November = Nut Fest!!

Friday, November 4, kicked off our 68th annual National Peanut Festival Fair.  I was SO excited to take our litty bitty out there to see all the sights, smells, and sounds it has to offer.  Even though he won't remember and he obviously can't ride any of the rides yet, it was still an exciting time.  You see, we (as in my my 2 sisters and I) grew up going to the fair.  My parents volunteered for as long as I can remember being in this world and it was such a fun experience and tradition to be a part of.  So, once Daniel and I got married I lovingly forced him into volunteering to keep the tradition alive and going for our family. ;)  Plus, you get to get in free ALL week.  Who wouldn't want to volunteer for that?! 

This year, we went not once, not twice, but three times, as if once or twice wasn't enough to eat your weight in corn dogs, elephant ears, and boiled peanuts (and in that order. every year).  I was also quick to remember this year how much more fun it is to go while PREGGO.  You can eat your weight in those foods mentioned above and not feel one bit guilty about it until you're about half way home and you feel nauseated because you ate so much.  So what?  You just take zantac, go to bed, and still wake up with a HUGE belly the next morning.  Eating all that when you're NOT preggo, well, not so fun.  I had to work out twice the next day just to make up for it! I told Daniel my goal is to be preggo again by the nut fest next year so I won't have to do all that working out the next day.  JUST KIDDING FOLKS.  Just a joke.  I swear.  Maybe 2013 or 14. :)  Anyways, the first night we went was Friday, Nov. 4, as our family of 3. We all had a blast! 

It was "beary" cold, so we had to bundle up tight!

I know, cheesy, but I had to. ;)

Had to take a pic on a John Deere to match our cute outfit

(that by the way of course Aunt Brooke made for him!)

you can see more of her adorable stuff here...

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Middle-Sisters-Monogramming/201693236559695

He thought he was big stuff!

We went again on Monday night with the whole fam and had a blast again!  It was so much fun watching Hughes and Lucy ride rides together!  They both had a ball.  I can't wait to be able to watch Hampton's face light up on rides like theirs did.  Watching pure JOY come across a child's face whether it be your own, a niece or nephew, or someone else's, there is just nothing else like it in the whole world. 

Hughes was ecstatic that they got to go to the fair together...

it is the sweetest thing to see Hughes with him.  I mean,

check out that little hand of a 6 year old on his back.  Too sweet!

Hampton listens and watches Hughes like a hawk...he LOVES Hughes and Lucy!

I couldn't resist!

Like I've said in posts before, Hughes is THE sweetest and most thoughtful

little guy ever...look at him with his arm around Lucy!  That was a tear jerker moment :)

The cute seals on their stage.  I must say, nut fest has bumped it up a notch

since I was 6 years old.  I never saw a seal perform out there.  Just sayin'.

When Aunt Brooke isn't around, this is usually what takes place :)

Don't hurt me, Brooke. Hey, I promoted your business in this post!

I truly LOVE this family pic of us...it makes me smile!

Papa had to get his time in!

Love me some Hughes man. 

This picture makes me realize how tall he is now

(or really just how short I am)

It is extremely rare to get this energetic red headed doll to stop

long enough to smile, much less LOOK at the camera too

so I LOVE this picture with Lucy!  She makes my heart smile BIG!!

By Sunday, Nov. 13, we still hadn't had enough so we went back out there for one final round.  This time I got talked into riding (by an excited 6 year old. go figure).  Wild Mouse was just that.  A little wild, but fun.  I don't think I mentioned for the last oh, about 15 years or so, I don't go for the rides anymore.  Just to stuff my face and socialize.  Just for the record, I was successful at that again this year. 

Dana rode the train with Miss Priss and as you can see, she was a little confused as who this random little girl was sitting by her and her mommy. It was quite the entertainment for most of the ride.

And sweet itty bitty was a great sport the whole time again...through his nap time and all. 

Never heard one peep from him.  He is Daniel made over. :)

And the anticipation began all over this morning...until next year nut fest...when we finally meet again.

5 months old!!!

