Mini Vaca to Pensacola, FL

Daniel has to be in Pensacola for the new computer system they just got with his job at Amerigas.  The training is for 3 weeks, April 30-May 18.  Whew.  That's a long time for everyone involved; daddy, mommy, and Hampton.  I was excited when he told me that we could tag along for the ride and stay with him down there.  We left on Sunday, April 29, all looking forward to our little mini vaca.  Of course Daniel was scheduled to be in meetings all day, every day so I had pumped myself up for some quality time with the little man, even if we didn't know where the heck we were going OR where the heck we needed to go. ;)  So, Monday morning rolled around and I kept our morning routine the same.  His morning nap is like clock work so I didn't want to mess that up in any way.  Afterall, we were all a little "off" living out of a hotel room for what we thought was going to be 3 weeks!!  After his nap, I got him dressed for the day, packed and ready to head out on our first adventure.  I decided to venture down to the downtown area of Pcola.  I had heard there were cute little shops and restaurants we would enjoy.  I'm glad we decided to because at the very end of main street we just happened to stumble across the Palafox Pier.  Forget the shops and restaurants, this was just what a little curious 11 month old needed.  There were big boats, a splash pad, PEOPLE, the bay, pigeons walking around, and tons of other stuff for his little curious mind to look at.  We walked down the pier and he loved every minute of it.  He spotted a boat coming in to dock and it was fun getting to watch his little eyes in amazement.  I could see his wheels spinning inside of his brain. 

"You still there, mom?!"

Spotted the boat...

"Wow, what is that big thing?!"

Those people are waving and yelling at me!!

"Heeeeeyyy!!!"

He was amazed by the water fountain, of course!

He was having a blast!

The next day, Tuesday, we ventured over to Pensacola Beach, which was about 20 minutes from our hotel.

Packed and ready to go!

Not a bad drive at all, considering it was interstate all the way there.  We went to the bay side of the beach where the water was calm and they have several pavilion's set up with tables.  VERY convenient when you have an 11 month old (who at this point is being stubborn and still not walking!) by yourself, not to mention the other 20 lbs. of "STUFF" you have to carry with you.  Anywho, this was called the so called, "mommy beach."  It's where a lot of moms and dads go with young children to take advantage of the "no waves" and the handy dandy pavilions I was talking about.  It was a lot of fun...for BOTH of us. 

In fact, so much fun, as soon as that tiny hiney hit the seat, he did this ALL the way back to the hotel. :)

Wednesday and Thursday were both blah days.  Cloudy and rainy so we opted for the big mall, Cordova Mall.  I didn't get hardly any pics these days.  Thursday morning, poor baby woke up sick.  The usual cold symptoms had taken over his little body.  Congestion, runny nose, sneeze, cough, and his breathing sounded horrible.  So, we definitely took it easy.  Friday, we had to be checked out by noon.  His company only paid for the room M-F so on the weekends you are on your own.  You could stay somewhere else or drive back home and come back on Sunday.  Therefore, we opted to stay on the beach side and make a little family vaca out of it.  We stayed at Holiday Inn Resort right on the beach.  It was extremely nice and I'm SO glad we decided to do that.  Fortunately, Daniel got done early on Friday so we went and picked him up and headed to our hotel.

By the time we got there, unpacked, and walked around and took in all the wonderful sights, sounds, and smells of being at the beach, we decided to head to dinner.  We went to a seafood restaurant, Paradise Bar and Grill.  It was amazing...just like several people had promised it would be.  I'm not sure which was better, the food or the view.

I'm not sure which was better, the food or the view.

After a well rested night, we were all up and at 'em the next morning bright and early ready to have some fun by the pool and beach.   Hampton LOVED the little bitty fountains at the edge of the pool.  They were just his size! :)

 He also LOVED being in his float in the pool.  Which makes this mommy VERY HAPPY!!!  I'm a pool kind of girl ALL the way.  Not so fond of the sand.  That works its way in every crook and nanny it can possibly find.  Ugh.  SO, it looks as if baby boy might have a little of my genes when it comes to pool vs. sand. :)

This time on the beach,

he really wasn't sure about this teeny, tiny, grainy stuff that was all over him. ;)

Don't get me wrong, he did play a little in it, but was not overly thrilled about it.  Hence, the face here.  haha!

So, not long after, we opted for the pool again.  I will let you decide by these 2 pictures whether he enjoyed the pool or the sand better! :)

That night, we decided to go back to Peg Leg Pete's (we had been that Monday night before and it was so good) and once again, it didn't disappoint. 

Having a little fun while waiting on a table...

We got back to the hotel, and soooomebody was still wanting to play.  He literally knew we were somewhere different and he took full advantage of it!  Here he is playing peek-a-boo in the mirror with himself.  It was hilarious to say the least.  I was just glad to see him feeling a little better.  He was sick all weekend, but was the best little trooper in the world!

