Stop and Smell the Davis'

here lately...

2009-06-06T11:15:00.005-05:00

this cannot be good...

i feel as though life has been 'gobbling me up' the past couple of weeks...i have started to post many times and just never get it finished...photos of the kids to come (we took our first trip of the summer to tybee last weekend and had a blast!!)...i promise! love to all of you who still check this lonely blog...

blanford bluejay field day

2009-05-25T21:12:00.002-05:00

sorry, for the music. jer said it was too loud and heavy for the slide show. oh well, it took me forever to make it, and i can't change it now, so just turn the sound down if you are so inclined :) also, once you have clicked play, click the 'HD' button in the bottom right corner--the photos look very garbled for some reason if you don't.

i had a blast with leighton at field day! i only stayed for the morning and it was H.O.T but very fun to watch. i cannot beleive he is already done with kindergarten. the year really flew by. he is ready to be a first grader, though--he already let me know this fact :)

{bathtime}

2009-04-27T10:03:00.001-05:00

{easter 2009}...better late then never...

2009-04-20T08:39:00.019-05:00

"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!"
-- 2 Corinthians 9:14-15

our first year dying eggs...yes, i know, leighton is six! how awful is that?? we only dyed 9 eggs but it was fun...even mad and mill joined in the action...well, sort of (they were at the table so that counts!!) we were so glad that anne and granddad were able to come down for a short visit over easter!

we spent saturday evening making resurrection cookies and going on a resurrection egg hunt!! and all the kiddos actually DID get in on this great activity...madden loved the mixing...i gotta get this girl in my kitchen more often! my friend helena shared it with our ladies fellowship and that's how i learned about it...here's a link though:

http://www.annieshomepage.com/resurrectioncookiestext.html

i couldn't have done all this without the help of anne and granddad (jer was playing music and unavailable!)! it was a wee bit difficult with the little ones--i think it would have spurred on more conversation if i had just done it with leighton...but you live and learn...you really need more than one adult for this activity though--someone to actually mix and put the ingredients together and another to read the scripture passages (and in our case, a third adult to wrangle an 18 month old!!)

...then, hunting for the resurrection eggs that go along with our book, benjamin's box (thanks so much, mama, for picking up this wonderful story for my kiddos and collecting all the 'treasures', too!!); we just made our resurrection eggs but you can buy them premade to go along with this VERY moving book, here...

**our homemade resurrection eggs!!

here is leighton unsealing the cookies from the tomb on easter morning! He is risen indeed!!

...and finally easter morning before church! miller wasn't really displaying third child behavior as the text implies, but i couldn't resist!

mad was overjoyed with her nightgown and princess underwear...and she made it clear by immediately trying the latter on....that's my girl!

ley's loot!! he loved his indiana jones legos (these little sets provide HOURS of play for him! i need to save some $$$$ for one of the bigger sets!!) and star wars reader book! and ley made his easter 'basket' at school...his bunny can was super cute and it just so happened that i had not bought miller an easter basket last year when he was only 7 months old (call me frugal!) and had completely forgotten until this year! so, it worked out quite nicely...

finally--we did NOT get a family easter photo this year that turned out anywhere near decent...but we did try...man, do we ever try....so here are the random shots in the front yard--some with my mom, some with my dad....some with a kid here and there....crying...laughing...not looking at the camera...goofy faces....you know the drill...

"it's out!": tooth fairy to visit davis house!

2009-04-05T22:39:00.011-05:00

and it is about time!! ley has had a loose tooth for a quite a few months now...and man, he would NOT wiggle that thing out! i kept telling him...'if you don't wiggle the tooth, it isn't going to become more loose and come out!' he didn't seem to care that much! but, today it was really on it's last leg. after our long day of sunday school then church (which we overslept for and were running around like chickens with our heads cut off!!), potluck lunch, and egg hunting (more like egg gathering :)--jeremy took leighton to the bathroom to get that little bad boy out! or so he thought...here is the video i shot of the two of them...

well, i didn't get any shots of the egg hunt at church today (like i said, we were running SO late, i was just glad everyone was fully dressed!), but we did take photos of leighton's mouth when just a mere 5 hours later, he no longer had that little baby tooth! ley did allow his daddy to pull it (with me holding his hand for moral support--ley's hand that is!!) with very little drama. he was nervous and then the blood freaked him out a bit (although he knew it was coming), but then he was over the moon excited! he can't wait for school tomorrow to show his teachers and friends!

before bed tonight, he told me that he thinks the tooth fairy builds her castle out of the teeth she collects (and he told her this in the little note we wrote for her!)--that's my leighton, his imagination never quits...and i wouldn't have it any other way! yeah for the firsts in our little ones lives--i know there will be many more little teeth to come {out}!!

ley with his tooth tucked in his pillow!

way to go leighton and dad!

messy miller

2009-03-21T12:41:00.004-05:00

i finally have allowed mill to to start feeding himself with his own utensils...i think i put it off so long because let's face it, who wants more mess to clean up?? but i must face the facts...he is 18 months old!!! unless i plan to feed him until he is like FIVE (uh, which i DO NOT plan to do...like some other cultures, right anne?????)--i had better get on the stick. i found these handy little spoons at BRU:

he put up quite a fight and sat through half of dinner crying the first time i made him do the spooning himself. glad i didn't wait any longer, huh!?! he works these little spoons pretty well...that is until he realizes he could just use his hands instead! i was glad to happen upon these as he seems to like these a little better and definitely maneuvers them better than a regular toddler spoon. i wasn't at BRU to get specialty spoons though, i actually had to go there to buy this:

yes--turns out miller is one of those babes that turns into a beaver while teething...bless his little heart! this seems to have solved the wood chewing, paint eating problem though, thank goodness.

i am off to the AWANA grand prix to watch my oldest baby race his souped up cobra striped car! go #70!! photos to come--i hope!!

**just realized you could see him eating with his fancy-schmancy spoon in his photo and i didn't really need the big pic of the green spoon...but, oh well...**

Interview with Madden--age 2.5

2009-03-19T12:25:00.002-05:00

i think mad is a bit young for this, but gave it a whirl anyway...pretty cute even though she didn't understand all the questions!...going to try it on leighton at some point...

---------------------------------------------

1. What is something mommy always says to you?
cute

2. What makes mommy happy?
happy!

3. What makes mommy sad?
wahhh! You say wahhh! You say that…

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
heheheehe!

5. What was your mom like as a child?
bubby’s a boy…

6. How old is your mom?
two

7. How tall is your mom?
two

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
funny

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
go night-night

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
cute, yes cute…

11. What is your mom really good at?
school

12. What is your mom not very good at?
tickle (??)

13. What does your mom do for her job?
don’t know what your job is…

14. What's your mom's favorite food?
‘ronis’ (macaroni…what we had for lunch!)

15. What makes you proud of your mom?
‘emmens’ (m&m’s…her potty prize!)

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
she be mad (??)

2009-03-19T10:57:00.003-05:00

maddie is all about all things princess lately. she loves ariel especially. i snapped these photos when she was watching the little mermaid for the first time. her pretty princess dresses are too big right now and we have to cinch them at the back so they will somewhat stay on her little frame. she loves to dance and she will spin herself around with such great force, i fear for her safety (we will turn on dancing with the stars just to watch HER!). it is now a very common nightly ritual to sing the little mermaid song along with 'jesus, there's just something about that name'!

maddie is our little firecracker for sure! she is finally on the road to being completely potty trained. yes, i am so proud and relieved and just over-the-moon thankful! it all clicked with her a couple of weekends ago when jeremy and i went on a date and left her at the house with sweet nicole. i warned nicole that she was potty training--and that she would use the potty when she had 'no constraints' (aka nothing on her little bum!) but if she was wearing underwear or pull-up she would just use it like a diaper! to my great surprise, when we returned home, nicole told me she had pooped on the potty...twice!! and both times she had been in her pull-up and took them off to go, NO PROBLEM. i seriously teared up from joy!! turns out i should of gone out for a good time with the hubby and left her with nic weeks ago!! nicole, you are appreciated!!!! so far, since then--we have had only a few accidents. so, now i need to get her to stay dry at night...

miller diller

2009-02-27T15:51:00.009-05:00

we are still alive. jeremy has been on me, like white on rice, to post some photos of these crazy kids of ours. he even tried threatening me with the loss of readership of this blog if i didn't post something soon....that didn't scare me either (i know those of you who love me and want to see these precious younguns will always be back for more!!:). truthfully, potty training my dear daughter has (and still is) been all consuming since the beginning of january. by the time she (and the other two in different ways) is done pulling me through the ringer for the day, i got nothing, ya'll. you might as well just throw grapes at me. i can barely hold interesting conversation with my dear hubby, let alone write some blog-o-licious, family fun stories for all to enjoy...*sigh* and i would have posted some wordless photo posts, but that would entail me actually going through the 100 photos i try to take of my wiggly, impatient children (who are usually, snotty nosed, in their PJ's, half-naked, have been crying, or plain just refuse to even look in the camera's direction...)

count it all joy, my friends...this i know...before i know it i will be facing a whole new set of parenting issues. i almost wish i could put a huge rock on all my children's heads and keep them from growing! keep them right where they are for just a while longer--i say 'almost' because of the previously mentioned potty training woes that are plaguing the davis household!

well, here is a little slide show of miller diller...he is 17 months old and so much fun! he is a man of few words (just like his sister was!) and enjoys EATING almost ANYTHING(you would never know this child was failure to thrive at the beginning of his life!!), Nerf dart guns, peek-a-boo, and long walks on the beach...:)

**to see the slide show larger, click on youtube in bottom right corner**

more photos to come of the other loves in my life...

saturday morning pile-up!

happy day of your birth, jeff!

2009-02-05T15:32:00.004-05:00

wow, you made the blog on your birthday. that's pretty special, you know...first post back in over a month and it is all about you, my brother! i hope your day is full....full of love, full of friends....full of celebrating, full of cake (and quite a bit of air to blow out all those candles!)....full of happiness, full of contemplating that YOU ARE THIRTY-FIVE!!?!? dude, you are old...like a whole 2 years and 9 months older than me...i am super glad that you are my brother, and that you are OLDER than me :)

wish we could be there to celebrate with you...but this will have to do instead! loves!

{goodbye 2008}

2008-12-31T22:33:00.004-05:00

in 2008, i...

~celebrated my thirty-second birthday...
~nursed my very last baby (much of the time with help from a supplementer) and enjoyed every beautiful and trying moment of it...
~watched my eldest 'graduate' from preschool...
~cried as i left the above-mentioned's kindergarten class as he began his formal education!
~cut my hair off quite short (well, quite short by meredith standards!)
~praised God for my favorite daddy's normal heart catheterization results!
~honored the life of my dear papaw hogg who went to be with Jesus...
~traveled on an airplane with a 7 month old...
~rearranged my living room (thanks, mere!)
~painted my bedroom
~endured the loss of a wonderful little church we had called home since moving to the coast...
~changed 4,382 stinky little diapers (give or take)...
~breathed a sigh of relief when the sweet, middle girl-child finally started uttering actual, understandable words!
~thanked the heavens above when i was finally able to get a five year old and 6 month old to sleep in the same room (without one waking the other!)...
~experienced the actual necessity of ducktaping a diaper to a toddler's body; yes, you heard me correctly!
~received my first sewing machine, which i have yet to put to good use...
~realized taking three kids grocery shopping (or anywhere by myself, for that matter!) is not something i want to do on a regular basis...
~started actually thinking about the possibility of home-schooling my children...hmmm...
~comprehended just how extraordinarily blessed i am in SO very many ways, everyday of my ordinary life...God is so good...

love you all--those i see everyday, those i miss everday...you know who you are! wishing you a very blessed 2009...

