Saturday, October 15, 2011

Pumpkin Patch

Being that this is Hampton's 1st Halloween, a trip to the pumpkin patch was a must.  We went to Aplin Farms today and had a lot of fun.  I know Hampton isn't old enough to know what it is, but it was so fun to watch him look at everything and take in all the new sights and sounds around him (and of course I got some really cute photos too!).  It was a GORGEOUS day.  Not too hot, not too cold and a little breeze in the air.  Just right.  Dad was such a good sport as always and helped take photos of him.  They had a lot more to offer than we saw or did, but like Daniel and I were talking about, it's crazy to think this time next year he will be a 1 1/2 year old running around wanting to do those "other" things such as the hay ride, duck races, petting the different animals, inflatable houses, and even a corn maze (he'll still be too small for the maze, but you get my drift).  It's all a little bittersweet already!!  Nonetheless, we still had fun today and glad we took him.  Here are a few of the sweet and precious pictures I took of him and us today.

All ready to go to my first pumpkin patch

That's a long time folks...but now I know why!


Hahaha  Love it!

So precious!  He was watching the hayride pass by


"Wow.  What are those huge things laying there??"



Believe it or not, this was the best one I got of him here and I think it was take # 12. 
He was NOT a fan of the prickly hay.
The melt down was about 2 seconds after this!!
 I think he had fun!!

All our fun must have wore him out because he snoozed all the way home. :)

Once we got home, it was on to the more serious stuff.  Time to grill out and watch my tide roll!!! 
Alabama 52 - Ole Miss 7...Roll Tide!!

All in all, it was another fun Saturday with our family of 3 making more sweet memories.  Thank you Lord for our many blessings!!  Lord willing, we hope to do it all again next year with a brown eyed, energetic 1 1/2 year old. :)

Thursday, October 13, 2011

4 months

Hampton was a shocking 4 months on Oct. 2!!!!  Craziness.  However, he didn't have his appointment until Oct. 12 so mommy's a little late on this post, but hey, better late than never, right?! 




On our way to the appointment

Such an irresistable face

Waiting on Dr. Williams

"I fought the nurse and the...nurse won!" 



Poor baby had to have not 1, but 2 shots. :( So far that part hasn't gotten any easier for either one of us and I'm pretty sure that's not going to change.  The rest of the day went great though.  He didn't have any fever and he slept ALL afternoon.  3 1/2 hours slept. :) 

Here are his stats:
weight:  14 lbs. 12 oz.
Height:  25 3/4 inches long
Head:  44 cm.
As of now...
HE HAS HIS FIRST TOOTH!!!!!  Yep, already cut a tooth. It is SO precious.  I TRIED my best to snap a picture of it, but nope, that wasn't happening.  Not then, anyways.  I might try again another day. It's crazy he has one because you would have NEVER known it.  He has not changed one bit.  His mood, sleep patterns, nothing.  He's pretty amazing. :)
He still LOVES bath time
He smiles and laughs ALL. THE. TIME. :)
He can now roll over from his back to his tummy and then get frustrated b/c he can't roll back over
He loves his play gym
He reaches for anything and everything you place in front of him
He loves his bouncy entertainment jumperoo.  He's beginning to get the hang of actually pressing his feet off the ground to bounce
He loves being outside and especially likes sitting in his carrier on my chest as we go for walks
He is sleeping ~ 9-11 hours a night
He has started sucking his thumb (but not sure if it's really sucking or giving his little gums some slack)
He seems to like his paci better now
His reflux has gotten MUCH better (thanks for prayers!)
He just started taking 7 ounces in his bottle
Last but not least...
Having our 4 month check up doesn't just mean shots, he gets to start SOLID food now!!!  He is growing up TOO fast and he acted like such a big boy sitting in his high chair eating his rice cereal this morning.  Not gonna lie, mommy teared up.  I know, I'm a sap.  I can't help it. I am very thankful to be able to be at home right now with him and daddy having a job where we can both be at home for special "firsts" with him.  Daddy took video and pics for me!  Thanks honey!  I couldn't do it without YOU! :)
                                   "Daddy, why is mommy acting so excited?!  She's scaring me."

"What are you trying to shove in my mouth and why?!"

"Hey, that was pretty good.  I'll take some more, please!"
Thankfully, he did awesome and he loved it.  He actually would act like he was about to start crying b/c I wasn't going fast enough.  What can I say, the boy likes his food and I can't blame him. ;) 
Hampton, you bring unexplainable joy to mommy and daddy's lives.  We are already so very proud of you.  You make us smile when we're in the worst of moods.  I can't imagine life without you.  We are beyond blessed that God chose US as your parents here on this Earth.  We love you to the moon and back.

