Will + Fall = Heaven

I took this series on our walk this afternoon. It is just way too pretty outside for me not to take some pictures. Look at those leaves! Ah, gorgeous!

We love Fall!

Ah, I thank God every day that we have been blessed with such a happy baby :)

We don't really love tummy time, but we are trying...Carla told me today that Will rolled over onto his belly today--and then cried because he landed on his arm and couldn't get it out!

On Saturday we met dear friend Lizzy Carroll (from Bread Loaf) at a pumpkin patch and corn maze in Riceville, TN. I was GIDDY with excitement. I remember going to Huber's as a little girl, and I couldn't wait to start this tradition with Will.

Will is not too sure about the corn maze (and after awhile we weren't either!)

Daddy and Will checking out the petting zoo

See those black pants? Yup, they are size 9 months! Will is 4.5 months!

He just keeps on growing!

Will did not like being placed among pumpkins.

In fact, Will wasn't sure about the whole thing...

This one cracks me up.

When we got back from the Farm, best friend Nina was here! One of my roommates and dearest friends from UVA, Nina sweetly flew in for the weekend to meet Will!

We love Nina!

And she brought Will a present...

At first he thought it tasted good...

...and then he literally drooled over how handsome it looked!

Will's first Jefferson Cup! Awesome.

Will couldn't get enough of Nina.

We had so much fun with Nina: going for long walks, buying food at the Chattanooga Market, hitting up Sweet Cece's, enjoying a yummy breakfast at Aretha Frankenstein's...

we miss her already!

Here are just a few more random pictures. Will LOVES to blow bubbles.

Sleeping Beauty

And here is one from awhile ago...me and my buddy!

Will is 4 months old!

On 10-10-10, Will turned 4 months old! We celebrated by attending the most lovely luncheon in honor of the baptism of Will's soon to be best buddy, Wylie. Wylie's grandparents just bought a charming home on Lookout Mountain--check out the awesome backyard in the pictures below.

Here was Will in church that morning. Will LOVES falling asleep on Daddy's chest.

Will is acting shy here, but I couldn't resist this darling picture of sweet Ellie, one of the many adorable kids who is our neighbor on campus. Her mom, Andrea, is feeding Will.

The porch=my dream home

Wylie's parents, Dodd and Ross

(Dodd is our pediatrician, too. We love her)

The backyard really is a wonderland.

Our sweet little man at 4 months!

Dearest Will,

Your Daddy and I couldn't imagine loving anything more. You have brought such joy and fulfillment into our lives with your ever-present smile, sweet disposition, and love for new experiences. We see the world with new eyes now that we are your parents--suddenly everything is more colorful, more meaningful, more rewarding. You are the happiest baby. You never cry unless you are hungry--but man, you have been hungry lately! You are eating 8-10 ounces every three hours, which isn't surprising considering you have been growing like crazy this month. You are in the 97th percentile for height and 80th percentile for weight (and firmly in 6 mos. clothing), and Dr. Dodd says you might be ready to start on rice cereal and then pureed foods before too long. I can't believe we are almost at that milestone; I love seeing you grow up healthy and strong, and your Dad and I are thrilled to love you and nurture you through all of the exciting days ahead.

You are cooing up a strong these days, making lots of fun noises when we talk to you as we make dinner, go for long walks, and read books. You LOVE bath time, and so do we--you are the cutest! You smile at us all the time, especially when we sing to you (you love "Do Re Mi") and ask you questions, and it is this sweet smile that I look forward to seeing every day at 3 p.m. when I come home and pick you up from Carla's. Carla seems to love her time with you, too--you two go on a campus walk together every day, visiting Ms. Gail and often running into your various McC friends along the way. She calls you "Mr. Bill"--it cracks us up. But we couldn't feel more blessed that you are being cared for by a loving, knowledgeable, trustworthy woman who cares for you with a devoted heart. It makes being away from you from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. not easy but easier.

You are sleeping soundly in your crib right now, and I am easily feeling like the luckiest woman on earth for having you in my life. Will, you are the greatest blessing. I love you with all that I am. I tell this to people all the time, but I really do feel like every day is Christmas now that you are in my life; you are a gift to us in every way, and we couldn't love anything more.

Happy 4 months, buddy. You are something special.

Love always,

Mama

Happy Birthday, Pat!!!!

My favorite father-in-law celebrates his special day today!!!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!!!

We might be delinquent in terms of getting our gift to Pat on time, but they were the first ones to send me a birthday gift this year--and I love what they picked out. They are such thoughtful gift givers, and this year was no exception: a beautiful Vera Wang purse and a gorgeous scarf. Considering that the highs this week will be in the 60s, I think the scarf will come in handy!

Thank you both so much.

You are, as always, such a huge reason why our lives are so happy and full.