THE KENNEDY FAMILY

Watson learns to walk

2012-02-18T07:22:00.004-06:00

Watson just decided he was ready to start walking on Thursday. He's getting too big. And right in time for his 1st birthday. He has had the funniest crab crawl for the past few months. I am surprised I got both the crawl and walking on the same video. Excuse my annoying voice!
Watson-11 1/2 months

Girls Day

2012-02-16T09:34:00.004-06:00

On Monday Hayes and I had a fun girls day together. She is at a great age and I am so enjoying this stage with her. Our church has preschool playdays once a month and this month it was Children's Theatre. Our friends Maggie and Margaret met us and we saw The Little Engine that Could. I highly recommend it if you're here or close by! I think it's playing for a couple more weeks. It was a great 45 minute show. I wasn't sure how she would do having to sit still and watch-never been to a movie or even watched more than a 20 min. show at a time! But it kept her attention and she loved it. The snack helped too (although I am sure they didn't appreciate that, she is only 3 though!)

We left and got a sucker from Nathan's office-see the red drippings on that dress? Red all over it! I washed it about 3 times that afternoon to get that all out. Then we went to eat lunch and she chose cheeseburgers. We also rode the escalator about 25 times up and down at Brookwood Mall. I think that was the best part of girls day for her! Fun times with my Hayes. She's a sweet one.

Happy Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T09:14:00.003-06:00

Thank you Nana and Papa for the box of treats,

and the cute apron!

and the singing tiger!

We love it all. There's nothing better than finding a box on your front porch!

Happy Valentine's day!!

My Little Valentines and Weekend Fun

2012-02-13T13:36:00.011-06:00

We survived the weekend with Nathan out of town successfully. He wasn't gone too long, but we surely missed him. I never like for him to go out of town. Everybody in this family likes for everybody to be home all the time. It's just a safe and cozy and warm place. I love home. Watson has been fighting a fever virus and upper respiratory stuff, mainly at night, poor thing. His tonsils are huge, so they are affecting his sleep at night, just very restless and breathing hard and fast. But other than that it was a great weekend. We partied w/some birthday girls and just stayed home and played inside. I can't take this freezing cold weather. If it would just snow that would make it worth it!

We celebrated our sweet friend Lily's 3rd birthday Friday night w/Mexican. Happy Birthday, Lily!! We hope you had a good one!!

Have I mentioned how MUCH hayes loves cupcakes? She lives for a cupcake. She has probably had more in her 3 years than I've had in my 32 years. That is no joke. I didn't even like sweet stuff until I married Nathan. He loves sweets too and now so do I. It's a main food group at our house. She gets it honest. Also chips and salsa and cheese dip. That girl can put away a bowl of chips and cheese fast. just like her mama!

Last our friend Campbell turned 5 and had the cutest painting party! It was super creative and crafty. Ana did a great job! Girls and boys all had fun. I am storing away all these creative b'day ideas for the future. We have 2 winter birthdays so we will always have inside parties, no parks or pools or anything outside!

Watson drove us home from the party

Happy Monday. Stay warm!!

Playtime

2012-02-09T14:42:00.001-06:00

A Catch up of Events

2012-02-07T13:44:00.008-06:00

I find if I take a few days and don't blog, then I have no idea what day of the week it is or what we have spent our time doing. I've also been a little lazy about snapping pictures lately so that doesn't help either. But anyway here is a short recap of the latest events at our house.

Last week we met friends at the zoo at a normally absurd time, but, it turned out to be a great time! We got there at 1:00, played and looked at animals and left about 2:30. Both little ones had super afternoon naps. We'll probably be doing that again soon. Plus the weather has just been so nice that it's really hard to stay inside, even in the afternoon when it's naptime.

(Emma Kate, Hayes, and Mary Carmen) thanks Amy Mc. for the pic!

Watson man got his big boy carseat put in last week. He is so happy and so am I. I love looking in my mirror and seeing the top of that little blonde head. Getting into the car is so much easier on us both, no wrestling him into that little backwards seat anymore!

last ride in the baby seat!

Yea for a bigger seat! We went a new route w/his big seat so he can stay in it until high school. just kidding but these days kids sit in carseats forever. I really like it. That cup holder comes in handy too.

Since January we have started having family fun night on Friday nights and Hayes is all about it. We try to do something fun/together most every night, but Fridays are stay up a little past bedtime nights. Usually we go get ice cream or watch a short movie or play a game or something fun, whatever she wants to do. This past Friday night she chose popsicles and staying up late to watch her Sprout shows. It's so fun for her. I know she feels so big doing that after Watson goes to bed. We've also started Saturday date night after the little people go to bed which has been so much fun too! Saturday night was steak night, Nathan's idea, and it was delicious. That might be a regular thing now.

Saturday we took a short trip to T-town to see Brent and Lindsey's new house! It was a very easy and fun little trip. Hayes and Baker jumped in the bouncy house, Watson jumped a little bit but mainly explored Baker's toys inside. Lindsey made lunch for us and it was all so good!Thanks Lindsey for having us!!

That's about it. It's rest time so I need to take full advantage! Happy Tuesday!

H-3 yrs.
W-11 mos.

A New Trick

2012-01-31T08:20:00.004-06:00

I told y'all I love videos. Here is a new one for the grandparents! W's new favorite hobby is throwing/fetching the ball. He will do this over and over and loves it! I'm so glad I caught it on video. Feel free to skip over it if you're not a grandparent, it won't hurt my feelings. Just wanted to document so we wouldn't forget about him doing this!

W-11 mos

My Silly Babies

2012-01-31T06:03:00.004-06:00

Happiness is seeing your babies playing together,

smiling together,

laughing together,

because the youngest finally got his tubes and feels like a new baby,

and his parents feel like new people too because the fussing is now minimal to none and there is no medicine sitting on the kitchen counter. We are in a blissful (but probably short) state where everyone is well!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these little bitty blessings that we wake up to each day.
Thank you, Lord!

H-3 yrs
W-11 mos

My Baby is 11 months!

2012-01-28T06:32:00.004-06:00

Little Watson man turned 11 months this past week. How can that be? I can't believe that 1st birthday is less than a month away now. I am so not ready for him to be a toddler. Seems like he was just born last week!

He is so funny. He feels 1000000000 times better since having his new tubes and adenoids out. He really is a new baby, everbody says that and it's so true. It made a huge difference w/him. I don't think he felt 100% from the time he was born until 10 1/2 months-how sad! He is a jolly little thing. I think he is finally liking MDO now. And I think his teachers are finally starting to tolerate him-hahaha! just kidding. I know they loved him, BUT I know it's difficult to take care of a fussy baby, especially when that fussy baby is not your own child! LOVE those ladies. He makes the funniest little wrinkled up nose smile when he gets excited. He crawls as fast as I can run (sadly.) He is not walking yet, just holding onto furniture and making his way around the room. He can get anything he wants to get his hands on! He LOVES playing in the playroom, with or without his sister. He is Mr. Independent in there. It's a great feeling to leave them both in there to play and know he can't get hurt (unless she tackles him, which happens often?) They tend to play rough w/each other, which is so surprising to me about Hayes, not him. He likes to wrestle and play rough w/Nathan. He can THROW a BALL like a champ. He's been practicing this new skill everyday and it's hilarious. Maybe he will be a ball player like his daddy.

I told Nathan I feel like one of the swamp people who wrestle alligators all day! He makes me WORK to change his diaper. No laying there w/a book, toy or anything while getting his diaper changed. He is as strong as he can be and can flip as fast and hard as those big alligators. And sometimes, he wins! And he speed crawls away w/no diaper for a little while!

His naps are still unpredictable. He takes 2 still, but lengths vary every day. Some days his afternoon nap may be 30 min. and sometimes 2 hours. Never a sure thing and I just can't count on it every day. I guess I got really spoiled w/Hayes' long naps. This man doesn't like to miss a second of playtime by being in his bed. Night times are wonderful. He goes to bed and 7 pm and is up around 7:15-7:30 am. Baby alligators need their nighttime sleep!

His eating has become picky. Things I know he will eat-bananas, cereal bars, yogurt, Gerber meals like chicken and vegetables, cheese grits, applesauce, dry cereal, spaghetti, crackers, cheese, and anything we are eating. He is not a fan of his highchair lately.

He is super fun, precious, fiesty, quick tempered, loving, SNUGGLY as can be, and LOVES his mama. He has his 3 biggest fans right here w/him every day and we all love him to the moon and back. God made him just perfect for our family and we're so thankful we get to love and raise him. Happy 11 months little Buddy!!! We can't wait to celebrate the BIG ONE w/you next month!

The birthday girl had a big day

2012-01-24T20:04:00.006-06:00

That's a big 3 on that strawberry muffin this morning for my baby. 3 whole years of being her parents. What a huge gift she is in our lives!

She requested "sugar" muffins this morning so we had strawberry instead and then opened a few presents

She had her 3 yr. checkup (won't be doing that again on a birthday) and it went great, just lasted a little too long for a birthday morning. She is a healthy girl. I am so thankful.

Snacks help pass the time, and make little brother mad sometimes. sorry buddy!

Chick Fil A and ice cream for lunch, rest time w/Max and Ruby and goldfish and then swinging outside.

It was a great day and fun celebrating her 3 years of life. We sang happy birthday to her again at bedtime and she smiled the whole time. I hope she will always know how special she is. We had a parenting seminar on Sunday and oh my goodness, it scares me to death now to think about the future when our kids are bigger. All of the things kids deal with are way too much to think about. I wish we could just freeze time and keep them the way they are right now, tender and so innocent! We have alot of praying to do. That's a whole other post though. I just love this age, but I've loved every age! Happy 3 years baby Hayes! You are loved WAY more than you will ever know or understand!!

Hayes' 3rd Birthday Party

2012-01-23T20:00:00.011-06:00

We celebrated Hayes 3rd birthday over the weekend! Wow I can't believe I just wrote that she is THREE! We had all of our family in town and it was such a great weekend. Nathan and I feel extremely grateful for our family coming to celebrate with us. They all had to travel and we appreciate every single one of them making the trip. Even sweet Uncle Cory who just had ACL/knee surgery a few weeks ago came. Now that is one sweet uncle who hobbled up here for a 3 yr old jumping party! (He is doing really good though!) We decided to have her party at JumpZone this year, since her favorite thing to do ever is jump and bounce and slide. Seemed like a logical choice, and then after I booked it, I started thinking out of all the jump parties we have been to, they have all been boy parties! Oh well, my girl likes to do some jumping and sliding so that's what we went with!

Watson had just as big of a time as Hayes and the other big kids did. He was all over that place. I carried his wiggly monkey self through one of the obstacle courses (not easy) and down one of the slides and he died laughing the whole time!

Hayes had no idea everyone was singing happy birthday to her. She was super focused on getting her capri sun straw in. She requested donuts early on so that's what we had instead of cake.

After the party we had our family over for round 2 to eat lunch and play for a bit before everyone had to leave.

It was a fun filled weekend! Thank you to all of the family and friends who came to celebrate our big girl with us! You are all very much appreciated. Happy 3rd Birthday Miss Hayes!!

Pajama Day

2012-01-17T15:14:00.005-06:00

If there is one thing in life my girl really dislikes it is getting dressed. Every day is a CHORE to get her dressed and ready, shoes and socks, and then that HAIR! Those curls are wild and tangly in the morning without a spray bottle, detangler and a good brushing. So with the cloudy cold weather we've been having, there have been a lot of pajama days. And one thing I have figured out with pajama days, these are days that she will fall asleep in the afternoons. We took a trip to the dr. to see what she thought about Hayes 4 month cough. She can't seem to kick it. We got some medicine, better than over the counter, so I hope it does the trick!!

I did at least get her hair brushed before we went.

If Hayes is not getting dressed neither is the little one!

I think I've mentioned on here before that I love our pediatrician. She's SO smart, and a MOM, so she understands my over-reactions to coughs, fevers, sniffles, etc. I'm thankful she doesn't get annoyed with our continuous presence in her office. Plus, I think she truly does care about my children (and all her patients) and that makes a huge difference to this mama!

H-35 months
W-10 months

The Weekend and Conversations

2012-01-15T19:50:00.007-06:00

It seems our little man was not out of the woods after his tubes/adenoids on Thursday like I thought! He got a fever Friday night and kept it pretty much all weekend off and on. I have felt so sorry for him. A fever makes a baby so pitiful and it makes me so nervous. He and I stayed home today from church and he seems to be feeling better tonight. He's had a lot of motrin, lots of snuggling, and lots of baths. I just keep thinking the baths make him feel a little better. He was happy and playing and eating tonight which is a good sign that he's on the mend.

I had a sweet conversation with Hayes that I just want to remember, so I thought I would put it on here. I wish I could remember everything because it's all so funny. She is at a great age. I know I say/think that all the time about every age. But she's just like a little adult, except completely and totally innocent and adorably naive. I love it

Hayes-hey mommy, how are you?
me-I'm fine how you are? (and back and forth 5 times)
Hayes-what are you doing mommy?
me-I'm washing watson's bottles so he can drink milk tomorrow
Hayes-oh you're washing his bottles?
me-yes and when you grow up and have babies you'll wash their bottles too
Hayes-but i don't have any soap
me-you will have some soap when you grow up and have a husband and a house
Hayes-oh I have a house outside (her playhouse) and runs back to watch her night night show

When Nathan was putting her to bed and saying prayers he said she was getting sleepy. He asked her if there was anything she wanted to thank God for? Hayes-Mrs. Meg and Mrs. Abby and that's it! I think she was done w/the prayers.

That's all the sweet sappiness I have to share tonight. We're about to get in high gear w/some birthday celebrating. I am excited, not nearly as excited as Hayes though. She's been talking about her birthday and Watson's birthday for months, basically since he was born.

Lastly, is anyone else having trouble w/blogger or is just me? I cannot add any background to this boring white page to save my life! And the double and triple spacing is out of control! I can't seem to fix it though. I am not a fan of technology changes!!

Update on our patient

2012-01-12T13:26:00.008-06:00

Just wanted to give a quick update on Watson's tubes this morning. They took his adenoids too b/c they were so big. He was a trooper! Got up 2 hours early, no bottle/breakfast, waited for an hour before they called him back, didn't cry when they took him from me or when they brought him back-VERY out of character for him-thank you for the prayers! I am so glad too because I was by myself and Nathan stayed home w/Hayes. The sleepy/agitated state is the most nerve wracking process of the whole thing. He was pretty lethargic for a little while and snuggled in my lap without moving a muscle. So, I did enjoy his recovery time!

We had a good bit of time to wait on different people coming in.

All dressed and ready to go! I was so glad they let him take his monkey and paci back w/him!

It was a good experience. I am so grateful that we live here w/quick access to great doctors and hospitals. The whole process from seeing the ENT doctor for the 1st time to getting tubes today took only 2 days. That is God's hand for sure. I think he knew we couldn't take many more ear infections at our house! I hope it makes him feel so much better and I think he already does. He's already logged in several hours of playtime today since we got home and now is napping (along w/Hayes and that only happens about once a month-must be my lucky day.) Thanks for your thoughts and prayers!

