Family Visits Over Spring Break

Justin's family (dad, mom, sister, nephews, niece) was able to drive from MO for a few days....bummer that it rained everyday they were here and was sunny the day the left. We still had a good time. We drove around Cades Cove looking for bears. We didn't see any, but the mountains were cool.

Even little Isaac got to enjoy the outdoors.

We also went downtown Knoxville and walked around the World's Fair Park.

Karsen got a haircut from Uncle Justin. He fussed through most of the haircut even after inspecting the razor. However, he looked like a new man when it was done!

Cheese!

Isaac getting his first bottle. Olivia can feed him without looking...she's had so much practice with her babies.

We went to Ohio for Will's birthday celebration. It was fun having 6 adults, 2 kids, and 2 dogs in a 900 sq ft condo! I couldn't get to the pics of Olivia helping Will open his presents, but she was super excited to see what she was "getting".

She put the glasses on all by herself.

This is a dinosaur. It was very interesting to read all the material and see the exhibits in the Creation Museum.

This is a nice day back when...just sitting around with the fam and taking turns riding Will's Harley.

I got to practice the weekend before so I was ready for the "Big Day". I mastered the bike in 2 minutes flat.

The bike.

Olivia's favorite saying right now, "Tackle Luci!"

The Wall

Justin tackled the task of painting The Big Wall....red! Silly me forgot to get a "before, during, & after" shot. Hopefully you can tell by the pictures what an amazing job he did! It is now a cheery red, instead of a depressing brown red. The rest of the tan walls will be painted as well....when we (he???) get(s) to it. (brown teepee)

Before we moved in shot.

Caulk job after the painting shot.

After shot.

Picture Update

Isaac is still sleeping lots, but doing a better job at staying awake a little longer after he eats...we're up to about 20 minutes...give or take a few. Unless of course he's crying because of gas and he can stay up for a few hours. (Has only happened a couple times.) However, last night he slept from 11:30pm-4am. I thought I would have felt more rested after that amount of time, but I didn't.

It's so awesome to see "who" Isaac is when his eyes are open.

Olivia was enjoying the $50,000 home addition to her playhouse. Thanks Daddy! Take note of the shingles, chimney, and windows. Olivia decorated with old address labels.

Also see the arched doorways...that bumped the price up a little.

Yes, we had a heater going...

Not sure who he looks like yet. And some days his eyes look brown, other times I see some blue in there, and one day they were brown on the edges and blue in the middle.

Trying to talk to us...

One night after dinner, Justin and I were in the kitchen talking and Olivia was still in the dining room "eating" real quiet like. When we looked around the corner, we realized she had been poking holes in her taco the entire time. She was proud....and so were we!

Olivia is becoming quite the little helper.

Not sure how Luci managed to get the carpet.

Ever wake up having one of those days?

Olivia was showing Isaac all her bed toys and blankies. I think he was more interested in the ladybugs and flowers on the side.

Olivia was wondering how she is going to get her hands clean. Good thing she didn't see her forehead! (She is a VERY clean, meticulous person. Sometimes I think she's my little Monk.)

Can You Believe It?! 1 Month Old

Isaac just had his 1 month doctor visit. Man that was fast! He's now 9 pounds 4 ounces (45%tile) and 21 inches (45%tile). Quite a bit of change from Olivia who was down around the 10%tile for a long time. I'll work on getting a 1 month old picture on here in the next day or so...he looks a lot different... If you have any input as to who he looks like, I'm all ears. Let the guessing games begin! :)

Dodging The Unpredictable

Ok, so I (Justin) want to know all the stories and funny or creative ways you all have avoided (or not) the unpredictable diaper change 'pee fountain'.

Isaac tried to soak me the other day, but I was able to dodge the surprise as it streamed by me and hit the floor. I then had the great idea to block it with my cupped bare hand to spare the floor from further damage. Tami had a good laugh.

I spilled the beans on my inexperience....your turn!

Handsome is Home

We went to our 2 week weight check up today. Isaac is 7lbs. 11 oz. They only expect him to be 6lbs 11 oz....so it looks like he's a good eater! So far we've only been to the airport, the bank, the doctor, and target with just Olivia, Isaac, and myself. I'm glad I didn't have twins! Now, if I could just get Olivia to go up and down steps and curbs outside by herself! Enjoy the pictures....

Welcome home!

I'm sure he's dreaming about Mommy...

Bell Family....this one is for you! She LOVES her wood bear pieces!!

Isaac taking a break during mealtime.
I see the love.

So sweet!

My Son Is Here!

ISAAC JOEL FORD

Born: 1-29-09 at 11:34am / 6 pounds 11 ounces / 20.5 inches

The Story: The short version is that we had an induction planned for 1/28 and a little less than a week from then, we moved it to 1/30 so we would have a couple extra days to get our new house in order before the baby came. Well, Tami was feeling some pretty strong contractions about 3-6min. apart early Thursday(1/29) morning as I was getting ready for work. After a call to the doctor and an hour of strong contractions, we were off to the hospital. After checking her out, we were told that today was the day. We didn't get 'our' doctor because he was off, but the doctor we had turned out to be fantastic. We were very pleased. The nurse said it was a perfect natural birth. Tami is doing super along with Isaac. Olivia has really enjoyed Isaac and has been a great big sister. Praise the Lord! God is good...ALL the time!

A HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!

Just a quick "let you know"....

We are finally moved into a house as of last Monday for Justin and Wednesday for Olivia and I!!! It's been a huge PRAISE THE LORD.....more details will come later...

And another fyi: Boy Ford (name will be posted after birth when one is decided on...) will be coming this Friday the 30th...unless he decides he wants to see us sooner!

Keep us in your prayers!
Thanks!

Puking 101

Ok.....so here's a question:

What do you do when you are driving down the road, with your 1 1/2 year old, 20 miles from home (which is still far from anything), and she pukes all down her front, has a puddle she's sitting in, and is crying?

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Well, I know it's a little late, but here's a few pictures from Christmas. We traveled from TN to Centerville Ohio to St. Louis MO to Milan MO to Macon MO to St. Louis MO and back to TN. We were zonked when we got home and Olivia followed up with a cold/congestion...which we are still trying to conquer. We had a great time though and Olivia got to play with lots and lots of cousins.

Yes, Olivia got up super early to see Uncle Will off to work!

We got everybody to smile!

We played the Wii in Ohio and ending up getting it as a Christmas present in St. Louis. Thanks Nana & Gramp!

Olivia was so excited when she opened all the rocks Aunt Tara & Uncle Will got her!

Check out the feet....always nice to have an extra hand when opening presents!

Sharing a snack with cousin Karsen.

Carpet on the stairs was sooo nice...Olivia learned how to slide down backwards thanks to Karsen!

Nate, Olivia, Cara, & Aleah. Sweet.

Did I mention they became good buddies?

This is Princess.....Justin's sister's dog. She lost all her teeth so her tongue hangs out like this all the time. Too funny.

Some of the Fam that showed up at Grandma Blankenship's house.

We managed to see Nana one day in St. Louis.....she had the shingles and didn't get to spend all of Christmas vacation with us.

Justin helped Nate put together a cool car when we watched Katie's kids one evening.

I got to help color!

Olivia LOVES her new stroller for her babies! Thanks Aunt Katie & Uncle Greg!

Olivia was reading to her babies on her cool new couch she got from Grandma & Grandpa.