The Story of Henley

Gimmie me some sugar...

2009-02-14T19:38:00.003-06:00

Here's hoping you get lots of sugar this Valentine's Day!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

2009-02-08T12:01:00.003-06:00

Dear Daddy...

Thank you for all you do for me! I don't think I could dream of a better Daddy. You have the biggest heart, and I am so proud that you are my Daddy. I hope you have a wonderful day. Happy Birthday!

I love you so much....

Your "favorite" Henley

cup o' joe anyone?

2009-02-05T10:51:00.007-06:00

Obviously, my coffee drinking as had an effect on my little monkey. this is her favorite food item in her kitchen along with her wooden eggs. if only i could get her to drink milk as well as she drinks her morning coffee. in real life, henley's eating habits have drastically changed. she picks at her veggies, will not touch fruit, and loves bread of any kind. overall, she does not eat that much these days. it was bound to happen...

Christmas until March

2009-01-13T12:02:00.013-06:00

well not really, but at least until the end of January...we moved over christmas and it as been a whirlwind. we are finally settled, but the christmas tree was up until the end of January. i loved it too much to take it down...plus that was the only furniture i had in the foyer. we had a wonderful chrismas in our new home. henley was so fun this year. she still did not quite grasp openning presents, but she did understand her new toys. she would not have anything to do with Santa except when he was secretly behind her. However, she did say his name over and over again, even to an Asian lady at a Chinese restaurant wearing a Santa hat. all of her santa pictures would not post on this blog?? oh well, she was either screaming or looking awkward in all of them anyway. this year i got henley a play kitchen with a table and chair set. she LOVES it...she lives in her new litte nook. henley is full of surprises these days...including blowing kissing to strangers, roaring whenever we say lion, saying "shuues" (shoes) ALL the time, etc. she has so much personality and she smiles ALL the time. we are loving this age...

henley continues to love small chairs, so lulu and poppy got her a new rocking chair. henley's hair is a little crazy these days(as seen in this picture), so i decided to cut the baby mullet.

This little piggy...

2008-11-05T21:08:00.010-06:00

went trick or treating...well, to about three or four houses. We had halloween this year with the cousins, and Henley was a trooper. I figured she would last about 2 seconds, but having Riley and Jancey to entertain her made it last for about 30 minutes. Henley is already trying to eat some candy...

Post Halloween: This was always my favorite part about halloween because you go home and take inventory of all the goods. In my case, I would toss tootsie rolls (YUCK!), butterfingers, and candy corn. I don't think Henley would toss anything. The girl loves food and all kinds (hence the costume), so halloween was an event. I think Henley has a new love...CHOCOLATE! I let Henley have a morsel of chocolate, and we might as well kiss veggies and fruit goodbye because she has now hit the mother of all tastes. This is what happened when I said no more...
I have no excuses for my lack of blogging... except for moving, building a new house, and chasing around a 1 year old. But, I really have no excuses.

Happy Birthday Sweet Baby

2008-08-16T22:49:00.004-05:00

Henley, you are truly a blessing and the greatest joy in our lives! Your first sound rocked our world and your laugh still holds us captive. Your flirtatious personality grabs others attention with your bright, gummy smile (+two teeth now). Thank you for making us better as we try to be the parents that you deserve. We have learned so much watching you grow and it has been an incredible year for us. When you were born you filled our hearts with more love than we could have ever imagined.

Our hope is that you will continue to be blessed with health, love, and happiness!

Happy Birthday! We love you so much.

-Mommy and Daddy

10 things about henley

2008-06-20T22:39:00.003-05:00

at 10 months... her favorite toys are my make-up brushes.

she waves bye-bye and claps all the time, but she has been doing this for a while now.

she loves to go through her diaper bag and take everything out, but she's not quite to the point of putting things back.

she prefers breakfast to any other meal, but she still loves sweet potatoes (notice her orange tinged nose above).

she is crawling everywhere, including into furniture, walls, door frames, etc.

henley still has no teeth, but she shows off her gummy smile constantly.

she loves to be outside, and she goes into a "trance" when we take her for walks.

henley is not a fan of changing her clothes or her diaper.

she's babbling words like da-da and ma-ma, but she has no clue what she is saying.

currently, henley's most favorite thing in the whole world is mae.

Let the Craziness Begin

2008-06-08T16:12:00.004-05:00

This is the view from our front door-- it's real nice. I have never been a real fan of the pods, because they are huge eye sores and take up space on the street. They are just so convenient especially in our situation, but we somehow ended up with a generic one with a rubbed off sign. I'm sure you guessed the reason for the pod is that we are moving. We sold our house and will be officially homeless for a couple of weeks until we decide where we are going. Life is in limbo at the moment, but we have incredible support from family and friends, so I know we will be fine. This weekend the packing began with the Robertson's coming in for the weekend to get us started. It went by way too fast, but we got alot accomplished. But, of course it wasn't all work and no play. Henley enjoyed some quality time with her MeeMaw and PawPaw.
Henley wasn't really herself this weekend because she was a little under the weather. You know there is something wrong when the only thing that can make her smile is our dog, Mae. She seems back to herself, but she was so exhausted from the weekend that this is the way we found her during her nap today.

Next weekend the Yard Sale...

And she crawls...

2008-06-04T22:52:00.002-05:00

Henley at 9 months

2008-05-17T16:48:00.010-05:00

This is the face Henley wakes up with almost every morning. She is SO happy all the time right now, and she is constantly smiling. Everywhere we go people comment on what a happy baby she is and how much she smiles. The best part about this face is the snorting sound she makes as she squishes up her nose and flashes a HUGE gummy smile. Henley still has no teeth, but I hear this just makes for stronger baby teeth. I think people just tell me this so I won't worry that my child is abnormal. Does this apply to hair too?

Henley is very inquisitive (as seen from the above photo). She studies everything very intensely and mostly with her pointer finger. She reminds me of E.T. --it's really cute.
Oh, but she can be a little stinker too. She will last about 10-15 minutes max on the floor, so therefore H is mobility challenged. She wants to be held at all times and I just can't resist her pitiful little face. What a sucker I am.

