Surprise!!!
June 22, 2008
This weekend we found out that Mommy's cousin Jonathan and his wife, Jenny are pregnant! (Well, Jenny's the one that has to do all the hard work!) She is now 10 weeks along.

They wanted to tell their parents at the same time, so they had them over for dinner. At the dinner, they told their parents they wanted to take some family photos. Here are the photos Cousin Jonathan took...Before they found out...

Here Cousin Jenny says... "Oh, we forgot to tell them Jonathan."
Jonathan: "Tell them what?"
Jenny: "That they are going to be grandparents!"
And the surprise!
I can't wait until my new little Cousin gets here! Mommy and cousin Jonathan were great friends growing up, and I hope I can be a pen pal with my new cousin, just like Mommy and Jonathan did.
Congratulations guys! Thanks for sharing the photographs.

9 Weeks and Growing Strong...
June 16-June 22, 2008

Monday, we rested after being at the Convention. Daddy still wasn't feeling well, so he stayed home with me today. I was so happy that Daddy was home on a weekday that I let out a great big smile that Mommy finally caught on camera!


Daddy played with me all morning. He even let Mommy go to town by herself while he played with me. We had a great day!
Daddy and Mommy took lots of photos of my cute feet today too. Daddy wants to commission a drawing of my foot with the artist Athenatt. She is fantastic!

I was in a great mood on Tuesday morning! Mommy caught lots of my smiles with the camera! I love looking a my bear mobile. The bears are so much fun to watch; they always make me smile.

I love to make Mommy laugh with my goofy faces too.


Wednesday the cat wanted to play with me. The kitty-cat loves me, but she doesn't understand that I can't pet her yet! She still always wants to sit with me though. Wednesday night, we had company over for dinner. We had the Hitt's and the Hooven's over. Daddy grilled, and Mommy made a yummy cake! Everyone loved holding me, even though I was a little fussy.

Thursday was my Two Month check up with my pediatrician. He said I weighed 10 lbs and 11 oz! That is in the 50th percentile for babies my age. I am also 22 1/4 inches, which is only in the 25th percentile for babies my age. I hope I grow taller! That wasn't the bad news about the day though; the bad news is that I had to have my first round of immunization shots. It was terrible! When the nurse gave me my first shot, my eyes got as big as saucers. She was super fast though.

I was very grumpy the rest of the day. My Mommy had to keep holding me or I would cry my eyes out. She had to call Daddy to come home early from work because she was sad I felt so bad. Then, on the way home, Daddy's car broke down, and we had to go pick him up!

I felt much better once Daddy was home to comfort me. We spent a lot of time outside, which is my favorite place in the whole world. (Just like my Daddy!)

Friday, Daddy was off of work, and we went out in service. After service , we all spent time together! It was nice to have a day at home with Mom and Dad.
Saturday, we went to the District Convention to pick up the day we missed the week before. Daddy's family always used to take photos at the stage every District Convention, and he wanted to keep up the tradition, so we made our way to the stage. Everyone wanted to stop and look at me though! It took a while to get to the stage.

We also got to sit with my friend Sully and his Mommy and Daddy during the Convention: Katie and Charlie Robinson. Mommy said I was bad during the convention today; she spent most of the time in the nursing mother's room, taking care of me!
After the Convention, we went over to Sully's grandparents house. Mommy took some photos of Uncle Charlie and Aunt Katie with my buddy Sully.

She also took some photos of me with Sully and my other friend Chloe. She is Lauren Prowant's daughter. Mommy grew up around Lauren too, and her baby Chloe is 2 months older than me. Here we all are! She's so cute; Sully and I are going to be fighting over her when we get older.Here we all are with our Mommy's! I hope we can all play together a lot in the coming years.

Eight Weeks and Still Kicking!

June 9-June 15, 2008
Monday, Mommy and I had to rest from the super busy weekend! But I loved looking at all my presents as we put them away. I can't wait till I get to use them all.

Wednesday, we went on a million gazillion errands. Mommy took me soooo many places. We went to Target, Payless Shoes, Hobby Lobby, Ross, the bank, the post office, JC Penny, and Belk! I can't believe we did all that. Most of the errands were only to return something or to check on something, so they didn't take that long. By the end of the day though, Mommy was SO tired of getting me in and out of my car seat!

