Hayes Elliott Cataliotti

On our four year anniversary August 15th I found out that I would deliver our second son the very next day. Talk about a special and memorable gift! Although this would make our second child I was still as nervous as I was before! We grilled steaks to celebrate our anniversary and took Reaves to Sweet Frogs for some frozen yogurt for our last night as a family of three. I cried knowing that things would forever change and that Reaves would no longer be the baby. Although he will always be my baby for his whole life! The tears were also tears of joy in anticipation of meeting our son.

Without much sleep we ventured to the hospital at 5:00am. I will always remember that time as Joe and I sat and talked about how much we thought he would weigh, would he look like Reaves, would he have much hair. I said that I thought he would like Reaves, he would weigh 7lb 11oz, and that he would have a lot of hair! Well he doesn't look like Reaves he has more of a Stevens look, He weighed 7lb 120z so I was just an ounce off, and he does have a ton of dark hair. I guess that heartburn wasn't so bad after all!

At 7:48am on August 16, 2013 Hayes Elliott Cataliotti came into this world. I squeezed Joe's hand throughout the surgery (I had another c-section) and talked to my sister in law Jackie throughout the delivery. It was wonderful having her there to take care of me physically as well as for emotional support. Oh that first cry is the sweetest sound on earth. One that will be engraved in my mind forever!

 

 

Then I spent the day loving our new little guy! What a special special day! However when BIG brother Reaves came in he said "my mommy" and had a meltdown. Slowly but surely he's coming around and is beginning to love his baby brother! He always want to kiss him and he likes to pretend he's the baby too!

Mommy's baby



Big Brother Reaves

 

 

My heart is so very full! I am so thankful for our friends and family who have been able to share this special time with us (pictures of the grands, cousins, friends etc. on my FB page). I think God everyday for all the wonderful blessings in my life! Because these two boys of ours are the greatest blessings Joe and I could ever ask for!

 

 

Winter/ I'm turning into the seasonal blogger!

Wow! When Reaves was first born I would blog each week. I didn't want to miss one little thing that was happening around us. Then I decided monthly postings would suffice. Looks like seasonal blogger fits me best! Ha The memories live in your heart! But I still want a little documentation to look back on in the years to come!

We  were elated to find out just a little before Christmas that we were expecting again! I dressed Reaves up in a BIG brother shirt and when Joe walked in he said "why is he wearing that?" I think he was a little surprised!

 

 

 

Then I had a little mini photo session with mickey mouse blaring in the background so he would sit still!

 

 

 

 

Although it took a few takes we got a few!

 

 

 

 

 

We decided to tell early because we thought that it would be special to tell at Christmas when our whole families would be together. At my mom's Christmas celebration we wrapped up the #9 as a gift. Because this will make her 9th grandchild. She didn't get it, she just tossed it back in the bag like WHATEVER! With a little prompting "mom what do you have 8 of?" she began laughing and smiling!

 

 

Christmas Eve and Day were spent at Joe's parents house. We wrapped up the #6 for them. They didn't get it at first either! But were very excited once they did!



Reaves and his little cousin Tatum had a ball together! We dressed them up as Santa and Mrs. Clause. They spent hours playing together. There truly is nothing like family!

 

So that's it until my Spring post! ha ha

Fall Fun

We have been having lots of fun this Fall!

We took a trip to Key West with Joe’s brother John, his wife Sara, and sweet Tatum. We had so much fun paddle boarding, deep sea fishing, lounging by the pool, shopping, and dining out!

 

Mallory Square

 

                                                     Brunch

Love them!

Mama's boys!

He loves the pool!

Reaves' first bike ride on Duval Street

 

Reaves Fall school picture was a bust! They said he wouldn’t smile for the camera. So I was bound and determined to get a good shot that afternoon. So here it is….

 

 

And a another….

 

I love Halloween! I always have. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve played the songs monster mash and witches brew. So with that said I love nothing more than seeing my little man enjoying this fun filled holiday. He is throwing our decorative pumpkins all over the place yelling ball and be bopping around in his chicken get up! I might be biased, but isn’t he the cutest chicken ever?

 

 

Our little pumpkin is growing up!

 

 I guess I’m going with a farm theme! Ha ha He was a cow last year and he is a chicken this year! I can’t wait to see him trick-or-treating!