Hampton turned 5 months on Nov. 2.  Like I've used in numerous posts before...better late than never, right?!  He is really starting to be fun now.  He is making great strides in his development with every month that passes.  It has been SO fun and amazing watching him grow and learn.  And I know it's only going to get more and more fun for us all!  He has brought so much JOY to our lives.  Words just can't describe.  Here are just a few things he is doing right now.

As of now he...

babbles all the time.
can sit up by himself for several seconds before toppling over which is hilarious to watch.
laughs (and it is by far the sweetest sound I've ever heard).
reaches and grabs for. every. thing.

still LOVES to watch t.v. and bathtime.
still LOVES sleeping with mommy and daddy and sleeping ALL night (some nights 12-13 hours!!!).
gives kisses with his mouth wide open (one of the cutest and sweetest things, but oh so slobbery!)
sits and plays in his bumbo.

stands on his 2 feet with someone holding him and thinks it is SO funny.
now eats solid foods at breakfast, lunch, and dinner (bananas, pears, and apples are his favorite).
likes to hold his bottle by himself. I think it makes him feel like a big boy! ;)
plays with his feet (and eats them) ALL the time.

He can't roll from his back to his tummy yet, but I'm sure it won't be long!

And he (and his mama too!) still LOVES every piece of A-dorable clothing Aunt Brooke makes for him to model!! :)

 It makes me a little bit sad to think my next month old post he will already be 6 months!!  sigh. ;(  tear.
Oh well.  At least I can say it has been an incredible journey so far and look forward to what the Lord has in store for our future!!

Hampton's 1st Happy Halloween!!

This year was Hampton's 1st Halloween so I was excited to be able to dress him up and I knew he would look precious in whatever we decided.  Even though he had NO idea what was going on, he was still a good sport and we had fun going trick or treating with Hughes and Lucy!  We had us a little cow (or baby calf as I liked to call him) for Halloween this year and boy was he the cutest little cow I had ever seen.  Our neighbors across the street from us has a little boy, Caden, who is 11 months old.  They came over before we left and we let Hampton and Caden sit together for a couple of pictures.  They were WAY too cute not to.  One day he will probably kill me for these pictures, but it will be fun for him to see him and his friend for both of their first Halloween's!!   I can't wait for them both to get a litte older and actually play together.  I think they will be best buds. 

Hampton's face is PRICELESS. I can only IMAGINE what he was thinking. :)

They neither one were too fond of picture time in some crazy costume

After some good laughs at Caden and Hampton's photo shoot we headed to Mimi and Papa's house in Westbrook for more pictures and then a little trick or treating to get the good stuff.  He was hysterical when he first saw Lucy.  She was a cupcake and obviously he thought she was a pretty darn funny cupcake.  He just smiled when he first saw her and couldn't stop staring.  Hughes was Mark Ingram (AL football player in case you are in left field and don't care anything about football) so he wasn't as funny to him.  After pictures, we headed out to get the kids crack and we got lots of oooohs and awwwws over our little cow.  He had eaten supper right before we went over there so I just knew he'd probably end up being asleep or falling asleep once we started out, but oh no.  'Ole nosey rosey was awake the WHOLE time.  I was shocked.  Being strolled and all.  Never even dozed off one time.  He was such a little trooper and was in complete amazement at all the weirdness around him.  I guess in his book, staring at all the weirdness around him trumped going to sleep.  We had a great time and next year will really be a FUN time for him.  I can't wait to see how he will react to it then.  If I had to bet, I would say putting a precious cow costume won't be nearly as easy as it was this year. :)

Mimi with all her babies...this is a rare (and rather difficult) picture to capture! 

Especially with at least one child not having a meltdown.

With our precious little cow!

Since Hampton was still so little this year and can't eat the good stuff, Mimi gave him baby food and a bib in his Halloween goody bag from them.  I thought it was a pretty darn perfect idea on Mimi's part if you ask me.

Even though a little late, I hope everyone had as fun as a time as we did on Halloween this year!  Better late than never, right?!

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. :)

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.

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.