Atlanta

Neall took us on a ride in the baggage carrier. Hopefully Sol doesn't like being behind bars too much.

Sol's first dip in the pool.

Sol loved the water! He squealed and splashed. I don't know if it was more fun for him or for Neall and I watching him.

Neall, Solomon, and I went to Atlanta this past weekend for 3 nights! It's the longest we've been away from home in almost 2 years. It was so wonderful staying in a hotel and relaxing. The drive was LONG. We left at 4 am and Solomon didn't wake until 7am. He would wine, so we would pull over and when we would take him out of his seat he was so excited and happy. We had to sing Disney songs and Black Spirituals at the top of our lungs much of the time. Baby Mum Mums were also a life saver- as long as he had one of these in his mouth he was fine.
One night Ben and Mary-Margaret were kind enough to keep Sol while Neall and I went to IKEA and out to eat. We decided our code word for an emergency would be "Banjo 911." Needless to say at the end of our meal we get a text "banjo 911, call Ben." Sol was not happy despite Ben and MM desperate efforts to do everything he wanted. By the time we got to the car Sol was asleep on Ben's shoulder. Ben said as soon as we got off the phone with him he took Sol back outside and he stopped crying, admitted defeat and fell asleep. Ben says he finally broke Sol's spirit. MM says she learned a few things that she'll need before her baby gets here and was thankful for the experience. When we arrived Ben, MM, and their house was covered in slobbery dough from baby cookies that kept Solomon content for 4 hours. They said he probably ate 20 or more. They would have done anything to keep him quiet.

Ben and MM after a long night. Notice the cookie prints all over them. When we pick up Sol he was naked and sticky. They even tried a bath to calm him- he's becoming a momma's boy.I know he had a blast despite his fit at the end because he smiled in his sleep on the way home. Only 1 month 1 week and 3 days until Baby Meyer is due!!

Best story of the trip:
Ben and MM were feeding Sol and MM told ben that the nipple hole was too small. (I told her that she may need to enlarge the hole because it was an old nipple that I just grabbed on the way out the door.) So, Ben the self proclaimed "Baby Whisperer" enlarged the hole:


Mary-Margaret and I laughed until we cried when we looked at this nipple. Ben made the hole 6mm in diameter! What does he think my nipples do when Sol nurses. MM said milk was pouring into Sol's throat and he was gurgling and it was running all over his face and onto the couch. Oh the fun!!

Happy Birthday Caroline and Evan!

Caroline and Evan turned 1 last week and we celebrated with them on Saturday! This year has passed so quickly. They are both so happy and busy with their new toddling skills. It has been so much fun watching them grow and being able to see what Sol will be doing in a few months.




























Parker wanted to tell Sol something really bad, or maybe he wanted to chew on his face? There were lots of babies at Evans party. It's going to be crazy in a few years with all of them running around. Julia refereed as Sol and Parker played on the couch.
Caroline was so cute in her pink too-too. She is so busy. She enjoyed showing Solomon how to work the big kid toys.

Caroline got a new slide for her birthday, but it was too cold to enjoy, so she imagined all the fun she'll have on it while peering through the window.

7 months

Solomon was 7 months on the 12th and I can already tell this is going to be an exciting month. Last month he got his 2 top teeth to match his two bottoms. My dad (Pa) says he looks like a walrus, and he pretty much does with the big space between them and because they look so big in his little mouth. He is starting to become mobile. He is now rolling where ever he needs to go. This is a big relief to Neall because he gets tired of Sol wanting up and down, he now can get to what he wants to pick up and put in his mouth.

Solomon's Two Top Teeth!


ROLLIN' WITH THE HOMIES.
Solomon LOVES the dogs. He belly laughs at their playing and yearns to play with them. Yesterday I let him roll around in the floor with them. Sol rolled over to Ollie and took her nylon bone away from her. Sol was so excited, he just held it in his hand like a trophy, but Ollie came over and gently took it back. These dogs are in for it as soon as Sol begins to crawl. Sol already wrestles with them if we let him. He gets on Ollie's back and tugs at her ears. So far she has been very gentle and is happy just to be messed with.

Easter Weekend

Emmy thinks Sol's outfit is as goofy as I do(the below posts are by Neall)

Fortunately for Emmy's eyeballs, Sol still cannot grasp things well

Sol thinks poppy bears an uncanny resemblance to himself, and so handsome too!

