Squeezing it all in...

I finally am getting my energy back and have hit the ground running. I have mowed the lawn for my first, and second, time ever. I feel like it is one thing I can do to help Ryan out since he is working so much and will give us more time with him when he is home. 

Mae and I have had many a playdates at the library, parks, splashpads, friends houses, and the pool. We are soaking up every ounce of summer. 

She loves the park and her freedom to run loose!

Applying her makeup:

Goes everywhere with her baby doll, practicing to be a big sister: 

Her first ponytail:

Last week, Mae and I made the trek to Birmingham. My in-laws graciously opened their doors to us (I changed my plans last minute) and we shacked it up at their house. I left bright and early Friday morning for another long car ride with my friend Rachel, from Montgomery. Leaving my girl: 

We headed to Savannah to surprise our lifelong friend Cortnee (she was my backdoor neighbor growing up in Florida). We had a blast in Savannah celebrating the birthday girl, eating yummy food, soaking up the sights, and have fun girl time. This mama loved having time to herself for once but missed her girl! So thankful for BB and Bup (Mae's name for Buck) who took such good care of my girl while I was gone. 

Sunday, we hiked it back to Birmingham, I was over the car by this point. 19 hours in a car for a pregnant girl was not my cup of tea to say the least. I packed up Mae from the inlaws and we headed to mom's surprise party that my dad and mom's besties threw for her. She was SHOCKED and broke into tears when Mae and I Came around the corner. Such a fun moment. 

We spent the rest of the week soaking up time with family, having a photoshoot for Mae, and running around Birmingham to meet friends. I swear I hit up every restaurant with a friend, or bombarded their house and marked my territory all over the city. It was fun, yet crazy and chaotic to squeeze it in. I know I missed some of you and will get you on the flip side this next go round (whenever that may be). Thanks to Amy for meeting us at Superior, Mrs. Hampton (my first principal) for meeting us at Ashley Mac's, Cortney for meeting me at Cocina, Natalie and Mindy for letting me sneak some time in at their house, Jessica for meeting me for a quick breakfast, Kelly for letting me invade your closet for maternity clothes...I was everywhere!

Sneak peak from the photoshoot my sweet in-laws got for Mae Mae: 

Mom and dad took Mae and I to their new Chucky Cheese, she was unsure at first, but ended up having a blast with her K-paw and Nonna:

We headed back to Charlotte Thursday to an anxious daddy and hubby. We had a low-key family weekend, plus a couples date night and babysitter to top it off. 

So glad to be back home and settled! 

We are off next week to Kiawah Island again for one last family beach trip before football season starts. Until then, I have decided I am going to do a 'home tour', if you will, for those that have asked to see our new abode. So stay tuned for the next few blog posts on different rooms in our house, plus details of projects we have accomplished! Planning on breaking out the old Nikon and lens to document a little better! Hope you like it! 

Party of 4

It's true! Harbuck family member #4 coming the end of January! We are beyond blessed and excited!

Mae now has big sister status. I cant believe my sweet baby will be a big sister. Already have started the mixed emotions of rocking her world with a sibling, but I know she will love it! 

Here are some pregnancy fun facts this go around:

-I am obsessed with Chuy's salsa. I could eat it with a spoon. With Mae I craved pizza.

-The babes will be 23 months apart give or take. Our plan was 2 years, so close enough! 

-I gained 30 lbs. with Mae, and then lost 44. So as of this pregnancy, I am 14 lbs. less than when I started with Mae. Since my first appt. I gained a lb. and then lost it, so I am even as of now...let the weight gain begin. :/

-I am not nearly as sick as I was with Mae. Have had a few sick moments, throwing up in the very public YMCA parking lot to be exact, but for the most part have felt ok. Not great, just. 

-I am super tired, but this week the energy is slowly coming back. I cant decide if it has been because of pregnancy, or chasing around a 1 year old. Probably, both. 

-My original due date was Feb. 1. After my ultrasounds they moved it to Jan. 27. 

-I grow big babies. Mae was 8 lb. 11 oz. Ryan, myself, and both of our siblings with high 8 lb babies. OMG. holy pain. Let's just say I hope this baby comes early like the wives tale of 2nd babies coming early. This one doesnt need to bake anymore than it should! 

-I think this time around is a boy. Ryan thinks its a girl. We both had same predictions last time, and you see who won that one. 

-heartbeat is high the past 2 times, so was Mae's...

