Friday, December 21, 2012

Pink!


Watson is going to be a big brother!!! 

We found out 4 months ago that we are expecting another precious miracle in our family and we could not be more excited!  I am 20 weeks along, so in late April or early May, we will be welcoming a little GIRL in to our lives!!! 

My official due date is May 7, but my doctor is predicting more towards the end of April...we shall see!  So far it has been a pretty eventful pregnancy at times, but thankfully everything has been okay with each new bump in the road and baby girl seems to be as healthy as can be! 

We are beyond thankful to the Lord for blessing us with another child...we cannot wait to meet this little angel and see Watson as a big brother! 

Monday, December 17, 2012

Catching up...

I have not updated the blog in quite a while because my computer will not turn on...not a good sign, right?  I think it is fixable, we just haven't been able to take it in yet...REALLY hoping I have not lost all of the pictures on my computer...that would pretty much be all of the pictures of Watson's first year of life.  I can say that as soon as we get it fixed I will be backing everything up to an external hard drive ASAP!!

All of that to say...this is going to be a really long post!

So I am updating now from Graham's computer...not sure why I didn't think of this earlier!  Since I can't get to the pictures on my computer, I won't be able to post pictures for each month, but I can give a quick overview of what has been going on in our lives! 

Celebrating Graham (31) and Abby's (3) birthday!


Watson began walking at about 12 1/2 months and then consistently at 13 months.  He is now 16 months and just started running!  He loves to climb on things...especially stairs, couches, chairs, beds, etc. 





Being outside is his absolute favorite - he is as content as can be while outside.  We have a cat next door to us that he wants to play with SO bad...but the poor cat is terrified of Watson.  Probably for good reason :)  If he's not chasing the cat, he is picking up leaves, playing in grass, chasing/being chased by me and Graham (he thinks this is hilarious!)





He is a child of routine but is flexible at the same time - such a blessing!  He definitely does best when he can follow his typical schedule of sleeping until 7:30 or 8, napping at 12:30 for 2-3 hours, then bed at 7:30 or 8.  The whole first year of his life we rocked him to sleep, but when he turned one he just pointed to his bed one night after his Bible story and was ready to go to sleep on his own!  We now read a Bible story, say our prayers, sing a song and go to bed.  He does great with this...and we are thankful for that!!



Sweet boy LOVES being in just his diaper...pre and post-bathtime are his favorite.  In fact, getting him dressed has become quite the struggle lately as he just does not want to wear clothes.  Not an option :) 

Mel and I at Abby's birthday party


He is saying several words...some of which only Graham and I can understand but others that are very clear: Bye bye, pat pat (when he pats or knocks on the door), yeah (his favorite...says it all the time), shake ("sha"), all done ("da-done"), Mama, Dada, Poppa, ball, uh-oh, choo choo.  Even when we cannot understand what he is saying, he talks...all day long!  He also loves to "read" books out loud.  This just might be the most precious thing, ever. 

Dad and Reynolds ran in a 10k...proud of them!





It is amazing to me how much he can understand.  At nap time I can say, "Ready for a nap?" And he says "Yeah" and walks to the stairs.  Or I can ask him to go get his shoes and he will.  He gets reallllly excited when I ask him if he wants to go outside!  Those are just a few examples, but it is amazing to watch him learning things so quickly!  He also copies EVERYTHING...whether it is an action or trying to repeat words...he is a little sponge these days!

Halloween fun



We now have 7 teeth...and boy have they been doozies coming in.  Nothing like his two molars that are trying to come in, now though.  They have popped through, but are still making their grand entrance...they are making him miserable... We have tried every teething trick in the books and nothing seems to be giving him any relief.  Hopefully this will be over sooner rather than later!


Playing outside on Thanksgiving


Meal time is still a favorite time of the day.  All I have to say is "Watson, are you ready for breakfast?"  And he goes immediately to his high chair, hands me his bib, and is ready to go!  Teething and a stomach virus kept him appetite suppressed for a while, but it is officially back...and as big as ever!  He would love to eat bad foods all day (who wouldn't?!) but thankfully he is a pretty good eater with all kinds of foods.  He is getting better about using a spoon by himself, but gets pretty frustrated when the food falls off.  A fork is actually easier for him to use right now. 





His favorite toys are his legos, 4-wheeler and books.  His favorite show...which works like a charm EVERY time I need to keep him occupied for 30 minutes or so...is the Fresh Beat Band.  He also loves wearing things on his head...hats, headbands (yes, headbands...he wears them more like sweatbands across his forehead though...and loves it), glasses, etc.



His favorite person...at all times and always...is his Mana.  (My mom)  Watson has a look of pure joy any time he is around her! 



His personality is beginning to show more and more every single day.  He is sweet as can be...and quite the ham...but my gracious are we starting to see some stubornness shine through!  Whew...power struggles are in full force around here... Graham and I are trying to figure out what kind of discipline techniques work best for us.  More than anything, though, we find ourselves laughing all the time at Watson.  He is hilarious...and I'm pretty sure he knows exactly what he is doing! 



He loves to cuddle and be held...which I don't mind one bit! 

We went to the High School playoffs game to watch Vestavia play Hoover...and see my cousin play in his last game

Watson mimics EVERYTHING these days...and it is precious to watch!  He is a very curious and deep-thinking little boy...and I'm realizing that he is truly taking EVERYTHING in at all times! 





He loves to sing and dance.  We did a music class this fall and Watson loved every second of it!  We still sing the songs...all...day....long :) 



We also started Mothers Day Out this fall one morning a week and Watson has done really well with that.  He still gets sad when I leave him, but apparently this doesn't last long and he does great the rest of the morning. 


