All Things Fall

I LOVE all things fall. I think when I was younger my favorite season was summer just because of the fact that we were out of school and it was so carefree. As I get older, fall has really become the season that I enjoy the most. I really do love everything that comes with fall. I love the cooler weather, the crisp mornings and all the leaves changing to beautiful shades of orange and red. I love Pumpkin Spice (scent and coffee creamer), to dress the kids up for Halloween and of course, football. 

 

These are some things you can find around our house right now.

Candy corn. Can't go through fall without having candy corn (at least a couple of bags). This is Olivia's treat and she knows exactly where they are and how to talk in that sweet, innocent voice with her head cocked to the side to get some (I'm a softy, sometimes).

 

The dining room table has gourds and pumpkins to celebrate the season change. A little 2 year old tries to steal some of my pumpkins from time to time but they always find their way back to the table.:)

 

I would burn this candle year round if I wouldn't get crazy looks from my husband. I just love it that much.

This is a sneak peak into our Halloween costumes this year. Oh, and yes, Ford will be coordinating with Snow White. Can't wait...

 

And of course, Football. I love going to all the football games. We try to attend at least one Delta State game, a couple of Ole Miss games and go to every Saints games that we can. We'll stand by our Saints, even if it is looking pretty pitiful!

 

If you hear some whistling coming from our household, it's me. Because I am so happy that my favorite season has rolled around once again.

7 Months

Wow!!! Ford is 7 months old. It is really amazing to see how fast time can fly by. I guess you can see how much he has changed in this short month. He is growing into quite the big boy. He is now sitting up completely on his own. He is reaching for all of his toys and putting EVERYthing into his mouth. I guess the 5! teeth he has with more coming explains that behavior. He is starting to giggle at and play with Olivia and Lilly, the dog. His favorite toys are Sophie, the giraffe, the water filled teething ring, his scrunchy book, a set of plastic keys and a plastic water bottle filled with rice. He's not a big fan of his paci's but does love his lovies (all 3), activity gym, the bumbo seat, the fish tank, to be strolled outside and to be rocked and cuddled before bedtime. He also loves his sleep. The boy sleeps like a champ taking 2-3 naps a day and sleeping from 7pm-7am.

Month 6 to 7 was a long, hard month in the nursing department. To my surprise, he has completely stopped nursing and is taking breast milk through bottles. He is one that knows what he wants and he did NOT want to nurse any longer. Broke this mommy's heart but I guess, there are bigger hurdles we will have to climb so I'm not too upset about it. I am proud that I exclusively nursed him for 6 months and donated over 300 ounces of breast milk to premature babies that are very sick. Ford takes 5 six to eight ounce bottles a day and eats one meal in the late evening of baby food. He is not so sure about the baby food all of the sudden so we are having to convince him otherwise.

Ford is such a blessing. I can't believe I have been a mommy to him for 7 months now. Although there have been trials the rewards far outweigh them. I love both my little ducklings and look forward to the next 7 months. Thank you, Lord for my gifts.

BIG News

Matt, Amberly and Wil Franklin are going to welcome a little brother or sister in April. We are sooo excited for them and can't wait for another little baby in the family. God is so good!!!

Lately...

Lately, we have been doing a whole lot of nothing and have enjoyed staying at home. It is such a nice change from being out of town and on the go like we were at the end of the summer.

 

Ford and I have enjoyed some mornings with peace (Olivia is at Mother's Morning Out), cooler weather, sunshine and the nice outdoors. Ahhhh, bliss.

Olivia's Wil :) came over to play the other day. They always have such a good time together.

Popsicles=successful play date and 2 happy kiddos.

 

My little helper. She LOVES for me to throw warm clothes on top of her and then I push her around in the basket. I guess you can call that helping....

 

Olivia's first Little Debbie. Of course, just like a child she ate only the icing on top.

 

She must have really liked them because this is what I found the next day before lunch time. Guess she thought we all needed one.

See, lately we have been up to absolutely nothing and it has been so pleasant! I know I better enjoy these days while they last. Before I know it, Olivia will have to be up at a certain time and out the door for school. We are taking full advantage of these sweet days.

Just a Swingin'

Somebody loves to swing just as much as his sissy does. This fall if you are ever wondering what we are doing, we will be at the park swingin'.

Best Part of the Day...

Is rocking this sweet baby to sleep. Never ever gets old.

Just a Growin'

Isn't it so amazing that we have children that are literally growing right before our eyes? I mean, I never know what to expect from the day when I wake up in the morning. These two are just changing and growing so much that I can barely keep up. I told Hays the other day that I really wish we could bottle them up and get the six month old and 2 year old out when we forget what they were like at this age.

