Halloween Fun 2015

Our Halloween was spent with family and friends like usual. My Aunt hosts a Halloween party at her house each year, and that's where we spent our Friday night.

{My Mom and I}
Kaylee chooses what she wants to be for Halloween, and I always choose mine to go with her themed costume. We've taken the award home for "Best Costume" 2 years in a row. My sister-in-law and I won best costume for our "Toddlers and Tiaras" and Kyle won most creative being a "One-Nightstand". The next year Kaylee and I won best costume for "Alice and the Mad Hatter".

 

This year we have Asher, so we made it a family affair. We planned for Asher to be Batman, Kaylee chose to be Robin, and I was going to be Cat Woman. Well, the girls version of Robin wasn't sold in any of our local stores, and we didn't have enough time to have it shipped via online purchase... So, she decided to go with a Spider Girl costume instead. I bought cat ears and a tail for myself and threw on a black long shirt with a pair of leggings, and Asher's outfit was a gift from our baby shower that fit just perfect!

Kaylee decided that playing with all of her friends was so much more important than taking any pictures, BUT I was able to get one with her in it. Go figure the only picture I have with her in it would have a glare in Asher's eye! Oh well though the superheroes are together, and it's better than no photo at all.

Asher on the other hand isn't big enough to argue when I ask to take pictures. So, I was able to get a few with him until he decided he was over it. K doesn't close his shop until 7pm, so he arrived about an hour after we did. He wore his zombie mask again this year... 

  I was so worried that Asher would be terrified of the mask, but he actually laughed at it and then reached for the dang thing. He definitely doesn't take after his Momma when it comes to "scary" things! I'm a total wimp that just so happens to be afraid of everything. No lie.

One of his baby friends came dressed as a superhero as well. They were so cute, and kept checking one another out. It was precious. Superman and Batman were so funny. Asher's a little unsure at first, and then he decides he likes him. Ha!

Unfortunately this year we didn't win the award for "Best Costume", and lost that title... Next year it's on though! I'll plan in advance like I usually do because by then I'll have this whole Mom of 2 thing down. Hopefully. Although Kaylee and I didn't bring home the prize, Asher did get the "Hunkiest Costume" award. He was a pretty chunky Batman... I mean hunky.

... and then he decided he was hungry, and figured out the award wasn't giving him what he was looking for! Superheroes have to eat too, ya know. So I nursed him right there in the living room during the party. I'm all for normalizing breastfeeding. Little dude ate, was done partying, and passed out for the night.

We went trick-or-treating around my brother and sister-in-law's subdivision Halloween night. It's a huge neighborhood so we made it down 4 different streets within the subdivision before Kaylee was done. It got dark out faster than expected so I wasn't able to get any pictures with my phone. After we finished trick-or-treating, we walked back to their house to enjoy a big pot of chili and some football. My brother surprised us with frying up some gator tail, scallops, and fish that were off the chain. It doesn't get much better than that!  

 

It was a great weekend with my zombie and little superheroes. I can't wait for Halloween next year when Asher is able to walk around with his big sister!

 

Asher Graham - A Birth Announcement

 Hi Friends! 

For the last few weeks the Turner household has been getting used to our new schedule and routine since baby Asher's arrival. 

If you follow along with my Instagram then you've already gotten a glimpse of the cuteness overload I've been posting...

Today, our photographer sent over the files for Asher's birth announcement. As always, she didn't disappoint, and I'm in love with the finished product. I can't wait to send them out to all of our family and friends.

 While my little guy is sleeping, I wanted to share his birth announcement with all of you!

With such joy the Turner's introduce to you...

The three of us are completely smitten and so in love with this little bundle of joy. He's absolutely perfect. We love snuggling and kissing those chubby little cheeks of his. Asher completes our family perfectly, and we couldn't be happier. God is so good!

Stay tuned for the birth story coming soon...

 

Maternity Love in Photos

When I was pregnant with Kaylee, I didn't really take many photos of the pregnancy. We didn't have a maternity session because that type of photography just wasn't a "big deal" those some odd 8 and a half years ago. I've always regretted not documenting my pregnancy with her. So, I knew if there was a next time, I would definitely do things differently, and I would document.

 

My chalkboard updates fell off a few weeks ago... I know. This last trimester has pretty much been worse than the first. I've had absolutely NO energy, dreams of sleeping the day away, nausea, back pain, migraines, you name it! Blogging hasn't been much of a priority, but I've at the very least tried posting each week of pregnancy; even if it means a dirty mirrored office bump picture.

