Why do they have to Grow up soooo fast :-)

Crystal, Jeremy, & Clay chill'n on our little balcony @ the Opry hotel

He LOVED this bath time. I actually let him lay in the water and he kicked like a little mad man!!!

Needless to say...he loved his wagon ride too!! Can't wait for some more warmer days :-)

Crystal & Clay in their new pj's...clay had to change his because he decided to spit up all over them

Clay eating homemade peach baby food...and he LOVED it too!!! I don't think there is anything this boy doesn't like.

I can't begin to explain how much joy this little boy has brought to my life. He is everything and more that I ever imagined and dreamed about. I couldn't imagine my life without him now...he's everything to me...just like his sissy :-)

So Clay is 3 1/2 months old now. Last night he slept in his baby bed...from 9pm-6am!!!! Needless to say...I think he likes it and that means no more bassinet in our room :-( ...but that doesn't mean he can't sleep w/me after Jeremy leaves for work. From about 5:45am-7am is our little snuggle time and sometimes I'm sandwiched between both kiddos...but those moments are why being a parent is the greatest!!!! I think with Clay sleeping in his baby bed...maybe...he might start rolling over. He's almost got it from his back to his belly...but not so much the other way. Oh well...he'll get there :-)

He is a little ladies man!!! I've never seen a baby talk, smile, & laugh @ girls the way he does. We thought we were in trouble w/Crystal...he has already graduated from Charming School 101 w/flying colors!!! He's attracted to redheads too...hummmm...wonder why???

Everything esp his sissy is funny now!!! His laugh is soooooo cute too!!!! I have it on video and am trying to find a way to put it on here and facebook...but haven't figured that out yet.

He's still a momma's boy...but he's starting to find Jeremy very interesting. They are definitely going to be sport watching buddies...he LOVES to watch basketball and football!! We are hoping he'll add in baseball too! He loves to be outside and going for wagon rides. We'll have to get some sunglasses to keep the sun out of his eyes so he can see everything around him.

He is a cuddler which is why drying up from nursing is probably going to be hard. He is starting to become attached to nursing because of the snuggling...so we'll have to figure something else out. I promised him though that just because the nursing was over didn't mean he had to stop snuggling!!

I fall in love with him more and more everyday and thank God for him. They say there's a reason why things happen. I always wondered..."Why Mason" but now that Clay has been here...maybe he's more of what I needed...and I can't explain that feeling...it's just there. It probably sounds horrible how I just worded that...but I can't explain how I feel about Clay. I was so scared about how could I possibly love somebody as much as I love Crystal...but I know how now :-)

I can't believe it's been 3 months!!!

On the 3rd Clay turned 3 months old!!!!! I can't believe time has gone by soooo fast!!! He makes it soooo much fun and now that he's really starting to interact w/Crystal...watching those two is very entertaining!

So some things he's learning is GRABBING!!! That's his big thing right now...he grabs everything from hair, hoop earrings, the phone cord @ work, shirts...and he's trying to get the time down to put it in his mouth. The other day he was sitting in his bouncy seat and had been studying this toy elephant and trying to figure out how to grab it. Well...he got ahold of it's leg and had it all twisted in his hand. He was flinging his hand everywhere and of course the elephant was moving wildly and his eyes were soooo huge like he couldn't believe he had finally did it! He was just "ooooo" and "cooooo" to it...it was sooo funny!! He also likes to grab ahold of your shirt and twist it and put it into his mouth and suck on it. He LOVES getting ahold of Crystal's hair and just smiles when she makes all those funny sounds trying to get away from him!

He's discovered Mickey Mouse is pretty entertaining too. The other day he laid on the floor and watched a whole episode of him! I think he like Mickey and Donald the best.

He loves to still be talked to and will talk back. He does facial expressions to go along w/his stories and they are priceless!!! He'll smile @ just about anything or anybody...he's got Crystal's personality so he'll be quite the little charmer :-)

Most of the things he's found funny has been stuff Crystal has done. He does think it's funny when I run my finger down his nose and then tap his top lip. He's laughed out load a few times and his little laugh is just adorable!!! When Jeremy talks to him he really studies him and takes it all in. That's good because Jeremy's smart and doing stuff comes sooo easy to him...I hope the kids take after him on that.

He had his 1st cold which lasted about 2wks. I'm soooo thankful that's all it was and didn't turn into something worse because there is soooo much stuff going around and I know soooo many people who's babies have had RSV. I thank God everyday for healthy kids!!!

Everyday I wake up I fall in love all over again. He is such a happy baby and he's everything I dreamed he would be. I have been so scared of making sure to do everything right to protect him because I couldn't stand the thought of him not being here. He'll never replace Mason...but the emptiness I had in my heart from loosing him has been filled w/Clay. Clay is a free spirited and happy little guy who loves to snuggle w/his mommy and that is exactly what I've needed. I can look into his eyes and see that he knows what I need and then he'll flash that huge & adorable smile and snuggle under my chin and cooooo @ me. There's no doubt he's a momma's boy and will always be. I love him more and more everyday and everyday I thank God for him.

