The Library

Ok, I'm not just writing this because I'm a librarian, but I love our public library, or as Luke would say "liberby"! Every Thursday, our local public library has toddler time where one of the librarians reads a book based on a theme. We also make a craft and sing songs. One week we learned about pirates and ships, another week we practiced our numbers, etc. It's so much fun! Then, we get to explore the library and check out new books. Right now Luke loves reading Curious George and gets tickled at the books, saying George is funny! He also loves Brown Bear and Llama Llama and can somewhat read the stories to us. He has two Auburn books that he likes to read as well as his big brother book that gives him the low down on being a good big brother. So, I encourage you to go and "check out" your public library! It's a great place to go when it's extremely hot or cold outside and the best part is that it's free! As a librarian, I can assure you that the students that come and read books on a regular basis have a much broader vocabulary and are generally smarter than non-readers.

WFR

Ok, I know you're thinking that acronym stands for something bad, but fear not, it doesn't! It's our lingo for our 10 year Willcox Family Reunion! My mom's maiden name was Willcox and she was one of 8 kids whose names all began with J's (Jack, Jerry, Joe, Janice, Jeff, Jeanette, Joyce, and Julie). As you can imagine, I have tons of first cousins (probably in the ballpark of 35). It's crazy! We love getting together, but it's a logistical nightmare, thus we only usually get together every 10 years. Thankfully, we've had lots of us cousins getting married so I've seen most of aunts, uncles, and cousins recently. This year's WFR was held down in Ft. Walton beach near Destin. We were scared the oil was going to ruin our plans, but it was absolutely beautiful. No oil to be seen, just an occasional BP worker strolling by us on the beach!


Six of the Eight original members...we miss you Uncle Jerry and Uncle Jack!




Family photo time. The Sims/Johnson gang was fairly easy, but check out the next photo! Geez, God Bless those poor people who took our picture with 30 different cameras! Aren't the color coordinated shirts cool. We can acutally tell who everyone belongs to! Even Mallory, had on her lime green onesie!

Mr. Independent goes to CVS

I realize being independent is a natural stage of development, but lately it has been quite comical at our house as we watch Luke try to do everything by himself. I'll ask him if he needs help with something, and he replies, no Luke help, meaning he can do it himself. He has to open the car door, push the garage door button, snap his car seat buckle, give Mallory her paci, and the list goes on and on. Well, I decided to take the kids with me to CVS to get our pictures from the beach developed. Mallory was asleep in her car seat next to me and Luke was standing beside me. I hopped on one of the stools to begin downloading all of our pictures. I had 2 memory cards and my iphone. Luke kept hounding me to sit in the stool next to me. So I plopped him right next to me. I've got one memory card in the computer and I'm ready to put the next one in the machine. I look around and can't find the second memory card. Then, I start thinking maybe I didn't bring it in with me. Maybe it's still in the camera. I go ahead and download the pictures from my iphone. We get ready to leave the photos for 1 hour pick up, but I tell the clerk if he finds a memory card, it's mine. I didn't get around to going back to pick up the picture until later that night. By that time, there is another lady working and I ask her if she's found a memory card and she says no. So, I just assume I've lost the memory card. Thankfully, all the pictures from the memory card had already been downloaded to our computer. About an hour after I had gotten home from picking up the pictures, the clerk calls to tell me they just found the memory card. Apparently, Mr. Independent Luke had decided he wanted to be like mom and do some of his own downloading. The clerk found the memory card in the cd drive of the computer next to the one I was at. They found it because a customer had come in with a cd and they couldn't put it in the computer because the memory card was in there. And I call myself watching Luke. Gotta love independent toddlers!

A blog post - hooray!

So much has happened since I've last blogged, so I'll try to get everyone up to speed. Going back to mid January we celebrated Luke's 2nd birthday! We had friends and family over to the house for lunch and then headed to the fire station. The firemen gave us a tour of the station and even let us hop up on their firetrucks! So much fun!

4th of July!!!

