nursery projects

We've had a few projects going for the nursery, due to Hammond's new skills and to his ever-growing toy collection.

The first was this chalkboard wall above his crib.  If you remember, we'd had these framed prints (from Guess How Much I Love You) above.  One day I came in to find this....

And the next day, I heard a big thud and found one frame had been pulled off the wall.

So I knew it was time for a change.  I'd seen something similar at a friend's house, and decided to try it myself.  I used Martha Stewart's super simple tutorial so that I could make it whatever color of my choosing.  I used a hot glue gun to glue a rope as a border, and voila.  Should last us at least through the next year of seasons...I hope.

I also bought some super cheap rubber band gliders from Amazon that I strung from the ceiling...kind of like my own make-shift mobile...to fill some dead space above the new baskets that are housing all of our fun, new big(ger) boy toys.  

Detox

I've thought about doing a juice cleanse/detox for a few years now.  I've had some friends try it, and to be honest, the idea of a cleanse for my body just sounds all healthy and trendy.  I mean, doesn't everybody like the idea of ridding your body of all of its toxins?

Anyhow, I decided to give it a try, and I'd heard Ardens Garden had an easy, short, affordable one (I mean, it's just 2 days!).  Here's what they say about their 2 day cleanse.

The 2 Day Detox is a unique blend of fresh juices that helps cleanse, detoxify and rejuvenate your body. These fresh citrus juices supply you with minerals, antioxidants and more than 100% of the recommended daily allowance of essential vitamins. The 2 Day Detox is based on the time-tested European method of periodic fasting which cleanses the body. Drink one gallon of detox each day – as much distilled water as desired – and remember, no food!

(Taken from the Ardens Garden website)

Made a quick trip to Whole Foods on our way back from Augusta (where we were wined and dined by Honey & Daddy Big...and enjoyed every minute of it!), enjoyed some Mexican on Sunday night with our college students, and was ready to start the detox the next day.  Here are my thoughts...

- the juice is really tart (it's a combination of lemon, grapefruit, orange juices and water), and gets harder to drink throughout the day.  it also tastes terrible after you brush your teeth.  best enjoyed over ice, in my opinion.

- day 1 STINKS - It was really, really hard for me (but keep in mind, that I'm someone who has little willpower when it comes to food).  it also didn't help that i was having to make food 4x/day for the little man.

- i really didn't feel too hungry, and if i did i just drank more juice which made my stomach stopped rumbling.  looks like it was just the taste of food that i was craving!

- day 2 was much more manageable, as my cravings were a little more controlled.  it probably helped that i knew i was just a day away,too.

- turns out i actually lost 4 pounds in the process (which wasn't the goal, but i'll take it), and i did feel like it was a good restart for my body.  keep in mind that you're consuming a lot of fluid...i had to use the restroom all day long (and night, too...i also have a ridiculously small bladder).  i also found it harder to consume as much water as i usually do bc of all of the extra fluids, which left me with quite a headache (i also seem to require more water than the average bear).

Would I do it again?  If you'd asked me Monday, I would have said no way.  If you'd asked me yesterday, I'd have said probably not.  If you asked me today, I'd say maybe.  And tomorrow I'll probably say sure!  Guess we'll just have to see.

1st Birthday Party

For Hammond's first birthday, Jamie and I decided we would celebrate him (of course) and the fact that he and I had made it through one full year of parenting!  Woohoo.  So we threw a big celebration with our friends and his. :)

Here are a few snapshots of the celebration...

Hadley was a huge help setting up the kids' snacks

(popcorn, goldfish, raisins, apples)

the dessert table

I made a banner of pictures from Hammond's first year...it was

one of my favorites.  and i still haven't taken it down yet!

beverages just taste better out of a mason jar + a striped straw :)

family photo

 And then came the cake...

wait for it...

wait for it...

 and the meltdown!

Outside of the cake meltdown -- I'm thinking it had more to do with all of the attention on him and the birthday song -- the rest of the birthday celebration sure was fun!  And I loved celebrating his first year of life.  

The Great Baby Race

Running a little behind, but what's new?  I'd like to say it's the perfect timing for this post, since little man is officially walking!  So, we'll just go with that. 

Back in January, when we were still crawling like a speed demon, we entered Hammond into Georgia State's Great Baby Race.  Turns out, Jamie and I just happened to be at the GSU basketball game two years ago when they had the race.  And it. is. hilarious.  The babies are about as unpredictable as chickens.  Most of them, at least.  Turns out, not my baby. :)

All we needed was mama holding his favorite stuffed doggy & lovey at the end, and he was off.  

 started our day lifting some light weights :)

(he actually just happened to get into mom's post-baby

& pathetically light weights)

and ended our day chewing on this huge trophy

Hammond & Pounce

cheering on the team after our big win

Here's a short video of his win, from mama's view (pardon my screaming :)

And here's one from the stands (a little longer)...

