Happy B-day Babe!

Today is my hubby's 27th birthday. Unfortunately, he had a pretty uneventful birthday. We are working like crazy to get our house ready to put on the market by the 1st of next week so he spent his day in the bathroom floor replacing the flooring. He did get birthday cards from Noah and I, and I made him an awesome dinner and one of his favorite desserts.

My birthday was on the 26th so we went out to lunch for our birthdays on Wed. My sis, M, watched Noah for us. Thanks M!! We went to Red Robin and it was really good. And we spent the majority of my b-day getting more supplies to finish up the many projects we have going on at the house. Do we know how to celebrate or what?! We have promised ourselves that once the house sells we will go away for a weekend to really celebrate our birthdays. I am really looking forward to that.

This is my favorite picture of all time. When I look at this picture of my hubby I remember falling in love with him. I see the father that I knew back when we where dating that he would be. And, I just think he is the best looking guy!


Baby, I love you so so much. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

All I Want for Christmas Is My 2 Front Teeth

Noah got his top front teeth this week. He got his bottom front 2 back in October when we went to Florida so I have been waiting for the top front 2 since then. Just like the bottoms, the right one poked through 1st and 2 days later the left one followed. The tops didn't go as easily as the bottoms. He was definitely hurting with these and he let me know it.

It took me forever to get this shot. The light is reflecting off of his left tooth so it is harder to see but it is there. Isn't that the cutest double chin you have ever seen?!

Noah's 1st Christmas

We woke up at about 8:00 this morning. I changed and fed Noah and then we started to open presents. Chris and I helped Noah open all his presents 1st. He wasn't all that interested in opening them so we did most of that. We got him some of the classic toys like the stacking donuts and we got him some toys that he will need to grow into. Between us going a little overboard this year and his Grandma, Noah should be set on toys for a good while. Well, at least until his 1st birthday in April. heehee.



After all of Noah's presents where open Chris opened his. He got a surround sound stereo system, slippers, gloves, the Transformers movie, and this pic of Noah to go on his desk at work. Noah is wearing one of Chris' company T-shirts.



I opened presents last. I got earrings, slippers, thank you cards, subscriptions to 5 different magazines, Willow Tree figurines, this really cool candle holder, and the new Carrie Underwood cd (which is great by the way).

After opening all the presents our living room was a wreck! Noah crawled right past his mountain of new toys and straight for the pile of wrapping paper and ribbon. Typical!



Noah was cracking us up because he kept making this face all morning. Doesn't he look like a little baby bulldog?! Too cute!


All that excitement can really wear a little guy out.


Merry Christmas ya'll! I hope your day was as great as mine.

Isn't It Funny The Things You Remember?

When I was little my mom had these glasses that we would use only on Thanksgiving.



I remember sitting at the "little kids" table, drinking milk from these glasses and feeling so big and fancy. I would even try to hold it like I had seen people do on TV. We haven't used these in YEARS, ever since we all grew up and started having families of our own. I remembered these as my parents were moving and told my mom that I would really like to have them someday. She surprised me with them today. I am so excited to have them. They are so not fancy but I love them because of the memories. Since our family is so big now we can't use them at Thanksgiving. So, I thought that I would start a new tradition for my family. From now on, these "fancy" glasses are going to grace the Hozian table at Christmas breakfast. Picture Noah up at the table in his Christmas pj's, legs swinging, his favorite Christmas present in one hand and one of Grannie's fancy glasses full of milk in the other hand. I can't wait!

Thanks Mom, for the glasses and for the memories!

Pre-Christmas Festivities

My in-laws came over tonight to open presents. We had a good time getting goodies and eating desserts. Noah made out like a bandit big time. He got this crazy cute piggy bank from his Aunt Ashley, Uncle Mike and cousin Azrael. He got a big stuffed red dog, a Tigger, a Thomas the train backpack, 2 outfits, and his own little chair from his Grandma. He didn't really want anything to do with opening the presents but he sure did like what was inside. His favorite thing was the chair.

My Popi

I wanted to post today but couldn't quite find the time throughout the day. It is now almost midnight and I can't sleep so I thought I might as well get up and do something.

