Travel Time!

Over the weekend we headed to Atlanta for a full weekend of traveling fun! This would be the first of many trips for Harrison to the Atlanta area. Heidi and Harrison did a great job the whole way back and forth - thank goodness! The first stop was going to be to see baby Maddie, but due to horrible traffic {how do you people do it everyday?} we went ahead to the hotel room to get ready for Lindsay's wedding. It was a good call to go to the hotel first giving the kids a few minutes to stretch out of their car seats.

Mr. & Mrs. Chad Allen

 Heidi enjoying the glow sticks provided.

 

 My sweet girl

 Ellyn - she sang in our wedding :) 

Now she is a personal trainer - I need her to come to my house majorly!

Lindsay's mom - she loved little Harrison :)

Courtyard gals {plus Heidi - with no shoes} together again!

Family pic

Saturday morning we woke up after a nice stay at the hotel {John mentioned, and I agreed, that checking into a hotel even if just for a night seems like a mini vacation} and breakfast we headed to visit baby Maddie. She was only about 30 minutes away from where we were so we couldn't miss the opportunity!

Heidi loved holding the babies.

These days it is the only way we can get her picture :)

Next we headed to John's hometown to make it just in time for Gavin's {our nephew} last baseball game of the season. We stayed at John's brother's house for the night and the kids had such a fun time playing. It is so nice to have kids in the stage where they will play together giving us moms and dads a chance to visit. Heidi's Nana and Paw-Paw came to visit for a little bit as well. 

John just could not resist being out on the field

And, we have a streaker! Heidi ran out onto the field.

Without shoes...notice a pattern here?

Heidi and Grace

Aunt Bekah and Gavin holding Harrison

Uncle Brad with Harrison

{picture taken by Heidi}

Nana and Harrison

Heidi in skates for the first time!

 Playing outside!

Heidi loves to drive the cars!

It was a great time this weekend and even though we did not get to see everyone we had intended upon visiting we had so much fun! Luckily we have plenty more trips planned so we will eventually make it to see everyone on our list. 

Water & Rice

One of Heidi's favorite activities is pouring things into other things. She was given a cute little tea set by her Great-Aunt this past weekend and she has loved serving us "tea" {water} every moment she can. For awhile she would pour water into multiple water and bowls - just because. The other day she asked for rice and it was probably because a few months ago I gave her a ton of cups and let her pour rice in and out of the cups while I was cooking dinner. Today she asked for rice again and lots of bowls. So, while I attempted to clean I let her play with the rice. Next she asked for water - I knew this could get messy - so I told her she could play with the rice and water only if she played outside.

I took her table and all the bowls, rice, and water outside and she played and played. Heidi would ask for water a few times and when she would come in she would track in some of the rice so finally I got out a few beach buckets and let her play with the water outside. It was nice and warm and what kid doesn't enjoy playing in the water spicket? Not only that, but Harrison was cluster feeding and getting a little fussy so it gave me some time to hold and feed him as well as cut up the fruit and veggies I had gotten at the store.

If you ever need a moment to yourself or to get things done I highly suggest the water and rice!

...and of course this little guy just wanted to hang out {he spent a majority of the day awake - yay!} and check out everything around him. He was only happy if he was sitting up :)

Heidi's Date

Friday our little Goose had her very first "big" date night. Heidi got all dressed up and her date came to pick her up at the door with a little flower for her to wear. It was the cutest thing how Heidi tried so hard not to smile as I pinned the flower on her little sweater. Heidi's date picked her up at about 6PM because they had dinner plans at 6:30 and it was to be a night of dinner, dancing, and fun! I did manage to snap a little picture of Heidi with her very handsome date.

John took Heidi to a Father/Daughter dinner that was hosted by our church. There are not many pictures from the actual event because I believe Heidi took the camera and there are a ton of random shots. John was able to capture a few photos and videos on his cell phone though! John and Heidi had such an amazing time and both came back all smiles. They even brought me a cupcake! Poor little goose was not feeling 100%, but she still had so much fun. Apparently the best part was being able to dance with her cousin Georgia.

I was sort of jealous they were going out for a fun night. Something I have to admit is that I am very selfish with Heidi. I want to be there for every single thing, big or small, that Heidi is involved in. Missing out, or even thinking about missing out, on something makes me so sad. One example is that I have had in my head that I am going to be induced at 38 weeks which falls on Easter weekend. I was so upset about potentially missing out on Heidi hunting Easter eggs. I could not get it out of my head that I would be missing such a sweet memory with her while I was in the hospital. {Sidebar - I will not be missing out on any Easter celebrations}.

In general I am going to have to learn that there are going to be things in Heidi's life that I will not be able to be there for. There are dates and adventures Heidi will take that I am going to have to sit back and wait as she tells me all about what she just experienced. I am already picturing Heidi coming home after a night of fun and snuggling in the bed with me telling me all about her night. This was probably the first time I actually felt a little left out not being able to see the joy and fun Heidi had that night. As much as I want to smother and be part of everything Heidi is doing I have to realize there are things her daddy needs to be part of that I need to be out of the picture.

It is such a blessing that at Heidi's young age she is already learning what to look for in a husband. Having her daddy come to the door, pick her up, give her a flower, to treat her so special about the date - that is amazing. Starting at this age and continuing on {because Heidi has already been talking about how she is ready for another date} with John treating her like such a little lady is going to do great things for her self-esteem. Heidi will know what to look for in a man when it comes time. The standards are already being set so high for Heidi's future husband and I know that with this being shown to her so early she will not accept anything but the best when the time comes.

John attends a men's prayer breakfast at our church once a week and the guys were able to bring their daughters with them the most recent time. Heidi and I already had plans for that day and it was kind of early for her to be up so she missed out on that, but John said the message was great. They talked about making time for their daughters and how valuable a relationship is between and father and daughter. I could go on and on, but I won't. For now I leave you with some sweet dance moves by Heidi's Uncle Hubert. Just kidding. I don't think I have the video.....