Merry Christmas from the Butlers

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

A few videos

Here are a few recent videos of Reese...Enjoy!



**He wanted to eat his socks but then got distracted**

Our little Sunshine

Wow, how time flies!!! I cannot believe I have been off work since April! My time to return to work is sadly approaching us fast (Jan.5th)! So these next few weeks I am cherishing EVERY moment I have with Reese, taking as many pictures and videos as I can, and also visiting with friends while not at work. (AKA...shopping, eating lunch, having playdates, etc.) Here are some pics of Reese while we decorated our tree, went to visit Aunt Cheryl, him playing in his new jumper horse/ Charlie, and some other randoms. It makes me very sad to have to return to work but at least there is a light at the end of the tunnel (I only have to work until the end of the school year in May) then have the summer off. I hope and pray that I can eventually work part time and get to spend more time with my handsome, constantly changing son. He is the light of my life, my little ray of sunshine, the person I see in the morning that is not only smiling at me but laughing and it just makes my day, the third person that makes our little Butler family complete, and just the most smiley/ happy "littlest" baby you will ever meet in your life!!! You can't tell that I love my son can you? Who knew that someone so tiny could make you so happy and full of life?? God has blessed us more than we will ever be able to comprehend!


















**Reese somehow got his bib turned around backwards. Silly monkey!**




















**Reese's way of helping put on the ornaments was licking/chewing on them and then giving them to me. :)













**Sitting up in his big boy tub playing with his toys**



**Nana & Reese on Thanksgiving...bless his heart he did not feel good at all**



















**THE BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT EVER!!!!!**

Decorating. Thanksgiving. Travel.

That's the story of our lives these days. We cooked a huge feast for our family the night before Thanksgiving. I had my first taste of cooking a HUMONGUS meal and I enjoyed every minute of it. Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Maple Syrup "dressing". Homemade mashed potatoes. Deep Fried Turkey(s). Corn. Broccoli Cheese Casserole. Rolls. Cornbread. Brown Gravy. Chocolate Pie. Homemade Baked Apple Dessert with Vanilla Ice Cream & Caramel Sauce. = in the words of Rachael Ray...YUMM-O!!!

The next day we got up and traveled to visit Rhett's family in Dundee, MS (right outside of Tunica). Then that night we ate dinner with my mom and family. WOW, what a busy Thanksgiving we had! Poor Reese, he's still battling a cold/ sinus stuff. Then the next day we got up and drove to Fayetteville, AR to visit Rhett's family. We had a wonderful time visiting with family, shopping, and just hanging out. I'm just glad that our tree and Christmas decor is out and we don't have to mess with it when we get home (especially since I have the sinus stuff goin on now) yuck. I will be counting down the days :( until I have to go back to work. (tear) I am trying to look at the positive side, I only have to be there until May. 

I'll post pics from the holidays soon! (hopefully before Christmas) :)

6 month check up

Yup, it was that time again...yesterday we went to see Dr. Christian. Reese did really well while we were there, as a matter of fact he only cried when he first got stuck with the three needles for his shots. Then he was laughing and smiling when we were dressing him and leaving the office. He now weighs 17lbs 13oz and is 27 3/4 in long! Poor guy, the doctor says he's gonna be tall and lanky. Wonedr where he got those genes from?! He did wonderfully at the doctor, we were so proud of him. Dr. Christian says he's doing great growth wise and developmentally. He now sits up on his own (falls over every now and then), reaches and grabs for things, laughs, babbles, chews on his fingers & TOES, and is eating really well. We are so grateful that God has given us not only such a wonderful baby but a blessing and joy to be around. Mommy is going back to work in January and will be so sad to leave him at the sitters, but is so grateful to Rhett for letting me stay home until then!! I've had the time of my life with Reese being at home, watching him and taking care of him and going to bible study with him. I can't wait until May to be back home with him!

Our trip to Knoxville

Last week we went to Knoxville and Maryville to visit my dad, Sharon and Brooks. We had a great time! We got to go up the mountain to see Sharon's brother's cabin, Rhett played golf, we drove to Gatlinburg for the day, I got to visit with Erin whom I haven't seen in 8 years, and we had a "Thanksgiving dinner" with the family. We had a great time and enjoyed seeing the beautiful trees and creation that God has given to us. It was amazing!! Some pics are posted below... and that is not my dad's house in the picture of the scenery. We stopped a couple times on the way up the mountaint to take some pics.

Halloween Time!!

Well, it's been a LONG time since we've posted anything! Here recently Reese has learned to roll over (even at night and wakes himself up & US up as well), he's teething...chewing on anything from his toys to his hands to my shoulder, and he babbles nonstop! It's hard to believe that this time next year he will be about a year and a half old. He'll be everywhere (we hope)!

