Attention all budget moms!

Recently, I have been investigating some of these online baby product suppliers (diapers.com, etc) looking for the best deals on formula and diapers. Eli is now on Enfamil Gentlease (yes, he is a gassy baby) and we LOVE Pampers Swaddlers. I thought that if I could purchase these online in bulk they would be cheaper. So far... NOT! I guess you pay for the convenience of shipping directly to your door. Which is nice, but not necessary since I'm at Kroger or Walmart at least twice a week. Here are the best bargains that I've found so far. Please comment on your favorite bargains and share your experiences with us new moms!

So far the awards are:
Formula - Kroger!
Diapers - Walmart
Baby food - BeechNut at Kroger seems to be the best deal

Of course all formula moms must sign up for rewards programs! I bet I've received at least $100 in coupons from Similac and Enfamil! Nikki and I are trading coupons since Sailor is a Similac girl. :) I don't think Nestle GoodStart does any rewards.

Things you don't say to your wife!

This week our devotion subject is "communication". This video is a perfect example of how men/women communicate differently! Enjoy!


Things You Don't Say To Your Wife - Watch more free videos

Jesus Bring the Rain!

Eli is sleeping, I am blogging, and I just realized that it has started to rain! The first thing to come to my mind when I saw the sprinkling of rain was this song by Mercy Me and I thought I'd share it. Sometimes when we are struggling, it is easy to ask rhetorically "why God". Are we really interested in the answer? Or do we just need to express our confusion or pain? This song is a great reminder that "I know that there will be days when this life brings me pain, but if that's what it takes to praise You... Jesus bring the rain".

Thanks!

Thank you Michael and Katie for letting us come visit you in Birmingham! We had such a great time and were so lucky to spend so much time with Michael, as well as Katie and Josiah! We love you all and miss you so much!

Michael and Eli

Zoo Adventure!

Michael actually had the day off on Friday (1st day off in 11 days), so we all loaded up and went to the zoo! Michael said he couldn't believe he was out with all the "stroller moms", but he had fun explaining all the animals to Josiah. He and Katie have such a neat perspective on all the animals since they've actually seen them in the wild during their time in Kenya. I kept hearing them say "remember the ..." which was always followed by a story about Kenya. Things that we can only imagine or see on the Discovery Channel! Overall the morning at the zoo was a huge success! The boys were able to focus in on some of the animals, especially those at the Savannah exhibit (giraffes, ostrichs, zebras, etc). I think this is because there weren't a lot of trees or fencing to distract them. Eli especially loved the giraffes, which was my favorite part too!

The Davis family: Katie, Michael, and Josiah
Me, Eli, Josiah, and Michael. Eli started out in his stroller, but liked being in the carrier better because it gave him a better view! I think he liked watching the other kids at the zoo better than the animals!
Oooooooo! Zebras!
My favorite part: the baby giraffe!


Katie's favorite: the water lillies!

Michael's favorite: the alligators! They had this man-made sludge and the alligator was soooooooo creepy swimming through it! I got cold chills and even had to take a video so that I could show Jay! Ugh!
Michael explaining to Josiah about the Monkeys
Michael and me and our boys!
Eli and Momma!

Eli and Josiah!

This past week, Eli and I had a fabulous adventure in Birmingham! We went to visit Michael, Katie, and Cousin Josiah. It was so wonderful to watch the boys interact with each other, as well as to be able to observe how different their personalities are already! I nicknamed Eli "The Spaz" this weekend for a very good reason! He has such an enjoyable and social personality and loves receiving attention. This is wonderful and good, until the attention comes from his very defenseless and confused cousin Josiah! Whenever the boys made eye contact, Eli would start laughing and flailing arms and legs in excitement. Unfortunantly, Josiah usually ended up on the bad end of that deal! Josiah has a very thoughtful and observant personality. He is very pleasant and will actually sit still (amazing) and watch the world around him. He is always very interested in what is going on and you can just see his little world expanding every day! We had a great trip and I am so looking forward to watching this relationship evolve as the boys grow-up together! God has truly blessed the Davis family! Here are some of my favorite pics of Josiah and the boys together!

Happy Birthday Sailor-girl!!!

This weekend started the season of 1st birthday parties! Sailor turned 1 on Friday and we all celebrated Saturday with a Birthday Luau! It was tons of fun, and really it is our first "kids" party with Eli. I must say "WOW"! Nikki did a fantastic job planning the party and was able to keep 18 kids ages 2 weeks to 13 occupied and happy! We had a terrific time and can't wait for the next one! (Cole... next week!)

