32 years, 32 months, and 15 weeks

Happy Birthday to me!!

I got a new picture of my children for my birthday!! YEA!!

Love my Tigers...even if they didn't win...

We played the Auburn Tigers...was really hoping for a win. Unfortunately, it just didn't happen. Oh well...we looked cute while trying to win!

Friday, September 17 -- 14 weeks and 4 days

Guess who rolled over today!!! WOW!!! Time is flying by and my baby is growing so quickly!!

Chillin' in Ryan's crib

These 2 are so cute together. Ryan wanted "Kait" to chill in his crib. That would be "so cooool" as he is saying these days. Really, just too funny the things that come out of his mouth!

Just thought I would add this b/c I just love the outfit!! (thank you Jamie, Brooks, & Girls) I would have gotten more pictures, but (note to self) baby needs to be strapped in the swing from here on out. While I was taking her picture she slipped right out -- and no, she didn't get hurt, but it sure startled us both.

Birmingham friends

There really is something in the water here. Not only do I have my 2 neighbors that have children close (by a few weeks) to both of my children, but I am in a supper club with the same situation!!

There are 6 couples in the group - 4 of us had babies between May 26 and June 23/24. Crazy, huh?

These are 2 of the babies - May 26 and June 18, I think.

We had a really good time the other night grilling out and just hanging with all of the kids in the backyard. Can't wait to do it again!!

The Beach

Our first beach trip with the B's and my parents. Wow...we had a blast. Ryan KEEPS asking where are Bo, Betsy, and Ben??? He just doesn't seem to understand that we won't see them everyday. He loves his cousins...especially Bo. Our little one follows Bo everywhere!!

We got down to the beach ahead of everyone else - on Wednesday. (just in time for that wonderful little hurricane to pass by) We got lucky though, all the hurricane brought was a nice cool wind. We made it down to the beach Wednesday evening with both children to walk around and show Ryan what it was all about. The rest of the week was spent with someone constantly taking turns on keeping Kaitlyn inside. It was so much fun to spend uninterrupted time with ALL of the B's. That is something we have never done and I really hope we get to do it again one day very soon. The kids were awesome together. I hardly ever had to wonder what Ryan was up to. He was with "the big kids" somewhere playing and we just didn't have to worry about them. That was really cool. Very different than normal where one of us usually has to be watching out or helping entertain. These kids can all play forever and entertain themselves....ahhh, Bliss!!!

I actually got some time away - went to Carter's outlet with my Mom and bought out the store...hahaha and went shopping a little with Beth. Very fun and nice to have a little break from my little ones. :)

All in all, I just can't say enough about how much fun we had. Ryan loved the beach and I can't wait to take BOTH of our children next year. Ryan had NO FEAR and was constantly trying to go deeper in the water. Oh, something that hasn't ever happened to me before.... The police/lifeguard patrol came zooming up the beach one late morning. All of us were out there except Mike because he was at the house waiting for Kaitlyn to wake up. Anyway, we all wondered what the urgency was and we saw groups of people rushing out of the water in waves. Soon the lifeguard made his way to us and said that some sharks had been spotted. We looked out in the ocean and could see a school of fish swimming and circling their way up the coastline. After watching a few minutes the school of fish were flying out of the water. Then it looked like the circled up and WHOA - out jump 4 SHARKS at once. It was insane!! These were small sharks...only a few feet, but they were RIGHT IN FRONT OF US...and I mean right in front of us. We would have been eaten. The patrol said that they were bull sharks. Yea, great...a very aggressive shark in the water right at my hips...OMG! He also said that a 7 foot shark had been feeding on that school of fish down the coast a little bit. We didn't see that one, but I hope it had already had it's fill.

We did go back in the water, but not very deep. :)

My aunt and cousins came over one night and kept our brood of 5....God bless them. That was a huge treat for the 6 of us to go out. We haven't done that since before Bo was born. So fun!! I think our little munchkins wore everyone out that night!

Unfortunately, we had to leave on Sunday late afternoon to get ready to make the 6 hour drive back on Labor Day...it was so awesome being home for so long and getting to do so much, but I guess now we are ready to head back to reality...back to our house...