And not to leave out this sweet thing, she has had some special time w/her Daddy this week. She got to go to work w/him Tuesday morning for a little bit while we were at the doctor and went to get a strawberry donut w/just the two of them this morning. Tubes for Watson are just making everybody in this house happy. I told Nathan if we ever have another baby I hope they can get tubes in their ears before they come home from the hospital. It sure would save a whole lot of trouble for the 1st year-hahhaha!!

W-10 months

This sweet baby boy...

2012-01-11T14:07:00.003-06:00

is all signed up to get his tubes tomorrow morning!

I am soooooooo beyond thankful. I think they will make a WORLD of difference for him. He has had constant ear infections/medication for 3 months now and just can't get rid of the fluid. I took him yesterday to the ENT and right now has 2 infections, a red throat, and swollen tonsils. I am so sad for him, especially when I see him smiling and playing knowing he doesn't feel good. I think he has learned to adjust to the pain and pressure-so, soooooo sad. But, tomorrow morning he will feel so much better, he is not going to know what to think!!!

Both he and Hayes started getting ear infections around the same time-7 months-and are getting tubes at the same times-around 10-11 months. We had a great experience at Children's South last time, super organized, friendly and efficient. Would you say a prayer for him tomorrow morning if you think about it? Thank you blog friends!!

2012

2012-01-05T20:43:00.003-06:00

My Dad sent me this and I thought it was worth reading and sharing. We've made some new goals/priorities around here, all 4 of us, and I'm excited about them. I just hope we still remember them in a couple of months! Not really, I posted them in the kitchen just in case anyone forgets what they are supposed to be doing in the new year!

A HANDBOOK for 2012
Health:
Drink plenty of water
Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
Make time to pray.
Play more games
Read more books than you did in 2011
Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
Sleep for 7 hours.
Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
Don't over do. Keep your limits.
Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
Dream more while you are awake
Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
Smile and laugh more.
You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

Society:
Call your family often.
Each day give something good to others.
Forgive everyone for everything.
Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
Try to make at least three people smile each day.
What other people think of you is none of your business.
Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
Do the right thing!
Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
GOD heals everything.
However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
The best is yet to come..
When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Happy New Year!

4 Wheelers for Christmas

2012-01-05T20:17:00.002-06:00

I am on a big time video uploading kick, so watch out, you may be seeing alot on here! I have taken so many videos lately of the kids, plain pictures just don't seem to do our days and their ages and personalities justice! I just noticed today that youtube updated their website and all your videos are on one page and you can get them to play repeatedly. Actually that may not be new but it's new to me. Hayes and I watched all of them on our "channel" for about an hour today and it was so sweet to see her back at 17, 18 , 20 months etc. She was such a baby. Just proof of how fast time flies and how quickly they are changing. I'm big on capturing memories if you can't tell!

Hayes and Baker got these fun motorized 4 wheelers from Nathan's parents for Christmas. They were soooo funny trying to drive them. It took awhile before they both got the hang of it, then they just starting playing bumper cars and being silly and trying to do tricks. Sadly, we could not fit the 4 wheeler into our car for the ride home with the rest of our gifts and bags and such, so it's still in Dothan. She is going to flip out when they bring it in a few weeks!

Hayes-35 months
Baker-26 months

Watson at 10 months

2011-12-31T10:59:00.004-06:00

Watson was 10 months on Christmas Day. How is that possible? Every time I turn around he's a whole month older and getting closer to that 1st birthday. I'm not ready for that. I'm still enjoying my baby. Being 1 means lots of big things, like walking (boo!), sippy cups and not bottles (again boo!) and other things I'm not ready for. I enjoy a baby, the bigger they get the harder they get to me (for the most part)!

Here are a few things about 10 months w/Watson man...

Sleeps like a champ-2 naps are long ones, about 1 hour or more in the a.m. and 2-3 hours in the afternoon. Nighttimes are at least 12 hours, sometimes more.
On his 3rd ear infection, they have been relentless w/him. he has an ent appt coming up for tubes. I'm crossing my fingers he can get them soon!
He is everywhere and wants everything he can't have to play with.
Loves playing with all toys

Loves blinds and windows, I have to keep all the blinds up that are his level at all times.
Really dislikes getting in his carseat. He likes to get in and just stand up and look around for a while before I strap him in.
Has been a good eater until he started on his last medicine. I think it's taking away his appetite for food but is still drinking his milk.
Changing his diaper is sort of like having to change a tiger's diaper. I have to be sneaky with it!
The dishwasher is a favorite, and cabinets too, again anything he doesn't need to get into he is all over. I can't take my eyes off him for a second now.
Loves swinging outside
Loves bathtime with Hayes, but really dislikes getting out. They love to splash and play and are so cute to watch.

I love him being this age. He's big enough to be fairly predictable with his schedule and little enough to still be a baby. We love you Watson!!! It's so much fun being your parents. We are learning a lot from you!

Our Christmas 2011

2011-12-30T20:11:00.010-06:00

We are still trying to recover from our Christmas weekend! It was very full and full of fun being with each other and with all of our families. We decided earlier this month that since we were travelling to Dothan, we would do our own Christmas/Santa here at home with our family first. It was so sweet and so much fun and I'm so glad we did it like that. It was fun waking up in our home and opening gifts and we didn't have to go through the trouble of packing everything up to open later and then bringing it all right back home!

Do you see the gigantic blue sucker above? Well, that is the ONLY thing that Hayes wanted from Santa for Christmas, so she was one happy girl when she got a huge candy bowl full of blue suckers and candy canes, plus a bunch of other stuff. She leafed through her other toys with slight interest, but the candy was her favorite part!

Watson was all smiles and just trying to figure out all the madness with paper and toys and suckers everywhere that he couldn't have. He did get a football though and lots of other boy toys this year which were greatly needed for him!

On Friday (after a trip to the dr. for Watson w/another ear infection) we headed to Dothan for time with our families. We were able to spend time with all of our family, both sides, except for Honey. We missed her!

We squeezed in a whole lot in 4 short days of being with family. Hayes almost made it through the Christmas Eve service, she lasted about 40 minutes and then about the same length on Christmas Day. She tried really hard. Sitting still is tough I know when you are that age. She had crackers, toys and crayons and stickers and Nana and Papa though so she wasn't too bored!

We had good cousin and grandparent time. I feel like everybody got enough of us-haha! We all got spoiled with way too many gifts and we are very thankful for our families loving us so much and for taking good care of us when we come visit. I know it's not easy having a whole extra family to come stay, especially when they bring 10,000 lbs of stuff w/them plus a pharmacy at all times.

Happiness on a 4 wheeler-she and Bake got these fun motorized 4 wheelers and were so hilarious on them. I can't even describe it! Of course I have a video and may post that later. It really was SO, SO funny watching them learn to drive!

And here are my 2 on Christmas Day, as happy as can be to be posing for the camera!

My baby's first Christmas at 10 months old. Oh, I love him soooo much, infected ears, fussiness and all, bless his heart. He was a trooper the whole trip, good naps and good nights. THANKFUL for that.

Oh and I can't forget our Hunt's date night on Monday night w/Brent and Lindsey. Very, very nice and fun spending time w/them sans babies. Wish that happened more often!

Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas too. Happy 2012!!

Riding the Reindeer

2011-12-23T06:19:00.004-06:00

What are reindeer? My 2 have no idea. We took H & W to the galleria (CRAZY place, not sure what we were thinking) to ride the Christmas carousel since they have the reindeer out. They both LOVE a carousel ride, all smiles the whole nauseating ride. And those bright smiles make all the traffic, rain, and 10 billion shoppers worth all the trouble of getting there. The things we will do for our kids!!

He was fascinated with seeing in the mirror the whole ride.

Santa is coming early to our house since we will be with our family over Christmas. We haven't put much focus on Santa this month, just the fact this it's Jesus' birthday. But I think she is understanding that Santa brings presents and started talking about him and asking questions. And I got carried away and excited answering her questions with probably some not-so-truthful answers, and then Nathan called me out on it last night!! Our pastor's wife came to our SS class a few weeks ago and gave us these tips about keeping your perspective w/Santa:
1. Keep the main thing, the main thing (JESUS)
2. Rules without a relationship only lead to rebellion (not so much about Santa but just a good tip)
3. Do not lie! (like make up a bunch of lies about Santa-I'm finding that may be hard to do when she asks questions about Santa. She said answer their questions with a question-how do you think he comes down the chimney? why do you ask? put it back on them and let them use their imagination
4. Give them more do's than don'ts in their life.
It's always nice to have someone's perspective that has more experience raising kids/grandkids than we do. Our plan is to have fun with Santa, but keep our focus on the only reason for Christmas. Parenting is hard. We have so much to learn. I'm thankful for good godly models and mentors around us!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

H-35 mos
W-10 mos

McWane Fun on Monday

2011-12-20T13:32:00.006-06:00

Nathan was off work on Monday, so it was a good day to take the kids to McWane with an extra set of hands. They both had a ball! Before now, it's been really easy to take both b/c Watson would usually stay in the stroller. Not this time though. He was on the GO from the second we got there, all over the place, and so was she. They had so much fun and both were asleep right out of the parking lot! Now is a good time to go since they just opened the snow exhibit.

H-34 mos
W-9 mos

The Weekend before Christmas

2011-12-19T16:27:00.008-06:00

The countdown is on, only one week until Christmas! This has been a really fun December so far. We've had alot of low-key activities this month-cooking, decorating, parties, Christmas movies, fun stuff at school, etc. which is just what we needed at their ages.

But we've also missed out on a few things since they're still so little this year, like things that happen during morning nap time and Candlelight at church and the zoolight safari, etc. But I know there is always next year and each year will be a little different the bigger they get!

One fun thing we have started this year is Christmas movie night. Hayes has never really watched a movie, she's not good yet at being still and following along. BUT, if you tell her she gets to stay up late, turn off the lights, put a huge bowl of popcorn in her hands, cuddle up under a blanket and tell her she gets to watch a Christmas movie, she will GLUE her eyes to the tv and watch. So we have done that twice now and it's been so much fun for everybody, except Watson, we wait until he goes to bed! He might get to participate next year if he can behave.Friday night we watched Sesame Street Christmas from 1979. It was slooooowwww and painful for us, but she LOVED it and has watched it 99 times since then so that's all that matters.

On Saturday we had Nathan's family Christmas pary and it was lots of fun! All the cousins were there, with exception of a few. We loved getting to see everybody. W and H both got some fun toys, and they both love this little Cars rocking toy that he got. He is so funny riding it!

Family pic of 3

Once big sister gets in, everybody gets a little exasperated b/c of her dislike of the camera. Seriously, how do people get good family pics?! Our 2 are complete wiggle worms when they see that camera.

On Sunday our cousin Sara Grace was baptized at her church, so we went to that and then they had a big yummy lunch afterwards. It was so sweet and I was so teary. Then she spoke during the lunch and I teared up even more. Baptisms are super emotional for me these days. Every time I watch one I think about Hayes and Watson! We enjoyed being with some of our B'ham cousins. They are right here close by and we still don't get to see them enough!

Sara Grace and Watson and Claire and Davis, and Hayes dancing onstage

Claire and Hayes

She found the stage and jumped and ran around like a wild woman

cousins Claire, Sara Grace, Alice and Hayes

So that was a long post about a good weekend. I'm thankful for all these memories I can post on here. I would forget everything we did if I didn't have somewhere like this to put them. Thanks for caring about our memories too if you are still reading!

Soaking up the Days

2011-12-13T09:27:00.006-06:00

There have been lots of happenings around here lately during the month of December. Some important and some not-so-important for the blog, just lots of good family time and togetherness which I am most thankful for. But one to document was the Watson Family Christmas Dinner this past weekend. It's an annual family reunion for my daddy's side of the family and the older I get, the more I look more forward to it every year. Some of the people we see many times during the year and others this is the only time we see them! It was in Montgomery this year. We really missed my grandparents and my great aunt Ease being there. They always started preparing early for "the dinner" as in what they would wear, what we would wear, what songs they would sing and jokes they would tell. It was always a day in the spotlight for them since they loved and lived to be the center of attention together!

Santa made an appearance and brought gifts for all the kids. The bigger kids liked him, the younger ones not so much.

ELATED to see all her cousins. She didn't even sit w/us and thought she was big stuff with her cousins at their table.

Please get me out of this strange man's lap!!!!!! This is definitely my last attempt at Santa pics for this year. Neither of my children care a thing about him obviously and that is okay. There is alot for them to soak up around December with so many parties and activities going on. Our main goal for Hayes this year is for her to simply understand that Christmas is Jesus' birthday. I keep trying to expand on the Christmas story for her, and she gets sidetracked and starts asking for a snack or something. But I know she's listening and absorbing more than I think, hopefully.

There are lots of things I want to start next year when they are both a little older, but so far our December has been full of family time and I love it. Here is another milestone reached, both sitting up in the extra large buggy at Publix. Watson was all smiles until he realized that Hayes got a cookie and he didn't. So we may have to resort back to him in the front and her in the back so he doesn't know he's missing out on a treat!

Merry Christmas!

School Picture and Smart Friends

2011-12-08T09:23:00.005-06:00

We have a super, duper, uber smart friend named Jason who is like a technology wizard. He knows all things computer/technology, and thanks to him all my pictures are now finally backed up and saved. THANK YOU JASON!!! We appreciate it waaaaay more than you know. There is no telling how many pics are on this computer, and I know one day this old dell will crash and burn eventually and everything on here will be no more. I know nothing about hard drives and backing up stuff so I just haven't been doing it w/pictures and videos (except posting some of them here and on youtube.) Risky I know!! And I would probably just fall out and die if I lost all the documentation of pictures since Hayes was born. That's a whole lots of memories!!! Isn't it so neat how God gives everyone such different gifts and talents? Technology is definitely not my gift, but I'm so glad it's Jason's gift! Thank you for sharing your gift with us Jason.

Moving on, my oldest is now old enough for a school picture?? She is just getting way too big.

Hayes-2 years-Covenant Day School-2011
(not sure why it scanned like this!)

It's Christmas Time!

2011-12-05T20:33:00.004-06:00

I just realized today that Christmas is only 20 days away! how can that be? Our house is decorated, but there is not the first gift under the tree yet. I need to get busy I guess. Although if there was anything under there it would surely get opened/destroyed this year so I guess there is no point in having anything there. This past weekend we went to the pancake breakfast with Santa. Hayes has never liked Santa or wanted to be near him and this year was no different. She spotted him way across the room and kept her eye on him the whole time!!
The Vestavia rockette girls from the high school were there serving and mingling and Watson was smitten! He did not know who in the world those pretty girls were in his face. It was hilarious.

Hayes wanted nothing to do with them and pretended that they were not behind her trying to talk to her. They were all so sweet though!

Family Santa pic 2011-there was no way our 2 were about to let us hand them off to Santa and Mrs. Claus, so we all jumped in and it was much more peaceful that way!

