The Davis Family

update

2010-09-30T17:14:00.000-07:00

Okay (Shannon) this is my update... We went to the beach for a long weekend, had a B L A S T!!! The girls were hysterical and I just wish that I had taken my camera to the Red Bar. Or the video camera. One, to catch the girls dancing with the band (yes maam they are groupies) and the other to catch the sweet MM yelling from the bathroom at the Red Bar to the other side of the restaraunt, "You want me to get you another beer daddy?" Oh so funny! We got laughs and looks, but what can you do, you are at the beach! We got back from the beach and I had a slight worrisome moment thinking that Carolina had a hearing loss b/c she was 13 mos and was not talking. Can't help it, it is the Speech Therapist in my. Then one morning we were in the big bead and I was half asleep but waking up to hear Carolina, "tickle tickle tickle" then she went on to say about 10 words to herself. So funny. Now she talks. Thennnnn yesterday I got a call from daycare saying that MM fell and had a cut on her head and they wanted someone to come take a look at it. Then they said, she may need a stitch. A stitch meaning one! I got to daycare and MM said, "I got a booboo on my forehead" Yes you do and get in the car! So we ended up with FIVE stitches. You can count them! There could have been more but doc says five will do. I must say, she did absolutely wonderful and only cried during the actual stitching. So proud. When we left she said..., " I think I need a birthday cake. A birthday cake would make my booboo feel better." So we went to the Cakery and got a small birthday cake. The end!

Easter

2010-04-04T17:35:00.000-07:00

Again backwards... eating leftovers. she's not 8 mos yet but she is refusing baby food and will only eat table food. yes maam- she is like her mama and likes the food!

Noah and MM about to start the Easter Egg hunt

My sweet family. I am blessed, truly blessed!

Easter morning! Happy Easter everybody

2010-03-13T11:02:00.000-08:00

Well I knew i was going to do this, b/c i always do. i went backwards! oh well.
with daddy

carolina and mama (this was at MM's 2nd bday)

My baby is two!

At Thanksgiving.

Little Miss watching Old McDonald!

We really do exist!

2010-03-13T10:45:00.000-08:00

Hello my friends! Yes I know I have been gone for a while and I could list you several excuses for my absence, but instead I'll just say TWO GIRLS! :) Really though, we have had so much going on in Davis country. Daniel and I have started going to a new church that we LOVE. Max Milligan is two. She is the funniest child I have ever met. I know you think I am biased but I promise you, she's funny. I go to work laughing every morning. Some of her MMisms... Carolina will cry and she says, "it's ok, i'm right here" so sweet. She went to a Tech bball game and did not like "buzbuz" she told me he picked her up and she "cried like a little baby." She is sneaky and you cannot leave any kind of sweet on the counter b/c she can reach! When she runs, she says "oh goodness oh my goodness." Carolina is 7 months. She is the sweetest, snuggly baby ever. She is a mama's girl and will pitch a fit only when she is hungry and you are not feeding her fast enough. She pushes baby food away and will reach for your plate in a heartbeat. You think I am kidding but the girl loves couscous! At this point she has no teeth but she is working on them. She is sitting up on her own and she looks at MM with sister adoration. It is so exciting to see the two interact with each other. I pray that they are best friends always. Daniel is praying that they'll want to have a small double wedding. Ha! Ha! Moving on to Daniel. What a great father and husband. He is the chef of our house and does so much. I could not imagine doing this without my teammate and best friend beside me. He is moving up in his job and learning a lot. I am back in the groove at the hospital and have a lot of exciting things going on there as well. I am hosting a conference for our NICU in Apirl so all friends, pray for me during this time. So far it is all coming together. At the house, we are redoing the backyard so following pics of the girls (shanny- all for you)you will see before and after of the yard. God has blessed us in so many ways. He is AWESOME! On to the pics

are all 2ish year olds bipolar? this is the question

2009-11-11T16:51:00.000-08:00

a little catching up to do.

2009-09-24T11:24:00.000-07:00

Hello all my friends in blogland. Just wanted to catch everyone up to speed on life with two girls. Two very cute and funny girls. First off, my bestie, Jamie had her sweet Harper 11 days after Carolina. Here is the first meeting of the best friends to be...

I laid Carolina down on the chair while we ate supper and MM said that she wanted to go "night night" too. She is such a good big siss. Always giving her kisses.

So the pictures were downloaded out of order but here again is me holding Harper and Jamie with Carolina.

Love to everyone, Katie

my favorite picture right now

2009-08-27T08:53:00.000-07:00

Introducing Carolina Allen Davis

2009-08-17T11:29:00.000-07:00

okay so this one had to be added b/c it is so funny. Max Milligan in Carolina's hospital crib.
She asked to be placed in it.

Max Milligan meeting Carolina. She calls her "baby Lina"

Carolina Allen Davis born August 9, 2009 at 3:57 pm. 7 lbs 5 oz and 20 inches long

Getting ready to go home. We are so blessed to have Carolina join our family. I am extremely scared and excited to be a mother of two girls. They are so wonderful and I cannot wait to continue this wonderful adventure.

Baby showers

2009-07-11T18:07:00.000-07:00

So excited to be pregnant with these sweet girls. Anna Rose and Copper are due in October. Jamie and I are due in August.

Anna Rose, Jamie and me

Harper and Carolina having a conversation.

Carp and her sweet little Jay Hudson.

2009-05-31T18:30:00.001-07:00

30 weeks. only 10 more to go!

