First Haircut

Well it was time because the hair was bothering his ears and eyes! I love his hair long but I also am not attatched to his hair and so I thought it would be so special for his great aunt to cut his hair. She cuts hair professionally so it was really special for her to cut his hair. We went home to visit for my grandmother's 80th birthday which is another post and so she brought her scissors. He did so well and didn't cry once. She brought an extra comb because as soon as he saw hers he wanted it!

Happy Early Birthday

Well the coolest part about being Tillman is that his aunt and uncle are in the process of owning their own Chick-fil-a which means chicken for LIFE! Well that isn't the best part, the best part is that they love him more than the world itself! Well some exciting new came down and that is they were being sent on their first assignment to run a CFA which is the second to last step before they get their own store. The stinky part was they had to leave last week which means they wouldn't be here for Tillman's first birthday! That is ok though because we celebrated EARLY! Aunt Katie made cupcakes to eat and Tillman wasn't sure what to do with it! Even though they can't be there it was so nice to celebrate early. We are all so proud of them for taking this chance and go to a big city to begin this journey! We know it is hard being away from all the family but in the end it will pay off, and by the way we want our FREE chicken ;)!!!! Love you guys!

Playing with Puppy

Well Stella has always been part of the family and as Tilley grew she started to fit back into our family now that he is more active. The other night we were playing around and Stella started dropping the toy into Tillman's lap instead of ours. He thought it was the funniest thing in the world!



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Love to read

As a teacher and a mother I strive in my mothering to encourage Tillman to learn. It is odd to say out loud but I really want him to enjoy learning and enjoy asking questions. When I had my baby shower I asked people to not give cards but sign the inside of a childrens book so Tillman would have a library to read. Now that he is more mobile and loves to look at things he has pulled out his books and loves to flip through them. I love to watch his face as he flips through the pages and he then holds the book up for me to see. I want Tillman to love books and I hope that through my love of reading he will love to read. As a teacher I love to spark children with their love of reading and I always look for new books. I capture a moment with Tillman enjoying all the wonderful books people gave him!

10 months

I can't seem to wrap my head around the fact that in two short month my sweet little one will be turning one years old! I am amazed at how much has changed in the past month. He wants to see everything while also moving everywhere...the catch is he can't move! :) He has a lot of weight to move and the boy is trying but really can't get the coordination down to get his legs underneath himself. It is very entertaining to watch. Every time I look at him my heart melts with joy and love. Only a mother can explain what it is like to love a tiny human more than life itself. When he smiles I just light up and when he giggles I giggle..he just is my everything. Then the best part is watching him with Matt. When I see the two of them play or giggle or just grunt to each other I just fall in love all over again. Having a family that is just Matt me and Tillman is an amazing feeling!

He loves to eat and now he has had turkey and a little hummus. He likes corn, broccoli and green beans. He still loves all things baby food which is good since I have a TON of veggies still frozen. He also loves anything puff. The boy loves his carbohydrates!

He is starting to mimic things that Matt and I do. He will wave and clap his hands. He loves to do things right after we do them like stack a block or open a lid of a toy. It amazes me how much he loves to learn new things!

Here are a few pictures for your viewing pleasure!

Sisterly Love

So eveyone said that when Tilley was born Stella would move down a few notches on the importance list. Matt and I both diagreed but what did we know. Well Tilley was born and Stella was Stella. She wanted our attention just as much as the new little one did! As time went on Stella adjusted to the fact that she no longer was the center of attention. Matt still loves on her but she couldn't always be where we were whenever she wanted.

Now that Tillman is older and starting to really enjoy having her around, she is taking advantage of the extra person to love. She really loves food time since Tillman is such a kind child and shares EVERYTHING with her.

She loves play time because she will plop beside him and beg for him to touch her and love on her.

She also loves when Tillman is on the floor because Stella's pas time is to lick everyone and everything! Well in my many photo shoots I caught Stella licking Tillman's hand as he reached out for it. Such a sweet moment!! Of course the hand went right into Tillamn's mouth but hey what harm is in a little sisterly love!

