Baby #2 is....

Look out ladies, there is going to be a new Tidwell man in town. We just found out today that baby #2 is a boy. We're thrilled Bennett will have a wingman! And I'm blessed that I'll be surrounded by handsome fellas.

Homemade Ice Cream

We got in a visit with Bampa and Grandmother while in town. Actually, Bennett got to visit them twice. The first time, he accidentally called 911 when playing with the phone, so our visit was interrupted by a very understanding police officer. The second visit was less eventful, but always wonderful to get to see them. Our last night in Nashville, CeCe and Pops made homemade peach ice cream. As you can see, it was a hit. The boys started their dinner with cleaning the blade. Not a bad appetizer!

Baby Waller

What can I say....she's precious! Baby Waller arrived just over a week ago and we've been dying to get our hands on her. She's beautiful and the boys were mesmerized. It's about time we get a girl in the mix.....and I'm betting she'll be a tough one. Sadly, I didn't get very many pictures of her....kept my hands free to hold her or keep Bennett from poking at her mouth and eyes. We're so blessed to add another healthy baby to the family.

More Fun...

We had a great day Friday as we waited on Fletcher's arrival. He was driving up from Pensacola to meet our niece and Bennett couldn't wait to see his daddy. We hit up Costco to get dinner supplies and the Tidwell boys had a smoothie while CeCe got the groceries. Aunt Stephanie made cowboy cookies and Trey and Bennett took turns dunking them in milk (before a spill took place).

Our Trip to Nashville

We went up to Nashville this weekend to visit my new neice, Waller Woodcock. We arrived on Thursday afternoon and Cousin Trey came over to greet us. Bennett and Trey played peek-a-boo in the curtains, played with their trains, and then enjoyed a wonderful time at the outdoor puppet show. We arrived at the show a little early, so the boys had plenty of time to run and play in the pond nearby. They worked up an appetite for McDonald's happy meals later that evening. Bennett loves getting to play with Trey and we have as much fun watching them interact. They're already great buddies and I'm so thankful they have each to other.

Spencer's Bday Party

Bennett and Spencer

Loving the cake and ice cream

All partied out

We're blessed to have great neighbors. Bennett loves the Smith boys next door and plays in their yard (and with their toys) all the time. They're so generous to let us come over and Jack Henry has even been known to walk Bennett up the driveway when he's refused to come up with him momma. Spencer turned 5 last week and Bennett had a blast celebrating with him. He played with the big kids and had cake and ice cream with the best of the them. Spencer is always so kind to Bennett looking after him and making sure he is alright wherever we go.

Happy Bday Spencer and thanks for inviting us to your party!

Pool Day

We snuck in an afternoon at the pool in between thunderstorms this week. Bennett loves these goggles. He never actually pulls them down over his eyes. He just feels like a big boy walking around the pool with them on his head.

Travel Safe Daddy!

We hate it when Fletcher has to leave for a period of time and we're just so grateful that it's only a month this time and not a deployment. And we'll get to see him soon in Pensacola when Bennett and I travel down for a visit. But after such a wonderful weekend, it was hard to say goodbye today. I snapped a quick picture of Bennett giving Daddy hugs and kisses for a safe trip. Can't wait to get him back home!

A Visit From Annette and Uncle Seth

We got back into town just in time to meet up with Aunt Annette and Uncle Seth who were in Atlanta visiting friends. We met them at the Peachtree Dekalb Airport, so Bennett could play on the playground and watch the planes landing. He always has a great time playing with them and it was so great to get to catch them before they left town.

Happy 4th of July

Our good friends, the Blair's, invited us to join them at their lakehouse down in Tuscaloosa for the 4th. We always enjoy our time with them and couldn't wait to get down there and visit. Their little boy, Gray, is just over 2 yrs old and we knew the boys would have a blast playing. The Ross' joined in on the fun and Bennett, Gray, and Hudson played great together and by the end of the weekend were all three great buddies. Thanks again to the Blair's for their hospitality! Happy 4th of July!

Bye Bye Crib

Bennett has never been one to love his crib. I blame myself and all the traveling we do. It's gotten to the point where he refuses to go down in his crib. I know, I know....how can an 18 month old refuse? Well, he'll cry for hours...yes, hours. I've let him cry it out for 2 hours (no lie) before. Finally, one night about 3 weeks ago, in the middle of the night out of desperation, I just layed Bennett down on the floor. He immediately went to sleep. What???? Rather sleep on the floor? Craziness! But after a couple of nights on the floor, we moved his mattress out of his crib and put it on the floor until we had the time to convert his crib into a toddler bed. Here's a picture of Bennett crashing on his mattress in the floor....bachelor style! I'm proud to say we have since gotten the toddler bed set up and he's sleeping much better. Whew!

Our "To Go" Pile

I've been trying to organize my baby bends. Guess I got lazy when storing Bennett's old baby clothes, etc., so now I'm going back through all of it and getting rid of the stuff I don't think Baby #2 will be using. Obviously, we'll know more later this month when we find out what we're having. This hat was a gift from New Mexico. It's too small for Bennett, so it was in my "to go" pile. It's been in that pile for quite sometime now, but Bennett keeps digging it out. He wears it all the time.....sometimes that's all he's wearing. I found him up from his nap the other day with no diaper on and just the hat. He wore it on the way to church, on the way to Tuscaloosa, in the lake this weekend and continues to wear it. I've snapped a few pics, so you'll get the idea.

The Monkey Leash

Before having a child I thought these leash things were cruel and unusual, but I have since changed my mind. Trying to chase Bennett and being preg....well, I've given in to the monkey leash. I tried it on him around the house to see how he'd feel about it. So far, so good. And we love playing with the mixer accessories.....

Grillin' Out

Fletcher's birthday present was the Big Green Egg grill which I was clueless about. We love it though and whenever possible we grill out. I must compliment the chef....Fletcher is great at it. I snapped these pics one Sunday evening while we enjoyed a family night and Bennett had his first corn on the cob. Bennett's favorite passtime these days is golf. We're working on our drive. So far he's a hacker (like his mommy).

The Thompson's

Our dear friends, the Thompson's, were in the process of moving to Pensacola. We're so sad to see them go, but we were lucky enough to have them stay with us a few nights while the movers got everything packed up. Bennett and William had a blast playing outside, taking baths, and enjoying Brian's birthday cake. We miss them already, but look forward to seeing them in Pensacola soon!

Visiting Daddy at Work

Again, I'm behind on my posts, so I'll just start where I left off. The week of June 21st was a busy week for us. Fletcher's work was going through some changes and Bennett and I went to visit him and enjoy some of the ceremonies. Bennett loved the USMC band and the helicopters as usual.