I just got back a little bit ago from spending the day at Andrew and Nikki's.  I had the best time today!  I really, really enjoyed the babies.  Mason is so laid back and lovable, and Haley is saying the cutest things!  I watched them so Andrew and Nikki could go out to eat and see a movie.  It has been months since they have been able to go on a "date", so I was thrilled to help.  

Mason is the best natured baby I have ever seen.  He will let me wrap my arms around him, lay my head on his little head, and kiss, kiss, kiss him.  He was so easy to get to sleep.  I just held him in my arms, patted his little bottom, and he went right to sleep.  I wanted to clean the kitchen while they were gone, but I couldn't while Mason was asleep.  I was afraid it would wake him.  When I heard him cooing and talking, I started cleaning the kitchen before I went to get him.  I thought I would get as much done as I could before he fussed.  Do you know, he laid in there and played while I got the kitchen cleaned.  There were not a lot of dishes, but still, it was a while.  I finally went to check on him because I thought maybe he had fallen back asleep.  He was sucking on his two first fingers and playing with the blanket fringe.  Funny thing--Nikki has always said she hated to see kids go around with two fingers in their mouth, so, of course, that is exactly the habit Mason has started doing.  He does take the passy some, but not much.  It is like if he has the passy he is fine and happy, but if not, he will pacify himself by popping his two finger in his mouth.

His eyes are such an intense blue.

He has started blowing raspberries and it is the cutest thing!! 

 

The only picture I got of Haley today was the back of her head.

She was actually looking at the camera, but turned quickly to look back at her show.

She is learning to button and unbutton her shirt.  So part of the time she would unbutton it and leave it unbuttoned.  She is also talking up a storm.  I would get so tickled at things she said.  I was telling her her nails were so pretty.  She said, "thank you. I dooed it myself." LOL  Nikki and I were laughing about it and Nikki said, "she actually did do it herself.  I painted them pink and she got into the glitter and painted them."  Nikki said she got the glitter polish all over her skin and Nikki had to scrub and scrub to get it off.

Andrew and Nikki are getting over a sickness (cold or bronchitis).  This morning I was holding Mason and Haley was laying on the couch beside us.  I was rubbing her back and lovin on her.  She got this pouty look on her face and said, "I'm sick." (she's not!)  I said, "you are? I'm sorry baby."  I started petting her and acting like bless your little heart.  Well, Mason sneezed.  I said, "goodness!"  She said, "Mason's not sick." Hahahaha!

This evening we were in her room and she was playing with Nikki's polka dot umbrella.  Haley loves that umbrella.  I was opening it for her (and no, I'm not superstitious) and closing it.  She wanted me to open it and she said, "make it big, Soosin (Susan)."  I stopped so surprised.  I said, "what did you call me??"  She said, "I call you Soosin."  I told her she couldn't call me that. I was Gramma or Gigi.  I tickled her and she loved it.  For the rest of the night she would call me Soosin so I would tickle her.

The trip down and back didn't seem so long this time, not that it was any shorter.  I guess I am getting used to it and it seems shorter.  I did almost fall asleep at the wheel going down tho.  I usually drink coffee with creamer every morning.  This morning I didn't drink any because we were out of creamer and I don't like the taste without it.  When I was almost there, I got so very sleepy.  I would close my eyes and open them right back.  One time I did that and when I opened them, I was right close to a trailer attached to a truck in front of me.  It scared me so I was awake the rest of the trip!!  Tonight before I left, Nikki and Andrew made me a strong cup of Caramel Macchiato coffee.  It was delicious and I had no trouble staying awake.

Thank God I had a safe and enjoyable trip!!

 

 

 

 

Karen asked me if Haley was as big as Mason at his age.  I immediately had to go back in my archives to look.  It was a wonderful trip down memory lane.   She did have baby rolls, but Mason is bigger than she was.  Nikki says he is longer.  We were talking today about some things Mason is doing before Haley did them.  Nikki thinks it is because Mason has Haley and she teaches him.  Of course, being their gramma, I think they are both smart!!!  

Here are some pics I found:

 

When Haley was little she used to suck her thumb.  Looking back at these pictures, I didn't realize she started so early.