Every year, I look forward to our annual 4th of July party! I love this holiday and all that it represents - summer, our freedom, fireworks, family time. We did have our party although it was rather choatic with two little ones. The kids did have on their first matching outfits. Love it! Luke was scared of the fireworks which suprised me because he's seen fireworks before and wasn't scared of them. I'm assuming it's because the fireworks were so close to our house. We could literally walk out to our driveway and see and hear the fireworks. They were loud. We had a great time as always and enjoy spending time with our friends celebrating this fun holiday!

With a little help from our friends

We've been extremely blessed to have so many sweet friends help us during this time of transition. Mama Sims stayed with us for about a week and a half, cooking us dinner and cleaning up after our mess. She always says, I'll take care of you and Tim and y'all take care of the babies. So sweet. Although I think even she got worn out, which is no easy feat if you know my mom. :) Paw Paw also took Luke back to Clanton with him for about 5 days so we could have some time with just Mallory. That helped us sooo much. We realize how easy having just an infant is. We were so stressed with Luke and I don't really know why because all they do is eat, sleep, and make dirty diapers. :) Luke and Mallory's 12 year old cousin emily came and stayed with us for about a week to help out. Here are some photos of some of our visitors. We are blessed...thanks to our sweet family and friends for your support, dinners, and gifts.

The Deneke's

Amanda

Parker and the Henrys

The Brunsons

Zayne and Elisa

Anne Riley Marshall

Katrina

The Auburn Cap

Ever since Luke was young, Tim wanted to get him an Auburn cap. We thought it was a cute and novel idea, let our little boy wear a cap to games. Well, since Luke's been about 18 months he absolutely loves his Auburn cap and wants to wear it everywhere. Most kids that age, hate wearing caps. Not Luke. We sometimes have to hide it from him or he'll wear it to church. I relented one morning and figured it wasn't worth the fight, and let him wear it to school. He is almost obsessed with it Maybe this cap is his security blanket. Of course, it has gotten dirty and I have to sneak it to the laundry, just to get it washed. Well, poor Mom was stuck with the task of getting Luke dressed to go to the hospital after Mallory was born. Naturally, he wanted to wear the Auburn cap. She let him wear it to the hospital and of course he got lots of comments from the workers. Mom wanted him to take off the cap so that we could get some photos of him and the new baby without the cap on. Luke took his cap off and mom was able to put it away in her purse. Wouldn't you know that 20 minutes later, a worker walked past and asked Luke where his Auburn cap went. Oh well, we love your Auburn cap, we just want some photos of you without your Auburn cap on so we can see your face and hair. Enjoy these photos of Luke and his beloved Auburn cap!

Auburn Baseball

Yes, we are those crazy Auburn fans! While, I was in the hospital giving birth to Mallory, the SEC baseball tournament was going on. So, of course, we had it on the t.v. in the background. The doctor would come in and watch it with us for a few minutes and the nurses kept commenting how much we got into sports. Oh, if they only knew. Well, Auburn had a great a season and the team was able to host a regional tournament here in town. The only problem was that it was being held a week and a half after Mallory was born. Well, we all wanted to go so we just took her with us! Yes, Tim overheard a lady say that was the youngest baby she had ever seen at an Auburn sporting event! :)

Don't worry, I didn't keep Mallory out there too long. We probably only stayed 3 or 4 innings. Although, Tim and I joke that she's the easy one because all she does is sleep at this age! The only trouble we had was a ticket nazi. We realize Luke is getting to the age that he needs a ticket. Sometimes ushers ask for a ticket and sometimes they don't. He hasn't had to have a ticket for baseball games all season. Well, this guy starts asking for a ticket for Luke. We were at the parking deck gate so I had Tim go around to the front gates and of course those ladies don't ask for a ticket for Luke. So, Tim comes back to the gate to meet us and the usher says, "she needs a ticket". OMG, you've got to be kidding me. A week and a half year old needs a ticket to go to a baseball game that she's going to sleep through. I'll be holding her, so she won't be taking up a seat. I'm thinking this is ridiculous and probably got a tad testy with the usher. So, he informs us, he'll get his supervisor to settle the manner. The supervisor comes up and asks who is the child that needs a ticket. The usher points to Mallory and the supervisor starts dying laughing and says, "no, that's ridicuolous. She doesn't need a ticket." Thank goodness, common sense prevailed.

