Supper Time with the Williams'...

Clinton is just getting bigger and bigger. We went in for his six month appointment last week and the results are in....he's large! Clinton weighed in at just under 21 lbs., measured at 28 1/2 in., and his head was 18.5 in around. This put him in the 90th percentile for weight, the 95th percentile for height, and his head size is off the charts. The doctor said he's the size of the average 10 month old.

On Tuesday, the 28th, Clinton cut his first tooth. It's his bottom, left, center tooth. It's still tiny but continuing to push it's way up....and looking adorable! He has also learned to pick up those little cereal puffs and put them in his mouth. I expected him to just push the puffs around when I laid them out on the table (which he did the first couple of times), but he has recently surprised me by using his thumb and pointer to pick them up one at a time and put in his mouth....and he throws a good number of them on the floor, which Gracie Mae appreciates. His favorite foods right now are sweet corn casserole, corn and squash, winter squash, and prunes with oatmeal.

As Clinton continues to grow and learn everyday, my favorite thing is watching his personality blossom. He just gets funnier and funnier. I find myself laughing throughout the day at his noises and faces. Don't get me wrong....some of his noises and faces make me want to pull my hair out....but a number of others keep me quite entertained and amazed. I think he's going to be an entertainer like my cousin Colter, at least I hope so. Clinton just loves it when you laugh back at him....he looks up to make sure you're really laughing, then joins in. Oh, I just love this little man!

Below are some pictures of one of our feedings....we do this TWICE daily...some aren't quite as messy....some are worse. This particular day he was biting down so hard on the spoon and making his Popeye face....Rodney and I got so tickled we almost couldn't even get the pictures taken. Clinton is serious about his food....so he did not laugh back at us this time.

Hope everyone is doing well!! Love to all--Courtney

Keepin' Cool in the Pool

This weekend Clinton, Rodney and I have been blessed with visitors from Texas. My college roommate, Samantha, and her nine-month old, Tristan, came to see us. Clinton and Tristan had so much fun together. Clinton isn't around a lot of other babies, and none that are older than him. He was just fascinated watching Tristan scoot around the floor and eat puffs. He's already taken an interest in the puffs--just playing, not eating--so maybe he'll start to take an interest in the crawling as well. Both babies are teething, so there has been a bit of fussiness here and there....but also some good naps because they have been wearing each other out. We will be sad to take them back to the airport in the morning!

Today we let the boys play in the "pool" I got at my favorite store--TARGET. It's perfect for babies and will be really fun next summer when they are walking. I also stuck in one sneak preview of the adorable Halloween costumes that our boys will be sporting come October 31st. Tristan has earned the name Monkey because of his activity....while Clinton earned the name Stinky because of some of his activity....so it is perfect that they are a Monkey and a Skunk.

Hope you enjoy the pictures. Much love--Courtney

For This, I Am Thankful

Okay, so there are the big things I am forever thankful for--my baby, my husband, my family, our health, food on the table, a roof over our head, etc. However, as a new mother...there are some conveniences I am also thankful for...thought I'd share these in case one of my other new-mommy friends needs a helpful tip.

(1) Starbucks placed in the front part of Target. I didn't really need another reason to go into my favorite store, but this really just makes my trips even more pleasurable. My current favorite order -- Iced Venti Black Tea.

(2) The drive-thru at Chick-fil-A...like I'm going to get out of the car with a 21 lb. baby if I don't have to...especially if he's asleep. I also really like that
you can substitute a fresh fruit cup for the fries...but I don't ALWAYS do that.

(3) The baggers at Publix Grocery insisting on carrying my groceries to the car (and not accepting tips). It's about 20 seconds where someone else is entertaining Clinton and pushing the cart and I can just walk across the parking lot hands free!

(4) Williamson County Library--free entertainment! Books, movies, DVDs...things that help Clinton pass the time! I've also checked out some books for myself.

(5) Williamson County Rec Center. For only $225, I got a full year's family membership which includes the cardio and weight rooms, gymnasium, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, volleyball courts...AND...drum roll, please...childcare! Yes, I can go and workout without having to coordinate childcare or work around Rodney's travel schedule. And it beats trying to walk out in these terrible 100+ days.

