Congrats to Mr. and Mrs. Boals

You pronounce Boals, like "bowls" by the way. Anyhoo, Saturday Michelle and Brian got married and all of my girls from nursing school were reunited again. I have blogged about these girls many times and just love them to death. Michelle was the last of the 5 to get married and had such a beautiful wedding and amazingly fun reception to top off the night.

The weekend started on Friday night when Katie and Stik, along with Melissa and Jim arrived into town. Katie and Stik stayed at our place while Mel and Jim stayed just down the way at another friend's house. Clay and I stayed up late visiting with The Dixon's and then woke up early to enjoy breakfast with the entire crew. Even the lovely bride joined in on some yumminess from Blue Plate. Then after a quick trip to Pottery Barn Outlet, Melissa and I had mani / pedis and enjoyed some great company. I think it was the first time I have had a mani / pedi in at least 2 years. To be honest, I think the last time I had one was when Clay and I were in the Bahama's just before I delivered Cooper! That would have been August of 2006!!

After our spa time, we went back home and I laid down with Lilly while CLay got some things done around the house and Katie and Stik ventured out to lunch with some friends from college. Mom came by just after 4:00 to help with Lilliana so that we could all get ready and get out the door a little before 6. We met Ben, Jennifer's husband at the church, (since Jenn was in the wedding we didn't want him to sit by himself) and all sat together. I think we all got a little emotional when Michelle walked through those door at the back of the church. This is something she has wanted for so long and deserves a man to treat her right. I am so glad that God placed Brian in her life and know they are going to be so happy together.

Following the wedding we headed to The Raquet Club for an evening of dancing, courtesy of Aquanet. It was so much fun and I know all of us girls enjoyed our hubbies getting to know each other a bit better :) After sending off the newly married couple, we went home and headed to bed shortly after.

On Sunday we got up and enjoyed breakfast before sending Katie and Stik on their way to Birmingham and met Melissa and Jim at The Germantown Comissary for a yummy bar-b-que lunch. I think Mel and Jim ate bar-b-que for almost every meal this weekend, and Jim said that The Comissary was his favorite! Good choice Clay :)

Overall, it was a wonderful weekend of catching up and enjoying each other's company. I am so happy for Michelle and Brian and look forward to many date nights together. COngratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Boals, we wish you a lifetime of happiness.

Wedding Pictures of Mr. and Mrs. Boals BIG day!

Clay and I dressed up and ready for the wedding


the beautiful bride and groom


the fab 5! Melissa, Me, Michelle, Jenn, and Katie


Melissa, the chauffeur


Our men, Clay, Jim, Stik and Ben

Congratulations Dr. Davis!!!

Congratulation's are definitely in order for one of my best friends and former college roommates Angie. She just graduated from Pharmacy School and we couldn't be anymore proud of her. I am sad to say she is going to stay in Nashville for her job as a full-fledged Pharm-D but I guess I don't blame her. Maybe we can talk her into coming back to Memphis in a few years. :)



Lilliana playing with a random flamingo at Angie's graduation party


All the girls from college with our hubby's


The Pi Phi girls with my little legacy


Angie, Me and Lilliana

Not sure why all these pics were so dark, still wanting to get a nice new camera, one day :)

Wordless Wednesday!

Day with Dad

This is what Clay and Lilly do while Momma is trying to sleep on Sundays after work!







Yes, I realize she doesn't match, but I guess at least she is clothed! I am also glad she is wearing her tennis shoes and not her good church shoes because that has been a problem in the past :0

My first daughter ...

Well, before there was Cooper, or even Lilliana there was Maggie Abigail. She is our yorkie who is 4 years old and such a great dog. She doesn't get much face time here on the blog anymore so I thought I would just tell you what a great dog she is. After losing Cooper she was just the greatest companion, and then while on bedrest with Lilliana she stuck right by myside everyday. She is so protective and such a gentle dog. Clay got her for me the Christmas after we got married and she has been our little companion ever since. When we first got her, we decided we were going to kennel train her but since I was working nights at the time and Clay was home a lot by himself, that didn't last for long. He would get her out of her kennel in the middle of the night and put her in the bed with him. I couldn't figure out why during the day when I was trying to sleep that she would just whine and cry all day. Before I would get home in the mornings Clay would quickly put her back in the kennel so I would think that was where she had been all night. I had no idea what he was up to for the longest time!

