Part 2- Laughing

For Valentine's Day, one of my sweet little students brought me a balloon to school.  I brought

it home to see if Foster would like it and he did!  He thought this balloon was quite entertaining to both look at and try to grab.  While he was in his Bumbo seat, that silly balloon kept bopping him on the head:)

The many emotions of Foster

Foster is now 4 1/2 months old and I love this age!  His personality is really starting to show and he laughs all the time:) He interacts with us and LOVES to be talked to about any and everything! We are chatterboxes around here now-if I weren't already. ha! Foster is a very easy going and happy baby-he doesn't seem startled by the vacuum cleaner or Harvey's incredibly loud bark that comes barreling down the stairs out of nowhere.  

However, this past weekend when Wood was giving Foster his bottle, he turned his head to cough and for some reason Foster poked out his little lip and began to cry!  He has started using this little lip poke a lot when he doesn't like something; we can't help but laugh. Now when his Daddy makes a coughing sound...out pokes the lip. We don't laugh at him when he cries, but its hard not to laugh at this.  We did a little reenactment and every time he does the same thing...

Stay tuned...tomorrow I'll post one of his other emotions...

My Alma Mater-The University of Montevallo

I'm curious to see if there are any Montevallo connections through Kelly's Korner.  If you went there or know someone who did-I'd love to hear from you!  

The University of Montevallo is a small liberal arts college in Montevallo, AL., about 30 miles south of Birmingham.  Although it was not my first choice during high school, it turned out to be the BEST decision! After much growing up and making the decision to walk with the Lord, I decided a smaller school would be the best for me.  I chose UM and had a great experience.  I feel like it is definitely a "hidden treasure."  The friends I made are the definition of true friends and the experiences I was able to have at a small school were one of a kind!  

When I started college I had already completed a lot of hours at a community college, yet I still didn't know what I wanted to major in; it was a toss up between Social Work and Interior Design.  When I spoke with the Dean of the Interior Design dept. she talked me out of it!  Seriously??  She said to be a designer takes years, 7 to be exact, and unless I was willing to put in that long it wasn't worth it.  I wish I had done it anyway- I still want more design knowledge.  I then figured I was too sensitive to be a social worker and that probably wasn't for me.  I decided to major in Child and Family Studies, because I found it to be very interesting and honestly, I knew I just wanted to be a wife and Mom anyway.  Even though I wasn't married yet, I had already decided that I would be a stay at home mom.  Ha! Well, my hubby went to UM too and he majored in Finance.  I graduated in 3 years and we got married one week later!

(These pictures seem so recent, yet so long ago all at the same time.  I graduated four years ago!)

Facts about the University of Montevallo-  

Founded October 12, 1896

Montevallo’s school colors are purple and gold.

The mascot is the Falcon.

The campus is still covered in the brick streets that were original to the school years ago.

Hundreds of alumni return to the campus each February for Homecoming — and for College Night, known as the only Homecoming tradition of its kind in the nation. College Night, selected as a “Local Legacy”, is a festival of comedy, drama, music and athletics that actually lasts four nights. The Purples and Golds showcase their talents by presenting original musical productions. College Night debuted in 1919. 

U.S. News & World Report has ranked the University as a Tier One master’s-level institution, giving UM the distinction of being the highest ranked public master’s-level university in Alabama. UM, in its division, posted a No. 2 ranking in the South in a category called “Great Schools-Great Prices.”

University Republicans

Phi Mu convention with Leah in Nashville

 

Bid Day

 

  College Night is a fun and unique tradition.  

Supporting the Gold Side!

 

Beach with friends!

 

During college I worked on-campus at the Counseling and Career Center with some of my greatest friends. (This picture is totally natural;)

Jessica was the photographer in my wedding and Stacy is expecting her first little one very soon!

 

Road Trip to be with a sweet friend

 

Dinner during formal.

If you want to link up with Kelly's blog-go here!

 

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.  To give you a hope and a future."  -Jer. 29:11

Ramblings, Updates, This and That

 I'm a little late posting pictures about the snow, because these last couple days have felt like beautiful spring days. For the south snow doesn't come around very often; and even though other parts of the south have been covered in snow lately, Alabama was spared.  Except for one day last week.  We didn't get much, just enough to look pretty and take Foster out for a quick little peek.

Checking out the snow!

 

  Foster loves hanging out with Daddy. Wood can make him laugh so hard!  I have a feeling they are going to be so silly together:)

Last Thursday I came home to find THE cupcake out on the kitchen table-so exciting!  Our little cupcake only comes out to give someone a surprise.  If you see it out-you know there is a little something coming your way!  Now if you know me, you know I love cupcakes and I love surprises so this little tradition is a fun one for our family.  Inside the cupcake was a little note that said, "You have a surprise under the bed."  I go upstairs and find a pretty wrapped box with a shirt that I had mentioned once that I liked and a card that said thanks for being a great wife and mom.  Is my hubby a sweetheart or what??  I love him.  

Now, unfortunately I haven't felt so sweet or great lately.  Just greatly stressed.  I have been completely overwhelmed with everything going on.  Individually things are very manageable, but throw in housework and all that goes with it, Grad school, Work, Wood's mystery illness, a new baby. Did I say grad school?? Things get quickly overwhelming.  And I hate to admit it, but I haven't had the best attitude in all this.  I want so much to be wonderful and loving to my family and last week-I failed.  All this stuff going on has been rather sanctifying for me though.  It has definitely shown me my deep need to stay rooted in Christ's love and walk with His spirit and power to get through the everyday. Pray for me as I try to simplify my life and stay devoted to one thing.  I know that is where my peace lies.