We are really enjoying this age, because Henley's spunky personality is coming out. She waves bye-bye and speaks jibberish ALL the time. She has the sweetest voice even when it is a high pitched squeal in public. She loves attention and will stare strangers down until they finally acknowledge her presence. It can be embarrassing if the strangers aren't really into babies no matter how cute they are. She is such a little character, well that is what LuLu says all the time.

Henley changes so much everyday and we look forward to her new faces, walking, words, a tooth or two, and possibly even some hair.

Taylor the Graduate

2008-05-17T16:18:00.006-05:00

My sister, Taylor, graduated from UTK last week, so Henley and I made the trip back home. Henley loves Auntie Tatter! She laughs out loud at her every time she is around. We are so proud of her and all her accomplishments. She is as beautiful as she is talented.

Congrats! We love you very much!

Henley even got to spend some time with her Great Grandma. It was a week of family time that we desperately needed.

One Man's Trash is Another Man's Treasure

2008-05-17T16:02:00.006-05:00

A funny thing happened on our nightly walk this week, we actually had something go our way. In Memphis, people put unwanted items on their front lawn and usually within minutes they are gone. We have definitely benefited from this in the past by dumping old computers, bookcases, etc. We never thought we would benefit in the opposite way, but we did this week. We (well, really Justin) spotted underneath a pile baby items ---a Peg car seat base. We scooped it up as quickly as possible and ran home to see if it worked. It did!! We were laughing hysterically about it. We really needed one because ours was stolen along with Justin's car.

Just a little dumb luck...

Dude, Where's My Car?

2008-04-15T14:28:00.006-05:00

Well, Justin walked out to an empty driveway this morning... His car along with golf clubs, car seat base, tax return info, etc was stolen from our DRIVEWAY last night. I must admit that we had recently become disgusted by our gas guzzling beast these past few months, but I never thought that it would end this way. We didn't even get to say goodbye.

As you can see, we are all suffering from this...

Well, if you see a navy Ford Expedition with a shattered passenger rear view mirror --please let us know.

Henley Takes Flight

2008-04-03T13:47:00.004-05:00

Today, I had my first of many adventures with Henley. She took her first flight. Henley and I flew into to Chattanooga so I could take some continuing education. She was so sweet! After 10-15 minutes of squealing, Henley lost the battle and finally fell asleep. I was in pre-panic mode at that point, so I was relieved. First of all, everyone is SO friendly when you travel alone with a baby. She was showing off for the security ladies in Memphis, so I think I could have smuggled in some tweezers or something, and they wouldn't have cared.

This man was so hilarious! In the rain, he helped me so much by getting the stroller gear all ready to be stowed away. By the way, Pegs are really cute, but they can be complicated to close up and attach the seat into. He said he didn't love babies, but I think Henley may have changed his mind for a minute.

Pseudo- Cousins

2008-04-01T22:38:00.003-05:00

Today Lydia White came over for a visit, and Henley LOVES the Lyd. They are sort of cousins, because Henley's Aunt Amber is Lydia's Daddy's sister. Sounds complicated, right? Anyways, we had a great time, and Henley's face lights up watcing Lydia. I think she is jealous because Lydia is such a BIG girl. Her Mommy, Ashley, is a wonderful friend and probably the most thoughful person ever. We hope these girls grow up to be best friends!

A Fresh Start

2008-03-30T23:23:00.014-05:00

Life is finally normalizing around here, so I thought for Henley's sake I would start this blog thing again.

I felt it only fitting to begin again with her Easter pictures. She is changing so much everyday and it is so exciting seeing her personality come through. Overall, she has become a very happy baby, but there were a couple of days that we worried we had a "stinker" on our hands. Henley is loving being able to sit in a high chair and be the CENTER of attention. She is enjoying all sorts of new food these days, but I think her favorites are carrots and pears. She can sit up, but she still topples over from time to time. We have decided that she will never crawl, because she HATES to be on her stomach. We take full responsibility for this because every time she rolled over we applauded, so now she rolls over expecting cheers. Her favorite "toy" is anything that is not considered an official toy--magazines, spoons, trash, etc. Yeah, I said trash. I'm still able to enjoy her gummy smile, because she still has no teeth. That smile can melt my heart every time...

Of course, I have to thank my sister for these precious photos. We took so many that it was hard to choose.

2008-01-13T11:45:00.000-06:00

8 things about henley...

at 5 months.

i love, love taking a bath. i get mad when mommy and daddy take me out of the water. mom thinks i'm a future state champion swimmer.

i have a pretty cute dimple on my right cheek.

i still have no teeth or hair, and there is no sign of any future growth. my daddy calls me a bald-headed gummy bear.

for some reason, i am easily agitated at 8pm, so i go for car rides every now and then.

my favorite books are the karen katz's books with the flip-ups. they are very short, so i can pay attention the entire time.

i'm a sleeper! i, absolutely, love my bed. i take two long naps and i sleep from 9 to 6:30 in the morning. i've been told i sleep like a frog.

my parents call my bouncy seat the "poop seat." i guess because every time they put me in it, i have a "blow out." i think it's the vibrations...

my parents think i'm the cutest thing ever, well that's what they say all the time.

All the Joys of Christmas

2007-12-20T18:24:00.000-06:00

Even with all the stress of the holidays, I hope everyone can find some joy in the season.

Happy Holidays

Tribute to Mr. Mom

2007-12-01T11:16:00.000-06:00

It is pretty clear by my lack of posts and commenting that I am back at work. Unfortunately, my work computer blocks all blogs, so I can't even look at work. The good news is that my blogging addiction as ceased, and I can go an ENTIRE day without looking at a computer. The bad news is that I miss out on all the goings on of my blogging buds.

I think Justin has been the most effected by my return to work because he ends up keeping Henley several evenings a week and one weekend a month. I have given him the nickname Mr. Mom. He carries all the baby accessories just like a pro, and his only request was a manly diaper bag which I granted. There is nothing cuter than a man and a diaper bag. His evenings no longer consist of ESPN and Fox soccer channel, but now dirty diapers and driving Henley to and from Kmart for me to feed her. I'm always anxious to see what Henley is wearing, because he always seems to find hilarious ensembles to put on her. It leaves me asking where did he even find that. Henley is smitten with her Daddy. Justin can make her smile like no one else, and she laughs out loud when he sings the Harlem Globetrotter's theme song. Who knew that could be SO funny? It makes my whole day when they come see me at work, and even the worst days miraculously get better. Justin has been wonderful and seems to enjoy every moment he spends with Henley.

