7 Month Pictures

My beautiful, dirt covered child.  He is definitely all boy....dirt eating, bruised head, and scratched nosed boy.

Bigtime Branson 4th Anniversary and Davis' first night away

We decided it was time to push our baby bird out of the nest and spend a couple of nights away from him. We shipped him of to Mimi and Paw Paw and headed to Branson for our fourth wedding anniversary. I was a little nervous...only because I'm the kind of person who would have been mad at myself if I couldn't
hack it away from my kid for a night or two. I really didn't want to be that girl who is somewhere doing something fun and can't stop thinking about her baby.

As it turns out, I don't mind being away from Davis at all.  In fact, a little sunshine, a wild blue beer and a couple of days of uninterrupted conversation with my husband is really nice. Thursday (our anniversary) we went up to Lambert's cafe "home of the throwed rolls" in Ozark Missouri.  Just so you have a frame of reference....one of Aubrey's main criteria for ranking restaurants is portion size so the fact that this place hurls all you can eat rolls at your head and parades servers by your table with an endless supply of macaroni and tomatoes, black eyed peas, sorghum, potatoes and onions, and the best fried okra Aubrey has ever tasted is a major draw for my husband.  Just check out the size of my skillet plate.

My 16oz chicken fried steak was bigger than my head! Needless to say we were absolutely stuffed when we left. We had planned to go down to the landing for some drinks but instead we headed to the condo to do something we haven't done in a long time....watch the scripts spelling bee!  Seriously. And it was awesome. So we're officially old and boring. By the way, the words those kids spell are ridiculous.


After we recovered from our soul food hangover and wild night of spelling we went to The Great American Chicken Palace for lunch. Yes folks, they have the largest carved chicken in the world.

Branson 76 strip

King Kong is new at the wax museum. Aubrey and I were impressed.  Easily amazed?  Maybe, but where else can you see the largest wooden chicken in the world, a wax King Kong and still be in bed by nine to watch the spelling bee championships.

That night we went on a romantic date to Rocky's Italian restaurant where they kicked us out promptly at 9:05. Gotta love Branson. Good news is that now there is actually nightlife in Branson, which we avoided and opted to sit on a bench by the river staring at fountains and eating ice cream.  The fountains weren't running because of recent flood damage, but if you squinted, the sea of empty metal fountain fixtures looked a little like art.  We sat there for hours and talked. Who says you can't find romance in Branson? It ended up being one of my favorite trips to Branson.  Its like my favorite mommy friend Jenny says- I got a little piece of myself back.   In this case, the piece that can just sit on a bench talking with my husband for three hours and call it a date.

We went to pick Davis up and realized he didn't appear to miss us much either because he slept all night, both nights and was his usual smiling self for MiMi and Paw Paw.  Clearly the full page, single space typed, detailed schedule we sent with him kept him right on track.  He did manage to poo out of his pj's the first night. Well, no one is perfect.

5 month pictures

Milestone: Rolling over 5-21-11

Davis rolled over from his back to front!!  He rolled from his belly to back at about 7 1/2 weeks and he finally made it from back to belly.  He has been sleeping on his side for months and we kept thinking we were going to go in one morning and find him flipped but he obviously wanted to wait for an audience since he finally rolled at a couples baby shower for Emily and Jonathan McIllwain.  He had everyone cheering for him when he finally made it!  I guess he's already showing off.  Man those Katie genes come through more everyday.

4 month pictures

This is what we call Davis' Boo Boo Lip....you can see why...

Cinco De Katie, TaKaShane House Party and Mother's Day

 And another year has come and gone and I have so much to show for the last year - New job, new baby....28 was definitely good to me!  But, alas, I am 29.  My last year of twenty somethings.  Seems like I should be to thirty by now.  I think most guys morn the loss of their twenties, but for women (at least in my case) its just getting to the good part.  Even as a teenager I always knew I would love this time in my life.  Everything about it always appealed to me.  Being settled into my career and a family.  I love the consistency and confidence of being married and I love our young family.  Usually you don't know how great something is until that period in your life has come and gone, but right now I am filled with urgency to soak up every second of everyday.  I pray nightly for time to slow so I can stay in each moment a little longer.   I know someday I'll look back at all the memories Aubrey, Davis and I are making and remember how pure and joyful they were.

Since I have several friends with birthdays close to mine we decided to start a joint venture called TaKaShane House party.  Using all of our names Ta- Tasha, Ka-Katie, Shane-Shane, and House-Jessica House.  This way our friends don't become weary and exhausted by trying to celebrate 4 birthdays in one week.  This year we had a taco bar and margarita party at our house.  It was tons of fun.  So many people came to celebrate with us.  Its great to have so many amazing friends!

 

The next day was my actual birthday and I woke up to this.

 

Such a cute passenger in my new running stroller.  Thanks Aubrey!! I also got to have a lunch date with my favorite new mommy friend, Jenny.  My first time to meet Wild Will!  He is officially the cuddliest baby ever....which is sweet since my child would rather head butt me than cuddle at all.  Will also has the cutest curly hair which I seriously covet.  If Davis' hair wouldn't all fall out I might consider a perm.  That's how cute this kid's hair is.  It has come to my attention that some people think all newborn babies look alike and while it is obvious to Jenny and I that these two babies look totally different, I'll caption the photos for clarity.

Will and I

Will

Jenny and Davis

That weekend was my first Mother's day.  I guess you could say it was a whole week dedicated to me....I love the month of May!  Aubrey's grandma Ida and his parents came up to visit.

Then we went to Little Rock with my family to take Grand and Granny out to lunch.  It was Davis' first time to meet his Great Grand.  

We packed a lot of love into that weekend.  It really is cool to get to see all the people you love the most in one weekend.  No wonder my child smiles so much....he has love and granny kisses coming at him from all angles.

Easter, the Hogles and Dinner with Friends

Davis' first trip to FUMC Russellville

Davis first Easter!  The Easter Bunny was very smart and came to Lennie and Pop's house this year.  To be honest...Lennie and Pop's Easter Bunny is a way better one anyway.  Must be all the experience.

The next weekend Aubrey and I both had Friday off so we decided to get together with the Oklahoma crowd.  We spent the day with Justin, Stacy and the twins and then met everyone in Tulsa for dinner.  Here are some pics we took of the boys.

The last one is my favorite because I think it accurately depicts the chaos.  Stockton and Archer have so much personality and Davis really had no idea what was going on.  He looked alternately confused and scared the entire time.  It was hilarious.  Love those little guys.  I can't wait until Davis is old enough to actually play with them.

At dinner we had 10 adults and 8 kids.  We are almost out numbered!  It was total craziness and so much fun!  The lady next to us asked if we all knew each other from a child birthing class.  When Stacy said no that we were all college friends she said, "wow, that must have been one heck of a party"....since we all have kids virtually the same age.

The whole Gang

Aubrey, Davis and I with Blake Coffman

Daddies and Babies