Monday, May 20, 2013

Baby Dedication

Please note, this is the 3rd post for the month...wahooo!!

Saturday was a special day for our little family.  We had Anderson "dedicated" at Elevation in front of our family and friends.  A few people have asked why we didn't baptize A and why they didn't put water on his head. 
For one, Elevation doesn't baptize children in front of the church and sprinkle water over their heads...that's just not their style.  There are way too many babies at all the different campus' that it would take years to baptize all the little ones.
Instead, Elevation chooses to host "baby dedication celebrations" twice a year at each campus.

On Saturday afternoon, we headed uptown to the Levine Museum of the New South.  Each family had their own table and we joined by my parents, Mike's parents and grandparents.  They sat Anderson's BFF, Mac, right beside our table so we were able to share the fun with the Bruce Family.  It also helped entertain Anderson during the event.  He adores Emerson and watched her and giggled through the whole thing.



Our campus pastor, Joel, did a great job hosting the event.  He prayed for the kids, gave a short talk and then it was time for each family to read their letter to their table.  We were asked to write a letter to our child and it was such an emotional experience for us.  Mike and I took a lot of time over the past few weeks writing and editing the letter.  We decided to write the letter and give it to Anderson when he graduates high school.  Just the thought that our baby will one day graduate high school was enough to send me over the edge.  
Mike read the letter to "Anderson" and our entire table and everyone sobbed the whole way through.  Attractive, I know.  
We are dedicating to raise him in the church and will continue to pray over his life and the man he will become.  Ultimately it is his decision whether he wants to follow Jesus.  Regardless, we will continue to love and raise our little Munch just as the the Lord has called us to do.

After the tears, it was time for family pictures, lots of yummy treats and playtime with Mac.


Our FAVORITE ekidz volunteer, Jenny.  She takes such great care of these boys
 trouble
 He is about to attack


All the family headed back to our house for dinner and playtime after the dedication.  Anderson was very excited to get so much attention from everyone.  He decided to surprise us and chow down on my corn on the cob and had a few bites of potato salad.  Crazy little boy!

The baby dedication certificate and letter will remain in Anderson's memory box until his high school graduation.  It was a special day that filled me with so much thanks for our son, our church and of course our wonderful families!


Sunday, May 19, 2013

Family Beach Trip Part 2

The 2nd day at the beach was just as great!  Anderson slept like a champ and was in the best mood when he woke up.  After breakfast, we took a long walk on the beach and road.  While Anderson talked non-stop to himself, Mike and I dreamed out when we will be able to buy beach property.  I love dreaming with that man!


After a long morning nap, Anderson woke up to special visitors.  One of my best friends from high school, Tara, and her daughter came down to play for the day.  Anderson and Charlotte Hope began playing on the floor and I have to say...it was love at first sight!
We spent the rest of the day playing on the beach,eating lunch, great naps, girl time for me and Tara and playtime at the pool.  It was a very full day for both of the kids and I couldn't stop taking pictures.





It was so fun to be able to hang out with Tara and watch our babies play.  We always talked about having kids around the same time (5 year plan!!!) but I never really knew if that would happen.  Thankfully God knows I'm crazy pants and need lots of women around me that are in the same stage of life!






Saturday was spent about the same way...walk, house dreaming, beach, pool, naps and the park. 





We decided at the last minute to leave on Saturday night (instead of Sunday morning) so Anderson would sleep the whole way home.  Mike packed up the car while I got Anderson ready for bed.  We left the beach around 6pm and Anderson slept the entire 4 hours.  BLISS!
We got up Sunday morning and heard a powerful Mother's Day sermon and I was so thankful we decided to come home early.
Mike and Anderson did a great job showering me with love, food and gifts on Mother's Day.  I couldn't have asked for a better 1st Mother's Day.

(yes, I know I look tired in this pic)


We had a great vacation and I am even more excited for the annual Gibbs family beach trip!  Less than a month and I get to play with my sisters, niece and nephew on the beach.

