A busy weekend but what FUN!

We have been blessed with such AMAZING weather lately. I know I do not blog as often as I did but please forgive me! I just don't find myself with a lot of spare time lately. :)

We have been busy and I have lots to catch up on. Please bear with me through the multiple posts and flood of pictures. You'll want to check out the post below as well to see some new photos.

This weekend brought us beautiful weather and the annual BBQ festival. Friday night, mom, dad, and I took the boys to enjoy the festivities. We looked at the animals in the petting zoo, go them inflatable swords, BBQ sandwiches, a funnel cake and fried oreos--and all was right with the world! :)

We fixed a picnic out on the lawn in front of mom's dorm and enjoyed the music from afar while enjoying our yummy treats. This was my first year to try the fried oreos---and Oh, My Word! They were fabulous!

The boys with their prized swords.

Me and Rhett enjoying the fried oreos!

Nana, Grandaddy and the boys on our picnic. Lawson thought it was funny to make Grandaddy look like he had a horn on his head. :)

Me and my sweet "biggies".

This blessed digital age...

There are many things about today that trouble me. Life is not as simple as I'm told it once was. In most cases I worry over things, however, there is a one aspect of today's times I don't think I could live without...DIGITAL CAMERAS!!! What did we ever do without them???

Do you remember the days of taking 40-50 pictures just hoping you got a good one only to wait a week or two for them to be developed to discover you didn't get a single good shot?? Digital cameras take that inconvenience right off the map!

Last night we attempted to take some family photos now that Rhett is here. Ask me how easy it is to get a good picture of all five of us at the same time. I might reply with IMPOSSIBLE! :) Still, we gave it a go last night. My dad set up his camera (since mine is still broken!) and just started snapping pictures. He was even still snapping as we were changing poses! :) He knows you have to be ready for anything! Ha. We took TONS of pictures most of which are of no count. Rhett was screaming, the boys were wild and we could not get everyone to look at the camera. Ahhhh, these bonding times. :)

The beauty of it all? We can just discard those photos that are no good immediately without having to waste money on developing the bad ones. I love it! If I were to name some of my favorite things my camera would be at the top of my list (if it worked!) Ha. Thought I'd attach a few of the ones we got last night. Even though I'll never get the bad ones developed I kept them just to show how hard it is to get our family together for a picture! :)

Trying to get the boys to make a good picture. Their Aunt Mandy is to thank for their sweet little outfits. It wasn't planned and they were even bought at the same time but they coordinated so well we thought it was perfect for pictures.

You can see that Rhett was not as interested in cooperating!

My two "biggies"!

Lawson wore this outfit for pictures when he was five weeks old. Rhett is five weeks old on Monday. He doesn't look as much like Lawson in this picture. His pictures seem to remind me more of Jagger's.

A special place

I am so blessed by many memories of my grandparents' house. It has always been such a happy place to visit. I can remember playing in the "secret compartment" of my grandmother's closet, making tents on their stair case, her wonderful cooking and afternoons of watching "The Brady Bunch" at their house after school. :)

My grandparents have always adored their grand-kids. We were all spoiled rotten! However, I believe, if it is possible, they are spoiling my kids even more! What a blessing it must be for them to get to enjoy not one, but FOUR of their GREAT grandchildren! Not only that, but what a TREMENDOUS blessing for our kids to be able to enjoy them! I'm so thankful that their health allows us all to enjoy days together.

Recently, we took the boys to Greenfield to spend the day with them. The boys always have a blast when there. Our day was filled with Papa's home cooking--roast, potatoes, carrots, beef dressing, and his specialty--green beans. Yum, yum! Makes me hungry typing about it now! We spent time outside by the fish pond that all the kids love and the little log cabin that my granddaddy made for us grand kids years ago. How special that my boys and I will one day be able to share some of the very same memories of Papa and Grandma!

Below are a few pictures from trips to their house. Spoiled rotten or not, there's nothing in the world like godly grandparents. We enjoy each and every trip to visit them! As my grandmother would say, "We had a MAAAA-VELOUS time!". :)
The boys had a fit the last time we were there to see the caboose that sits in town and have their picture made on it. Mom was able to snap a few.

The boys playing in the special log cabin.

Papa and the boys feed the fish. It usually proves difficult to keep Jagger OUT of the fish pond and I'm sure most of you are not surprised by that! :)

Papa and the bigger boys. I think Grandma had the "little" one at the time!

