Happy 4th of July and Happy 7 Months to Raylin!

Raylin in her red, white and blue tutu made by Mommy

Raylin and Grams

Raylin was 7 months old yesterday, July 4th. I know I say this every month, but I cannot believe she is already seven months old. She is growing so much. We had a great day celebrating the 4th with family and friends. We went to see Brigg's family yesterday and swam and cooked out at his Aunt Vaneesa and Uncle Archie's house. We had so much fun! Raylin even enjoyed her float. Then we went to Chad, Andrea and Hanks to eat and shoot fireworks. I think Raylin enjoys the fireworks. She doesn't seem scared of the noise at all. We hope you had a wonderful 4th of July! A special thanks to the men and women who are fighting and have fought for our country and to their families. Our freedom is definitely not free. Praise God that we live in America!

My Birthday Party in Philly!

We went to Philadelphia Sunday afternoon to celebrate my birthday with my fam! This is the beautiful cake my sister Julie made and the other pics are of us swimming that afternoon!

Elle Elise

More Birthday Pics!!!

Happy 30th Birthday to Me!!!

Carri, Amy, Me and Whit

Mary Katherine, Sha, Me, Jennifer and Andrea

Brigg (and Andrea) surprised me Saturday night with a party at Sal and Mookies for my big 30 birthday. I thought we were going to eat with Chad, Andrea, Hank, Art, Amy and Caroline, but when we go there, everybody said SURPRISE!!! I was so excited. I had really thought my hubby didn't plan anything for my birthday, but once again - he came through for me. He truly is a wonderful husband and father and I am so blessed. Thank you Brigg! And thank you Andrea for all of your help getting everything together. Also, THANK YOU to everybody that was there - Joe and Carri; Art, Amy and Caroline; Whitney; MK, Chad and Camp; Sha, Jeremy, and Graham; Chad and Hank; Eugene and Jennifer; Bridgette; and Wade and Angie for helping make this the best birthday I've ever had. I had so much fun!

Birthday/Small Group Party at the MS Braves Game

Friday night, we went to the MS Braves Game with our small group. It was so much fun! It started my 30th birthday weekend off just right. They made me wear a big "Birthday Princess" hat and a 30 button on my shirt that lit up. I got lots of stares, but we had a blast. For those of you with kids who haven't been to a game yet, the cheap tickets are the way to go. We had tickets in the stands and it was so hot and crowded that we took a blanket over to left field and really got comfy. Raylin stretched out and played and Mary Grace, Camp, Hank, Garrett and Beau ran around. It was great to finally get together with our small group. We have missed all of ya'll!

Six Month Checkup!

I completely forgot to post about Raylin's six month check up. These pictures were taken on her half birthday. Look how big she looks sitting up in her bed. Well she had a great checkup with Dr. Joe two weeks ago. She now weighs 15 pounds 2 ounces and is just under the 50th percentile for her weight. She is 28" tall and is in the 90th percentile for her height. I think she is probably going to be tall and skinny like her daddy - lucky girl!!! She is now rolling over all the time and trying to sit up. She can sit up for a few seconds and then topples over on her face! Her newest trick is sucking her toes. I'm not sure where she learned this because I am definitely not that limber. It must be something her Gran or Grams have shown her how to do :) ! Everyday is so much fun. She is always doing something new!

"Look at me! I can stand up on my own if I am holding on to the couch!"

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.