Does anyone else notice Henley's attire? She is a girl--I promise!

I think we already have a Daddy's girl on our hands.

Snapshots

2007-11-27T11:31:00.001-06:00

Aunt Taylor took some random photos this past week. I thought they were precious, so I had to share. She is so talented!

Being Thankful

2007-11-24T21:11:00.000-06:00

This year we decided last minute to pack up and drive to Chattanooga for Thanksgiving. It was a very short visit, but worth the drive.

MeeMaw got a brand new hip! She is recovering so well, and will back to herself before we know it. Henley is looking forward to seeing her again at Christmas. We love you.

My parents house was packed full this year (20 people +4 dogs) and they loved it! In my opinion, there is no better thanksgiving meal. Calories are never considered. Henley got to meet several of her second cousins and great aunts and uncles.

The "adult" table

The "transitional" table

The "kids" table

Back in Memphis, we even got to see our good friends, Natalie and Barrett. They live in Orlando, so we get to see them maybe once a year. We hope they make it back this way in the near future- hint, hint...

We have so much to be thankful for this year.

Not So Happy Halloween

2007-10-31T20:33:00.000-05:00

The things we do to our children...

Good Times at the Pumpkin Patch

2007-10-28T19:15:00.001-05:00

Henley and I had some more fun travels this weekend. My friend Courtney's little boy, Will, had his first birthday party at a pumpkin patch in Nashville. It was so fun getting to visit with old friends and their kids. Of course, Henley got hungry the minute we got to the party, so I missed the opening of the presents, the cutting of the cake, and pretty much the whole party. But, we still got to enjoy some good company and delicious food.

These are my old roommates Lyla and Courtney with their sweet kids.
Times have changed quite a bit from our college days. I miss seeing these girls so much!

The birthday boy and his Mommy

Will is really enjoying his party food!

We even got to see our good friends-- Virginia and Henry Huddleston
Aren't they the cutest pumpkins you have ever seen?

We got to stay with Lyla and her TWO girls, Lilly and Mamie. It was fun and crazy with a house full of girls! Lilly was my big helper getting Henley ready for the party.

Hopefully, we can all get together again soon!

Who does she look like?

2007-10-24T14:31:00.000-05:00

People have been asking the age old question, "Who does she look like?" People who see Henley in person believe she is a good mix between both of us, but this is not the same opinion in the blogging world. Most people have commented she looks mostly like Justin, so I felt I needed to provide some proof that she is, in fact, my daughter too. Do you really think I would let Justin get all the credit? When I was home a couple of weeks ago, I came across an old picture of me from October '78 when I was 3 months old.
I apologize for the nudity...

Casey October 1978

Henley October 2007

Okay, okay-- I know I purposely tried to get Henley in the same pose to show the undeniable similarities, so don't let this skew your opinion. But, what do you think?

2 Months

2007-10-22T18:47:00.000-05:00

After 2 months, Henley continues to be the sweetest thing I have ever seen, even when she cries for an hour straight. Justin and I still stare at our little miracle in awe of her cuteness.

Henley had her 2 month check-up last week, and the Doctor said everything looked great. I really don't know how she was able to examine her, because she cried the entire time. She is 75th percentile for length and 50-75th for weight. She got her first shots, and she cried so hard that there was actually no sound coming out of her mouth. It was pitiful.I can already tell she is going to be a tomboy, because she detests being dressed up. Every time I try to get a photo of her all fancied up she just won't have it. She just refuses to smile while wearing a dress (as shown in above picture). This could pose a problem for me, considering I planned on putting a dress on her everyday even to go to the grocery. That's just the way I am.
Her current favorite hobby is playing on her mat. She loves seeing herself in the mirror and watching the light, flickering star that plays music. But, I think she is most at ease just chillin' on her changing table and looking around the room. At the moment, her best trick is rolling from her stomach to her back. Our stubborn, little sweetheart mastered this trick in pure hatred of "tummy time." Sometimes, I feel like she talks back to me when I talk to her in a very, HIGH pitched voice, which I never thought I would do. I guess many people would call this a "coo."

All I can say is--She makes us so proud!

The Big Flip

2007-10-18T10:09:00.000-05:00

Henley actually rolled over 2 weeks ago, but Justin didn't believe me. Now we have proof.

Fall Break Adventures

2007-10-11T09:37:00.000-05:00

Our Fall break was the week of Henley's debut. We travelled to Chattanooga with various stops along the way to visit family and friends. Many people drove and flew great distances to meet Miss Henley.

It was a winning weekend in the Fox household. My brother, "BIG Gavin Fox," plays high school football, and he had a big game last weekend. They played their longtime rival, and won after going into overtime. It was a very exciting game that, sadly, Henley had to miss. MeMaw and PawPaw babysat Henley, and I'm sure MeMaw and Henley shared lots of secrets. Unbelievably, the same weekend UT beat Georgia which in our family is a big deal! Henley was dressed in her favorite orange outfit for the big day. Maybe it was good luck.

Uncle Gavin, Henley, and Poppy enjoy the weekend victories.

My Aunt Linda drove in all the way from South Carolina to meet Miss Henley. We had such a great time playing with Henley and watching football all weekend!

Henley Meets her Great-Grandparents!

I think my Grandmother come the farthest to meet Henley. She came all the way from the Florida Keys! Henley enjoyed spending the week with her Great-Grandma!

My Mom, Aunt Teresa, Henley, and Grandma (But, now Great-Grandma)

We drove through White Bluff, TN so Henley could meet Justin's Grandfather. He is so funny, and said he would "whoop" Henley if she was bad.

Henley with "Old PawPaw"

Henley and I drove to Atlanta to meet Stella B! She is so beautiful! She is 3 weeks younger than Henley, so they were instant friends. Ada and I took the girls to eat dinner, and they were perfect. When I say "perfect" that means they slept through everything. It was hilarious putting the car seats in the back of my parents tiny Prius. Unfortunately, the end of the visit wasn't so perfect. Henley had a small crying fit before we left (as seen in picture), and poor, little Stella didn't know what to think of her new friend. She was so sweet, and I don't think I heard her make a peep. We still had a wonderful time, and I hope we can do it more often in the future.

