Tag Archives: g-ma

Our Trip to Travaasa Via Instagram Stories

08/23/2016 R.C. Liley 2 Comments

Going Mom and I hit our 9th anniversary on August 17th this year. To celebrate, we took a trip down to Austin, TX to stay at an adult’s only hotel resort called Travaasa. I decided to share our 3.5 hour drive using Instagram Stories and saved each photo to share here.

I woke up early to fit in a workout before heading out.

fitness, workout, lifting, instagram stories

We planned on leaving at around 10am, but needed G-Ma to make it over since she was staying to watching Avery for the weekend. Wouldn’t you know, she needed extra time to make it over, but no worries, that meant coffee and extra time with Avery! I cooked all of the food to feed Avery while we were gone and wrote out a schedule for G-Ma to follow.

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Hard to read here, but G-Ma did a great job. She knows how important good nutrition is to us, especially when it comes to feeding our kid, so I felt mostly confident she would deliver. Finally, it was time to say goodbye to Avery.

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She was distracted by birds or something in the window, but we knew she’d miss us. Right? Our trip was off to a great start for about 30 minutes until….

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Stupid traffic. I was running only on coffee and finally felt it was time for a nice protein snack. Really like these Epic Bars.

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Kelley wanted to stop at the famous Magnolia Market in Waco, TX since we were driving right through it on the way. Not that it really stood out to me, but I was up for seeing the place Chip and Joanna Gaines fixed up just like they do on their popular HGTV show, Fixer Upper.

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Naturally, we had to take a couple’s pic in front of their sign with a hashtag. #MilesToMagnolia

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Going Mom bought a few small items to add to our home and we were back off to complete our journey to Travaasa. I had called a few days before and arranged for champagne to be waiting for us in our room. It wasn’t there at first, but while we were out walking, I made a quick call and they rushed it up for our return.

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She loves good, dry bubbly, and this did not disappoint. Time for a ……

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A couple hours of soaking in the hilly surroundings full of fresh air with the scent of cedar and it was time for dinner. Outside on the patio was perfect. Not too hot, not too cold, and no crazy winds. Plus a beautiful view.

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The restaurant was one of the most accommodating with the highest quality I’ve seen. Most ingredients are sourced right from their own garden and all meat is sourced from local suppliers who raise their animals to the highest ethical standards. Needless to say, even a guy that refuses to eat out was happy.

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The entire trip was fabulous and much needed for the both of us. We were able to have fun and reconnect on so many levels. I love my wife more than anything, and can’t wait to celebrate our 10th anniversary with my beautiful bride. Maybe Travaasa in Maui?

Life, Parenting

To My Mom and Wife: Happy Mother’s Day!

05/08/2016 R.C. Liley 2 Comments

Happy Mother’s Day to all wonderful mothers out there! I truly respect those of you who work so hard day in and day out and always seem to smile no matter what. The love of a mother is everlasting, and I am lucky enough to have two wonderful ladies in my life as proof.

My mom, Avery’s G-Ma, has always been there for me and now she’s always here for Avery. It’s obvious how much Avery loves G-Ma since every time we see her, mommy and daddy move down on the list of favorites. They even turn their backs on us!

mother's day, mom, love, g-ma

And if we were to ask Avery for a bite of her snack, there would be no way she’d share, but for G-Ma, well…

Of course, when with her Mommy, my beautiful wife/Going Mom, I seem to get the cold shoulder too.

mother's day, mom, love, g-ma

Geez, how do I survive as a stay-at-home dad with this kind of treatment?!

Can’t blame her, they are both beautiful and amazing women that I’m happy just to have in my life. Not just on Mother’s Day, but every day.

Mom and Kelley, I love you so much and can’t thank you enough for everything you do and all the love you give. Hope you have a wonderful Mother’s Day and many, many, MANY more to come!

I wish the same to all of you wonderful moms out there as well. Have a great day, I hope you’re celebrating with the ones you love today. I’ll be spending mine with these two girls.

Family Selfie in Playroom

We’ll see G-Ma in another week to celebrate again. Maybe we should consolidate Mother’s and Father’s Day to just one day, Parent’s Day. That sure would make things a little simpler.

What’s that, retail industry? Oh, yes, yes, sorry, I’ll shut my mouth!

Avery Talk, Parenting

A Conversation With My Baby

02/26/2016 R.C. Liley 6 Comments

This is a post from 2 years ago when Avery was still a baby. The conversation may or may not of actually happened. 🙂

Me: Hey, Avery!

Avery: Yes?

Me: Want to know something pretty cool?

Avery: I’m listening….

Me: Well, for one thing, you’re an outrageously cute baby and I love you!

Avery: Ahh, get out, you’re just saying that so I’ll finish that bottle without putting up a fight.

Me: Nope, it’s true, you’re a cutie. But, if you wouldn’t mind helping daddy out, it would be much appreciated if you just took the bottle without jerking your head every 30 seconds; please? Anyway, did you know we’re going somewhere tomorrow?

Avery: It’s not the doctor’s office, is it?

Me: Ha ha, nope, that will be later this month though.

Avery: Whaaaaaaa! I don’t wanna go!

Me: Calm down dear, you have a nice doctor and we’ll be there for you the whole time, I promise.

Avery: Okay, only if you’re there the whole time. And no funny stuff! Or else I won’t cooperate for your next baby workout video, which is pretty silly if you ask me.

Me: Thanks for understanding, and I do appreciate your cooperation at all times. So, tomorrow we are going to G-ma’s house. Remember, she watched you last weekend when mommy and daddy went to the Imagine Dragons concert. The last time you were there you were only 5 weeks old, and now you’re 15 weeks! You’re growing so fast and just keep getting cuter, I swear.

Avery: Oh, dad, you’re crazy! I can’t wait to see G-ma again, we had a great time together last weekend! Plus, she doesn’t swaddle me so tight where I can’t move my hands to my mouth to suck them.

Me: Well, I’m glad you’re excited and I’m sure we’ll have a great time. Just remember, we can’t bring your crib, so you’ll have to sleep in your bassinet for the first time. Will you promise to be good while we visit?

Avery: I’m sorry, what? I wasn’t paying attention.

Me: I said we’re going to G-ma’s and I asked if you promise to be a good baby while we’re there. And always, for that matter….

Avery: Ha ha, I know, I heard you the first time! Yes, I’ll be good, but I can’t make any promises about the bassinet.

Me: Okay, that’s good enough, I’ll just depend on my super swaddle powers to keep you content and sleeping well. I guess it’s time to work on this bottle now. How about giving your dad a break and just finishing it like a growing baby should? If you do, we can play airplane and make clicky noises with our tongue.