Emmitt's 2nd Birthday Party

We celebrated Emmitt's birthday on Saturday night, April 28, at Martin's Sport's Complex.

We were hopeful to be in our new house by his party, but everything has taken longer than expected; this actually worked out great.

Given his love for tractors and farms, we decided on a farm party.

He seemed to really enjoy himself, as did the other boys and girls.

These pictures are very random as my Picassa album was not cooperating, not allowing me to rearrange them.  They are in order from the end of the party to the beginning... Oh, well.

Here is this year's birthday party family picture.

Earlier in the day there was a tractor and truck show... Conveniently, they left a tractor and combine; perfect!

And they were unlocked.  I am certain they weren't expecting twenty kids to be at a farm party that night.

=Miller and Emmitt in the tractor=

Fun with Aunt Julie!

The park has a playground and it was so nice for the kids.

Shirt was courtesy of Daddy Bell and Mrs. Anita... it was perfect!

                                                 Notice Emmitt's feet... no shoes!  What to do with him???

Miller is getting ready to swing on the monkey bars...

The party favor... a John Deere tumbler with a top and straw, and a farmer rubber ducky inside.

Lawson and my sister's friend, Luke, playing "telephone".

Russ and Luke playing with the kids...

=Me and Mama B=

Emmitt got new tractors, and we had to open them immediately!

=My Mama B and Grandmother=

=The "Partying Pavilion"=

Lots of pictures on the combine and tractor...

=Sisters, McKenzie and Maddie=

=I think this is my favorite... Emmitt and Ruby Claire=

=Abby, McKenzie, and Lauren=

=Aunt Julie and Lawson=

=Tate, Tyler, and Lawson=

=Abby and McKenzie=

=The big boys... Miller and Rhett=

=Sisters, Lauren and Maddie=

=After about ten minutes, we decided that a group picture just wasn't going to happen=

=Abby and McKenzie=

 "Look! A new tractor!", he says...

Opening gifts... a new John Deere t-shirt!

It was a gift-opening-mob!!!  

All of the kids were so excited!

Thanks, Jennifer, for your help!

A handsome birthday boy!

Singing "Happy Birthday to you!"

Waiting to open gifts...

=Tate, Tyler, and Lawson=

More friends and cousins...

Savannah, Tate, Emmitt, Miller, Lawson, Camryn, and Tyler

=Granny and Aunt Julie=

Eating supper which consisted of hot dogs and bratwurst, baked beans, chips, and fruit.

I had planned to decorate the tables with his tractors, but at the last minute I decided to use some of the impatients I had just bought along with a lunch sack and farm ribbon that I already had.  

Thanks for your help with these, Mrs. Jane!
I was pleased with the combination of flowers and tractors...

 

As we were packing up for the night, and the sun had almost set, I noticed this beautiful view.  

The flag looked beautiful with the blue sky in the background.

It is a beautiful symbol for the blessing of our country.

That concludes Emmitt's 2nd birthday party!

Thanks to all forty-one friends and family members who made this special day a success!

A special thanks to my mom and sister, Mrs. Jane, Jennifer, and my awesome husband... couldn't have done it without each of you!

Emmitt... you were lots of fun on your special day!

We can't wait for what's in store... We love you, sweet boy!

For Baby Weston

A couple of weeks ago, we came together with several friends and family to celebrate the upcoming arrival of Baby Weston.  If you remember here, I shared the exciting news that we will be having a nephew in July... well, the time is right around the corner. 

We are so excited about the baby that we can hardly wait!  

The shower was a success with about 21 guests, lots of nice baby boy gifts, good food, and great fellowship.

Here are a few memories from the special morning...

Pretty hydrangeas from Mama B's back yard... they were a perfect match!

 Thanks to my best friend, Jennifer, for help on the darling centerpiece; it was also perfect!

The Bragg Girls and Little Boys... soon to be three little boys!!!

Doesn't Erin look pretty? :)

A few snapshots...

The boys were BIG helpers... a little too big from time-to-time. :)

What a fun morning!

We are so excited for you, Jim and Erin... you are in for such a treat as parents!

Baby Weston, we already love you, and can hardly wait to meet you and see your sweet face!

Emmitt is TWO

Three weeks ago today, our baby brother turned two.  

It is still a little hard to believe that it's been two years since we welcomed this little bundle into the world. 

Emmitt was born on the afternoon of April 28, 2010. 

Here he is just a few minutes old...