I'll put some pictures up later...there are some really good ones :-)

My typical day...

I got this from a friend and I'm suppose to tell how my days go. I'll try my best...but we really just kind of take it day by day...a lot less stressful that way!!

7am - Me & Clay usually wake up...nurse and bottle feed. Take him and change him and get his clothes on for the day. Usually Crystal wakes up shortly after we get up and after I feed Clay I get her some strawberry milk and breakfast. Then she gets ready after a round of cartoons.

8am - If it's Mon, Wed, or Fri I'm trying to load the kids into the Expedition to head to work. I have a WONDERFUL job that I can take both kids to. I only work 8 hrs. a week...but it's an extra $80 for the week to do what we want with. The kids do really good @ work too. Crystal has a tv and toys and Clay has a bouncy seat. If it's Tues or Thurs then we just sit and watch some cartoons. I'll sit w/them for awhile and then usually put clay on the floor to play w/his kicker while I clean the kitchen.

9am - 10am Either working or cleaning and playing. At about 930am Clay is hungry again so I bottle feed (I'm weaning him from nursing) and then he takes a short cat nap.

10am-11am - Either working and getting ready to head home @ 11am or playing w/Crystal while Clay sleeps a little.

11am-noon- We eat lunch.

noon-1pm - Crystal does her K books and I feed Clay (nurse & bottle) and then he goes down for his big nap.

1pm-2pm - Clay's napping, I'm either doing cleaning/laundry or Crystal & I are playing the Wii and exercising.

2pm-3pm - Clay's napping, I do my workout Wii for 30 mins and Crystal is usually playing baby dolls or barbies.

3pm-4pm- I start supper. Clay usually wakes up and get changed and feed (nurse and bottle) and Crystal watches some Dora or whatever she's in the mood for.

4pm-5pm - Either fixing supper, finishing cleaning. The kids are playing.

5pm-6pm - Daddy's finally home!!!! Eat supper @ feed Clay (bottle) @ around 6pm. Crystal is usually drawing a picture for her daddy :-)

6pm-7pm - Have some family time and play w/the kids. Sometimes Jeremy & I might get to watch one of our shows.

7pm-8pm - Every other night is bath night for all of us. I usually just get in the tub because it's easier to wash Clay that way. Plus he likes being in there w/Crystal and smiling and laughing @ her. I usually get Crystal washed 1st and while Jeremy is getting her ready I wash Clay and then he gets him ready while I wash myself.

8-9pm - Feeding Clay (nursing & cereal bottle). Crystal gets a little strawberry milk & a bedtime story.

9pm-10pm - Mine and Jeremy's time :-) then off to bed!!

10pm-5am - sleep, sleep, sleep

5am-6am - Clay might wake up when Jeremy's alarm goes off @ 515am and usually he'll just nurse from one side and goes back to sleep snuggled up in my arms.

6am-7am - Sleep. Usually by this time both kids are in bed w/me and Jeremy is off to work.

I reached my goal!!!!

I'm sooooo proud of myself!!!! When Clay was born I set a goal to be able to nurse him until he was 3 months old...I I reached that goal on Wednesday!!! I nursed Crystal for 6 weeks and then got an infection and didn't have a really good pump so I quit. I was a little disappointed but I didn't have a choice. So this time around I told myself I was going to do it...and do it right! Clay is a good eater so he empties me out and doesn't leave anything...lol! I'm going to continue until the end of the month and then start drying up. This way he gets through RSV and flu season. Plus w/it starting to warm up we'll be outside and I don't want to deal w/the "full" feeling and be able to go do whatever whenever. Plus my pump that I've borrowed I think just bit the dust today...sorry Bethany :-( Nursing has been a task...esp this time around because of a 4yr. little girl who was very interested in what I was doing...lol! She hasn't tried to nurse her baby dolls like I did when I was little but she does make comments when she sees animals nursing their babies. She's been really good about it though. It's also been interesting on road trips. I had to buy a converter so I could pump in the truck. I've also mastered the task of pumping & driving through Evansville...you got to do what you got to do...lol!

We are still here...

Clay talking to his dog...looks like a pretty serious conversation!

Mommy's happy & smiling boy in the morning :-)

Clay's 1st time in the snow...which lasted about 2 mins

Mine & Jeremy's Valentine's Day dates. We went to BWW & watched the UK vs TN game. It was a late night but the kids did really good!

Clay & his sissy watching M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E! He loves watching that...esp w/his sis!

Sorry it's been a little while since I've updated. It seems like when I get a free moment...it quickly gets interrupted by the laundry, dishes, a phone call, exercise...you get the point...lol!

Things have been good since I last updated...except for the kids having a cold...which I hate for both of them but especially Clay. Good thing is that it's just a cold and he didn't have to see the doctor and he is getting better!!! Crystal got over it in 5 days and Clay's had it for almost a week...but like I said he's getting better!!!

