whoa.

My bump. My bump, my bump, my bump. My lovely baby bump!

I feel like I am pretty big for 24 weeks but maybe not. I don't know, I am probably obsessing too much. (No...that doesn't sound like me does it?)

(Me 24 weeks prego with Miles...finishing a 5K. Hmmmm. Should I be doing more? Probably.)

Last night I got to go out with some of my very favorite people and enjoy a fun movie! We celebrated the most beautiful girls birthday!

Have you ever seen a more breath taking birthday girl? Me either. 

Happy Birthday to my lovely sister! May this year bring many more adventures your way!

M

time is the school in which we learn, time is the fire in which we burn.

What has this year done with my baby!?!

2009

 2010

He is pretty stinkin adorable though.

2009

 2010

2009

 2010

Ok, so we parents haven't really changed too much but this was fun for me anyway. I love being able to look back through our pictures and see what life was like exactly one year ago. 

Maybe you should try it too!

M

"The man who forgets to be grateful has fallen asleep in life." Robert Louis Stevenson

Today I am thankful for...

My Savior and how he rescues me from everything, most of all myself.

A husband that takes me as I am and loves me for it.

A baby boy as clever and lovable as I could ever dream.

Tiny kicks in my tummy claiming me as mommy.

A home that is safe and warm.

A job that allows me to be with my son all day everyday and pay our mortgage.

A mother who gives and gives and never asks for anything back.

A father who understands me in ways no one else does.

A sister who inspires me to do more for myself.

Brothers and sisters in law that make me laugh.

Parents in law that teach me so much without even trying.

Friends that care enough to listen, cry and laugh with me.

I have so much to be thankful for today. Just like you.

Here's hoping your holiday is full of family, friends and really really good food!

M

miles-isms

Say that 10 times fast.

(We had a date and it involved cherry Icees and french fries.)

Baby boy is up to the cutest of things lately, Most of all discovering the world and trying out all kinds of new words and phrases....

- Anytime he gets his hands on a guitar he holds it (correctly I might add) and walks around singing the same four note song over and over. "Doo dee doo daa! Doo dee doo daa!"  His first original number!

- When he finds an interesting article of clothing or accessory to adorn (i.e. mommy's pearls) he struts around shouting "I'm a cool guy! I'm a cool guy!" Yes you are baby. Yes you are.

- Yesterday he was trying to make this tiny action figure stand up and every time it fell over he said "Uh oh, be careful guy. Be careful!"

- He loves to make inanimate objects dance... blocks, rags, books. "I make dance book! I make dance rag!"

(Brain freeze may have struck here.)

- This morning when I retrieved him from his bed he asked for "Dumpy book," and "Toy book." Humpty Dumpty and Two to Cuddle. He likes those two right now. Then he sat on my bed reading them to me as I readied myself for the day.

- Almost every morning his first words to me are "Where Daddy?" Yesterday he ran to look for him under the covers on our bed. Sadly, he was already at work.

(Heart to heart with Daddy)

-  Whenever he is enjoying a game or activity and we try to stop playing he says "Set...Go," until we repeat whatever we were doing. It's adorable.

- He can name anyone he sees on a regular basis now and all of his grandparents. He says "Grandpa" very very cutely.

(Best date ever!)

There are so many many things he is doing right now that just melt me everyday. I LOVE getting to spend my days with him!

 
M

work it.

Here we go again! It's Fashion Week at Windy Poplars and I'll be participating a little this week! I don't have as much gusto (nor as many cute clothes that still fit) this time around but I'm gonna give it the old college try!

Today's theme... What you wear to work...

(Why yes, I do have the flattest granny butt in all the land. Seriously considering implants...)

Mine is easy and a little sad! But hey, it's the truth and also gave me a chance to capture my 20 week baby bump! That's right people, we're halfway there!!! If you don't already know, I work from home, caring for lil kiddos from 7:30am-6:00pm. You can understand why I don't sport my finest attire during working hours!

Also, we got home yesterday from a whirlwind weekend of theatre and visiting family. My sister starred in Steele Magnolias in Georgia this past Fri-Sun and we were able to catch the Saturday night show. Congratulations Jasmine! You were wonderful and I cant wait to see where your talents take you!

(Isn't she just stunning? And this is w/o a stitch of make-up!)

Have fun joining fashion week this time! More details here!

M

we are thankful.

 I love Thanksgiving. I love any excuse to refelct on the good things in life. The things to be grateful for. There is so much, big and small that our household is giving thanks for this year.

We created a little Thanksgiving countdown to Thanksgiving and filled it with things we are grateful for this Thanksgiving. It makes me happy to flip one over everyday and breathe in a moment of gratitude for something simple; a blessing someone in my very own home is cherishing right now.

Happy Thanksgiving!
M

fhe.

This Monday we attempted Family Home Evening. I planned to give a short, sweet lesson on the Savior. Just the basics you know... Who he is, how much He loves us, and a quick story about Him. I began by taking our picture of Christ (my favorite picture of Christ) down off the wall for a visual aid. It's the picture of the Savior holding the lost lamb. Oh how I love that picture.

