Beach Vacation

Well, I've been away for a week now, because we spent the past week in St. Augustine, FL on vacation and attending a three day family reunion for my dad's side of the family. It was a great weekend. Weston put his toes in the sand for the first time, and we enjoyed spending time away from the office. The family loved on Weston, and Ms. Mary at daycare said all he wanted to do was be held yesterday. Oops...I don't think he got put down all weekend. Ha-Ha!

We came back from the trip to a not so nice surprise...our upstairs air condition went out, so we are crossing our fingers that the AC company can make it out this afternoon to take a look. For now, we are sleeping downstairs on the couch and Weston is in his Pack & Play downstairs. It's a steamy 98 degrees upstairs.

Weston also turned 5 months old since I last posted, and I have some photos to upload from his 5 month photo shoot. For now, I'll leave you with some photos of our beach vacation...

Our little family before Dinner on Saturday night

Mommy & Little Man

Daddy & Weston playing in the sand

So sweet...

Playing on the deck as the sun goes down...what a nice night!

Please let me have some, Daddy...just a little!

Father & Son

Getting ready to fall asleep in my arms after a LONG beach and pool filled morning!

Lounging on the Beach

Floating in the pool...he loves it!

Happy Father's Day

What is a Dad?
A dad is someone who
wants to catch you before you fall
but instead picks you up,
brushes you off,
and lets you try again.

A dad is someone who
wants to keep you from making mistakes
but instead lets you find your own way,
even though his heart breaks in silence
when you get hurt.

A dad is someone who
holds you when you cry,
scolds you when you break the rules,
shines with pride when you succeed,
and has faith in you even when you fail...

Weston has an amazing dad who loves him and plays with him, kisses and hugs him, takes naps and teaches him. His love is unconditional, and we couldn't be more blessed to have Grant as a father and husband.

Grant never stops...he wakes in the middle of the night, if Weston decides he needs to get up, he comforts Weston when he's in tears, he calms him and he bathes him every night. He feeds him, and I know he is looking forward to teaching him and helping him grow into a wonderful, young man. Thank you for being a wonderful father and role model for our son! We love you!

Dream Custom Artwork Giveaway Winner

The winner for the Dream Custom Artwork Giveaway for any item in the store in any size is

is #52 - Jessica at The Southern Belle Baby!!

Congrats Jessica!! Please send me an e-mail at rlh.harvey@gmail.com! :) If I don't hear from you within 48 hours, we'll select another winner.

The winner was chosen via Random.org

Check back this afternoon or tomorrow morning for another Giveaway!!

Four Months

Weston,

It's been another really busy month at the Harvey household, and you've experienced so many "firsts" this month. You attended your first Rehearsal, Rehearsal Dinner and Wedding in Dallas, GA. Your daddy was in the wedding, and you were such a good boy throughout the entire ceremony. You even let Mommy & Daddy hang out until 9:30 PM even though it was way past your bedtime.

You also spent the night at Papa Jay & Grandma Harvey's house with your daddy while I was at a Bachelorette party. They said you had a lot of fun while I was away, but I sure did miss you! You met your friend Griffin this month, and you also got to go to the Cox Family Reunion at FDR State Park in Pine Mountain, GA. You are SO loved, and they passed you around the entire afternoon.

You have changed so much again this month, and I really can't believe it. You smile and you play so well independently in your Exersaucer. You like to play by yourself, and you don't always like to be held. You are a very independent little man. You LOVE swimming! You went to the pool over Memorial Day weekend with your two friends, Emma and Emma. :)

You've also learned to sit unassisted this month, and it's SO cute! You love to sit and play with a toy in front of you. Everyone keeps telling us how great you are doing, because you are already sitting up by yourself. We are hoping that the sitting will help round out your head since currently the back is pretty flat. You are also sleeping on your side or stomach at night, and you rarely sleep on your back anymore. You curl up and have one hand over your face when you are sleeping on your side, and it's so sweet.

