Making a Comeback.....

Ok, so I realize it has been 2+ years since I have blogged.  I have been getting the itch, and today I decided to do something about it.  It is crazy not to, right?  I am so jealous of my friend Megan Johnson, russandmegan.blogspot.com, because she has everything documented and put them into books.  Such a perfect way to keep up with memories.  I just re read this blog, and remembered great times and things in detail that I totally forgotten.  So, I am turning over a new leaf!  I want to have every moment of Bowlin's life documented!  I have done an 'ok' job of that for the past two years, but that changes today.  So with that being said, let's get started.

Obviously, if I started trying to post in detail about life over the past 2 and 1/2 years 1. we could be here for days and 2. I would miss something.  So, I guess I will hit the high points over the next few posts and then start back in detail.

In my last post I told you we were having a BOY!   Well, by far the biggest high point of the past 2 years is that he is here.  William "Bowlin" Butler, III was born November 10, 2010.  Weighing in at a whopping 9 lbs 12 oz and 22 in long.  He came in this world big and has been big ever since.  He is my whole world.  You always hear how you didn't know  you could love something so much.  Or I always heard that, but only half listened to it.  Well, 'they' are right, it's true.  The love I have for him is indescribable in any amount of words!  A couple of pictures below for the big day.

Mom and Dad anxiously awaiting the arrival of Bowlin

Bowlin's very first picture

Momma meeting Bowlin for the first time

 All cleaned up

If you notice, above is a picture that says momma meeting Bowlin for the first time.  There is a story to that.  I went into labor at 2:30 AM in Corinth with my water breaking.  Needless to say the ride to Memphis was one of excitement.  When I got to the hospital my contractions were less than 2 minutes apart.  We got pulled over twice by police.  I thought I might be delivering in the car.  Once we got there I thought this can't take long.  I have to have him soon.  HA!  WRONG!

 I realize I had it better than a lot, and am not trying to make it out that I had it very bad.  I am just saying that 12 hours of labor is way different than 12 hours on a normal day.  Luckily I had family there to entertain me and keep me company. Meredith even drove from Starkville to be with me and be one of the first to meet Baby B.

So.......the short version is: we finally make it to the hospital, I am in labor all day, finally get to 10 cm, push for 30 min or so, only to be told we need a Csection.  If you know me at all you know my anxiety is a little out of control.  So, this scared me to death and sent me into a tailspin.  Not that I was necessarily scared of the surgery.  Just that it 'wasn't in the plan' and I don't like that.  Once they got me all prepped and moved me back in to the OR I had to go in alone for a little big while they prepped me before Bo could come in.  I have no idea if this was 5 min or much longer.  It seemed MUCH LONGER!  They had given me some drugs for the anxiety and I was groggy, scared, and cold.  Once they got started there was a LOT of pressure on my chest and pain in my chest.  At which time I decided I was having a heart attack.  The nurse with the drugs was at my right, and Bo at my left.  So I proceed to let them know calmly (yeah right) that I am having a heart attack.  They wouldn't listen and apparently I got a little wound up and pinched the nurse (ooops! my bad).  So......she gave me enough drugs to knock me smooth out.  As in I MISSED THE BIRTH OF MY SON!  On the video there is Bo and Bowlin so sweet meeting for the first time, and then they pan to me.  Out like a light.  Didn't know I was in the world.  Bo says he woke me up to show me Bowlin and I said something not so nice so he just let me sleep.  So the above picture is in recovery when I got to see my son for the first time.  He was perfection!

I am very excited about my blog comeback!  Just to give you a little sneak peek of what my life looks 2 years later, see below.  Until next time..........

P.

My little nugget of perfection at 2 years old (almost)

It's a BOY!

Baby Butler is Baby Boy Butler. We are planning on naming him William Bowlin Butler, III and calling him Bowlin. We are very thrilled! November 18th can not get here fast enough!

So, I have really fallen behind......

I know that I have NOT been doing to good on the blogging (ok awful on the blogging). BUT, I have big news that I think I should defiantly blog about! Coco, Lucy, and Lola are going to be big sisters in Nov! We are so very excited. I went for my 8 weight check up and sonogram yesterday and Baby Butler looks good!

The Tshirts are how they told their daddy the BIG news!

Lately...........

This has been one busy summer. Since the last time I posted we have done a lot.

We spent 4th of July at Pickwick w/ our friends Gere, Mollie Walker, Parker, Libbie, and their daughter Hadley. We also got to visit w/ JH and Ellis Fisher for the day on Saturday. It is always so good to see them.

Bo and Hadley the 4th of July

We also got one of the below bad boys. Oh it is so fun. Any gaps in the time from last time I posted until now that is not included in this blog we have spent 'floating'. They had one of these at Pickwick the 4th at the McLemores so we had to get one for Wildwood.

Bo enjoying the float

We went to Oxford for a Stock the Bar Shower for Jay and Lindsay. That was so fun. I really enjoy Oxford these days. (never thought I would say that)

The Corinth girls at the party

I guess I was feeling bad for spending time in Oxford, so the next weekend I went to stay w/ my MOH in Starkville. We had a great time. I got to hit all my fav eating spots. Bo was in NOLA on Jay's bachelor party. My guess is we are glad there are no pictures to share from that event.