Henley even got to meet all of her cousins. Justin's brother's family drove in from Johnson City, and they have very busy schedules with four kids, so it was so great to see them. MeMaw and PawPaw are the proud grandparents of SEVEN grandchildren, so family gatherings are very exciting! MeMaw had lots of fun activities for the kids, including painting pumpkins, visiting the zoo, and taking a fun ride on land and water through downtown Chattanooga. Henley wasn't quite old enough to participate in the activities, but she really enjoyed meeting all of her cousins!

From left to right: John, Luke, PawPaw, Jancey, Blake, Riley, Peyton, MeMaw, and Henley

Thank you to everyone who made our visit so fun for Henley!

Can it get much better?

2007-09-28T13:23:00.000-05:00

Well, I've been told it can- talking, walking, etc. This is Henley's latest trick, and she does it right after projectile pooping and right before spitting up all over the place. Can you imagine cracking that smile after all that? Everyday, I'm amazed at how much she changes and grows. I feel so blessed that we have such a healthy, happy baby.

I tried to get a sweet 6th week picture, but ended in defeat. This was the best of the lot, so I'll try again at 2 months.

She was 6 weeks yesterday, and it has been a whirlwind. Time goes by so fast. I'm actually supposed to go back to work on Monday, but I'm taking a few weeks with no pay. I have to ask the question- how do women actually go back at 6 weeks? She is still so small and not sleeping through the night. But honestly, I'm just not ready to pass her off to anyone let alone a stranger. The US is way behind in this department, and if we lived in Europe we could get 6 or more MONTHS! Does this bother anyone else?

The Many Faces of Henley

2007-09-23T12:04:00.000-05:00

Henley is a very expressive baby, and I really have no idea where she got that from. I hope the sarcasm is obvious in that sentence. So, I compiled a few of her typical faces lately. I'm sure there will be many more faces in the future, and we look forward to figuring out what they mean.

The "I'm trying really hard to grin" face

This face speaks for itself.

The "I know, I know- I'm pretty cute" face

The Monkey Face

The "why are you making those funny faces and sounds?" face

The "there's something wet in my pants " face

My Favorite Face

Our Little Blessing

2007-09-18T22:02:00.001-05:00

Last Sunday, Henley was recognized in a Baby Blessing at our church. It was a wonderful weekend because we had lots of visitors. Both sets of Henley's grandparents came in for the celebration. So of course, Henley was held and spoiled ALL weekend. This child is loved! The Robertson's even kept Henley for Justin and I to have a much needed date Friday night. I couldn't help but check in frequently, but I knew she was in very good hands with MeMaw and PawPaw. We went to a "hot" festival, watched football, and ate Mexican food. In my opinion, it was a perfect Fall weekend! I decided to hitch a ride to Chattanooga with my parents, so I was spoiled all week with lots of help!

PawPaw, MeMaw, Henley, LuLu, and Poppy

Two Proud, Beautiful Grandmothers!
Stay tuned for more pictures of Henley to come...

O' Rainy Sunday

2007-09-09T21:53:00.000-05:00

Is there any other way to spend a rainy day?

My New Appreciation

2007-09-05T17:20:00.000-05:00

Henley is now 3 weeks old, and I have new appreciation for...

Target and Babies’r us gift cards because our well-fed daughter needs about 10-14 diapers a day. No, that’s not a typo.
Getting a total of 4 hours of sleep as opposed to 0-2, and those 2 o’clock feedings because that is when life is so peaceful with my new baby girl ...

Justin’s arrival from work… Not that I didn’t appreciate this time before, but now I really appreciate it. She is already a Daddy’s girl.
My larger, stretchy tank tops and T-shirts that fit my now plentiful abundance.
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays because our Sunday school class brings us very delicious meals.
Long, warm showers
The Doctor recommended pacifier, which has allowed 2-3 hours between feedings instead of every hour. She doesn’t seem to mind suckling it, and I’m pretty sure there is no “nipple confusion.”
Mylicon Drops because much to our dismay she has inherited her parent’s bowel dysfunctions.
The times Henley is awake and alert, but not fussy. She is so sweet, just soaking in all the new sights and smells. Apparently, Henley smells something foul in this picture.

My Little Chick

Henley’s puffy little fingers and toes.

The "Milky Mouth"

All mothers and fathers…Being a parent has really given me a new outlook, and I never imagined I could love this much.

To My Dearest LuLu

2007-08-29T18:14:00.001-05:00

Dear Lulu,
Thank you for holding me, changing my diapers, singing to me, and letting me lay on my stomach every now and then. It made Mom very happy to have you around to keep the house clean, but more importantly to keep her company. Daddy really enjoyed all the delicious home cooked meals, and Mom was secretly happy that you tempted her with tasty treats. The week went by too fast, and I already miss you very much. So, please come back soon...

Your favorite grand-baby,
Henley
aka-Sugar Baby, Precious Angel, Sweet Stuff, Love Bug, etc

I Love you!

Hurry Here Henley...

2007-08-25T14:40:00.000-05:00

Uncle Gavin, Aunt Taylor, Henley, Momma

So i suppose this is a little delayed...but I still wanted to drop in and share with all of you my little.. poetic pursuit , i suppose you could call it, since i am no poet by any stretch of the imagination. Although, there are many opportunities to explore new hobby-horizons when one has a spare 14 hours of waiting room confinement, which somehow manages to draw itself into an eternity. especially when added to the 9 long months you've already been patiently anticipating the birth of your brand new niece! Anyhow, while trying to suppress my peaked excitement and anxious jitters, tightly gripping the plastic arms of the chair into which i had seemingly rooted myself, within this restless room of weary waiting-ones....i decided to deflect my hyper-mode mind and preserve any remaining patience by spilling my present flow of thoughts to a piece of paper. it was to be in honor of our stubborn, and at that time, still unborn little henley...

"Hurry Here Henley..."

Hurry Here Henley
Anticipation's on the rise!
Ready and waiting to hear your first cries...
to look and see your mom and dad in your eyes

A head of red or blonde, or black hair... or will it be bare?
Whatever it is, nobody will care...
for upon you, our proud eyes will widen and stare.