Getting Settled

It's been a whirlwind since we've been home. Thankfully, Paw Paw and my parents came into town to help us get adjusted to coming home. We've been trying to keep Luke busy so he doesn't get jealous or feel neglected. We were in luck because his cousin, Karissa, had a tea party two days after we got home from the hospital. Tim and his dad took him to the party. They said it was hilarous. Luke and another boy drinking tea and hanging with the ladies.

Luke also attended Abby Grace's 4th birthday party at the lake on Memorial Day. I can't believe Abby Grace is 4!!! Thank goodness for playdates to get that energy out!

Leaving the hospital

I think things went as smooth as possible. We got to the hospital about 7 am and they started the patocin (spelling?) and began monitoring my contractions. It was a little slow going, but around 12:30 I received my epidural and life was good! The doctor came in to check on me at 3:50 and quickly got ready. I pushed for maybe 10 minutes and Mallory was born at 4:08. It was that easy. I'm very blessed and the doctor even said I was meant to birth babies! Ha! Dont' get any ideas because we're not planning to have another one for awhile! :) One other funny story about my doctor. He kept saying I looked familiar and wondered if we went to AUMC with him. I kept telling him, no we go to St. Michael's. He then asked, do y'all go to Auburn baseball games. We informed him that yes, we go to about every single one. It's pretty bad when my doctor recognizes us from attending so many baseball games!

About to leave the hospital with my babies! Love these critters!!!!

Two of our nurses go to church with us and they must have asked 10 times if folks from the church had come by to put the sign up. What a sweet sign! Love it!

My sweet mom had seen these wreaths in Birmingham, but none of the stores around Auburn carried them. So, she got online and found a store in Selma that sold them and she bought us one. How pretty! Thanks Mama Sims!

It's a Girl!!!!

Alright, I'm going to have to get used to this pink, frilly stuff, because I gave birth to a healthy baby girl, Mallory Sims Johnson at 4:08 pm today. She weighed 6 lbs 3 oz and was 19 1/2 inches long. Right now we think she looks like the girl version of Luke.

Luke telling me bye and holding my hand right before Mallory was born. We later found out he wasn't supposed to be back in the labor and delivery room with us. Oh well! What a sweet picture!

This picture does NOT portray an accurate description of what was going on at the time. I had just been wheeled down to a regular room and I was freezing cold and exhausted. Luke was running around like a chicken with his head cut off. I was getting a tad frustrated and really wanted my parents to take him back to our house since it was way past his bed time. I had briefly mentioned to mom that I wanted a picture, but we were waiting on Mallory to get out of the nursery from her bath. Finally, the nurses brought her back to us and we snapped this picture and I think it turned out beautiful. Even Mallory looks content!

We love you sweet girl!!!!

Ready to meet Newbie!!!!

Since I'm getting a tad uncomfortable being pregnant (of course I don't have it near as bad as those poor women who are expecting babies in late August) and can't sleep, I'm ready to meet this sweet angel. We did not find out the sex so I'm eager to learn more about newbie! I think it's another boy, but Tim thinks it might be a girl. We shall see. When we ask Luke if he thinks it's a boy or a girl, he just repeats boy or girl. If you believe old wives' tales, I'm carrying low and the heartbeat has been low. I feel about the same as I did with Luke, except that I crave fruit and sweets as opposed to meat and potatoes.
At 39 weeks, I went to see the doctor and he asked if I wanted things to progress naturally or if I wanted to be induced. Since I've been having contractions off and on, I was ready to be induced. Plus, it will help us get family here to help watch Luke while we go to the hospital. We had some friends on standby here in Auburn, but we really didn't want to call them at midnight to come keep Luke. Here was the only catch with being induced, my doctor wasn't on call for another week. I really didn't want to wait another week, so he called Dr. Harris (whom I've seen this pregnancy) who was on call the next day and he said he'd be glad to induce me. Hooray, we'll meet our baby boy or girl tomorrow! Can't wait!