-I HONESTLY can say I will be thrilled with either a boy or girl. This is why:  I have always wanted a sister and would love for Mae to have a sister to share life with. Plus, they are born in the same season and can wear the exact same clothes. $ saver! If it is a boy, Ryan would be in hog heaven. What guy doesnt want a fishing, hunting, sports watching, buddy. I want that for Ryan. Plus, I hear this mommy/son connection is out of this world. Ryan and Mae have the sweetest relationship I have ever seen...I think he would be ok with another girl too, just because of his love for Mae. We are both scared we cant love another child as much as we love Mae. I know that will change. I hope ;)

-We will NOT be getting induced this time, unless doctor's orders. (She has already hinted it, since I make big babies). Don't get me wrong, I loved the ease of being induced with Mae and it was so relaxed. But, I was obsessed with my doctor and she was pregnant too and we were chasing time. She had her baby 4 days later, so we really were cutting it close. I am so glad she delivered Mae and will forever remember her role in my pregnancy. This go around, we are in a bigger city, with a bigger practice. I will more than likely have some random doctor, so why not have the fun of going into labor on my own! 

-We have a boy name picked out and a girl name picked out. Both are family names and have been in our list for years. They both start with M's. We shall see! 

-I was exercising a lot more before this pregnancy than with Mae, so I am trying to keep it up. Remember I stated that I was tired? Well, because of that I have limited my working out to one day a week at the gym and walking every day in the neighborhood. Now that 1st trimester is over, I am going to try to go back to 3 days a week at the gym. I heart classes. 

-God is so good. I am beyond thankful and realize how blessed we are to have gotten pregnant so quickly with both babes. I pray for a healthy pregnancy and baby this go around as well. As I pray for that, I also am in prayer for my sweet friends who are struggling to get pregnant. I can't imagine what they are going through and I know why their heart aches and longs for their own babe. I can't help by question 'WHY?" but I know the Lord has a plan for all those who believe in him. Just wish their baby would come sooner than later! 

Be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead! I Peter 1:6

4th Fun!

We decided to make the trip to Jacksonville, Florida like we did last 4th of July and will continue on the tradition for Mae each year. She was a trooper in the car.

I have a super cute video of her doing the whole song of "Wheels on the Bus" but I cant figure out how to get the phone to my computer and to the blog...sad!

We enjoyed the 4th with my parents, and both of my dads brothers and their wives. We always love being in Jax. It is special to me because I grew up there, both of my parents are from there and Ryan and I got married at my aunt and uncles house!

A day on the boat:

Celebrating the red, white, and blue:

My sweet aunt Debbie got Mae this adorable chair. She loved it!

Mae loves her aunt Debbie!

I surprised mom and uncle Mark with a 60th birthday cake. His birthday was last week and mom's is on the 21st! I ordered it from a local bakery in Jax called Edgewood Bakery. OMG. The strawberry cake is better than Edgar's! I knew it would be good, this is where we got Ryan's grooms cake! YUM!

One of my favorite things to do in Jax: 

We then took a quick trip to see  my aunt Cindy, my mom's sister, and my grandmother, Mae's namesake and great grandmother. 4 generations: 

So happy for spend the 4th with family and celebrate the many who serve our country and the great country we live in! (minus the president, but that is a whole other blog!)

Happy 4th of July!

One Draw Back

As many of you had heard on more than one occassion...we love Charlotte...we do. We are loving every bit of our new city, making new friends, new neighbors, learning how to get around, getting to know our new church, new restuarants, and just the ins-and-outs of this wonderful city.

One of the very few draw backs, is being so far away from family and friends. We are used to being a quick day trip to see them and be at all and every event. That is not the case anymore. Since we have been here we having missed 1st birthdays, wedding showers, baby showers, birthdays, weddings and other holidays. It is just not as easy to hop in the car with a one year old and ALL of her stuff, plus ours. My heart seriously hurts when I think about the 3 weddings that we have recently missed. 3 very dear and near people to me and my family.

Top middle is one of my friends from college and later living in Auburn. I met her through one of my good friend's and sorority sisters and fell in love with their family.  She is the most creative, fun, energetic, person! She always has the most fun parties and tailgates and loves our sweet Mae Mae in such a sweet way! She is known for her fabulous glitter signs. They got married last weekend in Rosemary beach. Congrats Ray and Laurie!

The bottom left is sweet Ashley Bennett. I grew up babysitting for this family. She has grown into such a sweet, Christian young lady and I am so happy for her and Nick. I love her family so much and am so thankful for their lifelong friendship!

The bottom right is Katelyn Sutherland. Even though she chose that dreaded, other school "Bama", she is such a cutie! We were neighbors, and I babysat for her when she was little. Our parents are really good friends and have had so many lake trips together I cant even count. Katelyn followed in my footsteps and became a first grade teacher and I helped guide her through the interviewing process and landing that first job! I am so happy for her and Allen!

So happy for these newlyweds and wish the best for their lifelong marriages! Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Lowery, Mr. and Mrs. Perkins, and Mr. and Mrs. Greer!