Goodbye and Hello

December 19...a day that will live in infamy, at least for awhile.  December 19 is the day we said goodbye to "P" and HELLO to the potty.  (Just so you know that hello was spoken with great feeling.)  I had made plans all along to get rid of the paci over Christmas break.  I dreaded it like the plague.  Jack LOVED his "P" as he called it and I often joked that he had a love affair with it.  He would say (in the sweetest voice you've ever heard), "Ont P."  I knew when he named it and started asking for it we were in some trouble. I decided on Sunday to see how long we he could go without it. I really don't know why I did this on Sunday.  Sunday is by far the hardest day of the week for us...church, missed naps, trying to be quiet...you get the picture.  We made it though and without too much pleading.  It still amazes me how resilient children are.  I did mourn for the "P" myself.  Without it he seems so much older. :(







A picture made with Andrew, Coby, and Mackey at church on 12/19.





The last picture I have of Jack with his "P".



On a brighter note...we said HELLO to the potty.  We have been talking about the potty for a while and he had used it once, but he hadn't really shown much interest.  Sunday night, at church, Jack said he needed to poopoo.  Long story short, after a humorous demonstration from me, he did it!  I foolishly jumped and cheered around the bathroom!  What an accomplishment!  I can't help but think that maybe he'd never have told me that if he'd had "P" in his mouth. 



December 19, 2010



We are anxiously awaiting Christmas...which is tomorrow!  I cannot wait to see Jack's face as he sees what all Santa brings to him!!! Blogposts will soon follow! Merry Christmas!

Sneak Peek: 18 Month Pictures with Mandy Owens

WARRR EAGLE....HEY!

Let me start off by saying, what a blessed Thanksgiving we had!!  We are so blessed with family that we had 4 family get togethers to go to.  Yes people, I said 4, F-O-U-R! We had a wonderful day, but it was long and Jack was like a zombie by the end of the day.  It truly is a gift from God to have so much family to spend time with...I know of people who didn't have anyone to spend Thanksgiving with. :(  That makes my heart sad and when I'm griping about how many places we have to go, the Lord whispers to me how grateful I should be.

We started off the day at Andy's parents' house, then went to the Brand family Thanksgiving, made a quick trip to the Bryson family meal, and ended up at my grandparents' for the Oliver Thanksgiving.  By the end of the day we were stuffed!  The only picture I managed to get of Jack was from Grandmother and Pop's and this pretty much summarizes how he spent the day.

Acting like a dog...imagine that. :) At least he's the leader of the pack.

What you don't see is Andy or me trailing behind him.  We spent the whole day chasing Jack...keeping him out of trouble.  That boy is into EVERYTHING!!! As I type that the Lord whispers to my heart..."Be thankful he's so healthy..."  and I am.  Thank you Lord for your blessings on me!

As the evening approached on Thanksgiving, I started getting really excited.  We were going to the AL v. AU game on Friday.  If you know us, then you know that I was raised an Auburn fan and Andy was raised Alabama.  For the first few years, when we had just started dating, we'd nearly break up over the game.  I chuckle as I type this because that's in good southern fashion. :)  Thankfully, these days we can be civil, almost friendly, to each other about the game.  We had to pay A LOT for our tickets, but our anniversary was the day after the game so it was kind of an early anniversary present.  Last year we went and we both left happy.  Auburn did great (even though it should've been a blow-out) and Alabama won!  This year, I don't think we both left with that feeling. :)

We went to the game with some great friends, both AL fans, and we really enjoyed spending time away together without little-bit. I almost had an emotional breakdown during the first half of the game.  Andy almost had one the second half.  I'm sure you know that Auburn won...and on that note I'm going to let out a big WARRR EAGLE, HEY! I try not to be an obnoxious fan, but I'm just so darn excited! :)

Andy and Jack in their Alabama gear. (I've already laid claims on baby #2- someday)

I made persuaded Andy to have his picture made with me after the game.  Notice his expression. :(

We should've known an Auburn victory was on the horizon (pun intended) because God painted the sky the most beautiful orange and blue.

Halloween 2010...Bamm Bamm!

This Halloween has been really fun!  Jack was just a baby last Halloween and really couldn't enjoy it.  This year we've had a good time dressing him up and trick-or-treating.  I decided several months ago that I wanted Jack to be Bamm Bamm for Halloween.  I started doing Internet searches for the perfect costume.  Most that I found were homemade.  The wheels started turning in my brain and I decided that I wanted to make his costume.  Why? I don't really know.  I can't sew, to speak of , and I've never "made" anything for Jack before.  I almost procrastinated too long, but at the last minute I got up the nerve, went to Wilson's fabric, and broke out the new sewing machine.  After a couple of very stressful hours, I did actually complete the costume.  It was pitifully sewn, but I don't think I've ever been more proud of anything I've accomplished (minus giving birth to a 9lb. 5oz. baby).  

We also spent the day celebrating at our church fall festival.  Jack colored his first piece of artwork and did lots of other fun stuff.  What a great day!

Jack's first piece of artwork.  Beautiful, isn't it?

 



Cheese!

Trying to get "Bamm Bamm" to pose was a problem.

 

Cookie from Mamaw

Jack and Mamaw

 

Mamaw, Jack, and Pawpaw

Jack and Uncle Jeff

Jack with Pop and Grandmother

Granna, Jack, and Grandpa

Jack trying out Andrew's shoes

Man, He's Growing So Fast!

Jack turned 18 months old on September 27th and he's growing so fast!  At his last doctor's appt. he weighed 27 lbs. 13oz.  What a big boy! Some of the new words he has said are... geen (drink), "P" (pacifier), good, cookies, crackers, bite-bite, poppa (grandpa), Mahney (Barney), shoes, socks, eyes, doggie, gone-gone, moon, Andy, bath, book, Doodle, Mamaw, Pawpaw, Mannie (Maggee), Momma, outside, lawnmower, Amen!, Where is ____ at?, see, night-night, blanket, "E" (Eli), Daddy has changed to diddy, baby has changed to bibby, Here it is!, There he is!, and probably more that I've forgotten.  Here are a few pictures of the last couple of months.