St. Simons Island

This years summer vacation was to St. Simons Island. My parents always take the boys and me on their vacation (I know, how sweet!...and poor Bri never gets to go b/c of work). My family has been to the Island before with my sister for her mission trip. They didn't really get to do much of what was on the island, so they wanted to go back and I was super excited we were going somewhere I've never been! We stayed right in the Pier Village, so it was rare we even had to drive our cars! Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING was right there....the ocean, neptune park (which is a pool/waterpark/playground/putt putt course/light house), the fishing pier, shops and restaurants! We went to the beach and pool/waterpark everyday and B had an absolute blast! I wasn't sure how B would do in the water b/c he's been a little scared of the pool this summer (but has come a long way from May), and the last 3 times he was at the beach was terrified of the ocean. But he was AWESOME!! He was a little unsure of the ocean at first, but I put him down and he LOVE IT! He started jumping waves all by himself and I was one proud Mommy!! He stayed in the ocean for 5 hours straight the first day (we all had to switch off who stayed with him). Then at the pool you can walk into it and it gradually gets deeper and he just walked in all by himself and went to where the water was up to his neck...all w/o a float!! Again, so proud! C wasn't so sure of the ocean at first, but he warmed up to it the second day. He was a real trooper...he didn't ever get enough sleep and stayed up much later than normal, but he really didn't complain that much! I was very happy about this :) B begged to go play in the water or at the park every second of the trip, so that's where we stayed. We didn't get to tour around much, but Mom, Blaire and I made time for some shopping! And we even saw a guy propose to his g/f at the top of the lighthouse! It was SO romantic and sweet :) I wish we could've stayed longer so we could go on some tours of the historic part of the island, but we'll just have to save that for next time.

My mom, C and Me

SO glad we brought the wagon!

Blaire, Mom, Dad, Me, B and C

C looks exactly like Brian here!

Tennessee Trip

This past weekend we went back to TN to visit friends and family. My sister Blaire, the boys and I all left on Friday afternoon and headed straight to Knoxville to visit my Memaw, Aunt Linda, Cousin Rachelle and her son Scottie. It was a great visit, but just too short. We would love to see them more often! C was into everything as usual and B played games with Scottie. This was just the 2nd time they've all seen C, so he was the center of attention (like that bothered him!)

C hanging with my Aunt Linda

Memaw with C

Then we drove to Morristown (about 45 min from knoxville), where I grew up. We stayed with my parents best friends, Gary and Susie. They've always been like family and when I was little I actually thought they were my Aunt and Uncle ha! On Sat morning we got up and went to lunch with one of my best friends, Danielle, and her mom Dianne. Then Danielle's younger sister Deanna was throwing her daughter Kenzie a birthday party at the pool. The last time I saw Kenzie she was 5 weeks old and she just turned 5yrs old on the 6th!! B got to play with her which was pretty cool. Another friend of mine, Kellie was there with her 2 girls Sammie and Lexi and they were just super cute! It was great to get to catch up with old friends and have all the kids play together!

B, Kylie (?), Kenzie, Sammie and Lexi

Danielle (BFF since I was 1!) and C

B checkin out his goodies!

Saturday night Gary and Susie's daughter Lyndsey came over with her 2 girls. She has always been like a big sister to me and this was the 1st time we've gotten together with all 4 kids! Caroline is turning 5 next week and Camdyn is 18 months. They were precious and B and Caroline played GREAT together! Little Camdyn danced around and played with C and I just wanted to take her home with me! We can't wait to get together with them again soon! We had a great weekend and are home to rest this week b/c next week is the beach!!

Caroline and B

Camdyn...Look at those cheeks, SO kissable and pinchable ha!

I just wanted to take her home with me!

Lyndsey and C

The girls had fun playing with C man!

Caroline and C

Carson is 10 Months!

Well, we've now entered into the double digits. C turned 10 mos yesterday, the 4th! He is growing up way too fast and, although I'm excited about the next few months and all that he will be learning/doing, I'm sad because his babyhood will be gone soon. He's such a sweetheart and a joy to have in our lives!

He has been going through separation anxiety and that's been crazy a little hard on us. He's usually happy with anyone, but lately he only wants me and his 2 grandmothers. That's it. If B could hold and carry him around on his hip, that would be C's first choice! I keep reminding myself that everything is just a phase!

He is cruising around everything! He wants to walk SO badly, but I think it will be several more weeks until that happens. He climbs on/over anything he can...the stairs, stools, toys, you name  it, he wants to climb on it! His crawling has gone from slow to speeding. He run crawls and it's so funny! If he sees something he wants and we don't want him to have it, it's a race to see who gets there first...and a lot of times he beats us there! We have gated/blocked off so many places/things that our house is looking like a prison HA!

He is still a good sleeper at night and I'm so very thankful for that! But naps have been challenging lately. He was taking 2 naps a day, each about 1.5 hrs, and B took his nap at the same time C took his second. That was a wonderful time. Now his first nap, usually around 9ish, is 1.5-2.5 hrs and his second nap is 40 min-1hr. Now I know some might think, wow that first nap must be so nice, but no, it's not, bc I have a 3.5yr old still awake. I need MY time...it's crutial for me to survive get through the day. And for both of them taking naps together...forget it!
About every other day for the past 2 weeks C has been sleeping til 8:30-9am, which seems wonderful, but don't let it fool you. So now the new nap schedule I just talked about...gone! He now takes a nap around 10ish and wakes up for lunch and just in time for B to take a nap. Then he'll take a 30 min power nap in the afternoon. Some days he only takes one 1.5 hr nap. Lord help us on those days (like this one)! He struggles to stay awake past 6:30, so that's when we've been putting him down...and he still sleeps until the usual time, so that is good! I think he's going through a growth spurt. Again, everything is just a phase :)

Eating has been going well. He eats anything I give him and I'm thrilled about that! I still puree some veggies and fruits, but he's been eating more table food and I cut up other food that he can chew.
Breakfast: Fruit w/oatmeal; granola bar and fruit
Lunch: Fruit and Veggies
Snack: Puffs, cheerios, any kid of cracker
Dinner: Veggies
This week I am going to start letting him try some of our dinner and see how he likes it!

Still only 2 teeth :/ B had 8-10 teeth at C's age, but it hasn't affected eating. That kid can chomp anything with those gums. I can tell his upper gums have been bothering him, but don't feel anything coming in yet. Hopefully soon!

All in all he's super sweet and a good baby. The boys love playing with each other and B begs me not to put C down for naps b/c he wants to keep playing. I hope he keeps feelilng like this for many years to come! I love those kiddos, sleep or no sleep!

4th of July...10 Months :)