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

2008-12-25T21:48:00.004-05:00

merry christmas to all those we love! this is my christmas card that has not made it to the postal service just yet! so, be looking for a happy new year card instead :) we sure missed being close to family this year but we had a super time with our dear friends, the finch crew, on christmas eve; and we enjoyed it just being the five of us and staying in our christmas pajamas ALL christmas day!!

xoxo

{Impossible!}

2008-12-12T21:04:00.010-05:00

I can hardly fathom the reality that my baby is six years old today. Surely not?? How amazing it is to still be able to relive those moments in my mind so vividly when Leighton Miles Davis came into this world--all 9 pounds and 10 ounces of him--and made me what I hoped I would always be...a mama...his mama! In this world, I do not always know what God has planned for me around the corner...down the road...but, I do always rest in the knowledge that He has given me this charge...to be the best mother I can be to my sweet six-year old, Leighton (and M & M, too of course!) and give him unconditional love, spiritual knowledge and guidance, consistent discipline, and keep him covered with prayer daily--asking our gracious Father above to draw Leighton close to Him and reveal Himself to my little vivacious, energetic, sensitive six year-old. Please, Jesus, write Your name upon his heart...and use me in whatever capacity to turn his heart toward You, Lord! This is my sixth birthday prayer/wish for my sweet baby boy, Leighton...

how do they go from this....

newborn leighton snuggled in his cradle

to this!?!?

six year-old leighton at his birthday party

Just as the title says....impossible....I love you, Ley!

Two Turkeys and a Pilgrim...

2008-11-27T20:13:00.015-05:00

...send you many wishes for a blessed Thanksgiving! Especially today, I am so very thankful for my incredible family and friends. I am so glad to have loved ones here in my home--close to me. Of course, I miss the ones who are far away...but that's what this blog is for! To help us feel closer together through photos and heartfelt words and silly little video clips (see previous post :) . Although I am now battling some form of the illness my children are getting over , we did have a splendid day. My fabulous Mom out-did herself in the feast department with the help of my sweet Daddy (he was in charge of our delicious meats!!). I barely contributed, throwing together the sweet corn pudding is all I can vouch for today. We ate to our heart's content this evening (we decided to do early dinner rather than lunch this year) and then played with, read to, and wrangled kids the rest of the evening. Before dinner we tried to take a few family photos, but it didn't quite go as planned--imagine that?!? I have included them anyway...because you take what you can get, right? Love to all of you and wish that we could be together and wish even more that I will see you in the not-too-distant future!

Rolling and Whistling...

2008-11-26T13:17:00.009-05:00

Maybe one day she will be able to do it...

Ley is in the beginning stages of learning to whistle...here is his slightly airy rendition of 'Jingle Bells'...I think he would have continued to whistle all day if I would have continued to video...

And just a cute one of Miller as not to leave out my last born...

Pitter Patter of Little Feet...

2008-11-24T10:16:00.002-05:00

Been meaning to post this, but just haven't gotten around to downloading Miller's first real steps! He started walking a lot more about 10 or 12 days ago...before then he hadn't really made more than 2 or 3 steps together--now he is up to about 8 or 10! He is still primarily a crawler, but he has started the process...I am not rushing him :) Of course, he would choose to start walking the evening I was at bible study... Jeremy was home with both Mad and Mill as they begun their little lives as 'upright travelers'! It was a sweet sight to come home to though, that's for sure...

Sickness Abounds!

2008-11-20T10:32:00.004-05:00

Yuck. That is the best word to describe how my family has been feeling this week. Ley missed two days of school and I was going to keep him home today, but he seemed on the up and up and had no fever this morn, so we had a leisurely breakfast and I checked him in to school about 8:45 AM. Hope he doesn't overdo it and start feeling bad again. I just couldn't bear for him to miss out on all the preparations for the Reader's Theatre: The Big Red Barn, they will be acting in on Monday. He is playing the role of the 'Big Horse'. So fun...I have very fond memories of school plays. Can't wait to see him do his thing!

After said doctor's visit, we are now proud owners of a lovely nebulizer (or will be officially, after I go pick it up at the office today!). We have done the treatments in the office and borrowed one from a friend last time we had the respiratory problems, but with three kiddos I knew we needed to go ahead and make a place in the closet for one of our very own. Leighton had a pretty good rattle in his chest that was of concern, and although Miller sounded better than Ley, we are going to treat him and hopefully nip this in the bud. It is quite a nuisance to hold the mask on MillerMac but worth it. Madden will be partaking in treatments as well since she has started with the nasty cough a few nights ago. Thankfully, she has not had any fever or terrible congestion, so maybe she will make it through with just the hacky cough. After our family trip to the doc yesterday, Jeremy made his way to the 'grown-up' doctor this morning to be diagnosed with a terrible sinus infection. Yikes! So, we are on the road to recovery now and I am busy wiping noses (and behinds too, of course...that is never-ending), dosing kiddos with meds, making a horse costume (not so much 'making' as 'pulling together' :), catching Ley up on missed work, popping vitamin C (please let me stay well!!), and soon to be nebulizing!

Will soon post some more random pics of the kids...I have been slacking, I know!

post-pediatrician fun with a chick-fil-a bag...well fun for 3 out of 4 of the sick-ies!!!

i've been tagged....it seems...

2008-10-26T00:23:00.003-05:00

i received this game of "blogger tag" from cyberspace and the deal is, you fill out the answers and tag a fellow blogger. IF you read this, you are to copy it into your blog and answer the questions...then tag a fellow blogger and pass along the quiz!

1. Where is your cell phone? plugged into the wall next to my bed, receiving 'nourishment'
2. Where is your significant other? uh, currently sleeping...
3. Your hair color? brown...many a funky color in my distant past :)
4. Your mother? rebecca or anne (pronounced 'ah-nay') as she is so lovingly called on this blog and by her grands!
5. Your father? bill (or actually, billie--but not everyone knows that!) or granddad
6. Your favorite thing? my family
7. Your dream last night? ha--actually, i remember telling a friend of mine how well my new dove clinical strength antiperspirant works...yeah, someone decipher that one!
8. Your dream/goal? why those are two very different things!
dream: learn to 'flip' some houses and have Jeremy be excited to do it with me! goal: become a little bit more like Christ everyday...
9. The room you're in? hmmm--is the foyer a room? where my default friend, kayla, helped me decide to move my computer armoire...it's right off the faux dining room and great room...
10. Your hobby? what is that?? i have let my creativity go by the wayside, but i am trying to get back on that horse! photographing my family, word jumbles, antiquing furniture (will soon let you know how that goes!), baking...would REALLY like to be able to put knitting here!
11. Your fear? germs (specifically the ones that cause vomit, right mere!?), letting life pass me by...
12. Where do you want to be in six years? well, what i do now of course :) but, i guess since my baby will be SEVEN at that point, i would probably want to work some at a job i really like (what that is--uh, don't know but will keep you posted!)
13. Where were you last night? home--with the kiddos and the hubby enjoying the end of a busy week--
14. What you’re not? pregnant, a great chef, liberal, a seasoned dietitian (but, i got the RD and that counts for something...?), a perfect ANYTHING--thank goodness, I am a work in progress and the Lord promises to finish what He began!
15. One of your wish list items? a new wardrobe since i have now birthed TWO babes since truly buying anything nice for myself clothing-wise!! seriously, this is a SAD situation...you may not want to be seen with me in public!
16. Where you grew up? ruston, louisiana
17. The last thing you did? uninstalled and installed carseats, baby!
18. What are you wearing? pajamas
19. Your TV? bought at a tent sale right after we were married and it's still going strong (and i LOVE my TV armoire and that i can cover that silly thing up!)
20. Your pet? we chose a third child over a pet...we will have pets some day...maybe sooner than later :)
21. Your computer? it works
22. Your mood? tired...it's late!!
23. Missing someone? too many people to list...
24. Your car? gas guzzling chevy tahoe
25. Something you’re not wearing? glasses that AREN'T broken down the middle...ugh..
26. Favorite store? gotta love some "tar-jey"...
27. Your summer? hot !
28. Love someone? much, much!
29. Your favorite color? puh-lease--don't make me choose! okay--we will say blue (for the moment!)
30. When is the last time you laughed? when i read on mere's blog that i won her giveaway!! me?!? win something?? :)
31. Last time you cried? when i finished 'the shack' the other night...great book!

ok...i am tagging jessica, LC, and sandi...oh, and lauren (just for fun, to see if she will come out of blogging retirement :)--we need some heard and overheard, my dear!!)

Monkey Bars. Swings. Slides. Other Acrobatics...

2008-10-15T12:48:00.016-05:00

Well, here are some pictures posted mostly for my sweet Dad, who mentioned he was checking the blog---looking for new photos of his dear grandchildren. We can't wait to see Granddad and Anne this weekend!

**the outside shots were taken with a dirty camera lens. unfortunate, i know.

millermac at the 'word wall'

....and down he goes!

so very handsome...

my very best girl...

"mAd" ABouT PotTy tiMe!

2008-10-15T06:48:00.011-05:00

is this a face of contentment?? i don't think so...

going potty... it's tough. for most kids anyway. maddie being one of them.

if only madden were actually excited about using la toilette. not so much. she did enjoy the candy corn treat she received for using it the other day, but has that happened again?? no...she really doesn't want to do much if it isn't her idea...i just don't understand where she gets her stubbornness from at all ;) so, we have spent many many of the past several days in clean up mode from all the accidents. at least we have yet to have our flooring replaced, so i don't have to worry about 'new' carpet stains...

seriously thinking of shipping her off to potty boot camp!!

more ugly looks...

Third Child Secretly Yearns to be Only Child!

2008-09-30T22:56:00.004-05:00

MillerMac really comes out of his shell at night...when his older siblings are tucked into bed, my serious 'old-soul' of a child becomes giddy and full of excitement! His usual straight face melts into crooked, toothy grins; 'catch me if you can' crawling episodes and just goofiness in general. It is fun to be with my Miller anytime of the day, but especially at night when the Davis household is his own private kingdom...
...with no big brother or sister to steal his thunder... or toy...or cheerios, for that matter :)

life is good

my only child wannabe

farewell to summer

2008-09-22T10:08:00.007-05:00

So long sweet Summer....see you next year!

Fall, we are waiting for you here in Georgia...we need some jacket weather!

Monkeying Around on MillerMac's 1st Birthday!

2008-09-21T21:25:00.009-05:00

It is just not conceivable that my baby is one years old...but he is! Our sweet boy had a little party yesterday with family (we are so glad Anne was here for the party and a much needed visit!!) and close friends...it was perfect! I wish everyone could have been here though to help us celebrate this precious one's first year of life...I cannot even begin to describe how happy and blessed I am to have him in my life and be his mommy. More photos to come!

delurking is delightful...

2008-09-16T06:56:00.007-05:00

delurk: v. participate actively in an on-line newsgroup on the Internet (after passively participating for a period of time)

i have set a new goal for myself. i am a lurker no more. i realize that most of the blogs i frequent know that i am there--keeping up with them, laughing at their children's crazy antics, reaping parenting advice from their experiences, stealing recipes, enjoying every single photo...but, not everyone knows and i want them to know how much i truly enjoy experiencing life via the blogosphere.

i am the queen of serial blog surfing...by the time i am done, i have no idea where or whose blog i started on and certainly have lost the connection 7 sites back :). okay, so i am not promising to comment on every single blog that I peruse everday of my life, but i will make a concerted effort to leave comments more than once in a blue moon! i think i can make this happen (although, I am curently thinking about never posting this and continuing my lurky ways...no, NO! I will prevail!)

someday i might even have the title of 'regular commenter'--you just never know...man, i am thinking too far ahead and possibly setting myself up for failure. baby steps, my friends. maybe i should start with 'delurking thursdays' or something of that sort. alright then, just be looking for a comment coming your way in the not so distant future... love all my blog peeps and i want you to know it...

Sunday Afternoon Photo Session...

2008-09-14T15:19:00.002-05:00

Goes awry...Jeremy gave it his best (if reclining on Ley's bed while shooting is categorized as his 'best'..okay, maybe he just gave it a good go :)...we need a professional. Or possibly a big role of duck tape!

