Happy Birthday Lyssa Dawn!

(added 8.28.09. this was the original thought for your birthday photo. I finally found it in an old book but my scanner would not work until a chat with Dell last night, sorry about the one below, that you don't love :) This is PROOF that at one point in my life I actually was a bit of a snuggler! AND, by the way our Mother handmade these beautiful smocked dresses. She made us a new dress for every occasion just like this one here! What talent! I'm still waiting for her to start that up again for B and Kinsey and Avery!).


About two years ago I met my sister. Yes, we have always been "sisters." The play partners in the neighborhood and the ones who are always together at family functions growing up...and the ones who argue and frustrate each other in high school, you know the pubescent stuff. It wasn't until I lived in California, was pregnant at the same time and willing to really get to know Her, that I met my friend, my sister. (tear.)

You are the strongest woman (apart from Sheena, The Warrior Princess) that I have ever known.

You have the ability to command a room, yet still have such grace.

You are an amazing parent. Duh.

You motivate everyone around you to be a better person.

You are flexible with life and trust God in every move your family takes. Difficult or easy. And you do it without resentment.

Your silly rules and schedules are things we all poke fun at but it really is just how you are, and it is something I wish I had a bit more of.

You effect every person you have been friends with. Isn't that what we all want in a friend?

You somehow understand my views on everything and still give me your own opinion, if I ask. And, you always give me a subjective answer.

here are a few things only you will know:

"Sweaty Betty"

"Booger wall" (okay so you aren't alone on this one)

"Quote of the Week"

"No, I've never been to Bob's and I do want a hand gun license"

"Hershey kisses in the bathroom drawer"

"Undeserved childhood spankings"

"The Green Mile Movie"

and I could go on and on....

You are an absolute asset to my life and I would not be the same woman/parent/wife/friend without you in it.

I love you more than any thing I can type to you. You are amazing to me.
I hope this birthday is shared by your family and that you guys cherish every second of the time you have before Andy deploys.
Happy Birthday my dear friend.


okay, i need a kleenex. peace out homie.

-More Pictures-

And a few more pictures Russ recovered...

B and Daddy are playing in her room


H was "helping" me unpack...apparently that means find all pacifiers. He takes care of B's because she could care less about those things (I'm so glad!).

Photo Op in my room




H playing in his toy tub.



ANY clue to what is going on here??? ........................poor baby girl.



Funny faces at playtime.

We're A-L-I-V-E!!

I know, I know. You all thought we were no longer among the living, but YAY! My computer is fixed! I love my Russ! He fixed it last night and I just couldn't wait to get on here and post some pictures of the babies.

Recently we decided to try out the fabulous Monroe area zoo.

Wow.

That is all I have to say....because..that pretty much says it all.

I did manage to get a few pictures recovered from our broken camera (of course they both can't be working, right?) You can see Miss B riding in the stroller "Big Girl" Style, and H emjoying time with Daddy! He is exploring everything.

She has also benn pulling up to stand on everything. She is growing up right before us!

Here are just a few:




I know there aren't many of Harrison, but I will get the others recovered and those are ALL of him.

I hope these were enjoyable for a bit while I work on the rest.

2 Teeth!!

Baby Bailynn has already decided to have her teeth come in. I can't even believe she is almost seven months old. Where has this year gone??? Oh yeah, I forgot, I am chasing this year away one climbing Harrisoon stunt at a time. Of course, I have not one picture of these baby pearls, but they are there and both arrived twelve hours apart...poor baby (and Mommy)! I know she was glad they finally came in because she has been in pain for a week over it.

And, recently my pregnant cousin Laura (love how I describe her) and her 18 month old daughter Audrey flew in for a 10 day (bless your soul) trip to visit our entire family. I got to see her for a few hours while the babies all played together. H and Audrey are exactly seven days apart and we are determined for them to know one another...even if we live cross-country! They have had numerous visits with each other over their 18 months of life, and they truly do love one another. It is so sweet to watch them play. And the pictures are always eventful!

