Happy Anniversary to Us!!

Today is mine and Josh's anniversary!  It's crazy to think that we have only been married for 4 years.  4 years sounds like such a short time, and yet it seems like it's been forever!  And I don't mean that in a bad way. :)  I guess it's because so much has happened with us in the past 4 years.  When we got married Josh was a football coach at UAB and I was a Pledge Administration Coordinator at BBVA Compass.  About a month into our marriage, Josh got promoted to Director of Football Operations at UAB.  About 10 months into our marriage I got a new job within my department as a Treasury and Funding Analyst.  Then, right before we celebrated our one year anniversary, we found out that we were expecting a baby!  Precious Bryant!!  We welcomed him into our lives in February 2011.  At this point I went from being a working woman to a stay at home mom…and what a change that was!!  Then that fall ended up being Josh's last season at UAB…due to the staff getting fired.  Thus began the biggest change in Josh's career.  Unemployment loomed for about 5 months…and about halfway through that began Josh's contemplation of changing careers.  He had two coaching job opportunities, but he turned them down and decided to try his hand at something else.  A job that would provide more stability for his family!  I am still so appreciative for that decision.  So in May, Josh began a new career in sales with Berney Office Solutions.  By August they were promoting him to a better territory.  Also in August we found out that we were expecting a 2nd blessing!  Sweet Taylor!!  Josh got another raise in 2012 and then got promoted to Major Accounts the beginning of 2013.  He then was promoted to Sales Manager of the Birmingham branch in February.  Talk about God absolutely blessing Josh and our family!  He has!!  I believe seeing God's hand all over Josh's career at Berney has made leaving football easier for him.  In March we bought our first house together and began our move…with me practically 8 months pregnant!  And lastly, on May 1, 2013 we welcomed Taylor to our world.  WHEW!!!  See what I mean about a crazy 4 years…no wonder it seems like so much longer.  I tell you what though, Josh and I have had our ups and downs and struggles over these 4 years dealing with everything above, but we have come out stronger!  And I couldn't imagine doing life with anyone else.  I LOVE my husband!!!  HAPPY ANNIVERSARY JOSH!  Oh, and of course, what would a post be without a few pictures of the best things we've done in our marriage! ;)  Oh, and Taylor was 8 weeks old yesterday…crazy!!

8 Weeks Old

Had to have his too :)

 Beautiful eyes!

 Cute monogrammed bottom!

 Fist Pump!  Because I'm cool! ;)

I think he's a little too big…

Until next time…

Heather

Weekend at Jojo and Pops!

This past weekend Josh had a bachelor party for a friend of his.  He was gone from Thursday morning until Sunday night.  So I decided to pack up the kiddos and puppy dog and head to my parent's house.  This was Taylor's first trip, and I have to admit she didn't do the best.  Apparently she gets tired of being in her car seat pretty fast…even though the trip was only 2 hours.  Oh well, we made it there and back, even if there was a lot of screaming and crying involved.  While there we had LOTS of fun!  We went swimming a couple of days, we played at the Splash Pad at Sportsplex, we went to the park every day, and Bryant even got to ride the train at the park!  And of course, Pops wore Bryant out by playing with him constantly when he was home.  It was so nice to have help with the kids.  Jojo got up with Bryant every morning so that I could sleep in with Taylor.  And they both played with Bryant and held Taylor a lot.  It was a good trip, but I think we were all excited to see daddy/Josh and be back in our own beds last night!  Below are some pictures from our fun 4-day weekend in Opelika.

 Pretty girl!

 Jojo and Pops!

 He loves when he gets to hold Taylor.

 Watching Bubble Guppies.

 You can see his huge grin from the side...

 Having a blast at the park!

 Loves to ride on Pops' shoulders.

 Splash Pad!

 Water is so fun.

 Riding the choo choo train at the park!

 So Fun

 He loves his Jojo…and I think the feeling is mutual.

 Taylor got to meet Gran for the first time!

Such a cool dude.

                                                                          Taylor at 7 1/2 weeks…and Bryant at 7 1/2 weeks.  Both at Jojo and Pops in the red chair!

Until next time…

Heather

7 Weeks Old!

Taylor was seven weeks old yesterday.  She is getting cuter and cuter and more interactive every day.  I love it!  Now, if only she would sleep! ;)  We've had a pretty low key week so far.  Monday night one of my closest friends, Natalie, came over for dinner.  We had a great time celebrating her engagement, and the kids enjoyed seeing her too!  We love Nat Nat!!  Other than that the only newsworthy event of the week was yesterday.  Some of Bryant's friends came over and they had a blast playing!  They played in the backyard and also played with this sprinkler thing I bought and water balloons.  I think they all had a great time…at least I know Bryant did! :)  Below are a few pictures.

 7 Weeks Old!

 If he sees me take Taylor's picture, he has to have a turn too! Let's see…2 years and 4 months old! :)

 Staring contest

 Holding hands :)

 Bryant loves giving Baby Taylor kisses.

 Water Balloon throwing contest time!

 Everyone takes it very seriously :)

 Bryant really gives it all he's got!! ;)

They had SO much fun!!

Until next time…

Heather

Taylor's OT/PT Appointment = SUCCESS!