Here are your four month statistics and milestones:

• 16 lb. 13 oz. We are still exclusively BF'ing, and we haven't yet had to supplement with formula. You are a chubby, healthy little boy!
• 25.5 inches
• Still in Size 3 Diapers
• Wearing mostly 6-9 month clothes, but you still wear some 6 month clothes and also wear 9 month clothes.
• Your coordination is improving, and you love playing with toys that makes noise still! You are now reaching and grabbing for toys!
• You are still sleeping through the night. You go to sleep between 6:30 and 7:00 PM now, and you sleep until 6:30 AM. Though the past few nights, you've woken up in the middle of the night with gas. The past two mornings when we've gotten you up, you've had a dirty diaper, so it looks like you were uncomfortable!
• You still like to go to sleep on time, but you are getting better. You've allowed mommy and daddy to continue our weekly ritual of going to Mexican for dinner on Sunday nights. It's been fun!
• You still don't like to be held when you are falling asleep or tired. You want us to leave you alone and put you down, so you can fall asleep on your own, but you have let me hold you when you've been tired a little more lately.
• You still put EVERYTHING in your mouth! You put your hands in your mouth, our hands in your mouth, your keys, burp cloth, etc. If it's nearby, you want to eat it.
• You always try to "eat" Mommy's shoulder...you are too funny, but I will be holding you, and you'll start gnawing on my shoulder, but you don't do it to anyone else, only Mommy.
• You no longer fit into your Bumbo seat...your legs are too big, and I've tried SO hard. I tried pushing you into it, and you screamed at me, because it really hurt. I don't think I'll try that again unless your legs thin out a little bit!
• Since you are sitting up, we've gotten rid of your infant bathtub. You didn't like it anyways, because you like to splash so much, so we moved you to the Duck tub, and you love it, because you sit up so well, and you can splash the water around you. It's too cute. Bath time is still your favorite time of the day!

Sick & Giveaway

First off, if you haven't already, don't forget to enter the Dream Custom Artwork Giveaway below! It's a great giveaway, and it ends at Noon today.

Second, we've been busy, so I haven't done much blogging lately, but I'm hoping that once things start to calm down that I'll get back into a better blogging habit/schedule. At least I've been posting giveaways to keep everyone checking back. :) On another note, Weston is sick...like really sick and not just a stuffy nose sick, and I'm so sad about it. Mrs. Mary (daycare lady) called yesterday around 12:30 PM and said that he was running a fever of 102, and he was fussy. So, I went to pick him up, and we went to the doctor. He had a fever of 101-102 most of the day yesterday, but his ears and throat were clear, so we are chalking it up to a virus and hoping it passes ASAP!

Anyways, it was a miserable day for our little guy, and I felt so bad for him! I picked him up from daycare, and he fell asleep in the car on the way there. He screamed and cried at the doctor's office. Every time I tried to lay him down, he screamed. Afterwards, I gave him Tylenol for his fever, and he started to perk up a little bit. He slept through the night with no problem and Grant is watching him this morning. I'm going to leave a little later this morning to be with him this afternoon.

On a happier note, at the doctor yesterday he weighed 17 lb. 6 oz. He is such a big boy! :) At his four month appointment, he weighed 16 lb. 14 oz. I love to see him gaining weight and growing! It's so much fun!

65 in 365 - Update #2

Initially posted on February 10th - I'm updating today to show my progress...I'm pretty pleased with how well I've done, and I'm looking forward to seeing how things continue to go as I start back to work and get on a schedule. :)

I'm going to go ahead and mark the ones "Complete" that are regular ongoing things, because I'm keeping up with them now, and I'm having no problems. Plus, it makes me feel like I've gotten more accomplished. Ha-Ha!