Rockbottm w/ my sisters. Do we look alike?

Two weeks before school started back me and MKB had some of our favorite girls out for a slumber party. (Well Spencer and Bailey came too, but they had to go home before the slumber party started) We had so much fun. 5 girls spent the night.

Aren't the precious? Kelsey and Katie Beth Fulgum; Lizzie Lee, and Mimi Williams

On the float during the day

I feel like I don't mention my precious children on here enough. I snapped this pict in my friend Mary Elizabeth's car. You know they don't know they are D-O-G-S. So Lucy thought the car seat was for her. Who else would it be for?

Isn't she adorable?

Hank had a birthday. Kayla and I made him a HOMEMADE birthday cake. But, he said "Everyone else gets cake lady cakes". I thought I might hurt him.

Happy Bday Hank!

We went to the Kidney Classic. Bo played w/ Carson Butler. They made the championship flight. Dr. Zarr and the Funk Monsters played Saturday night. They are always so much fun.

Bo and I taking a break from dancing

LouAnne, me, MKB and Kayla

One of the major highlites of the last two months has been Jay and Lyndsay Shipp's wedding. We had SO much fun. The rehersal dinner and party was at the University Club downtown Jackons. The wedding was at FBC Jackson and the reception was at Jackson Country Club. Lyndsay looked beautiful. But, I didn't get any picts of the bride and groom.

Lauren and I at the rehearsal party



Bo and I at the wedding



Andy and I at the wedding

This past weekend was a golf tournament for Mike Guare. It was so much fun. Marcia, Mikey and Mandi did an awsome job of putting it together. Bo played w/ Mikey, John and Bob. They didn't score well, but they had fun (that is all that matters).

Bo and John getting ready to play

The whole team

Party at the Cafe after the tourney

Oh yes and we got a new niece. Her name is Olive. She is from the Corinth Alcorn Co Humane Society. If you are thinking you want a new dog PLEASE go there first. They are some great dogs out there that need good homes.

She is some kind of cute

Morgan is hitched!

Morgan and David are now Morgan and David Myrick. Isn't that an adorable name Morgan Myrick! They were hitched 6/27/09 in Hot Springs, AR. This worked to my advantage bc my Aunt JJ is from Hot Springs so I got to spend time with her as well as friends from college. Me, Bo, and Mom went on Thursday night. Me, Mom, Bo, and JJ went to dinner at a delecious hole in the wall restaurant called Jason's. It was YUM! Then Bo and I headed downtown to meet everyone else to go out. We went to a couple of different bars. But, my first and most fav was Capones. It was pretty cool, and we were some of the only people there. It was so good to be out with my college roomies and friends!

Me, Morgan, Christi, Mary Frances, and Katy @ Capones

Friday at Lunch Brenda (Morgan's mom) took us to lunch. We ate a place called the Brickhouse Grill and it was delecious too! Brenda always took care of us in college. When she would come in town she would take us all to eat, cook for us, and stock our fridge full of groceries. We loved it when Brenda and Big Dave would make a visit to Starkville. The below picture is all the bridesmaids (minus Meg), Morgan's sister-in-law Sarah, and Brenda.

Bridesmaid Luncheon

The rehearsal dinner was at Cajun Boilers, it was also YUM. (If you can't tell I pretty much ate ALL weekend). It was a really cool place and we had the whole back patio to us. My Mom, JJ, and some of JJ's friends were also eating there, and ended up sitting right by us but inside. Note my cute dress JJ bought for me.

Bo and I at the rehearsal dinner

Bridesmaids + Sarah at the rehearsal dinner

Ok, so as soon as I found out Bo and I would be traveling to Hot Springs I started telling him about 'The Duck'. Like I said my JJ lives there, so I have always been amazed my 'The Duck'. 'The Duck' is an amphibian vehicle. It rides you around on a tour on land and then just cruises off into the water and becomes a boat. I mean it is so cool. They were made for a war, and now are used for this. When I was little and Mom and I would go stay w/ JJ I would beg and beg for them to take me to ride 'The Duck', but they never would. Finally the first time Kenny went to Hot Springs w/ us he was kind enough to take me on a duck ride. But, I was really small and have wanted to go again since, and again no one would accompany me on 'The Duck'. So I found the wedding weekend the perfect opportunity for me again to ride 'The Duck' with Bo in tact. So then we get there and I realize that I can pawn the excitment of 'The Duck' off on Camden (my best friend Christi's 4 year old son) so I don't seem so ummmm pathetic or whatever. So that became the plan "Camden just HAD to ride 'The Duck'" and it worked. Saturday Bo, me, Camden, Christi, and Jeremey went for a 'Duck' ride. So so fun. I don't think Camden cared much about it, but I had a great time (HA).