Mother's Day at The Red Bar. Happy Belated Mother's Day to all you mamas out there.

Fun pictures

2009-04-06T18:33:00.000-07:00

This is what "snack time" or "treat time" means at our house. After Tilly got hers, Max Milligan got hers. I love that she sits down on the floor b/c Tilly does. Have I mentioned that I absolutely love my life and my sweet family.

Trying to walk in daddy's shoes. Check out that belly

There's no crying in baseball!

2009-04-06T18:07:00.000-07:00

This past week, I learned some things about myself. I learned that I am one strong woman. I learned that I can stay calm through a scary situation. I learned that there are angels everywhere. I learned that God made mommies very very different.
Thursday morning I went to get Max Milligan up and found her little body so stiff and extremely feverish. I yelled at Daniel and we were off to the hospital. She had what is called a febrile seizure. A seizure that is brought on by a fever that went too high too fast. After 4 hours in the ER and all the tests coming back okay, they let us go home. Hours later we were back in the ER with another seizure and then we were admitted to the hospital. She had yet another seizure later that evening. Seeing my sweet baby girl go through this, was the hardest, scariest thing and I pray that she will never have to go through this again. So I learned that I am strong and calm in the scariest of situations. I kept a level head and never stopped praying. There were angels surrounding us through this entire situation. The nurse at the ER was able to place a perfect IV in my "juicy" girls arm. Turns out that she used to work at a children's clinic in Alabama. The nurses that we had on the pediatrics floor were amazing. They were gentle and kind and empathetic and rushed to our aid when she was having a seizure. I truly believe that God makes women extra special (sorry men). I believe that he makes mommies extra extra special. In a situation like the one we went through, there was no time to break down. My body, my mind, my God kept me from losing it. I kept thinking, "there's no crying in baseball!" I praise God for making me a very special mommy. And I pray God will send blessings to all you mommies.

2009-03-26T12:56:00.000-07:00

We went for the "confirmation" ultrasound yesterday and to our delight, it's a... GIRL
Daniel and I are so very excited to know for sure now that we are to expect another girl in August. It is so funny b/c we hear, "ah, did you want a boy?" and I just say, "are you kidding? Now Daniel will have three girls that love all over him, four including Tilly!" We are so stoked. Now to figure out what her name is...

okay, i had to add this one b/c seriously, this is what they look like in the morning. max milligan got the bed head look honest. aren't they so cute. i love them like crazy and getting more and more excited about the new one that's baking.

I love my Aunt Mel and Aunt B. They make me laugh all day long. Can't wait to see you girls this weekend!!

just some new photos

2009-03-03T18:19:00.000-08:00

Yah Yah, Noah and Max Milligan at the rodeo

I mean, come on, is she not the cutest thing ever!!!

i can't get over how much she is growing and how funny she is. always making us laugh.

2009-02-01T17:13:00.000-08:00

Ok, Ok. so I have told some people our news, mostly just family, but posting it has been somewhat odd for me. But after the shock, uh, excitement wore off, I am now ready to share our news. Come August our family will be growing one baby bigger. Yes, we are expecting again. At first, Daniel and I just kind of sat around staring at the test. A little fear, a little excitement. Now that I am in my second trimester and feeling better, we are getting more and more excited. So check back in with us b/c we will be finding out what this little one is. We need to know, do we pull out all of MM's things or buy blue??? We'll see in a few weeks. Please pray for this special gift and for my sweet sweet family.

Walkin' (for your love)

2009-01-11T14:49:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I am trying to figure out how to put music in the background. And I am sorry that it is horizontal. So just tilt your head to the side and bring out the widespread panic. Think "Walkin', for your love, I'm walkin" And I'll figure all these things out (with everyones help please) and post a better video. Enjoy

Introducing...

2009-01-09T17:02:00.001-08:00

London Leigh Morris. My sister Stephanie, had her third sweet baby girl on December 10, 2008. Right before Christmas, Max Milligan and I took our first trip to Atlanta by ourselves. We first stopped by our friends, the Sprinkles, to wish Miss Natalie a very happy first birthday.Then we headed on up to Lawrenceville to see Pop T and then went to Dacula to see the new addition to our ever growing family. MM was a little hesitant but she soon warmed up to little London. Close enough to give her one quick pop to the face to make sure she knew who was the bigger cousin!!
It was such a nice trip and so wonderful to see everyone. Welcome to the crazy side of life sweet London. We love you.

I wanna hold your haaaand! I wanna hold your hand!

2009-01-08T17:24:00.000-08:00

Tonight something happened that could seem to some, a small milestone, but for me, I am simply amazed at my child. Every night, when we sit down to eat, Daniel and I take Max Milligan's hands and we say the blessing. In the beginning, she did NOT like this and often tried to pull her hands away. Then, she started getting used to and would just watch us through the blessing. But tonight was different. Daniel was cooking and I was setting the table. Max Milligan was in her highchair. I went to sit down beside Max Milligan and wait for Daniel and what happened was so wonderful. My sweet child looked at me and lifted her hand towards me. I took it and then she looked towards her daddy and raised her hand to him. She knew that we would hold her hands and that it was time to pray. Amazing. I pray that I will continue to teach her these things and that she will continue to grow in her faith. Because she helps me to grow in mine. God bless.