Big Boy Room

Well, we've been putting off moving Luke from the nursery to his "big boy room" partly because we were waiting on the furniture to arrive and then we had to put it together. But also because it means our baby Luke is growing up. Our nursery is on the same level as our master bedroom so moving Luke means he will be going upstairs. I know he will adjust great, it will be harder on us than him. We wanted to get him used to sleeping in his new room before the baby comes. Apirl 18th was his first night to sleep upstairs and was a champ. Matter of fact, I think he sleeps better up there than he did in the nursery. I had heard that if you make a big deal about the new room, the child will be excited too. And he loves his new digs. Thanks dad for putting together the bunk beds and dresser and dealing with those pesky curtains. Luke thorougly enjoyed helping with the screwdriver and hammer. Check it out....

We had to have an Auburn corner! War Eagle!

Braves game!

One of Tim's coworkers bought a Braves package which included several Braves tickets. On a whim, we decided to take in a Sunday afternon game with Michael. It was such an easy trip from Auburn and although it was hot, we had a blast. Tim wanted to call one of those golf cart people to give me a ride so that I didn't have to walk so much. But, even though I'm 8 months pregnant, I feel really good and decided I could handle walking. It was probably all the dippin dot ice cream I ate at the game. Luke kept saying Auburn baseball game, thinking we were at a game in Plainsman Park. We had to keep explaining to him, that no there are other teams besides Auburn, and this was a Braves game. He had fun taking in the sights. Right before we left, Tim bought him a Braves baseball which he loves. Look at that smile in the picture. Priceless!

Easter and A-Day Game

If the A-Day Game is any indication of how football/tailgate season is going to be this fall, we're going to have sooo much fun! Luke loved running around the tailgate spot and eating all the yummy food, especially the brownies. He and Parker played so well together and looked adorable in their matching #1 football jerseys. No, we didn't plan that either! :) As you can imagine, Luke is all boy and loves anything sports related. He loves chasing balls, playing hockey, swinging his golf club and baseball bat and running the bases. He wears me out with all of his sports!

Look how pretty the azealas were around campus! They were taller than I was!

We also recently celebrated Easter. We went to the lake on Friday night and spent the weekend with the Sims clan. We took a boat ride and enjoyed spending time with my parents, Mark, Madeline and my cousin Katrina who is living in Columbus, GA. We woke up early Sunday morning so Luke could check out what the Easter bunny brought him. We went to Easter Sunday mass with my family and then headed to Clanton to eat lunch with Tim's dad and sisters. I'm sad that I don't have any pictures with my family from our time with them at the lake. But these pictures were taken at Paw Paw's house. Notice all the cousins about to take off for the massive egg hunt! So much fun! Luke was able to actually hunt eggs this year and was super excited to find an egg. He would get distracted and become more interested in finding out what candy was in the egg.

Snow in Auburn!!!

I cannot believe we've gotten snow in Auburn the past three years...even if it was just a dusting in 2008! Yes, my cousins in Minneapolis would be laughing hysterically at us getting excited at 3 inches of snow, but it's no small feat for the deep south! We drove around campus and enjoyed watching the students playing in the snow. If only it had snowed while we were students. The above picture is our tailgate spot. We'll have to remember that when we're sweating to death for the first tailgate in September!

Luke enjoyed the snow in small increments. Poor thing, he got cold and wet and could only stand it for so long. But he did enjoy building a snowman, complete with one of his pacifiers that he just gave up! Yea for no more pacifiers! Tim even built Luke a snow fort which was destroyed by Dansby a short while later. Gigi came down to experience the snow with us. She made her "famous" snow ice cream! We had a blast! What is it about snow that makes us all feel like kids again?