Life has been Crazy!!

I started this blog to give family a place to come and see pictures and what all we have been doing lately and I have to say the last few months have been crazy!  Karson is now 8 months old and wanting every minute of attention I can give him.  In fact my only break these days is usually when he is asleep and thats the "check into the game" moment and get your house clean, get supper together....pretty much do whatever you need to do thats most important because when he wakes up its back to business with him again!  So its been so long since I post...I will start with our first family photo session

My best friend, Rebecca and her family came to visit one weekend because we had planned to take family pictures and some of Karson since she captured some cute ones when he was 3 months old.  Well sure enough we wake up that Saturday morning to a very windy and cold day! Coldest day we had yet and of course it would be picture day.  On top of that she forgot her camera and flash so had to use my camera and we borrowed an extra flash from another friend!  We weren't gonna post pone it so we decided to make the best of the situation and do what we could and I have to say we did find some we liked :)

Karson's first Hunt

It's a true statement to say....I married a hunter!  I pick on Brandon a lot of times and tell him I think he would pick hunting over me, and although thats an untrue statement thats the only way I know how to describe how much he loves to hunt.  But really I love it for him to.....it's his place to just go and be that little kid.  And I don't blame him because I don't really mind going myself every now and then. (what has he done to me!!) He has many stories from all of his years hunting and I know now only many more to come as Karson gets old enough to hunt.  So ever since we started dating its a known fact that Labor Day Weekend is opening day for Dove Hunting and we would never miss that!  Clay has always opened up his land for people to come hunt and we have always gone out there but this year even Karson got to go!

 Thank goodness for nice weather and a breeze because we stayed outside ALL day long.  I am so glad Karson loves being outside and is such an easy going baby.  He fell asleep in Aunt Ryane's arms at one point....would wake up and eat and then play and laugh at everyone!

My plan was to go out there and stay depending upon how Karson did and well he hung in there with the best of us. By the time all the guys came in from hunting and were throwing the dove on the grill Karson decided he had seen enough and decided to go to sleep.  What better place to sleep then the back of the car!  Some moms would think I am crazy and he needs to be asleep in his bed, but what better way to be "all boy" I just love him!!!

Family Traditions

Family Traditions....We all have them, we all have created memories from them, some are new, some have been around before we were ever born, and some we have to choose to leave behind to create news ones of our own.  Whether its a tradition for a birthday, thanksgiving, christmas, vacation, or just something random we all can sit here and think about traditions we have now or had growing up.  We all have enjoyed creating memories as a family and some of them at some point in time were so much fun it was just a known thing.....this needs to become a tradition!

So getting married you learn to try and fit in your family traditions that you grew up with, you keep the ones that mean a lot to you, and then you learn to add new ones as you have your own family.  And that is just what we are in the process of doing!  For instance, we go to Tommy's almost every Saturday that we are in town to go eat breakfast.  We started before we had Karson and now the ladies love seeing us in there and watching Karson grow up.  (which we picked up this tradition from the wonderful children I used to keep...where Cooper used to say..."Mommy, we go to Tommy's?!?") I can't wait for Karson to ask that because he just knows that's what we do!

There is NOTHING in this world I love more than when we spend time together as a family!!  I was so thankful that Brandon took a couple days off from work this week because we did all the family vacations with everyone this summer, and we have been on the go, go, go so it was nice for just the three of us to have time together.  And some may say....you spend everyday together, you live together, but most moms out there know exactly what I am talking about.   Not just time, but quality time.  Time where we sleep in, or better yet lay in the bed with Karson in between us listening to him just talk away! Go for walks, sit outside, grill out for supper.....just have nothing else to answer to other than what we want to do as a family.  It makes my heart smile!  So Brandon decided we should go pick apples.  Not something either of us had ever done, but we had always heard about it and thought it was something to do.  We left early in the morning so it would still be cool outside while picking and that's where we created our newest family tradition!

We went to SkyTop Orchard.....they had Apple Trees everywhere, grapes, peaches, animals you could walk around and look at, and of course places set up for you to take pictures!  The weather was perfect!  We walked around with Karson and picked apples and really just enjoyed each others company along with the beautiful scenery that was surrounding us.  Talk about God's creation.....when we take time to enjoy it, it really can leave you in awe!! This will definitely be something that we continue as Karson will grow to enjoy it when he gets a little bit older.

