The Martin Family

Friday, January 8, 2010

We are the Champions!

Can I get a BIG ROLL TIDE!

Summer in her Bama dress clutching her elephant (the girl doesn't have a prayer where her allegiance is).

And look how giddy she got when I said Nick Saban's name....just like her mama!

I have to say it feels really good being THE BEST, #1, Champions of College Football! In our house we will be soaking in the victory until the 2010 season begins.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Just Another Day in the Martin House

Monday was Day 1 of my new 2010 "organized" schedule. EVERY minute of my day was accounted for. I exercised, showered, prepared a hot lunch and dinner.

Tuesday, Day 2, was nowhere near as successful as Day 1. Spent 2 hours on the phone trying to get our internet back up and working, Sampson had 3 seizures (urine and slobber cleanup x3), plus Sampson went #2 in the sunroom and then fell in it tracking it all over (thank goodness he was confined to one room).

Wednesday, Day 3, back on track - exercised and took Sampson to the vet. Plus I have completed a fun craft project for Jay and Jen. And as I type right now I have Elmer's glue crusting on my fingers...which I will enjoy peeling off before I go to bed.

I guess 2 out of 3 means this week has been a success so far but boy has it been eventful!

Thank goodness to my new washer and dryer that we got over the weekend, yeah! They are getting broken in real quick. They aren't fancy but they are new and clean and work. By the way, this is the first washer and dryer that I have ever purchased (all others were kindly donated) and I learned that the price beside the picture of a washer and dryer is only the price of 1 of them...you marketing execs got me!

And take a look at Frenchie before we went shopping...

And after shopping...

Summer really is a happy baby. Everytime you smile at her she smiles back. Here are a few pictures I had to share.

Summer has been wearing RED the past 2 days in honor of her beloved CRIMSON TIDE! Tomorrow she will be wearing her new Christmas Bama Dress...stay tuned for pictures!

Go get 'em Bama - ROLL TIDE!

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Thank You

So often in life when others try to lend me a helping hand my first reaction is to refuse in order to prove my independence, strenght, drive, passion. In 2010 I am going to open myself up for others to help me. I am going to simply say Thank You when offerings are given rather than be so tough. This applies to many areas of my life.
I struggle to write this as I hesitate to show weakness but I am going to do it anyway because it isn't about being strong anymore. I need your prayers for my brother and sister-in-law who are expecting twin boys. They are experiencing complications and we need everyone available to drop to your knees and talk to God on their behalf. Please pray for Jen and the boys' health and for Bud's heart to handle the helplessness. It is at these moments that we need God to hold our hand to keep us from just crumbling. Tom Petty was right, "The WAITING is the hardest part!" However we know God can do ANYTHING and in the larger picture when are we ever in control. God is in control and he is looking out for us.
Love to all you Savages!

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

In the Kitchen

I almost couldn't sleep last night for thinking that I wasn't feeding Summer enough protein. So first thing this morning I got to cooking a batch of chicken with apples. I have to tell you folks, that is only a few ingredients away from being a delicious chicken salad! If you mix it with butternut squash....yum trust me, I tried it.

Yes I eat all of Summer's food and that is why I make it myself so that I know what ingredients are going into her precious body. I have started feeding Summer more than one food at a time now. For breakfast this morning she had mango and fresh bananas and oatmeal (separate). It is just a little step towards eating like a big girl.

(Note to picture below: quantity may be deceiving as this plate is very small)

I think this smile means she likes it. Her newest thing when eating is to put her finger in her mouth after every bite. It is almost pointless to try to stop her as it is so frequent. Instead, I just have a wash cloth on hand for clean up when finished. Still no teeth or even swollen gums, just LOTS of slobber.

The meal prep doesn't end with Summer. No sir-ee, when Summer naps during lunchtime this is the type of beautiful meal I can whip up! Doug you are missing out by not liking Mexican food. Since I prepared it myself I can assure you there was no dogfood used, only fresh ingredients, ha ha!

And my little one is beginning the phase where she must see one of us or she will start to fret. Since the kitchen is hardwood I set her in the hallway so she can still see me but be on the carpet. It is funny to see this little person just sitting there watching my every move.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Christmas 2009

What a blessed Christmas we had this year!

We were able to celebrate the holiday with lots of family and friends.

Here are some pictures of our beautiful family.

Aunt Pam, Grandmama, Mom, Me, Jen (prego with twins)

Lacey, Aunt Dianne, Grandmama, Chad

And every family has that crazy uncle right? Here's Uncle Jim wearing pearls! Just kidding about the crazy part-he's all fun and love!

Chad, Grandmama and Me

The Boys: Hunter, Bud, Larry and Chad

If you think I am crazy...

You should see my Mother!

The BEST friends a girl could ask for; Nicole, Melissa, Leslie, Summer, Me, Kim, Nicole and Marley. Chad, Summer and I were able to join the crew for our traditional Christmas Eve Breakfast. It is good to see you girls again.

Mama Burr (looking stunning) and Summer. Leslie's mom has always been so sweet and loved us (and got on to us) like her own.

This year we spent Christmas day as one big happy blended family.

Mary Ashley and Sandie loving on Summer

Summer, in her smocked Christmas dress by Mimi, playing with Henry the dog

Mary Ashley and Bethany with their big Christmas smiles!

Summer and I gave Chad the World...plus a Globe!

Then Jay and Jen gave us a Christmas present we will never forget. They wrapped up the ultrasound photo of each of the twins and put a coordinating pair of socks in the box to signify boy or girl. Mom opened one and Sandie opened the other. They were both BLUE! The Savage Twins are Boys! I am so happy for them and I can't wait to be a proud Aunt to two little buddies.

Shortly into the Christmas celebrations Summer crashed and luckily took the high road and decided to fall asleep in Papa's arms rather than have a meltdown. I am so proud of my sweet baby! And it also helped that she was in loving arms which was a good thing because with the surprise reveal all the females were going crazy jumping up and down.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Summer Marie_7 months

Ohhhhh, my baby girl is 7 months old and I can't believe it! She is getting bigger, smarter, more coordinated and is growing longer hair.

7 Month Likes:

putting everything in her mouth
Lucy & Sampson, her big dogs
eating baby food
riding in the car
playing on the floor
pulling hair, phone headset wires, important papers and basically grabbing anything within reach

7 Month Dislikes:

Twinkle Twinkle (she may be scared from that song)
Being put in her high chair then abandoned, so she thinks. I can't put her in there until the food is ready.

New Tricks:

She completely sits up unassisted
She will pull her knees under her on occasion but has not made the progression to crawling yet
She is really amused by Lucy and will kick her legs in excitement when she runs towards her
Yesterday I laid her down for a nap and as I was closing the door I saw her hand reach up on the side of the crib...say what!! I couldn't believe it! Today we lowered her crib mattress.

Sleep - Summer is a great sleeper. She goes to bed around 6:30pm and will sleep until 6am. We are to the point where if she does wake up in the night we do not get her. She will generally fall back asleep in less than 10 minutes. This new technique has really helped our lives.

Summer then takes 2 naps in the day, 2 hours in the morning and 1 hour in the afternoon. I savor that time!

First Cold - Summer is experiencing her first cold right now. She was up from 9-midnight last night with a stuffy nose that wouldn't allow her to lay down yet she couldn't fall asleep sitting up in my arms as it was just too out of her routine. We are using a cool mist humidifier, saline mist and the suction bulb to battle the cold. We pray it will go away sooner than later and that she can sleep well tonight.