Our beautiful easter pic. apparently we were looking into the sun

Sol got his new swing set up and loves it. Unfortunately it was 10 feet off the ground at the time of the photo. This has since been adjusted due to safety concerns. It may not be as much fun now.

Here is Anguel and Tiffany from little rock this past weekend. They are engaged. Yippee! Sol is pleased and thinks Anguel sounds like Borat.

Caroline and Sol goin' cruisin.

6 Months Old

Time has flown by. Every afternoon I get home he's grown just a little. He's eating pears, apples, sweet potatoes, carrots, cereal, broccoli, and the occasional cracker. He's working on using a sippy cup. He loves to drink out of big people cups, but that turns into a costume change.
He amazed us this weekend by playing peek a boo. He had a towel in his hands and put it over his head and then pulled it down and we yelled peek a boo! I thought he was a genius for being able to do this at such a young age, so I went and got out my Peds notes from Dr.Fors and realized that he is right on target. Oh well, we're still impressed!
We went to see Dr.Beth today for his 6 month check up and for her to assess his cold. He didn't have any ear infections and didn't need any medications (to Neall's disappointment).
He weighed 20 pounds and is 28 3/4 '' long.
Sol is very wiggly. He thinks that if we would just let him out of our lap he could walk across the room. He can sit up pretty well, the boppy is nice to have behind him. He's rolling over now and gets peeved when he ends up on his stomach.
He's sleeping with us most of the night. He sleeps in his bed until around midnight and then when he gets up to eat he ends up staying the whole night with us. It's just too easy when he's still eating off me to roll over and feed him instead of getting up over and over. Plus he's very cuddly and I enjoy seeing the first smile of the day.

First Snow

Sol watched the strange white matter fall from the sky mostly from indoors.

First Bike Ride

Our Parents are really weird. huh?


A couple of weekends ago it was so beautiful outside. We couldn't wait to get outdoors and get some fresh air. Sol wanted to go pick up Caroline and show her his new wheels.

Happy Birthday Emmy!

February 13 is Emmy's First Birthday!! She has grown so quickly. She is above average in every way. She cut teeth early, crawled early, walked early, and is above average in beauty. Sol has a lot to look up to. She had the best first birthday: "Emmy Awards." There was a red carpet, swag bags as favors, a giant blow up Oscar, and her birthday cake was a huge yellow star with Emmy written across it. It was fun to be a part of such a special event. Emmy was entertaining because she had so much fun. We love our Emmy, Happy Birthday!

5 MONTHS OLD

Solomon loves his Rain forest jumparoo. He really gets going.


It's really funny how Sol knows he looks cool in his sunglasses. He appreciates that he is preventing cataract formation at such a young age.

These kids are so happy and beautiful. Caroline, Evan, Sol, and Parker are so much fun to watch grow.


Solomon is a Five month old bouncing boy! He loves his Rain forest jumparoo. He bounces while he blows bubbles, coos, and squeals. He is reaching out for everything now, he is specific on what he wants. Visiting Aunt JuJu in rehab he wanted her meal menu, not any other piece of paper we would give him. He would throw down anything we would give him and he would lean toward the big piece of paper.

First Hotel Experience

Sol had his own big bed...


He didn't stay alone in it for long.


Under sad circumstances we had our first stay at a hotel with Solomon. Neall's Grandmother Jackson passed away just before her 90th birthday. The funeral was so nice. The preacher spoke about the quilts she made for people she loved. I think that is so neat to leave behind something that people cuddle up with, feel safe in, and think of you when they are wrapped up in one of your blankets. Solomon has a blanket that was made by Grandmother Jackson for Neall. We keep it in the living room and lay it out when Sol plays on the floor.

Busy Boy

When Granny kisses the back of Sol's head, he continues to lean back for more.
Solomon loves to play with Daddy.
Sol was going over some policies at Grammy's office. He decided that his rates should be reduced because he is so cute.
He had the best time messing with all the papers on Grammy's desk.

New Photos

Notice my hair is falling out. Other Mothers kept asking me if my hair had started falling out and I had no idea what they were talking about until now! I'm missing half of my bangs! I look very weird- It looks like I have male pattern baldness!












Ollie wants to be right in Sol's face. Ollie lets Sol grab her ears and put his hands in her mouth. Ollie is going to be good with Sol. Larry knows his place- he stays away until Sol spits up, then he's right there to clean it up.



Neall and Sol look so good together.