Our Didi. She’s the greatest.
Not just because she’s a super talented photographer and captures anyone perfectly, but also because she’s kind, caring, compassionate, giving, selfless, loving, and all around basically the greatest 23 year old you’ll ever meet.
Not too long ago she took Easton’s 9 month photos and I totally spaced sharing them with all of you. They’re perfect.
He’s perfect.
She’s perfect.
Fall Break.
Two weeks of beautiful weather (cross your fingers) and time spent with my sweet baby boy (and husband….Harvest dependent)
Let’s see what kind of memories can be made.
Our Mine Fall Break Bucket List 2016
**As I started to make this list I realized it was way too stressful to try and accomplish all of this in two weeks. So, we’ll shoot to knock most of it out and what we can’t get done maybe we can accomplish on the weekends in October and November.
You’re growing and making your momma’s heart break and her ovaries ache for another one.
In the last month Easton has….
a love for knocking anything and everything over and constantly diving over things giving me a heartache. I even asked the Dr. at his 9 month check up – Is it normal for him to be suicidal? To which she replied…yes, until he’s at least 4 or 5. Yikes.
the crawl down….and he can go fast. He can go particularly fast when you say “no” or his name. As soon as he knows you’re headed after him he’s like lightning fast.
learned to make sounds with his finger and lips and even the Indian sound with his whole hand and mouth. His new tricks are fun to show off.
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| Mikala’s College Goodbye Dinner |
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| and Papaw’s Birthday dinner |
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| Papaw refurbished this awesome rocking chair just for Easton! |
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| Easton’s 1st Tornado Warning….we hid in the bathroom for at least a half hour…with the dog. It wasn’t real enjoyable but we made the best we could out of it! |
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| I need him to rest his hand right there and keep his arm chubby like this forever. |
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| First time Peppa watcher. Definitely, a fan. Daniel Tiger ranks higher currently. Don’t tell our Dr. – no screen time til he’s two. |
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| LOVES his cousins. |
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| All the Waynes |
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| Labor Day – Last swim! |
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| Reading with his Colton |
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| Spaghetti night was gross. Really gross. Definitely a bath night. |
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| Still loving his swing. |
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| His Chey got engaged! He was mesmerized by the ring! She appeased me and wore the sash I got her for a pic. |
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| After sitter playdate with cousin Josie! |
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| Oh, these buns! |
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| A sick day at home with momma |
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| Kisses for the highly annoyed dog. |
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| Watching Colton play football! |
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| I’ll just take the whole chicken finger, thanks ma. |
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| The kid dresses better than me. |
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| Cousin tower at the Plank family reunion! |
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| Tormenting the dog |
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| So tired he can’t even change into his pj’s. |
Dear little one,
You’ve been in this world for as long as you were cooking inside. I look at you each day and I still can’t believe you’re mine. We created this beautiful child. We created you and your smile is the greatest blessing each and every day.
In the last month you’ve grown so much.
I really wish you would stop growing. I can already imagine how difficult it will be to see you off to college. As so many friends pack their children up and move them away I can’t help but wonder where you’ll go and what friends you’ll meet. I can imagine coming to see you occasionally for a Saturday lunch where I treat you to a shopping spree at Walmart for all the college essentials. I have so many dreams and hopes all for you.
You’re such a good eater and you love any food that is given but you definitely prefer to feed yourself. You’ve been crawling everywhere and into everything and started cruising last week around furniture. I’m guessing walking isn’t too far away…..which makes me pretty sad. We keep moving things around but you still seem to want electrical sockets, coasters, and the TV remote to play with. Screw the tons of expensive toys your loved ones purchased you. Can we return that stuff?
When I tell you “no” you laugh hysterically and when I take something away that you want you scream like a crazy person. I feel like we’ve already created a monster. Everyone always compliments us on how wonderful a baby you are but they haven’t seen you laugh when you’re told “no” or scream when I take the TV remote away from you. We keep that part of you hidden.
Your favorite toys are your tractors because you love to watch them roll and anything you can slide around all over the living room.
Your latest trick is shaking your head no and “singing” or mocking momma’s singing. It’s pretty cute. Minus the “no” part.
You do seem slightly suicidal lately. You’ve started leaping and diving off of furniture and chairs. I don’t think you understand the consequences, but I feel like it’s a really good thing daddy has good insurance for us because, at this rate, you’re well on your way to some staples or stitches of some sort within the next 10 years of your life.
You love to go to Ms. Jenny’s each morning but just to break my heart you have occasionally shed a few tears to remind me you love me and you never want to be apart. The feelings are mutual buddy, I promise. If momma could stay home with you each and every day, I would. Even if it did mean that I went crazy because of it. BUT, Mrs. Jenny is basically the greatest gift to us and you love your friends there so it’s good to see you go and happy and playing when I pick you up each day.
