Trip to the Circus

We went to the Ringlin Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus Saturday in Tupelo with Gran, Aunt Julie, Eli, Elle Elise, Seger, Duke and Creed. The kids loved it! Raylin even smiled a lot. I think she liked all the lights. She loved a spinning light toy that a kid next to us had so I decided I would go get her one. I went downstairs to purchase one and that toy was $2o. I decided we will wait until Raylin starts asking for these expensive souveniers. So we ended up with an $8 cherry lemonade which I must say was well worth every penny because after standing in the hot sun waiting to get in and then carting a 15 pound baby around and up and down stairs, I was just a little bit dehydrated! It was such an eventful day. Raylin started the day off by going to the bathroom all over her cute circus outfit before I could get her picture. So when that is through soaking, I will get an after the circus picture in her clown outfit. I never pack an extra outfit because she never does that but the Good Lord was watching out for me today. I was getting in the car and I thought I might should put an extra outfit in the diaper bag - just in case. Well that just in case happened. Just a little sidenote - This is a new accomplishment for Raylin. As some of you know, she has always had bathroom issues. Well not anymore - thanks to Similac Alimentum. Anyway, we had a great time at the circus and can't wait until next year when we can take Daddy since he says he has never been to a circus. Before all of you comment that they are coming to Jackson in July, we do know that, but we will be at the beach - Yeah! Those of you that will be here July 12th - 14th, I highly recommend you taking your kiddos, but just take lots of money because they will all want an $8 snowcone in a cute clown mug and one of those $20 souveniers :) !!! Here are just a few pics from our adventure!


Enjoying the circus!

Creed, Raylin and Elle Elise sitting in Gran's lap during the circus!

Duke decided to join them!

Everybody passed out on the way home. I guess there was just too much excitement. I think we are going to have to go to the circus more often too because Raylin slept until 8:00 the next morning. I must say I didn't get that much sleep because I kept waking up checking on her wondering why on earth is my baby still asleep? Thanks to Aunt Julie for the great idea to go to the circus and to Gran for getting the tickets. We definitely enjoyed the day!

Visit from our Meridian friends!

My good friend Jill and Stephanie and their kiddos came to visit us Friday. We went to Chuck E Cheese to eat and let the kids play. It was such a fun day! I miss you girls so much!

Here are all the babies when we first got to Chuck E Cheese. They loved Raylin. It was so sweet! Nealy and McCall are in the purple and Landon and Lauren are in the green. They looked so adorable in their matching outfits.

Steph holding Raylin

Lauren, McCall and Nealy riding in a big truck

Nealy loved holding Raylin.

Trying to Eat Solids!

I have been trying since Raylin was four months old to get her to eat rice cereal, fruit, veggies, just about anything and she has just not been interested. She is finally deciding this food thing might be okay and not spitting it directly back out at me.

Eating sweet potatoes and smiling.... Wow, we've come a long way!

"Mommy, please do not make me eat anymore. My lips are sealed."

More Nashville Pics!

Jill and Raylin at "Dumplins" in Franklin, Tennessee!

Jill, Raylin and Keri at P.F. Changs in Cool Springs Saturday night.

Raylin in Nashville and B'ham!

Nashville Road Trip

Raylin and I took a road trip this weekend. We left early Friday morning for Birmingham and Nashville. We picked up Keri in B'ham and then went to meet some friends for lunch. We met Wendi, Kim, Jenn and Keri's mom at Edgar's Bakery. It was so much fun seeing everybody. Then Keri, Raylin and I hit the road to Nashville. It only took us like 19 hours to get there with all the stops we made :) We went to Mere's house first and I finally got to meet Lainie, Mere's sweet 9 month old daughter. Friday night, we went to Garcia's to eat and it was so great to catch up on the happenings in Mere and Keri's life. I miss ya'll so much. Saturday, we went to Franklin and met Jill. We shopped, talked, ate and strolled all day - so much fun! Then Saturday night, Jill took us to see her church and then we went to eat at P.F. Changs - yummy!!!We had so much fun and Raylin was such a trooper. She slept in the car and was awake to spend time with the girls. She slept until 7:30 both mornings. Thank God I have such an easygoing, wonderful daughter. Mere and Lainie, now it is your turn to come see us. Raylin had such a great time playing with Lainie. She even didn't seem to mind her beating her up :) Jill, it was wonderful seeing you and where you live now. We miss you already. And Keri, thanks for making the trip with us. You are so much fun and I loved getting to hang out with you for a whole weekend. I miss you so much! Are you sure you don't want to move to Jackson? Well we are happy to be home and happy to see "daddy" after a long weekend. Here are just a few pics from the trip!