And....here she is just the other day.  Nikki wanted me to be sure and tell you all Haley dressed herself. lol  Haley loves to dress herself.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FScmAr4INE

 

 

 

 

 

First of all, I want to say Happy Birthday to my darling Jess.

I love this sweet girl with all my heart.  She is always thinking of others.  At times, when I really needed encouragement, she has sent me sweet notes and gifts.  I'm tellin' ya, she is wonderful.  Even Mary (her mom) says she always puts others first.  

Happy Birthday sweet Jess!!  I love you and I pray your life is blessed.

Mary always does such an awesome job decorating for her kid's birthday parties.  

           

           

I couldn't be at the party because I had to take care of Granny, but everything looked great!  Mary and her girls are very artistically talented.

Monday evening I gave Cruzer a good trim and a bath.  I always trim his hair.  I don't do the greatest job, but at least I am saving money.  Sometimes it turns out ok, but not this time.  I was too tired to worry about it.  It had been a long time since he had a trim, so it took for.ev.er.  We were both weary when I finished.  After his bath was over, he perked right up, as always.  He is so relieved to be done with the torture. Ha!

Look how much hair I trimmed.

 

He was not a happy camper.  I still had to give him a bath after this and as you can see, he is already over it.

Awww  isn't he so pitiful and sad. (and probably mad)

Shew, that is one job I am glad to be done with for a while.  Dogs are a lot of work, and I didn't mind before my life got so busy.  Now it is a pain.  I love when he is clean and smells so good, tho.  He probably hates it because he doesn't smell like a dog. 

Tuesday Nikki brought the babies back here for Mason's checkup.  I met her at the dr. office and watched Haley in the waiting room while she took Mason back.  I couldn't wait to hold Mason.  He is growing so much and he is such a happy baby.  He is so cuddly and loving.  Haley looked so cute in black leggins and pink boots.  I tried to get her pic but she was moving around too much.

 

After awhile, we went to my car and waited.  She accidently touched the window button and gasped a little excited gasp. 

She loved that she could roll it up and down.

I watched her carefully to make sure no little fingers got in the way.

After she got tired of that, she checked out the motor vehicle book from the dash.

       

I got out her sunglasses for her that I keep in my car.

See the ketchup stains where I had just fed her a hamburger?  I love that pic.

We found plenty to do and talk about till Mason and Mommy got out.

They came to my house after the dr. and spent the afternoon here.  I loved seeing my babies!!!!

Haley got in the swing and pretended to be a baby.

It is so funny that every time she pretends to be a baby she frets (see her face).  Nikki said, "why can't you be a happy baby?"  lol  I don't know who she is imitating because Mason is a very happy baby.  Nikki said maybe she thinks babies that fret get attention?  It is so cute to see her pretend.

Mason LOVED Ryan and kept touching his face.  It was so precious and loving.

Look how big Mason is!!  He is six months old and weighs 21 lbs.  I love the rolls on his legs!  He has the sweetest personality.  I love him so, so much!!  He had gotten three shots at the dr. and Haley kissed his boo boos.  (do you all see that red place on Ryan's face?  He has eczema that has popped up on either side of his nose.  Do you all know a good cure besides steroids?)

Wednesday thru Friday I took care of Granny and am supposed to go back tomorrow and Tuesday of next week.  It worked out this time that I have her five days out of seven.  Today I have only washed dishes, put away groceries, and washed a load of clothes.  I have relaxed the rest of the day.  It feels good to rest but not so good when you have things you would like to get done.

In other news....Nikki made Haley the cutest sleeping bag.

Haley wanted Mason to have one, so she made him one too.

Aren't they cute?!  Nikki thought maybe it would keep them warm at night because the covers wouldn't come off.  She sent me a pic of Mason that is so precious.  When she puts him in his sleeping bag, he holds on to the sides.

See his little hand?

Nikki got Haley a big balloon for Valentine's Day.  For some reason, Mason found the balloon so funny.  Haley would show it to him and peek around it.  Mason was laughing, Haley was laughing, and it made Nikki laugh.  She said people were stopping her in the store telling her how cute they were. lol  Here is Mason holding the balloon.