Thursday, we made our way up to Grandma and Papaw's because this weekend was our District Convention. Mommy and Grandma spent all night getting ready for the Convention. They ironed clothes, made lunches, and set everything out so that we could all get ready and go quickly. I just wanted to nap though.

We had a very good day at the convention on Friday! I decided to take it easy on Mom and Dad, so I slept most of the time. They didn't have to get up with me the whole session! Grandma held me most of the morning, but at the morning song my Great-Uncle Gary came and got me. My Papaw held me during the second session, but then a lady I'd never met before came and got me! She told me her name was Aunt Cindy and that she came to my baby shower that Auntie Abra gave me. I have so many Aunts and Uncles! I can't imagine they are all really Mommy and Daddy's brothers and sisters. I mean I don't have any brothers or sisters so how can they have so many!

For dinner, we ate at the Stir Fry Cafe with Aunt Megan and Uncle Nathan and their family. It was fun, but the dinner made Daddy sick! He was sick all day Saturday and couldn't care of me because Mommy didn't know if he was contagious. Later, they decided that Daddy had viral food poisoning... Yuck! Poor Daddy.
Saturday, we didn't go to the convention because Mommy and Daddy want to go next week to visit their friends Katie and Charlie. They have a little boy that's two days younger than me! Instead, we went out in service. While we were out, we visited my Great-Uncle Danny and my Great-Aunt Martha. Uncle-Danny is my Papaw's brother. (Hey! How come he gets a brother too!) My cousin Emry was visiting too!

She was crazy about me... She wanted to hold me, help change me, and even help feed me! I think she likes me, but I went to the bathroom in my diaper while she was holding me, and she wasn't too fond of that! The rest of Saturday we rested at Grandma and Papaw's house and got ready for the convention!
I was surprised to see my Aunt Stephanie at the Convention! (I think she really is my Aunt because I see her often.) She has missed me so much, so she took good care of me the whole convention! She loved showing me off.
I also met Mommy's friend Tara! She held me, but I was hungry so I got a little cranky. Then, her little boy, Hunter, saw that I was upset, and he got upset too! Mommy wanted a picture of us together, but we weren't having it!

We made it home Sunday; these weekends always wear me out! Mommy and Daddy need to slow down. (But they say there is no chance of that! I'm just along for the ride.)

Seven Weeks Old!
June 2, 2008- June 8, 2008
Monday, Mommy had her doctor's appointment to see if she was all ok after having me. (The doctor told her she was just fine, even after that hard C-Section!) She's been feeling a lot better. She isn't sore much anymore, though every once in a while it really feels funny to her where she had her stitches.

Grandma and Papaw kept me while Mommy went to the doctor, and we had a great time! When Mommy got back though, Grandma and Papaw had to leave fast so that Papaw could go check on his hay.

On Thursday, Mommy and Daddy took me to Grandma and Papaw's because they had to help them put up hay. I don't really know what that is, but my Daddy and Papaw say I'm going to be doing a lot of it in a few years... I hope it's something fun! While they were all in the hay field, I went to stay with my Great-Nana and Great-Papaw. They get so excited when I come. Great-Nana just keeps repeating, "God love you, God love you." (By the way, I'm not sure if putting up hay will be much fun, Daddy, Mommy, Grandma, and Papaw all looked really tired.)

Friday, Uncle Jeremy, Aunt Kristen, Uncle Mike, and Aunt Stephanie all came over. We were all getting ready for the big surprise! Sunday was Grandma and Papaw's fortieth wedding anniversary! We all took them to eat at one of their favorite restaurant's in Johnson City: Cheddar's. While we were waiting for our table, we went to a book store and told my Grandparents the real surprise... a week vacation for all of us at Edisto Beach! We can never get all of our schedules worked out to all be together much, so Aunt Stephanie, Uncle Jeremy, and Mommy have been planning it since October! It was very hard for them not to spill the beans in all that time! Grandma and Papaw were very surprised and happy.

After dinner, we came back to Grandma and Papaw's house, where Aunt Stephanie had made a super yummy cheesecake that had a "40" on it in blueberries! As the last big surprise, Uncle Jeremy shot off fireworks! It was such an exciting night!

Saturday, Mommy took me to her 5 year High School reunion. There weren't many people there, and we couldn't stay long, but the ones that were there all wanted to hold me! Mommy got to see a few of the people that she was friends with in school, but we had to leave after an hour; today was also Aunt Stephanie, Aunt Kristin, and Grandma's baby shower for me in Greeneville.

