Many countdowns...

A few nights ago, my mother-in-law wanted to plan a visit.  I told Cody to go to the calendar and choose a good weekend for her to come.  Two seconds later, I heard "holy crap".  He's so dramatic. :o)   I had no clue what he was "holy crapping" about, so he proceeded to inform me that we are about to be some busy people for the next month or so, which is why this post earned its title. 

First, as you all know, we are going to be cleaning machines all weekend to prepare for my Chez Ami party on Sunday.  Please come and visit with us!

Then, the following weekend, I have a Kelly's Kids  (kellyskids.com) party in Bruce, MS, which will be followed by a trip to God's country!  As all of you rebel fans know, that means we are headed to Oxford...because I'm helping host a triple baby shower.  Yes, I said TRIPLE.  My great friends Joanna, JoBeth, and Fuqua (aka Sarah) are expecting precious baby boys within the next few months, so our whole group of college pals are coming in to get together and celebrate.  I can't tell you how excited I am... I will be in Oxford (my fave place) with my favorite people to celebrate my favorite thing (babies)!  YAY!

The following weeks are filled with Kelly's Kids parties and a weekend trip to Hattiesburg to watch Cody's best bud, Jayson, and his super sweet fiance, Sandy, tie the knot.  August is just going to be full of celebrations & parties!  Can't wait!

I know that I don't even have to tell you guys where we will be on September 4.  All of you football fans already know that Sept. 4 is the day that the Rebel football season kicks off against Jacksonville State, and Cody is chomping at the bits awaiting its arrival.  I already know about every single player that we plan to recruit for next season... that would be the 2011 football season.  He loves talking recruiting with me, even though I don't quite understand all of it.  Anyway, we are just very eager to chant Hotty Toddy in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in just a few short weeks. Here's a schedule for ya... 

Sat, Sep 04 Jacksonville State Oxford, Miss. 2:30 p.m.
Sat, Sep 11 Tulane at New Orleans, La. 8:00 p.m.
Sat, Sep 18 Vanderbilt * Oxford, Miss. 11:21 a.m.
Sat, Sep 25 Fresno State Oxford, Miss. TBA
Sat, Oct 02 Kentucky * Oxford, Miss. TBA
Sat, Oct 16 Alabama * at Tuscaloosa, Ala. TBA
Sat, Oct 23 Arkansas * at Fayetteville, Ark. TBA
Sat, Oct 30 Auburn * Oxford, Miss. TBA
Sat, Nov 06 Louisiana-Lafayette (HC) Oxford, Miss. TBA
Sat, Nov 13 Tennessee * at Knoxville, Tenn. TBA
Sat, Nov 20 LSU * at Baton Rouge, La. TBA
Sat, Nov 27 Mississippi State * Oxford, Miss. TBA

Speaking of Rebel football, I must say that after some deep thought, I am excited about our current chances of Jeremiah Masoli becoming a Rebel.  I know that a lot of people think that Nutt shouldn't take a chance on him, but I personally believe in second chances.  After reading his website, jeremiahmasoli.net, I think he's a nice guy who wants to prove himself.  Why not give him the chance to prove himself at Ole Miss while improving our record?  Sounds great to me!  Welcome to the team, Masoli...make us proud!

So so random...

Well today's post is going to be kinda completely random, so bear with me!  Here's what's going on in the Moore household these days...

@ Julia's Party

This past weekend, we went to Manning's first "baby" birthday party.  He got invited to Julia's first bday celebration, and we had such a fun time!  It was great getting to see my high school friends and introducing Manning to all of their kiddos.  We look forward to many more parties!

I have been working on cleaning up my toybox of a house this week because I'm hosting a Chez Ami party this Sunday from 2-4 for Auntie Queen (aka Kaci Jones).  If you have children, you are more than welcome to come visit and shop.  As y'all know, I am also selling Kelly's Kids, so all of my guests will be rewarded with a catalog ;o)  I'm in the market for some yummy recipes for the shindig, so if you have some ideas, toss them my way. 