Like our divine delivery: An angelic sight...
a radiant beam of heavenly light.
We're all still sitting, waiting to snuggle you tight.
No teeth yet..so at least you won't bite!
We're soon to know that when God made you Henley, he got everything right.

...Well I guess your fine parents' genes played a role too.
I'll bet when you waddle about, you'll make the baby boys coo!

So can't we hear a little giggle?...even just a boo-hoo?
We'll just keep on hoping you'll be here real soon!

So hurry here Henley! our patience runs thin...
wanna bask in the gleam of your sweet, toothless grin!
Tell me, when will life with our new little lady begin?

Before long you'll be talkin'
...and next then you'll be walkin'!

Soccer balls you'll be kickin'?
...or is it record-time laps you'll be swimmin'?
Either way, hearts of many you'll be-a-winnin'!

I'm ready to travel the many miles...
just thinkin' of you brings me many big smiles.
...even if I have to change some big diaper piles...

One day soon, I'll look down at a pool,
of your cute baby drool..
and as another dribble falls, on down to the floor...
I know you'll be one we'll forever adore!

Sending you endless love, for your big future in store!
...hurry here.

-your Auntie Taylor

Soo...Finally she came! and luckily my dad and I had a few minutes to witness her after the glorious, long awaited arrival! I'm so proud of Casey and Justin, i can already tell they will be amazing parents!
I love all three of you and i'm so excited to be a new aunt of a perfect wee-beauty, I can't wait to watch her, and her personality, grow!

She's a Keeper

2007-08-19T15:29:00.000-05:00

Aren't those the cutest feet you have ever seen? Compliments to Angie Conway for such beautiful black and white photos. We are home and doing great. Here's some recent pictures, and I'll post more later...

We really can't stop staring at her!

The first family photo.

Henley Bradford Robertson

2007-08-17T00:42:00.000-05:00

We arrived at the hospital at 7:15 this morning and Casey was back in a room by 7:30. A little after 8:00 a nurse arrives in the waiting room, "The doctor broke her water and the meds are going." What?!!! I am now thinking Henley will be here in a matter of hours. Well, most of you know by now that was way off. I guess it is only fitting that our girl is as stubborn as the both of us!

Casey was unbelievable all day long!!! She amazed me throughout the epidural, when her IV infiltrated her hand causing it to swell enormously, when they decided to stop the epidural for two hours (right, stop it for two hours!), and even more so during the delivery. Possibly even more remarkable, I held it together through Henley's head appearing, but I had no chance when she broke her silence. The greatest sound that I have ever heard!!! From the first push to Casey holding Henley was only about 45 minutes. She was born at 9:46 PM. She weighed 7 pounds 11 ounces and was 20 inches long. A great end to the 14 hour day!

I am sure that Casey will want to update this later, but I know lots of you will want to see Henley now! This is by far my favorite picture so far. Thank you all for your prayers!

Justin

Only 12 more days, but who's counting...

2007-08-08T11:24:00.000-05:00

By 12 days, I mean until my actual due date. Last week, the doctor seemed to think the baby could come at any time. Yesterday was my last day of work, so I'm just tying up some loose ends- mostly boring stuff- short term disability, cleaning, washing clothes, etc. To be honest, I really don't know what to do with myself now that I am off. I've been packing my "hospital bag" for about 2 weeks now, and I'm blocked for some reason. I think the bag is a symbol of what is to come. I'm so excited, yet very anxious at the same time. I thought I would ask my fellow, experienced bloggers for some advice. Was there anything you didn't pack that you wished you had or something that you couldn't live without? Also, I'm downloading some songs on my ipod for the whole labor time to keep me distracted.

Any suggestions?

A new addition to the nursery

A big thanks to a wonderful artist Vikki Bible- it's pretty nice to have such talented friends! Check out her other pieces...

My Very, Very Late "100"

2007-07-23T21:33:00.000-05:00

I was tagged about 1 year ago to do a list of 100 about myself. I had computer issues and lost my original list.
Here it is. I apologize for any typos, but I really don't want to go back through and check it.

