Happy 3

Christmas 2006

Wedding Rehearsal

July 21, 2007

July 21, 2010

Yesterday was our 3 year anniversary! It is hard to believe it has already been three years, but in some ways it seems like so many more. I have loved and cherished every moment. Here are a few things I have learned about Richard so far:

1. Loves God.

2. Hogs the covers and hangs his feet over the footboard of our queen bed.

3. Will make everything a competition-even changing channels on the t.v. and turning off the fan.

4. His toilet paper always has to roll over- never under.

5. Can completely cover a bathroom counter in toothpaste right after it has been cleaned.

6. Excellent daddy.

7. Enjoys all sports and coaching all sports....except soccer.

8. Basketball outranks them all.

9. Only fits himself in his truck as the rest of the room is taken by garbage, clothes, papers, etc.

10. Willing to clean out said truck in a moments notice to help out anyone.

11. Procrastinator.

12. Treasures our families.

13. Will get out of bed to turn off a forgotten light left on even if it is freezing outside the covers.

14. Misinterprets the words "pearl ring" for "Nintendo Wii".

15. Would be very successful in a job where making fun of people was the main objective.

16. Will laugh out loud if something is funny.

17. Despises having his picture taken.

18. Can drink a whole gallon of tea in one day- especially Gigi's.

19. Opinionated and will speak his mind...unless it involves whipped cream on a milkshake.

20. Likes reeeeaaaalllly chocolatey homemade chocolate milk before bed about once a week.

21. Grossed out by belly buttons.

22. Makes notes and notes and notes about basketball and leaves them all over the house.

23. Always wears socks, even around the house, and hates flip flops.

24. Has an adorable baby talk voice...although he swore he'd never talk baby talk.

25. Tries to make deals in his sleep.

26. Puts me before himself daily.

Pretty much, I have the best husband in the world! Usually we go to the beach for a few days for our anniversary. Last year, I was pregnant on our anniversary, and we didn't know! The doctor actually called us while we were on the road to the beach, told us that we were not pregnant and would have to try again the next month. Little did we all know that Silas was already forming in my womb. God is awesome! Anyway, this year we decided that since we just got our pool and just had a baby, we would stay in Dothan. A wonderful dinner and movie as long as Gone with the Wind later, we headed back home to see Si.

I hadn't seen Silas all day! It was the longest I have ever been away from him. I had a dentist appointment in the morning, and Richard needed to go to his parents and use his wonderful handyman skills to help Greg erect their new pool. So, Grandmother kept Si that morning. (Of course I don't have a picture because Richard didn't take any, so I attached an older one. :) ) Then, Mimi came over to keep him so that we could go on our first date since he was born. It was wonderful and strange. I was ready to see him...that's certain! I do know this, I am NOT ready to leave him all day to go back to school.

Grandmother

Mimi

Right now, as I was typing this, Si giggled for the first time!!!! It was adorabus!!! It sounded like a tiny coughing laugh. Precious!!! He is getting so big! I mean that literally as well. Over the last couple of days every outfit I have put him in has been too small in the stride. He is oficially outgrowing his bubbles. So sad!!! His daddy does like jon jons better, so it is good news for him I guess. Here are a couple pics from last week.

There's nothing better...

After a quick trip to the doctor, where Si was diagnosed with a clogged tear duct and weighed in at a measly 16 lbs 1 oz, the two of us headed off to Selma. (Richard, forever a coach, had to stay home for football practice.) Silas traveled wonderfully, sleeping the entire way. I, on the other hand, jammed out to some much loved country music that my husband refuses to listen to. When we arrived, I was met in the driveway with the most wonderful smiles belonging to Gigi and G-daddy.

Before I could turn around, G-daddy had Silas inside, and Gigi was in quick step behind. I did momentarily distract her with a pot of flowers. Once we made it inside, I saw the cutest thing I have seen in a long time; my 81 year old Graddaddy was on all fours next to Si's carseat carrying on a precious conversation with him. It was a wonderful moment in time that I couldn't document because my camera was still in the car. He said he didn't know how to "get him out of that contraption" so he just decided to sit down there with him. ADORABUS!!

I was a little nervous about how Silas would do with the change in his routine. Thankfully, he eased my nerves with his transition. He did great! I think that had to do with the extra dose of love he received from the family the entire trip. Silas loved having Gigi feed him. She gently snuggled him up and made sure he drank all 8 oz at every feeding. Gigi even pulled late night duty with me and fed him at the 10 pm feeding each night! Truly, I only fed him twice the entire time we were in Selma- and, thanks to Gigi, I bet he now weighs 17 lbs!

On Tuesday, Si had his 3 month photo shoot. G-daddy missed the commotion as he was performing his civic duty and working at the polls...hope you voted!!

