Grammie Visits

Grammie came up several weeks ago.  We played all weekend!

Daddy found the perfect life vest for our sweet boy.

Emory loves showing off his new walking skills.

Grammie bought Emory a new puzzle.  Do you know how much this child loves puzzles?!?!  It's sinful.

He had such a good time with his Grammie.  Thanks for visiting!

  Kristin

Spaghetti

Our son has a little too much of his mama in him.  He's so weird about textures in food.  I decided to try homemade spaghetti.  I have recently tried to incorporate as many healthy substitutes as possible.  This is veggie pasta, but it's so yummy. 

Emory loves the taste, but he HATES when something sticks out of his mouth.  Instead of slurping it in, he takes his hand and pulls the pasta out strand by strand.  Such a weird child (but oh so cute)!

Kristin

Photo a Day (Days 9-15)

Admittedly, I am the world's worst blogger right now.  Oh well!  Here's to playing catch up.

Day 9: Something you do every day.

Day 10: A favorite word.  

My favorite word, title, identity (and biggest challenge) is by far the word "mommy."

Day 11: Kitchen

Excuse the mess, but let's face it that's life with a little one.  Yes, that's laundry on the couch in the background too.  Yet another indicator that a toddler resides with us.  We refinished the cabinets a couple of months ago.  Not too shabby and it definitely lightened up the room!

 Day 12: Something that makes me happy.

This picture was taken by Erika Melson Photography.

Day 13: Mum

I'm not really sure where this specific floral suggestion came from, but I am posting a picture of an azalea instead...with a butterfly. 

Day 14: Grass

Phillip took this picture, but there's tons of grass and lots of love.

Day 15: Love

This picture was taken by Erika Melson Photography for Emory's 1 year pictures.

Kristin

Day 8: Smell you love.

Initially, I was going to post one of Emory's newborn pictures.  I mean, what could possibly smell better than a new little baby?  I decided to move on to 2012 (while also jumping back to 1998).  Call me a teenage girl, but I found the perfect scent for summer at Bath & Body Works.  Photo stinks, but HEY! I posted the picture on time!  :-)

Kristin

Photo a Day (or 6 days worth!)

Day 2: Skyline 

(I've got to be honest, Phillip took this picture of the pond in Florence.  I love how peaceful it is down there though!)

Day 3: Apparel from today

I'm a mom and a teacher.  Both callings demand comfort.

Day 4: Fun!

We took Emory to the lake for the first time this weekend.  We had a really great time too.  It was nice to get out and do something different.  The weather was awesome!

Day 5: Bird

Our little feathered friend played all around us at the lake, but we never could quite catch him/her. 

Day 6: You 

...or me, as the case may be.  Not flattering in the least, but this is how I'd like to spend every second of every day from now until the day I die.  Be still my heart.

  Day 7: Someone that inspires you

That fella below (the hubs, not the lil lamb), well he's pretty awesome.  We really are a perfect balance to one another.  I'm beyond blessed to have him in my life because each day I live with an example of a wonderfully compassionate, loving, giving father, son, spouse, etc.

Kristin

Pray without ceasing.

Recently, I've been introduced to two blogs.  

The Journey of Conner is about a friend of a friend.  Her membrane ruptured when she was 17 weeks pregnant.  Despite dim hopes given by doctors, Caroline and her husband have fought for the past 8 weeks to not go into labor.  She had Conner today.  I'm sure this is a scary time for this family.  I can't imagine how they feel.  Please keep them in your prayers.

A similar situation is documented on the blog Hormonal Imbalances.  Diana's water broke when she was about 18 weeks pregnant.  They found out they were having twin boys the week before.  She lost both of her babies yesterday.  I read the post (linked above) and just sobbed.  I can't imagine the pain.  Today has been a trying day with Emory, but this put it all in perspective.

There is healing that can only come from the Lord.  My charge to anyone that may be reading is to lift these two sweet families up over the coming days, weeks, and months.  

 Kristin

May Challenge: A Photo a Day

So one of my fellow Meredith Angels has her own photography business.  I love her work.  Check her out over on this website.  I was looking through some of her recent post and saw a challenge for this month.  Since I've been an uber-slack blogger (amongst other things), I thought this would be a great way to make sure that I got at least a little something up on a regular basis. 

