Sicker than a Bulldog

The same day our family from CA left, Jamie, Macy and I traveled to Athens, GA. Jamie had an interview there the next day (July 31st). They put him in a hotel for two nights, so Macy and I went with him (6 hrs each way), while Jadon stayed back with Auntie Em, Gramma and Grandpa.

While we were thankful for the opportunity to interview and had fun seeing the sights in a new city, it was no fun at all to be away from Jadon. I cannot tell you how thankful we were that we made the decision to leave him back though because I ended up getting sick Thursday night. When I say sick, I mean like I threw up the most I think I ever have in my life. While I laid in bed, I had so much anxiety thinking how in the world I would nurse Macy even one more minute. I kept picturing Jamie having to carry Macy into his interview in the morning.

I wondered if it was going to be God's plan to get a sympathy vote for him, you know, carrying a crying baby into the interview, wearing a new suit with snot and slobber all over him. I could hear him explaining how she will soon starve because she is breastfed and her mother is back at the hotel dying from some aweful food poisoning she got from the protein powder in her sugar-free vanilla latte from Starbucks on the way there. He'd then tell them of her inability to eat solid food and unwillingness to drink from a bottle. Poor thing. I could see the interviewer and her staff oohing and ahhing over Macy, as they placed the "Super Dad" cape around their new Administrator-in-Training's neck.

As I laid there, clinging to my life, begging God for mercy (okay, so I'm being a bit dramatic), I thought to myself, "I'll do it, God. I'll take this one for my team. Jamie needs and wants this job. I'm willing to be so sick and send Macy wailing into the interview with him, in order to secure this opportunity." Well, thanks to three extra-strength Tylenol (because I had a SEVERE headache, bodyaches, and a FEVER!), taken ONE at a time, since I'm nursing(!!)...and also thanks to spewing everything I had eaten and drank in...oh, I don't know, a month...I felt OKAY enough by morning to care for Macy. Ahhh! I should write for All My Children, yes?

Jamie went to his interview at 3pm, was back around 4:30pm, and we were able to drive around Athens and investigate areas we might like to call our temporary home, grabbed some decent Chinese at the mall (which is not as nice as I thought, but did have a Macy's), and stopped at a HUGE Starbucks, before calling it a night. In the morning, we went to the most awesome local coffee shop. They have tons of organic foods and drinks, vegan pastries, and the cutest brick patio out front with umbrella seating. We could see ourselves having breakfast here on Saturday mornings for a while :) We grabbed a treat for everyone back home, and then went to tour the downtown area that is home to the UGA campus. I thought Myrtle Beach was humid! Ha! We were dripping wet within 10 minutes, but snapped lots of pics, before Belle fell asleep in the stroller and then we headed home.

We got a bit off track on the way back, and passed a place you will NOT likely see on the Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives anytime soon..."The Possummm Grille and Cafe" (or something like that) in Rayle, GA (yes, Rayle). We were both annoyed to be so far in the backwoods of nowhere, to say the least. Jamie was ready to toss the GPS out the window, when it told us to turn right in 500 feet onto a road that didn't exist...but we figured it out, thanks to my mom, and we made it back to our baby boy after only 7 hours on the road. Looong time with a nursing 6 month old, but we would definitely do it all again. Too bad we had to return that sweet '09 Camary we rented for the trip.

I really could have skipped all of that and said, "Here are some pics from our trip to Athens, GA a few weeks ago. Jamie had an interview, and we hope to hear something by next week. A few in-house people have decided they wanted a chance at the position, but thankfully, even if he doesn't get it, God is still good and we may have a backup plan in NC." :)

Salamanca Vacation '09

The relatives came (Nanay, Tatay, Kuya Justin, Uncle Allen, Auntie Lily and baby Sydney in the womb). They were here from July 18-30. We ate at way too many restaurants, traveled to Asheville, NC to the Biltmore Estates and also to Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, NC. There were movies watched, a new flat screen TV bought (thank you!!!), shopping at the mall and outlets, a trip or two to the beach, two cookouts at Gramma and Grandpa's house, lots of playtime with Macy and Jadon, and many memories made. We love and miss you all so much, and can't wait to see you (plus baby Sydney!!!) next year! We are so very grateful for our families on both Coasts :)

Look...at that...horse!

One of Jadon's favorite things about Charleston was getting to see the horse-drawn carriages. He has been using adjectives lately, and his favorites are nice and cute. Haha :) He kept saying, "That's a nice horse, huh," and "That's a cute horse, huh?"

To make sense of the title for this entry, you MUST watch this:

Thank you, Ashley, for posting it on your blog first. It has given my mom ENDLESS laughs with tears streaming down her face, which ultimately leads to everyone around her laughing at her laughing. Endless fun ;)

Road Trip

Since Mackenzie (more on her later) was visiting this week, we decided to take a day trip to Charleston, since she had never been there. We got out the door at 8:30-ish and grabbed some coffee at Dunkin Donuts on the way. I stayed in the car with my two little angels, while Jamie and Kenzie ran in:

Remember the rabbit ears? Well Jadon found the bumble bee headband that morning and insisted on wearing it. Not to be outdone, Baby Bleu pulled her sunglasses out of her purse. The girl loves her accessories too ;) "Who me?"


Never say never, people! Yes, we caved and bought a portable DVD player for Jadon (and eventually Macy) to have when we travel. It. Is. AWESOME! We absolutely should have made this purchase sooner. It helped that it was $40 off the original price. Thanks, Target :) Too bad I had to listen to Bob the Stinkin' Builder over and over and over! Sick. Of. It. When and how did this become the flavor of the month???
Thankfully, we made it into the city just before the lunch hour traffic and were even able to get one of those spots in a lot that are always gone by noon. First stop, lunch at Poogan's Porch. Jamie and I have eaten there before, during our take it easy and relax and enjoy your meal days (AKA our days sans children).

