Barksdale Beach trip and a little more life...

At the end of September/beginning of October Murphy went on his first Barksdale Beach Trip! We spent 4 beautiful days at the beach with Nana, BB, Amy, Brian, and Ronni-Beth! 

Heinz - LOVED the sand, the Gulf, the lazy river, and the slide!!! 

Murphy - LOVED hanging out in the shade on the beach, the breeze, and snuggling in Mama's arms! 

Ronni-Beth - wasn't a huge sand lover but she was starting to come around towards the end of the trip! I definitely see her loving the beach next year! She's such a sweet and cute baby girl! 

We had so much fun hanging out, relaxing, and eating yummy food with family! 

Here is some photo footage! 

BB and uncle Brian buried Heinz in the sand! Heinz loved for someone/anyone to build a little castle with a bucket and then knock it down! Such a fun game huh? 💙

Murphy did some serious relaxing on the beach. This boy is so sweet and snuggly! 

Look at him! He's got the set up! 

Selfies with Mama on the beach were a must! 

Amy and Ronni-Beth! Such a cute picture! 

Ronni-Beth is such a sweet and fun baby girl! We loved getting to spend this time with her! She and Heinz played well together! Crazy to think that she and Murph are actually closer together in age! 

The trip wouldn't have been possible without these two! Thank you so much for such a wonderful trip, yummy meals, and good laughs! We love y'all and we are so thankful for everything you do for us! 

I think it's safe to say that my babies love the beach! Not as much as I love them! 😍😍

After some beautiful days at the beach, Heinz and Brad headed back down to Starkville for some more football fun! Well--- we lost. :-( This season isn't what we've been used to the past few years. We miss Dak and all the greatness that went on the past few years. But as always Hail State and Go Dawgs! **Heinz thought his "dog dogs" won so that's really all that matters! 🐾🐾

Here is some phot footage of their visit! 

These two love tailgating together! Heinz and Na! 

Dressed like a big kid (tear). He loves his "dog dogs" and his Daddy who takes him! 

Murphy and I stayed in Memphis! We stayed at Mimi and JoeJoe's again. We enjoyed spending time with them and helping Mimi after her toe surgery. She's in a cast, has a scooter and crutches --- and it STINKS! It's been painful and annoying for her but hopefully it will be all worth it in the end! Heck -- she may run a marathon or become a DWTS ballroom dancer before it's all said and done! 

Murphy says "Go Dawgs!" 

We celebrated Heinz's best friend Noah's birthday at his house! These two are so adorable together. It is so awesome to have my baby boy be buddies with one of my best friends baby boys! 

Look how cute these two are!!! 

After Noah's birthday party we headed to Mimi and JoeJoe's for a family birthday celebration. We celebrated Bennett's, Johnny's, Henry's, and Joe Joe's birthdays! *When we were in Mobile this weekend we got to celebrate Clara's. Who wants to celebrate mine in April? I will be 30!! 😱 I don't want a big party or anything. #kidding #ido #thirty??? 

Birthday boys! 

I didn't get a picture of Clara today! :-( She sure got some great gifts off her very detailed and amazing list though! ❤️

Heinz loves his cousins! He especially loves playing with his boy cousins! He already loves football, tackling, running, and being loud. Here's to the next 15 years! 

This cake was so yummy! Noah had one too! Cookie cake twice in one day! SCORE! 

Heinz and Murph,

All I can say is life with you two is busy, fun, rewarding, entertaining, full of surprises, amazing, and fills my heart so much! We love you to the moon and back a zillion times. 

Xoxo,

Mama

2 months!

9•8•16

10•8•16

Murphy is already 2 months old! (Actually as of today he is 2 months and 8 days old). Time truly flies by. You weigh close to 11 pounds already and are between 25-50% with weight, height, and head size! You are our growing boy! Your brother loves his "bebe Muuufy" more than anything. He constantly tries to give you your paci (even when you don't want it) and kisses you non stop. Y'all are going to be best buds and partners is crime for the rest of your life. I pray. 

