Blondie Thoughts: It's Football Time in Tennessee

As we approach the end of August there is an excitement that starts building throughout the South.  No, not for that last beach trip, pool party, or grill out.  I'm talking college football people!  Now I live in Greenville, SC so there's a different orange here that people get excited about, but I'm a born and raised Tennessee Volunteer and my blood will always bleed TN Orange.  It's this time of year I miss Knoxville the most.  The excitement, the anticipation, the tradition, the camaraderie...you TN fans know what I'm talking about.  I mean you can't beat it.  Blame it on the pregnancy hormones but I am feeling a little nostalgic so I thought I'd share a few pics of my TN Football experiences through the years...
I was a Vol fan at a very young age.

This is where my love of TN came from...my Dad.

I met my hubby at TN.
We sit in freezing cold rain to support the Vols.

 Fun times!

There's quite a rivalry going in our family.  We have a few Gators in our midst...Sorry Hannah and Kelly y'all weren't there to represent.  Looks like the Gators are outnumbered here.  ;)
James is really outnumbered here!

My 2 lil Vol fans

Neyland Stadium.  There really are no words to describe being in this stadium.  It's definitely something everyone should experience.

If these pics leave you wanting a lil more football, check out this blog for some great tailgating recipes, tips, and stories. Tailgating Through the South

Now who's ready for some football?! Here's to a wonderful 2014 Football season!   V-O-L-S, go Vols go!     

Baby Moon

Adam and I decided to take one last trip this summer (just us this time).  Where did we go?  Bet you'll never guess.  We made the short drive down to Charleston which of course is our favorite getaway.  This time we stayed in Mt. Pleasant at The Inn at I'On.  It was quite a bit cheaper than staying downtown so we decided to try it.  Let me tell you it was fabulous!  I highly recommend it if you're looking for a quiet weekend getaway.  The location is great too because you are right across the bridge from downtown Charleston and a short drive from Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms.  


Big, spacious rooms


This was a very low key trip.  It was absolutely wonderful to relax and not be on a time schedule or rushing around.  We basically ate, did a little beach and pool duty despite the 100 degree temps, relaxed, and ate some more...the perfect little getaway for a preggo mommy with toddler twins.
Speaking of eating, this time we branched out (a little) and tried a couple of new places.  
When we go to town Friday we hit up Butcher & Bee for a late lunch. I forgot to take a pic of our food so this is the best I can do.   It was wonderful!  A nice change from the usual lunch fare.
Friday night we had reservations at Langdon's, which is in Mt. Pleasant and actually ended up being a minute drive from where we were staying.  Wow!  It was excellent!  Again I forgot to take pics of the food but everything we had was to die for.  I highly suggest the grouper but I'm positive you can't go wrong.
Saturday morning we woke up and leisurely enjoyed our coffee (sans kiddos) on the beautiful porch we had right off our room.  It's funny the things you used take for granted before kids. Now simple things like relaxing in the morning with a cup of coffee is a rare luxury.

We had wonderful big breakfast every morning at the inn.  Since the temps were supposed to reach near 100 Saturday, we headed out early to Sullivan's Island for a little beach time before lunch.  I have to say I enjoyed sitting and watching all the mommies run after their little ones while my butt sat in a chair and read magazines.  Again, a rare luxury.
Since we branched out on Friday for our meals, Saturday was all about tried and true favorites.   Lunch was at Poe's of course.  If you've never been to Poe's and you are near Sullivan's Island, GO!  Hands down best burger, fish tacos, and most refreshing beer you will ever have.  Of course I couldn't partake of those ice cold brews this time but I'm already looking forward to next summer!

Mouth watering yet?

After braving the 108 degree heat index on the beach and a quick trip to the The I'On Club pool, I was ready to relax in the air conditioning.  

Saturday night we debated on whether or not to try somewhere new for dinner, but our  fave Thai spot won out yet again, Basil Thai.

Sunday morning we took a walk around the I'On neighborhood.  This is seriously the most beautiful neighborhood/community I have ever seen!  The homes are modeled after the beautiful downtown Charleston homes and what amazed me is that no two looked exactly alike.  This is a huge neighborhood too.

Beautiful, isn't it?

19 weeks belly shot

We were able to squeeze in another hour or so at the beach Sunday morning and the heat finally broke so the weather was absolutely perfect!

And yes we went back to Poe's again.  We couldn't leave without getting a burger.  We only got fish tacos the day before, ha ha.  I would be mad at myself if I didn't taste that insane burger one last time this summer.

Back to School

It's that time of year...Back to School, Back to School.  Even though the boys aren't starting until September, everyone else seems to be starting this week.  I have always loved this time of year.  I always looked forward to buying school supplies and clothes for the new school year. Y'all I just realized it's been 10 years (a DECADE) since I graduated college!  WHAT?!!!  Craaaazy!!  I must say I kind of miss being a student.  Times change and now it's my little ones that will be going to school.  Well preschool anyway.  We have decided to start them at a new school that offers K2.  I am super excited!  I am hoping they will thrive in a preschool environment and learn a lot.  I know they are so bored hanging with me around the house. We haven't had any programs for them to go to the month of August, so needless to say this month has been L...O...N...G!  My boys (and I) thrive on a schedule and routine, so it will be great to get back into one.  We are starting with 3 days a week and may drop down to 2 just depending on how it goes.  We are going to enjoy these last few weeks of summer and not having a schedule.  

