Weeks 32 & 33 - Poor Little 'Ol Me
November 24 - December 7, 2008

Dad had two whole days off work Thursday and Friday at the end of November. We made good use of our two days. On Thursday, Daddy, Mommy, and I spent a much needed day to ourselves. We never get to spend time just the three of us. Daddy made a yummy breakfast, and we spent the morning watching "Guys and Dolls" on tv. In the afternoon, Mom and Dad cleaned out the car for our trip to Nana and Papa's while I napped.

Friday, we left really really early to visit Nana and Papa... 5 am! I was good and slept most of the way there. We finally got there, and I had a great weekend spending time with all my family and friends. Saturday, Ava, Abigail, and Devon all came to play with me!

Sunday, we went to visit my Uncle Jeremy. But first, we ate at one of Mommy's favorite places in Huntsville: a German restaurant called 'Ol Heidelburg. It was delicious! Mom and Dad let me eat some of the pumpernickel bread they brought to the table. It was so soft and warm. Afterwards, we went to Uncle Jeremy's meeting. Mommy hadn't been there since she moved 3 years ago and was so glad to get to see everyone! After the meeting, I got to play at their house a while before we went to dinner at Cheeburger Cheeburger and drove home. I slept practically the whole way home too!
The bad thing about the weekend was that somebody got me sick! It's the first time I've ever really been sick. I had a cold and Mommy got it just a touch too, and Daddy too! It was so miserable... Mommy kept sucking my boogers out and it was NOT fun. After about 5 or 6 days, I was finally over it. I hope I never get a cold again!
I did have fun helping Mommy unpack though!

I got to see my first snow when we got back home too! It was snowing so much! It only lasted a few minutes, and Mommy woke me up for it. I'm glad though... It was so neat!

Weeks 30 & 31... Visitors Visitors!
November 10 - November 23, 2008

Mom and I had a very busy two weeks! Grandma and Papaw came to visit Wednesday. Mom wanted to go shopping at the outlets in Sevierville, so Grandma and Papaw came down to go with Mom. Wednesday night we just played at home and watched a movie. Thursday, we left for the outlets, and mommy found some really good deals on the things she needed.

Friday, aunt Kathryn, Sara, Kyle, and Devon Pockrus came to visit me. They were on their way to Charlotte, North Carolina, but got to stay with me for about four hours! Devon and I had so much fun playing together. Also, Cindy Hooven came and stayed about three hours with me too, and my great-Uncle Gary, Aunt-Nan, and Cousin Garrett came to see me too! I had so many visitors. Everyone loves to come see what I'm doing new.

Saturday, after service, Aunt Stephanie came to baby-sit me. Mommy and Daddy had to take pictures at a wedding in Knoxville. We had so much fun. It was the first time she's baby-sat me all day long!

Daddy bought this outfit for me before I was born. Before he knew if I would be a boy or girl even!

Aunt Kathryn, Sara, Kyle, and Devon got back to our house late late Saturday night and spent the night. We got to spend more time together Sunday morning. In the morning, Devon and I watched baby Einstein. It was great!

After the meeting, we had to help feed the speaker. Daddy made sweet potato casserole that was a big hit! Then finally, we got to go home to rest. I was super grumpy though, so Mom and Dad didn't get much rest.

Monday, we went to pick up our friends Daniella, Lilly, and Emma Koontz. They were visiting Gatlinburg from Florida. Mommy was so excited to see them again; it had been two years since she had seen them last, and we haven't gotten to see Emma yet at all!

They came to spend the night with us, and we had so much fun. I loved playing with both Lillian and Emma. I'm getting really good at playing. In fact, Lilly even taught me how to crawl!
Oh, did I mention I gave my first kiss to a girl besides Mommy? and YES, Mommy got that on film too.Tuesday, Mommy and Daniella got in a picture taking mood, and took all sorts of photos with crazy eyelashes Mommy found. They also took my 7 month photos. They were both photo crazy! They didn't have much time though because Daniella's parents were coming to pick them up, and Mommy had to help Daddy finish supper.

Daniella's family finally arrived and after dinner we watched Mommy's favorite movie of all time: Newsies! It was my first time watching it.

Mommy was so sad to see them leave, and I was too. I'll miss Lillian and Emma so much! I can't wait till they come visit in 2 years again.

The next few days, Mommy and I worked on recovering from all the company, but Saturday we got ready to go to Grandma and Papaw's. We went to visit Mommy's home congregation. It was my first time visiting and everyone was so happy to see me! I even got to see a whole bunch of my cousins. I'm one month older than one of them too!

