Teething Much?

This is the video Daniel took during our drive down to the coast Memorial Day weekend. I can feel and possibly see signs of a tooth on the bottom, but not enough to say he's gotten his first tooth. Any doubts after watching this video that it's coming?

T-minus 3 days until vacation! Needless to say, this week is miserable and dragging horribly! I would love to go home and pack up the car, but that would be jumping the gun just a bit. We'll have to do another load of laundry before packing up I'm sure! Come on Friday afternoon!

Ipad demo

Trying out kent's ipad. It is hard to type on for sure. I am a fast keyboard typer, so it is weird to pick and peck! Over all it is cool, but for the things i would use it for i am just not sure. We'll see.

7 months old!

Tired of me being shocked by how quickly time flies? Me too! I had lunch with some sorority sisters this weekend, and one of them said, "Sullivan is like 4 months old now?". Uhh no, he's more than half a year old. I'm going to blink and he'll be in college I swear. SCARY!

Anyways, in honor of his 7 months, I decided post some naked baby pics! We've taken some naked baby video that will be saved for the first time he brings home a girlfriend or something equally embarrassing. We tried to keep these discreet, with just a hint of adorable baby buns! :) Ok, maybe more than a hint on this first one, but wth.




Our latest milestone achieved was our first trip to the pool! Sullivan seemed to really enjoy chewing on his pool floaty and splashing/hitting the water with his hand. On a side note, I really liked this 'Mommy and Me' pool float. It was nice for me to have something to float around on too. This way we could both comfortably float in the deep end to avoid any splashing, etc. I bought another pool float just for him, but then grabbed this one at Wal Mart recently. Glad I did!


Sullivan and his Dad hittin' the bottle together. This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.


Beach trip updates. Sooooo, we briefly allowed the media to freak us out about our trip and cancelled. When we called back to rebook the same place, we ended up getting 1 night free and an additional 20% off and a total refund if beaches get closed. We ended up saving $500+. Not too shabby! If the beaches are bad, the pool, big kahunas, outlet malls, food, and relaxation will keep us occupied.

What Sullivan is up to these days: still lots of rolling and really enjoys hanging out on his belly/pushing up. He mainly rolls/scoots to get where he wants to go. Definitely doesn't qualify as a crawl yet. He's been sleeping like a champ for the last 2 months-ish. I didn't want to say much about it since every time I do, he quits. I think he's truly in a pattern now though. I'll let you know tomorrow if I've jinxed myself once again. He goes to bed between 7:30 and 8, sleeps until 5 or 6am, has a bottle and goes back to sleep until 7:30 or later! Wow, it's been so nice! He's doing great with his eating (except he still won't eat any meat products). He hardly makes a mess at all these days! He'll copy me saying 'mmmmm' after he eats something tasty! Doesn't care for a sippy cup yet, but we'll slowly keep trying. He LOVES to watch you speak, sing and make repetitive sounds. He'll watch your mouth to intently and usually smile alot. I have a feeling he's just absorbing it all and plans to start replying in full sentences one of these days! He is extremely curious about new things and anything you might be doing while holding him. He smiles at new people, but usually gets teased and hides his head in your shoulder once they start smiling back at him. He loves to watch you clap, sing, or dance. And nothing makes him laugh harder than his daddy 'having a baby sandwich'. Basically involves Daniel holding him on his back and 'biting' him all along his side and belly. I'll have to post video of this soon. Very cute.

Memorial Weekend Coast Trip

Well, we survived Sullivan's first long car ride to the Coast! He actually did really great! We stopped once on the way down for a quick bottle and diaper change, so made decent time. This long weekend was certainly not relaxing, but it was very nice to see lots of friends and family. Our first stop upon reaching the Coast was to Daniel's Aunt and Uncles house/B & B, Chateau Blessey. We enjoyed lovely drinks and appetizers on the front porch while watching the gulf and the schooners going by. Sullivan got his first look at the ocean! After unwinding from the drive a bit, the Blesseys fed us a wonderful meal (as always)!


getting some loving from Aunt Katherine


getting love and a bottle from his Nanna!




Sullivan was very entertained by Uncle Walter!



On Saturday, Sullivan got to meet his other Great Grandmother, Boosha, for the first time! He was quite a hit at the assisted living home! The residents kept wanting to hold him and talked about his sweet disposition, and his good looks, of course! My favorite line of the day: Kids are just like dogs, they know when people like 'em! :)



This is Mr. Hall. He is retired air force and was a elementary school principal for 20 years. He is 94 years young and has all his own teeth. He LOVED Sullivan! I sort of feel like a pageant announcer with that description. :)



Saturday night Sullivan got to 'eat' at Jocelyn's in Ocean Springs for the first time! It was wonderful to see Ms. Jocelyn and her grandson, Patrick again. The food was outstanding as always!


