Frog and Friends

Gran, my mom, hates...repeat...hates frogs...But I have a feeling this is one frog she will be very 'hoppy' about holding!

Hughes and Jack got to hang out for a bit yesterday morning! I wish I knew what they were looking at...? Hope you all have a wonderful Friday!

Extra Special

1st Annual Mama Jean’s Magic Thing

Saturday, August 1st
9:00 am - Until


9:00 am. Brunch begins.
Menu will consist of all the McCreary Favorites and (unfortunately) Apple Jerry’s Famous Gravy! (Smoke Alarm Buzzing and Kitchen Fire Included)


11:00 a.m. Swimming and Sunning at Uncle Mark’s Pool.
Baby-sitting Services provided by Mama Jean with Soothing
Background Snoring by the McCreary Quartet.


5:00 pm Grilling Extravaganza.
Uncle Mark and Apple Jerry will prepare a variety of grilled delights. Side courses will again include family favorites with dessert
selections to include - but not limited to - Aunt Lisa’s Strawberry Salad and Aunt Diane’s Chocolate Pie (Hint, Hint………)



So Come One, Come All
For Reservations or Menu Requests -
Call Mama Jean

Aunt Laura recently sent out this invitation via e-mail! Kent, Hughes, and I have an exciting weekend ahead...with a few surprise stops..;) The McCreary family is always so much fun to be around and there is never a dull moment! Ordinarily, we would still all meet up for weekends, but Aunt Laura has made it more special with the simple e-mail of this invitation (it was originally in publisher and very cute...but blogger didn't recognize that program)! Now that we have an invitation the weekend immediately becomes a little more special. And with the title, it sounds as if we have many more get-togethers at the end of every July...am I right McCreary fam? Why is it when someone, Aunt Laura in this case, does something small(typing up a simple invitation), the moment immediately becomes so much more special?

Note to self: Always take the time to do the little things to make events special.

For example:

A. Go to the grocery store. Buy inexpensive flowers. Make a table arrangement for a weeknight dinner.

B. Send someone a card in the mail for no reason but to tell them how special they are to you. (I do not do this enough! But I am now inspired to take a trip to Hallmark today!)

C. Leave a note in your husband's lunchbox or on the dash of their car for him to receive at a random time of day.

(...I would love it if you would leave a comment and tell me what little things you do to make your life a little more special! I am always looking for new ideas!)Aunt Laura, Alise, and Hughes

We are also going to get to meet Baby Estella this weekend for the first time!

...Is this precious baby not adorable? In a couple of months, Estella and Hughes will be welcomed with another new cousin, Clara! We are so excited to see everyone! The McCreary family is growing in numbers and we look forward to the fun memories ahead!

We will have some photos of the weekend at the beginning of next week!

Challenge for the day: Make the little things extra special this week!

Can it be done?

Today is the day that I start TRYING to get back in shape! I haven't officially gone back to the doctor to get the big O.K. But, I will have to start out slow so I'm not really worried about doing any damage! For example, tonight Kent and I took Hughes for a 9:00p.m. stroll around the neighborhood. I put my workout pants on...too tight of course, laced up my tennis shoes, threw Hughes in the Bob stroller (which is amazing!!), and headed out the door! First of all, when I put the workout gear on...I meant business..:) Now, next week when I pull the Polar Heartrate monitor out...I will mean SERIOUS business! Anyway, tonight my plan is to work in intervals. I will walk a minute and then run minute and so forth until I can go no longer. So here we go! Minute one...walk. Minute two...run (okay really this is a jog that is no faster than Kent's walk!). Minute 2 1/2...side stitch! Are you kidding me? Have I really been jogging for 30 seconds and I am hurting? This workout routine may get off to a slower start than I thought! Nonetheless, I continued this walk until we finished the circle and made it back to the driveway. What's the saying?, "No pain, no gain." I can only hope that the side stitch won't start until minute 4 tomorrow!

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Random Thought: I have always wondered why "Moms" wear their pants up so much higher than they should. I mean, there is not much attractive about jeans that are up around your neck and the back pockets sit more on your lower back than your bum. But, I have figured out why wearing pants under the chest is so fab for Moms...they are just trying to get their old jeans to fit around the smallest part of their body...which happens to have shifted after 9 months. What used to be their 'waist' (around the belly button) has now moved north (right below the rib cage)! The alternative is to wear the jeans on the hip, but then the problem is muffin top hanging over the waistband or elastic top pants (and I think we all know the major brands are not going to start making elastic waist bands the hip item for the Fall '09 season)! So, I apologize to all the Moms out there that I looked at and secretly wanted come up behind you and jerk your pants down 10 inches! This lesson learned is the drive behind the above paragraph...Can one really find their old body or has a permanent shift been made? To be continued...

