Summer 2009 - Part 1

Playing with my daddy!

My "Aunt Jenny" came to meet from Texas! She's was a huge help to my mom and so fun!

Blayne at 2 months

At church bike parade!



At the golf course for the first time for fireworks!!


July was a very busy month! First, my friend Jenny came to visit from Austin, TX. She stayed through the 4th of July weekend. We had fun hanging by the pool, eating at cool places, being outdoors, and watching fireworks together. Blayne slept through them all and it didn't phase his wonderful sleep habits of 5-6 hours straight back then.

More info in the next post!

Father's Day, Big Smiles, and Playtime

Happy Father's Day Ben!

Big Smiles!!

The below video is of Blayne in his bouncy chair. Needless to say he has a fun time! Sorry about the craziness at the end.

Blayne has grown so much this past month! He's definitely getting heavier, sometime stretching feedings to 4 hours, sleeping so well, smiling and cooing, and being our favorite snuggler!! Friday we go to the doctor for his two month appt. and shots. :( The only part I look forward to is seeing how much he weighs. He's the best!

Hanging out!

Talking to my mommy!

Our neighbor Abby, who has a spit up phobia! haha!

Playtime!

I forgot to mention in our last post that my sister came up as well last week. That was fun and nice to have someone to talk to during the day. She's totally a proud aunt!

Blayne smiled for the first time too last week! When I dropped him off yesterday morning before I left for work, he smiled three big times at me! I just take it as a little present from him saying, "I'll be okay mommy. You go on to work now." It totally made my morning!

Now I am anxiously awaiting the days of his laughter! It's not like he doesn't hear us laugh a lot. Every time the boy poots, I almost can't control myself. He's had some classic sounds come out of that tiny bottom of his.

Grandparents Galore

Blayne at 1 month

Bathtime

The Harbin's

My Dad

Over the last few weeks, Blayne has been able to see all his grandparents, which they LOVE! Memorial Day weekend my dad and brother drove up from Auburn b/c my brother had not met Blayne yet. When they weren't hanging out with Blayne, they checked out all the cool things downtown to do here like the Chattanooga Market. There they kicked off the summer by buying a bucket full of locally grown strawberries that were oh so sweet! It was a great to have them here.

Then, on May 27th, Ben and I took Blayne to Manchester for the first time. We had dentist appointments, and since the Harbin's do not work on Thursdays we decided to spend the night. Needless to say, it was a bit too much too soon for little bit b/c he did not sleep well at all that night. He traveled in the car good though.

That weekend my parents flew in from Texas on their way to vacation in Gatlinburg for a few days. They couldn't believe how much he had changed over the last few weeks. When they came back through on Wednesday, they both thought he looked completely different from just that Sunday. hahaha! He's a growing boy. Unfortunately, we didn't take any pictures with them this visit, but below are some recent ones including a couple of his first baths.

So after sending my parents off to Texas again, I decided yet again to go to Manchester to let Blayne visit his grandparents again and meet one of his great aunts, Iva Kate, and several cousins. They came up for a day to hang out at the Harbin's. The kids had a blast swimming and exploring at Old Stone Fort. It was cute how excited they were to see Blayne and hold him. He's got a really big family (on both sides) to enjoy!!

In other news, yesterday I went back to work at church. My six weeks is up. This month I'll only be working part time to help me ease back into the swing of things. I am very proud of myself for not crying. My neighbor, Kelly, is going to be keeping him for the most part, which is so great! She's right across the street and has a little boy too! What a blessing! We are so thankful!

Seriously, I need help on how get the pictures where I want them. Fellow bloggers help me!!

Doctor Visit and more pics!

Monday, we got ambitious! Over the weekend, I noticed Blayne's cord getting ready to fall off but what was underneath not being pretty. I called and the nurse told me what to do, and to call back in a few days. So yesterday I called for further instructions. While waiting two hours for a response, I figured it out online. Sure enough, the nurse called back she told us to come in and the doctor diagnosed it as umbiblical glascioma (sp?). Not an infection! He told me that this was the way it was going to be and we couldn't have prevented it. He clipped the "hanging on by a thread" dried up cord, and then froze the gooky stuff with silver nitrate. All that to say, Blayne is going to have an outie! :o) He also weighs 8 lbs. now!! Growing boy!