Isn't Sailor too cute in her Luau dress?!
Cole has become a HUGE fan of Eli's Wubba!
Kellye and Eli
Here's baby Maddox, Noah, and Eli! Maddox has a little catching up to do, but it won't be long! It's hard to remember Eli was that little once!
Here's all the kids at the party! I can't believe we got them all in one picture! Yes, count them.... 18!

More Pics from the Fair!

I just could not resist sharing some more of my favorite pics from the fair!

" Are you looking at me?"
Cole watching the cow show through the fence slats! Isn't he cute?
The best seat in the house!

A Day at the Fair!

What a wonderful day for the Cumberland County Fair! Saturday's weather was fabulous and the Owings/Hinch families had a great time hanging at the fair. Kellye's nieces, Jacy and Jenna, are really into showing cows (as well as hogs and sheep) so we all headed to the fairgrounds to see the Junior cow competitions on Saturday. The girls did such a great job and won lots of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place ribbons! Jay, Kellye, and I learned tons about farm competition and we enjoyed lots of great food. Can you say FUNNEL CAKE?! The trip definitely made a lasting impression on me and I loved watching the cows, but next year I want to go see the hogs! :) Here's some pics of our big adventure!

What in this picture does not fit? (me!) Eli had fun watching all the animals!
Isn't she pretty! She drools almost as bad and Eli and Cole!
This sheep was more interested in Jay than us!
Jenna introduced Eli to her baby, "Black Honey".
Jenna and Jacy in the showmanship competition!

Hair... finally!

Here's the hair! I told my friend Carrie that I had to build up the courage to put pics out into cyberspace, because once you do you can't ever take them back!! The pics don't really capture the pink (okay cranberry) highlights underneath, but maybe I'll get one in outdoor light to show yall later. I'm really lovin it now and may even keep it this way for a while. We'll see... I think Jay might even like it now! :) He wants my hair long, and spiral curly like it was in highschool when we first met. Isn't he too sweet! Unfortunantly, I don't think that is EVER going to happen. But I'll never say never!

Kelli, Baby Maddox, and me (aka "Glamour Mom" aka "Hollywood")
Me and Baby E (and my not so neat kitchen)

Mommy Reflections!

"And even the very hairs of your head are numbered." Matthew 10:30

My precious Eli,

How awesome to know that God knows us so intimately to keep count of the very hairs on our head! Sometimes it is easy to feel so small in such a BIG world. How much can God really know about little ole me when there are gazillions of people out there? Well, Matthew says it all! God knows us, inside and out, with just a glance. I think this is much like mothers... in just the small time we've spent together I can already recognize your cries and laughs, and know your little hands and feet instantly (even though they are always in motion). God knows you even better than that because He made you and loves you enough to keep up with the "hairs of your head". Don't ever feel like you are alone, because no matter where you are in life, God is there with you. I love you gazillions!

mom

Another Baby Boy!!!

Maddox Taylor Lawson

Proud Parents: Donnie and Kelli Lawson

Born August 11th, 2008

7lb 14oz

17.5 inches

Tonight Jay and I went to visit our friends Donnie and Kelli Lawson and their new baby boy Maddox! God is so good! I think it is amazing how many new babies there are among our friends this year. I cannot wait to share milestones with so many friends... 1st steps, 1st Christmas's, 1st day of Kindergarten, Little League, etc. The boys joke that we have our own basketball team with Eli, Noah, Drew, and Maddox. Sailor is probably going to be the best ball player of them all and the only girl! Anyways, congrats Donnie and Kelli!!! He is beautiful and perfect! We are so happy to be able to share this experience with you and cannot wait for all the fun days ahead!

Eli is 4 Months!

Today we took Eli to see Dr. Belitz for our 4 month well-baby check. Here's Eli's stats:

weight 14 lb 9 oz (50th %)

height 26 inches (80th %)

Eli passed all his tests with flying colors (he is a genious afterall... ). He also had to get 3 shots! Of course he cried and turned bright red, but it was short lived and he was pacified before we even left the exam room. He also did this last time and then woke up in the afternoon pitching a HUGE fit. I was lulled to sleep the after the 1st shots, but today I am giving him Tylenol EVERY 4 hours regardless of fussiness! Just a pearl of wisdom from your friendly pharmacist: never try to chase pain because you will never catch it. You must get it before it starts! :) I did have a hard time getting him down for his afternoon nap, but I placed his 2 comfort toys in the crib(Wubba and Giraffe) and he was out! I thought these pics were just too cute!