Friday, May 10, 2013

1st Family Beach Trip

Hey, it's me, the worst blogger since becoming a mom. We are at the beach having a grand ol' time and I figured now was the perfect time to get a quick memory on the blog. I also just realized I never hit "publish" on Anderson's 10 month post- oops!

I started feeling bad on Monday and knew a cold or sinus infection was fast approaching. We prayed really hard and I took lots of meds so I would begin to feel better. Thursday rolled around and I was feeling about the same. We decided to head to the beach around lunch and hopefully the salt air would make me feel better. The trip down couldn't have gone better (hopefully I'm not jinxing the trip home). Anders played and talked for the 1st hour and a half. Then fussed off and on for about 30 minutes. He was so tired but didn't want to give up. Finally he passed out and slept for about 45 minutes. The rest of the trip, he played and watched his first episode of Caliou. I couldn't figure out what to download on the iPad and then thought I remembered Nate or Abby watching that show. It was 22 minutes of pure joy! It kept his attention and he was smiling and laughing the whole time.






When we got to the beach, mike unloaded while we played. Then it was time for the BEACH! The beach was across the street so we threw everything in the stroller and walked over.

We weren't sure what his reaction to the sand/ocean/breeze would be so I had the camera ready!
From the minute he touched the sand, he loved it. He crawled right to the ocean, played in the sand and could not eat enough sand. We let him sand in the ocean water but he started crying after a few minutes bc it was so cold. He was covered in sand and didn't seem to mind. I actually hate getting sandy so this will be interesting for me.
Disclaimer- he had tons of sunscreen on plus a shirt and hat most of the time...so quit your judging!










Nothing could be better than open-mouth, sand filled kisses from my little munch.


We let him crawl, walk and play on the beach before heading home to swing and go to bed.



It was a successful first day and I actually started feeling better on the beach!

One of my best friends, Tara, and her daughter, Charlotte, are coming today!! I am so excited for Anderson and Charlotte to swim (float) in the pool and play on the beach. More pictures to come...

Happy Friday!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Monday, May 6, 2013

10 Months

Anderson,

You are 10 months old...how can it be?!?!  Some days, I am thankful the little baby days are over but other days I wish they were back.  The older you get, the more fun we have with you. 
Your personality is starting to shine through more and more every day.  We can see shades of mom and dad within your little self. 





On your 9 month birthday, you decided to take off with your push walker.  It was so fun to see and you haven't stopped since.  Every morning when you wake up, you look for your push walker and want to play with it before going to Miss Beth's.  It was cute the first couple of weeks, but now I'm ready for you to take steps on your own. 

You now talk all the time and we have no clue what you are saying.  We were eating lunch out the other day and 2 kids came up to talk to you.  You ran your mouth non-stop for a good 5 minutes.  You acted like these little 3 year olds knew exactly what you were saying.  It was one of the cutest things I have ever seen.  We can understand a few words you are saying: dada, dog, all done, bottle, hi and a few others we are trying to figure out.  As you can see, there's still no mama out of his mouth.  Maybe on mother's day you will surprise me.


You were sick for this first time this past month.  You had a really high fever (102-104) for 3 days.  You slept from 5:30pm-7:30pm those nights...you were so pitiful.  The last night, you woke up at 10:30pm screaming.  You were burning up, then you began to sweat and I knew your fever broke.  You were so upset and just wanted to snuggle.  Finally around 11:30pm you gave up and feel asleep in my arms.  I don't remember the last time that happened.


Firsts: 
-2 more teeth for a total of 8
-you went down the slide at the playground and now want to do it over and over again
-got new shoes this month.  You like to eat them, awesome, and tolerate wearing them
-You have started trying new foods and have gotten better at picking up your foods.
-At at Ihop for the first time and downed some pancakes
-discovered the washing machine and it is now your favorite toy
-swinging on the porch swing with nanny






10 Month Stats:
 Weight- I think around 20 lbs

Length-31 inches (we think)

Clothes-12 month

Eating-4 bottles a day and 3 meals

Naps-napping twice a day (usually 1-2.5 hours each)
Night time-6:30pm-6:30/7:00 am