Here Comes the Sun...It's Alright

2008-12-31T17:16:00.000-08:00

My wilder side

My back porch swingin' side

I was just reading a friend's blog about her Christmas adventures and it was if she was right beside me and I could hear her talking. I got so reminiscent about her and old friends and highschool and our pasts. See I get this way because tomorrow I turn the big 3-0. This whole year I have been preparing myself for 30. Saying over and over that it was no big deal, just another birthday, another day. And really I am not worried or sad or angry about turning 30. I am not stressed. I am simply 30. I look back on my life and I wish I could say I have no regrets but of course, I do. But I have prayed about them, I have been forgiven and they have been forgotten. How wonderful is that? I also look back and more than anything I find peace. I find love from family and friends. I find such hilarious memories that I still laugh thinking about them. I find friendships that have lasted 30 years! I find a wonderful relationship with my parents and family. I find a lifetime of happiness. I find the love of my life and the joy of a loving marriage and motherhood that he brought to me. I find that I am okay with 30, with where I am in life and the anticipation of my next 30 years.

2008-12-19T16:43:00.000-08:00

December Already??

2008-12-19T12:45:00.000-08:00

This year has flown by with everything that a new baby brings. All the firsts, like our first run to the hospital to hunt down the pediatrician (so lucky I work there), the first sit up alone, the first crawl, the first foods, the first stand up, first words, first bow in the hair and here we are now celebrating another huge first and the end of a first year. One year ago, this past wednesday. December 17, this family was blessed with a beautiful and healthy baby girl. Max Milligan has blessed our life in every way possible. I could never have believed that my life could change so much and in such a wonderful and loving way. Max Milligan cracks me up every day with her hugs and "aww" to her wide mouth kisses. How she flirts with the boys already and how she is incredibly nosy in restaurants. Her seriously serious face when she is trying to figure someone out and her silly laugh when her daddy makes her laugh. Simply amazing.
We had Max Milligan's birthday party on Saturday. There were tons of friends and family and a good time was had by all. I will post pictures later.
Also wanted to say how crazy it felt Sunday night at Church for the men's Christmas program. They put this program on every year and it is my most favorite thing and what I look forward to all year long. Last year it was on the 16th. Do you see where I am going with this?? Last year, one whole year ago, I was one day shy of my due date. I refused to miss the Christmas program and was there, huge belly and all. I even wore heeled boots. :) On the hour drive back to Albany, I began to feel "uncomfortable" and later that night we went to the hospital and had Max Milligan the next day. This year, watching the program and holding Max Milligan felt so surreal. I kept thinking, "I was here one year ago and you weren't" How wierd.

2008-11-02T06:37:00.000-08:00

Happy Halloween

2008-11-02T06:28:00.001-08:00

My little honey bee! She was so cute and we had so much for our first halloween. Daniel and I took Max Milligan to the Riverquarium to see the Spooky Dive Show. Max Milligan was all about the fish. Not so much with the little fish or the "normal" size fish, but the HUGE, size of a four year old, fish- now they were AWESOME! Every time one of them swam past her she cheered them on, clapping and bouncing so high in her stroller i thought she was going to bounce out. We did not make it anywhere else b/c everyone was beat after all that clapping. So I have to say that our first halloween was great and looking forward to all the ones to come.

What a year brings

2008-10-19T17:14:00.000-07:00

Last year, Daniel and I went to Mark's Melon patch to get pumkins to carve and just to hang out. I was seven mos pregnant and I took a picture right here to show my 7 mos belly. A whole year later, we are back again with a 10 mos old. I cannot believe what a year brings. A very funny, very smart little girl with some major facial expressions. She is like a sponge, soaking everything up. She is talking and the speech therapist I am, I am counting the words and even writing some things out phonetically. Silly mama!
In this picture, the band had started playing and she was trying to go dance. What did we ever do before her?

The guys and their babies

2008-10-19T17:11:00.000-07:00

Brian with his little one, Anna Kate/ Daniel with Max Milligan/ Chandler with the little man, Walt

and one last post for the evening

2008-10-12T15:19:00.000-07:00

This is what I found when I walked in to get her from her nap. So funny. such a big girl.

A Few of Our Trips Lately

2008-10-12T15:11:00.001-07:00

This weekend, I had a conference in Atlanta. Mama, Noah, Max Milligan and I made the trek and staid with Meg. Thank you Meggie for letting us stay and being my chauffeur.

Last weekend we were in Atlanta for a quick weekend and we were lucky enough to have lunch with my best friend and Max Milligan's godmother, Jamie. Such a blessing! And I got to see the wedding dress!!!! (said in a very sing songy voice). We miss you Aunt Jamie, all the time.

First Football game

2008-10-12T14:49:00.000-07:00

Now, before everyone gets in a Tizzy because Max Milligan's first football game was Georgia Tech and not UGA, let me just quote my father... "Trust Fund" She will be like me and love all her teams. But, hopefully, she will head to Athens soon for a real football game!

Cheehaw Park

2008-10-12T14:37:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, daniel and I took Max Milligan to Cheehaw park. It was a beautiful day and we had such a fun time. I don't have a picture of the bison, but they were definately her favorite. If I didn't have such a good grip, she would have jumped right down there. I guess she thought it was a very very large horse!

Quick updates

2008-09-24T16:50:00.000-07:00

Lately I have had the "poor pitiful me" "miss my friends" blues. It's the little things that Max Milligan does that can pull me out of any funk, espiecially when it's a new trick. It's funny when she does something that is imitating me, but when she initiates something... it just blows my mind. For instance, this morning Max Milligan dropped her bottle. I looked over at her and she was signing "milk". Like I said, she has imitated me, but this was her- knowing that she had dropped her bottle and she was asking me for milk. She signed it again tonight around the time we give her her bedtime bottle. CRAZY. The other thing she did was "patty cake, roll em up roll em up." Let me explaing. She claps (at everything) and lately when I am doing patty cake, she will "roll em up roll em up" with me. This evening while we were at dinner, Max Milligan (on her own) started clapping and then started rolling her arms around. It was so funny and so great that Daniel and I were both there to see her. She is just the thing to make me smile and pull me out of my funk.

