We've both "got a good gig"

Some friends of ours recently said that I was a patient wife and that Beau "has a good gig". I don't know exactly what sort of shenanigans prompted the comment, but I can only imagine. After getting a good laugh about it (and reminding Beau whenever I feel he needs to hear it), I need to set the record straight. I'm a lucky lucky girl to have Beau. I know it everyday and am thankful for our life together. So Beau, you do have a "good gig", but so do I :)


On May 22nd Beau and I celebrated 5 years of marriage!!! And while I hold our wedding day very near and dear to my heart, I actually like to treat May 9th as our "real" anniversary because that was our first date 12 YEARS ago. I'd like the credit for those previous 7 years too. Beau says that's not fair and I can't have 2 anniversaries, but I beg to differ :)

I have to say it's been a great 5 years and we had a good time thinking back on our life since becoming husband and wife. Of course, we've had ups and downs just like any couple. They say, "marriage is hard work." But it's work worth doing and the rewards out way any struggle along the way. That's my opinion anyway. I'll have to let Beau post his own thoughts later.

I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful, devoted, and loving husband. Having Wade has only "sweetened the pot" and made our family more important to me. I love you Beau!!!

We were so lucky to spend our actual anniversary (and a few days more) in St. Thomas. What a treat!!! More to come on that later...



(Looking at this picture I now think Wade's aversion to cake on his face may be genetic)

Videos by request

We had a special request for videos from Wade's South Carolina cousins (Rowan & Ellis). We don't get to see them as much as we'd like, so little videos help them see more of what Wade is like. WE LOVE YOU ROWAN & ELLIS!!!

***Click pause on the music playlist (scroll down on right) if you want video sound

Disclaimer: our real video camera won't allow me to take video clips and post, so the only postable (is that a word?) video I have is taken on our little point and shoot digital camera. Inevitably, whenever I pull it out Wade stops doing whatever cute thing he was doing.

Disclaimer # 2: Please excuse the high pitched "mom voice" I have in most clips :)

Dancing to Pokerface

Escape Artist (and the reason why I now have padding at the bottom of my steps)

Chip Explosion

Wade is 14 months old!

I continue to be amazed at how much Wade can learn, change and "grow-up" in a matter of days. He'll pick up the funniest mannerisms that just make me laugh. He's definitely in the phase that he wants to do, use, eat, and experience whatever you are doing, using, eating, and experiencing. If Beau is throwing balls for the dogs, he must also have a ball to throw. We've lost so many tennis balls down the drain as a result. Cali's good, but she's not that good. 2 balls is all she can fit in her mouth. If I'm blow drying my hair, I have to turn in on him every 30 seconds so he can shake his head and "dry his hair" too. It turns into a fun game. If you're on the phone, he wants to me on the phone. It's actually really cute (and SCARY) to watch him mimic things you don't even realize you're doing. We need to be a little more aware of our actions and words!!!

(watching tv with daddy. I know I shouldn't encourage it, but it's so cute to see him laying there to be close to his daddy)

He continues to be a great sleeper. We're in the processing of dropping his morning nap for one longer afternoon nap. Some days it works. Some days it doesn't. I feel like I'm constantly racing home with the windows down, music blaring, while tickling his feet....just to keep him awake. I'm not a fan of the transition phase, but can't complain overall!

Eating is a constant adventure. You never know how much he's actually eating versus throwing to the dogs. But he is getting a little more adventurous and wants to use spoons and forks, and thinks drinking out of a straw is such a treat (especially when it's daddy's sprite). (finishing off some lasagna. must have 2 forks...mine and his! There's something about this picture that makes Wade look so much like his cousin Rowan)

He's expanded his "talking" to include Poppa, Dede, Moooooo, and "ew-ew ah-ah" (for monkey). I'd be lying if I said it didn't bother me that he won't say Mama, but I'm patient. I won't give up just yet. He does call me "dada" all the time, but it's just not quite the same :)

(Wade loves playing peek-a-boo on the couch with these pillows. He'll cover himself up and "hide" until you find him. I'm tempted to test him and see exactly how long he'll stay under there. I might be able to get more done around the house...)

His greatest love right now is water. Any source or amount will do. He can splash and play in anything (the dogs' water bowl included). As you'll see in the pictures, we spend a lot of time changing his wet clothes because he finds water...
(Playing with the hose at Nonna and G.G.'s)

(Playing in the puddle in front of our house. I feel obligated to explain that I do not normally allow my child to soak himself in street water. However, I left him clean, dry, and in the very capable hands on our neighbors while I ran inside. I came back 5 minutes later to this very wet and dirty...but very happy...little boy. So instead of yanking him out and rushing him to the bath....I took pictures.)

(Wade can't stand it if anyone showers without him, so Beau just lets him in when he starts banging on the door - clothes, shoes, and all.)