Best First Date Ever...

2008-09-13T09:12:00.007-05:00

McDonalds gourmet fare: $5.86
Tickets for Journey to the Center of the Earth: $15.75
2 pairs of really tacky 3D glasses: $5.00
Overpriced small Coke and bag of Reeses Pieces to share: $7.50
Holding hands, sitting close,laughing and talking, just the two of us: Priceless...

We are making this a tradition in our house for sure! I have been telling Jeremy lately that I want to take Ley out for some one on one time with his Mama periodically. I know he needs time with his Daddy, but that happens without as much effort on a more regualar basis. I will be planning time out for us at least every couple of months...and then, when the little ones are a bit older we will have a date once a month! Then, I will have to figure out a way to do it with all my offspring!! How important that special time is together just the two of us...I loved every minute of it! I told him that he and I used to do almost everything together just the two of us before his siblings came along...and I miss that! I definitely want to get this type of mommy/son date in our routine before he starts to think that I am not so cool...although we all know I will always be cool...

Now, if only we could find a super-great trustworthy babysitter to take on our three kids so Jeremy and I could take off for some date time once a month...

Happy Birthday, Jansen (a day late!!)...

2008-09-12T12:05:00.004-05:00

I hope your birthday was wonderful...how could it not be when you received such a precious gift this year just several days ago! I know you are so tired, hormonal, and overwhelmed ( and that doesn't even begin to describe the roller coaster ride we call postpartum and new parenthood!)...but try to enjoy and soak up every second with that beautiful, little baby girl. I can't believe that I don't get to meet her and don't know when I will! Heartbreaking for me, Jance!! Tell Chris to give you XOXO from me and the fam...and you give sweet Emma some XOXO from her Aunt Mer! Happy Birthday Jansen (yesterday, anyway!!)

Three Fantastic Fellas and A Lovely Lady

2008-09-11T23:15:00.003-05:00

Aren't they beautiful?? Look at all those baby blues! I am so blessed beyond measure...

The Savannah Zoo...Sortof, Kindof

2008-09-11T07:15:00.004-05:00

Last weekend, we ventured out toward the beach to visit Savannah's version of a zoo--it's called Oatland Island Educational Center. We have passed its entrance on numerous occasions on our way to have some fun in the sun on Tybee, yet we have never visited this wildlife area. It was a gloriously beautiful and sunny day--so hard to believe there was a tropical storm battering our coast just a little bit north. We met the Johnson family out there and after 'organizing' all our strollers, snacks, backpacks, diaper bags, insect spray, maps, and oh yes...children, we made our way into the deep woods to see what interesting animals we could spy. We saw alligators, wolves, a panther, and a bison! In the barnyard area we saw geese, turkeys, cows, donkeys, goats and bunnies. We looked for the black bear and a few other animals, but they were holed up somewhere sleeping--it was SO hot! I have been meaning to post these pics all week but there were so many shots that I just now sat down and weeded through them to find some good ones...enjoy!

Happy Birthday, H!!

2008-09-07T21:35:00.003-05:00

Another birthday shout out to my bestest ghetto friend from the SAV...happy birthday from your bestest caucasian friend! Love you...peace out, homegirl--I'm glad you are in my 'posse' and you know I always got your back (I will run anyone down with my double stroller, yo)!

xoxo

Happy Friday!

2008-08-22T20:28:00.008-05:00

Where do I even start?? These past few weeks have been a whirlwind. Chock full of changes here at the Davis household. First and foremost...Jeremy started a new job. Woo-hoo! Yippee! We are very excited about this new endeavor... more details to come. But, change is D.I.F.F.I.C.U.L.T. Especially for me. I like to pretend it's not really a big deal, a lot of the time, but who am I really fooling?? Big changes or little changes...whether they are chosen or unannounced changes, they still throw a wrench into the finely oiled household machine...er...the functioning household machine, I should say. Like, now Jer is getting off work at 5:30 instead of 5:00 PM (much to my disdain). Or an even bigger curve ball was when my dear, sweet husband called and asked me what I thought about him going to Lubbock, TX for a week of intense training after just one day on the job. Wow! This was a very good opportunity for him and a very LONG week of single parenting for me (**but we made it through mostly unscathed!!**).

Running a close second when it comes to modification of life as I know it: My firstborn started kindergarten! Holy moly, how in the world did we get here!? One day I have a preschooler, and then I turn around and I have a bus riding (ack!!!), lunch toting, uniform wearing, sight word learning KINDERGARTENER! He seems to be loving it for the most part. His teacher, Miss Carrie, and his paraprofessional, Mrs. Elaine, are just wonderful--we couldn't have asked for more fun, caring, passionate teachers...God is so good and I know he answered my prayers for placing Ley in the classroom that would best suit his needs. I cried more than I thought I would those first several days of school. The first day of school, I dropped him off at his classroom and then cried on the way home..I was glad for it to be over and the tears to have come and gone...only to unexpectedly cry AGAIN when I picked him up!

Madden is getting so big, too. I plan on starting some hardcore potty training in the next months and we will see how that pans out. She is very opinionated these days about most everything. She loves to 'read' books and dance to any music she hears. And every now and then, she even sits still and watches a little 'Nemo' (she calls anything that comes on the television, 'Nemo'!). But, that doesn't last long and soon she is off carrying her naked baby dolls here and there, pulling out and trying on every shoe she can possibly find in her closet and mine (she calls her shoes, 'go's--how cute is that!), getting 'bobos' kissed and attempting to brush her teeth multiple times a day...she is a mess both figuratively and literally...and she keeps me running constantly! Her favorite word is 'no' (I know, who would of thunk it...being two and all). I can only hope that one day Maddie will surely learn the true use for kitchen spatulas...

MillerMac is moving and grooving these days, too. He is nowhere near walking but he gets where he needs to go with his little army crawl and is now cruising the furniture. He, of course, loves to eat whatever ground gourmet morsels (and unedible items as well) he can find, usually courtesy of his big sister. His favorite thing is...well, me, and that is just the truth of the matter--his lovie and the pacifier are high in the ranking too. Jeremy's guitar playing is also well loved by Miller, and taking baths with his siblings is starting to grow on him a little (well, until Madden knocks him over and he gets a big gulp of water to the lungs!). He loves to eat and doesn't turn much of anything away--well, except baby food--he is all about the table food these days and chows it down with his two little teeth! He definitely has not surpassed his big brother and sister in the sleeping arena--we still have bouts of crying every so often, bless his heart (and ours--especially Ley who shares his sleeping quarters!!).

Happy Birthday Honey...

2008-08-09T21:36:00.004-05:00

Jeremy is 34 years young today...and just so you know, Jer, as of 10:45 pm EDT...

You are 408 months old.
You are 1,774 weeks old.
You are 12,419 days old.
You are 298,078 hours old.
You are 17,884,725 minutes old.
You are 1,073,083,532 seconds old.

I hope your day was so much more fun than the mediocrity of this post (well, excluding the fact that you got up early and slaved in the yard mowing for a few sweltering hours)! We had a splendid evening hanging out with our newest 'neighbors' that happen to be a couple of our oldest friends! Jeremy's bestest, dearest friend, Clay, and his wife Kayla, and their minis--Ryah and Silas just moved to town (woo-hoo!!). We grilled hamburgers and ate cake and ice cream and tried to keep our mess of kids from running wild. They have been here two and a half days and we are loving every second of it and have seen them everyday so far!! Hope you don't tire of us Johnson fam!

Happy birthday, my dear Jeremy Wayne...

...from your tiny, mama-lovin' MillerDiller...

...from your precocious, beautiful MaddieBug...

...and from your sweet-spirited, creative Ley...

don't ask!? - - volume 2

2008-07-21T15:49:00.008-05:00

i wear my sunglasses at breakfast...

taking a bath in the dog's water bowl...how sanitary

there's no words for the loveliness of this purse, shannon

you mean your VHS doesn't read DVDs!?!?!?

be all you can be, jer, really...

my favorite! what you do in our little town on a saturday afternoon...

Guess what...

2008-07-21T13:29:00.006-05:00

...is just a mile from my house, mere!?!? hope you and maddieboo are packing your bags! can't wait to see you both on thursday...just a few more wake-ups!!

ps--and my Sonic doesn't usually give a hard time about the often neglected, 'extra, EXTRA' ice!

The Boys...

2008-07-18T10:14:00.003-05:00

Just realized the past couple of posts have been all about the girl--so here are some video and photos of the little men in my life...

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Pig Tail Queen!

2008-07-16T13:22:00.007-05:00

It's a milestone for my sweet Madden who has been oh so cutely 'ballhairded' (as our precious little friend, Emma, says!) for so long! My hair bow-making, ponytail putting-upper, hair trimming friend Helena put Mad's hair in pigtails yesterday. There is still very little to pull up, but who cares! I tried my hand at it today, but it didn't look quite as cute and she didn't stay quite as STILL for me...I suppose I have many years of practice to come.

Look at me!

2008-07-13T21:29:00.002-05:00

I'm Maddie, could I BE wearing anymore clothes!?!?

Madden Turns TWO!

2008-06-26T15:17:00.003-05:00

9 months...

2008-06-26T13:30:00.009-05:00

Miller had his nine month well check yesterday....technically it was his 'well check', but he has developed a yucky, wet cough again (he had the same cough a few weeks back for a 2-3 week period). So, to make a long story short. We ended up going to Coastal Imaging for a chest x-ray and repeat ultrasound of his little kidneys (they needed to check his kidneys for a problem that had been noted at his US he had at 4 months). We were relieved and felt very blessed that his lungs showed no pneumonia and the US of his abdomen looked good. What a blessing! He is just enduring breathing treatments now to help rid him of his dreadful cough.

Miller is still a little fella-- he weighed in at 16 lbs, 6 oz and he was 28.5 inches long...both his height and head circumference were up considerably from his 6 month appointment, so Dr. Hobby is not concerned...he is just going to be long and lean! Mill is really getting around these days...he does the army crawl just like his big brother did and it is too cute and FAST. He is also pulling up on everything, babbling like crazy and eating like a little hog(g)...he is also feeding himself bananas, cheerios and crackers. He loves to watch and play with his brother and sister...that is until he sees his mommy--then NO ONE else will do...he is a textbook 'mama's boy' for sure! If only a third child could just be genetically predispositioned to not be so needy...wouldn't that be grand...no matter how much he cries, we just love him more and more everyday and enjoy every second of seeing him change and develop...

Yay, for 9 month milestones!

don't ask!?- - volume 1

2008-06-25T21:58:00.015-05:00

???

Amish bubble beard

peep eye!

miller aka catfish davis

ley's lunch creation...interesting

boys will be boys. ugh.

Birthday Love...

2008-06-22T16:32:00.006-05:00

My sweet Madden--

I had trouble sleeping last night...I kept thinking about the fact that two years ago, I was preparing for your birth! Seriously, at 1 AM I was laying in bed listening to you cough through the monitor and remembering that I was pacing the halls of Candler hospital with my dear friend Ashley at my side--trying to help my body dilate! And dilate it did...and then you were here...amazing as ever and so small (especially in comparison to your brothers!!) and perfect in every way...

I cannot believe how you have grown in the past two years...I am loving every minute of being your Mommy! How you make me smile...and laugh, oh my goodness! Your laugh is contagious...Thank you, Jesus, for blessing me with Maddie...she is and always will be 'my best girl'...

Happy, happy birthday, Maddie!

Jer holds his sweet baby girl for the first time...

Ley meets and holds Maddie!

Maddie ready to go home in Mommy's dress...

Can you say VACATION?