I guess you could say she was our practice run before having kids :) Back in the day, I used to dress her up for Halloween, she had multiple dresses and went pretty much wherever Clay and I did. Of course, life has definitely done some changing for Maggie, but she is still the most loyal companion.

Lilliana loves her with her whole heart, and Maggie in return is such a great protector. She has always been very protective of Clay and I but quickly after bringing L home form the hospital Maggie would run to me when L would cry and just look at me like "Momma, you gotta get my sister." When Maggie runs after Lilly or we do something funny that involves Maggie, Lilly's laughter is brought to a whole new level. She belly laughs and sometimes even has tears she is laughing so hard at her 'sister'. She puts up with a lot when Lilliana is around and has probably aged significantly worrying over her within the last 17 months but I couldn't ask for more.

She has never tried to run off and we are able to take her on walks without a leash. She just stays right next to us and we joke that she is probably scared to leave ourside. She loves to ride in the wagon with L and will just sit there next to her while we stroll through the neighborhood. I will say that allthough Lilliana is a Momma's girl, Maggie is a Daddy's girl. Always has been and probably always will be. I was so jealous of Clay until Lilliana came along. I told him, he can't have both girls so that is why I was given Lilly who wants me more :)

Just wanted to let you know that I actually have 2 little girls and I can't imagine life without either one of them!

Little Momma

Lately Lilliana has started following my every move when it come to Maggie (our yorkie). When Maggie starts to bark and I tell her no, Lilliana will come up behind me and say no, no, no, no, no, to Maggie while shaking her little finger at her. I can't help but laugh at her because I know she hears me say it all day long whether to her or Maggie. Sweet Maggie is such a little trooper and just kinda puts up with it.

My Little frog

This week was Lilliana's first time to take swimming lessons. It was everyday for 45 minutes and I was more than impressed with my little love's skills. She did so good and warmed up to having water poured in her face and doing all that was necessary at her age fairly quickly. Of course there were some tears shed and I was able to witness a little defiance on her behalf when we asked her to do something she didn't particularly want to do but for the most part she just obliged and became quite the little fish.

Her teacher, Mrs. Brittany, holds a special place in my heart, as we met through work when her first little boy, Forrest was admitted shortly after birth. I was pregnant with Lilliana at the time and I remember on one of our first encounters Brittany asking me if that was my first pregnancy and I told her no that I had lost a little boy the year before. She was so sincere and I remember her telling me she didn't know what she would do if something happened to her precious Forrest but the Lord had big plans for sweet Forrest, unfortunately not Earthly one's. After fighting for his life for 55 days in the LeBonheur PICU he went home to his Heavenly Father. During this time I had been placed on bedrest at home with Lilliana but Brittany and I stayed in touch and then realized shortly after that we lived around the corner from each other. We have done a few playdates with her newest little boy Austin and have plans for more this summer. She is such a wonderful Mom and an amazing Christian example. She loves her 2 boys with her whole heart and we both know what it's like to bury a child. It's not a club I enjoy being in, but one where it's nice to have others who have been there to talk to. She encourages me and we both just live life to the fullest because we don't want to take a single day with our little loves for granted.

Thanks for such a great week Brittany and we are already looking forward to next summer when we can do Mommy and Me II!


our bag packed and ready for the last day of swimming lessons


getting ready to leave


my little love :)


arriving at the pool and ready to swim!


Lilliana and Mrs. Brittany


Momma, Lilliana and Brittany


Me and my little love, swimming in the pool


attempting to get the ring, she had to put her face in the water to achieve this!


and she got it!


Daddy came to watch our little frog!

Wordless Wednesday!

Late Mother's Day Brunch

Today Clay, Mom, Lilliana and I headed to Owen Brennan's for their delicious brunch. This was where we wanted to go last Sunday but I waited too late to call and make reservations so they were already booked when I finally remembered. No big deal though because they are usually so busy on holidays that it worked out well since we were able to have a nice relaxing lunch today, without all the hustle and bustle.