Today is my Dad's birthday so he has been on my mind. I count him among the greatest blessings in my life. He has been there for me at every point in my life, even at the times when I didn't want him there. He has never judged me and always loved me. He is, by far, the best listener I know. He listens much and says little. He is one of those people who knows exactly what you need to hear and isn't afraid to tell you the truth. He has worked so hard his whole life to take care of a huge family and I have never heard him complain about it. Not once.

He is so respectful and gentle to my mother. I can't remember a time that I have heard him raise his voice to her. I grew up seeing them kiss everyday when he got home from work. Not just a "Hi. Bye" kind of kiss but, an "I hated being away from you for 8+ hours" kind of kiss. I remember that it became kind of a joke for us kids to act like we were sicked out when they would kiss but, looking back on it, that made me feel safe. I knew then and I know now that my parents are completely in love. Not a whole lot of people can say that about their parents anymore.

My dad didn't have the easiest of upbringings but he decided early on what kind of dad he was going to be and I bet he exceeded his expectations, although he wouldn't think so. It was from him that I learned what a father should be like. It was from him that I learned what a husband should be like. It was from him that I learned what a worthy priesthood holder should be like. I can remember once when I was really sick. It was early in the morning and I knew that Dad only had a little bit of time left to sleep and so I didn't want to wake him up for a blessing. I decided to lay on the floor outside his bedroom so that I could get a blessing from him as soon as he came out. I don't know how long I laid there but finally he came out. I started to cry and told him I needed a blessing. He scooped me up and held me close and asked me why I didn't just wake him up. I told him why and he took my face in his hands and told me never to wait again. He told me that nothing, not even sleep, was more important then me. And that is how I have felt my whole life; important, loved, cherished, respected.

It is so cool seeing my brothers as fathers now. I see Dad in them. I see Dad when I see them laughing with their kids. I see Dad when I see them teaching their kids. I see Dad when I see them snuggling their kids. I can still remember the way my Dad smelled when he would come home from work or church. Remember the Old Spice guys?

I could go on and on about him. Dad, I am sure Mom will have you read this so, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Thank you for being my Dad! (and try not to be too embarrassed by this okay?!)

P.S. Today is my niece, T's, birthday too. She is 1! I can't believe it. I love her so much and I am really gonna miss seeing her every Sunday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY T!!!!

Advice Needed

I have debated on whether I should post this or not, but I have no idea what I am doing and I could really use some advice from all you professional moms out there. So, if anyone is offended by the subject matter, sorry!

I want to breastfeed Noah until he is 1 year old but I also want to incorporate solids. I have been feeding him oatmeal cereal mixed with a veggie at night and breastfeeding him a little bit after the cereal. I think what I want to do is get to a point here pretty soon where I am only breastfeeding in the morning and at night. But, I have no idea how to go about doing that or even if that is a good thing to do. I am so clueless. I have read a ton of articles online about it but they were all pretty vague. So, I am going to shoot off a bunch of questions and I hope you guys can help.

1. How do I start taking away breastfeed meals?
2. At a meal that has replaced breastfeeding, how much solid food do I give him? Tonight I feed him a Tbsp of cereal mixed with 1/2 a 2.5oz thing of peas and 1/2 of a 2.5oz thing of a fruit. And he was still opening his mouth and fishing for more. Is that too much? Not enough?
3. He is 8 mos old now. Can he have juice? If so, could I bring juice and some of those baby puff cereal things to tide him over at church instead of breastfeeding during Sunday school?
4. Does it matter when I feed him fruits and when I feed him veggies? Like, should I be feeding him fruit in the afternoon and veggies at night or does it matter at all?
5. When it comes time for me to wean him completely how do I keep from getting to full? Because if I breastfeed him or pump to get relief doesn't that just keep the milk supply going?
6. Like I said before, I think I would like to get to a point soon were I am only breastfeeding in the morning and at night. Is it okay to do that? I mean, will he be getting what he needs from the breast milk if I only do it 2 times a day?