1) Too much pressure…
2) I love Star Wars (I bet you would never think that). It’s on right now.
3) My therapy is gardening. I love potting small plants and watching them grow. I could spend all day at nursery.
4) I’m nervous I won’t be a good mom, but I know my husband will be an incredible dad.
5) I HAVE ROAD RAGE!
6) I read magazines from back to front.
7) I wonder if I was meant for another profession, not pharmacy.
8) I’m the oldest sibling, but actually I’m considered an only child because I’m seven years older then my younger sib.
9) I like being a redhead, except for the pale skin and freckles.
10) I lack self confidence.
11) I have insomnia at least every 4 weeks for no reason.
12) I love aeroboxing, but I haven’t done it in 6 months.
13) In middle school, I wanted to be an art curator.
14) In high school, I wanted to be a photographer for National Geographic. I know, I know- everyone wants to do that.
15) When I was little, I called broccoli little trees, and I only ate the leaves.
16) I am terrified of praying out loud.
17) Varicose veins make me light headed.
18) I worry about what people think.
19) I have a problem with judgmental people.
20) I like to be alone sometimes- especially for 30 minutes after I get home from work.
21) The first thing I do when I get home is take off my pants.
22) I love seeing Justin in a soccer uniform. That’s when he’s the sexiest.
23) He is too good to me.
24) I have become a total neat freak as I have gotten older.
25) I am independent, but I haven’t always been.
26) I regret not taking my swimming in high school more serious. Who knows I could have been really good.
27) I love Mexican food.
28) I spend way too much money on clothes- I seriously have a problem.
29) Some of my favorite musicians are Van Morrison, Patsy Cline, and Nina Simone.
30) I can’t believe I’m almost 30!
31) “I love to dance”- Girls Just Wanna have Fun, SJP
32) I don’t read enough, but I read celebrity magazines all the time. I’m not proud of this one.
33) I love entertaining.
34) I have a big nose, but I’ll keep it because it’s the same nose my Dad as.
35) I had a “blanky” up until college, and it had holes in it from my “nu, nuing.” It was yellow gingham, and my Mom made it. I still miss it.
36) I listen to golden oldies on my way to work.
37) I have an indention on my butt where I got bit by a dog when I was little.
38) I’m always late.
39) I love arranging fresh cut flowers.
40) I crave Strawberry Shortcake from Houston’s!
41) I worry about crazy things all the time, for instance my ultrasound today at 4pm.
42) I once pumped kerosene in my car instead of gas. I will never live this down.
43) I can’t leave home without mascara, and you wouldn’t want me to.
44) I have old lady hands.
45) I’m jealous of my sister’s artistic ability.
46) I don’t like candles that smell of food.
47) I’m high strung and tend to over react. Thanks, Mom.
48) I love stationery- cards, notes, etc.
49) I like books and movies set in older time periods. Those are the most romantic.
50) I have terrible motion sickness- I can’t even sit in the back seat of a car. It is not in my head.
51) I hate tattoos, but my husband has one.
52) I hope I raise a confident young woman with many aspirations for her life.
53) I went to an all female high school, and I wore a uniform. I loved every bit of it.
54) I have a short temper, and I have no patience.
55) I love seer sucker.
56) I used to get migraines so bad that all I could see was a “halo.” I don’t really get them anymore- thank goodness. I have an appreciation for people who suffer from these.
57) I am very impatient. Did I already say that?
58) I am what some would call anal- retentive, but I like to call it “particular.”
59) I enjoy going to the movies. There is something reminiscent about sitting in front of that big screen and eating popcorn.
60) I’m so excited about having a baby. It is consuming me these days- lately it is all I think about.
61) I have very, very curly hair, but I straighten it every day.
62) I think the Chi flat iron is the greatest invention ever! I wish it had existed in high school.
63) I wish someone had told me in high school that red heads need to wear mascara.
64) My favorite days are spent outdoors.
65) I wish I was more active in volunteering and helping the community. I feel like it is something I need to work on.
66) I love tomatoes.
67) I have a very expressive face, and I already have crow’s feet and laugh lines.
68) I think my husband is a good man that I respect very much.
69) He makes me laugh because he is so goofy.
70) The first thing I notice when I meet someone is their teeth.
71) I hate standing in long lines.
72) My favorite days are spent outside.
73) I take 20 minutes showers, sometimes.
74) I work well under pressure, but I tend to procrastinate.
75) I drool.
76) I’ve been told I have a “ghetto booty.”
77) I think McDonald’s has the best fries, but Justin thinks Burger King’s are the most consistent.
78) I love going to open houses especially in old neighborhoods.
79) I have had so many speeding tickets that I have almost had my license taken away. Thanks for taking care of me- Chris Lareau!
80) I prefer to shop alone.
81) I am nervous about childbirth.
82) But, I am more nervous about being a Mother.
83) I didn’t have a “first kiss” until I was in the 10th grade.
84) I love decorating.
85) I love taking pictures, and I’m looking forward to many pictures of Henley.
86) I am not a fan of lazy people with no work ethic.
87) I got up to pee 6 times lastnight!!
88) I like to pick at things- use your imagination…
89) I used to think I loved animals, but now I just get frustrated with the hair and filth. I do love our dog, Mae, though.
90) Is anyone really going to read this forever, long list?
91) I say the same pray every night before I go to bed.
92) I would love to run a marathon before I die.
93) I am terrified of the day when either one of my parents becomes ill.
94) I can’t imagine my life without any one of my family members not around. I get emotional just thinking about it.
95) My husband is my very best friend.
96) But, we don’t have to be together at all times.
97) I don’t look forward to aging, but I do look forward to growing old with Justin.
98) I hope we have a boy, too.
99) I hope to travel more in the future.
100) I realize that I have a very, rich and blessed life that I know will only get better with a baby.

If anyone still reads my blog- I tag Katie, Ashley, Kate Lareau, Angie, and Carrie P.

36th Week Photo

I don't wanna be a policeman...I wanna be a princess

2007-07-21T16:46:00.001-05:00

This week we went to see my brother and sister-in-law, Jason and Amber. They have two very precious little girls Riley(aka Snow White) and Jancey. It was a quick trip, but well worth the drive. We really don't get to see them enough. Riley is in the "dress up" phase, and it is so cute. When she puts a new outfit on, she looks at herself in the mirror like she really is a princess. I am so excited about these fun stages that little girls bring. Do you remember dress up? I just loved shoes, so I guess things never change. Thanks for a great time! By the way, two points for anyone who remembers where the title comes from.

Thanks for a great time, and we love you!

Sweet Sisters!

Highlights

2007-07-10T16:59:00.000-05:00

I have been a slacker with the whole blogging thing. So, I thought I would share some "highlights" from the past few weeks.

We had our 3D ultrasound when I was at 31 weeks. It was amazing! She already has many of Justin's features- mouth, nose, and cheeks. Now, I'm ready to see her in person!

My Girly Shower!

My friends in Memphis threw a shower for me. It was fun getting to visit with everyone. Sadly, all the pictures my Mom took turned out miniature, so I didn't have very many good pictures unless you have a magnifying glass. All the ladies that were there can have alittle giggle now. My Mom is not very camera savvy. Henley is one spoiled little girl. We were definitely "showered" with great gifts.

These were the hostesses, and they are some of my best friends. They did an incredible job! The food and flowers were perfect. Thank you so much for everything. I love you girls...

Katie surprised me with the baby bedding. It is exactly what I imagined, and it looks perfect on her wrought iron bed. I think it is the most beautiful bedding, and I hope that's not bragging. If you are in the market for baby bedding you should really call her.

The nursery to date sans curtains.

We went on our annual trip to Amelia Island with all of my Dad's family. There about 20 of us, so it can get chaotic at times. But, is is always worth it. This time the weather did not cooperate- it rained almost everyday. This was one of the two days I spent at the beach. Unfortunately, these two pictures were the only two I got the entire trip.

Notice the waist up picture, and the signature "arm pose."

Dad and Mom, but soon to be Poppy and LuLu...

(Mom, I know you are frowning right now)

Happy 6th Wedding Anniversary!

It was only fitting that we celebrated by attending a wedding. I feel so lucky to have married my best friend. I'm looking forward to many more wonderful years together.

