Career Closed

Monday was my last day of work! I am so thankful for my job and it was bittersweet to leave.

I began working at Baxley Dillard Dauphin McKnight and James 7.5 years ago.(well actually it was Baxley Dillard Dauphin McKnight & Barclift then!)

The job came out of nowhere and I am very thankful for that! The week before I was to graduate, a college friend of mine called me up and asked if I was still looking for a job - And I was. He was a runner at a law firm and their receptionist was leaving. He said if I was interested, the job was mine. Of course I was interested - I was about to graduate college and had no idea what I was going to do. He asked if I could come to the office and meet the office manager. I went in and I met my boss, Sara Jane. We talked some and then she asked - "When can you start?" I responded - "I graduate Saturday, so whenever you need me." - She replied - "Can you start Monday?!" - And that's when it all began! - I started the Monday after I graduated from Samford. I told them, I would only be there a few short months until I figured out what to do with my life. They just asked that I stay at least 3 months. Hmm - how about 7.5 years!! HA! I had no reason to ever leave - they treated me so well, everyday was casual Friday (if I wanted!), off days/vacations days weren't counted - just as long as we didn't take advantage of it, working after 5pm and weekends was never anything I had to do and when not feeling well - it was never a big deal to leave or even go lay down! They took care of me and put up with me through the singles scene, to the dating scene, to getting married, having a baby, and even a broken leg! All the support and love they have given over the years has been incredible. I was truly blessed to have worked for them. I learned a lot working there - a lot about law, politics, every day office tasks and even how to deal with crazy callers! Maybe all these days of answering phones and talking to people on the phone is the reason I'm really not into talking on the phone a lot!

Monday may of been my last day, but it's not the last of my relationship with the office. They are going to call me if they ever need someone to fill in (as they do not plan on filling my position right now) and I plan on staying in touch. Although, Monday was it - James Bradford and I were back in the office on Tuesday. They had a special lunch for me. And it was so much fun to bring James Bradford. And I didn't even have to answer the phone while I ate! HAHA! Everyone was extremely supportive of my decision to stay at home with James Bradford. Although, every one said they were sad to see me go, everyone was happy to know that I will be spending my time at home with James Bradford.

Tuesday there were no goodbyes - just hugs and knowing that I will see everyone soon.

7.5 years in a Desk Drawer!

Well the time has come - after much discussion we have decided that it's best for James Bradford and our family for me to resign from my job and to be a stay at home mom. I told the office about a month ago and I am quickly approaching my last day of work - next Monday.


Yesterday I began cleaning out my desk. Its a amazing how much stuff I accumulated in my desk over the past 7.5 years!


Just for my amusement I decided to document some (just a few) of the things I found:

- 2005 Planner (this was the year Cory and I began dating) - It was fun to look through - Every weekend he was here in Birmingham or I was up in Nashville!

- Photo CDs - including pictures from college - the days of partying and staying out late and taking your camera to every bar and party - so glad facebook wasn't around then! (when we all thought we were invisible!)

-Wedding Program for Jeff & Emily Jensens wedding - along with the note that was attached to our welcome bag at the hotel (I'm not techy - I cant figure out how to get this picture going the correct way - yes I know, hit the rotate button - it is saved correctly on the computer!)

-Check registers dating back to April 2005 (prob when i started actually keeping track! haha!)

- Flash Cards - that I made when I was studying for the GMAT (which I never took!)

- An old pill bottle from 2004 - when a coworker and I thought it would be great to try weight loss pills bought off the Internet. Until "pharmacies" kept calling our office to refill the prescription!! - Not a good idea at all!!

And lots of other things - pay stubs dated all the way back to when I first started here, bills that I had payed, tax records, old notary stamp with my maiden name - and all sorts of other things that were disposed of in the shred barrel at our office.

It was actually really fun going through a drawer filled with 7.5 years of my life in it!

Half Birthday and Back to Work

Happy Half Birthday to my sweet James Bradford!!!

It is so hard to believe that he is already 6 months old. He is at such a fun stage and age. I just love spending time with him. He has such a cute personality!

