...and, another FIRST!

On Monday, Wyatt took part in his very FIRST field trip. We joined 22 other three-year-olds, their moms and four teachers at a local farm.

Wyatt got to pick cotton, corn and acorns. We ate lunch in a barn loft (which made me a nervous wreck!) and met lots of friendly animals. My ninety-to-nothing preschooler loved climbing a giant bale of hay and picking more pumpkins for our front porch. We both agreed on the way home, however, that our personal favorite activity was the hayride.

Here are some pictures of our adventure! I loved being able to share these memories with my little guy :)

1,460 Days

Four years. Long enough time for a student to graduate from college, long enough for a child to learn to tie their shoe or spell their name, and, sadly, long enough for a couple to marry and consequently call it quits.





Today heralds the fourth year of marriage for Mark and I. Not every day has been bliss, nor has every moment been Hallmark worthy . However, we have made it (happily, I might add) through four years. I am incredibly grateful for this man I have married, for the vows we made and for the sanctity of marriage.





In the short span of our marriage we have moved across state lines three times, changed careers twice and became parents. We decided early on to make our relationship a top priority, and that sentiment and resolve has brought us a long way. When life seems to be wearing us down, we lean on each other. Mark is my safe place. He is my haven in the midst of this crazy chaotic life, and I wouldn't have it any other way.





Happy, happy 4th... praying for 40 more :)

These are the days

Wyatt and his girlfriend Ava :) This is the perfect rehearsal dinner pic!!

Digging for treasure

What a special weekend for so many reasons. I look forward to Saturday mornings when Wyatt prances into our room and announces his presence with the sweetest "Good Morning!" I have ever heard. Lately he has crawled into bed with us, Mickey and all. I can't tell you how precious those moments are- the three of us snuggling and tickling and laughing. Even though it's 6 a.m. and I am exhausted from the week- I wouldn't trade it for all the world.

My parents came in town on Saturday, and Mom and I went furniture shopping for Wyatt's big boy room - I found exactly what I wanted for a great deal... so, furniture is on it's way, custom bedding is being made by Mark's mom, and I CAN'T wait to start decorating :) I can't believe my baby is out of the crib - it just amazes me that time is going so fast!

After a yummy dinner of smoked Crappie (freshly caught by Mark) we took Wyatt for a walk. Halfway down our street, he demanded that I stop the wagon. I thought maybe he had seen a bug or animal that called for closer examination. Instead, he hauled himself over the side of the wagon and pulled a bunch of wild flowers out of the ground. When he handed them to me telling me they were 'for mommy' I almost melted right on the pavement. My sweet baby boy had picked his first flowers and wanted me to have them. It was the smallest of gesture, but it made my heart feel as if it would burst with joy. A moment I will never ever forget.

Another special moment was the dedication of the brand new Contemporary building at our church. Eight months ago, this building was an empty Winn Dixie. Today, it is one of the most beautiful church facilities I have ever seen. It was incredible to worship in the space that only a few months ago was just a drawing on a piece of paper. Words cannot describe the overwhelming feeling that God is going to do some amazing things this space.

We rounded out the weekend with a Princess and Pirate party to celebrate sweet Maybrie's 3rd Birthday. It was a ton of fun, and made us excited for our own Pirate party only FOUR short months away! Can you believe it?!

March Madness

I promise this post will not mention sports. Actually, I am referring to the crazy weather in Alabama. It is always a toss up as to what March will bring, and this year is no exception. Yesterday, I hosted a small thirty-one gifts party at the house (I love any excuse to get out serving pieces, bake a cake and have girlfriends over :) I purposely scheduled it at four, because it is after nap time, and Wyatt is typically in somewhat of a calm mood- plus it would give me all day to turn my house from dismal to decent ;)

James Spann, Birmingham's most sensational meteorologist had been reporting in my living room all day, but come 3 p.m., with no rain or hail to speak of, I turned off the T.V.

Needless to say, when only half my guests had arrived, and the skies turned black, I checked my phone. I had a dozen text messages telling me there was a tornado spotted in Calera- about a mile from my house. One of my friends was stuck at Walmart waiting for it to pass (no sirens in this town so we had no clue about the impending storm- if the mayor happens to read this blog, all I have to say is ahem).

Anyways, it worked out and we had a great time-- we just had a bit of a scare and missed a few folks. The lemon white-chocolate cake was AWESOME I might add. You can get the recipe here.

In other news, tonight was our first family dinner at the same table. Wyatt has graduated to a booster (I got really tired of cleaning the tray to the high chair three times a day :) and I was actually able to fend off his hunger until I could get food on the table. Usually we are all eating at different times- evenings are incredibly chaotic at our house. I grew up on family dinners, and I have been determined to have the same in my own home.

