Something new

Well, today, Lance and I spent LJ's nap time out in the back yard in my little "seating area".  We cleared about 15 trees out of our back yard, laid some stone and mortar, and put Rocking chairs and a chiminea on it.  (When I say "we", I mean we paid someone to do all that - we're not that good!)  Anyway, during LJ's nap, we lounged out there.  I brought a book, and Lance took a nap.  It was CHILLY - Lance usually freezes me out at night, so he thought he'd be warm enough in shorts, a t-shirt and a blanket.  He woke up freezing, so we headed inside.  It was great, though - quiet time, looking at the woods, trees changing color, high fall sky....We loved every minute.  Next time, though, we'll bundle up!

We just returned from a great dinner with our friends, The Bruneys.  It was so fun to watch LJ play with Shelby.  He wet his pants, and the unprepared mom I was, I forgot a back-up.  He came home in Shelby's leopard fleece pants - they even had bows on the bottom.  What can you do?  A boy's gotta wear pants!  I took pictures of both the back yard and our visit with them, so I'll post them soon.  Lance is calling me to watch a program on DVR, so I better run!  

Hope you are great!!!

What a weekend!!

What a great weekend!  Well, I was so bad about taking pictures - I didn't really pull my camera out until this afternoon, but I got a few here and there.  We were so busy having fun, I forgot to take pictures of it!  These pictures below are actually in backwards order, last starting first.  I am not sure why they uploaded that way.  

We had a fun day on Friday, playing in the back yard and grilling out steaks.  Lance's parents,his godson, sister, brother-in-law and our sweet niece arrived Friday afternoon.   Addie is 8 months old, and she is so precious! We met her for the first time, and we couldn't get enough!  My mom and brother joined us for dinner - my mom was feeling yucky all weekend - us southerners are feeling some pretty serious fall allergies this year!  We are hoping that is what's ailing her and not something worse!  Ross, Lance's Godson, was immediately in his element, playing ball till dark with his pa-rain.  (spelling?)

  

On Saturday, we woke up and went to the Fun Factory for LJ's little birthday celebration.  Heather took some great pictures that I'll have to get from her - they looked great.  All the kids enjoyed the moon bounces, then we enjoyed our cookie cake and pizza.  "Uncle B" went and got LJ a happy meal because he's still not the biggest fan of pizza.  When we got back, we got the gumbo going and put out great snacks so that we could play and watch football all day.  It was AWESOME.  What a great day!  LJ wasn't very fond of the moon jumps, but his guests enjoyed themselves.  I think he enjoyed himself most in his back yard!

Today, we had a great day - relaxing and seeing our precious family off.  It was so wonderful to have them in town, and we are so thankful for such a wonderful visit!!! Ross - you were such a big help, and you are welcome here ANYTIME!  More pictures to follow - I missed a lot of the action by using my eyes, not the camera lens, this weeekend :)

This was taken today right before Nana and Pops left.  LJ is now wondering where "Woss", Nana, Me-Maw and Pops are!

Pops and Lance celebrating after one of Ross' amazing catches!

Ready for his reception!

The Boys

LJ kissing sweet Addie

Missed

I wanted to make memorial post for my precious father.  Friday, October 24, is one year since he lost his battle, but won an amazing trip heavenward.  He is missed more than he could ever imagine.  

Hello!!!

Just wanted to check in - our days at home are so great that I am forgetting to do this!  We are filling them sun-up to sun-down and loving every minute of it.  LJ's 2nd Birthday Party is this weekend - lots of family and a few friends are coming into town tomorrow to celebrate.  On Saturday morning, we have rented out "Fun Factory" full of moon bounces so the kids, (and those who like to act like kids), can jump and play.  Afterwards, we are going to come home and make a big gumbo, lots of snacks and watch football.  We'll have neighbors and friends over as well so that we can cheer on the Crimson Tide together.  I'm sure there will be wonderful pictures to follow!!  :)  

I hope you are well!

love,

Jamie

A good day!!

LJ playing in the sand at sunset on the Bay

LJ, Daddy, Mommy and Me-Maw

WEEEEE!

Our favorite back shot - you know we always do those, uniforms or not!  :)

Get 'em!  

