Houston Vacation

James, Andrew, and I went to Houston for the 4th as we always do. This time we decided to make a very long weekend. I have to get better at taking pictures! On Wednesday, we spend the day with Gigi and Pawpaw. We went shopping and watched beautiful fireworks.

On Thursday, we went to Nana and Grandpa's home. We had fun playing and even went outside to see the big tractor. Grandpa was working on a project.

Hanging out with Aunt Rachel

After lunch, we headed to visit Granny and Papaw. Andrew was a little cranky, so we took his clothes off. This little boy hates clothes much to his parents dismay...

Granny getting her snuggles in. She even put up with his crankiness!

Love that face!!!

On Friday, we said goodbye to our sweet boy! A family picture before we left.

We left him in wonderful arms.

Now time for some baby-free fun! First stop... my FAVORITE... Los Cucos.

After that, we went to the hotel and took a LONG nap! :-) We ventured off to go shopping and have dinner and dessert at the Cheesecake factory.

On Saturday, we spent our time sleeping in, shopping some more... we were looking for James work pants and matching outfits for family pictures and watching a movie.  Then we headed to the play, Black Coffee. After that, we thought... we are baby-free so lets go for dessert. Back to the Cheesecake Factory we headed. :-) As many of you know, we had the Tuxedo Cheesecake at our wedding... need I say more?!? 

On Sunday, we headed back to Gigi's to pick up our sweet baby. We did miss him, but it was SO WONDERFUL to spend quality time with my wonderful husband. It was hard to leave Andrew, but James and I were able to connect on a level besides being parents and I think it really blessed our marriage. I am thankful we had the money to do so, and I hope we continue to have time together as a couple. Thank you, James, for spoiling me! I am so blessed to be your wife.

Andrew the Clown

Today at Mother's Day Out was carnival week. The kids had a blast! They got to eat cotton candy and popcorn. They even got clown noses. So much fun!!! Have  I mentioned I LOVE my job. Here is my favorite little clown (Hannah was not here otherwise I would have two favorites :-) )

His teachers put the nose on him. He is one of their favorites.They took the picture and sent it to me. :-) Lucky him... more people to torture the poor baby!

Big Boy

This little boy is trying to help hold his bottle. :-)

Doctor Check Up

For me... not Andrew! :-) My Ob/Gyn told me I needed to see an internist since my blood pressure had not gone back to normal. She said that most likely the preeclampsia had started high blood pressure and the internist would need to manage it. BUT I am VERY HAPPY to report.... I am medicine free for 2 weeks now. I went back and Dr. Wadle said that my blood pressure was perfect and he didn't see any reason for it not to stay that way (Well, unless I get pregnant again ;-) ) Thank you, God, for healing my body! I am so very, very thankful!

Volunteer Christian Builders

James was raised going to Volunteer Christian Builders every summer. It is a very neat program designed to help churches build a new church. What a blessing to those churches! James loves to go and see all the people he grew up with. Like last year, it was close by so we made the two hour drive to Greenville.  We were happy to be able to see our cousins!

I tried to prepare something fun and new for the kids to do, so they can learn to treasure this time like their daddys do.  I froze plastic animals in a big block of ice (twice so it could have two levels)

But I only created a mess.... SO sorry Shelly! Had there been grass, it would have been a blast and great attention keeper. Oh well! Next year, I will ask ahead of time if there is grass.

I am so thankful for the example of serving others Andrew has by James's family. Although building isn't necessarily James's thing, he knows how important serving others is like Christ served. I am grateful for the role model he is for Andrew. I pray that Andrew continues to serve others with a joyful heart like his Daddy.

5 Months

Oh sweet Andrew! You have stolen your daddy's and my heart! We are still in awe at how wonderful and precious you are! We are so very, very blessed by you. We can't believe it has been 5 months already.

At 5 months:

~You wear size 3 diapers.

~ Wearing size 3-6 month clothing.

~Wearing size 1 shoes

~Sleeping from 10 pm - 7 am usually

~Eating every 4 hours, drinking 6 oz.Your first bottle is 8 oz because you are STARVING! You are now on formula which has been a challenge to find the correct formula for you because of your reflux. You started with Advance Similac, then went to Sensitive Similac, and now you are on Soy. Your reflux has been much, much better! We also gave you your first bottle of juice yesterday which you gulped down! :-) You love sweets like your mommy.

~Napping.... well we won't discuss this right now. There is definitely room for growth... You hate your naps and fight me right now. On a good day I can get you to take an hour nap in the morning and 30 min in the afternoon. On a very good day, I can get a 2 hour nap in the afternoon. Let's just say you are very cranky in the evenings ;-) But we love you all the same!

~Sleeping in your crib
~ Have discovered Baxter! You like to "pet" him and watch him play. I know he is ready for you two to be best buds!


You went to your first fireworks show.

You went to your first Builders trip.

You started playing in your jumperoo.

You have MASTERED rolling over! You hate to be on your tummy so the minute we put you there, you roll back to your back.

You started going to Mother's Day Out. Each week has a theme. You were the cutest little cowboy!

You are learning how to sit up!

Learning to show us your displeasure!You will also make raspberry sounds now.

Had your first overnight at Gigi's while Mommy and Daddy had a date. Don't worry, you didn't even miss us! You had too much fun being spoiled by Gigi and Pawpaw.

You are in LOVE with your toes!

Little buddy, your daddy and I love you so much! Before I wrote this, I looked back to see what you were doing at 4 months. You have grown up so much! We are so proud of you and your new tricks as Daddy likes to call them! 

We love you!

Mommy and Daddy

Summer Visitors

Okay, so having time to take pictures of three little ones just doesn't happen! We have had the pleasure of keeping Andrew's cousins (Weird to write!!!) We love these little two so much and are forever grateful that they live 3 minutes up the road. I can't wait to they are a little older when they are able to all play together. Right now James and I run in opposite directions! 

Hannah and Ethan playing in the pool.

Andrew watching... one day, buddy, you will be in the mix!

 

Playing with a bucket of water and ice cubes!

Andrew and Hannah at Mother's Day Out! Aren't they the cutest?!? Oh... and have I mentioned that I get to teach Hannah next year (as long as everything remains the same!) Super fun!