An Exciting Decision...

What a big day today was. As most of you know I went back to work after 12 weeks of maternity leave and it has not been an easy transition for me. Chris tried to get me to not go back at all but I felt like I had to try. Chris and I have been talking about day care and how much it costs and how it will actually cost us money for me to work (since as a Para-pro we do not get much of a check). When I was on leave I felt like I had so much more time with the older boys since I did everything I needed to do during the day and then when they were home from school I could focus on helping with homework and just be there with the kids. Since I have been back to work I have not been able to be that mom. I have had to do everything when I got home and often felt guilty because I could not sit with Avery and help him when he needed it because there was so much to do, I was very overwhelmed. With Chris’ support, I have finally decided that I am going to join the world of those stay at home moms and be home with the kids. Of course there is only one home full time because the other two are in school but they will still benefit from me staying home for sure.
One thing I am going to miss a lot is seeing the kids during the day. I was in the lunchroom with Avery when he was in there so I see him all the time! This nine weeks Conner is in the classroom next to me so I see him most days when he pops in to say hello on his way to health. They both assured me that they would be OK without me here (I think that part will be harder on me than them for sure) but they did have the concern of “how will I get my ice cream money?” I guess that is something that I will have to work out…
As of right now my last day of work will be Friday, November 28. I am looking forward to being home and spending my days with the kids but on the other hand I am a little nervous about leaving. I have been with the school system since 2001 when I took the leave from Delta due to the events of 9/11. In that time I have gotten used to having that check come in with my name on it, as little as it was (the check not my name). I guess I am going to have to adjust to not having a check but I think that being home with the kids is better than that check any day.
….. now maybe I will find a little extra time to keep up the blog since we are getting to the stages where Kennedi is doing more and more. She is so fun to be around and I and so thankful that I have the opportunity to stay home and that I do not have to miss any of it!!

THE BIRTHDAY BOY!!!

I just wanted to wish Conner a HAPPY 14th BIRTHDAY!!!

I can't believe that it was 14 years ago today that he came into our lives. What a wonderful little man he has turned out to be. I am so proud of him.

This time next year he will be driving around town (on his permit)... WOW what a scary thought!!

I LOVE YOU CONNER!! HAVE A GREAT DAY!!

Kennedi's Baptism

Yesterday Chris and I along with many of our family members and friends saw Kennedi being Baptized during the 9am mass at church. She was so cute in her christening gown. The gown has been in the family for about 100 years and it started with my dad's mom getting baptized in it. Needless to say, I was a nervous wreck that Kennedi would put her foot through one of the parts that has not been restored or blown out her diaper and made a mess of it. But, when it was all said and done, the dress was still perfect. This was even the first Sunday in weeks that I did not have to take Kennedi out of mass because she was babbling too loud.

Conner and Avery were a part of the celebration by being two of the three Altar servers. This past Sunday was Avery's first time as an altar server and I was N-E-R-V-O-U-S but he did an excellent job! I am so glad that he did not change his mind at the last minute and it was wonderful to see him sit still! I know know that he can do it!!

I have posted pictures from yesterday. My brother Rick is Kennedi's godfather and my niece Amanda is her godmother. Amanda flew in from Charleston, SC to be with Kennedi on her special day and thankfully the flights were open and she was able to return home yesterday and be at work bright and early this morning. THANK YOU AMANDA FOR COMING INTO TOWN!! We miss you already!! Amanda was not the only one who came in from a distance, Kathleen (my nephew Matt's wife) and they baby Ryan were here from Columbus Mississippi. Of course I can't say that they came in just for the Baptism, Kathleen spent the weekend at USC where she went to college with some of her ROTC friends. But regardless, we are thankful that we were able to have her and Ryan in for the day. Chris' parents also made the 3 hour drive. They were up bright and early to be at the church by nine!!

We have to thank everyone that came to celebrate Kennedi's special day with us! It was beautiful!! We are so fortunate to have a family that loves Kennedi and gave up some time to celebrate. I am sure there were some tired people last night and I hope everyone had a good nights sleep before hitting the real world this morning.

2 proud brothers... they LOVE their little sister!!

family photo...

The family... or some of them at least...

The grandparents...

the godparents, Uncle Rick and Amanda

The pretty baby...

Kennedi's 1st Halloween and a few days before...

Hey everyone, its been a little while since I have updated the blog so this one maybe a little long but there are a lot of cute pictures of Kennedi to put in here...

These first two are added because I LOVE the dress she is wearing. This was a great find at a consignment shop that I often stop by. I rarely walk out of there without something for one of the kids in hand! She looked so cute dressed up for church in the dress with her little tights.

This past week Kennedi turned 12 weeks old. I have put some pictures that I took on Thursday (the actual day we got to celebrate the 12 week mark). We also got her 3 month pictures taken on Thursday. I can't wait to go back on Monday to view them. I am just worried on how much our purchase if going to cost us! It is so hard to go in there and NOT buy every picture they took. At least Chris will be there to help me decide what pictures to add to the collection.

This was also Kennedi's first Halloween. Of course she was so into it. At first Chris and I were not really planning on doing a whole lot. We were going to dress her up in her Auburn cheerleader outfit but then with Auburn not doing so great we thought we should make her first Halloween something better. We were actually doing some Christmas shopping the other day and we ran into what is now her costume. It was so cute, its a size 6-9 month so I thought she was going to swim in it. I was surprised when I got her home and it fit pretty well, it was a little big but nothing like I expected. We did not go to a lot of houses. We went to Kennedi's Aunt Karen's house but when we were sitting in the driveway we found out they were not home at the moment. So we took pictures in front of their house to prove we were there and headed to my other sister Barbie's house. Kennedi got lots of candy while we were there. She loved every bite of it too!! I think Reese's are her favorite so far! She is just like her mommy! Our last stop for the night was at Grandma and Papa's house where once again she got some candy!! I think she is set on candy for a little while. Here are some pictures of Kennedi throughout the day on her first Halloween. costume.

With Kennedi turning 12 weeks old this week it means that it is time for me to go back to work. My dreaded day is Monday and I hate to say it but I am not looking forward to it at all. I really hope that I will get used to leaving her behind. I think it is going to be extra hard (or I will feel extra guilt) because I stayed home with the boys but I also feel like I have to try to get out there again and work some. She will be in good hands next week and I am sure she will be spoiled! OK enough about all that.

I don't know how many times I have heard that Kennedi looks just like her daddy, I have to agree with them to an extent. I found the one picture of her and I as newborns that looked alike but have trouble seeing it in person. It is very hard to get past the cheeks that her and her daddy has. I came across this picture the other day and wanted to post it (its cute)....

of course it's cute... IT'S ME!! I think that maybe Kennedi is a really good mix of both of us but there are some pictures where its scary how much she looks like me! When she starts to crawl i will have to get a picture of her like the one above and really compare them!

Well I think I have rambled on long enough. I hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween!

Tara and Chris

Kennedi and her 2 month check

This morning brought us to the pediatrician's office, it was time for Kennedi's two month well check (and that means shots).



Her stats were:

weight: 12 lbs 3 oz

length: 23 1/2 inches



She is growing great!! she has gained 4 lbs since her 1 week check and grown 3 inches. I guess I can not complain!!



Chris went with me (thank God) so when ti was time for her shots I was able to walk out of the room and let him deal with it. I do not do well when I see her get needles. It makes me so upset. I stood out of the room and counted the three screams and knew the three shots were all over. She did great!! Cried for about 2-3 minutes and then fell asleep for a few hours.



We go back for her 4 month in December.... that is when we will also start solids (that is just around the corner).....



Well until next time....



Tara