Savannah

Big B and I headed for a long weekend to Savannah this past weekend. We planned this back at the beginning of January thinking Hampton would be sleeping through the night by now and we could enjoy a big weekend away! Well we for sure enjoyed our big weekend away- but poor Soos was up all nights of the hours with Hampton. I sure slept alot and caught up on all of my sleepless nights. I don't think Hampton is ever going to sleep at night or during the day. I feel so bad for him...We stayed at a really nice B & B that served an awesome breakfast every morning- evening hor'devers 6-8, and desserts 8-10. Everything was homemade and the breakfast scones every morning were to die for. We bought the Gastonian cookbook in hopes to learn how to cook scones for our future B & B

Soos sent us alot of fun videos and pictures while we were away so we didn't miss the babes too much..

This video makes me realize how much my child learns from other places- he learned this song in BSF...

Bradford scheduled us our own personal tour guide, Bobby, who took us around Savannah for 2 hours. He was awesome and funny and took lots of pictures with his camera for us. If you ever go to Savannah we would recommend getting Bobby's spin on Savannah- he is ranked #1 on trip advisor for Savannah tours

Vacations are a must- our next vacation is June! That seems like forever away!

Thanks Soos and Pops for all of your help this weekend!

What do you do when...

both boys have had colds and you haven't left the house in a week and a half???

YOU GO TO THE BEACH!

Little B woke up Saturday morning and said,"Let's go to beach"- We were like- YES. We drove a little over an hour to a beach I had been to once and one that lots of locals recommend: Anna Maria Island. We went to the beach- walked the streets- and picked up lots of menus as we are going back Saturday to eat a place on the beach- Sand Bar.

An hour of our time was Little B watching the waves..

Then running when the water touched his toes

over and over again!

A much needed trip- looking forward to going back again this weekend!

We got this Double Bob off of Craigslist- I am so glad I didn't buy it brand new as we have gotten it really dirty- I think I would have had a heart attack when I looked down the other day and saw that Little B had smashed a ketchup packet under his shoe and it was all over the stroller seat...good times.

Hampton is 4 months!

Our sweet Hampton is 4 months! He is such a sweet guy. Though he isn't sleeping through the night(waking up two and three times at night)- he is so sweet during the day that I will take the hard nights. We continue to up his dose of medicine as he grows more and more as his acid reflux is very painful for him. Poor thing. So thankful for a medicine that can help him.

We went to the doctor last week and he weighs 16 pounds 9 oz. (90th percentile) and his height is 24 inches-(25th percentile) Short pudgy guy!

Hands in his mouth all day long!

Sweet smiles all day long!

We started rice cereal but it caused more problems than good so we'll try again later!

Here is a video to sum up our days- I have a feeling Hampton is going to get used to his brother talking and singing in his face his whole life :)

Bradford's 2nd Birthday Party!

Bradford's party was a success! I could not have pulled off a party like this without the help of awesome hubby and my parents who ran errands and played with the boys while we cooked and slaved away! All of the hard work was worth it to see Little B smiling ear to ear the entire time! We had all of our favorite little people together all at once and it was a sweet sweet time. I must say Little B has great friends. We had no melt downs and everyone shared and had a ball! I know the party was a success because the food was all gone. We had three chicken fingers left and a few chocolate covered strawberries.

Before Bradford's friends arrived

Party time!

If you couldn't tell the theme was football! We gave Little B the Auburn Football Players and he is obsessed.

Can you guess who gave him this?

Uncle Trent is trying to influence him early!

Whew- time to relax. Did I mention that H was up all night before the birthday party- I was running off of pure adrenaline. Glad that the boys birthdays are spaced out! Hoping Hampton is sleeping by September:)

Bradford is two!

Our sweet Little B is two! Such an exciting time as he actually understands birthdays! He loves to sing Happy Birthday and blow out candles. Bradford and I made a list so we could remember our favorite things about B at two years old.

My top 5 favorite moments and things!

