Happy Memorial Day!

Beach Babe

We went to the beach for a few days this week before Memorial Day. We had a great time and wish we could have stayed longer. Olivia did great on both car rides and even let her mommy and daddy catch a few rays on their awfully white bodies.

First time her feet have ever been in sand or the ocean

Hays and his mini me

Napping out by the pool

Napping out by the ocean

Wil Franklin in the ocean

4 Months

Okay, so I have come to the realization that time is going to go by quickly no matter what. This month, like the last, went no slower. I was hoping it would just drag by but that didn't happen. The other day in church I started tearing up when all the kids went down for children's church (maybe it's hormones) knowing that before we are ready our little Olivia will be one of those children. So from now on I am going to make the resolution to savor every moment and enjoy this time in our lives even if it does happen way too fast for me.

Little Miss Olivia is 4 months old now. She is such a good baby (other than the few screaming fits we have had at bed time) and such a joy. We could not imagine life without her. She has started making many different noises such as growling (what she was doing at the preacher as he baptized her), cooing at her toys and laughing every once in a while. She has started sucking on her fingers ALL the time (the grandmothers seem to think she is teething) and her hair has grown really long in the middle to make her look like she has a mo hawk. She has continued to sleep through thee night and is attached to her ninny (what we call her paci). She LOVES her swing and to read books. She has grown so much in such a short period of time and we are excited to see how much she grows and develops in this next month.

Our Future Fighting Okra

Beach Bound...

Isn't she a cutie??

Baptism Post Con't

This was another picture that was accidentally left off the baptism post. I could not be more thankful for such caring and loving family that came from Memphis to join us for Olivia's big day. All of these people are so dear to my heart and will play big roles in helping us raise Olivia. Thank you to you all for making the trip.

Easy Going Day

Best of Buddies

Olivia loves looking at books

And her new caterpillarThis picture was left off of the last post.Good friends enjoyed Olivia's day with us.

We are leaving for the beach tomorrow morning. Please pray for safe travels and that little Miss Olivia will be a good traveler and beach bum for her mommy and daddy. :)

What A Perfect Day That The Lord Hath Made, I Will Rejoice And Be Glad In It

Sunday morning Hays and I made one of the biggest commitments of our lives. We promised to God, ourselves and Olivia that with the help of God, our friends and family, and fellow church members that we would raise Olivia in a Godly home with the hope that one day she would know Him. We promise to be Godly examples to her in every area of our lives and promise to pray for her salvation daily. Our hope is that she comes to know Him at a very young age.

What a perfect day it was. Olivia was a little angel during the ceremony and talked to the preacher the whole time. I was so nervous that something would happen and she would be unhappy or tired during the service. She did a great job. She napped a little in the car on the way to lunch and was perfect while we were eating and through all the picture taking. It was truly a wonderful day.

Olivia in her baptism dress (Hays wore the same dress when he was baptized)

Just A Swingin...

So tonight we decided to try out Olivia's new swing. Yes, we do realize that the age limit for this swing starts at 6 months but desperate times calls for desperate measures. The swing seemed to be the fix for the time being.

Happy Friday!!!

A Day In The Life Of Olivia

So pooped out and the day hadn't even started....

Sucking her two middle fingers....wonder where she got that from???

Playing with mommy...what we do the majority of the day...bliss!

Chillin in her "O" outfit

"Mommy, hurry up and fix lunch so we can go play some more"

Who Me???

"Mom your crazy...but I still love you...."

I am sure we will see this look many more times come the teenage years.....

I'll take those looks anyday if this is what I get afterwards......

Just Doing A Little Reading....

First Mother's Day

Before church.... sweet angel

This is what I found in the nursery that morning. Olivia has a very sweet daddy that helped her out a bit this year.

So, of course, this is my first year to celebrate Mother's Day as a mother. Usually this day is all about the mothers around me. Last year we didn't even know we were pregnant (a lot can happen in one year). Hays did a very good job to make it extra special for me. I was showered with gifts, was relieved of all "duties" for the day (or most of them anyway...changing diapers) and also had dinner cooked for me and babysitters to watch Olivia while we enjoyed a nice dinner outside. I could not have asked for anything better. It was a great day!

I cannot describe what a blessing it is to be a mother. No one can ever prepare you for the adventure of being a parent and I truly never thought I could love someone so much. I will agree with those that say that it is the hardest, most rewarding job on this earth. I look forward not only to the many more Mother's Days but the "everyday" life and what we will endure and enjoy.