July 4th & Visiting PA

The month of July held a lot of anticipation for our trip to PA. There were several "firsts" with this trip & we had been looking forward to it for quite some time. 

Since taking a step back from work, I was able to take off a couple weeks & spend 4th of July with my family. 

I flew up to PA with Greyson on July 3rd. It was his first time to fly & we were very prepared. He did wonderful! Even when our flight was delayed, he didn't fall asleep until we had boarded & sat down in our seats. He slept the entire flight & even through the Pittsburg terminal, all the way home to Nana & Grampa's house. It was great, even if we didn't get to mom & dad's until 2am. 

The next day, Greyson met a lot of the Ritchey family at the 4th of July family reunion. We had fun eating, swimming & visiting with everyone.

He absolutely loved Uncle Jerry's pool & had so much fun kicking & "swimming"

 We loved spending time with everyone, celebrating our freedom & thanking God that we live in the U.S.A!

After that, we had a wonderful week just spending time together & shopping. 

My mom modeling one of the new outfits I picked out for her...=)

Greyson loved spending time at Nana & Grampa's house. He even took his baths in the bathroom sink...the same one I used to get baths in when I was his age!

Having fun! 

We gave Grampa his Father's Day gift & Greyson helped him open in it. He loved the footprints from Greyson & the card & gift card from Matt & I.

He met lots of people at Grampa's church too & one of the ladies even got him to sleep...

He met a new friend Liam...

& my good friend Tina came to meet Greyson too =)

Then we went to a wedding-- my good friend Janice was getting married on the first weekend I was home. She was in my wedding back in 2006 & I was so glad that I was able to attend hers.

She looked absolutely gorgeous!! 

 Janice & Bill are married!! 

 It was a beautiful wedding & very fun day

The happy couple! 

Sunday, we got to spend time at my Mama's house. I love this picture of her talking to Greyson. 

My cousin Rhett, took him outside since it was such a beautiful day.

I love this picture of Rhett's daughter Makayla...Greyson loves kids & had so much fun with her!

Later in the week, Aunt Mindy & Uncle Matt flew in from Idaho! Daddy came the next day & we were all together for Uncle Brandon & Richelle's wedding. It was so much fun being with everyone! I'll post about the wedding separately, but the day after, we flew back home to Alabama. Greyson was very good throughout our wait at the airport & here we are on the plane. He did pretty good this time too, but was awake a lot more & did have a few crying spells. Thankfully Matt was with me on this flight so it was nice to have some help on & off the plane. 

Unfortunately while we were there, we all caught sinus infections. I thought for sure after battling it for a week in PA, that it would go away in a few days. Flying sure didn't make it better & I ended up sick another 2 weeks. I should have gone to the Dr. earlier but finally after I got a shot & some meds, it started getting better. Matt had it a couple days but thankfully his cleared up & it looks like we are on the tail end of this summer sickness.

My parents got it, my brother & sister in law had it & even friends in AL had it...definitely going around right now! So, overall we had a wonderful trip...even if we did get sick from being with family! It was  worth it =)

Skye's baby shower

{Skye's baby sprinkle}

Hosted by:

Megan Crawford & Emily Powell

at

Olive Garden

{Abra's bridal Shower}

Several weeks ago, Emily & I hosted our friends baby shower. She was expecting her 3rd child, a little girl to be named: Kylee Alexis 

Since she already had most of her "bigger" items for the baby, we sprinkled her with essentials & of course, cute baby girl clothes! It was so much fun! 

Here are some pictures from the evening:

Opening the gifts!

Shocco ladies & Greyson

Skye with the hosts, her mom & daughter, Janie & several of the guests

That night, we also celebrated the marriage of Abra (Mapp) Camp who had been married the week before. She is a blessing to Shocco & we are so happy that she has started working there.

 A few weeks later, Skye gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. She is adorable!! 

The picture of Skye was the last one I took of her before Kylee was born. It was our last time to hang out & Skye, myself & Emily all got together for lunch. Emily & her mom made these adorable little shoes for Kylee & a matching headband!! We are so excited for Skye's family & their new addition =)

Now, I just HAVE to mention Shocco's baby boom while I'm at it. =))

If you want to get pregnant, have been trying or are eventually planning a family...move here & work at Shocco! I'm serious...whatever it is, God is supplying the babies there! 

