Luke's Baptism

Happy Memorial Day! Thank you to all the people who have served for our country, especially Wes, my parents, and his dad!!! Everyone was in town this weekend for Lucas' baptism. Here he is in his baptismal gown - it's the same one that Jackson wore, and the same one that has been handed down for almost 70 years in our family!

We had the ceremony after mass. It was very nice b/c it was just our family :) I don't think with all the boys we would have been able to do it in the middle of mass like we did with Jackson. It would have been very hard for Jackson, Thomas and Mason to sit still that long. As it was Jackson didn't take his morning nap, I guess b/c so many people were at the house and he was wound up, but he ended up doing great through the short ceremony. Great minds must think alike b/c Noel Mark andLance wore the same color shirt and the same Auburn tie, lol.

Jackson and Wes before the ceremony

The Harvey side of the family

With the Godparents, Aunt Joanna and Uncle Mike

Family photo :)

The Rankin side of the fam

All the grandparents

Luke, mommy and daddy

Three generations of Rankin men

Uncle Noel and Aunt Joey - also expecting a boy!!! We are nothing but a family of boys :)

Here is Lucas at 8 weeks - such a big boy. He started smiling a few weeks ago and this is one of the first ones I caught on camera. I love those sweet baby smiles :D

He loves the swing!

Jackson laughing with daddy

With Grandma and Daddy

Luke and Uncle Noel

Another one of those baby smiles

Jackson helping out his brother - putting the paci back in his mouth (nevermind the fact that it's upsidedown, lol). He's so good with him and so sweet - they're great kiddos!!!

Hope everyone has a great week :)

More of the Beach

We are just getting settled in to "normal" life these days. I've been back at work almost a week now, and today Wes had the boys all day by himself. It's going to be so different for him taking care of two, instead of just one! We are so lucky that we've got great kids and that Luke is on such a good schedule. He started sleeping through the night last weekend - right at 8 weeks...just like Babywise says! We think that is one of the greatest books ever written - it has helped us get both boys sleeping through the night early :)

I'm still behind on pics so here are some more from our second beach trip. These pics are from our condo in Orange Beach. We stayed almost a week, and Wes' parents were with us for a little bit. They are getting ready to move down that way, so Wes helped his dad pack up a couple of loads, and they missed a couple of days of beach time. Jackson had his first ear infection while we were down there, so he was a little cranky and very clingy for a couple of days. I felt so bad for him though, especially Saturday when he just had listless eyes and actually sat still in a chair for about 20 minutes. If you know the child, you know that is a first. Unfortunately, it was only b/c he felt so bad. But by Monday he was much better and running around again :) We managed to get a day of fishing in on Monday. Here is Wes throwing out by the bridge. We didn't have any luck there, except with the cast net. Wes got us some bait, and we threw out a bit in front of the condo a little later. There I caught my first Spanish mackerel. That was all we got though, and I think it's because right after I got him a bunch of sting rays about 3 feet across came swimming around. I can't wait to get back!!!

Jackson taking a break from the sun and drinking some water
Playing in the sand :)

Loving the water, as always

Hangin' w/ Pops

Lucas didn't see much of the beach, but he got quality time w/ Nonnie inside.

He's so tall - hope it stays that way :) He was just starting to smile at this time.

Jackson and Nonnie

Luke saw the inside of the sling most of the time he was outside. Here he is up for some fresh saltwater air.

Jackson tried to catch our bait - little fish and fresh shrimp - with the minnow net.

Sweet baby sleep

I love when their arms are so relaxed and about their head - you know they're out!

Hopefully I'll find some time to catch up one of these days. Unfortunately we've been so busy I've gotten behind in actually taking pictures. I really know what people mean about the difference between the first and the second. I took pics of J almost every day - but Luke...sorry baby, it hasn't happened :( Luke's baptism is this weekend, so we should get some of him and the whole family then. And we get the great pics that Uncle Noel did a couple of months ago delivered. I'll be posting those next week! Hope everyone has a great Memorial Day Weekend :)

Busy Beachin' It

I know I've been on a blogging hiatus, but we've been too busy having fun to get a post up! It all started about two weeks ago when we went to SanDestin for my ALANA conference. I'm on the Board of Directors, so we had to get down there a little early. And of course, meeting up with some friends from work was a nice perk of getting there a few days early. We were able to spend most of the day Thursday on the beach. J did good until he got really tired. He sure does love the beach though! Luke spent the day in the sling under the umbrella. Thursday afternoon started the meeting for me, then it was all day everyday until Sunday at noon. We headed home for a few days, then went back to the beach - our condo! We left after the boys had their doctor's visit - J's 18 month and L's 6 week. More about those in another post. Here are pics from the first beach trip with more from the second to follow soon. Here is Jackson wearing his hat. We were really excited b/c he wore his hat all around the house before (he has always hated hats), but when we actually were out on the beach, he would only wear it for a few minutes, then it was tossed aside.

The boys have a few matching outfits. Jackson actually held him long enough for us to snap a few shots. Luke is half the size of J!!
Loving the beach :)

Jackson will just dive into the sand. And eat it as well, lol.

The boy will run into the ocean if you let him. He's not scared of the water at all.

One of the few times J was actually wearing his hat and glasses. He and Zoe Claire had a great time playing in the sand.

With Daddy, sitting for a brief moment.

J giving Zoe Claire a hug.

Wes sporting the sling. This is the only pic we got of the two of us :(

Lucas at 6 weeks

Such a big boy!

More on the second beach trip for another day....I'm just trying to enjoy my last week of maternity leave. Next week it's back to work!