Watson loved Santa's beard and kept grabbing at it. Hayes looks so thrilled. All she wanted to do was get to the park across the street and get 1 billion miles away from this big man with the beard! She's just not a fan yet and that is fine. We keep reminding her that Christmas is all about Jesus' birthday and that is what and why we celebrate. It was a fun event and I hope they do it again next year!

H-34 months
W-9 months

West Playdate

2011-12-03T06:28:00.004-06:00

We had company a few weeks ago, Rebecca came to stay and play the week of Thanksgiving. Hayes loves Mr. Becca-haha-that is how she always says her name. Thanks for coming, Rebecca! We always love having you here!! The kids had a great time playing together!

Christmas Art

2011-12-03T05:55:00.005-06:00

We've had a good, loooong week at home this past week. Hayes was sick early in the week so we have been home all day every day except for Friday. I have loved it. Our tree is up and the house is decorated so that makes it a little more festive and fun to stay in all day w/a sick one! Watson has been napping good too this week, so Hayes and I have gone crazy with some Christmas crafts and glitter while he's been asleep. Nothing fancy and nothing from pinterest, just good old fashioned kindergarten crafting! I must say glitter (which can be a HUGE mess) is not nearly as disastrous with one child as opposed to 16 or 18 five year olds, and SO much fun for them to play with.

Hayes is all about shaking some salt and pepper on her food every day-cereal, casseroles, green beans, whatever-so I knew she would love shaking that glitter. She wanted to do everything BLUE of course.

We glittered names

and a Christmas banner for the playroom-turned out okay but was good for working on letters

and made reindeer hats-which will probably last 3 seconds. Watson ate most of his last night.

Easy, breezy stuff-all you need is some construction paper, scissors, markers, glue, etc. She is at a fun age to do art with!

Growing Babies-34 mos and 9 mos

2011-11-28T14:26:00.005-06:00

It didn't seem like I ever thought about time/months/years before Hayes was born. Now life seems like it is rushing by at lightning speed. Maybe it's because we live on a Wed/Fri school schedule and every week seems like it lasts 2 seconds and then it's a new week again. I completely feel the need lately to truly embrace and cherish these days at home while my babies are so little. I've always tried to do that, but then the fussiness, crying, nobody wants to nap, and the need for mommy breaks start about 1:00 and then I just can't wait for Nathan to get home!! But, this time with them being little will be gone in a flash I know, and I'm beyond grateful for all the days. I never want to take it for granted. I love kissing and squeezing them 1 billion times a day and I hope they always remember that. Just today Hayes used the words-Mom, Dad, and thanks-as opposed to Mommy, Daddy, and thank you. It seems small, but let me tell you that is proof right there that my baby is growing up. I'm not ready to be condensed to MOM quite yet!!

Hayes was 34 months last week. She is changing daily. It's funny that now we can talk back and forth with her like she is an adult. She is so into helping in the kitchen, loves to sweep, help with laundry and anything else. She's my little Martha Stewart for now. She has rest time on the sofa every day now. Some days she will fall asleep and other days she doesn't. (I've accepted that I am never going to have a break again in the afternoons and it has made life much easier-I was completely spoiled with her long afternoon nap 1-4 for 2 1/2 years!! She is in a very easy stage so it doesn't really matter.) She loves playing with a ball, being outside, boots, Caillou, suckers, cupcakes and is obsessed with anything blue. Her new favorite toy is a little plastic Thomas train that I got for $1. I love the simplicity of what makes her so happy. It's innocent and refreshing.

Watson was 9 months last week. Everyone always told me that boys love their mamas. That is 100% spot on for Watson. He is all about being close to his mama! He loves to laugh and smile at everybody, but wants to do that from my arms! He loves his Daddy too and thinks he is hilarious. He likes to wrestle and climb all over Nathan (and me and Hayes or whoever is on the floor at the moment.) He is way more into eating food than drinking milk. He cares almost nothing about his bottle anymore. He will not sit in your lap to let you feed him, he prefers to crawl around and play while you try to hold the bottle in his mouth. It doesn't work well! He is standing and cruising around holding onto the furniture. He eats everything we eat which is very nice at mealtime. He sleeps good at night and naps twice a day. He is on his 2nd ear infection in 3 weeks. I am hoping tubes are in the near future for him. I love being his mommy so much. He is totally in love with Hayes. It's hard to describe how much they love each other. They have the best time playing and are so entertaining for each other. The best sound is hearing them laughing together.
I love you my sweet Hayes and dear Watson so very much!!

H-34 months
W-9 months

Feeling Thankful

2011-11-27T13:51:00.003-06:00

Counting my blessings for this family God gave me. We had a great Thanksgiving holiday with both sides of our families-lots of playtime and too much good food. Hope yours was a good one too!

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4

H-34 months
W-9 months

Thanksgiving Music Program

2011-11-18T15:30:00.008-06:00

Today was Hayes' first Thanksgiving music program at school. All the 2's were turkeys and it was very sweet. They sang 3 songs, so their part lasted about 3 minutes which is really all the time they needed on the stage! She participated about 3/4 of the time so that seemed pretty good to me. She LOVED that her grandparents were there to watch her-Nana, Papa, Shug and Pop Pop-thanks for coming-Grandaddy, we missed you but don't worry- there will be another program in the spring for you to come to!!

We love this little turkey!

Hayes-33 months

Potty Training and Prayers

2011-11-17T13:41:00.008-06:00

This little turkey will have her first Thanksgiving music program tomorrow at school. We are waiting for all the grandparents to get here this afternoon (minus Grandaddy-we will miss him!) and can't wait to see our little turkey onstage. Nathan and I are very grateful they are willing to make the trip up here and hope they will see a little more than her standing up there for 3 minutes sucking her thumb. She knows the words and motions well-thanks to a little bribery-so we will see how she does tomorrow. Whatever it is like it will be so cute!!

I feel the need to give her a little praise on the blog w/all the potty training progress she has made in such a short time. I have not pushed PT w/her at all, mainly b/c since W was born I haven't had any time/energy/effort to devote to it, I just haven't thought she was ready, and seriously diapers are just too easy! And I knew she would do it when her little mind and body were both ready. So I'm so happy to report that she's about 95% trained and most of it w/out my help. And I love it. Has she had too many treats and sweets? YES. Now the girl is all about a treat or some candy. If she has any cavities at her next appt I will blame it on the potty training. But, she knows how to use the potty and then wash her hands and I'm super proud. And yes, I do have plans for that diaper money we'll be saving every month!

Every morning and night we say prayers out loud. I have been hoping she would catch on for the longest time and want to have her turn, but so far she's content w/mama just praying for/with her. She is finally getting to where she wants to pray at night, and it is so incredibly sweet and hilarious. I just need to document here all the things/inanimate objects she prays for...
birthday parties
doors
doorknobs
eyebrows-yes God did makes these
teeth, mouth, nose, etc
our house
Ms. Grace's car and house
Ms. Grace's swing and door and windows
and occasionally Mommy and Daddy, my grandparents, Watson's grandparents (they do have the same ones but she doesn't quite know how to combine things yet!)

She mainly starts a list going with whatever she sees at the moment, but I'm hoping before too long her praying will become more from her heart and not just her eyes. I think it's a good start. It's pretty hard not to laugh hearing what she comes up with though!

And now onto Thanksgiving! I cannot believe it's almost here and then Christmas? We are looking forward to a family filled hectic week next week. And then back home to do some decorating for our 1st Christmas in our new house. I didn't pull out any decorations last year since we were just about to move, so now I can't wait to see what all I've forgotten about!!

Hayes-33 months

Firetrucks and Motorcycles

2011-11-10T14:31:00.005-06:00

A few weeks ago Vestavia had their firetrucks, police cars and motorcycles out at the boy scout lot. They also had a bouncy house, so of course we had to stop. In Hayes' world there is absolutely nothing better than a bouncy house, except for cupcakes.

Our little firetruck driver

W had his turn too and loved it

Has to taste everything-this is what he does ALL day long. Every time I turn around he has something in that little mouth! So, so yucky!

The only time they will ever, ever, ever be on a motorcycle... I hope they enjoyed it!

Fun in the bouncy house. Thank you city of Vestavia for some good entertainment before rest time!!

H-33 months
W-8 months

Monkey See Monkey Do

2011-11-08T06:22:00.006-06:00

He thinks he is just as big as she is.

He loves all toys or anything he can put in his mouth or anything Hayes is playing with at the moment.

New favorite spot-standing at the windows. He loves to look outside, and that little wooden strip in the window panes is just his mouth level!

Big smiles. He does not mind a camera in his little face!

H-33 mos.
W-8 mos.

Pre-Trick or Treating Hugs and Wrestling

2011-11-01T20:56:00.007-05:00

Here are some hilarious moments I want to remember. I LOVE their ages right now. I know it won't always be like this!

H-33 months
W-8 months

Halloween Weekend

2011-11-01T20:02:00.007-05:00

We have had a full and fun few days celebrating Halloween. Hayes has thankfully already forgotten about all the candy she accumulated, which is good for her but not for me as there are about 100 pieces of chocolate in the top of the pantry. She definitely ate her share over the weekend so I don't feel too bad about not reminding her. Although Little Bo Peep did work really hard for those treats!

We had our neighborhood party on Saturday night-food, bouncy houses, candy hunts-it was entertaining for the little ones and big ones. We put Watson in the little bouncy house and he loved it! He just died laughing the whole time he was in there!

She was pretty selective about her candy, I don't blame her.

A baby in a costume is hilarious to me. He looked like a waiter in his little blue bowtie!

We painted pumpkins Halloween morning for the porch...

Halloween night we got ready super early since we didn't know how long our duo would last. They were both in really good moods, which is rare at 5 pm! Our trick or treaters were ready. For the first few houses Hayes thought she was supposed to give out candy when the person came to the door. She would take what they gave her and give back some in her bucket. Bless her heart. It didn't take too long though before she got the hang of it. We went to another party down the street where she did NOTHING but eat candy out of her bucket while we talked. For a good solid hour, that little mouth was full of sugar, piece after piece after piece and she was in heaven with nobody stopping her.

W man and I came back home because the sheep was expiring, and sweet Daddy took/carried her all over this hilly neighborhood to get more candy. He said she was so afraid that every house she went to was her last house! I really think it was one of the best nights of her almost 3 year old life. She was completely wound up and stayed up super late. She had an absolute blast and we did too watching them both. Everything has new meaning with your kids. They make holidays so much fun!

H-33 months
W-8 months

Little Bo Peep and her Sheep

2011-11-01T08:21:00.003-05:00

I have alot to post about later, but for now here is one of 100 snapshots of our crazy Halloween weekend. Lots of partying, bouncing, too much sugar, and staying up late. It was memorable! Be back later w/a recap!

The Tunnel

2011-10-27T06:41:00.004-05:00

We got a tunnel and tent last year for Christmas from Nana and Papa. It has provided an endless amount of entertainment over the past year! We leave it set up all the time so it gets used at least once a day at some point. Watson has just now discovered it and is so interested in it! He finally decided to brave his way through it, which is kind of scary w/Hayes jumping all over it while he's in there. Now he loves it!! I love seeing them play together like this. It's hilarious to hear them laughing together!! I would highly recommend a tunnel for your Christmas list. They're pretty cheap and tons of fun.

H-32 mos.
W-7 mos.

33 months and 8 months

2011-10-25T14:44:00.007-05:00

These little people are growing up! Is it strange that I still count months for Hayes' age? I just think it will be helpful years from now when I'm looking back at this blog to know exactly how old she was instead of around 2 or 3 or 4, etc!

Right now she is into playing outside, helping in the kitchen, being a mommy to Watson (do you hear me Watson? I want you to obey Watson!), using the potty by herself, loves school and ballet, coloring and watercoloring, her family, running pretend errands to publix in her little car, greeting the neighbors, saying the blessing, cupcakes, the color blue, playgrounds, Sprout and Miss Pattycake, favorite foods right now are peanut butter/jelly, corn on the cob, popcorn, cereal. She repeats everything we say, she's such a sponge!!

And this little one is 8 months! His first year is completely flying by. Busy, busy baby. He is into everything and I can't leave him for a second. He is crawling everywhere and pulls up on everything. I moved a lot of toys from the playroom into his room today so he can pull up and fall over all he needs to on the carpet!

He's slowly losing the separation syndrome since he can crawl and play. I think he just associated mommy w/his mode of transportation, so he couldn't stand to see me walk away. I love hearing them play and laugh together. They're both smitten with each other and it's so cute to watch! He is a good eater still-4 bottles a day and baby food. He is picking up his little puffs now. Size 4 diaper, 6-9-12 month clothes and is a total monkey trying to change him or get him dressed. He's like a little sumo wrestler and he's strong-so Nathan gets his turn after bathtime getting him dressed! Taking 2 naps a day and sleeps from 7 to 7 or 7:30 and sleeps with all 3 loveys and about 10 pacifiers. Oh and also 3 of us had the stomach bug earlier this month and I'm pretty sure he was the culprit giver, although it didn't really bother him-thank you Watson.

And just to note, we have quite a bit of this on a daily basis. I think he and Hayes have the same cry (when she was his age) which is funny to me.

We have full days. They wear me out! I love them so much though and wouldn't trade this job for anything. I do however do a lot of praying throughout the day, usually moment by moment! I am positive it's the only way to keep my sanity-that and coke and sweet tea from drive-thrus. It's totally worth the trouble of getting them both in the carseats!

Pumpkin Patch 2011

2011-10-20T14:02:00.011-05:00

We ventured to the the Great Pumpkin Patch last weekend-same one we went to last year-it's a good one and we love it! It's a great family place-live music, hayrides, bouncy houses, good FOOD, animals, and pumpkins! We decided to get there a little before lunch on Sunday, and being the ambitious pumpkin patch go-ers, we got there WAY before they opened. So we backtracked once we got there and found a little country place to eat lunch-it was delicious!

I've decided it's much easier to capture my 2 one at a time. Getting two to look and halfway smile is not usually worth the extra effort and sweat when they all turn out like this. I just take what I can!

It's also easier to get smiling pics when his sister is not tackling him down to the ground and pulling on all 4 limbs. She is so wild w/him!

Hayes jumped, climbed and slid to her heart's content. It completely wore her out. That, and it was afternoon which is not the most ideal time for taking a baby and toddler out and about, not sure whose awesome idea that was!

We took a hayride, picked out our big beautiful round pumpkin for the front porch and called it a day.

Good memories from days like this-I LOVE the fall and this precious family God gave me.

Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies. Psalm 36:5

H-32 mos.
W-7 mos.

October Happenings

2011-10-17T13:42:00.010-05:00

It is naptime, which means the best time for posting a blog! Watson is into a good naptime routine which is so nice, and I'm hoping Hayes is working her way back into an afternoon nap routine. She stopped taking naps around June, and it makes for some looooooong afternoons some days. But, last week she unexpectedly took naps Sun-Thurs-that is FIVE days in a row people!! No naps over the weekend, but it's a new week and I hope she continues her streak this week!

Just a few things of importance around here that need to be documented...

Hayes' class had a picnic at the park a few weeks ago which was heaven on earth for her. Eating and playing outside go hand in hand in her world. Nathan joined us and it was fun!