Jamie and I split the fried green tomato BLT with pimento cheese and the shrimp and grits. Yummmy! Jadon really didn't make it much past the biscuits:

And a little flirting with his new favorite girl, Mackenzie:

I had to remind Macy that she must successfully eat rice cereal, before she can attempt a biscuit.

I gotta say lunch for me wasn't the easiest. First, there was no real A/C in the place because it has an open-air kind of thing going on. The ceiling fans just weren't cuttin' it with the 90* weather with 100% humidity. I had to nurse Macy in the restroom, just after we were seated. Since she was so hot (we all were), she didn't fall asleep, so I knew more fussing would ensue, and it did.

I didn't want to be stuck in the bathroom all day, so I pulled out a blanket and tried nursing her at the table (HATE it!). I was hot and sweaty, she was hot and sweaty, and her obnoxious brother wanted to keep squealing, while he tried to pinch her (not in a mean way, but still!). I'm hot and sweaty, she's hot and sweaty, and Jadon wanted to play comedian. Lucky me.

I was halfway between laughing and crying at the difficulty it takes to do what used to be such easy things, like eating lunch. Just before this pic was taken, Macy had reached out from under the blanket and grabbed a green bean. A green bean stuck in the fist of a 4 month old! While I'm nursing her! At the table! and my 2 yr. old is laughing and trying to expose his mother's boob and get his sister's attention! Sure guys, take a pic of this, so we can reminisce about it later...and I think they captured it. Ayeayeaye!

Honestly, Jadon and Macy were pretty near-perfect the entire trip, after lunch was over at least. Once we finished, we headed down King Street, stopping in several stores, so Mackenzie could grab some gifts for her family and do a little shopping for herself. Jadon had fun playing in J-Crew.
But before we made it to Gap, they were both out :)


Bleu was happy to see us (as always), as soon as she opened her eyes.


She was ready for some iced coffee from Starbucks!
Jadon just wanted to dream he was on a hammock on a wrap around porch, sipping sweet tea :)
Macy couldn't tear herself away from the phone, even though we were traveling. "Hey, Gramma. Yeah, we're in Charleston, and girl it is HOT! Oh, hey, I gotta run, Gramma. I see something I want."


"He always gets the good stuff!"
"Daddy gave me some, while Mommy wasn't looking." Dreams do come true!
We headed out of the city around 7:30pm, but there was a wreck on the bridge, so we sat in traffic FOREVER! After we finally crossed over into Mount Pleasant, we stopped at Whole Foods for dinner. Ahhh...a near-perfect day with my favorite people. The only thing missing was Gramma :( We missed you this day, Mom!

Asheville/Biltmore in Pics

First stop, downtown Asheville, so we could grab some lunch at Tupelo Honey Cafe. You may have seen Rachel Ray eat here on the Food Network. My custom-made grilled cheese with HOMEMADE tomato soup is worth noting, as was the french toast made from chullah bread and fresh blueberry sauce and almond slivers that we got to go...yummy! Jadon enjoyed the limes out of our water ;)

While Gramma was inside buying some Tupelo honey to take home to Grandpa (which we later accidentally threw away :(, Jadon was outside throwing a fit because he couldn't run around on the city sidewalk...near all of the traffic. We're terrible parents, I tell ya!

After we finally caved in, he said he no longer wanted to live with us or be our kid, so...

he searched the local real estate magazines for a new home in Asheville :/

Too bad for him, but we don't mind the fit throwing, so Daddy scooped him up and carried him back to the car.

Time for a quick family pic:

And a quick climb into the back of Gramma's NEW SEQUOIA! Sweet!

First stop at the Biltmore: River Bend Farm petting zoo. Jadon thought this guy looked like Gramma's dog Ziggy, so that's what he called him ;)

And when Gramma lifted him up close to this big guy, he pointed at his HUGE peepers and said, "ICE." :)

He let the baby goat lick his finger.

Then went for a roll in the Fall leaves we'll never get to play in here in SC :(

"I know what these are! Pumpkins!" While Gramma and Daddy checked out one of the gift shops at the Farm, Jadon played with the toys and dressed up like a Mexican cowboy???

"Ole!"

"I think I can. I think I can."

"Then again..."

"Maybe I'll just hang out here and play with the leaves."

If you ever plan to visit the Biltmore, I recommend you go after 3pm because you get in free the following day, so you actually get 1 1/2 days for the price of one. So Sunday morning, we headed back to tour the rest of the Estate. We only toured the first level of the home, which looks like Buckingham freakin' Palace! No strollers allowed through the home, and with a diaper bag, a purse and camera case to lug around, 'twas not gonna happen this time around, which was fine with everyone honestly. There were plenty of other sights to see:

Examining an acorn:

And while Gramma and Daddy enjoyed the wine tasting at the Winery... Jadon and his pregnant Mommy enjoyed grape juice: "All done!"

Thanks again, Gramma, for everything :) Obviously this trip couldn't have happened without you! Jadon says to tell you sorry for being a wild monster in the hotel room and for making you sing every children's song you could think of for three of the five hours on the ride home :/ But he also says you deserved it for making him cry by saying the word "no" in the car...you temporarily ruined his life...just kidding. He LOVED spending the weekend hanging out with his Gee :) And P.S. You made mine and Jamie's life by taking us to Panera Bread, not once, but TWICE!!! Happy Anniversary to us!