2008-06-18T14:32:00.004-05:00

No, not Disney World or NYC (can't wait to hear about your girl's trip my Mere!?) or even Tybee Beach for me...just a little blog vacay that turned into a sabbatical of sorts. Don't get me wrong--I have still been around checking up on all of you and your precious little families. I just needed a break, like I am known to do periodically. So, since the beginning of April I allowed my blog to go by the wayside...but I am coming back around...slowly...no pressure or anything, right? But just so you know I have truly enjoyed all the goody in everyone else's blogs/myspace/friendbook (each to their own, although I apologize to those who blog or post pics on myspace or friendbook because I rarely get time to browse those venues anymore--and, well, blogs are just much more fun and family friendly!!)...it is so wonderful to be able to keep up with friends and family and read about their interests, struggles, outings, fun(ny) stories, life changes, and most of all--see their sweet faces! So, to all my fabulous friends who have continued to check my blog for the past 75 days with no news of the Davis' wild and crazy life, and who truly wondered if being outnumbered as parents could have POSSIBLY really done us in for good--we are still standing (actually, I spend most of my days on the floor in some capacity--but you get my drift)!

In Other News...

2008-04-03T09:24:00.008-05:00

Leighton went for his kindergarten placement exam at the elementary school yesterday. He passed with no problems! He was a little nervous beforehand, but our prayers were answered as he seemed completely comfortable when we arrived. I can't believe he is starting 'big kid' school next year. Seems like just the other day I was starting him at Mother's Day Out At First West in West Monroe, LA and was so worried about leaving my barely two-year old!

Then...

June 2005--A few months before we moved to GA

And most recently...

Big Brother, Little Brother

Ley with Mad last Sunday

Hi-larious.

2008-04-02T15:46:00.002-05:00

How is it I have no time to blog about my sweet, dear, crazy, growing family but I have enough free moments to find out how many small children I could thwart if the need ever became apparent?!?! Yeah, don't judge me...you know you are totally going to click on it, too...:)

Happy, happy, joy, joy....

2008-03-26T15:35:00.004-05:00

Resurrection Sunday

We are so glad to be back home, although we so enjoyed seeing our family and friends back in Louisiana for our very brief time there. We are still trying to recover from our 12 hour trip home on Monday...love to you all...

To Uncle Jeff and Aunt Shan--Love, Leighton

2008-02-18T12:46:00.000-05:00

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

Rainy Monday...

2008-02-18T12:12:00.003-05:00

Just some random photos of the kids: playing outside, our friend Jackson's 3rd birthday party, mommy/ son date night to FBC Team Impact event, and just some of the many faces of the Davis three and friends too...

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

i heart my friends...

2008-02-13T10:29:00.003-05:00

thanks for being there, girls....let's keep enjoying the journey God has laid out for us....and not just the sweet friends in this photo-- also the ones who are separated from me by distance or who i haven't talked to in quite some time--and my dear blogging buddies too! love to you all!

“Friendships need to be nurtured and guarded and fought for. We need to call one another without waiting to be called first. We need to ask how our friends are doing and really listen to their answers … we love our friends by pursuing them.” ~Stasi Eldredge (Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman’s Soul)

Ugh.

2008-02-04T16:02:00.000-05:00

Jeremy and Leighton came home from a ride in the woods with this jem. It gives me the willies, for sure. Maybe Ley will be an orthopedic surgeon or chiropractor...this kid is all about some bones...I'm okay with that in theory, but when he comes home with a feline skull--it's a bit much for me. This animal could have been someone's dear pet and now it's skull is in my backyard! We have got to get our oldest to D.C. to see the dinosaur bones...hope he doesn't ask to bring those home, too...

Ceme de la Creme: Maddie Moments

2008-01-28T11:05:00.000-05:00

Here is Miss Madden--live and unplugged! When I look at these videos I am reminded of what a sweetie she is, but the days that she colors on the carpet with a sharpie (yeah, that ain't coming out!) or strips all the screws out of the drawer under her crib by standing in it, are quite trying for me...she is quite a handful at 19 months...I need to clone myself just to keep up with her!

Miller Diller...

2008-01-27T17:57:00.000-05:00

That is Jeremy's newest nickname for baby brother. Just needed to let everyone know Miller is doing better. We had kind of a 'setback' and had to go back to the doctor before his 4 month checkup due to stagnant weight. I knew he wasn't gaining and became worried. That's when Dr. H kicked things up a notch for Miller. We have been testing urine (I am a seasoned pro at catching pee in a bag!) and blood, looking at kidneys and abdomen via ultrasound, visiting the pediatric gastroenterologist. Lots of 'fun' stuff to begin ruling out all possibilities...also visited a new lactation consultant who I love, love, LOVE and who is the utmost of encouraging with my need and desire to continue breastfeeding as it is truly what is best for him (even though he does consume a nice concoction of breastmilk and formula!!). Dr. H put him on Zantac but the GI doc changed it to Prevacid--he definitely seems to have some reflux-ey symptoms, but it is the silent type (he's not excessively spitty) and from what I hear, reflux is quite overdiagnosed--but we will see how it goes. He is already gaining! He was only 10 lb, 11 oz at the office on the 16th of the month on the 23rd he was up to 11 lb, 4 oz (2 %ile)!

So, God is in control and working things out for his little body! So, we are still supplementing with the SNS, but we switched to a new device that I call the 'mack daddy' nurser--it holds more and it has bigger tubing so he gets more milk a little more quickly. I am also supplementing at all feedings instead of just the afternoon/evening ones. Miller is changing so much! We love all his jibberish and he is all about reaching for whatever you have close to him! His smile just melts my heart...

Everyone else is doing well except for Miss Maddie who may have a case of pink eye. Ugh. She woke up with the reddish eye on Saturday morn. I kept her home from church today and now the other eye is pinkish too. It does not seem to slow her down or even bother her really. No rubbing or itching her eyes anyway...please pray that if it is conjunctivitis, that we can keep it at bay--that stuff spreads like the plague!

Here are a few pics of our serious little fella--

Bits and Pieces...

2008-01-11T15:27:00.001-05:00

It's all I have time for these days! I finally was able to post Christmas pics. We had a great time with my Mom and Dad and really missed Jeff and Shannon. But, they are the proud new foster parents of a sweet, 2 month old, baby girl--so that is the best present they could have received. I wish I could post a picture of her, but believe me, she is just precious! Also, I want to congratulate my sweet sister, Jansen, and her hubby Chris on their baby news! I will be an aunt again come September!

Hope everyone had a wonderful New Year--we celebrated very low key: movies, popcorn, and watching our neighbor's fireworks! That's all I had the energy for anyway!

Leighton returned to school this week. It is hard to believe his school is already sending out info for PreK 'graduation'! Yikes! Ley turned five right before Christmas and we have really enjoyed his musings on life lately; I am so thankful for his big imagination and creative side. He absolutely loves to dress up and pretend he is someone else! He gets out in our backyard and it seems to become a different world for him: a pirate ship, an ARMY camp, a land of prehistoric dinosaurs! Also, he helps me so much when it comes to M&M: retrieving pacifiers, getting gas drops, throwing away stinky diapers, letting me know when Mad is about to destroy something :). The Lord has given him such a sweet spirit! He is so loving with Miller and is all about giving him kisses these days; he is so ready to have a playmate in his little brother, but until that day comes, his little sister will have to do!

Maddie is energetic as ever. I will post a video clip when I can, of her 'dancing'. She truly rarely walks--she is all about jumping, and if she isn't doing the hop she is running or spinning...and belly laughing all the while. She is currently trying to get a few more teeth--SIX to be exact! She loves her dolls and I think she is realizing that MillerMac could be her own personal doll baby!! She is all about putting (aka jamming) the pacifier in his mouth although in the car she likes to jerk the pacifier off the clip and have it for herself! Her best trick these days is stripping down to absolutely nothing in the AM and at naptime...she can remove any type of pajamas you put on her--two piece, snaps, or zippers (i recently put a non-footed sleeper on her BACKWARDS and she couldn't get it off--I think she may find a way though!). I have also started putting masking tape on her diapers when she is in the bed because...well, I am sure all you can figure out what happened with that...I will do anything and everything to avoid cleaning up that kind of mess again!

And of course, sweet Miller! He seems to be doing well. As of last week, he was continuing to gain weight. His last weight check was 10 lb, 11 oz. He is slowly but consistently gaining. We are still using the supplemental nursing system and will continue to do so until we see the pediatrician on January 23, then we will reevaluate. He is smiling all the time and laughing some too. He is quite ticklish and you can sometimes get a giggle from him by poking his ribs. Last night he laughed at his Daddy's funny faces, which was a first. He is rolling over from his tummy to his back. He is still waking some in the night (both Maddie and Ley were sleeping through the night consistently quite a few weeks before this age)--sometimes to eat but usually he needs the paci and a little comfort :) I am hoping to transistion him to his romm with Ley in the coming weeks...should be interesting!

Well, I am sure if I had more time to think I would have more news to post but time is little these days!

Christmas Unwrapped 2007

2008-01-10T15:40:00.000-05:00

Update: MillerMac

2007-11-30T10:39:00.000-05:00

Miller went for his two month checkup last Tuesday and we found out he was very underweight. It has been a difficult week and a half. We had to go to the hospital and have labs drawn to make sure his electrolytes weren't off kilter (Praise God, they were not, or he would have been admitted!!) and then we went home and proceeded to pump him full of breast milk and a little formula too. The doc wanted him to get 4-6 oz every three hours and see if he gained any in by Thursday. We went back last Thursday and he had gained a few ounces. I have been nursing him as much as humanly possible, pumping as often as possible when I am not nursing or running after Madden, seeing the lactation consultant, using an SNS (supplemental nursing system) device to get more milk in him when he does nurse, taking fenugreek and other herbs to help increase my milk production....it has been even busier around here than normal and I think I have been more tired than I was after he was first born!

He had his labs drawn again on Monday to check his liver enzymes (they were extremely elevated the first time but may just be due to him being a little dehydrated) and then to see the Doc again yesterday for a weight check and to get 2 month shots. Praise our Father in heaven above, he had gained 9 ounces since the first visit to the doctor 9 days before! God is so good and we are so relieved that he is gaining. I will be checking his weight at the doctor's office every couple of weeks to make sure the trend continues.

Thank you for all your prayers and I apologize to all my friends and loved ones who have no idea what has been going on--I just had no time to post about it the past several days. But, please continue to pray for Miller to be a strong eater and continue on his way to being a robust little fella; I really think that he might be a bit of a lazy eater which is quite foreign to me! Both Ley and Mad loved to nurse and were quite good at it. I am just now coming to terms with the fact that he is different than they are in this aspect and needs a little help and extra attention. It's been difficult for me though because nursing has always been SUPER easy for me--I am very thankful for all the support I have from friends close by and far away (Helena, Ash, Terri, and my Mere--you ROCK and I love you!)...I definitely have a much better view of why many new mommies don't stick with breastfeeding. If you don't have a core group of people to encourage you and tell you "You can do this!", it would be so easy to just quit...I am so blessed to be surrounded by uplifting and prayerful people!

I am going to stop now so I can post some pics...

So you think you can dance...

2007-11-26T10:45:00.000-05:00

Maddie thinks so. Mad loves lots of things: eating, running, jumping, talking (what she says most of the time, we are not sure), EATING (and drinking milk), laughing, undressing (the best she can--usually halfway), playing outside, EATING :). But, one thing she really enjoys is dancing! She immediately begins to sway as soon as she hears the first notes of a song. She loves it! And she doesn't even need real music--you can just sing to her and she will begin to move, twirl and jump about! We love to watch her...it cracks us up--maybe this will make you laugh, too!

Miller's Eyes!

2007-11-10T10:42:00.000-05:00

My mom said in all Miller's photos, his eyes were closed. So, this is the best I can do right now, but at least you can see his big blue eyes. He is changing so much!

Also, since Madden didn't get to trick-or-treat this year, we dressed her up in Ley's bee costume from a few years ago (he actually wore it two years in a row!). It was a little big and she didn't really like the antennae hat so much...but we snapped a few shots anyway!

Let's Ride!

