Alabama...woohoo!

Today Leo and I loaded up the truck (my car is still out of commission) and headed west to Birmingham. My little sister Lori graduated from Samford University! What a super reason for Beau's first out-of-state adventure. I'm sorry I don't have any funny stories to tell, but thankfully all doodies stayed in the diaper (naturally, because I actually was prepared this time). Other than trying to breast-feed in the Chick-fil-A parking lot (I will spare you those details, however) it was a pretty easy, uneventful, nice day.

My sister Lori...
Lori graduated Suma Cum Laude with a degree in Music Education. To me, though, this awesome academic accomplishment is just scraping the surface of the amazing woman my sister is. She truly walks the walk, ya'll. I couldn't be prouder of my bestest friend. I'm so excited to have her back in Atlanta - She'll be starting grad school at Emory.

Some pictures of the day. I had a lot more, but it turns out I was taking a bunch of pictures of some random girl I thought was Lori. Oops. Hey, we were sitting far away.

Beau watching his aunt graduate

Getting her diploma

Beau exhausted

Proud parents and beautiful graduate

Me pretending

This is what he did the entire two hours there and most of the way home.

A Quarter of a Year

February 15th 2008

Three months later...

Three months ago today I woke up in a small little room in Kennestone Hospital wearing a diaper and a backless hospital gown. I would be eating jello and broth the next couple days, but thanks to a magical IV and a couple pills...I didn't mind all that much. Looks like we've both come a long way in a few months.

mish-mash and poo poo

First of all...Happy Birthday Jackie! She turned 21 yesterday. I'm sure she felt fantastic this morning. Love you babe! Hope you had a great one!

These are just a mish-mash of photos I took the last couple days. I take pictures like its my job. You know those books where you flip the pages really fast and the picture becomes animated? We could put together all the pictures I have of Beau and do the same thing. I document EVERYTHING.

Me too Beau, Me too.
Love that footsie. Sweaty it may be.
Me and Beau going on a walk. Well, I walk... he mostly just chews the side of the Baby Bjorn.
This is the trophy Leo won in his power-lifting competition. I don't know if you can read the plaque but it does say first place. I asked him how long he had to stand still posing while they chiseled (I have no idea how to spell that) this statue of him.

On a different note...


Well, today was B's funeral. Thank you everyone for the thoughts and those of you came. She was a special lady and nothing proved that more than today. The service was very nice... or what I got to see of it was. (warning: the following has very descriptive talk of doodie, those with weak gag-reflexes or get their panties in a wad with poo talk should just go ahead and skip down to the next post.) There we were...the third row of the church. Leo and I always strategically place ourselves on the ends of the pew as I'm sure many parents with young kids do. We call it our evacuation plan if things start heading downhill...and today...it did.





I was holding Beau in my lap when Mt. St. Poo-vious erupted. I heard a gurgle, gave the "ooo I'm glad your gonna have to get this one" look to Leo with a smug look on my face...and then looked down. Now, I'm not a baker but I would guesstimate there to be about a half a cup of doodie in my lap. On my pants, or rather seeping through my pants, becoming one with the fabric in a huge wet mess. Beau's in pretty bad shape himself. That cute little sweater vest? Poo. The little man shirt I loved? Poo. His khaki pants you ask? Poo. For those of you who have never had the pleasure of experiencing baby dookie or those who might have forgotten...think really runny guacamole. Shit. Literally. Everywhere. Not a peep from Beau. Wide eyes and smiles. I hand him to Leo who carries him out like a waiter brings the beverage tray and I proceed to use my one little balled up tissue to push the doodie around my lap. The poor lady next to me forfeited her little tissue pack to help the cause, bless her. I finally get cleaned up enough to stand up without it dripping a trail on the church floor and go help Leo with damage control. Thank God you wear black to funerals and not white. And that my friends is how my son has ruined 2 church outfits in 3 days and how I got to say goodbye to my grandmother. At least I know she was heaven with her Bloody Mary cracking up. Love you B.

MOM is WOW upside down

After church we had everyone over to our house to continue the Mother's Day celebration. You know I had to put up pictures! Me and my baby daddy. The reason I'm a Mom...and why I have stretch marks...Four generations. Memaw, me, Beau and my mom.
We let Lori in even though she's not a mommy (we don't think...). I'm so excited to have her home next year.
Memaw and my little chunker
Beau getting all the attention as usual. Don't mind Leo blowing his nose in the background. Those of you who know Leo are laughing right now...
Aunt Jamie and Brent (looking fabulous in pink) and Beau.

Washed in the Blood of the Lamb (signing...hehe)

Beau was baptized today. It was a very special way to celebrate my first Mother's Day. I was really just playing with my new camera when I took this but I'm glad I got a shot of it because mere moments after the service Beau had a massive poop explosion. This and the next photo are all that is left of this sweet little romper... My good friend Bill sang. It was so beautiful. I cried. Shocker.
Dennis and I. He married me and Leo... we're pretty sure its legal...

Love Dennis and Gail! They became grandparents just last week. Sweet little Kensey!

A Mother's Day Tribute

Me, B, and Lori at my bridesmaid luncheon.
B and my dad dancing at my wedding reception
B and Gramps

For those of you who don't know yet, my grandmother "B" died last night after a short but hard fight against stomach cancer. We appreciate all the prayers, and I ask you keep my family, especially my dad, my Uncle Gary and my grandfather "Gramps" in your thoughts. B was a fantastic lady, steadfast Republican and an amazing mother, grandmother, and for the few short months, great-grandmother. I will always remember her telling us jokes and messing up the punch-line...all...the...time. Her sense of humor and wit were unmatched. We grand kids were constantly "in" or "out of the will" depending on the day. Beau will have no memory of B, so it will be my task to make her real for him. I wish that they had more time together. He is, after all, named for her and the rest of the amazing Clayton family.