1. Run two 5K's - One in Spring and one in Fall - In Progress: Spring 5K - Done
2. Walk in the neighborhood with Weston a minimum of four days a week (weather permitting) - DONE
3. Work-out on my own aside from walking in the neighborhood three days per week - 1/2 Done...It's harder than I think to make the time!
4. Get a babysitter (grandparents) and go out on a date with Grant at least once per month - In Progress: February - Check, March - Check, April - Check, May - Check, June - Check, July - Scheduled
5. Leave Weston with my parents for the night, so Grant and I can go away for our Anniversary - DONE
6. Clip coupons for Grocery Shopping - DONE
7. Maintain a $150-200 per Grocery Budget - DONE
8. Stay up-to-date on Weston's Baby Book - DONE
9. Stay up-to-date on Weston's Sticker Calendar - DONE
10. Join a Ladies Weekly Bible Study with Church - DONE
11. Stay up-to-date on Weston's Scrapbook - DONE
12. Make small photo books of Weston's Newborn Photos and give to the Grandparents - In Progress
13. Make weekly grocery shopping lists and stick to list! - DONE...I've been doing this and keeping up without any troubles.
14. Develop a Family Notebook to include a calendar and menus - In Progress
15. Make Weekly Menu and plan ahead -DONE...I've been doing this and keeping up without any troubles.
16. Keep Weston's Clothes organized and box in Storage boxes as he grows out of them - DONE...I've been doing this on a monthly basis.
17. Keep a cleaning schedule and follow through with schedule as designated - In Progress
18. Create a website for Weston to include information and photos to keep family updated on his progress - DONE
19. Host my parents and sister for dinner at least twice - In Progress: Scheduled One Dinner
20. Host my in-laws for dinner at least twice - In Progress: One Dinner completed (3/13)
21. Try out one new recipe each month - In Progress
22. Develop a budget and STICK to it! - DONE
23. Record all expenditures to keep on track with budget - DONE
24. Develop a daily schedule and stick to it with Weston - DONE...Continues daily, but working out great so far!
25. Start working with Weston on a few sign language signs to help us communicate better
26. Plan Weston's 1st Birthday Party at our House
27. Finish up and follow through with "The Love Dare" with Grant - In Progress
28. Read and sing to Weston every night before bed - In Progress
29. Start infant swim lessons with Weston this summer (Indoor Pool) - In Progress - Scheduled for July
30. Join Baby Music Class once a week and attend at least two-three times per month - DONE
31. Start Weston on "Your Baby Can Read" videos at 3 months - Decided not to use this due to "sight reading" rather than sounding out, so if we change our minds, we'll start this, but for now, we are holding off.
32. Breastfeed for an entire year or until no longer able due to unforeseen circumstances - In Progress - Going great so far!
33. Take photos of Weston at a minimum of once per week - DONE
34. Make time for myself...I want to do everything I can for Weston, but take care of myself, as well...get a manicure or pedicure, eyebrows waxed, take a long shower and fix my hair, wear make-up, etc. - DONE
35. Come up with a new Family Tradition for our little family
36. Join Weight Watchers after getting the "go-ahead" from my doctor at six weeks - DONE
37. Meet my Weight Watchers goal - In Progress, but I'm SO close
38. Spend more time in the word and in prayer with God - DONE
39. Resume an intimate relationship with Grant...I know that this has been one of my fears that having a child will change our intimate relationship; however, I realize that it will change regardless, and I just want to be sure that once we get the "okay" that we resume an intimate relationship and work on keeping it strong. - DONE - It's going great, and I couldn't be more happy with how it's working out!
40. Visit Grant's grandparents in Greenville at least twice this year - In Progress: 1st Visit on 3/14, but we will visit again over the Summer.
41. Visit my grandparent's in Buford at least twice this year - In Progress: 1st Visit in late February, but we will visit again over the summer...they live on Lake Lanier!
42. Take a trip to Memphis & Nashville with Grant in the Fall
43. Take Weston to his first Atlanta Braves Baseball Game - In Progress: Date Selected in September
44. Take Weston to his first UGA Football Game
45. Take Weston to his first UGA Baseball Game - FAIL...We were too busy this Spring, and we didn't get to go. Unfortunately, baseball is over until next year, so we'll miss the 365 window!
46. Start Banks on his Senior Hunter Tests to gain Senior Hunter Title - Attend at least one weekend of Hunt Tests before end date
47. Get photos taken of Weston at Newborn, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months and 1 year - In Progress: Newborn Photos completed!, 3 month photos completed!
48. Start and complete the 30 Day Shred - DONE...Now, I'm bored with it, and I need to find something else. Suggestions?
49. Keep up with Weston's Monthly Photos with Sticker Number Months - In Progress: Months 1-4 Complete
50. Read six adult books (not childrens books) - In Progress: 2/6
51. Buy a new bathing suit for myself - DONE
52. Take Weston to the Lake
52. Take Weston to the Beach for Family Vacation - In Progress: Scheduled for last week / weekend in June
53. Get Birth Announcements sent out for Weston by March 15th - DONE
54. Schedule Weston's Baptism - DONE
55. Send out Baptism Invitations - DONE
56. Host brunch at our house after Baptism- DONE
57. Buy all Christmas Presents by September - In Progress
58. Raise $1,000 for the "In Their Shoes" 13.1 mile walk - DONE
59. Visit our friends Abby & David Dreher in Columbia, SC
60. Plan Christmas Get-Together with Friends
61. Get Together with Mommy Friends and Babies at least 1X per Month - In Progress
62. Plan a Blog Friend Get Together over the Summer - In Progress
63. Finish my MBA - DONE
64. Finish Decorating my Dining Room - In Progress
65. Host Shower & Bachelorette Party for Weddings that I'm in on June 5th and June 19th - DONE

