Weekend Wackiness with the Wests

PERFECT 10!

Here we are at the 10 month post already!!

The biggest change came after our 9 month check up. Jay switched to table food and whole milk from a cup all at once. Yes, one day we were enjoying some stage 2 and 3 baby food and 2 bottles of formula and the next day we were having pasta and green beans with a cup of whole milk. I just thought I would try it out to see what he would do. The kid didn't flinch. So, here we are formula and bottle free and eating just about anything and everything we can. What a difference a day makes.

Jay literally will eat anything and has liked just about everything he's tried. All fruits are a hit, he prefers his eggs scrambled with a little cheese, he loves grape jelly and toast, soups, pastas, cottage cheese, yogurt, refried beans and rice, collard greens, carrots--you name it. Meat has been the only thing he is not just crazy about but I think it is a texture thing.

Jay is standing and pulling up and even crawled all the way up the stairs from the basement to the main level. (I was right behind him to catch him.) Although he isn't walking he is getting stronger every day. I'm just so proud of him.

He is distinctly saying "bye-bye" ("beh-beh") "ball" ("baww") and "baaa" ("bahhh" says the sheep-he has a book with animals and the sheep page is the only one he recognizes, but we're working on "woof" and "meow").

He loves to say da-da and even knows what Daddio's truck looks like. We were all at a party in Mommy's car over the weekend and we walked past a truck just like Daddio's and Jay squealed "Dada. Dada. Dada!" then when we past it he said "Bye-bye, Da da, bye-bye" that is when we realized he was purposefully trying to tell us something, not just jabbering. I was very impressed.

No Mommy or Mamas yet.

He's a man on the move and a man on a mission. Our playtimes are filled with looking for Gus and Precious and doing anything we can to get them, dumping out baskets and buckets that house his toys, playing with everything we own for about 15 seconds, crawling to the nearest door or window, pulling up and shouting, banging on the glass, back down to play or bang on a toy, then to find something to get under or climb on, then hopefully finding a drawer, door or cord that is a no-no and starting over. Jay also loves to open and close his toy box in his room then try to climb all of the furniture in his room and repeat.

I love these days and don't miss the tiny baby stage. Daddio and I were talking last night and Daddio commented that he really is getting bigger all of the time, but that he doesn't miss the other phase...after some thought, I would say I agree. I treasure all of the time I got to spend caring for and providing security to Jay in the early days, but now as his world is growing larger, I love watching him discover things and interacting with him. I can't wait to have a tiny baby again, but I love everything about this age to. I guess, we love it all.

(these monthly pics are certainly becoming more and more difficult!!)

Mohawk Friday!

We missed last week because we didn't know what day it was...but we're back to normal now!

After the storm

I have a confession. Last week we (and everyone else in Central/West Alabama) were witness to the worst storms and tornadoes our generation has seen. Likely the worst storms we will ever see in our lifetime. Nonetheless, I have been carrying something with me since April 27, 2011.

Fear.

I am typically a happy-go-lucky gal, well at least in attitude. I am not a person who worries or has ever been fearful. I've never been afraid of being home alone, or that I will be mugged or attacked or that someone is going to get me. Since last week's devastating storms I have seen and heard unimaginable stories of survival and unfortunately,  peril.

While I am awestruck by the damage, I am equally amazed by the generosity and compassion of those helping salvage and rebuild communities all over the state. Volunteers and supplies have arrived from all over the country. Everyone I can think of has helped in some way. We were only without power for a few days and since it is difficult for me to get to the hardest hit areas with Jay I have tried to help those around me the best I can. I have cooked meals for neighbors, done laundry and hosted company who did not have power or water. Yesterday I took snacks, supplies, formula and bottles to Temporary Emergency Services in Tuscaloosa. I've done all of these things to try to overcome the fear that has followed me like a shadow for a week now. It helps temporarily at best.

I am so very thankful for my safety and that we suffered no damage from the storm, and I feel guilty for complaining--so I am confessing my secret here--I am scared.

I have evaluated my plan for storm safety in an effort to put my fear aside. Here's my new plan-

If we are again in the path of a tornado of this magnitude and have ample notice we will flee. I will drive an hour or more East or West and plan to stay out of town for 24-48 hours.

If we cannot get away I will stay in our basement (where we stayed all day last Wednesday, but now I realize that we were not as prepared as we should have been had the storm veered just a few miles to the east.) With   pants, shoes or boots on, Jay in his car seat-strapped in, flashlight, and an ax we will weather the storm. Our dogs should be in collars with their tags on, leashed on harnesses.I should have a bag packed with a change of clothes for everyone, medication, jackets and blankets. Water and a first aid kit would be a good addition, but not a necessity.

Will having a better plan help me fell better? I hope so. I hope I never have to use it and I can take refuge in God, knowing that he does not want us to be fearful in nature, but life a life of praise to glorify him.

Thanks for hearing my confession. I pray we will all be safe and live a life filled with joy and praise.
Peace be with you.
Amen.

Oh, how marvelous! oh, how wonderful!

I'm overwhelmed by God's grace and blessings this Easter. Mostly with the amazing gift that IS Easter and the gift that was entrusted to Daddio and I to love and care for and call our son. Here is a mostly photo recap of our Easter weekend....

Saturday morning Jay met the Easter Bunny for breakfast at the Birmingham Zoo. Well, Jay had already eaten, but Mommy, Daddio, Jennifer, Sean, Weston and Davis all went along for breakfast and to meet the big guy. It was a great way to spend the morning. Great job by the Birmingham Zoo, the event was very organized and we even got a private animal show to meet Batman the chinchilla and What's-his-name the tortoise.

We were all just a tad afraid that Jay might try to squish Batman, but he did very well and patted him very gently. WHEW!

Jay loves lions. The lion was especially active Saturday morning and  we watched him for a long time. 

Jay finally conked out in the stroller and this was pretty much the only nap he had all day.

Jay's 1st Easter Basket! Sunglasses, books, bubbles, bunnies, plastic pants, swim trunks.

Thanks EB for the shades!!

Sunday morning we went to church as a family, took some photos and had a late lunch at Dede and Papa's with the extended family.

Jay and Dede and Papa's dog, Puddin'. 

Gus is getting better, but we still are not photo ready. 

Precious lets Jay climb all over her. She's come a long way in 5 years. 

The Easter Bunny came to Dede and Papa's too!

Jay loves his cousins!

Oh, how marvelous! Oh, how wonderful!