Just the girls hanging out at Edgars - Jenn, Wendi, Kim and Keri and of course Raylin and me!

Keri holding our sweet girls. It looks like Raylin needs to get a little tan if she is going to be hanging out with Keri and Lainie :)

Raylin and Lainie playing in their cute outfits from Baby Face Design.

Saturday morning before our afternoon in Franklin

Click to play Make your own Smilebox

I love this site! I saw this on the Holloway Family blog and thought it was perfect to display some of Raylin's wonderful pics from the past six months. Thanks Jenny! Be sure and scroll to the bottom of the blog and pause the music before clicking on the Smilebox.

Happy SIX Months to Raylin!

I cannot believe my BABY girl was 6 months old yesterday. Time really flies when you are having fun! And fun is what the past 6 months have been. Along with stressed, blessed, crazy, sleepless, and exciting. I am so thankful for our precious daughter and every moment we have with her. Yesterday was an exciting day, but I woke up quite upset for several reasons.
#1 - My baby is growing up too fast.
#2 - My baby was in Philly with her Gran and Gramp so I could work.
#3 - I had to work and it was Raylin's half birthday.
#4 - I couldn't personally sing "Happy Half Birthday" to Raylin when she woke up. Although I hope that Gran did that for me.
#5 - Did I already mention my baby is growing up way too fast.

When I finished working, I went to meet Gran in Carthage to get Raylin. I actually think she was happy to see me, so I guess there are some good things that come with her getting older.
Well I will post pics later today or tomorrow. I did take just a few for her half birthday. We took her to Stix to eat sushi to celebrate, but I don't think she cared anything about it. Too bad she's not eating solids, she could have had something a little bit better than formula!

Memorial Weekend Snapshots

Memorial Day

We had a great Memorial weekend spent with our family and by the looks of this picture, Raylin enjoyed it lots.

MS Braves Game

We went to the MS Braves Game last night and had lots of fun! I was a little bit hesitant about taking Raylin to a ballgame because I thought she would probably get tired of it really quick, but she loved it. She just stared at everything in amazement. I think she liked the big lights best. She never cried and only slept for about 30 minutes the entire game. Her daddy was very proud of her and told her several times on the way home. I don't think she even realized when Pearl (middle picture of mascot) was holding her because she didn't fuss or even seem to notice her. Since the night went so well, we are going to take her back on a Friday night so she can see the fireworks.

We miss you Jill!

One of my best friends from Philly, Jill, moved to Nashville last week. We are so sad to see her go, but so excited to see what the Lord has in store for her there. She has an exciting opportunity to minster youth at a church there. We had a going away party for her at Old Venice with just a few friends. It was so much fun to get together with everybody. We will miss you Jill, but Raylin and I will be there soon to see you! Can't wait!


This pic is of all my sweet bunko friends!
Had to give Jill one last hug before she left!

Orlando

Last week, Raylin and I went to Orlando with Brigg on a business trip. We had a little bit of difficulty getting there because of flight scheduling problems, but we finally made it on Tuesday. We had so much fun shopping, eating and resting. This was Raylin's first time on an airplane so I was just a little bit nervous, but she did great. She slept most of the time on the plane and I am sure that the passengers around us appreciated that. Of course, the tylenol that I drugged her with might have helped just a little. This first picture is Raylin on the flight between Jackson and Atlanta. We had an empty seat by us so she stretched out between us and played.