And then on his 1st Birthday...

April 28, 2011

And... Happy 2nd Birthday, Emmitt!

April 28, 2012

Dear Emmitt,

Your Daddy and I are so happy you are two years old.  You are getting so big and are so much fun.  We are really beginning to figure you out, and I look forward to better understanding you in the coming weeks, but for now, here are the 2-year-old-forget-me-not's.

Talking.  You have been slower to talk, and suddenly you are repeating everything we say.  You are well over 125 words as of today.  {Yes, I did count} You call your big brother "Gaw", me "mama", and you say "daddy".  Your other words are becoming clearer each day and we are beginning to understand just about all that you are trying to tell us.  You are no longer using your baby signs.

Playing.  You love to play.  You will sit in the floor and contently play with your tractors, trailers, trucks, trains, etc. for long periods of time.  You love to use the recliner {in the "up" position} as your barn.  You prefer tractors and trucks with trailers, but truly enjoy playing with any of them.  You can identify John Deere, which you say "Hon Heere". :)  It is very cute.  Unfortunately, you are not a fan of sharing... not at all.  Much work to do in the sharing area.

Observant.  You are a very observant child.  You can spot a tractor, trailer, boat, camper, horse, cow, hay bale, barn, dump truck, school bus, choo-choo, or the such over a mile away.  It blows our minds.  You also have a high level of intuition, to name a few... getting a tissue for someone when they sneeze.  Or moving the toys out of Granny's way when you notice her getting ready to get her walker.  Or running to get a towel from the kitchen when Granny's water spills.  You do these things without any one telling you and it always causes us to shake our heads and smile... and you are SO proud to help.  

Eating.  You are a pretty good eater.  A few of your faves... chicken and fish, prepared anyway... hot dogs, ham, steak, turkey, bacon, sausage... cheese, yogurt, green beans, corn, corn on the cob, asparagus, peas, okra, mac & cheese, bananas, grapes, cuties, sausage balls, pizza, french fries & tater tots, pickles, ice cream (a new FAVE), Cheez-its, goldfish, pretzel sticks, bugles, fruit snacks, popcorn, chips with dip or salsa.  You still refuse to drink milk, but will drink strawberry banana smoothies, and juice.  You are a grazer when you eat; it seems to be nearly impossible to keep you at the table.  If we go out to eat, we must have a booth to keep you from escaping!  It drives your mama and daddy crazy!!!

Sleeping.  You are a good sleeper.  You still take a pretty good afternoon nap, but typically have to be rocked.  This is hard for your mama, but she gives in and rocks you because you need to sleep. At night, it takes you almost 45 minutes to go to sleep from the time I put you in your baby bed.  We are all in one room right now, so your daddy and I are hopeful that this will get better in your new room and new bed.  Once you finally go to sleep, you are a very good sleeper.

A few other things I don't want to forget...

• You love books, magazines, newspapers, and circulars.  You typically go to sleep with two or   three books in your bed.
• You are still a challenge in the vehicle.  Since you are still working on your words, you mostly scream from your car seat when you want something. This is very frustrating for me and your daddy, and obviously for you, too.
• You are no longer interested in pajamas, however you ask to wear an undershirt and boxers like your big brother.  You call them, "daddy's shirt and bocker".  "Daddy's shirt" came from Lawson calling the undershirts "those shirts like daddy wears".
• You have already realized that there are options with regard to what clothes you are going to wear.  You cry to wear a "daddy's shirt" every day when I dress you, and will refuse to wear shorts most days.  
• You do not like socks nor shoes.  I bought new shoes because you wouldn't keep the others on, and I thought they were hurting your feet.  They were too small, but you won't keep the new ones on either.  
• We threw away your boppies {pacifiers}today.  Literally.  You watched me throw them in the garbage can and we clapped.  I have been very reluctant to finally throw them away, but you quickly said, "bye-bye boppy", and that was that. 
• You like to go to your brother's tee ball games, and you are all about the Moore's ballgame snacks.  Mom is going to have to repay them next week.
• You have finally begun to remember/recognize our family and friends here in Tennessee.
• You like going to church, and all the ladies in the nursery love you.  You always stay with the lady that I leave you with when I drop you off... I suppose you think that mama knows best. :)

That's all for now, Mr. Emmitt.  You are no longer Emmers... it doesn't fit you any more.  You are Emmitt.  And we love you.

Love,

Mama and Daddy