What's in a name?

I've been wanting to do this post since I started blogging, but I just haven't gotten around to it. With the baby boom that's surrounding me comes lots of talk about baby names...so this post is for my babies...

What's the meaning behind your name?

Emma Catherine McCollum

Emma - Your great-great grandmother was an incredibly special part of Mama's life. I was blessed to have her around for 20 years. She taught me so many things, and I know she would be so proud of the family I have created - especially you! Her name was Emma Elizabeth, and I chose to name you Emma in honor of her.

Catherine - Once we decided your first name would be Emma, I picked out three middle names for Daddy to choose from - Grace, Claire, and Katherine. I 'secretly' loved Katherine the most, so I was very happy with the choice he made. He had one request though - he wanted to spell Katherine with a 'C'. It didn't really matter to me, since both are correct spellings. That's how you became Emma Catherine...and I couldn't imagine you with any other name!

This picture is of Mommy and Amma

(pronounced am-maw), your namesake!

Luke Joseph McCollum

Luke - Mama has ALWAYS loved this name. When I was pregnant with Emma we knew what our boy name was from day one - Luke. Myers would have been your middle name if you had come first, but since Emma was named after Mommy's family we wanted to name you after somebody special to Daddy.

Joseph - The day your big sister was born was also the day your great-grandfather went to live in Heaven. He was very special to Daddy (and Mommy too). He had the biggest smile, and he wasn't afraid to use it. You remind us so much of him - happy all the time! His name was Joseph Olen, and your middle name is in honor of him.

I love this picture of PawPaw. Mommy made this silly hat in class,

and he was more than willing to model it for me. That smile says it all!

As you can tell, I love family names. If we are blessed with more babies I plan to contine that tradition (and the 4-letter first name tradition that was unintentionally started;). I love you, sweet babies, and I know you'll live up to your names!

Let me apologize in advance...

In seven short days I'll be returning to the workforce. Yes, that's right...summer will officially be over. It's not all bad, though. I'm thankful to have a J.O.B. to go back to, and the end of summer does signify the beginning of fall and cooler weather! I'm trying to be positive about this whole thing, since Justin keeps insisting that we need a little thing called insurance...and griping doesn't really change anything anyhow.

Emma is at Mrs. Elizabeth's today, reuniting with her friends, which she has been super excited about. Luke and I are hanging out, enjoying each others' company. He'll be going to Mrs. Elizabeth's tomorrow while E and I go to the water park in Auburn. Here's where the apology comes in. I haven't really thought about it (or maybe I just didn't want to admit it), but Luke has become a bit attached to me this summer. Don't get me wrong, he's a great baby and I leave him occasionally (church nursery, grandparents, etc.)...but he's started 'the whining'. If he sees me leave the room he gets borderline hysterical...and since he hasn't been to daycare in two months I'm afraid we might have a problem. I know from experience that kids are resilient, and I feel assured that he will bounce back into the routine fairly quickly. Me, on the other hand, it's going to break.my.heart.! Say a prayer for us all:)

{a little post-church photo shoot from yesterday}

(Yes, that's bubble gum in the girl's mouth:)



You might have a big sister if...

...your mama leaves you in the pack 'n play while

she gets ready for church and comes back to find this ---

Luke: 10 Months

Luke, you are ten months old!

Really, where does the time go? I can't believe
I'm already planning your first birthday bash!

Here's what you're up to these days... 

• You weigh 22lbs. 9oz. (up 15lbs. 3oz. since birth and 13oz. since last month), and you are approximately 29.5 inches long (up 9.5 inches since birth and none since last month).
• You are wearing 9-12 month clothes and size 4 diapers.

• You are on a good summer schedule, going to bed between 7 and 7:30 each night (I'd love to push that back to 8ish, but you just won't have it).
• You have been sleeping until 7:30 or 8 and sometimes 8:30!
• You take a long nap and a short nap each day.

• Your appetite has gotten better in the last week or two, and you are taking 20-24oz. of milk again fairly consistently.
• You usually don't take more than 3 or 4oz. at a time. (Which is a far cry from the 8oz. you were gulping down just a few short months ago!)
• You still aren't interested in a cup, but I'm trying! Maybe Mrs. Elizabeth can work her magic when you go back to daycare.

• You have successfully completed your second airplane trip! :)
• You moved into the big car seat!

• You crawl everywhere, and you're into EVERYTHING! I can't turn my head for one second or you'll be into something.

• You've started pulling up (and walking around as long as you have something to hold onto) this month.

• You climb too...

• You got your first pair of walking shoes, and I could just eat you up in them. They are absolutely precious!

(Check out those leg creases:)

• You clap, wave, and give high fives like a pro!
• You've started acting shy when somebody you don't know is talking to us. You'll tuck your head into my chest and smile...melt.my.heart.!
• You have 6 pearly whites!

• You're still saying "dadadadada" all the time, with a little "gagagagaga" and "bababababa" mixed in.
• You are the best/sweetest baby I know, and you are such a blessing to me in so many ways. I love you sweet boy!

Christmas in July

We painted again last night...

...and again, it was SO much fun!

If you're looking for something fun to do, you should check

out Laura's website. We will definitely be doing this again! :)

Playdate

We met Ashley and Sarah at the park for a playdate. I think it's safe to say that if we ever become stay-at-home-moms these would have to be regular occurances. It's amazing what a little adult time will do to your day! :)

Everything's BIGGER in Texas

We were all tired after flying on Friday, so we slept great that night! The kids and I all stayed in the extra bedroom. The next morning Luke woke me up laughing hysterically. Apparently he thought it was hilarious to find his mama asleep in 'his room'. 

Nana's new job is in Corpus Christi, TX,

which just happens to be at the beach!

Luke hung out under the tent and played. As you can tell by his

hair, there was a good breeze so he lasted a long time out there!

Uncle Josh and Emma threw wet sand

at each other played in the sand together.

Uncle John introduced E to the ice cream truck! :)

E relaxed...

...and played,

until everybody was give out! :)

On Sunday we went out on a boat...

...in search of DOLPHINS!

Uncle Brad tried to teach my sweet, innocent girl to say

"Hook 'Em Horns"...we, of course, had to remind him that

our Tide had already hooked his horns. :)

On Monday we went to the Texas State Aquarium.

Yesterday we packed up, said our goodbyes, and headed back to Birmingham.

We had a great time, but it was nice to be back in our own beds again!