You got so much better at picking up food. At this point you truly desire feeding yourself over being fed and you let us know that you’re done by sweeping off the highchair to the floor. Shiloh appreciates that.
Ms. Jenny has introduced you to so many foods each day and I just follow her lead. So far there isn’t a food you haven’t liked. You have a serious fondness for meat and potatoes, imagine that! Ms. Jenny decided it might be time for more table food when you started stealing your friends foods at the table. You’re going to get kicked out of daycare!
On August 3rd you started sleeping through the night. I think it helps a lot that Ms. Jenny keeps you busy all day with your friends and has you on a great nap schedule. She is truly the best thing ever!
On August 4th we found your front right tooth and you started pulling up on things. It was a big day for this momma and my first week back to school. Talk about stressful!
On August 5th your front left tooth popped through and you spiked a fever that had me FREAKED out.
Here’s our last month in pictures…
We soaked up the last week of summer with our favorites and the pool.
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| Your favorite person in the world is still BoBo (Brody) and just might always be. Your face literally lights up when you hear BoBo’s voice or sees him! |
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| Mommy loves her for so many reasons, but ultimately because we know you are safe and loved when you are with her. |
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| Some days Shiloh loves you…. Most days she does not. |
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| More baby food by momma! |
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| Hanging with your buddies at daycare – Zach and Elliott! |
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| Momma takes every afternoon snuggle she can possibly get these days. The days are numbered on snuggling I’m sure. |
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| We are always grateful when daddy is home. |
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| Your first time to see the cheese sculpture! |
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| Cousin Shai showed us all her projects. |
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| And dinner with Uncle Terry and Aunt Pat after the baby shower too! |
Everyone’s journey through motherhood is different.
2. My friend, Melissa. Joy. Lissa. Bad Ass Breastfeeding Mom. She’s a nursing champ and I was fortunate enough that not only did she live right around the corner, but she also was nursing kid #3 who so happens to be Easton’s future wife, Gracie. We have babies practically the same age and are constantly battling the same issues, minus breastfeeding. Gracie was a pro from day one, and that didn’t get me down, it was actually an inspiration. I knew that Easton just needed a bit more practice and DUH….all babies are different. Melissa went to Target to buy me nipple shields. She went with me night #2 of being home to breastfeeding group and she continued to go with me almost every Monday and Wednesday. She knew I needed a friend to go with me and Gracie and Easton quickly became best buds hanging out on boobs. Melissa has been my constant go to gal for everything breastfeeding….and more (teething, diaper rash, penis issues, etc.). She’s a momma genius. She always knows the right thing to say and gets how I’m feeling. One thing I love about Joy the most is that she understands my sadness over the loss of my mom and although she can’t relate she recognizes that void I have. She gives credit to it and sometimes that is all I need. I’ve known her since grade school and back then I had no idea she’d mean this much to me. I’m so glad our paths crossed again and we are great friend…..boob buddies…..and some day co-mother-in-laws.
3. Lastly, my cousin Sam. Sammy Jo. I could text her at any time and she had the answer. We’ve never lived close enough but we could still tackle the world’s problems together if we needed to. I remember texting her some issues and she instantly knew I had mastitis coming on. She told me exactly what to do and thank GOODNESS I listened to her and she knew what she was talking about because within hours I was feeling so much better. That was the worst “boob flu” I had ever experienced and I did whatever I could to avoid having that again. She was an inspiration to me and I knew she’d help me meet my goal if I needed her to.
To my sister, Meg, Michelle, and everyone else who told me I could do it. Thank you. To those who told me I didn’t have to do it if it was too difficult. Thank you. I needed to hear it all. You were there and our little chunky monkey thanks you.
Tomorrow we are 8 months strong little buddy. I’m so glad God chose me to be your momma!