By the way, just as a small update, Rhett got a good report at the dr visit. The dr has diagnosed him with what is called "breast milk jaundice". Since he is gaining weight well and eating well the dr sees no need to give him formula. However, formula will flush the biliruben out of his system quicker so he left it up to me--if I want to supplement some it is fine. We have given him a couple of bottles but I'm still nursing as well. Didn't want to interrupt that weight gain! He's now up to 11 lbs!!! He's gained 3 whole lbs in one month! I love it! But all reports were great so other than having to hold him down on the table to have the blood drawn :(, it was a great day.

A few of life's mysteries SOLVED!

He seems to like his sun time!

Well, those of you I've talked to recently know that Rhett is not the greatest sleeper or the easiest baby to deal with. Mercy, how I love that baby but he makes me want to pull my hair out at times. Of course, when we have company he's a perfect little angel and I'm sure people think we exaggerate the fussiness. Last night he took another one of his crying spells that lasted close to two hours. Now, I'm not sure how many have been around a screaming baby for long periods of time but it can kind-of make you crazy. As I was standing in the middle of the living room floor swaying and bouncing him I looked at Brandon and told him I had discovered the truth to some of life's mysteries : 1) I know why God made babies so cute...so we love them even when they are making us crazy. 2) I know why some animals eat their young. 3) I know what it takes to raise three boys...SLEEP!

Of course I say all of that in jest. I do feel like a crazy person sometimes and am getting VERY little sleep. I cannot, however, blame all of that on sweet little Rhett. Right now he's sleeping like an angel in his own bed and instead of taking advantage of this time and sleeping myself, I sit here on the computer blogging.

I did want to attach a couple of new pictures. These were taken a couple of afternoons ago as Rhett was receiving his "sun therapy". His jaundice seems to be lingering longer than I expected. Matter of fact, we have an appointment with his pediatrician tomorrow to have some tests run on his liver. The dr feels confident that what he has now is what they call breast milk jaundice--a result of the breast milk not allowing the bilirubin to break down properly, but he (and I) need this confirmed by the tests. Please say a prayer that all the tests come back fine with his liver. I am excited to find out how much he weighs now. He feels like a TON. He is developing all those sweet rolls that I love so much! :)

A couple of things about my bigger boys: here is what Lawson said to me today. The story goes like this: I had just picked him up from pre-school. When I went inside to get him I heard the teacher call his name and he answered with "What?". Not that that is bad, but I prefer and try to teach him to use proper manners and answer with "Ma'am?" instead. So when we got to the van I didn't scold but asked him if he remembered to use his manners at school just like he does at home. I told him I had heard him forget to say Ma'am to his teacher. His reply? "Mom, I'm just tired of speaking Spanish!". He keeps me in stitches and is the bright spot in a lot of my days. I'm so very thankful for him!

Jagger is full of life (and mischief!) and keeps me very busy. Recently he is fascinated with Spider Man but also enjoys playing with Lawson as cowboys with their toy pistols and rifles. Saturday we had a couple of friends over. Lawson and Jagger greeted them in their cowboy hats and guns. Jagger told Lawson, "You get the guy and I'll get the girl!" He had that scowl on his face as he said it. Those of you who know him already have that face pictured in your minds. It was funny and we all got a good laugh!

Anyway, we are still making it! I've been told that if I can survive the first 6-8 weeks of our third child we'll coast downhill the rest of the way. I'm not sure if the person who told me that raised three boys but we'll look forward to surviving the next few weeks anyway! :) Well, I'm off to bed to catch an hour of sleep (or two if I'm lucky) before the next feeding. Sweet dreams!

A little catch-up

Life at our house has been anything but slow recently! Mainly we are in a state of chaos 24/7. I don't think I truly realized how much work adding one more to the family would be! It is taking us all time to adjust but we are starting to settle in to our new life. I would be lying if I said it wasn't hard at times but when it is all said and done I wouldn't send a one of them back! :)

The two big brothers are always protecting Rhett. As seen in the picture above they will go to any lengths for him! We are in the process of potty training Jagger (hence the lack of pants) and that keeps us busy. On the whole, he is doing very well with few accidents.

Lawson is keeping busy at pre-school and seems to like it. I'm told that each day all the boys like to pretend they are in Jedi training rather than going to school. Ha. He seems to be happy there and is doing very well. One funny thing Lawson said recently: This past Sunday we went to church in Greenfield. After church was over Lawson leaned over to me and whispered, "Mom, let's go meet some old people and show them Rhett." I'm glad he said it to me rather than the actual "old people"! Ha.

Rhett is just adjusting to life on the outside. He's a pretty fussy baby but we are all learning together. At times it is frustrating to not be able to comfort your newborn. After all, isn't that my JOB? I just keep reminding myself that we are new to each other and have to learn one another--not just me learning him. We took Rhett to church for the first time two weeks ago. Below are some pictures of our first outing to church. He did really well, sleeping through almost all of church and bible class.