Sisterly Love

What we are just chillen!

National Boards...oh my!

So the past five months my life has been consumed by a little old thing called National Boards. This is an honor that teachers can receive if they attempt the portfolio and assessment and pass! This also brings a 12% pay raise (right now, that could all change with the NC budget) which is really nice.

Now this board project is no small feat. Until someone attempts it, it really is something you can't understand. My friend Nancy did it two years ago, and I thought I was supportive but I had NO IDEA what she was going through.

It is an emotional rollar coaster because you put your heart and soul into the portfolio. You put yourself out there for a stranger (who doesn't have to be board certified) to read and decide if you meet all the accomplished teacher requirments.

My friend Laura and I decided on the last day to sign up to take the plunge and get it done. Now the fact that NC has stopped paying for NBCT to do the process helped nudge us a little more!

The past five months ended on March 22nd when we sent the boxes and then on April 1st we took the test to end it all. We won't know until November or December whether or not we passed. Now the odds of passing are very low the first time. Many great educators I know didn't pass the first time so I know that it won't be a shock if I don't pass. It still will be hard though because I really want to pass.

Please send a prayer for peace come November so that when the scores do come back my heart will be at ease with whatever happens. Being an educator isn't just a job but a passion. I take everday seriously and this year has been hard with all the changes and having a new baby, but I wouldn't change it for the world!

Spring Time!

So the weather has been teasing us latley with such nice weather. The windows are open and the breeze is flowing! I took Tillman outside for a quick photo shoot and got some great pictures. I couldn't take anymore because all he wanted to do was eat the grass and we all know what happens when he doesn't get his way! (read post below) He did get a leaf and it was so cute watching him investigate the texture and the colors, then it went straight in his mouth. I got the leaf as he began to chew!! He def. is all boy!

Hey mom!!

Yummy Leaf

Ewww what is this?

Spring Time!

Sickness Sickness Go Away, DON'T come back another day!

Well the past week we have been fighting some kind of cold bug! Last Friday Tillman had a fever and we took him to the docs and got medicine. My mom came up to visit for the weekend and took care of Tillman because I caught whatever the little guy had. The doctor gave us antibiotics and an inhaler which helped the cough. He was not a happy guy with having to take it! The antibiotics weren't working so we had to go back and get a stronger one. The poor thing is just now feeling better! The picture shows him playing with the inhaler spacer. I wanted him to see it more as something that doesn't always make him mad. It worked because after he played with it for awhile he took the treatments much better!

One Proud Momma

So being a mom has really changed my perspective on life! I try not to take the little things for granted anymore. I try to be a better loving person in order to be a good role model to my son ;) (Still working on this one) There are moments as a momma the past nine months that have melted my heart. When Tillman was born I can't explain the feeling or the overwhelming love that I felt for this little guy.

but..yesterday was one of those moments where I clapped and teared up because Tillman learned how to drink out of a straw!! ok ok I know what a big deal NOT..but I had been teaching him for days how to do it on his own. He wanted so badly to do it but could get enough suction to pull the water up. Then yesterday the water bottle was on his highschair, he grabbed it and sucked away! I was overjoyed!! It was such a proud moment. Typing this and looking back, it doesn't seem like such a big deal, but man was it!! It was the first thing that I had taught him how to do!! Now the boy can't get enough water!! All he wants to do is drink from his sippy cup!! His grandparents were here to witness and we all clapped and Tillman thought we were some weirdos!!

Look at me so proud!!

Just drinking away!!

Why are taking so many pictures mom!!

