Girls Weekend :)

The first weekend in August I went back down to St. Petersburg, Fl to visit my best friend Leanna...alone! It was my birthday present and another very much needed weekend away. Leanna and her fiance', Eddie, came one night the week before to celebrate their engagement and to visit with the boys. We had a great time celebrating on the actual day they got engaged (Eddie knew she would want to celebrate with her bff :) and I, being the MOH, was already getting down to the business of planning!! Then the next weekend I flew down and it was just us 2. We did A LOT of relaxing and wedding planning! We found her dress, the bridesmaids dress and all accessories for everyone. Plus we decided on EVERYTHING! I'd say that was a successful trip :) It was a much needed 3 days for us both...with her working full time and me staying at home with the kids full time, we needed some sisterly fun. We had a blast drinking wine, ordering in food, going to the beach, riding in her jeep with the top off for the 1st time, laughing until we cried (on several occasions!) and finding the dress of her dreams! I can't wait until October for the wedding! Love you sister and thanks for the best weekend !!

The night Leanna got engaged!!

Headed to the beach with the top down!

11 months

C is 11 months today! Where has the time gone? I feel like I'm always saying that in every post, but it's just how I feel. Everytime I blink he's a whole month older. This is officially his last month in babyhood :( He will be toddling around very soon and I'm both excited and sad. I'm sad b/c he's our last baby and I'm trying to soak up every ounce of babyness I can. But I'm excited for him to grow up with B and be able to play more with him. I am now starting to plan his first birthday party which just seems crazy to me!

C is now only drinking from a cup. We cut the bottle out a few weeks ago! He didn't really seem to mind, as long as he got the milk/juice. He is also eating all table food, with the exception of the times I've needed a quick meal when we are out somewhere. He only has 2.5 teeth, so he can't chew much, but I was told that babies gums are sharp enough to chew just like if he had teeth, so if thats good enough for C, it is for me! He got to the point where he didn't want anymore baby food and was always eyeing our food. He's been eating chicken, peas, fruit, nutrigrain bars, mac n cheese, cheese, every kind of cracker known to man, turkey and ham. That's all he's really tried so far and he's loved it all! I'm thrilled he likes food, unlike his brother who only likes junk and eats like a bird!

He's not walking yet, but he's been randomly standing up on his own in the middle of the room, so I'd say not too much longer! He climbs on everything! If you can climb on it, he's there! He's way more curious than B ever was, so this is all new to me...along with the climbing. He shows no fear and I can see him being the little kid who jumps into the pool w/o a float on (I pray that never happens!)! He's also been playing with B more this month. They roll the ball back and forth and pretty much anything B does, C tries to do.

He's added a few words to his vocabulary. He said "cat" yesterday! He now says, Mama, Dada, Brooks/brother and bird (Br is what it sounds like), Baba, Keke (also a name for our cat), and Hami/Heidi sounds like "hum". About 95% of the time when I say No No and shake my head, he stops what he's doing! (Now if he could teach B to learn that we'd be all good!). Also whenever I'm saying no to someone else, he shakes his head back and forth...it's SO cute!

I'm actually hoping these next few weeks go by slow so I can savor his babyness before he grows up and doesn't want me to snuggle with him! Aw, who am I kidding, B still likes to cuddle every once in a while...that's the good thing about having boys :))