-B saying, "I love you Mommy" when I say "I love you Bradford"

- B encouraging me through singing "I love you Lord" and "Jesus Loves Me" and reciting John 3:16 memory verse

-B's hilarious dance moves- puts an arm out and turns in a circle- also gets "low"

-How he treats Hampton- especially when he wakes him up each morning and Hampton gets the biggest smile

-That his love for reading continues to grow and can sit in his crib after a nap and read books for hours if I let him

Dad's top 5 moments and things!

-When Bradford started singing "Wonder Wall" with me- not realizing he knew all of the words to the song I sing to him before naps

-Bradford saying his prayers each night and going through the different people he is thankful for

- Bradford's new love for college mascots- His favorites are Aubie, Sparty, Harry Dog, and Duck

-Winning a prize at Ribfest and B picking out the prize- He picked a Tampa Bay Rays cereal bowl and spoon

-That Bradford loves to draw

Both of us said that we love B's imagination and all of his funny sayings- especially when he sings a song and changes the word......wonder who he gets that from!

He loves to wear his helmet...any where...any time..

Two year molars haven't been so kind

Building forts in our favorite room!

Also, B's teachers call him the valedictorian of his class. Not sure what kind of student he will be in real school as his mom and dad weren't ever in the running for that name- but we will enjoy telling him that when he is older! We are very proud of you Little B!

Take a look at..

My friend's blogs that captured our family's photoshoot and our fun filled MLK weekend.

Amber, my favorite photographer, shared some of the photos from our shoot HERE. I get the rest of them tomorrow and can't wait to see what she captured.

The Lamberth's came from Atlanta to visit and we had a blast. I never once got my camera out as Kasi had hers and captured great shots. We have the same camera but my shots don't come out like hers....go HERE to enjoy! I wish I could have friends fly down every weekend. I think Bradford and I talked the entire weekend- so refreshing to catch up with dear dear friends. We sure do miss you guys but are so thankful for the memories- thanks for coming!

Of course we had to take them to Bern's!

A special someone is turning TWO tomorrow so I'll be back soon with a special post about our Little B.

JOY

My dear friend Vanessa's mom met Jesus early this morning. She battled blood cancer for 10 years and man did she fight. Her name is JOY and that is what she was. An amazing woman after God's own heart. There are so many encouraging things that she did for so many people. I think the truest testament is her kids. They are strong, courageous and genuinely loving. She truly exemplified Jesus in her selflessness.

When I was in Atlanta over Thanksgiving I got to spend an afternoon with her. She held Hampton and calmed him- she laughed at Little B singing Beiber. But most of all she told me how she had been praying for my family and knew that the Lord was looking out for the good of us. I asked her how she did it with three kids as I was struggling with two. She laughed and told me that she spread her kids far apart(7 years between the first and 5 years between the other two) and that what I was doing was hard. I will always cherish that sweet afternoon not knowing it would be my last time with her. I will always feel her presence as Vanessa continues to grow and be just as amazing as her.

I am flying to Birmingham this weekend to be with the neighborhood and mourn our loss and celebrate her life. As I cried to Jenn about it yesterday- she reminded me that Holly (Jenn's mom) will be greeting her very soon and they will watch down over us together. I cry even more but have great JOY knowing Mrs. Joy got to meet her first grandson, Garrison and that she knows that Jenn is pregnant.

I continue to be reminded more and more that this life is temporary- to make the most of each day as we never know when we will be called to our permanent home. In the last two and a half years I have mourned three special people in my life- Ms. Holly, my niece Evalyn and now Mrs. Joy. Join with me in praying for the Wilson family.

Little B was smitten with Mrs. Joy the first time they met.

Mrs. Joy was known for her love for music- she sang at Vanessa's wedding and Ms. Holly's funeral "This Little Light of Mine." During Hampton's tough weeks I would sing that song to calm him down. I will always have both of my "other mothers" legacies around me- Ms. Holly's painting- and Mrs. Joy's favorite song to sing.