Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve

Weekend after weekend passed that we never visited Hemlock Bluffs when we said we were going to. We had nothing planned for Sunday which was very rare so we packed the backpack & headed to Cary.

 It was Gabby's first time riding in the child carrier backpack & she loved that thing! The trail was mulched & lined so it wasn't extremely advanced, which was a good thing because we aren't! When we started the trail I noticed we were going slightly downhill the whole time. We reached the lookout point and could see the lush preserve and the Western Hemlock trees. Pretty cool.

On the trail

Western Hemlocks

 Going back up hill for .5 miles was just short of suicidal. And to make the incline worse, we passed our turn off point and had to back track! Clearly pro hikers.

Yep.

It was really nice to do something different. We were both a sweaty mess afterwards & it felt great to get such a workout!

Surprise Visit

I always grew up closer to Daniel, my younger brother. We grew up hanging out with each others friends, telling secrets & having each others backs. We were both living at my Mom's house a little over a year ago when he announced he was moving to the mountains with his sweetheart of a girlfriend, Lindsay. It was no big deal then, but it's really starting to hit me now. It has been such a busy year for both of us. I had a baby & he is in school & working. It felt in a way like we drifted apart but he came home for a surprise visit this week that confirmed we were still as close as the day he left.

Uncle Daniel!

I see that smile :)

Daniel hadn't seen Gabby since Christmas and was so excited to see her! At first, the beard & long hair was a bit intimidating to Gabrielle. Soon she realized he was a trusting person who wanted to play & she opened up to him! Gabby still struggles with men. Lol.

Don't leeeeave! 

Daniel & Lindsay headed home after a short visit. It was so thrilling knowing they were in town & so heartbreaking knowing they were leaving. They are two of the most dear people to me. We love you guys so much!

Gabby's First Trip

Before being all sandy

After being in Raleigh for 18 months, we decided it was time to get out of Raleigh! Gabby has been more managable in the car and figured she could handle the 2 hour drive to the beach. Dan had already reached his 40 hours by Wednesday (long three days for me) so he decided to take a few vacation days. The forecast looked superb. All of the hotels were booked for the weekend before we decided to go on Thursday instead. We are so glad we were able to go earlier because the beach was dead and the traffic in Wilmington was a lot less than a typical weekend.

Sandy & Sad

Carrying a baby with beach gear was something we were not prepared for. The most excruciating walk. Baby, umbrella, chairs, cooler, beach bag. We looked funny. The beach was something new for Gabby and she was a bit hesitant. Ok, she was a lot hesitant. It started off great before she got all sandy & felt the water. There was no downhill from there. Despite the fact that Gabby was unhappy, Dan & I were still on cloud 9 that we were at the beach for the first time with our baby girl.

One thing Gabby has loved for months now, she got to do in Wilimington.. Go to the pool!!

10 minutes before I ate it. Lol

On Friday we got up early to visit the NC Aquarium. We drove 45 minutes to Fisher Island and had time to kill before it opened. There were rocks near the beach and I had an idea to get out and have a photo shoot! I climbed carefully on the rocks and had Dan pass me Gabby when I was up there. On the way down, I passed her back and slowly jumped rocks. One more step until I reached the ground & I went down with speed thinking I was home free. To my dismay, there was a raised rock that blended with the ground. I caught it and took the worst face dive imaginable into the gravel. It happened so quick I had no time to catch myself. My shoulder hit first. Bloody and crying, we still went to the museum & asked for a first aid kit. When I got back to Raleigh I had it x-rayed since my elbow was blue, swollen and I couldn't move it. I was shocked to find out it wasn't broken but so relieved too. The swelling is sticking around but its getting better! Next time I decide to climb on rocks I will be WAY more cautious.

We all enjoyed the aquarium & afterwards took the ferry that we drove our cars on, to Southport. It is my favorite little beach town. There are cute shops & yummy seafood cafes.

The next morning I got up early and ventured out to a few yard sales in Wilmington. Dan & Gabby stayed in the hotel room while I got my weekly Mother's morning out! I found some great deals!

The car ride home Gabby slept the whole way. It was a quiet, relaxing drive with minimal traffic. It feels good to be back in Raleigh even if it was for a few days but we are already planning our next trip to the beach! We had a blast.

Southport shoppes!

Gabby pulling up

Today Gabby pulled up for the first time! She is still figuring out how to get on her feet but she is on her knees.


 I am a firm believer in not "working" with your children to advance physically. When she wants to & is capable of doing it, she will. There is too much pressure in our society that our kids need to be doing things by a certain time frame. It's just ridiculous. They will all crawl, walk, feed themselves & talk eventually, so what's the rush!?

Baby's First Easter

Holidays were special before, but they are even more special when you are sharing them with a new addition to your family. We were excited to take Gabby to an Easter egg hunt & decided to go to the one ran by the City of Raleigh. It was awesome. Gabby had a blast and we couldn't have asked for nicer weather.

Easter Eve we spent with my Dad. He made barbeque, asparagus & baked potatoes on the grill. He gave Gabby her first baby doll and an awesome glow in the dark book.

Easter Day we met my Mom at Twisted Fork. They had an Easter brunch buffet that was delicious. The only negative was the line. By the time Dan & I got our food, my Mom had to start waiting for probably 15 minutes! Gabby was showered with a basket full of bunnies & the Easter bunny brought me a beautiful glass hummingbird feeder. 

Next year when Gabs is older we will go to Sacred Heart & celebrate the true meaning of Easter.

Ruby came & Ruby went.

We met a little girl around the same age as Gabby at storytime one day. Her name is Ruby. Her mother, Sonya was looking for extra care during the week and it sounded like something I was interested in. After a few chats on the phone, reference checks & a visit to my home Sonya decided we should give it a go!

The first few days were rough. Ruby was showing signs of separation anxiety. All Gabby wanted to do wash laugh and play, chase Ruby around with a smile from ear to ear on, while Ruby wanted nothing to do with Gabby. This lasted a couple months until one day Ruby cried for one hour straight. There was nothing I could do to help her separation anxiety. I called Sonya and told her. Ruby took a nap and finished out the day. When Sonya came to pick up, we never talked about ending the gig. It was later that day that I decided I couldn't do it anymore. I was beginning to dread it. Poor Ruby was tired of crying and Gabby & I were tired of hearing it.

I informed Sonya I could not continue giving care after 2 weeks. She understood & agreed. We are on the search again for another kiddo to watch!

Here are the rare times I got a smile out of Ruby.. & other fun pictures of them together..

Farewell Rubs..

Playing in Gabby's crib

Feeding time!

Ruby's first day.

Swinging at Pullen Park

Raleigh Parks.

We have taken quite a tour of parks in Raleigh in the past month. Every beautiful day we head out and enjoy the weather! Pullen Park downtown Raleigh is by far our favorite. They have the restored carousel and train for only a dollar per ticket.. a great deal! They have the Pullen Place Cafe that offers local, fresh foods! They have done an excellent job with that park. Another great find is the renovated community park off Strickland rd. They have a huge sand area with kid-sized cranes & tot swings. I love the location in the middle of a wooded area. We still have a few more parks to see but have enjoyed scooting around Raleigh and checking out the parks! Gabby LOVES the swings, as you can see ;)