(6) Online banking and direct deposit. I remember Mother dragging us into the bank when we were little girls...and I'm sure the personal service is great, but so is one less errand!

(7) Organic baby food...I had every intention of making all of Clinton's food, and will continue to from time to time...however, between the house, the baby, and the job (without childcare and a traveling husband), I have had to take some shortcuts to maintain some level of sanity...organic baby food is a shortcut I can live with without enduring much guilt.

(8) Kashi frozen dinners. If you like health-food, which I do, these are pretty yummy and easy for a quick lunch when your hands are full. Tasty, healthy, natural.

(9) Sundresses--a whole outfit on a hanger. The only thing I have to think about is flip flops and minimum makeup. I can throw my hair up on my head, and I'm ready to go. Dresses are also very forgiving to a post partum body.

(10) And to round out the top 10, those mesh bags for babies to chew on. If you haven't seen them, they're little mesh bags that you can put fresh fruit in. The baby can then chew on it without the worry of choking. If I need a few minutes, I can stick some watermelon or an orange slice in one and Clinton can entertain himself for about 10 minutes while I finish whatever I'm working on...it's great!

If you other mothers have any helpful hints, please post them in the comments! I love helpful tips and shortcuts! If I think of anymore, I will post them.

Hope everyone is doing well! Much love-Courtney and family

A few more pictures from Texas...

I promise to blog more soon, for now, here are some pictures from our trip.

Bloys Camp Meeting

Bloys Camp Meeting is an annual event held in West Texas in the Davis Mountains. It originated as ranchers gathering for worship, but has evolved into a family affair with families staying on the campgrounds in pretty primitive cabins. This was the 118th year of the gathering. My great-grandfather, Sid Cross, built our families' cabin some time ago. My father grew up going there...my sister and I grew up going there....and Clinton attended his first of many gatherings this year.

Okay--so going to the beach in May with a 3-month old proved to be difficult..."camping" with a 6-month old just further proved the difficulties of traveling with children. The worst part was Clinton contracted a stomach bug the first night. So I spent all night holding a 21 lb. child in a lawn chair as he cried, whimpered, and threw up. At 6 am he was finally able to lay down and sleep for a few hours...more specifically, three. So with less than enough sleep and an aching back from the uncomfortable chair, I got through the first day of recovery...this being difficult because he was now scared of food. So, how do you get an infant who can't understand your logic to start eating??? You give him something that tastes really yummy...pedialyte. Have you ever tasted this?? It's like Kool-Aid. Now what kid is going to want to go back to stinky old formula after getting to drink Kool-Aid? Somehow we managed to get him back to formula, but he still only eats in small doses....not quite the piglet we were trying to keep full last week.

On a better note, we got to see my grandma, Peggy....who was excited to see her great-grandson again. And I got to see my Aunt Polly and Uncle Terry who got to meet their great-nephew. My parents and Rodney also attended. This is a pretty small group, but some of our regulars weren't able to attend...and for good reason...my sister has already begun her new job in Dallas at a charter school, my cousin Colter was accepted and enrolled in the Airforce Academy, and my cousin Brooke went to meet her fiancee's family in Miami....and there were others MIA, but I'm not sure what their excuses were.

While Tennessee was seeing 100+ temps, we enjoyed the coolness of the west Texas mountians. See our pictures below.


Clinton cooling off in the afternoon sun in his duckie bathtub.


Surprise, surprise...we put Clinton through another photo shoot.




Rodney and Clinton getting ready for the evening service. We surprised Rodney by allowing Clinton to wear his Tennessee outfit in Texas.


Clinton all ready to go in his Bloys wagon. My Papa gave this wagon to me and Chelsea when we were little girls and mother pulled us around in it. Mother restored it and added some luxuries for Clinton....the cowboy bumper pad, a little matress pad, and an umbrella.


My Aunt Polly and Uncle Terry


Me and a sleeping Clinton heading off to worship.


Clinton and his Pop....notice the Longhorn shirt Clinton is wearing...now, that's more like it.


Another four generation picture...Mama Peggy, Pop (my dad, Clint), me and Clinton.

Grammy's 70!!!

