Sunday Snapshot

The cutest little horsie on the block!

A Sacred Tradition

A highlight of our recent trip to Oxford was going to see the Rebels & tailgating in 'The Grove'. We've been to at least one Ole Miss game a year since Mike & I have known each other, but this was the first time we tailgated. I think Ole Miss is better known for the tailgating in 'The Grove' than they are for football! (Sorry Mike:) We were even more excited to take Palmer. Gogo & Gramps graciously offered to babysit Palmer & Avery during the game & we took them up on the offer. So we all headed to campus for some fun with much anticipation of a win over Vandy... the win never happened, but we still had a great time. It was the longest that I had been away from my little man, but he was in great hands & loved playing with his Gramps- oh how I wish I had some pictures of them playing!

Before we left, Palmer decided to have a little pre-game snack on Avery's hand.

This is just a small (very, very small) sampling of the tent & food set-up in the grove. It really is pretty impressive. Some people go ALL OUT- hang chandeliers, beautiful fresh floral arrangements, amazing spreads of food, red and blue decorations galore, & Hotty Toddy plastered everywhere. I don't want to mislead you either- this wasn't our tent... ours was a little more modest:) But, the food was oh, so yummy!

When we first arrived, Mike wanted to take Palmer on a stroll around campus & this is how they returned to the tent... saked out!

Before the kiddos headed off with Gramps & Gogo, we took some family pictures. There was so much to look at, so Palmer didn't have time to look at the camera.

I'm not really sure what he was looking at, but he thought it was pretty funny.

We hoped Avery was predicting many Rebel touchdowns... but we were sadly mistaken.

This is on my list of favorite pictures- I just LOVE her expression!

We asked Avery to kiss Palmer & this is what we got- she went for it all. I'm not naming names, but she had to learn this from someone... I wonder how Mommy & Daddy kiss?!? ;)

Mike & I usually have a traditional self-portrait in the stadium- not this year. I was scared to ask because of the poor Rebel performance. So this is all I have from the stadium- at least the flag guy did his job well that day.

We returned home to very happy kiddos & I think a very happy Gramps & Gogo. Thanks again for allowing us some kid-free time! While Palmer was taking a nap, Avery & Gramps were playing outside and I snapped a few pictures. Again, I just love them & her expressions- pure delight & playfullness!

Road Trippin'- Part Four: Mississippi or Bust

A few weeks ago, Mike had a week off & we took a two-part road trip. First, we stopped in Oneonta, Alabama to see Palmer's Greatmama & Uncle Doug. We had such a great visit and it was very special to introduce Palmer to Mike's Grandmama. We got to Oneonta late at night and Palmer woke up when we arrived. So, we let him play for a little while before trying to get him to bed. We got some of the cutest pictures of Greatmama holding Palmer that night, but those were on my new camera that was stolen before I downloaded them): I'm so glad I snapped this picture with my other camera or else we would have no pictures of this leg of the trip. We can't wait to see them again at Thanksgiving.

Greatmama sent this little baseball outfit to Palmer when he was born & I think he looks so cute with his little hat!

Next, we headed up to Oxford, Mississippi to stay with Mike's brother for a few days. We had a blast & Palmer was completley entertained by his big cousin Avery. Gramps & Gogo also drove over from Clinton to visit and babysit for us during the Ole Miss game. I'm saving the game day pics for another post- there were just too many! Before Gramps & Gogo left on Sunday, we snapped a few family pics:

Three Generations of Davis Men!

I wish I had captured Gramps' face when I said we needed a picture of him holding his two grandchildren- it was a mixture of fear & you've got to be crazy! As you may have gathered, us Davis women don't make small children and he had quite the armful. These pictures were a riot- Avery was hiding or looking away on most of them & Palmer looked scared for his life in most of them, so here is our best shot... I still think it's pretty darn cute.

I usually just take a random picture to test lighting & exposure before I take pictures- Mike knows my routine and sometimes plays around, therefore, I've gotten some pretty funny outakes- like the one above- too bad he's already married or this would make the wedding video.

Mike & Uncle Todd agreed to babysit one morning so the ladies could go to Avery's gymnastics class. I was very impressed with her class and look forward to doing this with Palmer. They did a great job of incorporating educational learning through songs throughout the instruction time. Here are a few action shots of Avery.

The next night, Todd had to go into work for a little bit, so the rest of us headed to the park. It was such a nice evening- Avery had a blast running around & Palmer took a little cat nap in his stroller while Mike took him on a walk.