Sullivan and his Nanna worked very hard on blow bubbles together!


Sunday morning we moved on to Mobile to visit MORE family! They were so excited about our arrival, they planned a shrimp boil party for us! I didn't get a photo of all the lovely decorations the girls made and put up, but I sure wish I had! It was a great party with lots of wonderful boiled shrimp with all the fixins!


Uncle Daniel's attention and lap were as in demand as always! My nieces love their silly uncle Daniel!


Madeline was a wonderful help with Sullivan. She had him laughing so hard! My Mom got a video, so I'll have to see if I can get it and upload it here! It's awesome!


All in all, the trip was great! I think Daniel and I had shrimp at every meal except breakfasts! Gotta love the Coast! The return trip was a little long, but we made it! It was good practice for our beach trip which is just 3 weeks away! WooHoo!

On the milestones topic, Sullivan starting rolling from back to front and front to back like he'd been doing it all his life. I don't know what clicked, but he now loves rolling from back to front and then scooting over to whatever toy is out of his grasp! Our days are numbered before crawling kicks in! Lord help us then! Sullivan also has a white speck on his gum where a tooth is popping through! I have another hilarious video of him rubbing his Sophie giraffe along his gums.

Weekend update

We had a nice weekend at home, but it FLEW by. I have no idea where Saturday went except for our 3 hour stint to Wal-Mart (aka hell), Home Depot and Kroger. I made the mistake of telling Daniel I would just do the grocery shopping at Wal-mart since we needed to run by there and would be on that side of town. I told Daniel to slap some sense into me the next time I say that. It never fails that Wal-Mart doesn't have like 3 crucial things I need for my grocery list! So I end up going to Kroger anyways. NEVER AGAIN!

Sullivan tried his first 'meat' this weekend. I use the term loosely for chicken and broth baby food in a jar. Looks and smells just like dog food. Sullivan has enjoyed every food he's had so far...until this one. I don't blame him. I wouldn't eat that crap. So, Bailey got to enjoy some pureed chicken and broth. I'm going to have to find the time to make my own meat baby food apparently. Suggestions from other parents out there? I have some ham, beef, and turkey, but I can't imagine those are any better than the chicken. So nasty. So anyways, you can see from his face below, how he felt about it. It was so bad he didn't even want his sweet potatoes or juice after that.


Trying to get the taste out of his mouth:


I finally got Sullivan some shades. They aren't for babies, but he needed something to help when we go for walks/strolls. He looks like he knows he looks good! :)


Sunday we had some co-workers/friends over for lunch. Their son, Alistair, is just 2 weeks younger than Sullivan. (although he should have been 2 weeks older!) Wasn't much of a playdate. For the most part Sullivan stared at Alistair, while Alistair stole whatever toy Sullivan was playing with at that moment.



Worn out from all the playing!


Sullivan may not enjoy chicken, but he LOVES some prunes and carrots! I tried to find him one of those baby art kits, but wasn't able to. He loves to 'finger paint' with his food these days! Messy boy, but oh so happy!



This week already looks like it will be a bad one as far as work is concerned, but I'm trying to keep my eyes on the prize of a long weekend! Can't wait to get down to the Coast Friday night and visit with family in Ocean Springs and Mobile!

A Yard Post

So I totally didn't take pictures of my azaleas or roses in their prime a few weeks ago, but decided I better try and capture a few other things that are blooming. Are you excited for a non-baby post? :)

My hydrangea is doing so well this year, and getting so big! I keep meaning to get more of these to plant, so maybe that will be a weekend project. Last year they were much more purple and pink in some places. I guess that means maybe the potting soil that was added when these were planted is gone? Or my soil ph is just changing for the fun of it!



I have no idea what this flower is called. Jenny Harris gave me a transplant from her yard last year and it seems to spread like crazy. I like it, so I think i'll move some of the babies around to different spots. anyone know what it's called?


Magnolia is blooming, but I couldn't reach some of the prettier blooms to take a picture. I wonder if Sullivan will one day enjoy opening (read destroying)new magnolia blooms to get to the 'matches' inside? Fran Haaga and I spent many an hour in the giant magnolia tree behind her grandmother's house doing this. Note to anyone who has never done this, it will stain your hands orangey brown. And, if you do this on the day of your older sister's sixth grade graduation, your mom will make you sit on your hands during the ceremony.


Rhythm and Blues Petunia. I planted lots of petunias this year- something new for me.


My newest pride and joy, my pear tree! I can't wait to eat my first pear!



And, ok, who do I think I'm kidding here? I have to have baby pictures! I snapped these just as Sullivan was waking up from a nice nap on Daddy's tummy.


