Family Visit

This past weekend Gerald's parents came to stay with us. Everyone loved having them, and our roommate was glad to meet them! First we did some catching up with the kiddos. Cole was a little cautious at first, but he quickly warmed up to them. Abby was SO happy, and talking up a storm like always haha! We did some running around town while Gerald was working, and they got to see our neighborhood/our city, Daphne. His mom kept saying she was so confused where we were, I don't blame her it is VERY confusing! Like seriously the craziest turning roads ever haha! We love Daphne, and I'm glad they got to experience some of it. We went to Baumhowers to eat Saturday night, which was really cool. Loved the gooey fries! We hadn't been, and it's a fun place to watch the sports games. Earlier that day Abby got her hair cut off, and it is so cute! Oh, and his mom has me hooked on thrifting! We found a really good shop here that has tons of great finds for practically nothing (I guess because all of the money around Baldwin County they just donate more haha). Abby got a cute guitar with her money from the "tooth fairy", and some other things. She loved shopping on her own. We all got some great things for Fall/Winter for CHEAP! One sweater of mine had the tags, and another looked brand new. So needless to say we'll be checking back regularly ;) His mom also bought Abby some Ked's (in the picture), and I think they are so sweet. :)

This trip was more about serious things we had to get handled though, and they'll be back again sometime for some more fun! There is just SO much to do here on the bay/beach, and it's impossible to fit everything into a weekend. There's the Battleship Memorial Park, all the restaurants on the causeway (Bay), hundreds of historic building/churchs/parks in downtown Mobile, plus all the shops, and delicious/cool food places. The Kids Science Exploreum Center, Bienville Square, Beautiful Bellingrath Gardens. Then there's beautiful historic, downtown Fairhope, and all the neat boutiques/cafes. Daulphin Island beach, the Sea lab and Estuarium there. All the wildlife on the bay, and the fairy that takes you from Fort Morgan to Dauphin Island (or visa versa). Then there is the beach only a short thirty minute drive away with tons to do there too, and always something going on. Oh, and the biggest of all MARDI GRAS!! It's huge here because the first Mardi Gras was in Mobile. I can't wait to experience that, and hopefully they will be able to come this February 12th. Which by the way is Cole's FIRST BIRTHDAY, what a cool first birthday. Right?! Lol

We have a lot of fun things to do here, and I love that about it!! I wish our entire family could come visit, but we have to find a home and get settled first. I'm pretty set on living in Daphne, and I think Gerald is too!? I sure hope so. It's such a great community to raise kids. Mobile is great too, but it's more of a big city, exhibits, night life type great. Not schools and kids great. Haha. Well anyways, it was a great weekend, and we can't wait until Thanksgiving :)

P.s.- I posted a few pics of Baldwin/Mobile county.. Just to show family and look back on one day)
The one with the trees lit up is downtown Fairhope at Christmas time... They light every branch downtown with white lights. Christmas time hurry up! And, the sunset on the beach is Dauphin Island.

Isaac

Just wanted to post a little about our first hurricane experience here on the gulf coast. Hurricane Isaac was a tropical storm until right before hitting land. Here in Mobile it was just VERY rainy which resulted in flooding in low areas. They closed the Bankhead tunnel, the causeway connecting Mobile to Daphne, Dauphin Island, several streets, and evacuated most areas near the bay/gulf. The wind also it pretty strong here too. It's weird and very different from what we are use to in north AL. This last forever, the wind an rain just don't come through an then the sun comes back out. I mean we have not seen sunshine since Isaac rolled in, it feel kind of nice despite the rain. Especially when you work outdoors like we do. Here are some picture, and once again I can't put them in order. Some are from Mobile , Dauphin Island, Gulf Shores, and the others are from MS/LA areas. It's so sad to see what people have lost and we are grateful it took a turn west or our situation wouldn't be so good right now!! Pray for the gulf coast :(

Cole is Six Months!