Fall break with the cousins! We're so glad they chose to spend part of their week w/us last week. We LOVED having them here. They all 4 play so good together. I'm thankful for the good examples they are for Hayes and Watson. I wish we all lived in the same city.

We celebrated Mary Carmen's 3rd birthday over the weekend at the park. It was a precious owl party and her sweet mama did an awesome job!

Amy (MC's mom) made the cutest owl cupcakes/cake. This cupcake monster ate every last speck of sugar and candy on her plate!

And these are a few reasons why I miss my old teaching job (Dawn, Kara, Amy Mc. w/sweet Clara.) And the other 40 or so reasons are up the street at the school and one is in Mississippi!!

Last, Hayes went to her first princess birthday party this morning for her friend, Caroline B.'s 3rd b'day and got to dress up in the cutest little dress her Shug and Grandaddy gave her! The princess world and dressing up is all new for her, and really I don't think she cares that much about it -yet-and that is perfectly fine w/me! It was a sweet party-decorating wands, wings, picnic and cupcakes. Lots of cute fairy princesses fluttering around that house!

She looks so BIG to me. I can't believe she's getting closer to 3. And just to note, Hayes is already up and not napping, so it looks like the streak was just a tease last week.

Happy Monday!
Hayes-32 months

Milestones

2011-10-11T10:43:00.014-05:00

Crawling, standing and tricycle riding! The big man is now crawling all over the place at our house. It is so much fun for him to be able to get around and go where he wants to go. It is funny to watch. I think he prefers the rooms w/carpet over the hardwoods. I would too!

The last few days when we get him from his naps he is standing up in his crib crying for us. It's crazy how these new skills just pop up over night. He doesn't seem to need as much practice as Hayes did-sitting up, crawling, pulling up and standing all just happened pretty quickly. It may be that he has a few more lbs on him than she did at this point. So far they are tied w/crawling. Both started at 7 months. I'm not sure when she started standing. I need to go look in the baby book and see if it was written down. They are both growing waaaay too fast.

Another thing I need to document on here is the extreme separation anxiety Watson is having! He cannot handle it if he sees me or really anyone leave the room. He just completely melts down! The strange thing is this mainly happens in the kitchen, den or playroom. He is okay and happy if I leave him in his or Hayes' room. I am sure it's another phase he will outgrow like everything else. At least I know he loves his mama!

Hayes got a tricycle last Christmas, right before she turned 2. She is finally tall enough to reach the pedals and has learned to ride pretty well lately. We spend alot of time outside everyday now that it is cooler. We are LOVING the fall season!!
Here is a little video for the g'parents.

W-7 mos.
H-32 mos.

Our Birthday Boy

2011-10-09T14:45:00.008-05:00

We are celebrating our favorite man's bday at our house this weekend. Nathan is turning 34! We had a little celebration at lunch today. Hayes and Watson were surprised w/their Grandaddy coming to pick them up from their Sunday school rooms today. He came through Birmingham today on his way home from Tuscaloosa and met us for church and lunch for Nathan's birthday. What a fun treat!! He was solo today, Shug is having a big time on a trip way off somewhere! We missed her being here w/us. We ate lunch and then came home for ice cream dessert, Nathan's favorite. Our cousins and Aunt Alyssa are coming in town today for fall break so we have lots of birthday partying to do w/them this week (and hopefully a date night in there too somewhere.) Hayes is beside herself w/excitement to have her cousins coming to play and spend the night and has talked about them coming all week long!

That's alot of candles. I lost track counting so I'm not sure if it was 34 or not!

Happy Birthday, Nathan! You're so precious to this family and such an undeserved gift from the Lord in my life. I still can't believe he made you just for me (and for hayes and watson.) We love you lots!! Phill. 1:3

Pajama Day at School

2011-10-01T08:50:00.005-05:00

Friday was pajama day at school, which means just a couple of steps easier to get them out the door. Hayes would stay in pajamas all day long if I let her (well she does some days.)

And not to be left out, Watson wore his too even though it was really just for the day school kids!

H-32 mos.
W-7 mos.

7 Months

2011-09-26T20:27:00.003-05:00

Our Watson man is 7 months old! Each month is going by quicker and quicker. And he's getting bigger and bigger and seems to have new tricks for us about every other day.

He is a pure mess! He is the biggest smiler, but then can all of a sudden do a complete 180 and get so mad! He is a mama's boy. If I walk away or he can't see me, he will scream his little head off. He is like a little ball of fire. His 2 bottom teeth are coming in-he's worked hard for those little things so I am proud for him. He is a complete drool monster. He laughs alot and likes to be tickled. He is a good sleeper-I can't believe I just wrote that-but he finally is! Sleeps b/t 12-13 hours each night. He takes about 2-3 naps still but times and lengths are all inconsistent.

He is just about to crawl any day now! He rocks on all 4's and moves all over the place to get what he wants. He grabs everything in his path. It's so fun to watch him and Hayes interact too. I think he is in love with her. He just dies laughing at her and is constantly looking around for her. They like to play in his room and her room together. And she is quite the little mama to him. He likes the camera. He is definitely happiest outside. He's a total monkey and it's so hard to hold him. He will just about jump out of your arms, I have to be so careful to hold onto him tight! He drinks about 4 bottles a day, and eats baby food in between. He likes it all. We have tried a few puffs, but he's not interested yet.

He is still getting used to going to MDO. I think it's getting a little better but I don't think he'll be getting any awards for good conduct yet. It seems to take him and Hayes both a while to warm up to new situations.

Happy 7 months to our big boy!! We love you, W!

Ballet

2011-09-22T19:53:00.004-05:00

Hayes just started ballet-last week was the 1st class. Today was the 2nd class. She is all pink from head to toe along w/the other little girls. I love it!

Last week there were definitely tears at the drop-off, and tears when I picked her up. Today was much better. She got upset when I left but she seemed happy when I got her so I think she enjoyed it. I know she will love it when she starts learning a few things. She knows lots of the little girls in there with her so I know they will all have fun together!

A little bribery goes a long way with this one. A sucker seems to be the way to her heart.

They have a visitors day in February. I can't wait to see what they do!

Hayes-31 months

Head Over Teal

2011-09-20T09:40:00.004-05:00

Nathan ran in the Head over Teal 5k on Saturday on our friend Ginny B.'s team. It raises money for ovarian cancer research. He left bright and early and we came later to the family day part. It was a great morning to be outside! They had lots of kids activities which kept Hayes entertained, a fishing game, hat decorating, bouncy house, balloons, clowns, popcorn and dancing. It was lots of fun!

The McNeese's were there too-Here are Watson and Clara, both getting so big!

Bella, Ginny, and Hayes

Sweetness

2011-09-18T16:53:00.006-05:00

My best attempts this morning at capturing these 2...nearly impossible, especially when their photo attention span is .00001 seconds!

H-31 months
W-6 months

Our house this week

2011-09-14T05:52:00.005-05:00

Things are not quite the same this week at home w/out our little Hayes running around. She is in Dothan this week playing and spending time w/grandparents, cousins, and everyone else. Nana and Papa (my mom and Gregg) came last weekend and gave us a date weekend away and kept the babies. SO MUCH FUN! I could get used to that about every other weekend! Then she went back to Dothan w/them on Sunday to stay w/her Shug and Grandaddy until Thursday. I hear she is having a grand time doing all kinds of fun things. I also heard she's been up WAY before the crack of dawn-sorry Shug and Grandaddy. Can you please try to get that out of her system before she gets back? It's been nice having time w/just Watson. He's had 100% of our attention and that's been nice for him! I've had some good free time and running around time to places I don't get to go to often. I've sorted and organized fall/winter clothes for the kids and ordered tons of pics for the photo albums and written thank-you notes and other odd jobs that require time and thinking! And I've been to about 55 stores over the last few days and now I'm over it. I still have a few things on my to-do list but they'll never get done. I really don't care! I'm ready to get my baby back so I can have both my little birds in their nests and get back to our normal routine!

Here is Hayes singing happy birthday to Watson. She's been really into birthday song and made him this puzzle piece cake. His birthday is nowhere in sight but she's teaching him what to do when the time comes!

H-31 months
W-6 months

Today was better

2011-09-09T14:23:00.006-05:00

Today was day 2 of school. I am sooooo proud of my two munchkins for having good days today, better than Wednesday! Watson's teachers said he did better and was not as fussy-YAY for slight improvement, W!! I hope that continues. As long as he is eating/just finished eating or is strolling or outside he is a happy man. He was happy when I picked him up!

Miss Hayes did so much better too. She got a little upset when I dropped her off, but I just kissed her and ran out and she was fine in a minute. I am teaching in the 2's this year, so I am right down the hall from her which will be so fun. When else in her life can I let her go to school but still see what all she does!? So I am good w/that for the next few years while she is in preschool at Covenant. I don't want to think past these years when she gets to big school!

I peeked at her about 10 and she was playing w/trucks and walking around the room. All the 2's eat lunch together and she did so good when she saw me at lunch, surprisingly, no tears! She didn't even get out of her seat, just waved at me and kept eating. She got in line with her cute lunchbox and followed Mrs. Abby out the door and was fine leaving me behind. She ate her whole lunch and didn't get up once. Quite impressive and different from home for sure. It's so funny how they can be so different when they're away from home. I used to tell my kindergarten parents that all the time, and now from a parent perspective I know it's so true!

In the afternoons we have loved going out to enjoy this cooler weather. The favorite activity is strolling babies, fast and furiously. She will stroll them forever and not get tired of it. Such a little mama. She is going to Dothan next week to stay w/her grandparents. We are going to miss her so much. She's my little sidekick for sure. So it will be just the big W and us all week! I'm excited about some one on one time with him!

My teaching partner, Cassie! She's alot of fun. I love her already! Looking forward to a great school year, and maybe a little less crazy next week! (I am sure she will love that I'm posting her pic on here-sorry Cassie.)

Happy Friday. Warrrrrrrrrrr Eagle, HEY!

The First Day of School

2011-09-07T15:45:00.008-05:00

Today was the first day of school at Covenant! Hayes ate breakfast and got dressed super fast. She was all smiles and so excited about the 2 year old class. But then when we got to school and we dropped off little brother first, she was all tears! She recovered pretty quick and got happy again until we got close to her classroom door, then the tears started flowing again-so sad! But it didn't last long I hear and was completely fine after I was gone. She said her favorite things were going to music, eating goldfish and playing in the kitchen. I hope she will adjust quickly. I know she is going to love it!

1st Day of the 2's-Mrs. Abby and Mrs. Meg's Class

1st Day for W-Bunnies Class-I hear he was semi-fussy, but a good eater. Sounds about right!

I'm hoping for a tear-free day on Friday!

H-31 months
W-6 months

I like to swing!!!

2011-09-05T06:49:00.006-05:00

Watson's 1st time swinging at the park...

I love that he can have an "activity" now at the playground instead of hanging out in the stroller watching Hayes.

He loved it!

W-6 months

Saturday morning mix

2011-09-03T06:36:00.007-05:00

It's football Saturday! and since we wake up way too early at our house it seemed like a good time to update the blog w/a very random mixture of stuff from our week.

School starts next week on Wednesday! Hayes is soooooo excited about the 2 year old class. We've been talking about it alot and she says every day she is going to the 2 year old class. She got her haircut this week about an inch and it looks so cute. Yesterday we shopped (I-she played) for a 1st day dress. It's precious. I hope she still likes it by Wednesday. I'm getting really excited about fall clothes, except that it won't be the season to wear them until about November! I have a ton of stuff I am consigning this season for the 1st time. It seems like way too big of a job. We will see if it's worth it when I get the check though!

W had his 6 month checkup. He is 18lbs and 27 1/2 inches and a healthy boy. Thank you Lord for our healthy baby!

We went to the new little kids gym in Vestavia this week called Wee Flip. It was fun! Hayes did not want to leave. We will be going back. If you live here please go. I don't want them to go out of business. We need this place. An indoor place to burn off energy is awesome!

On Tuesday morning we woke up to a surprise box from my mom-Nana. What a fun way to wake up. Hayes was most excited about her bag of cheese puffs-which she ate for breakfast. I was excited about everything else! She's always been so good at putting stuff together. Our stockings at Christmas have always been so much fun-lots of little presents wrapped up. Thanks Nana for thinking of us this week. We can't wait to see you next weekend!!

We went to McWane this week w/some friends. Now is the perfect time to go w/all the big kids back in school. We were almost the only ones there which was very nice. I always get a little "teacher snap" in me when I see big kids in the little kids climbing/play area!

And that's about it! I'm making these ham and cheese sliders today and can't wait. I love these little things. Recipe from HERE.

WAR EAGLE!!

6 months

2011-08-30T06:04:00.005-05:00

Mr. W turned 6 months last week. Oh, how I love this sweet boy!!

He's a happy man (when mommy or daddy are close by) and LOVES to smile. I took these pics and got about 75 just like this, huge smiles every time. He looks like he's ready for some football right here!

He just started sitting up. The world is a new place for him now. He is super duper attached to his loveys now-monkey and bunnies. He sleeps with all 3.

He is a decent napper (3 a day) and has turned into a good nighttime sleeper, finally. It seems like it has taken him forever to learn. He has been covered in some prayers the past month for sleep, thank you faithful SS friends!

He is eating 4-5 times a day, mostly bottles now. My expectations with nursing this go-round were low, since I knew it would be more challenging having a 2 year old. But I made it to my 6 month short term goal, but wish I could have made it to 12 months just for the extra health benefits for both of us. He just wasn't getting quite enough at each feeding. I have to say bottles are EASY and he gets really FULL, which makes for a happy and content baby and mama. So I'm good with that! He likes his baby food-eats 2-3 jars a day.

He is starting MDO this month, 2 mornings a week! and will be in the bunny class like Hayes was. I love those teachers! The separation anxiety started at around 5 months, so this will be good for him. He has his 6 month check up tomorrow. I love to see how he changes with each visit.

Happy SIX months, big boy! You are precious to us!!

New Trick

2011-08-28T19:58:00.004-05:00

Look who is sitting up, out of the blue!

He just turned 6 months last week. Crazy! I decided the pack and play was a good safe spot to work on his new skills. His little entertainer loved jumping in to play with him as usual.

He changes daily and always has some new tricks up his sleeve for us. We hope his next will be getting his paci in by himself. He's working on that one!

W-6 months

Dance Party/Weekend Away

2011-08-25T09:14:00.007-05:00

Hayes loves a dance party. This video was from early this morning, dancing to Jesus you're my superhero. She loves this cd that we got from Covenant. She has learned how to turn on her music all by herself in the playroom and loves to sing/spin/dance in circles. You probably can't hear the words and I know you won't be able to understand her...

Jesus you're my superhero
You're my star
My best friend, repeat!

Hayes-31 mos.