I wish this one wasn't kinda fuzzy cause I love that little smile!


Daniel must have made a funny noise before this one or something. Sullivan definitely has a look of surprise on his face. I'm biased I know, but he's so freaking cute!

finally the videos

Crazy blogger. So, I have no idea why, but today videos are posting just fine. Here are the two giggly videos from last week? Not the best, but enough to tied over some relatives I hope!

I'm a big kid now!

We've officially upgraded Sullivan from his infant car seat to a new 'big boy' car seat that we can use until he's 50 lbs! This one looks so huge compared to his little infant seat, but actually fits better in our car because it's not layed back so far. He'll, of course, have to remain rear facing until he's a year old. The requirement before he can face forward is 20 lbs and a year old. We've just about got the weight requirement covered, just have to wait 6 months now! Anyways, boring post to most I"m sure, but so far, I'm happy with our new car seat. Had some friends recommend it and lots of positive reviews, so hopefully will be good to go.



On a venting note, one month until vacation, and it can't get here soon enough! Work has been insanely busy lately! Working 12 hour days sux! Trying to keep my eyes on the prize though!

Laura Loo and a new video too!

My cousin Laura Loo stopped by for a quick visit last night! It was wonderful to catch up! She got to see Sullivan eat and take a bath and she even gave him a bottle! We love visitors who love to help out! Have fun at the Nanty and we hope to see you again soon before you head back to Colorado!

**Can't get videos to upload- I'll try again later from home **The video below finally captures Sullivan laughing some. Daniel always makes him laugh like crazy, and it was nice to catch a little of it on video! I had originally tried to post the video that I posted to facebook, but maybe it's too big or something, but I couldn't get it to upload. Trying this smaller one for now.

In other Sullivan news, he has really started playing with his feet and toes this week! He has previously stared at them and used them to kick stuff and all, but this week he is grabbing his toes and spending lots of time in 'happy baby' pose! (which reminds me I need to get back to doing some yoga!) I think he must be in a growth spurt as well, because he is eating and drinking constantly! I really thought with us increasing his cereal and food that he would not want as much milk, but it hasn't slowed him down at all!

I wanted to share this photo below because this is the very first thing I bought for Sullivan before I knew whether he was a he or a she!

6 months old!

Sullivan celebrated this 6 month milestone with a weekend at the cabin! Although the weather turned unexpectedly cold, we still enjoyed our time on the porch and visiting with everyone! We went to the pediatrician yesterday for his 6 month check up and last round of shots until he's 1! Yay for that! Below are his updated stats. They said he looks great and went over new foods to try etc. I still can't believe he's old enough to be eating all these different baby foods, yogurt, fruit juice, etc! He hasn't met a food he doesn't like yet, but he's still not crazy about the sippy cup. I've tried two different styles, but he makes a face every time he takes a sip out of either. I'm open to suggestions on this front!




The bath pictures are from this weekend at the cabin. It was his first time using his 'sit-up' bath chair, so of course, I had to document it! This boy LOVES his bath no matter what! We finally went and bought him some new bath toys, so I hope he'll get alot of play time out of those. We looked up his astrological sign again (Scorpio) and verified he is a water sign! Sure hope he's as crazy about the cold pool in florida!

Length: 25.7 inches
Weight: 18 lbs.
Head: 18 inches

I had a lovely first Mother's Day (post uterine). Daniel and Sullivan gave me the beautiful McCarty's bowl below! I can't wait to fill it with something pretty or yummy! Becoming a mother is certainly life changing! I never imagined how much I could love someone until Sullivan! I also never imagined how terrifying motherhood can be! I try not to focus on negative thoughts, but there are just so many things to worry over! I'm constanly going over worse case scenarios in my head! I really have to tell myself to just give it to God. As much as I want to have control, I don't. I can only do the best I can with what God has given me and treasure every moment He has blessed me with!


The picture below is a photo of my gift 'from Sullivan' that the daycare gave me! It came with a little handmade card with a poem about Moms in it. This photo of Sullivan really cracks me up and this was such a wonderful surprise! My firt official Mother's Day gift from Sullivan! I look forward to many more! The ladies at the daycare also gave all the Moms a "Whispers of Encouragement for Moms" book. It's filled with devotionals geared towards challenges that Moms face. The card attached talked about how they understand how hard we all work as Moms and they appreciate that we trust our precious children with them each day. I've been SOOO happy with Sullivan's daycare, and this really sealed the deal for me. I just love the ladies in Sullivan's room!


Please take a moment to say a prayer for Nott Wheeler, Jr. He's in grave condition in St. Dominic's in Jackson. His lovely family have been family friends and members of my church in Cleveland all my life!