Tuff turns 5

As of Monday, the 14th.....

 

 

My 8lb 20-1/4 in" Baby....

 

 

Is no longer a baby....

 

 

 

 

My baby is now a 5 year old boy!!!!!

 

Ya'll, people weren't kidding when they said time flies. Tuff has grown in the blink of an eye. It feels like he went from newborn to 5 overnight. I'm in total disbelief.

 

 

We celebrated our sweet boys birthday on Sunday with family and friends. He racked up in new toys and enjoyed spending the whole afternoon with all his friends/cousins.

 

 

 

And below is a collage from every birthday party from newborn to 5.

 

 

 

 

Monday after I got off work we headed to Chuck E Cheese to celebrate his actual day of birth with his cousins, aunts, Meme and GG.

 

 

 

 

We ended the night with pizza and the ipad at Meme's.

 

 

 

I think our sweet boy enjoyed his birthday.

 

 

Lucas Tuff, you are the light of my life. And I hope you always know how much your mommy loves you. You are the most kind hearted, sweetest, most loving little boy I've ever come to know and I'm blessed to call you mine.

 

 

 

Happy 5th Birthday my little/big man!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Rodeo fun!!!

Gunner Blake has been saying for some time now that he wants to be a bull rider when he "gets big." So when we heard that the rodeo was going to be in town this past weekend, we decided to get the kiddos together and take them. But, first things first, my little cowboy needed some boots. So Meme and Gunner met me in town on my lunch break so we could get him some boots. As soon as we walked in the door, he ran straight over to the cowboy hats. After trying on several different pairs and running wild in the boot store, we had a new pair of boots.... and.... a new cowboy hat!

 

 

After the boot store we went to lunch and my little cowboy was definitely a big hit with his new attire.

 

 

After work, I headed to pick up cousin Harrison so he could join us for the night. It wasn't really his cup of tea but he always enjoys being with his cousins!

 

 

We started with dinner at Jim N' Nicks for a little BBQ. The boys posed for a few pictures while we waited on our food.

 

 

 

 

And then, it was rodeo time!

 

 

None of the kids were too interested except Gunner. Gunner was in "bull zone" and didn't come out of it until we left there. He sat right up in my lap almost the whole time the bull riding was going on. He would stand up in my lap or sit down but his eyes weren't leaving those bulls.

 

When we left there, its ALL he talked about the rest of the night and the next morning until he went to his daddy's. He said he was going to be a bull rider when he gets big. When we'd ask if he was going to hold on or fall off, he said "HOLD ON!" I left him at his daddy's Saturday morning sitting on the arm of his couch "riding the bull." Boots on, cowboy hat on and one hand in the air. We may have a future bull rider on our hands! Lord help me! :)

 

I was glad I took them. And especially glad that Gunner Blake enjoyed it so much!

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Lucas Tuff

My sweet Lucas Tuff is growing into the most handsome young man, right before my eyes.

 

 

He's smart as a whip, too. He's really been enjoying pre-k this year and it amazes me how far he's come since the beginning of the year. His progress has literally rocked my socks off! :)

 

 

 

 

He is still a mama's boy through and through. Which I have no complaints about.

 

 

And, he's hardly ever serious about picture taking, if you can't tell...

 

 

His personality is a lot like his daddy's. He's laid back and very reserved. But also one of the most loving little boys I've ever known.

 

He's VERY outgoing. He always wants to go somewhere and do something. Even if it's just going to his friends house to play. He had his very first theatre experience a few weeks ago. He was very excited about it and actually did very well.

 

 

He's really into the power rangers, transformers and ninja turtles right now. And the boy can work an ipad better than I can. Bless his heart.

 

 

Gunner Blake loves his big brother. He tries so hard to be just like him (which isn't ALWAYS a good thing). Tuff will say "why are you always copying me, Gunner?" I do my best to explain to him that he's the big brother that Gunner will always look up to. So he should try to set good examples for him. And he does, for the most part. Can't say there isn't an occasional slip up. :)

 

He loves, loves, loves his cousins.