Murphy,

You were baptized on 10•15•16 at St. Dominic Church in Mobile, AL. You were baptized by the person you were named after, Monsignor Murphy. He is extremely special to our family and such a holy and amazing man. Mama grew up with him in my life, hearing is amazing sermons, and enduring his cheek squeezes. He is truly the holiest man I have ever met. He helped make Mama and Daddy's wedding one of the most special days of our lives. Big shoes to fill my Murph. ;-) 

Your Godmother is Anna Price. She is one of Mama and Daddy's best friends. She was Mama's best friend first but I decided I could share! Heinz loves her too. He calls her "na"--I imagine you may call her that one day too. Anna has such a sweet, real, honest, and strong relationship with God. I know that she will keep it on her heart and mind to always encourage you to keep Christ in your heart, in your words, and in your actions. You are a lucky boy to have her as your God mama. She loves you so much--and we love her too! She lives in Starkville but we are hoping to get her closer to us really soon! 

Your Godfather is Jake Barwick. Jake is Daddy's best friend and Mama's best friend Robyn's husband. We really are just all best friends! :-) Jake and Daddy love to talk sports, drink beer AND wine, grill out, play bunko, and have fun. Jake became Catholic a year or so before he married Robyn (around the same time that Daddy became Catholic). Jake is such a great man of God -- something that I pray for your future. Jake walks the walk and talks the talk! Jake lives in Memphis so you will see him quite a bit. Jake is about to have his first baby -- a boy! Baby Barwick will be your buddy that's for sure! 

Murphy, 

I cannot express in words how honored I am to be you and Heinzs' Mama. God entrusted you to me and Daddy. We are so excited to raise y'all in the Catholic Church, to teach y'all about the faith, to watch y'all experience the sacraments, and to watch y'all build your own faith. 

God is good...all the time! And all the time...God is good! 

You are such a sweet and happy baby! You smile at people all the time but you especially love to smile at your cousins and Heinz! 

Xoxo,

Mama :-) 

Dog Dogs!

Brad and Heinz are loving games in Davis Wade! Murphy and I have been holding down the fort at home. We may venture off to Starkville once cooler weather hits and STAYS! 

Taking Heinz to Mississippi State games is one of Brad's favorite things to do. It doesn't hurt one bit that Heinz LOVES his "dog dogs" and football in general! 

Here are a few pictures from the season so far! 

Anna aka "na" is so special to us! 

Heinz walking with his peeps! 

Oh 2 out of my 3 loves! 

Ringing it proud and loud! 

Refueling with some lemonade and chips! 

Daddy and Murphy enjoying a mid-week snuggle! 

On September 8th our second baby love was one month old! He is such a sweet, happy, and cuddly baby. He loves when Heinz gives him kisses (even the somewhat rough ones) and loves for Mama to hold him! Daddy is a great bath giver and car seat carrier (those things are heavy!) We love you, Murphy B! 

Here's some more football footage! Jake joined Heinz and Brad for the MSU vs. South Carolina game. We won! They tailgated in the heat and had tons of fun with family and friends. Murphy and I held down the fort in Memphis! We watched the game at Mimi and JoeJoe's. We are yummy food and Murphy had his first spend the night party (Mama was with him of course ;-)!) 

Some photo footage---

Sweaty boy! 

Oh love this boy! 

Jake and Heinz cheering for the dawgs! 

Snuggly boy with his oldest cousin, Maddie. We are going to miss her when she's off at college next year! 

Oh our cute baby bulldog! 

He's a love bug y'all! 

Here's one of my favorite pics from the weekend-- what fun! 

On Sunday, we went to the Germantown Festival with Mimi, JoeJoe, Johnny, and Maggie. It was so fun and not TOO hot! Heinz had a blast! He loved the rides and was such a big boy! I told him we were at Disney World -- I know I'm bad! ;-) 

Sweet and sweaty boy! 

