More to come on Bloggin' Tuesday

I can't believe how long it's been since I've had the time to sit down and write. Not that I really have time to be typing now. I should probably be reading the Nurse Practitioner's Women's Health Guide that dad gave me. I've met yet another learning curve! This time it's learning the ropes at Drs. Strickland, Brock and Gowen's office. I LOVE it! I've been there for about two weeks and it has been wonderful. It requires a different set of nursing skills though. I'm trying very hard to learn Dr. Strickland's language. I don't know if I'll ever be able to work at his speed, but I'm working on that too. He is being kind to bear with me.

As far as the world of Finley LOTS has happened. She celebrated the Big One Year Birthday and was dedicated at church. It was a weekend packed with milestones. Thanks to Amanda and Oliver Twist Photography I have wonderful pictures to share. If you live in BWK or plan to visit you gotta make time to see my girl (olivertwistphotography.com).

I'll be in touch more tomorrow, but wanted to give a brief update before I hit the sack.

We survived!

We survived Halloween, GA v. FL and finally got to open Birthday presents with Finley! It has been quite a weekend in the BWK. Finley has a new favorite food, well two--Aunt Wi's sugar cookies and yellow squash with cheese. I think they balance each other? We're working on transitioning Finley to big people food and a sippy cup. I am exhausted from washing Dr. Brown's bottles.

Here are a few pictures from this weekend. . . you know what next weekend holds!

She likes it!

The DQ on SSI didn't know what they had coming when drove up today :) It was an eventful thirty minutes. I loved every moment. Sam and Finley both had "red" ice cream (that's what he calls strawberry). Eli had a big guy treat-- M&M Blizzard. He couldn't even spare a bite for his mom and Emily. He is a growing boy, jeez Aunt C! As usual Eli entertained Finley and Sam. He's such a good big brother & cousin. I love hearing him call Finley "Finley Girl". It's precious-- gotta get that on video. Whit and I attempted a group shot, but we've got movers and shakers for children. See below.

God is so good!

I've done the facebook post. . . now I've got to get a little mushy. One year ago tonight Jarrett, mom, dad and I were anxiously waiting for "Baby B" to arrive. It was one of the most uncomfortable and longest nights of my life, but worth every minute. One year later I wouldn't trade it for a million. Our family continues to thank God for His blessings and grace.

Finley has caught up to "average" regarding height and weight. She grows more chatty by the day and loves books! She is my and Jarrett's heart.

Stay tuned for pictures from tomorrow's outing with Eli and Sam--ice cream in the village! It'll be Finley's first frozen treat. I hope she likes it as much as Papa D and me!

Happy Birthday Charlie!

I should totally be in bed right now, but I had to post a Birthday Wish! Our NICU gal pal Charlie Young turns one-year-old tomorrow!!!! She is as adorable as ever. We celebrated her Birthday yesterday. Here are a few pictures. It was such a blessing to be a part of the festivities. Her family and friends are dear. She was stylin' in her hotpink tutu and beanie :) Happy Birthday Charlie! We love you!

A new schedule

I should totally be in bed now, but the new schedule has my diurnal clock out of whack. I'm not sure if I've mentioned it, but I'm working nights in the maternity center, weekend nights. I love it. My preceptor, Questa Tait, is amazing. She has a gift for teaching. I'm so thankful God put her in my path. The night shift is a doozie for the Bridges (and Carter) household, but God is sustaining us.

Finley is doing all kinds of new things. I think that's why I get sad before heading out to work. She is interacting with us lots. Her favorite word, "Hey", sounds like it's coming from a grown man! It will crack you up. Randomly she comes out with "Hey", especially when she sees a cell phone.

So I'm thrilled that it's fall, but jealous that mom and dad are in Rome (so gorgeous this time of year). We don't get a great change of season/temp down in Brunswick. That's okay though. I'm hoping it stays warm enough for Eli and Sam to use the pool when the Rome Crew visits next month. Speaking of Eli and Sam, they keep us in stitches. They make Aunt C so proud. I feel like they're my own, but of course I can spoil them :) Tonight after they finished their milk. . . powdered doughnuts! It's so fun. Who knows what Aunt Wee will use to spoil Finley (she is a makeup guru--uh oh)!

Wow

Wow. I can't believe I haven't posted since July 15th. I've been meaning to, but guess what? I started working again (after two years off). I have a new respect for working moms, especially single working moms. Me being back at the hospital has rocked the Bridges' world. Jarrett and I truly pass out on the sofa around 9:00 each night. If I don't go to sleep early, I pay for it the following morning. It's not easy getting up at 5:00 a.m. Tomorrow 5:00 a.m. will bring new excitement for me though. It's my first day on the Miriam & Hugh Nunally Maternity Center floor. The hospital asks that we please call the center by its full name because if we donated a million dollars we would want our name repeated as well (including every time we answer the phone). I'm trying to learn to get it out in one breath. Anyway, I don't have my own patients for quite some time. Tomorrow is strictly observation. I still have several weeks to complete in the transition program too. After that Mrs. Luff has designed a new education program for us. It's slated to last around seven months. Basically I feel like I'm in school again, but it's really wonderful. I'm getting priceless training. I'm thankful they aren't throwing me to the floor! I'll keep you posted on how things go (no more month long blog breaks).