2008-09-07T16:35:00.000-07:00

Go Dawgs!

2008-08-30T17:06:00.000-07:00

Max Milligan and I got up and put on our gear for the day. So much fun to get her dressed up in her game day outfit. She is definately a Dawg fan. Max Milligan says (very distinctly I might add) "mama", "dada", "duhduh" (doggy), "ti" (tilly) and my favorite- "ruh ruh" (dawg bark). Yes people -I did. I taught my daughter to bark like a Georgia Bulldog. It is the funniest thing ever. I mean, I thought it was funny when I taught Tilly how to bark on command when I said "sick em" but this is sooo much better. Now they both do it. I love to call my dad, the Tech alum, and get them to do it for him. He's a little disappointed in me!

Congrats Dawgs on your win today!

I DID IT!

2008-08-27T17:21:00.000-07:00

No matter how often it happens, "firsts" are always a big deal. First tooth (6 at one time), first time sitting (and falling over), first time rolling over (and over and over), first crawl (even if she is going backwards) and then there is my favorite. The first bath time mohawk! I love it. It was so much fun. Max Milligan will have so many firsts in her life and I can't wait to be a part of it. No matter how old we get, we still get to have firsts too. Like me, here is my first BIG picture. Yeah me!

Appreciation

2008-08-20T19:04:00.000-07:00

This week has been crazy. Max Milligan has an ear infection. Not just one ear, BOTH ears are infected. Plus she has ulcers around her mouth due to the high fevers she was having. Luckily it was Daniel's short week on night shift which means that he will be working tonight and tomorrow night, so he was stay-at-home dad with Max Milligan Mon, Tues and Wed while I went to work.

After a few restless nights (all beginning last Thurs) and getting up at six every morning for work, this morning I was beat. This morning I asked for 20 minutes extra sleep. Sweet Daniel obliged and went to get the morning started. In 20 minutes, he had coffee made, Max Milligan up, bottle almost finished, an omelet waiting for me and was attempting to feed MM breakfast. She was not having it and I walked in the kitchen, refreshed, to see her throw a toy onto the floor with an "I'm testing you" look on her face. Daniel said to her, "I can tell someone is going to get a spanking today, well, maybe not a spanking, but definitely time out." HA- LARIOUS!!

I sat down and started to eat my breakfast that I didn't cook and drink my coffee that I didn't make and then heard some pretty awesome words that started my day off right. "I don't know how you do this every morning" That my friends, is appreciation.

Don't get me wrong, Daniel and I are teammates in every way and he does sooo much, but there are times when I feel down and out. I feel beat. I feel like I go, go, go. I never stop until my head hits the pillow at night. These past few days, with MM home with Daniel, I wasn't rushing to get Max Milligan to daycare and me to work on time or rushing to pick her up so we can go to the groce and get home before nap time, supper time, bedtime bottle, prayers and bedtime. Wehw. That makes me tired.

But this morning, I felt appreciated. For my hard work, for my love, for my "momminess" and for being a wife. I just felt appreciated. And for that I want to thank my husband. Thank you for taking such good care of us and for being the best daddy ever. And I truly appreciate you.

My Little Butterfly

2008-08-10T15:46:00.000-07:00

This weekend was so much fun. We took Whit's advice and relaxed. Friday mama came over and we went to see Mama Mia. SOOO GREAT! I loved every minute of it. Saturday we went to DIG. It's a gardening center and it is beautiful. The owners are very knowledgable and love to just make things more beautiful. (I'll make sure pictures of my new yard are posted at a later date.) I took pictures of Max Milligan while we were there. How cute is my little butterfly?

Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon the fam went swimming. Max Milligan loves the water, which Daniel and I are excited about. So to some, our weekend might not seem like much, but to us, it was butterfly heaven.

Another milestone

2008-08-05T16:29:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday, Max Milligan hit another milestone. It may not be a big deal to some, but for our little family it was huge. Saturday, our big girl Max Milligan, spent the night off. The whole night! I took her over to Blakely Saturday around lunch and we went to Bowen's first birthday party, which was so much fun. Then, I left. I left my baby girl and went back to Albany. Daniel took me out to dinner and we listened to Brandon play at Harvest Moon. Then we went home and went to bed. Sunday, I slept until 9:00. OH MY GOODNESS that is late. When I went back to get her she was so excited to see me. I am not kidding, she was excited and nobody can tell me anything different. Mama told me that she did so good. Noah spent the night with yah yah too and I was told that he completely entertained Max Milligan by standing on the coffee table and singing "My Girl" So we all got through it and it wasn't so bad. I am blessed with a sweet baby, an entertaining nephew and a very brave Yah Yah.

Bath Time

2008-08-01T18:12:00.000-07:00

Max Milligan LOVES bathtime. Tilly loves bathtime as well. Squeeky toys are a big hit with both my girls. Max Milligan has already figured out how to aggrivate Tilly by keeping the toys away. Tilly just gets her back by "helping" bathe her.