Thinking about the whole weaning process kind of stresses me out. Can you tell?! :]

Anyway, I know there are probably a ton of different ways to go about this but any and all advice would be greatly appreciated.

No Thanks, Santa!

I forgot to tell you about Noah's 1st experience with Santa. Chris and I decided to take Noah to get his picture taken with Santa on Saturday. Everyone told us to take him to the Santa at Parkway Place Mall because his beard is real so that is where we went. The line wasn't very long at all so I was stoked. Noah has always done really well with strangers. In fact, I can never go into Wal-Mart without at least 2 or 3 people stopping me to tell me how cute he is and Noah has started to flirt with these people. He will drop his head to the side and give them a big smile. When they laugh he will do it again, milking it for all he is worth. So, I wasn't worried about his reaction to Santa. I figured we probably wouldn't be able to get him to look away from Santa but I thought that would still be a cute pic. Our turn came and I introduce Noah to Santa and, as I suspected, Noah just stared at him with his mouth hanging open. Chris, the photographer, and I tried to get Noah to look at us by making fools of ourselves like good parents do. As soon as he saw me it's like he put 2 and 2 together and realized, "Hey, I don't know this hairy guy and my mommy is WAY over there!" His face started to crumble and it was down hill from there. I "rescued" him and got him to calm down. Then I decided to try it one more time. The minute I let go of him he let out this loudest yell and you know how it echos in there. So, we decided he wasn't a big fan of Santa. We will try again at the ward Christmas party this weekend. I'm curious to see how he reacts. My sis, D, said we should have taken the pic with him crying. That would have been funny but, oh well!

Pink Eye, Snot, B-day Present, and More

Saturday morning I woke up and my left eye was kind of irritated. It was red and felt like I had sand in it. I bothered me all day but I didn't really think anything about it. Sunday morning when I woke up my eyelids where stuck together. GROSS! I cleaned it up but my eye was swollen, red and weepy all day. DOUBLE GROSS! I went into the doc on Monday and she told me what I already knew, pink eye! I have to put these drops in my eyes like a million times a day for the next week. And, I am one of those spastic kind of people who can not help but blink frantically when I know something is coming for my eyes so you can imagine how well 2 drops in each eye every 2 hours is going.

To make matters worse, Noah is sick. He is so snotty he has to come up for air when he is eating. I stink at using that snot sucker thing but I try my best. It is the saddest thing to hear him snoring up a storm when he is trying to sleep. He was running a fever all day Monday too but, thankfully, no fever today.

The 18th is my niece, T's, 1st B-day and we have all been invited over to celebrate with her on Sunday. Noah and I got her some bows for her gorgeous raven hair. I got out some scrap wrapping paper and ribbon and had it laid out in the floor. Noah helped me pick out everything I used to wrap the present. The 1st piece of wrapping paper he tried to eat is what I used to wrap it. Then he tried to eat a piece of white and pink ribbon. It didn't go with the paper but Noah felt strongly about it because when I took it away from him he threw a fit. So, on went the ribbon. Then he chose a piece of blue ribbon. Again, it didn't go with the paper but I think he was just wanting to counter balance the pink. Then he decided to go for a dramatic flare and he chose a piece of gold, shiny ribbon and on it went too. I wrapped it all up and put it under our tree and started to clean up. Noah, apparently, was not done with the present. He crawled over and picked it up and started to beat himself over the head with it, which he found hilarious by-the-way. Then he added a little love slobber to it to make it extra special. He really loves T!



Before I found out I was having a boy, I REALLY wanted a girl. I love my Noah more then I can express and wouldn't trade him for a million girls though. But, seeing the pictures of Carly and Beth's little girls has reminded me of how bad I want a girl. So, on a whim, I decided to play dress up with Noah a little bit. We were "testing" T's ribbons out for her. Chris is gonna kill me when he sees this. Heck, Noah is going to kill me for this when he gets older but people are always telling me he is too pretty to be a boy. What do ya think?

