More Firsts

Hawkes got to go to the pool for the first time. We thought since he enjoyed splashing in the tub so much that he might enjoy going swimming. Plus I always like a chance to dress up the little guy in something new.

He had lots of fun with Landon. He didn't even seem bothered that it wasn't that warm.

 Hawkes also got to go to his first baseball game. We live right next to the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball stadium, so Landon came home from work a little early and we went with some friends. The picture didn't turn out very well, but at least we got one with him in it.

The stadium is right on the river and so pretty. I love that you can see downtown and the bridges in the background too. I just wish I could have actually watched the game.

As you can see Hawkes was not a fan. He doesn't really like loud noises and he was really tired, so it wasn't a very good mix. Every time the crowd cheered he would get upset and start to cry so hard. I ended up only watching for a couple minutes and then trying to find a quiet spot for Hawkes for a little bit. Good thing they had a cute little playground in the stadium and we just ended up hanging out there. Maybe when he's older we will try again.

I also purchased his first pair of sunglasses and I am in love. This might be the best $5 I have ever spent. They look adorable on him and are actually useful because he hates if the sun shines in his face at all. He is actually pretty good at leaving them on too.

The next first on the list is solid food. I have finally given him his first taste and he was pretty excited.

 He thought he needed to help me get it to his mouth. Apparently I wasn't getting it to him fast enough. 

Happy Half Birthday to My Little Man!

6 months ago our little family gained another member. We were so blessed to have little Hawkes join us after days of labor. Needless to say, I was so glad it was over and he was finally with us. I can't express what a joy being his mom has been. I feel so blessed everyday that I got such a wonderful baby boy. That doesn't mean that I don't have hard days or that he isn't ever a little punk, but he is so darn cute it's impossible to stay frustrated with him. He changes so much everyday and learns new things. I am pretty sure that he thinks my phone is an extension of my hand because I am always taking pictures or videos. 

I can't believe he was ever that small now. I feel like I am already forgetting how it was to have a teeny tiny baby.  

I am not a fan of any pictures of me right after the delivery. 35 pounds and 2 days of labor didn't do much for me, but this picture is a memory for me. This was taken right after he was born and they placed him in my arms. What an amazing moment. It still brings tears to my eyes to see this picture and remember that moment and everything I was feeling. I was so proud of myself for being able to get through my pregnancy and childbirth. I was in disbelief that this precious little being was all ours. I was so thankful to have my wonderful husband that was with me every second of my labor. I knew our life was going to change forever, but really had no idea what I was in for.

I love this picture of Landon with him in the hospital. You can just see in his face how excited he was to be with his little boy. He has been such an amazing dad and I couldn't do this without him.

Who knew that teeny little baby from the first picture would get these cheeks! I just want to squish him. He is getting more fun every day. I love all the skills he is learning. He can now sit up by himself pretty good. He still falls over after a few minutes, but is getting more stable each day. He reaches for things and loves to be handed a new toy. He is trying to learn to crawl, but until then, he does a good job turning in circles to get to whatever he needs. He also has learned to roll onto his back and scoot to reach a toy and then roll back over. He loves to take baths and splashes like crazy. He likes to scratch fabrics to hear the sound it makes. He is super observant and loves to just look around. If he gets upset and we can't get him to stop crying we can just sit at the window and he stops and just stares. He will lick anything he can get his mouth on. I think he enjoys licking his toys more than playing with them. He has learned how to squeak his Sophie giraffe. He definitely has his own little personality. He will fake cough to get some attention. He pretty much has to have something over his face in order to fall asleep. He gets mad if he drops his toys and can't get to them. He likes to watch us walk around the room and sometimes cries if he can't see us anymore. He screams really loud and has starting saying da da da da. He has also learned how to spit which is really gross but apparently really entertaining for him. He now refuses to take a pacifier or a bottle, but thinks a pacifier is a chew toy. He loves to pull my hair and has decided pinching is also fun. When he eats he likes to reach up and touch my face the whole time or just hit it over and over. He is such a happy little guys and is very generous with his smiles. It is also getting easier to get a laugh out of him. He enjoys playing peek a boo and loves having play time with mom and dad. Sometimes he will just sit with his forehead against mine. I love it, until he tries to eat my face and I am covered in slobber. He still likes other people and will let pretty much anyone hold him. He is such a fun little guy. I can't believe 6 months have already gone by. He is getting too big way too fast. 