This is Aunt Kristin decorating some ducky cookies; Mommy loves duckies.
Aunt Kristin and Uncle Jeremy also got this cake with my picture on it.It was pretty neat! And Mommy says it was yummy. .. just like all the rest of the food. She ate a lot... so much for her diet! :)Aunt Stephanie made this really neat diaper cake.(But Mommy said we couldn't eat that one.) Also, Uncle Jeremy gave me a copy of his all time favorite book as a little boy .

With Unc Jeremy and Aunt Kristin is Mommy's cousins Jonathan and Summer. They drove a long way to see me! Jonathan came from Boone, North Carolina and Summer came from Washington, DC!

All sorts of family came to visit me at the shower. Great-Aunt Sherry and Great-Uncle Mark came from North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, and Cousin Deidre came from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Jillian and Piper came to see me from Hamilton, Virginia. Also, many other Cousins, Great Aunts, Great-Great Aunts and everything else came from Greeneville. It was nice to get to meet so much of my family!


This is my Great-Aunt Sherry holding me. I have on the boots Unc Jeremy picked out for me! Mommy loves them, but I kept kicking them off. Doesn't Mommy know these are for winter time!?

I liked looking back at Unc Jeremy's curly hair. It's like Mommy's!


This is my cousin Matthew. He's the one that first mentioned to Daddy my middle name: Kingston. After that Daddy fell in love with that name, and Cousin Matthew is so proud that he helped name me!
After the shower, Mommy took photos of Piper. She is one year old now!

Everyone left by Sunday morning, but we stayed because Mommy and Daddy had to help Grandpa in the hay again. When we finally made it home, we were all exhausted from the weekend! It was a super-great weekend, and Aunt Stephanie's shower for me was so nice! I loved it, and I got so many nice gifts! I could get used to this...

Week 6
May 26-June 1, 2008
This was another big week for me! Papa B and Nana left on Monday. I'm always sad to see them go, and Mommy and Daddy are too. They help out Mommy a lot when they are here. Nana helped Mommy plant the flowers she bought with Grandma Saturday, and Papa B kept me company and sang to me.

On Wednesday, I started smiling to my Mommy while I was awake! She was so excited. (Before Wednesday, I only smiled while I was dreaming.)Don't I look like I have cabbage patch doll eyes?

Daddy likes to play with me when he gets home from work, and Mommy is usually happy to have a break! I take a lot of energy to take care of!
Friday, Mommy took me to visit Daddy's work. Everyone thinks I am adorable! They all call me Baby Peyton at his work because Daddy hates the UT Volunteers. Daddy says I'm going to like Alabama football, but Mommy doesn't think so! We also went to visit Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Mike. Aunt Stephanie and Mommy dragged me all over Asheville! I was so worn out; I was very grumpy!

Saturday, Mommy and Daddy took me out in service. We got to see baby chicks! When we got home, they cleaned the house up real good for the first time in a few weeks. Mommy was so happy to have a clean house. Then, Mommy cleaned the car out too! Aunt Stephanie missed me tremendously, so she and Uncle Mike came to visit. They brought a whole bunch of food, and so Daddy grilled a yummy dinner. While they were here, my Great-Uncle Gary and Great-Aunt Nan came to visit as well as Mommy's cousins Garrett and Ethan. They couldn't stop holding me!Sunday, Grandma and Papaw came to spend the night. They came to baby-sit me while Mommy had her last doctor's appointment! We had a good time Sunday, but I'm sad the week is over!

I'm Five Weeks Old and Growing!
May 19- May 25, 2008
This week it was just me and Mom. Dad was at work, and I had no visitors! Monday I was very cranky. You would be cranky too if your Mom didn't spend every second with you after you were adored all weekend! Plus, my tummy was hurting real bad. Mommy was worn out by the time Daddy got home, and by bedtime, Daddy was worn out too.

Mommy took me walking several times this week. I love it! I get my best sleep while she's walking me. We usually walk about three miles around our subdivision, and there is always someone stopping Mommy to ask about me! Everyone loves me, even if they don't know me!

Mommy loves my nap time. She can get a little bit done around the house without me getting her attention all the time!

I've started to LOVE bath time! I'm going to be a really good swimmer just like my Daddy. Mom says she's going to get me swimming lessons so I don't turn out like her; she didn't learn to swim until she was 7!