Makin' Tracks

Today Noah and I went over to what will be our new house. I had to meet the appraiser so while I was waiting for him I started to sweep the floors. Then I decided to vacuum all of the rooms. The carpet is new so when I vacuumed I made those awesome tracks in the carpet. I had Noah in the play yard but he got bored with that real quick like and let me know it at the top of his lungs. So, I just put him down in the floor where he could crawl around and I thought that I would just vacuum around him. He had another idea. As I vacuumed he just followed me around everywhere. As I moved from room to room he would follow me. If I was cleaning the closet he would try to get in there with me. What was so funny is that when I was done and went back thru the rooms to make sure I hadn't missed something I noticed this weird pattern in the carpet and it took me a minute to figure out what it was. There was a definite trail left in the carpet where Noah had crawled around following me. I wished I had had my camera on me. It was so funny. You could see his little hand prints everywhere and then long drags from his legs. Is it weird that I found that cute?

I Heart Christmas!!

Prepare yourselves for a marathon post!

Last Friday Chris, Noah and I put up our Christmas tree. I put the tree together while Chris played with Noah. I would let Noah touch the branches before I put them on the tree and he was not a fan. It was the funniest thing to see his expression. He looked totally sicked out by them. So, luckily, I haven't had any problems with him getting into the tree. Chris put the lights on but before he got done Noah was ready for bed so he didn't get to see the tree that night. Saturday morning I took him into the living room and I plugged in the lights and his eyes got as big as saucers. I had the lights twinkling and his eyes were going all over the place trying to take it all in. It was so cute.
Here is my tree.


I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my tree topper. Alisha made it. Isn't he cute?!


These tins are hung on the wall above my sofa. I recycle my favorite cards from year to year and use them as decorations. I have just used magnets to hang them on my tins.


These Willow Tree figurines where an early Christmas gift from Chris. I saw them in a Hallmark store and, I kid you not, I actually felt the Spirit when I saw them for the 1st time. Aren't they amazing? They are huge. The Joseph is 15 inches tall. Gorgeous! I made the sign.


This is a nativity set that Dawn gave me. It is probably my favorite Christmas decoration after my new Willow Tree set.

I think I may have to find a new place to set it up though.


I don't have a fireplace so I am hanging our stockings on my coat rack. I made it from an old black shutter. The stockings I got from Target and they light up. Noah really likes them.


This is the corner to the right of my sofa. Dawn made the stars and Chris got me the nativity last Christmas.


And lastly, this is in the corner of my front porch.


I want to make a sign or two still but for the most part this is it for this year.

How is your decorating coming?

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone had an awesome day. I did most of my cooking last night after Noah went to bed so this morning I was able to take it pretty easy. I forced Chris out of bed to watch the parade with Noah and I. While we watched I got out the Christmas stuff and started to organize and decorate. Noah was much more impressed with the large container I use to store my decorations then with the parade.

We loaded the car with baby, food, and crafts and headed to Alisha and Nate's. Our clan, the Davies, and my mother-in-law, Conchi, were all in attendance so we had a pretty large group. Although, usually all of the Haynie clan is there as well so it felt small compared to years passed. WE MISSED YOU HAYNIES! As usual, the food was plentiful and delicious and I ate way too much but am perfectly content with that (today anyway).

Noah had a great 1st Thanksgiving. He got to taste bread for the 1st time but he wasn't too impressed. My sis, M, also introduced him to the wonders of whip cream. He wasn't too sure about it at first but by the second tiny bite he had no further objections.

He freaked my mother-in-law out when he choked on his own spit. He was hanging out with her and Chris when it happened. I was in another room with all of the ladies talking up a storm about a bunch of nonsense when my MIL brought Noah in. She had totally started crying because it had scared her so much. Noah was all red faced and you could tell his eyes had watered up. He was completely fine but my poor MIL needed a few more minutes and she just wanted me to make sure he was okay. She is such a tender hearted women who lives her life to love and spoil my boy. I felt bad that Noah had given her such a scare.