Hammond went on to spend the night with Grandma Sue-Sue that night, and turns out, the parents got to have dinner on our 9 month old that night.  That's right...prize money!  And a few tickets to the zoo, that we'll be sure to use this summer!

Hammond was even featured on the news!  Hilarious.  Hope we haven't already peaked in our athletic endeavors!!

Baptism

February 24th was one of those days that I added to my short bullet point list of things I will never forget.  

I got baptized.

You can hear my story in a nutshell in the video below.  When I accepted Jesus, when I started pursuing a personal relationship with Him, and when I realized I needed to be baptized.  

Molly Hargather from Buckhead Church Baptisms on Vimeo.

this is the picture of my wonderful and enormous family

that they accidentally left out of the video :)

I'll never be able to put into words how grateful I am that God changed the heart of a stubborn, rebellious teenager.  He has changed my life in so many more ways than I could have imagined.  He gives me hope in a world that is often hopeless.  He gives me joy when I'm not feeling it.  And He offers peace when the storms are raging.  He is the only source of true life, and that life is irreplaceable.  

But what overwhelmed me the morning of my baptism most specifically was the community of people who have come into my life because He saved me.  Most of my closest friends from college thru today are a part of my life because we share our love for Jesus. And my husband and I chose each other because of our love for Jesus. 
(I certainly can't imagine my life without him (or sweet little Hammond)!)

I understand that some of you don't know Jesus and some of you don't care to.  But, based on my relationship with Him, I really do pray that one day you'll know Him the way that I do.  

Dear Hammond James...

Happy first birthday!!  

(Well, technically happy birthday + 6 days...I'm still catching up!)

I could not be more grateful that God chose me to be your mama.  Being a mom has been one of the biggest challenges that I've faced so far, but more than that, it's been one of the most gratifying experiences yet.  I wish I could show you just how much I love you.

You are full of LIFE, and so curious about everything going on around you.  But, like your daddy (and unlike your mama), you like to sit back and take it all in.  You are content watching everything unfold around you, and being on the outskirts of all the action.  

You are determined to perfect whatever you start (or at least that's the excuse I am giving for the fact that you've been crawling for SIX months!).  

Finally, you have such a tender heart and are full of love.  I have no doubt that you will be strong and courageous as you grow (very manly characteristics), but you can't be the best of those without the first two listed. :)  Thanks for loving your daddy and I so well.  

I can't believe a year has already flown by, and I know these others will just go faster.  Again, I'm so blessed to be your mama, and continue to pray that you know Jesus more and more over the years and that we can help lead you into a growing relationship with Him.  

12 month update:

- we're off formula and bottles completely!  he basically eats whatever we eat (except that I probably feed him a much more balanced meal than I do myself :).  

- some of his favorites? eggs, zucchini, veggie burgers, turkey burgers, chicken burgers (!), fruit of all kind, yogurt, oatmeal, toast, and it just goes on and on

- still naps twice a day (has pretty much dropped the evening nap), but due to some commitments, our schedule isn't quite as set.  which throws us off some.

- has 4 teeth fully in, and 2 more on the way

- drinks lots of water a day (like his mama)

- LOVES all of his new toys that he got for his birthday....we hadn't updated our toy box since he was a baby...oops!

- is taking some steps, but still prefers crawling

- still lots of babbling, and I like to convince myself that it makes sense (mamamama while looking at me means that he knows, right?!)

what's going on...

I realize this has been a blog of empty promises, but here are a few things that have been keeping us busy, busy, busy...

lots of eating!

mommy play dates

catching up on the Bachelor

[sidenote: I wasn't quite as impressed with this

season as my high hopes had thought I would be, but I am

excited for him and Catherine!]

acting like monkeys

winning trophies

(I've got a post coming on this...hilarious)

vacationing with cousins

we even took Hammond tubing!  he had to be in his own tube,

and it was faster than I'd thought, but he loved it. 

hanging out with college kids

standing on his own!

tasting limes :)

cheering on Victor and Lucas at the tennis match,

while Michael sits there looking like a dad :)

our favorite Brazilians!

walking with our click clack alligator

(but not on our own yet!)

celebrating this beautiful bride-to-be!

Publix half marathon

celebrating the birthday week of THIS kiddo!!
(cannot believe he's going to be ONE on Thursday)