Pardon our progress...

We have resized the video of Andrew pulling up. So...if you tried to watch it before and it took too long to load, then try again. We think it will work now! we hope!!

First Time to Pull Up!

Today Andrew pulled up in his crib for the first time! I took a few pictures right when he got on his feet...as you can see, he was SOOOO proud of himself! We also took a video of him... The video is of 2 different times, and Wilson spliced them together. You'll see in the video that Andrew loses his balance at one time, but no worries, it was no big deal to him...he just rebalanced himself and kept right on standing and smiling! Check out the video below.

wagon rides & hammock time

We have loved the wonderful weather these last few days and have spent lots of time outside. Wilson put our hammock out in the backyard and we had some relaxing family time.

watching the puppies run the fence!

just relaxing with Da da da da...

Sara Beth and Andrew had a fun wagon ride together...these are post-ride pictures. Aren't they cute in their hats??!
This first picture is a great one of Andrew's hair - it sticks up a little - and i love it!! We get all kinds of comments on it. The guy at Banana Republic asked me if we "styled" it...he obviously has no baby experience! Who has time or patience to "style" an 8 month old's hair??? I guess there probably is somebody out there who would...but not me!

They are checking each other out!

Checking the mail...

Andrew checks the mail with either me or Wilson everyday...and he loves it! He starts getting excited as we near the mailbox. Then he opens the mailbox - I taught him that several months ago - and now he proceeds to put his hand in the mailbox to pull out the mail! He's quite possessive with whatever he takes out, too. Yesterday, some piece of unimportant mail traveled with us to the mall because he just wouldn't give it up. Hey...whatever works!

You know, I've always loved checking the mail, too, especially when there's "fun" mail!

Wilson snapped this picture of us reading the mail when we got inside yesterday.

Water fun!

It seems as though Andrew is quite a fan of water...

He loves baths, had a great time in the swimming pool on vacation (I need to post those pics), and absolutely loved his first time in his swimming pool/mat. It's the cutest little playmat! Water squirts up from all over the mat - which could scare some little ones, but Andrew loves it. He was trying to grab the little fountains of water. We'll be staying cool with this during the summer!

my sweet blessing

Andrew is such a blessing in my life and I am so thankful God gave him to me.

Here are some pictures from Mother's Day.

after bath...

getting ready for church...

My first trip to the beach!

Andrew's first trip to the beach was in March. It was a little cool and windy so we were bundled up when we went on the beach. Andrew loves being outside and we have no doubt that he'll be a great beach baby...it seems to run in the family anyway...

Look at the cool dudes!

Bathtime is one of Andrew's favorites!! Check out the fun he is having! Notice that with all the bath toys in his tub, he wants to play with a spoon!

Wearing May-May's glasses...

Life is good!

(especially at the beach!)

Andrew at 6 months

Well, life is busy as we all know (especially with a baby!), and I have neglected our blog... I hate to not post some of the pictures we have taken since January, because we have had lots of fun times in the last couple of months. So, in the next few posts, you will see new, old pictures of Andrew and us...if that makes sense!

On March 11, Andrew was 6 months.

Andrew's Baptism

"Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off - for all whom the Lord our God will call.'"

Acts 2:38-39

Everybody loves a naked baby...

Rice Cereal, Anyone???

We snapped a few pictures of Andrew's first taste of rice cereal...

As you can see, more cereal made it on his face and bib than actually in his mouth ...and the cereal that made it in his mouth was gagged on, then spit back out! Wilson and I got a big laugh out of the whole experience. Yesterday, after a few days of practice, a little light bulb seemed to click in Andrew's head and the process is starting to make sense....he is opening his mouth for the spoon and then swallowing! What a big boy!

I'm 4 months old!

We can hardly believe our little fellow is 4 months old! He is growing and changing so much. Even since Christmas he is more interactive with us and he has become much stronger, wanting to stand up in our laps and holding his head up like a pro. Then, earlier this week he rolled over and got his first tooth! At his 4 month check-up, he weighed in at 17.12 and was 26 1/3 inches long - the 90% of weight & height.