Exorcist..I mean a boy with personality! ;)

As Tillman grows and gets older his personality is coming out full force! He is one lovable inquisitive child. He is also a want what I want RIGHT NOW type of kid. Now that he understands that when we take something he won't get it back most likely he is beginning to show us that he is one uphappy little guy. His tantrums erupt like the exorcist movie. Head throw back, arms go out, mouth wide open, back arched and all the while a scream as if we are ripping a limb off is being bellowed at the top of his lungs. Then when he gets whatever he wanted such as being held or a toy that fell, head comes forward, back becomes straight, arms come in for a clap, eyes grin, and he gets the biggest smile with a little snicker as if to say "GOTCHA"!!! There are also times where if our attention isn't 100% on him, he will also let us know. The best part is that you can totally tell the difference because there are no tears and it shuts off just as fast as it came on. The pictures were taken in order of a time when I was in the kitchen washing bottles and he wanted me to come play. It was hilarious!

Trying to get moms attention.(do you notice that he really isn't crying)

I come sit with him and he smiles!

I started to get up to go back to the kitchen.

I sit back down to show his ability to turn it off!

I really had to go wash dishes so he would have a bottle for dinner!!

Boy do I love this little guy and does he not have us wrapped around his little finger!!

Wordless Wednesday

Date Night with the Hubby

So as I blogged stalked today I stumbled upon a blog that is doing something called "Project 52" which is her plan to have 52 dates with her husband from now till the end of the year! I was so intrigued because I always say things to Matt like...you never spend time with me...we don't hang out anymore...We don't laugh anymore...ok so that sounds a little dramatic but in reality Matt and I don't really "hang" out anymore unless we are on a mission which involves a task that isn't about us. I always said to Matt that I want us to make an effort to stay in love. I want us to show our children what a healthy marriage looks like and show them all the time that we love each other. I come from divorced parents which means I want to do things differently then they did.

Anyway back to the gist of things here...while stalking this blog and reading about their dates, I saw a guest blogger that said she set up folders for the month and at the beginning of the month they open them together and set the dates. Inside the folder is gift cards, or tickets or already planned dates and all they have to set the date! I thought this was the coolest thing ever!!

My goal for the rest of spring break is to create April to May of next year folders for each month. I am going to set up two dates for the month have them planned and ready to go! I think this will ease Matt's mind because he hates spending money, but this way he doesn't need to spend money for the month. I think I might even coordinate grandparents to come up so we can go out without finding a babysitter!

I am really really excited about this! Divorce is such a ramped thing these days and I know life gets crazy but I think it is so special to spend time to date your husband. I am really going to give this a huge effort and see how it goes. The guest blogger said she loves getting dressed up and hearing her children comment on her clothes and how their parents look so happy. I want that for my children and I feel this way we can take the stress out of "planning" dates because of the necessity of them. They will already be planned and all we have to do is show up!!

**I need idea for cheap fun dates!! Leave a comment and share with me what you think would be a fun date!

Comparing apples to oranges...

So as a mom you always hear "don't compare children...they all grow so differently.." Through pregnancy I kept reminding myself of that because people always said that about pregnancy. Now that Tillman is nine months old, I have to constantly remind myself of that. When I look at him and compare him to other babies born the same time or even a few months later, he is definitely taking his sweet time to become mobile. He is perfectly content on sitting and not moving. Nothing entices him to try to move, NOT EVEN FOOD!! Needless to say I an enjoying this non mobile time because I can plop him on the floor and not worry he is getting into something. I don't think it means anything developmentally but it is hard to not compare or ask why. I know that as he grows and being a teacher I am going to have high expectations for Tillman. I am going to work hard to teach him all about the world around him. I just hope that I can keep my comparing in check. Tillman is perfect in my eyes! He is the happiest most fun loving laid back child that a mom could ask for! He has become such a little man and as a mom I am so proud of all the milestones he has met. Crawling will come as walking will come but I need to sit and enjoy this time. (Someone remind me of this post when I am pulling my hair out with a crawler going all over the place!)

Best Daddy in the WHOLE world!

Well I have always known I married an amazing man. There are plenty of times where don't remember how amazing but I am one lucky gal. When Tillman was born he stepped up and took care of me and him while working. Matt never took a day off of work after Tillman was born. Through this past nine months he has changed diapers, cleaned snot and spit up, helped me through recovery, while still being a great husband. He loves to play with Tillman and be the fun dad. He also will clean the house, wash dishes and do laundry! I love him so much and watching the man you love play and laugh with your son, melts our heart! You can see from the picture that even with drool about to hit his head he still does whatever to make Tillman laugh!