Friday we had Taylor's Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy Infant Evaluation appointment.  Even though our pediatrician thought Taylor's shoulder was doing great, he still wanted us to get her evaluated and see what next steps needed to be taken.  So I took her to Children's in downtown Birmingham for her evaluation.  The Occupational Therapist who did her evaluation was so sweet.  And the best part, she said that Taylor seemed PERFECT!!  She said that she had all the movement in her shoulder and arm as far as she could tell, and that she was doing absolutely everything an infant at her age should…grasping things, letting go, bringing hands together, and arm movements! Praise The Lord!  In fact, she said there was no need for us to come back.  I am just suppose to watch Taylor and make sure she continues to reach each milestone she should.  So as far as we are concerned, she is 100% healed…at only 6 weeks old!  We are SO thankful!!  On a different note, I have to share an experience I had while at the Therapy office.  Moms, you'll enjoy this!  So...Taylor pooped right when we got there.  I could see it start to seep out the side of her diaper, so I knew it was a big one!  I took her and Bryant quickly into the bathroom.  While I attempt to start to change and clean her up, I hear Bryant splashing behind me and saying "Look mommy, water!".  You guessed it, he was playing in the toilet.  As I spin around to tell him to stop, I of course swipe my hand in the poop diaper.  I get Bryant to stop and continue to clean Taylor up.  I then dig through the diaper bag to get a diaper, and guess what…I of course only have 1 diaper…and it's Bryant's!  But hey, at least I had that one!  So I proceed to put a size 5 diaper on my 6 week old, and I hear splashing again.  I turn around, give Bryant a little pop for disobeying and playing in the toilet again, and he starts crying…really loud.  Well, I finally get Taylor back dressed and everything cleaned up, I get Bryant to stop crying and clean his hands and then I get hands clean, and we get out of there!  And of course, to top it off, someone is outside waiting… Oh the fun times! ;)  Anyway, below are just a few pictures I've gotten the past couple of days. :)

Bryant was watching the U.S. Open and clapping for Tiger

 Cutie got to have his paci in the car since we had Taylor's OT/PT Appt during naptime

I took Taylor with me to Girl's Night on Friday…apparently we were boring ;)

 Bryant's present he made Josh for Father's Day

 Cutest. Little. Boy. Ever.

 Josh with his little boy on Father's Day

 Josh with his baby girl on Father's Day

 Josh with his first born on Father's Day ;)

 Looking so tiny in her daddy's arms

Until next time…

Heather

Uncle Jon & Rachel, Pool Time, Meeting Olivia and 6 Weeks Old!

As the title itself gives away, we have had an extremely fun, but busy, week!  This past weekend Josh's brother Jon and his girlfriend Rachel came to visit.  We had a lot of fun with them!  Josh put them to work a little, but I don't think they minded. ;)  It was so good to see them, and both Bryant and Taylor had a blast with the extra attention!  Also, on Sunday Josh went to Farmlinks Golf Course with three other guys and they proceeded to play 54 HOLES of golf!  It was his Father's Day present, and he enjoyed it tremendously!  That was the first time any of them had played 3 rounds of golf in one day…needless to say they were there from sun up to sun down.  And even though they were sore from it, they all apparently had the time of their life! :)  On Tuesday Bryant started preschool at a new church for a 6 week summer program.  He will be there Tues/Thurs for 4 hours.  He already came home Tuesday talking about his new friends he had made.  He is so precious!  On Wednesday we went over to Luke & Ella's house to swim in their neighborhood pool.  This was the first time Bryant had been swimming this year.  At first he was a little hesitant, but once I was able to get him jumping in, he had a BLAST!!  I think all the kids had a lot of fun, including Taylor.  Another bonus: that afternoon Bryant took a 3 hour nap!  I asked Emily (Luke & Ella's mom) if we could please swim every day! ;) Wednesday afternoon, while Bryant was taking his 3 hour nap, my friend Courtney came over with her newborn Olivia.  Courtney is one of my closest friends, and we just happened to not only be pregnant with due dates one day apart, but we ended up having our sweet girls on the same day!!  This was their first of what will be tons of hang outs!  They were super cute and we of course took some pictures. :)  And last, but not least, yesterday Taylor turned 6 weeks old!  My how the days are flying by!  I am enjoying both of my kiddos so much…the saying "Children are a gift from God" really is so true!  I am one lucky momma!  Below are lots of pictures..enjoy!

 This boy wants to eat a sandwich and pretzels every day!  And he loves drinking out of a straw out of his Team Umizoomi cup!

 Uncle Jon and Taylor

Haha…this was the best picture I got of the three of them!

 Uncle Jon and Bryant

Bryant loves his Mr. Potato Head that Uncle Jon and Rachel got him.

 Sweet girl

 She loves watching her big brother!

 Our first walk in our double stroller! (And yes, it is super heavy!)

 Getting ready to jump in!

 JUMPING!

 And he's in!  Thanks Emily! :)  Before long he would jump without being caught.

 Swimming

 Hunter talking to Taylor

Just laying out…topless! ;)

 Luke & Bryant are twins!

All the kiddos getting dry after swimming.

 Taylor and Olivia…born hours apart!!  So Cute!

Taylor's 6 Week Picture…I kind of caught a smile!

Until next time…

Heather