The Joy of a Child On...

 Christmas Morning!

Oh Christmas Tree. Oh Christmas Tree

Blessed.  Amazing.  Fun. 

These are the words that definitely described our Christmas of 2008.   Last year, which was Little Man's first....I could use words like sentimental, breathtaking and beautiful.  There is nothing like holding a newborn in your arms as your remember Jesus’s birth and his time as a baby during the days of Christmas.  However, this year we didn't get to experience a sweet sleeping babe, we saw a little baby boy whose eyes lit up at the sight of beloved family members and squeals of laughter at the sight of presents. Each year brings more and more joy!  From a parents’ perspective, I'm sure the best is still yet to come!  Yet, we truly enjoyed our Little Man on his 2nd Christmas!!

Sweet Sixteen....Months!

A short sixteen months ago, I feel in love...my heart was stolen and now until forever it will belong to a little blonde boy who calls me "Mumma"!

Little Man, 

I feel like I am seeing the entire world through new eyes.  Especially during the special Christmas season...I feel like a kid again!  You love the lights, the sounds, the music, and all the decorations.  You love it all, except Santa, who you hate!  We have tried three times, and each time...tears start falling!  Honestly, I can't blame you...maybe next year!  But what I love most the most is the fact that you recognize baby Jesus in the nativity...always saying, "Jees" (which is your version of Jesus)...and I hope that you will soon know the importance of that little baby.  

There are so many things I have enjoyed this age...mostly listening to you learn more and more words.  It has been sweet sounds to my ears to hear you begin to point and tell me what you want and like.  I love watching your eyes light up when your dad and I get excited when you say a new word...we are a little obsessed with you!   Sorry, I guess you are just gonna have to get use to the fact.  

Here are some of the words in your vocabulary:

People/Family members: 

"Dadda" or "Daddeeee"

"Mumma"

"Pop" (your favorite word lately referring to your Grandpa Pop)

"Ross"

"Bryce" (for Bryson)

"Ga - Daddy" (trying to say Granddaddy)

"Ash" for his cousin Ashton

"Daaan" (which he said for the first time this week, referring to his fav aunt Danielle!)

"Jees" - Jesus

"Barn"  - Barney

"Bop" - Baby Bop

"Pooh" - Winnie the Pooh

Phrases or Things:

"Horssh!" (horse - your favorite word lately...its so cute because you say it with a little lisp at the end!)

"Cat"

"Dog" or "Woff, Woff"

"Rrrrr".....(its what you say when I point to a lion!)

"Car"

"Keys"

"Truck"

"Bear" - w/out "r"...still working on that one

"Sock" - (this is is questionable, says it with a "c" in the front....which is funny, but soooo inappropriate....but really funny!)

"Shoes"

"Go"

"Bath"

"Cold"

"Hot"

"Pup"

"Ball"

"Tree"

"Passss" - aka pacifier - "pas" again w/ a little lisp, its cute!

"Crack" - this is what he says when he wants a cracker or cookie

"Pig"

"Duck"

"Cow" - unless he says "horse" - he gets those confused

"Eyes"

"Bye"

"Hi"

"Dink" (drink)

"book"

"blues" - for blueberries

"Nana" - for banana

"house"

And lots of words we are still trying to figure out....maybe next month we'll have lots more words to share!  

You have become my "little monkey" because you love to climb.  Your dad and I have learned to push our chairs at the kitchen table, because if not, you'll be standing in it - smiling!  Also, we have the stairs gated off, but you have found a way to climb on the outside of the banister.  Yes, it scares me to death!  I wish you wouldn't do that!  

Books fascinate you and you love to be read to.  There are many days that you retreat to your room and I find you sitting on your soft blue rug, surrounded by books that you have pulled off the shelf.  I love to sit and watch you turn the pages, one after another.  You are so content when you are exploring, taking in all the colors, shapes and animals.  I hope you always like books the way you do right now.  

