Decemberish

I haven't updated in awhile. Obviously, the holidays are crazy, especially as a single mom! I constantly feel like there are never enough hours in the day. Anyway, I just took down my decorations and I am happy that we can put 2010 behind us. 2011 promises to be a better year for all! I can feel it!

Here are a few pictures from Christmas. We had a great time in Jesup, as usual, with the family.

Happy New Year!

'Tis the Season

Hola.

Is Thanksgiving SERIOUSLY next week?! What. The. Heck. Christmas is sneaking up quickly! I am totally ahead of the game though. I decorated last week, and I plan to have Christmas Shopping done by next week. That's right.

Everything is going swimmingly here. I have to say that I am probably the happiest and most content I have ever been! My home is comfy, work is fabulous, my friends and family are phenomenal as usual, and my Grayson is my little hero.

I just finished a 7 week class at the church- "Effective Parenting in a Defective World", and it was amazing. Not only was the teaching awesome, but we truly made several bonds with each other as parents. Luckily, we were able to form a small group out of some of us in the class. SO excited about it :-)

Here are a few favorites of recent photos...

Parenting Class

Chelle, Seth and Me

The waves were a little loud for him... :-)

My sweetie!

Halloween and Such

Hiya!

Business first: Grayson had his one year doctor appointment this week and is doing great. 32 inches tall and 28 pounds!

Also, we just got home from trick or treating, so I decided to share some pictures before I forget...

 

Happy Halloween!

The New Digs

Here by request, photos of the new house...

"Christmas or Wedding Season? Wedding Season!"

I am exhausted after this past weekend, but it's ok- because I had a BLAST! It's always a great honor when a friend asks you to be a bridesmaid in their wedding. I had such a great time with Alexia and Ryan and the rest of the wedding party and family. It was in Beaufort, SC. I lived there for two years and I have to say, I miss it a lot! Especially when I visit. It's so beautiful there... I was nostalgic. Lex and Ryan have been together for 10 years, so it was beautiful to be a part of this day.

Ceremony Location

Me and the Bride at Rehearsal

The Maids

I'm not sure...

The new couple!

Harry and Shantal with their garter and bouquet

Me and Shantal!

Finally ready to go.

Pumpkin Patch!

More than anything else in this world, I love to create memories with my baby boy. Even if he is just a wee thing, I want him to know that I care about small moments, and fun activities, just like my mom always did with us. Because the rest of October is going to be SO hectic, we went ahead and picked out our pumpkin for Halloween, last weekend.

This weekend, I am off to South Carolina to play Bridesmaid! More to come soon....

Miscellaneous Happenings

It is 46 degrees on St. Simons this morning and I must say, it is WELCOME! My windows are open and my pumpkin candle is burning. I should really try and blog more often so that my "reports" aren't so LONG... Oh well. Here is the latest:

Last weekend, Grayson had his FIRST birthday party- and it was great! We had sweet babies, toddlers, kids and grownups. He got lots of cool toys too! Of course I had a photographer there, so here are my favorite pictures from the event, taken my my good friend Amy Grages...

He actually turned 1 on Tuesday! Time flies, but I have to say I love toddlerhood! He is so much fun.

We have been busy with visits from friends and family (My mom has come twice in a month, thanks to Amtrak!), work, and all the other random events that come up. However, I LIKE busy! Busy is good, as long as you find margin.

As most of you know, we live in an apartment on the back of a house. Well, we got a great blessing this week, as the guy who was living in the house moved out and my landlord offered the house to me and Grayson at a HUGE discount, so that I could afford it. Of course, I accepted! We will start moving over there this week. Same address and everything, but much bigger for us and Grayson will have his own room. I am thrilled.

Sunday, I started the application process of going on a mission trip to Haiti in April. This is something that I have passionately aspired to do for some time, and I finally may have an opportunity. It is still up in the air, as applications must be reviewed etc., but I am praying to be accepted for the trip. I look forward to a life changing experience, and the ultimate chance to help.

I still love my job, and I learn more about photography every day. It also allows me so much time with Grayson, I feel very thankful daily.

In another blog, I think I will elaborate a little on a class I am taking at my church called "Effective Parenting in a Defective World". So far, it has been great. It's also nice to meet other parents in the community.

I will sign off with the best test shot... Ever.

Hurricanes and Baby Jail

Thanks to the brewing hurricane in the Atlantic, we are feeling a little bit of a breeze in this ridiculous heat. I am soooo ready to be able to go out with the stroller and take walks without fearing heat stroke. I hope the weather holds out for Labor Day Weekend! My mom is coming up, which is exciting. She hasn't seen G since he was born. I will take lots of photos! Last weekend, Granddaddy Parker came up and visited with us. We had a lot of fun...

Look alikes, or what?

Before Church

Daddy went ahead and bought Grayson his birthday present, which we are ever so thankful for....

Baby Jail!! Haha. No Seriously. All jokes aside, this thing is a life saver! He can play in it and not get into any trouble while I do dishes, work on the computer, go to the bathroom, etc. It's awesome. I would say it's a must have for a mommy with a mobile child. Not as small as a pack-n-play, so it gives them a little more freedom.

I am still planning his first birthday! The latest buy, was this adorable personalized first birthday shirt:

How cute is it?! I am so excited. 

In my grown-up world, I am still quite busy, and also QUITE blessed. I am now working from home on my new iMac! I am in lovvvvve with it. It is a dream for Photoshop on top of all the other wonderful things about it. I have the greatest bosses in the world! 

In other Katie news, I am going to be taking an english class (online hopefully), which is the last core class I would need to begin LPN clinicals. Of course, the next program doesn't start until Fall 2011, but I figured I would go ahead and knock out that last class this quarter at the Tech School. It seems I like to keep myself busy!

Peace!

-K

Fall Back

5 Reasons I am ready for Fall:

1. My baby boy's FIRST Birthday!

2. College Football

3. Bonfires

4. Pumpkin Bread and Caramel Apple Spice from Starbucks

5. Cognac Boots and Scarfs

Yo Baby!

Greetings! Today I will be working from home for the first time. As a company, we could no loner justify the costs of keeping the building, so we will soon be working from our home offices. Most of our work is on location, and we all have the means to work remotely. Daycare is closed today and tomorrow, so I have GPH with me today. He is definitely getting to that point where he whines and knows we will get him. Must research some ways to appropriately break that habit. Other than that, he is healthy, beautiful, happy and hilarious. He keeps us all entertained on a daily basis. It is so hard to believe that in a little over a month he will be a year old. Time really flies. I printed his birthday invitations yesterday, and I couldn't be happier! I created them myself in CS4 and my good friend Amy Grages took the adorable picture that you see on the invitation.

She also took several more that I am in love with, this one being my very favorite:

He is looking like a toddler! We have so much fun together. Lots more planning to do on the party, but I am excited about all of it. My gift to him (a rocking horse) just arrived in the mail! He has a personalized birthday shirt, AND I am planning on making the cake myself. Yep. We shall see....





In other baby news, I would like to say how incredibly happy I am with Stonyfield Farms YoBaby Organic Yogurt. They have this one called 3 in 1 meals, and it has yogurt, a fruit and a vegetable. Grayson LOVES them. I highly recommend....



So, I am FINALLY completely moved in and settled in my apartment. After the whole divorce/moving process, housesitting for a month and a half, getting adjusted to single-momhood and a new job, I am just now getting in my routine. My health and fitness is my priority again, and it needs to be. I will keep you posted on that too...

Test Shots at work by Matt...haha

Until later...Ciao!