With no further adieu, ladies and gentlemen, my picture of peace:

Today's second nap.  I had to move the crib to get a picture.  Look at me go!

Kristin

Emory's First Birthday Party...and steps!

Now that it is officially May perhaps I should FINALLY get the post up about Emory’s 1^st birthday party…you know, since it was a month ago!  Sheesh!  (Total slacker over here.)

Emory had a party the first weekend in April.  It was so much fun and we owe a huge thank you to a million people for all of their help and support.  I will go ahead and apologize because there will be a ton of pictures in this post.

Some of the decor (big thank to my mother-in-law for taking pictures when I was too busy):

It took me a whole night to make this, but I think it turned out kinda cute!

If you could have a love affair with an invitation, this would be my mister-ess.  :-)  So adorable!

Who needs a red carpet when you have a balloon sidewalk?

  The yummies for everyone's tummies:

The sweet table.  Everyone loved the Baboon Butter!

Tiger tails, monkey chips, cheetah cheese and crackers, elephant goodies, and hungry hippo hummus and veggies.  Yum!

God bless Aunt Diane and her patience.  I owe this woman my sanity.  She made somewhere around 60-70 cupcakes.  Aren't they precious?

Emory loved the rhino raisins...as did all my pregnant friends.

The birthday boy's set-up.  Cake by Aunt Diane and banner by my bestest, Sandra.

...and then there was the birthday boy, sweet Emory:

Uncle Jeff made sure we had overalls for this football season.  :-) 

If you want to over-stimulate a 1 year old, invite 50 people over and then throw a bunch of gifts at him. 

1. I LOVE Peggy (she set me up with my hubs) and Emory's faces here.  2. The shirt and diaper cover are just two of the MANY things the amazing Sandra made our sweet boy.  Don't worry, I'm working on getting her to set up and etsy shop!

One of Emory's toys from Mama and Dada.  This thing has been a huge hit thus far.

No party is complete without a little cake:

The fire was his favorite part.

Our son has a little too much of me in him, so Daddy had to step in and help him get dirty.

Aunt Nicki and Heather were trying to encourage filthy icing spattering to continue.

...and then he had a meltdown, so we were done.

The aftermath.

Emory with my parents.

Brandy was taking pictures with my camera most of the day while also taking care of her own baby.  THANK YOU for traveling and for all of the help!

Love this little monkey!

I have no idea what is going on in this picture, but apparently it was awkward and funny.

My family.  Minus Kandice...although the top of her head is pictured at the bottom right.  :-)

Ms. Miriam, Phillip's best friend's mom, came up to celebrate too!

Emory loves her!

Myself, Emory, and the most amazing woman in the world!  Love you, Sandra!

After most of the guests left, we took to relaxing outside with the remaining friends and family.  We had such a nice afternoon and SUCH an exhausted Emory.  Being a big boy is hard work!

Did I mention that my best friend and her most fabulous husband flew in from California for Emory's birthday?  LOVE THEM!

Love these two!

Emory hates grass.  This worries Phillip's family more than anything. 

If you think your baby has the perfect demeanor, you now stand corrected.  Meet Ella Kate.  Literally, the happiest baby in almost any and every capacity!  She's so pretty!

Aunt Nicki is trying to cure Emory of his phobia.

Uncle Jeff and Aunt Nicki know how to entertain!

Check out his feet.

Two sets of corn hole boards.  One for corn hole, the other for take offs of course!

Up...

...up

...up

...and away.

He even stuck the landing!  Nice form, buddy!

Contemplating a career as a pilot. 

Taylor and Mason were competing for the ice Phillip was throwing. 

Alli, the baby whisperer. 

Ella Kate started green beans last month and cupcakes this month!

It was a great birthday!

Did I mention that prior to going out to dinner Emory took his first steps to Aunt Sandra?  Yes!  Granted he hasn't done a thing since then, but still.  I've learned that our son is calculated, seriously quizzical, and determined.  He does everything when he is good and ready.  I enjoy sitting back and watching him go.  

Phillip and I can't believe this year is over.  It's bittersweet.  It seemed like just yesterday we were told to go downstairs to Labor and Delivery for an emergency induction and now we have a perfectly healthy, wonderfully rambunctious, sweet baby boy...BIG BOY!  God is so amazing!  

Kristin