I worked on Saturday night so I was pretty tired but we still had a great lunch and enjoyed the time we had together. Clay and Lilliana headed to church this morning so that I was able to get a couple hours sleep before going to lunch and while they were on their way out of the parking lot, my poor little love fell and busted her bottom lip. I think Clay was really worried I was going to be mad but I was just glad it wasn't any worse. Her teeth and still in tact and she just hit on her bottom lip. I knew something was up when Clay told me to make sure I had clothes ready for her upon their arrival home. I was wondering why she couldn't just stay in her church dress but I found out fairly quickly. Clay had blood on his nice white Polo and Lilly was just wearing her little bodysuit I had just gotten her from Janie and Jack. Poor little baby is such a little trooper. I felt so bad for her because Clay said she just laid her head on his shoulder and cried. I hate that I wasn't there but I probably would have made a bigger deal out of the situation, thus making Lilly more upset than she already was.

After lunch we took some pictures outside and then headed back to the house so that Lilly and I could nap once more. I had to go into work tonight so I knew I needed to get some more sleep so that I would be ready for another all nighter. Lilly was exhausted from all the excitement of the day and took a great nap and then after eating dinner I headed to work. I itypically talk with Clay after he puts Lilly down to sleep and he said tonight she pulled a pillow down from the couch and just laid down in the floor just after 7. He knew she was tired so went ahead and rocked her to sleep. She is just precious and loves her Dadda. I still say she rocks better with him becuase he is more squishy than me :) Sometimes she is just so fidgety when I rock her but not with Clay.

Here's onto another week, hopefully filled with lots more fun. We are starting a letter and color of the week tomorrow and we also have swimming lessons in the morning that will last all week. We are really looking forward to the time together and hopefully the weather will cooperate so that we don't freeze in the pool!

Little Chatty Cathy Lilly

Here is a video of Lilliana playing on her new Kangaroo Climber. I know it is 4 minutes long but if you can get through until around 2 minutes (or you can just fast forward until then), she shows off some of her skills! :)

17 month's young!

Oh my little love, another month has come and gone already. I can't believe that in 1 short month you will be 1 1/2. Of course a milestone like that can't go without a celebration so Mommy is working on something fun for the big day. You have the most amazing personality and it is really starting to come full circle these days. You are so full of life and are typically such a happy little baby. You complete me and make me just the happiest Momma alive.

This has been such a fun month and you are quite the little learner. You have begun to repeat a lot of what Daddy and I say so we really have been watching our P's and Q's around you lately. You love to play outside and have received lots of new things to play with outside lately. You and Maggie have such an affectionate love/hate relationship and sometimes I think I am going to have to trade one of you in! You love to mess with Maggie while she is eating her supper and Maggie in turn loves to eat while you are awake and running after her. I think it is her little way of control, at least what she has left of in the house. :)

This month you got pink eye for the first time and within a week had shared that with Momma. You also had another ear infection but with that visit to the Pediatrician came another weight check. This time you weighed in at 18 lb. 7 oz.!! That is a huge jump from your 15 month visit and made me so proud. You are such a little garbage gut these days and have become such a great eater. Your newest favorite is grilled cheese sandwiches and fruit sticks. You love strawberries, blueberries and bananas, and you can eat about a half a pan of Momma's homemade lasagna! One of our favorite places to go on Friday's is Muddy's where we share a Pink Lady cupcake and all the workers think you are so funny because you say "mmmm" over and over again while eating your cupcake. You also love chocolate milk as a very special treat and were weaned to completely drinking milk from a cup this month. No more nursing after almost 17 months. :(

You have started saying "cheese" when I take your picture and you are doing a little better keeping your hairbows in these days. You can say "bear bow" (hairbow) and you constantly point and like to kiss your boo boo's. When you have one, which is almost constantly these days, you point it out to me ALL the time. You love babies and point them out everywhere you go. All men are Dadda and most kids are "baby." You LOVE to dance and will shake your booty anytime you hear music. You are so funny and know you are. You love to clap when you doing someting you know we will be proud of and always look to me and your Dadda for approval. You love storytime at Davis Kidd and try to sing along and do the motions to all the songs. Wilson is your best friend and your eyes just light up when you see him. Yall play really well together and you are helping him prepare for his (hopefully) upcoming little sister. :)

You are down to one nap a day and it can range anywhere from 1 1/2 hours to 3 hours long. Although, I do believe you would be just as happy a baby with no nap at all! You are still facing backwards in your car seat but only a couple more pounds and you can see the rest of the world while we are driving.