Things that I want to remember:
- He loves to smile and laugh - last night he laughed so hard every time Cory or I would say the word 'sneeze'
- He is now eating food!! So far we have introduced rice cereal, sweet potatoes, peas, apples, and bananas. Surprisingly he loves everything but the bananas!! I'm going to try the bananas again in a few weeks.
- He is sleeping through the night - FABULOUSLY!! He goes down around 7pm and wakes up around 6:30/6:45. Cory says he has the Grinnell morning gene. He wakes up smiling and happy. I usually let him just talk and play in his crib until 7 and when I go in there, he is as happy as can be!
- He is rolling over! He has rolled several times from tummy to back. Although he refuses to perform - even for his daddy. And several times he has rolled from his back to tummy while he is sleeping. (which then he doesn't wake up happy!)
- He LOVES his exaursaucer. He loves to play in it.
- He has 2 bottom teeth coming in!!
- He loves books. Each night before bed we read 3 books - one story from the children's Bible, random book, and we always end with Goodnight Moon. I love that he loves for me to read to him.
- He loves Sabrina! - he loves it when he is playing in his exarsaucer and she comes over and gives him big kisses. He grins from ear to ear.

Last week I took him to get his 6 month picture made. He was such a good boy. I have to brad - the photographer said he was the easiest and happiest 6 month old that he had ever photographed. He then proceeded to offer me a job - prob because of all the singing, sounds, and silly faces I was making to try to get JBH to smile. I loved the result of his pictures. This was may favorite.


Here is another cute shot!

In other news, I started back to work today. After being out on medical leave for 12 weeks, it was extremely hard leaving James Bradford this morning with his Grandma (its Spring Break at Mothers Day Out). I don't see how people do it everyday. Drop them off early morning and then pick them up to put them to bed) Working Moms - I admire you. Stay at Home moms - I admire you too! Staying home is Hard!! I hope and pray that it will work out for me one day to stay home with my baby.
It was nice seeing everyone back at work today. Everyone was glad to see me and I was glad to see them. And of course everyone wanted to see my war wound - there was a lot of scar showing off today! Overall its been a good day back, although I missed my 6 month old baby very much!

Sleep Training Set Back

**This post was written via iphone and while on medication in the middle of the night - no spell check was used and grammar is awful! I have been advised note to change anything as it makes for future reading humorous!! haha**

Well we have run into a bit of a sleeptraing setback! Just when we were making great progression - a kink was thrown into our plan.

It was just another day at work on tuesday - rather slow though because of it being Christmas week. At about 3:45 I decided to go upstairs and pump. I went in the roomm, grabbed my pump and was sbout half way down the stairs when suddenly I tripped and bamm I was smashed against the stucco wall and was immediately screaming for help. Within seconds I was surrounded by everyone in the hospital and an ambulance was on it's way. I was unable to get and could not move my right leg at all. I was so scared,

I was surrounded by all my sweet coworkers as the brought me water , paper towels to wipe tfe tears and the blood away.they were all so sweet and encouraging - reassuring me that help was on the way and everything was going ok.

The ambulance arrived and whisked me way in the ambulabce. Joe, one of my coworkers accompanied me fir my first ride in an ambulance. On arrival at the emergency room, Cory was waiting for me although he was not able to come to my room utility all paperwork had been completed and I was admitted to the hospital. After the longest 20 minted of my life, I finally got to get lots if hugs and encouragement from my sweet husband.

During the 4.5 hors we did alot of waiting and and people watching. I had a set of X-rays done which showed I had broken my leg in 2 places close to my right knee cap. They wanted a closer look at the fractures so they ordered a CT scan.

Between X-rays and the ct scan I was able to pump. I was so upset another possibility of not seeing my precious baby and not being able to Nurse him.

CT scan - done! There was not an orthopedist on site so they were emailed to him for him to view. He spock with ou ER doctor and told him that he couldn't get a close enough look at them and that he would discuss with us the results first thing in the morning. I balled crying - I dint want to spend the night at the hospital, I wanted to be home with my baby.

We were moved to a room and my sweet mama came up to the hospital to comfort me whil Cory ran home to get some things for us. It was an extremely rough night accompanied by no sleep and a lot of pain medicine - it was finally almost morning.

The orthopedist came in and discussed with us my fractures and that if the crack is 1-2 mm surgery would not be necessay BUT my crack was 3-4 mm so surgery was going to be a must and I wouldn't be able to put any weight on it for 8-10 weeks. I was devastated! Howxsm I suppose to be able to take of James Bradford if I can't carry him around and if I can't drive?!

