Lopota Lake

Orthodox Easter was the first Sunday in May here so Josh had a four day.  We took full advantage of this and headed to Lopota Lake, a resort village about 2.5 hours out of the city.

Selfies of Maddy!

Checking out the baby neighs!

The resort boasts boating, horseback riding, many pools, mini golf, a spa, sauna, volleyball, etc.  The weather was a little cool for some of those activities but for the most part I think we got our money's worth.  We headed up Saturday morning timing our travel to the girl's nap times.  Somehow we were spoiled and got to enjoy the mountainous trip in sweet sleeping silence.

painting easter eggs

Upon arrival we got to check in early to our room and got ready to head to a late lunch.   We had scored an Easter deal so all our meals were included in the room price!  After lunch we set out to explore a bit and ended up walking all the way to the stables.  Although the horses were still a bit big for Mara to ride, she really enjoyed just watching them.  They were loose on the property and it was fun to see them galloping around.

feeding the ducks

In the evening they had some kid Easter activity and Mara enjoyed painting some eggs.  From there we rounded off the day with dinner and an early bedtime (vacations are a tad different when you have kids ;)

On Sunday we went hiking.  It had rained the night before so the trail was pretty muddy.  It didn't help that we were cutting across the mountainside so we were constantly trying to cut into the hill.  By the end of the hike, a few falls later and numerous blisters we were drained.  We decided to spoil ourselves and each took an hour to head to the spa.  Josh went first and headed to the Russian sauna.  My turn was second and I indulged in a full body massage at the spa.  Oh my gosh heaven!  It's been years since I had a massage. With even more kids activities to attend we just took the rest of the day slow.

By Monday we were getting a little weary for our own beds so we took a quick paddle boat ride around the lake, did a round of mini golf and ate late breakfast.  Then it was time to head home.

It was a great weekend!  It was the first trip we've taken Maddy on and overall she did pretty well.  She wasn't a huge fan of sleeping in the carrier which is something we have to get used to.  Mara always was willing to so we could keep going while she slept.  Maddy wants to be in her bed so that means stopping and letting her rest.  We'll figure it out but any who we loved the lake.  Can't wait to head back in the future!

hiking

Getting your face painted is a thing here!

Weekend Fun

This past weekend we headed to Mushtaidi Park, a small amusement park near the large stadium here.  The park has a ton of rides for Mara and we really enjoy spending a few hours at it.

We headed there first thing after Maddy's morning nap.  Georgian's tend to sleep in so we like to get out and moving on the weekends to avoid crowds.  When we first arrived Mara was nervous, despite having been there before.  I wasn't too surprised as this is just her general demeanor and it takes her a bit to warm up to things.

Happy to sit in the stroller and watch!

I put 20 Lari (about $8.00 US) on our card and we were off!  The day was absolutely beautiful and the next two hours were spent hoping from ride to ride, sometimes getting off then getting right back on.  In between it all we stopped for a little ice cream and nursing break.  We rode both merry-go-round (or baby neigh's as Mara calls them), small train, large train, boats x2, the bumper cars and another car ride x3!

Maddy even got to ride one as we all jumped in a car and Mara "drove" us around the track. After our money ran out it was off to lunch.  We had noticed a small resturant in the corner of the park while on a ride and headed there.

The place was typical Georgian cuisine but with a great atmosphere.  Mara loved running around over the glass bottom floor and checking out the fish tank in the corner.  We indulged on grilled meat, salad, break, potatoes and kinkali (Georgian Dumplings).

After our bellies were full it was off to the market.  There's a large electronic and home improvement market nearby and Josh had been itching to explore.  The girls were a bit cranky due to lack of naps so the whole experience didn't start out well.  I ended up taking Mara back to the car and let Josh look around.  Everyone was happier that way!

All in all the day was great!  I love when we can have good quality family time and last weekend was just that!  I'm sure we will have many more days at this park in the future!

Usborne Update

Life has been busy here the last few months and frankly I've fallen off the blogging train...hard.  I think the biggest reason has been a great one.  My Usborne business is booming!

Since February I've been in a push to promote to team leader with the company.  This has entailed filling my calendar, holding an amazing book drive, coaching new team members and just diving head first into everything Usborne.

Although it's been a busy time, it's been a good time.  I never expected my business to be where it is now 8 months ago when I joined.  I thought I'd be lucky to be doing a party a week.  Now with my week nights filled, I am so grateful to be able to share these amazing books with others.

As of May 1st I officially promoted with the company and things are only going up.  My team is growing and this train I've started on is only speeding up.  I can't wait to continue to see what's in store for me.

If you're interested in hosting your own Usborne Book party please let me know!  I'd love to help you earn some FREE books for the kiddos in your life!  Books are really the keys to opening a 1000+ doors and I love that I get to do that for so many families!

Mother's Day Weekend

We had a low key Mother's day weekend and frankly I enjoyed every minute of it.  Saturday we spent the day around the house.  I got to do a lot of little projects I had my mind on.  I love organizing and there were parts of our home that I was itching to fix.  Moving as much as we do, I always run into areas where the organization I put into play initially doesn't work well in the long run.  We have a few spots like that and it felt SO good to go through it.