Nikki said he kinda took it over as his.

I love it!

For Christmas we bought Haley a doll stroller.  Nikki sent me cute pics of Haley pushing Mason in it.

       

Nikki said when Haley first tried to push him she said, "he is too heaby (heavy)."  LOL

And finally,  my favorite couple celebrated a milestone.  I can't remember if it is six months or what it is?  Anyway, I think they will be together for life.   I love them both dearly!

Kevin has the cutest pictures of them when we were in Gatlinburg, but I can't get them to send me the pics.  If they ever send them, I will blog post them.

Ok, I'm off to put the clothes in the dryer.  Hope you all have a blessed week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last weekend Haley spent the night with us on Saturday night.  We had a wonderful time with her!  I am tellin ya, she is Papaw's girl.  I was needing to wake her to get ready for church Sunday night (she had slept two hours for a nap), and I quietly said,  "Haaaaaley,  Haaaaaaley."  She started twisting and waking.  I said, "do you want to go see Papaw?"  She sleepily smiled and nodded her head yes!  So sweet.  She slept wonderful Saturday night.  I rocked her to sleep (which was wonderful) around 10PM and woke her at 9AM to get ready for church.

I decided to let Haley swing in Mason's swing.  Mason is too big for it now and would probably climb out.  Nikki's mom got it at a garage sale for $15 (I think).  I don't think it swings right??  Anyway, I knew Haley would love it because she had gotten in Mason's at home and gotten in trouble for it.  They actually got theirs brand new, so of course, she didn't need to tear it up.  

I was right.  She loved it.  When she was drinking her milk, she said it was her bottle. 

                 

 

                

Nikki brought Mason to me for church and everyone at church got to see him for the first time.  He was so sweet smiling.  We always thought Haley was the best baby, but Mason is even better than she was.  He is always happy and smiling.  He was saying, "Da da da da da."

 

Last month was celebrated Martha and Kevin's anniversary.  Yes, that is the way they celebrate--with everyone.  They have always, always taken their kids for their anniversary trip.  This year, they got Leanna a room next to theirs so the whole family could be together.  Ryan and I went up to have dinner with them one night.  It was crazy busy in Gatlinburg.  It was slow moving traffic all the way from Pigeon Forge--cars and people everywhere.  Ryan and I didn't care.  We people watched.  It was such a joy to be riding with him and him be relaxed and not stressed.  We really enjoyed it.

              

 

Just looking at the buildings and different attractions is interesting. 

 

We ate at Joe's Crab Shack and we had to wait for-ev-er.  It was packed with people too.

Kevin and Nathan ran across the street to the Red Lobster to see if they had a shorter waiting time, but their waiting time was an hour too.  After we piled up sitting down,  it wasn't so bad!  It was worth the wait.  

They give the biggest portions!  Ryan ordered a bucket of crab legs.

                   

He ate all of it.  I just got fish and fries, and it was good too.  I love fish, but I am not crazy about lobster, crab and shrimp.  I tasted the crab and it was ok.  I would never order it.  LeAnna let me taste one of their coconut shrimp and it was really good!  I am the type of person when I find something I like, I always order it.  It's funny tho, if I ever order something different and like it, I am like, "oh, I will have to order that from now on."  Not-I will have to switch around, but I will have a new regular.

We also celebrated Martha's birthday in January.  We all went to Longhorn's Steak House.  We had the best time.  Can you believe I didn't get a picture??  What is wrong with me?!!

 

Ryan is off for a school holiday today.  I don't have to take care of Granny.  It was wonderful to sleep late this morning.  We are getting ready so I can take him to spend the day (well, half a day) with Nana and Papaw.  It has been so long since he has been down there, and I am thrilled for him to go.  Hopefully I will be able to journal more catchup later this afternoon.

 

 

 

 

 

Today has been an exhausting day. I got up and threw myself together enough to get Ryan to school.
Then, I came back and washed my hair, took a bath, and got ready. I washed/dryed a load of clothes,
washed two sinkfuls of dishes, fixed supper for tonight, and ironed four shirts.
I left to go to Nana's around 12PM. I worked there finishing up the housecleaning till 3PM. I am
thankful to have it finished. I left Nana's and went to pick up Ryan from school and take him home.
Then I dropped by the pharmacy to pick up Mom's medicine. I got to Granny and Papaw's before 4:30PM.
I relieved Martha early today because she filled in for me the other day when my car quit. Ugh, yes, it did!
I am thankful it wasn't on the side of the road, but I can tell you, I was plenty depressed it quit at all.