After we meeting with the dr. - my sweet and precious James Bradford came up to my room with my mom until they took me back for surgery.

I was in surgery for about 2 hours and came out just fine - exhausted of course tough. Cory, james brafmdford my daddy, my mommy and my sweet sisterinlaw were all in my room. I was so so glad to see all of them - although I really can't remember it!

I am so thankful for all the thoughts and prayers. And so blessed to have family and friends that love me and will drop everything to help us and the baby. Debbie and nana drove in yesterday to take care of James Bradford. Mommy and aunt Laura had been taking Carr if him prior to their arrival.
Thank you, thank everyone for everything y'all have been doing and will be doing'z

Pleas continue to pray for me. Here are some specific requests of mine:
1- fast and speedy recovery
2- patience - both physical and mental ( this had already been an emotional rollarcoaster for me)
3- understanding - I know God has a perfect plan, but why Lord?! Why now with a 3 month old?
4- that I will let others do things for. I am very independent - I would much rather get up and do whatever for myself then have others serve mr and be reliant on others.
5- lactation. I am still nursing James Bradford - planned to nurse him for a year. I began having to supplement some do that may of been a set back and now this. I will be having to be pumping and dumping as there is morphine and all sorts of other medicines in my system.

Thank you for all your prayers, love and support.

Highlight Of My Day

Now that my mom is back in town - she is in full swing (week 3!) of taking care of James Bradford while I'm at work!

It is working out fabulously! She just lives right around the corner, so each morning I drop him off (most mornings in a hurry - couldn't make it to work on time before baby, definitely cant make it on time now!) James Bradford has been perfect and is like clock work on his schedule. He and Grandma have so much fun together. He helps her around the house, they go for strolls in the stroller, run errands, watch Gramps tile and paint the sun room and the best part - The highlight of my day at work - is they come visit me!! Depending on Grandmas schedule and what I have going on at work they either come for the morning or afternoon feeding.

Pumping and feeding accommodations take place in a storage closet - just enough room for me, Grandma and James Bradford. Such a special time!


Thank you Grandma and James Bradford for making my work day such much brighter!!

2nd Week Back at Work

It is my 2nd week back to the daily grind of going to work. And its still hard to leave my baby. I can't believe that my maternity leave has already come and gone.

This week Debbie came down from Nashville to help us take care of James Bradford while I was at work. She was extremely helpful. I don't see how she did it - took care of the baby and cleaned our house. It's one thing at a time for me!

While Debbie was here she took James Bradford to get his picture made. The pictures turned out really cute.

This outfit that James Bradford is wearing is very special. Both Cory and his brother and cousin all wore this outfit as a baby and had their picture taken in it. James Bradford's cousins, Trevor and Caleb also had their picture taken in it. I love the picture, but it also makes me laugh - that hat makes me thing of him as being a French painter!!

This is the other shot Debbie got done of him. SO CUTE! This is one of my favorite Christmas gowns of his for this year. And that look on his face is priceless!!

Thanks Debbie for all your hard work and help! James Bradford loved getting to spend that extra special time with you.

Back to Work

Today is the day - First Day Back at Work!

Today James Bradford is 7 weeks old and I am headed back to work. I honestly didn't think it would be hard leaving James Bradford since he is being cared for by family until January when he begins Mothers Day Out. Well - it was HARD!

My sister and her boys offered to take care of the boys this week, as my mom is out of town. James Bradford and I spent the day with them yesterday. We had so much fun. Both Davis and Isaac love James Bradford so much and are great helpers! Here is a picture from yesterday of Davis helping soothe James Bradford with his paci.


My sister is such a great mom and I wouldn't trust anyone more then her to take care of my child. She is so good with being persistent and keeping her children on a schedule. (I am hoping James Bradford will be on more of a schedule after 3 days with her - since I have been so lax about it since he began his growth spurt!)