Lately, you have discovered your shoulders....you shrug them, turn you head and smile...it is definitely the cutest thing I have ever seen.  Precious.  

Thank you sweet boy for making your mommas everyday so very special.  I hope to capture all of these moments and tuck them away because I don't ever want to forget.  

Happy 16 month birthday!

Love,

Mommy

Wordless Wednesday...

Dress 'em While You Can

I have "heard" that a mom has TWO years to dress their baby boy the way they want (not always necessarily with dads stamp of approval).  After that, its Polo shirts and khakis for the rest of their days.  Well, I am definitely going to stretch my "two year time limit" as far as I can take it...or as far as Blake will allow! 

Why?  Because he looks so darn cute!  

Nashville Kid Free Night Out

A day shopping with the girls, followed by a romantic dinner with the guys does not happen very often.  Well, that was until this weekend.  

Wait, did I mention that we all had babysitters?

The girls and I kicked off the holiday shopping season with a KID FREE experience this Saturday.  No strollers, no naps, no crying babies.  Just the girls and our credit cards!  Scary, huh?  The boys came down to Nashville later and met us for dinner at the Melting Pot (if you haven't been you must go!) to top off the most wonderful day!  It was an understatement to say that we truly enjoyed ourselves and had a great time....and are already planning our next KID FREE weekend - night at the lake house plus shopping!   Watch out boys, next time we'll be shopping for ourselves and not everyone on our Christmas list!  

Shopping at OpryMills

Dinner at The Melting Pot

No Small Miracle

Prayer and Blogs.  

What do they have in common?  

Alot.  Because it works.  Want proof?  God has used his healing hand in this family's life just recently when a baby boy was born healed of life threatening conditions in the womb. He was not suppose to live.  But guess what? God had other plans for this beautiful babe....he lives and is 100% healthy.  Praise Jesus.  IT WAS NO small MIRACLE!  

If you want to know more about the healing power of our Savior and Lord, please click below.  

MY CHARMING KIDS

I've Been Tagged!

So, I got tagged (thanks to my brother, Bryan!)......so here they are...

7 Things You Didn't Know About Me

.......drumroll.........

1.  I married into a family that only has BOYS!  Seriously, there hasn't been a girl born in my husbands' family in 56 YEARS!  All boys, no girls.....no joke!  I have about a .01% chance of breaking that streak!  And if I do, oh my goodness....I can't even imagine.  

2.  I am a geek.   I "earned" my first C in college, thanks to Microbiology....then oddly, I decided to retake the class to get a better grade.  I look back now, and I wonder, "what was I thinking?"

3.  My little man has food allergies.  We just recently found out this summer after many months of battling eczema.  Our family is adjusting well to this new lifestyle for the health of our son, but continually hold out hope that he will grow out of them in the years to come.  Say a prayer for him too!  

4.  I can't ride roller coasters....doctors orders.  Why?  I have retinal degeneration (weak retinas).  It runs in my family, especially when someone has blue eyes.  My dad has it, my brother has it and I have it. Not a big deal, however, it just makes me more prone to have detached retina in the future, which means I can't ride roller coasters because of the G force on my body. Weird, huh?

5.  I write in the air.  Not with a pen or anything....just in the air.  I love to doodle, so it became a habit to just write anywhere, even if a pen and pad was not in sight.  

6.  I way OVER analyze people's behavior, constantly.  I don't mean to and don't really want to, however, I read ALOT into body language and voice inflection.  I wish I didn't notice half of what I notice.  It sucks sometimes!  

7.  My water broke on my due date!  The odds of this happening are very small, less than 5 %!  Also, Little Man, my hubby and I were all born on a Monday.  

Ok, I'm tagging Kecia, Cheye, Holly, Danielle, and Courtney.  

Fall Exits. Winter Enters.

Yesterday, it snowed.  