I have also attached a picture from last week's Fairhope trip, and some that we took at the railroad museum a couple of weeks ago.

Such a precious, precious boy-- we are enjoying every minute of him... and are so grateful for this sweet life.

Weekend Whirlwind

Wyatt and I made our very first trek to Fairhope this weekend with some of my very best girlfriends and their children. We had four moms and five children between us, and it was a blast! Between feeding and potty breaks, we toured the town and attended the annual arts and crafts festival. The weather was beautiful and I even managed to score a few cute things for Delaney, Wyatt and the house. Upon our return, I did inform my husband that we are packing our bags and moving South (my argument: Lots of land for you, lots of shopping for me)

I was exhausted after chasing Wyatt around for two days, but we made it to church and to Hudson's third birthday party yesterday- we wouldn't miss Build-A-Bear and carousel rides for anything :) Hudson is one of my good friend's little boy, and we were so excited to be able to celebrate with him! We don't get to spend enough time with the Hollis' but Wyatt thoroughly enjoyed himself- especially after two pieces of cake, haha.

Here are some pictures from the big day- thanks Erin for the pics!

In other news, Wyatt is in UNDERWEAR. I have ditched the pull ups completely (besides bedtime) because I just feel like they might as well be diapers. I am so over changing them, and even if he has accidents (which he has- thankfully, only #1)- I had to rip the Band Aid. Hopefully, he will get the hang of it at some point. Please pray for patience for me! I keep telling myself that he won't be going to Kindergarten in diapers, and we will get through this. One day at a time...

Tooth Tickle

Wyatt had his first dentist appointment today- I think I was more nervous than he was! I had hoped Mark would be able to join us, but he threw out his back doing push-ups (he's getting old!!) and had to go to the doctor himself.

I was super impressed with how sweet the office ladies and the hygienists were. You can tell they have a special gift with children- it instantly put me at ease, and I think distracted Wyatt a little bit too. He loved the flavored fluoride, and Dr. B was a huge hit until he whipped out his silver poker- (I always hated the scraping too!) No two-year molars yet, and we are pretty sure he has my super narrow jawline, and will one day require braces (no shocker there-both Mark and I had pretty jacked up grills, haha) They told him they were tickling his teeth, to which he replied with a giggle :)

This was the picture they took when we first got there- he looks absolutely terrified! I had to sit in the chair with him the entire time, but he was pleased as punch when they let him help himself to a sticker. My baby is getting so big- sometimes I wish I could just freeze time and keep him little and sweet and in need of his momma. One of these days he'll be sitting in that dentist chair all by himself , so right now- I am just going to enjoy these moments, filled with terror or not- because they simply go by way too fast.

Bye Bye 18 Months, Hello 19

My baby boy may have been a hair over 18 mos when we had his official pictures taken- by one day to be exact- but who's counting?

Erin did an incredible job- I seriously cannot sing her praises enough. She has an amazing way of connecting with her subjects and really letting their personalities shine in her photographs. I am not only blessed to have her as a wonderful friend, but as a photographer too! Extra bonus- her amazingly adorable son Hudson is just a few months older than Wyatt so she has great advice and tips for raising a little boy :)

Wyatt's 18 month stats: 24 pounds, 33 inches long. He is in the 50th percentile for weight and in the 75th percentile for height... the best part about this visit? No more shots until he is FOUR!! Can I get a woot woot?!!

WOW! Wyatt is 18 Months Old!

A year and a half ago my baby boy had just entered the world. CRAZY... in a way it seems like a lifetime ago, and in another way it seems like just yesterday.

Here he is this morning, as we changed his diaper while singing our rendition of 'Happy Half Birthday'.

Not a day goes by that my heart does not swell from pride from this little miracle. Oh how I love this little man!

I read recently that it it important for moms to think about those things that only you can do for your child- because these are your privileges as a mother. Sure, there are lots of things that others can do for him- but I am the only one who knows where his tickle spot behind his left thigh is, or the way that he likes to cuddle with his blue blanket across my chest, or what verse of Silent Night calms him during a crying fit. Only I have that Mother's touch- and what a privilege that is!

So what is my one-and-a-half year old up to these days? More than I can put in this post, more than you probably care to read- but here are some highlights:

• Running, jumping, climbing- on everything, all the time


• Singing his little heart out- he loves the clean-up song, and his ABC's


• Mimicking Mark and I- no matter what we do or say, he wants to do/say it too!