I can't believe next week my little man is going to be 3 months old!!! Time has flown and feels like just yesterday I was making 3 trips to Evansville a week!! Now we stay @ home as much as possible and I enjoy every second I get w/him and Crystal :-) Have I ever mentioned that being a mommy is tough and challenging...but nothing has a better reward than being a mommy :-)

So what has Clay been up too??? Well...he LOVES being talked to and smiled at. He'll talk back and smile @ you now and I could sit there and do that all day long!! Probably why nothing gets done around the house...lol! He loves to be held and LOVES TO SNUGGLE!!!!! I LOVE that part about him :-) His hair is getting a little bit of a red tint to it...but I think it's going to be dark. His eyes have us confused though. He wakes up in the morning and they are blue. Then midday they have turned to almost a green color and by night they are a slate blue. He's our kind of kid...camo eyes...lol!!!! He's still nursing but also taking formula too...I don't produce enough milk so I've got to supplement. My goal was 3 months and I think I'm going to make it! I'll probably go a couple of wks longer just to make sure we ge through RSV and flu season. For about 1 1/2 wks he's been sleeping from 9pm-6am...so I'm finally getting a full nights of rest...ahhhhh :-) He's still in 0-3 month clothes...but not for long.

He's been out in public and does really good. He doesn't care too much for his carseat. In fact if he's in it...the truck better be moving or he's not happy. He still love to sleep on his belly and has to have the back of his head touching the side of the bassinet. I guess makes him feel like he's being held (he's not spoiled...lol!) The past couple of weeks he's been eating about a tablespoon full of yogurt and LOVES it!! I eat a cup everyday for lunch and he's right up there w/me chopping his mouth and whaling those arms until I give him a little. He chuckled for the 1st time on my bday...what a WONDERFUL bday present!!! Yes I cried like a little baby because just see him smile, hear his voice, and now hear him laugh is a beautiful sound!

There are alot of things I've learned to do one handed now! Typing is the biggest one but I can do dishes one handed, fix supper, do laundry, kind of fold the clothes (that's a tricky one and usually he likes laying on the bed and watching), exercising. It's getting a little better because when I put him in his bouncy seat he likes to try to hit the animals hanging down. Plus between Crystal and Chase (our dog) they keep him entertained for a short while.

Well...hope you enjoy the pics and I'll update later. He's on my lap and ready to eat...which requires to hands. But that ok cause that's me & him time :-)

Our Little Diva...

Who would have thought that 1-2 years ago when this little barefoot beauty who was in love w/Spiderman, never wanted to wear shoes or a shirt, & acted like a complete tomboy would today be playing dress up w/my old dance costumes & barbie dresses, liking for me to curl her hair & put makeup on, loves Hannah Montana & the Jonas "Brodders" (as she pronounces it...lol), & be the biggest little mother hen to her baby brother. Her personality, characteristics, outlook on life is one out of this world! She is a definite well rounded child!

Jeremy & I decided to let her start playing sports...so the 1st sport she's involved in will be soccer!!!! It starts the 1st weekend if April & last until May 8th. We are so excited to she her play & interact w/the other kids. I just hope she doesn't get hurt because you'll see this momma go flying out onto the field...lol!

We also decided that this next school yr we are going to let her attend preschool. We are trying to decide on either our church's which she'll go 3 days a week from 830am-1pm or to Bethal Memorial where she'll go 5 days a week from 815am-1145am. Decisions decisions...

Well...that's about all for now...just wanted to do a lil brag'n on her because she's done really good since Clay's been here.


Her "Cowgirl" outfit for the Wii game Just Dance. She put it together all by herself!

Her Valentine's day poster of the Jonas Brothers. It's right across from her bed so she can see them 1st thing when she wakes up. ..that's what she told us...lol!

Dancing w/the Wii in her Cowgirl outfit to Cotton Eye Joe!

Clay's 2 month appointment!!

OMG...I can't believe my little guy is getting soooo big tooooo fast!!! Last week he turned 2 months old...boy time flies when you are having fun!! He obviously didn't like his dr. app...he had to get 3 shots & on oral vaccine for the Roto virus. But he did weigh 12lbs. 3 oz (75% percentile) and was 23 3/4 in long (75% percentile). He did really good for the most part. His dr. was so shocked that none of us has been sick and hopes things stay like that. She said there's some pretty nasty viruses out there. So we are going to keep doing what we are doing and pray everybody stays healthy!!!

So some things Clay has accomplished this 1st month of being born....he LOVES being talked to and will talk back and smile HUGE @ you!!! He'll brighten anybody's dark days :-) He's found his hands and likes to suck on them. He LOVES his big sissy and really likes looking @ her pictures we have on the wall. At 6 wks. he started on a little cereal and liked it from the get go. When nobody else can get him to burp...mommy does the trick ;-) He likes being held...maybe too much...but that is probably because I'm spoiling rotten...lol!! He actually likes having socks on and is liking bath time only when mommy gets in the tub w/him.

He is bringing soooo much joy to our lives. At the time I could imagine why God wouldn't answer our prayers to get Mason here safe...but life's like a puzzle...now that Clay's here...things are starting to come together. I love you bubby!!