This has to be one of my very favorite pictures of Andrew...He's striking quite a pose for me in his crib!

Andrew loves this puppy dog stuffed animal that he got for Christmas. I lay it on his belly and he holds the puppy's head in his hands and coos at it.

Andrew on Jan. 11th - 4 months old!

Christmas 2006

Our Christmas was a wonderful one. Wilson and I have always loved Christmas, and this year was a special one, of course, as it was our first with Andrew. Somehow having a baby seems to give us a new perspective on the birth of Jesus and the gracious gift the Lord gave us in his son.

We hope your holidays were wonderful, too. We have posted a few pictures from our

Christmas for you to enjoy.

David, Semmes, and Wilson on Christmas Day at Cassie's.

Papaw and Ganny with Andrew, Elizabeth, Alexa, and Chian on Christmas night in Meridian.

Andrew playing in front of the Christmas tree.

Oh, how he loved looking at the lights and decorations!!

Laura, Wilson, and Andrew on Christmas Eve in front of May-May and Buddy's tree.

A Bratley Family picture on Christmas Eve.

Christmas morning!! Santa Claus brought Andrew lots of fun toys...here Wilson and Andrew were looking in Andrew's stocking.

Andrew and Gretel wish each other a Merry Christmas!! Andrew loves the puppy dogs, and they love him, too!

Season's Greetings!

Daddy thought it would be fun to try his favorite Christmas hat on Andrew...for those of you who may be like me and aren't sure what this is, think Cousin Eddie on "Christmas Vacation."

I think this precious boy can look cute in anything!

"Ouch, Daddy!"

It's taken a few days for Andrew to get used to Wilson's beard. In fact, Wilson came home from a weekend trip with his newly grown beard and I'm not sure that Andrew recognized him at first! Maybe Andrew can jump on the campaign for a clean-shaven face with his Momma and Aunt Sis (Rebecca)... Rebecca always refers to Wilson with a beard as "the Grinch"!

Tis the Season...

Christmas is such a fun time to spend with family and friends... There are always lots of things going on and Andrew has jumped right into the festivities!



Here Andrew is with Julia, "Aunt Ju-Ju", at the Sr. High Youth's Progressive Dinner. It was his first official youth function. I think he had just as much fun as the girls who held him! Aunt Ju-Ju has made it to the top of the "non-family member babysitting list"!

PLAYGROUP CHRISTMAS PARTY


Andrew and his buddies are sporting their Christmas pj's at our playgroup Christmas party. Pictured from left is Eliza Kate, Richard Lewis, Ellie, Taylor (all stretched out!), Andrew, Ford, and Virginia.

This was just our 2nd time to play group. Andrew loved watching the other little ones play and move about... it's a fun outing for Andrew and Mom!

HO, HO, HO...

We're getting in the Christmas spirit...

This jolly little fellow brings a lot of joy to our hearts.

Andrew is trying out his Bumbo.... Now that he is getting the hang of holding his head up, the Bumbo helps him sit up. We think it'll be perfect for Christmas morning!

Here Comes Santa Claus...

Andrew loves the Christmas tree and its sparkling white lights...

It's hard to believe he's 3 months old! He likes sitting up so he can look at all that's going on around him.

Building up that neck and upper body strength...Andrew's getting strong!

He loves his swing...and his mom loves him in blue! Isn't he a cutie!

Andrew's 1st Thanksgiving!

We spent Thanksgiving in Atlanta this year with Laura's family. It was Andrew's first trip and he did great. Look at what a great mood he is in as we get ready to start our day in the big city!

The new aquarium in Atlanta is great! We loved it; of course, you can see in the photo what Andrew did most of the day!!

Thankful for each other...

....and thankful for this little fellow

Andrew really knows how to let us know when he's upset...and he gets our immediate attention every time. Who could resist this precious face???

Hours in Atlanta traffic, a busy day visiting with family, sleeping in a different place...who wouldn't be exhaused! Buddy and Andrew squeezed in a little nap.