You're Not Santa... You smell like beef and cheese!

Stratton made a visit to Santa our at the mall a few weeks ago. He did so good! He didn't even cry or anything. My dad likes to remind me that this picture will be the last picture of him with Santa where he's not screaming. I'd like to think it's the first of many. Anyway, here's the cutie! P.S. I know he has a sockhat and mittens on with a short sleeve onesie. I'm fully aware.

Hangin In The Hot Tub!

My friend Erica and her husband Jake asked me if I would like to hang out with them while they were home so I of course wanted to since they are only home once in a great while. They live out in San Diego, Cali and Jake is in the Navy so they don't come home very often. Erica is my mommy friend. She has a little boy named Tyler that was born on Thanksgiving last year. She has done the whole breastfeeding thing too and so she has been one of my big supporters to keep it up. I don't have many friends that have had kids or are even married so it's nice getting to vent to her about the trials and tribulations of marriage and parenthood. We of course NEVER talk bad about our husbands. *wink wink* Because they are perfect. *wink wink* Erica is also a tattooed mommy like I am. It's nice to have people that are just like you out there.

Anyway here are some pictures from the night I got to hang out with them. Enjoy!
We started the night out right with a classy glass (or couple of glasses) of wine. They are such a cute couple! Erica got Jakes name tattooed on her ring finger last night. It's so cute! Jake has a "Till Death Do Us Part" tattoo on his forearm for Erica too.
Getting ready to head downtown! Woo!Sitting in the Pour House having our vodka and cranberry juice. Mmmmm.

They just left last night and I already miss them both. Erica got to spend the summer with my preggers self. Her and Jake are trying for their second one now. She is coming home in April or May I think to spend another 6 months here in Jackson while Jake is on leave. I can't wait till she gets back! We can have fun mommy bonding time together.

Cousin Jon Took Pictures of Us!

Hello All! It's been a while since I have posted. Little sleep and a colicky baby will do that to ya.

These pics are a little old and are from Thanksgiving but they are so good and so worth putting up here. He has them on their family blog also.

Sorry to all that keep up with our hectic about not putting any posts up in a while. It has been quite a busy holiday season with Grandma Brenda and Grandpa Jim coming down from Chicago to see the little guy who is almost 3 months old now!

We had a great Christmas with all the different family members and enjoyed all the new and wonderful gifts that everyone gave to us.

I will put pictures from Christmas up as soon as I can get Derek off his X-Box that he got for Christmas. He uses the Internet to play his games. :(

Any who, here are the pictures that Jon Betz took from Thanksgiving.
I love this picture of Stratton. He has changed so much in the last month!

Little Man really likes to smile....when he's not screaming!
This little cutie is Natalie. My cousin Jon's little girl. She is the sweetest little thing. She looks like a Cupie (not sure how you spell it) Doll with her little Mohawk. Aunt C was holdin her little nephew. Stratton looks so peaceful in this pic. Too bad he doesn't take a pacifier anymore. :( Yes, we are sisters. We just don't look anything alike. She's such a good sis though. She's a good aunt poppy too! (paparazzi) :)

Natalie is such a good little model. She knows exactly where to look and how to smile for the camera too. What a good baby.

My mom and Casey and cheesing SO bad. I still love them though. I guess... :)

Our Wedding Announcement!

Brennan - Williams

Sunday, December 7, 2008

MR. & MRS. DEREK A. WILLIAMS

Emily Ann Brennan and Derek Allen Williams were married Feb. 23, 2008, at Abbey Road Christian Church. The Rev. Keith Price performed the ceremony. Pianist was Roger Blankenship of Jackson. Bible readings and prayers were given by Jeanne Brennan of Cape Girardeau, grandmother of the bride.

The bride is the daughter of Calvin and Kathie Brennan of Cape Girardeau. The groom is the son of Brenda and Jim Bono of McHenry, Ill., and Dale and Lisa Williams of Jackson.

Maid of honor was Casey Brennan of Cape Girardeau, sister of the bride.

Garrett Williams of Jackson was his brother's best man. Ushers were Danny Bono of St. Louis and Josh Koehler of Jackson, stepbrothers of the groom.

A luncheon reception was held at the church.

Mrs. Williams is a 2005 graduate of Central High School, and is attending Southeast Missouri State University. She is employed at RapcoHorizon in Jackson.