Last night I just wanted cherish every minute with him. He took a long bath - prob. about 20 minutes! And we just played and sang. He was just so happy! Then he ate, then it was time for bed. He had a hard time falling asleep, so we cuddled and he finally went down about 9 or so. And he didn't wake up until 3:30. I went in and he ate and we cuddled, and we both fell asleep - next thing I knew - my alarm was going off at 7am!
He was such a sweet and happy baby this morning. I fed him, then Cory spent time with him while I showered and got ready for work. Then I was running around trying to get everything I forgot to give Ellen yesterday together. - Play Mat, Bottles, Nursery Water, Extra Breast Milk. . .
I dropped James Bradford off a little after 8am. It was hard and I cried. Did I mention it was hard?! Why would I cry knowing he is in the best possible care? I guess its just the fact that I love him relying on me. And me knowing he is going to be relying on someone else for care and love. And that he will be 100% eating from bottles all day, while I'm at work - pumping in a storage closet. (ha! - yes you read that correctly storage closet. There are no outlets in our women's bathrooms) But who better to love and care for him, then family - people who already love him so much and want to spend time with him. We are blessed beyond measures to have such sweet family who are so generous with their time and love to take care of our precious little one.

Here we are - its already noon. And I'm making it. Its great to see everyone and everyone seems happy to have me back. And look - I'm already making work time, blog time!! I have talked to Ellen twice already today. And James Bradford is doing great. Ellen is so wonderful - she is keeping a log of his day for me - which of course I love! Davis gave him his first bottle this morning, then they were all off the park to play.


I can't wait to run home after work and just hold and love on my baby. I asked Cory earlier this morning if we could just order pizza or something for dinner. That way we won't have to be in the kitchen and we can just concentrate on loving on our sweet boy.


Thank you for all your sweet thoughts and prayers as I am adjusting back to work. They mean a lot and I know they are helping!

Surprised and Spoiled!

Today at work, my coworkers surprised me with a baby shower lunch. I was told this morning that the office was going to order in lunch for everyone because it had been a "bad week." I didn't realize it had been a bad week - but I would never turn down a free lunch. Olive Garden or my Lean Cuisine?!- I think I will go with Olive Garden and save my Lean Cuisine for tomorrow!

While I was on the phone chatting with my sister (Ellen - were you told to call me?!) they were setting up lunch in the conference room and putting out this cute cake.


We had a yummy lunch and a delicious and adorable cake. ( I did not have my camera, but one of the girls took pictures on her IPhone for me)


They spoiled us with a Bama bib (James Bradford needed one of these for game day tailgating with the MLA tailgaters) and with a generous gift card to Buy Buy Baby. Now to decide what to get! Maybe James Bradford's big boy car seat or maybe even indulge in a jogging stroller!

Over these past 6.5 years at Baxley Dillard - they have treated us so well. I am so thankful for this job and that they are so willing to accommodate me part time after James Bradford's arrival. Thank You everyone at Baxley Dillard Dauphin McKnight & James!!

Next best thing to moving . . .

A STORAGE UNIT!!!

Finally a work storage unit. May not look like much - but all those boxes (all 19 of them plus a plastic storage bin) are filled with vending samples. A couple boxes with tshirts and cling stickers for vending machines. But all of this has been in our house. Yesterday morning our dining room was stacked with these boxes, plus James Bradford's stroller and carseat. And don't forget the dining room table and the hutch! That's a lot of stuff in one room. This morning - NO MORE BOXES - WOOHOO!

Thank you PepsiCo for the nice surprise of a storage unit! What a great and helpful baby gift!!

The Perfect Ending To A Perfect Day

Yesterday was a day both Cory and I will never forget. It was so incredibly memorable. And the day ended with a perfect ending!

After upon arriving back to work after such a fun and exciting morning, I was so excited to tell everyone at work. (Most everyone was guessing a girl!) So I told everyone about our future son and they were all surprised, but thrilled about us having a boy. My boss had already left for the day, so I immediately picked up the phone to call him. (He was prob. the most excited out of anyone at the office when I announced we were expecting - so I wanted to tell him our news, before he heard it from anyone else) I told him we were having a boy and he was so excited. In celebration he wanted to send us out to dinner - his treat!! We were blown away by his generosity. He called and made reservations at the Veranda (which I had only been to once for a rehearsal dinner years ago) for us. It was so sweet and generous of him.

We arrived at the restaurant and we're greeted with phenomenal service and wined and dined on delicious gourmet food. It was incredible!!

The gift of Mr. Baxley's generosity was the perfect ending to our perfect day!