7 Months

I have alot to post on from our life lately but before I get too much further behind here is Everett's 7 Month update.

Everett Neal is FULL OF LIFE! He is so generous with his smiles and a little more cautious with his laughter but when  you get that out of him it is pure delight!

Everett is taking bottles every 5 hours and eating two meals of fruit and veggies a day. He is a big fan of apples but not a fan of chicken noodle or green foods.

I broke his sleep sack quickly after his 6 month post and was scared to death about the transition from sleep sack to just a blanket but my little boy wonder didn't skip a beat. He has continued to sleep through the nights with a blanket over him and his arms sprawled out to his sides. Recently Everett has been turning on his side to sleep. It is both precious and hilarious!

Everett has learned to give "sugars" when asked and his response is a wide open mouth headed right for yours. He loves giving them to his Gran-nana, he can't seem to get enough.

Everett spends a lot of time rolling on the floor and is still working on trying to crawl.

He has mastered the arm flapping to show his delight and excitement. It begins in the the mornings when I walk in to get him out of his crib, if he isn't on all fours turning around in his crib those arms start flapping at the sound of my voice. I love it!

We are experiencing some attachment issues with his Momma. Always having to keep his eyes on me no matter where we are.  On our walks in the stroller Everett turns every 5 seconds to make sure I am still there. It is pretty precious!

We are blessed with the most precious boy in the world! 

She's our Queen!

Last night was one of those nights I will remember forever. Right up there with My Wedding, giving birth to Everett, and the most magical moments in life.

Last night it felt like the world came together for good and gave a little wink in our direction. Last night good prevailed evil.  Last night high school kids didn't seem so bad, I actually kind of liked them.

Last night Kelsey won Homecoming Queen of River Road High School for 2014. Last night was Awesome!!

Last week Kelsey got the news that she was nominated for Homecoming Court among 5 other girls in her senior class. She was elated! I was overcome with emotion as were her Mom and Sister and many others in the family. Grateful that the seniors had bound together to make this moment special for a girl who craved moments like this. Who went out of her way to make everyone around her feel special while she was made to feel less than. I am in awe of Kelsey because she was told she would need a "boy" escort for their pep rally and without missing a beat Kelsey asked Drustin, a boy in her special needs classes and in a wheelchair, to be her escort. This girl's heart is larger than life!!

We went shopping that Saturday to find her two dresses to wear for the events, one for pictures and one for the ceremonies. She was a giddy girl and so happy shopping for these dresses! She picked two that were made perfectly for her, she just lit up when she put them on. A blue one for pictures that made her Pop, while all the other girls wore black. Her other dress was a light blush color with a champagne sash and when Kelsey put it on she looked like a princess. She twirled around in the store and had a smile that was unmatchable!

On the day of homecoming the Fam all attended a Pep Rally where the girls were escorted by their male escorts one by one around the gym. Kelsey and Drustin were the last to be announced and the gym roared louder for them than any others. Kelsey looked beautiful and like she was on cloud 10! We were all so proud and excited to watch her at know she felt as special as she was. That would have been enough. Those moments of pure Joy and happiness!

Later that evening the crowning of queen was moved into the school gym because of a rain storm that hit the area. We all gathered to watch the parents escort the nominees into the center of the gym. Kelsey again last was beaming along side Aunt Tammy and Uncle Steve. She had had her hair and nails done and was gorgeous! To all of our wonder and excitement Kelsey was announced Homecoming Queen of her Senior class!! The moment her name was called Kelsey ran out to the previous winner to accept her crown, flowers, and cape! That moment was untouchable! Kelsey broke down in tears once the reality set, in true Blanton fashion, but quickly pulled it together to relish her moment of glory.

Words cannot describe how special Kelsey is. For all the crap she has had to put with and kept a smile on her face it is amazing to finally let her have her moment!

I think Aunt Tammy said it best in this Facebook Post...

For every quiet lunch you have spent; For every party you have not attended; For every look you have received........You have made a DIFFERENCE! You are a gift and your beautiful spirit has touched so many! Your never ending smile is proof of the JOY that God dwells deeply within you!
Thank you for being such a radiant light in such a dark world!!
I am so proud of you and your nomination!
I love you to the moon and back!!!

 Kelsey went out onto the field to be announced after she won. The rain couldn't dampen her happiness. Drustin is an assistant for the Football team and we found him on the sidelines to take this pic!

Half a year old!

Well we have made it... Everett Tristan is 6 months (and two weeks) old! It is actually amazing because we reached this point in 3 months  and 2 years all at the same time.... or so it feels. On one hand it feels like we  were never without him and on the other it seems so fast that this 6 months have come and if I reflect on that too long I will start crying because I know it will come all to fast that he is moving out of our house and on his own.

So for now we will stick with right where we are. 6 months and full of life!

Everett is sitting on his own!
Dangerously close to crawling, he all of a sudden started popping up on his knees from his belly.
He is eating everything he can.
Very observant.
Gives the sweetest smiles.
Has bright blue eyes that shine.
Everett's laugh is the sweetest sound in the world. He thinks his feet, thighs and tummy are the funniest but has also recently discovered his boy parts and things it is pretty funny too!
Everett loves to jump. Rarely stands still always bouncing.
He sleeps in a sleep sak still and usually falls to sleep right after he is laid in his crib without being rocked or fed!
Is finally consitently sleeping through the night! Wakes up with the sweetest smile in the morning to greet his Mom.
Loves to be snuggled in the neck by his Daddy.
I swear he said "Mama" twice but as no one was around to hear it no one believes me.

We had our first experience with a cold that nearly broke my heart. After passing it between the whole family and lasting a week with breathing treatments every 4 hours Everett finally got better.

 Everett weighed 20 lbs 2 oz at his last visit and was 24 in.  long putting him in the 80% and 75% percentiles respectively.

He is growing fast and strong and we are loving every minute of it!

Everett darling you are precious, beautiful, and pure joy! We adore you!