• Naming animals and their corresponding noises- last night we practiced his crow call- Daddy was very impressed.


• Speaking in phrases and three-syllable words (Doggie says woof!) (There's the baby) (Where is Sadie?) (Want to eat) (All Done Mommy) (Get Down Mommy) (My cup please) (Thank You) (You're Welcome) (Hello _____ )


• I have no way of determining how many words he knows- every day he is saying something new- I willing to bet it is in the hundreds. Both Mark and I were very advanced verbally (surprise, surprise!) so we knew Wyatt would be a little talker :)


• We are still working on using our utensils. He knows how to use them, but he doesn't see the point since it is so much quicker to shovel it in with his hand, and then throw the bowl and contents all over my kitchen :)


• He is now telling me when he poo poos-and if you ask him where poo poo comes from, he immediately pats his bottom. It's hysterical!


• He wears a size 5 diaper, and 18-24 month clothes.


• He LOVES music. He will stop and dance and sing anytime he hears music. We call his moves the "Elaine Dance" because he throws his hands up in the air and has absolutely no rhythm at all- much like Elaine on Seinfeld. Again, this is highly entertaining.


• Wonderful eater, which I am so thankful for. Literally, the child will eat anything and everything, and lots of it- thank you Lord!


• He is an apple-juice-loving, Sponge Bob obsessed, smart-as-a-whip, happy, healthy boy.

Yes, I am bragging- but this is a milestone post... what else is a proud mother to do? :)

Wyatt's almost first Haircut

Maybe this isn't so bad after all...

Get that evil spray bottle away!

Ticked off...

Sweet little man

I am glad that's over with!

At Wyatt's first two haircuts I had either forgotten my camera, or the batteries were dead, so I was determined to get pictures this go-round.

With Wyatt being so ill, I had put off taking him, and his hair was in bad shape- I am not going to lie- the kid had a mullet. Since he seemed like he was doing a bit better, I decided to take him in last night.

I absolutely love taking him- it is something that he and I always do together, and although it is traumatic, I love to be the one who gets him through it :) Plus, he just looks so darn cute in the little chair and smock.

He did fine until the spray bottle made an appearance... it was downhill after that- to the point of no return. I had to hold his little face straight while he screamed so that she could get around his ears, and not even the promise of a sucker would quiet his wails.

The end result was worth it however- my child no longer looks like a wild animal :)

16 Months!

Wyatt, you are 16 months old! What are you up to these days? As you can tell... you have a TON of hair! You are wearing a size 5 diaper and 18 month clothes. You weigh 23 pounds and are 30 inches long. We sing the Alphabet song together every morning. You hate the bath, and cry every night at bathtime. Mommy and Daddy hope you will grow out of this soon! You still love Sponge Bob, apple juice and your blankie. Sadie is your best friend, and you show your love by tackling her and yanking on her ears :)

Your favorite foods include: bananas, chicken, green beans, pasta... we are blessed with a wonderful eater.

You have learned sign language! Your favorite is to sign the word "MORE" so that we will fill up your plate at mealtime :)

You know most of your body parts, and you have starting speaking in phrases. You are quite a talker just like your mommy and daddy.

Your favorite things to say are: "Mommy, get down please" "Thank you!" "Banana Please!" "Juice", "Milk" "Bob Bob" "Sadie" "All done" "Bye Bye!" "Uh Oh" "Moon" "Bumble Bee" "More please!" "hello!" "belly" "nose" "mouth" "wyatt" "ganma" "mimi" "papa" "cookie" "kisses" "puppy"

You are a running, jumping, climbing, smiling little boy- and we are so thankful for it... we praise Jesus for a healthy, happy little guy.

You are the light of our lives, and we love you more and more each day!

Wyatt is 15 months old!

Here are some of my favorite pictures from our recent photo shoot. We used Erin Hollis of Lens Envy Photography. Can't say enough about her- amazing talent, creativity and personality. Check her out- you won't be disappointed :).

I am loving 15 months! I think I say that at every milestone, but my baby boy is so much fun and everything he does just makes us laugh. I am also really starting to tell how much he is picking up on when we don't realize it. Last night I handed him my keys to play with, and he ran for the back door yelling bye-bye. He knows that when we have the keys out, it's time to go bye-bye :) I am continually overwhelmed by this precious gift from God!

Last year, when we were taking Wyatt's 3-month pictures, we decided to go ahead and get our family Christmas pictures at the same time, and get a head start on our Christmas cards- this year we did the same thing since we would be getting his 15-month pictures anyways. That is probably the ONLY good thing that comes from giving birth in July :) Well, that and the baby of course- you know what I mean.