Blog Archives

Looks like Cousey, right??? Yeah - it's not:) I first spotted this sweet ceramic dog in the Hobby Lobby on our trip to KY. I loved it then and it was 50% off for just a measly $15, but... I had no place for him in my suitcase! Dangit! I figured I'd wait 'til I got back home and check out our Local Hobby Lobby. I did after I'd been home about a week and I found the dog, but not the same price tag:( WAH! WAH! I thought $30 was a little too stiff for me for this little statue. The cashier said to check back because it may go on sale again. Westen cried that day because we couldn't take Cousey home!

We headed back this week and much to Westen's delight, mini Cousey was back on sale! Sweet! We bought him and brought him home to let Cous get a look. If you know Cousey at all, you know he's an emotional dog. First impression... I don't think he liked this mini-me intruding on his territory. No joke! He growled at him and even had the spiky hair thing going on down his spine.

I made the mini-me pretend growl at Cousey and Cousey totally retreated to our bedroom! It may take awhile for Cousey to realize he's still the alpha dog in this house (not to be outmanned by this tiny statue - LOL!). The similarities are awesome, aren't they?? Only the legs and feet are a little off. See...

And for a closer look...

I just thought this was a little too funny not to share. I haven't quite figured out where Cousey's mini-me will find his resting spot in our home, but he WILL find one. Too cute not to. And after Austin saw this little guy, his response was, "Oh great! Now we don't have to get Cousey stuffed! We can just use him instead." Austin always teases that he wants the Cous stuffed when he dies so we can always remember him. Shameful, I know.

Oh, and Leah, please forward this to Courtney. I know she'll appreciate it;) Great to see y'all last week.

For those of you familiar with my hometown of Piner, you'll appreciate my project this Friday. Click here to check it out.

A Couple More Clips

06/22/2011

I find when I video something the kids do it makes me want to video more. Then I forget about it or get too busy and go a couple months without picking up the video camera. Oh well - it is what it is I suppose. Anyway, since the crawling video, I've captured a couple other moments in time too. Since Baron's been on the move, his new favorite thing it when I sit him on these mats in the playroom, he always makes his way over to the train table to pull himself up and play. He's already cruising around which makes me really nervous:) Slow down, Boy! Here it is...

And not to leave my Big Boy Westen out...he started his refresher course for swim lessons Monday. He took swim lessons last year with this amazing instructor. Around 18 months old he was jumping in and swimming half way across the pool to us, and he could also float on his back. I know it's not a big deal for every 2 yr. old to be able to swim, but with a pool and a boat I'd rather be safe than sorry. Here he is doing a bit of practice today with Miss Kathy.

And here he is floating a little...

Not bad for his 3rd day. Rock on Boys!

Baron is Doing the Scrawl!!

06/21/2011

Well, he's doing it! My little Baron is mobile! I call it the scrawl because it's a bit of a scoot/crawl:) You can see in the video he puts one knee down, but on the other side keeps his foot down, so he can sit down at any moment (in case he needs to take a break???). He did this yesterday and I was able to capture a little 3 minute video of it. Then last night, he crawled over to the train table, pulled himself up, and cruised around it a little to play with some trains. This kid will be walking before I know it. Say a prayer for us please;)

Baron's 8 Months Old!!!

06/20/2011

It's that time again...another update for Mr. Baron. I'm actually a week behind posting this (he turned 8 months old on the 11th). Capturing pictures of either of my children looking at the camera right now is nearly impossible. First, Westen couldn't stand not being in the frame, so here's what I got...

Then Westen took off...(pardon the saggy diaper - he just got up from his nap:)

Which I thought would be good so I could get a shot of Baron by himself, but he only wanted to watch his brother:)

Oh well. I gave it my best effort.

Anyway, during Baron's 8th month he cut another tooth and close to cutting the fourth too. He's, obviously, sitting up very well by himself too. And he loves to stand up and try to pull himself up on anything he can get a grip on.

His hair continues to come in as blond as ever. He's still taking 2 naps a day and sleeping great through the night. Eating is - well - ... let's just say we're still working on it:) No, really he is getting better. I can actually get a jar of baby food down him and maybe even some oatmeal. Still not an eager eater, but at least he's eating.

So what that I'm letting him eat grass:) Oh, and he loves puffs - those little airy cracker things that just pretty much melt in your mouth. He could eat those all day! Which reminds me, by the way, we got to start sitting him in a highchair at restaurants too. Going out to eat is so much more enjoyable for us all. He can sit up and see us and self feed the puffs! Bliss! Okay, you may not see that as a big deal, but I've spent 7 months holding my baby in one arm while eating with the other EVERY time we go out to eat. I was so ready for this milestone!