Let's see... other than the big party, there isn't a whole lot going on!  Manning is great and growing like CRAZY!  Cody and I just booked our 5th anniversary trip to Jamaica not too long ago.  Can you say excited?!  We will be traveling in December with one of my best buds, Candace, and her hubby to the tropical Couples resort in paradise...better known as Ocho Rios, Jamaica. 

In the spirit of our Jamaican vacation, Cody has started a work out club in our garage.  This was a complete surprise to me... I came home from Dee-Dee and Papa's the other day to find that Cody's weight bench had been cleaned off, and there was a mini-fridge sitting in the middle of my garage atopped with a tv and dvd player.  Never a dull moment...  Minutes later, my doorbell rang and the crew had arrived.  He and some high school kids have been lifting weights nightly to get muscles, he says...  I will try to sneak some pics tonight and post them for my your enjoyment. 

I have also started my own little work out club... it consists of me and Hank (when I can con him into joining me).  We've been doing Leslie Sanstone's "Walk the Walk."  I have been doing it while at work when I get bored.  I have to get these last 15 lbs of baby weight off, somehow, right?! 

Hope to see all of you Sunday at mi casa!

all about manning

Today's post is going to be all about my little man. :o)

I can so vividly remember where I was at almost exactly this time, 8 months ago. It was the day that the most beautiful thing ever happened to me... I became Manning's mom! At exactly this time 8 months ago, I was being given my spinal block to prep for my c-section. I can remember feeling all sorts of emotions and couldn't wait to hear his precious cry. I'll never forget the way it sounded and the way he looked the very first time I saw him. My, how time flies!

Here are the latest stories & facts about the little boy who owns my heart.

*8 months old: wears a size 4 diaper, 25 lbs, 30 in long

*fave foods: squash, sweet potato puffs, veggies with risotto cheese, pears, pineapple, any kind of fruit or veggie medley, veggies w/ mac & cheese, basically any baby food, just no "big boy" foods (hates the texture)

*loves being outside, drinking out of a straw, water, bath-time, and dogs (especially Gigi...his face lights up when he sees her...and he loves chasing her in his walker)

*trying to crawl, but just scoots when he gets frustrated

*pulls up on everything... The other night I was getting his pjs out of his drawer and I sat him in his bed. When I turned around, I found this...

*babbles consist of words that begin with "b", "m", "l", and "g"

*has 2 bottom teeth

*sleeps from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m., waking up once for a bottle at 4:30 a.m.

*said "mama" for the first time yesterday when I walked in the door from work

*infatuated with cell phones

*loves being read to and cuddling while he listens (also my favorite time of day)

Just thinking of you...

As I sit here in this very quiet office today, I have been thinking about several different things for which I am thankful. First of all, I am so very thankful for the big rain that we got yesterday. My dad is so happy today, and he's just been riding around looking at his muddy crops. That's just the way we like them at this point in the season, good and muddy!

Secondly, I was sitting here looking for something to do since I'm here all alone (dad's workers finally get a day off thanks to the rain), and I got a text from one of my best friends. She's been trying to conceive for a while now, and this prompted me to give her my fertility specialist's name, Dr. Kutteh. As you all remember, if you've been following my blog, Dr. Kutteh is a very special person in mine and Cody's lives. Because God sent us to him, we now have a beautiful baby boy that fills our lives with joy and laughter on a daily basis. After giving my friend this information and his website (fertilitymemphis.com), I found myself on the site reading all of the success stories from his patients. It made me teary-eyed, and again, made me thank God for this amazing doctor. I'm beyond blessed to be a mother. Not a day goes by that I don't look at Manning and rejoice for all that my Father has given me. Praise you, Jesus, for your love and blessings!

Just thinking of you today, Dr. Kutteh.......

I don't know why, but I just felt led to write about this today. I don't know if any of you are needing a specialist or if you just need some encouragement, or if you are a parent and just need a reminder of how blessed you are... Whatever the reason, I hope this post blesses you in ways that God wishes for it to. When you love on your children today, thank God for blessing you with them. If you are still praying for a child, know that God is faithful and that He will provide. I am proof of that. :o)

I'm a Kelly's Kids rep!

Ok, as most of you probably already know, because of facebook, I am now a Kelly's Kids rep! As you can see, I am super duper excited about getting started. I absolutely love the clothes, and I can't wait for Manning to get some of the new fall line! When I looked at it and saw all of the tractors, planes, red & blue, and the holiday lines for little boys, I fell in love!


