CHOM in Tuscaloosa

Late Friday night, I got on the internet to find something fun for us to do on Saturday. This is what I found! The Children's Hands On Museum in Tuscaloosa. Addison had so much fun! John and I were very impressed (from a teacher/parent stand point) at all of the wonderful learning opportunities and concepts for young children here but were a little let down at the cleanliness of the objects and the fact that quite a few needed attention (i.e. broken or missing parts/batteries). Overall, a FUN day and a great experience!

learning about Native Americans

grinding corn

Finley enjoys the wall of mirrors

experimenting with air/balls

just taking it all in!

picking and sorting fruits and veggies

feeding the horse (that was broken or needed batteries)

fishing

taking care of Curious George at the hospital

the tiniest patient and the tiniest nurse

Beaver's Bend (exploring animals and habitats)

fun with music!

working at the old fashioned diner and taking orders

(I love this picture!)

Aug. 14th party; Memommy; Sisters

This was Finley's first time to meet her great-grandmother, Memommy, and boy did Finley love her! (I think the feeling was mutual!). Memommy recently moved to a nursing home which was emotional for everyone. She sure did look great and, to me, seemed her old self! Memommy bought Madame Alexander dolls for the girls last year for their birthdays. Sadly, we never got around to celebrating with her. So, Memommy was able to give Addi her doll and the blanket she knitted for her. It was a special day!

Finley's not quite ready for this chair but how cute!!!!

I still can't believe these girls are mine and that I am a mother of two!

Quite the pair!!!

We celebrated Addi's birthday for over a month (not on purpose). She called her real birthday her "Aug. 14th party." We took her to Chuck E. Cheese and Sol Azteca. She loved every minute of it!

We let her make her own cupcakes and decorate them.

busy, busy!

Well, I haven't had a chance to post anything in a while. I have so many pictures to post but can't do it tonight. It's been so busy since we got back from the beach. Addi came down with a cold and a bad ear infection (her first one ever!). Her ear drained for a few days and then she ran fever. Both girls had check ups (3 year check up for Addi and 2 month check up for Finley). They had to get shots which is not fun! Thankfully, Mom went with me to take them. Our doctor recommended that we see Addi's ENT due to the infection and b/c the tubes she got at 6 months old were coming out. He also thought she may have a hole in her ear drum (scary!). We made an appointment with the ENT 2 days later. Our ENT, Dr. Woolley (who we love, by the way) said we needed to come in the following day and have her tubes taken out and possibly have new ones put in. John was leaving to go out of town the morning of the surgery so Mom and David (John's dad) came with me. Everything went well, and Dr. Woolley ended up putting new tubes in Addison's ears. We were there from 7:00 until about 11:30. It was a long morning, and Addi doesn't do well with anesthesia. Anyway, all is calming down now except for the hour-long screaming sessions 2 times each day when we put Addi's ear drops in. I feel bad for her b/c I can tell that it hurts (or is very uncomfortable) when the drops drip through the tube. Tonight, as Addi proceeded to scream and scream, Finley also began to cry (which she rarely does). So after going from room to room to calm them, all 3 of us got in Addi's twin bed. The girls fell asleep as I told stories and sang songs (barely awake myself!).

*updates from the check ups:

-Finley weighs 10 pounds and 10 ounces and is in the 90% for height, 60% for weight, and 40% for head size.

-Addi weighs 28 1/2 pounds and is in the 15% for height and weight. Bless her soul! Looks like little sis may be towering over big sis.

Happy Birthday, Baby Girl!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ADDISON BAYLOR!

3 years ago, God gave John and me the sweetest blessing- a daughter who enriches our lives daily. She keeps us laughing with her vibrant, silly, and spunky personality. She loves to dance, play with her imaginary friend "Big Bad Wolf," and make others laugh with her tricks (like sticking her tongue up her nose). She challenges us and keeps us on our toes (and at our wits end) with her precociousness and persistence. She is confident, independent, and full of life and we love every square inch of her! We thank God for blessing us with Addison and we pray that He will guide her, protect her, and give her a long and fulfilling life!

Destin 2010

Here are some pictures from our Brock family beach trip! It is amazing to see how much the kids have grown since we started the tradition 3 years ago. Mom rented a house for us that was absolutely beautiful! It had a nice pool and was a short walk to the beach. It was a great trip! Aunt Glenda and Emily came which was so much fun! Due to the heat, we had to keep Finley inside most of the week. She got to go for a few walks at night. Thankfully, my sweet family helped take care of her so that John and I could spend time together at the beach with Addi. I'm already looking forward to next year when Julie and Tucker's baby, Ellis, can join us!

eating at Harry T's

Braden is asked to shoot the cannon!

Addi did so well taking her naps at the beach. On this one day, John joined her! He'd been up early fishing.

This was the only time Finley made it to the beach. It was around 7:00 at night right before the sun went down.

Finley loved all of the attention! Aunt Glenda and Emily fought over her. Finley really started showing her sweet smiles to everyone.

I realized once we got to the beach that Addi and I had similar shirts, so we decided to match one night.

Emily and Finley resting together.

Addi and Eme loved when the ice cream man came! Addi always got Tweety Bird (or "Lucky Duck" as she called it.)

The fishing was great! This is the same pond/lake where my dad caught an almost 9 pound bass that is mounted on the wall at the lake house. This was Braden's prize fish! He caught it, set the hook, and reeled it in all by himself!

This was John's prize catch! Braden could hardly hold it.

This was a different bass that John caught. It was also huge!

our little fisher-woman

*Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of Weston or Tanya on here. Weston was sick so they came down at the end of the week. I have other pictures that I haven't loaded yet but wanted to go ahead and post some.