Fun in the Sun!

We went on our first beach trip, along with Jane, the Hurst family and the Meece family, to Destin, Florida!  It is a whole new world vacationing with a baby but we had a great time.  We had beautiful weather most of the week and got in as much beach and pool time as we could.  We loved getting to spend the week hanging out with family and Beau really enjoyed watching his cousins play.  He can't wait to be running around with them next year!  

 Look out Destin, here we come!

 First time on the beach!

Sand pedicure from my nieces, Savannah and Caroline

Love this little girl!

 Becca, Tyler, Skylar and Savannah

 Wilson and Caroline

 Uncle Jack and Skylar

 Savannah Jane

Cousins!
Skylar, Caroline, Robert, Savannah and Wilson

On his second day on the beach, Beau decided to venture onto the sand.  I think he liked the way it felt once he took his time to warm up to it.  But he also enjoyed sitting on the blanket and enjoying the ocean view.

Jack and I love this little place called Camille's!  We have gone there for dinner on our past pre- baby beach trips but it's much more of a date night restaurant so we skipped it this year.  But they do have a breakfast and lunch shack that is open underneath the restaurant so we took Beau for a lunch date one afternoon.  Mommy and Daddy also enjoyed some delicious Pina Coladas!

Here's the gang heading down Harborwalk Village for dinner at Margaritaville 

 Gorgeous views

 My pirates! Aarggghhhh!

 Tyler and Skylar

 Caroline

Savannah

Love our nieces and nephew!

One night, after all of the children were sleeping, Jane offered to stay in and watch them so the mommies and daddies could have a date night!  This is actually the first time the 6 of us had gone out together without kids.  We had a really great time, with lots of laughs and yummy food and drinks, at the Tommy Bahama restaurant.  Thanks Mimi!

Heading home. Thanks for the memories Destin!  

First Mother's Day 2014

On this day, and every day, I am so thankful for the beautiful gift of being a Mommy and all of the joy that Robert brings to our lives. I have never known a more pure and unconditional love.  This little boy has taken over my heart, my soul, my everything and I wouldn't have it any other way!    

We would also like to wish a Happy Mother's Day to our Mommies too!  It isn't until you become a parent that you can more deeply understand and appreciate all that yours did and still does for you.  Love you Moms and thank you for being the best Grammy and Mimi to our little man!  He loves you both so very much.  xoxo

 Out to brunch with Mommy and Daddy

Footprint stepping stone
made with love by Beau and Daddy

8 Months Old

Robert Tyler is 8 months old!  This has been a very exciting month with lots of new milestones.  Beau started crawling just a few days after he turned 7 months!  He also started pulling himself up to his knees and then quickly progressed to pulling up to his feet.  He loves standing at the ottoman and looking at his books. He also got 2 more teeth, the top front teeth.  So know our tooth count is up to 4!  In the middle of the month we transitioned from 3 naps down to 2 and Beau has been doing great with the transition.  We have 2 longer naps of at least an hour each.  He has also learned to turn the page of a book which he is very proud of and loves doing!  But my favorite new milestone is when he started giving Mommy sweet little baby kisses.  It just melts my heart when he snuggles into my face and gives me a big, wet kiss.  We also had Robert's Baptism this month, a trip to NC to see family, and his first Easter!  What a special month with great memories!

 Beau has discovered that he can make funny faces.  He's a big fan of the "scrunchy" face!

Beau loves Murphy!  He thinks he's so funny and Murphy can always get a good belly laugh out of him.  So much of my day consists of chasing Beau chasing Murphy all around the house. : )

 Pulling up to his knees!  Big boy!

My parents, Beau and me took a trip to my Aunt Joan and Uncle Joe's house in Pinehurst, NC.  We had a great visit and it was so nice for Beau to meet more of his family!

 Great Aunt Joan and Uncle Joe

 Great Uncle Joe teaching Beau about some of the finer things in life

 Cousins, Joann, Steve and Justin.  Justin and Beau were fast friends and it was so sweet to see them playing and laughing together!

Quick stop in Charlotte, NC to check on our house there and have lunch with great friends, the D'Amico family.  Sara, Scott, Vincent and Stella.

 New push toy from Mommy and Daddy

 Reading books with Mimi

Spending a beautiful Saturday afternoon at Market Square, downtown Knoxville.  Beau loves strolling around and looking at all of the people and sights! 

 Enjoying a relaxing evening stroller ride around the neighborhood 

 I think he might be getting a little too big for his bouncy seat : )

 Bath time fun!

 Beau loves to pull himself up on the ottoman and look at all of his books

First time at the playground!  He wasn't sure what to make of the swing or the slide but he loved watching all of the bigger kids run around and play.  We will definitely be making more trips to the playground this summer!

 Out to dinner with Mommy and Daddy at Pero's

 Date night with Mommy at Jason's Deli while Daddy works late