New Trick!

Eli must have learned this at Gram's house! :)

Momma's Little Nascar Driver!

This weekend Gram bought the cutest little Combi walker shaped like a car for Eli and Josiah to play with at her house! The stearing wheel lights up and make noise (of course) and the front "hood" can be taken off and converted into a food tray! Eli loves the freedom and being able to play by himself. He is such an independent little boy! There's lots of other tricks the walker can do, but we're still learning! These pics of Eli in his car are some of my favorite!

The New "Trendy Mommy"

Okay, so I think I might be going through a mid-life crisis way early!!! Let me explain why... a few weeks ago I went to Sephora for a makeup consultation and LOVED it! It was so fun just to spend a few hours talking with an expert and getting some fun makeup advice. I enjoyed it so much that I thought "why stop with makeup?". HA!

So with some prompting from my sister-in-law, here I go to Salon Visage in Knoxville for a hair consultation with these very young, and very trendy stylists. Mistake #1: my request was to be a "trendy mommy". Mistake #2: I didn't know the lingo. I'll elaborate. In the future, know that "richening your color" means turning it WAY dark and "cranberry" really means pink. (Do you see where I'm going?) And lastly, Mistake #3: when asked "how short are you willing to go", be brutally honest and forthcoming with your answer. Do not reply "depends on what you suggest". :) I think that the color or the cut alone would have been dramatic enough, but together you seriously will not recognize me, but think that I am just some random "trendy mommy"! My favorite comment so far has been from my mom.... "You look like one of those angry people so you're just going to have to smile a lot"! :) After washing it and styling it myself, I must say that I look pretty darn cool and the cut itself could not be easier to style (great for the time crunched mom).

So my question is "Do all 1st time mom's go through a period of needed rebirth as an individual apart from the child?". I think it's all about defining your identity as more than a "mom" and avoiding becoming a "shlumpadinka" as Oprah would put it. Has anyone else done something drastic with their look or made any rash decisions after their 1st child? I just want all you new moms out there to know that you CAN still be hip and trendy! HA! I will be sure to post pics later!

Luke Charton

Handling Misadventure.... the sermon this week was about "Handling Misadventure" in whatever form it is thrown at you. Misadventure comes when we least expect it and can often send us on an uncharted course, but what JOY to know that ultimately God will conquer! Whether in this life, or beyond... whether we see the seeds that are planted or not... we must have faith that God is in control and face each difficult circumstance with confidence. So this leads me to Luke Charton. Many of you in Roane County know the Charton family: Pete, Sylvia, Ross, Katie, and Kristi. Recently, they discovered that Ross's 7 year old little boy has a brain tumor. Their misadventure came very suddenly, literally one day changed the course of their journey in an enourmous way! The doctors have not given much good news thus far and little Luke is starting an experimental treatment this week. The Charton family immediately turned to the "great physician" and their many friends and family seeking prayer for a miracle. Please join us in praying for this family. They have established a blog at caringbridge.com and there is a link to it on my sidebar under "Luke Charton". Regardless of the outcome, God has already done a great work in Luke's life and he is confident that God and the doctors will try to make him better. What great understanding and faith for a child!

Visit from the Hornes!

This weekend our good friends, Mark, Jessica, and Megan Horne, visited from Franklin. Jay, Joe Presley, and Mark were roommates for 4 years while they were in Memphis. Jay and Joe knew they were going to room together, but Mark was a gift from God! You never know what you're going to get when you go "pot-luck", but the guys lucked out. We are so blessed to have these friends in our lives! Joe, Nikki, and Sailor came over Friday night to visit and we had a fabulous time catching up and watching the girls play! What a wonderful visit and weekend! Thank you guys!

How's it going Meggie? Wanna play?

Thank goodness for Wubba's! Megan did take her's out long enough to read Eli a story during our trip to Ella Minnow Pea! Doesn't my car look too cute with two car seats?!
It was so fun to see the girls together. Their personalities are so different... Megan is just out there and fearless, while Sailor is a little more reserved and thoughtful. They played so well together and Eli just hung out in the Jumparoo and watched. He could not take his eyes off the two girls. I told him he could have his pick... "Blond or Brunette?"
I'm THIS big!
Where's she going?
Nikki was feeding Sailor and talking to Jess at the same time. She's definitely gotta learn how to multi-task! Sailor's new do is courtesy of "Chicken Surprise".
"I think I'll take both"