And He's Off..

Look out world, Jeffrey is walking! Yes our little man can wabble across a room fairly well these days. He still has a few falls along the way to his short destinations, but in my book he's officialy walking. I would love to say that I'm thrilled regarding this monumental milestone, but I'd be lying. Yes, I'm very happy that my child is developing properly and we are blessed that he's doing as well as he is. However, I was perfectly happy with him crawling for just a bit longer. I just cannot believe that this once tiny, helpless baby can walk. It's the first "step" toward him being an indepent little person. Okay, so maybe I'm going a bit overboard, but I still can't believe how fast the time has gone by.

I may not be ecstatic about Jeffrey's new-learned skill, but at least I won't have to carry him as much. My arms could use the break. I think I'm developing tennis elbow and I've never played one game of tennis!

Oh or maybe I can by one of those kid leashes!! Just kidding..I'm not going to leash my kid, not for now anyway!

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So it's after 9 p.m. and I'm elated at the thought that I don't have to be at work tomorrow. What makes me even happier is the fact that it's my night to SLEEP!! Jeffrey has had a cold over the last few days and has decided that sleeping is low on the list of priorities. Since Ben has to be at work at the crack of dawn, it's been my responsibility to make sure the little booger is okay at all hours of the night. However, tonight it's Daddy's turn!! Woohooo....Yes, I am doing a happy dance! So good night all! Have a fabulous weekend.

I almost forgot, I'll make sure to get a video of the little man toddling around the house and post it over the weekend.

November is Prematurity Awareness Month!!

As most of you know, prematurity awareness is a very important issue to our family. We try to do all we can to raise awareness and funds so that all babies may one day be born healthy. This is why I'm asking all of my wonderful, dear, sweet blog readers to visit this March of Dimes link and sign the Petition for Preemies. The more signatures they have the better! This is just one more small effort that we can all make to spread the word about the facts of premature birth. Thanks so much!!

Smells Like Fall

Guess what..I found another new favorite blog and she's giving stuff away in honor of her 25th post! Visit The Crazy Daisy and leave her a comment and your name will go into the hat for one of these great candles:


Two precious jack-o-lantern candles filled with a fabulous Pumpkin Spice scented candle.


One lucky winner will win an 8 oz. candle with their favorite scent.

You should also check out her cute little candle shop, Crazy Daisy Candles! I've already bought a couple for myself.

Picture Time

Do you recognize Jeffrey's friend? That's right, it's the famous Baby Kathryn. Don't you just love her little shirt? It says Preemie Donna! I believe our sweet friend Kate made it for her! This picture was taken at the March of Dimes Breakfast for Babies.


Madelyn, Kathryn's big sister, loved playing with Jeffrey. She is such a beautiful little girl with an amazing spirit! I know that God has great plans for her.


Jeffrey is finally old enough to really play with "his girls." Here Sadie was waiting patiently for Jeffrey to share his toys.


This morning at daycare. Thanks Aunt T for the I Love My Mummy glow-in-the-dark t-shirt!

To Write Her Name in the Sand

I stumbled upon one of my new favorite blogs last week. It's called To Write Their Names in the Sand. A family lost their baby boy Christian way too soon, and to honor his memory they created the blog. Their mission is to receive the names of children who have gone on before us, write their names in the sand along the beautiful Australian beaches, and post them for friends and family to see. I emailed a request last week for Olivia's name to be written in the sand and when I checked their blog this evening my breath was taken away. The picture is one of the most beautiful I've ever seen and encaptures so much of who Olivia is to us. Please take the time to click here and visit the blog. I encourage you to take your time and look around. There are so many families who have lost their children too soon and they can all use our support and prayers.

Not Me Monday!

It's that time again folks! That's right it's Not Me Monday!! Thanks again to MckMama for starting this funtastic blog carnival!

**Update** I just remembered my funniest Not Me incident that I completely forgot about yesterday. While attending an exquisite wedding Saturday afternoon at the bride's family home, I didn't take Jeffrey into the restroom with me and as I washed my hands see him playing in the toilet. I did not take the clean hand towel and wipe the potty water off his hands. Had this all happened, I would have washed his tiny hands after the potty-playing time. However, my precious angel would never be so disgustingly gross! :)

1. While playing at the state fair recently I most certainly did not tell a little white lie about Jeffrey's height so that he could ride one of the kiddy rides. However, if I were such a horrible mother I most certainly would have ridden with him on the cute little train that went around and around in circles. I would never do such an awful thing!

2. I would never wake my child at the crack of dawn to attend an outdoor March of Dimes fundraiser, Breakfast for Babies, and forget to put a hat on his little head. During the fundraiser Charles Barkley's mother most definitely did not get on to me for my child not wearing said hat. I also did not take my child home only to realize that he was running a fever..Oh no, not this Mother of the Year!

3. I did not go home at lunch today, eat left-over enchiladas, lie on my couch and watch recorded Dirty, Sexy, Money. I would never eat horribly fatty Mexican food, then lay my big rear end on a couch and watch trash TV for an hour..and enjoy every second..or maybe if that had been me it would have been closer to an hour and a half.

A True Friend

My Mom once told me that if I can count the number of true friends that I have on two hands, then I should consider myself blessed. As always, she was right. God has blessed me with some very special true friends. This post is to honor one of my best true friends, Tiff, a.k.a. Aunt T.

I'll never forget our first real encounter at Bottenfield Jr. High. I had just gotten my hair cut, I asked if she liked it, she turned and walked away without saying a word because she didn't want to tell me it was horrid and she didn't want to lie to my face. Little did I know that this moment in the 7th grade would say so much about the friend she is today. (I agree, the haircut was awful!)

She can be brutally honest and make you feel like the "prettiest" girl in the world all at the same time.

She can make you laugh when laughing is the last thing you want to do.

She's a partner in crime, but always that voice of reason when you may need it most.

She could give any NASCAR driver a run for their money.

She'll be by your side in a moment's notice when your world as you know it is falling apart at the seams.

She'll pick up the phone and call everyone she knows to ask for prayer when prayer is all you can ask for.

She'll make sure you have groceries in your fridge when food is the last thing on your mind.

She'll hold you up when you can't stand on your own.

She'll sit on the phone with you as you nervously and hysterically laugh because you just took a pregnancy test and it's positive. Yes, she knew before Ben because I was talking to her while taking the test..Long story!

She'll still be your friend when you're having a horrible pregnant woman moment and say things a true friend would never say.

She'll be one of the first to the hospital when she gets the call that you're getting ready to have a healthy baby.

She'll love her "nephew" like he's her own, always spoiling him at every visit and making sure he has the latest in appropriate holiday gear.

She'll try to begin training your 10 month old to be an AU football player, because it's never too soon!

But most of all, she'll be your best friend through the good and bad times. She's a shoulder to cry on, a ear that listens when you just need to vent and the best partner-in-crime a girl could ask for!

Her big 30th birthday was yesterday, so Happy Birthday my friend. I hope your day was unforgettable and that you enjoyed your chili!