Getting so big!

So as we approach the nine month mark I begin to get a little sad. My little man is starting to change so much each day and he is becoming more and more independent. The other day he took his first "crawl" but then he realized he was on his hands and knees and SPLAT he face plants back to the floor. Tillman has always been on the heavy side of the scale so crawling is going to take a lot of cordination for him. He is really trying but would rather stand than be on his stomach. The other day I was putting him on the couch and he didn't want to sit. He refused to bend his knees. I am so sad that he is changing so much and is really becoming a little man! I LOVE HIM SO MUCH!!!

Hey what, I am trying to relax over here!

This is my James Dean pose!

Chomp Chomp Chomp

Well any mother will tell you teething is a pain! The poor little ones go through so much just to get those first little chompers. Tillman has found the teeth he has and grinds them like it is going out of style!! I tried to get some pictures and he became an unhappyer camper!

What has this world come to?

Ok so I just left the park with Tman and the Lovelace's. We had a great time in the sun watching all the kids play. Tman swung in his first swing which he loved. As we were leaving, now I do have to say the park was MAD CRAZY BUSY, there were hundreds of people, I was pushing the stroller up the hill. As we reached the top, I had to make a decision as to where I would push the stroller because the top of the hill where the exit was, had people standing in the way. I made the decision to go towards the right where this woman and her stroller were standing. She wasn't in the middle of the exit but she wasn't to the side either. There were people come down this hill as well so I was trying to dodge everyone. Well when I pushed through the gap I got really close to this woman who was standing to the side of her stoller doing something with her kid. Her butt was hanging out in the hole where I was going through. As I walked by, she said "Damn woman!" I politly said sorry not knowing what I had done. As I kept walking I thought, how rude. If it was the other way around I wouldn't have said anything know that this place was packed and that I was in the way! It really makes my heart hurt when I hear and see things like this because I think about the world that Tillman will grow up in. I want to shield him from all this. I want him to see the positive before the negative. I want him to give people the benfit of the doubt. I want him to have a heart that he shares with people. It makes me sad when parents at my school sometimes attack teachers. I know that most times they are trying to save face but it really breaks my heart. I hope that through my actions and through my parenting I can teach Tillman that not all people are like this.....geesh!!!

First Birthday Party

So as the time flies by I am begining to organize my thoughts for Tillmans first birthday! I am really interested in doing a party that is more for the parents than the kids but also incorperates some fun kid aspects. For example, I thought of the idea "We survived the first year!" and having a survivor theme. For the little kids they would get fun little survivor goodie bags while the adults get fun little adult drinks!! I wanted something that adults would enjoy but also a place where parents could bring their kiddies to as well. We will be having it at the house on June 19th which is the Saturday. I want family and friends to be there! Tillman won't know the different hence why I want to do a play on a kiddie theme! So if you have any ideas I would greatly appreciate them. I am really into childrens books so I was trying to think of one that could lend to a theme for both kids and adults! So please let your creative juices flow and lend me some ideas!

8 months

Well Tillman is eight months old! He is becoming such a little man! I love him more each day and it breaks my heart when I see little infants and think about how big he has gotten. Here are some stats.

He weighs 25 pounds
Wearing 12 month clothes
size 5 diapers
size 4 in baby shoes and he even needs a little bigger if he wears socks
loves to eat those puff things
says dada ALL THE TIME
Drinks out of a sippy cup
loves all veggies and tons of fruit
wants to crawl but is content on sitting instead of being on his tummy
sleeps through the night
will wake up in the morning and talk to himself for thirty minutes
is starting to let people hold him
loves to do new things and gets bored easily
has four teeth

That is all I can think about right now. I am starting to think about his first year birthday party. New post ahead!! Enjoy the picture!