12 Months Old = 1 Year Old

I can't believe our little baby who was born "yesterday" is 1.  It has been a year of many wonderful memories.  I have loved every minute of being a mom and couldn't imagine life without Clayton.  She makes life so much more complete.  God knew exactly what he was doing when he sent this surprise into our life.  (Yes, she was a surprise.)

 

Here's some fun facts for Clayton at 1:

• Officially a walker.  About a week before you turned one you just took off.  Crawling very few times but a majority of the time you are walking.
• Loves sitting on my stomach as I lay on the floor and pounce up and down laughing.  My stomach muscles need to tighten if you plan on continuing this 'fun' as you get heavier.
• Giggles and chuckles throughout the day.  Is a very happy baby and make everyone around you happy as well.
• Likes to be held when you wake up.  Put you down immediately and you think life has ended.
• When we say "no" you wave your hand violently from side to side.  We consider this a new trick.  However, you continue doing whatever it is you aren't supposed to be doing.
• Loves clapping your hands to Patty Cake.  If you're crying and we sing Patty Cake, it most of the time diverts your attention and it's Patty Cake time.
• Loves your sister Sadie and pretty much any dog you see.  Shares all of your food with Sadie which definitely was the way to Sadie's heart.  She now loves (tolerates) you all the time.  
• You really love cats as well.  Follows your Mimi and Pawpaw's cat, Tommy, around the house and giggles with excitement when he lays down allowing you to pet him violently.  Loves giving him kisses.  We plan on getting you your very own one of these days.
• Is a climber.  Climbs in chairs and then stands up.  When I tell you to sit you rarely will until I start coming towards you and then you quickly sit.  Of course, then stand up again once I turn my back.  Stands on any toys or anything you can possibly stand on.  I see stitches in your future.
• If you has gotten a hold of something that you shouldn't have and we try to get it from you, you run away as fast as you can laughing.
• Is a dancer.  Loves listening to music and dances anytime you hear any music whether it's on the tv, ipod, or a toy.
• It's impossible to work on the computer unless you're napping as you want in my lap and to type (bang on the keys).
• Incredible sleeper.  You sleep for 12 hours most nights.  Your bed time is between 8 and 8:30.  You have been sleeping through the night since 7 weeks and rarely wake up in the middle of the night.  If you do, you take a ba-ba and go back to sleep.  Most times we think it's because you had a bad dream.  You usually wake up between 8 and 9.  Sometimes later.  (Your definitely value sleep like your momma.)
• Great napper.  You are usually up 2 hours and then ready for another nap.  You take two long naps a day.  Usually 2 to 3 hours.  During this time, I either work on the computer or clean up the messes you've made all over the house.
• Your Pawpaw says you only have two speeds, on and off.  You are constantly into something and on the move.  I say you are an ADHD poster child. But I can't complain because you get it from me.  You certainly keep me busy.  Mimi says watching Clayton is a full-time job and I'll agree with that one.
• Wear size 4 diapers and 18 months clothes.  Some of your clothes are 24 months but you should be able to wear them for a bit longer.
• Hated dresses because it hindered you from crawling.  So I'm thrilled you are walking.  I'll be excited once you have walking down pat because it's only dresses for you missy.
• Is a huge momma's girl.  We spend all day together and it shows.  I'm enjoying every minute of it as I know it won't be long that mom isn't fun to be around anymore.  
• Still have the most gorgeous blue eyes.  Definitely got them from your da-da.  You get compliments wherever we go.
• You are a ham in public.  You like to flirt with everyone as you sit in the shopping cart.  You smile really big, show your teeth, and it wrinkles your nose.  Then when they stop paying you attention, you yell "ah" to try to get it back.  

There's so much more I could say about our little angel.  The joy you bring us is indescribable and we are beyond blessed every day God gives us with you.

You're excited about your birthday party!

but so sweepy!

Clayton's Momma at 29!

Thought I'd include a some tidbits about myself since this is Clayton's "scrapblog" and she may just want to hear a few RANDOM things of what made her mom so cool at 29.

