Jake is 9 months!

I always tell myself that I need to blog more, especially now that Jake seems to be growing by leaps and bounds every day. It these short 9 months, my little man is 30 ¼ inches long and 22lbs. He has mastered crawling and clearing everything lower than two feet from the ground. He is pulling up in the tub, the crib, on the baby gate – pretty much anywhere he can get his little fingers wrapped around – he is standing up. I’m pretty sure this time next month; our little man will be running around everywhere. Here he is headed to the Dr. for his 9 month check up! The boys are all getting so big. Luke and Cole are doing well as well as Big Sisters Emily and Sloan. I wish that we all got to spend more time together than we did – but lord it is a handle getting all these babies together. We are getting together at our house on Sunday for the first time really. Before the storm last year, we were still in the process of setting up our home – but really didn’t have anywhere comfortable for everyone to be. However, now – we have finally put our home back together after the terrible storm that blessed us with a new house. So we plan on spending this Father’s Day –relaxed at the house, watching some baseball, playing in the backyard with the kids and just enjoying each other’s company. What are your plans? Whatever they may be, make sure that special Daddy in your life knows you appreciate him. I don’t know what I would do without my man, he means so many things to me that when I see him with Jake it makes me smile to know that Jake will grow up with such a loving father who adores him! here is my favorite picture in Honor of Father's Day for the two men in my life...

I'm going to be outnumbered

Not sure why I was surprised, because as it was pointed out - those Donaldson's don't know how to have anything but boys :)

We are overjoyed to be welcoming Jacob James due in early September. He will go by Jake and I may or may not have already decided on his nickname.

Here is the latest pick of our little turkey.



The name has been picked and the preparations are being made to get Jake's room ready at the house that will be all decked out in owls.

Come to find out the boy train is still pulling around as my brother Todd and his wife, Keely are also expecting a little boy just three weeks after us.

Christmas will be interesting!

BIG NEWS!

By now, most everyone knows - but WE ARE HAVING A BABY!!! Not only are we having a baby though - my sweet brother and his wife are having one just a few weeks after us!

We are so excited and are looking forward to welcoming our bundle of joy around Labor Day weekend!

Wordless Wednesday

stopping to breathe.

It has been quite a whirl wind since I last posted. We have new baby in the family, spent much needed time with friends and finally got the siding put on the house.

Yes, Margaret Sloan Hardee has arrived and is 4 weeks old. She is so precious. She is one of those babies that make you want to have them yourself. She is so little and so sweet and so curious of the world around her. Thankfully, she is oblivious to all the wrong in the world and as long as she gets fed every 3-5 hours – everything is right in the world. If it was only like that at 24…

In the month of April, I got to catch up with some old sisters who I haven’t seen in a while. The thing I love about those girls is the fact that we can got a few months or even years and you get us back all in the same room and it is like no time has passed. We got to catch up and my friend Pratt’s lingerie/bachelorette part. We had a great time and had plans to go out afterwords – but we literally sat there and talked about old times and how in the world I am alive and how out of like ten of us, Michelle and I were the first to get married! Crazy huh? No kidding aside, I owe a lot to those girls – they brought me back to life after a time where I had lost my sense of being and who I was. They helped me find myself and again and helped me become a better person. I miss them all dearly – from the ones that live 30 minutes to the ones who now call Nashville their home. We all got back together a few weeks later as we watch Pratt marry her man in a gorgeous church in Huntsville and then we enjoyed each others company at the Huntsville Museum of Art for the reception. Needless to say, I came home and told Dillion I’d move to Huntsville – tomorrow…



I also got an opportunity to chaperon (go ahead and say it, I know you are all asking yourselves – am I even old enough to be a chaperon?) the current chapter to The Fox Theater in HotLanta! I had a blast along with the other girls and even danced a little without completely embarrassing the girls! We had a two hour bus ride over and then a two hour ride back – but it was worth it. For those of you who have been to the Fox – you believe me when I say that it is gorgeous. For those of you who haven’t been there, plan a trip like yesterday and go check it out!

Here is a picture of me and Meg all dressed up on the bus - ready to go!




Then to wrap up the month we went out Friday night to celebrate my very good friend Johanna’s bday. Along with Meg – these girls are the fresh breathe to my life. I love hanging out with them and it is never a dull time. We went to Cocina Superior for drinks and dinner and the food was delicious! We had a nice table out on the patio where we could be as loud as we wanted. I think they were warned ahead of time. Due to Dillion’s hectic work schedule, it was nice to have my man by my side and enjoy some much needed time together outside of the two of us and our four walls at home. Unfortunately, we decided not to venture out after dinner – Dill had to work and I wasn’t up for the marathon the girls had planned! See what I have to go through everytime I try to take a picture, I end up with like three sets of pictures!



Needless to say April was a very busy month – but I got to spend it with my lovely family, adoring friends and when work permitted some nice time with Dillion as well.

May started off with a bang with my friend Lindsey’s little girls 2nd birthday! They celebrated at the McWane Center and I can honestly say that the adults had as much fun as the kids. It was also nice to put some faces with names I hear throughout the day since Lindsey works like, literally 2 ½ feet from me. We have a great time at work. I think I can honestly say I enjoy my job more now than ever. We keep ourselves pretty entertained and she has turned out to be a really great friend and great source for advice. Here's a pic of us way back when one of our tenants gave us tickets to the Rockettes.



It has been a whirlwind – but I would have had it any other way. I have great friends, a new baby niece and made some decisions that are going to make life awesome!

Wordless Wednesday

Life goes on...

Sorry for the posting hiatus - but life got in the way since my last post and while there has been numerous events to talk about - there has been no such time to share...

sadly, St. Patrick's day has gone and past. It was once my favorite - mostly because it gave me an excuse to die food and beverages green - but this year it seemed to pass by just as any other day. This is a big deal if you knew me in college, as you see at one point I was convinced I had a little leprechaun in me and while my family comes from a Scotch Irish - background - I don't have much. Although, it was enough to make my ability to tan, well, zero.

Friday marked a momentous occasion in the Donaldson household. For the first time since 2004 - hubby went to the Dr. I think the Doctor's exact words were, "That is an awful looking ear, adn your "good" one - doesn't look that great either." So after two shots and a prescription of strong antibiotics, the hubster is finally getting some relief from a 3 or 4 year old ear infection. let's just pray that the meds work and we won't be in with an ENT in two weeks...

We celebrated Dillion's grandfathers 75th birthday on Sunday and it was good to get with family and see Granny back on her feet after a few trips in the hospital with her heart.

Monday was my first attempt to cook anything in a crock pot other than chili or a roast - both of which I'd rather cook another way. I can't remember at time in my childhood life that my mom cooked in a crock-pot - so the idea has befuddled me for years. Unfortunately, the business of life has caught up with me and the use of a crock- pot has captured my heart. First attempt was pepper steak. Standards were set high as we had just had homemade pepper steak for family dinner at my mom's the week before - but overall I was pleased - and more importantly D enjoyed it as well. So here is to a new, convenient way of cooking with out all the grease!

The countdown has begun, Baby Sloan could be making her appearance at any time. My sister is not due till the 7th - but at the latest Sloan will make her grand entrance by next Tuesday. I can't wait, I just can't wait....