On Sunday, instead of heading back to the other hotel, we decided it would be best if we call it quits for us.  Living in a hotel room with an 11 month old in an unfamiliar place was hard, not to mention him being sick.  I'm usually not a quitter, but in this case, I did what was best for my baby and that was coming back home, even if it did mean being without daddy for 2 weeks.  We made it back the next day safe and sound and Hampton has been on the mend ever since.  Another week has gone by with Daniel in Pcola and we're ALL thankful he only has 1 more.  At least it's not too far that we still get him for the weekend.  It was fun while it lasted, but boy was I glad to step foot in my own shower and lay my body down in MY bed.  ;)

Cheers to 2 wonderful years!!

Each time a certain holiday or special occasion comes along I can't help but ponder back to the year or years before on what it was like then vs. now.  Daniel and I just celebrated our 2 year anniversary yesterday.  As I thought back on the past 2 years I couldn't help but smile thinking of what all the Lord has blessed us with along with all the trials and tribulations that He has brought us through.  Don't worry, I'm not going to write a sappy post on how much I love my husband and how he's the best thing the Lord has ever put in my life, etc. etc. because you already know all that.  However, it sure is neat to compare where we were each year on our anniversary thus far. 

Of course the first year was our amazing and forever memorable wedding day.

We went to the beach on our 1 year anniversary and I was oh, 34 weeks pregnant with our first little angel, Hampton.

And this year we happened to go to the beach as well, but we stayed with my cousin, Cheri.  Sweet Hampton had a blast!  His 3rd cousin, Lydia was down there for the week as well so he had a playmate for the weekend.

We didn't get down there until late Friday night and when we woke up Saturday morning to clouds and 60% chance of thunderstorms, I knew it was going to be an inside and peaceful kind of beach trip.  And that it was.  We lounged around ALL day and listened to the monsoon.  Cheri and Chris have an awesome backyard complete with 2 porches, one that is screened in and the other with a tin roof.  Ahhh, a little piece of heaven when you're lounging under a screened in porch, listening to the rain hit the tin roof...even at the beach.  Thank you again Chris and Cheri for sharing your beautiful beach house with us!  Sunday, of course, was gorgeous!  Not a cloud in the sky, but the best day to fly a kite.  It. was. windy.  Like 25-30 mph windy.  So what else to do than get in the golf cart and ride around.  We went to the pool first.  (Lydia just THOUGHT she wanted to swim until she got her whole teeny tiny body in).  That lasted about 2.5 seconds.  Oh well.  I got some cute shots of our little man. ;)

 Next, we ventured over to Frank Brown Park for the kiddos to play a bit.  This is the face you get when Hampton is sleepy and had no nap for the day.  Who can blame him?! :)

 I guess he got his 2nd wind...

Annnnnd, finally, this is our little family of 3 on our actual anniversary day.  2 years later. :)

Uncle Jerry and Aunt Brooke were nice enough to keep the kiddo while Daniel and I went to eat at Ichiban baby free!!   Thank y'all again! 

Happy Anniversary, Daniel. 

Hampton and I love you to the moon and back!!

I wouldn't trade my life for anything and I'm looking forward to many, many more with the ones I love!!!

Busy bees

Well, it is officially April and a week has already come and gone.  Just as my title for this post reads...reason # 76 why I haven't had a chance to blog at. all.  We have been busy little bees around here.  Last weekend I was at the beach for Brooke's last fling before the ring! :) 

There was a total of 11 girls and boy did we have fun!  It was a rainy Friday afternoon on the way down, but it had cleared up by the time we got down there.   When we woke up Saturday morning it was ugly out and raining, yet again.  We weren't letting a little rain get us down though.  When we ALL had enough energy to move more than from the couch or bed to the kitchen we decided to get out and about and have some lunch on the porch at Bud and Alley's in Seaside.  By then, the clouds were making their way out and the sun was beginning to peak out.  It turned out to be a beautiful afternoon and we DID soak up a little vitamin D that afternoon.  We had Brooke a fun little lingerie party before going to eat at the Red Bar that night...mmmmm.  Their mashed potatoes are to die for. Seriously.  We didn't make it out too late that night.  I think we were all still a tad exhausted from the first night down there!!  Usually it is a VERY sad day to leave the beach, but this time was a little different.  1. The weekend was fun and memorable, BUT I was more than ready to see my 2 favorite men in my life.  I had missed them SO, SO much.  2.  It was overcast.  That is the ONLY time I can easily transition from the beach back to reality if it is raining, cloudy, or overcast.  Despite the ugly weather, the whole weekend was so much fun and I wish Brooke and Andrew the best in their future together!!  Bring on the wedding this weekend!! :)

Once I got back from the beach, the following week was my Spring Break (from 1st grade maternity leave).  I was SO excited to be able to sleep in with my little man again and get to play with him ALL day.  I had missed that.  I had actually forgotten how fast breaks from school FLY by.  To say the least, it was NOT fun when my alarm went off this morning before the sun had even come up!!  It ended up being a pretty busy week, but we did make time for some fun too!  We went to Hughes' baseball game Tuesday night.  I LOVE going to his games and being at the ball park again.  Just the feeling when I get out there is THE best feeling.  Memories always begin to flood my mind from us literally living out there growing up.  Hughes plays 2nd base and is really good (and I'm not being biased b/c he's my nephew!).  Hampton was intrigued by his surroundings (especially all the loud, smelly, and silly boys in the dugout!) and even gave a few claps here and there!! 

