How Big is Raughley?

So Big!

Cutest. Pictures. Ever

I know I am biased, but is this not the most adorable, 

precious

little monster you have ever seen?

I think so.  

Tidal Wave

Bath time became more of an Olympic sport last night than a cleaning session as Raughley set the world record for most water splashed in a single night. Brother Bryant looked on and cheered, encouraging R to get mommy and daddy as wet as possible in the ten minute race to the finish. Did he succeed? You be the judge!

play ball!

A sweet father son moment, preparation for sports later on in life!

By the Way...

My little britches is 10 months old as of yesterday!
At this point he is:
*standing and balancing on his own
*walking with help
*Eating 3 bottles and 4 meals a day
*taking 3 naps still- this boy loves to nap!
*dancing to music- I swear, he shakes his little hips and bounces up and down!
*loves to play hide and seek in the den
*is trying to drink from a sippy, but doesn't love it, and
*trying to minimize paci time to when he is sleepy or on the changing table- (a truly traumatic experience)

Don't miss the post below about our trip to the zoo!

Z is for Zebra

For Valentine's Day this year, Chase took the family to the Birmingham Zoo.  I haven't been to the zoo in probably ten years, and I was amazed at how much had changed.  If you haven't been lately, it is worth a trip.  I would wait until it warms up though, because some of the animals were hibernating, like the hippo and the alligators.  

The first area we visited was Kangaroo Korner, set up like an outback camp, with many hands on activities for children.  Raughley LOVED the kanga's and tried to wave at them over and over.  

Look how cute they are!  When they lay down to relax, they stretch out like they are posing for sports illustrated swimsuit issue.  SO funny. 

The flamingos were so cute, and got really close to the fence.  I had to step back in case they decided to peck away.  

After touring the primate area (which is how I remembered it) and seeing the construction for the new Africa exhibit (which is going to be SO COOL), we entered the Children's Zoo.  I had never seen this area.  It had a playground, carousel, barn yard animals, and an Alabama Wilds exhibit with eagles, vultures, owls, etc.  

little lion Raughley

Too little to ride the carousel, but they did let us pose for a picture!

he loved the barnyard animals!

This little lady was hysterical.  She inched closer and closer to me as if to say "check out my hat, isn't it simply stunning!"  We were cracking up at her little personality.  

Finally, we made it to the Savannah area, to see the zebras!

And the lion. He was taking a snooze.  

While his lady friend watched out for dinner.  

"Honey, could you bring me a beer, the game's on"

One Horse Open Sleigh!

Once upon a time there lived a little boy named Raughley.  He was a Southern boy, used to life in the deep south, filled with days of balmy humidity and sunshine.  So you can imagine his surprise when he awoke one morning from his morning nap to find his yard covered in a white blanket of snow.  He wondered at the newness of it all and dreamed of what it would be like to play outside in it.  

Okay, so he's only 9 (almost 10 ) months old, and is probably only thinking about pooping or eating, but can't you just see his little brain working as he looks through this window?

He finally did get to venture out into the frosty wonderland to be pulled around by his "horse", his daddy, who has a gimp arm due to shoulder surgery he had yesterday. 

Oh what fun it is to ride in a one armed-horse open sleigh!

He found the snow fascinating, and tried to pick it up through his mittens and eat it.  

I think I'll count this as his first snow, since the one in December was only a dusting and he did no more than sit in his bumbo in it.  

A little exploratory learning going on!

Fun little family photo... how weird to think that the last time we had a big snow I was 8 months pregnant and huge, while Chase tried to push me on a sled.  That was a sight!  I'm wearing the hat my mom just made for me, btw.  Props to her knitting skills!  

Put your hands together and clap!

After weeks of practice and endless demonstrating on my part, Raughley is clapping! I thought it was the cutest thing over Christmas break when I saw Ellen's 9 month old, Lee Lee, clapping, and have been working with R on it ever since. Im so glad I got it on video.





R has been accomplishing so many new things lately that it is hard to document them all, and because I have long since given up his baby book (one day I promise little man) I can only hope to keep this blog as updated as possible to ensure that these precious moments are recorded.

Now, I am looking out the window at this totally gorgeous scene of falling snow and wondering why I am in here typing, instead of out there enjoying what we in the south only get once a blue moon.

Happy Snow Day Y'all!

New Blog

Check out the newest blog I am following:
Hudsons Grocery
It follows the local market in Boca Grande, Florida, giving recipe ideas, coverage of events going on at the market, and telling the inside stories of those that work there. Stay tuned for more!

Look at me I'm...

walking with help of the walker!  Just today Raughley finally got the confidence to push his little toy around the room!  He had just been standing up around it and playing with it, but the second it would move, he would sit down immediately.  Finally he summoned his courage and what do you know!  He walked!  Its not going to be long before he is walking all over the place.  Gosh time goes by fast.

Messin Around

My two cute boys playing at the beach!

The Eagle has Landed

Well, not landed, but had another chick!  Across the street from our house in Boca Grande is an open lot which is home to a huge eagle's nest.  It is also home to a property owner who cannot build on it due to endangered species laws.  The upside is that we get to enjoy this wonderful beauty of nature.  These feathered friends don't always show themsleves when we visit, but this time we have been so lucky as to see not only them, but their new baby bird!  This time last year they had a different babym and I watched him with the anticipation of my little baby bird coming into this world. Now it is a year later, and he is not only here, but thriving and enjoying God's creation, just like this little fellow.  How lucky are we!

Hi!

Raughley just wanted to say hi!

PS- He's wearing the outfit I finally finished for him!

sand bathing

Fun in the...Sun?

The Wise's are down in Boca this week for a visit with Emily and Howard.  While it is still a good deal warmer here than in the 'ham, we have been experiencing a good deal of rain and clouds.  This morning the sun broke free and Raughley and I had a chance to stroll down the main bike path towards town and enjoy the day.  We stopped for a breif period at the playground by the Inn for a bit of swinging.  The little man had a good time I think, although I did have him swaddled like a newborn to ward off the cool breeze.  This afternoon has been really sunny, so hopefully Ill have some great beach pics soon!

While we were indoors on those rainy days here are a few activities we tried out:

Playing in the stroller with the doggies,

Play Pen Time!  R shows us his ball,

Puts it in the bucket,

Then pulls it out again!  he repeated this action numerous times, proving to the onlookers that he knows "in" and "out".  Brilliant.