couple of things

1) Kristen, Laura and Henry are here while Trey is at a high school church retreat (The Happening. Wonderful!) I wish they lived closer to me.


2) We decided it would be just a brilliant idea to delay nap time for a three year old and a 3 month old for a trip to Target. Why did we think this was smart? It lead to the following...


3) Decaf soy skinny caramel iced latte from the Target Starbucks. Generally speaking, I shy away from drinks with more than two adjectives, but I felt like I needed a pick me up in the middle of our target trip. And since I can't have caffeine or dairy (or a grita, for that matter) I opted for this cold treat. And it was good. Really good. I just told myself there was caffeine in it and instantly went to my happy place .


4) It is much too hot for children (and adults) to be out shopping/running errands. After loading Jones in and out of the car a couple of times, I needed a second shower (or a grita, for that matter. I see a pattern here). 110 degree heat index. Stop it.


5) Is the recession over? From the looks of no tax shopping weekend, I would say so. People came out of the woods for this. I bought some socks and Spanx. How exciting.

6) I am now at home with Jones and Henry while Kristen and Laura fight the lines at the outlet mall. Banana Republic and J. Crew just couldn't bring me to that heat again. The boys are both napping peacefully. I am not far behind them.


7) I weighed Jones today by using the ever-scientific method of holding him while I weigh myself. If I calculated correctly, he is upwards of 17 lbs. Do I have an abnormally large child? My tiny 6 lb. baby is no more. He has 4 rolls before you get to his knees, which Kristen pointed out are nothing but a few dimples in the middle of his legs. I love a chubby baby.


That ended up being more than a couple of things.


Here is a quick picture of Jones and I visiting Trey this morning at The Happening (which happens to be in Gulfport this time, but he is sleeping at the church all weekend.) Look how cute Jones' shirt is. A one-time-wear monogrammed shirt seemed a bit overboard for Trey. Whatever. I mean, how precious.


And here is a snap shot of Jones' first trip to Target. This was before he demanded (very loudly) to be held the whole time and before Henry announced to the store he needed to go number 2 RIGHT. NOW. But that's neither here nor there. Look how cute he is:

And, finally, Jones and Henry. Just because they are precious cousins:

3 month pictures

Tricia is just amazing! I was a little nervous because, as I stated in my previous post, Jones was way more interested in trying to figure her camera and flash out than he was smiling, but THEY ARE PRECIOUS. She is such an amazing photographer. I can't wait to see all of them.

Check out her blog: http://www.bettydonnephotography/. blogspot.com

I am so looking forward to his 6 month - we are heading to her stomping grounds for some outdoor pictures. Cooler weather. Jones will be able to sit. There may or may not be a Halloween costume involved. Love it.

Here is just a sample of his cuteness...

In other news, Jones slept from 10 pm - 10 am this morning. AHH! He ate at 5 am and 8 am. I woke up at 3 in a panic that I had not fed him all night and ran into his room to find him blissfully sleeping. I have entered a new world of mommy hood. The rested kind.

say cheese!

Tricia (Betty Donne Photography) came and took Jones' three month pictures today.

I went on and on to Tricia about how much he smiles, coos and laughs now and how wonderful he was going to be to photograph.

Well, he made me out to be a big fat liar.

As soon as she got out that camera, he instantly became shy. He did not smile once. Not one time. Not one tiny grin.

He could not figure out Tricia's big fat camera and flash. He was so serious through the whole thing.

But Tricia is a pro and I know there are some great ones. Can't wait to get them back.

Plus, Tricia got some good loving from a very sleepy post-photographed baby, so all is well.

Thanks, Tricia. You're the best. Got to love super talented friends

George the giraffe

Ok, so I named his giraffe lovey. But how cute? He loves George. He holds him and snuggles with him and when he is really tired, he chews on him.

Sweet Dreams

We are hoping that Jones will love books like his mama and daddy. Right now he loves them!

We are in need of more...we have read the ones we have many, many times.

The book they are reading in the picture is "the sweet dreams book" by Laurie Parker. She lives in Starkville and is a wonderful author and painter. The book is too sweet. It's the perfect bedtime book.

We love it - thanks, Lita!

3 months

I cannot believe Jones is 3 months today.