 

Anyways, our photographer wasn't available for the time I wanted, and then I got sidetracked and completely ran out of time to schedule a maternity session period. A group of us had planned a family weekend trip to my Dad's farm in Georgia. I didn't want to regret not capturing this pregnancy like I did the first time around, so I asked my sister-in-law to bring her camera and snap a few family/belly shots while on the farm.

 

Here are a few maternity photos she took during that weekend...

This family shot is one of my absolute favorites by far... it seriously melts my heart each and every time I look at it!

Even though she doesn't consider herself a "photographer" and only does it just to do it, my sister-in-law has some talent. She's pretty awesome with a camera. I couldn't be any happier with the way these photos turned out. They will most definitely be treasured memories for the years to come. We can't say thank you enough for documenting this special time in our lives, and capturing these precious family moments before Asher comes! I can't wait to show him when he is older.

 

Thursday Bump Date - 36 Weeks

9 Months Along

and my entire world in one photograph!

{Photo taken at exactly 36 Weeks during our Baby Shower}

How far along? 36 Weeks & 5 Days

Total weight gain/loss: 35.5 pounds per the scale at my Doctor’s office.

Maternity clothes? Still in both maternity and pre-pregnancy pieces.

Sleep: My body is definitely getting used to waking up multiple times a night, and preparing itself for when Asher comes. I’m up 3-4 times a night now.

Best moment this week: Hosting our baby shower, getting tons of goodies for you, and spending time with our family and friends. You are already loved oh so much, and beyond blessed to have such amazing people in your life!  

Have you told family and friends: Most definitely.

Movement: Your big movements have slowed down this week. I know you’re running out of room in there… not quite sure how I can possibly stretch anymore and we still have a few weeks to go.

Food cravings: Water, Lemonade, Pineapple, Broccoli, and Chicken salad sandwiches

Anything making you queasy or sick: I got sick over the weekend, but not sure why. It just hit me out of nowhere, and I ran for the bathroom.

Have you started to show yet: Definitely.

How big is baby? The length of a head of romaine lettuce – 18.5 inches in length, and weighing around 6 pounds.

Gender: Boy.

Labor Signs: None.

Pregnancy Symptoms: Daily acid reflux, back pain seems to be getting worse by the day, some constipation still, aches and pains in my lower tummy, and have started experiencing Braxton Hicks contractions.

Belly Button in or out? In and it’s there to stay

What I miss: My bed while I’m at work trying to take a nap in my office during lunch break…

What I am looking forward to: The annual Spring Time parade this weekend, working on the nursery, and a trip to Babies R Us to exchange a few things from the baby shower that we received in multiples.

Wedding rings on or off? On – my fingers have started mildly swelling this week along with my feet more so in the afternoons.

Happy or Moody most of the time: I’m pretty content and getting more anxious by the day!

Milestones: Purchasing your “Coming Home” outfit, and your big sister’s matching outfit is in the process of being made. Working on the nursery; going through and putting away all of your little baby things in their designated places.  

 

Being a FUN Mom

While browsing Pinterest earlier, this article on Kids Activity Blog caught my eye. I like to think I'm a "fun" Mom, and Kaylee has voiced it enough times in the past. So, naturally, I read the article to see if I've done or do any of the listed ways. Surprisingly, Kaylee and I do over half of the 20 listed below. I live to hear her laugh and giggle. It's the best. Therefore, I do the craziest things and find ways just to hear that sound. After reading the full list, I've added a handful of new fun things for us to do, and make memories from.

 

The article gives a total of 47 ways you could be a fun mom, but I've only copied and listed the first 20 below; you can refer to the article for the remaining 27. 

20 Ways YOU Can Be A Fun Mom!

1. Do pranks together – your kids will love bringing some surprise to another person’s day.
2. Make your kids laugh with a tickle fight, or one of the other 10 ideas on that page.
3. A great post on how one mom became the fun police.  We don’t always realize how much we hover over our children, trust them and take a tiny step back.
4. Have a silly face contest – see who can have the wackiest face.  Here are some face printables that will make your child giggle.
5. Have a family slumber party.   Everyone (even mom and dad) should bring their sleeping bags and camp out on the living room floor.
6. Take your kids out on a date and celebrate “family day”.
7. Have a playground scavenger hunt.  Use this list of things to find and do and travel around to new playgrounds to find them.  This is a great adventure for the family.
8. Make and share a milkshake, together – here is our peanut butter shake recipe.  You can even blow bubbles in the cup!
9. Read a story, or ten, to your child.  On a favorite book, put yourself or your child into the book, replace the name of one of the characters with your child’s name.
10. You can have a good time learning, too!  Here are five really fun ways to teach science.  Go outside on a hot day with a cup of water and learn about condensation!
11. Make super spy pipe-cleaner disguises together and talk to each other in your “spy voices”.
12. Have a bubble “war” – make bubble shooters and blast each other with bubbles.
13. Find an app and play *together* – my kids love teaching me their favorite games.
14. And… turn off the devices, have a afternoon focused just on your child – here are great hands-free mama tips.
15. Tell your kids a knock-knock joke.
16. Give your kids a big canvas to paint on.  Here are eight different ideas like throwing away the paper and try painting on an old fence, the windows (with window markers, of course) or the bath tub.
17. Give your kids a piggy back ride… and if you are a dad, here are another 25 tips for connecting with your kids
18. Go on a road-trip – for ice-cream.  Go on a meandering ride with your kids and stop for ice-cream on the way home.
19. Take a moment every evening to tell your child how much you love them and talk about the fun things you did together – reflect on family time.
20. Have a song that is just for you and your child… be silly and dance to it.

