We love the beach!

Our first trip to Mom and Dad's new Beach House in Gulfshores, AL! We had a blast! The kids loved the beach. Especially the sand, which they felt the adults were not enjoying near enough. They were sure to share the sand with us every chance they got, by ways of kicking, throwing, and shoveling sand in our direction (but only when we weren't looking). Trey's mom came to stay a day with us at the beach. The kids love seeing her. Gran Gran stood for over an hour with Jack on the porch counting bullfrogs in the lagoon. She loves playing with the grandkids and watching them play.

Uncle Brian, Landon, and Payton stayed at the beach house too, along with Mom and Leigh. Uncle Brian was a life saver the whole trip. He hauled our two tons of beach stuff on and off the beach, took kids in the water to play, caught fish for the kids, took them crab hunting at night, and even gave me a private session of his "Grocery Shopping Savings 101". (I should have been taking notes on that last one). Mom and Dad's house is amazing! It is so gorgeous, and spacious. The bottom floor is wall to wall french doors with an amazing view of the bay. The community they live in is so beautifully landscaped and seemed to be filled with friendly people. The right side of the porch that faces the lagoon (and it is gorgeous too, filled with bullfrogs and lily pads) has a gated part that was probably for the past owner's dog to stay in. After a few jokes about locking the kids in the gate, we came up with the idea of building a fort for the kids to play in. With the gate already there, all it needs is a canopy like the one you see over swing sets. I know my kids and they would love it!

This is Brynley sleeping in a tent at the beach.

This is Brynley sleeping on MawMaw's bed at the beach house.

This is Brynley sleeping on MawMaw's bed again, at the beach house.

Brynley loved Gulfshores. Mostly she loved sleeping at Gulfshores.

The First Week

Trey was given two additional days off to spend with Brynley. The guys marked it on the calendar in the office at work for everyone to see. Notice the pink flowers and "Maternity" leave. How cute! Brynley had jaundice the first week. She was put on a Billiblanket to help bring down her levels. She looked like a little gloworm in her bassinet. After a few days her levels should have come down, but for some reason they were staying high. "Some Reason" really means "Jack". At birth he was given the monumental task of creating a daily challenge for me. He keeps me on my toes for sure. On two different occasions I noticed that the dial on the front of her billiblanket machine had been turned all the way down from maximum to minimum. Once I saw this and was able to keep it on high, her jaundice levels came down to a normal level. Thanks Jack, we were out of network for the blanket and you just cost me about $300!!! God love him! I also wanted to thank everyone for doing so much for me. I have had family come over and clean my house, help with the kids, and cook us suppers. It was wonderful to have the support from everyone. I also want to thank my good friend Hillary for bringing us a delicious supper/breakfast. It was so sweet for her to think of us, and not only to bring Tetrazzini, garlic bread, and pie....But she brought cinnamon rolls for the next morning too!!! Thanks so much Hillary, we all enjoyed it very much! Trey was jealous, and I have to say he really did miss out. I was thoroughly impressed! So I have to close with one more story about my sweet angel baby Jack. Mom came over one day to help us out with something. I was nursing the baby in the living room, so I sent Laiken to open the garage. I hear it start to go up and Mom starts yelling, "Stop it, stop it, stop it". I run out to see what is going on. Jack had grabbed the bottom of the garage as it was going up. He was hanging on the garage door all the way up! When it finally stopped, he was hanging in mid air, clutching the garage for dear life (my baby is scared of heights). When Mama saw him go up she ran up the driveway (which has a really steep incline) and saved him. I am not sure what was funnier, Jack riding the garage all the way up or Mama (who has knee trouble) running/hobbling up the steep drive way to save him. I can laugh about it now, but it gave me a heart attack the day it happened. Just another day in Paradise.....

My Sweet Pea!!

Brynley Ryan Walker

2 days old

2 weeks old

It's amazing how much you can love someone you just met. She is my Sweet Pea and definitely makes my heart smile!

