19 months

He is now closer to 2 than 1.  I just don't understand how that happened? I am starting to realize that it is not going to slow down, and he is going to grow up whether I like it or not! But that doesn't mean I have to like it :)

He is at such a fun age. I know I say that ALL of the time (like, probably every month for the last 19 months? maybe?) but it is true. Every age has been my favorite, and it really does just get better and better!

I'm running short on time, so I can't go into the whole "what he likes, eats, says, etc" thing this month, but I do have a few things to mention.

He is so darn smart, I swear. (I know all mommas think their babies are smart and I, obviously, am no different...but hear me out) He knows almost all of his letter sounds and can name most of the capital letters! We haven't really been trying to get him to learn those either...he just picked it up at the babysitters and from one of his Leap Frog DVD's.  It really is amazing.

Colors...not so much. I love him, but he can't get it. I think he thinks "yellow" is just what you say after the question "what color is this?".  He does actually know the colors orange, black, purple, and sometimes blue. All other colors are "YELLOW!" I'll forgive him...he is not even two yet.

He says lots (and lots and lots) of words and several sentences but some words that he says incorrectly just makes me smile every time he says them. Like, for example, for "top" he says "pock".  He can tell you what the "t" says and what the "p" says but he can not say "top" for anything. Another funny one is diaper...he says "a biapers".  Drink is "wank" (with a really long drawn out "a") And maybe the funniest to me is how he says Bishop..."Shebop". He won't hardly say it anymore because I can't help but laugh every time he says it. It is precious.

He likes to help me cook (which I LOVE), color,  and put puzzles together. He would watch Disney channel all day if I would let him.  And, I made the mistake of introducing Disney.com to him the other day and now if I am on the computer (which I try not to do while he is awake) he says "Mick mouse, mick mouse" until I pick him up and we find Mickey Mouse. It has little games and free things that you can print out to color so I like it too.

Every day he does something new and it truly is amazing to me to watch!

MSU Homecoming

We finally made it to an MSU home game. With our crazy fall schedules, we were only able to make it to one this year. Bummer, I really would have liked more but at least we were able to make it to one. We had a great time! We did not actually go into the game, but rather went for the tailgating festivities (as usual). In fact, we watched the LSU/AL game at the tailgate tent...haha.  I realized the week before that Bishop didn't have anything to wear for the game so I whipped him up a reversible outfit that I was quite proud of...2 outfits from one, yay! I am realizing more and more that life would be better with an embroidery machine though. Just saying!

Anyway, we had a fabulous entire weekend, not just at the game. Bishop LOVES the Christopher's! (and we do too)

Most of the time

He is a whole lot of fun!

Full of laughs, 

And full of life!

Love unimaginable.

My sweet boy. 

Keeping it Real

Yes, I love him. Yes, I thank God daily for him. Yes, I would do anything for him. 

But, sometimes, YES, he is no fun at all!

Have I mentioned he is stubborn?? Any advice for the "strong willed" children??

Reminiscing

On days at the beach.........

It was just a tad cooler and there was no sand, but they still had fun! 

After the wedding, we drove to JJ and Allen's to stay the night. It was a short trip, but the boys were  excited to play together. They really remember each other and play so well (good thing!) together. 

Geez, I just wish Kosciusko were closer!

Zoo Crew Wedding

Here is the (very few) pictures I managed to snap at Pojo and Karen's wedding. It was a beautiful, small ceremony on gorgeous fall day. I am so happy for Pojo, Karen and all of the kiddos!

Halloween

I'll have to come back to the second wedding later and the other stuff between Wendy's wedding and Halloween....I just couldn't wait.

I have to say, this was the best Halloween yet. His first was nice and I really loved it, BUT this year he actually got into his costume and trick or treating and he just had a ball. The only thing better than trick or treating as a child is WATCHING your child trick or treat. I know the whole thing really is kind of silly if you think about it...you go from door to door getting candy (that your mom won't even let you eat most of) dressed up in a costume you will wear once. But, I like silly and I like Halloween. I don't do spooky and I don't do gross, but I love pumpkins and getting dressed up and of course I like candy! (who says mommy can't eat all of that candy, right?)

