Amy's wedding

The last weekend of September may go down as the busiest weekend ever!!  It wasn't planned to be that way, but sometimes life just throws everything at you in one weekend.  In this one weekend we.....moved Jason to his apartment in Birmingham on that Thursday (to start his new job on Monday), drove to my parents house, helped them pack their house on Friday, movers come to their house Saturday morning and deliver all furniture by Saturday afternoon.....finally about 3:00 we jump in car and make a mad dash for my cousin, Amy's wedding in Montgomery.  The drive from Oxford to Montgomery always takes 2 hours...whether you drive 90 mph or 50 mph...it just is one of those annyoing 2 hr. car rides.  We leave, get gas, etc. thinking we'll roll into town by at least 5:30.  Well, we get stopped by trains and got behind at least 3 cars with handicap tags and no lie pull into Wynlakes Country Club at 5:50 (wedding starts at 6:00).  I'm just thankful we made it in time to see everyone walk down the aisle. The long crazy drive was well worth it!!! The wedding was gorgeous, she was beautiful (as always!), food was divine, band was fun and it was a great way to end a crazy weekend!!!
Congrats to Amy and Phelps....wishing you all the best!!!!!!!!

Cousin Graham loved the band and dancing!!!

 Mom and me

The lovely couple

Grandma and Mother

Sweet Memories

Since I've posted about changes and moves...here goes another one. My parents recently sold their house of 27 years :(  It is something they have talked about for some time and finally decided to go through with it. Although it is a wonderful house and they love it, they thought it may be a good time to find something with a master on the main level and a level lot.  They just bought a beautiful house (still in the same town/area) and I know it is a place they will love!!

We went home a few weekends ago to help them move and to say my final goodbye to the house.  So many fond memories were made in that home.  Although it was a great house to grow up in, I'm most thankful to have parents who made it a great HOME and not just a great HOUSE.  My parents always welcomed my friends over, made holidays special, and provided me with a great childhood.  As I get older and now have a child of my own, I appreciate more and more the foundation my parents gave me and realize what a blessing it was to come from a Christian home where lots of love was shown.  I pray that as Patton grows older he will have fond memories of his childhood as well :)

Below is a picture I had painted for my Mother as a retirement gift.  This is just the draft, but the final product was perfect!! It will now hang in the living room of their new home. I'm glad we can all look at it and remember all the good times we shared there :)

Sweet Patton

Since September and October so far have been crazy with moves, going to some terrible AU games (I won't even post about those), house hunting in Bham, etc. poor Patton has gotten any blog post. I love having an IPhone, but I hate it at the same time b/c some of the best pics of him are all on my phone. I'm need to transfer them all to my computer. I have gotten my good camera out for a few shots and will post below. Here are a few things he is now doing......

**he is 6 months, 12 days as of today**

~Starting sitting up for a few minutes toward the end of 5 months
~Sits up for about 5 minutes at a time currently
~Still rolling everywhere
~Attempts to crawl, but gets frustrated and rolls to his side
~Now eating veggies and fruits...finally dropped that late night feed at 9 and started going to bed earlier (which makes us a little sad)
~Starting babbling LOTS and attempting to say MAMA, which Jason doesn't like (ha).
~This weekend Jason did admit he clearly said MAMA
~He hears me get on to our dog, Harper so much that he actually said HARPER this weekend. We won't tell people that our dog's name was actually his first word- LOL!
~Loves strolls and playing in his jumper

6 months stats at his recent check up:
75th percentile in head (we say it's full of knowledge)
45th percentile in weight (16.8 lbs)
25th percentile in heighth (I think it was around 25 inches)....hopefully he will grow into his head :)

He is spoiled rotten, held constantly and picked up at every wimper...yes I'm admitting it, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Isn't that what precious baby boys are for :)   We love him more than we ever could imagine

Patton loves watching football with Daddy

Watching Mommy get ready for church

Loving the Baby Bjorn

I'm precious :)

Another picture, really??

I love bath time!!!

Harper is his best friend!!

First time sitting up!!

Happy Baby!!

Sitting up is so awesome :)

Look at the camera Patton!!

Ready for a Sunday afternoon nap!

He is so inquisitive

His favorite time is meal time...he gets it honest (from both of us!)

Absent Blogger and Big Changes!!

I'll admit since having Patton it is harder to find time to blog, but I don't think I have ever gone this long without blogging. The past two months have been extremely busy with LOTS going on!!!  Our biggest news and one reason I haven't blogged is that we are MOVING to BIRMINGHAM :)  Of course our move to MS 3 years ago wasn't necessarily in our plans, but after the failure of Colonial Bank, we did what we had to do.  We moved over here with open minds and knew it was something that could be short term or long term.  Although we missed living closer to home, family and friends, we grew to love this little town and M&F Bank.  It was a great move professionally for Jason and on a personal level, I think living here taught us to slow down a little bit, enjoy each other and exposed us to different people.  It taught both of us what really is important in life :)

Our move to Birmingham came at an unexpected time and a bit of shock to our family and friends.  Jason has loved his job at M&F so much that I finally had accepted the fact that we may be in MS for quite some time (if not for the long haul!)  Although I wanted to move closer to home, I made sure Jason knew that I didn't want him to take just any job or even a lateral move to get us closer. I wanted it to be a step up for him and a job he greatly desired and would be a challenge for him (which he loves).  I knew a job like that was in his future, but we expected it a few years down the road.  We just agreed if we ever did get closer it would be before Patton started K or at least early elementary age.

