My Minnie (you know her as Tricia) said she'd like to introduce The Turning Twenty Girls and asked each of us to do our own introduction. Since I'm the youngest, I get to go first. :) My name is Hailey Byrd, I'm the only granddaughter of Tricia and Gary Cribbs. Let me tell you a little about myself. I am 22 years old and I get a year older every October 20th!
I married my high school sweetheart, Lucas Byrd, on June 3, 2011. We actually got married a week after we graduated high school. We met in the 9th grade in English class, (which is also my favorite subject) and I thought he was uber cute! In fact, the first thing I ever said to him was, “…can I borrow your highlighter?” The way he flipped his long shaggy hair across his face to show off his little freckles, and the way he wore a different rock and roll t-shirt everyday, just made me swoon! I was smitten. He sounds like he would be the “bad boy” phase almost every girl goes through, but not Lucas. He was so sweet and had such a big heart, and it all became mine when he “asked me out” right after class by the lockers. We were 15 going on “till’ death do us part."
 |
| Wedding Day June 3, 2011 |
13 days after we got married, we found out we were expecting our first baby boy! We were over the moon!! After 9 long months, and a very short and easy breezy delivery, we were looking into the face of our first born. William Jude Byrd came into this world on March 16, 2012. 6 pounds 2 ounces, 21 1/2 inches long and absolutely perfect!
 |
| Welcome baby Jude March 16, 2012 |
Our baby Jude isn’t such a baby anymore :( He is a firecracker that has an endless fuse!! He's so energetic, happy, loves Mickey Mouse and he's about to be 3.
I now realize what moms mean when they say, “They grow up so fast.” As a child, I thought that was crazy, I thought I couldn’t wait to grow up! Now that I am and I have a car payment, rent due every month, a husband to take care of, buying groceries…. I now long for the days that I could just ride my bicycle around the neighborhood until the streetlights come on, then listen for my dad to do his ever so popular whistle (you know the kind where you pinch you bottom lip and pull it way out?) and head home for dinner. Back then I was able to go to bed worry free with a full tummy, wake up the next morning and do it all over. I often long for those more simple days, but I wouldn’t trade my new life as an adult/wife/mother for anything! Especially when we discovered 2 years later, that we were expecting our next blessing!
On October 27, 2013, we got that very sought after double pink line. We were again, over the moon. We kept this pregnancy a secret for a couple days because my mom, Minnie, and Poppa were gone to Quilt Market. Of course the second they got back, we told them the news and they were so happy for us!! Sadly, a short 10 days later, November 10th, 2013, we found out that we had lost our baby. We figured I was only about 5 weeks along but that didnt help with the overwhelming pain. We named our rainbow baby, Harper Layne. I still talk to him at night in my prayers and I know he loves me and listens to me.
December 20th, 2013 we were very surprised to find out that God didn't wait to bless us with another baby! Our next baby boy was on his way! On August 13, 2014 (1 day after my dad’s birthday) we welcomed Ezra Sawyer Byrd into our little nest!
 |
| Welcome baby Ezra August 13, 2014 |
He is now 5 months old and the happiest baby in the world! He never stops smiling and is very attached to his mommy :) I am on cloud 9 with my little family and I can’t wait to add a little girl (or 2) into this house of crazy boys!!
Being a mother is indeed the most challenging job I have ever been blessed with. It is challenging both mentally and physically, but it is, in fact, the most rewarding! I would do it over again any day!
Now that you know more about my little Byrd family, I can tell you more about myself personally. I am very much into health and fitness. I love to go to the gym to workout and build my body to become better and healthier version of myself. I want to live a long and happy life for my little ones and my husband! I want to be able to run outside and play football with my boys and not get tired! Which is one of the main reasons Lucas and I decided to have children so soon! I cook in my home 90% of the time and I try my hardest to remove all the bad things. I try to cook organic, not fried, non-fatty foods. I love to make Jude and I smoothies and shakes using things like strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, bananas, oranges, lettuce, kale, spinach, flaxseeds, coconut milk, and tons of other super healthy foods!! It’s a fantastic way to get all your fruits and veggies in at one setting, and I feel so good knowing that I know exactly what my kids and I are putting into our bodies! When I can’t make it to the gym, I do Pilates at home! I would love to be able to share some healthy recipes and shakes with you whenever I post blog entries!
 |
Making his smoothie
 |
 |
| Jude trying to work out like Mommy... we probably make the same face lol! :P |
I am also all about vintage, distressed furniture, 20’s-60’s era, crocheting, and shabby chic things! I love Audrey Hepburn, Oxford shoes, doilys under antiques in my home, shabby tufted couches, burlap bows, and lace anything!! One of my favorite pastimes is antique shopping! Seriously, I could break the bank!!
 |
| My living room |
If I were to describe my perfect day (when the kids are with my parents) would be-
*Sleep in (of course, what mother doesnt dream about sleeping in!?)
*Having a brunch that includes a vintage tea set, coffee, fruits, and a croissant
*Getting dressed in my Fit and Flared 40’s dress, knee high stockings, and some Oxfords
*Getting on my vintage bicycle which also has a basket full of daisies on the front with my little Yorkie (Penny)
*Then spending the whole day antique shopping
*Come home to a nice home cooked meal and watch absolutely ANY Audrey Hepburn movie! Preferably Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Funny Face, Roman Holiday, or My Fair Lady as I sit in my favorite comfy chair and crochet until the cows come home! Haha! If Audrey wasn't available, I would also love to watch any episode of "I Love Lucy" seeing how I have every episode on DVD :)
When I was younger, I used to love standing beside my Minnie and watch her quilt at her LongArm machine. I used to just watch the needle go in and out of the fabric making the most beautiful pattern of thread all throughout the quilt. For some reason, when I think back to those times, the needle going up and down is in slow motion, making the quilting look so intricate and beautiful. I loved when I would stay the night with Minnie and she would give me a hoop, needle, and thread and teach me to embroider. We would sit together and embroider all night! My absolute favorite art that my Minnie taught me, would be crocheting. If I had nothing else to do in my life, I would crochet, every day all day. Lucas says that I am keeping the yarn industry in business! I value handmade items so much, because it took a special someone their time and skill to make something truly beautiful!
I think I have introduced myself to my fullest as of right now, at least you get the general idea of who I am! :) I am looking forward to sharing myself, my pastimes, ideas, and anything else that comes to mind in the future with every one of you!
Love, Hailey
P.S. Come back tomorrow to meet my mom, Michelle!
