Oh yea

Did I mention that I have the best sister-in-law ever?! Last night I went to Lowe's & ended up buying some things that I needed a truck to haul & all TAG and I have is 2 SUVs. So, we called Josh, Brooke's husband, to see if we could use his truck. I was planning on just going to pick it up & switching out vehicles until we were done, but Brooke drove it out to Lowe's (in the middle of American Idol, might I add!) to help us get my stuff loaded & brought me back to my house. This is not the only time Brooke has come to my rescue lately. Last week on my way home from work I ran out of gas on the interstate. Yes, ran out of gas. This was my 1st time to ever do that. Leaving work, I almost stopped to fill up but gas is so much more expensive downtown with Memphis in May going on than it is at home. Call me cheap, but didn't want to pay extra. Plus, I really thought I had enough to make it home. Guess not. TAG couldn't leave work at that time, so I called Brooke. She stopped in the middle of cooking supper to bring me some gas. Luckily I was a little over halfway home so it wasn't too far away. Anyway, my point is Brooke is not only a wonderful sister-in-law, but a wonderful friend. She is always willing to help any way she can at any time, whether it be keeping Riley with only last minute's notice or anything else. Thank you Brooke! We love you!!

9 Months Old Today!

It is so hard for me to believe that my baby boy is 9 months old already! Where, oh where has the time gone? My baby is turning into a toddler right before my eyes! He is becoming more independent & exploring things on his own, but still turns around every so often to make sure we are right behind him. His personality is becoming more apparent every day. He is such a funny little guy! We always blow on his belly to tickle him & lately he has been doing it back to us. The other day we sat in the floor & he blew on my leg for about 10 minutes straight, stopping only to raise up & laugh. He loves the sound it makes & is so proud that he can do it. 

He is also becoming quite the daredevil. A couple of weeks ago, he stood on his own for about 15 seconds & has gotten much better the last few days. He has been cruising back & forth from the couch to the end tables for a while now and has almost perfected his stretch from one to the other! Daddy said he even took a few steps last night on his own! Of course I missed it, but I guess that marks his 1st steps! 

We have baby proofed the cabinets, electrical sockets, etc since he is into EV.ER.Y.THING. I cannot go from one room to the next without my "shadow" following close behind. He never sits still. Loves being on the go at all times.

Another thing he loves is water! He has a fit to drink water. He prefers to drink it out of our glasses, but will settle for his sippy cup too. He is so funny drinking from a big glass. I'll have to post a video of him. It really is hilarious. He now wants to fed himself finger foods & sometimes tries to grab the spoon when we are feeding him. He is eating more table foods now, so he gets a lot of the same foods we are eating. I tried to do the "mainly organic food" route with him, but that has gone right out the window for the most part now that he is eating table foods. TAG & I are not organic junkies & now that he is wanting to eat our food, it's not looking so great for the home team with that one. Oh well...I tried & he does still get organic foods every now & then.

He still loves cuddling & being held before he goes to sleep. I'm ok with that-actually, I love that he wants to be held before bedtime. He is hardly ever still any other time of the day for me to hold him so I take advantage of it at night. I've heard over & over not to hold & rock your baby to sleep because they will expect it every night. That's fine by me. I enjoy that time.

On the other hand, Riley still hates having his diaper changed. He can't stand to lay still on his back for even the short period of time it takes me to get him changed. Same goes for getting dressed. He cannot sit still for more than .5 seconds! Wiggle worm!

Happy 9 months sweetheart! I love you more than you will ever know!

My 1st Mother's Day

I hope all of you moms had a wonderful Mother's Day. My 1st was great! Last week I had a little help from Riley wrapping my mom's rose bush that we gave her.

Friday we had Riley's 8 month pictures...well it was supposed to be his 8 month pictures but he will be 9 months Wednesday! (We kept having to reschedule & thought we were going to have to again for rain.) We went ahead & decided to keep the date and I am so glad we did. It turned out to be a beautiful day here. We met our photographer, Jody at a local park & found some great open areas with a few trees. Perfect for pictures. I CANNOT wait to see the proofs! I'll be sure & post the link when they are up.

Our preacher's baby girl Allie had her 1st Birthday party Saturday. I didn't get any pictures of her opening presents because I was taking some with Anisa's (Allie's mom) camera for her. She was so cute tearing the paper though!

I love this one of her eating her cake & crying. ;0)

After the party we headed to my parents' house to stay the night with them. My sister just got a new puppy that we met for the first time Saturday. Riley LOVED playing with her. He didn't know what to think about a dog that small!

She loved him too!

I loved my first Mother's Day! I am so blessed to have my mom & my baby boy to celebrate Mother's Day with me. Yesterday was very relaxed. We ate lunch & played outside most of the day. Also, I think everyone got a nap in except me & my mom. Go figure...both of the moms didn't get to nap on Mother's Day!


Oh, and we played a lot of Peek-A-Boo!

I just noticed there is a lot of green going on in those pictures! Haha!

Mother's Day

Ever since I have known TAG I haven't quite known how to celebrate Mother's Day. It is a day of mixed emotions for him & now for me. When he was only 13 years old, TAG's mom passed away on Mother's Day from a brain aneurysm. For the past 4 years we have spent Mother's Day with my mom & TAG's grandmother. He doesn't say much about his mom on Mother's Day, but I know she is always on his mind. I could not imagine losing my mom now, much less at that young of an age. He seems more excited about it this year since we have Riley to celebrate me being a mother. All that said, remember your mom tomorrow & be blessed. Happy Mother's Day Mama! I love you & appreciate you more than you know!

Whoo-hoo!!

My angel baby slept ALL night last night for the 2nd time since we have made our "adjustments" to his schedule! Falling asleep around 9:00 & waking up around 6:30. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he stays in this sleeping pattern. But for now I am one proud mama!

Maybe I've jumped the gun?? Nah...

Ok, so I know Riley's birthday isn't for another 3 months, but I am already planning for it. Too soon, no?! Oh well, I can't help myself! By no means do I want the next 3 months to be rushed or wished away but let me tell you...I am sooo excited for his 1st Birthday! TAG & I decided on a theme for the party & I got his outfit today. Yea, I'm that mom. So here's a not-so-subtle hint as to what the party will entail. That's all for now. You'll hear more about it in August. :0)

Drinking From My Saucer

While cleaning out some papers the other day, I ran across this poem that my grandfather's cousin-Cousin Margaret (down here in the south, 'Cousin' is considered a courtesy title & should be capitalized ;0) ...similar to 'Aunt', 'Uncle', 'Mr.', or 'Mrs.') gave me. For as long as I can remember Cousin Margaret has always quoted this poem. As I read it, I stopped to count my blessings. God has truly blessed me in so many ways. I have a loving family & a perfectly healthy baby boy. I have God in my heart, food on my table, & a roof over my head. I am blessed beyond belief. I am definitely drinking from my saucer.

Drinking From My Saucer

I've never made a fortune
and it's probably too late now.
But I don't worry about that much,
I'm happy anyhow.

And as I go along life's way,
I'm reaping better than I sowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

I haven't got a lot of riches,
and sometimes the going's tough.
But I've got loved ones around me,
and that makes me rich enough.

I thank God for his blessings,
and the mercies He's bestowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

I remember times when things went wrong,
My faith wore somewhat thin.
But all at once the dark clouds broke,
and the sun peeped through again.

So God, help me not to gripe about
the tough rows that I've hoed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.

If God gives me strength and courage,
when the way grows steep and rough.
I'll not ask for other blessings,
I'm already blessed enough.

And may I never be too busy,
to help others bear their loads.
Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.