100th Post

I can't believe this is already my 100th post. I never knew if I would even be able to keep up this blogging thing. My life is extremely busy right now, but I'm trying my hardest to update when I can. Yesterday, I said I thought Annistyn would start crawling any day now. Well, today was the day! You can tell she is just so proud of herself. She definitely has her own style of crawling. She crawls on one knee and one foot, instead of just on both knees. Here is a very short video of Annistyn crawling tonight after supper. Please turn your volume off and don't listen to me talking!


I know it's not the best video, but Annistyn was tired and ready for bed. This was about all I could get her to do.

Almost Crawling

I think Annistyn is going to start crawling any day now! Or any second! She will just get on her hands and knees and rock back and forth. She has also started pushing up on all fours (hands and feet). Who knows, she may just take off walking any day!

Tucker is 2!

Happy Birthday sweet Tucker! We can't believe you are already 2! That means Annistyn is very close to turning 1!

Annistyn and I were glad that Josh was in town to go to church with us this morning. Annistyn loves having her daddy sit by her in church, even though she sleeps the majority of the time.

After church this morning, we went to eat lunch at El Tap. Annistyn was very tired today, so we didn't stay long. Josh and Annistyn got all of their lunch eaten, but I ended up taken most of mine home. Annistyn loves El Tap's beans! She ate almost an entire plate of them.

Annistyn went right to sleep when we got home, and she slept almost 3 hours. She woke up around 3:00, just in time to have a bottle before we went to the big birthday party. Here are some pictures from Tuck's big day.

Tucker and his awesome Mater cake.



I know my hair is in the way, but Tuck was giving Annistyn some good lovin'.



Kayli, Tripp, and Tucker playing on the playground.




Check out these matching hair styles!



Sorry Annistyn, you will never have curls like this! I have spent many hours trying to get curls like that in my hair, it just never happens. It is so not fair that the boys get the curls, and we don't.

We had a great day! We love you Tucker boy!

Week in Review

It's been a crazy busy week. Josh was still in Florida all week for work. I had basketball practice everyday after school. Tuesday night I had to chaperone the homecoming dance at school. Wednesday and Thursday I had class at Tech. Needless to say, I could not have survived this week without the help from my family and Karen!

Josh ended up getting an early flight home on Thursday night. He did not tell me this, so when the door flung open Thursday night while I was watching TV, I almost had a heart attack. I just knew I was about to be shot or something! I quickly forgave him, because I was SOOOO EXCITED to see him. Annistyn and I missed him like crazy. Annistyn starting saying daddy while he was gone instead of DaDa. It is so sweet to hear her say it, and then watch Josh's face light up!

Here are some pictures from this week.

Weekend Getaway

Annistyn and I have now survived 3 days without Josh. Only 6 more to go! We are having our own little getaway this weekend. We are staying with Grandmama and Granddaddy. I love having my parents live so close! This weekend, I have gotten cooked meals that I did not have to cook and a break when I needed one!

Granddaddy cooked us pancakes this morning! Annistyn loved them!



Annistyn has not been doing a whole lot of napping today! It was nice to have somebody around to give me a break. Thanks Mom and Dad! You're the best!

On Our Own

Josh left early this morning for Orlando. A limo picked him up around 5:15 to take him to the airport. He was in Orlando by 9:30ish. He went to work for a few hours then to his hotel room. He already called to tell us how nice his hotel is. He is in a suite that is apparently nicer than our house. We are so proud of him and his new position at work!

So while Josh is out of town for work, I am like a single mom. All I have to say is I am very thankful for friends and family that volunteer to help me out with Annistyn. Without them, I have no idea what I would do. With graduate classes and basketball, there is no way I could do it on my own!

Sitting Up

When I went to get Annistyn out of the bed this morning, this is what I saw.



Am I not extremely lucky to be able to see this face every morning? She makes me so happy! She is so stinkin' cute! She has been sitting up on her own in the bed like this for a few days now.

I had class after school today, so Annistyn went to play with Grandmama for a couple hours. Then, we came home to spend as much time with Josh as possible. He leaves early in the morning for Orlando for work. He is going to be gone for 9 days. I guess I will see into the life of a single parent.

El Tap and Walmart Day

This morning, when I went to get Annistyn out of bed, she was sitting up in her bed. This is the first time she has sat up on her own! She was just sitting there so big and smiling.

After church this morning, Josh, Annistyn and I went to eat at El Tap. Annistyn ate some refried beans for the first time, and she loved them! She ate almost an entire plate of them.

Then we made a trip to Walmart to get Josh ready for his trip on Thursday. Josh flies out Thursday morning for Orlando for 9 days. We spent the afternoon trying to get Josh packed because we are all going to have a busy week.

Annistyn and I spent some time late afternoon playing outside. It was such a nice day, so we just put a blanket out and played.




Annistyn also got to wear her new big girl pajamas tonight.

Sippy Cup

We had a pretty lazy day today. We stayed home, cleaned a little, did some laundry, and watched football. Annistyn drank from a sippy cup all day! Every other time I've tried to get Annistyn to drink from a sippy cup, she hasn't done so well. Last week at her doctor's appointment, they said Annistyn should be drinking from a sippy cup by now. This morning, I thought I would just try it and see how it went. She drank every last drop without any problem.



Last night, Annistyn went to her first football game. It was Sparta's first home game and homecoming. We weren't sure how Annistyn would do, since the game didn't start until 7:00. She did really well. We left at halftime, because Annistyn was worn out. She didn't get fussy at all, though.

9 Month Check-Up

Annistyn had her 9 month check-up today. I got to go just long enough for her to be weighed and measured. Annistyn now weighs 20 pounds (65th percentile), 29 inches long (86th percentile), and 18 inch head circumference (88 percentile). Josh said everything went well. Said Annistyn looked great!