I spent all of Maddy's morning nap downstairs rearranging under the stairs.  It had become a catch all for everything from our welcome kit, excess bags, to the baby gate.  I pulled everything out and threw somethings away.  I still hate how you can see the pile as you walk up the stairs but appreciate the neatness of it all.  Short of building built in cabinets I don't think my "issue" with it is going to be resolved.

My second space I tackled was our storage room.  Man this room needed an overhaul.  I got permission from Josh to throw away some of our boxes.  Moving as much as we do we tend to get protective of our boxes.  You never realize how nice the boxes your electronics come in with the Styrofoam and cushions until you move and it shatters in the mover's boxes.  So we held on to them.  The TV box especially was taking up a ton of room.  I tried to be pretty critical and think if we really needed each box and that purge alone opened up so much room.

Again the room is still kind of lacking.  I think things would flow better if we had more shelving.  There's just some flimsy shelves at the top of the room and two clothing racks along each sides.  The racks are almost useless to us as we don't have a lot of clothes that we need to store.  For now I'm happy with the de-cluttering but think in the future we need to pursue more shelves.  It's hard because I think we'd have to order something like that if we wanted it and I'm just not sure yet...I digress.

Playing at the playground in the Botanical Gardens

Sunday we went to church and then out to brunch.  There's a great little cafe about 10 minutes from our home that has a nice American flair and Asian menu...weird combination I know.  We split a Korean dish and let Mara run around.  On the way home Josh stopped for flowers and I grabbed some more of the deep purple lilacs that are everywhere here.  I remember having a lilac bush outside my home when I was little love the smell of them. (I'd have flowers in the house always if I could just keep the cat from eating them.)

Happy girl

Josh had off Monday so we continued our fun into that day with a trip to the Botanical Gardens.  Everything was in bloom and it was nice to get out of the house.  We took the stroller and regretted it when most of the trails were just that trails.  Lesson learned and next time we'll bring the hiking gear.  We did make it down to the waterfall and then out to a quick lunch afterwards at one of our favorite restaurants in Old Town, Organique.

Overall it was a great weekend.  I got to spend it with the family and even got a beautiful homemade gift to commemorate the day.  Love my girls and so happy to be their mom!

Madeline-4 Months

Weight: Last time I weighed you, you were up to 14 lbs!  We go into the doctor on Tuesday for your four month well baby so we will see how long you are and get your exact weight!

Sisters before church

Health: You had a slight goopy eye this month.  We tried to clear it up with breast milk but it required a few drops of antibiotic drops.  Otherwise you are just cutting teeth and drooling like a champ despite the amber necklace.  

You've developed the excema patches on your cheeks like your sister.  Fortunately I recognize this and have been able to stay on top of it so it's not as bad.

Your hair has gotten lighter!

Seriously this smile

Social: You are still a social butterfly.  You like to be propped up so you can see everything around you and really hate it when you are lying anywhere.  You give the best open mouth grins and will laugh at just about everything.


Diet: All breast milk.  All the time!

Matching

Clothes: I just put away most of your 3 month things.  I only kept the shirts and pants that you still had a little room in.  For the most part you are in 3-6 month onesies because you need the extra room where they snap between you legs.

You have outgrown the newborn socks and shoes we had and now wear your robies size 0-6 months.


Mama's Favorites: I love going to get you in your crib this week.  You're always so happy and excited to see us!

Another before church shot

Crying: You really only get upset if you're tired, hungry or want to be sitting up.  And you let us know that you're not happy.  So despite you only crying a little when you do it's intense.


Sleep: You still go to bed sometime between 7:30 and 8 sleeping till I sneak in to give you a dream feed around 11.  Then you sleep through the night till about 7.  If you wake before then you are content to hang out in our room while mama gets a few extra minutes.

Naps are somewhat consistent with you taking three.  Either your morning or mid-day nap is long while the other is short.  You still sneak in a short cat nap around dinner time before you're ready for bed.

I'm finding that you have a hard time sleeping outside of your crib.  We really discovered this while we were away this past weekend.  Mara would sleep on us now problem.  You really fought it and when you did it would only be for a short time.  You like to sleep on your own!

Vacation fun

This Month:  We went on our first family vacation.  We went away to Lopota Lake.  I wouldn't say it was relaxing but we it was nice to get away and spend time together.  You were pretty content to hang out where ever we were and even went on a paddle boat ride on the lake!

You did great sleeping in the pack n play (compared to your sister at this age).  We did have some trouble with naps but overall it was fine.

Baby Likes: You like being talked to and in the center of the action.  You like ridding in the ergo and being outside.  You love watching your sister and interacting with her.  You like to sleep in your own crib!

Some days we stay in our pjs

Milestones: You now roll consistently from your belly to back.  We moved you to a back carry in the Ergo.  You went on your first family vacation. You are really getting into your jumper, moving around and of course jumping! You are grabbing at your toys especially on your play mat.  You follow objects and people and have slight mommy danger when I hand you off to people you don't know.

Best of Times: Seeing your personality emerge more and going on our first family vacation.

Trying to arch her back to get out off of her back

Worst of Times: Whenever you've reached the sleep point of no return.  We have to catch you and put you down before it gets bad.  There's no trying to hold you off!

Sister Diaries: Mara continues to love on you.  You have started to become more aware of her and what she does.  You're showing interest in what she's doing and it's only a matter of time before you are right there with her!

This was completely spontaneous and I LOVED it!