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I'm not actually from the fictional town of Greenbow. No, my actual hometown is not make-believe. Sometimes though, when we are feeling especially homesick, Chuck says things like,
"We need to get back to Greenbow, Alabama."
"We need to get back to Greenbow, Alabama."
This is my photo account of our most recent trip to Greenbow (but not really).
After a few days in Georgia, my Dad and Uncle Sonny Boy were nice enough to drive out there to get the girls and I. (Chuck was working that week.) I really appreciated them making the 6 hour round trip. It was a pretty smooth trip, though there were lots and lots of back roads.
It was Dad's first experience with a GPS.
Let's just say he'll never use a GPS again.
Bo Meets Paw Paw and Granny
After I kinda thrust Bo in Dad's arms, he seemed to enjoy it.
He isn't very confident handling infants, though he did just fine.
. 
Good stuff...
Bo and Dad's wife, Granny.
Unfortunately I did not get a picture with her and my Uncle Sonny Boy.
I'm pretty bummed about that.
Aunt Sara and Aunt JoAnn drove to Dad's to get some baby holding time.
My other baby was there too...
During one of our visits, Dad and Charley did some kite flying.
Bo's not really into kites...
Bo Meets Big Mama
Poor Chuck wasn't able to be there when his Mom met Bo. That kinda thing doesn't really bother him, but if the tables were turned MAN I'd be upset. I couldn't stand the thought of my mom meeting my baby without me there!
Big Mama held Bo every chance she got.
This is one of my favorites...
Bo napping on Charley's old pallet at Big Mama's.
Pallets should be a staple of childhood.
These days Charley's not willing to stay still long enough to lie on a pallet.
Bo Sees Granna Again
Bo Meets Granddiddy
Bo and my sister-in-law Katie
My step-brother, Jackson
Charley's little cousin Claire.
Bo slept in this thing during naps at Mom's.
It was handy.
When we were eating, we'd put it right in the middle of the kitchen table.
When we were getting ready, we'd put it right in the middle of the bathroom floor.
Charley and Bo took turns sleeping with me at night.
When it wasn't her turn, Charley slept on a pillow pallet.
Mom bought a baby play yard for Bo to sleep in when she wasn't sharing the bed with me.
The play yard was a good temporary solution but required a lot of in and out of bed time for me.
This will obviously improve with age, so it'll be nice to have the play yard for future visits.
Of course Mom was super helpful with baby baths and diaper changes.
Baby Dedication
Since we haven't yet found a church family in Virginia, I decided that while we were home I'd have Baby Bo dedicated. Unfortunately, I don't have any photos of the actual dedication. It felt good to do this at home, with family. Of course Bo's public baby dedication isn't really necessary, since privately, I had already dedicated her to God and asked Him to help Chuck and I raise her in a way that would be pleasing to Him. But the little ceremony was actually a lot more meaningful than I had thought it would be. I'm glad we did it.
I was sneaking pictures during church.
I like to think that I am not alone with the mindset that no mother likes her picture taken 2 months postpartum. If you so happen to disagree, I'm going to go ahead and ask that you keep your mouth shut. I don't need to hear that you got your body back all super fast. Nope.
Just. shut. yer. face.
All that being said, as a mother, I make these photo sacrifices for my children.
Looking through photos of my mom, I never once thought, "Oh Lawd, she should have lost a few pounds before she posed with me."
No. I never did.
In fact and furthermore!, I am going to quote a line from a book I am reading right now:
“Babies like fat. Like to bury they face up in you armpit and go to sleep. They like big fat legs too. That I know.” Kathryn Stocket, The Help
At your service kids.
After the dedication and church we headed to
Aunt Sara's and Uncle Sonny Boy's for some good, good, food and some good, good visiting.
Bo and my cousin Kelly.
Bo and Uncle Jerry Don
Bo and my Aunt Pug and cousin Martin
And just because I had a minute to borrow
my cousins lens thereby allowing AUTO focus to work...
Yeah, it's kinda hard to do self-portraits on manual focus.
Bo's Baby Shower
My Aunt JoAnn has been determined to have a little baby shower get together for me and Bo for a long, long time. My Aunt Sara was nice enough to host. Now, in the south it's common knowledge that baby showers aren't proper for second children (poor second children). That's why I was especially surprised that my Aunt JoAnn and Aunt Sara, the queens of southern etiquette, were even willing to suggest it. But they kept it classy, only involving family. There were no games like, "Guess the Size of her Giant Baby" or "Guess the Size of that Lardo's Belly" and that was fine by me. We were able to stock up on quite a few diapers and wipes and a mighty fine stroller.
And these are the only photos I got...
One of the back of Charley's head and one of the front.
That section of the baby book will be lacking.
Sorry about that Bo.
Love this so much! If you're still in Gadsden this weekend please let me know. I'm not there but I'll come. Love you.
ReplyDeleteBelated, but I love this post!
ReplyDeleteI love this post a lot. Everybody looks sooo sweet and happy holding the brand new little baby. Of course, I'm just jealous. Wish I could be there with y'all and feel a little left out I haven't met her yet, but will soon enough, God willin'. Great pics, sister.
ReplyDelete