On a very sad note, my mom wasn't with us today because she was on her way to Texas. My Grannie fell a few days ago but my Aunt Pat, who takes care of my grandparents and who is an all around saint, and my Grannie thought that she was okay. Well, Grannie got up in the middle of the night to use the restroom and started gushing blood. Apparently when she fell she did enough damage to cause some internal bleeding. She had to be med-flighted from one hospital to another because it looks like it is pretty serious. My mom hopped a plane ASAP after receiving a call at 1:00 this morning. We all missed her immensely and we are all very worried about my Grannie. So far we haven't been able to reach mom to get any further news. Please, please keep my Grannie Price and my mother in your prayers. I have a feeling that they both are going to need it. Mom, we missed you.

All in all, it was another great Thanksgiving. A HUGE THANK YOU to Alisha for hosting yet again. You're the woman!

Happy Thankgiving!

We Are Family

I have the greatest life. I grew up in a home that was never lacking in any of the important stuff. If someone asked me to name my hero it would be my amazing dad. My brothers and sisters and I are convinced that he can walk on water, although he steadfastly refuses to let us test that theory. He is the smartest, most gentle, honest person I know. My mother is this little spitfire that has always gone through life with so much confidence. She has taught me about patience and perseverance. I grew up being spoiled rotten by my big sisters (when I wasn't getting caught "borrowing" their stuff) and they are my bestest friends. One sister is this amazing mother and wife with impeccable taste who's brilliance I constantly steal and pass off as my own. The other sister is the kind of person that everyone secretly wishes they could be. She has this crazy sixth sense that allows her to know EXACTLY what she needs to do or say to make everything okay. I will probably never be as good a "mother" as she is but that is okay because she is good enough for the both of us. My brothers, though trying at times (Nate!), where always the first ones to come to my defense if needed. They have all grown into the kind of men that people notice. Whether it is their wit, their spiritual strength, or their good looks, you just remember the Mayfield boys. My siblings have chosen companions that make them better people and have blessed me with nieces and nephews that I couldn't live without. I have a husband who is an example to me everyday. I'm convinced he is a genius. He makes me feel loved and special and protected and cared for. He loves me in spite of all my shortcomings. And he has a great butt! (teehee) Heavenly Father has let me be the mother to this incredible little boy who has a special smile just for me. He is the one person that I can honestly say I love everything about him. He is perfection. I love him so much there just aren't words to adequately express it. And I have the gospel and the knowledge that I never have to imagine what life would be like without any of them. I don't know what I did in the premortal existence to deserve all this but I will spend eternity thanking my Heavenly Father.

Fancy Meetin' You Here

Noah was playing in the floor of the nursery yesterday when something caught his eye. He discovered a new friend! His friend has dark curly hair that his mother can never seem to tame, gorgeous blue eyes with long lashes that would make any woman envious, big kissable chubby cheeks and a smile that magically makes a smile appear on your own face. So, he crawled (well, I call it a crawl though it definitely isn't a very traditional crawl but he gets from point A to point B) over to say hello. Noah spent a good 20 minutes with his new bud just talking and laughing and slobbering on each other. I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

My Knights

Last night Chris and I stayed up later then we should have so Noah's wake-up call came much too early this morning. I rescued him from his crib, fed him, and ate my own breakfast and still no sign of Chris even thinking about getting out of bed. I, being the fabulous, motivating wife that I am, decided that he needed a little help. So I gave Noah the pleasure of bringing his father back from the dead. And boy was Noah up to the task. He promptly grabbed Chris's nose in one hand and a hand full of hair in the other and proceeded to show us how talented he has become in standing up. What a pleasant way to start your day, huh?

It is so great to see my 2 men together. Noah gets to see the side of Chris that only I have gotten to see so far. Chris can be very quiet and reserved in public but at home he is completely insane. He comes up with these ridiculous songs that he sings to Noah that make absolutely no sense whatsoever but Noah finds them hilarious. No one can get Noah to laugh like his daddy can. They are best buds and I wouldn't have it any other way. They are my knights. One in shining armor, one in a wet diaper.

Plz Tell Me It's a Phase

I love my son with everything in me but, lately, he has seriously been getting on my nerds! Let me lay out my grievances.