We love this sweet little boy more than words can say...he brings us SO much JOY every single day!



Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Month by Month

Birth

One Month

Two Months

Three Months

Four Months

Five Months

Six Months

Seven Months

Eight Months

Nine Months

Ten Months

Eleven Months

Twelve Months...One Year Old!!!

One Year Old!

Watson's birthday party was so much fun - we are so incredibly thankful for all of our friends and family who were able to make it out and celebrate our sweet boy turning one!

We held the party at Reynolds and Melanie's house and celebrated with a cookout and cupcakes.

Here are pictures to recap the day...

 The cupcake table
 Watson got a wagon from his Mana and Poppa - he LOVES it!
 Abby loved it too :)
 Incredibly thankful for my sister...and for her allowing us to use her home for the party!
 Sweet Abigail...
 My family.  Love these people more than words can say!
 Watson with his Grandpa and Poppa
 Watson and his namesakes (my dad and Graham's brother)
 Watson and his uncles
 Watson with his Nannie and Mana
 Table decorations for the Hot Dog Bar and the cupcake toppers
 Surprisingly enough, Watson did not dive in to his cake like we expected him to!  He was very careful at first..just playing with the icing...but once I cut it open and handed him a piece, he decided this was something he wanted MUCH more of!  Luckily, the sugar high wasn't toooo bad :)
 It was a perfect party for our precious ONE YEAR OLD!  Wow...still can't believe it!  :)

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

12 Months...


Is my baby boy really one year old already?!  Where in the world did the time go?!?!?!  I am sitting here trying to put in to words what a blessing and joy Watson is to our family, but words just don't quite express the feelings that I have experienced every single day of this past year...

Watson is the most precious, happy, content, loveable, cuddly, active, funny little boy that we could ever ask for.  His smile, giggles, belly laughs, and squeals never cease to make me smile.  I thought I understood what kind of love a parent has for their children, but I never in a million years dreamed that it was this amazing.


Having a child completely changes EVERYTHING about life as you know it.  From the little things like going for a run or running to the store, to the big things, like taking vacations or holidays...nothing is ever the same as it was.  No matter where you are going or what you are doing, your mind is always thinking about your child...what they need, what they are doing, how they feel, are they cold, hot, hungry, tired...it is a never ending thought process.  But I can honestly say that from 11:54am on July 21, 2011...I have not looked back!  Yes, life is different, but oh my gracious it is SO much better!!!

Weight: 23lbs 1oz
Height: 31"
Diaper: Size 3
Sleeping: 11-12 hours at night...when we are on vacation he has actually had a few 14 hour nights...let's just say this little boy definitely plays hard!  Taking two naps a day at two hours each.  We are slowly beginning the transition to one nap...he is making it pretty easy though, so that is good!
Eating: He went through a phase this month where he didn't want to eat any vegetables, but overall he is a really good eater.  He loves sweet potatoes, avocado, cheese, toast, muffins and yogurt.  He is taking three bottles a day, 8oz each.  We will now transition to whole milk...we'll see how it goes...this boy loves bottle time!
Clothes: 12-18 month

Watson is walking behind things now and it is so cute to watch!  He is QUICK...I can tell that once he gets the hang of walking by himself it is going to quickly turn in to a run!


He loves books of all kinds...especially board books.  These are lifesavers in the car...especially 11 hour road trips to Daytona for Student Life @ Daytona!


He has an incredibly adaptable personality which is a HUGE blessing considering all of the traveling we have been doing this summer.  Thankfully he loves his carseat and can easily entertain himself so he has done great during all of our time on the road!

He loves playing with anything that can stack...he will stack a few and knock them over...he things it's hilarious :)  He especially loves it when we build towers and let him knock them over.

Watson loves taking things out of a container and putting them back in.  Not necessarily putting them back where they go...just putting them in A container :)  For example...I have found a pair of Graham's socks, Watson's plastic shovel, several pacis, a paci clip and a few pens in the trash can... Then one day I couldn't find our car keys anywhere and just knew Watson had put them somewhere...well, that place was a tiny pocket in his sand toy bag...inside of my beach bag!  Oh my the adventures we have ahead of us :)

Moving our barstools, his highchair, our dining room table chairs and pretty much anything he can move around the house is a daily occurrence for Watson. 

He and Abby adore each other and he is very interested in what Hampton is doing...especially when he is in his exersaucer.
Playing in Abby's car...


Playing with the dishwasher has also become a favorite around our house.  

We were able to spend a week in Atlanta for another Student Life Camp which was great!  Despite staying in a dorm room, with a baby, our time in Atlanta was incredible.  I loved getting to see several of my friends who live there and also spend another week with the Student Life team.

Loved seeing Mollie Ann and Wendy!

My best friend, Leigh, was in town again which is always a blessing to my heart!  Watson loves cuddling with Leigh...I think she doesn't mind it too much either :)

We went to the beach for the Kendrick family reunion the weekend before the 4th.  This was my first time to go in four years, and Graham and Watson's first time to go ever!  I LOVE this time each year so it was wonderful to be back and see my family.

We were back in Birmingham for the actual 4th of July and celebrated with our friends, Matt and Brooke, at The Club.  Such a fun night with great friends!

The morning of Watson's birthday we celebrated here at our house and were able to have some sweet time playing with our boy.  Oh how we love him so much!
He loves this teddy bear these days...

His birthday party was the next day...which calls for a post of its own :)