So, on this eve of my first Mother's Day I am forced to recognize and appreciate how precious life is. Every emotion and experience I have now is multiplied exponentially since I have become a mother. I have never loved so intensely or ached so deeply. Breathe in everyday and realize what a gift it is. Tell the people you love that you love them.

"Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. Look not to what is seen but to what is unseen; for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

I love you Mom. Happy Mother's Day.

Crazy Afternoon

So...
I am going through a major clean out of my house. Especially all my clothes (which, over the years I have amassed way too many). Nothing makes a small house feel smaller than a lot of junk smashed in every crevasse, nook and cranny...then add baby stuff on top of that. Anyway, I had finally finished the monumental task of going through every single article of clothing/accessory that I own. Each one seized up, scrutinized, rationalized... will I ever fit it again? Should moms really wear things like this? Am I just emotionally attached even though I haven't worn it in years? Jeans are the hardest. Anyone who knows me knows my addiction to good denim, and man its hard to let go...

Now I went through all that to tell you after I loaded up my last load of belongings that I was sacrificing to the consignment gods (or should I say goddesses? love you girls and FK...miss you! And if anyone is reading this and wants to consign with best shops in Atlanta call Finders Keepers! Shameless plug, I know.) ...shoes and purses to be specific...Beau and I were off.

I have an 08 Honda Civic that we purchased right before Christmas. At that point in time I was desperate to have the child I had been lugging around in my belly, not to mention convinced that if I went anywhere remotely public then I would surely have my water break and have some poor cashier between my legs to deliver my first born. So I didn't get out much. Then after Beau came I lived the life of a hermit for at least 6 weeks. Seriously...my eyes still have to adjust to the sunlight when I go anywhere now. So what I'm getting at is that the car had not been driven very much in the 5ish months we have had it. Here I am, obviously I am in the drivers seat, I have a huge...nay... GINORMOUS box of shoes of purses in my passenger seat because they couldn't fit in the back, or the trunk because of the stroller I always keep back there. I don't think the giant mound would have allowed the trunk to close anyway... and of course Beau was strapped snugly in his carseat behind the passenger seat.

We are twiddling along...I am saying my last goodbyes to those Kate Spade loafers that I LOVE but lets face it...I just never wear (they pinch a little on the pinkie toe). We come to a red light and being the law abiding citizen I am...I stop.

The following is my internal dialogue the next few minutes:
Hmm....should I stop for a Iced Vanilla Latte?
Oh my...
That truck is going to hit that car...
That truck is going to hit that car...
Slow down truck...you are going to hit that car...
Oh my...
Truck hit the car...
Truck is going to hit me...
Truck is going to hit me...
Shit. Truck hit me.

The truck creamed a red Pontiac in the intersection and then proceeded to skid, no, drive into my driver side door/front of the car. I have to be honest, it was a terrifying moment(s). The people in the red car were hurt...I could see witnesses trying to help them...but I was pinned in my car, because, oh yeah, there was a Ford F150 in my door. I couldn't get out the passenger door because of all the stuff...and at this point Beau was screaming. He was fine, I think he could just sense my fear. I finally realize I can climb to the back seat... I grab Beau and get out. By the time all this happened there were police, firemen (and by the way...what they say about firemen being hot is totally true...) and paramedics everywhere. They took the people in the red car off in an ambulance... It seemed they are going to be ok...but some prayers wouldn't hurt. The drivers of the truck? Nowhere to be found... they just left their car parked on my car and took off on foot... Nice. Luckily they were driving their COMPANY CAR with the name a phone number plastered all over the side. So, not only are they cowards, but dumb ones at that.

Shout out to the Austell police department, and Cobb Co. Fire and Paramedics...what fantastic people with hard, hard jobs. To the people in the red Pontiac...hope you get well soon. To the bastards who ran away... well...I'm a lady so I won't say what I really want to say. To my car, we'll see each other again...soon I hope. And to my Kate Spade loafers now sitting in my garage with all my other stuff... your days are numbered. Even though it will take every ounce of strength I have not to dig you out of that box every time I pass by, my better judgement will prevail... for once...hopefully...

Last post with poopy camera...

What a face.
HUGE. MUSCLES.

Its so true.


Such a big boy.
Look at all those chins!

So... I'm super excited because the rumor is that I am getting a new camera for Mother's Day. OK... its not a rumor because let's face it, I basically found it and said "Leo, go here and buy this camera for me for Mother's Day." It makes giving and receiving gifts here much less... awkward... hehe. So anyway I'm so excited because I've caught some amazingly cute moments but they always come out blurry with my old camera. Looking forward to sharing many more pictures with everyone.

Beau grows and changes by the minute it seems. He laughs and squeals. He can zero in on objects and reach out and grab them. He loves spending time on his baby gym pulling at the rings. He has discovered he likes sucking his fingers...all...the...time. Beau is the best sleeper. He must get that from his mommy. 9 to 6:30 every night. You can set your clock by it. I can't believe he's almost three months old!

Just some pictures...

I caught Beau during a nap with his thumb in his mouth.

Some tummy time.
He looks so cute in his little man clothes. I couldn't get him to look at the camera though.

He loves this swing. I do too. He can swing and I get stuff done!

Leo and Beau. I have no idea why they are sitting in our bathtub. I think I was doing my hair or makeup and they were sitting and watching.
Love this smile.
Beau loves loves loves bath time. He has started splashing and playing in the water. We also use it as part of our "bedtime routine". We do bath, feeding, swaddle and rock in that order every night. We've been sleeping through the night since.