my trip mates. I thought I would be nice and buy us breakfast for the road. Besides, how could I drive by Krispy Kreme when the "Hot Doughnuts...