1st Birthday picture session

We went to Portrait Innovations for Myers 1st birthday photos today. They took so many great shots, but these are a few of my favorites!

I am one (well, almost)!
A family portrait

What a cutie!

Christmas!

Santa visited our house on Christmas Eve, but...
we already have the best gift ever!

Myers really enjoyed his first Christmas. After the 5pm service at church on Christmas Eve, we ate Chinese take out and then quickly fell asleep. Santa must have visited sometime during the night because he left some really great gifts.

We slept until about 8:00am. Then Myers got to play with his gifts from Santa. After quite a bit of playing we had breakfast together. After breakfast, we started unwrapping the other gifts. It took forever to unwrap gifts because Myers wanted to play with every gift until he got bored with it before he would even look at another gift!

At about 120:00 we were finally finished unwrapping gifts. After just a few minutes Honey and G-Daddy showed up with more gifts! They really spoiled us rotten! Myers played and played and played all day.

It was so nice to get to spend the day resting and relaxing with nowhere to go. We took a walk and played Mexican Train and just enjoyed a laid back Christmas.

We've got a walker!

Myers took his first unaided steps on Wednesday night at church. He can take a few steps on his own and then dives to the floor to crawl. Of course, crawling is so much faster, so it is still his preferred mode of transportation. He can also walk very fast when pushing his push toys around the house. He loves to do laps around the living room, kitchen, and dining room. This is a picture of Myers at Sharon and Ken's house on night when they babysat him the beginning of December.

A visit with Santa and Christmas Tree shopping

We went to the mall to visit Santa a few weeks ago. Myers liked Santa. He liked looking at the sparkly decorations around him too!

Hmmm...what is this tree doing inside? And why have Momma and Daddy put it right next to my buggy?

I like this tree!

Let's take it home and decorate it!

A bunch of photos

We found the camera, so here are a bunch of pictures to catch up for the past few weeks!

Myers likes to eat Mommy's phone.
We hiked to the top of Kennesaw Mountain and Myers fell asleep.

Myers played in the field at Kennesaw Battlefield.

Myers sleeping in his new Mickey pj's.

We went to the Richmond Zoo over Thanksgiving weekend. We got to feed the giraffes. They had a bridge that goes over the giraffe's enclosure and the giraffes would stick their heads through the slates. Giraffes have really long tongues!

This is at the Richmond Zoo.

Myers really enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner!

Moving on up!

Last Monday Myers moved up to the Junior Toddler room at school. He is the youngest in the class, but he loves it! He gets to eat with the big kids, sleep on a little cot, go outside to play, and we even got his first art project (a fingerpainted turkey) on Friday!

I will post pics as soon as I get a chance. Our camera went missing last weekend, so we are using an digital camera that George bought for work, but I don't know where the connectors are for the computer!

Mama!

Myers has always been a talkative baby. I joke with George that we don't have to let Myers "cry it out." Instead he "talks it out" in his crib. He talks to his stuffed bear and to the animals on the quilt above his crib. He even "talks" with the cadence of a real conversation and pauses for answers.
Myers has been saying "mama," "dada," "baba," etc. since he was about 5 months old. BUT, on Sunday he said Mama for the first time that I was absolutely sure he meant me! When he woke up, I brought him into our bed to give him his bottle. When he finished the bottle he was crawling around between George and I babbling away. He looked up at me, got a big smile on his face and said, "Mama!" Then he crawled to me and grabbed at my face. I immediately woke George up and told him. Of course, now George is trying to teach Myers to say "Dada" every time he gets a chance!

Sushi for Halloween

We just got back from trick or treating at the mall near our house. Myers was Salmon Sushi for Halloween. He was the rice, the orange pillow was the salmon, and the green ribbon was the seaweed. Everyone at the mall kept saying, "He is just the cutest!" But no one could figure out what he was supposed to be until I told them. Of course, then they all loved the idea. One lady said, "Well aren't you the yummiest piece of sushi ever!"