I had to go back to school during Annistyn's check-up for basketball tryouts. We had 39 sixth grade girls tryout. That's just crazy!

I came home in time to finish feeding Annistyn her supper and put her to bed. She did, however, go straight to sleep tonight. She didn't even make a sound when I put her down.

"Bwess You!"

Tucker stayed at Mama Karen's today with Annistyn. Karen said that Annistyn was lying on the blanket playing with Tucker. She said Tucker would leave her to go do something else, and Annistyn would do a fake cough until Tucker would come back. Every time Annistyn would start her fake cough, Tucker would say "Bwess you, Baby! Bwess you!" and run back over to her! They are so funny! They are both going to be a handful!

When I got home from work today, Josh had cleaned the entire house and done laundry! He's the best! He said he knew I haven't felt well, and he didn't want me to have to do anything when I got home. He wouldn't even let me cook supper!

Annistyn has started crying when we put her to bed. I feel bad for not spending more time with her, so I get her back up when she cries. I know, that's a very bad habit! Tonight, I decided I was just going to let her cry it out to try and break this habit. It wasn't successful. Somebody else (JOSH!), couldn't stand to let her cry. He got her up and rocked her for a little bit. After he rocked her for about 20 minutes, I put her back in the bed, and she went right to sleep. What does a little rocking and snuggling hurt anyway?

Labor Day

Today is Labor Day, so I had the day off. I'm still not feeling great, so Annistyn and I spent the day being lazy and playing. Josh had to work again today. It was his last day with this job. He starts his new job on Thursday.

For lunch today, Annistyn tried chicken strips for the first time. She loved them.



Yes, Annistyn is wearing her pajamas while she eats lunch. I told you, it was a lazy day!

S'Mores

I woke up this morning not feeling so great, so Annistyn and I didn't make it to church this morning. Annistyn and I both took a morning nap, and then we headed to my parent's house for the day. Josh had to work all weekend. Corrie and her family are here, so we spent the day with them.

Renee came over later this afternoon, and took pictures of Kayli and Annistyn wearing their smocked scarecrow swing tops that Grandmama made them. They looked so cute!



My dad grilled ribs tonight, which were delicious! After supper, we all went outside for some s'mores. It was such a fun night.

Tullohoma and The Fair

Pet and PopPop picked me and Annistyn up this morning, so we could ride with them to Tullahoma. The whole family went to Tullahoma, to Uncle David's and Aunt Esther's house for lunch and to celebrate Aunt Esther's birthday. We had so much fun. The day was full of outside play and 4 wheeler rides. It was the perfect day for being outside.





This afternoon, we all headed back to Sparta. We all went to the fair tonight. Annistyn loved it. It was heaven for a nosey little girl. She just watched everyone and everything. She is definitely her daddy's girl, because she loved the tractor pull!

9 Months

Annistyn, I know I say this every single month, but I CAN'T believe you are 9 months old! That just seems so close to 1 to me, and 1 seems like you are no longer a baby! How is this even possible?

Renee Bouldin took your 9 month pictures today. I can't wait to see them. We took some at Grandmama's and Granddaddy's house and some at Barb and Jim Witzigman's house at Fancher's Mill. It is gorgeous out there.

I tried to take my normal monthly pictures of you with your 9 month old sign, but they are not as good as normal. You are too busy these days. Here are the best ones I could get.







Annistyn, what are you up to these days?

• You need to be wearing size 9 months clothes, but we have very few things that are 9 months. You mostly still wear size 6 months, and we have a few things that are 6-12 months that you can wear.


• You are wearing size 3 diapers.


• You still sleep 12 hours at night and take 2-3 naps during the day.


• You would prefer to feed yourself, even if it's oatmeal or baby food. You get mad sometimes and won't eat if I'm feeding you. Can you say stubborn?


• You are still not crawling but want to so badly.


• You can stand while holding on to things, if someone stands you up there.


• You put anything and everything in your mouth. Today during your pictures, you kept trying to eat grass, leaves, dirt, and rocks.


• You are so close to clapping your hands. You try so hard. You move them back and forth very fast, but can't quite get it.


• You have learned to shake your head "no" and click your tongue.


• You have 2 teeth on the bottom.


• You have the biggest and best smiles. When you smile, your whole face lights up and fill the entire room!


• You have the best laugh, and you love to giggle!

Your daddy and I love you like crazy! We love you more and more every single day. You make us so happy and you fill our hearts with joy! You are the best thing that ever happened to either one of us. We are extremely blessed that we are your parents and get to watch you grow and learn a little more each day! We love you!

The Park

Today was another long day followed by class at Tech for me. Annistyn stayed at Karen's until I got finished with class. Lauren had dance class in town, so I met Karen at the dance studio around 5:30 to pick up Priss. When we got home, we played for over an hour before she took her bath and went to bed.

Tim and Karen took Emily, Tucker, and Annistyn to the park today.



Annistyn thinks she is as big as Emily and Tucker! Karen said they had a good time, but it was hot.

I CAN'T believe Annistyn will be 9 months old tomorrow! Renee is taking her pictures tomorrow, and I can't wait! I'm sure they will be perfect.

School's Back in Session

I know I have been back to work for a few weeks now, but my grad. classes started back tonight! I really hate having to go to class right after work. It cuts my Annistyn time down to a bare minimum. Tim and Karen brought her to me after school, and I turned around and brought her home to Josh. I had to be at Tech by 4:00.

When I got home from class, she was asleep! She did wake up for about an hour later, but is back to sleep now. I know it's only going to get worse in another week or two, but I have to keep reminding myself that this is my last semester. I can do it! I would rather miss some things now, then when she's older and realizes I'm missing out. I just hope this semester goes by quickly!