3 babies were born fairly close together the year of 2009. After that, our accountant announced her pregnancy w/ #2, due in November 2010, with a boy...we call her #1.

Then another pregnancy was announced for Feb. 2011 with a boy...#2.

Another for March, this time a girl...#3.

April, girl...#4.

My good friend Emily had her baby boy in May...#5.

Then there was a bit of a gap until Greyson was born in December putting me at #6. So far we had 2 boys, 2 girls, 2 boys & then wouldn't you know it...2 more ended up pregnant...with girls! 

My friend Ashley with her baby girl born in May 2012, & then of course Skye & her baby girl born this month. 8 pregnancies all with in 15 months!!

I say 15 months because...ironically THE LIST IS STARTING OVER!!! Not only is it starting over...but in order too!! Talk about crazy...

Our accountant found out she was pregnant with #3 due in October...#2 is having her second in the same month she had her first due in Feb! Along with #3...due also in Feb. There is another girl added to this list due in March as well. 

So far, my friend Emily has been saying that she WILL NOT be #5 again & that's final! I'm sure she will break that pattern & I am not ready for another quite yet myself. 

I just find it so funny that we have had so many pregnancies in the last couple years & that more keep popping up every few months it seems. It is a BLESSING! & I'm thinking Shocco needs to invest in a daycare at some point =) 

Now, Matt on the other hand is ready for #2 already....surprised? I was!! but so far I am hoping to wait until Greyson is a little older...& hopefully out of diapers! =))

So, there you have it...I think I might be done hosting baby showers...for a little while at least!! 

Here's a pic of my sweet pea at 6 months! He will have lots of little friends running around soon...that's for sure! =)

6 Months!

Wow! I am SO behind in blogging this month. So much has been happening & Greyson hit 7 months when we were out of town, so I gotta remember everything before then! 

He has definitely gotten more personality these days & has a little bit of attitude if he doesn't get his way...yay. But he is still my sweetie little man & he's growing so fast it's not even funny!

Greyson

so far you...

*weigh 21 pounds!! Growing every day & go through clothes faster than I can buy them! 

*teething & have had cold symptoms because of it...no teeth yet

*are starting to move around on your tummy more...hoping you crawl soon so your clothes will last longer! 

*are starting to have separation anxiety...just from mommy though.. A few times when we have been apart, you cry a lot & usually if I come home, you are fine afterwards

*still smile at pretty much everyone we run into...strangers love to talk to you & you like the attention

*started having a little more attitude when you are upset...started this high pitched "scream" & still blow bubbles when you are super mad

*will play with anything you can get your hands on. You notice so much & investigate everything

*went through another growth spurt & woke up eating every couple hours...we are back on track & you are sleeping all night again

*have started turning the pages in your books when I read to you like you understand what's next =)

*had your first "cold" due to teething but then it turned into allergies...you were a sick little boy! but the Dr. said your nose, ears & lungs were all clear...you went to the Dr. twice in 2 weeks! The allergy medicine has helped a lot more & your breathing doesn't rattle anymore

*started taking regular naps! most of the time they are 1-2 hours long & sometimes they are just cat naps but you take them throughout the day & then sleep all night 

*will not stay on your tummy very long...eventually you flip over & I keep putting you back so you get enough tummy time so you will learn to crawl

*sit very well & even go from sitting, to your tummy & back a lot of the time while playing

*have eaten lots of fruits & veggies...your favorite snack is yogurt 

*you are still breastfeeding & we only take a bottle with us when we are going out somewhere for a long time. You drink juice sometimes & water from your sippy cup

*wear clothes anywhere from 6-18 month sizes...you are 27 3/4 inches long

*took your first plane ride to PA with just mommy & you did awesome! you visited with a nice family before our flight & when it got delayed, you started getting tired. By the time we got on, you smiled at everyone from our seat. Before the plane took off, you were conked out & slept the whole way. Nana & Grampa met us at the airport in Pittsburg & you didn't even wake up. We got "home" at 2am!

*loved spending time with Nana & Grampa in PA...we were there almost 2 weeks. You met lots of mommy's family & spent 4th of July at Uncle Jerry's. 

*swam in a big pool at Uncle Jerry's for the first time! Your cousin Jackson had an extra floaty for babies to swim with. You loved it! 