Myers also dressed up for the pep rally and costume parade at school yesterday. He was a Disney tourist. I didn't get a picture of that, but a lot of the parents in my class did, so hopefully they will forward the pictures to me. He wore all of his Disney gear (shirt, hat, socks, and Mickey ears). He was really adorable.

Pumpkin Patch and a wedding

This weekend was busy with Callie and Ben's wedding to attend and a trip to the pumpkin patch at Mt Zion UMC.

Callie and Ben's wedding was on Saturday night. Grandma and Grandpa were wonderful enough to watch Myers during the ceremony and then he joined us for the reception. The wedding was beautiful and the reception was lots of fun. Here is a picture of Myers with his bow tie taken by my friend Katey.

On Sunday, we visited the pumpkin patch at our church. While picking out our pumpkin we took lots of pictures. Myers fell in love with a little pumpkin that was just his size. He was having such a good time with it (plus he let a few teeth marks on it), so he got his own pumpkin to bring home.

I am trying to figure out how to load some videos, but I am not having any luck. I will keep trying because he is doing some really fun stuff now.

Stone Mountain

Two Sundays ago, we decided to go to Stone Mountain for the Pumpkin Festival. While we were there we got a call from my parents asking us if we wanted to meet them at where else....Stone Mountain! So we met up, went on a walk together and then sat in the nice weather to ate juicy apples. Although Myers doesn't have enough teeth to eat an apple, he sure had fun playing with it!

9 months

Myers had his 9 month check-up last week. He is 19 lbs. 11 oz. (10th percentile) and 26 inches long (5th percentile). The doctor said that he is very healthy and developing just as he should. He is crawling all over, pulling up, and starting to "cruise."

He is also eating all kinds of finger foods. He is actually eating the school lunches now. His favorite things to eat at school are black-eyed peas and anything with noodles in it.

While George was in Virginia for Grandaddy's funeral, Myers got to go to his first movie. We went to go see Up! at the dollar theater. Of course we had to see a Disney movie! He was very interested in the movie and very well behaved.

Sneaky baby!

Myers is now pulling himself up to sitting and standing all by himself. He actually pulled himself to standing first. One morning I put him in his crib sitting up so I could get his clothes out of the closet. When I turned back around he was standing up and smiling so big! He was so proud of himself. Then a few days ago he was laying on the floor playing and I turned around to put some things away. When I turned back he was sitting up. He is so sneaky because both times he waited until I wasn't looking to try out a new trick! What a silly baby boy!

Several "firsts" in one day

Aunt Jenna and Myers at the Braves game.










George and Myers at the park.










Myers at the aquarium.






Myers had three "firsts" all in one day.
On Saturday Myers visited the Georgia Aquarium for the first time. He loved looking at all the fish and all the people. He especially enjoyed the tanks that were at ground level because he could sit by himself and try to grab them.
After the aquarium, we walked around Centennial Olympic Park and Myers got to crawl around on the grass. Although, we have taken Myers for walks at the park before, this was the first time that he really got down on the ground to play.
Last night, we went with Aunt Jenna to the Braves game. Jenna is going to have teach Myers all about sports since George and I are hopeless when it comes to the rules of most sports!

School's back in session...let the craziness begin!

As of tomorrow, I will have officially finished the first two weeks of the new school year. Things have been crazy and hectic, but will hopefully settle down soon. I know George is looking forward to things settling down enough that I can at least cook a home cooked meal a few times a week. I think he is getting a little tired of Lean Cuisines, sub sandwiches, and frozen pizza!

As I predicted, Myers loves being back at school! I think he is the most active kid in the infant room even though he isn't the oldest. He scoots around everywhere and tries to get into everything now!

George just brought in some okra from our (well really it's his) garden. He has definitely learned some things about gardening this summer. I don't think corn will be in the garden next year because it takes up so much room, and you get very little harvest. We had a pretty good crop of beans, but some rabbits ate the plants during campmeeting! Now the okra and watermelon are coming along nicely, and since those are my favorites anyway I am excited.

7 months old!

