Lily's Cake Smash Session

I took Lily to a photography studio to get some cake-smash photos taken.  I didn't want the mess at my house.  And at the time, I didn't have the time to take the photos and edit them to my liking... nor make a cake that was dazzling.  This was the easiest solution and it only cost $50 for the photo session and $15 for the cake.  I call that... worth it!

Lily's Official One Year Photo Shoot

About a month late, I took Lily to get her "One Year" pictures taken.  Out of 80 pictures, I narrowed it down to my favorite 8. 

12 Month Stats & Check up

February 13, 2014

One year old.

I love doctor appointments, because I get to see Lily's progress on paper.

I'm with her all day long and I don't notice how much she is changing, so little reminders like this help me to slow down and enjoy the time with her.  So after each Doctor Appointment, we always try to go and do something fun (if she's feeling up to it, depending on shots, etc.)

(Notice the delicately pointed toe.  I'm convinced we are raising a ballerina).

And her Stats:

Weight: 19 lbs (8.62 kg)

36%

Height: 29" (73.7 cm)

41% 

Head Circumference: 17.99" (45.7 cm)

71%

(I personally hate how they measure height.  It's super awkward and uncomfortable and when we moved to North Carolina, apparently Lily "shrunk" by an inch because of the difference in how they do measurements.)

Pinehurst

In February, Michal had a work conference in Pinehurst.  So they offered to let me go and tag along with Michal. (I only found out later I was charged for it.  Well, technically, just my meals, but they were dang expensive). 

 

Ahem.

Anyway... Pinehurst is also a big deal in North Carolina.  It's where the big golf tournaments - the US Golf Open - and many other championships occur.  It's a ritzy place, and you see women dressed up wearing sweaters draped over their shoulders, like rich fancy folk.  Everyone who comes here has money, and lots of it, and they aren't afraid to flaunt it.  To play a "course" on the golf field - it's like $600.  And the room we stayed in was around $550 a night.  I personally didn't think it was anything to brag about, but anyone who's anyone goes here and feels pretty important.

Lily and I on the other hand, decided to change the stereotype of the place.  We walked around acting like we OWNED this joint and made everyone flaunt over Lily, instead of themselves. And... if they didn't pay her any attention, she would stop trying to learn how to walk and try to get their attention.

While Michal was busy doing his work thing, Lily and I went exploring the grounds.  Here's what we found...

Archives & a non-denominational Church

A pretty fancy bank and other significant monuments.

And in all it's glory - I give you... Pinehurst!

It wasn't a terribly exciting trip or adventure, but we 'seized the day' and made the most of our time there.  Here are some other treasures that we came across during our stay.

An awesome quote.  Maybe one I need to heed.

An awesome imprint burned onto an overly large cracker we had as an appetizer.

And... an awesome tornado warning.  Which we mostly ignored.  (Where were we supposed to 'hide out'?)

Next time Michal goes for his work conference to Pinehurst, I'll opt to staying home and going to the zoo with Lily instead.  It was great, but I'm glad that I crossed that item off my bucket list so that I don't have people thinking I'm a ritzy, fancy folk.

Snowmaggedon

January & February 2014

It's kind of a big deal when it snows in North Carolina.

I thought it would be the ideal time to go shopping, since no one was on the streets, and being from Utah, I know how to drive in the snow.  The only problem... the store was cleared out of all the essentials.  Bread. Milk. Cheese. Eggs. Gone! Or nearly gone.  With the only items left on the bread aisle being hot dog buns, you'd think that we were in a pandemic movie.  People really do take the snow seriously.

And with it snowing, (see how much snow is atop the cars), no one owns a snow-shovel.  So, no snow gets shoveled.  And no one goes outside, except to build snowmen.

Michal & I "braved" the snow and went for a walk.  We were excited to sport our Polish cold weather gear.  Me in my coat, Michal in his hat, and Lily in her baby sleeping blanket.  No doubt about it, we were warm.

In addition to snow, Freezing Rain here is a more common occurrence, and one that makes me terribly nervous.  Everything instantly becomes coated in a layer of ice. Car doors become impossible to open, sidewalks slippery, but it looks like a beautiful ice castle dreamland.

Apparently this was one of the worst winters that Winston Salem has seen in quite some time.  Hopefully this next winter will be more mild and pleasant.