Southern Tour, Part 1

Judah has quickly learned of his mother's deep love of all things Southern, including--but certainly not limited to--sweet tea, college football, home-cooked meals (known to some as "soul food,") small-town living, hot & humid summers, hospitality, minding your manners, flip flops in October, southern drawls, saying "hey" to everyone who passes you by, beautiful beaches of the Gulf, Sunday services, bluegrass, and did I mention college football?! While we do reside in North Carolina, I am often reminded (especially by my family) that it is not the "true South" (aka deep South). I have to admit, they make a pretty strong argument but that's another post. In the recent months, Judah began his 4-state tour of the South, which will end with Tennessee and Kentucky this month! The first stop was the "Heart of Dixie" in October to my hometown in Alabama. Although very short, this was such a special trip for him, as he met so many family members and friends for the first time. Traveling without your husband via plane with your 6 month-old makes for an interesting trip, but Judah did great...mommy was just tired!

Judah loved meeting his family. Even though he was exhibiting some pretty strong stranger anxiety at this point in his short little life, it's as if he instantly knew they were his family...they loved each other immediately!

Judah meets his Great-Grandmother

Judah meets his Great-Granddaddy Joe...kindred spirits :-)

Hi K-Pop!

Loving on Aunt Amy

And cousin Marlee (I promise he is not bigger than his 6 year-old cousin...but it sure looks like it in this pic!)

Cousin Maggie

Uncle Wes...I think he got the most amount of spit-up love from Judah :-0

During our short trip to Bama, Judah was also able to squeeze in a little time with his new best buds, Sawyer and Braylen--sons of two of my very best friends, Brooke and Nancy. And I promise we did not plan for them to all wear their cute Alabama attire. That's just what happens when three college friends get together with their adorable boys on a fall Saturday in Alabama...yet another reason I love the South.

Best Buds-Braylen, Sawyer & Judah

I think Nancy nailed this conversation they were having a this point....check it out here.

So Sweet!

What a fun day with beautiful friends!

A Roll Tide Halloween

In the Nix household, all elephants are affectionately known as "Big Al." (For all of you non-SEC sports fans out there...can't be many..., Big Al is the mascot for The University of Alabama, where Jeff and I went to college). We have so many Big Al's in our house (including our dog Allie's favorite toy of 7 years that is literally falling apart), but none have been cuter than the Big Al in our house on October 31st...

 And before we move on to Turkeys, here's one more "Boo!" for the year....

Butternut Squash and Boo's!

My favorite veggie! 

 Keep watching til the end...apparently mommy's "boo's" are funny and scary!

Punkins!

Judah loves all things orange; it is obvious that it's one of his favorite colors (in addition to yellow). While sometimes this can be negative (i.e., Tennessee Vols, Auburn Tigers, Florida Gators, etc.), most times it's a positive thing--especially this time of year! Although Judah seemed to enjoy his first trip to a pumpkin patch, his mommy and daddy enjoyed it much more! I had no idea that we would actually get to pick our pumpkins off the vine...way cool. Of course, Judah was the cutest punkin' of all!

Hats with Straps, Anyone?

Well, this could be a problem this winter....

Judah looking adorable in his hat before our morning walk

 Look mom, I've learned to take it off myself!

The look that makes mom laugh hysterically

Clearly, he's doing this all the time now because this is how found him when I went to get him out of his stroller on a different day...little stinker :-)

Play Date!

Although I'm not terribly fond of the term, "play date," that truly is what commenced last week...my friend and I set a date for our boys to meet and "play." Friend and co-worker, Alison Bernard, recently adopted a baby boy from Ethiopia. In fact, we were in Ethiopia meeting our boys (who are just one month apart, by the way) at the same time this past summer! We used different agencies and as you have read, our "free" time in Ethiopia was limited, so unfortunately Alison and I did not get to meet up while in Ethiopia. I'm embarrassed to say that it has taken us three months to plan this "date," but hey--we're both new moms so we've been pretty busy :-) Anyways, Judah had so much fun with his new friend, Truman. There was hair pulling and toy stealing (by Judah only), but we think fun was had by all! I mean seriously, are these not the two cutest babies you've ever seen?! Yep, that's my Judah eating his truck :-)

Post-cuteness Epilogue #1 :
What are the chances that your desktop computer and your camera are broken at the same time?! Pretty sure it's slim chances, but I happen to be included in those odds. Anyways, because of faulty equipment I am super behind on my blogging. There has been lots of October excitement for Judah that mommy has yet to capture in our little electronic journal here...a trip to Alabama to meet his aunt, uncle, cousins, Pop, great-grandparents, and BFFs; a trip to the pumpkin patch; lots of new foods he's tasted for the first time--the list goes on and on.
Our computer is up and running now (for the moment) and our camera is currently at the Canon Service Center with plans to return home (fixed, I hope!) in about a week. Anyways, I've had to rely on my old camera as well as other people to take pictures and send to me--so bear with me, I hope to catch up soon!

Epilogue #2 (with more cuteness): Our little man is now 7 months old! Happy Birthday BooBoo!

Beach Baby!

This past weekend, Jeff and I loaded up Judah and Allie, packed our Jeep full, and headed east to Wrightsville Beach, NC. Our first family vacation with Judah was awesome; the only complaint was that it wasn't long enough! Our dear friends, the Geer's, joined us with their precious 3 month-old son, Carson. It was good for Judah to get in some play-time with one of his best buds. And Carson was patient as Judah stole his toys and pulled his hair :-) Although a little chilly, the weather was perfect for us! Our little beach cottage, even more perfect!
Perhaps I did have high expectations that after seeing the beach for the first time, Judah would show that he loved it as much as his mommy. Although there were no shouts of joy, he contently went for strolls along the shore (thank goodness for the Bob stroller!) and he chilled on the beach for several hours. However, he seemed rather indifferent when he heard the crashing waves, smelled the sea salt, and felt the sand for the first time with his toes....probably has something to do with the fact that he is 6 months old?! Anyways, indifferent is better than dislike, and I have a feeling the next time we take him to the beach, he will glean full appreciation of the fact that it is "heaven on earth" just like mommy says! All in all, I think he really liked it and it was a WONDERFUL weekend get-away for our little family!

Judah enjoying his teething rings as Daddy enjoys his morning coffee on the front porch

Strolling in the Bobs with his bud, Carson

First time his toes hit the sand....he didn't notice, but Mommy did!

Beach bum

What's up, everybody?!

Daddy is so fun!

Family pic at a great restaurant. And of course, Sophie the giraffe, made the picture!

Rocking with Daddy after dinner

Sunset with Mommy on the porch

Early morning stroll

The ocean makes me sleepy!

Brunching it along the Cape Fear River in Wilmington