He has always been a really mellow kid that would go to anyone and be perfectly happy. But, just in the last week or so he has taken leave of his senses and become sooo clingy. All of the sudden he has developed a flare for dramatics. If I am not in his eyesight he will scream at the top of his lungs and he won't give it up, even if Chris is holding him. I have let him go on for like 20 minutes a couple of times and it just seems to make things worse. He has become 10 times more cuddly too (which, I admit, is a perk). He will lay there with his head on my shoulder for the longest, just popping up occasionally when something grabs his attention. But, if I set him down and, heaven forbid, leave the room, he goes hysterical. He had a meltdown in Old Navy today because I was pushing him in his stoller and because I had him forward facing he couldn't see me. He started screaming but as soon as I came around the front of the stroller he stopped and gave me a snotty smile.

Chris and I are trying to get our house ready to sale and I can't get anything accomplished during the day anymore. I'm going crazy!!


Advice?

Harry Potter and the Pumpkin Patch

Okay, I know I am seriously bias, but have you EVER seen a kid this cute in your life?!!



This pic was taken at our ward Trunk-or-Treat on Friday night. We all had a good time. Noah especially liked his cousin Taylor's ladybug costume. She had wings that he found particularly tasty.

The next morning some of us got together to go to Tate Farm. I had never been before so I was really looking forward to it. We made the plan to go several weeks ago and I suggested we go at 10:00am to "beat the heat". Well, we beat it all right. It was soo cold when we first got there. We were all bundled up and had our babies wrapped up like burritos. But, in spite of the crazy fridgedness (that is so not a word), we all had a great time.

Bedhead Duo

When Noah woke up this morning I just had to laugh. Because his hair is so long and curly it can get pretty out of control, especially when he sleeps. But, his hair was defying the laws of gravity this morning. I proceeded to take him into the bathroom to show him how hilarious he looked and to my dismay I discovered that my beauty sleep wasn't so kind to me last night either. Aren't we attractive?!

He is making his "concentration" face in this one.


You have to see a profile shot to truly appreciate this.


It's a good thing I have Chris locked in for eternity, huh?!

I'm A Big Kid Now

My baby doesn't listen to me. I tell him everyday that he HAS to stay my baby forever yet he insists on growing up. BRAT!

Noah is getting 2 teeth on the bottom. Teething has gone pretty well so far but he definitely has his moments lately. I guess I have been so spoiled with such an easy kid that know that he has his moments once in a while that I don't quite know how what to do with him.

He had his 6 mos check up last Tuesday. He weighted in at a whopping 21 lbs 8 oz and he is 26 3/4 inches long. Just more of him to LOVE!

We started him on solids as well. We have started him out on oatmeal cereal and it is so funny to watch him. Here are some pics to demonstrate how he feels about it. (sneak a peek at one of his teeth on the bottom)


Chris wanted to feed Noah his 1st solids. I was bummed at first but he was so cute with Noah that I soon forgave him.



We got a good bit down but when Noah decided he was done he clamped his mouth shut tight.

Moroni, My Hero

Chris and I are reading in Alma 43-44 right now. Capt. Moroni is kicking some Lamanite butt and being an all around stud. He isn't fighting for power but, for their “wives, and their children, that they might preserve them from the hands of their enemies” (Alma 43:9). I have read these chapters countless times but his integrity, devotion, and courage have really struck a cord with me over the last couple of days.

Zerahemnah, the bad guy pain in the tush, was “stir[ring] up the Lamanites to anger against the Nephites; this he did that he might usurp great power over them, and also that he might gain power over the Nephites by bringing them into bondage” (Alma 43:8). Chris and I both have short fuses and these verses made me think of how often I have let myself get "stirred up" over the silliest things, namely my pride, and how that is its own kind of bondage. I read so much into some of the things Chris does or doesn't do and I am sure that 99% of the time he is clueless. I marvel that the cause that stirred the courage and determination of the Nephites to fight with their LIVES was the cause of their wives and children, yet I will let something as trivial as the garbage set me off in anger. 3 Nephi tells us (I changed "brother" to "spouse"):

“And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy [spouse’s] eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

“Or how wilt thou say to thy [spouse]: Let me pull the mote out of thine eye—and behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

“Thou hypocrite, first cast the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast the mote out of thy [spouse’s] eye” (3 Ne. 14:3–5).