Boys have Cooties

2008-08-01T18:02:00.000-07:00

This is Jackson Ross, Lisa and Spanks little boy. He came over to play with Max Milligan last weekend. He was sooo sweet and when I wanted to take a picture of the two of them playing, Jackson offered to put his arm around Max Milligan. Well this is what happened. Max Milligan's lip started to poke out and she looked at him like what are you doing??? I could not help but get completely tickled. I pray for Max Milligan's future husband nightly. I pray that he will be strong in his faith and that he will love my daughter and his God with all his heart. But until then baby girl, this is just fine.

Wonder

2008-07-24T18:09:00.000-07:00

This picture captures more than a baby and a fern. This is all things wonderful in this world. This is the innocense of childhood and the constant wonder and amazement that we have with nature and all things that He created. God is wonderful, my friends. So many times we look but we do not see, we listen but we don't hear. But children see things. They look, really look and want to know and learn and love. Max Milligan amazes me every day. EVERY DAY! Thank you Lord for this wonderful blessing.

Happy Fourth of July

2008-07-07T17:18:00.000-07:00

2008-07-07T16:54:00.000-07:00

I just have to say that i have some pretty amazing friends. My two best friends live in Atlanta and Athens and I do not get to see them as much as I want to. Sometimes I think Daniel gets tired of my pining, but I cannot help it. I miss me some Jamie and Melinda daily. Every now and then we get a chance to hang out. These girls are two of the most beautiful, funny, wild, loving, caring, special women I know. In November Jamie will be getting married and then come April sweet Mel will be getting hitched as well. And on goes the love. Isn't it funny that we are here? Wasn't it just yesterday that we were sitting on the porch on College Street talking about when life begins. Well here we are ladies. Thank you for being in mine always.

Melinda and me at her engagement party. Katie, Hannah and Becky

Jamie, Angie and Me on Girls Night Out!

Katie and Jamie at The Catch

A few pictures from this past month

2008-06-20T18:21:00.000-07:00

can i just say like father like daughter. how funny is this?

Okay so now i'll say "like mother like daughter" she loves the horses.

oh my goodness how cute is she. i can't believe how much i love her!

Toothy toothy toothy

2008-06-13T12:21:00.000-07:00

People we have a tooth! I came home from the gym yesterday to a baby with the smallest bit of a tooth popping through her gums. I was so excited. I would have NEVER imagined that something like a first tooth would be such a big deal. One more milestone that Max Milligan has met. Shine on you crazy diamond.

First Family Beach Trip

2008-06-01T18:56:00.000-07:00

Daniel, Max Milligan and I had an exciting weekend. We took our first beach trip, we stopped nursing, we drank juice out of a sippy cup and we rolled over and slept all night on our side! Well technically "we" only took the beach trip. Max Milligan did the rest. I am feeling so many emotions right now. Looking back, I had a really hard time with the whole nursing thing. Trouble latching, it hurt, she ate ALL THE TIME and I just felt overwhelmed and kind of like a failure. Mama kept telling me, "just give it two weeks." Well, I gave it two weeks and at that mark I had a break down and almost threw in the towel and gave Max Milligan a bottle. But mama, being who she is and the best mom ever, came to our rescue immediately. She pulled me out from under the covers and sat with me for two days every time Max Milligan needed to nurse. She coaxed me through and I made it. Several times throughout this nursing experience I have almost given out and up, but again I was encouraged and found a way to increase my supply (sorry guys who read this). Then I got sick and it pretty much wiped me out. So over the last few weeks I have been nursing less and less until this weekend Max Milligan just said that's it and we had to go full on bottle. I didn't cry, surprising enough. But I did find that even that little encouragement of "she's ready, Katie" from mama was what I needed to get through this and be okay with it.
Well I was going to write about the beach trip but I guess something a little deeper came out of this. I can not believe how big she is getting. Again she is a blessing to us every day.

Sittin' round just thinkin'

2008-05-26T17:50:00.000-07:00

This saturday Daniel and I were talking about milestones. We understand that babies reach milestones at different times but we were just wondering about them. Daniel decided that if the "sitting up by yourself "milestone happens around 6 mos, then at 5 mos we should be "practicing." So we took Max Milligan to the living room sat her up and tadaaaa, this is what we got. Now I understand that technically she is sitting up, but does it count if she's got her belly propped on her legs and that is how she is sitting up? Let's say yes! Congratulations for reaching another milestone,MM. Daddy and Mama love you, we are in love with you and you are a beautiful beautiful girl. You amaze us daily.

A note to James Taylor

2008-05-20T17:39:00.000-07:00

Dear James Taylor,
Here is a little story for you. A while back I bought my mother a wooden sign that says, "the only thing wrong with life is that there is no background music." We thought this sign was very funny, because my family is that odd breed of people who are so in love with music that we do have "background" music playing in our heads constantly. We wake up with a song in our heads and throughout the day, we are humming a variety of songs to ourselves depending on what we are doing at that time. There's some Loggins and Messina, a little Allman Brothers, Simon and Garfunkle, Nylons at times, definately the Beatles, of course Jimmy Buffet but above all there is you. There is one of your songs (or several) for every part of my life. I was rocked to sleep with "Your Smiling Face." I danced to "Up On the Roof" on the roof with my sisters. I rolled down my windows and sang "Country Road" at the top of my lungs driving home from college for the first time. I listened to "Something in the Way She Moves" and prayed for someone to feel that way about me. I know all the words to all the songs.
You were at my wedding. There was no cannon in D for me. Mothers and Grandmothers were seated to my mother's favorite song, "Your Smiling Face." My bridesmaids (and best friends) walked down to "You've Got a Friend." I did walk down to the Beatles BUT Daniel and I exited to "How Sweet it is To Be Loved By You."
When I found out I was pregnant, "Sweet Baby James" was playing in my head as happy tears fell. I waited for 40 weeks to rock my baby to your songs. She is five months old now and I cannot believe how much she loves music. One Man Band stays in the car. If the is getting the least bit grumpy about riding. It goes on and she settles down. We had a difficult couple of nights where she was fussy with her last bottle. I got out James Taylor greatest hits, put it on and what happened??? She turned her head and stared at the cd player, settled down, and took her bottle like a pro.
Music is such a huge part of my being. It is emotional and brings so much to life for me. It amazes me that already music can get her moving and laughing, it can calm her down. I pray that she will continue to grow in her love of music. That she will experience concerts and "shows" and opera and whatever else that will bring emotion to the table. I cannot wait to take her to her first concert. Who will it be? Looking forward to a little James Taylor time!