Myers is 7 months old today. I can't believe how quickly time has flown. He now weighs about 17 1/2 pounds. He is eating all types of food and even does a few finger foods like puffs and Cheerios. We has a no trouble picking the pieces up but a little trouble actually getting the food into his mouth! He gets it there, but doesn't let go. Overall, he is a really good eater, and we haven't found anything that he doesn't like!

Myers is really close to crawling now. He does the inchworm. He sticks up his little bottom and then pushes himself forward. He can get anywhere he wants by inchworming or rolling.

Pre-planning starts tomorrow, so Myers will be going back to the infant room. We visited last week and he seemed really interested to be with all the other babies, adults, and new toys! I know he will do fine, but I know I will cry.

Walt Disney World!

We returned from Myers' first trip to Walt Disney World last Friday. We had so much fun! Myers earned his Mickey ears for sure!

On Monday, George and I took the Keys to the Kingdom tour (a backstage tour of the Magic Kingdom) and had dinner at California Grill while Myers spent the day hanging out with Honey. The tour was really interesting. We were able to go in many backstage areas including the utilidors. Our tour guide, Rae, was amazing and I am very jealous of her job! Dinner at California Grill was amazing. We had a beautiful view of the Magic Kingdom from our table and a great viewing area for Wishes on the balcony.

On Tuesday, Myers spent his first day at the Magic Kingdom. We rode all the Fantasyland staples like Dumbo, It's a Small World, Peter Pan's Flight, etc. We ate lunch at Cinderella's Royal Table with all the princesses. Myers got kisses from Cinderella and Snow White! He also got his first haircut at the Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street. He didn't really need a haircut yet, but how could we pass up a first haircut at WDW with first haircut Mickey ears!

On Wednesday, we spent the morning at Animal Kingdom. We rode Kilimanjaro Safari and did some of the walking trails. I think Myers' favorite part of the Animal Kingdom were the African drummers outside of the Tusker House.

On Thursday, we went to Epcot. We visited with the fab five (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Pluto). We also ate at the Rose and Crown Pub in the United Kingdom for my dad's Father's Day lunch. Myers liked the "Figment Ride" and Spaceship Earth the best at Epcot. I bought a really cute vintage Epcot t-shirt while we were there. It has all the symbols for all of the Future World pavilions from the early 1980's.

On Friday, we spent the morning at Downtown Disney. We rode the Characters in Flight balloon which is the world's largest helium filled balloon ride. It went 400 feet in the air, and when we were at the top, we could see all over Disney property. It was very interesting.

Overall, we had a wonderful trip and can't wait until we return for Myers' second trip next year!

181st Salem Campmeeting

Myers and I in our matching tye die shirts (a Salem tradition).George and Myers after big Sunday. We had already changed Myers out of his white church outfit.

Myers in front of the tabernacle.


Myers attended his first of many campmeetings last week. He was quite a champ attending all of the 11am and 8pm services and many of the classes. He was passed around and loved on by all of our "campmeeting family."

Campmeeting has always been such a renewal for me, and this year was no different. We had great choirs and preaching. We also had amazing teaching in the adult classes. I am so grateful to be a part of this wonderful tradition and to be able to introduce Myers to it at such a young age!

6 month check-up

This is a picture I took of Myers a few weeks ago. He and Mickey were planning our trip to Disney.

Myers had his 6 month check-up yesterday. He now weighs 16 lbs. 11 oz (25th percentile) and is 24 1/2 inches long (5th percentile). He is right on target for all of his milestones and is growing at a good rate. He really didn't like his shots this time, and he wasn't a happy baby last night because his little thighs were sore. This morning he was back to his happy, smiley self!

Beach pictures and the 4th of July

For the 4th of July we went to a cookout at Uncle David and Aunt Cindy's house.

I really liked the beach.

It's beach time!

Mom, Dad, George, Myers and I

The whole crew-all 23 of us!

We are in Hilton Head, South Carolina this week with the extended Kinder family. Last night we had a cookout and birthday party for all of the many July birthdays we have in our family.