Miles was so excited about Jesus being down off the wall that he insisted I lay him down on the floor. Then, of course he  danced and walked and jumped on Jesus. Scary moment. Jesus came out of it unharmed thankfully and the remainder of the lesson was spent trying to speak louder than a cute although frustrated little boy who didn't understand why I could hold Jesus but he couldn't.

At least he was interested in the Big Guy right? I say it was a great success. And our family game of Duck Duck goose was pretty much the highlight of Miles' life so we were happy in the end.

I am excited to spend many Family Home Evenings in the years to come with the ones I love most in the world.

(You seriously still haven't been photographed by her? Shame, shame. Lucky for you the Christmas photo party is coming soon!!! I'll keep you posted!)

All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on.

It hit me last night while I was tending the nursery at church that my baby will grow up. I was playing Monkey-in-the Middle with some older kids and having so much fun when I was just absolutely overcome with this sad, somber realization. I mean, I already knew it and i think about how fast he's growing all the time but last night I felt especially tender on the issue.

It seems like Miles is ALWAYS in such a cute stage. He changes so much everyday; learning new things, saying new words, experiencing first after first. I love watching him discover the world and being there to witness his reactions to everything. There are so many things I adore about my tiny guy.

-I love how he always smells like cinnamon from his morning oatmeal.

-I love the way he smiles when he's being mischievous.

-I love that he's discovered how to give me raspberries and he finds it hilarious!

-I love how he begs to be "wocked" before bed to delay the inevitable night night time.

-I love how fascinated he is with bugs.

-I love his solo dimple.

-I love how snuggly he is just after his bath.

-I love that he loves to run around naked.

-I love the way he says crazy, "Kazy!"

-I love that he loves me and even though he can't say it yet he shows me in so many ways it's true.

I know one day he will be too big to sit on my lap and have me "wok" him to sleep. He won't think I'm funny just because I make a silly face or dance around the room like a mad woman. I'll just be an ATM and a ride to the mall. But for now he's mine to hold. To snuggle. To kiss and hug every chance I get.

I love you baby boy,

Mama

beach baby.

This weekend we took Miles to the beach for the first time! HE. LOVED. IT. I'm pretty sure he would have stayed all day wandering around the sands, throwing mud, wading in and out of the water and roaming from blanket to blanket visiting all the friendly faces.

I love seeing him experience new things. Even if it's just trying a new food I want to be there to see his reaction. He is such a bright and fun little guy. I am so happy to be his mama. sigh. :0)




Um. Hello yummy biceps on that hot hot hubby of mine! That's a pretty cute baby they're holding too!



Miles walked me up, down and all around that beach! I think he liked having so much room to roam free.





Many sand castles were destroyed this Memorial Day weekend. (sorry kids)




Ah my adorable baby beach bug.

Truly good times had by all! Hope you Memorial Day was awesome too!

M

sometimes our mail man brings us love...

We just received a package in the mail... there was a lovely little book inside for the tiny guy! All about drumming no less! And monkeys! Needles to say he adores it!




Also there was a little surprise for me! Not too shabby eh?



Thank you Mom! And Miles thanks you too! We LOVED our little surprise!

M

*Side note- I was wearing this SAME tee the last time love came to me thru mail... time to go shopping.

yo ho yo ho

This weekend we went to my nephews pirate themed birthday party!!! I gotta say it was pretty darn cute. My sister made darling pirate costumes for all the lil kiddies and they each got a plastic sword. Her husband even built a cardboard/plywood pirate ship! Needless to say, Gavin turned 5 in style... and there was one particularly adorable pirate attending the festivities...




My sister made the eye patches from cereal boxes and fabric.


Pirate Miles got spoilage-a-plenty from Amay this weekend


I just love dressing him up. can't. wait. for. halloween.


Arrrrggggghhh!


"Why does mommy do these things to me?"





Best of all, I had this guy with me for every breath of the weekend.




Hope yours was just as wonderful

M


p.s.
boy is 4 months today (sniffle sniffle) time for him to move into his own room.
(i just died a little inside typing that)

"don't shoot my baby."

This picture was taken as I attempted to comfort my baby boy after his first shots... being two months old is hard. He was a real champ about it all though. He didn't mind the actual shots as much as the oral vaccine (he gurgled and choked and screamed) saddest. sight. ever. Luckily Daddy was there to get us all through it. Big strong Daddy makes everything ok, always.




Here's the two month rundown...

*23 1/2" tall

*11 lbs 7oz

*vaccines for hepB, diptheria, polio, tetanus, pertussis, pneumococcal disease (took me 3 tries to spell that one), rotavirus and hib. CHECK!

Baby is ready to take on the world... or at least a gaggle of aunts, uncles, cousins and one granny!!!




We had a really great trip to Tampa this weekend!


Miles was swarmed with love and kisses from our family and Mr. Blimes and I got to take an afternoon out!!! There was putt putt-ing, delicious chocolate chip cookies, Denny's, shopping and of course much much cuteness from nieces and nephs.



Hubbs putted with the boy strapped to him and STILL dominated. (it's just not fair)



The gang before we putted...and right after I tried to fall into the gator pit (don't ask)


Oh Mongolian BBQ how I love love love your deliciousness!!!








Like I said, it was a great weekend.

M