Stratton's 1st Football Game!

We took Stratton to the ASU Red Wolves game on Saturday. It was his first real football game and he did great! Jarrod was really excited about taking him. I guess its a guy thing. I know he is ready for him to be a little older where he can finally being able to do stuff with him, like taking him to football and baseball games, teaching him about hunting and fishing, playing sports, ect. . .I am sad that he is growing up so fast and Jarrod is excited about it!! On Thursday after work he went and bought Stratton (and me!) a new Red Wolves t-shirt. I should have had some one take our picture since we were all sporting our team colors, but it wasn't a good night for photos. It was really humid and once we walked the 10 miles (ok it wasn't quite that far) from our vehicle to the stadium we were sweating- especially Jarrod who had to carry Stratton! The rodeo was at the convo so the traffic and parking was horrible! Once we got inside and sat down Stratton of course wanted down, so that was a little bit of a battle. But we saw some friends from church and went and sat with them so he was better with a little entertainment, and once the game started he was pretty good. He fell asleep about 9:30, which was in the middle 3rd quarter so we took him home. I was afraid if we didn't go put him to bed he'd just get a good nap and then by the time we got home he'd be ready to play. He was in bed around 10pm and still got up at 6:30!! I wish he would learn to sleep in! I'm glad our first experience at a football game was a good one!

No Surgery!!

I had an appointment this morning with Dr. Degges, and after telling him how great I have been feeling he decided that if I am feeling fine then there wasn't any reason to do the surgery! I asked him about the chance of it coming back again especially if it happened while I was pregnant and if it would have any additional risks. He said that since I was able to handle the pain and symptoms before there was no reason why I couldn't do it again. It might be unpleasant, but the chances of something life threatening happening is very rare. He said that I would need to get another colonoscopy or CT scan at some point in the future to keep an eye on it. I am ecstatic! It was hard for me to convince myself that I needed to have this surgery when I feel fine, knowing that it was going to be a difficult time and a long recovery, so I am glad that I don't have to deal with that at least right now! Thanks for all the thoughts and especially the prayers!

14 months!

 

 

At 14 months old Stratton is such a busy boy! He isn't walking completely on his own, but everyday he gets braver and braver. The longest stride he has had at the house was about 6 or 7 steps. He will climb on anything and everything! I feel like we are constantly saying "No!". He is still wearing a size 12-18 months in shorts, but needs a 18-24 size in long pants and shirts and shoe size is 5.5-6. He is still in size 4 diapers. He has had 3 new back teeth come in over the past couple of months which adds up to a total of 11 teeth!! He is a terrific eater. He definitely has a healthy appetite. It's nothing for him to eat an entire banana (he loves bananas!) in just a couple of minutes! He usually wants to eat right when we walk in the door about 5:30pm, and then he eats again when Jarrod and I eat (if we eat before he goes to bed) he thinks if there are others eating then he should be too! You can't even snack in front of him because he will take it away from you! I have noticed that he is starting to refuse some foods- I knew the day would come {sigh} when he would have an opinion about what he likes to eat. Things he WILL not eat: baked squash, mac and  cheese from the Cracker Barrel, broccoli with cheese on it & fried okra. Things he LOVES: Bananas, cheese, bread (of any kind), any kind of cracker, especially goldfish, green beans and peas. He is saying new words everyday! He has finally started to say "Momma"! He also says: bye-bye, ball, dada, go, shoe, truck, new-new (no-no), puh (puppy), Tah (Taki), nanna (banana), dat (I assume like "what's that"), juice, Ba (milk) and something that resembles tractor. . .he babbles all the time who knows what he is trying to say! He knows how to point at what he wants even if he can't say it yet! He will point and make a sound like "huh" I don't know?? He knows exactly where the bath tub is and when he is ready he will take you to it!! So funny! We are enjoying watching him learn new things, it's so much fun (and a little bittersweet) to see him starting to make that transition from baby to little boy!

 

Here are some new videos I have taken in the past week, enjoy!

 

 

 

Gulf Shores Vacation!

