One Year Ago...

I was preggers with Little J (who we affectionately referred to as Cletus back then). My fellow 7th Grade teachers thought it would be funny to dress like me for Twin Day at school - pregnant belly & all!! 

And the first person I saw that morning was the male teacher on the end...it was hilarious!

Happy 9 months!

Little J turned 9 months old today! I cannot believe it...it's getting so big & much more like a little boy instead of a baby lately!

To celebrate, we went to a local strawberry patch with Nana and picked 20 lbs of strawberries!! It was gorgeous (mainly because we picked at 9am before it got HOT!). Little J seemed to really enjoy himself - he's definitely an outdoor boy! 

Local Family Run Strawberry Patch

Little J enjoying being outside!

Nana & the owner picking strawberries.

Little J spent most of his time like this...

because he kept looking at that...

The owners were clearing out some land & he was VERY interested in all the big trucks!

Little J & Mommy :)

20 lbs of strawberries...YUMMY!!!

Who needs toys?

Toys are not necessary when you have a kitchen table & reusable grocery bags!

Seriously...this entertained J for multiple days for at least 20 minutes each time. I think the only reason he stopped playing with them is because I got out the camera (he loves that thing!).

Mother of the Year

I'm in the running for "Mother of the Year Award" after somehow locking my purse (with cell phone & keys) as well as Little J in the car at CVS today! I panicked because it was getting quite warm and I worried about him getting too hot in the car (all those terrible summertime news stories came flashing in my mind). I had to run in & use the phone at CVS to call for help...but I don't know anyone's phone numbers anymore since I have them all stored in my cell (which was locked IN the car!!!). After an unsuccessful attempt to call my in-laws (they were out working in the garden...where we were supposed to be!) and 2 busy signals to 911 (how can 911 be BUSY!!!!), I finally got Big J at work. He promptly left work to drive to our house, get extra set of car keys, drive to CVS and unlock the car. During all of that, he called Perry (his brother) to come to our rescue. Perry tried his hardest, but after several failed attempts with a Slim Jim & stubborn unlock button, Big J finally arrived with the extra keys and we finally were able to get to Little J. Thankfully he was happy as a clam playing with his Baby Einstein Light-Up Music Mirror. He only got a little fussy at the end when Perry was working hard to get in the car...I think it scared him a little. Everyone was fine and I'll be investing in an extra key to hide on the car somewhere ASAP!

Rubber Ducky...You're the One!

We recently upgraded from Little J's infant tub to this duck tub...

and it's a HIT! 

Now that's a clean, happy baby!

It won't be like this for long...

I love this song...it perfectly describes being a parent (at least what I've learned in the last 9 months).  Whenever I get frustrated with Little J (which isn't too often...mostly just because he's still NOT sleeping through the night), I try to remember that before I know it he'll be sleeping the day away as a teenager, so for now I'll just enjoy our snuggles in the middle of the night.

Happy Birthday Popa!

Happy 62nd Birthday Popa!

We had a family dinner at Nana & Popa's house tonight to celebrate the big event! Pork chops, green beans, white beans, cucumbers, carrots...all so yummy!

Little J got to hang out with Nana & Popa on the swing outside.

Hanging out with Popa & Dale on the front porch glider.

3 Generations of Hanes Boys

Always good to hang out with Daddy!

He's so much fun!

I love to laugh with Daddy...

Especially when he puts me up high on his shoulders!

Big Blue Eyes!

Dale & Tristan hit softballs...

that Big J pitched to them.

This is Tristan after he beamed Big J with a softball in the back. 

Josh didn't have a glove out yet...he quickly found one!

We're so glad Nancy came to join us!

Perry & Nancy took Little J on a walk in the stroller (one of many today).

Looks like he enjoyed himself!

Starting to get REALLY tired (it was 7:30 and he'd been up since 2!!).

Conked out by the time we got home.

Hope you had a great birthday Popa!

Laundry Basket Adventures

This is how the laundry basket looked when I left the living room to go to the bathroom.

About 30 seconds later I hear a loud boom followed by some whimpering. When I go back in the living room, this is what I found...

J somehow managed to pull the laundry basket on top of himself & then he was trapped!

So of course I HAD to grab my camera and take some pictures. J was none too pleased that I wasn't setting him free immediately.

He did have a minor "boo-boo" on his nose, but all was well when Mommy finally rescued Little J!

Something to make you smile :)

There's no way you won't smile after watching this...enjoy!

We have a crawler!

This week has been relatively low-key, but here's a quick recap:

Monday - Went back to the Dr. for a follow up to last week's inhaler hoopla...allergies & now Little J is on Zyrtec. Thank God his lungs sounded great!

Tuesday - Nana, Little J & I ventured to the Amish store. What a fun experience! I cannot believe people live like that so close by. It's pretty cool, but I'm glad to have electricity ;)

Wednesday - Sharon from Imprints came by for her monthly visit with us. She was amazed by Jeremiah's mobility & strength. He is all over the place! He is officially crawling on all fours now (no more belly business), can pull up on anything (including things he shouldn't), and is starting to cruise! 

Thursday - We met up with some friends for lunch at Venezia's and I enjoyed a yummy pizza buffet! Little J had applesauce & puffs, but he doesn't know the difference yet. We also had a good walk with Ms. Sarah & Aidan in the afternoon sun.

Thankfully the rain is gone for a little while, so we'll be enjoying some time outdoors including a picnic lunch tomorrow at our local park. Here are some pictures from this week...enjoy!

Little J trying out his "snack trap" cup the Easter Bunny brought.

So proud of himself for getting some puffs out...the lid is a bit tricky!

Like Daddy already...he loves the TV!

Enjoying time on his new slide...he loves it!

Happy Easter!

We've spent the last few days visiting Mimi & Grandpa Jim in Raleigh. Uncle Harry was home for Easter Break from ASU, so we had lots of family fun time! We played with toys, went to the Farmer's Market, walked around Lake Lynn & played at the park, and had a wonderful Easter! Here are a few of the MANY pictures that were taken over the long weekend. Enjoy!

Mimi & Mama had a yummy lunch at the Seafood Restaurant while at the Farmer's Market.

Playing with Grandpa Jim & my push walker....so proud of my standing ability!

That is a look of MISCHIEF!

I love to chew on my socks! They feel good to my teething gummies.

In the words of Uncle Harry - "Lookin' Fresh" 

Wrestling with Uncle Harry

Jeremiah DOMINATED!

Mom...it's so pretty outside, take me to the park!

Swinging high & having fun!

Uncle Harry being goofy...what's new?

Checking out this hobby horse...not quite sure what to think.

Watching the turtles sunning themselves...check out all that pollen! achoo!!

Mommy & Little J checking out the ducks at Lake Lynn.

Little J's 1st Easter Basket!

Look what the Easter Bunny brought...Puffs, books, stacking toy, & snack cups!

I love books!

I think the Easter Grass is my favorite part of this basket...

Family Photo

Little J & Great-Grandpa B

Grandpa Jim, Great-Grandpa B, & Jeremiah

I know I'm cute!

Happy Easter!