Father and Son

Jason and Declan were playing today and I (or the paparazzi as Jason likes to call me)happened to capture some pictures of them. Absolutely adorable. Declan is so in love with his dad. He watches his every move and listens so intently to Jason when he hears Jason's voice. He doesn't really do that with anyone else. The bond between these two is already so strong and priceless. Declan is so lucky to have such an amazing father. Watching them interact and play together melts my heart. We have so much love to give Declan and so much to teach him...he is already a little sponge :-)

Highchair and Sippy Cup

Big boy!

Dixon cannot wait for Declan to start dropping food...he is already assuming the position

I love Mac and Cheese just like my mom!

Mr. Right :-)

I look at this picture and cannot believe how big he has gotten! Wow!

I told you I would put him in the highchair...and we did this weekend. No more Bumbo feedings. I didn't think I was going to get his left thigh out of the Bumbo this morning...seriously...it took us both to get it off. So...we are on to the highchair! He loved it!

He is also obsessed with a sippy cup. I tried this last month and he liked it then, but he really liked it today. The juice is...you guessed it...his prune juice. I laid off of it for awhile because he was sick and the prune juice seemed to add to his tummy issues. Let's just put it this way...he needs it again. He seemed to like it in the sippy cup! We will see if that continues.

Spring has Sprung

Hanging in the rocker!

Playing with the grass and loving the breeze and sunshine!

Declan woke up a few times during the night last night. He now has another runny nose and cold. I am not sure if it was that bothering him or teething? Who knows?! All I know is that he wanted his mom and that I was really glad I did not have to work today because I was tired. We got outside in the fresh air today. It was another pretty day. I have 4 more days of school and then Declan and I are headed to Fripp Island with my sister and the kids. I cannot wait for a relaxing week! It will definitely be an adventure!

Time for the high chair!

I confess...I am still feeding Declan in the bumbo. It is just really convenient. Unfortunately his chunky thighs are getting stuck in the seat now and he has a little bit too much freedom and is making a huge mess, so we will be eating in the high chair from now on. He is also still teething and wants to eat his hand or his foot after every bite. This makes for some very messy feedings...but what fun we have and it is followed by a bath. Boys are supposed to get dirty, right?!

Good Morning!

I get the pleasure of seeing my nephews everyday when I drop Declan off in the morning. The alarm goes off and they come downstairs with their clothes to get ready for the day...all on their own! Pretty impressive for 5 year olds!!! They are always so excited to see both me and Declan. It is a really nice way to start my day. Today...Kara was awake too and came downstairs with her dress and tights and ready to go at 6:45. So cute!!! Not cute for my sister, because her day started VERY early, but cute to me :-) Anyway...Declan was so happy to see her this morning. I SO love my family!!!

Naked Boy...wanting to crawl?

Makes it very difficult to change Declan or dress him when he flips over ALL of the time. He is so funny!!! I think he is wanting to crawl, but he is not quite there yet. He is going to kill me one day for posting these, but here is butt shot! Our little wiggle worm!

Mohawk

Staci put product in Declan's hair today. Jason picked him up and when I got home this is what I was greeted by. Hilarious and priceless. I am pretty sure he knows just exactly how cute he is.

Bite, poke, or stye???

After his shot at the doctor :-( It is his left eye

Declan has been sleeping through the night for a few months now. He does not make a peep and I usually have to wake him up in the morning to get ready. Well...the other night he woke up at 2 and I could not calm him down so I decided to feed him. After I made the bottle and we sat down for him to eat I turned on the light and noticed he could barely open his eye. His droop eye was swollen! It didn't seem to be hurting him but I think he was definitely uncomfortable understandably. I fed him and he went back to sleep. It did not improve the next day and we had to go the doctor anyway for his 2nd H1N1 shot, so I had them take a look at it. Diagnosis...a bite or maybe he jabbed himself in the eye...keep an "eye" on it and make sure it does not get infected (no pun intended)...and give him benadryl. It looks a little better today, but I am thinking it is a bite. He is scratching it a lot and there seems to be a white dot on his eye lid...maybe a stye? Who knows! Poor guy! He woke up again at 2 this morning. I am not sure if it his eye or a growth spurt or what. I am hoping it doesn't last :-)

Declan in Camo

My friend Cathy delivered yet another present for me to give to Declan the other day. She spoils Declan rotten with gifts all of the time. She is SO thoughtful and we love her! Her mother-in-law made the hat for D. She knits these hats and gives them to children all over the world. She knitted Declan a hat and blanket before he was born and he loves them. I will post more info on where to find the hats once I get it. I just think they are the cutest things ever!!! I tried to get a lot of angles! It even has a bill!