Randi Ray Photography

I was looking through our millions of pictures of Hawkes the other day while he was napping and I came across these. My cute friend Randi took these when Hawkes was just about 2 months old. I forget how little he was (and how bald he was). It is fun to look back and see how much he has grown and changed. He gets cuter everyday, and I am so glad his hair has grown back in. Balding wasn't his best look.

So lucky to call these two boys mine!

What a blessing he has been. I feel grateful everyday that I have been given such a healthy, happy, darling baby boy!

Sleep Time

Home Sweet Pittsburgh

Well after another two short plane rides we made it to our new home! Thanks to my Mom for Hawkes' new toys to keep him busy on our plane rides. We were both so excited to see Landon and so happy to have our little family back together. 

We are living really close to the river. You can see the view that we have in the above photo. It is really pretty and me and Hawkes love to take walks when the weather is nice. 

My boys having some quality bonding time before Dad heads out to work. Chances are they were watching ESPN.

We are staying at an extended stay hotel while we are here. There are definitely good and bad that come with that. Here is how our bed was made when we got home from running errands one day. I thought it was so cute. We have been here for almost a month now and have adjusted pretty well. Landon has really long days, so that's no fun for any of us. He works from about noon to 10:00 or so (sometimes later) everyday Monday through Friday and then from about 9:00 am to 10:00 pm on Saturdays. So it's a hard schedule, but we have Sundays together! Mostly Hawkes and I get to hang out all day. Some days it gets hard and we get a little stir crazy in our room, but for the most part it is going really well. I have really enjoyed getting to stay home and spend all my time with the little man. I think everyone may get sick of my posts because I now have pictures galore. I can't help but take millions of pictures of him. He is darling and growing so fast. Everyday he changes a little and does something new. I will have to update with all his new tricks soon. 

Georgia Continued

While in Georgia, Hawkes got to spend lots of time with his cute cousin Olivia!

She is such a joy and so cute. It was so much fun to get to hang out with her everyday. I have missed her so much since she moved to Georgia. 

She was always asking to "hold" Hawkes and wanted him to sit in her lap. I would have to tell her no sometimes because he was a little too fussy and not really in the mood. She caught on pretty quick to that and would say "Can  I hold Hawkes? Him not grumpy." It was really cute.

Still not sure how this family got two blue eyed babies.

Hawkes loved trying to get to her cute curls and she would just sit and laugh.

Any time he would cry she would rub his head and say "It's ok Hawkes. Don't be sad"

They loved watching the "puter" together.

I love that he looks bigger than her in this picture. Chubby little man!

They had lots of cuddle time. He definitely misses her and everyone else from Georgia.

He got to meet lots of my friends which was so fun! We went to lunch with Chelle, Greer, and the kids a few times. Miss Ella absolutely loved him and was so cute always trying to be next to him. Cole Man even wanted to see him when he thought no one was really looking. He also got to meet his god mother finally! (And her dog) We went to the Morgan's house and spent some time there. Molly thought it was great fun to torture me and my germ-a-phobe ness by letting Stephen lick his toes, face, and his toys. I allowed it just because I love her so much. Isabelle (Miss Judi's dog) was not as big a fan of Hawkes though. I think she was jealous of all the attention he was getting so she just kept barking at him. It was so fun to get to spend some quality time with all the people that I love. Hopefully we will make it back soon. I already miss all my family and friends.