After the meeting, we went to eat with Megan, Nathan, Karen, Mike, Chelsea, and Camron. They are Mommy's second family. Mommy and Megan grew up together. I hope that I will have a good friend to grow up with like that! I have a feeling with all the friends I've already made, that I will have one.

Goodness... See what a busy life I have!

Weeks 28 & 29 - Bathing Beauty
October 27 - November 9, 2008

Mommy and I had a very good couple of weeks. We got to get work done at home! Mommy had so many photos to edit with all the family and wedding photos, so I've been trying to keep my self occupied. I've really started talking now and can say "Mama", "Bye","Hi", and "Papa".

Mom did have a few minutes to take more photos of me. This was after a nice cozy bath. I get to take baths by myself in the big tub sometimes now. I love playing with toys in the bathtub. If I've been fussy, I always calm down when I get to take a bath. I'm pretty steady, but sometime if I'm reaching for one of my toys, I get off balance and Mommy has to catch me.

Mommy bought me this truck, and Daddy found the perfect use for it! I love riding around in it.
This laundry basket is a lot of fun too.

All and all, it was a pretty uneventful two weeks.

Weeks 26 & 27... Pumpkin Pie is calling my Name!
October 13 - October 26th, 2008

Oh it's been so long since Mommy wrote about what I've been doing! She's been busy this fall taking care of me, and she's had lots of photos to take! She says to catch up the next few posts may be a little shorter than usual. What! Mom, you have to tell everyone what I've been doing!

After the assembly, Mom decided that we should stay at Grandma and Papaws for an extra night or two. Daddy stayed with us Sunday night, but Monday night it was just us. Mommy helped Papaw cut the lawn, and while Grandma was inside watching me, I said "Mama" for the first time! Grandma couldn't believe it! I also wouldn't stop whining until she put me in front of the door so that I could see outside.

Mommy got so excited when Grandma told her, but she was sad because she didn't hear it. I let her hear it later that day though. She jumped for joy!

Tuesday, we went and visited Great-Nana one last time, and Papaw took us to Morristown to meet Daddy. We had fun but missed Daddy so much!
Mom bought this pumpkin to made Daddy pumpkin pie. He's been begging! Before we cut it up and cooked, Mommy took my sixth month photos with it. It was still warm outside, but she dressed me like it was a cool fall day anyways. After we made these photos, we went right in and cut up the pumpkin. Daddy was so happy. He said it was the best pie ever, and I got to help! I love making Daddy happy.

On the first weekend, Mommy left me all alone with Daddy Sunday night. She went to take some Engagement Photos. I didn't feel very good, so Daddy rocked me for a whole hour! I was back to playing by the time Mommy got home; daddy took very good care of me.
During this two weeks, we also went to the Smokey Mountains! Mommy was sad because it seems like we never get to spend much time just the three of us, so he surprised Mommy by taking a day off work! We drove up through Townsend like we always do, and even took a short hike in the Mountain. Mommy was carrying me on her back, so we didn't make it far. She said she was so out of shape... Daddy said he was too! We stopped by a stream and played a little while before heading back down. That was much easier!

We also had circuit overseer, so Daddy had his Servant meeting Friday. After his meeting, we left for Alabama; Mommy had more photos to take. Also, I started scooting to things today! It was a very exciting two weeks. Saying Mama and scooting!

Saturday I got to play with Nana, Aunt Kathryn and Papa B while Mommy and Daddy were off taking photos of the Calhoun family. We had a big time. I was sad we had to leave so early Sunday to get back for the Circuit Overseer.

Week 24 & 25... and Lovin' the Sand
September 29 - October 12, 2008

This week we were still on vacation in Gulf Shores. Lots of people were on this vacation: the Pockrus', the Silvernails, the Bruces, the Martins, and the Priddys. I even got to see my friend Devon a little while. Mommy took lots of photos on this vacation, and Monday she took family photos of most everyone; Uncle Scott took some of our family too.

Mommy let me play in the sand on this vacation, since the sand is so beautiful. I had so much fun! I got a little bit in my mouth a few times, and Mommy didn't like that. I tried to play in the sand with Aunt Amanda, Ava, and Abby, but they like to through sand. (Well Aunt Amanda doesn't). Daddy built me a sand castle that he let me tear down. That was the best fun I had all week! We also played in the gulf a little bit; the water is really calm there.

Nana watched me and took care of me most of the week. She stayed with me in the house a lot, because Mommy didn't want me getting to hot outside where I'll get prickly heat. I got Prickly Heat one of the first days, and so I wasn't allowed outside during the hot part of the day anymore. Nana didn't care though; she just wanted to be with me. Papa also sat with me some too; he liked taking naps with me.