Silas, after 2 days of non-stop smiles, decided that the photo shoot was a time to be serious. I mean nothing could make him smile. Really. Check out our attempts... (The pics are a little dark. I had already uploaded them before I realized they needed lightening.)

Finally, we all got quiet, and Gigi talked to him. That, of course, brought forth some large grins! Thankfully, I think Blanton was able to capture a couple before the sleep meltdown occurred.

While we were there, Si got lots of laughs with all of his stretching. Everytime Gigi would hold him, look at him, or start to feed him, he would contort his body in strange ways while stretching. G-daddy was convinced that it was because he slept swaddled up. Anytime Silas would even look like he was maybe thinking about moving something, G-daddy said it was because he couldn't move anything in his sleep since I had him tied down. Good news for G-daddy...last night Si slept unswaddled for the first time!!!

There are some things I just love about being at Gigi's and G-daddy's.

Sadly, Wednesday afternoon, Si and I had to pack up and return to Dothan. I definitely miss being with Gigi and G-daddy; however, it was great to be home with my two boys.

3 dwarfs in 2 days

Well, my little buddy sure was Grumpy yesterday, but at about 9:00 he became truly Sleepy. Today, he awoke one Happy fellow, so I was able to take some better 14 week pictures!



Grinning for the camera.



LOVE that crinkled nose!!



Daddy cracks him up.



So proud to be standing.



Holding on like a big boy.



Sooooo big!



If only you could hear the noise that accompanied this face.

And this face. ADORABUS!

Seriously bubbling!

14 weeks

Si is 14 weeks old today! I can't believe it! Here are some comparison pictures of Silas with John Brown.

6 weeks

12 weeks

14 weeks

Time sure has flown by! As I was glancing through my pictures of Silas, becoming increasinly sentimental, I wished I had taken Mimi's advice and taken a picture of him each week with John Brown...or at least on the 2nd of every month. Guess I'll just have to start now!! Silas is rather grumpy today and refused to smile even for a single picture, but I kept snapping anyway!

We are headed to Selma on Monday to see Gigi, G-daddy, Graunt Judy, Gruncle Barry, Blan, and Anna Reed. While we are there, Blan will be taking Si's 3 month photos. Look for them soon!

Check out some of his work at http://www.blantonreedphoto.com/.

The Fourth and More

We have had an excellent couple of days! First of all, Aunt Cait was able to leave her "crazies" and come visit us! Of course, Mimi and Chubbs went out of town on a mini-vaca, but at least she finally had a bed in her own house! Aunt Cait couldn't believe how chubby Si has become...frequently I have walked in on Richard calling him "Biscuit." (Let me officially document that I am not pro the nickname Biscuit, but it is hilarious hearing Richard call Silas that in his baby talk voice.)

Cait and I use any excuse to make her absolute favorite, Funfetti anything. Be prepared for a Funfetti wedding cake when she gets married. She is serious about it!!

Yummmm! (Ignore the Christmas cupcake liners!) As you will see later, Zachary really enjoyed them!

Silas decided that he loved his highchair! It makes him feel very included to be in the mix of our chaos. We just wheeled him wherever we were in the kitchen while we were cooking...well, while Caitlin was cooking.

Unfortunately, Cait had to return to her job, so she was not here for the holiday. (Think of it this way, Cait. Time and a half pay!!) On Sunday, after a mad dash to ensure the house was ready, we had our families, my bestie Elizabeth, and her son Parker over for Independence Day. I didn't take a picture of our delicious spread because I didn't want to pine after it as I ate my Weight Watchers friendly foods all week, but let's just say it was overwhelmingly amazing!!!

After dinner, the adults chatted.

The kids really enjoyed the home grown watermelon,

the home-made ice cream, evident by Parker's shirt,

and, Aunt Cait's Funfetti cupcakes! It was an absolute blast!!

Zachary ate his in one bite.

Now that our pool is fully functional (thanks Daddy and Grandaddy!) much swimming took place. I was too busy vulturing over the spread to take a picture; from the noise, I could tell that fun was commencing!

Today, Daddy and Chubbs went to play the worst round of golf they have played all year. I asked Mimi if she wanted to come over for breakfast since the men were gone. Before she could get here, I fell back asleep and woke up to a flash.

No, Si does not sleep with us. He sleeps in his crib. However, every once in a while, after the 6 a.m. feeding, I do love a good snuggly nap!

Silas also had a big week. His new favorite trick is bubble blowing. This was a tiny session, but I had my camera handy.

He got to watch his first Baby Einstein video, and adored it! He "gooed" and "ahhed" and "squealed" throughout the whole thing!

When it was over, he did this for the first time!!

I was completely shocked!!!! I had about decided that slugging was his preference, so I watched him awestruck at the fact that he just rolled onto his side until Richard shouted, "Take a picture!! Take a picture!!" It was definitely a great Fourth!

Shout out to Uncle Greg!! Happy belated Father's Day!!