2007-11-08T12:52:00.000-05:00

Ley received a hand-me-down bike from his pal, Alex. It is his first two-wheeler and Jeremy finally got training wheels on it. He is enjoying learning to ride and having a little trouble remembering how to BRAKE which makes any mommy a little fearful!

Photos, photos, and more photos!

2007-11-07T11:11:00.000-05:00

Sweet Miller bundled for his morning ride to Ley's school

Who knew a box could be such fun!

I.Love.Love.Love. These.Kids!

Maddie half-dressed after her nap!

MillerMac loves his paci!

We have had lots going on the past few weeks. Hard to believe it is already November! Jeremy's mom and sister came for a visit. Jansen had never been to see us so they took in all the sights of Savannah and of course, met Mr. Miller too. We had a great time playing, talking, and we sure enjoyed having them here. I reluctantly took the two littlest ones to Leighton's field trip to the Pumpkin Patch...it worked out just fine although I must say I was nervous! Miller mostly slept the whole time and Maddie cried to get out of the stroller!

Trick or Treat (don't forget to say Thank You!!)

2007-11-01T09:01:00.000-05:00

I so wish I had time to actually write something worthwhile on this blog...but you know, I just don't. So, photos will just have to do until life resumes some sort of semblance of normalcy...yeah, I know, when will that ever be?! Here is Ley in all his superhero glory...I am SO glad Halloween is over and we are moving onto Thanksgiving and Christmas! By the way, there are no pics of Maddie because the littlest ones stayed home with me and gave out candy (this was the plan all along and it was for the best because Maddie is coming down with a chest cold, bless her heart)... pics of Maddiebug and MillerMac soon...

One month ago today...

2007-10-19T16:02:00.001-05:00

Can't believe Miller is already one month old!! Seems like just yesterday he was growing in my belly or I was holding him in the hospital...how time flies by, especially when you have a newborn and two other little ones!

Miller is sleeping much better which I am so thankful for, and we have a pretty good little schedule going. Mornings are hard because he gets up around 3:30 or 4 AM to eat; I am usually able to go back to sleep by 5 AM and get a couple hours to snooze before I am up again at 7:30 AM to get Ley fed and ready for school. I get Maddie out of the bed at the last minute; give her a sippy cup of milk; pile everyone in the Tahoe and we are off...I am very thankful that Ley's school has car drop-off and pick-up or it would be a bit difficult for us! Just yesterday one of the teacher's looked at the three carseats lined up across my second-row seat and asked, "Do you have enough room in there for all those kids!?"

Here is one more pics of the other two Davis offspring in the tub as well as the biggest Davis kid :)

A few recent pics...

2007-10-11T09:57:00.000-05:00

Click to play | Make your own Smilebox

Miller Birth Photos

2007-10-01T11:24:00.000-05:00

Finally, a little montage of Miller's birth last week and coming home...more to come when time permits. We are all doing well and my sweet Mom is still here and taking care of us for this next week. She is the most amazing help--I know this for a fact because this is her THIRD time to come and take care of me after childbirth. Just so you know how good she is, she took Miller last night and let me sleep like a rock and brought him to me when he needed to nurse! I feel so refreshed this morning... how blessed I am...I love you, Mama!

Enjoy the photos...

Miller Has Arrived...

2007-09-26T12:57:00.000-05:00

...a week ago! Sorry guys, but things are a bit hectic in the Davis household, and I have just not had time to update. We are so glad he is here and arrived strong and healthy!

Miller McMurry Davis entered the world on Friday, September 21st at 12:33 pm weighing in at 9 pounds, 4 ounces and 22 inches long (yes, he is quite robust!). He is doing well and came home from the hospital after 24 hours (our shortest hospital stay yet!). Miller has not proven to be the great sleeper his sister was, but I am surviving and praying for improvement in this area :) Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers during this pregnancy, for a safe & natural delivery and a healthy, precious baby Miller! We are abundantly blessed...

Labor Day Weekend

2007-09-04T09:21:00.000-05:00

Well, we had a very lazy weekend at home this Labor Day. We planned to do SOMETHING fun on Monday, but you know how it is with kids. You just never know what is going to happen. Ley got sick on Sunday evening and 'spit up' (this is what he calls it and I actually prefer the term to vomit, throw-up or puke) after we ate lunch at the local Mexican restaurant...I think he had something that didn't sit well on his tummy. No one else came down with whatever he had, thank goodness. He is still congested, coughing and on antibiotics for a few more days. I thought that this medicine would have kicked his cruddy cough, but not yet. Now Maddie is coughing too and I am congested as well. Not a good situation with an impending birth around the corner. Please pray for us to get well--and stay well! I finally put a few photos together from the last few days...

Tummy Photos and Update

2007-08-29T14:13:00.000-05:00

I am now 35 weeks++ and have been feeling the pain of pregnancy as well as the slack of being a third-time Mom. How quickly you forget the discomforts though (especially for someone like me who has been pregnant for like the past two years!!). One ankle has started to swell a little and man, it aches! Getting out of the bed or even moving around in bed, is quite the feat (and I am sure quite funny if there were any onlookers to see it). I am sure when I tell people that I possibly have 5 weeks left (give or take a couple), they wonder how my stomach could get any bigger! I feel nauseous again at random times...My maternity clothes are starting to feel quite snug. I think of all the things that need to be done around the house and then I get winded just doing a load of laundry. There is no hospital bag packed for the event of labor. I have not pre-registered at the hospital (which I had done weeks ago by this time with Madden!). I have no baby book for this little one. I have just recently pulled out Ley's baby clothes and they are lying in a mound in my bedroom yet to be aired out (to remove moth ball scent), washed, and put away. There is no crib set up for sweet Miller. I could go on, but I won't because I am whining and I am on my almost 5 year old constantly not to do it. So, I will try to set an example and not whine either!

Anyway, I am TRYING to enjoy this last tri of my LAST pregnancy. No, really, this is it for the Davis clan; unless it is in God's plan for us to adopt someday down the road. No matter how many times you are with child, the amazing-ness of it all never gets old! I love the wonders of pregnancy! As many ultrsounds as I have had this pregnancy, I have found that statement holds true! It is like, WOW, God you are so awesome to allow this little life to grow inside of me. I see his tiny profile and arms, legs, and hands every week and just get excited to meet him. I don't think I could love motherhood more than I do--with all its conflicts and difficult times(in the here and now as well as those to come), it is so worth it. Thank you, Father, for this calling in my life.

Okay, that's not the half of what's going on in the Davis home these days. Ley is enjoying school and also enjoying the new haircut his father bestowed upon him (a sort-of fauxhawk look...cute, yet interesting). He is trying to get over a repiratory infection or something that has been growing almost since school started (imagine that)--so, lots of phlegm, mucus, coughing, and misunderstood words. Leighton is so full of questions all the time that sometimes I think my brain may seriously explode. He asks questions for things he even already knows the answer to which really drives me nutty! He is excited to meet his baby brother...

Madden is our little runner these days. She pretty much speed walks everywhere. She is into everything and learning to hold her own against her brother. Okay, maybe she can't hold her own, but she screams to let you know that Leighton is pulling, dragging, poking, or prodding her in some fashion. She screams alot these days; she is developing quite the temper. She is also so full of laughs though and has some of the quirkiest little faces and body movements that crack Jeremy and me up regularly. SHe loves to give kisses to us as well as her baby dolls, toys, and sometimes photos and magazines too. She is quite affectionate (on her own terms of course!). She still only has two teeth, but I think she may be working on some more. She pretty much only says baby, ut-oh, hey, dada, and mama, but she knows what lots of things are (i.e. body parts, names of toys, animals, etc.). We are working on being 'gentle' these days. She like to pinch you to get your attention but as soon as you give her a hurt look and say, 'Be gentle!', she rubs you semi-softly. Hope she doesn't rough up her little brother too badly...she is in for a rud awakening when he gets here I think!

Last but not least, Miller is growing like a champ. I have been having ultrasounds very often due to a bout of parvo virus (Fifth's disease) early in my pregnancy and he looks great in there. Yesterday at the perinatologist, the technician said, "Look at those fat rolls!" So, he will most probably not be a little fella--he is very active, even at this stage in pregnancy. Also, Miller is head down so that is a blessing, especially since Madden was breech up until just 2 days before she was born! I am very ready to meet him whenever he is ready!

Jeremy is working hard these days at his radio job. We are looking forward to a long Labor day weekend though...we hope to have some fun, as well as get some things done around the house. Hope you all have a relaxing and fun Labor Day! Hope to have some pics of the kids to post soon...

2007-08-10T14:48:00.001-05:00

So, we have had no computer at home for the past three weeks until yesterday. So, for once, I was not on an unannounced blogging hiatus but just without access to all things internet. Truthfully, I didn't miss it as much as I thought I would except for a few things (like all my beautiful blogging buddies and their sweet families!): not being able to look at used vehicles online when we are down to the wire for buying something for our soon-to-expand family (!!!!), ordering Miller's mini-crib online (yes, we will be the proud owners of not one crib, but TWO--but I refuse to kick sweet Maddie out of her crib in a few months!), and of course looking for deals on ebay :)

Things are really busy here and it is just TOO hot outside to get things done. Leighton finished two weeks of swim lessons last week and left on Monday with my parents to spend a week in Richmond before pre-k starts. I miss him terribly but I know he is having a good time and I have really enjoyed my time with Maddie, just the two of us (well, most of it; I didn't realize just how much Ley entertained his sister--she has been a little bored today!). We also took a weekend 'vacation' to the Georgia Aquarium and Stone Mountain in Atlanta at the end of July. Jeremy's family also came to visit us for 3 or four days the last weekend in July and we had a great time visiting with them (Ley really misses his cousins!!) Okay, that's all I have time for right now. I may be posting sporadically still because the laptop is still giving us problems and the PC is no longer internet compatible (that's the only way I know to say it:). Here's just a few pics until I can get it together and post some slide shows...

Taking a break from the fish at the aquarium...

Ley and his cousins, Justin and Garrett at Tybee Beach

Leighton is the king of Stone Mt!!

Surprise...Maddie loves the aquarium too!

Randomness....

2007-07-15T13:54:00.000-05:00

Here are some recent photos of Ley with his new summer haircut (thanks to his brave Daddy--I was so scared he was going to give L a hack-job, but J did GREAT; I apologize for my lack of trust, J!!). He is such a mess these days--full of energy and life (as well as sassiness and disobedience). I look at these pictures, and I cannot believe he is getting so big! Pretty soon, there will not be even an ounce of preschooler in him! He is excited for school and AWANAs to begin again soon and of course, ready to meet his little brother...

And here are the pictures of Madden's birthday (finally--sorry, I am slacking) we had after Bible study one night. She really seemed to enjoy the cake, ice cream and cold milk! She was not too interested in opening presents, but loved the balloons on her highchair. Though our extended families are far from us, we had a lot of fun celebrating her special day with our church family! There are also several random photos after all the birthday shots at the end of the slideshow...

A Little Look Back- - Madden turned ONE yesterday!!

2007-06-23T00:45:00.000-05:00

Well, I can't believe it but a year ago on June 22, 2006, Madden Rebecca entered the world! What a sweet day it was...as I rocked her this birthday night, I said a prayer for her future years...what I most want for her is to come to know the Lord Jesus at an early age and fall deeply in love with Him. How He has blessed me to allow me to be her mommy for this time here on earth.
Lord, help me to pass on my faith to my little ones...

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. ~III John 1:4

Here are a few recent clips of Maddie (these are for you, Mom!):

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Hey Baby, What's Yo Sign (The Follow-Up)!

2007-06-15T08:58:00.001-05:00

Many moons ago, I posted that I was working on baby sign language with Madden. Well, I must say it definitely fell by the wayside when I was feeling so bad these past several months. But, she can do three signs: 'more', 'milk', and 'eat'. She doesn't always do them at the appropriate time, but often she does and I am so proud! Her favorite is 'milk'. 'Eat' and 'more' are not as easy for her but she is learning--I caught a little video clip of her the other day asking for 'more', and it is precious...