Tuesday was Mommy and Daddy's second anniversary. Mommy made Daddy his favorite... chocolate cupcakes (from scratch!) with peanut butter icing, and Daddy took Mom out to dinner at a really nice restaurant. He took us to the Lakeside Tavern which is on Lake Loudon in West Knoxville. It was beautiful and yummy, but very windy!

After we ate dinner, we sat by the lake for a while. It was the best view!

Friday, Grandma and Papaw came to spend the night with me! We had fun visiting, and when Daddy got home Papaw took us out to eat so that Mommy didn't have to cook. We ate at the Gondolier. Mommy bought two deserts to bring home that were out of this world!

Saturday, Papaw and Dad went to an airplane show in Chattanooga, and they didn't take me! Can you believe it!? If they want me to like airplanes they better start bringing me too, instead of leaving me with these girls! (I love you Mom and Grandma... but sometimes you just gotta have guy time.) I had to go shopping with Mom and Grandma instead... Yuck!

Saturday night, Mommy and Daddy took me to Mommy's cousin's wedding: Hailey McCoy. After they got married Mommy says we are now officially family to 65% of our congregation!
My great-great uncle and part of his familyare in our congregation, but that's only part of the family!

At the wedding, I was passed from person to person, and Mommy and Daddy hardly held me for five minutes! They knew that was how it would be though; everyone just loves me! Even the little kids (as Mom calls them... they are giants to me!), got in on the action.

Mommy was glad because she got to take pictures. Her cousin wanted her to be the official photographer, but because Mommy didn't know when I would come she had to turn it down; she still took a lot of photographs for fun though!

This is my (3rd or 4th) cousin. It's my Grandma's first cousin's grand-baby. He's a twin! This was Carson, and his brother's name is Jett. Jett was nice enough to let me use his seat while I took a nap.

Sunday, Nana and Papa B came to visit me! We made a trip to the
Smokey Mountains.

Daddy fly fished. He says he's going to teach me one day... but that I'm not allowed to touch his rod!

Papa B took a nap with me after lunch.

I got to play with a Butterfly at the park too! That was the highlight of my day.

Papa B took some photos of us. He did a great job! After we left the park, we at Mexican food for supper! It was tasty. By the time we made it home, we were all exhausted!

I can't believe the week is already over!

I'm One Month Old!
May 12 - May 18, 2008
This month my Aunt Kathryn came and stayed all week with me! We had so much fun together; she loves me so much. We didn't do anything special, just spent time together. Aunt Kathryn even kept me and let Mommy go get groceries alone. Mommy says she can't get anything done with me here.

On Thursday, Mommy and I went to Alabama with Aunt Kathryn without Daddy! It was my first night without Daddy. I did not like it, but Mommy knew Nana and Papa B would want all the time with me they could have. Mommy and Aunt Kathryn went for a walk while I kept Nana and Papa B company.

On Friday, Mommy and I went to Huntsville to visit my Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Kristen. We went shopping a little and Mommy bought me a meeting jacket! It's not for until I'm older though. We ate at Papa Gyro's, and Mommy said it was deeeee-licious. I also got to go to NASA for the first time, because Mommy wanted me to meet the lady she worked with there, Philisha. Afterwards, we went back to Uncle Jeremy's house and spent some time together. Uncle Jeremy says I'm going to be one crazy kid looking at who my Mommy and Daddy are. He says to keep the matched hid!

When we got back to Guntersville Friday night, Scott, Amanda, Abby, and Ava Silvernail came to see me for the first time. Scott is my Daddy's best friend.

This is Abby. She loved holding me and pulling my pacifier in and out of my mouth. She plays a little rough for me though. Maybe in a few years we can play together.
This is me with Abby and Ava. Amanda says that I'm going to marry Ava! But Scott says that I'm not getting anywhere near his girls.
Ava doesn't seem to happy about the deal. Saturday, Mommy took me to her friend Sara's baby shower. She is going to have a little boy too. His name is going to be Devon Jude Pockrus, and we are going to the beach together this Fall! I can't wait! Aunt Kathryn bought us matching outfits for the beach.Daddy gave the public talk in Guntersville on Sunday, and I slept through the whole thing! I knew he would do good even if I was asleep. After the meeting, Papa B wanted to make some pictures. Here we are: the Bruce men!
Here I am with Nana and Papa B; they can't get enough of me!This weekend I also visited my two other great- Grandparents! This is my Nana's mother. And this is my Papa B's mother.

It was a fun week... I can't believe I'm already a month old.