FYI: Do not attend a Catholic wedding 8 1/2 months pregnant in HIGH heels

I haven't forgotten about my 100- it's a work in process...

In Good Company

2007-06-18T20:34:00.000-05:00

In the past two weeks, I have realized how wonderful and supportive my friends are. I am way behind with the blogging!

Two weekends ago, my friend Courtney and her baby, Will, came for a short visit! It is amazing how many years have gone by, yet our friendship has stayed the same. We could have fun and laugh in a cardboard box. We were roommates in college, and I do miss those girly times of just hanging out around the house and talking about nothing. I hope we still act silly when we are 50! Anyways, her son is precious! He has the most gorgeous blue eyes- just like his Mom! He was so good- we even got to shop, eat, and even relax! It made me so excited about the arrival of Henley. It's funny because I thought that it would make me nervous, but I really think Justin and I are ready. Of course, I have no pics to show, but we had a great time.

I worked with another pharmacist this week, and he reminded of what type of pharmacist I should strive and want to be. At work, I have had a bad attitude for the past few weeks. I have had a hard time putting a smile on my face, and just be nice to people. Do you ever feel like a smile hurts? Well, I told him about how hard it is to just be nice sometimes, and he said, "well, it can really go a long way." This phrase almost knocked me down. I needed to hear this so badly. This simple phrase is all I really needed- I think I may have found my smile again.

This past weekend, I had a girly shower in Memphis. My Mom drove in from Chattanooga all by herself, which was so sweet because she just had hip replacement a couple of weeks ago. What wonderful friends I have! I hope everyone feels as much love and affection from their friends as I do. I really don't know where to begin. I just want everyone that was involved to know how thankful I am. I will post pictures and give details tomorrow. Too tired tonight...

Maybe I'm just emotional today, but I felt compelled to share how truly blessed I feel to have such incredible family and friends in my life!

Good Times in Chattanooga

2007-06-12T21:51:00.000-05:00

It has been a crazy summer so far! We had a very nice get together in Chattanooga. My sweet sister-in-law and her Mom hosted a couple's shower for us. It was so perfect- my favorite food, flowers, and colors. We got some amazing gifts, and it was so good to see old friends we don't get to see that often.

Justin's favorite gifts were a box of 216 swaddlers (thanks Andrea) and a miniature pink soccer ball. Typical.

We got to spend some time with our adorable nieces, Riley and Jancey. It is so funny to see them get confused when they look at Justin because he looks just like their Daddy, Jason.

Example...

My friend, Ada, drove in for the party. It was so sweet of her to come all that way- pregnant and all. She is a couple of weeks behind me, and it is great to have someone to talk to that is going through the exact same thing. We laugh because our pregnancies are so different. Of course, she looks so cute. Her little girl, Stella Beatrice, will be beautiful just like her Mommy.

Bump ta Bump...

Memorial Day Weekend Fun

2007-05-28T17:28:00.000-05:00

We had our first shower on Friday at Justin's school! It was so nice, and the cake was delicious. Everyone knows that I am a fan of any kind of cake. It is so amazing that we have so much love and support in Memphis. The baby is already being spoiled! Is this not the cutest cake you have ever seen? I know what you are wondering- is that the name? Henley Bradford Robertson is the name as of today!

We decided to work on the nursery this weekend, and it took 2 full days to do it!

Before...

Not quite the color I was shooting for much to Justin's dismay.
More like it... The crib is so beautiful in person- this photo doesn't do it justice.

We went to see a movie with our good friends Josh and Kate Flowers, and I have to mention it because it was sooooo good! Check your listings to see if this movie is in your town.

Only in Memphis...

2007-05-26T09:30:00.000-05:00

And you thought Elvis was dead!

26 Weeks

2007-05-14T10:46:00.000-05:00

Justin said he would no longer pose for my blog until I posted a prego photo! So, here it is. I still didn't want to be alone so I begged Mae to pose with me! She looks like a proud "Protector," but in reality she would just lick any predator to come our way. Don't tell anyone...

I'm feeling pretty good, but I'm still in that "just kind of fat" stage. She (who still remains nameless) is kicking all the the time, and that is pretty amazing. I can't believe she supposedly weighs 2 pounds already. It is going by so quickly, and I have mixed emotions about that. I have all those questions over and over again in my mind- "Will I be a good mother?"- "Will I try for natural birth or am I crazy?"- "What will she look like?"- and the list goes on.

Where have I been?

2007-05-08T20:53:00.000-05:00

Well, I have been pretty busy this month. I worked a ton in the beginning of this month, so I could go to Chattanooga for a week. My Mom had hip replacement, and I know you are thinking she seems way too young to need such a surgery. A couple of years ago, her knees and hips started bothering her, and she was diagnosed with hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is essentially a congenital defect causing shallow hip joints. My Mom is not one to complain- I have really never seen her sick. I mean the woman had all three of us naturally! She is pretty tough, so it was very hard seeing her limp and in pain.

The day of her surgery was brutal to say the least! She was in horrendous pain, and we were helpess. They still made her get out of the bed and stand with a walker. It did get better each day, but there is no rest for the weary in the hospital with all night bed checks. She had to walk down the hall every hour, which the first day she dreaded. Mom was the hottest lady on the floor, because even in pain she wanted her makeup and hair fixed. She is a true southern lady...

One of her many hall walks...

After 2 1/2 days, we took her home! It seemed really soon to me, but I know we were all ready to get her home. She is doing wonderful, but I'm sure she is at home right now doing things she isn't supposed to (wearing slip-ons?).

Enjoying a sunny afternoon...
A walk with her constant companion, Bigsby...

In the meantime in Memphis, Justin is finding ways to occupy his time.

In a very heated soccer game, he took an elbow to the face. This incident landed him in the ER. After a CT scan, it was found that he had multiple fractures in his orbital bone, maxillary sinus, and zygomatic arch- essentially the doctor said he had a "broken face." Luckily, our wonderful friends, Ed and Katie, took really good care of him that weekend. I was emotionally torn because I wanted to be in two places at once. Even in pain, Justin wanted me to stay in Chattanooga to be with Mom.

Justin did want me to make it clear that he did score, so the "broken face" wasn't in vain...

Pink vs. Blue Tie?