And just to recap and so I won't forget...we had an AWESOME relaxing weekend this past weekend without our little babies!! A HUGE thank you to Nana and Papa for keeping, taking care of, and entertaining H & W and giving us a little break! We left bright and early Friday morning for Fairhope to go to Nathan's cousin, Anna's fun wedding. See Lindsey's blog for pics! I was able to get a pedicure, get my hair cut, eat slowly and w/out entertaining/wrestling little ones, read alot (the Help-I'm obsessed now-thank you Ashley!) sleep late, and spend quality, uninterrupted time w/Nathan. Fun times! But we missed the babies big time and were so happy to see those sweet faces on Sunday.

Emma Kate's Party

2011-08-23T06:20:00.005-05:00

Our sweet little friend Emma Kate just turned 2 and we went to her cute ladybug party last Saturday. Her mama, Kara, is one of my good old teacher friends from days at VHEW! They have a new baby boy at their house too, just like us. Kara just sent me these pics, I need one of the birthday girl though! I will say that I can't quite get the hang of managing 2 at parties (thank you Katie and Lois) plus taking pics at the same time. I will have to rely on others for their camera skills until my W gets a little bigger!

Hayes and Mary Carmen eating their cupcakes

Don't let this sweet, jolly face fool you-he's not always quite this happy, only if he can see his mama! Just ask his grandparents!!

Thanks for the pics, Kara. And HAPPY BDAY to sweet EK!! We love you little friend!

H-30 mos.
W-5 mos.

Staycation 2011!

2011-08-18T06:29:00.005-05:00

Nathan has been off work this past week so we have enjoyed him being home with us since last Friday. It's been so nice!! An extra set of hands around here is always welcomed. So instead of leaving B'ham, we have busied ourselves here with lots of fun things and home projects that have been piling up on the to-do list. We've had a birthday party, neighborhood party, cousin playtime, promotion Sunday at church, a trip to the zoo, Shipley's donuts, picnic supper at the park (Patton Chapel-our favorite these days), McWane Center, ice cream, etc, etc. A big thank-you to my sweet Nathan who has done lots of non-fun to do list items like working in the yard, oil changes, carwashes, etc. His week has been productive. And I was able to see my longtime bff Suzanne who came in town on Monday night. We don't see each other enough these days and it's always fun when we do. She has little ones and is a super busy mama. Thanks for coming, Sue!!

Our weeks are usually full and I do not seem to have a second of downtime these days. Naps around here don't exist much for Hayes anymore, so she has started room time, at least until school starts back and maybe she'll be tired enough to go to sleep at least 2 days a week. She's waking up super early too since she's been in her big girl bed, around 5:45 or 6, and goes non-stop all day until bedtime. I don't know how she has enough energy to get through the day until bedtime but she does. And Watson's naps have been super short this week. I know it's a phase and he'll get back to some long naps eventually. I hope sooner rather than later!

We are heading out of town today for a little child-free weekend and dropping the little ones off w/Nana and Papa in Dothan. I'm looking so forward to doing NOTHING all weekend! Well except for going to the rehearsal dinner and wedding for Nathan's cousin, sweet Anna. Other than that I am planning to not get up while it's still dark outside, not change anyone's diapers, read a little, sleep all night, and be as L-A-Z-Y as I can for 48 hours! I will miss my babies but I know they will have so much fun and be in great hands. I hope Mr. W will cooperate. He has a case of mommy separation syndrome these days. I love him. He's sweet and fussy when he can't see me, what a mix.

I think this one has a little ways to go until she hits that weight limit. haha! She's right at about 25 pounds. Watson is pushing 18 lbs so I am positive he will catch her weight-wise by his 1st birthday. He is almost 6 months, cannot believe it!

Our Summer at Home

2011-08-12T09:09:00.010-05:00

I need to do something w/all these pics I've been uploading. So they're going to the blog...a random assortment of our life lately and a little of what our summer has been like at home all day long.

Two of my old kindergarten students (Sarah Kate and Peyton) came to visit and brought Hayes a picnic table. Peyton's family are our neighbors. It's so fun seeing old students. I think about them alot this time of year with school starting back. These girls are 4th graders now!

Playtime for Watson

Playtime for Big Baby (who looks a whole lot like our real baby)

Snuggle time on the floor

Stringing beads, a new favorite activity here

Morning reading time w/brother and big baby

Playing school

A whole lot of Cedarmont Kids and Miss Pattycake watching

This is what happens when you wake up at 4:30 a.m. for your friend's b'day party that starts at 10 a.m.

Happy 3rd bday to our good friend, Jack!

She pepped right up when she saw big slides and snacks!

Clara, Anna Leigh and Hayes

Cousin love from Baker Man

Our baby boy really likes baby food these days. Sweet potatoes, carrots, squash, apples, bananas, pears. Just doesn't like to see the end of the jar though.

Hayes has been into "setting up" the table every night for us. Such a helper!

And that's it, a little snapshot of our daily life in one blog post, only no pics of the little tantrums, naptime rebellion, the crying, the sleepless nights, the (lack of:) potty training so far, or the frazzled mommy. I do my best to move on and not dwell on the difficult moments we have, which are frequent these days. I love these babies with all my heart, and these are the days and times I want to remember from our first summer at home with our family of four. I know I'll look back on these days when they're starting kindergarten and 2nd grade and they're gone all day and just wish for long days at home together. Tiring and challenging, but sweet days and memories. Only a few more weeks until school starts back. We're ready for a little structure and routine, and I'm ready for the fall!

Happy Friday!!

H-2 1/2
W-5 mos.

Tex Mex Frito Salad

2011-08-11T15:09:00.004-05:00

I thought I would post this recipe, because it's sooooo incredibly good and I feel kind of selfish not sharing it with the rest of the world. It's way too good to keep to myself! It's for sure a new favorite at our house. I found it about a month ago on Real Mom Kitchen (sidebar of this blog) and adapted it from there. We've had it several times now and can't believe how good it is every time!

Tex Mex Frito Salad

1 can light red kidney beans, rinsed & drained
1 can pinto beans, rinsed & drained
1 can yellow corn
grilled chicken strips, seasoned
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
yellow pepper
green onions
1 cup celery
about 1/2 bottle catalina dressing
shredded mexican cheese
1 bag of chili cheese fritos

1. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except cheese and dressing and fritos. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
2. Before serving, mix in cheese and dressing until well combined. Serve over fritos.

We eat the whole bowl within a couple of days!

And just to add in a pic and not just a boring recipe post, here is Mr. W Man watching Baby Einstein for the first time this afternoon, thanks to my sweet friend Allison G. for the suggestion!

Be back soon with some documentation of this little rascal's behavior lately. Enjoy the recipe!

Playtime

2011-08-09T20:45:00.006-05:00

I just hung up the doorway jumper for Watson last week. He has a perfect spot now for his sister to entertain him. He jumps and bounces and she sings/screams and dances. They did this the whole time I cooked supper yesterday afternoon. Everybody wins. Thank you mr. jumper!

H-30 mos.
W-5 1/2 mos.

The Big Girl Bed

2011-08-02T15:31:00.004-05:00

Hayes decided this past Friday night that she would finally sleep in her big girl bed. It has been in her room since we moved into our new house, a good six months ago, but she has shown no interest. I don't think she actually ever even thought you were supposed to sleep in there, it's just where we lay clothes and change diapers!

We put the siderail up about 10 minutes before bedtime and she was super excited. She went right to sleep and in 4 nights has only gotten up once during the night and already fallen out once, yes through the rail. ??? I found her on the floor asleep during the night and the rail halfway off the bed. She's always been hard sleeper so she didn't even wake up.

Hayes at 2 1/2. How did my baby get this big?!

Pictures with two

2011-08-02T08:58:00.007-05:00

Does anyone else have these same challenges taking pictures of your kids? It's almost impossible! Either one cooperates and one doesn't or neither are interested, which is usually the case. And rarely does anyone look at the camera! I'm sure picture taking will be a lifelong battle, or maybe at least until they get a little bigger, it's just hilarious how many of these I have on our computer, and just a handful of decent ones since W was born.

Sweet! Here is 1 success after about 1 billion attempts of facing forward at the same time!

Maemie's blog

2011-07-28T20:06:00.005-05:00

Nathan and Lindsey have the sweetest cousin, Maemie, who is in Peru for the 2nd time volunteering and serving at an orphanage. She is an amazing girl. If you have any free time, here is a link to her blog-
To Let Them Help Me
She is spending the end of her summer in Peru (and spent last fall there, which would have been her freshman year of college-how many people would do that?) taking care of these abandoned children with no parents who need SO much love. Just know before you read that it is heartbreaking, but it is real life for those kids. Go read it if you have a chance!

Happy 5 months, Watson!

2011-07-27T06:10:00.005-05:00

Our little Watson man turned 5 months on Monday. He is changing and growing so much every day. He is such a smiley and jolly baby. I hope his personality will stay that way!

A few facts at 5 months...
Wearing size 2 and 3 diapers
6, 9, 12 mo. clothes
He is a good eater! Nurses about 4 times a day, 8 oz bottle at bedtime. Has started oatmeal in the last few days and eats it so fast, then so sad when it is all gone!
Naps-he takes about 3 naps a day and they are getting a little longer than last month, but every day is different still. Some days he'll nap in his bed anywhere from 30 min-3 hours-with afternoon nap being the longest. I'm hoping he'll learn to sleep on his tummy soon for naps and nighttime sleep. Started rolling over just a few days ago, from back to tummy but can't get back over to his back again.
Still loves the swing-but big boy makes it swing a little slower than it's supposed to
Weighs about 17 lbs. He gives my arms a good workout every day!
Likes his exersaucer and will stay content there for a good while. Doesn't care for the bumbo for very long. Loves a stroller ride and being outside.
Keeps his hands in mouth at all times, or his new giraffe, or a paci
LOVES Hayes and is so entertained by her. He looks for her all over the place and smiles big time when he sees her. I love when we are in the car to see him looking over at her to see if she is there and see what she is doing. I hope they will always love each other and enjoy playing together. So far, so good!

We all love you little bud! Happy 5 months!

She's 2 1/2

2011-07-25T15:04:00.008-05:00

Yesterday Hayes was officially 2 1/2, which means she's getting closer to 3 and not as close to 2. I don't really like that! We say all the time we want her to stay just like she is and not get any bigger. Just this morning she had on her ballerina pajamas, diaper, milk in hand laying on a blanket watching Miss Pattycake. I don't think her days are going to get any sweeter or more innocent than that. I have never been good at documenting her month by month, so here are some fun thing we want to remember about our Hayesie Daisy at 2 1/2 years old...

She loves...to be outside. her family-cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and us too. ABC's. making shapes out of playdough. watercoloring. puzzles. cooking in her kitchen. for you to write her name. singing (esp. in her bed or to Watson). jesus loves me and twinkle twinkle are her go-to's. miss pattycake and cedarmont kids. her Bible and Good Night God. dresses and bows. her babies-loves to change their diapers, rock them, put them down for naps-she's a little mama for sure. hugging her friends. saying her blessing. snacks. milk. throwing the ball. mcwane center. paula deen. storytime at the library-mainly for the beanbag rock song and the sucker at the end. publix cookies. climbing anything. building stairs w/her blocks. her Sunday school teachers. wagon and stroller rides. pulling her chalk in the wagon/strolling her chalk outside. the zoo. her baby bed-although she climbs out nonstop-but still doesn't want to sleep in her big bed yet! our neighbors-Ms. Grace and Ms. Sandra. starfall on the computer. listening to music. noahs ark. chick fil a. playdates w/her friends. Bible stories. carrying her own diaper bag. playing with her big baby. helping with laundry. sleeping with all her babies and animals. her baby brother!

She dislikes...coming inside. getting dressed. brushing her hair. taking any medicine. getting in in/out of the bathtub.

Favorite Foods...
MILK. ham and cheese. blueberries. bananas. crackers. chips and salsa. publix cookies from the bakery. popsicles. chicken fries. yogurt. cereal. applesauce. cereal bars. green beans. peas. peanut butter crackers. she's a decent little eater!

Goes to bed around 7:30 every night. Her naps are sporadic these days. Most days she stays in her bed and plays and as of lately will crawl out and play in her room until I put her back in. On a good day she will nap about 2-3 hours. It just depends on what we have done in the morning as to whether she is tired or not!
She just had her first dentist appt. last week. She got an A+ report, but she made those hygienists WORK! She cried and was so mad! I thought she had gotten a little more cooperative, but she still doesn't like anyone messing with her. At 2 1/2, she's still a good mix of sweet and spicy. I can't believe she'll already be in the 2's this fall. It seems like she was just born! Happy 2 1/2 years sweet Hayes!!

The Looooooong Week

2011-07-21T13:49:00.005-05:00

We are on day 7 of Nathan being away on a work trip. I can say for sure it's been the longest 7 days I have ever, ever had without him here. We have had family in town which has been WONDERFUL, or I would have surely lost my mind. They have been awesome to come help out/cook/entertain/clean/do projects/etc. Both little ones have not slept well at all since he left (naps or nighttime), so neither have I. We've had some definite highs and lows, but only a couple more days until he gets home, and then all will be right with the world again! I've had a song from one of Hayes' cd's playing in my head over and over...
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, He is good, His faithful love endures forever...Every day He watches over us, and every night God is there, when I sleep and when I rise, He is always by my side...
How perfect is God's timing that He put this song in my mind the day Nathan left.
I have some fun things to share, but that will have to wait until next time.
Happy Thursday!
And happy Birthday to PAPA! We love you so much! Hope your day has been AWESOME!!!

Six Years

2011-07-15T14:58:00.006-05:00

When we first got married I started making a scrapbook for each year of our marriage. That lasted for the first 3 years, and then Hayes was born, and so of course that was the end of that! So then I started making photo albums of her/our family and I have tried really hard to keep that up. Also, I am so happy to say that Watson's album is now started and up to date! What a JOB those albums are, but such a treasure. I found a video that I made of us in 2007-just Nathan and me-and our family, friends, memories from that year. I think we watched it a few times after I made it and then put it away until a few days ago when I found it. Hayes is now obsessed w/that video. There are so many memories and it was all about our life before she and Watson came along, hard to imagine now! I have cried several times seeing pictures on there, especially ones w/my grandparents in them. I have thought so many times over the last week how glad I am that I made that video (this was back when I had my awesome mac laptop from school-sadly I had to return her when I left.) That video is such a fun reminder of the time we spent together before the babies started coming along. Back when we didn't think about schedules, routines, fevers, ear infections, bedtimes, potty training, discipline, etc. Happy, fun, light, easy-breezy, (mostly) carefree times spent w/just the two of us. I wouldn't trade those first 3 1/2 years of our marriage for anything!!

And now 2 1/2 more years have passed, these involving 2 precious babies. And now I wouldn't trade this time of my life for ANYTHING. It's so true that you really only remember well what stage of life you are in at the moment. Everything passes so quickly and things get really blurry. So I'm thankful for the 1 million pictures, videos, and this blog I have to document these sweet days w/Nathan, Hayes and Watson.

Happy anniversary to my best friend in this world! I can't believe it's already been, but only been 6 years. I'm thankful for God's perfect plan and for you. He always knows best!

The Little Artist

2011-07-13T08:42:00.004-05:00

The newest favorite hobby around here is "playing watercolors" as she calls it.

