MAY FAMILY WEEKEND

We had a wonderful weekend in Starkville.  School has let out and that always means things slow down a little bit which is nice. On Friday the town had a crawfish boil in the Cotton District that we met some friends for. We got a babysitter for Walker so not to mess his sleep up. The boys bought tickets which was supposed to entitle you to unlimited draft beer and a alb bucket of crawfish.  But the event planners did not plan well and they did not have nearly enough crawfish and Kenny didn't like the draft beer.  But they had a blue grass band that Elle enjoyed dancing too and she had fun playing with the other kids and we had fun being outside and visiting with everyone.  We did end up hungry so we went for a late dinner at Bin 612 and had a great time.

Friends and babies

Saturday morning we decided to go to Starkville's little farmers market.  We figured we wake up so early that we would have time to get to the Farmer's Market at 7:30, do a little shopping and grab some breakfast before we had to get home for Walker's nap.We were pretty much correct in that assumption but Walker got pretty tired and fell asleep in the car for a second and then when we tried to put him down for his nap he was not having it. So then he was a tired mess when we got him up from that nap and so he was not really a happy baby the rest of the day.  If there is one thing we learned from that whole day is that we need to be pretty strict with his naps.  But we had a wonderful morning getting some homegrown strawberries, squash, boiled peanuts, tomatoes and fresh baked bread. Then we walked across the street to the Mennonite bakery for sticky buns.

Checking out the spiders and cockroaches at the honey stand.  Elle touched that cock roach!!

They had a working hive and the queen bee had a dot on her so you could point her out through the glass and we thought it was so neat.

Enjoying some breakfast at Aunt Marty's bakery.

Orange juice cheers.

The farmer's market haul.  Those strawberries are so divine.  

They actually have a taste.  We love them!

On Sunday I traveled to Jackson, Tennessee with just me myself and I.  I was making the three hour drive to see Tracy and her brand new baby girl, Leighton Mae.  And of course Mack and Joe too. Tracy did not find out what she was having for this pregnancy and had her hopes pinned on a girl and sweet baby Mae surprised us by really being a girl!  We are all so thrilled.  She is just so so cute and somehow I even managed to get a little baby fever from the snuggles. Tracy and I also planned this visit so that we could go out and have a margarita and go see the new Pitch Perfect 2 movie.  We saw the first one together many years ago. It was such a great night and a great visit.  I cannot wait to see them again soon!

WALKER EATS

We had an amazing little weekend spent together and  I even got a quick overnight trip to visit one of my best friends and meet her new baby girl so post to come on that soon.  But first I wanted to throw this milestone post in the mix.  In very focused efforts to get Walker to sleep more at night we decided to go ahead and start some solids.  I started Elle on cereal at four months but just didn't feel like adding it to the mix with Walker just yet.  I also wanted to wait until after our beach trip. But since we have gotten on a more concrete nap schedule we could accommodate an afternoon meal. So to the store I went to get some veggie mixes and fruit mixes.  I always start with veggies.  Fruits won't be far behind.

Since I wasn't planning on doing this I don't have a good high chair yet.  Still trying to figure out what I want to get.  I know what I want but just not sure I want to pay the price.  So we winged it and used our little Fisher Price chair thing.  It was fine.  Walker wasn't totally into the spoon.  It will take a little more work to get the opening the mouth part but he did okay the last couple times we have tried.  After the first time I put a little oatmeal cereal in the baby food to thicken it up and help him swallow it and he seemed to eat more then! Sweet boy is growing up!

GRAMMA CAMP 2015

Last Spring we started an annual tradition of Gramma Camp.  It was a huge hit last year and Elle was so excited to go again this year.  Elle's preschool lets out at the end of April and then they don't go back until June so we are always trying to fill our days and Mrs. Ann is so wonderful to host Elle for an entire week!

Before I get any further into it I have to include this little story.  When I started talking to Elle about Gramma Camp a month or so before she would go she would get so excited and ask questions like "Will we roast marshmallows?  Are we going to sleep in a tent? Are we going to sleep on the ground?"  I think on an episode of Max and Ruby Ruby went camping so she thought Gramma camp was actual camping! All in good time.  But for now I think she is pretty content to sleep in her very pink Sofia bed inside in her own room at Gramma's house and get spoiled absolutely rotten!

We dropped her off on a Sunday and I was a little worried that when she realized that Mommy and Daddy were leaving and with Walker that she would freak out a little. Nope.  Complete opposite! She pretty much pushed us out the door within an hour of arriving.  She was ready to have Gramma and PopPop all to herself!

Over the week they did so many fun things! They went to two different splash pads, a super fun park, shopping for toys, a movie, Chick Fil A, lots of ice cream trips and tons and tons of undivided attention just playing!  Mrs. Ann was a trooper and got up with Elle at 6 AM when she normally sleeps a little later, they would have a little snack of apples and cheese and then later they would cook a big breakfast.  Elle probably ate bacon every morning! Her favorite!

