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.