I am not kidding, it actually snowed.  Even though it quickly put me in a very festive holiday mood, I did shed a tear for fall.  Why?  Because only a few weeks ago, the trees were the most beautiful I had ever seen; with the most vibrant reds, yellows and oranges.  It was like a painting in my own backyard.  The weather was just perfect and playing outside was a reality. 

Now, the trees are almost bare, Old Man Winter has arrived, and it looks like he is setting up camp for the next 4 months.  

Ahhhh, ok........I guess I am ready.  But let's give fall a proper goodbye while we reminisce at the beauty of my favorite season.  

Goodbye Fall, we will miss you.  

Not Me Monday!

Not Me Monday!  Here are a few things that I most certainly DID NOT do this week....such as....

I most definitely did not turn my back for one minute today and find Little Man standing in the kitchen chair.....all by himself!  And I did not just smile and chalk it up to being a "boy"!!  

I did not get to actually finish a book this week while flying home from our trip to Washington, DC on Tuesday! And I did not enjoy the fact that I had more than 45 minutes of uninterrupted "me" time. 

I did not just realize that Thanksgiving in next week!  I never lose track of time!  No not me! (hello, where does the time go?) 

Little Man did not have his first official ear infection this weekend...and I most certainly did not take his temperature every 3 hours!  I'm not obsessive or anything!  

We did not go TV free for an entire week, after election coverage overload...and we do not promise to do that more often because we thoroughly enjoyed the peace and quiet...

I did not stare at my little man for over 30 minutes while he took an afternoon nap and I did not utterly admire those sweet "kissable" lips!  

15 months.

Fifteen months old.  Seems so strange to even say......I feel like I should be saying fifteen days, or even fifteen weeks....but months?   

As the days have turned into weeks, and the weeks have turned into months, I have had the privilege of watching my little babe grow from a cuddly infant to a curious toddler.  

Little Man, 

The world is so interesting to you and I love seeing how you explore everything!  I love so many things about you at this age....I have to say, it is my favorite so far.  I enjoy seeing you trot from place to place ready to see what is around the corner.  But I absolutely adore how you crawl in my lap when you are sleepy or need a snuggle....this tops my list!  

Here are some of your favorites at 15 months:

You love.....

running behind the couch and jumping out to play "peek - a - boo"

playing ball (throwing, kicking, chasing!)

reading books, especially your favorites that you point to and say, "this!" (actually "dis!")

playing outside.....just being outside in the yard/driveway makes you happy

listening to music and you love to dance  (bouncing up and down and swaying back and forth...it is so cute

when your Daddy comes home at night...you run to the doorway because you are so excited to see him! (especially after a long day with mommy!)

blueberries!!  (I'm afraid you might turn into one big blueberry!)

dogs!  and making the "woof, woof" sound - constantly  - when anything even resembles a dog

climbing things.....couch, chairs, bed, ottoman.  (yes, this one scares your mommy)

riding the "horsey" at Grammie and Granddaddy's 

running around the house, hoping someone with chase you - this makes you laugh so loud!  

your favorite little yellow blankie....you sleep with it every night

You hate....

getting your teeth brushed....you like to chew on the brush....but when mommy takes over  - watch out!  remember this post when you loved brushing your teeth!

coming back inside the house after playing in the backyard

when Daddy leaves in the morning...you love him so much!

getting your diaper changed because you don't want to be still for even ONE minute!  

not being able to climb the stairs...(as you gaze through the gate thinking how fun it would be)

when other people play with your toys!  (sharing...this one we will have to work on...maybe a brother or sister would help??!  just joking!  well, maybe)

when mommy is on the computer...you actually come sit in my lap and block my view!  (which is why I am blogging during your nap!)

It is hard to imagine that we have come this far...when it only seems like such a short time ago you were still so tiny!   I thank God everyday for you and how you have changed my life.  You, my little one, made me a mommy, and for that I will be forever grateful.  

My cup runneth over,

Mommy

Happy 15 Month Birthday, my sweet baby boy!!!!!!!  