• The reason why I'm not in a majority of our family pictures is because I'm always the one taking the pictures.  I enjoy photography and am taking classes to improve my skills.  I took two photography classes in college and thought about minoring in it but the artsy people in the department had different ideas then I did on what are good photos.  I enjoy normal pictures of people, buildings, and scenery and they liked weird abstract photos.  So I just made it a hobby.
• I don't dance in public unless given liquid courage (that's alcohol).  And if I am under the influence enough to dance, I am terrible at it.  I have no coordination and/or rhythm.  So even though I say follow your dreams, you have no genes to be a cheerleader or professional dancer.  So, you've got to make it on your own.
• Again, like dancing I need liquid courage to karaoke.  (No, I'm not a drunk.)  But when I do, my song of choice is "Ice Ice Baby" by Vanilla Ice.  It's a great rap song by a one-hit-wonder, white rapper.
• I enjoy collecting stuff for the house.  McCarty Pottery, NJ Woods paintings, Sis and D's wooden spoons are just a few.  
• I didn't get my ears pierced until I was in 8th grade....Or maybe it was 7th.  But whatever grade, I'm glad I waited until I could make the decision for myself.  And FYI, you won't be getting yours pierced for awhile.
• I'm a fast food junkie.  Here are a few of my favorites: 
• McDonald's- french fries and chicken nuggets both eaten with sweet & sour & hot mustard dipping sauce.
• Taco Bell- mexican pizza, nachos bellgrande, and taco supreme
• In the summer, it's near impossible to get me to wear any other shoes but my Rainbow flip flops.  They are so comfortable and I love them.
• I'm lazy when it comes to taking my make-up off at night.  And I'm even more lazy that I don't wear mascara most days because it's too messy to take off.  I prefer to say I'm laid back and casual.
• My favorite perfume right now is St. John.
• I always have ambition to start working out but never follow through.  I hope to get busy soon as I would LOVE to have a bathing suit body again.
• I wear diamond stud earrings (they're actually CZ's), my wedding ring, another ring on my right hand, and my watch everyday.  I feel naked without them.  I also wear a diamond and emerald necklace at all times that Harris gave me while we were dating.  I rarely take it off.  It stays with me in the shower and to sleep.  I have bought many pairs of fun earrings but never wear them.  Nowadays, I prefer the classics.
• I enjoy doing craft projects and my mom and sister laugh because many times I see something in a store and say I can make that for cheaper.  And since we've been in Tupelo, I've made all sorts of stuff.  Kills time during the day and keeps my creative juices flowing.
• I love being a stay-at-home/wife for the time being.  I'm so blessed to be able to spend the day with Clayton and Sadie.  I've cherished every minute of it.  I'm contemplating going back to school to get my master's in teaching.  One of these days I'll make up my mind.
• I enjoy cooking but don't like slaving away in the kitchen and then eating it immediately.  By the time I finish making a lengthy meal, I don't want to look at it much less eat it right then.  And with all the taste testing, I'm full anyway.  I prefer to get it ready in the morning and pop it in the oven or make a bunch of stuff to freeze and eat it later.  
• I loved fried foods.  Chicken, cheese sticks, french fries, shrimp, you name it and I love it fried.
• My idea of a perfect night is surrounded by my family with a glass of wine or a mimosa and watching tv and hanging out.  
• Dr. Pepper is my soft drink of choice.  I also like sweet tea when out and about.  I am really just lazy because unsweet tea is just fine but why take the time to sweeten it yourself when you can order it already sweetened.  Yes, I realize the amount of sugar and order unsweet sometimes.
• I am a night owl.  I like to stay up later then many (around 11 or 12) but I like to sleep in a bit.  And let me really sleep in and it could be 11 or noon before I wake up.  Haven't done that in awhile since Clayton arrived but sometimes catching up on sleep is just what my body needs.
• I like to tidy the house before I go to bed.  I hate waking up to a mess.  Each day I like to start fresh.  But there are many nights I look around at the disaster that occurred of Clayton pulling everything out and say it can wait til tomorrow.
• I love working in the yard.  It's a great form of stress relief and exercise.  The leaf blower is a best friend of mine.  I can frequently be seen push mowing the grass, picking up leaves, or planting flowers.  I love seeing the results of my work.
• I don't like to be the center of attention.  Speech class was not fun.  Being in front of a lot of people makes me freak.  Like opening presents in a big group or standing in front of a crowd getting married...I'm incredibly uncomfortable and most likely sweating bullets.  

And with that, that's way more than anyone wants to know about me.  

My 29th Birthday

Yesterday, the 6th, was my actual birthday.  It was a low-key day getting everything in order to leave for Memphis on Wednesday to get everything set up for Clayton's 1st birthday party at my parents.  Harris picked up food for lunch and Brittany came over and surprised me with a cookie cake and....

Talk about a friend who knows what I love!

We hung out making water bottles for Clayton's party and Brittany did Clayton's hair.  (Nope, we didn't break open the mimosas.)