*got to attend Uncle Brandon & Richelle's wedding! You weren't very happy because you didn't feel good during the reception, but Aunt Linda kept you during the ceremony & you slept the whole time

*like facial hair! Everyone that met you up north that had a mustache or beard, you played with it

*did great being passed around to all our family & friends...so many people wanted to meet you during our trip! You LOVE kids & other babies =)

*missed daddy a lot while we were gone...you were much more alert when we flew back home on the plane & you were SO happy when we got home. I think you missed your room & being out of the norm for that long, but we had fun! 

What we are looking forward to:

*Nana & Grampa's visit this summer

*Going to Gatlinburg w/ all daddy's family

*Thanksgiving in PA

Play date & Weekend Review

Now that Greyson is older, we are actually able to have play dates...& they actually PLAY!

Last weekend, my friend Emily brought her son Jon William over to swim. 

They had so much fun! My neighbors granddaughter was here & she came over too. She helped keep the babies safe in the water & we just hung out & compared baby stories! =) 

Every time I tried to sit Greyson up, he just leaned back so he could kick his feet & float around...guess whatever makes him happy! 

They got along so well!! (most of the time...hehe)

Later, when we went in to eat supper, these 2 played on the floor...notice Greyson's shirt? He's usually a sweet little thing...but every now & then he likes to pull hair. Poor Jon William got his pulled so hard it made him cry! I know how he felt...it happens to me all the time & it really hurts!! 

Over all they had fun so it was great to get them together.

The next day, Greyson & I went with Matt to his horse show...here's our little cowboy "in training" =)

It was SO hot out that day, we stayed in the horse trailer most of the time but it doesn't have airconditioning so our friends let us use their trailer with a/c & Greyson napped....

Then we went out to the farm to check out the new farm tractor. We lost the previous one in a tractor fire ...thankfully, Uncle Jimmy (who was driving it at the time) was not hurt & everything else was ok too...

Greyson seemed very pleased with it & tried to "drive" =) 

Yes, I HAD to climb up there & check things out...its pretty neat! Even has air conditioning which means...you could stay in that thing for hours =)

As we were walking back, I noticed Matt had this burp cloth in his back pocket. You can tell he's on daddy duty...haha

...And last but not least...a picture of the beautiful scenery at the farm! 

We had a great little weekend =)

{First} Fathers Day

Matt got to celebrate his very {first} fathers day! 

We are so excited to have Greyson, the one who "makes it all possible" to celebrate for.

We had a wonderful day. 

Our family

The Fathers & Greyson

We went to my inlaws house for dinner. They have just added on a big, new, beautiful room to their house & it was our first Sunday lunch in it. After we ate, we gave G'pa his gift from Greyson. 

It was a poem with his little footprints, name, age & date. He loved it! We also gave him a card & gift card to Cracker Barrel to use on his travels.

 I also made the footprint poem for my dad (Grampa) & Matt for their gifts as well. It was fun making them! Greyson did very well having his feet in paint & it wasn't too messy.

 As for Matt's other gifts, he was showered well! I got him a card & wallet to use for work. His parents gave him a shirt & chocolate & the rest came from church. 

He was given a gift for it being his FIRST Fathers day that included the frame, courageous cup, & books. Our theme for the dads at church, was washing cars. They were all sent home with a basket of car washing supplies & Matt also won another category for washing his truck the night before Fathers Day! So he won a water hose & a few more things to use outside. 

As for what the day means to me...I was very privileged to grow up in a Christian home, with a godly father who pastored the Oak Grove Church in PA. We moved to our home in Mercer when I was only 6 weeks old, so dad could start pastoring the church. My brothers & I grew up there...20 years later I got married in the new church that was built the year before I got married. My dad was able to "marry" Matt & I in front of our family & friends. It was special for me to have my dad officiate & give us a good message & marriage advice. Growing up, he instilled in my brothers & I, how important it is to live for God, to have a relationship with Him, to make it to Heaven & take as many people with us as we can. 

I love going "home" & visiting his church. I seem to get more out of his preaching now that I'm older than I did when I was young {sheepish grin} hehe 

My dad has always been my "hero" so to speak...my go to person for advice. I know he is praying for me every day & I that even when I am traveling, he is up in the night praying for my safety. 

