Memorial Day

Here is a quick snapshot into what our fun-filled extra long weekend looked like. On Thursday, our niece, Reese came to visit so we could celebrate her 7th birthday. We did this two years ago with our oldest niece, Haley and Reese has been counting down to it since Haley got home. To say that she was excited was an understatement. It looked a little different (all for the better) than two years ago with the addition of Finn, but we still had so much fun.

Friday, we went to the zoo along with the rest of Atlanta.

Friday evening, we went to Legoland and I'm not sure Reese would've stood still long enough for a picture. She was squealing with excitement as she ran from one thing to the next. Finn on the other hand just sat back to take it all in. I have a feeling that we will be back here a lot in just a couple years.

We love our sweet Reese and are so blessed to be her aunt and uncle. These are memories that we will certainly hold onto when our beautiful nieces are older and don't really want to be around their cool aunt and uncle.

Saturday, Dustin took Reese home and Finn and I went to Target. Here is what we came home with.

On Sunday, Dustin's parents came to town and went to the Braves game. Finn actually enjoyed it until someone hit a home run. Sudden loud noises and cheering can really bring out the tears.

On Monday, we spent time with friends at the pool and grilling out. With two toddlers and an 8 month old, we ended up not taking any pictures. Shocking, I know. Here are a couple I snapped with my phone.

 This happy boy enjoyed his first Memorial Day weekend. He could probably sleep for days now.

Eight Months

Our little man turned eight months old on Monday. Yes, somehow our sweet boy is already two thirds of his way to being one year old.

Baby boy, we love you more than words can say. Your personality is really starting to show and you are such a fun little guy! Your daddy and I just smile at each other thinking about the fun little boy you are turning into (much too quickly!) You LOVE to show off those two teeth with open mouth smiles and lots of giggles. You give us big wet open mouth "kisses" on our faces and it melts our hearts. You still love jumping in your jumper and doing anything outside. You love sleeping on your side and tummy and we can usually find you doing push ups in your crib when we get you up in the morning. Our most favorite thing you're doing right now is when you lift your arms towards us while sitting down for us to pick you up. It is just the sweetest! You think we are just about the best thing around. You love eating, sleeping and playing- what more can we ask for?

Eating- you have quite the appetite! You get a full breakfast, lunch and dinner and still take four 6-7oz bottles per day. Some days I don't even feel like that is enough! It definitely takes a lot to keep those legs nice and plump. The only food you seem to not like is peas (and I don't really blame you).

Sleeping- We are so blessed and happy that you have always been a great sleeper! Since 4 months, you have been sleeping 12hrs at night and now at 8 months, you will still take 2-3 naps a day.

You are up to just over 19lbs now and provide mommy with the best arm workout in town. You love sitting and now love to sit like a big boy in the bath tub- which leads to more splashing and soaking mommy and daddy.

You are SO close to crawling! You do push-ups on your hands and knees and hands and feet. You rock back and forth until you're frustrated. Your means of getting around right now are rolling and scooting backwards. This means mommy has some baby-proofing to do...

You love to "talk" and have conversations with mommy and daddy. No real words yet, but you are definitely not quiet.
 
We had our first visit to the Emergency room this month on Mother's Day for a nasty respiratory bug that has thankfully finally been kicked to the curb. I'm sure there will be many more visits to come, but I pray that they are far and few between.

We love you so, our sweet boy! We thank God everyday that He chose us to be your mommy and daddy. You are a such a joy and we love you to the moon and back!

We went to Whitefield Academy's graduation on May 17. I may have silently been praying for time to slow down, but somehow I know these next 18 years are going to go by quicker than I'd ever imagined and we'll be watching you walk across that stage.

We took you to the pool for the first time and you LOVED everything about it except for the cold water. You screamed as soon as we sat you on your bottom and I'm pretty sure your daddy had the same reaction when he tried to sit down. We go to the beach next month, so we'll see what you think of the ocean...

 

These pictures are getting harder to take, because you definitely do not like to stay in one spot. Here is the best I could get this month...

At this point, you decided you were done with the crib pictures when you spit up all over your sheet. So we moved the photo session to the floor.

Showing off those pearly whites.

And now for your latest milestone...

Just having some play time with my buds.

Seven and Thirty-one

Yes, I realize I am getting this post in with just a few hours to spare on the official birthiversary- but here it is. Today is the day that we celebrate Dustin's 31st birthday and our 7th anniversary. It is such a blessing that both of those numbers go up each year and that is something that we definitely do not take for granted. Luckily, we celebrated last week, because the past 48 hours have been anything but a celebration. I am honestly not sure how I pictured spending my first official mother's day, but yesterday wasn't quite it. Our little man has had quite the nasty respiratory infection since last Thursday. On Saturday, our pediatrician told us it was bronchiolitis and gave us a breathing treatment and an inhaler with instructions to "watch him to see if he gets worse". So of course, I am holding him and staring at him all day trying to analyze his breathing and wheezing. Around his bedtime last night, we came to the conclusion that his cough and wheezing did in fact seem worse and were a bit too nervous to put him to bed for the night. In the car we went to Children's at Scottish Rite for our first time as parents. We concluded we would rather go and them tell us it's really nothing than to stay home and really be in trouble later. After some serious suctioning, a breathing treatment and a clear x-ray we got home around mid-night and I slept on the floor of his nursery (happy mother's day to me!). Though it's not what I had planned, I am so thankful for the opportunity to be this sweet boy's mommy. Here are the pictures I have to show him later on how I spent my first mother's day.

Using his inhaler...

Checking his respiratory rate...

...and lots of saline and snot sucking in between.

Finally realizing that dr. mom just wasn't cutting it (seen with one tired momma)

Happy boy pre-suction, breathing treatment and x-rays.

This morning, he has been doing better, but still has his nasty cough. We'll probably end up back at our doctor's office tomorrow to see if an antibiotic is needed or if they still think it's viral. Here is proof that you can still look cute while being sick.

And of course... since this is also a post to celebrate another year of marriage, here is a picture of these babies from 7 years ago.

And this stud...