GO DAWGS!!!

We celebrated the dawning of a new UGA football season today! Sage and Bentley wore their game day jerseys and so did Mr. Ramsey. I got Ramsey this blow up game day play field which it took me about an hour to blow it up and only to realize he thought it was okay but that the air pump was way more interesting. If I had only known I could have saved some time and $20. We also had Morgan's Dad over for the game and munched on snacks while watching the Dawgs crush GA Southern. Here are a few pics from the day:


Ready for game day!Hanging out with Big PapaSage and Bentley representing
Touchdown Bulldogs!Sitting in his new toy playing with the air pumpWho needs a huge blow up football field when you can have this AWESOME air pump?

Good Morning

A Year of Thanks

This weekend marks one year that I have been living with my Mom and Step-Dad Morgan. I was just thinking and reflecting on ALL that have done for me in these past 365 days and I simply don't know how to say thank you, as words or deeds just won't quite cover it. As soon as Cope left my Mom came to Ft. Drum to get me and and the dogs so we could all drive the 18 hours to GA an not to mention I was 28 weeks pregnant and had to potty a lot. Once we made it to GA my Mom helped me start my original business of making dog collars and was my biggest fan ever. Mom and Morgan both supported me in the delivery room the day Ramsey joined us on the planet. Mom stayed with me at the hospital and helped me in those scary but mind blowing first few days. They have allowed me to take over 3 rooms in their home for my bedroom, Ramsey's nursery, and my business office. Did I mention they let both of my dogs have full reign of the house and even lounge on their furniture. They cook for me, they talk with me, they shop with me, they totally support and listen to any emotion I might need to vent at any moment, and they love Ramsey so much. My mom has seen me through some major breakdowns. She also has been the perfect balance in helping me learn about mothering without telling me how she thinks something should be done. I am a better mother because of her. This has been a long year but one I am forever grateful for. I know I could have done it completely on my own but there is no way I would have come out of this nearly as filled up with gratitude as I am today. It just makes me realize how blessed we really are. I'm not sure what I've done right in my life to deserve such wonderful people as parents but I just simply say "Thank You" from the bottom of my heart. It has meant everything to me.

Ramsey's Wednesday

Ramsey and I had a fun little Wednesday. We took our time easing into the day and when it was time for his morning nap we took off to visit Cope's parents. Ramsey showed off his new pulling up skills and enjoyed playing with the different things at their house. He played hard which means he wiped out hard for his afternoon nap. He slept the whole way home. It was a fun afternoon trip and Cope's parents just adore the newest addition to the Rowell family. Ramsey really does have just the most loving grandparents on all sides that any child could wish for.


Ramsey during morning playtime:

Ramsey and Bentley- BFF:

Ramsey testing out Grammy's windows:

Exploring a new driveway:
Figuring out Grampy's hat:

Photo op with his grandparents:

Blurb Book

So my blogging buddy Mary Beth told me about http://www.blurb.com/. It is website that you can have your blog uploaded to make into an actual book. So I made our first one after my 100th post last week. I figure I blog about most everything that happens in Ramsey's life so it will be great to have for a good bit of his baby memories in the form of our very own blog book. I am not a great keeper of stuff so having a practical way to keep a daily journal and baby book for Ramsey is doubly exciting! It was really easy to make and you can customize them as much or as little as you like. So after about 1-2 hours worth or work and about $40 this is what I got:

I'll probably get one made after every 100 post or so. I just think it is really neat that blogging has so many neat advantages. Technology is great and hopefully one day Ramsey will enjoy sitting and reading about all his first adventures, see how his Mom learned to navigate her way through Mommy-hood, and how we made it though a whole year of missing his Daddy.

Speaking of Cope it is just about 2 months until he returns for GOOD! They have not given him an exact date yet but we're thinking late October or early November. It has been exactly 1 year today that he has been gone. Jeez, it has been a long year but I am so proud of us and all that we have to show for the long haul thus far.

Dailey Diaper Drama

Have you ever wrestled a wild beast? That is what it is like to change my little man's diaper these days. He is out of control! We usually start out at the changing table and quickly move to the twin bed or floor. He always has to check out the wipes container and teddy bear over head and once that is accomplished he decides it is indeed necessary to try crawling or climbing away. It is seriously a mini workout and an act of God to get a clean diaper on this kid. I'm not sure this part gets easier seeing as he'll only continue to get more mobile so maybe I should start weight training and better preparing for my daily encounters with our little wild child.