 

 

Especially, baby Sawyer! :)

 

 

 

Just can't believe how big my first born has grown. Sometimes I wish I could pause time. I know one day I will miss this stage in their lives. So for now, I'm just trying to embrace every minute.

 

 

I know one thing is for sure, I am one blessed mommy! :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our "REASON for the Season"

I was looking around for a #tbt to post on Instagram/FB this morning and came across these....

 

(these were taken exactly 2 years ago today)

 

 

Gunner.

Blake.

 

My sweet, oh so sweet,

Gunner Blake!

 

 

Words can't even describe the way my heart pumps for this precious boy!

 

 

 

Does he keep me on my toes 24/7? Yes.

Does he drive me crazy most of the time? Yes.

Is he into EVERYthing? Yes.

Does he stay on my hip? Yes.

Can he be stubborn and mean? Yes.

 

 

But....

 

 

Is he one of the most loving human beings I've ever come to known? Yes.

Is he the biggest mama's boy ever (besides his brother)? Yes.

Is he so funny that he keeps everyone laughing and smiling 24/7? Yes.

Is he the most handsome 2 year old in this world? Yes.

Does he have one of the biggest and happiest hearts I've ever known? Yes.

Does he keeps us entertained with excitement every day of our lives? Yes.

 

 

 

 

I could go on and on about my baby.

There is just something that runs deep in this sweet boys heart that keeps our bond stronger than ever. Could it be that he is his mama made over? Maybe. Could it be that God made him in the perfect timing for the storm (divorce) our sweet family was about to have to overcome 2 years ago? Possibly.

 

Sometimes, I wonder what our life would be like without him and how much harder the last (almost) 2 years would have been without him...

 

And then I stop and PRAISE God....

for giving us our sweet, oh so sweet, Gunner Blake.

 

I honestly feel like he was sent here for a reason...

I often hear the saying "reason for the season" and I honestly believe Gunner Blake was our reason for the season 2 years ago. I know you're probably all wondering "How is a baby going to help you overcome anything?" But...

 

He did!

He has!

He does!

 

He keeps me and Tuff going even when we want to give up. He inspires the both of us to love, laugh and enjoy life.

 

He is special.

He is a blessing.

 

And I honestly believe,

he is our REASON!

 

 

 

 

Mommy and Bubba love you more than you'll ever know, my sweet, oh so sweet,

Gunner Blake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fa la la la la!

The boys and I really enjoyed our fall and the past few weeks our fall has turned into full on winter. This morning we woke up to lots of ice and no school. Unfortunately for mommy, she still had to work. We've had lots going on lately. Between school and holidays and family visiting. Its been a busy few months. But it's been lots of fun.

 

 

October was filled with lots of fall festivities.

 

We carved pumpkins.

 

We took family pictures.

 

And we dressed up for Halloween!

My power ranger...

 

and my Ninja!

 

 

In November...

 

We started the dreaded potty training.

 

I realize Gunner is still a little too young for this but he was showing so many signs of being ready so I figured, what the heck, its worth a shot. A month later, I can assure you, he's not potty trained. But, we're still working on it. We are done with diapers though. For the past month, we've used nothing but underwear and pull ups. Maybe in a few more months, he'll have it down! :)

 

We roasted marshmallows.

 

We had play dates.

 

We spent time with cousins (from FL) on Thanksgiving!

 

 

And then, all in the blink of an eye, December was among us!

 

December always brings our friend Snitch back for the month! :) He made his first appearance with a letter for the boys...

 

And he's made himself a new comfy spot each night after the boys go to bed.

 

Gunner isn't really into it yet. I don't think he's old enough to really understand it. But Tuff, loves him. The first thing he does when his feet hit the ground in the morning, is look for Snitch' new spot for the day. He also likes to show him to everyone who comes over and tell them all about him.

 

So far this month,

 

Papa read to Tuff's class and took Gunner Blake along for the story!

 

We've decorated the Christmas tree.

 

And we've made snowmen for a school project.

 

 

 

But, December isn't over yet. There is lots more fun to be had!

Stay tuned....

 

 

Love,

us