There were lots of kids on vacation with us including Abby and Ava. I just love Ava. Everytime she would come close to me, I just giggled so much! I did make one major breakthrough on this vacation... I can sit up without using my hands or having any help!

We woke up for the sunrise every morning. It was so beautiful. Mommy and Daddy rented a paddle board on Wednesday. Mommy told me all about the awesome sunset she watched from it, and all the wonderful creatures she saw on it: Manta reys, Sting Reys, and big fish. I wish I could have rode with them, but they said I was too little and don't know how to swim.

Didn't Uncle Scott take some great photos!?

Saturday we headed home from our great vacation. On our way home, Papa called to say that Nana wanted to stop and see me one more time while we were in Birmingham, so we all ate together one last time. We ate at Jason's Deli with Papa, Nana, Aunt Kathryn, and Kristian.

We got back home to Knoxville really early in the morning... 1:30 am! We were all soooo tired; on Sunday, all we could do was rest and try to get all our things put up. The rest of the week Mommy and I were so sad to be away from everyone. We were so sad that Mommy didn't even take any photos.

By the weekend we were feeling better for our Circuit Assembly. Grandma and Papaw went with us Saturday, and everyone loved seeing me. Then, on Sunday, Mommy and Daddy left me with Grandma and Papaw while they were the the assembly. They told me all day people were asking them where I was! But I got to stay and play with Papaw. I went to the meeting in Jonesborough where Papaw had a talk. Everyone drooled over me! I got to see my friend Sully's grandmother too. I was pretty good at the meeting for them, and Papaw bought me a boat on the way home.

I missed Mom and Dad though and were happy when they got home. They were so happy to see me too! I got so many kisses.

Weeks 22 & 23... Daddy's little Country Boy
September 15-September 28, 2008

Mommy and I worked so hard to get back into the groove of things once we got back home. We had sooooo much laundry to do. We couldn't completely clean up from our trip though, because we needed everything for another beach trip in two weeks; we are going with Papa and Nana. Mommy also worked on trying to catch up on all her photography work.

Sometimes, when they are trying to get some work done, Mommy and Daddy put me in my swing. I used to love it, but it frustrates me now because I can't reach the bears on my mobile. When I was little, bears were my favorite thing ever. (Besides Mommy and Daddy, of course) I loved watching my bears on my two mobiles: the one on my crib and the one on my swing.

I've also been enjoying my Jumperoo. I am really loving sitting in it. Even when I'm not in it, I try to jump! I have so many neat toys.

On September 20th, I turned five months old! Mommy always takes photos of me when I turn a new month old. This is me at exactly 5 months old. I'm wearing my cool camo-overalls. When I get older, Daddy says he's going to take me fishing and camping in the woods a lot, and camo will come in handy!

On Wednesday before our trip, we went to the park with Abra and Aaron. Aaron brought his two dogs, and I loved seeing them! I even got to pet them.

Friday, it took us all day to get ready to leave for the beach, and on Saturday, we met Papa, Nana, Kristian, and Aunt Kathryn. I rode down to the beach with them because Mommy and Daddy had to go take photos at a wedding. We stopped in Birmingham to visit my Great-Aunt and Great-Uncle, and I got to meet my cousin Jack. He's only a few years older than me.

Saturday evening we made it to the beach. It is sooo beautiful! It's so nice down here, but I wish my Mommy and Daddy were here so that I could show them the Gulf of Mexico. It was my first time to see it!

Sunday morning, I woke up to Mommy and Daddy! I missed them so much. It was the longest I've ever been away from them. Mommy was so excited to see me too. One of Mommy's best friends came to visit me on Sunday: Holland. Holland and Nick hadn't gotten to see me yet, because they live in Florida. They thought I was so cute! (Who could blame them:) ) Mommy and Daddy had so much fun visiting with them. I wished we lived closer to them and the beach!

Weeks 20 & 21... Beach Bound!
September 1 - September 14, 2008

What an exciting week this was for me! All week Mommy was hard to get us ready to go to the beach for the first time! Nana and Papa B left Monday after their visit, and the rest of the week was all about anticipation!

Friday, after work, Daddy, Mommy, and I loaded up and went to Grandma and Papaw's house. Mommy had promised a good long visit to Great-Nana, so we spent quite a while at her house. Then, early Saturday morning we started on my first big vacation! We headed to Edisto Beach, in South Carolina.

I did okay on the drive, but after being in that stinky old car seat for five hours, I had to let Mom and Dad know that I wasn't very happy. I cried and cried the whole last hour of the drive. Mom was ready to pull her hair out, but so was I!