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

And here is one more of her doing a little bit of dancing/bouncing and walking--it is so difficult to get videos of her these days. I try to catch her walking and she decides to crawl...it's like she knows or something...

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Recent Pics

2007-06-10T16:32:00.000-05:00

Maddie Rae is a Walker!

2007-06-09T12:03:00.000-05:00

Okay, she is a wobbly walker right now, but the fun of moving around on her own two little feet has officially started! Which, by the way, is a nice break for my two feet which will soon be swollen on a regular basis...She took a couple of steps on Memorial Day (but she didn't realize it). Then, about a week later on Sunday, June 3, I was at a baby shower for a friend and I came home to a little girl taking steps! It is so funny how quickly they become 'brave'! She has been standing on her own and cruising the coffee table and furniture like a mad woman for quite awhile now but has been pretty much the avid crawler until just of late. I have attached a video, but even in the last few days since it was taken, she has started walking more and more and staying on her feet (and off her bottom!) for longer stints. Her daddy is so proud, and I am amazed that my baby is walking and her 1st birthday is around the corner...how the time flies by too quickly.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

More pics from our recent days and outings to come when I can sit down and make a slideshow. Well, we are off to the beach for the afternoon...hopefully Miss Madden will not ingest too much sand this time...

Star Sighting!

2007-05-31T15:34:00.000-05:00

Obviously, not too much of anything happens to me except keeping behinds clean and watching Caillou and Clifford on Georgia Public Broadcasting, but my lucky and hard-working hubby was pounding the pavement today. He was diligently making the rounds on the streets of downtown Savannah for collections (end of the month fun stuff) and keeping appointments with clients. He made a quick stop at the bank and saw a woman who favored Jennifer Garner. When he exited the bank, she was still there and it really was her! He asked her for a photo and she agreed. He said he later realized the 'dude' she was with was Ben Affleck! Jeremy said Ben was quite scruffy and he didn't make the connection right away (but J also didn't know they were married and had cute little Violet either!!) that it was another Hollywood actor in his midst. Turns out they own a house here; wonder if it's the same one he bought after filming 'Forces of Nature' here with Sandra Bullock (which Sandra has a house out on Tybee Beach here as well!)...Here is the pic I received on my cell phone this afternoon:

Just thought I would share a little 'excitement' with you all. While I was in the baby pool with my little ones, trying to keep Ley from knocking an unsteady Maddie facefirst into the few inches of water, Jeremy was mingling with the stars...wonder why he didn't ask for her autograph?!? Okay, I promise more to come about the stars in our family and how we spent Memorial Day weekend as soon as I can.

Nobody tagged me, but does it really matter...I think not!

2007-05-18T09:46:00.000-05:00

Sometimes you really just need something to post...and yes, I admit to being a lurker of many blogs and really enjoyed reading everyone's quirks and facts...

No obligation, but you’ve been “tagged.” Read the info below and join in on the fun on your blog if you want:
1. Each tagged “player” starts with 8 random facts/habits about him- or herself.
2. A tagged person must write a blog entry about his or her 8 things and post these rules.
3. At the end of the blog, the tagged person must include 8 people to get tagged, and list their names.
4. Leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

Here are my random facts:
1. I am trained as a Registered Dietitian but have never practiced a day in my life…so, if you ask me for advice in this area...the answers you receive could be a little off!

2. I am allergic to penicillin.

3. Some people (mainly Jeremy and my Mom) think I am a mysophobic (yeah, yeah…look it up!) and that I am causing my 4 ½ year old to also be this way…I just think I am extremely sanitary…

4. I can roll my tongue (but, my brother, Jeff, can't...always loved that I could and he couldn't!).

5. My best friend in high school and I double-pierced one of eachother’s ears…looking back, I am unsure why we didn’t just go to Claire’s or Wal-Mart and have it done (maybe we were too young—I think you had to have parental consent for that kind of stuff)…I still have that hole in my left ear...thanks LC!

6. I once had purple (-ish) hair…

7. I am SO afraid of public speaking and actually procrastinated and didn’t take speech until my last year at Tech, BUT in junior high I entered and won a speech contest (I also joined the Debate team my Sr. year of HS…go figure).

8. I am growing a small, male child in my tummy… :) or maybe not so small; I tend to grow them quite large, actually!

I want to see 8 unexpected and usually amusing facts from Jess, Sandi, LC (do some blogging and post some pics of those sweet girls!) , Lauren (where are you, my friend?! I miss you and your written thoughts...), Bekah, Elizabeth, Jessie, Ash, and Jeff.

---------------------------------------

We found out the sex of the baby last Friday and have been trying to think of a fun way to post the news! Since we have both sexes already, finding out for a third child was a little uneventful. But, none of my children have been shy nor modest when it comes to US and a sweet baby boy is hard to miss for sure! My intuition served me right this time around, as I actually thought it was going to be a boy (although in the past I have not been so intuitive--I called Ley a 'she' in utero for the first 5 months!!) Everything looked healthy by US and both my Mom and Dad as well as Jeremy, (and Maddie was there too, but not too interested!) were able to share in the experience. This may be my third kiddo, but this is the first time my parents have been in the States when I was at this point in a pregnancy...neither of them had seen an US performed...and the tech was super sweet and showed them all kinds of neat stuff!

I am still feeling sick a good bit, but there has been a definite improvement from how I was feeling in the beginning. My next appointment will include the dreaded glucose tolerance test to check for gestational diabetes...but having the sweet tooth I do, it is really not so bad :). It does make you feel bad the rest of the day though, which is not so fun. I will also have another US to check a low placenta. I had the same with Maddie and it moved up just fine, so I am praying for the same outcome.

New Month....New Post

2007-05-07T09:15:00.000-05:00

It's hard to believe it is May already! This is Ley's last week of school and I am a little sad. I have really grown to enjoy my time in the morning until lunch with just Maddie and me. He seems to be excited about "summer break". It is already getting quite warm here...I am dreading the sweltering days of summer. It is still nice in the evenings here though. And it FINALLY rained here Saturday and yesterday, so it was very nice out yesterday and we all played outside in the backyard. We put Maddie's baby/toddler swing up that had been in the attic (we had almost forgotten about it!) so she could try it out. Ley loved the idea of his "baby sister" swinging beside him. She was not so keen on the whole idea though. She did smile a few times, but I think it will take a bit for her to get comfortable in it.

We will definitely have a little walker in the not so distant future. Maddie is becoming more and more brave when it comes to standing on her own two feet...she is such a quick little crawler and is into everything. She is also developing quite a little temper...when she wants to be held, she let's you know about it quickly! She is starting to look more and more chunky; I need to take her for a weight check--I hope she has moved up from the second percentile!!

Here is a little montage of recent Maddie pics as well as a video of her walking. Please ignore both of us being "underdressed"--I in my pajama pants, as most of my clothes are not too comfortable these days (time to go all out maternity, I suppose...) and Maddie in her slip :)

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

My Pregnancy This Week: 16 weeks

2007-04-18T14:40:00.000-05:00

How your baby's growing: At 4 1/2 inches long (head to bottom) and 3 1/2 ounces, your baby is about the size of an avocado. In the next three weeks, she'll go through a tremendous growth spurt, though, doubling her weight and adding inches to her length. Her lower limbs are much more developed now. Her head is more erect than it has been, and her eyes have moved toward the front of her head. Your baby's ears are close to their final position, too. Some of her more advanced body systems are working, including her circulatory system and urinary tract. Her heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, circulating her total blood volume through her body many times. (By the end of your pregnancy, this will increase to about 190 quarts.) The patterning of her scalp has begun, though her hair isn't recognizable yet. Although closed, her eyes are moving (slowly), and she's even started growing toenails. (http://www.babycenter.com)

I was 16 weeks on Sunday and I even let J take a picture of my expanding tummy. I have had lots of "I can't believe your showing!" comments this last week. Although, I am not sure why, afterall, this is my third child, you guys! At first, I kept trying to tell people that bump they were seeing wasn't really the baby--just what I have to show from my last pregnancy that I never got rid of (I mean I was only 6 months post-partum, friends!) or perhaps a big meal I had eaten a few hours earlier. I quickly realized, no one was listening to my "that's just lack of muscle and extra skin" remarks and am now embracing the fact that I am indeed showing something. I also left out the paragraph from BabyCenter that talked about how everybody must be asking about how wonderful I look and how the "glow of pregnancy" is real...am I hearing those comments?...yeah, not so much. And how I must be "enjoying myself more, too, now that my hormones have stabilized and nausea has eased up". Oh, the lucky ones...

I have had a few glimpses of life without nausea. A have had a few days where I would have moments or maybe even an hour of feeling pretty normal (hooray!), but then it is always followed by after lunch, afternoon, evening and night which are pretty much a downward spiral into yuckiness.

Except for feeling sicky, we had a great time visiting my parents in Richmond. Ley was able to see his first snow (something that he very well could have gone many more years without seeing here on the coast!) as it did appear the morning before Easter. When my Mom told him to look out the window (after it had snowed), she asked him what was different and his response was, "Where are the leaves?". It didn't last long, of course, but Leighton enjoyed playing in it with his Grandad. Easter was wonderful, although we missed having Daddy there. Leighton had what seemed to be a fever virus for about 3 of the days we were there, but it didn't slow him down too much! We also took a trip to the CMOR or Children's Museum of Richmond, the day before we left town. It was a big hit! Fun water tables, art rooms, apple picking, and crawling in a mouth (yes, a mouth--and this was Ley's favorite--it burped when you entered...lovely) Of course, both my parents and I forgot to bring our cameras, so all I have are not-so-high-quality camera phone pics. In fact, I think I took a total of 5 photographs on my camera the whole time we were visiting. The grandparents were taking so many that I just didn't put out the extra energy :)! SO, I have nothing to show for our trip yet, but hopefully will sometime soon. Thanks for having us up, ANne and Grandad and taking such good care of us, again. We wish you weren't so far away...

I do have pics of Ley's Easter party at school and a couple of other random shots.

I Made It...

2007-04-02T12:02:00.000-05:00

Through the first trimester! But, no relief yet from the miserable nauseous feeling. I am so ready to feel good again. I can't wait for someone to ask me how I am doing and get to answer, "Better!". I can't wait for food to really taste good again and to actually be able to enjoy a beverage other than water. Food has become my enemy these days. I despise the pantry and refrigerator, and more than anything, the grocery store....trying to decide what to buy to eat when absolutely nothing sounds appetizing...ugh. My doc gave me scripts for the anti-nausea meds and I am actually thinking of trying the phenergan (I tried Zofran while pregnant with Maddie, but no help there). I return to the OB in three weeks (they wanted to see me a little earlier than a month due to a few dropped lbs, to make sure I am not continuing to lose; exact same scenario as my pregnancy with Madden), and hopefully we will schedule the big gender US for sometime in May. Can't wait to find out...Ley says he wants another baby sister, but I think he would be thrilled with a baby brother!

On a less sickly note, Leighton has his first school Easter party on Wednesday mornin g. I will try and snap some pics, but it may prove difficult since I will have Maddie with me. Maddie has her 9 month well check tomorrow morning. I hope everything goes smoothly. No shots this visit! Gotta love that...Madden has almost weaned completely and the process has proven to be less traumatic (for me) than I thought. She loves to take a bottle (completely opposite of her brother who never took a bottle and went straight to a sippy cup!) and absolutely loves to eat, period! My body is just no longer making enough milk to nourish her little body. But, I wanted to nurse her until 10 months (40 weeks), and I was able to meet my goal. I am finally getting the hang of formula now too. At first, I felt like a fish out of water...I hadn't prepared a bottle since my babysitting days! Now, we have the hang of it and as you can see in the photos below, Maddie likes to hold her own bottle and does a pretty ferocious job of 'gumming' her food (yep, not a single tooth yet!)!

