My Son - The Lady's Man

Baby Clay has always had a way with the ladies... he's a little flirt! He's got a girlfriend at daycare... he's got a girlfriend in ATL... and now he's got a crush on our waitress at the local Wing Joint. Typically, his idea of flirting is flashing his cute little smile and then playing shy. He likes them all ages too... no discrimination here! Well, tonight he took his flirting to a whole new level. He was sitting in his booster seat at the end of the table when the waitress came to take our order. She was standing right next to him and he would look at her and smile. I guess he must have really liked her because next thing I know he was reaching his little hand over and grabbed her butt! The waitress was definitely surprised! It was hysterical! Oh, Baby Clay! Growing up so fast!

Here's a few pictures of my little heart-breaker:

Stand Up!

We have reached another big milestone around here! Baby Clay can now pull himself up to standing... ALL - BY - HIMSELF!! He's been pulling himself up with a little assistance, but now, it's all on his own! And now that he knows how to do it, he pulls up on EVERYTHING! I was wondering if he would figure out how to get himself down... and he did... he just plops back down on his butt... and then pulls himself back up! I'm sure walking is just right around the corner!

Where in the World Have we Been???

I just want to apologize to my faithful following – all 2 of you – for my horrible lack of blog posting. I never go this long without a blog or even a quick picture of Baby Clay! I do have a good excuse, though! I have been having a horrible battle with the nasty swine flu sinus infection and I’m finally feeling back to myself! It all started last Thursday when we were on our way to ATL for a wedding I had been looking so forward too! I couldn’t breathe through my nose, so I started nasal irrigation (not pleasant, but it usually works!). Let’s just say, I thought on numerous occasions over the weekend that I was going to have to go to the emergency room because I felt SOOOO bad! I’ve never had a sinus infection that bad! Needless to say, I made it through and even went to the gorgeous wedding (which I’ve got some pictures to show off later).

While at the wedding, Baby Clay got to stay with my parents, his Nana and G. He’s stayed with them overnight before, but this was his first full weekend with them! He did great (and so did they)!! He even slept late for them! I can’t get him to sleep past 6:15 over here… and he was sleeping well past that with them! He got to go with them to their usual breakfast place and to the Chiropractor’s office. He had a big time! My sister and her hubby brought Cadence over to play and take some pictures (which I will post as soon as I get them – Hint, Hint, Juli). I sure did miss my baby, but was glad he had a great time with his Nana and G.

Now back to the wedding… IT WAS GORGEOUS!!!!!! The wedding took place at a cute farm and they got married under a big huge tree. It was a very laid-back, casual wedding. The guys were in khaki suits and the girls were in chocolate brown dresses. The bride and the groom are 2 very good friends of ours from ATL. We’ve known Jason for a while now and he started dating Leigh a few years ago (I’m not good with time – so I really have no clue how long they’ve been together - I think it's been a couple of years). From the very first time I met Leigh, I loved her! She is a wonderful person and I’m so glad she and Jason are together! My favorite part of the ceremony was the song they walked out to when they were pronounced husband and wife… Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours”. It couldn’t have been more perfect! They had a wonderful band at the reception and we dined on shrimp and grits, mac & cheese, fried green tomatoes and bar-b-que. It was fabulous!

Sunday we picked up Baby Clay and headed back home. I was still feeling HORRIBLE, so we drove to the big city and went to the doc-in-the-box. As we were walking back to the exam room, I saw THE DOCTOR... I probably should have run out of there as fast as possible, but I felt so bad I didn't care what she did to me. Now I'm sure you're wondering why in the world I'd be afraid of this doctor... let's just say, I don't think she graduated top of her class. The last time I was there I had a terrible infection on my finger... had no clue how I got it... but her solution was to put my infected finger in a splint and give me a prescription for steroid cream. Hmmmm... I know I'm not a doctor, but I'm pretty sure you don't treat an infection with a splint. Needless to say, I went to see my real doctor the next week and he gave me a prescription for an antibiotic and a tetanus shot. So... now you see why I was a little reluctant to have her examine me. I was pretty sure I had a sinus infection and so was she, so I trusted her judgement on the injections they gave me (I made sure they told me exactly what they were giving me). I did question her choice of antibiotics and ended up finding a doctor here in my new town and am taking good ole' amoxicillan (which by the way, I completely forgot to take... hold on...).