Friday, October 7, 2011

B'ham bound

Last Friday morning we headed to Birmingham for the weekend for me to go to the Women's Conference, Recreate, at Church of the Highlands.  It was a jam packed, fun filled weekend.  When we got there we made our first pit stop for some lunch at my ALL TIME FAVORITE restaurant in B'ham where I get the EXACT same meal every. single. time. I. go.  :)  Oh, how I miss the restuarants in this city.

My crazy Android phone obviously didn't feel the need to take the whole picture,
but hey, it got the name for you!! ;)

After lunch, we headed to Chalkville Elementary, where I taught for the 5 years of living in B'ham.  It was WONDERFUL to see all of my long lost sweet friends I used to work with.  I made life long relationships there that I am so thankful for.  Hampton LOVED every bit of attention he got that day from every female that spotted him.  He got lots of sugar and oooh's and ahhh's all day!  The only problem with Chalkville is that it's SO big, we didn't have enough time to see everyone and sure didn't have enough time to sit and chat like I would have loved to.  Good news is, I will never be able to visit B'ham without going to Chalkville so there will definitely be a next time!!  Chalkville and Church of the Highlands were the two hardest things to leave in B'ham and I still miss them both dearly.


Late that afternoon we went to another favorite hot spot, Billy's, and enjoyed the cool, fall B'ham weather and sat outside.  It was yummy as always and felt awesome outside.  Daniel and I relaxed and reminisced about our time in B'ham.  It was a nice, relaxing dinner (for once!) 




After dinner, Daniel and Hampton, dropped me off at the Highlands for my first two sessions of the weekend.  It lasted till 9 with a fun little after party.  One of my dear, sweet friends Emily works at the church so we got to hang out all weekend, which was a plus!


Really cool ribbon dancers at the opening of the conference

The next morning we took some back roads to go to the church and found this dandy little street sign that of course I thought was cool enough to stop and make my darling hubby take a picture of at 8:20 in the morning. :)  I bet Hampton will think it's pretty cool too one day (at least I hope) and I can tell him the story of how it was his very first time to the big city of B'ham and how we happened to stumble across it. ;)


The conference was an amazing and unforgettable experience.  God's presence was felt and I was reminded of what a mighty and powerful God we serve.  I am so thankful he gave me the opportunity to go and worship Him in an environment full of His love and glory all weekend.  The speakers were phenomenal, the worship was unexplainable, and I am already looking forward to next year's conference.  If you or someone you know might be interested you can find information and go ahead and register at http://churchofthehighlands.com/recreate/.  You will not regret your decision, I promise!!


Daniel and Hampton picked me up at the end of the day around 4:45.  I couldn't wait to hear all about their daddy and son day together.  It was the first time and I knew Daniel was excited.  They had a great day!  They went to Bass Pro Shop in Leeds and no ambulance or Dr. had to be called for anything so I was relieved! ha!  I think it's safe to say Daniel learned some things about single parenting and just how fast your day goes having a 4 month old. ;)  My next restaurant pick was yummy Cocina Superior for dinner.  Did I mention I gained approximately 8 pounds while on this weekend getaway?!  Nonetheless, it was oh so delicious just as I had remembered.  The weekend was almost already over before we knew it. :(



The next morning we went to church at the Highlands then met some of the best friends a girl could ask for at Jim and Nick's for lunch with all of their itty bitty's and significant others (of course they weren't cool enough to be in the pic and they had to be the photographers, anyways). 

From left to right:  Brooke and Perry (2 1/2), Leslie and Lily (3 months), Me and Hampton (4 months), Emily and Eli (4 months).  And no we did not plan our pregnancies together, the Lord just worked it out that way and Brooke didn't get the memo to wait until June or July 2011 to have Perry, but we love them both the same!! :)  We had an awesome lunch catching up with one another and meeting all the babies.  It was such a fun and memorable day for sure and already can't wait until the next time!  I love and miss you girls!!


On our way back, another special friend, met me for a very QUICK hug, hello, and good-bye.  We both couldn't let me leave B'ham without seeing her so we opted to meet in the Arby's parking lot off of I 65.  Literally, I got to see her for 12 minutes.  :(  Not only was my weekend already slam full, she had other obligations herself.  So, we made do and at least I got to see her.  Even if it was for 12 minutes.  BUT, we're planning ahead next time so we can make it a little bit longer than a 12 minute chat and I can't wait.  I miss and love you, Beth!

Like I said previously, it was a very, VERY short and packed weekend so I didn't get to do everything or see everyone I would have liked to, but there will be many more trips in the future that hopefully will allow those things.  And until next time, I will live off of my most recent, sweet memories of good 'ole B'ham.