oodles of noodles

I fed Reese noodles for dinner last night. He refused to eat his original dinner of turkey and rice. Noodles were the back-up plan.

Angel hair pasta was the noodle of choice. Lofton and I were eating some greek shrimp and the angel hair was an accompaniment. Our dinner was yummy and Reese l.o.v.e.d. the noodles.

Angel hair probably was not a wise choice of pasta for him, as you'll be ab;e to see in the pictures. It is slippery, stringy, and hard to hold when you have ten chubby little fingers.

I do love an entertaining family dinner. Even if I am picking noodles out of the rug for thirty minutes afterwards!

Happy, happy birthday to my favorite aunt, Beth. I'm so happy to be named after you! I hope your day is fabulous.

welcome back

In this house, when Reese isn't happy-- nobody is happy. It has been a long few weeks; dealing with the start of school {for me} and a new classroom for him. At first I thought his afternoon crankiness was the result of his change in environment. After a month of afternoons filled with crying {his and mine} and crankiness, I knew a change was in store.

Meet Reese.

After three days in his new classroom, I am positive my baby is back. He is back to his bubbly, playful, laugh until he can't breathe self. Welcome back little man, I missed you.

eleven months

Eleven months snuck up on us! Twelve months is clearly just around the corner and that blows my mind.

This little guy has blessed our last eleven months with more joy than we've ever known. He is a happy, healthy, confident child. The more he develops the more I see of his daddy. Reese is curious, funny, and stubborn. He likes to do things his way, or no way. I'm sure this will prove challenging down the road, but for now it's an amusing trait.

He is walking more and more every day. What started as a few steps here and there, has turned into ten or fifteen steps strung together. Crawling is still his preferred mode of transportation-- it's the quickest way to get what he wants, but I'm sure running is just around the corner.

I feel so many things as a mom, but what I feel most these days is pride. I'm so proud to be Reese's mama. To know him, is to love him!

Happy eleven months, sweet boy. I love you so.

wde and a weekend recap

War Damn Eagle, football fans. The season is upon us. I love this time of year. The start of football means fall is just around the corner. That means long sleeves, mums on the front porch, and chili. Hooray!!!

We kicked off Reese's first FULL football season with a bash at the house. My parents came for the long weekend and the Hurst family drove over for the afternoon. Chicken fingers, mexican dip, vodka and diet coke, brownies-- it was grand.

Reese has been practicing his touchdown pose for weeks, but unfortunately he didn't make it past the first quarter.

Trying to keep up with Easy B wore him out. In a Reese Beasley first he slept from 6:45 Saturday night until almost eight Sunday morning. I literally went in a few times to make sure he was breathing.

We spent the rest of the weekend shopping and hanging out with the Hamrick's. Rich and Ashley came over to cookout with my parents. It was quite amusing to hear Lofton, Rich, and my dad swap stories from their youth. Let's just say they have all come a LONG way.

We were spoiled by attention the past few days.

Little man loves a private concert from the guitar man.

Reese and I shed a few tears when the Camry pulled out this morning. We sincerely hope Nonna and Buck were joking when they said they wouldn't be back until Reese's birthday. Maybe next time they can bring the long haired teenager with them.

daycare

Here is the short version of why Reese is moving YET again to a new class at school.

I love Milestones, I love Lee {the director}, and I strongly believe they have every child's best interest at heart. I did not love his new room. He was not kept as clean as I prefer, and although his new teacher's were very nice, we just didn't jive well.

I know, it's NEVER going to be like it was with Maureen. I get that. But I needed something more than what we were getting.

I chatted with Maureen, she chatted with Lee, and then I chatted with Lee.

Tuesday, Reese will move in to the room across the hall. I love the teachers and the kids are a little more on his level {emergent to beginning walkers}. My heart feels relieved. He visited Friday and did great, so I'm hopeful this transition will go smoothly.

End of story.

{new post below}

shoe shopping

Shoe shopping. I've avoided it like the plague. However, Tuesday Reese will switch classes at daycare {again, I know, long story}. Saturday, as Mama and I were shopping, it hit me that Reese will now be going outside at school. Fantastic, the kid needs shoes. Just one of the many new doors walking has opened in our lives.

Reese has never worn shoes. Truthfully, he really never wore socks. I'm just not a big sock fan, myself. I like my toes to feel free. Even in winter. This is a classic case of me pushing my weirdness on Reese. Look at the shock on his face! You want me to wear what?!?!

Yesterday, we hit the mall is search of some shoes. Dillard's was our first stop. Our initial encounter with the sales lady was a disaster. She knew nothing about shoes. Nothing about children. And she somehow calculated that Reese wore a size twelve. Really? Because on the handy dandy wall poster a size twelve correlates to a five year old's foot. Reese is big, but not that big.

Sales person two was much more helpful and knowledgeable.

Reese is now fixed up with a spiffy pair of kicks, courtesy of his Nonna. He wears a 4 and 1/2, in case you are curious.

And no, he will NOT be wearing shorts with socks and brown shoes. His new shoes are for fall. We are going to try and find him some sandals to get through the next few weeks.

splish splash

For a child that used to despise his bath (and being naked in general), Reese has come a looooong way.

He has outgrown his lounge chair. Poor kid has been hanging off of it for at least a month! I'm actually sad to see it go. It kept him nice and safe in the tub the past few months. We bought a pad for the bottom of the tub at Target this weekend. Hopefully this will prevent against traumatic injuries due to a suds up stud muffin.

Free and loving it!