So enough about my medical drama... all you're interested in is the pictures. I have to apologize for these too... I caught a nasty virus on my computer, so I'm at the mercy of stuff I uploaded to the internet as well as pictures I highjacked from a friend's blog (don't worry, I'll give her props).

The Happy Couple

(this is the pic I can't take credit for - my good buddy Melissa took this one)

Mark looking dapper in his suit

The Goats that attended the wedding :)

Mark and I at the reception

The Girls: Jenny, Kristin, Christy, Melissa and Me

And of course a few pictures of Baby Clay!

This was on the way there - he just looked so sweet and peaceful!

With his Nana

Big Boy Seat

Someone really likes their big boy carseat!

He just looks so little in that big seat! Bless his heart... he was spilling out of the baby bucket so we desperately needed to get him a new seat. Now he has room to roam. We are still trying to figure out how in the world we are going to get it to go in my little backseat. (I drive a the biggest 4-door car that Acura makes, so you'd think the backseat would have a little more room!) The big headrest part can be taken off, but it says if they are over 22 pounds it has to be on. Technically he's 22 pounds 11 oz so maybe we can get away without the headrest for a couple of weeks. And he's no where near the height line that requires the headrest to be attached, so maybe we can last a little longer without it.

I would also like to point out the interesting things I encountered at the Wally World today... one being someone hiding in the bathroom stall smoking a cigarette. Really?!? Can you not walk a few more steps and smoke your cigarette outside!?! The other interesting thing being 2 children... with only a diaper on. Granted, one was a baby, but the other... a toddler... walking on its own! Now I am all about popping Baby Clay in a onesie and taking him places (and it's a cute onesie, by the way), but for goodness sake... Put some clothes on those kids!

And just in case you're wondering... I am liking it much better here. It's just taking some time, but I'm meeting new people, finding entertainment in things I encounter around here (like almost stepping in a big ole' pile of tobacco chew in the Wally World parking lot), and have replaced my Starbuck's addiction with Sonic slushies and Cherry Cokes. It all seems to be working out!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you Mommy's out there!!

I'm spending Mother's Day with my 2 favorite guys (well, 3 if you count my little furry guy). We're not doing anything special... just hanging out, napping, fixing up the house a little bit and then heading into town to eat at one of our favorite restaurants! I couldn't ask for a better 1st Mother's Day!

And this is why I LOVE being a mommy...

My new favorite picture!

Happy 8 Months Old, Baby Clay!!!

Today my sweet baby is 8 months old! That’s just crazy to me! Only 4 more months and he’s going to be 1 year old! So much has been going on lately with the move and daycare switch… time has just been flying by!

So what’s Baby Clay up to these days?

Well, he is still doing the modified army crawl… and is pretty quick at it. There is no obstacle that he can’t crawl over and he wants to crawl all the time! I have a feeling he’s going to skip the whole “crawling on all fours” and move right to walking! And speaking of walking… I’m sure that’s right around the corner! He’s starting to pull up with a little assistance and he’s starting to “cruise” (as they call it in the baby magazines and books) while holding onto things (couch, crib, me). He loves it when we hold his hands and “help” him walk. Needless to say, he’s VERY mobile! We are making good use of the jumperoo and his baby condo (or fenced in area) to keep him corralled.

He’s also working on his 2nd tooth! The first one popped through a couple of weeks ago and this second one isn’t far behind. I was actually able to take a few pictures of him showing them off (which I’ll post at the end of this). He’s still eating breakfast and dinner and loves just about everything that is non-fruit related. The fruits are touch-and-go. One day he’ll LOVE pears - then the next day he can’t stand them! And he still loves his milk. With his new daycare situation, he seems to be drinking more of it… which means less stored up in the big ole’ freezer… which means it’s not looking like I can stop the whole pumping thing as early as I was hoping.

He’s still babbling a lot, but not really saying any words yet and it’s so easy to make him laugh. He loves music and will move his little legs to the beat (or at least I like to think he’s moving them to the beat). He loves books that make sound. His daddy reads to him every night before bed and he has a favorite book that makes a quacking noise when you press a button. He knows exactly where the button is and has to press it. He still loves Elmo and will go nuts when he comes on TV.