Overall, he's doing great! He is the biggest Momma's Boy eva! He also took another trip to KY this month and his attachment to me was ever so IN MY FACE! I guess I didn't realize just how attached he is to me 'til we went there. When I'm home, I'm (okay this could be a sad statement), I'm not really around a lot of people that much during the week. It's me and the boys doing our thing. Yes, I get out but unless it's my MOPS meetings, I'm not with many people who are holding Baron. So, except for in the evenings sometimes when Daddy's home, it's Mommy, Mommy, Mommy all the time for him. And let's face it - Westen demands Austin's attention when he's home in the evenings. So, yeah, Baron's my homeboy;)

And I couldn't love it more! So just a little then and now with the teddy bear for some reference -

My sweet Baron - 8 months old! I can't believe it! The time is passing so quickly with him and his 1 year birthday is approaching. AAAAAHHHHHHH! I want it to stop! I realized with Westen how quickly this baby time passes and I hate that! For me, it makes me think I'd like to have another baby. I think I'll have to sweet-talk Daddy for it, though;) We'll see. To see the rest of Baron's updates click here.

Happy Father's Day!!

06/19/2011

Happy Father's Day! I was going to share a few precious pictures of Austin with both boys, but for some reason I can't upload pictures tonight:( Regardless, I just wanted to say how blessed I am to have a husband that is TRULY an impressive dad. Austin LOVES his boys and he shows them everyday! And Westen, like little boys should, adores his daddy:) Baron's a bit of a Momma's boy (okay, maybe that's an understatement), but I have a feeling it won't be long 'til he follows right in Westen's footsteps and wants to do and say (yes, that could be bad - LOL!) all things like Daddy! I couldn't ask for a better Baby Daddy for my boys than my Austin. I look forward to seeing these boys all grow together.

Second, I want to say Happy Father's Day to my own sweet dad! I grew up with such unconditional love from my dad. He's one of the most patient, laid back men I've ever met. I think he lives an exemplary life that has set a bar for me and my siblings to try to live . That's saying a lot! So thanks Dad for being such a great role model.

So Happy Father's Day to my 2 favorite Dads, Austin and Dad, and to the rest of you fathers out there:)

Fun in the Pool with Daddy!

06/17/2011

Well, we're finally starting to get caught up around here after being gone for 10 days. And our pool is finally warm enough to enjoy. Actually, it'll probably get too warm before you know it with how hot it's been here this week. Anyway, we've had the boys in the pool a lot this week. One night I just watched and snapped some pictures of the boys!

Yes, Austin had his hands full!

Think they were having fun???

What lucky boys they are to have a Daddy like that! Have a great weekend!

I Can't Wait to Meet Baby Jael!

06/14/2011

2 Comments

So, I'm finally getting around to posting the last part of our trip to KY which was a baby shower. My mom, sister, and I hosted this shower for our sweet friend, Krystie Daniels, who is expecting a girl in a mere 4 weeks! Here I am with the mom-to-be!

I have known Krystie for my entire life. It seemed crazy when we shared each others' wedding days, but now to be celebrating motherhood together is even more surreal. We've come a long way since our Double Trouble days, Krys. When the guests arrived, they saw this upon entering.

Baby Jael to greet them. Baby blocks were everywhere...

And we made them by the way. A closer look at the cake.

We had 8 blocks left and decided to go with Baby Mama which we thought was too funny!

And the diaper cake, made mostly by my sister, but Mom and I helped:)

Here was our spread. It was a dessert shower... can ya tell?? Can you say delicious??

Here's my cake pops. This is the first time I've made them for a group and had to try to get them to look nice. They tasted great, especially the green carrot cake ones. I think I could use some improvement on presentation, though:(

And here was our gift - the hamper filled with sweet tiny baby items all clothespinned to a clothesline. I loved this idea...

And some more pictures from gift opening.

I can speak for Mom and Julie when I say, we really enjoyed putting this shower together for Krystie. We all love her so much and can't wait to meet Baby Jael! Congratulations Krystie and Jason and hang in there, girl!

2 Comments

Mom Came Down then We Went Up

06/08/2011

So, I'm catching up here after about 2 weeks of being MIA. Not really, but I don't think I've been social for that long. I've been familying it up! First up, if you remember from my birthday post, my mom came down for a few days to hang out so she could really help me out on the flight up to KY with the 2 little guys. While she was here, we had some nice quality time with her. The day before we left, we went to the park with the boys. We took a few pictures along the way.