Here's my promo spill, coming at you once & then I'll hush... Please ask me about house parties, catalog parties, or if you'd like to order from the website, please type in my Rep id# 114588, so that I can become your Kelly's Kids rep! Thanks :o) You will make this mom's day!

My first actual day as a rep was yesterday since it was the launch of our new line. I had a conference call set up last night at 7 p.m. to be trained, etc. I asked Cody to watch little man and prepared him that my call would probably last up to an hour and a half. Of course, being the great daddy that he is, he didn't mind and said he'd love to spend some solo time with Manning. However, about half an hour into my conference call, I was literally gripping the telephone as hard as I could to keep all of the other rookie reps from hearing my fussy child (he has 2 teeth coming through) and one stressed out daddy in the background. I was actually getting tickled with what I was watching. I saw Cody dance around, rock, sing, feed him a bottle, and show him tons of toys to try to please him. After having no luck, I took a pen and a clean sheet of printer paper and wrote instructions for him, to help the guy out, bless his heart. In huge letters, I wrote "Put his pjs on him, read him his bedtime story, bottle, & then bed. Do it in that order. Please don't mess up the routine." With a big thumbs up and a smile from Cody, I guess I saved the day.

Now, you're probably thinking what a stickler I am for writing Cody a step-by-step guide for Manning's nightly routine, but as you other mommies know, routine is a MUST! Cody and I have just implemented a solid bedtime routine and have begun the CIO method. After the first night, when Manning & I both cried ourselves to sleep (it was pitiful... I cried harder than Manning), we are now both happier and more rested than ever before! I am here to tell you that it works! I've only been doing this for a week, and I can already see a huge difference in my child. I am one happy momma! Hope you all have a fabulous weekend and remember to shop KELLY'S KIDS! ;o)

Trip to the Memphis Zoo!

This past Saturday, Cody, Lulu, and I got to enjoy taking Manning to the zoo for the very first time! I don't know who was more excited, me and Cody, or Manning! I was sure to take lots of pictures, like I always do. Manning seemed to enjoy himself, but he was mostly fascinated by the waterfalls, water fountains, etc. He loves water, whether he's just looking at it or drinking it. He just can't get enough of it these days. He did seem interested in the animals who were either swimming or bathing, such as the polar bears, seals, and grizzlies. He also loved riding the carousel and the farm train. He squealed and made "goo" sounds the entire time we rode those, and you couldn't have wiped the smile off of my face. I can't explain the joy I feel when he's happy.
After Manning had drifted off for an afternoon nap, Cody talked us into entering the snake house. I am terrified of snakes, but they've always fascinated me (I thought), so I was kinda excited about it. When I got inside, I realized that I can no longer handle looking at those slithery things. I literally could feel my hair standing on end when they'd move or hiss. I guess I'm getting more scared of them in my older age. Cody loved taking advantage of this new fear of mine and threw a fake snake on me in the gift shop. Of course, I screamed like crazy, and he ate it up! I'll get him back, don't worry!

We had a wonderful time, and I love spending time with my two boys. We are now big fans of the zoo, and we plan to return really soon! Anyone wanna join?

Cheyenne Montgomery?!

Well, June has ended and my birthday month has come to a close. I say "birthday month", because Melissa (Manning's "Lulu") likes to joke that I make way too much of a big deal out of birthdays, mine in particular. She likes to be all comical and compare me to Cheyenne on the tv show, Reba. I guess I just feel like birthdays are special and should be celebrated to the fullest. However, I do NOT celebrate for the whole month. I really just celebrate for a few days, really.

This year, for my birthday, we actually only celebrated 2 days. After going to see my fabulous sister of a hairstylist, we went to eat at Brickhouse in downtown Jonesboro for birthday dinner round 1. I absolutely love that place, and it reminds me of Oxford, so I'm always ready to go there. My mother-in-law was in town and kept little man, so this night also dubbed as a date night. For birthday dinner, round 2, we loaded up and went to Olympia in Blytheville. This concluded my 2 bday celebrations. So, see, no Cheyenne here!