 

         Halloween 2011                                       Halloween 2012

 

 Fall is not Fall without a trip to the state fair. Joe was determined to park in free parking so we walked a good ways! I was determined to eat everything in sight! Joe asked me "are you still hungry?" I replied "Yes, I'm always hungry at the state fair!" Reaves loved the cow! He kept saying MOOOOO MOOOOO over and over!

 

He was consumed by the cow!

Reaves loved the carousel! He held on to the bar when the ride ended. He did not want to let go! So of course we had to ride it again!

 

 

Pitter Patter

The pitter patter of the little feet in my house makes my heart smile! It really is one of the best joys of motherhood. I could have it as my ring tone (I'm sure that is possible with the i-phone). It truly is music to my ears. The rapid series of these light tapping sounds in our house is so great to come home to!

The picture above is on Reaves' first day of school. He will now grace the Early Learning Center with his pitter patters! I'm sure it sounds more like thunder with all of the children there! ha ha

He found the ball tub! He was in heaven!

However he is having a little separation anxiety in the mornings. Oh it's not pleasant. I hope it does hurt me more than it hurts him. I know that he LOVES it! He is having so much fun, but I will be glad with the crying in the a.m. stops!

Here's to the pitter pattering continuing of course in his new TOMS!

So of course when the Stella and Dot pitter patter charm came out! I had to have it!

http://shop.stelladot.com/style/b2c_en_us/pitter-patter-baby-shoe-charm.html



Sweet Summertime

I have been home with my little guy for a few weeks now that I'm on summer break! I am loving it! Although the days of sleeping late during the summer months are OVER ( he woke up at 5:15am today)! I have learned the valuable lesson of napping when your child naps! I used to run around frantically trying to race against time to get everything and anything done while he napped. I can now say that I have relaxed a bit taking a chill pill so to speak and when Reavesy boy sleeps so does his mommy!!! I just keep saying in my mind "a clean house is a sign of a wasted life!" ha ha So here's to sweet summertime napping and playing away with my little man and spending some qt with my big man! God is Good!

Joe's brother John and his wife Sara came to visit on the way back from Myrtle Beach with sweet Tatum. She is Reaves' closest cousin in age! I can't wait to see them grow up together!

Reaves and Tatum

We will be spending lots of time this summer at the pool! He loves the pool like crazy! He just kicks, kicks, kicks! However he will not wear his sun hat or sunglasses! It's so disappointing b/c he looks so cute when he wears them! We are leaving for the beach early Monday morning, I hope he loves the sand and ocean as much as he loves the pool! Pics to come from our family vacation with Joe's family!

oh  yeah a little two in one confidence building system float!

His personality is coming out more than ever! He is getting a little attitude too saying NOOOOOOOO! His hair is all over the place, but I refuse to cut his curls even if he has been mistaken as a girl a few times! Seriously he was wearing a blue polo! Wait till he is wearing his Kelly's Kids bubble outfit this summer with his curls people will really think he's a girl! uh oh his daddy is gonna kill me!

xoxo

Carson

reaves' first birthday brunch

If you know me you know I am a planner! I have been planning Reaves birthday in my mind for months the color scheme, the food, the decor,etc. I read you should plan your child's big day around their schedule. So Reaves usually takes a nap around 9:00 so I planned a brunch for 10:30. Well let's just say the nap didn't go quite as planned because it didn't happen at all. I thought to myself all this time, money, and planning and he is going to be an ill pill!!!!I realized I just needed to roll with it so I poured myself a mimosa slapped on a smile and he did GREAT!!!! He had just as much fun at his party as I did planning for it! We had lots of family and a few friends celebrate our little guy!!!! I'm so glad it didn't rain but it was HOT!!!! Making memories with loved ones isn't that what life is all about?

             It started with this invite thanks to Pinterest my latest indulgence!

The color scheme and turtle motif was born from his monthly onseies he wore as I took his monthly picture . The label was lime green and aqua with a turtle!



It was neat to see his pictures side by side documenting his first year of life! I feel like he changed so much so fast! His 6 month pic is my favorite!!!!

drinks to keep cool!

Tub of fun!

The silly string was a hit!

Bubble gum favors for the kiddos!

cupcakes too!

gotta have a smash cake for the birthday boy!

I really thought he would "smash" it, but I don't think he knew what to think with everyone watching him!!!!!

Kid's party table!

Adult party table!

He's one! Where has the time gone!?!?

My wish for you is that you will have a life filled with love and joy!

We love you bubba!

love,

 mama and daddy