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| He would prefer to sleep in our bed and nap there too but I try not to allow that too much. It’s so hard when all I want to do is snuggle! |
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| His first visit to Mamaw Debbie’s grave. |
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| The big move from bassinet to crib. |
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| His 6 month doctor checkup! |
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| His first attempt at baby food. He wasn’t so sure about the oatmeal cereal but didn’t mind it as much with applesauce mixed in. |
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| Loving Shiloh even more and her loving him even less. |
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| His first Indy 500 Parade…a family tradition! |
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| It’s finally swimsuit season and thank goodness for his amazing body and cool sunglasses from Mamaw to show off. |
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| Sometimes first bites of new foods were a little scary… |
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| Swinging outside is always a favorite and makes him very sleepy after a while. |
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| Advertising for #theduderag |
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| Sitting up like a big boy on shopping trips is his favorite now! |
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| Always loving his big cousin Brody. |
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| Celebrating Father’s Day with Papaw and family. Papaw even fed him prunes! |
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| and then he passed out… |
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| A playdate with Jack |
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| ….and lots of playdates with Gracie now that Momma’s on summer break! |
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| Mmmm….carrots. |
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| Naps with Aunt Cathy |
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| He wasn’t so sure about the pool about first but quickly became a fan. |
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| He loved teaching Colton all about the ways of being a great big brother and helping with diaper duty. |
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| Slowly attempting this whole crawling thing but has only mastered scooting backwards and turning in circles. |
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| More visits with Great Grandma. |
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| Starting to look like a big boy and breaking his mother’s heart. |
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| Playtime in the evening with daddy. |
Did you know we have the most amazing photographer in our family?
Not only is she super talented but she also loves what she does and captures everyone so perfectly.
Recently she captured Easton’s 6 month pictures and a little surprise for Papaw…..and updated family photo of all his kids and grandkids.
Let me know if you want her information for your next photo session!
Enjoy!
Last night we did it.
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| Photos creds to our talented cousin, Codi Milner |
He brings us so much joy each and every day.
He’s constantly talking.
His little body never stops moving.
He’s rolling everywhere and loves sitting up by himself.
He rolls over in his bassinet and during nap times with Miss Jenny.
We had to raise his activity jumper because he just won’t stop growing!
Right after he turned 5 months he started saying “da da da da da” after daddy had a work trip to iowa.
He loves his daddy’s horsey rides on the knee and often times if you put him on your lap or knee he will flail himself around until you start bouncing him.
He enjoys making a slobbery mess of everything by blowing raspberries and bubbles and can do so on command. He’s basically like a pet monkey. Ha!
Of course like all things in life with all the wonder positives there has to be some things to keep us praying….like lack of sleep. Easton turned 5 months and decided to start waking every 2-3 hours to eat again. I think it’s a teething issue. Lord, I hope it’s a teething issue. His bottom teeth are so dang close to cutting through and still haven’t. We’re going on 3 or so (lost count) weeks of lack of solid sleep for momma. I’m starting to feel delirious and delusional but thankfully summer is here in a week and we can all figure life out again, I’m sure. Once summer hits we plan to make the crib transition. Quite honestly if it were my choice I’d have him sleep next to me until he was ready to graduate high school but apparently that gets a little creepy. Daddy is ready for him to be in his own room. Something about alone time or having half the bed again. Ridiculous, don’t you think?
Despite his waking in the night he remains to be the happiest kid on the planet. He even survived an entire church service in Papaw and Mamaw’s laps today barely making a peep.
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| I thought he was sound asleep the other night. Low and behold he was actually right next to me watching Law and Order SVU over this bassinet ledge. |
E continues to adore his big cousins, but especially Brody. Brody can make him laugh on command and Easton basically idolizes him. We are very excited that Easton will get his chance at the big cousin gig in late October thanks to his Unkie Josh and Aunt Holly!
We head to the doctor this week for his official weight but at home he’s weighing in on this scale he barely fits on around 19 pounds and 10 ounces. We’ll see what they say on Wednesday. He definitely is getting heavier and that car seat with him in it is nearly impossible to carry anymore!
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| Easton and cousin Jack are just about 3 months apart but Easton’s gaining on him for now! |
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| Many have told me recently he looks like my grandpa Snider so of course I did a side by side. Definitely some resemblance! |
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| Sometimes he does sleep like an angel. |
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| We love getting these sweet grins from his sitter during the day. |
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| That tongue is always out! |
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| Had our first spit up in momma’s mouth incident. I was going in for a kiss and now I’m a bit more cautious about that! |
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| He’s a super good boy in the morning waiting for me to get ready. |
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| My first Mother’s Day present from E. Special thanks to Miss Jenny for the perfect creation! |
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| We grocery shop like this when the list is really long. He likes it but it’s a little awkward when he calls everyone he sees “da da” |
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| His first package from Uncle Dave and Aunt Weezy. Too bad they still don’t know his name! |
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| We love our visits with Great Grandma. |
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| Daddy got his new swing hung up and he gets very sleepy when we swing. |
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| Being outside is his favorite! |
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| Bath time is his favorite and daddy gives the best baths. They laugh and sing and he’s loving the ducky tub. Now he can sit up like a boss and play with toys! |
I still am amazed every single day that God chose me to be this boy’s momma. I look it him and can’t help but wonder he we were the lucky ones to have the cutest baby in the world.
Full Pull Fortune 