Girls and Dolls or How to get kicked out of Forever 21.

Should I answer some more questions or do a vacation picture post? Hmmm… How about I answer the most popular question and maybe post a few pictures at the bottom? How does that sound? Ok, good.

So, can anyone guess what the most popular question was?

Christa, Katie, Llama, Sarah, and Amber all asked some form of the question “Do you plan on having more children?”

Good question, and the answer is as simple as this: I. Don’t. Know. I know that’s a terrible answer, so don’t hate. I never saw myself with more than 2 children, and after my second child was born only 21 months after the first, I definitely thought NO MORE! However, as time goes on (and Lainey asks me 100 times a day for a brother), my heart has softened to the idea. Shawn, on the other hand is a different story. I can’t blame him, because quite frankly he’s the one who has to get up with the baby all night. Yes, you heard me, I said he “has” to. Tami doesn’t do that type of thing, it’s just not in my blood.

Aside from wanting another baby, there’s also the key question of whether or not I should have another baby as far as my cluster-fuck of medical conditions are concerned. I’m not talking fertility, as we had no trouble conceiving either of our daughters. For one, I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, which I was diagnosed with at age 20, so I’ve already been through 2 pregnancies with that. I can handle that, sort of. Second, I have post herpetic neuralgia. I currently have good control of this with medications, but unfortunately these medications cannot be taken during pregnancy. That is a huge issue. Last, I had PPD after I had both girls. Knowing what I went through with that, and knowing that having it again is almost inevitable, is terrifying. Oh, and did I mention hyperemesis? It’s entirely possible that I singlehandedly kept the Zofran people in business for the 18 months I was pregnant. I wonder if they miss me?

So, there you have it. Clear as mud, right? I guess I will say one more thing. I hope to have made a decision by the end of this year regarding having another baby. I feel like it’s a big decision to make, but whatever we decide I hope that Shawn and I will both be at peace with it. I will also say that I have never been one to announce that I’m trying to get pregnant, so if we are trying, I probably won’t tell you!

Alrighty then, back to vacation. Since we’re already on the subject of kids, I thought I’d post the girl’s favorite day of the trip. Are you ready?

Wait for it…

Wait for it…

Lainey, meet “Lanie!”

Yes, people, it finally happened! On Tuesday we went to American Girl Atlanta (which is actually in Alpharetta). We went all out! The girls bought their dolls with Christmas money from my parents, we bought them a few accessories, and then we ate lunch with the dolls at the American Girl Bistro. If I’m being totally honest here… it was a lot of fun!

After 3 months of pouring over the American Girl Doll magazine, Alivia still had not decided which doll she wanted. She made several trips around the store, inspecting each and every doll, and then she finally decided on “Ruthie.”

Here we are in front of the Lanie trailer display. While we were taking this picture there was a girl, who actually was total trailer trash, getting pissed that we were taking pictures in front of the display! She actually walked in front of us one time. During this shenanigan, Shawn’s Aunt may or may not have said under her breath “Go back to your trailer!”

I can’t remember if I mentioned this, but we also brought Shawn’s cousin, Lindsey, with us on vacation. She’s 10 years old, and is a total sweetheart. Here are Lainey and Lindsey at lunch. Lindsey’s doll is one of the “just like me” dolls, and I think her name is Brittney.

All the girls and their dolls:

Our waitress was amazing! In the picture below she is telling Lainey that through “American Girl” magic, the dolls will eat if you’re not watching them. She brought each doll a mini chocolate chip muffin, and would you believe the dolls did nibble on it?! It’s true! Throughout the week, Lainey’s doll also ate several jelly beans! (Does anyone know how long I have to keep this up for?!)

The food was absolutely amazing, but the only photo I got of the food was of Alivia’s. She ordered the “Picnic Lunch,” which was a mini-hamburger and a mini-hotdog. The hotdog was so stinkin’ cute! Where do they get mini hotdog buns from?

After lunch we walked around the mall, and did a little shopping. I’ve heard so many bloggers talk about Francesca’s, and I finally got to check it out! I didn’t try any clothes on, but I did buy a fabulous ring. We also stopped by Forever 21 and tried some sunglasses on:

Oh, and FYI, you’re not allowed to take pictures in Forever 21. Um yeah, we got kicked out.