These are a few pictures of his Halloween costume. We went to Zoo Book on Friday night (he wouldn't smile in any of his pictures because he couldn't figure out what was going on there) then to two more festivals this weekend! One of which he got to try his first grape sucker at! He didn't want me to take it away from him, imagine that! We're gonna have to start accumulating some candy for mom and dad at the last festival we go to this coming Friday night at Bellevue. By the way, his costume says little on one foot and monster on the other foot. But his costume definitely looks like a dinosaur! It's so him!

REESE ROLLS OVER!!!

This morning Reese rolled over, but still had one arm stuck underneath him. Which is what he's sort of been doing here the past few days. Well, tonight I told Rhett to put him on his back so he could see him try to roll over (what he missed this morning). And Reese fooled us both! He rolled completely over and got his arm out from underneath him!! He did it three more times then got fussy because he was hungry. What a HUGE milestone! I'm so proud of him. Check out the video!

Pumpkin Patch

On Sunday, October 5th we took Reese to his first pumpkin patch. He was nothing but smiles when we showed him all of the pumpkins. Anywho, here are some of the pictures from our visit. He is such a happy baby! Can I say that enough? :)

Fun Art Work

Several people have seen my work on Myspace and Facebook...well, I thought I'd post a picture of my recent artwork that I've been working on. It's a little time consuming, thank goodness Rhett is at home because I wouldn't get to paint unless Reese was asleep. Don't get me wrong, sometimes Reese lays there and watches me paint while he's playing. He's so good! :)

I have recently started decorating ornaments (for the wonderful upcoming holiday). I'm pumped about Christmas being around the corner! Probably because I've already been buying Christmas gifts here and there and I'm determined to be done before the busy season starts. Who knows, that may never happen. ha! Sales are my BFF!!!

Anywho...here are some pictures of my most recent and only ornaments I've made. I have made one U of M colors (can be made for other colleges) and another just red & green with our family name on it. I hope to get better at painting them! It gets tricky! Ps- the price for an ornament is $10 :)

We're so happy!

Well, it's been awhile since I've been able to write. Rhett made it back safely and is doing well. He had LOTS of funny and interesting stories to tell! Reese & I went to the Zoo for the first time with his Nana, Aunt Liz, cousins Macy & Ty this weekend. I'll have to post some pictures in another blog. We had fun!
Reese just had bananas for the first time this morning. He wasn't very sure about them at first but he ate half the jar and his formula! (See pics and video below) We are about to go to his baby shower at my school. I was supposed to have one at the end of April...that was the week I was in the hospital so needless to say we never got to have one. My sweet school is having one for me and two other babies today, we can't wait!

Reese eating his bananas...

What a sweet boy! Oh, how I love him!

Daddy & Reese at the airport. Figured we needed some pictures of daddy on here too. :)

T is for tired...

Well, today was quite a lazy day and I enjoyed every minute of it! Reese slept off and on all day today. Guess he's goin through another growth spurt. We even got to take two naps together today. He's the world's greatest little snuggle bug in the world! (That's why you may hear me call him "bug" or "buggie" from time to time. Okay, maybe everyday!)
This morning he actually let me put him on his tummy to do tummy time. He then proceeded to roll over not once, but three times!! I was so excited for him! I was on the phone when I recorded one time he did it so you'll hear me talking in the background (he looks up at me and pretty much falls over). Oh how he's growing! If I don't watch out the next time I blink he'll be one and walking, or eighteen and going to college!
It's getting late and I'm ready to go to sleep. Rhett, we love you and hope you are enjoying every video and every picture!

A long day in the neighborhood...

Well, Reese and I had another adventurous day today! He started it off by almost rolling all the way over...got some of it on video. Gotta keep that camera close by these days, you never know what he's gonna do!

I honestly don't have any energy left from today to sit and type about our day. Just happy to have talked to Rhett on the phone! That made my day...no, my week. I'm posting these videos of my son's new talents and his new toy, doing my bible study and then going to bed! Enjoy.

*Reese looks really surprised when he rolls back over...then he notices me filming him & he smiles.