I am so grateful that God put us together as a family and gave us this precious little boy!!  I can only imagine what our future holds as we continue creating memories that will impact his life and last a lifetime!

Only the best for Karson

As a mom you always want the best for your children....I mean it's just basic instinct!  We carried them for nine months where we got so attached already that we can't help but always try to make the right decision in raising them.  I even find myself saying to Brandon..."don't drop him!" Although I know he never would, it's just my mommy nature.  All that weighed true even when I was trying to decide on a Pediatrician!  I mean I can still remember my pediatrician to this day.  His name was Dr. Davis and I loved going to see him.  I was sad when I had gotten to old to go see him and I had to switch to a family doctor.  And I really wanted that same kind of thing to happen with Karson.

Well, once again it all just falls right into place.  I had searched and searched, got peoples recommendations, even finally decided who I was going to use; and then we just happened to go over to the awesome Brandon and Nicole Berry's  house (she's a fellow blogger as well) the week before we had Karson.  Right before we left she asked me if I had found a pediatrician and I said I've been looking, settled on one, but still not sure.  She highly recommended Parkside and so I came home and got online.  They always recommend going to do a walk through or meeting the office and all that kind of stuff and I have to say that night looking at their website I just knew that was where we were going to go.  At that time I was not even sure where it was located in relation to our house, but we were going to drive to it!  I couldn't have been led into a better decision!  Let me just tell you Parkside Pediatrics is just wonderful.  Dr. Jones happened to be on call when we had Karson so that's who we saw in the hospital and who we have seen for Karson's checkups, but I know I could see any doctor in that office and feel comfortable.  The front desk is so sweet, the nurses are patient (yet super fast when giving shots...I am pretty impressed), the doctors really want to spend time with you and answer any questions you may have (which is big when your a new parent) and somehow they still manage to get us in and out as quick as possible.  "Going to the doctor" is usually not something we want to do but I actually look forward to seeing all their smiling and friendly faces when we go.  They have created an atmosphere in that office that is just contagious!  If you leave their unhappy it's all you because I promise someone was nice enough to you while you were there to make you smile! So as if you could not tell....it's my turn to pass the good news to all my friends that I would highly recommend them myself to anyone in the Simpsonville Greenville area or anyone willing to make the drive because it's worth it!

Brandon asked me the other day, "So do you think we will take our next baby to Parkside?!?" and I gave him that are you crazy look and he just laughed because he knows that's how much I appreciate their service!  Of course we will take ALL of our children to Parkside!!!

Karson with Dr. Jones at his 4 month checkup....
Yes, I am one of those moms I have to have a picture to look back on :)

I'm kinda addicted!

So...I usually just blog about our family and Karson but I just have to say I found a new thing that I love....and some of y'all have already heard about it and to most it is "old news" but my cousin sent me an email and so I finally decided I'm gonna check this thing out.  Well it was ahhhmazing!  Can't believe I have been missing out on this....It's a glorified organizing board to me!  No more of having to tear out of magazines things I love or want to hold on to for ideas for the future.  No more having to organize them once I tear them out so I don't lose them....It's all right there on this website for me!  And its called PINTEREST!!!  Seriously I really do love it and I even love the extra ideas I find on there that I might have missed just tearing out of magazines.  So that's what I have been up to lately...whether DIY projects, looking at big houses, wanting to shop because of all the clothes I see, or party ideas!!!  I just think its amazing.  And for some reason I think someone has to send you an email or something to invite you....so if you wanna join just send me an email.  But just be ware....you may find yourself on there and not getting other things done :)

Summer's End

Well I cannot believe the summer is coming to an end.  Although....I feel like when you're not in school or college anymore you kinda have to enjoy summer like you do every other season.  Just when you can because of work!  Until that day we have a pool in the backyard which I know we will have one day!  But We went to the beach one last time with my parents and once again Karson was a champ!  He loved being outside.  The guys played golf in the morning and then we would all hit the beach in the afternoon.  It always worked out perfect for me to feed Karson then us go right down to the beach and it be nap time. This child loves to nap on the beach.  It was perfect and so much fun once again.  We even ended up with a little pool of water that was so warm we decided to sit Karson down in it when he woke up and he even loved that.  I cannot wait to see his little self walking around on the beach next year.  I think we will have our hands full chasing him :)

We stayed in the Isle of Palms in Charleston and it was awesome.  The house was on the marsh and such a nice place to sit outside at night and enjoy the peacefulness of the place.  Wish we could have stayed longer!