The Staggs-Todd vacation was fun but going on a vacation with three kids was really different than any vacation I have ever been on! I say next year we leave the kids at home! Just kidding! We had a really great time and are so lucky to have been able to share it with the Todd's!! It ended up working out pretty well! Stratton and Cooper got along great for the most part. It was fun watching them interact. . .they are going to be trouble makers when they get a little older for sure! Stratton was pretty good around Lainey. He would pat her and say "ahhh" like we do around the dog and cat-haha. At least he gets the idea! He only got rough with her once and tried to "pat" her a little too hard!

We left Jonesboro about 6:30am on Wednesday morning. We planned it pretty good! He would make it for about 3 hours at a time before he got restless and/or hungry. We made it to Gulf Shores around 5:30, not bad at all! He did about the same on the way back, too! I will say I am sooo glad we took the dvd player for the car! I am sick and tired of John Deere and Baby Einstein, but it sure did help!

Believe it or not it didn't rain! It was sunny and beautiful the entire time! That's a first for us! It was definitely different with a baby than our normal beach vacations. Having to accommodate naps and snacks and  restlessness. . .whew! But Stratton was very well behaved for the most part. We were really surprised how well he did!

On The Beach: Stratton got really hot really fast. We couldn't get him to stay under the umbrella in the shade. It was so humid and much hotter than I remember it being the last time we were there in September I think it was hotter than it was when we were here last year in June. Stratton seemed to like the sand alright and didn't act scared of the water. But after about an hour in the sun and sand, he was ready to do something else. So we didn't get much time in the sun either! I guess the upside to that is we didn't get sunburned!

By The Pool:The condo we stayed in was really kid friendly. It had an awesome kiddie pool with a bunch of neat water features. We ended up spending more time there than on the beach!

 

 

Out and about: We ate at the Hangout, LuLu's, Crab Trap, Sea and Suds (which was conveniently right next to our condo) and even had Lamberts when we were in Foley shopping. It wouldn't be a vacation without LOTS of good food!

 

All 3 kids riding a truck at Lamberts

He supported the Hogs on Saturday

playing on the playground at the Crap Trap

Oh, the things we do to entertain a baby!

Random Cute Pictures: 

Cooper sitting in Stratton's lap!

Three sweet kiddos!

 

The End- When do we go back??

beautiful beach day!

Ugh. Really? It's our last day already?! But we just got here! Next year we are coming for a whole week, four days is just not long enough for me! At this moment Stratton and Jarrod are napping and I am enjoying listening to the waves sitting on our balcony. It is another picture perfect day, I sure do love vacations, why don't I get more of them!

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Vacation update

We are having a great time! I can't believe that tomorrow is our last day! So far Stratton likes the beach but after an hour is ready to do something else. It's a big change from what our beach vacations have been in the past! I will have lots of pictures to share when we get back!

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Busy, Busy!

So in the past week. . .

Stratton started a new daycare and things are going great!! He didn't even cry on the first day! He is in love with one of the teachers, when she leaves the room he throws a fit! She is on the A-Team at ASU and a cheer coach as well as an early childhhood ed major, so she has lots of energy and I think that is why he likes her so much! And she's pretty cute, but I'm not going there! She is WAY too old for him! haha.

Jarrod got sick. We've all had a little bit of a cold/allergies. But Jarrod went to the Dr on Thursday and he was running at 102 temp!! He has bronchitis and an ear infection. So my mom came and got Stratton Friday night so Jarrod could get some rest.

Saturday was Miss Isabella's birthday party! It was so nice outside we spent the evening in their huge backyard. My uncle Brian took Cooper and Stratton for a ride on his lawn mower and you know they loved that.

Sunday Jarrod's mom came and got Stratton since she was off today (Labor Day) so we had dinner with our friends after church last night. Then today I have been busy working on a church project, trying to get it all wrapped up before we leave Wednesday morning. . .FOR THE BEACH!! Yay!!

We leave Wednesday morning and will come back Sunday. It's a short trip, but at least we are getting to get away for a few days. My cousin Kayce and her family are going too! I think it will be so much fun to see the boys together on the beach!

Here are some pictures from the past week!

he loves being up high!

Ahhh. . .Riding with the windows down!

Wild Bill, Papa and Pistol Pete

Gigi and Stratton jumping on the Gibson's trampoline

Kiddos playing in the mound of wrapping paper

Stratton and Archer