My Babies

My Babies

Friday, November 28, 2014

The Best Thanksgiving

Yesterday I was too busy with cooking and table setting to post any details of our family thanksgiving dinner.  Plus I hadn't taken any pictures at all.  I really wanted to get several of each family but one had a crying/sleepy baby that finally got to sleep and no one in their right mind wakes up a sleeping baby....even for family photos at holidays!

First I had to set all the tables.  This is something I just love to do.  I didn't go super fancy and elaborate like I have been known to do.  I just adore dishes and tablescapes.



Just right for my own two little Indian Princesses.  They thought they had real gold flatware from a pirate ship. (I may have embellished that a little)
 


I love these bird dishes.  They have all the colors of fall in them.

I placed two people at the bar in the kitchen because I just ran out of room.  Good thing about family is they do not mind....sometimes



We always set up a long buffet table and let people just come and fill their plates.  I can't believe I forgot to take a picture of that!  We had some really good food...way too much too!



I only like pickles, Mimi


I like a lot stuff Mimi....just not pictures...please let me eat!



My two girls and their families.  I am very thankful for them.  They are each and everyone such a blessing to me.

My sister, Becky and her crew.  Her boyfriend Scott has the two boys.  the older one, Alex, brought his girlfriend Caitlin.  She was so sweet.  Mariah and Aaron and Brittany are all super sweet too!  Little baby Kyra was asleep and so she missed out on the photo fun.



Blake, Erica and the babies.  Blakes' mom, Robin, always comes at Thanksgiving.  Usually Blake's dad and grandparents come too but this year they could not come.


My mama and daddy with their two girls.  I am very thankful for them!!  They are such a blessing and a help to me!

So many things to be thankful for each and every day of the year.  Not just on one day.  It is nice though to take the time to stop and reflect on our blessings though.  When you really stop to count them they are innumerable.  God is just so good.  He blesses us all the time.  Even in dark valleys there are blessings.  I love my family and that is one of the greatest blessings in my life.  Thank you, Lord!

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

I could just eat him UP!

Yesterday I got the chance to take my grandson (I love that word!) little newborn photos.  Erica had a professional do this for Piper and Savannah but now with three kids....well priorities people!  So I did for free!  I am in no way shape or form a professional photographer.  A novice at best but I do try and I practice all the time.  It is an art form that I truly love.  So yesterday they packed up the three kids and came over for a quick photo shoot.  Quick...now there is a funny word.  It turned into a few hours.  First off little Mr. Brooks was just perfect.  Nice and sleepy and oh so pliable.


How precious is this???

Sweet, sleepy baby.  Look at those wittle bitty lips....I could just smooch him to pieces!



Then we wanted to do a few shots with his little football hat and his official NFL (stuffed) Miami Dolphins football.  So Erica took his clothes off and he woke up.  When she got him undressed...let's just say my dining room floor had to be mopped.  Who knew a baby could pee so much?!  Then he was hungry. When you nurse your newborn it takes some time.  After a bit we thought we had him settled down and ready for his next photo session.

Looks like he is ready to catch a pass doesn't he??


Blake loves the Dolphins.  He has been a fan for years.  I do hope this little guy is a football player.  I love school age sports and I really miss going to games.



His hat is so big it makes his little head look like a football.



My son-in-law is a police officer and Erica and I saw some photos on Pinterest with little baby boys with their daddy's equipment on them in photos.  So that was what we tried next.  About this time two little girls got hungry and wanted snacks and wanted to play and wanted to watch and wanted to hold him and kiss him and wanted a snack and wanted to go outside........  Then the baby was hungry...again.  This Mimi was a tired Mimi by now.  I had stood on chairs and rearranged my dining room to a photo studio to get some good light to come into windows and it was fading fast!!


How sweet is this?



Sleepy little fellow.  Trying to drift off again...

Until...

This big sister needed to give him a kiss



Then I think Savannah took the whole "I could just eat him up" thing literally, very literally.


Did she really want to eat him Mimi???   No, sweetie...not really.

Maybe I do Mimi.  Maybe I do!




Are you done yet Mimi????  Yes sugar...just one more.  My favorite part of babies...


Are sweet baby feet.  Look...a whole one will just fit right in my mouth.  See, Savannah...you can just eat him right up!!!

Friday, November 21, 2014

I Can't Wait!!!!!

I adore fairy tales.  I am sure that I was really born a princess and I was somehow kidnapped by a band of hillbilly gypsies and will one day be rescued by a handsome prince.  I tell myself this each and every day of my life.....one day it will come true.  Right??  Until then, watch this ......





I am so excited about this movie!!!!  Cinderella is my all time favorite Disney Princess.  Piper and Savannah love some Cinderella too.  I know Piper will love this.....hopefully Savannah will be able to sit still to go to the theater to see it with me.  It really does look fantastic.  I just can't wait!

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Back in business, baby...

Today Blake and Erica brought home little Mr. Brooks.  Once the girls greeted their mommy and all the stuff was brought into the house I kidnapped the baby and took him up to his room.  Once in there I dug into the stuffed animal bin Erica has in the corner.  And there is where I found him.  Mr. Frog.

What??  Wait a minute....who is this???  Brooks, you say?  I thought surely my time was up with the Martin Babies.  Hey buddy.....looks like I am back in business...woo-hoo!!




Hey!  Who are you?  What are you??  I am Mr. Frog.  And on your birth date each month Mimi will sit you beside me and take your picture.  This will chart your growth and let everyone see how big you are getting.  Got it?  She did the same thing with your sisters.  Sisters?  Are those the two things that are all over me and kissing me and touching me and poking me????  Yes....those are the ones.  They love you, man.