Myers spent his first day at the beach yesterday. I first put Myers's toes in the sand at the edge of the water. He was fascinated in the sand under his feet. When the water would come up to his toes he would get the biggest smile on his face. Then I sat him on the edge of the water, and the first thing he did was to grab a handful of sand and stick it in his mouth! Yucky...he didn't like the taste very much, spit it all out, and didn't try it again. He really enjoyed going into the waves. I will post pictures of the beach later.

Tonight we are going to go get seafood with Mom, Dad, Grandy, and Patty tonight. We are also going to walk on the beach this evening.

Myers is growing up so fast!

Myers can sit on his own now!

First attempt with cereal. Quite messy, but fun.

Swimming

Daddy and Myers

In my duck floaty

Today Myers went swimming for the first time. Our neighborhood had a pool party that we went to. He was the youngest (and cutest!) baby there. He looked so cute in his swim suit and rash guard. He was not so sure about it at first, but in the end he started to smile some. We got him a duck float with some little things he can play with on it. He also went into the baby pool for a little while.

6 years of marriage!

Tomorrow is our 6 year wedding anniversary! It seems like just yesterday I was sitting in the parlor of Conyers First United Methodist Church talking to my bridesmaids and playing with our nephew Nehemiah, waiting to walk down the aisle towards the love of my life and my best friend.

In my mind the ceremony is a blur of happiness. I remember when Dan said, "I now pronounce you man and wife." I was so excited that George and I were now joined together forever.

Several years have passed and we have shared so many wonderful memories together and now we are raising our wonderful baby boy together. I can't wait for the years to come. I look forward to more memories together and with our growing family as the years pass!

Mother's Day and Baptism

Myers was baptized today at Mt Zion UMC. He wore the McCown family gown which was made in 1904 for George Myers McCown Jr. He did wondefully during the service...not a single cry. After the service we had lunch at our house. It was so nice to have everyone over for Mother's Day.

Myers also had his 4 month check-up last week. He now weighs 13lbs 1oz and is 22 1/2 inches long. He is growing!

Why?

There are times in my life when things happen and I feel that I need to be in church. I know a church is the people, not the building, but to me there is something soothing about being in a quiet sanctuary or prayer chapel and calling out to God.

Today is one of those days.

My heart is broken, my heart cries out, and I don't understand. God grant everyone involved peace, and surround my friends in Your love.

Poor little Myers

Poor Myers...he is sick, and it is so hard watching him cough and sneeze and really not be able to do anything about it. It all started on Saturday when he woke up with a fever. We took him to the doctor since this was our first experience with any real illness (about two months ago he was coughing and sneezing, but no fever). The doctor said it was a cold and to give him Infant Tylenol when needed, prop up the mattress in his crib to help the drainage, and to get a humidifier. Then this morning he woke up with cruddy eyes. I caught pink eye from one of the kids in my class and although I tried my hardest to wash my hands a lot and not touch my eyes, Myers got it anyway. Off we went again to the doctor, and when they checked him out they realized that he also has an ear infection in both ears! Poor little guy. But despite it all, he is such a trooper, so sweet and good natured even though he doesn't feel good.

I knew he would get sick once I went back to work. He gets the double whammy because he gets the germs from his class and my class! I just keep thinking about how he will never get sick when he gets to elementary school because he will have great immunities built up.

Easter Sunday

We went to the early service which Myers sat through very quietly. He loves to hear hymns, so he loves church!

After church we went to the McCown's house for lunch. We had to leave early since Monday was Kristin's first day back to work.

Mom and Dad gave Myers sunglasses, a book about animals, a beach hat, and a t-shirt with a surfung monkey on it for Easter. We were able to spend Palm Sunday with them in Conyers.

St. Patrick's Day Parade

We decorated Myers stroller for the parade.

Myers was a very happy baby!

My little leprechaun named Myers.

Myers and I went to Conyers to march in the St. Patrick's Day parade. It is much bigger now than it was when I was little. Honey made a sign for Myers's stroller, and I decorated the stroller with shamrocks, leprechauns, and crepe paper. We marched with lots of people from Conyers First United Methodist Church, and we saw many people that I knew in high school. it was a fun day, and Myers was a big hit!

Myers smiling because Honey and G-daddy were babysitting.

George and I getting ready to leave for our date.