It usually fills up all of 5 minutes or so of our day, and it's a good indoor, not messy activity.

Look Shug, I'm an artist like you!

H-29 mos.

Baby Bootcamp Update

2011-07-11T14:49:00.005-05:00

Well, it seems that our little man must have read this blog last week and knew what was coming. He has done so well at night since last Wednesday, I am wondering if he is really our same baby? Last Wednesday night I told him night-night and of course he fell right to sleep and then woke up around 9, 9:30, 10:30, 11:30, etc. and cried every time for his paci. It's a good thing it was still early in the night, because if I had been in a deep sleep I might have automatically jumped up and given him the paci like I've done every night for the past month. MANY TIMES EACH NIGHT. But I did not. And then the next night he woke up a few times and cried but went back to sleep w/out the paci and now the last few nights he has slept from 7 p.m. to 7 or 7:30 a.m. w/NO PACIFIER. I can't believe it. I feel like life has returned to normal, having 2 little ones that go to bed early. Here is a strange fact-Hayes and Watson both started sleeping 12 hours/all night long at 19 weeks exactly-both of them!I love that they now both go to bed way before we do and get up after we do (but we get up early around here, like in the 5:00 hour.) Nathan runs early and I just like to have some free time before they wake up.

He seems to be okay that his night-time paci game is over. I know he has to feel so much more rested in the mornings!

(decorated by big sister Saturday morning)

We are so proud of your progress, big W! Please, please, please keep it up!

A Watson Update at 4+ mos.

2011-07-06T15:33:00.007-05:00

Watson had his 4 mo. check-up today. I am so proud of that big boy. He is growing like a weed. He weighed 16.5 lbs and was 25 1/2 inches long. He was super sweet and cried for just a minute when he got his 4 shots and then fell asleep on the way home. I had lots of questions this time for our doctor (who I love, love, love by the way-she's a Christian and a MOM of young children-enough said-if you need a new/different pediatrician she is awesome) And after ruling some things out today, I am bound and determined to make him a good napper and nighttime sleeper before I lose my mind!

He's definitely a different baby than his sister. Nighttimes, routines, feedings all are different than she was. I will give him some major credit w/his loooong afternoon nap, usually 2-3 hours. You do score big points w/that one W. But, we're about to start some baby bootcamp soon. The main thing is his inconsistency. Some nights are great, some nights are terrible and we're back at square 1! He seems to have a major infatuation w/his paci. A good and bad thing...good for daytime to soothe and calm him, bad at nighttime-especially in the middle of the night. He likes it in his mouth non-stop while he's sleeping. And if it falls out, he's awake and needing it back! This could be 0 times or it could be 18 times. EXHAUSTING!!!

Look at this sweet face. He doesn't even know bootcamp starts tonight! hahaha! He has had rice cereal a few times. Doesn't seem to be a big fan though. We will start working on the spoon soon-does not know quite yet what to do w/it.

He had his 1st bath in the big bathtub a few nights ago w/Hayes. She loved it, he was neutral. I'm a fan of kitchen sinks baths for babies. I bathed Hayes in the sink until her 1st birthday, and yes she was big in there. It was just easier that way. The faucet is so much closer!

He was a happy baby until Hayes crowed in his ear like a rooster. Then he got scared and cried. Bathtime was over!

So if you happen to wake up in the middle of the night, please say a prayer for this little man (or for me!) that he will LEARN how to stay asleep all night and self-soothe w/out the paci . I am sure one/some of us will be up!

A Fun July 4th Weekend

2011-07-05T14:53:00.008-05:00

We had a nice loooong weekend and loved every minute of it. It felt like we were on vacation even though we were home every night. We had some full and fun days. The best part of the weekend by far was having Nathan home w/us for 3, almost 4 full days. It sounds like he works far away and we never see him. That is definitely not the case, he is here morning, lunchtime and after work. We just like that man around here and all get super excited when he's home all day long!

I remember at my grandparents house in Montgomery they had a big front window, and my Grandmama would stand there staring out the window forever waiting for Grandaddy to get home from work. She would get so excited and say "he's here!!" and run to meet him at the door like she had not seen him just a few hours earlier at lunch. I guess the apple does not fall far from the tree. Usually I am at the kitchen window and Hayes is around the dining room windows watching for Nathan! When we hear that garage door go up in the afternoons you would think Jesus was about to walk in our door. We have to run out and meet him most every day. And poor W usually gets left inside only b/c he can't walk yet! He'll be running out too before too long.

Saturday we spent the day at Brent and Lindsey's in Tuscaloosa and cooked out and played in their pool. It was such a nice day and they have the best backyard and pool. Hayes played and swam like a fish and Watson napped all day in the big hammock. We had a great time, Lindsey!

1st time in the pool-short and sweet-he lasted about 3 minutes and then got back in the hammock!

Granddaddy and a little fish!

These 2 not too pumped about a cousins picture!

Sunday we ventured to the zoo, despite the heat. We stayed just long enough to see a few animals and to ride the train-Hayes' 1st time. I love seeing her do new things.

I tried to get her to take a pic with the tiger but she wasn't having it.

Yesterday we hung out w/our friends the Fill's at their neighborhood pool and ate lunch and swam. They have the nicest pool! Hayes swam, Watson napped, Hudson napped and swam-all the little people did so good. Thanks so much for having us Jason and Emily and Hudson-we really can't wait to come back!

The evidence of a fun day...

And no fireworks last night for this family. We were all in bed before it started. Maybe next year. Happy 235th bday, America!!

These two babies...and a salad

2011-06-30T15:27:00.006-05:00

Are the sweetest little things on the face of the earth (unless they are crying/whining which does happen often around here, thankfully those moments are short lived) but even then, they are still such JOYS. I'm so thankful to be their mama.

Oh yes, the little guy does wear pink at night, only at home though! I put him in sleep sacks every night b/c he has the coldest room in the house for sure. His little hands are always freezing in the mornings. Hayes climbs in bed w/him every morning and they talk about stuff. Usually just sounds like jibberish!

Helping in the kitchen...H will line up chairs for us all to sit in while I cook most every night.

Last week I had the grilled chicken and fruit salad from ChickFILA and I can't stop thinking about it!! It was soooooo good. So that's what we had last night-so easy to put together. I just used all the fruit we had at home-oranges, blueberries, apples, strawberries, raisins- with a spring mix and grilled chicken strips. Easy, breezy weeknight meal.

I hear the big girl up from her nap. Happy Thursday and Happy 4th!

Watson is 4 months

2011-06-26T21:01:00.004-05:00

Our little man turned 4 months yesterday-on the 25th. How in the world? I do not know. It seems to go faster each month. I want to document and soak up every single minute of this time. I love him being a baby and I don't want him to get any bigger!! Oh how we love him at this house. He's not hurting for attention or hugs and kisses in the least. All I do is kiss all over that sweet head and face!

W is for sure a people person. He completely lights up when you get in his face and smiles, smiles, smiles. He doesn't like to see you walk away from him. We just found out today he likes to be tickled like Hayes. He laughed and laughed when the tickle monster got him. He loves to watch Hayes and smiles so big at her. Really I think he might be just a tad frightened of her, but he puts on a brave face. Yesterday morning she whacked him the head w/her wooden puzzle (accidentally) and she told him not to cry about that. He has no choice but to get tough!

At 4 months he still loves his swing and takes naps there occasionally. He has started napping in his bed this past month which was one of my goals. He takes a morning nap (30 min-hour or so), catnaps b/t his 10 and 1 feeding, and then a long afternoon nap (2-3 hours). Lately he has taken an early evening nap too, around 6 or so, about 20 minutes.
Likes the playmat only sometimes, not every day. I think he gets bored w/laying down there. Sits in his exersaucer and bumbo and seems to like both of those.
Loves a stroller ride. We go almost every night after supper. Nathan pulls Hayes in the wagon and W gets the stroller. He lays back w/his paci and just looks around. Tonight he had his feet kicked up on the tray!
He nurses about 4 times a day and then gets a 6 oz bedtime bottle.
Nighttime sleep-this is super risky typing this out, but he is finally starting to sleep all night, praise the LORD! Now this might need to be written in pencil b/c there's always a good chance he could wake up 10 times tonight. We're going on night #14 of the new plan and so far it seems to be working. He goes to bed b/t 8:30 and 9 and sleeps until about 6:30 or 7. I'm hoping to bump his bedtime back down earlier once he gets more consistent, but for now I'll take it.
Oh and LOVES his paci. What would we do without that thing? He is constantly sucking on his fingers/whole hand.
Started Prilosec this month for major spitting up although I can't tell if it is doing much good. We tried Zantac first but that didn't help. He still spits up just not quite as much. So I can't decide if it's worth it to continue, it's pricey, doesn't help a lot, I don't like giving him medicine, and most annoyingly I have to wait a little while after giving it to feed him-hard to do w/a hungry baby! It's been about 4 weeks now. Typing all that out kind of helps me make up my mind about getting it refilled this week. I'm just so thankful for a healthy baby. I know reflux is just a phase like everything else. It will pass and in the meantime I just wash alot of clothes and constantly clean up the floors.
We love you little Watson man! I really don't care if you spit up on me all day every day! You are the best thing ever and we're so glad God made you just for us!

A few Random Pics of our Friday afternoon

2011-06-25T15:36:00.009-05:00

This is the funniest little picture to me! I just uploaded some new pics and this was one of them. Nathan had just gotten home from work on Friday and Hayes pulled up a chair for him in the playroom and wanted him to take a picture with her. I've really been bragging on her about how (sometimes) she will now smile and look at the camera w/out her thumb in her mouth. Like making a REALLY big deal about it, so now she is sort of deciding she likes to take pictures! And you see her little Auburn t-shirt? Well we make a big deal about that shirt too b/c she always takes super long naps when she wears it and sleeps so good-so she loves it and always wants to wear her AU shirt when she naps. Let me tell you it's not easy getting her to take if off either. I had to bribe her w/fruit snacks last night to get her dressed to go eat. And the purple bow? Who knows. The girl likes a bow. And sweet Watson, bless his heart, he never knows when/why/how the camera works. All he knows is that big black thing is always in his face. I should have physically turned him around for this pic. He's busy studying something on that wall.

Yea! She turned me around for the camera!

Nathan is out of town today and the little ones are napping, hence the random Saturday afternoon blogging.

H-29 mos.
W-4 mos.

My Laundry Helpers and a Playdate

2011-06-22T08:29:00.009-05:00

Chores are so much more fun when you have some happy little helpers...they bring big joy to the small and routine things of our days.

Yesterday we had a playdate w/some fun little friends-Catherine Ellis and Caroline and their 2 baby sisters. W was surrounded by all girls. He didn't seem to mind though. Thanks friends to coming to play. It was fun!!

(Elizabeth, Watson, Caroline)-2 weeks, 3 1/2 mos. 5 weeks

(Caroline, Hayes, Catherine Ellis)-2, 2, and 2!

Watson's Baby Dedication, Father's Day, and a Birthday

2011-06-20T17:04:00.002-05:00

Sunday was a big day for Watson and he didn't even know it! We had his baby dedication at church yesterday morning and he did so good! You never know how those things are going to go, but he was such a sweetie pie and smiled and giggled the whole time! It was a special moment, and I tried to soak in everything Dr. Fenton said while we were up on stage. We look so forward to seeing what God has planned for Watson's life. We know great things are ahead for him and how thankful we are that we get to be a part of his life story. Hayes did well too, sucking her thumb and holding on tight to her Daddy. It was a sweet time. All of our family travelled to be here with us and we thank everyone for coming to support us and Watson. We love this little man soooooo much and had a wonderful time celebrating his precious little almost 4 month life yesterday. Y'all are the best!!

And, of course it was Father's Day, so a great occasion to celebrate all the daddies that we love. We had lunch at our house afterwards-bbq and lots of yummy sides. And a little birthday cake time too to mark my 32nd birthday-can that really be? Time flies for sure. There is absolutely no other way I would have rather spent my birthday than being right here with all of our family yesterday. It was the best birthday weekend ever, from a pedicure and free time on Friday to chips and salsa w/our fam of 4 Sunday night and lots of fun in between. Thank you so much Nathan!!

My awesome and very selfless friend Chris did ALL of the flowers for me Friday morning! What a huge gift and blessing that was-I have no idea how to arrange flowers. Thank you SO much Chris-they were all beautiful!!

Hayes was in heaven yesterday with all of her family and cousins here as you can imagine. She loved every second of the day too. She played hard and then had a good long nap once everyone went home!

And I cannot let Father's Day go by without giving Nathan proper credit for all he does for this family. He is our #1 man around here and we definitely wouldn't survive without him! If you know Nathan personally then you know he is one super devoted husband and daddy. This is a man who is sometimes late for work, comes home every day at lunch and then again right after work all because his family comes first. This man wears a suit 5 days a week but does not mind getting in the floor on his lunchbreak to play puzzles, have a tea party, build stairs, makes shapes out of playdough, change diapers, etc. and then goes straight back to work. He will do whatever he has to do to put his family first. That's my idea of a family man. I love him so much and so do these babies!!!

Happy Father's Day, Nathan!! We love you so much!

Daddies

2011-06-19T16:23:00.000-05:00

Happy Father's Day to all of our wonderful Daddies!

(Brent, Jimmy, Nathan, Daddy, and Cory)

We just had a great celebration and the only one we missed was Papa. We wish you could have been here with us Papa! It's been a big weekend and Sunday. Everyone at our house is still napping. We had some tired babies!
Be back later with lots of pics once I can get them sorted.

Singing and Mr. Potato Head

2011-06-15T16:19:00.000-05:00

In an effort to not lose or forget about any of these precious pictures and videos on our computer, I need to start posting them on here. I'm so afraid some of these little moments will be lost and forgotten here in the sea of pictures on our computer. I continuously upload more and more pics all the time, and alot of them I forget about until I go back and look later.
Plus, these videos are mainly for the grandparents-who all live out of town!-to see. I know they like to see them. Feel free to skip these though-it will not hurt my feelings!

Lately, I have caught Hayes jumping up into Watson's bed with him (which is kind of scary if I'm not in the room b/c she can be so wild w/him.) I'm glad I had my camera close by on this day. She loves to sing to him-Jesus Loves Me, Row Row Row your boat, Deep and Wide, Jesus loves the little Children, Humpty Dumpty, Peace like a river, If you're happy and you know it, etc. She walks around the house singing nonstop!

Here is the little teacher telling W about Mr. Potato Head, one of her used-to-be favorite toys. She obviously knows all the body parts now, but I will find him w/all the parts stuck in all crazy.

And that's all! Happy Wednesday!

The Date Night

2011-06-14T14:03:00.006-05:00

Hayes had her first date night last night w/Daddy. It was cute. They had fun. She couldn't wait to get in the car and go. When I was at her door kissing her and telling her bye, she told me to close the door. I'm sure that will be a new favorite thing for her, special time one on one w/Daddy or Mommy. She does not get enough of that right now. Little brother is precious, but his sweet little baby self requires alot of one on one attention these days too, which means she does not always come first. She has handled the divided attention very well since day 1 thankfully. I think it's a good lesson for her to learn though. We do not want her to grow up thinking she's the center of the world, or the center of our family, but that she is a very important part. But a night out w/out baby brother and getting to stay up late did make her feel pretty special and I'm okay with that, because she is a special little girl!