Look Mimi!!  He's home!!!


I like him now Mimi!  I want to kiss him....




And I want to rub noses with him.....




I want to hold him and I want to hold his hand, Mimi!!!



I need to wrap him up nice and warm....



I am exhausted, Mr. Frog.  Don't worry little one....I got your back.



So do I, son....So do I


Friday, November 14, 2014

The Day I Met My Grandson...

On Wednesday morning Erica went to the Dr. with her husband.  I took a change of clothes to work and my camera bag just in case she was sent straight to the hospital.  Last week she was already dialated to a 3 1/2....Good Grief!  This week she was a 4 and they decided to induce her Thursday morning.  So at 7:30 that morning I am sitting in the waiting room with Erica and Blake.  They finally take her back to a delivery suite at 9:30.  By this time Blake's mom, Robin, my mama and Megan were all there too.  I must confess this time around I was a huge bundle of nerves.  Erica has had such a miserable pregnancy.  So much pain and sickness.  I was really scared.  I cannot stand to see my babies suffer in any way at all.  Physically, emotionally...in any way.  It breaks this mama's heart.  They started her on a pitocin pump at around 11:45.  This was to jump start her labor.  I have always heard that this makes for a harder delivery and a longer labor.  They broke her water at around noon.  Erica put in some praise and worship music and closed her eyes for a few minutes.  She took the earbuds out and said I think I am going to call the nurse.  She told us her legs felt funny.  Well, I just smile and say ok honey....inside my heart hit my feet.  The nurse came in and asked Erica to turn to the other side.  When she did Erica said ,"Oh no...."  the nurse checked her quickly and said, "Well, looks like we are having a baby! I will call the doctor!"  The other nurse came in and told Erica not to push or anything and that the doctor was across the street.  I asked her if she meant literally or across the hall???  No...the literal street where their offices are.  So maybe five minutes go by and here comes the doctor.  He was all out of breath and very winded.  I asked him if he had run here and he said he had!!  Much quicker than a car!  I glanced at the clock.  1:10 p.m.  Erica started pushing.  she is so tough.  I mean it she really, really is a tough one.  And then....here he came.


I glanced at the clock again.  1:19 p.m.  All of nine minutes.  My hands were shaking so hard that some of my photos were blurry.  But here are a few more.  Well, a lot more.  I am a grandmother...what can I say??


Blake and Erica right before they started the induction.  She is my baby....but is she not just glamorous???


Getting a little intense....labor is very, very hard work.


Sweet parents.....they truly are a wonderful couple.



Meet my grandson...Brooks Lincoln Martin....


Are you my Mimi???  I am fweezing...get me a bwankie...pweeeese!!!



Thanks Mimi.....You are the best!



This little guy checked in at 8lbs and 3 oz and 21 inches long.  Big Boy!



I just love him.  He is my little Man-Cub!!  After all I am truly a grizzly mama bear when it comes to my babies.


Beautiful Aunt Megan....she is just the coolest Aunt ever.



My mama....Grammy.  this is her first great-grandson.  I think she is over the moon for him too!


Brooks....you have great parents buddy. Great.


Big sisters were beyond thrilled to see this little guy.



Especially his biggest sister.  Piper is in love!  She could not keep her hands off this little guy.



Savannah liked him too....at first.  Later she told me she didn't like him!  But I know she does!!




Savannah has just realized she is now the middle child!  Good Luck Brooks!


Thank you Jesus for a safe delivery and for a healthy baby and mommy.  I praise God for the many blessings he just keeps pouring down on my family.

Monday, November 10, 2014

Sunday Afternoons

Most every Sunday I make a big Sunday lunch for my family.  This is something I love doing.  I have always loved lots of people around the table over good food and great conversations.  I never could stand stressful meals with tension so thick you could see it in the air.  Nope, that is just not my thing.  Been there....done that.  This Sunday I made a big pot roast with carrots and onions, a big bowl of mashed potatoes and biscuits.  After lunch I wanted to take some fall photos of the girls with there mommy walking down my driveway towards the cow pond.  the leaves are just so pretty down this dirt road.  Megan and Thad were going to help me wrangle these reluctant little girls.  Oh, the dreams I have in my head of all these great photos I see on Pinterest.......they are not reality.  Not.  this is what I got.



Savannah just would not cooperate.  At all.  Good grief!!  You would think she was just two years old the way she behaves!!!  Oh wait!  She is two....  Two with attitude to boot.

So I thought maybe I could get some sweet shots of them walking away from me.  I do love shots from the back.  I don't know why.  They always seem so longing and thought provoking to me.  Where are you going?  What are you thinking?  those kind of thoughts invade my head when I see them.  I'm weird.  Or quirky.  Or strange.  Or maybe all three rolled into one.  So I tried those.  this is what I got.


Sweet sisters.  They were really watching my dopey dog, Penny jumping around.



Not so bad....A Mommy and her little girls.  Getting big way too fast.



Deep conversation with Uncle Thad.  He is an awesome Uncle by the way.


Both girls just adore him and I am pretty sure that runs both ways.



Since I feel sure Erica will have this little man this week I wanted to get a dew of her.  She is a reluctant model too.  I honestly do not know why all my kids fight me so hard.  I am going to win.



She is so pretty.  She is just glowing from head to toe with baby-love.  I am so ready to meet you little guy!


Maybe by next Sunday I will have some precious newborn shots to share.....I so hope so!