Play Group

I wanted to share some pictures of the new moms and their babies in my "play group." They have been such a blessing the past few months. There are 7 of us who meet once a week. The oldest baby is almost 8 months old and the youngest is 3 months old. It is nice to have so many girls in the same life stage. There is a lot of "is he doing this...?", "has your hair started falling out?", "how is your husband handling...?" We are all very different, but have so much fun together. I am so thankful for these new friendships. Thank you Lord for being faithful once again.

7 babies all happy at the same time...can you believe it?

Hampton and Sidney...she is almost 8 months old.

Nothing like a major blowout! Love the socks. He was born the same day as Hampton.

Go Hampton

Yesterday was Hampton's 4 month check up. It was by far our most traumatic appointment yet. We didn't see our usually doctor, who is a lady, for some reason we saw a male doctor in her group. He was not nearly as gentle with my sweet baby. At one point I felt faint because I knew Hampton was hurting so badly....not to mention he had to get four shots. Aside from the trauma, Hampton is very healthy.

He now weighs 14 pound 9 ounces, which moves him up to the 50th percentile. He is 25 inches long and up from the 25th to the 50th percentile. But the big news...drum roll please...his head is 41 cm which leaves him in the 25th percentile. That's pretty impressive for a Stites :).

The doctor told us we could introduce rice ceral, so last night he had his first taste. He wasn't quite sure about the whole thing, but by the last 2 bites, he was opening for it. He did rub his mouth and then his eye though. This afternoon we tried again and it was a little smoothier. I'm just shooting for a few bites.

Ben and I are going to Las Vegas (I have never been) in October. So...we are leaving Hampton with my parents for FIVE DAYS. Needless to say, I'm a little anxious about that. I know it will be a great time for us and I'm sure it is needed more than I realize. However, I would appreciate any and all prayers.

By the way, we did have a disappointing night at our house on Saturday. Hampton's first Tennessee game was not a success...bummer.

Daddy says this is one of the coolest parts of the game...

watching the Volunteers run through the "T".

Rice ceral...yummy, yummy

you can't see it, but it's all over his face

Birthday Wish

Hampton is FOUR months old today. He said his birthday wish is for the Vols to beat the Gators!

GO VOLS!!!

He is doing great and not really waking up at all during the night. He usually goes to bed around 8, eats one last meal around 10:30 and then sleeps until 7ish. He is such a joy and blessing to us. He has started laughing a little bit, but not consistently. He is drooling like crazy and blows bubbles all the time. Needless to say, his collar is usually pretty wet. He loves to play on his playmat, and will usually play by himself for 30-45 minutes...talking and squealing the whole time. He is not the best napper right now and I'm not sure why. He will put himself to sleep, but only for about 45 minutes. Any helpful suggestions would be great.

Ben had a great week and has "them lined up outside his door." He is really good at what he does and make me more and more proud to be his wife. His integrity and motivation is so pure. I started a Thursday evening Philippians and Colossians study this week and I'm really excited about it. I think it will be good for the boys to have a night just the two of them. Other than that things are pretty normal around our house.
Here are some more recent pictures.

15 weeks

So much fun with Daddy working at home!

He loves to fall asleep with his silky blanket.

Check out those "shoes"

This was about a 10 minute nap!

PS I know the Tennessee outfit is way too big...it's a 12 month :)

Photo Shoot at Kelly's

These are some pictures we took at Kelly's. The artistic ones are Kelly's...she is really talented! The not so artistic, regular pictures are mine.

My precious brother mailed us his camera to use while ours is being fixed, so I should have pics to post.

Hampton is doing great and has started smiling at strangers...still no giggles yet. It's hard to believe, but next Saturday he will be 4 months old.

Ben's birthday is Monday. I'm sure he would appreciate any birthday wishes.