Matt and Courtney: Atlanta

It is so nice to be close enough to drive to Atlanta!!! We hit the road early (3:30!) one Thursday morning and headed south! It was Hannah's first trip to my parents house and she was able to add 2 more states to her list (making it 9!). We left super early so that Hannah would hopefully sleep until we were past Nashville, and it worked! She snoozed until Nashville and woke up just on the other side. We stopped for breakfast for us, to feed and change Hannah, and fill up on gas. Amazingly, this was our ONLY stop!!! I had brought a bottle and fed Hannah in the carseat as we got onto 285 just about 30 minutes from my parent's house. The trip could not have gone any better, and we were at my parents house by noon!

On Friday we went to see our good friends' Beth and Sy. They were so sweet to have us in their home, and we got to try out their yummy red beans and rice that they had been cooking all day for their tailgate Saturday. We also went to lunch with Chris, Jen and baby Phoebe. Phoebe is about 6 weeks younger than Hannah, and just a hair bigger than Hannah was at birth! She is a sweet, petite, and very happy baby!

On Saturday, Hannah got to spend the whole day with Grandma! Matt and I headed to Athens, GA to watch the Bulldogs pounce on the Auburn Tigers. It was so fun to be back in my college town after 3 years of being away!!! We stopped by Beth's tailgate and that was a blast!!! We also met up with Matt's boss for his tailgate and then went the game with him and his family.

Sunday was a VERY busy and fun day! We started the day off with brunch with the Pratts! They had not seen Hannah since she was 5 weeks old, so it was fun to show them all of her new skills! She had a great time seeing her Aunt Lauri, Uncle Ron and many cousins again!! Then, we headed back to my parents house where Hannah finally got meet Uncle Eric and Aunt Melissa!!! Eric got married 1 day shy of 2 weeks before Hannah was born, and being a 9 hour drive away, we were not able to attend the wedding. It was so fun to see them!!! Also, the Goforth girls came into town and Hannah had a blast with Aunt Catherine, Abby, Caroline, and Molly Ryan.

We got to spend all day Monday with the Goforths and it was so fun! The girls are so sweet with Hannah and just love her so much! Caroline and I hung out in the car a little while Hannah was sleeping before going into a restaurant for lunch, and she told me that she thought I would like some company. She also told me that she wanted to do what I used to do when she grows up, "tell kids about their surgeries." I just love being an aunt!!! I had no idea she even knew what I used to do!

On Tuesday, I got together with Amy and Ellery. Amy was a good friend from Boston who moved to Atlanta back in August and I used to watch Ellery when she was about Hannah's age. It was so fun to see them in my hometown!!! Ellery is super cute and sweet, I can't believe she's 2!!!

On Wednesday morning, Hannah and i went to see my childhood friend Beth and her sweet little boy Rylan. When Rylan was born, he couldn't breath on his own, and the doctors have been unable to find the cause. He is about 6 weeks older than Hannah, and had to have a tracheotomy and is on a ventilator. He is just the sweetest little thing!! Beth and her family are so strong. I can't imagine what they have gone through and will continue to deal with. It was so wonderful to see her and have the privilege of meeting such a sweet, strong little boy! Since seeing him, he learned to sit up!!! This is a huge accomplishment for him to hit this developmental milestone on time!!! We are so thankful for the ways he continues to grow and learn new things!! Then on Wednesday afternoon, we went to see my one of my best friend's from college, Kristen! I hadn't seen her since her wedding back in March, and I loved to be able to catch up face to face and have her meet Hannah!

On Thursday my mom and I drove up to my parent's lake house that they are renovating. It was my Grandmother's house and it was so neat to see all of the changes they have made. It is not finished, but it looks awesome so far! I'm excited that Hannah will get to build memories in the same house I built such great memories as a child!! Then we went to the RUM (Reformed University Ministries) office to pick up one of my other good friend's Emily to take her lunch. I also hadn't seen Emily since March when she through me a shower at her house. I love introducing Hannah to my friends and seeing them love on my daughter! We had a lovely time at lunch and went into the office to see a few more people (another Emily, and just happened to see a lady who goes to my parent's church!).

It was a busy week, but we had some good downtime in the evenings with my mom and dad. While there, Hannah really figured out how to roll around! She had been rolling over for a while, but wouldn't really move much. She had such fun in the evenings rolling around my parent's floor! And we had fun watching her!! She was really funny!! Hannah and I drove back Friday, leaving at 4am. We made a few stops and got home about 2pm just in time for Daddy to get home at 3! It was such a wonderful week with family and friends!!

Enjoy all the pictures!!