While in Texas, Clinton and I were able to help one of my grandmothers celebrate her 70th birthday. It's always nice to be able to see the people who are important to you, but it is even more special to be able to celebrate a great milestone with them...especially one that celebrates their life. Grammy has been an amazing woman from the beginning. I've heard countless stories of the hardships she has had to live through and endure, and yet, she has remained a strong woman both in spirit and faith. From living part of her childhood in an orphanage to raising four children practically alone, she has seen or done it all.

I was so glad to see that four of her children (we missed you Chris and Erik!) ...and four of her grandkids (we missed you Chelsea, Paige, Mersades, Teddy, Gavin, Gabrielle, Roarke, Tristan, and Amelia!)...and her ONLY great grandkid--Clinton...and her wonderful husband, Grampy...were able to celebrate her birthday together.

Grammy--here's to you and seven decades handled gracefully. May you celebrate many more birthdays with many more candles and many more smiles!

Grampy sporting a cowboy hat...funny because it couldn't be further from the truth!


The whole gang...minus Grampy who was taking the picture.


Zach, Grammy, Glenn, Brenda and Josh.


Zach with Clinton....ladies, Zach is available...19 and single, and made the Dean's list...I'd say he's a good catch.


Grammy with her four kids...Steven, Roger, Glenn and my mom, Deborah.


Grammy and Roger with my cousin Kersten (Chelsea's twin!).

These are my reasons...some of them.

I'm sitting here unable to sleep for whatever reason, because you know I walk around like a zombie...I should be able to sleep at a moment's notice. In fact, I fell asleep at my computer this afternoon while Clinton was dozing. So, now I have a chance and I'm wide-eyed.

Clinton and I have really been enjoying Texas...probably a little too much. Don't get me wrong...in Tennessee I have a great house, a wonderful husband, and fabulous friends...but there's just something about Texas that's always pulling at my heart. Poor Rodney knows how much I love Texas because everytime I go back to Tennessee from a trip, I mope around the house for a couple of days...not on purpose, it just happens.

So, I've been thinking...what is it that makes Texas so much better than any other place on earth?

(1) Well, for starters there's the flag...and it's plastered on everything. Texans have so much pride in their state and they want to symbolize it everywhere...and I kind of love that about us. (2) And, duh, no one makes food like we do...TexMex is a treat for me now because it is hard to come by in Tennessee. I've really had to up my TexMex recipe portfolio at home just to get my fixes. There's no Chuy's or Hula Hut down the street anymore...no worries though, authentic Beef fajitas are now one of my specialties...and Mother is teaching me a new recipe this week...Green Enchiladas. I've already tried them and they're to die for. (3) Of course, who doesn't enjoy a little diesel engine background noise? That of course is more for, but not limited to, rural Texas. I can sit on my parents' patio and about every two to three minutes a diesel truck will whip around the corner...engine rumbling...and it often gets Clinton's attention. (4) Wranglers and cowboy hats...on REAL cowboys...not those made up kind trying to make it big in Music City. (5) Gentlemen. This shouldn't be just a Texas thing, but I'm pretty sure it's not a well-known Tennessee thing...except for you Rodney, you're perfect. Men should be opening doors, saying "yes ma'am", treating ladies like ladies. (6)"Fixin' to." I'm always fixin' to do something, but I'm never actually fixing anything. Can anybody tell me why that is? (7) Football. Sure it's played everywhere, and maybe the biggest stadium isn't even in Texas...but football is still different and much more serious here. It's starts before they're even old enough to understand the game. Boys are red-shirted in Kindergarten...held back a year so they'll be a little bigger when they get to high school--just for football. Pee-wee leagues cover the state with little boys dreaming of playing for Texas, Texas A&M or Texas Tech...only traitors go to OU. Friday nights clear out small towns (and some large ones) to cheer on the hometown heroes. Players are treated with respect by the whole community. Local papers are covered with pictures of the football players and cheerleaders...not so much the world news. (8) Taco Cabana. It's a fast-food Mexican restaurant with homemade tortillas, homemade salsa, and adult beverages.

I could go on and on...I'm sure later postings will include more things I love about Texas...aside from my awesome family...I can't even remember why they embarrassed me so much in junior/high school...they're truly the coolest people I know.

Well, I've typed myself into sleepiness...I better head to bed. Goodnight, Texas, can't wait to see you tomorrow.