Now I lay me down to sleep...

2008-05-18T17:32:00.000-07:00

Every night, we do the same thing. We have a bottle while we rock. Then we get changed into our bedtime clothes. Then the little munchkin knows what is coming up and she starts getting excited. Her angel comes down and we have prayer time. Max Milligan starts smiling and cooing and kicking and reaching for her. She brings her down so that they are face to face and she just stares as if she is concentrating on the words that this angel is saying. I just love that she is learning that prayer time is a part of her day and a part of her little world.

2008-05-14T15:15:00.000-07:00

My Aunt Tookie sent a check to us and told me to buy Max Milligan something wonderful. I really did think long and hard about what to get, but when I saw this outfit the thinking was over. To me, this outfit embodies my aunt Tookie and all the Bethea girls. See, the Bethea girls grew up in Tatum, South Carolina and ventured over to Myrtle Beach for a little fun in the sun, dancing and the real beach music. I can just picture them laying out, playing on the beach, riding bicycles, flirting with the boys and maybe even surfing. So this dress is in honor of those Bethea girls, Blanch, Gene, Dot (aka Gmama) and Tookie. Thank you Aunt Tookie.
One thing that I have been thinking about is that I want Max Milligan to know her family. I mean KNOW them. I want her to meet everyone and if she can't meet them all I want her to definately know that they are out there. By showing her pictures, talking to them on the phone, and telling her stories about them. I am so grateful that my grandparents and parents and aunts and uncles and cousins have always been story tellers. I am glad that they have shared their life experiences with me so that I will be able to pass them on to Max Milligan. I pray that she will listen to these stories and learn things from them. Things to do and certainly some things NOT to do. I pray that she will know their losses and their gains, their heartaches and their loves. I pray that she will know their lives. Thank you to my family. All of them. I love y'all

The going ons at the Davis home

2008-05-04T13:58:00.000-07:00

Max Milligan sitting outside with
mama brushing Tilly

Daddy and Max Milligan
Mama and Max Milligan
Chillin at Loco's on a Sunday afternoon

Boot Camp

2008-04-22T19:24:00.000-07:00

Am I nuts? I mean seriously people, am I crazy? Some say yes some say no. If I am not crazy then why on earth did I sign up for BOOT CAMP???? Yes, you heard me correctly. Not only did I sign myself up, I signed my coworkers Sharla and Sarah up for it too. It's every Tuesday for the next six weeks. Our instructer is Sue and Jamie, it's that Sue from Tony's. She is going to wip us into shape. We'll be outside running sprints, pushups, situps, the list goes on and on and on! What am I doing? I'll tell you what I'm doing. I am getting into shape. Next time you see me I will be hottie boom bottie! Hee Hee!

baby girl is 4 mos old

2008-04-20T18:08:00.000-07:00

Well Max Milligan is 4 mos old and every day she gets bigger and becomes more coordinated by the second. This weekend we headed up to Atlanta to see the Barrows clan. Poor baby was passed around all day and she entertained them until she passed out. And now we are home and we just put her down to sleep and I am waiting for her to wake up again. It may be a long night.

Houston we have a problem

2008-04-11T05:39:00.000-07:00

People, we have a problem. Baby girl is growing up too fast for mama. First with the laughing, then last night she rolled over (yeah rah go team) and now... she is moving from size one diapers to SIZE 2. How can this be? I have tried so hard to keep her in the size ones. Partly b/c i hate being wasteful and wanting to use them up, but mostly because size two means she's getting bigger and bigger means growing up and growing up means soooo much!!! It's scary, it's exciting, it's BIG! I pray, sunshine girl, that you continue to grow. In size and in spirit. And shine on you crazy diamond!

The greatest sound in the world

2008-04-09T17:56:00.001-07:00

Baby girl laughed today. Not the little giggle that she has done before but a throw your head back, laugh out loud, greatest sound in the world- LAUGH! Daniel, Max Milligan, Tilly and I took a little stroll to the park down from our house. I took MM out of her stroller and sat down on the ground so that she could feel the grass beneath her feet. Those who know Tilly know that the outside and pine cones mean PLAY TIME! so Tilly was tossing pine cones at us trying to get us to play. Finally daniel kicked one for her to chase and Max Milligan thought that it was the funniest thing she had ever seen. So Daniel kept kicking the pine cone and MM kept laughing and looking up at me like she was saying, "are you watching this?" I will never forget this day!

Happy Anniversary to ME!