2007-04-05T20:59:00.000-05:00

Well, we had our 20 week ultrasound this week. Everything looked great! It is so crazy seeing that something so tiny already has functioning kidneys. I am completely in awe of the miracle that is happening right inside of me. It is truly a blessing. We were told the sex...

Justin told all the students and faculty at his school that he would wear a pink or blue tie to tell everyone the big news!

It's a girl! We are so excited! This makes it all more real now! My Dad thinks it will be a fireball red headed girl...some sort of payback- whatever that means! Justin wants to start a wedding fund! He's crazy...

Anyways, I wanted to share the good news!

La Vida Buena

2007-03-23T18:04:00.000-05:00

Translation: The Good Life

Well, it was for at least a week!

This is the beginning of my much needed Spanish lesson. Who knew French and German would be so pointless?

I have been out of the loop for a while because we have been in Playa del Carmen, Mexico for a full week. It was an incredible and relaxing vacation- thanks to our good friends Katie and Ed.

"Mis Amigos"

The resort was goregous, and the website was not lying or giving false hopes (http://www.palaceresorts.com/Resorts/PlayacarPalace). The food was delicious, and those of you who really know me know how picky I am. But, I don't think I will eat guacomole and chips for at least another year.

The guys enjoyed golfing and scuba diving. Hands off ladies these men are taken...

While, Katie and I were treated like royalty in the spa. Margharita, a very sweet Mexican lady, took care of us, but didn't quite master the camera. Hence, the crooked picture... I had to show it!

Katie is my long lost sister or "doppleganger". Everyone thought we were sisters, and we didn't correct them. The whole reason we met was because people kept telling us about each other! I always wanted a twin sister, and I guess in some ways I have one. We have alot of fun together, and now I can't imagine not knowing her.

Mi Hermana...My Sister

Vacation is so great because it makes work bearable. Not that I hate work, but I needed to be refreshed. Do you know what I mean? This picture says it all...

What do you consider a vacation? Where is your favorite getaway spot?

Where's the "glow"?

2007-03-04T19:33:00.000-06:00

Lately, this is the first imagine that comes to mind. Imagine two of these hanging from your chest... Sorry for the disturbing picture. This has been my most troubling pregnancy issue so far. None of my clothes fit and they pretty much just get in the way. How does Dolly do it? Did anyone else experience this phenomenon?

So I ask, where is this pregnancy "glow"? All I feel right now is pudgy, and not pregnant. I need some encouragement from my fellow bloggers. I am wondering when this stage ends, and the "glow" begins. When did you start to show in your first pregnancy?

Grumpy Old Man

2007-02-19T17:50:00.000-06:00

Not quite yet...
This month Justin celebrated (well, acknowledged) his 29th birthday! This year is proving to be a year of major change for us. In a way, we are saying goodbye to our twenties along with certain freedoms we've very much enjoyed. I know we are ready for it though!
Anyway,
This is Justin's first year being an assistant principal at Bartlett Elementary. One of the teachers in second grade took a poll asking the kids to guess the age of "Mr. Robertson".

Well, these were the results…
Austin - 47
Sarah - 40
Samira - 45
Justin - 28
Emma - 46
Micah - 36
Kennedy - 39
Tony - 47
Matt - 50
Antwon - 70 (Oh come on, Antwon)
Hayden - 53
Jarrett - 52
Stephanie - 36
Saleem - 25
Chris - 28
Joshua - 38
Andrea - 28
Ray - 56
Hmmmm. The average age is: (drum roll.....) 42
Kids say the darndest(sp?) things. All jokes aside, I hope Justin knows how much he is loved! He is going to kill me when he sees this post. But I don't care! I think everyone should know how wonderful he is. Any man that can put up with me, is a good man. I worked all weekend, and he brought me breakfast and lunch. If that wasn't enough- I came home to a clean and organized house. Can it get much better? To paraphrase my favorite line from As Good as it Gets- He makes me want to be a better woman! So thank you, ya' old man! I love you more everyday!

Remember Leg Warmers?

2007-02-14T17:03:00.000-06:00

Pretty hilarious! I had to share...

It's A New Day

2007-02-12T22:26:00.000-06:00

I'll try this again..

Catch Up Time-
House not for sale anymore. It was on the market for 2 weeks, then we decided to stick it out and save some moola. I know if anyone actually still checks this blog they are sick of those stupid house pics (yes, that's you Gavin). We just love this location and dread the whole moving process.

I work at Kmart, yes I said Kmart. It's not just any Kmart, it is the only one left standing in Memphis. It was the best offer and best schedule. After much debate, I decided working 1 weekend a month was hard to find in pharmacy. Growing up with a full-time pharmacist mom who worked every other weekend, I saw first hand the effects of a grueling schedule. Not that she wasn't wonderful, but I know it wasn't always easy for her or us. I really don't know how she did it all. She is still a Superwoman!
So, Kmart it is.

Oh yeah, I'm pregnant.

We found out over Christmas that we were expecting our first baby this summer. We really couldn't be happier. I really felt like God was looking out for us -the timing was perfect. I am done with school and have been for 7 months. Justin has a great new job. So, I guess some things are worth waiting for. The only problem is that I have become more neurotic than ever. I'm sure that does not surprise any of you. Poor, poor Justin. This week, my concern is that the baby does not have any arms or legs. Am I the only crazy one?
It's a new day, It's a new life...

Home For Sale

2006-10-02T22:09:00.000-05:00

Anyone looking for a new home? After much consideration, we have joined in the horrible real estate game. Yes, I know it is the worst possible time to sale, but it is just our time. Notice the grass? It is all Justin- he won't even let me cut it. I will be sad when we actually sell it. It was a great first home, and I will always love it!

For potential buyers (Lyla, recognize the bakers rack?):

2006-10-01T17:56:00.000-05:00

Well, I am new to the blogging thing, but I am alittle addicted! It is so fun seeing what everyone has been up to lately. I will apologize up front for lack of new posts. I am kind of a slacker and not very computer savy! Posting a picture was a major pain- maybe I will figure it out.
Justin and I have been married for 5 years. We are currently living in Memphis. School brought us here and it has been a great experience so far!

The Robertson's

2006-09-21T14:58:00.000-05:00