the *real* mccoys: January 2013

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

the crystal ball

Two weekends ago, Kyle and I attended the Crystal Ball benifiting the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississipi. Apparently, this is a big deal and one of the largest events in DeSoto County. I was not informed on what a big wig event I was attending until I arrived. Kyle called me the week before the event to ask if I wanted to go. The bank was sending him. Tickets were $150 a person. I had no clue what I was in for. I just knew that none of my dresses fit me and I had to wear a maternity dress. I was not happy about it.

Jen and Leon came over to keep J. He did great with them!

We arrived at the event and when I saw a white limo pull in, I knew I was in for a treat.

The cutest couple there!

We walked in and about 1/4th of the people were in tuxes or long evening gowns. I will be better prepared for next year.

After coat check , we tasted the house drink. It was yummy. It was a Brazilian themed party. We walked thru the town of Rio with clothes hanging on the line, graffiti on the walls, and dancers on the balcony. Then they led us to the photo area. I felt like I was at a red carpet event with the Click magazine logo (DeSoto County's who's who magazine) as the background of the photo area.

After our photo, we shopped at the silent auction during cocktail hour. We didn't win anything but they had some cute stuff.

Jen sent us a picture of my cute little man.

Then she sent another one. So sweet.

After cocktail hour, they served dinner, Texas de Brazil style. We had assigned seats with the bank. They had a lady dancing in the air with ribbons. Kind of like a cirque du soleil show. It was amazing how they had the decorations for this event. I was very impressed. After dinner was the live auction. Archie Manning was the special guest.

After the auction was the live music. Kevin and Bethany Paige played. They've play a lot of gigs around Memphis and I was so excited to see them live again.

I'm not used to going to these types of events so I had to put on my "fancy" self on! Kyle and I cleaned up well if I do say so myself. We had a blast and can't wait to see what event we get to go to next.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

time to regift/newborn night

We had our annual re-gifting party a couple of weeks ago. I was really bad and did not take a lot of pictures. But I did get a picture of the most important gift that reappears every year!

The shawl!

It can be worn many ways...

Happy Halloween!

the new mammas!

While I was gone, Kyle and Jonah invited Leon, Ray, and Eli over to watch the NFL play-off games since Steph, Jen and I were at the party. It was Jonah and Eli's 1st guys night to watch some football.

I have a feeling it will be the 1st of many!

We facetimed the boys from our girl's party.

How sweet! They are already having a good time together.

So excited to have our boys grow up together.

Friday, January 25, 2013

pump it up

I really need to write a blog about my breastfeeding experience. It was VERY hard at 1st but I made it! When I returned to work, I knew I needed to pump. A lot of my co-workers breastfeed but they are not in the office a lot. I tend to be in the office a lot more these days and I needed somewhere to go. I was going into my manager's office to pump. I came back to my office after pumping in my manager's office to find this after 2 days of having to switch offices with her 3 times a day...

My very own pumping station at my desk.

I share an office with 2 other people. Luckily, they don't mind the noise while I pump. If you've never heard anyone pump, it can be noisy.

This is how she made my station. She got a blanket and cut 2 holes in it. She put some Velcro on the wall.

When I need to have privacy, I pull the blanket over and connect it to the other side to make my pumping station. I work with a supportive group of women. I usually pump 3 times a day while a work. Now I can work and pump...what a smart manager, she knows what she is doing! HA!

Friday, January 18, 2013

3 months

On New Year's day, Jonah turned 3 months old!

He is such a big boy! I've very thankful that he loves to eat and gains weight. I love chubby babies and now I have one. It seams he gains a new roll each week.

He is a pro at holding his head up and tolerates some time in the bumbo seat. I love this age! He loves to smile and has started cooing. So very cute. He also loves to eat his hands. I love him!

bumbo time

head control

Thursday, January 17, 2013

december

Here are the December week by week pictures. He is growing up so fast.

had to post this week 2 times b/c I love it when babies stretch!

Christmas eve

New Year's eve

And here is picture to make you smile =)

Sunday, January 13, 2013

happy new year

I'm not real big on going out for New Years. There are some crazy people out and I'd rather just stay in and watch Dick Clark's NYE bash!

That is what I did with my guys!

Jonah is giving new year kisses!

He made it to new years eastern time zone. He went to bed about 11:30.

The best New Year's!!!

I like to set a goals for the new year but I don't have one yet. And we are on day 13 of the new year. We are still working on our Total Money Make-Over so I say that is our goal...to continue it! I wrote a post about goals last May so here is a refresher on how to keep them. Happy new year and I hope this year can best last year!

Saturday, January 12, 2013

home alone

Kyle started his 1st day at his new job on New Year's Eve. He had to go out of town for training so he left the day before. The good news is that the home office is in the same town where Kyle's parents live. They are enjoying the extra time with Kyle.

Betsy and Shelly came over to hang out with us while Kyle was gone.

We FaceTime'd Jen in Ohio. Look at all the snow they got.

We got take out and watched a movie.

Jonah didn't make it for the whole movie. But he found a comfy spot on Aunt Shelly.

When the girls left, we facetime'd daddy!

Look at Pops in the background. Kyle and Pops are dressed a like! Jonah is a facetiming pro. We survived our 1st night alone. But we were happy when daddy got back NYE!

food for finance: back to the grind

My maternity leave ended on Christmas eve since Jonah was 2 weeks late coming to this world. That worked out great for me (go Jonah) because we were closed! So I didn't have to go back until the day after Christmas which meant I only worked 2 days! We've decided that I will only work 4 days a week so I can be off on Fridays. Then the next week was New Years...same situation. I only worked 2 days. It really helped ease me into work. However, I REALLY liked working just 2 days a week.

I came straight home on my 1st day back to get some snuggle time with Jonah. Boomer missed me as well. He loved me being home the last 12 weeks.

Update on our Total Money Makeover-we are still on baby step 3c (the C means we are saving to buy a newer car). We have our 6 month emergency fund in place. Before we move on to step 4, 5, and 6 we want to have money saved for a car since we both have cars that are 10 years old. We also have to pay taxes on an IRA we are transferring. I feel like we're stuck in the never ending circle of baby step 3 but we've come so far!

We are very blessed that Kyle got a new job with more money. Since I am working 16 hours less a month and Kyle is going to stop doing trivia in February, it works out being the same as what we were working. But now we both get more time at home with Jonah! Win-Win!

I'll update when we complete this new goal. And you will know because that will mean we will be paying a lot towards our house which means we will be closer to being debt-free!