You are wearing size 3 diapers, in 9-12 month clothes and size 2 shoes. Still a petite little think but so are your Momma and Dadda so I don't think you are going to be a very big girl yourself. Everywhere we go, people tell us how beautiful you are and I couldn't agree more. It just makes me beam from ear to ear for others to see what a special child you are. Momma started back to work more this month and misses you like crazy while I am gone but you are asleep within an hour of me leaving for work and are usually still asleep when I get home so most of the time you don't even know I'm gone.

You like to run everywhere you go and you sure have a set of lungs on you! You get that pretty honest too though because people used to always tell your Nana that her little girl sure had some lungs to be so little :) You have also become quite the little monkey and you have started climbing on everything. You even tried to hang from the oven door this month and unfortunately it opened pretty quickly and sent you straight to the floor on your face!! You weren't very fond of that experience but it hasn't stopped you from trying it again and again.

You are the most kind hearted little girl and you like to share everything you have with others. I think I could probably learn a thing or two from you. I can't imagine my life without you and can't wait to wake up to your precious little Momma's every morning. I miss you when you nap too long and can't wait to play with you each new day. You still love to snuggle after naps and we still rock to sleep at nap and bed time and I am so thrilled you still want this time with me. You are my world and I can't wait for more fun times with you ahead.

Slide vs. Splash Pad

The following video is one I took the other day while Lilly and I were playing outside in her new splash pad. Clay had the bright idea of placing Lilliana's slide from her new Step 2 Kangaroo Climber into her Splash Pad so that she could slide directly into the water. Of course I obliged, and let me go ahead and say that I feel bad for finding the following video funny, but I do! Lilliana was not a huge fan of the slide/Splash Pad combo afterwards but seemed to have fun on the way down :)




She is so sassy and I think was just a little scared since she went down the slide so quickly. I guess, a wet body and swimsuit combined with a wet slide were not the best idea at this time ... maybe next year she will find it funnier!

(make sure you go down to the bottom and pause the music in my playlist first)

I believe she's got it!

Just this week has my little love started saying 'tank ew' (thank-you) when I hand her something she has requested or do something nice for her. She is becoming such a little lady and hopefully, please, unprompted is also just around the corner :)

Mother's Day

Love is patient; love is kind. Love is not jealous; is not proud; is not conceited; does not act foolishly; is not selfish; is not easily provoked to anger; keeps no record of wrongs; takes no pleasure in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth; love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. ~I Corinthians 13:4-7


Being a Mom is the most rewarding and fulfilling job in the world. I absolutely LOVE being a Mom and wouldn't give up this opportunity for anything in the world. The way Lilliana makes me feel when she calls out for me in the morning when she wakes and after naptime is just priceless. I love the way she needs me, usually constantly :) and I can't imagine my life without her in it. She is my greatest joy and has brought more sunshine into my life than I ever thought possible.

This time last year was Lilliana's baby dedication at church and to think that she is already 16 month's old is just mind boggling. I can't believe how fast she is growing up and sometimes feel that I wish I could just freeze time and not allow her to grow up any quicker but unfortunately I know I can't do that. I just try to savor the moments I have with her and not miss a thing.

I can't help but think about the sacrifice that God made when he gave his one and ONLY son to die for ME on the cross each and everytime I rock Lilly to sleep. It is usually one of my prayer times and it just brings tears to my eyes to think about what a sacrifice that was. I can't even imagine what I would do if something happened to my little love and what I would do if she got seriously injured. To know the pain and the consequences that Jesus was walking into is something I really have a difficult time placing my mind around. It just makes me realize what an awesome God we serve and how thankful I am to be His daughter. To also think that God loves me and you MORE than I love my little Lilly is just amazing. I think if I had anymore love for Lilly my heart would just burst, and it makes me feel so wonderful to know that God loves us MORE than that! What a gracious God we serve.

I look forward to many more years on Earth with my precious little love and an eternity in Heaven with Him who loves me even more.

Happy Mother's Day!!

A little stinker already ...

Lately I have noticed a trend with Lilliana that I am not too fond of. Part of it is that Lilliana is too smart for her own good! When I ask her to do things she has learned that sometimes I am not as stern as I may seem. When she was eating lunch yesterday I couldn't get her to eat her chicken so I just phoned Clay and placed him on speaker phone and she quickly listened to him. I am not really sure what to do. I feel like this is way too early for her to be playing her Momma and not minding me. I knew she was hungry because she would have eaten an entire stick of crackers had I given them to her but she just knows I am a softy. I guess I am just going to have to stick to my guns and put on my mean face once in a while whether I want to or not!!