When we got to the hotel, Raylin and I went to the pool while Brigg went to the convention for work. She does not like the sun and I forgot her sunglasses in the room so she was not a happy camper. But she sure does look cute in her swimsuit of ruffles even with that pout on her face. And don't you just love the toe shot at the bottom of the pic :-)
Here are Brigg and Raylin hanging out in our hotel room. I had been washing bottles and came back in the bedroom to check on them and this is how I found them - both watching tv. I'm not sure what was on, but I'm sure it was not appropriate for a 5 month old sweet baby girl! Sorry about the redeye. They look like they are possessed, but I could not get it out.
Raylin is all dressed up to go to lunch and shopping with mommy. We went to eat at Bahama Breeze and then went shopping to Pointe Orlando.
We are at Downtown Disney in this picture. Raylin was not too happy when we got there and she went to sleep in the stroller. About the time we got ready to leave, she woke up so she missed most of Downtown Disney. Maybe she will be awake to see it when we go back in September.

Pictures of Caroline Nicole Sharpe

These are the pictures from the hospital the day that Caroline was born. This picture is of the proud father holding his beautiful baby girl for the first time.

Here we have the proud mother with her sweet baby girl. Doesn't she look gorgeous to have just given birth to a 9 lb baby. Wow Amy, I am so impressed.
And here is the only close up shot I have of Caroline. She is so beautiful. When I get more pics, I will post!

Online Smocked Show

Take a look at Renee's online smocked show at www.babyfacedesign.blogspot.com. Such cute dresses and shortalls. Hurry and get your order in. Show ends May 20th.

Caroline Nicole Sharpe

Congratulations to Art and Amy Sharpe! Their beautiful baby girl decided to make her debut into this world today. Yeah! I talked to her Friday night and told her she had to come before I left for Orlando or she had to wait until I came home. Guess what? She listened. I think Amy was cursing me all night while she was in labor, but she is so glad that Caroline is here. Both mommy and baby are doing great! Caroline was a whopping 9 pounds, one ounce and was 20 1/4 inches long and born at 8:45 am. She is absolutely beautiful. She has a head full of dark hair - so precious. I will post pics when we get home from Orlando!

Five Months Old Today!!!

Today Raylin is 5 months old. She is growing so much everyday and starting to do lots of new things. We are so blessed to have this beautiful little girl. Somedays it is still hard to believe that I am a mother and that God trusts Brigg and I enough to raise His child. I am so thankful for her! She brings such joy to our lives!

This look to me says "Mama, another picture?" I think she is about tired of pictures. She will now look the other way when I get the camera out so it is difficult to get a picture of her actually smiling and looking at the camera.
Look at this cutie patootie! Her Grams gave her this outfit and it is so cute! Brigg hates the hat and refused to let her wear it to dinner the other night. He just doesn't like something on her head or in her hair, but she is a baby girl so she will always have bows and hats and he is just going to have to get used to it.
I could just eat her up! I love this picture. I think at this point in the picture taking process she decided I better smile or mama is just going to keep on taking pictures.

Look how long Raylin is. I think she grows a little everyday. She is starting to stand a lot when we hold her. It is getting a little difficult to put her in her carseat, because she will not bend her legs. Those long legs just like her daddy!

At the River

Raylin and I went to Gran and Gramp's house on the Tombigbee River last weekend. Five of Raylin's cousins were there and her Great Maw and we had a great time playing with everybody!

Raylin is stretched out on Gran's bed having a little tummy time and she actually looks like she might be enjoying it. She hates tummy time, but Dr. Edwards said that we need to be doing it a little more often so that she can develop those muscles so we are trying.

Here is Raylin with Gramp. They are "Just A Swingin"! She loves to swing and to be outside as long as the sun is not in her eyes and she does not get too hot! We learned really quick that she hates to be hot.

She is almost turning over. This is an action shot of her trying to flip from her back to her tummy. I think she may have had a little help from Gran.
This is Gunnar, Creed, Ben and Seger hanging out on the porch swing with Raylin and Gran.