Kenny, Walker and I came back on Friday to stay the weekend and celebrate Mrs. Ann's birthday and Mother's Day.  We had missed our girl.  On Sunday we headed home and I do think Elle was ready to be home but she is missing her Gramma now and has told everyone she sees about Gramma Camp!  She can't wait to go again.  And one day Walker will be old enough to go too!  

So here we go with a few pictures from the week of Gramma Camp!

This was immediately after we left.  She was enjoying a little snack and cartoon on Gramma's bed and this picture made me miss her so much as soon as we left.

When we left Fairhope, Kenny and I headed to Biloxi to stay at a hotel while Kenny did some work there Monday morning.  Walker was pretty pleased with all the attention and being an only child for a week!

Walker needed a bath so a little hotel sink bath was in order.

Looking pleased as punch with her full breakfast! I do make her breakfast every morning but we normally do eggs and bacon and stuff on the weekends.  She was loving it!

On her way to the splash pad with Gramma and PopPop.  Weaaring Gramma's sunglasses!

That is a happy little girl there! Worn out from playing all day and some 

chocolate ice cream in a waffle cone!

PopPop and Elle with a  chocolate mustache.

And one with Gramma!

Gramma got creative to try and keep that hair from getting all kinds of stuff in it  

Chick Fil A lunch date!

Lunch with Gramma before a movie.  Hit up the salad bar.

Gramma with Walker and Elle on Mother's Day before we left.

We also stopped in Hattiesburg on the way home to see CeCe for Mother's Day.  We enjoyed some lunch at her house while Elle played. It was good to see all of the grandparents in one weekend!

WALKER MONTH 6

This post is few days late because Walker turned 6 months three days ago but better late than never.  I would say that month 6 has been a somewhat uneventful one and maybe kind of a crazy one.  We started sleep training a few weeks ago and it has been rough.  Walker has not taken to the schedule all that well and then I feel bad because have been traveling some which hasn't helped things at all.  

Walker has also stopped sleeping through the night.  I don't even know if I said that last time but he is waking up one to two times a night for a bottle.  I am extremely lucky in that he always let me put him back down and goes back to sleep but I am still feel exhausted a lot of the time.  After sweet Walker I realize that sleep is just really really important to me.  I would say majority of the time I crawl into bed (really early) just bone dead tired. I am ready for him to drop the night feedings.  If anyone has any tips please share.  I'm told this is normal for his age but I am pretty sure Elle didn't do this.

We started putting Walker in his excersaucers this month and he is gradually warming up to them.  His favorite thing to do is to chew on all the the different things.  He still likes his play mat too but turns over on his tummy so quickly that he doesn't have a ton of fun with that anymore. He also prefers to sleep on his side or tummy now too. We are holding off on solids or baby food for a few more weeks.  He is showing a lot of interest in food but I selfishly want to wait until after we get back from the beach in June! 

Alright well here we go with this month's photo dump and picture repeat!

Squeaky clean and fresh out of the bath. I live for that clean child smell!

Cuddling with Elle and Daddy on Master's Sunday!

Getting some sleepy snuggles.

Taking a bath in the downstairs bath.  We used this bathtub model for Elle for what seems like the longest time but he just seems so huge and uncomfortable in it and I can't figure out why.  Going to have to try something else. He isn't sitting up yet...

Morning snuggles with sis.

His first time out of the womb at Davis Wade.  Big moment!

Keeping Elle comfortable during breakfast.

Sweet picture with Daddy.

Getting to meet his great Aunt Sandy for the first time!

I love this smile.

A grainy front camera picture but I was letting him play with the bottle after he ate yesterday morning and seeing if he could get it into his mouth on his own and he did manage to get it in his month and was very happy with himself.  We will have to work on the tipping part though.

JUNIOR AUXILIARY KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY 2015

On Saturday Junior Auxiliary hosted their annual Kentucky Derby party.  This was my first year to attend as a Junior Auxiliary member and was happy to help work and make this event happen! A week before the party the party venue had to be changed to a beautiful lodge outside of Starkville but it could not of been a better place.  The weather was so beautiful and lots of people made the drive out and we had so much fun.  Getting the chance to put on a really pretty dress and a hat and go out to a party where you see all your friends makes for a great evening and of course lots of picture taking!

So here we got with a total photo dump! We really had so much fun!

Christina and Natalie

The Browns and the Laceys

Me with Lorin and Sarah

Me, Emily the event planner herself, Sarah and Jana

Marg and Mal

The Cooks and the Laces

Sarah, Lindsey, Me, Natalie and Christina- a group from our women's bible study

Caroline, Margaret and me-our tailgate crowd and friends of course!

Blurry picture but had to include.  Riding the bus from town out to the lodge.

One of the favorite pictures Kenny and I have taken together in a long long time.  He looks so handsome in his bow tie and we had fun together!

After we left the party we went back to Sarah and Jeremy's for a little bit to hang out and watch the Mayweather fight.  There might of been a fast food run involved too.  Oh well!  It was low key and relaxing on such a nice night!

The girls. Doing just fine.

And the boys who participated in the bourbon tasting at the party and were feeling a little tired.  Granted it had been a very long day.  Jeremy is not pictured.  He was still very much awake!