 

My favorite flower is tulips and Wood has given them to me on several occasions in our relationship.  I got these yesterday for Valentine's Day and they are so pretty they almost look fake.  I remember one time in particular that he sent me pink tulips to my dorm room in college.  The note read, "Just because its Tuesday..."  See what I mean?  He's my favorite;)  

Speaking of my hubby, the doctor from Birmingham called yesterday and said that according to his test results (done last Friday), they do see a motility disorder and the Dr. sees some other things that aren't normal, but at this time, they aren't abnormal enough to be give a firm diagnosis so he can be treated.  The doctor was thinking he had a disorder called achalasia, but the results don't confirm this. Not yet anyway. So at this time we just wait and try to take care of him and get him nourished the best we can.  

Can you image?  Something as basic for survival as eating food and he can't do it??  PLEASE continue to lift him up in prayer that God will just touch and heal him.  I know that my God can do that and he loves him more than enough, no matter what.

 

 This is a picture of Foster's first little Valentine from a sweet little girl at church.  I love her hand written note:)

And last night little Foster woke up in the night and coughed and cried, coughed and cried all. night. long.  And today he repeated...I'm doing home remedies and hoping that he will start to feel better soon.  If you know of anything that is good for helping baby colds-let me know.  He has gotten them a couple times already and each time is terrible for him.

 

There are many "looks" of little Foster man.  The jury is still out on who he looks like.  He just looks like himself.  But I'm curious...Who do you think he looks like??

In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them.  In his love and mercy he redeemed them;  he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.  -Isaiah 63:9

Happy 4 months Foster!

Yesterday Foster turned 4 months old!  

He also had his 4 month check-up with the pediatrician.  

He weighs 15 lbs. 13 oz. and is 24 1/2 inches long. Wood went with us to the doctor this time and he was so nervous about watching Foster get shots- but it wasn't so bad this time.  

Foster acted like a big boy and stopped as soon as we picked him up. 

He is meeting all of his milestones, but he still isn't rolling over.  We do tummy time every day, but he just pushes up on his arms and looks at the T.V!  He watches everything around him now, so we have to try to keep him focused on rolling over.  He acts like he just isn't interested.  Now we are doing tummy time all.the.time! I asked the nursery workers to give him more tummy time during the day, as well, and they say he just falls asleep. ha! It is so funny because we are cheering him to roll over and he just looks up at us and laughs out loud.  I guess he will just do it when he is ready.

 

This month we had a Valentine's cake.  I try to stick with the theme for the month.

(Right before Foster was born, I got this idea from another blog that I read and it has been a fun little tradition for us.  Hopefully, I will be able to continue doing this for our other children)

 

Such a big boy!

 He can't roll over but he can stand up!  Just kidding- He is leaning on the pillow:)

 Harvey was trying to keep his little brother company during tummy time last night. ha!

 I think they were both glad when that was over!

This month:

-You are wearing size 1-2 or size 2 diapers.

-You are wearing 6-9 month clothes, but some 6-12 months fits you too!!

-When you are propped up on a pillow or your bobby you try to pull yourself in the sitting position.  It is so funny to watch you.

-You eat 5-6 oz. at each feeding

-The exercauser and Johnny Jump-Up are your favorite things to play in.

-You are drooling and chewing on toys or your hands like crazy!  Your hands are red from chewing.

-We talk to you all the time and you laugh constantly when you are talked to.

-You grasp your toys and look so proud of yourself when you get one!

-During the night you still wake up a lot and we have to put your paci back in.  We have gotten used to this, but are looking forward to you starting to sleep better-hopefully soon!

-You are a very happy baby and love to see your personality show more every day!

Foster, 

You bring us so much joy and we love you very much! 

"Be still and know that I am God; 

I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."  

-Psalms 46:10

Our weekend happenings!

 This weekend Wood and I went to Workplay in Birmingham to see The Civil Wars and they are SO GOOD-Their singing is amazing!!  I'm so envious of people that can sing, because I think I'm probably tone deaf;) ha!  If you don't know them-you should look them up!

 

 Lucy Schwartz opened up for them.  She was also SO good!

She kinda sounds like Regina Spektor, so it was such a great sound.

 

My sweet and so cute husband, minus me.  As he so nicely put it-my face was looking kinda full in this picture! So...tomorrow today is the day to begin losing this post baby weight!!  Remind me and keep me accountable, because I think it is important for us to stay healthy and in shape.  I know I sure want him to stay in shape!:) 

Last night, we watched the Social Network and it was pretty good.  Facebook is such a huge part of our culture these days, so it was cool to see how the genius idea came to be.  Have you heard of that new car that streams your news feed on the dashboard?  SO crazy!  

I also went to Hobby Lobby and Michael's with my Mom and can I just say that I get giddy going in there! I LOVE those stores-especially Hobby Lobby.  I'm going to be working on a couple little projects soon, so if they turn out good I will share!

 

 Go Packers!!  Foster and his Daddy love watching football!

Also, there were three girls that we know that were in a bad car wreck over the weekend.  One is still in the hospital, so please keep her and their family in your prayers for peace and comfort during this time!  We are SO thankful that they will all be okay! But it will take some time for recovery.  Car accidents are such scary things.

Play date...

Well, not really- but on Saturday Wood had a conference in Birmingham for capital punishment yada yada yada and Foster and I decided to ride with him. I did a little shopping and then we went to go see our best friends Kay, Michael and the newest and totally cute little John Michael.  I hate to admit it, but this is the first time we have actually seen JM.  Our boys are so close in age, but right before and right after babies are born traveling and visiting isn't top priority.  We were so glad to finally get to see them!

Meeting for the first time.  I think they were both being a little shy;)

 

Are we...

lucky ladies or what?

Bibs are a necessity these days...teething maybe...

Already?!?

 Long day and they were oh so tired.  Little Big man took over John Michael's activity mat. ha!