Camden and I aboard 'The Duck'

Oh, yeah we were in Hot Springs for a wedding and not a 'Duck' ride. Sorry for the side track. I so wish I had gotten pictures of the chapel. It was so beautiful. All wood and glass, and it was in the woods. So Morgan and David! Then they rode a boat over to the reception from the wedding site which was Garvin Gardens. The Hamiltion House was the reception site, which you rode by and they told you about on 'The Duck'. It was such a cool place for a reception. We had a really fun weekend! Congrats to Morgan and David!!!!

The Bridesmaids and the Bride

Bo and Camden had a big time dancing at the recepiton

St. Louis

Ok, so I know I promised the posts last week, but I am just now getting to it. So Bo and I went June 18-21 to St. Louis for a mini vacation. Due to all the weddings and wedding festivites that we have had this spring and summer we opted for a smaller vacation this summer. We just went to St. Louis for the weekend. So glad we did! It is a really cool city.

We left Thursday morning. Our first stop was in Sikeston, MO at Lamberts. So you have to understand Bo has been building me up for this. (I think this is really the only reason he was even wanting to go to St. Louis). He was so excited, he had me skipping meals to prepare for this stop. I have to say it was a total let down (although he still thinks it is the greatest in the world). First of all Bo and I were the youngest people in the place by at least 40 years with the exception of this man sitting next to us. But, he was so nice to assist the others. He would catch the rolls for them (and after squeezing them in his dirty hands where the roll was mashing b/t his fingers he would pass them on). Ok he only caught one person's roll, but he did squeeze it to death and his hands were filthy (he must have been a mechanic) and he did try to pass it to the ladies behind us. Thank goodness they refused, bc if they had eaten it I would have had to leave then and there. It would have been the last straw. I couldn't really write a whole blog entry on this place and why I found it repulsive, but I will not bc one day your husband might be really wanting to eat there and I wouldn't want to give you a bad impression (ummph). The below pictures did make up for the let down though.

Bo's before shot

Bo's after shot

We stayed at the Millenium hotel. It was the perfect spot for us. We were literally looking at Busch Stadium out our room window. And below is the view of the arch from the hotel lobby. We didn't get there until that afternoon, so we just went up and got ready and headed for drinks and dinner before the game that night.

the Arch

Although baseball is my least favorite sport, I really enjoyed the game. We were a little disappointed at first bc Pujols didn't start, but he ended up playing about mid game. The Cardinals did loose (sad), but the game was a LOT of fun anyway.

Bo and I at the game

Friday morning we were off to be tourists. We headed down to the river to the arch for our first stop. I defiantly chickened out on going up in the arch. It was a really windy day and that sucker was swaying way to far back and forth. Then there was mention of you riding a 'capsule' up and that was that I was not going up. I could just see me glued to the floor at the top of the arch making a scene (bc I would never make a scene). So we toured the museum and walked around down by the river, under the arch (safely on the ground). We then had lunch at an Irish Pub and I had fish and chips and they were YUM! (Although I think Bo was still wishing for Lamberts).

Bo and I under the arch. Although you can't see the arch.

Our next stop for the day was Anheuser Busch. It really was so cool. Even if you aren't a beer drinker just the numbers they produce and the manufacturing process is unbelievable. I am going to spare you all the pictures of machinery (oh and the horses rear end; I didn't do so good getting a picture of the Clydesdale). But, if ever in the area it is a must do. I will give you this tid bit of info. With just the cans they produce in one day (not bottle just cans) they could line them up side by side from New York to Miami. That is in ONE DAY. It is over a six pack a second. Also they said there warehouse would hold over 500,00 cases of beer which would last them about 18 hours. Unreal. And I was suprised to find out that the midwest is the highest in beer consumption a year. Really would of thought the south would have taken that trophy.

Bo and I at Anheuser Busch

After walking all over downtown, the river, and Anheuser Busch we were worn out. So we took a nap then headed out to The Hill for dinner. The Hill is a neighborhood of Italian immigrants, and it has fabulous restaurants. We had dinner at Zia's it was so so so good. And yes, Bo pointed out in the below picture that my plate is almost cleaned and his is full. But, don't be fooled I had a lot less food then he did. After dinner we went to the bar in our hotel for a few drinks. I had the most amazing Martini I have ever had. I wish I knew how to make it.

at Zia's

Me, Bo, and my fabulous Martini

My picture taking skills lacked on Saturday. It was 100 degrees and we didn't know what to do. I mentioned the Zoo, but Bo said no way. Also we wanted to go out to Grant's farm (it is the Busch platation) they have cool animals. But, it is large and you have to walk and we were hot and tired from the day before. So we just took it really easy. We rode out to the mall (air condtioned). We had lunch at Cheesecake Factory (which is always so good!) and then shopped around a little. This was possibly the best mall I have ever been too. And Bo was so patient I was so proud (he knew if we left we would be back out in the heat). When we finished, we rode around downtown St. Louis and found the Rams stadium and the riverboats. We went in a casino for a little while and had dinner and gambled a little. Then we called it an early night. We headed home on Sunday for father's day. We had a really fun trip, and it is not too far from here. I hope we go back soon!

Happy 4th!

I hope everyone has a fun and SAFE 4th! Pictures from the St. Louis trip and Hot Springs trip coming soon!