Well in early August the call came about a job that we thought was a few years down the road for him.  After interviews and working out all the details Jason turned in his notice at M&F in mid-September, which was one of the toughest things for him.  He loved his job, but it was more about leaving the people there that he wasn't looking forward to. He respected them and considered them friends.  Not many CEOs of a company will pray with you about your future after you have told them you are leaving their company.  Not many CEOs of a company will send their wife to your house to bring you food after you bring your 1st born home.  I tear up typing this as I think of all the wonderful people we have met here. Some of the most genuine, caring people I've ever met.   People that not only talk of what it means to live a Christian life, but show it daily in their jobs and how they interact with people.

Although I'm looking forward to being closer to home, living in a city with more to offer, and being able to see old friends more often, I will miss so many things about this special town.  It will always be near to our heart.  Especially our dear friends here that we look forward to coming back and visiting :)  Jason is already in Birmingham and enjoying his new job.  We have a corporate apartment there for a few months. So you can find me all over the place...packing things in MS, at my parents in AL or in Bham.  You never know where I may be.  Hopefully by mid-November I'll be permanently in Bham.

As for now I'm going to enjoy my time left here.  My parents pulled up to my house Friday afternoon (in town for the Ole Miss game) and I was having a 15 min conversation with the mail lady.  They said I doubt you are going to be having lengthy conversations with your mail lady in Bham.  I know I won't and I'm going to miss that.  It has been bittersweet for us to see this chapter in our lives coming to a close, but we're looking forward to starting the next chapter!!!! 

**working on a new blog title, just can't think of the perfect name....but look for one soon!!

Yummy Recipe...

I hosted BUNKO last night and made a Chocolate Chip Pound Cake for dessert. Some of my girlfriends were asking for the recipe, so I thought I'd share it.  It's so easy (my kind of recipe) and so delicious. 

**Katie White Lynch if you're reading this....you gave this to me at my recipe shower when I got married and it's my go to cake for get togethers!! So thank you :)

1 (18.25 oz) package yellow cake mix   (I buy the Super Moist yellow cake mix)
1 (3.9 oz) package instant vanilla pudding mix
1/2 cup white sugar
3/4 cup water
3/4 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs, beaten
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup chocolate chip (or do like me and dump the entire 12 oz. bag in)
1/8 cup confectioner's sugar for dusting

Grease and flour a 10 inch Bundt pan.  In a medium bowl, stir together the cake mix, instant pudding, and sugar.  Add the water, oil, eggs and sour cream.  Mix well until blended.  Finally, pour in chocolate chips.  Fold into the prepared Bundt pan.

Bake for 50-60 minutes at 325 degrees.  Cool in pan for 10 minutes before converting onto wire rack to cool completely.  **make sure you do this...I got impatient and some of the cake stuck to pan**

Eat and Enjoy!!!!!!

4 months

After our whirlwind trip to Montgomery ended on Sunday, we had another big day that Monday....Patton's 4 mo. pics and his 4 mo. check up.  Lets just say his checkup was better than his pics.  He screamed when the camera lights started flashing, but managed to calm down. I haven't seen the proofs yet, but I think we got some good ones.  After an exhausting photo shoot, we took a break with a delicous lunch at Trace Grill (great place to eat in Madison by the way!!!!)  and then headed to the Dr.  All went well and our precious Patton is growing by leaps and bounds!!!

4 mos. stats:

weight: 13 lbs. 9 oz.  (50th %)

length: 24 1/2 inches (50th %)

head: 17 inches (75%)

He is still doing well with the rice cereal and is changing every day!!!  We recently broke out the bouncer and he enjoys it for short intervals. I think he'll really like it once his feet touch the ground. I tried placing my college yearbook under it, but it didn't quite do the trick.  Here are a few recent pics....

He wore this gown for one of his 4 mo. shots and we were trying it on to make sure it fit okay. I couldn't resist taking a few pics. I thought he looked just like an angel.  One of my Grandma's dear friends is a very talented seamstress and made this and gave it to us. The stictching is so intricate and detailed; I know it wasn't something she just threw together....so it meant so much to us for her to take time to do this.  It's something we'll treasure and can be passed down for generations to come

 Precious Angel

 Happy Baby!!!

 Excited about being 4 mo. old!!!

 Love all of his expressions!!