Fun in the Sun!

Yesterday was a beautiful day in Memphis and since we have had so much rain in the last few weeks Lilly and I were just itching to soak up some rays and enjoy such a beautiful day. We started out the day with a fun filled morning playing with Wilson since Amanda was rounding at the hospital and then met at Davis Kidd for storytime and then to Salsa for some yummy lunch. The kids were great and enjoyed their lunch while giving Amanda and I a few peaceful moments to talk over chips and cheese dip. After lunch we headed our separate ways to put the kids down for naps. Lilliana slept like a champ, for almost 3 hours and then was ready for even more fun!

I decided since it was still so sunny and warm outside that we would try out this new toy that Clay and I were able to pick up last weekend at Toys R Us while Nana was watching Lilly for a couple hours. It was such a hit and I had trouble getting my little water baby out of it! Such a great purchase and so easy to maintain. You don't have to worry about inflating anything, because when you connect the hose the water does it all for you! I was a little concerned that she would be scared at first but that was far from the truth. We are going to have so much fun with it this summer :)

Grandmother and Poppie were coming over and came bearing gifts themselves with a fun little ride on/push toy that she can also play with outside. I have been wanting to get one of these also for Lilly but thought after last weekend we had probably spent enough so I was so glad when Marilyn called to see if she would enjoy one. Of course she did and loves to push it back and forth on the patio. her little legs aren't long enough yet for her to sit on it and scoot but she can get herself going pretty good when she leans to the side and uses one foot! She is too funny!!

Then if that wasn't enough, we had also ordered her a new Step 2 Kangaroo Climber and according to the tracking it was also on its way. I was so excited, probably more than her, because it stated it wouldn't be there until the 18th when I originally ordered it so I was so pleasantly surprised when it showed up on my doorstep. Clay quickly put it together, and then we officially had our own park in the backyard. She is such a little monkey and now scared of anything so we figured this would be the best option money could buy for now. You can see in some of the pics the stool behind it, sweet little lovin is a little too short and was having trouble getting up on the step so we put a stool there for her. I have a feeling we are going to have to get used to doing things like this :)


playing in her new splash pad, so much fun


come on in Momma, the water's fine freezing!


trying to learn how to scoot on her new toy


maybe I'll just push it :)


she is all over the place!


trying to figure out what this new thing is in her backyard


it didn't take long, she was a champ!


going down the slide AKA "weeee" for the first time


we did this over and over again, (you can see her little stool in the background)


time to take sister down the slide :)

No longer a milk maid

Actually I am not even sure if milk maid's make milk or what their exact purpose is, but after 16 month's 3 weeks and 1 day, this Momma's diner is closed. When this adventure first started, my original goal was 6 month's, then once we passed that milestone we set our sight's on 1 year. It wasn't until my pediatrician, the amazing Dr. K suggested us continuing through RSV/Flu season that the thought even crossed my mind. It has been some of the best 16 month's of my life and I have enjoyed every minute of it. Lilly was always such a great eater and I loved the benefits for myself also! Kinda sad in some ways that this stage is over but I know that I have given Lilly the best start possible and for that I am so very grateful!

Wordless Wednesday!

Workin 9-5 Workin 7-7

This past weekend was my first full weekend back at the old JOB. I have officially started my night weekends and so far so good. I did have an incredibly busy weekend at work and the unit is full with lots of sick and very sad patients. The previous weekend when I worked we were placing people on call and I believe there were only about 11 kids in there but things were definitely different this weekend. Overall things were good though. I love the people I work with and enjoy what I do. I miss my little love sooooo much when I am gone but I have enjoyed my adult interaction and getting to know those I work with even better. I guess if I have to work atleast it is with people I love and trust in. It is so hard to work where I do, emotionally and physically, but it makes it that much easier when there are people there who understand you and truely care about you and how your night is going.

I love coming home in the morning to greet my little love just after she wakes up and Clay is doing such a great job of entertaining her in the mornings so I can get some much needed rest. She loves her Daddy and has been acting like such a little angel for him. It is amazing how much more she likes to act out for me than him! I guess she knows her Daddy means business and she get's away with murder with this Momma :) It does make me realize how thankful I am for a job that I am able to go to while Lilly is asleep and not really miss much of her life.