Today was a great day.  We got a lot done - my closet is actually looking less like a war zone and more like a closet tonight.  We are still kind of unpacking odds and ends from Baltimore while unpacking the suitcases from our wonderful trip this past week.  

Tonight, we met the Bruneys at the Mexican restaurant down the street then came back to our house and played on the playground.  We were all in long sleeves and sweatshirts, and it was a blast to play in the chilly air and enjoy the kids!!  I'll post pictures soon. 

When we arrived home on Friday night, we began getting our stuff together to tailgate and go to the bama game on Saturday.  We had such a good time tailgating in the morning and then after the game at the Smallwoods' motor home.  It's such a fun day of all-out play - LJ is really going to love fall Saturdays as much as we do!  

Our trip to Gulf Shores really was great - we had a lot of fun times with my mom and LJ really enjoyed all the golf cart rides, playing at the bay, eating at the Wharf after riding the Ferris Wheel and even family pictures at the beach.  I hope you enjoyed the pictures of some of our fun times in Gulf Shores and some of our tailgating fun!

I hope you are well!!!

A few pics!

Well, here are a few early pics -- I don't have my mac to play with the coloring and resolution, but I thought these were awesome on their own...we are having a great time!

LJ and Me-Maw at the foot of the pier looking out at the water.

Walking to the swing by the bay with mommy and Me-Maw

The Ferris Wheel at the Wharf. Of all the things at the Wharf, I think this was my Dad's favorite. It was his vision -- I believe he ordered it from Italy and even sat in one of the cars, sitting on the ground, before it was assembled. He would have loved to know that LJ loved it, too! This picture was taken just after we rode.

Crazy Lance testing his height on the "big boy" swing at the bay :0)

If this doesn't make you laugh out loud, well...you better check your funny bone! LJ is LOVING time in the pool with Lance.

Great visit!

Just wanted to touch base - we are having a great time in Gulf Shores! We are taking a lot of pics, so I'll post them soon - maybe when we return Friday!!
Love,
Jamie

Headed out!

We are headed down to Gulf Shores to visit my mom for the week, so we may not be able to post.  I will post pictures if I have the ability, but be ready for some this coming weekend if not.  Have a great week!!!

Love,

Jamie

P.S.  We are reachable by email or cell if you should need us!

A little better!

Well, we took LJ to the doctor first thing today and found out he DOES NOT have strep!  Yay!  His throat is bad, but it is not strep throat, so we are thankful.  He started some antibiotics today and decongestant to clear up some yucky stuff, so he will be a bit under the weather for a few days.  He had a moment in the doctor's office when I thought I was going to have to convince them he was sick - he was running around yelling, "roll tide, people!"  I was thinking, "he's sick - I promise.  He's actually very sick!"  He's so resilient, but that resiliency runs out eventually and he's just trying to make it through until he feels well.

Thanks for all the well-wishes and prayers.  I know he'll be better soon, and we are thankful to have family and friends who care!  

Love you!

Poor LJ!

Well, it's getting late, but I wanted to stay up to give LJ a good dose of Motrin -- that's right - our boy is SICK!  We couldn't exactly tell what was wrong with him, and we're still not certain.  He has had 3 of his last 4 molars pop through this week, allergies are horrible, and there is some stuff going around.  He didn't even have a real symptom at first, aside from irritability.  Tonight, however, he started running a pretty serious temp. - a bit over 101.  After some pasta for dinner, he told me his mouth hurt, (thinking teeth or throat), and then the fever spiked.  He had a good popsicle, a lukewarm bath and a bedtime story - after that, his temp. had come down from some tylenol.  I did check his teeth and throat - both look red, but I could only see it for a moment.  He wasn't too fond of my check - up.  I plan to take him to the doctor tomorrow.

Now, Lance says he feel achey and a head cold coming on.  I am running a low grade temp, feeling just a little yucky -- nothing much more than that, though.  I think the little ones get the brunt of it - what may be a cold for us can be full blown illness for them.  We are hoping for a comfortable night for him.  I just took his temp and gave him motrin - late in the night, his temp is only 99.5 and I feel lucky for that.  I know it's usually hottest at night, so we'll keep trying to control it.  Maybe tomorrow, we'll just sit tight and take it easy.  Hopefully we aren't sick as a family and can just love on our little boy!