The groom is a 2005 graduate of Jackson High School. He is employed by Beussink Brothers Woodworks in Jackson.

After a wedding trip to St. Louis and Knoxville, Tenn., the couple is residing in Jackson.

Stratton in the paper, online, and on a billboard!

This is the article that was in the paper when Stratton was born. It was in the paper 10/10/2008.

Williams

Son to Derek Allen and Emily Ann Williams of Jackson, Southeast Missouri Hospital, 3:20 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008. Name, Stratton Allen. Weight, 7 pounds, 7 ounces. First child. Mrs. Williams is the former Emily Brennan, daughter of Calvin and Kathie Brennan of Cape Girardeau. She is a graphic designer at RapcoHorizon. Williams is the son of Brenda and Jim Bono of McHenry, Ill., and Dale and Lisa Williams of Jackson. He is a cabinetmaker with Beussink Brothers Woodworks.

Here is the picture that was on the Southeast Hospital website. Isn't it awful?

Stratton Allen

Mother: Emily

Father: Derek

Date of Birth: 10/02/08

Time: 3:20 p.m.

Weight: 7 pounds 7 ounces

Length: 20.5 inches

Delivering Doctor: Dr. Eric Morton


Here is what was on the billboard!This one looks SO much better. He's even laying on the blanket that his Grandma Brenda gave him that has his name on it. Cute Cute!

Shots!

Today Stratton turned 2 months old!

So of course he had to get his two month old shots yesterday at the Dr's office. It was awful....for me at least.

He weighs 11lb 7.5oz now and is officially 23in long!

The nurse came in with her tray of shots and I think I was more scared than Stratton was the whole time. She had me lay him on the table with the paper on it. Stratton was so scared of the paper because it was loud and he just didn't like it. Right as soon as I let him go he started crying. The first immunization he got was the oral Polio and he seemed to like that one because it was sweet. Then it was time for the needles. I told the nurse I was really bad with needles and that I didn't think I could watch so she let me stand on the other side of the room. I turned back to check on him and she was rubbing his legs down with alcohol and holding them down. This really made him scream. She gave him 3 shots, one in his right leg and two in his left. As soon as she stuck him he was silent...because he was crying so hard he started to hold his breath. Once he caught his breath he screamed of course and the nurse FINALLY told me I could pick him up. With tears in my eyes and in his both of us stopped crying and both of us felt much better that the whole thing was over.

After we got done at the Dr office we went to Grandma and Grandpa B's house and he soaked in the sink while I held him and Grandma ran water on him. He loved it!

Once we were done there we said hello to a few friends, made a visit to Grandma and Grandpa Williams then headed home where again he got a nice warm bath to soak in.

A few drops of Tylenol and two hot soaks later he has done pretty good. This morning was a little rough and he was more fussy because I think he got stiff over night. We'll see how things went today at the sitter.

Oh, I got a new camera on the way so more GOOD pictures will be up soon.

Daddy's Girl

Throughout all of my posts I have realized that there is one person that is missing. My dad. I don't have any pictures of him on here with me or Stratton and I only mention him a few times. I love my dad. He's been such a great dad throughout my whole life. I have always been a daddy's girl ever since I can remember.

My favorite memories are not only with Grandpa B but most of all with my Dad. He took me with him everywhere. I remember going crappie fishing with him when it was SO cold outside and being so happy that I got to spend the day with my dad. I also remember all the times that we would go fishing and just drive around. I loved when we would drive to different lakes and wildlife reserves and he would point out all the different kinds of animals to me. My favorite part of hanging out with my dad is the we talk about everything! It doesn't matter how dumb the stuff I talk about is, he always humors me and talks to me. Now I really appreciate what all my dad has and does for me. He has taken such good care of me and my sister when we were growing up. He would drive me to see my mom while she was working so I could nurse when I was a baby. He would make videos for my mom of my sister and I when we were little to send to my mom while she was away for work. He got my first dog for me. (Mac) He taught me how to widdle with a pocket knife. He taught me how to like potted meat. He also helped make me the person that I am today. I look up to my dad so much and I know he doesn't always get credit for all that he has had to put up with over the years. He really is a great dad and I know he is going to be an awesome Grandpa when Stratton gets older. I can't wait to see Stratton go out with my dad and learn how to hunt and fish like I did.

Thanks Dad for all that you do. I love you so much!

