Little B's concert

Little B is a mess.  He was happily riding his bike down the sidewalk and sees a nice little "stage."  He runs over and says, "I do concert Hampton" and sings who knows what.  He makes up words to tunes that are familiar.  His favorite word to insert into a song is Hambone.  For example, "My team and I play Hambone,  we practice for our Hambone. Even when we Hambone, we hambone hambone hambone hambone"(it's a Signing Time song) 

How FUN is it that Hampton is big enough for to ride in toys!  He loves it! 

I sure do love living on a cul-de-sac!  

Family Beach Trips

The last two weekends we have packed our car on Friday night and headed to the beach- Longboat Key!  The first weekend was tricky trying to figure out what to pack and what all we would really use/need for a weekend at the beach.  This weekend I didn't have to pack near as much stuff and am realizing packing for the beach should be simple.  

The first weekend it rained alot.  Little B asked to go home several times. We had talked about the beach so much he was thinking it was way over-rated.  

This picture is from Friday night- we were hoping to catch the sunset but it was cloudy..

Saturday morning we got out early- (Hampton had us all up at 6:30am) and headed to the beach before the rain came at 9:30!

Did a little bike riding between the rain showers

We were stir crazy by Saturday evening so we headed out for dinner at a local restaurant...we have not eaten out at a restaurant with a waitress since Hampton was born- we were a little nervous.

Pics before dinner

Hampton gnawing on a banana- he was an angel the entire time!

 The two year old did pretty good- just had to go on a brief walk before the meals arrived to get some energy out.

Sunday morning we set out to the beach determined to get in some play time...

 I was so excited about my dollar kite from Target

 Success!  

 Hampton watching the kite..

But then the little stinker let go and Daddy had to go kite chasing- he thought it was so funny!  Then the rain came not too long after that so we packed up and headed home!  

This weekend it was gorgeous weather with a small rain shower in the afternoon.   

Hampton went swimming for the first time!

 He enjoyed it

 Mommy enjoyed it the most since the pool was heated!

 The Johnson's joined us around lunch time at the beach!

Sunday was boy day.  I headed back to Tampa to a commitment I had at church while the boys enjoyed/survived the day. 

Yes, still in my PJs on the beach but Dad was in charge so no comments :)

 Little B loves the ocean and wants to constantly be in it- he loves when the waves knock him down.  Crazy huh mom- definitely gets it from his dad as I am not a huge fan of the ocean- I am working on it though!

 I came back to the beach this afternoon and found this...a quiet house with hubby reading on the porch.  He continues to amaze me.  

We are headed back this weekend to celebrate Cinco de Mayo!  We are excited about cooking and trying some new recipes! 

Hampton's 7 month pictures

Hampton has reached the 7 month mark!  If you can tell by these pictures he is looking to the side of the camera because his big brother is making him laugh.  Little B would pop out from behind me and make him cackle.  Not too much new news to report other than Hampton is still hard to figure out.  He is sitting up well and will go in to a crawl position from sitting but no forward motion yet.  He is up once or twice at night.  We have started letting him cry it out  and actually two nights this month he slept through the night....but the last week was a rough one as he wasn't eating during the day and his reflux came back pretty bad.  Poor guy- we finally got his reflux settled and are hopeful that one day soon he will be as happy as he looks in the pictures.  

I also think he is teething and I am hoping that is why he isn't eating...come on tooth- come in so we can get our happy during the day baby back!

 Brother got him good on this one!

 We went for his 6 month check up last week(a little late) and he was weighing over 19 pounds!

Did I mention he is still sleeping in the swing at night?  We don't turn it on anymore as the motor has broken(probably from trying to swing a 19 pound baby) but he is most content sleeping here.  I think the position really helps with his reflux.  He has started taking naps in his crib and hope to transition back one day...

Hambone we sure do love you!  I don't know what my hip did without you all of these years!  We are def. getting our money's worth with the Ergo Baby Carrier!  

Easter 2012

We had a sweet sweet Easter. I look forward to the Easters when our kids can really grasp the importance of the weekend. It is the most important thing that we proclaim in our faith. I had a heavy heart on Friday as I thought of what our Savior went through and was filled with a grateful heart on Resurrection Sunday.

This was our first Easter in our 7 years of marriage to not be celebrating with Nanny and my family. We celebrated every Easter in Atlanta and I have dear memories of Easter growing up. This post and this post are from the last Easters.

This Easter I served in the 3 year old room with 4 of my middle school girls and we had a blast. Daddy Bradford got the boys dressed and ready for church and met me for the 11:00 service. I was so impressed that he got the boys dressed perfect and they were on time! Sometimes I think he should stay at home and I work! He even had the pork tenderloin marinading and we enjoyed a yummy lunch with Hampton while Little B napped. Though it wasn't the Atlanta Athletic Club- it was a sweet time with just our family.

Pictures before church

Pretty impressed Big B got these all on his own!

Pictures after church before naps and lunch :)

We are heading to the beach this weekend and I am looking forward to a weekend away from laundry, cooking and cleaning and some fun in the sun! And Happy Birthday Katie!

Feeling encouraged during this valley

This post is more for me to express my thankfulness as God continues to encourage me and hold me up during this hard season. This last week has been especially tough. We've been mourning the passing of Evalyn a year ago yesterday. My mom's best friend's husband died. Nanny has been put in a psychiatric hospital as they try to get her medicine under control. Hampton's been sick and having to do breathing treatments. Hampton is also screaming again at night for hours in pain and we are at a loss of what to do. And oh some minor things like the AC being out upstairs for a week and the Tahoe needing 2000 dollar repair and a rental car for a week. But oh how God has provided. I am truly seeing the hands and feet of Christ. From the perfect verse a friend sent me last week, to a friend who wants to cook dinner for my family, to a friend's undeserving words about myself that brought me to tears, to a friend encouraging me and urging me to take care of myself even though she is walking through her own valley. After today's fillings I said-- Ok God- I am good- spread some love to others who need it- you have filled me up- thank you.

I pray that I can be the hands and feet that I have experienced to others in their hard season.

I didn't pick up a real camera this week but here are the photos that the grandparents received all week to keep up to date on their babes in Tampa.

Also, , after noticing my mom was writing down her thankful list each night- I realized that I needed to get back to that place. After a week of doing it I can already feel the difference. Man is HE GOOD. Little B climbed over one afternoon and asked if he could write- his thankful is at the bottom of the page.

I am SO excited because I just booked a babysitter and bought movie tickets. Thinking about taking a new motto in this season right now: We'll save money when the kids are sleeping. For now, spend what we need to survive. A night off is a must. Thank you friends for this encouragement.