Create a Free Slideshow

Madden also LOVES to laugh...but, don't joke with her about her food!

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Home again, Home again...

2007-03-26T09:01:00.000-05:00

We are having some PC difficulties (once again) and that is why I haven't posted sooner. J left me the laptop this morning so I could write a little something. I hope you were all relatively surprised by my last slideshow....at least as surprised as we were!! We are becoming more excited as the days pass although it took quite a few weeks for the shock to wear off for yours truly. Jeremy has been very happy from the get-go (which was a good thing; we were able to balance eachother out!). Part of the problem for me and my lack of celebration is the all day 'morning' sickness that I have been experiencing since about 4 or 5 days after seeing the two pink lines....ugh. I am not tossing my cookies but feel extremely nauseous most of the day.

I have been sporting the lovely Sea Bands to help counteract the nastiness I feel all the time, but I don't think they work. Morning is actually my best time...afternoon and evening are the worst. I can't wait to drag my sick behind to bed each night. No more late nights for me until this passes! It has been hard for J though because our time together in the evening when he returns home from work is the worst for me. I pray for this pregnancy to be like my pregnancy with Ley--I felt better by about 15 weeks or so...with Maddie the sickness dragged on and on until 23 or 24 weeks. I am 13 weeks now so hopefully in the next couple of weeks it will be better.

We are so glad we were able to make the trip to LA. It was a difficult trip for all of us. Me--well, because I was sick. Ley--he's 4 years old and should not be confined to a booster seat for that length of time! And Jeremy--he had to drive the ENTIRE way because we were pulling the trailer with all his music gear (normally, I wouldn't mind driving some while pulling it, but since I was so sick...it just wasn't an option). But, sweet Madden was an angel. She has turned into quite the traveler; she did awesome on the way there and on the way home(in which she was in the vehicle for 12 hours in one day..pretty amazing!) We didn't get to see all the family and friends that we wanted to--mostly due to me feeling so bad and the fact that we only had the one vehicle. Hopefully, we will be back in that neck of the woods in the summer sometime. I am debating taking the kids back without Jeremy--depends on when this nausea subsides; definitely can't do it on my own in my current condition.

But, our next big trip will be to see my parents in Richmond. We are hoping to see them before they make their fun trip to Hawaii the end of April. Another reason I need to lose this yuck feeling...or they may just have to come see us :). I think Leighton would much rather go to see them though, so Granddad can take take him to the park down the street where they feed the ducks and have such a cool playground.

Well, this is all I have time for this AM, I have to pickup Ley from school in about 45 minutes and I need to see if I can post a few pics (the PC being down is making posting photos difficult as well). I really didn't take very many photos while we were there; can I really blame anything else on being sick?? Yes, if you felt as bad as I do (or have in a past pregnancy), you would use the excuse too!

I will leave you with a video of little Leighton; he's not doing anything too terribly funny (like running around in circles or getting his groove on, my top two fave videos), but it is the only video I have of either of my darlings that is recent.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Surprise... I'm back, then gone again...

2007-03-09T09:41:00.000-05:00

Okay, well, it's been awhile....I know this. I am not your normal blogger though. I reserve the right to drop from the blogosphere whenever needed. And, well, it couldn't be helped. Life is a little nuts right now at the Davis house, but I wanted to at least write something before we leave to 'vacation' in North LA for a week. I definitely won't be posting pics or any wonderful words of wisdom while I am there. Our time there will be busy to say the least, but hopefully enjoyable. I tend to not write much when I don't have photos to post with it and well, I haven't taken many pics of the kids lately (yes, I have been slacking in many ways; you would know this if you saw my house and my half-packed bags!). I do have this lovely little montage of older photos along with a few new ones...hope you enjoy and will hopefully have lots of fun and interesting news when we return from the distant land of the Twin Cities...

Make your own | Click to play

No PB & J at Our House....

2007-02-20T14:31:00.000-05:00

Yes, it seems I infected my child with salmonella last week. It is the only reason I can think of for the 'tummy troubles' Leighton was suffering from that I spoke of in the last post. He missed two days of school due to inexplicable diarrhea that lasted for a good 5-6 days. He had no other symptoms (i.e. fever or cramping), thankfully. But, it was about to drive me nuts trying to figure out where the problem stemmed. He wasn't drinking too much juice, or eating too much fruit, etc. When I finally realized we had a jar from the batch of comtaminated Great Value peanut butter. Both Peter Pan and Great Value Brands of peanut butter are part of a recall due to risk of contamination with Salmonella Tennessee. The affected jars of peanut butter have a product code located on the lid of the jar that begins with the number "2111." I felt awful because my poor child had PB&J sandwiches on two different occasions last week (due to my laziness on those particular days). I think I even had a touch of it as well, since I also tend to snack on PB and graham crackers, as well as sharing a fancy PB&J lunch with Ley. I think this recall only affects us because these jars of peanut butter were made at a plant here in GA...but, if your close by, it wouldn't hurt to check the top of YOUR jar...that is unless you are a choosy mom who chooses Jif--then you're in the clear...

Pajamas and Cookies for My Sweet Valentine...

2007-02-16T14:14:00.000-05:00

Here are some pics of Ley opening his Valentine card and gift from my parents...they are not so good since in the majority of them he was stripping down in the middle of the kitchen floor, removing his current pajamas to be replaced by his new Valentine dinosaur pajamas (that he wore the rest of the day, actually). But, it seems these days that if you didn't see Ley only half-dressed, it just wouldn't be my sweet Leighton. His lovely and much-loved Anne also made him some delicious heart-shaped rice krispy treats that she personalized just for him and sent all the way from Richmond! He had a great V day although he had to miss school (and therefore, the big Valentine exchange/party at preschool) due to some tummy issues the past week (which are, thankfully, subsiding today!).

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

Happy Valentine's...Early

2007-02-13T16:28:00.000-05:00

I love this commercial--it brings tears to my eyes everytime I see it...I am such a cheeseball, I know...just thought I would share...

Where The Wild Things Are: Leighton's First Ballet

2007-02-10T14:57:00.000-05:00

We had a fun evening yesterday. Columbia City Ballet presented Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are, the acclaimed children's book which describes the imaginary adventures of a young boy named Max, who is angry after being sent to his room without supper and his encounters with mythical creatures. It was a 45 minute one-act ballet that was full of colorful costumes, giant puppets and animated scenery. Leighton ended up really enjoying the performance, although we were questioning ourselves when we arrived.

First of all, I see women all dressed in evening attire, some quite formal. I think to myself, "Self, not only are you wearing jeans and a fleece, but you are sporting the ultimate casual accessories: small children!" Once, we arrived in the theatre we were relieved to see an abundance of other children. Secondly, there were two original ballets to be performed before Max and the monsters were to take the stage. One was a comedy called "Men's Class" (that was a bit funny, but not so much to the kiddos) about a male ballet class, and the second was "A Tribute to Fred Astaire" which was in my opinion, just not so entertaining (sorry, if there any die-hard ballet fans in my audience). At this point, Leighton turned to his daddy and said, " I have had just about enough of the dancing!" Thankfully, after a short intermission, the wild and imaginative show began. I have a video clip (although it is not the best; I was holding a sleeping baby!) that really shows the giant puppets well...

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos
We really had a wonderful time and Maddie was so good through the entire evening, which was also a blessing (this was also, her first ballet, by the way!). She was awake until about the last 30 minutes, and she napped through the best part! Ley napped on the way home...

Photo Shoot Gone Awry...

2007-02-06T23:04:00.000-05:00

I do love to photograph my kiddos, I must admit. I definitely lack any kind of training, though hard I may try. Yesterday, I thought I would take a few pics of Maddie and Ley together, but it did not quite work out as planned. Even though Madden's nose was running and Leighton had leftover lunchtime crumbs on his face, I thought I could get a cute shot. No such luck, but I will go ahead and post the outcome...afterall, I need something to post...

I will leave ya'll with a cute pic of Leighton in his alligator visor he made at school last week that he has literally worn until it is falling apart! He asked me today why it isn't fitting anymore...I told him that paper and yarn aren't meant to be lived in!

Shake Your Moneymaker!

2007-01-30T17:20:00.000-05:00

Watch out, JT, Leighton is bringing 'funky' back...my son has mad skills, I tell you...We can't get Ley to tell us much about his daily routine at preschool, but we are wondering if he is nearly as entertaining for his teacher and classmates at the First Baptist Church, as he is at home! I wonder who he gets his dancing abilities from?

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

A Picture Speaks a Thousand Words...

2007-01-29T11:57:00.000-05:00

And, well, it needs to right now, because I have no time to post about the absolute screaming good time (yes, there was actual screaming involved...) we had at the show on Saturday night. Although I am pretty sure we were the oldest attendees in the audience (except for the parental chaperones of the oodles and oodles of 12 and 13 year old girls!), it didn't matter--we had a blast! Of course there is a story behind this photo, but I have no time to indulge you all...if you get a chance to see The Fray--you should...even Jeremy (who thinks their songs all sound alike) seemed to enjoy himself... a little (he took the above pic, too; what a great hubby!!)! Will try to post more later...took some video clips and such, but not sure they turned out as anything but buzzing....

Soon-to-be Chatterbox...

2007-01-26T13:52:00.000-05:00

Maddie uttered her first sounds yesterday (well, besides 'thpppt'!) and it was 'mamamama'! Ley did say 'dada' first so I was kindof expecting the same, but what a pleasant surprise! It is so fun right now and I will enjoy every moment of her saying it before she realizes that mama=me, and then it becomes less cute and precious all the time. Gone are the peaceful days of speechlessness...

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

How To Save a Life...

2007-01-26T10:08:00.000-05:00

Live music, here I come! The Fray is coming to Savannah this weekend...woo-hoo! I can't remember the last time I saw a great musical act of the rock/pop genre. I really think the last concert of any kind that I was in attendance, was the Mercy Me show (and it was amazing!!) in Monroe many moons ago. I haven't even seen my hubby's band play in *forever*. It's quite sad for a girl who so loves so many kinds of music....

I had no idea that the guys from The Fray used to be part of the Christian genre...guess I am behind. You can read more about it here:

http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/2006/thefray-0706.html

In honor of the occasion of me getting out of the house sans kiddos, I added a playlist (under my 'links' section) of some fun music...now, if it actually works, I am unsure, but I tried. Look at me, trying to get all technological and such on my blog...kind of scary. Maybe I should just stick to the making slide shows and posting video of my munchkins!

Hey Baby, What's Yo Sign?!

2007-01-24T10:45:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm a sagittarius, but who really cares? This past weekend I started to try some baby sign language with Maddie. I never really did it with Leighton (by the time I thought about trying it, I thought he was too old, although he *probably* was not), and my friend, Mere, did it with Ella and it was so great that she could communicate things she needed at such a young age. So, now this Mer is going to try it with her sweet girl. We will see how it goes for us. I don't have any of the books, so I am just getting my information from the internet. We are doing the sign for 'more'(that is the sign the cute, random baby above is doing), but I think I should have started with 'milk', so we are going to start trying out the 'milk' sign when it is time to nurse. Will keep ya'll posted on any developments...

Leighton made it through his checkup. I was SO glad to have his daddy there with me! Jeremy was so great with Ley and just stepped right up to the plate as far as voicing the concerns we had with Leighton's health and development. I think I will just send Jeremy to the pediatrician with the kids from now on!

Ley has been having some issues with frequent urination off an on since Christmas time and we were so relieved to find out there is no real problem (specifically diabetes). Dr. Hobby called it 'benign polyuria' which is just a fancy term for non-pathological needing to pee all the time! Ley will be having a speech evaluation in the next month or so--he is having difficulty with his 'tr', 'ch', and 'sh' type consonant-consonant sounds (the words 'trees' and 'cheese' sound exactly the same). We are not sure if he truly needs an eval, but I feel like it is the right thing to do right now. We don't want to wait too long if he does need some work, you know? The shots were traumatic (and this is an understatement) and there was an excessive amount of high-pitched screaming, kicking, and crying, but thanks to Jeremy's help and as well as 2 nurses, he was inoculated with 4 shots! He was over it very quickly, and we all enjoyed a post-wellcheck-party at the local Chick-fil-a playland. Next year, he will only have one shot to look forward to, thank goodness!