After that, I was craving some McD's $1 sweet tea, so through the drive-thru we went. Then, we paid the water bill and stop by the church to pick up some more gifts. Said hi to everyone in the office and came home for a bit.

At 3 p.m., it was feeding time and then we went to JCPenney's for Blayne's first photo shoot! ha! He did wonderful and they turned out really good. I only walked away spending $60. Feel a little guilty, but not really. Probably will not get anymore made until his 3 month.

By the time we got home, he slept for another good hour while Ben and I were able to fix and eat dinner (leftovers reheated). Then, I fed baby and slept!! Ben recorded all my shows and gave him a bottle at 11 p.m., so I could go to bed and sleep until the 2 a.m. feeding! It was nice and Blayne slept until 7:30 this morning. I really do not know how I got so lucky, and I'm praying it sticks!

All in all, we had a full day!

First Mother's Day and Ballgame!!

Hi all! Let me explain why i haven't posted anything. I keep forgetting my stinkin password. Seriously, I've had to reset it like 5 times b/c I can't remember. I'm going to write it down this time though!

We've had another great week. He has had his nights and days mixed up, but not too bad and I think we've almost reversed it. last night, he slept from 12:30 to 6 a.m. It's all about not overstimulating and keeping things quiet at this point, so he learns the difference. He only cries when getting his diaper changed, of course, and if he has a gassy tummy. We're getting used to his cues. He's such a good baby!

Here are some pics from the last week or so. (I don't know how to get them in order or to show up below. I'll figure that out later. ) Sunday was my first Mother's Day, and the Harbin's came down to take us out to lunch and spend the afternoon with Blayne. Last night, Blayne went to Ben's softball game, so we had him all decked out in baseball attire! Enjoy!

I know! I know! It's been a while!!

I haven't kept up with this blog AT ALL! My sincere apologies! haha! I just remembered my password honestly!

Baby Blayne will be here in two months or less (or a bit more)!! We are so excited to meet him! I'll try to post new pics soon! The last few months have been a whirlwind, but for the most part I've enjoyed being prego!

The holidays were awesome even with all the travels! January was perfect! We had our first baby shower in Texas, and was very blessed! February....could have been a better. I had two events at church, which wore me out. Most of the month, I had a LOT of aches and pains. Then on Feb. 17, we learned the real reason for those aches and pains. A kidney stone!! I'll let you know how the pain really compares to labor shortly! no fun! gave us a scare too, but Blayne was not affected in the least bit. After that ordeal, I felt great again! Whew!!

Then, sadness, b/c Ben's Papa died. This was his last grandparent, so it was hard. It was good to be with all the family though and remember his amazing life.

Now, we are half way through March, and it's been fun so far! The baby belly has definitely grown, and he is getting stronger and stronger in his movements. Not so fun though when he kicks down low..if you know what I mean! HELLO!

MARCH: I went to a Baby Fair and won a photography session and small package, so I'm trying to decide when to use that! I'm thinking 6 months as of now, but I also like the idea of the newborn pics too.

Last weekend, we had some friends visit! The weather was amazing. They blessed us with Blayne's first preppy outfit! White polo with light blue sweater vest and searsucker pants! Love it!

This weekend Ben's mom and I took a trip to Alabama. I had a wedding and wanted to visit my home church in Opelika. Thanks to Ben's mom for driving us! My feet have been swelling, so it helped to be able to prop my feet in the dashboard! Ahhhhh!!

This coming week is Spring Break, so it will be a quiet time at church/work. We have our last childbirth education class on Tuesday. I'm hoping it will not be as scary! Oh my! Most of last week, I think I had complex look on my face. haha. Like I said early, I'll let you know how the pain compares to passing a kidney stone. If I can do that for hours without drugs, I'll be just fine! Next weekend, we get to take a tour of the hospital and register. Our final choice is Erlanger-downtown. After that, it is on to the very large consignment sale. First time parents get first pick and get to go early! Hope to find some good deals, but not get too much b/c on the 29th we have a Clear Creek Baby Shower! This weekend is going to be so much fun! My mom is flying in from Texas, and we are hoping to see a lot of old friends too! I'll be sure to post again after that!