Since there is not much I can think of that Bishop loves more than Mickey Mouse, I decided he would dress as Mickey and he loved it all...his tail, his shoes, his ears, and he especially loved his gloves (strange). I made his whole costume so I was very proud that he loved it. It was fairly simple despite a few bumps along the way with the gloves and the ears. I tried to do a hat first but the ears wouldn't stand up so I ended up going with a headband which was a whole lot easier.  At first, all I could find was adult gloves so I tried made mittens out of them. The mittens looked ridiculous but he was going to wear them anyway until the hubby came home with 2 pairs of white baby gloves from WM for $1...and they looked MUCH better. I didn't really have a pattern except for the headband, but I think he turned out ok. Even though some people thought that MINNIE mouse was cute. What? Minnie has a bow...and a dress!!

Sunday night, my parents got to see Mickey since it just is a bit much to do it all in one night. He was very excited because he LOVES his Mamaw, Papaw, Granna, and Granddaddy (and Sally...and Nolly). He was proud to show them he was Mickey...and he can do the "Hot Dog" dance.

Then since I was off work (yay!!) on Halloween,  I took Bishop to his babysitter's party and he made a ghost handprint picture and had lots of snacks. I stayed for a while but ran an errand while they ate and when I came back he had cupcake from head to toe. Literally! He sure enjoyed it tho!

So, after taking a nap (and a bath...and washing MM outfit) we headed to my sister's in Saltillo. We have been going there for several years on Halloween and it is something I look forward to every year. I was sad we didn't get to go last year....everyone was sick and it was too cold to get Bishop out. So since I missed out last year, I kinda went a bit overboard this year!

We had lots of cute (and yummy!) food.

Candy Corn Cupcakes

Witches Brew, or as Jo and Cole called it "Zombie Barf"

It was good even though it kinda looks gross in this picture. 

And I prefer not to call it Barf.

PB&J Sammies

Mummies and Ghosts

Frankenstein's Nuts and Bolts (made by Heather, I just found a similar "recipe") 

Wendy's delicious taco soup

And my FAVE....

Caramel Apples! What says fall better than apples? (pumpkins maybe?) Anyway, what goes better with apples than caramel?.....And what better with caramel than chocolate? And what better with chocolate than pecans? You get the idea, right?

They are delicious. Try them. I made several kinds and they all were good!

And, no Scott, there were no razor blades in them.

After we ate, it was time to trick or treat....

He was such a good trick or treater!

He said "bye bye" to every single house we went to.

Wendy's Wedding

October  was so so busy for the Hays family. I can't put my finger on exactly what we have been doing but something has kept me from blogging or taking pictures obviously. One day it will slow down. One day.

One reason for the lack of blogging is that we had TWO big weddings this month. Both my sister Wendy and Leon's brother got married so we had a few super busy weeks.

I was so busy at each of the weddings that I didn't really get a whole lot of pictures but I did manage to squeeze in a few. For Wendy's,  I was in the wedding, made the cake, and had to chase around an 18 month old...pictures were the least of my concerns! (she did have a really good photographer anyway...maybe I can just get some of those pictures)

The beautiful bride...I'm so terrible I don't even have a pic of the GROOM! 

Me and my favorite boys ever. 

Wendy's wedding cake...that I made! 

Me and my sous chef...I could NOT have done the cake without her! 

(It wouldn't have been nearly as fun anyway!)

My oldest nephew, Jacob. There is no way he is this old. No way. 

This child has my heart. 

Granddaddy and Jonah

Mandy and I and our boys.

And, this just makes me smile..I'm not exactly sure why, but it does. 

It was a beautiful fall day and the whole wedding was absolutely perfect. I am so happy for my sister to have found "the one" that she can spend the rest of her life with. She truly deserves happiness more than anyone I know and I could not be more happy for her. Plus, I get another cute nephew out of the deal. 

Ok, that is one wedding down...one more to go!