The first night, we didn't do too much. We enjoyed our nice new home for the week, and Daddy made hamburgers for everyone.


During the week we did all sorts of exciting things. Uncle Jeremy and Daddy caught a whole bunch of Blue Crabs, and after everyone helped crack them open, Mommy and Daddy made crab cakes that were so yummy! That was a full day of work, but everyone loved the meal.

On other nights of the week, Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Mike made delicious fajitas with fantastic sides like homemade guacamole, and Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Kristin made Chinese. They made lo mein and some amazing egg roles! We ate so much food! The last night, Uncle Jeremy and Daddy went and caught shrimp with a man that owned a restaurant on the Island. That night we had shrimp and grits, and I even got to try some grits!
One night on the vacation we went for a walk through the pretty State Park. Papaw let me fly a kite! It was my first time, and I just loved watching the kite fly; I didn't take my eyes off of it!
One morning we went out, and Mommy took family photos. That morning was the first time I ever got to touch the Ocean! Aunt Stephanie took me to feel it, and I loved it. It was so neat, and I couldn't keep my eyes off it either!


Wednesday, Papaw and Uncle Jeremy had to go all the way back to Greeneville because Papaw's uncle died. Papaw was sad, but he was also glad because his uncle had been in a coma with very very little chance of recovery. While they were gone, we went to Charleston. It was a very nice city. We got to go to the open market, the park beside the ocean, and to Rainbow Row, a row of houses every color of the rainbow. I wasn't too keen on being in the car again, but Mommy made me go anyways. On the drive home, the sunset was amazing, and Aunt Kristin took some photos of us.

During the week we took lots of walks, and everyone except me got to ride bicycles. We also played lots of games. The favorite was Settlers of Catan, a new game Uncle Jeremy brought. Everyone loved it! We also went to the beach a couple times. I didnt' really like it too much. It was too hot for me.

I didn't sleep very good during the week either. I woke Mommy and Daddy up 4 or 5 times a night! Mommy was cranky all week because I kept messing up her sleep too. She couldn't wait to get home so that I could sleep in my crib!

We had to leave Saturday morning, and it was such a long drive home! When we got to Grandma and Papaw's house, we went to visit Great Nana and Great Papaw. I told Great-Papaw that I was very sorry that his brother died, even though I don't know what that means exactly yet. They were both very happy to see me even though I couldnt' stay long. Mom and Dad were ready to get home!
Sunday, after the meeting we went to eat at "Aunt"-Cousin Pam's house. Her grandchildren were visiting from Florida! It was the first time we really got to play together. They are fun, but they can already crawl so they would get away from me so fast! Mommy took lots of photos of us playing together; it was fun.
I love playing with all my toys... right now I'm just having a hard time deciding who to go for... Tennessee or Alabama!?

19 weeks, and still Smilin'
August 25th - August 31, 2008

This week I was sick for the first time in my whole life! Mommy had a cold, and she gave it to me! Can you believe it? If she wanted to give me something so bad, I would have much rather had a toy! She felt very bad about it, but she took very good care of me, even when I woke up lots during the night.

I've started eating lots of rice cereal, and I even get to have some with bananas or apples in it. It's very yummy, and I know exactly when I am supposed to have it. If my Mommy only tries to give me milk when it's time for my cereal, I let her know that I want my cereal. Also, she has to shovel it in, because I don't like any time in between bites!
Aunt Stephanie came to visit me on Friday. We had a great time, even though we went shopping. She bought Mommy a shirt! She is the sweetest Aunt, and she loves me very much.
One day while Mommy was working on packing for the beach, I was playing on a rug, and Mommy left the room for literally 5 seconds. When she got back, I had gotten my head all the way through the pant leg of Daddy's shorts. I'm already getting into stuff, and I can't even crawl yet!
Daddy and I chilled and watched some tv this week. Daddy is so excited to share football season with me for the first time!

Nana and Papa B came up to visit me on Saturday, and we drove up to Grandma and Papaw's so that Nana and Papa B could see where we are going to build our house in a few years. We stayed during the afternoon, but Daddy and Papa wanted to get back so they could watch their first football game with me! We had a good time.

Sunday, we went to the meeting and Nana took good care of me. We even exercised when we got back. Papa B brought his Wii and Wii fit, and Mommy and Daddy didn't pay me a bit of attention because they were having such a good time with it!
This is me just chillin' after a bath. I have a good time splashing and making a big mess with my baths now.

18 weeks, and it's camping time!
August 18 - August 24th, 2008

We were with Grandma a whole lot this week. She came to stay with us since Papaw was in New York at a school he had to go too. Grandma's only gotten to spend the night with me once; so, I was excited to have her visiting my house for a few days!