 

These really are some great ways to enjoy your kid(s) while creating everlasting memories each of you will cherish for the years to come. Kids really do grow up much faster than we ever could imagine. The years have literally flown by since K and I had Kaylee 7 years ago. We make sure to enjoy this time with her as much as possible because it will be gone in the blink of an eye, and we will never get these years back. Don't take the time with your kids for granted. Make them laugh, be adventurous, and create memories for them to look back on. You'll never regret time spent as a family. 

 

  Go and be the fun Mom that I know all of you are. 

 

Add your fun ways to the above list, and share them with all of the other Moms out there.

 

The Monticello Karting Track



My brother-in-law and a childhood friend of the Turner brother's share the same birthday. So this past Saturday was spent celebrating the guys turning the big 3-OH at the Monticello Karting Track! We had a group of 10 or so make the hour drive out for a fun day of riding and racing.

 The racing track in Monticello has been deemed the #8th best track in the world! There are so many twists and turns, and these karts register speeds at 50+ mph. Our crew averaged a speed of 40-45 mph. The track is just over a mile in length, and the group was given 10 laps around the entire track upon completion of the initial 20 laps used for the "driving school" portion on the short track.

The pricing is pretty reasonable for the session our group went with. Each person paid $70 which included; 30 laps (20 on the short track, 10 on the big track), safety driving class (this is mandatory for first time riders of the track), and racing gear (helmet, jacket, neck brace, and gloves). We spent well over three hours at the place. It was definitely worth the price, and money well spent. Everyone had a blast!

Kaylee wasn't allowed to ride on the track with the adults. The owner promised to let her drive a lap around the short track if the group scheduled after us didn't make it by the time our group finished. Unfortunately, the second group was there waiting as we were finishing. She was bummed, but K and I promised to bring her out again with a friend so they can ride around the track together, and that appeased her. Instead of being able to ride, she tried on some of the racing gear, and we sat in the stands watching our group race one another and wipeout around the corners!

... and this is what a day spent on the Monticello Karting track looks like in pictures...

Once the everyone finished racing, we were able to go take a look in the "showroom" at the cars and memorabilia. The guys loved it; they were pretty much in heaven. Each were plotting ways they could all pitch in and buy one of the cars in the showroom!

If you happen to be in the North Florida area, and are looking for something fun to do, I would highly recommend hitting up the Monticello Karting Track! Everyone really enjoyed it, and talked about it the rest of the afternoon. I know if I would have been able to ride, I would have loved it just as much. I'm already planning my trip out to the track after baby comes!

 



Valentine's Day Breakfast Fun

This Valentine's Day will be our last one as a family of three. I've been thinking of something fun to do with Kaylee, and have a few ideas in mind. As usual, I turned to my trusty Google search engine in hopes of finding possibilities to the ideas I'm envisioning.

 

Google never disappoints.

 

My vision includes a little "love" breakfast with a backdrop and mini photo booth setup with props. The plan is to wake up early, set everything up, cook, and surprise her when she wakes. Just a little something fun, creative, and cute to start the day with. I love creating family memories that she and we will cherish for the years to come!   

 

I myself believe all holiday's to be magical. There's just something so blissful about them. I always adore watching that little face of hers light up with such joy and happiness, but particularly so on these special occasions. 

 

These are the few breakfast ideas I've found via my Google searches...

{via: The DC Ladies}

{via: Project Nursery}

{via: Tatertots & Jello}

    

Next are some backdrop ideas for behind the table, and the mini photo booth via Google searching...

{via: Catch My Party}

{via: Candice Stringham}

{via: Hank & Hunt}

 

These few finds have definitely helped in bringing the vision I have to life. They've even shown me a few new ideas that can be used for the V-day family breakfast I have planned. I still have photo props that didn't get printed or used last year. Now to pulling it all together and making it happen. 

 

I can't wait to see Kaylee's reaction Valentine's Day morning!!