See Photo Below: This is Alessandra Ambrosio's body nine weeks after giving birth (a Victoria's Secret model)...clearly there is a secret and she hasn't shared it with the other Moms in the world.

See Below: Look at this face! Who can really complain about body image when you have a sweet baby that looks at you like you are perfect in everyway?

Lots of Firsts

This week, Hughes experienced many firsts! On Monday, Hughes was reintroduced to his swing. He loved the soft sway to and fro and he looks so snugly inside the little lamb rocker. Monday night, we just knew we had a breakthrough! He slept in the swing beside our bed, opposed to on top of Mommy's chest, for a four hour stretch! We were all perky and looking forward to the next night's rest because we knew that swing had already been worth every penny. Tuesday night came...little lamb just would not do! Hughes obviously had seen little lamb to much and wasn't planning on counting any sheep in this contraption! However, Hughes has taken many naps throughout the day in his new friend lamb...so I guess we won't take little lamb back.
Hughes met Aunt Diane and Apple Jerry this week! We have been telling Hughes all about his extended family. We try to tell him what to expect while hanging out with everyone in his future. For example, we have warned him that Big Daddy, Mike, Papa Sam, Ben, and Brad will probably tell him, "Don't tell your mom I let you do this!" I'm sure he will be riding in tractors, big trucks, four-wheelers, boats and so on...and I am okay with all of these activities. However, I better not hear that our sweet baby boy has not been sporting around in the race car...unless it is sitting still and just for a photo op! :) (This is your warning boys!) (The 21 car is Ben's.)We have also told him about Aunt Carla's fried chicken and good southern cooking he will eat around Granddaddy Brown's table. He knows that MaLyn will bake the boys (Hughes and his daddy) all the brownie muffins an oven can make. Mama Jean will make him Papa Claude's famous pound cake and peanut butter cookies. He will taste the best turnip greens with cornbread and tomato gravy from Grandmother and my all time favorite chocolate gravy on special Saturday mornings from Granddaddy! (Sounds like we do nothing but eat...actually very true!) We also have told him about the McCreary death trap that he will experience when we go to visit Aunt Di and Apple Jerry at Piney Grove. We have told him about getting to run around all day without shoes riding around on his bike and coming in at dark to eat a bite of dinnertime...just to head out to the basketball court for a game of ball. You must know, anyone can be on the team good or bad...that's what makes it fun! If I can be on the team...ANYBODY can!

Hughes has so many fun activities and experiences ahead of him during his visits with our families.
We also have introduced two new things this week...tummy time and bottles! Hughes raised his head a couple of times while Kent and I cheered like he was scoring his first touchdown! After a couple of tries, he just decided to lay down and chill out for a bit!
Kent gave him his first bottle yesterday! Hughes seemed to really enjoy the bottle and it didn't seem to confuse him at all. So here is a tidbit for Gran and MaLyn, next time you come stay you will be able to give Hughes a bottle! There is something about that special time of feeding a baby. You can look in their eyes, talk to them, figure out who they look like, sing lullabies, and rock them into a deep slumber!
Last night, we tried to introduce Hughes to his nursery. He has one of the nicest rooms in our house and has yet to spend any time in his bed. As you have probably already figured, the night wasn't too successful. He fell asleep on my chest on the sofa around 10:30 and stayed there until around 2:00. He seemed to be sound asleep...so I tip toed in his room and placed him in the crib. IMMEDIATELY, he started to cry. So, I fed him (thinking that was the problem) and tried to lay him down again. Now I am not saying he wasn't hungry, but I am telling you he wasn't fond of the crib after he ate. So we rocked and rocked and rocked...back sound asleep. Attempt #3 to let Hughes snooze in his plush bed...no luck. So I called in for reinforcements...daddy. I crawled in my bed, a.k.a. pallet on the floor, and daddy rocked and rocked and rocked and Hughes fell fast asleep...but, so did Kent! Around five, we tried to slip him back in the bed...no go! So we fed him...and guess what...he went down in the crib until 7:47a.m.!!! Any crib time is good time. We know that this is the beginning of many sleepless nights that won't end with infancy, toddler hood, or even teenage nights, but we are excited and can't wait for the fun times ahead!