 

 

That night we decorated our Christmas tree, ate my favorite sushi,  and drank mimosas, of course!

Harris completely surprised me with a new computer!  It may take me awhile to learn how to use it but I'm so excited as I've heard so many fun things I can do with all my pictures on a Mac!

Couldn't of asked for a better way to spend my last birthday before the BIG 3-0!

My Love

My 29th Birthday Celebration & the SEC Championship

We celebrated my birthday with my parents on Saturday night and watched the LSU vs. Georgia SEC Championship game. 

Clayton squeezed into her LSU cheerleader outfit one last time.

This is the results when Mary is turned loose with tattoos.

Excited our birthdays are 4 days apart!

We ate the big feast they prepared and then ate cake.  Half strawberry and half banana nut.  Yum! 

Clayton practiced for her birthday party.

And I opened my present.  An NJ Woods painting!  I love!

Memphis Animal Shelter Grand Opening

As many of you know, I've been volunteering for many years at the Memphis Animal Shelter (aka the Memphis Pound).  I started a non-profit a little bit ago called Friends of the Memphis Animal Shelter.  I'll post more about those endeavors later.

The Memphis Animal Shelter was located in a building that was old and had numerous problems for housing a large quantity of animals.  After many years of planning, the shelter finally moved into a brand new building.  Mary and I went to the grand opening festivities on Saturday.

Memphis Mayor A.C. Wharton

I didn't take many pictures of the inside but it's gorgeous.  One of the areas that makes me the happiest is the cat area.  They are now housed in large cat condos, have room to move, and don't hearing barking dogs all day.

Of course, there were two Maine Coon brothers that stole my heart since they looked similar to Sissy.  Sissy used to do this and it made me cry thinking about how much I miss her.  It was her who opened my heart to cats.

I told my volunteer friend Jeanne to not let anything happen to the two boys and to call me if they were in jeopardy (going to be put to sleep).  This always gets me in trouble as I usually end up coming home with them to foster.  However this time they were adopted!  I know Harris is happy.


Here is an example of the new dog cages.  They have automatic watering system and the dogs are moved to a different section of the kennel to clean it.  Sounds like no big deal but it's huge when you are cleaning so many kennels.  They now stay dry and aren't stressed by the cleaning.

There are many mosaics and murals in the building.  A huge change from the paint-peeling walls in the old building.

I only listed a few of the improvements, but here are countless more.  I'm sad that I've had to step back from the majority of my volunteer duties over the last year but am hoping to be able to get back real soon.  

And for my PSA:

If you are looking to add a furry pet to your family, please consider adopting from your local animal shelter or a rescue group.  There are many pure-blooded dogs as well.  And whatever you do, please spay and neuter your pets.  Thousands die each day because people don't get their pets fixed.


Low Cost Spay/Neuter options in Memphis:
Mid-South Spay and Neuter Services
Pet Vax


Visit Petfinder to locate a rescue group or animal shelter in your area and to search for a particular pet to match your needs.


Also, my biggest pet peeve......Have a collar with an identification tag on your pets AND have them microchipped (Ask your vet about it.  It's typically around $25.).  You DO NOT want your pets to end up at a shelter.  They may never make it out alive.


• 1 out of 3 pets will get lost in their lifetime.

• 95% of lost pets that don’t have PET I.D. never get home again.

• 95% of lost pets that do have Pet I.D. are rescued and returned to their homes.

Personal Pan Pizzas

I love easy, delicious meals.  So I thought I'd share one with y'all that we love.

Personal Pan Pizzas

(and I know the pic isn't great and it just shows off the grease in the cheese but promise it's good.  I never said it was low-fat although I'm sure you could make it.)

Ingredients

-tortillas

-pasta sauce

-toppings of your choosing

(ex. black olives, mushrooms, onions, artichokes, spinach, chicken)

-cheese (if you want it)

Put your desired amount of pasta sauce on a tortilla.  Load it with your toppings.  Bake 350 for 15 minutes.  Then add your cheese.  (Adding cheese at the beginning, we discovered burns it)  Bake for another 10 minutes. That's it!

The ingredients are easy to keep in the kitchen.  Sometimes I buy fresh but many times just grab whatever I have in cans.  Great recipe when you have nothing for dinner but don't want to pick up something.  We eat them often.

November Phone Favorites

Ready for a nap but mom is making me shop.

Overcoming being terrified of this toy.  Now she loves it.

Pasta looks fun.

Pasta is weird.

1st Ponytail

Determination on her face to lift the toilet seat lid.