Happy Birthday... Me!!!

I have to say 27 was a great year for me.. It was the day before by 27th birthday that we found out we were pregnant, so I knew it was going to be a year filled with blessings!  It really was a great year.  I'm usually one of those that counts down to the minutes until my birthday, but this year it kind of crept up on me.  And no not because I think, oh my goodness I'm 28 and too old, but because our life is so busy these days-with great things of course.  I had a great birthday filled with lots of love from friends and family, a great dinner, and hugs and kisses from my 2 favorite men.  I am incredible blessed, and am looking forward to what 28 has to bring!


Last weekend Brett and I went to Arlington Texas for Alabama's season opener against Michigan at Cowboys stadium.  We went with Brett's dad, brother, and sister while his mom stayed in Tuscaloosa with John William.  I'm pretty sure we ALL enjoyed ourselves!

We met up with some friends in Texas to tailgate a while, and even though it may have been the hottest day ever, we had a great time.

The stadium was so nice!!  I did however catch myself looking at the big screen instead of the field several times.  We had great seats and everything was right in front of us, but that screen was just so clear, and HUGE, my eyes just kind of went to it!

even though we had a great time, I was ready to get home and get my hands back on our little man!

He even smiled for a picture with me for my birthday :)

4 months?!?!

Can't believe this little booger is 4 months old!!

He is looking like a turtle and loving his tummy time! He's also learned how to roll from tummy to back!!

He's loving school and doing great!!!  His teachers are wonderful and we've had a great transition!

In the mornings while I'm getting ready he enjoys sitting on "Daddy's side of the bed".. And he has become such a talker!!!  I love just sitting with him and having him tell me all sorts of things!

These 2 have my heart, I am so blessed!!

And yes, I may take a few too many pictures :) 

but he's just such a good sport about it! And I just love that smile!

school has been wearing him out!

We are so blessed, and so in love!!

He had is 4 month check up last Friday, and everything went great!!  He weighs 15 lbs and is 26 inches long!  Growing growing growing!!  We will now start giving him cereal and baby food- I'm sure fun pictures to come!!

A Couple 'Firsts" for JW

Last week John William and I headed down to Destin with Brett's mom and sister.  Brett was working out of town that week and it was the last week before I was returning to work so the timing was perfect for us to go.  He did great on the ride down and back, and didn't have any problems being in a new place.  The weather was overcast the entire time we were there with a few hours of sunshine here and there and those good old beach thunder storms at night.  Even though the weather wasn't prime we had such a great time.  We didn't get burnt and a rainy day at the beach sure beats a rainy day at home!

When we first got there we headed to the pool while it was later afternoon so my sweet boys fair skin could handle it.  He LOVED it!!  He kicked his legs and grinned his precious smile at us and even thought about falling asleep in his float!

As for the actual beach... he didn't love as much!!  He slept on Mrs. Sharon's chest for a while (under the umbrella of course) and when he woke up we decided to see if he'd like the sand in his toes and waves on his legs... Plain and simple.  He didn't like it!!  I know this will change in the years to come and he and his daddy will be building sand castles, throwing the football, and riding waves on a boogey board.

Pictures on the beach were ok, so long as he didn't have to get any of that sand on him or get in the cold water!

he's already a ladies man

his first words may be, "Mom, stop kissing me!!"

He did great every night we went to eat!!  He was a great date!

We got back from the beach Wednesday night, and Thursday morning it was back to work for me!  After 15 weeks of being off, 14 1/2 of them with John William, it was a little surreal going back.  Do I really have a 3 month old?  Is summer really over?  Will I be able to get myself and John William up and ready to be at work every day?  But I was ready.  Ready to get back in a routine, ready to get back to co-workers that are great friends, ready to be a teacher again.  But I was also sad,  I wouldn't be with John William all day, I won't get to sit and stare at him all day, smile with him, talk with him, and give him every bottle.  But, if you didn't know, I have the best of both worlds and am truly blessed with an awesome job.  I teach in the Blue Room, the 4 year old class, John William will be in the Purple room just.across.the.hall.  Yep, I get a glimpse of him every now and again and if ever there was a problem I would be there already.  His teachers are awesome and could probably teach me a thing or two about raising this sweet boy.  That helps so much and is making this transition so much easier.  John William is so loved there and I am too.  We love UCP!!!!!

This was his first day!

He's having so much fun, he's pooped once he gets home!

He is doing great with school, and so am I.  I love being back in the classroom and around all the wonderful children there.  It's such a happy place and there is just something about the pureness of a child that can bring joy to anyone!

The days may be long, but the years are short

It's hard to believe this little guy is 3 months.  I know 3 months may not seem long to many, but the speed that they have blown by is crazy for us!  And it seems each month that passes goes faster and faster!  Our little man is beginning to hold himself steady more and more, hold his head up and look like a turtle, he's begun rolling over from tummy to back, and my personal favorite make the sweetest sounds I've ever heard!  His fists have become his favorite play thing and his smiles can melt your heart! We are so in love!

He really likes his tummy time!

When we stroll he looks up at me with the sweetest eyes! He loves going shipping with mommy!

His daddy just loves these Michael Jordan onsies!!

I have been finding this little guy rolled over in his bed.. he won't, however do it while we are watching... yet!

his new favorite thing... his fists!

such a sweet heart!

J.Will's nursery and a little bath time

From the time we found out we were having a little boy everyone asked what the nursery looked like and if the nursery was done...  Since I knew we'd move into our new house very close to John William's arrival I decided I didn't want to do a nursery in the apartment and then move out a month later, I'd rather have it all ready at the house.  So we did the pack and play thing at the apartment, and now that our little guy is almost 3 months old his nursery is about complete!  Some of the walls still feel a little bare for me, but I know it won't take long before everything is full of pictures of our pride and joy!!

a HUGE thank you to Ms. Jackie, our sweet friend and neighbor, that made John William's bedding.  We love it!!!

 this is the chair, that was bought almost 26 years ago, that rocked Brett

the picture frame I love that my sweet class got me

this cross hung on one of our hospital doors when John William was born

my "spring break" project I did last March 

this picture actually hangs in John William's bathroom, I just had to share!

and speaking of the bathroom... this sweet little boy is loving bath time these days!!  He gets so 'brave' and starts to kick and stomp his feet to splash, then he almost scares himself, but continues the splashing!  This little boy holds his mommy and daddy's hearts!!

I mean, who couldn't fall in love with that smile!!

BUNCO!!

The first Tuesday of every month 12 of us girls get together for a fun night food, fellowship, and rolling the dice!!

our group has been together going on 2 years now, and a good time is always had

even when we feel we have way too much going on in our lives and we don't have time to play, when we get together and let loose a great time is always had

 this particular night we didn't actually play

we decided to catch up with one another

and share exciting news!

Congratulations to Meagan (above on right) on your bundle of joy coming in February!!  We are all so excited for you and Kyle!!

and,oh, we realigned the crystal's in Brittney's ears :)

So where was this little guy during all the fun?

he and daddy visited Cary and Carla

JW LOVES them!!

and so do we!