Heinz,

I love that you love going to the State games with Daddy. We love State and it's so fun to see you love and enjoy it too! You are growing up so fast before my eyes -- I'm excited to see you grow and enjoying every second! Love you so much! 

Murphy, 

I can't believe you are already a month old! You are the sweetest addition to our family! You are a cuddle bug who doesn't enjoy a diaper change. You sleep very well at night. Most of the time I have to wake you up to nurse you! We love you so big baby boy! 

Xoxo,

Mama 

Samuel "Murphy" Barksdale

Samuel "Murphy" Barksdale was born on August 8th, 2016. {due date August 13th}. It was a scheduled c section. We had to be at the hospital at 3:00 and everything was scheduled to start around 5:00. The hospital was a little behind for different reasons. I was starving and thirsty -- mainly thirsty. I was not allowed to eat after 7 am. Our Murphy was born at 7:37 pm. He weighed in at 8 lbs 10 oz and was 19 inches long. He is pure perfection and the perfect addition to our family! Mama is definitely out numbered by boys but I love the sweet blue and sweet love from all three. Here's to life with two babies! 

Mama meets Murphy for the first time. Boy it was different being awake while having a baby! I sure did try for that VBAC but Murphy was comfortable in his breech position! Come to find out (during my c section actually) I have a heart shaped uterus and Murphy's head was stuck in one of the arches of the heart. No wonder I felt him all the way up in my ribs and no wonder he didn't move! How sweet! :-) My doctor told me that any more Barksdale babies will have to be delivered via c section. Good to know. 

We had a wonderful experience at Methodist Germantown. Great doctors, nurses, everything. The only complaint our crew may have is this --- the TV in the room is super small, super high, and not placed so that all people can view. Luckily, our main reason for staying was not for TV watching. Murphy did come into this world during the 2016 Summer Olympics which was fun! 

 

One of my favorite life moments....

Heinz meeting his baby brother... Aka "his bebe." What a sweet moment. Heinz has loved him from day 1 but this sweet love has definitely gotten stronger and more hands on! Ha. 

This picture was taken the night Murphy was born. I literally cannot explain the feeling I got with both of my babies in my arms for the first time --- indescribable love, happiness, calm, nervousness (can I be a mama to two?), faith, gratefulness, and just all the feels. My babies.  

Here's a pic from the next day! Next day---same feelings! 

Since Murphy was born later in the evening and family didn't get to come into the room until fairly late we decided to wait for the birthday party until the next day. We did however do the story reading. Johnny read it to Heinz on the night he was born and I wanted him to do the same for Murphy. My boys are so lucky to have wonderful cousins to play with, love, and grow up with! 

Needless to say, Johnny started out reading the story (and did a fabulous job!) but got teared up on a certain page and Brad finished. There wasn't a dry eye in the room. Murphy Barksdale, on the night you were born God gave us all an amazing gift. You are the perfect addition to our small family and our big family. You are so loved and have so many cheerleaders our sweet boy. 

So on Tuesday night we had Murphys birthday party! It was complete with a beautiful and yummy pale blue birthday cake, champagne, and the birthday song. Heinz loved it! We did this when Heinz was born (thanks to Lacy) and I wanted to keep the tradition going. Who doesn't love cake and champs? Thank you Mimi for providing the party essentials --- if was perfect! 

Adorable cake! 

Champs! The bottle was even blue! Go Mimi! 

Murphys was born on Monday and we went home on Thursday. Thursday was also Heinz's first day of 2K in the ECC at SAA-SDS! Nana and BB had been staying at our house with Heinz while we were at the hospital so they got him ready and took him to school. I believe there were quite a few tears but he made it through {and so did his teachers}! 

What a big week for big brother Heinz! He shined! 

My boys... Wow, such an amazing thing. Praise God! God is good!!

Xoxo,

Mama