Oh, the Places You Will Go...

Oh, the places you will go....

but be careful sweet boy....the world is sometimes not as it seems. 

Be careful sweet boy, the road is long and the journey may be difficult.  

Be careful sweet boy because your mommy will not always be a step behind to catch you when you fall.  

Be careful, Be careful.  

Remember, sweet boy, that when the road becomes too grueling, turn around and come home ...you will always be welcomed with open arms.  

Remember, sweet boy, that your mommy and daddy are incessantly praying to our Father in Heaven to watch over and protect you.  

Remember, sweet boy, we give your life over to Him and trust that He knows best.  

Remember sweet boy,  Jesus loved you first, even before mommy and daddy...so please remember sweet boy, even if we cannot always be there....Jesus will be.  

Oh, the places you will go....but please, sweet boy, remember these words and don't ever forget.

Remember, Remember.  

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go: 

I will counsel you and watch over you."  

Psalm 32   8:10

How could you not want to....

KISS THIS FACE! 

What Can Brown Do For You?

Halloween was definitely more exciting this year....Little Man slept through most of the festivities last year (see below).   There a couple different parties that he attended....one with our FEAST group and then "Trunks of Treats" with our small group at church.  He was more amazed with checking out all the other costumes than he was with possibility of getting candy.

Our little UPS man suprised everyone.....they all wanted to know where we found his costume.  It was given as a gift from Uncle Jay, who works at UPS in Atlanta!  Thanks! 

Just thought I would take a trip down memory lane....while it was on my mind....here was Little Man's first Trick or Treat experience.  

A Windy City Visit....

Lake Michigan

Chicago, the Windy City, is one of the most FUN cities I have been to.  Even though it was our third time to visit, it gets better and better!!!  Mom, Dad, Blake, and I enjoyed every minute of it......ok, not every minute, because it was the first time that we had spent an entire weekend away from our Little Man.  I was sad at first, but quickly realized that a little adult time is good for the soul.   (I called at least three times a day just to check in though!)  However, he was with his Grammie and Granddaddy and having a blast!!  While there we ate at great restruants, shopped on Michigan Avenue, went to see Blue Man Group  (*hillarious*), went to the Hancock Builiding and even rented Segways to tour the beautiful city (FUN!!).  Needless to say, I cannot wait to back soon!!    :-)

a tourist favorite!  looks like we are washing windows outside the Hancock Observatory 

(96 floors)

World's Once Largest Farris Wheel on Navy Pier

our segway tour 

Wordless Wednesday

Faces at Fourteen Months!

Little Man turned 14 MONTHS old yesterday! I won't say it, but you know what I am thinking (where has the time gone?)

Here are a few of his fourteen month old faces - seriously, these pictures were taken within seconds of each other! hillarious.

happy

in between face - am i happy or sad?sad

happy 14th month birthday my sweet baby! i love you no matter what kind of faces you make!

True Friends.

True friends are very rare and are truly blessings from God. I am so thankful for friends that have been there through the good and the bad, the sad and the happy. A friendship that doesn't change with the times or the circumstances. Brothers and Sister in Christ. Enough said.

We love N and C....we met as neighbors, quickly became great friends, had lots of wonderful and crazy nights hanging out in our driveways/backyards (we were NEXT door neighbors people!) -- fun, amazing times that I look back on with a smile! We have been through a lot as friends. Both sadly experienced loss of babies together (I miscarried, she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl who is now in Jesus' arms) then, by God's grace happily experienced pure joy one year later when our baby boys were born only THREE days apart! What can I say? People like this only come around once in a lifetime.

not sure what's going on here? just having a good time!

our boys!

we decided to put them both in the bath before leaving! (they'll hate this pic someday!)

this was so cute from behind!! 

****check out how WHITE Little Man is - definitely fair skinned! i need to get him some tanning bed visits pronto! ha! ha! just joking!****

I hope that our boys grow up to become the best of friends too!