Our last night in Oxford, we took some pictures around the house of Avery & Palmer.

I wonder what Avery is thinking... this face is full of mischief!

I jumped in a few with my little man- he was so sweet and cuddly, until he started to eat my nose.

Mike loves this picture of Avery with Bella, their yellow lab in the background rolling around on her back- it was pretty funny- both Avery & Bella acting crazy.

Practicing sitting up like a big boy.

After our picture time, we loaded up and went to dinner in downtown Oxford at Ajax's on the Square. It was a really unique place- patrons throw toothpicks all over the ceiling for a very interesting take on decorating. The food was excellent- southern style with a cajun kick.

A family picture on the square- thanks Courtney!

We had so much fun visiting family & hanging out in Oxford. We're so thankful that Todd & Courtney took a leap of faith moving to Oxford- it's such a blessing to be closer to them. It was also neat to hear stories from Mike's college days & for him to see how much Oxford & Ole Miss had grown. A Rebel win would have been icing on the cake- maybe they'll pull out a miracle in the Egg Bowl at Thanksgiving;)

Wordless Wednesday: PSA Brought to You by Palmer

(Mommy agrees!!!)

Milestones & Mr. Monkey: 5 Months

We're obviously a little behind, P-Man is now half way to being SIX months!!! Crazy! I did snap these pictures at 5 months, so at least that is accurate:) Palmer turned 5 months old right after we returned from our longest & furthest road trip and I won't lie... we hit a wall when we returned (hence, my previous blog post:)! But, I'm happy to report we're back on track. Palmer is changing so much daily; as I looked at his 5 month milestone list compared to some things I've written down for 6 months, it's crazy to see how much he is growing. So, here is what 5 months has brought Palmer's way:

Milestones

• Palmer weighed in at 17 pounds! He gained a pound & a half in one month- what can we say, he likes to eat & I feed him well.
• He's getting stronger & stronger when sitting in his Bumbo seat & learning to tripod sit by himself.
• He's rolling more & more; almost immediatly rolls to his back, but is more selective about rolling back over to his tummy.
• Palmer is really reaching for more & more toys when he's playing & has figured out how to roll, scoot, & slide to get what he wants.
• He loves to stand in our laps & look around & if he's not ready to sit, he bucks his back forward so that he can't sit- 17 pounds gets heavy real quick!
• He really isn't the easiest baby to hold- he moves a ton & is heavy- but I don't mind:) I just feel bad for other people when I watch them hold him.
• Palmer is quite the little observer; he loves new places & people to check out.
• He loves to play in his exersaucer more & more and will spin all around to play with all the toys.
• He has become a good little helper when I run errands. He entertains himself much better in the carseat when I'm not back there, so I don't dread getting out of the house anymore. While we're in stores, he is very content to look around.
• He loves the Bjorn & kicks his little legs so hard & fast- it's too cute!
• He makes a huge mess during bathtime, but I don't mind. He just loves the water & I'm so excited to start swim classes with him next month.
• We would battle over the washcloth during bathtime, so I started giving him his own and it's so cute to see him hold on to it.
• Pre-Mississippi trip he was sleeping at night un-swaddled... during the trip he got swaddled:)
• His leg flopping in bed reached an all time high on our trip.... hence the swaddling! I think Mike was about to go crazy from all the thudding. We joke that he may have RLS- Restless Leg Syndrome!
• Palmer got to tailgate in 'The Grove' while we were on our trip; he was so impressed that he took a nap:)
• He loves to reach out & touch books when we read & he even 'helps' me turn the pages.
• Jake seems to be his big buddy- Palmer will laugh at anything Jake does. If Jake just walks past him, he smiles so big.
• He loves to be outside and it has become our 'Calm Button' when he's upset. It really works like a charm.

Extras

Just kickin' back with Mr. Monkey.

(I think it looks like he has on a baby wet suit in the picture & check out that belly!:)

This is how he lives... hand in mouth!


Hey y'all!
- Come back to see my Mississippi adventures! -

Am I Really Cut Out For This?

Who asked themself that a million times over the past few weeks?

-me-

Who felt like they had no idea what they were doing?

-me-

Who felt like they didn't know how to meet their baby's needs?

-me-

Who called their husband in tears while he was at work?

-me-

Who didn't bathe their baby for 2 days?

-me-

Who didn't bathe themself for 3 (yes, 3 days)?

-me-

Who just wanted to beat their head against a wall?

-me-

Who looked at this precious boy & realized all is right in the world & this too shall pass?

-me-