(so happy with daddy!)

It's been a busy and fun filled month with Wade. Everyday is different, crazy, but so much fun. I thank God everyday for his sweet little feet to tickle and his belly laughs that keep me laughing. We love you little man!!!

Wade's First Braves Game

Wade experienced his first Braves game earlier this month. We wanted to show him what it felt like to eat a hot dog and dip & dots, with thousands of your closest friends, cheering on the Atlanta Braves, while sweating profusely :). We knew he wouldn't last too long in a seat, but we figured what the heck let's give it a try!

He was totally into the clapping every 2 seconds and pretty much did that the whole time. If ANYONE clapped in the adjacent 20 rows, he clapped too. It was quite funny. Except when he clapped for the other team. Die hard fans around us didn't care for that too much. Oh yeah and when he wasn't clapping, he was pointing.

I'm sure this won't be his only game of the season. Daddy has to get him used to baseball so he'll be able to use Wade's left handedness to a sport's advantage.
On our way in. Look how grown up my little baby is!

Pointing.

Clapping.

Pointing...

Clapping...

A true Braves fan by birth :)

So I have to fully explain this picture...Please notice all elements involved. 1) Older man in blue shirt. 2) Screaming child. 3) Happy dad grinning ear to ear. 4) Men's Restroom sign.

We're headed out of the game because Wade was exhausted and hot, when Beau recognizes Vince Dooley (legendary UGA coach and former AD for you non-UGA fans) as he is ENTERING the men's room. Instead of walking away thinking, "huh, that was neat to see Vince Dooley at a Braves game", Beau thought "we should stand outside the bathroom and wait for the poor man to come out. Then we'll shake his hand (praying he practices good bathroom hygiene and just washes his hands) and take a picture". We'll I'm not saying he took a long time, but I will say it FELT like a long time to wait with a tired toddler. So here's the picture we ended up with. Maybe we can use it on Wade's college application to UGA?

(On a side note: Beau is notorious for wearing his dirty old UGA hat everywhere he goes. He even retired one that Vince signed in the airport years ago. Yes, apparently he's made a habit out of stalking Mr. Dooley. Well, of course he chose to wear a different hat today and missed the chance to have 2 hats signed by the legendary Vince)

Shower for Ashley & Emery

We celebrated Ashley and baby Emery (due very soon now!) with a shower at Nonna's house. It was a fun group of old high school friends, new friends and family. Nonna outdid herself with flowers and tables set-up on the porch for all the ladies.

Lindsay, Meri, & me. We just had to get a picture of our color coordinated outfits :)

Ashley opening all her special gifts

Mother's Day

Now that we're on "round 2" of holidays with Wade, I find myself comparing last year to this year. Not gifts or what we are doing, but what Wade is like and how it feels to have him with us. I remember having to preplan our entire day last year, just to be able to leave the house. He was so tiny!


(Mother's Day 2008)

My second Mother's Day was a little different - BUT JUST AS SPECIAL! We drove back to Atlanta (from Brooke's wedding in Augusta) to relieve Dede and Poppa who were watching Wade. We enjoyed a wonderful brunch at Atlanta Country Club with both of our moms. This year it was more about CHASING Wade and avoiding the next black eye :)

Wade with his mama and grandmothers

Picking flowers. Whoops.

Wade had his own food but for some reason wanted to share Nonna's chicken

Someone decided it was a good idea to give Wade cherry cobbler. They're probably still cleaning up the mess.

Then we celebrated at Nonna & G.G.'s with the entire clan for dinner. Alicia and Greg really did it all and made it so nice for us moms to not have to do a thing! THANKS!

Wade hates being plopped in a group and forced to stay there. So he ruined yet another family picture. We were trying to get Nonna's first picture with all 6 grandkids. I guess it makes for a good memory :)

Ashley with 3 babies on her lap (Hayes, Maddux, & Emery)

The big boys chatting over dinner

4 generations!
Aunt Sheesha lovin on Lauren

Angie, Colt & Nonna

Brooke & Mike Shull tie the knot!!

Brooke and Mike were married Saturday, May 9 in Augusta. Brooke was a sorority sister and roommate of mine at UGA. The Shulls are living in Louisville, Kentucky so we'll miss Brooke in Atlanta!!! CONGRATULATIONS!Here are 10 of us...Paula, me, Brooke, Carolyn, Stephanie Melanie. Back row: Kimsey, Meghan, Alex, and Kristin.

A blend of color coordinated outfits. I promise we didn't plan this...
Melanie should watch out. "Paula-Kriya" might just steal her man.

Late night in front of the fountain. We all had way too much fun and stayed up WAY too late.

***Most photos courtesy of Stephanie Bingham, copyright 2009 :)