Dream Custom Artwork Giveaway

Many of you may remember all the great Canvas Artwork that I ordered and added to Weston's Nursery and Bathroom. I have also ordered a number of other great pieces of canvas artwork from Brandie. We have an "H" for our front door, the blessing and a Family Name sign in our house. You could say that we have a "Dream Custom Artwork" home. :)

I contacted Brandie a few weeks ago, and I asked if she would be interested in participating in a Giveaway, and she was happy to participate. I'm so thrilled, and she has TONS of great items and artwork for weddings, babies, teachers and more.

You can see the items that Brandie created for our house here:
- Weston's Nursery
- Mealtime Prayer
- Front Door Sign
- Weston's Bathroom, More of Weston's Bathroom

Brandie is offering one of my readers an 11x14 Customer Canvas!!

Go to Dream Custom Artwork and check out her items and leave me a comment telling me what you like best that she's created or what you would have her design for you if you won the giveaway.

For extra entries...
1 extra entry- Follow my blog or let me know you do
2 extra entries - Vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs (Button on the Right) and let me know that you voted!
3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway and leave me a link
8 extra entries- Buy something from Dream Customer Artwork and let me know what you bought.

Be sure to leave a comment for EACH separate entry you are entitled!

This giveaway will end Friday, June 11th and the winner will be chosen with random.org. Check back on Monday for an opportunity to enter in another giveaway! :)

Radio Flyer Voyager Canopy Wagon

Everyone head on over to The Southern Belle Baby for your chance to win the Radio Flyer Voyager Canopy Wagon...all kids would LOVE to have this, I'm sure!

Appledonia Baby & Toddler Giveaway Winner

The winner for the Appledonia Baby & Toddler Giveaway for any item in the store in any size is

is #15 - Michele at The Story of Us!!

Congrats Michele!! Please send me an e-mail at rlh.harvey@gmail.com! :) If I don't hear from you within 48 hours, we'll select another winner.

The winner was chosen via Random.org

Check back this afternoon or tomorrow morning for another Giveaway!!

Appledonia Baby & Toddler Giveaway

As I was searching Etsy for clothes for the beach and photos for Weston, I came across Kerri's site, Appledonia, and I was immediately drawn to her really cute shirts and onesies! I especially loved the bulldozer and dump truck. I'm definitely going to be buying items from Kerri, and I think that the shirts would make great gifts, as well. I contacted Kerri to see if she was interested in participating in a giveaway, and she was more than happy to participate!

Lisa is offering one of my readers any item in her store in any size!

Available SHORT SLEEVE ONESIE sizes:
3-6 months
6-12 months

Available SHORT SLEEVE Cotton T-shirts:
2T (please specify if for a boy or girl)
4T (please specify if for a boy or girl)

Go to Kerri's Etsy site and check out her items and leave me a comment telling me which shirt or onesie you'd love to have or like best on her site.

For extra entries...

1 extra entry- Follow my blog or let me know you do
2 extra entries - Vote for me on Top Mommy Blogs (Button on the Right) and let me know that you voted!
3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway and leave me a link
8 extra entries- Buy something from Appledonia and let me know what you bought.

Be sure to leave a comment for EACH separate entry you are entitled! And leave your email address, so I can contact you if you are the winner!

This giveaway will end Friday, June 4th and the winner will be chosen with random.org. Check back on Tuesday for an opportunity to enter in another giveaway! :) And you don't have to have kids to win this giveaway...you could always try to win for a friend or family member as a gift! This would make a perfect gift for a baby shower or even for a kid's birthday!