Big Girl!

Ann Evelyn's 1 year measurements:

Weight - 26 lb, 10 oz (97th %)

Height - 30.5 in (90th %)

I LOVE my "healthy" little girl!! :)

Bye-Bye Paci

Well, Forrest's paci is gone. The paci fairy came about a month ago and picked it up, leaving Forrest with a cute Lego Toy Story Train. The transition actually has gone quite well. I was a little sad to see that blue paci go - there is just something about moving past these milestones that makes this mama a little sad. Saying bye-bye to the paci definitely makes my Forrest seem like a big boy.

Here is the last picture I took of Forrest with his paci - it was while we were at the beach for the 4th of July. We had gotten better about only letting him have his paci for naps and bedtimes, but he always managed to keep it a little longer some days. :) All of his pacis wore down in the same place. He had a habit of biting on them, and they split down the side. The blue one was the last one left. We had been throwing them away as they split, and Forrest knew we were down to the last. If you look closely, you can see where the split is. Again, sentimental mama had to take a picture of it before the "fairy" took it away. :)

At the end of the July, we went to see Ganny and Papaw in Meridian. On the way, Forrest saw an ad for the Lego Toy Story Train in a magazine. He was in awe, and kept asking me to "open" it. So when we got back home, we asked Forrest if he wanted to leave his paci for the paci fairy and see if she might leave him the Toy Story Train. He went right along with it and was so excited he could hardly go to sleep. He was repeating over and over "the paci fairy's going to bring me a toy story train?!?" So cute!

This is what he woke up to find!

One very excited little boy!

For a few days he had to remind himself of what had happened... He'd say "My paci!" at nap and bedtimes, and then he'd say... "The paci fairy came... and brought me my boy toy story train." (We aren't really sure how the 'boy' got added in there, but he says it this way every time he is talking about toy story. Not Toy Story - "Boy Toy Story".) After a little reassurance from us, he was fine. The funny thing is that now that he doesn't have his paci he doesn't want his blankie either. I guess they just went together for him. My little Linus is growing up... but what a sweet, handsome boy he is!

Fun Times, Sweet Memories

Just a few pictures from the past month or so.... I have not been a very faithful blogger, but we have had a great summer. And the sweetest times have been just being together!

the boys cuddled up for a nap

getting dressed for Cow Appreciation Day at Chick-fil-A

They've discovered bubble baths!

look closely! playing chase in Mama's heels

fun with Mr. Potato Head... Forrest usually has some piece on him!

QT with my hubby!

Wilson and I had a little getaway to New Orleans a couple of weeks ago. We had so much fun hanging out, eating good food, and talking! After all, it can be hard to carry on a complete conversation with 3 little ones running around. :)

A couple of pics, courtesy of Wilson's iPhone...

This bread pudding was DELICIOUS!! We ate it 2 nights in a row! And the coffee was great, too!

Riding on the trolley car!

Andrew's 1st days of preschool

Andrew started preschool last week and loved it! His school had "Juice and Cookies", and Wilson and I took him to meet his teacher and see his classroom.

A quick hug and picture before we left. He was a little nervous on the way...

but when we got to his room, he got right to playing! He used those red and blue ramps to make a road for the cars. He drove them all the way into the washing machine - that's where he is in this picture. I guess those cars needed a good washing! As you can see, several other boys joined in!

He also worked some puzzles with cute Julia his friend from church. I was so excited that she and Andrew are in the same class!

Then he decided he'd take a break from playing to have his juice and cookies.

And of course we had to take a picture with his new teacher, Mrs. Bates.

He came home very excited! Our neighbor asked him if he liked his school, and he said, "Yes. They have fun toys, and they have cookies and juice." What more could a boy ask for? :)

The next day was his first full day - or should I say his first full morning of school.

He was one excited boy! We had a blueberry muffin "tea party" for breakfast in honor of the first day.

I love this picture of our 3 kiddos. Doesn't Andrew look like such a big boy standing up next to Ann Evelyn and Forrest? I think so.

Here he is! Ready to go!

I had all 3 little ones when I dropped him off so no pictures, but I was so proud of Andrew. He walked right in and found a cubby for his backpack and lunchbox. Then he went straight over to those fun ramps and cars and began a new building project. Forrest thought all of those toys were pretty cool, too. And he wanted to stay! When I told Andrew good bye, I could barely even get him to blow me a kiss. (He's becoming such a big boy!) The only tears that morning came from Forrest. He kept saying, "I stay with 'Nandrew'. I go to school. I stay!" Poor boy. Just about broke my heart! It's a good thing that he'll start MMO soon so that he can go to school and play, too!

But once he got home and realized he had the toys all to himself - well mostly to himself - he was a happy camper! Forrest and Ann Evelyn are much quieter, sweeter playmates! The boys have gotten into a stage where they don't really like to share, so it was nice to have some sweet playtime between these two.

Then, before we went to pick Andrew up, we got him a smiley face balloon!

Forrest holding the balloon as we wait in the carpool line.

A sweet sign from his school for the parents to read while going thru the carpool line. It made me feel good. :) We were there early and the 2nd car in line, so I had plenty of time to take this picture! It says "We had a :) day. To God be the glory. Have a great rest of the day!"

A big smile from Andrew! He had a great day! He was so proud of the picture he drew of himself and his painting. When asked about his day, he said "We had cupcakes for snack!" Can you tell this boy likes his sweets? :) I did manage to get a few more details of the day but not many. Regardless, he has been asking all weekend about going back to his "new preschool". We are excited about the year!

Ann Evelyn is 1!

We had so much fun celebrating Ann Evelyn's first birthday last week. The weekend was full of wonderful family time which is very precious to us!

Here are a few pictures of her birthday...

Ready to celebrate but not so sure about the cake headband!

Blueberry muffins, her favorite, for her birthday breakfast

Some birthday lovin' from Forrest while playing with her baby and new stroller

Strolling her baby

I'm one! Rocking in her new chair from May-May and Bubby!

What a precious girl! We love you, Ann Evelyn!

Party pics to come...

We're getting ready...

for a birthday party!!!

And I think Ann Evelyn is ready!

She has been playing with these birthday blowers all morning long, and even insisted on carrying two with her when I put her down for her nap. :)

I am so excited about celebrating the birthday of our baby girl! What a very sweet and special blessing the Lord gave us on August 6, 2009 - our precious daughter! We love you, Ann Evelyn!