I am going to try to refrain from saying this every month, but time is really going by too quickly. He changes everyday. It's amazing. And I constantly thank God and my generous husband that I am able to stay home with him and witness as Jones discovers life. Pure joy. All the sacrifices Trey and I are making so that I can be home are worth it 1,000 times over. When I get selfish and think I want a new house, more clothes, better jewelry, etc. I take one look at this sweet face and that selfish thought is gone in an instant and I swear to myself I would do anything to be able to do what I am doing at this very moment. I am trying not to rush it and realize everyday is a blessing - even the really hard, no sleep ones. This time is going by entirely too fast.

A few things about 3 month old Jones:

* Never underestimate the power of a ceiling fan - they are amazing
* He laughs, squeals and coos all the time
* He is sleeping great at night, waking once around 3 to eat
* Nap time is going so much better
* He loves mobiles
* He loves his daddy's guitar playing
* He still only wants to nurse. I try to pump and give him a bottle, but he still screams bloody murder.
* He can almost sit up by himself, and prefers to sit like a big boy when you are holding him
* I know he can roll from his stomach to back, he has done it twice, but he refuses to do it during tummy time. Instead he does it in the middle of the night and then screams to be rolled back over (don't tell his dr. he sleeps on his stomach. We have an angel monitor!)
* He grabs toys, necklaces, hair, shirts, etc. and will not let go
* He loves to stroll
* He loves bath time
* He is the most kissable chunky monkey ever

"Seriously? Pictures? I just woke up, people."

"y'all are hilarious..."

"and yet boring all at the same time."

This just makes me laugh - he was laughing so hard!

(His cheeks are really shiny - I had just put medicine on them. )

I LOVE THIS BOY!

BFFs

Sophie loves Jones, is so good around him and is very protective of her little brother - and for all that we are so thankful! Sweet Soph.

look what i can do

First time in bumbo - July 9

Such a big boy

more great-grandparents

Jones is such a lucky baby to have wonderful grandparents AND great-grandparents that love him. He has four great-grandmothers and two great-grandfathers. What a blessing!

Here he is meeting Trey's dad's parents, Paw and Mama Lois. They loved him, and although he looks bored in the picture, I am pretty sure he returned the love right back.

Thanks for loving on us, Paw and Mama Lois!

pure genius

Jones loves his crib mobile. Not for sleep, necessarily, but I can put him in his crib and turn that thing on and he is a happy camper.

Well, in the past, he has not so much loved his car seat making a normal 4 hour trip to starkville a more than 6 hour nightmare.

Until now.

In all her genius ways, my genius mother found this genius product over at geniusbabies.com. And it is just that: genius. A mobile that attaches to your child''s car seat and stroller.

Go get one, mothers.

It's love.

For both Jones and his parents.

Yes, it plays music. And if you think I turn the obnoxious music off while in stores, you are dead wrong. A happy baby = a happy mommy.

In other news, Jones and I went to the bookstore yesterday afternoon for a little outing. He was fast asleep in his stroller (thanks, genius mobile) while I enjoyed browsing books that I have no time to read anymore. And then I ran over an old man's feet. Not one foot, but both feet, with the heavy stroller. I am a terrible driver with that thing. This happened after I banged the thing in the wall walking into the mall. It's heavy. I'm tired. Sorry, little old man.

HELP: The bookstore made me miss reading. Anyone have a good book they would recommend? I need something that I can read once he is in bed at night. But nothing heavy; something quick. I will be suprised if I don't fall asleep through the first page, but it's worth a shot. Thanks.

ROAR!

meeting mamaw

While we were in Collinsville for the 4th, we went to Meridian to visit Mamaw, my mom's mom, at the nursing home.

It was so wonderful to see her and Jones and mamaw hit it off! Sweet Mamaw holding Jones for the first time - it was love. She asked if she could keep him!

Mamaw and her grandkids and great-grandkids (well some - she has a TON!)

I love this lady

Jones' first 4th

Me and Jones
Jones thought my cousin's girls were h-i-l-a-r-i-o-u-s. And, of course, he didn't mind the all of attention they gave him!
My sisters and cousin

sweet boy enjoying his first 4th!

We were able to spend the fourth with my mother's family in collinsville. It was the first time most of them met Jones. It was great!

I'm back!

Our computer has had a bad virus for weeks, but we are completely clean and I am back in action - be prepared...lots of pictures of sweet Jones coming soon!