Also, the night before we left, Mom stayed with the boys while Austin and I went out to celebrate a friend's birthday (Happy Birthday, Tim!). Thanks, Mom.

The Friday before Memorial Day, Mom, the boys, and I headed for KY. The plane ride was not ideal (we sat on the plane for an hour before we ever took off:() but we made it. Every year on that Saturday, my dad's family gets together at my Mamaw Day's grave, then heads to Uncle Larry's for lunch and good company. And Aunt Doris makes a mean spread of food. Delicious! This year a water slide was set up and plenty of kids to use it. I love doing this every year. I don't always get to see my dad's family when I go home because many of them don't live there either. Describe them...ummm... good ol' boys (and girl - Love you Aunt Vicki). Here's from left to right - the most handsome of the group Dad, Uncle Wayne, Aunt Vicki, Uncle Steve, and Uncle Larry (Uncle Ralph wasn't there for the picture).

And here's some more from the day.

McKayla chasing Westen.

Sweet Ellie

Ryan being silly

Tiny Hannah

Uncle Dan and Baron

On Sunday, my mom's family gets together at my Nanny's and Papaw's grave and then we go to dinner. This is usually girls only and never a big group.

This year was just Mom and Aunt Lori...

And Julie, me, and our cousin Toni.

On Memorial Day Mom, the boys, and I headed to the Independence parade where the Ison's were participating. Here they are all driving Dan's Cub Cadet equipment. You can see Dan on the tractor, Julie on the lawn mower, and Hailey, yes I said Hailey, driving a utility vehicle with the other 2 riding with her.

And I didn't get a close up of my sooooo loves to perform sister, but she was totally showing off in the lawn mower doing 360 turns left and right! Yes, Julie, we noticed:)

Westen liked all the big trucks and his lollipop, of course.

And here's Baron and Mamaw.

After that, we headed to Mamaw's for a day of fun. My boys, Julie's girls, and Daniel's girls had a blast outside that day. Mamaw and Papaw had a water slide set up, a sprinkler thing (I don't know what it was called), a sand box, and a baby pool set up, in addition to their swing-set which Westen refers to as Mamaw's park. Yeah, it was like an amusement park for these kids. Thanks Mamaw and Papaw! And for whatever reason, as hot as it was, Westen wanted nothing to do with anything water related. Little punk! Here's a few shots from that day.

This is a different day, but Baron wanted to swing at Mamaw's park this time.

One day we took the kids to a real park (a little bigger than Mamaw's). They loved it! Westen went down this giant slide!

Ryan Day did too! Good job, Ryan!

Well, this is it for today. I'll have one more post to share regarding our trip up there which is the baby shower we threw for my dear friend, Krystie. Hopefully I'll get pics of that up soon.

Happy ??th Birthday, Austin!

06/08/2011

Well, I have so much to catch up on but first thing's first... Happy Birthday Austin!! Austin's birthday was Sunday and we were still in KY. We got home late Monday night and I'm getting around to adding this update now, and honestly, while I type this during the boys' nap don't know how much I'll get completed. But I first wanted to wish my hubs a Happy Birthday! I surprised him Sunday with tickets to the Cincinnati Reds game (thanks Jamie) after Westen gave him a Cincinnati Reds tshirt for his bday. We had awesome seats just to the right of home plate. Here's a picture before the game began and before another surprise:)

Well, I actually had 4 tickets and had invited our good friends Crystal and Ryan White (Austin went to college with them) to the game (they live near where I grew up). I called Ryan (aka Whitey) to get him in on the surprise and come to find out that that particular Reds game was GE Day at the stadium. Long story short, Crystal works for GE and was already scheduled to actually be speaking on the field that day before the first pitch. Here she is in action...

Isn't that funny! After her GE speech, she gave a shout out wishing Austin a Happy Birthday! Thanks for making our day special, Crystal:)

It was a hot day, but perfect baseball weather, I suppose. I hope Austin enjoyed his birthday! And here's our friends up close. Crystal and Bella...

Whitey and Bailey...

On a side note, something else kind of funny about that day - singing the National Anthem that day was a group of men, one of whom I went to church with as a little girl. On the far right is a friend of my parents' Dean Brock. Also on the big screen.

Anyway, I love you Austin and hope you enjoyed your birthday!