Walking Boy

Tennyson is officially walking!! He mastered it much sooner than we thought he would! He chooses to walk over crawling, which we are still adjusting to. In a way, it's so strange to see him walking. Tennyson really took off on Tuesday and would walk all the way from the loveseat to behind the glider rocker. Or from the t.v. all the way into the kitchen, without falling!!! (For all you "Seinfeld" fans - "Little Jerry ran from here to Newman's in 30 seconds!" "Is that good?" "I don't know.")

But we are so proud of our walking boy! I am truly little sad that my baby is growing up though. I know it's bound to happen, but I just want him to stay my baby forever. *sigh*

Of course I have photos to go along with this post, but I can't do it now as I have a houseful of chittlins. So check back later.

Long Overdue Tennyson Update

In the past few weeks Tennyson has been learning new things by leaps and bounds. July 16th officially marked the first time he voluntarily let go and stood by himself for a prolonged amount of time, so we knew taking a step wouldn't be too far off. Sure enough he took his first step 8 days before his first birthday and every day he gets braver, walking further and further distances without falling down! It was exciting, but Mommy did cry a few tears. Unfortunately, like most parents, we didn't actually catch his first step on camera, but this photo is from a few days after that. Hmmm, I guess I need to work on getting more pictures of him walking while he's still wobbly! (Sometimes we refer to him as "drunk baby" because he falls over. Isn't that awful?!?!)


Tennyson also waves bye-bye now, and unlike the way most babies do it with just a polite, little open and closing of the hand, he uses his whole arm, moving it up and down in an exaggerated motion. It's hilarious!!!! I think I might actually have video of him waving. I always go for the camera, but some things are best captured on video.

Our little guy also has a few......less-loved tendencies: 1) He likes to turn the t.v. off and on and/or change the channels (usually while we are watching something).


2) He can open the screen door and crawl out onto the deck. So we have to keep the door shut and locked at all times. You never know. He could figure out how to work the lock next!


And 3) He likes to take my dish towels and hide them in either the trashcan or between the wall and the refrigerator. Why?! Why does he do this?!?! He seems to think it's funny!


Tennyson is such a BUSY, BUSY boy. He's in to everything. If he hears a door being opened anywhere in the house he seemingly has the amazing ability to teleport to it and try to go in or out, whatever the case may be. He enjoys emptying the contents of the basket where we keep the car keys. And pulling out the baby wipes from their container is something Tennyson must do at least 4 times a day. *sigh*

But overall Tennyson is just a happy, easy, sweet baby boy. Tom and I are often the recipients of Tennyson's open-mouthed, sloppy kisses! He just opens his mouth and falls onto yours. We love it! It's so awesome that he can actually show affection now! Sometimes I can't wait until he can put his little arms around my neck and hug me!!!

And in case you are wondering about the status of his teeth - he has none. No buds. No sign of any. I have long since stopped breastfeeding (yeah!), so......anytime now. Okay maybe not. I want Tennyson to hit these milestones as slowly as possible, so I have time to relish and drink in every moment with our son. He such a joy and we can hardly remember life before Tennyson. Well okay, so my house was cleaner, we got a lot more sleep, and Tom and I had more....."special moments" together. Ahhhh, but who needs that?! *wink*

Mini Photo Shoot ~ Kaitlyn

This is sweet, little Kaitlyn Olivia. I had the privilege of photographing her on Thursday. Isn't she an angel? Thanks, Cheryl, for letting me take pictures of your little one.

Tasty Tuesday ~ Rainbow Fried Rice

Rainbow Fried Rice

I got this recipe from Cooking Light (via the Southern Living website). I did use chicken instead of pork and left out the lettuce. The only other alteration I would make is to leave off the sesame oil at the end. It was just a bit too strong. Otherwise it was a tasty, lowfat, easy recipe!

Ingredients:
1 Tbsp. canola oil
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
3/4 cup mined yellow onion
1 cup chopped roast pork/chicken
4 cups cooked long-grain rice, chilled
3 Tbsp. soy sauce
2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp white pepper
1/2 minced green onions
1 tsp. sesame oil

How to Make It:
1) Heat canola oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add eggs; stir fry for 1 minute or until done. Remove from pan.
2) Add chicken to pan and cook until no longer pink. Add yellow onion to pan; cook 2 minutes or until translucent. Add rice and soy sauce; stir-fry 2 more minutes.
3) Return eggs to skillet. Stir in lettuce, peas, salt, and white pepper; stir-fry 1 minute. Sprinkle with green onions and sesame oil.

Yield: 6 1-cup servings

The Perfect Setting

Yesterday evening was beautiful here, so we decided to head to the arboretum for some outdoor time. There was a wedding the day before and all the white chairs were still set up. Well, it made for some great photos of our little guy! In the first three Tennyson was chillin' with the ducks.

In case you are wondering what he was doing.....he didn't like the feel of the grass on his knees so he was "crawling" on all fours.

First Birthday Bash - Part 2: The Party

Here are the photos from Tennyson's birthday party last Sunday at my parent's house. Thank you everyone for making his day very special! Tennyson felt very loved!

Here is the custom-made cake Dawn got for Tennyson! It matches his nursery colors - green, white, and dark brown. And it tasted even better than it looked!

Everyone else enjoyed blue and green birthday cupcakes! Yummy!

Tennyson is not sure about that candle

"Are you sure it's okay for me to make a mess?"

"Here, Mommy, try some!"

All 7 of the grandkids (on my side) from L to R: Caleb, Jared, Tennyson, Nathan, Beckett, Holden, and Bethany. And only 3 of the 7 kids have started families. Yikes!

Tennyson ate his special cake on his actual birthday, so I was able to get some good photos of him really enjoying it. Of course I didn't let him get too messy.

What a look! I just want to squeeze my sweet boy!

Happy Birthday, Tennyson!!!

First Birthday Bash - Part 1: The Waterpark

I am finally getting around to posting pictures from Tennyson's first birthday party last weekend. My big brother, Kyrce, and his family were here from Atlanta (yes, we finally got to meet baby Beckett) and my sister, Lynley, and her husband came from PA. We had a busy weekend filled with food, fun, and lots of family time! On Sunday we had Tennyson's first birthday party. We all went to the water park and had a blast! If you live in the area and haven't gone, I highly recommend it! Then all 20 of us (we were missing my brother and sister-in-law as they are in CA) went back to my parents' for pizza and birthday cupcakes. And a special cake Dawn had made especially for the birthday boy!

Here are a few of the 150+ photos I took at the waterpark. (And that was only in the first 1 1/2. The camera was safely tucked away for the rest of our time there.)

Tennyson checking out the park through the big window

He is obviously very excited!
(He didn't like wearing the ankle band, and I told Tom he looked like and endangered species!)

I love his reflection in the glass as he watches all the fun!
And notice his little foot....too cute!!!
Gettin' wet with Daddy

He loved the baby swings

Walking through the sprinklers

Tennyson spent a lot of time playing with Uncle Dan

Nice hat, Dan!

Cousin Holden had a great time, too!

"My foot is even more fun when it's wet, Mommy!"

Tomorrow I will post photos from his birthday party, complete with classic messy cake face photos from his actual birthday.