Happy Half Birthday To The Girl

So, Olivia is 6 months old today! I know that I say this every month but time really is flying by so fast. I mean....6 months?! Already?? Seems like that early morning drive to the hospital was just a blink of an eye ago.

This month has been a little on the rocky side but those moments were overcome by many blessings and moments of laughter. Olivia kinda took a couple of steps backwards in her sleep habits but that was all cured with a little cereal in her belly. She now eats 4 T of cereal twice a day and LOVES it. She looks like a little birdie with her mouth open waiting for more cereal to come her way.

Olivia is such a good little baby. If her needs are met she is happy to be playing in her activity gym or on a blanket on the floor playing with toys. If Lilly (the pup) is around she is in awe of every move she makes. Makes me laugh. She also still really enjoys her swing, swatting at all her toys that hang above her head, looking at herself in the mirror, pulling on her mommy and daddy's hair, her lovies, and to be rocked to sleep at night. She also loves to look at books as we read them to her and to be talked to all the time. She does NOT like when we leave a room (NOT a good thing). We are so thankful for every experience this little girl brings our way. Wow, a short 6 months has turned a newborn infant into a smiling baby with so much personality.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY To The Best Ever

Today marks a very special day, it is Hays' birthday. Today he enters the last year of his twenties. My, how time flies. Seems like we were just freshman in college. I have been blessed to be apart of 10 of those 29 years. Hays is an indescribably awesome husband and the best daddy that a little girl could ever ask for. Happy birthday Hays, no more counting from here on out, right??

Two things Hays loves most, photography and camping.

The Little Girl

Olivia LOVES to go for walks or just sit outside (maybe she'll enjoy our mandantory camping trips when she's older).

For some odd reason, she loves to chew on her daddy's nose.

Just another shopping trip to Target with mommy. I think we could spend hours in that store and she would be happy as a clam.

Olivia Eating Cereal

One Of My Favorites

On Jordan's Stormy Banks I Stand

No chilling winds nor poisonous breath can reach that healthful shore;
Sickness, sorrow, pain and death, are felt and feared no more.

I am bound (I am bound) I am bound (I am bound)
I am bound for the promised land.

When shall I reach that happy place, and be forever blessed?
When shall I see my Father's face, and in His bosom rest?

We sang this at church on Sunday. It is one of my all time favorites. As I sang "and be forever blessed" I thought, wow, I am already blessed beyond measure here on earth. That is not even .1% of how blessed we will be in heaven with our Father. It is so unimaginable to me. How awesome is He?

Just Pics Of The Girl

"whoever knew this star would be so yummy"

Sunday, after being a bad girl in the nursery....again


Happy to run Monday errands with mommy

After another successful night of cereal

Olivia and Her Cereal

We finally started cereal tonight. I'm not really sure what Olivia thought about it. I made a pact with myself that if I am going to make Olivia eat it then I have the at least try it myself. It was not very tasty but I guess she really doesn't know any different. She opened her mouth a few times, gagged a few times, blew a few raspberries and swallowed some (maybe). Olivia, that used to be a very good sleeper, has been waking up every 3! hours the past month. We have our fingers crossed that starting cereal will soon help her get back to her old sleeping habits.

After our exciting night of cereal, our little girl NEEDED a bath

Just Playing

Collins Family Vacation

Hays' parents take the entire family on a summer vacation every year. This year we traveled to Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, Georgia. This may sound familiar to you because Carrie Underwood got married there the Saturday that we arrived (no, we never saw any celebrities). It was a nice, relaxing vacation. I guess as relaxing it can be with two kids under the age of 2. We went to the pool everyday, paid a visit to the Ritz spa (I didn't want to leave) and the boys played golf. It was a nice time to get away but there is no place like home (Olivia sleeps much better in her own bed, can you blame the girl).

Papa and Gigi with their grandbabies

Wil Franklin and Olivia in their matching summer outfits, how precious
Olivia loves the pool

Aunt Leelee and Wil Franklin chillin at the pool

Wil Franklin in his cool Elmo Shades

Do We Live In The....JUNGLE???

Of course not, it just seemed a lot like it when Hays was catching this bad boy in our garage last night. We have a bird nesting in a basket on our front door and 3 of her chicks fell out of the nest yesterday. We think that's what the snake was after because there was a chick in our garage in a shoe and one in the snakes belly. Thanks snake, now I'm afraid to step foot into our garage.

Rub A Dub Dub, Baby In The Tub

Olivia's New Ride

I guess that I really have to start exercising now that Olivia can go with me in the jogging stroller. It was a nice year off from running but I HAVE to get back into it. Olivia seemed to really enjoy her new ride (and her toes).

Fourth of July Fun

Olivia and I went to Memphis to spend Fourth of July with my family (poor Hays had to stay home and work). We had a very nice and relaxing time. It, of course, went by way too fast. Olivia, I am afraid, doesn't like to be away from her own bed. She was not the best little girl while we were there. She'll get through this because she will be spending lots of time at Nano and Pops in the future.

We are so fortunate to have freedom in this country. We thank God every night for that and the many men and women fighting for our country right now.

Olivia and Pops

Nano and Olivia playing

Enjoying some pool time