Checking Out The Sunday Paper

On the Mend

Ramsey is on the road to feeling better today! We both got a good nights sleep. I started feeling crappy last evening so my Mom volunteered to be in charge of Ramsey so I could get some good sleep. I slept 9 hours strait which to all you moms out there know that is like winning the lottery. I feel pretty stellar today and Ramsey slept all night and is feeling a good bit better too. He still has a slight fever but he is more active and I'd say about 80% his usual happy self. We had a trip planned today to go visit Cope's parents but we're postponing it for a few days to make a full recovery from our colds first. I think for this weekend we'll stick close to home and continue to be on the mend from our colds. I was able to snap few pics of happy Ramsey this morning and it warms my heart to see his little grin return.

(Who knew the exersaucer doubles as a fort?)(Ramsey is crazy about water and his doggies. If you put the two together this is what you get.)(playing with his new noise/music thingy)

Feeling Poopy

Ramsey has his first official cold. He is miserable. It started with a runny nose and slight cough yesterday but now he is in the full throws of it. I'm keeping an eye an his fever and administering appropriate meds but it is heartbreaking to see you child feel so poopy. I also have to do nasal drops and suction out the snot which is nothing short of terrible because he screams his head off. I've yet to put on makeup today and my shirt is covered in snot. He also does not want to be put down at all and prefers constant rocking and cuddling. We're both exhausted but hoping for a semi good nights rest and a better day soon. Until then we'll just keep on trucking and wiping the snot.

On a brighter note Ramsey can pull up on just about anything now. He loves his new talent and even though he feels awful he has preformed his new skill a few times today.

Just Thinking...

Just Because

I got a delivery of beautiful flowers from my favorite guy yesterday. He did not send them for any particular reason which is the best time to get such a surprise. I call them "just because flowers". Thanks babe! They totally brightened my day!

Hair Bows Anyone?

I've finally learned how to make Hair Bows! Yep, it is really fun and I love to make them personalized. I've heard through many mommy friends that hair bows are a BIG thing in the world of little girls. I'll be adding them to my business blog soon so check it out at http://www.collectionsbytaranicole.blogspot.com/ and also as I get more ribbons I'll update the selections.

Fun Weekend and a Fun Party!

Ramsey and I had a fun and event filled weekend. We threw an engagement party for my sister and he fiance Josh on Saturday night. There was a party for them in NYC (where Paige and Josh live) a few months ago, but we thought it was only appropriate that they have a southern one as well. It was very fun party with lots of familiar faces and some blast form the past as well. Ramsey wasn't as impressed with the party as I was and I think he just wanted more room to crawl around and explore. I also think he is teething AGAIN but I can't seem to get a look inside his mouth without getting bitten by the other 6 tiny chompers. He went to bed right on time and slept right through a noisy party and was well rested and simply delightful today.

Josh and the future Mrs. Lappin

Aunt Paige and Mr. Ramsey

Ramsey and his Grampy Jim ( Cope's Dad)

Ramsey thought that it was super fun to check out Paige's suitcase.

What he's into lately

What is Ramsey into lately? EVERYTHING!!! Yes, he is quite the little explorer. I love to watch him figure things out and crawl all over but sometimes it is exhausting keeping up with him. He definitely does not get tired as fast as I do. He is super fun these days and I can hardly wait till Cope is home for good to experience all the joy.

He likes to use the furniture as an obstacle course

He has started pulling up to standing

My sister thought it was funny to put him in the washing machine? He's not too sure about that one.

Jack Johnson

My sister Paige flew in from NYC on Tuesday so we could go to our much anticipated Jack Johnson concert last night. We met up with our step sister Megan and her fiance Tom. We all had a great time and the concert was AWESOME! Jack definitely did not disappoint and played all my favorites like "Banana Pancakes", "Angel", and "Breakdown" to name a few. The only thing that could have made it better would have been Cope. He loves Jack Johnson music as much as I do. As Jack would say "It's always better when we're together". So next time Jack is back in town babe, you're in!

My sister Paige and Me (could 2 sisters look anymore different?)

The concert goers (Paige, Me, Megan, and Tom)

Jack (terrible picture but I took it for Cope because Jack was singing "Better Together")

Ramsey representing (I bought Cope the matching T-Shirt)

The only downside to the evening was that we didn't get home until about 1:00am and I still had to wake when Ramsey began to stir about 6:00am. I've started putting him to bed earlier so unfortunately that makes morning earlier too which I don't mind except when I've only had 5 hours of sleep. As I told Morgan (my step Dad) this AM "today is one of those days that pumping coffee directly into my veins might be more effective then simply sipping it ". Maybe I'll catch a nap with my little guy today but he is worth getting up for and a Jack Johnson concert is worth staying out late for.

Tub Time!

Picture Post