Something fun to look back at

I was looking through my pregnancy journal and again I realize why I have such a great mom and sister. They wrote down all the things that happened during my labor and delivery.

Here's all that they wrote.

1am- arrived at SE Hospital
5:30am- mom & dad come up
6:45am- Dr Morton broke my water (2.5cm)
8:30-Casey arrived
8:45am-I got my epidural- was wonderful! 90% effaced
Derek went home to clean up and smoke
9:30am Cathy Schloss comes by to check on me
11:00am-4cm
11:15- Casey & Derek went to lunch
1:00pm-Grandma Kathie, Grandpa Calvin, & Great Grandma Marge ate at Lacy's on the Hill
NOTE- Great Grandma Marge is driving to STL to meet up with a person because Grandma Kathies conference she couldn't make. Instead-Taco Bell.
2:00pm- 10cm
2:40pm- contractions harder -pushing -more drugs
"feels like I have to push"
2:50pm- first pushes begin with the nurse
2:55pm-bringing in all the equipment for delivery!
3:20pm- Stratton is HERE!
7lbs 7oz 20 1/2 inches

Daddy and Baby

The last six have been some of the hardest but most rewarding weeks of my life. I have become a mom on my birthday to the most beautiful little boy that you could ever see. I have been a wife to the most genuinely great guy ever and have been able to give him one of the best presents ever. A son. I know we fight every now and again and we snap at each other...but who doesn't? I fall in love more and more with Derek everyday when I watch how he smiles and loves on our little boy. He is such a great dad and husband. I am so lucky to have such a great guy. He truely is my best friend. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with him watching our little man grow up.

It's so easy when the whole world fits inside of your arms

So this week is the last week that I get to stay home with my little guy and every time I think about it I get a huge knot in my stomach. I hate it. I hate that I have to give him to some lady that I don't know that well. Don't get me wrong. She's a great baby-sitter. But, it's not me that he gets to stay with all day everyday anymore. I just know he's going to scream the whole time. Err. I hate this. I don't want to go back to work but Derek and I need the money. I hate talking about it so I'm just going to put my latest pictures of the little guy on here. He's 6 weeks next week. It seems like just yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital and scared sh*tless about having to take care of a newborn. I had no idea what to do when he cried or how to make him stop crying or even really how to change his diaper without him peeing all over the walls. Now I've finally gotten into a routine and gotten him to where he sleeps in his bassinet and I have to forget about the routine and give him up. This is really killing me if you haven't already noticed.

Anyway, work is going to be kind of a bear going back to. Not just because I'm still having to wake up every 2-3 hours to feed and change the little man, but because a lot of changes have occurred since I've been gone. The changes aren't ones that I particularly like but I have to just be thankful that I still have a job. I'm going to just leave it at that.


Here are some of the pictures that I have been promising. The first one here is from Stratton and my birthday party. The little man slept most of the time. :) I'm going to have to get my dad's memory card so I can put some more from that day on here. These two are from Halloween. Stratton's FIRST Halloween. He was a skeleton. His Aunt Casey got his costume for him. This is Grandpa Calvin's Halloween setup that he makes every year for the trick-or-treaters. He's so crafty. We sat outside and helped Grandpa Calvin and Matt hand out candy. It was cold though so I had to bundle up and snuggle under the covers.

Grandma Kathie helped get the little man all cleaned up in the sink when I gave him a bath. He did not like it to say the least. Haha. He cried the whole time until we bundled him up in the towel.Grandma Kathie was such a big help. I just stood around and took pictures. I'm such a great mom. Haha. Ok, so I helped a little in the beginning but he still cried. Naked Baby! Finally done and wrapped up in a towel. Yay! Clean!

These next pictures are some of my favorite. They show some of the MANY faces that little man has been making lately and some black and white and sepia pictures that I took also. Grandma Kathie thinks this looks like those big nose dog pictures that are all contorted and close up. Haha. I think it's cute. This is his confused look. BIG yawn.Kinda mad. Really mad. Pissed. Smile! Now he's a happy baby. All smiles.

Here are the pictures that I took that are in sepia and black and white. These are some of my favorites.

Here is Stratton with his favorite toy and a great big yawn.

I know there aren't many pictures of my mom (Grandma Kathie) and my grandma (Grandma Marge and Grandma B) but I'm going to try to get more on here. I have some from the hospital that I still need to put on here as well. Here are a few of my mom and grandma.