27

Today is my birthday...my 27th. Some might think, wow you're only 27! But to others (like my sister :) they think I'm old ha! The truth is, I feel older than 27. Maybe thats because I got married at 22 and we have 2 kids! I had a wonderful day with my boys. This morning B's K3 teacher, Mrs. Templeton (I prayed B would get her!) came for her visit and got us both pumped for preschool! I also found out that the teachers B had when he was 1 will be the same ones C will have! We spent the majority of the day at home. Then this afternoon we headed over to my mom's house and she cooked us dinner. We had steaks, potatoes, salad, and a very yummy marble cake! My sister Blaire and her boyfriend Uncle Jordan were there (thats what B calls him!) to celebrate with us! Then we headed home and my In-Laws were at our house waiting for us with a birthday present. Love them! I didn't really do anything different today, but I definitely felt special thanks to all my family and friends who wished me a happy birthday. I feel so blessed to have you all in my life and for B and C to have such good friends as well! Tomorrow Brian will be home all day and I get to spend some time with him before I leave Friday for my girls weekend! My birthday present this year is flying down to FL to see my best friend Leanna and spending 3 whole days with her!! Without kids or the hubby. Did I mention the kids ARE NOT going with me :) I am looking forward to this break and being able to sleep in (if my body allows me) and wedding planning with my bestie!! Wish I took some pics today :( Will have to remember to take some tomorrow!

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 :)

3/4 Year

That's right, C is 9 months old! I can't believe how fast 9 months have passed! It makes me sad to think his babyhood will be gone soon.

This kid is crawling EVERYWHERE and is into EVERYTHING! He doesn't want to be held nearly as much as he used to. Of course he always wants to crawl to and pull up on the things we don't want him to. He even does a bear walk...I think he'll be standing up and walking soon. We hold his hands and let him walk all over the house and he loves it! He's walking pretty well that way and is just excited to do what big brother does :) We haven't let him crawl near the stairs yet...he might be ready, but I'm not!

He's eating 3 full meals a day. B eats lunch and dinner with him and C loves being able to sit right next to him. He's been eating some finger foods and tried some real food. His favorite is still puffs and cheerios. He eats graham crackers and pieces of fruit too. He has 3-4 bottles a day. One with every meal and another for a snack. Depending on how he's eaten, I will substitute the bottle for water or half-strength juice.

He FINALLY has 2 teeth...the bottom 2! I thought those things would never come in! He was teething (still is) for such a long time, so I know he feels better with them in. His two front teeth are starting now. I'm ready for them all to come in so he won't be in pain anymore (and we don't have to hear the whining ;)

He's taking 2 naps a day. Some days we could squeeze in a 3rd power nap, but he refuses it now. They're both around 1.5 hrs. At night he sleeps from 7/7:70 - 7/ 7:45am! He's always been a pretty good sleeper :) There are some nights he goes down at 6:30 b/c he wakes up earlier from his 2nd nap than he should. Then he will be up by 6:45 am, which isn't so good. Some days he will wake up really early, but will just chill and talk in his crib then go back to sleep. Those days he sleeps close to 8 (I like those days :)

My poor kid is a peanut! He eats a lot, but is still SUPER tiny. He got weighed a few weeks ago and was 15lb, 13oz, so he has to be about 16lb by now. Most of his rompers are 6mos, his onesie footed jammies are 9mos, and shorts/pants are 3-6mos (ha!). I'm not worried about his size though, bc he's gained weight like he's supposed to. I got lucky with B being a little bigger than C, bc the hand-me-downs are perfect for the seasons with them being 2 months difference in birthdays.

C loves playing outside with B...especially when there is water involved! He got in our baby pool with B for the 1st time over Memorial weekend. Then this past week he got in a big pool for the 1st time! It was a little chilly, but once he got used to it he loved it! He kept sticking his tongue in the water and trying to lick it...I couldn't really stop him, so just let him go for it ha! He also loves riding around in the wagon. When the boys are in the playroom C only wants to stand up at B's train table and pull apart the track and eat the engines...B isn't too happy about this. I have to keep C away as much as possible. He will play with the music table a good bit and likes to climb on the mini trampoline, which he dives head first off of! I have to watch him like a hawk, not just for that reason, but b/c he wants to put everything in his mouth. Can't wait til that goes away!

He has said MaMa and BuBu (pronounced similar to bubba...he says this when he sees B or our pets). He has said Da, but not DaDa yet. He also likes to stick out his tongue and fake cough. That cough kills me! Can't wait to see what's in store for us the next few months :)