I had picked Ryan up from school and stopped at the gas station for gas. When I tried to restart my car, it was dead!
Martha and Jared came for Jared to try and jumpstart my car. It wouldn't work. I had to call a wrecker.
So, Jared took Martha home so she could get their truck and go take care of Granny in my place. Jared is the
sweetest guy in the world. When he took Martha home, he got ta thinking what if there were two
guys that came in the wrecker? And, what if they were big, burly, and hairy? And, what if they
had tacos for lunch???Hahaha! He did not want Ryan and me to have to ride with the wrecker guy, so he
told his mom he was coming back to take us to Firestone. He is the best!!!

 

When we got there and I got out of the car,
I told him thank you. He said, "I am waiting." I said, "no, go on!. We will wait for the car to be fixed."
Ryan and I went inside. After a few minutes Ryan looked outside and said, "Jared is still here." I said
"go tell him to leave." In a few minutes, Jared came inside with Ryan. He told me there were already
two cars inside being worked on, and there were several outside waiting. It was already after 5pm and
he thought it was going to be a long time before they could get to it. (which was right) So, I decided
to leave my car overnight and we left with Jared. It was such a blessing that he waited on us. And,
that he cared to wait even though I told him to leave. How precious! I told Martha he will make a
good husband someday. He really has a heart for taking care of someone.

Two or three weeks ago I had taken my car in to have the oil changed and they also put in a new
battery. I didn't see how it could be the battery, so I was afraid it was something serious. Come to
find out, it really was the battery--or actually the battery connection. It cost me nothing! Yay!!
Well, I did have to pay $65 for the wrecker, but it could have been so much worse. Thank God!!
Those guys know Andrew, so they are so sweet to me (and I am sure that is why they give me such
a great deal).

Oh, I don't think I blogged about this, but the other day I took the car for an oil change. The service
manager pulled up our history on the computer. He told me that our car had been worked on in Andrew's
city. I was so confused (inside) because I couldn't remember Andrew taking our car to his work. Anyway,
the guy (Josh) noticed I looked confused and said, "you were at the mall and had your car worked on." I said, "oh, no,
my son is the manager of the store there.

As I was leaving I asked if he knew Andrew. He was like, "yeah! I know Andrew. We called him Awesome
Andrew--AA." Ahhhh, that just thrilled my mama heart.

I am off to bed. I am so completely exhausted tonight. I am so thankful not to have to work tomorrow. I
plan to goof off a lot!!! I do have some things I have to do though.

And, just because I can't resist,  here are some recent pics Nikki sent me.  I actually kept Haley this weekend.

                  

Edit:   I typed this offline and posted to xanga.  That is why my margins are mess up and I am too tired to fix it.

I have been having a problem with my new laptop not connecting to the internet.  It had me so discouraged I didn't even feel like blogging.  The other night, I watched a movie on the laptop with Haley.  The next night, I had it out--I don't even remember what I was doing.  Anyway, it was automatically connected to our network when it had not even reconized it for a month!  I am so happy!  Hopefully, I will be back to blogging soon.  I have been unbelievably busy, so it would have been hard for me to blog anyway.  

Today I took care of Granny.  Tomorrow I am supposed to finish cleaning at Nana's and then take care of Granny the rest of the day.  I may go see the grandbabies Wednesday.  See....I am so busy I don't know when I will be able to blog.  I am so happy to be back online though.  I have loads to catch up on.

I also wanted to update on my dear friend Eilena from church.  She is doing so much better now.  She actually had an infection in her intestines.  I think it was called colitis??  She was in the hospital a few days but is now back at home.  She has also been back to church.  She is such a strong fighter.  I hope I am like her if I reach her age.  

Ryan is in bed and waiting for me to pray with him so hopefully I will catch up with your blogs soon.