So she got up early from her nap and jumped into the bathtub to get ready. Daddy came home early from work. She got to pick out her outfit and bow (or choose between 2.)

Where did they go? Old McDonalds (what she calls it) to eat and then to the library to hear Jim Aycock sing and play guitar.

Nathan said she paid no attention except when he played "Wheels on the Bus"-one of her favorites. He said she played w/her barbie notepad from her happy meal the whole time and jumped up once to run around the room and then came right back to her notepad and sat down.

So Mr. Hollywood and I stayed home and played and went for a long stroll. He loves a stroller ride and we usually go after supper every night. I'm starting a new night time routine for him as of last night. It's been a rollercoaster of sleepless nights trying to get him to stay asleep and not wake up so much. Last night #1 was a successful night, and I hope tonight will be just as good. He's 15 weeks and 15 pounds. He just can't be that hungry at night. I'm hopeful about our new plan!

Regular or Decaf

2011-06-10T16:06:00.002-05:00

We like coffee at our house. We drink it every morning! Nathan likes regular and I like decaf, but sometimes I will drink regular too. Apparently the little lady in our house has picked up on this, and she likes to make coffee every day too now in her little kitchen.

I hear her talking to herself about making decaf coffee. She tells Watson that he will drink coffee too when he is bigger. This morning she pretended to warm her coffee up in the play microwave. Lately she's really been into asking us if we need something too. Like, "Daddy you want more supper?" and "Mommy you want a blueberry muffin?" "Mommy you want more coffee?" It's sweet, shocking, and scary how much they absorb that you don't even realize. She is a total sponge!

The little cook!

Here is W w/his coffee and eggs. She tells him one day he will eat eggs when he gets bigger!

(Do you see his muscle looking shirt? Nathan cannot stand it when I put these little onesies on him and I think it's so funny-he says he looks like an old man in these things and he does-hahaha!)

Happy Friday!

H-28 months
W-3 1/2 months

Memorial Day, Company, and the Zoo

2011-06-08T15:32:00.007-05:00

This is a long post, all rolled into one! I still need to catch up w/our trip to Dothan which now seems long ago! We had a great visit and managed to spend some time with all 5 grandparents plus Honey all in one trip. Both little ones did great. Hayes was surprised w/a big girl bed when she got to Nana and Papa's. We didn't expect her to sleep in there, she's not one for being still and going to sleep if she's not contained! But to our delight she actually slept all night in the little toddler bed, but wouldn't have anything to do w/a nap in there the next day (since she had freedom to NOT be contained.) That was not a battle worth fighting though. Naps get in the way when you have people to see. Most days she is still fairly happy and pleasant even when she doesn't have a nap thankfully.

I think the terms good old fashioned backyard fun would sum up our time in Headland and Dothan. We spent a good bit of time outside most of the trip which thrilled Hayes. Both grandparents had baby pools to play in which was nice for the heat. Hayes played in the water hose, fountain, watered flowers, helped make ice cream, picked apples and ate alot of them, and had her 1st four wheeler ride-thank you Papa! It was a really nice weekend. We ate too much good food of course, and thankfully brought alot back home with us. Always nice!

We started our weekend with Friday lunch w/our cousins at our favorite place-La Parilla. Soooo good! I think Hayes ate her entire weight x 10 in cheese dip and salsa. The spicier the better to her. So funny-I ate chips, salsa and cheese dip an awful lot when I was pregnant with her-at least several times a week-just an interesting connection!

All 5!

Lovely!

1st 4 wheeler ride w/Papa-she held on tight for awhile and then got brave and started waving to us!

W and Grandaddy

Hayes and Baker love this little lion seat at Shug and Grandaddy's. She's really too big now for a high chair and hasn't sat in one at home for a long time now, but LOVES to get in the lion seat when she goes to their house. It was the 1st thing she went to see when we got there!

My sweet little man in stripes

Love this of both boys smiling so big

Moving on...We had a very special visitor last week to spend the night w/us! My sweeeeeeeet friend Rebecca who I worked with at West for 6 years came to stay w/us and keep the little ones so we could have a date night. As in, came all the way from Jackson, MS just to see us and let us go out! She is such a precious and selfless person, always thinking of others, and so FUN to be with. I have to say she is the poster child of spontaneity. ALWAYS up for an after school Mexican date, or a spend the night party if Nathan was away (b/c I'm such a scaredy cat!) She did not mind re-arranging her schedule for a second to do something fun. I love that about her! We taught kindergarten right down the hall from each other and always had lots of fun times together, along w/everyone else on that hall! Wow, do I miss that place. I wrote a while ago about really missing that season of my life. I just have lots of special memories all wrapped up in West and Rebecca is in every one of them! So now Rebecca is married and moved way off to Jackson last summer, but I'm hoping she'll be back to Bham eventually. How fun would that be! Thank you SO much Rebecca for coming to spend some time with us and hang out in this crazy household with 2 little babies and loving and enjoying it-at least I hope you did! Come back anytime!

Last, we ventured to the zoo last Saturday to get in on some splash pad action for Hayes. Our time there was short lived. It was just too hot, even in the shade. Both little ones did not seem to mind it though, Nathan and I were the fussy ones-hahaha!Hayes has a difficult time staying in/around the water area, so Nathan chased her around and tried to rally her back to the splash pad the entire time. She didn't show enough interest to put myself through that torturous heat again, so we will say good-bye to the zoo until the fall comes around.

Naptime is almost over and I need to get supper started...Swedish Meatballs-they are really good. One of our favorites now. I will share that soon!

Days to Remember

2011-06-07T08:36:00.004-05:00

I am a morning person.

I think they both are too.

They are usually at their happiest and most content point in the day when they wake up (and I am too.) Everything is new and fresh and we get to start all over with a new day. Mornings are my favorite!

Ashley's Baby Sprinkle

2011-06-06T14:58:00.007-05:00

Last week we had our friend Ashley's baby sprinkle to celebrate baby Beckett who will be born next month. It was so much fun! I love having little get-togethers with these sweet girls. Ashley got lots of good stuff for baby boy #2 and we had so much fun all being together. I'm thankful for these good friends and love them all!

Icing on the Cookie cookies. I cannot get enough of these. They have to be the yummiest cookies in Birmingham!

Janelle, Caitlin, and Lenley

Marybeth and Christine

Lindsey, Ashley, Amy

Ashley and Colt and Parker, we are so excited for your family! We can't wait to meet sweet Beckett next month! (And thanks too Ashley for some of these pics from your blog!)

Table for 4

2011-06-03T16:18:00.004-05:00

Look who is joining us at the table now! I love it. It's nice for him to be eye level w/us now while we are eating, and fun to have a new face at the table for mealtime.

H-28 mos.
W-3 mos.

Birthdays and Two Good Deals

2011-06-01T15:44:00.003-05:00

We had a couple of May b'day parties in the last couple of weeks-cannot believe it's already June now?! But yes I can, it really feels like it now. We celebrated little Chamber's 1st birthday a few weeks ago. It was the CUTEST little 1st birthday party...bouncy house, pizza, ice cream man, cupcakes, lemonade, yummy Icing on the Cookie favors...it was perfect. Chris did an awesome job! And now Chambers is ONE. He was an adorable birthday boy! Thanks for having us, Chris!

Last week our big cousin Alice had her 8th birthday party. It was a fun waterslide, slip and slide party. Hayes got to wear her swimsuit and hang out w/some big kids. I thought she would love the slide, but sadly she did not! She would not slide down, but she did participate in the rest of the festivities, specifically the SNACKS, and enjoyed the trampoline. Little brother hung out in his carseat. I know he will be so glad when he can move and have a say-so about his where-abouts. Happy 8th birthday, ALICE!! You had an awesome party and we loved being w/you and your friends!

Birthday Girl, Alice!

Someone found the cheese puffs. She had never had them and must have eaten at least 150. She would not leave the snack table for anything.

Front and center for some birthday cookie cake. This girl loves some sweets!

W and Alice

Sweet little sister, Claire!

Lastly, here are some random tidbits...
1. I got some really cute invitations from Office Max online, of all places. They had GREAT prices and free shipping. I didn't even shop around b/c I already knew it was a good deal. Check out their site if you are in need of anything invitation-like.

2. Publix has good new baby coupons right now, which is like heaven on earth for this coupon-lover. And they are good until June 30. Huggies wipes, detergent, free Pampers wipes w/Pampers diapers, Johnson's, Baby Aveeno, etc. I love it. Grab some of the booklets next time you are there. And you can pair their coupons w/the manufacturer coupons, which makes really good deals. Is it sad that these are the things that excite me?!! Well, they do!!

3. Snapfish-100 prints for $10 w/free shipping-I saw this on Frugal Coupon Living and spent way too much time on their site trying to catch up w/my pictures (I'm about 15 months behind on Hayes and poor W does not have anything started yet for him). Don't waste your time w/the code. I ended up paying way more. Don't want anyone else to be a victim! Not really, it's just not a good deal in case you were thinking about it!

Catching up soon...

2011-06-01T08:35:00.003-05:00

I have lots to catch up on but not enough time to do it! Birthday parties, baby sprinkle for my friend Ashley, Memorial Day, etc. We went to Dothan over the long weekend and it's taking me forever to catch up at home and get back into a normal routine-haha! does that ever happen? I am doing really good each day to have everyone dressed, fed (which is way too frequent for the little one) groceries shopped for, meals cooked, laundry, etc. There is not enough time for anything else. I have a to-do list piling up w/simple tasks that can't seem to get done. Obviously I shouldn't be blogging either. I guess I need to stay up later or get up earlier. Neither sound like good options to me!

Watson and Hayes did great on the ride to Dothan and back. They both slept good at night, but neither had many naps which made for long days to me-too much to see and do and people to play with! It was fun and action packed as usual. Thank you to our families for having us and taking care of us!
Be back later w/pics.
Happy Wednesday!

Watson is 3 months

2011-05-25T14:43:00.009-05:00

How in the world could he already be this big? It seems like he was born yesterday! 3 months has flown by so fast. W is the sweetest baby boy, very laid-back, loves to swing and ride in the stroller and eat and smile and watch his big sister. They are two peas in a pod already.

A few things about 3 months...

Wearing Size 2 diapers
3-6-9 month clothes
Naps-3 a day-takes a short morning nap, sometimes middle of the day nap, and usually a lengthy afternoon nap, all in the swing, occasionally in his crib.
Eats-ALOT-nurses about 5-6 times a day, every 3 hours, takes a bottle at bedtime-around 6:45 or 7-and a dreamfeed bottle at 9:30.
Nighttime Sleep-INCONSISTENT!! Every night is completely different. He likes to keep us guessing. Weeks 10-12 have been so much better and he has normally gotten up once to eat-around 3 or so-and then back to sleep until about 6. Saturday night he slept all night-9:30-6:30-which was 9 hours. But Sunday night he was up 3 times to eat, Monday night it was 2 times, and last night back to just 1 time. Maybe he had a growth spurt.
He just started Zantac yesterday for spitting up so much. Hoping that will help his sleeping at night too.
I have no idea what he weighs. One month ago he was 13.9. I'm assuming 14+.
He is a doll. I love having a boy. He makes us all smile w/his sweet little non-stop happy face. Seriously he wakes up smiling every morning. Loves for us to get him out of his crib. It's the sweetest thing!

(This blurry pic was the best I could get of them both-she is so fast and not slowing down for the camera.)

Hayes was 28 months yesterday. I have to document that we are deep into the terrible two's w/her. Sister has had some major meltdowns lately. She is exploding w/happiness and laughter one second and completely falling apart the next minute if she does not get her way. I read "Shepherding the Child's Heart" a few years ago. I'm about to pull it out to read again. Hoping to find some solid and practical Godly advice for these little daily fits of hers!

Lastly here is bedtime video from a few nights ago. H & W were playing on Hayes' bed. This just makes me smile. We LOVE these sweet babies so much!!

(Now that I just watched this video he looks like he is in a danger zone! She has a hard time controlling her excitement to say the least!)

Happy 3 months big boy! You make us all so happy w/your joyful little self. We love you lots and are so thankful we get to be your parents!

Summer

2011-05-23T15:46:00.006-05:00

Today is day 3 of our summer. I did not dress Hayes until after 1 and still haven't even brushed her hair yet today, and we're getting close to bathtime! It is definitely summer. We are trying to stay busy. Alot of time at home is fun, but can also be very long w/2 little ones! So I have made a very loose schedule for us to follow each week M-F, something fun, but cheap/free to do everyday instead of waking up wondering how I am going to entertain from 7:30 a.m. until Daddy gets home at 5:30. We started it today!

Last week my sweet friend Amy invited us to a new (to us) park in Hoover off Patton Chapel. It was great! The playground looked brand new and we were the only people there. The equipment was really nice and perfect for little ones. Hayes and Mary Carmen ran around together and Watson and baby Clara hung out in their strollers. He took a nap. Hayes took a big interest in the stairs close by-not suprising! If you live in B'ham I think it's called Patton Chapel Park-you can google it to get directions. Thanks, Amy, for introducing us to a new playground!

Friday I took both to McWane by myself. It was much easier than I was imagining. Although, I went w/the intention of only going to play on the 3rd floor where it is flat and you can see your child from every direction (which is very helpful if your toddler likes to run away like mine), but it happened to be closed that day. So we went to the Just My Size play area and played in the water table and the big climbing structure and little playroom. Thankfully it was not crowded, and she has managed to master most climbing things now so I didn't have to worry about having to climb up and get her out or help her get down. I did have to do that once when I was pregnant w/Watson. Not an easy task! We saw the sharks and fish too. She did not care to touch them. She had a great time and got rid of a little energy. And they both napped that afternoon which is a sign of a successful day!

Hope your summer is off to a good start!

My Little Reader

2011-05-22T06:48:00.003-05:00

Here is a little clip of storytime at our house last week. Hayes was reading NUMBERS to Watson. I'm so glad she likes books and wants to "read" to us. Of course she just has most of these little books memorized by looking at the pictures. But, it's a step and it makes this kindergarten teacher happy!

The Little Mama, Storytime, and 12 weeks

2011-05-20T14:39:00.005-05:00

Hayes has become such a sweet little mama lately. She wants to take her baby everywhere she goes. She feeds her non-stop most days. Her favorite thing to feed her is a brownie! She is constantly moving the baby's high chair around the house, from the playroom to the kitchen, dining room, etc. to find just the perfect spot. She even makes little smacking noises like the baby is eating. It's hilarious. A few times now we have found her in Watson's room rocking her baby. She will turn on the sound machine, and rock the baby in W's rocking chair, and then put the baby in Watson's crib to take a nap. It's the sweetest thing. And baby has started going everywhere w/us too. Yesterday to the playground and today to McWane. Baby is going to need baths regularly I am thinking.