My best friend's little girl, Holland, celebrated her second birthday at the the children's play gym this past weekend. H loves to run around like a wild man at this place, and him and Holland are adorable together....which they usually are. We have been playdating with Cherie and Emma for months and Crystal and Holland just started to join in as well. So, our group is growing! It is always nice to have good friends and their kids to play together.

Sorry there are no pictures...our computer is on the fritz once again!!! Suprise, suprise.

I hope everyone is having a great August so far!

6. 18. 26.

All in the past week or so Bailynn turned 6 months, H turned 18 months and I turned a whopping 26. I think for the first year I feel really aged. I guess who can blame me? I have two babies and I'm exhausted. Who wouldn't feel old. Wow, so much has changed. B is already crawling and sitting up for a few seconds alone, Harrison is talking so much more, and I am feeling closer to 30 every minute. Boo.

Lots has happened, but here is a few shots of us I loaded before snacktime:

H at his (and my) favorite time of day. Is it wrong that I like when he goes to bed??? haha. Seriously, how can you not love these big baby blues! Believe me, the time does come :) Look at his big boy mus-cles (that is how we say it).

Our sweet friends Shelley and Chad, and Avie celebrated her first year of life last Saturday. Here is a CRAZY picture that Chad's Mom took 5 times to get..and as you can tell the balloon won! We had a good time with Avie! Congrats!

And, below is a shot of me and my high school friend Sunni. We were into everything together back in the day, and two peas in a pod! She is such a kindhearted spirit, and I just love being around her silliness! We were at a few functions together over the last month. Our good friend Katie finally found her Mr. Right and tied the knot. Naturally we were so excited for her....and glad to use her time to spend with each other as well! ha! Thanks Katie!


I took new pictures of the babies yesterday, for this post, and as usual something with the computer is acting nutty and I cannot get them to load. I will keep trying, but as for now, just imagine a little blondie pants smiling...that's our Baby B!

Happy 4th of July!!

We are about to head off to a friend's house to celebrate, but first I must post these pics and tell the story.

Today has already started off to an interesting time full of Atkins humor. B woke up this a.m. to show us her "party girl" look. Apparently she snuck out last night and headed off clubbin' (assuming I know how to spell clubbin'). This is how she decided to change her outfit for the appropriate attire. The front and back views please:
Love how her hair and facial expressions seem as though she stayed out late and is barely 'making it' this morning.
Oh, the B. What a character is she.

And, Russ and I have been watching our pet squirrel this morning. He is huge, for one and loves to eat right by the tree on our porch area. As the morning progressed, and as we cleaned (which usually means we were looking for something else to do, like watch a squirrel) he moved around in the backyard. This was the best view of our fuzzy friend....and our big yard. I just love it, and the bayou it meets.


I guess he was tired after all of the snacking we witnessed earliar in the morning.

Squirrel watching is something my grandfather "Gangy" taught me. I'm so lucky to have a husband that appreciates them as well...except that as Russ walk away he occassionally makes a shotgun sound. Gangy never would have done that :) At least not while I was standing there! haha.

Also, what a better day than today to announce that Baby Bailynn is ARMY crawling everywhere. Now I have two bugs getting into eveything in site! Congrats B!!!

I hope everyone can enjoy this memorable day for our country and realize just for one moment how lucky we are to have such Independence. YAY!

Our Tiny Eater

Unbelievable! It is already time, actually almost past the time, for B to begin solid foods. We have been attempting to integrate rice cereal into our daily routine for about two weeks now. She has the strongest tongue I have ever seen, with the glorious thrusting reflex of course. She likes to spit it out as soon as it touches her little mouth, and man is that stuff messy. I must have forgotten, somehow...it was only months ago when H was eating it for every breakfast. Here are a few shots of her eating for each of us...she does better with Daddy, and he knows it!





What a cute mess!! We have to keep her arms and hands off of the spoon, she is sooo interested in what we are doing to her.


Sadly, I have been a bit stressed since we moved back. I have disappointedly lost much of my milk. Baby Bailynn is now nursing and then eating from a bottle to insure she is getting enough nutririon. She is doing very well with it, and prefers to not have to do the work of breastfeeding now. Silly ladybug. She is growing like a little weed, and keeps impressing us daily!