 Twins!!!!!!!!

 Not sure what I think about this???

 On the shortest setting and his feet still dangle...poor baby!!

Amy's Shower

We made a very quick trip to Montgomery the first weekend in August to help give my cousin, Amy a wedding shower. Her wedding is 9/29 and will be here before you know it :)  We're so excited for her and Phelps and wish them the best!!!  After the shower Saturday, Aunt Virginia had everyone over to cook out and help celebrate Uncle Robert's birthday.  It was also a great time for Patton to spend some time with his family that we just don't get to see enough.  He met his cousin Graham (he turned 1 in March) and got to spend some special time with his Great Grandmother.  We're looking forward to spending time with everyone at the wedding :)

Amy with her Grandmothers, Annelle and Marjorie

Imagine that my Mom was holding Patton-ha!! She did let some other people hold him ;)

Aunt Virginia and Amy

Virginia with her girls

Aunt VA loving on Patton and Cousin Reed in background

 Cousin Graham just chillin :) Amber has the best, well behaved boys!!

Can't wait to see you all in September!!!!!

Ladies Man

Patton I headed over to Birmingham last week to visit one of my BFs, Lesley and her family.  She has the two sweetest girls, Leighton (5) and Kennedy (3), who have been wanting to see Patton.  They loved on little Patton and were the best helpers.  He seemed to really enjoy their attention.   The girls were watching cartoons after breakfast and had to sit right beside Patton. It was the perfect chance for a sweet picture.  We can't wait to see them again during football season!!

Rice Cereal = Happy Baby!!

About the past two weeks Patton has been a little fussier than normal to me. I increased his formula a little bit, but it just didn't seem to do the trick.  Our pediatrician recommends starting rice cereal at about 4 months. Well, me being the 1st time mom and trying to stick to schedule was trying to hold out to at least 4 months. After his fussiness in Oxford this past weekend and not seeming content we headed to Wal Mart Sunday afternoon and bought rice cereal.  We fed him around 5 that evening and it was like his personality changed immediately.  Poor Patton was hungry :(  After he ate he couldn't stop smiling, laughing, etc.  He also slept from 9:00-7:00 the next morning (usually sleeps from 10-6, but has started whining around 5 am).  So far so good!!!!  We are in to day 4 (he'll be 4 mos tomorrow) and he still loves it and is sleeping great!!!  It is quite a mess, but he will get the hang of it eventually.  The next go around I'll listen to my instincts like I should have this time.  My poor baby was probably starving the past few weeks....sorry Patton.....we're so glad you're happy now :)

Supper Club weekend in Oxford

Our move to Kosciusko has provided us with some great friendships.  Some of the first couples that we befriended started a supper club shortly after we moved here.  This is our 3rd summer to make the annual trek to the Pettit's condo in Oxford.  Jason and I love visiting Oxford/Ole Miss.  I have nothing against MS State, but since moving to MS, our allegiance does lean towards Ole Miss. Most of our good friends here are Ole Miss grads and who doesn't love The Grove on a fall Saturday.  Our first trip in 2010 there were 3 babies.  Now there are 5 with two on the way!!  Patton was a little fussy on the trip (as you will see in some pictures) so I just snapped a few pics.  I had planned to get one of all the kiddos, but decided it wasn't worth the effort (ha). 

Since it was so hot we mostly stayed cool indoors. We went to our favortites- SnackBar for dinner and AJAX for lunch.  Chip and Rachel cooked BBQ shrimp over angel hair on Saturday night and as always, it was divine!!!  Thanks to Hart and Whitney for hosting us.  It was a great time as always!!!!!

 My two favorite boys about to head to Snack Bar for dinner

 For some reason I got the camera out after dinner when Patton was ready for bed

 Sweet Emory Hart consoling Patton :)

 I've had ENOUGH!!!

 Tanner is all smiles. This kid kept me laughing all weekend!

 Lazy Saturday morning

 Very happy after his bottle!!

 Watching the Olympics with Daddy

Too cute!!!

Date Night!!

Although Patton has always behaved pretty well at restaurants, I can never truly enjoy my meal b/c I'm always on "pins and needles" waiting for the crying to begin.  Jason and I had a night out back in May for a friend's engagement party, but have not had a nice dinner out since Patton was born.  My parents were in town a few weekends ago and we took advantage of their visit.  We headed down to Madison to Local 463 and it was a treat!!!  It was one of those meals you never want to end, atmosphere great, etc.  Here are a few pics before our night out..

Although we were gone for maybe about 5 hours, I hated to leave him :(  I have friends who rarely leave their children and I never understood why.....well, I do now!!  So many things my friends with children do totally makes sense to me now.  As hard as it is to leave him and will be to leave him, Jason and I do want to make it a priority to have some alone time.  He is trying to work on our a 5 yr. anniversary trip for November and I'm already nervous about leaving him then.  I've become that over protective parent I never said I would be.....oh well....live and learn!!!