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.

BUMMER

Um, yeah...our camera is broken and has to be sent away to be fixed. It will be gone for FOUR WEEKS. That's a long time with a growing baby. Just tonight I wanted to take pictures, but...no camera. I'm not sure how much I will be posting without being able to post pictures.

Hampton rolled from his tummy to his back today...ALL BY HIMSELF!!!!!

Slumber Party

This past weekend, we had a slumber party at Jonathan and Ashlee's. We went over Friday afternoon and stayed until Sunday morning. Friday night the dads kept the kiddos while Ashlee and I shopped and say the movie Step Up...which we both highly recommend. I will be adding that to my oh so small collection of DVD's. The boys played golf bright and early on Saturday while Ashlee, the kids and I hung out at the house. Our afternoon consisted of lunch at Whataburger and rest/play time at the house. We went to Gateway for their Saturday night service before the girls and Hampton went to Chandler's "Spa Birthday Party." We had a good visit Saturday night after the kids went to bed. All-in-all...great weekend, lots of fun, nothing too exciting...except of course Step Up!

Emerson loves all things Hampton, Sadie likes to hold him for short periods of time, and Campbell really likes his bouncy seat:).

Monday after my "workout," we took Hampton to the pool for his first official swim. He didn't seem to mind one way or the other, probably because the water felt like his bath water. It is TOO HOT here; although it did rain yesterday while we were out to dinner. It was Hampton's first time out in the rain :). His swimsuit is a little big, but still pretty cute. He hasn't laughed yet, but he talks and smiles all the time!

GO POKES!!!!

Have a great first day of class, Drew.

LOVE YOU MORE

Happy Birthday Anna Kathryn

Uncle Ben, Bissis and Hampton hope you have the best 5th birthday EVER.

WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!

I couldn't get these pictures to post yesterday

Rebecca (my cousin) and Hampton

















Charles is still enamored with Hampton.



















Poppy and Hampton




































Gran and Hampton



































We miss you Uncle Drew

We're Baaaack

Obviously, a long time has passed since my last real post. Drew has moved back to OK and for the first time ever, it's just the three of us. We were sad to see "UD" leave, but glad to know that there is a small possibility that he will be back next summer for another internship. Living in our house a year from now is bound to be very different...Hampton will be 1 :(.







Hampton loves his Uncle Drew










Hampton, Ben and I went to Tennessee at the end of July to visit family. Ben's trip was super fast, we went on Friday evening and he left on Sunday afternoon, but he enjoyed seeing everyone even for such a short time. Hampton and I got to stay until Wednesday night! Saturday and Sunday were jam-packed with family. Everyone wanted their turn to hold Hampton...I don't think Johnny and Rosie held him at all the first 2 days. Ben's aunt and uncle, Wally and Kay, made the trip from Columbia to see us which meant the world to Ben. We had a big "supper-lunch" on Sunday...everyone ate at Johnny and Rosies after church. I don't think I saw Hampton for about 2+ hours...he was passed from loving arms to more loving arms. Hampton and I spent some time in Nashville visiting my aunts, uncle, cousins and Gran Connie. It was so much fun to introduce them to Hampton. I always enjoy getting to visit my Nashville family on trips to TN. Our 2 days in Cookeville after Ben left were relaxing. We spent the mornings at the pool and the afternoons resting and visiting with Rosemary and Candice. They are truly a blessing in my life!!! I loved watching Anna Kathryn, Isabelle and Carrigan interact with Hampton. They are precious girls who show their love in many different ways. What a blessing that we are all different and beautiful in our own way.


4 Generations
Johnny (Ben's dad)
Papa (Ben's granddad)
Ben and Hampton












Hampton and Ma - Ben's grandmother













Meeting Wally and Kay












Matt and Tiffany
















Sweet Cousins


At Gran and Poppy's pool












Since we have been home from TN, things have been pretty normal. Hampton is sleeping well day and night. Often times he sleeps 7-8 hours through the night, but occationally needs to eat sooner. He loves having his diaper changed, I think because he likes to be naked. He gets his arms and legs going, smiles and talks like crazy on his changing table. Mornings are so much fun for me. He wakes up cooing and always smiles at me when I get him out of his crib. Yes, he is sleeping in his own room now. It was an easy transition for him...he can sleep anywhere. I, on the other hand, had a hard time moving him...even though it is just across the hall. I know he is only 3 months old, but it is already hard for me to admit that he is growing up. I remember when he was first born thinking that he would never be able to wear 0-3 month clothes...now he is out growing them. Ben and I truly love him more with each new day. He has started grabbing things and Daddy thinks it is so funny when he grabs my hair and won't let go. He has quite a strong grip:). He gets excited to play with his "flutter bug," a very stimulating toy, and even plays with it in his carseat by himself. He still isn't a fan of tummy time, but I am finding new ways to distract him so that he still gets his neck and back workout several times a day.

We have seen Jonathan and Ashlee a few times lately. Emerson is especially interested in Hampton and honstly seems very at ease holding him. Sadie is not super interested, but definitely wanted her turn to hold him. Campbell...is already scared of him:). He is not interested at all. We couldn't even convince him to give Hampton a gentle kiss on the head. Campbell is so fun to watch. He is all boy...a taste of what's ahead I'm sure. We are having a slumber party at J and A's this weekend. We decided that everytime we go visit, we drive about 2 hours, so why not make it a weekend "trip." The boys are going to play golf early Saturday morning. We are looking forward to it!!!































I have always heard people say that being a mom is so rewarding, but I never could have imagined what a blessing it could be. I am overwhelmed by His grace daily as I seek to reer Hampton to be a man of God. Left to myself, I would totally destroy this kid, but through prayer, Ben and I are confident that the Lord will fill in our gaps. Like the grandmother says in Hope Floats...
"My cup runneth over."