This past six months of Cole's life has flown by. We've been so busy :(

I absolutely LOVE being his mommy, Abby LOVES being his sissy, and Gerald LOVES his boy! He has the sweetest, and most laid back personality. We could literally let him sit forever at a restaurant, or wherever we need to be, and he is fine. We are blessed to have great kids! I may be biased haha ;)

Cole was 20lbs and 28 inches long at his six month appointment. They also put him on an Albuterol breathing machine for his wheezing/coughing problems. We're hoping this helps, but it seems like he has asthma. It's not helping so far and he's still having the same symptoms :(. Cole is starting to sit up on his own, but not pulling his self into that position yet though. He talks (babbles) ALL the time, and he's SO loud lol. Oh, and he's a little bashful. It's so sweet! We are introducing him to baby foods and juices now. He loves apple juice, bananas, and applesauce so far. He will grunt, and tighten his body up because he is so excited. He just can't wait for the next bite. He even pulls your spoon to his mouth if you take too long, which results in a huge mess. He also LOVES the swimming pool. When we put him in his floats he kicks and splashes the entire time :)

Cole is so much fun, and just such a sweetheart. I know he will be just like his sister! We can't wait to watch them grow up together, and hope they stay the best of friends! Yeah right?? Haha who knows...

We are so happy to have you in our family and love you Cole Thomas, AND we love you so much too Abigail Leigh!! :)

Here are a mixture of pictures that are old and new. It wouldn't let me put them in order.

Pictures since we've been in Destin, FL

Gerald's first Pompano, and we ate it.. pretty good except for the thought of it at this moment haha.

So clear

Fishing at the Boardwalk

11 weeks old

Aj's.. our first place to eat seafood and it was sooo good. We didn't eat any in Mobile either.

His eyes look brown here because of instagram but they are bright blue. I love this sweet smile :)

Sweet little girls!

This was his smile after I asked, "Cole why did you pee pee on the bed?" haha it's almost like he knew although I know that is impossible ;)

My favorite place in Destin.. Crab Island. There is always blow up slides and people everywhere on the huge sand bar.

Abby's little friend took this haha.

Thats it for now, but I need to get a updated picture of the kids today and post it soon!!

Crazy Life

Cole is now three months old, and a little over. I am super late on updating and don't have any pictures right now, but I will post some tomorrow. We have the craziest life right now and are hanging on by a prayer. Everyone is super helpful where we have moved and have welcomed us like family. About three weeks ago we relocated to Destin, FL because Gerald took a job here. It is beautiful here.. we love going to the beach and have taken up fishing at the boardwalk as often as possible. Abby has even met some regular friends there that she plays with when we go! We have always loved Destin, but not how we love it now that we've met so much of the community. They are just really sweet, helpful, welcoming people. Abby and Cole will be starting daycare on June 18th, and it's actually across from Destin Elementary where Abs will go next year. It's hard to believe she starts VPK this August, and next she will be in kindergarden! When did this happen!? She is so excited though and I'm excited for her. I have been working at the Harvest House some too, it is a non profit food pantry also with a thrift store that is SUPER cheap and free for people in need. I think the ladies there are amazing at what they are doing here, and they have treated us like family!

Like I said though, Cole is over THREE months old now! He is the SWEETEST little blue eyed boy ever (I'm in love with his pretty eyes haha). He is actually sitting in my lap watching me write this :). Sooo some things I should say and brag a little on him haha.. Cole sleeps through the night from usually 8:30/9 pm to around 6:00 am, with usually just one bottle in between. Sometimes he won't even wake up for that. He has started on a little bit of cereal in his bottles, and is getting to be a little chunk, but still much smaller than Abby was. He constantly smiles and grins SO big when he sees one of us (Abby, Me, or Gerald). It takes him a second to study new faces, but after a second he will smile at anyone else too.. not quite like he does to us though ;) It'shard not to catch this boy happy and smiling. He loves for us to hold his stuffed animals  for him to look at, and loves watching the hanging stars above his crib. Cole goos and blows bubble all the time now, he is a slobber monster. And, he is always kicking his legs as FAST as he can.. me and gerald just laugh. Oh, and we also laugh at how much this little boy passes gas. (I know TMI?) But, it is crazy how loud and often he does it! I get embarrassed sometimes out in public because it sounds like its coming from an adult not a tiny baby. Hahaha.. I love him soooo much though. Abby loves her brother so much, and I can tell by the way he watches her and smiles at her that Cole loves her just as much. She is such a big help to her Mama! We are so lucky to have two great kids! And although we miss our family pretty bad. we're also lucky to be here in such a beautiful place.

I will post some photos asap =)