Talk, talk, talk

My sweet child...oh how he loves to talk and make noise now! It really all started this morning when I turned on Sesame Street and Bert & Ernie came on. I HAD to capture it on video for Rhett (and others) to see. :) Then after this morning's round of cereal I just knew I had to get him talking, with his mouth open and full, mind you. This afternoon he went to Mimi's house so I could go see my little "niece or nephew" on the GIGANTIC ultrasound screen. (since none of my siblings are anywhere remotely close to having kids I consider my close friends' kids my relatives). PS- we never saw cause HE/she was laying still with their legs crossed!! Next time HE/she better put on a show for us! That's ok, Reese did the same thing when it came time for ultrasounds. (If you haven't noticed...I want a nephew for Reese) :)

Reese & I then went to Aunt Cat's soccer game, which they blew Snowden out of the water...they are now 3-0. They are awesome, Go Spartans! After the soccer game came the fun volleyball game, which we lost...but hey, that's ok. We have too much fun while playing so I enjoy it ALOT! (Thanks to Amanda I was able to play...so sweet to come all the way up there to watch Reese on her night "off"!!!!) Once we got back home Reese was ready for round 2 of cereal and this is where the video came from. He is now sound asleep, with lovey in hand (which is quickly taken away after he is fast asleep)!!!!! Oh, I put him in those gowns when I think it might be warm in the house at night. Well last night our temp in our house was 73 degrees...freezing! I felt so bad when I woke up and felt his little legs.

Birthday dinner with Mimi

This what the sky looked like as we walked around the lake at Shelby Farms. It felt SO cool outside, it was wonderful!

God's beauty...
This is what Reese did the whole time we were walking around the lake. (of course) I even stopped to feed a few ducks but quickly left out of the fear of being attacked by them.
These are pictures from tonight after dinner. It was hard taking pictures of the two of us! Reese wanted to watch the tv more than anything! And the one of him in my lap is just priceless! What a face?!

My sweet angel! I am so blessed to have him here to celebrate my 27th birthday with me!!

Reese & I had a fun, restful afternoon, then went to the Olive Garden to eat dinner with Mimi. Who came and picked us up and took us to eat, she's the greatest!! There were two other people there celebrating their birthdays too!! The waiters came to sing to me (no cake though, where's the free dessert when you want it)? JK! I still have some yummy chocolate cake my mama made for me :)

Happy Birthday Mommy!

Well, today is my birthday and Reese and I are celebratin together today! I finally was able to talk to Rhett today...via chat on Yahoo. Thank goodness for the internet, I don't know what we'd be doing without it. (Love you honey) :)
Anywho...here is another video of Reese from this morning and some pictures to go along with it! I hope to get him out in a little while and go to the park and go for a walk! We will write more later tonight so (Rhett you can see it when you are at work).

Here are some pictures from the past day or two daddy...

I have to admit we do have the most happiest baby I have ever seen before in my life! He loves to smile and laugh all the time! His most favorite toy right now is his lovey/buddy. He has two of them. He loves putting them over his face while he goes to sleep. It makes him go to sleep almost instantly!! I could post pictures of him sleeping with it all day long. He's so funny. OH, no more rolling over that I've seen or heard of since Saturday. Maybe he'll do it once daddy gets back home! Today we are going to eat cereal at lunch time and then again at dinner time. We'll see how that goes.

Too Funny!

Reese & I came over to my mom's tonight for dinner. After he ate his cereal and bottle he was just a laughin up a storm! We thought he was tired and ready for a quick nap but apparently we were wrong! Check out the video!  

A milestone for Reese!!!

Today, while I was in the shower and Reese was playing on his Baby Einstein mat I heard a loud scream! I threw the curtain open to see what was wrong with him and he was on his stomach with his head straight up in the air. (Keep in mind my child HATES tummy time so you can imagine how shocked he was to be on his stomach!!) I hopped out and quickly rolled him back over. I think it scared him more than anything and he was surprised to see what he did on his own (HE ROLLED COMPLETELY OVER WITHOUT ANY HELP!)...whether he knew it or not! I was sad I missed seeing it happen but so happy that he finally did it on his own!!
Finally heard from Rhett! Glad he made it there safely!

Rhett's in Italy

Well, Rhett left tonight for Italy. He will be back September 21st! Reese & I miss him soooo much already! So, you will probably see lots of videos and pictures that I'll be posting on here daily for the next week for Rhett to see. (Honey, we love you and miss you!!!) I hope you enjoy the pictures and videos while you are gone!

This video was taken tonight after we got home from taking you to the airport. He ate his entire bowl of cereal and was sort of sad when it was all gone. He's amazing! If you are reading this please keep Rhett in your prayers for his safety as he travels and finds new adventures in a whole nother country! Thank you!! :)

Reese's Way of Talking

Here lately Reese has not only been "talking" but he has been screaming as he talks. Sometimes it's REALLY loud! It's pretty funny because he usually laughs after he screams. Watch and you'll see!

Recent pictures

My 3 month pictures...8.8.088.8.08

Reese got to see my dad & Uncle Brooks while they were in town visiting!

The spinny thing on his exersaucer always makes him jump!! My mommy & I have fun during the day playing together!
I'm just a big, healthy, growin boy!!