Best Season Yet

Our lives now revolve around a three hour block. Hughes needs to eat every three hours during the day. I have always considered myself a very efficent person. Once I set my mind on something, I can get the job done. But let me just tell you all, now I am smoking fast! When Hughes hits snooze, I can get so much more done than usual! Empty the dishwasher, make the bed, throw clothes in the washer, fold the clothes from the dryer, get a shower, throw on make-up, update this blog, take a few photos of Snuggle Bug, and maybe lay my head down for a quick nap. Now if I could just find the time to get this body in some kind of shape. I look up to all Moms everywhere now that I know the super human capabilities that come along with Momhood. Where is the comic book SuperMom? Lately, I have been comforted taking care of another life. My whole life I have enjoyed and needed to be needed. Hence, my career choice, a first grade teacher, is very demanding in the needs department. Wiping noses, band aids for boo boos, shoe strings tied, teaching little ones to enjoy reading, encouraging six year olds to take less that 30 minutes in the restroom, and so much more. Then I married Kent. He needs me also. Allow him a little Kent time every now and then, hugs and kisses to let him know I care, keep clean boxers in his drawer, warm freezer dinners at night for nutrition:), and hopefully I do much more for him. Now Hughes has come into our life. He needs me for snuggling, changing those wet and dirty diapers, baths every other day, feeding him eight meals a day (at least), playing classical music during play time, and hugs and kisses to last an eternity. My cup runneth over and I am so thankful. I have always thought I was meant for 'something more' and maybe that 'something more' is our growing family. People have always said, "What I would do to go back to high school." or "I would love to live college all over again." I haven't been through any season in life that I would want to relive. Maybe this is the season that I have always been looking for? All I do know is that being a wife and mom has trumped every other experience thus far. So bring on the packed three hour stretches, loads of laundry, tears of joy, tears of pain, and all the hugs and kisses I can give out!

Here are updated photos of Hughes from today:

Routines and Traditions

Early Bird Special with scrambled eggs, bacon, grits, and wheat toast please! Yes, that's right! We took Hughes to his first Primos outing! Since Kent and I have been dating and I have lived in Jackson, we have made it a tradition of going to Primos on Saturday mornings. We always get there around tenish and chow down for brunch. It used to be just the two of us in a booth. Then, we introduced Mom to Primos when she came into town. Now, she makes sure she is here in time to make it to the brunch! About a few months ago, our Primos crew grew with the Kosek's. Kevin and Kim brought their little ones along and Kate and Jack seem to really enjoy the down home cooking, too! And we finally have introduced Hughes to the Primos family. Our two person booth has grown to be two square tables pushed together with all the chairs in use! Kent and I are a very predictable family. If it ain't broke don't fix it. We are a very routine kind of couple. During the school year, I can tell you every step that I take to get ready in the mornings. I hit snooze WAY too many times. After about 6 snooze slaps, I roll out of the bed. Turn the light on. Turn the shower on so the temp will be to my liking. Use the restroom. Grab a towel and wash cloth. Plug in the hair dryer and curling iron, straightener, or rollers...whatever I am feeling that day. Jump in the shower. Hop out. Throw on the housecoat (aka bath robe...Kent makes fun of my housecoat term. He said it makes me sound like a grandmother!). Anyway, the point is I have a defined routine in the mornings...and that is just the first 45 minutes of my day! However, I have a feeling my 'routine' will be topsy turvy as soon as we start going back to school. My old routine will be thrown out and a new one will be put into place to make sure that Hughes needs are met.

We have always said, "It's the simple things in life." We really do believe this concept. Whether it be Primos every Saturday morning or a morning routine that hardly ever goes off without a hitch, Kent and I have a wonderful life filled with blessings we don't deserve. We are thankful. So, my advice for the day is: Appreciate all the things that make your family work. Every family is different, yet special in their own way. What works for others, probably will NOT work for you. Make your family your own and enjoy 'all the simple things'!

Snapshots

Here are some snapdhots from the weekend! (I would write more, but it is difficult typing with just one hand...baby in tow!)

Just a few pictures from the week! This is the lazy form of blogging. No words...just pictures. But, just like the old saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words."

Happy 4th of July

Hughes 1st 4th of July

We just wanted to wish you all a Happy 4th of July!

"I wanna See It"

Francie, Harlan, and Hughes

Today, Francie and Harlan met Hughes! When they first walked in the door they were a little shy. To be honest, I don't think they had found him just yet. They walked right past him and looked in his bassinet. "What's that?", was the reaction Harlan had, in his deep little voice. But there was no Baby Hughes in the bed! The two of them finally turned around and found JoBeth, a friend of mine, holding him in her lap. Francie and Harlan kept their distance at first, but slowly inched up to the little one. We just knew Francie would be so excited and be so interested in Hughes. She has been talking about meeting him for quite a while now. I had also decided Harlan wouldn't really pay him any attention. Boy, was I wrong! Harlan kept getting closer and closer! He repeated over and over, "I wanna see it. I wanna see it."

Harlan and Hughes

We are really looking forward to seeing them grow up together. There will be many fun times ahead for the children! There will be many holidays, birthdays, Saturdays, and mud puddles for these little ones coming up! Hughes has one more set of first cousins to meet. First cousins are like having immediate best friends. You never really talk about your friendship with them...you just know it exists! So my advice for the day is for you to reminisce all those messy, hot, wild days spent with your first cousins. Enjoy your thoughts of childhood!