The fam, minus Kaitlyn
Brian and Kaitlyn

Gigi and Kaitlyn. Can you believe she LIKES sleeping like this?? Don't get it, just don't get it!

Ben and Bo with Ryan's new blower (courtesy of Doc)

Ben taking his turn

ryan sure does love Bo!

Ben and his trucks

The Cousins

Ben, Ryan, Betsy, Bo, and Kaitlyn

Kaitlyn did so good for the 2 weeks we were out of town. She took pretty good naps, went to bed every night about 10 (we stay on central time while in SC), and slept in almost EVERY morning until 9:30 or 10am. Unreal, huh...yea, I thought so too.

Here she is on her 12 week birthday.

Hanging at the lake house

We find lots of stuff to do while at the lake. Lately, fishing has been one of them. So much so, that Ryan had to get in on the action.

He was so cute listening intently to what Mike was telling him and then learning to cast his rod. My little one is growing up so fast...sad.

Guess I should tell him that though -- maybe if I keep reiterating what a "big boy" he is I won't have to deal with diapers anymore!!

Sweet college friends

I had a packed week while I was home. I got to celebrate an engagement with my sweet friend Emily. We are so excited for her and Brunson and praying continuously that he comes home swiftly and safely from Afghanistan. (of course I forgot my camera)

I had a playdate with my maid-of-honor, Jennie and her 2 little ones. So much fun to get some time to share our lives. It happens too infrequently. (again, forgot my camera)

Spent some time at a park with Regan and Lea and their kiddos. So fun to get out of the house for a while and do something different. Really enjoyed seeing y'all. Sorry I am CONSISTENTLY late!! Guess you can count on me for something...being late that is.

Lastly, I had a playdate with Lauren and Mary Catherine. They drove in from Charlotte and Conway for the morning and we had a great time with our 3 two year olds, a 6 month old, and Kaitlyn at 3 months. Finally remembered my camera. It was such a blessing to have sweet friends take the time out of their schedules to visit with me. I so appreciate it and can't wait to return the favor. Love you all and can't wait to see you again VERY SOON!

Lauren, Ashley and Mary Catherine

MC, Lauren and Maggie, Ashley and Kaitlyn

Annie and Ryan coloring on the sidewalk

MC and Maggie

Maggie

2 weeks gone...

Wow, 2 weeks FLY by!

We decided that since Mike "had" to go to Napa for ANOTHER week of awesome food, awesome wine, and very little work (hahaha) that I would spend that time in Columbia. We drove in on Sunday and Mike left at 6:45am Monday morning. So, I am left to my own devices as my Mom works 11 hours of the day and my mother-in-law is out of town tending to my sister-in-law who just had her baby...

So, i decide to try potty training. I mean, I am at home, at the lake and it will be the "perfect" time to get this done. Yea, right. Noone counted on the fact that my child is BEYOND stubborn. Can you believe that in a 12-13 hour day he only went "potty" 2 times. (and neither of these was actually IN the potty) He held it ALL day. So, we wake up Tuesday morning ready to tackle this again. By naptime (which is close to 3pm in SC) I had had it!! We had accident after accident and still not one successful potty attempt. I now have my child telling me that he is not a big boy. He is a little boy and therefore too little to pee/poop in the potty. He looked at Mike last night and said, "I not grow up too fast...I Mommy's little boy" Oh, what have I done?!?!?

Needless to say, we are still in diapers. I decided that when we try this again, Mike will be present so maybe that male influence will help things alot. Of course, since this 2 day period Ryan has told us consistently before every "potty" moment. Unfortunately, he also tells us that "I just go in my diaper. I not go in potty today" Lovely...

While we were home Ryan helped Pop cut LOTS of grass and we got a visit from Doc with a gift of a blower that ABSOLUTELY made Ryan's day. He was SO EXCITED!!!!

Dot and Kaitlyn - 12 weeks

Dot came by to visit also. Ryan being a ham in the pictures. 2 year olds...what are you gonna do with them?