Butterflies & Burritos

Since Emerson was off on her Christmas road trip adventure with Grammy and Papa, that meant I got to sleep a little later than usual, and then go straight to work instead of school first. I had some CFA points racked up in my app, so I stopped to order myself breakfast on the way, and got my burrito & hash browns for free! (I was stuffed after the burrito though, so I gave away my hash browns to a friend.)

I am 17 weeks pregnant today, and Baby is the size of a turnip. We’re doing good, and although I’m still tired, I’m not quite as exhausted as a few weeks ago. We will find out the gender on January 5th, and although that’s “just” three weeks away, I’m dying to know!

Even though Grammy posted all of her pictures on Facebook, I wanted to share some of them here on my blog as well, to preserve the memories here too. So Emmie found Sheppy hiding in Grammy’s bag, they got dressed and packed up, and then they ended up at Emerson’s fave breakfast spot, to get her fave McGriddle.

 

They went to Hobby Lobby for a quick visit, and then back to Callaway Gardens to visit the butterfly sanctuary, and the beautiful little chapel.

When she was telling me tonight about these giant bugs, I was playing like I was scared and said OH NO, and she said, “But they were like, not the kind that hurt ya.”

She was so busy this morning and through lunch, and even in the car on the ride home, and she kept fighting a nap for the longest time. But then she finally fell asleep mid-lollipop!

I had my leftovers from Bento from Saturday night, and even though it was only half of the entree, it was still super filling, and still super yummy. I also started a new library Kindle book, and made it about 25% in, and I’ve very interested already.

So a few months back, our whole families started collecting can tabs to send back to the Ronald McDonald House, where we stayed for Emerson’s open-heart surgery. I’ve been spreading the word to some of our friends and co-workers as well, and set up a little collection cup in my office. Well then today, my Bureau Chief comes in with these three gallon size bags FULL of tabs! So incredible!! The plan is to collect all year, and send them back to them around the 1-year anniversary of Emerson’s surgery next September. So, if you want to collect them for us, we’ll add them to our now gigantic collection! (You can save tabs from ANY can, not just drinking cans, but also the larger tabs on soup cans, tuna/chicken cans, veggie cans, and fruit cans.)

I made plans with my Mama to meet up with them to get Emmie when they got back in town. We planned to meet up in the parking lot in front of Cracker Barrell, and I got there about 15 minutes early. But literally right at 5:30 and right as they were pulling in, I finished my audio book, so that was perfect timing. As I shared on my Instagram stories all weekend, my goal for this year was 100 books, and this was #97. I think I’m gonna make it!

When they pulled up, I found this sleepy girl just absolutely passed out! If she ever falls asleep in the car, she’ll usually wake up as soon as the car stops, or a door shuts. But the car stopped, multiple doors shut, and she didn’t stir. I touched her cheek and her hair and talked quietly, and she still didn’t wake. I messed with her a few more times, and still nothing. Grammy tried to talk to her and nudge her, and nothing. I uncovered her, and she slept on. Finally, after about five minutes, I started to unbuckle her, and that’s what finally woke her up! She was so worn out after her big adventure!

She was still very slow to wake up, and just wanted Grammy to hold her for a while. So we slowly got all her stuff into my car, while she laid her head on Grammy’s shoulder, and finally perked up enough to decide she wanted to hug her Mama. She was so incredibly sweet and sleepy and just wanted all the loves.

We went through the drive-thru at KFC for Jeff and I, but Emmie only wanted a PB&J for dinner, which she quickly devoured, and then asked for her fancy, glittery butterfly lollipop from Callaway Gardens.

We started bedtime a little early tonight, in hopes that if it took a little longer, she would still hopefully get to sleep at a good time. The plan worked, and although there was of course some whining and push-back, it was pretty minimal, and she gave up pretty easily, and was asleep just a few minutes past 8pm, even with her very late-afternoon car nap.

I’m so glad my girl had such a great time with her Grandparents on her first out-of-town trip without her parents, but I missed this nugget! I was so glad to see her this afternoon, and glad to have her chatterbox self back in my car and in the house 🙂 We were talking about some issue or problem in the car (wish I could remember), so I said, “And how did that work out?” She very nonchalantly said, “Worked out fine.” This girl cracks me up.

Heading to warm up with a blanket on the couch now, and probably grab a cookie or two.