My goal lately has been for afternoon naptimes to be the same for H & W. We have finally gotten into somewhat of a routine w/that and most days it works out giving me a little bit of free time. Some days she won't nap but he does, and vice versa. We have started having storytime everyday before naptime on the floor of Watson's room. Hayes picks out some books for us-her favorites are Where is my Baby? and Today is Monday. They both lay on their pillows. She will let me read for about 5 seconds and then she wants to read. She knows both of those books by heart already! W usually smiles the whole time, unless he gets kicked or bumped by his wild big sister (which is usually the way our storytime ends.)

And today Watson is 12 weeks old. He is such a little chunk of love and happiness. We laugh at him all the time because he is such a happy and jolly little baby! He seems to get bigger by the day. I know I carried Hayes around in her carrier until about 11 months. I'm thinking I have about 2 more months until he's too heavy for me. Every night my shoulders and back are hurting from carrying him in his carseat!He smiles at you anytime you look at him and loves for you to get in his face and talk to him. He has started squealing and laughing out loud alot. His little personality is really coming out. We think he's going to be pretty laid back. He's really noticing Hayes alot lately and completely lights up when he sees her. He's a funny little baby! Happy 12 weeks big boy!

Happy Birthday, Carson!

2011-05-20T14:25:00.004-05:00

Our nephew Carson just turned FIVE years old yesterday. Happy Birthday, Carson! He is such a big boy and such a little cutie pie! He is Alyssa and Cory's youngest. And that seems hard to believe that their YOUNGEST is now already five. How time flies. I'm sure they think the same thing!

Carson is the sweetest big cousin to Hayes and now to Watson. I know he is now thrilled to have a boy cousin on our side since he spend lots of time w/his big sisters! Hayes talks about him alot. He is the only one she would talk to on the phone w/all these birthdays lately. We love you, Carson! So proud of you and can't wait to see you next weekend to play!

The Last Day of School

2011-05-18T14:54:00.006-05:00

Today was Hayes' last day of school! So our summer has officially started as of this afternoon. And I am happy to say that both are napping at the moment, which is a pretty good way to start the next 3 1/2 months at home all day, every day! haha! I am looking forward to it but curious about how we are going to fill up our days. But it makes me happy to live right here in B'ham, where there are lots of good options for kids and play.

This is why I love Mother's Day Out...doing things we don't do at home every day and interacting w/other kids!

She insisted on taking her baby this morning and would not get out of the car without her. I told her she would lose her. She did not care. Oh well baby made it back home. I have to pick my battles carefully these days. She is all of 2 years old, stubborn and Miss independent.

We love these ladies...sweet teachers, Martha and Carol, but missing Necee. I'll have to get her pic w/her later. Hayes had a major bond w/Necee from day 1!

I kept telling Hayes this morning that this was her last day until September. She of course had no idea what that meant! She has had the best year in the Puppies Class w/her teachers and friends. They are sweet, sweet ladies and have taken great care of her this year. They sent home a cute All About Me book and artwork from each month. This thrills me. I never knew how meaningful those little things were to mamas when I was teaching kindergarten and sending home cards/gifts for Christmas, Mother's Day, etc. Now I can't get enough of them! That little handprint makes me want to cry just to look at it, sweet little hands and fingers! No actually the sweet part is that she had no idea what they were making when they painted her hands. I'm sure she was in a rush to get back to playing. I love it. Next year she will be in the 2 year old class! Now when I look at her, she looks like she should be in the 2 year old class! She already wants to walk in and out to the car by herself and carry her own bag. She does not want me to pick her up and carry her in and out anymore. She will go Wednesday/Friday mornings when she starts back. She is growing up way too fast and I don't like it at all.

She was super excited about her bucket from her teachers w/sunglasses and other fun stuff. Now we are ready for the summer!

And not to leave out the little man in the house...he got his little footprints done last week. I think they turned out precious!

The Shoe Holder and Sleep

2011-05-18T06:33:00.003-05:00

I was in the kitchen the other day and glanced at Watson in the swing and saw something on him. I guess Hayes thought that looked like a great spot to put her shoes.

Thank you little brother for being a good sport. One day you will be big enough to defend yourself!

And to document, 11 weeks and 4 days-W finally slept all night last night. 9:30-5 a.m. He was so proud of himself and couldn't stop smiling at us this morning-Making Progress!!

Holley is 9!

2011-05-14T06:29:00.006-05:00

Our oldest niece, Holley, had a big birthday yesterday. She turned NINE! That is 9 years of sweetness. She is Hayes and Watson's oldest cousin. She is polite and smart and well mannered and loving and just an all-around really good girl. Her parents are doing a great job raising her! I look at Hayes and so many times she reminds me of looking at Holley when she was little. They have lots of similarities to me. Nathan and I always say that we hope Hayes will turn out like Holley, along w/her siblings. They're all such great kids, and that's a testament to Alyssa and Cory's super solid parenting skills. (Those 2 are good role models for us!) Happy birthday, Holley. Wish we could be at your fun birthday party today. Hayes would LOVE a waterslide! We all love you so much!

And she loves AUBURN, the only one out of her fam of 5. I hope she ends up there one day, despite what her Daddy might say about that!

Cooking in the Kitchen

2011-05-13T14:22:00.004-05:00

Hayes is really enjoying having a constant playmate.

This child is definitely not at a loss for entertainment.

He seems to enjoy her little funny, silly self too.

I'm glad he is a good sport, at least for now!

Hayes 27 months
Watson 2 1/2 months

Highlights from M-Day weekend

2011-05-09T15:13:00.006-05:00

We did not get to go home for Mother's Day, Nathan was out of town until Friday night. So we had a very special weekend w/just our fam of 4. It was sweet and low key and perfect. Nathan did a great job giving me lots of little breaks all weekend. I wish it could be Mother's Day every weekend! I will just hit the high points, b/c the little baby in our house is about to wake up soon!

* Daddy got home Friday night-yippee! I do not like when he is away. It's no fun for anybody, least of all his little 2 year old girlfriend. She wants her Daddy home all the time. I am not quite ready to do the bath/bedtime routine w/both by myself just yet. Leah, Alice, and Claire came over to play Thursday night for a bit while I gave W his bath and put him to bed. Big cousins are so cool! Thanks for coming to play and hang out, Leah! We had a great time!

*We celebrated sweet Caroline's 2nd birthday w/a fun bouncy house, balls and hoola hoops and cupcakes on Saturday. All perfect things for little people!

*I had some fun Mother's Day free time ALL by MYSELF on Saturday! I ran a few errands and shopped a little. Found a new dress for my birthday/Watson's dedication day coming up next month. AND, randomly found a piece of furniture at an estate sale close by. I'm so glad I stopped! I could get addicted to those sales. We seem to have quite a few around here lately.

*Played outside and enjoyed the nice summer-y weather. Hayes and W got a new water table for Easter. It's the new favorite thing around here now. I love it too b/c it keeps her entertained and in ONE spot while we are outside.

*Went to bed early Saturday night and Nathan got up to feed Watson during the night. It was so nice to have some uninterrupted sleep!

*Watson had his 1st day in the nursery on Sunday and did great. He napped the whole time until I came back to feed him. I'm glad to have our Sundays back in a sort of normal routine now that he can go to his little class.

*We ate lunch at a new Mexican place in Homewood. Mexican is my favorite. It's about the only thing I ever want if we go out to eat! Both Hayes and Watson behaved thankfully, thanks to Nathan's sweet tea and a spoon for Hayes, and sweet W just had a full tummy so he was happy.

*Sweet cards from my babies and supper cooked all by Nathan, and Hayes helped a little.

**Huge Mother's Day present-Watson slept for 6 hours Sat. night and then 6 1/2 hours last night. Maybe night time is finally clicking w/him. I hope so!!

I love my family. They are precious to me, all 3 of them. I'm thankful they love me back.

And a BIG happy Mother's Day to Nana, Shug, Honey, Alyssa and Lindsey-5 GREAT MOTHERS! We love all of you so much. Hope your day was a special one!

Happy Mother's Day weekend!

2011-05-06T15:11:00.004-05:00

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body..
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom.

My friend Anna Lynn sent this yesterday. I've read it before and love it more every time I read it. It's all SO TRUE!
Happy Mother's Day to my mommy blogging friends!!

LIFE Lately

2011-05-05T14:33:00.007-05:00

We have been here and staying busy. And by busy, I just mean moment to moment activies, like pouring milk 37 times a day, washing dishes and multiple sippy cups, reading books, disciplining, strapping and unstrapping the carseat, trying to get little ones to fall asleep, trying to get them in the bathtub, and then trying to get them out w/out pitching fits, building stairs w/blocks, eating tons of snacks b/c we have a snack monster living at our house, crying, a little napping, and of course changing lots of diapers! It's our every day life and as tiring as it is some days, it's a sweet life. We are fortunate. We all live here together and we wake up and go to bed together at night. We eat together and play together and hang out together. I know now that lots of families are in such great need. Serious need, like do not have homes to live in or food or clothes for their children. I have no idea how that would feel and do not ever want to know. I am sad for all the families in this situation, but thankful that God is working through all the volunteers to meet people's needs in various ways. Who knows why things like terrible storms happen? It's not for us to know or even ask why? All we know is that the Lord is in control of everything, He is sovereign and He loves us way more than we can imagine. I read an awesome post on Gatherings about where God was during the storm. Read it if you have a chance.

Now, here is your personal public service announcement. When we lost power last Wed. morning our generator did not kick on like it should have. Thanks to our good friend, Colt, someone came to fix it and voila we had some power! Thank you Colt! Well about 2 in the afternoon we were all 4 taking NAPS (Nathan's bank was closed so he was home too) and I woke up somehow right at 2 to feed Watson. Then I heard a beeping and we figured out in was the carbon monoxide detectors. Hmmm, a little scary but probably just broken. Nathan got it off the wall and it said, "move to fresh air." We grabbed 2 little ones up from their naps and called 911 and waited outside, trying to keep an active 2 year old from running wild and falling into the huge hole from a tree that uprooted in the backyard. Then our firefighter friend Ryan F. came on the big red fire truck to check it out. And yes we had CARBON MONOXIDE blowing up into the crawlspace into our house. The generator was turned off and they aired our house out until it was all gone. Do you know how thankful I was that we had spent the $30 or 40 at Lowe's to get those detectors?!! And at the time I'm sure we were thinking, should we really spend the money to get those? Let me tell you, they SAVED OUR LIVES! If you have any natural gas in your home, please go get some detectors asap. We could have easily not been here today. And just to follow up, we did get the generator working properly in a way that did not blow fumes into the crawlspace, (THANK YOU AGAIN to COLT!!!) so we did have power until our real power came back on Saturday night. Again, it's ridiculous what all we take for granted everyday like power, hot water, etc.

I cannot remember where I heard this, but it's a great thing to keep in mind in your daily prayers-What if you only had today what you praised God for yesterday? That's a little scary. Am I really completely 100% thankful for each moment and blessing as I should be? I try to keep my prayers with Hayes very basic, like thanking God for every little thing we can think of like our home, car, meals, snacks, toys, cousins, grandparents, friends and teachers, school, church, and of course these are things that I normally take for granted, but I want her to know that God cares about every aspect of our lives. I don't want her to take these things for granted. I just want to live a thankful life, even if we did not have what we have today and our house had been wiped away, I still hope I would be just as thankful. As long as we are all together that is all that matters. Things can be replaced but people cannot. So from now on I will be thanking God everyday for every little thing I can think of! Amazing what your kids can teach you when you are trying to teach them something. Praise Him, praise Him all you little children, God is love, God is love.

So after the storms we had some company at our house. Lindsey and Baker came to stay w/us. Brent was out of town and joined us on Friday. We had a full and bustling house all week! Hayes was beside herself to wake up to a COUSIN in her house. And if you cannot tell from past posts, COUSINS are the absolute best things in the world to her!! They had a lot of good playtime together all week, inside, a little bit outside, McWane Center, and Chucky Cheese. We do love some company at our house. Thanks Lindsey for spending your "after the storm" days w/us!! We ended the week w/the Kennedy Family Reunion and then my Dad's 60th birthday lunch in Montgomery on Sunday. It was an eventful week to say the least, as I'm sure everyone's was.

I love this picture! Someone commented that Jimmy (aka Grandaddy) looked like a Santa w/no suit! hahah! I love it b/c he really does!! and by the way, this Grandaddy loves his grandbabies to the moon and back. I have never seen a PROUDER Grandaddy than him. It's soooooo sweet how much he loves them.

Happy B'day Pop Pop! We love you!

Our aunt Ann, Grandmama's youngest sister, holding Watson. She is a good reminder of our sweet Grandmama. She would have loved to have been at the b'day party!!

Sunday fun w/couins! Everyone was looking a little straggly from the bouncy house at the party. Lots of fun and good way to burn some energy. Wish we had one at home!

Thanks for hanging in there if you are still reading. This was way longer than I intended it to be, which is usually the way my posts turn out. And how in the world did I have time to do this LONG post? my two are napping at the same time right now, which is something that does not happen every day. And yes I'm thankful for that little window of free time and not taking it for granted!

Two Month update

2011-05-03T14:06:00.003-05:00

We had W's 2 month check up last week and he did really good. He weighed 13.9 lbs (90%) and was 23 1/2 inches (75%). He got his 4 shots and cried, but was okay by the time we got to the car. Sister had to come w/us b/c her school was cancelled due to the storms. She got a sucker for being such a big help to me. Love that girl.
I have lots more to post about, but not enough time or brain capacity to think or write. Free time is rare and valuable right now. Hope to be back soon w/new posts and pics!

Watson is 2 Months

2011-04-25T20:43:00.004-05:00

Our newest addition is TWO months old today. Time is flying by of course. I am trying to get good one on one time in with him every day so that he doesn't get slighted. The best time for that is during sister's nap time. I want to be able to give him lots of face time like Hayes got. But that is not as easy this time though. He is the SWEETEST and most lovable little baby. When I say I could just eat him, I mean that with every ounce of my being!! I never thought having a boy would be as sweet as having a girl. I was wrong. They are EQUALLY precious to me.

He is still wearing Size 1 diapers (until we run out, then moving on up to 2's soon!)
Wearing 3-6 month clothes
We have his 2 month check up on Wednesday, so I'm not sure about his weight and height. All I know is that everyone looks at him and says he is big. He looks and feels big to us too! We will see on Wednesday. And with all those little layers and rolls on him, you would think he could sleep longer at night. I think he has regressed. Right now he is at 3-4 hour stretches. He seems to be a hungry boy at night. One of these nights he will surprise us!
He naps best in his swing during the day. He enjoys the playmat for short periods of time. He likes it better if Hayes is down there with him. He is constantly entertained by her silly self. She likes to sing to him.
He loves a pacifier when he starts getting sleepy.
He smiles alot. I catch him looking up at me or Nathan and smiling. And he really smiles alot during bathtime. He's a happy little camper for the most part!

She loves to sing to him. Here is a little playtime video...

We love you little Watson! You are a precious addition to our family. We didn't know what else we were missing until you came along. You are a perfect fit for us and we thank God for the blessing you are to this family!