We got to spend time with David, Miranda and Christopher since we had not seen them in awhile either.  Put Karson with their family and he definitely looks like his daddy!

And right before we left I decided to take Karson down to the dock to take a couple pictures to mark his four months.

I love this picture of them just hanging out the last morning we were there!

Karson's photo shoot

We took Karson to his first birthday party for our best friends little girl Annley.  Of course he won't remember it too much other than me taking pictures to show him one day,  but we sure did have a lot of fun.  We got to spend the night with Matt and Rebecca and then enjoy doing all it takes to make your child feel so special on their big day!  Annley decided she wanted a pool party so they did a great job planning for it.  We stayed after the party and Matt's dad cooked supper for all of us....oh yum!!! It was SO good!!! (and being a mama who cooks quite a bit it was nice to have a break and enjoy someone elses food)

Karson and his girls...gettin some love from Alaina

While waiting on supper Rebecca decided to take a couple snapshots of Karson.  She of course is a wonderful stay at home mom, but also does photography so once I saw the pictures I decided that could be Karson's 3 month photoshoot!  And I was not disappointed.  She has always done a great job and I have to say I love her work.  I also love her because she will actually give you the CD to have and print off as many pictures as you want.  Some photographers of course say that is crazy and I can understand because they use it at their full time income but like I said....she is a stay at home mom first but she loves to help others out by capturing perfect moments and I am so glad she does cause she captured some cute ones of Karson!

This is my FAVORITE!

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Baby Model?

A trip down Cooper Lane!

We finally found time that fit all of our schedules for us to go out to see our second family again!  Or better yet more like our first family because Caroline and Cooper were like our own kids long before Karson entered this world :) I started keeping Caroline (aka: Gracie, Sassy, GG and on and on) when she was 4 months old...and I am pretty sure she was 6 months old when Crystal told me she was expecting again!  And just a few short months later Cooper (aka: Bobby, Bay, and on and on) entered the world. It was a day full of memories from the start!! And when Brandon and I found out we were expecting we decided to make the decision for me to stay home with Karson which was quite difficult because I felt like I was leaving my first two children behind. But one thing is for sure they will always be apart of our life! Most of my recent knowledge on raising kids came from keeping these two for so long and following the schedule Crystal had them on.  She definitely taught me a lot!  So much that sometimes I laugh because Karson seems to be on the same schedule they were on.  Good thing is I was used to that so it made adjusting quite simple!

 Honestly, I am not sure who was more excited about this play date.  I'm pretty sure it had been 12 weeks since we had seen them last so Brandon and I were dying to play with them as much as they wanted to see us (and "baby Karson")  Of course we have had several conversations on the phone and I hear we make their prayer list quite often, but nothing compares to being with everyone and playing! We planned to go over at 7 and Crystal texted me at 6:15 when Gracie woke up from her nap and she said "why are they not here yet!"

What fun we had....You know they are like your family when you just pick up right where you left off last time!!! I told Crystal I would bring dessert which I decided to just take the cake and make it there because everyday Gracie used to ask me "Um, DD Can we make a craft today? Are we gonna bake something today?" So I knew we would enjoy that and yes we did!  They loved taking turns holding baby Karson and they were oh so excited to tell us ALL they had been doing this summer (or better yet show us!)  Bobby took us straight upstairs as soon as we got their to show us his new lightning mcqueen bed, Gracie had to tell us all about swimming, Bobby is so proud he is potty trained now, and Gracie had to show us how she could ride her bike! (needless to say it was nonstop the whole time we were there!) Karson fit right in and just went along with everything we were doing (he is definitely good at that)

I think we finally left around 10:30 after Gracie asked if she could spend the night with DD tonight!!  I sure am glad she still loves us that much! We decided once Karson gets a little bigger her and Cooper  could come spend the night with us again!

And this is a good summary of what everyday would be like if I was still keeping them!

Of course I had to capture us creating memories that night!  Brandon always says I should just capture "mental memories" (who is he kidding...he knows me better than this :) And I'm so glad I always have captured memories with them because I got home that night and looked back through some of my pictures of them! Oh the laughs and fun times we have had.....and oh how big they have gotten.  One thing is for sure we are so thankful our paths crossed 3 1/2 years ago.  Now they will always be a part of our life!!