 

The little man of the house has recently grown 3!  new teeth...

 

and is now sitting up. Where did my newborn go? 

 

The little lady of the house had her very first dance lesson. I guess she had a good time. She was able to show up a little half twirl move that she had learned. I'll keep you updated on just how this venture goes throughout the semester. In the meantime, is she not the cutest in her leotard, ballet shoes and little dance bag??

Saint Louis in Pictures

Hays and I decided for our vacation this year we would take the kids and go somewhere they would really enjoy and that was within driving distance so we picked Saint Louis. We had a great time and are so glad we picked this city to visit. They have TONS of stuff to do for children. We went to a Cardinals game (bad idea), The Magic House, The City Museum and the zoo. It was a great vacation or what we like to call "a trip with kids" (because a trip with kids is really no vacation).

 

 

Doesn't he get Dad of the Year? I think so.

 

This is what you end up doing when you take two kids that are two and under to a baseball game. You leave in the sixth inning after watching only two batters. It was a nightmare. So we spent some time in the team store.

Do you see anything odd about this picture? This girl keeps us on our toes.

 

We've had better baseball games with this little guy in tow. Maybe next time, big boy.

 

Then we ventured on to the zoo. We of course, had to ride the train and carousel.

 

Then we moved on to The Magic house where we could have spent at least three days because it was just that big and that much fun.

 

And the City Museum.

 

This is what Ford did most of the time. Just sleeping and being a good boy besides the moments he was cranky from getting 3 teeth at one time.

Camping at Jellystone

So, if you have kids and you love to camp Jellystone Park is the place to be. We were a tad skeptical and didn't really know what to expect with this whole adventure. But there was hardly anyone there the whole week and they provided tons of activities for children. Olivia was so excited and busy the whole week she barely took time to even eat meals.

 

Yogi's two new friends. Olivia wasn't a fan of the big Yogi in person but is sleeping with her stuffed Yogi as I type. She loves him.



 

There was a park and a putt-putt course just feet from our campsite.

 

Ford got tagged with a new nickname while we were there, Boo Boo.I think it is quite fitting.

 

Amongst the many activities the park provided was tye dying a t-shirt. I am telling you we didn't have a free minute.

 

We started and ended each day with a train ride around the park. Olivia loved it and looked forward to that part of the day. The train ride was followed by meeting the big, in person Yogi that we had to skip every time (Olivia is not into those big cartoon dress up people).

 

Even Ford joined in on the fun.

Our New Adventure

Well, well, well...some friends have nicknamed us the Griswalds and I guess that's pretty appropriate these days. Y'all know Hays and I LOVE to camp and had been to many places before the two of us became four. We tent camped with Olivia a couple of times but with small children the tent just wasn't cutting it....so, we purchased a pop up camper! It's almost like a tent with a fridge, microwave, VERRRY small toilet and shower and beds. I think Hays thought I was crazy when I first brought up the idea. He has definitely come around especially after spending a week in it. We'll get back to the tent one day but for now this is our home on wheels and our connection to the outdoors.

 

We decided at the last minute to spend our week long vacation to Saint Louis in it instead of staying at our prebooked resort. Yes, we saved some cash. No, it wasn't the smartest decision we have ever made. Do you see any resemblance between us and the Griswalds? Listen, you have to tote A LOT of stuff with two kids!

 

See...not so bad, right? The beds are what pops out at each end.

The "kitchen". It does come with a gas stove, VERY small oven, microwave, fridge and VERY small sink. All the luxuries of home while camping. You get the best of both worlds.

 

Behind the curtain is a king size bed which is the same on both ends of the camper. Very cozy.

And...the bathroom. You can sit on the toilet while                                   The lovely "dining room".
 taking a shower. :)

 

This is what Big Boy looks like when taking a bath while camping. Poor baby in a tiny sink....he didn't seem to mind too terribly much.

 

Poor baby girl after her cold shower. Took us a while to figure everything out, including how the hot water works.

 

All the lovely toys/animals that Olivia had to sleep with. Now do you see why we had to have a turtle top too???

 

Ford makes for a happy little camper....

 We really had a great time. I think I have persuaded Hays that it really was a smart purchase and a much needed one at that. Seven days might be a tad too long in a pop up camper but it will be perfect for long weekend trips. And, who knows where this little homestead on wheels will take us in the future. Hopefully, Olivia and Ford will look back on some great memories made in this venture.

 

Post on Saint Louis is coming up......