He sat and watched them in amazement

Our little baseball player :)

I love this boy like my own!

Hampton loves him some Hughes! :)

Wednesday morning Brooke was babysitting Lucy so she brought her over for Lucy and Hampton to put Hampton's new blow up pool to use for the first time!  I don't think Hampton knew what to think or make of all this chaos.  haha  Lucy, on the other hand, had a ball! :)

It's amazing we ever even got this picture (if you know Lucy, you understand!)

Hampton checking it out...

He never really LOVED the situation he was in until he realized he could sit up on the slide basically out of harms way and still not touch the water.  haha

Thursday night we ventured out to the mall to have a little visit with good 'ole Peter.  I was anxious to see how Hampton would do and not to my surprise, he LOVED him!  He checked him out reeeealll good...

and was ALL SMILES and LAUGHS afterwards.  Aaaaaaahhhh.  I began to breathe again. :)  Get back with me next year at this time!!!!

We had his 9 month pics (yes, a month late) this past Saturday morning with Erica Hartzog.  There again, I always am a little apprehensive about how he's going to do.  I'm not sure why I still worry about these things with this child.  Maybe with the 2nd, but not this one.  He is THE happiest baby.  Even when he hasn't had a nap, has tee-tee'd in his diaper 14 times, and has a poopy.  Still. happy.  I'm NOT by any means complaining.  Don't get me wrong.  He's not perfect and he has his moments, but 99.9% of the time, he's happy and chill.  Therefore, to say our shoot with him was a success would be an understatement.  Of course, it had a little bit to do with an amazing photographer we had as well.  I have said it on Facebook and I will say it again, if you need a GREAT photographer in the Dothan area call Erica with Erica Hartzog Photography.  She is SO easy to work with, an amazingly talented photographer, and SO reasonably priced.  I'm in LOVE with his pics and it was only the previews. :)

This is just ONE of my favs...

Seriously, you should look her up on Facebook if you need someone to capture some memorable moments.

Finally, to cap off our first week in April, we celebrated Jesus' resurrection from the tomb, with Easter Sunday.  We had a wonderful church service at Covenant and then headed to my parent's house for a yummy lunch with the family and a little easter egg hunting afterwards.  I got some good pictures to capture Hampton's first Easter. 

Peter Cottontail made his way to our house

Getting his goodies :)



Sweet cousins :)

Family pic :)

Opening his Easter goody from Mimi and Papa...

we think Mimi got a little confused and thought it was

Christmas all over again!! :)

Whew.  Makes me tired just writing about it all again.  I keep thinking one day, just one day life might slow down and then I think, "who am I kidding?!?"  I guess I really wouldn't have it any other way. 

I will leave you with a funny (to me anyways!)...

Easter 2011...

Easter 2012  :)

10 months old

Holy smokes.  10 short months have FLOWN by and we are 2 months away from the big FIRST birthday.  Eeeeek.  Have to be honest, I'm getting a little sad with each day passing.  Hampton is growing SO fast and learning new things I feel like on a daily basis.  We took his 10 month pictures tonight and I must say, he was the wiggliest, squirmiest that he's been yet.  It was a very difficult task to keep him in his green chair.  Hence, having to give him the monkey towards the end.  Anything to keep him in the chair!  haha

Daddy sure is a funny guy! :)

"Hey friend..."

The monkey fell and Hampton almost did too. 

He went straight for him...

As of now...

he loves anything that moves.  Anything he can crawl after, roll, or push.

he loves dogs and thinks they are funny! (No, we don't have a 4 legged furry friend of our own and mama doesn't want or NEED that responsibility right now!)

he loves to swing and be outdoors.  He will actually crawl to the door now and whine wanting to go outside.

A lot of things he is beginning to do and say now I haven't or can't capture them in a picture so I will have the memory written in his book or on here.  For example...

he is an extreme chatter box.  He has really opened up in public and around others this last month.  Up until then,  he was extremely shy.  So far, he is saying da-da, ma-ma, and bye-bye (only sometimes or basically when he wants to.)

he points to things when he wants you to see it.

he waves bye-bye and it is THE cutest thing ever.

I look forward to every new day with this sweet child of mine.  I pray that he fully understands just how much he is loved by Daniel and I.  He is the biggest blessing and we truly do love him to the moon and back.