Besides the whole crawling and occasionally pulling up, his biggest accomplishment in the last few weeks is being able to sit himself up from his tummy. Now that he’s mastered it, he’s sitting up all the time! He’ll crawl over to a toy and then sit up to play with it. He’s also becoming very independent and wanting to hold his bottle on his own, but also wants mommy to hold it every once in a while.

He’s still a great sleeper and will go to bed around 7:30 or 8:00 and sleep until 6:30 or later! When he’s home with us during the day, he’s a good napper… sometimes napping 3 or 4 hours in the afternoon! At daycare, not so much… there’s too much to play with there, so it’s maybe a few short 45 minute naps.

And his weight… well, according to his last doctor’s appointment this past Monday, he’s 22 pounds 11 ounces. He’s actually down a few ounces from a few weeks ago. I guess all that crawling is slimming him down. We just got his new big boy car seat and are in the process of figuring out how in the world to put that big thing in my little back seat. If he could face forward in it, it would fit perfectly, but we still have to wait until he’s 1 to be able to turn it around. And NO, I’m not getting a mini van!

Well, that about does it for his 8 month post! I can’t wait to see what new things he does next month!

Here are some pictures I took this morning! I love this cute little outfit… Mark thinks he looks like a picnic table cloth, but I like it!

(These were all so cute! I couldn't decide which ones to post, so you're getting them all!)

If you look closely, you can see his cute little tooth on the bottom right

Sneak Peak!

Yes, I know I haven't updated in FOREVER, but I'm still buried under a "small" pile of boxes... not to mention LOTS going on at work as well another bout with double ear infections (Clay - not me). Anyways, the house is not "blog ready" for me to show off, so you're just going to have to deal with this sneak peak at my gorgeous chandelier!



I'd like to note that every single one of those crystals (all 60-something of them) were "hand-hung" by me! Actually, it really didn't take that long... and I LOVE it! It was my bargain find of the century! I had seen it on Pottery Barn.com and was just about to hit the purchase button when I decided to Google it. Well, I'm glad I did because I found it on Overstock.com for $150 cheaper - AND in a finish I liked better!


But, enough about the chandelier... so... how am I liking my new city, you might be wondering. Well... this might have helped a teensy, weensy bit...



Oh, yes! It's what you think it is! I have found my Starbucks. Well, actually, I think the place I found it at just serves the Starbucks coffee, but that in a beautiful Starbuck's cup is a White Chocolate Mocha and it tastes pretty close to a Starbuck's White Mocha... so let's just pretend it really is one (the cup makes it taste better). They don't have my frappuccinos that I love so much in the summer, so I'll have to go back "to town" to get those, but this will do!


And let's not forget about Baby Clay! He's adjusting well to his new daycare. He likes his new teachers and always comes home happy and worn out! He's gotten to go outside and swing and LOVES it!


Last week we met my mom, sister and Cadence at my Grandmother's and Aunt's house and had a great time catching up. Clay just loved Cadence! Every time she'd talk he would laugh hysterically!


Here are a couple of pictures from that visit.

Clay with his Great-Granny laughing at Cadence

And tomorrow... my little baby turns the BIG 8 months! Are you kidding me??!!?? He's just growing up so fast *sniff*!! I'll be sure to have one of those really long update posts to let you know all the new and fascinating things he's doing! :)

Wordy Wednesday

I'm still buried under a pile of boxes, but it's getting smaller and smaller. We're hoping to knock a big chunk out of it this weekend! The house is still a work-in-progress - a few things left to do, but it's getting there. Hopefully, by this weekend, everything will be complete (with the exception of some unpacking and decorating). I LOVE the new house! It's gorgeous! Clay loves his new bedroom and Monte... well, let's say he's a little ticked off that he has to get used to a new house. He's content to sit on a comforter in which ever room I move it to. He won't even attempt the stairs!

And as far as the new town... well, let's just say I need some time... LOTS of time. I'll have to get back with ya'll on that :).

But I do have some pictures! Surprise, surprise!

Crawling around in his new bedroom

Funny face!

The view out my office window - isn't it gorgeous!

Monte refusing to look at me - he's actually pouting and has been for the last couple of days

First bath in the new house in the big boy bathtub!

And look at those back wrinkles!! (I did have some cute "baby butt" shots, but I'll save him the embarrassment of posting them on the internet for all to see! Even though they were REALLY cute!)