On Monday, we went shopping at Turkey Creek. It was fun, and Mommy got to get a few things, but I was so worn out by the time we got home; we still had to go to the meeting too! By the time we got to the meeting I was so antsy. I just wanted to get down and play. Mommy didn't even hear one word at the meeting, and she finally put me down on a blanket so that I could kick out some of my energy.

When we got home from the meeting, I was soooo fussy! Mom, Grandma, or Daddy couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. They tried everything they could, and I finally settled down. If only they could understand English, I was trying to tell them!

Tuesday, Mommy took me to the pediatrician. I had a good, healthy report. I weigh 13 pounds and 2 ounces now, and I'm 24 1/2 inches long. I'm still only in the 25th percentile, but that's okay with us. After our appointment, we went shopping again! Mommy picked up Grandma at JC Penney's, and they went to a few more stores in the mall before going home. This night we went and ate at Grandma's cousin Pam's. It was so yummy as always!

Wednesday, Mommy and I got ready to go to Grandma's house. Right before we left for her house, we went shopping AGAIN! This time we went to Marshall's and the Dress Barn. Mommy found me a shirt at Marshalls, Daddy two shirts, and a beach towel. Before we left, we ran by our house, and left Daddy a note with his new things, so he wouldn't miss us too much.

Finally we left for Grandma's, and we got to go count the cows when we got there!

On Thursday, Mommy was so exhausted all she could do was take me over to Great-Nana's and Papaw's and do a little mending. Daddy came to see us tonight, because he didn't want to be away from me for two nights!

Friday, Daddy took the day off to be with us, and Mommy and Daddy mowed Grandma's yard so that it would look nice when Papaw got back from his school. We also took some pictures of me. I'm four months old now! I'm trying to scoot around too. I'll be crawling before you know it!Daddy fed me rice cereal. It was yummy, but one time I got it up my nose, and I sneezed cereal all over daddy! Mommy and Daddy love playing with me, and I guess they are alright too.

I'm very good at grabbing my toes now!Saturday, after a service, Mommy and Daddy decided they wanted to go camping to get away from everything even though Mommy was sick. (She has a cold!)We didn't pack much, and spent all the time we could relaxing! It was great. Sunday, Mommy woke up and took a few photos of me. She says I'm the cutest bear in the whole Smokey Mountains!

Week 17, life's a peach!
August 11 - August 17, 2008

On Monday, after Daddy got off work, we went to pick peaches at Black Oak Farms.
We brought home so many peaches it was unbelievable! They had rows and rows of trees dripping with peaches. For the rest of the week, Mommy and I worked on using those peaches! We ate lots of them, made a peach tart, peach cobbler, jam, and froze all the rest.

Papaw and Grandma came up this week too, because Papaw is going to New York next week for a special school. He said he would miss me too much if he didn't see me!
Friday, Mom was really in the mood to eat Bar-b-que, but she didn't want to drive a long way; so, we just ate a Buddy's B-B-Que. When we got there, Mom and Dad found me sleeping this way. I still had my hand on my toy! ( Well, I didn't want anyone hiding it from me while I was sleeping.) After dinner, we went home and rested.

On Saturday, we went up to Grandma's house because Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Kristin were there. When I first saw them I got a little scared, because Mommy handed me to Uncle Jeremy so fast. I hadn't seen him in a while, and I've started crying when Mommy or Daddy hands me to someone I don't know very well. Uncle Jeremy had to give me back to Mommy, but in no time at all I was just fine around them. Aunt Stephanie is dying for me to spend the night, but now she is nervous because of this new phase I'm going through.

Aunt Stephanie came over later to see me, and she, Mom, and Aunt Kristin planned what food they were going to make for the beach. I can't wait to go to the beach! I've never been, but Mommy says it's the best place to go on trips. When Aunt Stephanie got to Grandma's, we went and visited Great-Nana and Great-Papaw. Great-Nana is always so excited to see me!
On Sunday, Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Kristin stopped by on their way home and dropped off Grandma. She is staying with us for a few days while Papaw is gone to New York! I'm so happy:) Uncle Jeremy just thinks I'm the coolest kid! They always bring me a present when they come to see me. This time I got a brand new hat for the beach trip!
Well, Mommy says I'm going to be a dare-devil, because I love to be way up high and look down at everyone. I also love it when Daddy holds me upside down or when Mommy throws me up in the air. She hopes I don't grow up to be too much of a thrill seeker though! It will make her sooo nervous.

Don't worry Mom; I'll be careful.