KOER 2012

Unfortunately I didn't take that many photos during Mardi Gras this year. I'm pretty sure it's because I was too busy chasing around a toddler and having a few toddies here and there! But I am happy to report that Jon and I partied like rockstars for two weekends straight. Probably the most we have partied since before I was pregnant with Bennett. Actually, that is most definitely the most we have done since pre-Bennett era. It was so fun to let loose, dance, socialize and enjoy one another's company. As much as we missed our sweet B during the parades and balls, it was good for us to get out as two. And I am also happy to report that we will not be partying like that again for a very, very, very long time. Our bodies cannot handle that kind of pressure. We are officially old. We hit our 30s and someone hit the switch. Partying like a rockstar, from now on, will be at Bennett's birthday parties, and will most likely involve cupcakes and jumpies, not whiskey, screwdrivers and dance bands :)

Saturday morning of Jon's float loading at the KOER barn, Hagan and the girls joined us for a short while to see all the awesome floats! It was a good day :)

Precious Campbell

Jon's float! The theme of the floats was giants

NY Giants - good thing they won the Super Bowl two weeks before

Clifford, the big red dog - one of B's fav!

Bennett and Stella - 02.10.12, 17 months

- 02.10.12, 17 months

Campbell, B and Cooper

They love each other :)

Baby Jay

On February 2, 2012, Grandpa met me at our house in Daphne around 7:00am. We waved goodbye to DeeDee and Bennett as we headed off to Pensacola to await the arrival of baby Jay. My nerves were crazy with anticipation, nervousness and pure excitement. I couldn't help but think of what was about to unfold on this day, and also reminisce of my experience 17 months earlier. Lindsay had asked me to be in the delivery room with she and John. As excited as I was, I was also a nervous wreck. I know I was only assisting John during the delivery, but my thoughts were all over the place about this. You see, Lindsay was with us the day B was born. It was so special to share this experience with her. She was the perfect person to be by our side with her nursing expertise and above all, her very calming nature. It was the perfect delivery with Lindsay hard at work during labor, not only assisting, but also video taping and picture taking. I couldn't have asked for more.

Now, fast-forward. It's Lindsay's turn to experience the most amazing day of her life. Laid back Lindsay. And then there's me. Crazy me. A fast-talking, high energy, nervous stomach, nervous everything, scared of the unknown, loving, caring, over anxious sister. So, with that said, I wanted her labor to be as wonderful and easy going as mine was. And with me as her sister supposed to be helping her, I could only think of how I didn't need to royally screw this up for her. I kept telling myself the night before and the morning of... Deep breaths, remember to stay calm, don't get too excited, don't get too worried, be sure she is comfortable, be sure not to smother her, and on and on and on. But at the same time I was telling myself these things, I also knew I would do okay, or else I don't think she would have asked me if she doubted me. Right?!? Ha. Welcome to my head, friends and family - that's how my mind works. Crazy, huh?

So, moving on. Lindsay was in active labor all night and day. Bless her heart. She was in some pain. After not progressing very quickly she decided on her epidural. Once that was taken care of she was much more pleasant to be around (no offense, Linds - I felt your pain!). After many hours, what seemed to our families as a decade of time, the doctor decided a C-section was the safest way to go for both Linds and Jay. Lindsay was upset because that's not what she wanted. John Hawley was asking the doctor his ratio stats on Natural Deliveries vs. C-Sections. And I sat in the rocking chair in the corner in tears. I was sad for Lindsay. I was sad for me (Selfish, I know. But after all the buildup of being in the delivery room, I was 110% ready to play my part). I was nervous for John. It was a lot in one day. But we all realized that sweet Jay just needed to get here quickly and safely. We all hugged and kissed Lindsay and John goodbye and sent them down to the OR.

Thirty minutes later we were introduced to the most adorable baby boy staring our way through the looking glass of the nursery. The feeling I had at that moment. Happiness. Pride. Love. Joy. Peace. Thankfulness. Gracious. He was here. He was healthy. Lindsay was doing great. And John... well, here is the man who didn't hold his nephew until he was three months old... standing there in the nursery, beaming with smiles from ear to ear, and holding his son up in the air for the world to see. Perfection.