I want my little men to look good for their new school, so of course I bought them a few back to school clothes.

 

Some cool polo shirts just like Daddy You have some jeans.  The best part about these is that they are currently $10 a pair Hoodie's for chilly Fall mornings Thermal tops for layering Striped pullovers
Last but not least...
New tennis shoes They are dying to wear their new "school" shoes, but I am mean and am making them wait until school starts.
Pumas
Happy Back to School! Hope everyone's first week back at school is a success.

Blondie Thoughts: Confessions

For Blondie Thoughts today I thought I'd share a few several confessions.
I let my boys watch way too much TV.  I put on their favorite movie almost daily just so I have some time to sit down for a minute or do chores.
I sometimes don't brush my teeth before bed.  I honestly am just too tired some nights to make it to the bathroom to do it.
I have a shopping addiction.  I am a sucker for a sale.  I am working on this one.
I am a gym junkie.  If I don't get my workouts in , I'm not a pleasant person to be around.  I just love breaking a sweat and getting my heart rate up.
I have the appetite of a large man.  No seriously I can put down some food.  Ask my hubby.
I love change!  I get bored easily.  I think this is why being a Stay at Home Mommy is so hard for me.  Everyday is the same for the most part.  I struggle with this.

Going along with the above, I hate being stuck in the house.  
I am in bed most nights by 9, asleep by 10, and wake up between 6-6:30.  I have to have a lot sleep in order to function!  I am scared to death of having a newborn again and being sleep deprived.  Not to sound dramatic but I literally thought I was going to die from lack of sleep when the boys were babies.
I have a Publix chocolate chip cookie addiction.  I try to stay away because if I bring home a box, I put away a dozen no problem in one sitting.  : / 

Around the house I wear "comfy" clothes.   Most days I wear workout clothes whether I go to the gym or not.  

I put on makeup maybe once, twice, or three times at the most a week.  
I wash my hair every 2-3 days even if I've worked out.   Gross I know but my hair is very dry and it's better for it that way.

I have to have toenail polish on at all times.  I don't think anyone has seen my bare toes since I was a young teen.
The boys don't get baths every night.  Sometimes it's more like every 2 days. I am border line OCD about organization, planning, and tidiness.  I can't go to bed with a messy house unless I am sick.  Speaking of bed, mine has to be made up every morning.  No exceptions!  I can't stand messes.  This is another reason why having boys is rocking my world.
I spend way too much time on the computer, iPad, iPhone, etc.  I need to "unplug" more often.
I am totally freaked out about having a 3rd little boy.  I don't know how I'm going to balance my two 3 year-olds and a baby.  It makes my blood pressure go up thinking about it.  
I have a hard time being in the moment.  I struggle a little with stress and anxiety and am always thinking about what's next, (part of my Type A personality) so it makes it hard for me to stop my mind racing and enjoy precious moments with my family.  In other words I need to stop and smell the roses more often.  Slow down and enjoy!
Even though the days are long and monotonous, I want these days my boys are at home with me to last forever.  These are truly the most precious moments.

Vicars Family Update

Here's a little peek at what we've been up to lately.
We've been going to the pool.  Trying to enjoy the last month of summer.
I finally broke down and bought the boys new "floaties".  They make all the difference in the world.  I'm not sure why I didn't do this a lot earlier.  They can now hold themselves up in the big pool so I'm not having to hold both of them.  Hallelujah!

Van wants to swim all by himself.

We've been having picnics at the pool.  The boys love eating at the pool.

Mom came to help out the end of last week so I got to go to the pool BY MYSELF and it was the most peaceful morning I've had in a long time.  Fabulous!  

Of course I also hit up the mall for a little retail therapy.

Adam and I had a date night too! 

 The only time we go out to eat is when we have someone to watch the boys because taking them out to eat is never a good idea, ha.

This part is a pregnancy update so if this bores y'all skip this part.  I am going to confess that the past few weeks I haven't been the best about exercising regularly (for me) and eating healthy.  So needless to say I've been feeling kinda yucky the past few weeks.  I don't feel as bad as I did my first trimester thank goodness but could help myself out a whole lot more if I worked out a little more and ate a little better.  The past week I decided to get my butt to the gym more often and eat cleaner.  Last week I worked out 5 times (woo hoo!) and it made all the difference in the world.  My diet still isn't as strict as it used to be (Hey I'm pregnant.  I am taking full advantage while I can.), but I am eating a lot more veggies and a more balanced diet than I was.  I am amazed at how much better I feel.  This really shouldn't be a surprise.  Of course I am still very tired at night and it takes all the patience in the world (which I don't always have) to deal with my very demanding toddlers, but overall I feel good.  It proves (yet again) what a difference a little movement and some veggies will do for ya....even pregnant!
I know y'all are dying to see my lovely baby bump!  Ha ha!  Yeah right!  Here it is anyway...
17 weeks