Daddy's Boy

This is an old picture of Trey and Jack together. They are peas in a pod. Tonight, at the dinner table, Jack and Trey had the most precious conversation I have ever heard them exchange. It was so sweet that I actually teared up.

Trey- "Jack eat your deer meat. It will make you grow up big and strong like a Superhero."

Me-"Or like Daddy."

Jack (stood up in his chair looking upset)-"I don't want to be a Superhero. I want to be BIG and STRONG...like DADDY!"

It was priceless. Parenthood can be so challenging and at times so difficult. But it is moments like this that remind us how rewarding and priceless being a parent can be also. I love being a Mommy! I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family!

These are a few of my favorite things....

These are a few of my favorite things about motherhood.... -naptime...everyday... -Laiken says "mommy I don't just love you one times, I love you alot of times" -Jack takes his finger out of his nose, kisses me goodnight, and then puts his finger in his mouth -we make it through a full day of running boring errands and no one has a melt down -3 AM when Jack comes to snuggle in our bed -running to the bathroom at 8:45 in the morning only to discover your sweet baby boy has locked and shut all of the bathroom doors in the house and the doorknobs have to be removed before you can "go" -the 10th and even the 20th time the babies get back out of the bed for water, "I have to tell you something", or "Laiken is waking me up!" -walking into a room and seeing all 3 kids playing something together, with no arguing or fighting. Or all 3 laying on the loveseat together watching tv. -playing tball with the kids in the backyard when it is 40 degrees outside, even if its only for about 30 minutes b/c we haven't been outside in so many days. -Jack jumping up and saying "thank you for buying this for me" to our neighbor who just brought the kids presents -the way a kiss stops tears and makes them smile -all of the "I love you's", hugs, kisses, snuggles. And that was just a small portion of last week! Happy Monday All!

Catch Up!

Laiken and Jack on Thanksgiving Day. Poor Max...He is not always sure about Jack, but Jack loves him so much!

Jack is ready for his baby sister/brother to arrive. He has been playing with Laiken's baby dolls even more than usual lately. Tonight his daddy asked him, "Jack are you going to be sweet to the new baby." Jack said, " If Mama's baby bites me, I am going to smack it in the mouth." (sweet, right?) Daddy said, "Jack, you will be in big trouble if you do that to the baby." Jack said, "The baby will be in big trouble if she bites me!"

Baby Walker 25 weeks and 5 days. Braxton Hicks have been frequent and uncomfortable. I can't sleep at night. I am so ready to have this baby and meet the newest member of our family, but at the same time I do not want to meet the baby before at least 38 weeks. I hope everything goes well. I have been through labor 2 times already, so I know what to expect and it scares me to death! :) I am not ready to have contractions, IV's, and epidural.....and definitely am not looking forward to driving to Memphis to deliver. But I love to feel the baby kicking which he/she does alot! This pregnancy has been harder, but the rewards will be priceless!

Happy 30th to me!!

Highlights from my Big Day!!!

My wonderful husband and adorable kiddos got me a Fossil watch for my birthday present! I love it. It is beautiful, and was a a surprise (which we are usually not capable of pulling off for each other).

My sister came over around 8 AM to bring me a second surprise... 3 balloons and cupcakes! One of the balloons sang "wild thing", which I heard allllllllllll day courtesy of Jack and Laiken. It was from all of my sisters and brothers. Very thoughtful. Lisa said they almost put 30 balloons in the yard. So thanks for going with the singing balloon and cupcakes instead!

Mom came over later to bring me a cookie cake and birthday cards! Then she stayed for a few hours and helped me rearrange my bedroom and closet! Which was an amazing surprise! I have so much more space now. It was a humongous help!

Later when Trey came home we had supper and cake/cupcakes. They sang Happy Birthday to me, and Jack sang it about 15 or 20 more times while we ate cupcakes. It was too cute. He loves a birthday no matter whose it is. I can't wait for his in December.

And for the perfect ending to a perfect day...Trey found some music channels and danced with kids in the living room all evening. Everyone was so happy and laughing so loud. It was definitely priceless!