It is amazing I can see at all with all the "motes" I've got yet I can always find something to complain about whether out loud or in my selfish little mind.

On the Title of Liberty, Moroni outlines the things that I should be focused on.
"...In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives {or husbands}, and our children...". Amazingly, nowhere in there does it mention the garbage or putting your socks in the dirty clothes hamper. I have been letting the little, insignificant things affect the things that matter most to me in this world. President Spencer W. Kimball counseled: “Don’t just pray to marry the one you love. Instead, pray to love the one you marry” . GENIUS!

So, THANK YOU!, Capt. Moroni, for the reminder.

Storytime

I LOVE to read. It is one of the most relaxing things to me. Chris marvels all the time at how quickly I can make it thru a ginormous book. My mom is where I got the love to read. Whenever she wasn't doing a million different things for us kids or dad, you could find her curled up in her bed with a good book. That was HER time. I hope to pass my love onto my kids. I think I have a pretty good start on that.



Noah highly recommends this book. He thinks it is really good.


All that reading can wear a guy out!

There's No Place Like Home

Noah and I spent a week in Destin with a few of my brothers and sisters and their families. Chris couldn't come with us because we are broke and because his company is moving so he had tons of work to do for that and couldn't get away. I knew I would miss him but I honestly didn't realize how much. It started to really get hard around day 4 when I knew I had 3 more days to go until I saw him again. It was really hard on him too, especially being away from Noah. So, I wanted to send him a message to let him know that we missed him so much.




Noah wasn't a big fan of the beach. I don't think he liked the sand in his MANY crevices and I know I didn't like cleaning sand out of his many crevices. He didn't like the water either. I don't know if it was the temperature of the water or the fact that it was crashing into him that he didn't like. He preferred the pool so most of my pictures are of him in the pool.




Notice the angle of the float. Heehee!


My sis, Misty, did get some cute shots of him on our last day.






He did much better on the trip down to Destin then he did on the trip home (don't we all!). So, being the good mom that I am, I tried anything and everything to keep him distracted.



A BIG thank you to all in the family who made it possible for Noah and I to go even though we jumped on board so late. We had a great time and can't wait til reunion next year!

I MISSED IT!

Noah turned 6 mos yesterday. I have been stressing for about the last month that he has shown no inclination to roll over. He HATES floor time, in fact, I have dubbed it torture time, it is that bad. I have laid in the floor for hours and hours trying to entertain him and entice him to roll over but no success. Every one has been telling me to chill out about it and he will roll over in his own time. So, I
finally decided to take the advice and just let nature take its course. Welp, I was packing today for our trip to the beach next week and I went out to the garage for the suitcases. When I left him, he was on his tummy on the floor of my bedroom. When I returned HE WAS ON HIS BACK and looking quite confused as to how he got there. I couldn't believe it. I screamed with excitement and scared the crap out of him. I tried and tried to get him to do it again but he just wanted to play with his soccer ball. That is soo my luck.

I had resigned myself to the fact that he may not roll over at all because he has started doing push ups. I try to show him to get on his knees but he always goes back to lifting himself up on his toes. My 6 month old can do WAY more push ups than I can. How pathetic is that.







He has also started to shimmy. I can't say it is crawling or even army crawling because he will scoot around on his hands and toes. But he usually only goes backward and gets pretty upset when he hits a road block.


I was doing dishes and all the sudden he started screaming bloody murder so I go running in the living room expecting blood or something and this is what I find. And, like a good mom, I left him in his misery long enough to catch it on film.

He is so amazing. Everyday he does something new. Have I mentioned lately that I LOVE BEING A MOMMY!!!!

P.S. My sis-in-law, Sarah, gave birth to Ava Brielle Mayfield at 8:30 on Oct 3. She is exactly 6 mos younger then Noah. She was 6 lbs 13 oz. She is insanely cute. She has the tiniest nose I have ever seen. She looks a lot like Georgia. I am so happy for James and Sarah. Mommy and baby are doing well.