2008-04-08T17:25:00.000-07:00

So many things to be grateful for in my life. One of them is my wonderful, good lookin, loves me so much husband. Monday was our one year anniversary and can I say this, "whoa what a year."
Friday, Daniel and I went to Callaway Gardens by ourselves. God was so with us because it rained on the way there and it rained on the way home but it did not rain while we were there except for a small drizzle while we were sitting on a swing in a garden. PERFECTION! Daniel and I had a picnic overlooking a lake. A slight breeze moving over the water. We watched a birds of prey exhibit with a hawk, a great horned owl and a falcon that flew right over our heads. Those who know me know that I do not like birds. In fact they freak me out!!! But this was not so bad. Pretty fascinating in fact. Did you know that the great horned owl has assymetrical ears? One points up and the other points south. So cool. We also went to the butterfly conservatory and the horticulture place. It really was a beautiful day. And it has been a beautiful and blessed year. I am looking forward to many many more.

2008-03-23T16:26:00.000-07:00

the winners of the egg toss

and the LOSER

No Man Left Behind!!

2008-03-23T16:18:00.000-07:00

Easter Olympiad!

2008-03-23T16:05:00.000-07:00

So this year was the first annual Easter Olympiad at the Hill. Bubba Jay, Cindy, Stanton, Abby, Stephen, Noah, Daniel and me competing in a series of events to win the GOLDEN EGG! We had an egg on a spoon relay race. Daniel won that one, calling out to his wife (who was in last for reasons I will soon explain), "I'm just a natural athlete." Now the reason I was last is because my sweet nephew, Noah, wanted to hold my hand while we ran the race. He fell down and I couldn't leave a man behind. Then we had the egg toss! Abby and I were partners, Cindy and Jay, Daniel and Stanton and Stephen and Noah. Abby and I won the egg toss. I must say that we were AWESOME!!! This was such a fun Easter. Max Milligan enjoyed watching all of us play and she told me later that she is so excited for next Easter when she will be able to join in all the fun.

Happy Easter

2008-03-23T16:03:00.000-07:00

Just a Swingin'

2008-03-20T15:50:00.001-07:00

Max Milligan spent the afternoon swinging with her Papa. She fell asleep staring at the flowers. I think I have this same picture with me as "the baby." Same swing, same Papa, same sunglasses. I love you Papa

It's late but Happy St. Patrick's Day

2008-03-20T15:47:00.000-07:00

2008-03-20T15:43:00.000-07:00

Baby girl is already liking the sugar! Especially from her daddy.

And it's over.

2008-03-03T13:32:00.000-08:00

First day of daycare is officially over. I picked her up at 12:30 and let me tell you she was soooo excited to see me. I mean it! We treated ourselves to lunch outside at Harvest Moon where Max Milligan won everyone's heart with her laid back attitude and shades. So, I need to admit that it was much harder on me. I cried, pitched a fit, yelled, got mad, was rude to Daniel, etc. But I am over it, for now. Though, as Scarlet O'Hara would say, "Tomorrow is another day!"

First Day of School, First Day of School!

2008-03-02T14:00:00.000-08:00

Bottles of milk labeled and dated? Check. Diapers and wipes labeled? Check. Names in all the clothes? Check. Gas medicine and pacis labeled? Check. First day of daycare clothes layed out?Check. Mom whose ready to drop her baby off at daycare for the first time? UNCHECK!
Tomorrow, Monday March 3, I will be taking Max Milligan to her first day of daycare. It will only be for half a day b/c, let's face it, I am freaking out! But, alas, I have to go back to work on Wednesday so I thought it might be a good idea to take her half days on Monday and Tuesday to get used to the idea. Me, get used to the idea not her. I am sure she is going to be just fine. I have no doubts except for the fact that only I can take care of my baby appropriately. Right? I sure do hope that all mothers feel this way and that I am not the only crazy one.
Reminds me of the summer when mama took us to Camp Chandler over in Wetumpka, Alabama for the first time. She dropped us off at our cabins and after a tearful goodbye (her not us) she left. Now I guess Jeff, the camp director, had seen her kind before , because by the time she got to the highway, turned the car around and headed back to get us, Jeff had had time to sprint up to the front gate and was sitting there waiting on her. He assured her we would be fine and that he would see her again in a week. She left and Jay and I had the time of our lives!
I know that Max Milligan is going to be great and the ladies are going to fall in love with her but that still doesn't help me prepare. How do you prepare? It's hard for me to go out for the evening and leave her with her own grandparents. I am just praying that God will give me strength to get through this.

What a Wonderful World

2008-02-24T16:25:00.000-08:00

This past weekend one was that I will remember forever. Saturday, Feb 23, Max Milligan and Daniel were baptized and became members of the First United Methodist Church of Blakely, Georgia. We had a private ceremony surrounded by our family and friends. Max Milligan's Godparents, Jamie Dallas and Brian Davis stood by our side. As brother Rick spoke, Max Milligan watched him intently as if she were taking in all his words. When the water it her head she looked shocked but staid content. Daniel was next and he was just as serious. I have never felt so much love or so loved. I was so proud of my daughter and how well she did and proud of Daniel for taking such and important step in his life. I am truly blessed.
Following the baptism we went to "the hill" for a low country boil cooked specially by Papa Steve. Mama was number one hostess as always and made this day so wonderful. Dinner was great and the company was even better! Jessica brought her two, Baylen and Bowen and Starla brought two of hers Delaney and Raliegh. Noah, Baylen and Delaney played so well together and made everyone laugh. We also took pictures of Raliegh (1 mos), Max Milligan (2mos) and Bowen (7 mos). Jess, Starla and I grew up together and I am so excited that our children will have that opportunity. I never knew that I could love someone as much as I love my family and then I found Daniel and a new kind of love and I thought "How can you love someone more than this" and then I had Max Milligan and found that there is no kind of love like the love I have for her. God is truly an awesome God and I praise Him for blessing me with so much love.
And a quick note, Sunday we went to church. I was looking around and began to notice the babies. Laura is pregnant, Jennifer has Mary Thomas and 5 week old Myles. Fletcher and Jennifer were there with 2 year old Olin and I started thinking how amazing that life just goes on. And in such a fun wonderful way.