I will leave ya'll with a pic of us from Maddie's first checkup after birth so you can see Dr. Hobby! He is so great with my kiddos! Thank you Jesus for wonderful doctors to take care of us!

Immunizations this AM---should be interesting...

2007-01-23T08:18:00.000-05:00

Leighton has his 4 year old well-check this morning. He will also be getting his vaccinations. The big kiddo above makes this look pretty easy--wonder what his mom promised him?? After taking Ley for his flu shot this year (with Maddie in tow of course), I enlisted the help of Jeremy for this appointment. I could barely get him to sit still for one shot--it will most certainly be difficult to approach him with between 3-5 vax (although hopefully at least 2 of the immunizations may be together in one injection)! It has been such a long time since he had 'shots', you know? I hope I don't have to chase Leighton around the room like my mom had to do to my brother (sorry, Jeff; okay, maybe you didn't actually run, I can't remember I was just 2, but I remember you put up a pretty good fight!)! If only I could get those shots for him...

Madden is Mobile!

2007-01-22T23:44:00.000-05:00

Wow, now I actually have to vacuum on a regular basis...ugh. We first noticed her crawling at the beginning of the month...she crawled 2 steps. Her biggest deterrent has been crawling out of her clothes. I will find her laying on her tummy on the floor, sucking her thumb, with both legs in the torso portion of her footed outfits! She went from rocking to crawling so quickly, it seems to me. Of course, I am comparing her to the big brother who didn't *truly* crawl until he was 10 months old! He did the 'army crawl' starting at about 7 months and then finally when we were visiting my parents overseas, Ley decided to use his hands and knees instead of his tummy to get around. Maddie seems to be doing everything a little earlier than her brother did at this point (well, everything except eating solids and putting herself to sleep at night--Leighton beat her to the punch on those two!): rolling over, sitting alone, pulling self into sitting position, and crawling; she has even started pulling herself onto her knees to get into her toy basket and play on the learning table and such. I can't believe today is her 7 month birthday...it just blows my mind. It seems like yesterday, I was turning flips and doing handstands in the pool at my pastor's house to try and flip a breech baby, and now she is crawling around on my living room floor!

A Prayer for my Preschooler...

2007-01-19T09:51:00.000-05:00

Father--
Please be with Leighton today as he begins a new phase in his life...preschool! He is so excited, Lord. I know You will be with him every step today. Help him to be obedient, listen and learn, play and have fun, make new friends (and remember to ask their names!!), share, be kind, be respectful. I pray that he would remember his memory verse from last week and "Love his neighbors as himself" as he meets new boys and girls. I specifically ask for a special friend that will stand out to him in his class, especially because he is starting halfway through the year. Hold him in the palm of your hand, Father; keep him safe and healthy. Allow him to adjust to the schedule easily and not skip a beat. Be with his teachers, Ms. Melissa and Ms. Kathy, as they teach Ley and guide him in his social, emotional, and spiritual development; I am so thankful for the teachers and aides You have placed at his school and in his classroom--thank you that we live in a place where we are able to send our children to school--especially to a preschool that is not only a school but a ministry as well! Thank you, Jesus, for my precious gift, Leighton, whom I have had at home with me for the vast majority of his 4 years; thank you that he belongs to You first and foremost. I am so glad that you designed him exactly the way he is and already know the plans and future You have for him (and I claim that for him, Lord!)...thank you for the priviledge I have to love and train him up in Your ways. Today, and everyday, I give him back to You...Amen.

The Mom List: Four Mysteries of Motherhood

2007-01-18T12:38:00.000-05:00

I couldn't resist posting this little blip from my monthly Parenting magazine...although I should be writing about all the stuff going on in our lives right now...hopefully there will be a second post today.

4 mysteries of motherhood:

1. Why your children need you urgently--the instant you step in the shower.

2. How two kids are easier to take care of than one.

3. Why fruit snacks are neither fruit nor snacks, but candy.

4. The way the days can drag on forever, but the years go by so fast.
--Charlotte Latvala

The fruit snack mystery really made me smile because they are such a hot commodity in our house...Ley loves them and would eat goodness knows how many of these "corn syrup-filled chews in a bag" a day if I would let him! I have to remind him over and over that they are not a snack, they are a treat!

Tiny hands, tiny feet, there's someone new I can't wait to meet!

2007-01-13T23:33:00.000-05:00

My bestest and dearest friend, Meredith, gave birth to her second, precious baby girl. On January 12, 2007 at 10:19 AM, Madeline Meredith Price was welcomed into the world. She was 7 pounds, 5 ounces and 19 3/4 inches long. She is just beautiful, like we all knew she would be and in fact looks very similar to her big sister, Ella, when she was born. I can't wait to hold her, and I am definitely loving her from 800 miles away! March cannot come soon enough! I was so excited to see the photos that I just had to post some...Congratulations Meredith, Jeff, and Ella--welcome to life as a family of four!

Children are a gift from God; they are His reward..." ~Psalm 127:3

Rise and Shine and Give God the Glory, Glory!

2007-01-06T13:44:00.000-05:00

Some precious shots of Madden this AM...how blessed am I to wake to this? She is such a happy girl when she comes out of her slumber...now drifting off TO sleep is not always such a lovely sight!

And a little video clip too...not sure why the quality is so awfully terrible...could it be because our camera is from the dark ages??

Okay, after all these sweet girl shots, I am feeling like Leighton is being left out! He is pretty happy in the AM, too. The only time he is ever still is when he is sleeping. This pic was taken several weeks back after he received a spiderman mini-sofa bed from his Grammy and Paw. He slept on it as a pallet on the floor a few nights when we had guests and then he had trouble going back to sleeping in his own bed...I discovered this before I went to bed...

Leighton is the most no-pants-wearing-est kid I know (except for maybe his friend Ella, who goes commando all the time!) We asked him to get ready to go out to dinner, and this is how he prepared himself to leave the house! My goodness, how I love him; he never fails to make me laugh....I guess he figured he eats his dinner at home in his underwear, why not at the Mexican restaurant downtown?!

Where does the time go?...

2007-01-03T16:59:00.000-05:00

Madden had her 6 month shots & checkup yesterday! I can hardly fathom that she is already six months into her sure-to-be amazing life! She is a petite little girl--she weighed in at a whopping 13 lbs, 13 oz (15%)! If you saw her little thunder thighs and tush, you would have never guessed she was just under 14 pounds! She measured 25 3/4 (55%) inches long. She is still nursing 4 times a day and eating oatmeal in the morn and evenings. She just started green beans two nights ago--soon she will be moving onto squash, peas, sweet potatoes and all other plants from the vegetable and fruit kingdoms! She was a bit unsure of the green beans the first night; a bit stringy for her liking. So, last night I was sure to puree those little beans until they were super smooth (I am not Gerber, but as close as I can get with my Magic Bullet!) and it seemed to appeal to her little palate much more. Before I know it she will be eating table food!

Madden is sitting well on her own these days and has been for several weeks. She is already starting to try to to crawl which makes me very nervous. She definitely uses the 'inch worm' technique to get the toys she needs and loves to rock back and forth on her hands and knees. We haven't heard much out of her as far as vowel-consonant sounds and such, but she is definitely vocal (we are practicing 'ma ma ma ma ma' but everyone knows she will say 'da da da da da' first!!). She loves her Praise Baby (and Mom does too!!) and Baby Einstein DVDs; she continues to love the doorway bouncer, most of the time. She is a very cuddly baby and loves to be held and still loves to be swaddled! No teeth yet, but she continues to drool like crazy, so we know she is working on it. Maddie sleeps like a champ; 12 hours a night on average (I thought Leighton was a good sleeper as a baby, but she has exceeded even his sleep achievements thus far!).

Here are a few photos of Madden sitting up (and falling over!) and eating solid foods--her two newest feats!

“Train up a child in the way she should go, And when she is old she will not depart from it” ~Proverbs 22:6

Holidazed...

2006-12-30T23:11:00.000-05:00

Sorry I have been MIA for another month...I feel like the world's worst blogger. But, you know what, I am so okay with that...I have nothing funny or witty to share right now...I am too dang tired... Here 's a slideshow of Christmas 2006 here in Savannah; it is the best I can do for now! Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas filled with Jesus, family and friends (oh, and food, of course!) and is looking forward to the new year as much as I am...

One More November Post...

2006-11-30T12:42:00.000-05:00

I haven't posted because I am sick...ugh. I am hoping I am on the mend, but nervous that the crud may have developed into a sinus infection. May have to go to the doctor tomorrow--but I do feel a bit better today.

I had a very special Birthday/Thanksgiving in Richmond with my mom and dad. Jeremy was sick while we were there (thanks for passing it to me, Jer!), but he seemed to heal up nicely after about 36 hours. We celebrtated my 30th birthday very low-key (except for the raging fire on top of my cake...that was pretty exciting!) and had a woderful non-turkey dinner of roasted pork loin on Thanksgiving(MmMmmm...it was delicious, Dad!). My mom and I even shopped a little on Black Friday--we spent an hour at Kohl's. I found a coat within 15 minutes of arriving. Then, stood in line for over half an hour waiting to pay for it. We decided to go home after that! We went to colonial Williamsburg on Saturday and spent the afternoon there walking the streets of old. We were hoping they would have the town decorated for Christmas, but no such luck!

It was definitely worth the 17+ hour drive there and back with the other 38 million Americans traveling, to be with my precious family--thanks for inviting us up and taking such good care of us, Mom and Dad!

Wishing that I had put makeup on and fixed my hair that morning--but, c'mon, I was about to travel 8 hours in the car with two little ones!

Our Thanksgiving meal and Ley checking out the homemade cranberry sauce (boy, was it good with that pork loin!!)

Granddad and his kiddos!

Colonial Williamsburg, VA

Bike Helmets and Parking Spaces...

2006-11-19T16:47:00.000-05:00

Just a little humor on this special day. Jeremy and I were married seven years ago today... Does it seem like it has been that many years?!? Most days, yes... The title of this post refers to my faves in the following joke. Happy Anniversary, J...

Men are Like......

.....placemats
they only show up when there's food on the table.

.....mascara
they usually run at the first sign of emotion.

.....bike helmets
they're good in emergencies but usually just look silly.

.....government bonds
they take so long to mature.

.....copiers
you need them in reproduction but that's about it.

.....lava lamps
fun to look at it but not all that bright.

.....bank accounts
without a lot of money they don't generate a lot of interest.

.....high heels
they're easy to walk on once you get the hang of it.

.....mini skirts
if your not careful they'll creep up your legs.

.....handguns
keep one around long enough and your gonna want to shoot it!

.....laxatives
they irritate the crap out of you.

.....bananas
the older they get, the less firm they are.

......weather
nothing can be done to change them.

.....blenders
you need one, but you're not quite sure why.

.....commercials
you can't believe a word they say.

.....department stores
their clothes are always 1/2 off.

.....horoscopes
they always tell you what to do and are usually wrong.

.....parking spaces
all the good ones are taken, the rest are handicapped.

WARNING: This will make you dizzy...

2006-11-12T17:41:00.000-05:00

Welcome to life with Leighton...he never stops. Okay, it just feels like he never stops because during the time when he does sleep (stopping=sleeping), I am sleeping also. He took a 20 minute nap today (he normally sleeps 1 1/2 to 2 hours) and the following resulted. You may want to wait 30 minutes to an hour to watch this if you just ate or drank...

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing - Share Photos

I Heart Monochrome...

2006-11-09T15:02:00.000-05:00

Just a black-and-white montage of mostly Madden...