You might think this is mean, but...

We were playing and having a great time as a little family. Jason and Declan were playing while I was doing some things in our room. The next thing I knew...Jason made this noise to make Declan laugh and it had the opposite effect...
Please note that we did calm him down immediately...but it did make us laugh. He was not too fond of his dad after this:-)

Chicken Dance Elmo

Staci's friend, Tracey, has given us a ton of stuff for Declan! She is so generous and thoughtful and we appreciate it very much. It is great that I am getting all of these toys, because if Declan doesn't use them I use them in my classroom. Well...in our last batch of goodies there was a Elmo dressed as a chicken and does the chicken dance. Declan loves the thing. His new little expressions are so funny. I think this video of Declan and Elmo is hilarious!

A Beautiful Saturday in Georgia

Playing with dad's ugly UGA hat :-)

My big boy seat! Thanks Mary Scott for the idea! Declan saw Henderson in it and have to have it!

I am SO big!

The star soccer players...Owen and Parker

Gavin and Cyn Cyn!

Me and the Princess! Notice her bow...she is such a girly girl :-)

The world's greates grandmother and the two youngest grandchildren.

How freaking cute...BFFS

Peter and Owen

What...there is a soccer game?

Running back on to the field!

So excited to see us!

Melts my heart. She loves him more than words and he feels the same the way :-)

Jason had to work this morning so Declan and I headed to watch Owen's soccer game with my mom on a whim. What a beautiful day! Owen is the world's cutest soccer player. He is chose soccer this year, Gavin chose gymnastics, and the princess Kara is doing ballet. We surprised all of them today when we showed up today. After the game we all headed to a patio for lunch. Declan LOVES being outside and was the world's best baby! It was nice to be with my family. They always know how to take my mind off of things and make me smile :-)

On another note...Jason's business is not doing so well. Without going in to too much detail and knowing that everyone has their own things that they are going through... just please pray that things get better. He works so hard and is an amazing father and husband. If things don't work out in our favor it is nice to know that we have family and friends that we can count on. We both work so hard and can't seem to catch a break these days. We are stronger than ever though and will make it through. We will do whatever is necessary to make sure that Declan has the best life ever. This economy sucks!!!

When I get down and out I just look at Declan or pictures and they always make me smile! Hope they make you smile too. Enjoy :-)

Our Routine

With my monkey from my GREAT Gi Gi!

Ready for my PJs

So fresh and so clean!

Favorite part of the day!

My mom is CRAZY!

I LOVE bath time!!!

Playing with toys in my big boy seat!

What are you going to do, mom?

Hilarious!

While I was starting the bath...busted Dixon eating the rest of Declan's bananas and oatmeal

It is not that big of deal, mom.

I decided to capture some photos of our nightly routine. Declan and I start our day very early...5:00am...this means bedtime is pretty early. Jason and I are just going to have to move closer because the drive in the afternoon is killing me (for all of you that said "told you so," you were right). I get up at 5:00 and get ready then I wake Declan up at 5:30 change and feed him and we arrive at the Cullinan's around 6:30. I leave there around 6:45 and head to work and arrive there about 7:15. I work all day with my precious students and leave around 3:30 or 4:00 to pick up Declan. I get back to the Cullinan's around 4:30 or 4:45 and leave there and head home. It just depends on the traffic on what time we get home...usually between 5:00 and 6:00 or sometimes later. We play for a few minutes and then it is time for a bottle, some solids, bath and bed. So...I treasure our nigh time routine. It is definitely "our" time. I cherish every second with him and no matter how stressful the day, he makes me smile and makes it all worth it. I am not complaining about my schedule by the way, it was our choice to live in town, and it has worked for us, but not sure how much longer it will last. I know there are so many people who have a much tougher schedule so I count my blessings. Here are some pictures...I am sure they are out of order, but you get it.

They definitely are backwards...very fitting for me :-)