2008-02-19T12:56:00.000-08:00

Feb 16 was cousin Noah's birthday party. It was a pirate party and all the kids had so much fun going on a treasure hunt. There were four treasure chests "hidden" around Sandy Bottom Road. It was so much fun. Pop T came down for the party and it was the first time he has seen Max Milligan since she was born. Daddy has been very upset that he hasn't been able to get down to see her. Now he is normally a baby hog but this weekend was much worse. He was so funny. He barely would let anyone hold her and if they by chance got her, he gave them approximately 3 minutes before he stole her back. She did not take her naps that afternoon so she definately slept good that night.

2008-02-15T07:42:00.000-08:00

Max Milligan is already a big fan of visiting Blakely. Or maybe it's just me that always likes to go home. YaYa and Jee-ya(which Jeanne has dubbed herself and we love it!) dote on Max Milligan and keep her while I visit with friends or take a nap, mostly nap. They are so funny with her. Timing each other on how long the other one has been holding her and watching the clock when she is down for her nap. See we allow her to cry for fifteen minutes and Jee-ya watches that minute hand. When it is been 15 minutes, not 16 she is looking at me to get permission to check on her. I love it. I love to see how much my baby girl is loved and I feel so blessed to know that she will always have the most loving family and friends and a very wonderful support system. I love my family and I thank them for being with me always.

2008-02-12T17:12:00.001-08:00

Daniel has to work some sundays so Max Milligan and I go to chuch in Blakely with mama. As I was sitting there listening to the preacher and glancing over at Papa admiring his great granddaughter, I began to think about the past. I love my church. I grew up there. I used to sit in between my Nana and Papa and watch mama sing in the choir. We sat in the back right,the second aisle. We sat behind the Robertson's. Mr. Wally, Mrs Carol, Jill, Stacy, Kelly and Paige. I used to straighten my legs out to try and touch the back of the pew in front of me. I can remember how excited I was the day that I was finally able to reach the back with my toe and then with the whole bottom of my foot. That was a sign that I was getting big. Growing up. And now, I am a mama. Me! And I get to take my daughter to church. Watch her fall asleep in my Papa's lap, watch her start to reach her legs out to touch the back of the pew (which is now occupied by the Singletary's) and watch her grow in her church, in her Faith and in life. What an amazing blessing.

Sleeping through the Night!

2008-02-06T11:17:00.000-08:00

Max Milligan is sleeping throught the night completely now. Yeah Rah GO Team!!! We are currently working on getting ourselves on a schedule. Mama included because I will be going back to work in March. Sooo I have started waking up at 6 am for the first feeding and we take our day from there. Naps have been the hardest thing to get her to do; however today, she only cried 10 or 15 minutes before falling asleep. Yesterday it was 2 hours. Yes, TWO HOURS the amount of time that her nap is! It was brutal but I kept praying for God's guidance and wisdom. I knew that she was not wet or hungrey or hurting. She was just mad as all get out. So, we let her cry and boy did she. No worries folks we did check on her and pick her up and love her and then laid her back down. She is going to be a strong minded little one for sure!
Yesterday Daniel and I took her to get her pictures done. We are so excited to see how they come out. She did so good. She followed Mrs. Carol with her eyes and made sure that everyone knew how big she could smile. She is such a joy. Especially now on a schedule!

smiling baby

2008-01-27T17:41:00.000-08:00

"whenever i see your smiling face, i have to smile myself because i love you! yes i do" Everyone who has a child should listen to James Taylor's "your smiling face" every day. Max Milligan has started smiling,. and it's not just gas! it's a for real smile because she thinks that we are sooo funny. now if you know the song, you know that it continues as "when you give me that pretty little pout, it turns me inside out" Max Milligan has definately got the pout down pat. Her bottom lip sticks out so far. She looks just like my sister, Stephanie. such a bottom lip.
Max Milligan has got a flair for the dramatics and loves music and movement. She likes to dance with her mama and she likes to kick her legs and waive her arms to everything from james taylor to jack johnson. she even loves her baby bach and baby mozart cd. One moment she will be moving and grooving and as soon as a slow song comes on, she is gone! She takes after me in so many ways.

Here we go...

2008-01-21T18:43:00.000-08:00

okay, so I have finally decided to catch up with Whitney and Kelly and do the blog thing. I am very excited about it but am a little nervous about coming after these two. Their blogs are amazing and I love reading their wonderful words. Now that my sweet baby girl has blessed our family, I figured that this will be a great way for family to always know what she is up to. Max Milligan is a wonderful baby and Daniel and I have had so much fun (and no sleep) since she has been here. As some of you may know, we did not find out if we were going to have a boy or a girl. I would have loved it either way, but when Daniel said it was a girl, I must say that I was excited. You see, she is named after my Papa who is one of the most wonderful men I have ever known. She has a big name to live up to and already she is doing the name justice. She is stubborn and firey and has so much love to share, just like Max Milligan Sr.