Birmingham Trip

The boys and I headed to Birmingham for the only open week we had this summer.  I planned this trip back in March when I knew I would be in my second trimester and hopefully feeling pretty good.  This was Hampton's first airplane ride and the ride there went pretty well for the most part.  He was in my lap most of the time as it was a full flight but at the end I let him stand and walk between Bradford and I's seat.  The way home was much better as a family canceled last minute and they let us have an entire row.  Hampton sat buckled the entire hour and a half- I'd fly anytime if it goes as smooth as the ride home did!  I had a whole pack of goodies and we used them all on the way there- on the way back I barely had to pull anything out to play with!

I love Southwest.  We were the last to get off of the plane and they let the boys go up in the cockpit. Little B asked the pilot. "Which button do you press to land?"

Of course the boys got dinosaurs once we boarded the plane...

One of the highlights of the trip was being reunited with Bailey!

Letting a grandmother's patience take over as I had lost mine!

Getting popsicles with our buddy Sam.

Hanging out with grandad

The biggest highlights was getting to see our cousins!  We got to see them 4 days in a row- what a treat!  My boys sure do love them!

This picture sums up the fun! 

Watching Q at his all-star game- getting to cheer for Homewood was fun!

Hanging out with Uncle T

Hampton was in awe of Uncle Trent- he just kept looking up at him all day

Hanging out at the West Homewood Pool

My favorite part was picking out fabric and patterns for Mary Katherine.  My mom has got quite alot of smocking and sewing to come in the next few years:)

Hanging out in Ranger's chair

Flight home- all my boys needed were there own seats and dinos.

See ya in a year or two Birmingham.  It was fun! 

Kiawah Island- Mother's Day Weekend

For Mother's Day weekend we headed to Kiawah, South Carolina to celebrate Mother's Day.  This was our first Mother's Day without Nanny so we purposely planned it so we could all be together.  My cousin flew in from NY and stayed with my aunt and uncle while we rented a house near the beach with my parents.  We had a great time- when we originally booked the house over Christmas, we got each boy a room for sleeping.  The boys ended up sleeping the in the same room together at night but each had their own room at naps.  We are hoping to make this trip a yearly tradition.  I grew up doing every holiday with my cousins and the last few years our schedules haven't overlapped.  Knowing we have this tradition in place makes me happy and I know makes Nanny smile too.

Hambone loved the "ocean pond" as the ocean water was pretty cold

We split up cooking duties- one night our family cooked and the other night my Aunt and Uncle did.  Big Bradford actually cooked it all while we just watched the kids.  He made a meaty gumbo, his famous potato salad, steamed shrimp and corn on the cob.  

 My Aunt Karen and mom- Hampton passed out on a walk before dinner with my mom.  This boy loves to sleep on people

Lindsley, my cousin's little girl, is a month younger than Hampton.  She is wearing a dress my mom made for her. She is adorable. 

 Enjoying the yummy meal- Thanks Chef Bradford

The house we rented had a great back porch overlooking the golf course.  Lindsley and Bradford were getting Uncle Tom with the blow up swords

My famous "Cousin Lauren"  So excited that we are both expecting together again! 

The Kiawah club had an awesome kids pool

If only I could have one of these in my backyard..

The next night we ate dinner at my Aunt and Uncles. My mom made the cousins matching outfits.  So cute.

On a boat ride after dinner

The boys loved it

Hambone passed out on the way back...

This one makes me laugh- how many people does it take to kill a roach :)

Thanks Mom and Dad for a great trip!  We enjoyed every minute of it! 

It's A...

GIRL!  I still can't believe it but we are so excited.  We did end up finding out early as I couldn't take it any longer!  The ultrasound was so different.  The technician showed us the angle and asked if we had any guesses.  Big B said, "I don't see anything."  I was waiting for the tech to correct him and say- "Look right there, there is the boy part" Like both other times.  But instead he said, "I don't see anything either."  We then searched for 20 minutes all different angles looking to make sure.  I am overwhelmed.  I didn't dream I would get a girl.  Just so thankful.  Little B is the cutest as he has been asking to have a sister like his cousin Caroline for quite some time.  Our desires were heard and answered. 

My friend, Rosemary, has started taking some photography classes and offered to come shoot some shots of our family.  I was happy to take her up on it.  She did a great job- check out her blog on my sidebar- Rosemary and Tim

Here are a few of my favorites:

I don't even know where to begin with pink.  There are so many shades it is overwhelming!

The shirt that got passed down..

We weren't quite sure if this shirt would get worn again.

But look who gets to wear it now!

He's proud and we are so excited!  Baby JM or MK is due September 25th- 1 day before Hampton's 2nd birthday!

Here's our sweet guy!  Or girl! 

Heartbeat at 8 weeks- 173

Heart beat at 12 weeks- 150

This pregnancy has basically been the same as the boys with a few new symptoms.  Chills.  So weird.  They've done all of the tests to make sure it was nothing more than just pregnancy hormones and all results have come back normal.  I did POP at 12 weeks and was more than happy to move into pregnancy clothes- they are so comfy.  

We ARE going to find out the gender but not until mid May at the 20 week.  We are looking forward to doing a fun gender reveal with family that weekend while we are in Kiawah.  I am all in that it is a boy but Big B is betting against the odds and saying girl.  Little B says boy and you know what they say about the littles knowing the gender.  

When we found out a 3rd baby would be arriving we knew we would move the boys into the same room.  A few weekends ago we decided to do a little trial and I am so glad we did.  The boys love it and I am still in awe at how well they do.  If I had known the success I would have done it much earlier.  They go to bed at the same time and surprisingly are both asleep after 15 or 20 minutes.  The other night we heard Hampton crying after we had just put them down but then we heard Little B start singing "I love you Lord" and Hampton stopped crying.  Melts my heart each night and morning to see them together, thriving to be in each others presence. This picture is from the night B was camping- Hampton was missing his roomate.  The boys room is almost complete- just some paint on the walls and it is all done! 

First Time Camping

Over the weekend, Bradford and his friend Sam took Bradford Jr. and Bennett camping at J.B. Stuckey State Park. Here are some photos of the action. Bradford Jr. and Bennett's weekend motto that kept getting repeated was "best night camping ever.."

Silly Boys

I take about 3 videos a day and send them to the grandparents.  Lately they are becoming too good not to share! I love the way Hampton adores Bradford.  And I love that Bradford wants to hold Hampton, touch him and talk to him all.day.long. They love love love love each other.

Little B singing bedtime songs