James Michael Hawley, II was born on February 2, 2012 at 8:36pm. Weighing 7 pounds, 15 ounces, and measuring 20.5 inches long. Welcome to the world, sweet Jay. My cup runneth over.


Meet James Michael Hawley, II "Jay"

Mrs. Nancy meeting her first grandchild

Francy meeting him for the first time

A very happy JoJo

Katie and Phillip meeting their first nephew - they are expecting their first child, John Porter in May :)

One of the happiest days of my life!

Hagi!

Teal and Jay

So tired - it was a long day.

John surprised Lindsay with a sentimental 'push' present - He had his parents engagement ring set into a necklace - so so special. I'm sure his dad would be so proud of baby Jay :)

Unc

B meeting Jay, so gentle and sweet with him

Apparently this photo is hilarious if you ask Buggy

Linds, I've never been more proud of you in my entire life - what a gift that God has given you :)

cleaning

Still OBSESSED with Teresa! - 02.01.12, 17 months

He has to be wherever she is at all times!

The first thing he always grabs is the yellow swiffer.


We honestly have to find somewhere to go while she is here or else little bit doesn't let her do anything in a timely manner. Teresa coming over usually means a good trip to the grocery or Target :) We love her, but unfortunately we cannot hangout with her anymore. B's cleaning is not as effective as hers!

all boy

Is there a manual that babies study before they are born that teaches you to be girly girl or all boy?

I'm pretty sure there is. I'm pretty sure the second the gender was recognized in the womb, is the second that Bennett started studying the manual.

In previous years I always noticed friends and family saying 'he's all boy' when talking about their sons. I heard it a million times. I never understood it until I had one of my own.

In the manual there must be a section that states:

Be rough.

Fall and fall hard.

Jump in the mud.

Pick up sticks.

Dig with sticks.

Roll around in the leaves.

Get your socks dirty.

Throw rocks.

And on and on and on.

This is a typical morning of walking outside to check the mail. Bennett doesn't get far out of the door before he is exploring the yard for some new adventure. I love it! I really do. I like that he is curious and doesn't mind (at all) getting his hands dirty.

Mine is definitely all boy :)

- 01.28.12, 16 months

we're up to our eyeballs

in toys!

- 01.16.12, 16 months



I love our home. I love our life. I love our family. I am so so thankful and gracious for everything that we have been blessed with.

I would really love a playroom. A playroom with a door.

Just saying :)

an actor and a stage

Our B is always a sweet angel, but since Christmas he has definitely figured out how to work this momma up and down. I know it's the age and it's part of being a toddler, and also part of raising one, but there are those days where I just don't think I can say the word 'no' one more time. Although this was a few weeks ago, anytime I would tell Buggy 'no, no' he would throw himself on the ground and roll around. I couldn't believe my eyes. At first I laughed because it was new, then I got annoyed because he did it about 5 times in one day, and then I learned to ignore it in hopes that if I didn't pay attention to the 'tantrum' then he would realize it wasn't working to get what he wanted and it would stop happening.

Now, let me explain in detail...

Notice I said 'throw himself on the ground and roll around'. What I meant to say was he would get upset, fake cry, gently lay himself on the ground and roll around from side to side, all while watching me out of the corner of his eye. Little rascal!

I will say that our little actor exited the stage after a week or so of momma ignoring the fit. I know it is just the beginning of many stages he will perform on. And I can't say I am looking forward to some of the stages in our future, but I can say that Bennett is smart, independent, funny and sweet. And with these few things stated, I'm glad that he tests me... it's a learning game for us all. Not that I have any idea if I'm doing the right things in raising him (which is a constant worry for me), but hearing similar stories from friends and family with kids, I feel like I'm on the right track.

This is an example of throwing himself on the ground... and yes, I stopped to grab the camera one time because I wanted to be sure to remember laughing at this scene for the first time! This was mid rolling :)




I love this little wedgie and high waters! - 01.18.12, 16 months

on the cob

This boy loves loves corn... and not corn spooned onto his plate. Oh no. He refuses to eat it unless it is corn on the cob. He will chew on these all day long if we would let him. After he has finished his, he steals ours off of our plate and goes to town. It's just too cute to watch him sit there, like a big boy, and eat corn on the cob.

01.15.12 - 16 months


I could eat those chubby chicken thighs!





He especially loves it grilled with a tad bit of butter, salt and pepper!