I have only gotten to spend one actual Father's Day with him since I've been married. He was here visiting & my church asked me to get up & say something about my dad. I had gotten a card & decided to read it to him from the platform. I remember giving him a hug afterwards & feeling like I could have said WAY more...but more importantly he was there to hear it, to spend the day with us & I don't get those opportunities that often anymore so I don't take them for granted! It's like that now...I could go ON & ON about what I think of my dad, but these are just some of the more important things.

Both of my parents are wonderful examples of what I hope Matt & I will be like with our children. They are to be respected & praised for how my brothers & I were raised. They have always been consistent in what they taught, how they live & what they hope to pass on. They support us in everything that we do & I hope I make them proud of my decisions. I love my mom & dad SO much & am excited that they are grandparents that can pass the same things on to Greyson (& any other kids we might have) as he grows up. 

Now that I live in Alabama, I usually spend these special days with my inlaws! I can say many things about them too, but as for my father in law, here are a few things that really stand out. 

He is passionate about the Lord & has a heart to serve. He is a godly example & has passed that on to his sons. He gives so much to people in need, whether its his own kids, to the church, certain projects, or special needs in the ministry...there are so many things he does to make them happen. He is a trustworthy businessman & hard worker. His family comes first after God & I'm thankful to have Matt's parents near us to spend time with. Both Lela & Leslie do so much for us I don't think I will ever be able to repay them! I love them & love seeing them with Greyson. These are the grandparents that he will get to see the most & I am certain that he will learn so many great qualities from them. 

Matt has taken on his father role very well. It comes from growing up with the parents he has...those same qualities that my father in law has, come out in Matt every day. He works so hard & does so much...it won't be long before Greyson is toddling around behind him outside! Before we know it, Matt & his dad will have Greyson knowing all there is know about horses, showing them, taking care of them...I'm sure it will be one of his main hobbies too. 

I am blessed & very privileged to be a part of these families. We have so much to be thankful for!

Thank you dads, for the legacy that you have passed on! 

6 Month Dr. Appt

Greyson had his Dr. Appt. this past monday. 

His new stats...

{20.3 lbs~27 3/4 in long} 

WOW

Now I know why my arms are killing me! At 6 months old..I have a little chunker!

He likes the Dr. & has always done very well at his appointments. 

When it comes time for the shots, his only really bad time was when he was 2 months old. He screamed & cried so MUCH it just broke my heart. 

These last few times, he has hardly cried & quickly gets over it with in a few minutes. He didn't even have any tears this last time & his favorite thing to do is rip the paper on the examination table.

I am still mainly breastfeeding & have just started introducing him to solids. So far he has only had Rice & Barley cereal, water, & applesauce (with the exception of sugar, sweet tea & ice cream...somehow those were his first things to taste but of course just drops of each when someone got too excited to share food with him!)

For whatever reason, he is not a fan of the applesauce. I thought he was just making the faces because it was new (which is partly true) but after a couple days, I've had to basically force him to open his mouth & eat it! We'll come back to that again in a couple weeks & see how he does then. With the cereal, he is more than willing to eat as much as we'll give him & then some! We still have bananas, sweet potatoes & squash waiting to be tasted, but I'm trying to go a few days in between to make sure he isn't allergic to anything. 

The Saturday before, he had still only been on rice cereal & breast milk. We had his 6 month photos taken outside...he was NOT a very happy baby. Very solemn but not real fussy...just didn't smile! I didn't think too much about it, but later that day he got very sick. The dr. is not sure why, but wasnt concerned since he bounced back so quickly.  He had thrown up until everything was out of his tummy. After that, he just laid around all day long & slept a lot. NOT like my baby boy at all...I can barely get him to take naps during the day myself!

Here he was sleeping in mommy & daddy's bed

Later I let him watch the Barenstain Bears on Sprout & he NEVER watches tv. Usually we don't let him, but even if we are, he is too busy playing or interested in something else. 

The fact that he paid attention, made me realize that he really wasn't feeling good & just didn't feel up to doing much of anything. Luckily in just a few hours he was back to normal & has been happy & pleasant ever since! Wouldn't you know it, he had to be sick on picture day. But we have gotten some GREAT photos =)

Here are the sneak peeks from St. John Studios here in Alabama! =)

Our little cowboy!

I think his teething played a part in this face! =)

I'm so excited to see the rest!! =)) 

I thank God every day for my blessings & that Greyson is healthy & growing wonderfully =)