What else has been happening around here? Humm. Traveling to spend time with Papa D & Juju, Emily & Butler's wedding, Lauren & Michael's wedding, Valdosta Friends Reunion, the NCLEX in Jacksonville, Livie's First Birthday and this weekend one last summer trip to Rome. Our calendar has been full since July 15th. Throw J's travels and me going back to work in the mix. Jeez. No wonder it's almost September. It makes me realize how important it is to savor every moment (especially the ones with my girl Fin).

It was a brief, but really fun trip to Rome this weekend. We got to spend time with the fam and celebrated Sam's 2nd Birthday. It was lots of fun. Finley had several firsts too--1st elevator ride, first ride in a grocery cart, first McDonald's French Fry!

I'm going to try and post as many pictures as I can. I hope you guys don't get bored!

Holla later.

Big Girls Do Chores

And they like it! Jarrett and I discovered yesterday that Finley loves to be in the Baby Bjorn and help with chores. In the past we'd take turns playing with her or find a distraction, but now she's along for the ride. Her favorite work includes activities around mirrors, but she digs the yard too. She LOVES taking Fergie out (This is working to Ferg's advantage because in the past I hated stopping progress to take her out. I'm terrible). Basically Finley is like her mom and dad, a busy body. Thank goodness we've found a way to occupy baby girl.

How could I forget? My stent as a stay-at-home mom is coming to an end. I spent four hours at the hospital today for pre-employee processing. I was told it would take two hours. Poor mom was in limbo. Thank goodness she's so kind and understanding. The next hurdle is the nursing transition program. I've been told to have child care from 7a-7p for like two weeks. Wow.

Back from under the weather

Finley Grace is finally getting back to herself. . .and then some. Her belly seems to be healed and her lungs seem to be extra-healed. She has learned to scream from the back of her throat. It's quite a feat for her. Friday and Saturday night were tough for Jarrett and me. She fought her sleep with the lovely new scream.

On the positive side she stayed in the nursery with Miss Dale for the first time this morning. It was wonderful for Jarrett and me. I think Finley enjoyed it too. She was able to spend more time with her best girl Livie!

Red, White & Reminiscent

I was rocking Finley to sleep tonight and started thinking about The Fourth of July and festivities throughout the years that have made it special for me. My first thoughts were the times when Whit and I were little. Every summer, the week before The Fourth, we spent the entire week with Grandmother Carter. It was a week of prep for her big picnic. And when I use the word big, I mean BIG. I believe half of Floyd Hospital attended along with family and friends. It was nuts. There was homemade ice cream in almost every flavor you can imagine. Two funny memories: 1. The first time I heard Aunt Seery use language :) She got burned by a sparkler and let the s-word slip. 2. One time a neighbor ordered fertilizer to be spread the morning of the picnic. And when I say fertilizer, I mean the good, old-fashioned, home grown kind :) It was terrible and poor GMC panicked. We had fans running from extension cords into the backyard.

That week with Grandmother was always anticipated. Whit and I got to do pretty much whatever we wanted. We talked this past weekend about how funny it is--children in our family know they can get away with just about anything with GMC. Ask Eli! Sam and him were so excited Saturday morning(6/27/09). GMC gave them $20 and they headed to Target to buy whatever they wanted. It could have been a potting soil & seeds, she would have let them buy it. You can ask mom about that. One time I came home from Grandmother's house with a pair of yellow shoes? She definitely let us express ourselves! She (like Nannie & Papaw) let us eat whatever we wanted too. Oh man the junk we filled ourselves with during that week. Uncle Robert had a goodie basket that our little fingers couldn't stay away from--Cheeze Its, brownies, Little Debbies. And there were always the local joints we hit up--McDonald's, Shoney's Breakfast Bar.

At night we watched ABC Nightly News (Grandmother had a crush on Peter Jennings) and Entertainment Tonight. I think my obsession with television news started early. Grandmother didn't know what roots she was establishing. We talk "Hollywood" to this day!

There was always a time of sadness for me during the week though. I've always had a touch of a realism. I remember the nights I wasn't worn slap-out I would lay in bed, listen to the sounds of Wayside Road and sometimes cry. I was having so much fun and didn't want it to end. I never wanted my Grandmother to go away. I'm so thankful that Grandmother Carter, now also known as GMC, has been able to see her great-grandchildren. Had I only known then what I know now; I might not have had those fleeting moments of sadness. . . instead I should have been worried about what Finley may ask her GMC for or to do one day!

Happy Birthday Beebe!!

It's Beebe's Birthday today and we want to send her lots of love! Here are pics of her and Finley over the past eight months. We're getting ready for a Birthday Lunch (Hungry Hannah's) on Albany Street with Whit, Eli and Sam!

Happy Father's Day (Valdosta Style)

Once again everyone in my house is sound asleep but me. Jeez. What's a momma gotta do to get some Zs? Maybe I'll get a few more snoozes tomorrow a.m. It all depends on baby girl. The odds are in my favor that she'll sleep late in the morning. The Bridges have been moving full-speed ahead since Saturday. We made a trip to Valdosta that was wonderful! We got to spend time with the Keenes, the Mathews and lots of other good folks. Finley had a blast. She shared her nosey laugh with everyone. . .even through the night. Thank goodness Aunt Katie and Uncle Sim are sound sleepers.