Please pray for his throat, teeth and fever.  Nothing is worse than an innocent little one feeling so bad.  Goodnight!

Big Boy Bed!!

To make sure he was ready for the transition, I let him take a few naps on his spiderman pull-out couch.  He slept like an angel for longer than he usually naps in his crib, so we figured...

...he's ready!  Here's his precious baseball bed with the "hideaway" bedrails down and his new bedding on.  It's made with baseball bats at the foot and headboards and he has all his favorite baseball stuff, (oriole pillow, teddy bear, foam finger), on the bed with him!

He also has each of his baseball caps at the foot of his bed.  I tried to put his "roll tide" hat on earlier and he distinctly told me, "No - orioles".  So, the one on the far left gets worn ALL day every day.  It's filthy and precious - he won't wear the other Oriole hat because it is not the exact same as "daddy's"

Here he is saying, "cheese" before bath time.  Our routine is bath time, lotion time, story time, bed time.  He knows it well, but I made him take a picture before I pulled down the sheets!

Goodnight my big boy!  Sleep well in your bed -- I'd be lying if I said NO tears were shed as I walked down the stairs after putting him to bed.  He is growing up so fast!!

What a day!!

What a day!

Well, the game was ugly, but Bama pulled out a win.  Our day, however, was anything but ugly - it was wonderful.  I gotta say, it's good to be home!!

Playing catch with Daddy and "Uncle Wood" before the Bama game

LJ hanging out with his two best buds!

The family before walking to the game

Watching the Tide warm up!

This is LJ...for almost the entire first half!!  It was SO loud, but he slept better than he sleeps in a quiet home.  He really is a Bama baby!  

Roll Tide!!!

Let's catch up!

Hello!

Sorry I've been AWOL for a few days!  It's so much fun being home, and I haven't made the time to get these pictures uploaded.  Since Lance has been home, we have been wonderfully busy.  We unloaded the truck and put the stuff in the garage, pledging we wouldn't get right to it.  Well, you know us...we are almost done organizing.  There's a lot to do because as we moved into the house, we had to leave in a hurry.  Then, with a short stay and a transient off-season last year, a lot was left undone.  We want to get these things done, and when Lance and I set to do a task, we work our hands to the bone.  We joke that there's no middle ground with either of us - when we work, we WORK!  So, needless to say, I think a lot of these projects will get done this off-season!

I have even gotten most of LJ's baby stuff out of his room.  His big bed won't be in for a month or two, but I put an Oriole Bird bobble head, a helmet, a baseball, a foam finger and other baseball stuff in the place of his baby cup and plate and some infant pictures.  He is ready to have stuff on those shelves to PLAY with , so I packed up a lot of his little baby knick-knacks, (almost tearfully), yesterday and put them away until we may need them again.  Eventually, the rocker will come out, the changing table and crib as well.  In their place, I want to put a baseball beanbag, an awesome baseball bed, a train table and maybe even this cute table and chairs I've seen for coloring and playing blocks.  It will be his haven!  He LOVES baseball, so we'll fill it with stuff that catches his interest and makes him want to stay in there, (preferably until around 7 a.m. most mornings!)

Lance and I have been doing this awesome workout class in the mornings - It's called, "Crossfit".  You should google it if you have the time. It is AWESOME.  It's about a 20-minute workout that absolutely "kills" you - amazing that you can feel so depleted after 20 minutes, but it's great.  LJ LOVES the childcare at this gym - in fact, he asks to go in the mornings.  He had the choice to stay home with me, and he chose "class".  I hurt my back, (not badly), on the Amtrak a few weeks ago, and I've aggravated with the intense exercise and carrying around LJ.  I'm going to the doctor today just so I can figure out how to make it better - I don't want to miss a beat because of an aching back.  There is too much fun to be had!

Well, that's it for us.  Please let me know how you are - I will make the effort to keep this thing up - it's a wonderful log of our blessings - we have so much to be thankful for!!!! Have a great day!

Waiting for Dad to drive up and writing him a "welcome" message!

The Good Year Blimp is in town!  It was spotted above our house making some test runs before the game on Saturday!  

It is SOOOO good to be home - Yay!!

He gets his tools out and says, "I fits it", (I fix it!)