Short and Sweet

I have this on my refrigerator and I love reading it everyday!  It's such a good reminder for me so thought I would share it....Karson is such a blessing to our family and I hope I always do my best to Bless him back as he grows up!!

Can You Relate?!?

"Don't Blink" I am sure this is something every mother has said to herself before and I have caught myself saying it several times just in Karson's three months so far....but it hit me once again as I finally decided to clean out his drawers and closet and put his newborn clothes up in storage for now.  I can't believe how fast they grow!  I remember him being too little for his newborn clothes at one point and then I wake up and the next day he has outgrown his newborn clothes and welcome 3 months!  People talk about cherishing these moments and not missing a thing and I've come to realize what a blessing it is to be a stay at home mom.  I am so grateful that we decided long ago that when we had kids I would stay home with them.  I am blessed to have a husband who understands the power of a stay at home mom and has made it work for us!  It's not the easiest job, and it doesn't pay (per say in the natural world) BUT its definitely the most rewarding!!  And although I used to be a perfectionist I find myself now saying "what schedule"......my little man has taught me that the laundry can wait...it will still be there tomorrow and possibly the next, the bathroom can stay dirty one more day, and the floor can be vacuumed later....oh yeah and I guess we're going out to eat tonight because we have no food in the house!!

And as I sit and think about our day to day "routine" or better yet lack there of I laugh and think...

Can You other Mama's Relate?

*Thinking today is the day we're gonna get on a schedule...only to realize the little one has other plans!

*Always having 3-4 paci's on hand everywhere we go (especially the front of the car)

*Crying like there is something terribly wrong...only for me to pick him up and him smile at me (I got you again Mama!)

*That swing is really supposed to entertain you longer than 5 minutes

*Okay he is finally asleep....now time to get as much housework done as quick as possible.

*What only a 30 minute nap...you are supposed to sleep longer than this!

*And yet another day without a shower therefore not leaving the house to go anywhere!

*Baby on the hip, trying to get supper together, and talking on the phone to Daddy (wondering when he is coming home to help)

*Me: "Daddy can you watch him while I shower"
  Daddy: "How long are you gonna be?"
  Me: "10 Minutes you think you can handle that?"
  Daddy: "Just hurry"
  Me: "I've been with him all day, you can handle 10 minutes Daddy!!!"...
      .....I get out the shower to hear Karson crying and go in there and get him from Daddy to snuggle up   
  Daddy replies "Why will he not do that for me"

*Looking at the house at the end of the day thinking...what have I done all day?!?! (oh yeah...taken care of a baby!)

*Passed out on the couch at 10PM, baby in arms; and thinking, as Gracie used to say, "I've had a busy day!"

And then the sweetness of:

*Karson smiling, cooing, and talking to me like he really is in on this conversation!

*Curling up in the rocking chair together before naptime and having your child just stare in your eyes and smile at you!

*That perfect spot in your arms he likes to curl up in that only he can find!

*My little man finally realizing...I may not know she is "mama" yet but I know I spend a lot of time with her and she takes good care of me!

So I often find myself pretty tired or better yet exhausted....in the end I wouldn't want it any other way! This is what mamas were called to do, and why God created us....to please him in everything we do!!! And although I laugh at some of the craziness that goes along with raising a child I find myself honored that God chose me to be Karson's mom!  And each Mama's story is different, but in God's timing he chose you to be your child's mama because only you can be the perfect mama for him/her!

Beach Bum

Well no doubt about it I am working on turning Karson into a beach baby but I have to admit it hasn't been that hard of a task.  I remember saying to Brandon all the time while I was pregnant...."I sure hope our little man loves to be outside" and I am pretty sure my words are coming true! We went to the beach with Brandon's family for the 4th of July and I was so proud of how great he did!!  We usually tried to make it out to the beach between twelve and one and Karson was there to stay with us until we were ready to go.  Brandon's parents took a tent and set it up and we took his stroller and he would sleep under the tent in his stroller which worked out perfect.  But of course we would also take turns holding him under the tent and loving on him....Yes he would sleep in his stroller, but he definitely preferred to fall asleep in our arms! 

One day Brandon and I got out there about 12:30 with him and we did not head back inside until 6....and yes Karson stayed the whole time.  Everyone around us would come up to us and say, "How old is he?" "He is such a trooper!" And they are so right,....he was such a trooper.  I am so thankful to have a sweet baby who loves being outside as much as we do.  And although this year was somewhat easy...I can only imagine what next year will be like with him running around everywhere!