Brandon is SUCH a help to me. When I'm on my last leg and think I can't go another minute he steps in and takes over with Rhett. He looks after me and has REALLY helped out lately with laundry, dishes, grocery shopping, etc. He is my rock and I'm very blessed to have such a wonderful friend and husband.

Mom and Dad come over every night and mom even comes in the afternoons. I have lots of great help and the best family in the world! Tonight the "big" boys are spending the night with Nana. I'm sure she has no idea how that helps me out but just to be able to sit in the quiet while Rhett is sleeping gives me a little peace of mind. But, that said, I'm always ready to see the little stinkers when they come home!

Me...I'm just hanging in there. I'm tired and grouchy at times but always try to think about how blessed I am and try to not wish this time in my life away. I love the smell of a newborn and even his cry (just not at 12:00 midnight!) and know that this will pass quickly no matter how slowly it seems to drag by at the minute.

To all of those of you who have helped out THANK YOU!! We have been blessed with TONS of food, cards, and I'm sure prayers. It all is such a help and blessing. I love you all!

Enjoy the pictures from the past couple of weeks!
I was SO glad to get to spend some time with my brother this past weekend! Rhett finally go tot meet his uncle J and the other two boys enjoyed every minute of his visit!

My three boys dressed for our first church outing.

Our first trip out to church.

Rhett gets his first bath.

...and didn't like it too well.

My laughter each day!

Some new pictures

Well, I wanted to take advantage of this newborn phase and capture the look since I know just how quickly it passes! It seems you blink your eyes and they have changed already. They just grow much too quickly. Today as I was feeding Rhett Lawson asked me to please not feed him. I asked why thinking he would say something like he wanted me to do something with him instead but his reply shocked me. He answered, "Well, I just want him to stay a baby". My sentiments exactly!! :) However, Rhett would not have liked it if I had quit feeding him. :)

I feel that he has already changed in the short week and a half he's been here. They just don't stay little for long! Anyway, I took these pictures myself trying to save a little money on professional pictures but turns out these came at a much higher price! My camera fell to the floor during the shoot and now it no longer works as it should. I have been distraught! So, with that said, if anyone knows of a camera repairman, please send their name my way!

In the meantime, enjoy the newest pics!

One week! (and a couple of days)

Precious!

So, Rhett was a week old on Monday. Today, Wednesday, marks one week since we've been home on our own from the hospital. Well, I say "on our own" but we haven't been that at all! We've had so much help from family and friends. We really are blessed. We had people from church bringing food, visits, family help, etc. My mom has been here helping with the daily chores each day like washing clothes, boys, or anything else that needed washed! :) Brandon's parents and sister came in for a few days and brought fresh corn and beans and helped keep the older boys occupied. Somehow Mammy even got Lawson in on stringing beans! We vow to make a worker out of him yet! :) The bigger boys have had lots of distractions and I think that's helped them adjust to this new crying, screaming thing that we've brought into their world. 

Some observations so far as a mom of three boys:

All three of my boys seem entirely different in terms of temperament. Rhett is not nearly as laid back as the others were. He's not as good of a sleeper but boy is he a snuggler! :) He LOVES to be held. Too much! :)

Lawson is the protector. While he doesn't pay a lot of attention to Rhett he wants to make sure no one (such as his younger brother, Jagger) is bothering him. He tells Jagger to "Keep your hands to yourself!" He wants to know what is wrong when he cries and who made him cry! He tells people that he loves Rhett and always wants to tell him good-bye before leaving to go somewhere.

Jagger is the loving bigger brother. He kisses his head and "pets" him every time he passes by. Sometimes he will just stop mid-stream of whatever he's doing to run over to Rhett and give him a kiss and pat on the head and say, "Rhett, how you doin'?" He sure loves that little brother!

The last event of the week of note would be our first TN game of the season. It was special to be able to watch it as a complete family! We all dressed for the occasion and if it hadn't been for the horrible outcome of the game itself, would have been the perfect night!

I'll attach some taken during our first week. Hope you enjoy.

Some of our first visitors. Ms. Becky, Laura Beth and Carter came to see us and bring us supper the day we came home from the hospital. LB even brought us some fresh veggies out of her very own garden!

Paige and Jason and Tucker came to see us Labor Day weekend. Tucker was so sweet with Rhett.

Lawson helping Mammy string beans.

Jag, Mammy and Rhett (and Sasha) enjoy some snuggle time.

Pappy and Mammy with their grand boys!

Aunt Mandy and Rhett.

A proud mama and her boys.

Our UT family!

Grandaddy and Nana and their precious boys.

Sweet UT baby.