Evan's 11 months old!

As I type that title I stare for a minute in disbelief.  I can hardly believe that in a few short weeks, my little guy is going to be 1 year old.  We just brought this precious face home from the hospital! 

And then yesterday he took his first step. 

 AAAH!!! My sweet little Evan is growing up so fast! 

 He's eating everything in sight {we affectionately refer to him as a bottomless pit!}, standing for a few seconds at a time, as I already mentioned took 1 step yesterday {though I still feel it will be a bit before he's officially "walking"},  has 4 teeth & 1 more on it's way in. 

Just take a look at this sweet little 11 month old :)

And just becasue he's so stinkin' handsome, he's a pic of his big brother too :) 

Nevermind the super short haircut mama ended up having to give him because Mr. Moves just wouldn't stay still :P

Oh well, it's just hair...it will grow!

My goodness I'm SO blessed to be these boys' mama!

Beach Trip

We spent a glorious week at the beach in mid-June with Tony's parents. It was Evan's first trip to the beach & he had a great time playing in the waves & exploring the sand!

Owen had a blast too, showing little brother the ropes--running on the shore, building sandcastles in the sand, and playing in the waves. 

 One night we headed over to Pier Park to check out the amusement park there.  The boys had a blast jumping in the jump house, eating ice cream, & riding the airplane & hot air balloon carnival rides.

The highlight of Owen's night was doing the Bungy Trampoline--where he was harnessed in & got to jump sky high with the help of some bungee cords.  We were a little worried that he'd be scared, but Owen insisted he wouldn't be, and he was right...he LOVED it!

I also got some precious shots of the boys on the beach.  There's just something about little boys in seersucker, LOVE IT!

Got this great shot of the boys with Noni & Grandpa, too cute!

 As for pics of the 4 of us....well, I forgot to reset the focus settings on my camera so, unfortunately, we did not get a bunch of great shots as I had hoped.  This one just makes me laugh out loud though!  It's so great of everyone save the choke hold Owen has on Evan...oh, brotherly love! 

We had a SUCH a great week at the beach!  Owen's already asking when we're going back :)

 

Day out with Thomas

Recently Noni & Grandpa took us to Chattanooga for a

"Day out with Thomas"

It was such a fun day complete with a train ride, petting zoo, AND bounce houses--Owen was in absolute heaven!  He had such a fun time seeing Thomas in person & getting to ride on & explore a REAL train!  We had a wondeful time seeing Owen get so excited and a great time was had by all--many great memories were made that will not soon be forgotten!

ALL ABOARD!!!

Getting ready to board Thomas!

Playing Catch Up!

I've let a few very important special dates slip recently.  Not purposely of course, it's just we've been so busy living life & enjoying the first sweet days of summer that I haven't found the time to blog...but, really, I think that's the way it should be.  Don't want these moments to go by without recognition though so here's a few highlighs as of late...

...Easter Sunday...

We began our morning celebrating our risen Savior with a beautiful church service followed by brunch at Noni & Grandpa's house along with BeeBee & Pops, Matt, Chris & Lauren, Lauren's parents and her brother & sister.  The kiddos had a huge egg hunt & we spent a beautiful day outside enjoying the wonderful sunshine.

 ...Mother's Day...

My wonderful family made me feel SO loved on Mother's Day, it was the best one yet!  My parents came to my house & made me lunch...even though it was my mama's special day too, she wanted to bless & celebrate me this year, and oh how she & my dad did too!  That evening we went to Noni & Grandpa's for dinner where Lauren made some awesome sushi & the most delicious chicken curry dish!  God has blessed me abundantly by allowing me to be the mother of two precious boys and by giving me the best, most supportive, wonderful, loving mother & mother-in-law. 

I am grateful beyond words for all that He has given me.

Several more updates to come so check back soon! :)

Evan at 8 & 9 months

Here are a few of my favorite shots of Evan

...first at 8 months....

At 8 months old, Evan started crawling (on Easter Sunday, no less!), drinking water out of a sippy cup & saying his first word:

"Mama"

Oh my how that boy has stolen my heartstrings!!!!

...and then a few at 9 months...

At 9 months old Evan started pulling up & "cruising" around the room by holding onto the furniture.
...look out world, this kid's gonna be walking in no time!

We also had E's 9 month well check this month & got a great report with him measuring in the 10th percentile for weight & in the 90th percentile for height--I can't find his dr. appt. measurements anywhere, darn it!
...um, yeah, that's what mama gets for waiting until the boy's nearly 10 months old to do this post!

Evan's starting to become tall & skinny, just like big brother :)

I just can't get enough of that sweet, sweet smile!

Stay tuned folks, cause the boy turns 10 months old in a few short days! 

More updates to come...

Owen at 3

Sheesh, I'm just now realizing that I never posted Owen's 3 year pictures, nor Evan's from 8 or 9 months....so here's Owen with Evan to follow shortly :)

This precious little monkey is an absoulte joy in my life and I cannot, for the life of me, figure out how he is already 3 years old!!! 

Owen has two speeds---go & sleep--my boy is always on the move!  He thoroughly enjoys preschool, playing with his friends, anything and everything that has to do with cars, trucks, airplanes, and trains & all things Toy Story & Lightning McQueen.  He's got a tender, caring heart, a strong will, and an intelligent mind all wrapped into one little package of 100% ALL boy.  Challenging at times, yes, but the melt-my-heart moments far outweigh the pulling-my-hair-out ones :)  Owen is an amazing blessing and I am so grateful that God chose me to be his mommy.

 

Owen at 3 years old

29 pounds 25th percentile

38 inches tall 70th percentile

Still a tall, skinny mini :)

Circus! Circus!

BeeBee & Pops took Owen to the circus for the very first time a few weeks ago.  Uncle Matt & I came along too while my absoultely amazing husband stayed home with Evan who was getting over being sick so that I wouldn't have to miss Owen's first trip to the circus.  The circus was pretty good--not quite as many animals as we would have liked (it was more of a "dare devil/thrill" type circus), but lots of motorcycles so Owen thought that was super cool!  Aftewards we checked out the midway & Owen got to ride a few rides.  It was a really fun time & I know that Owen won't soon forget his first trip to the circus!