Didn't know turning 2 would be so hard......

Happy Birthday to our sweet baby boy! It's so hard to believe that 2 years ago today, Walker Leigh was born. I've been looking forward to celebrating his 2nd birthday since he blew out his candles on his 1st birthday:).

I didn't know turning 2 would be so hard. Why, you ask? I thought last night his cheeks felt warm, but I was in total denial just looking forward to the birthday festivities that were to come. Walker had a few other plans for us this morning when he woke us up at 5am with a 102.5 temperature. I couldn't believe this morning that we were on our way to the pediatrician's office on his 2nd birthday. I did say to him in the car that one day when he understands I'm going to tell him what great timing/luck we had on his 2nd birthday:) When I turned 2 I had just gotten home from having my tonsils removed.

Walker has a viral infection that is very very contagious. After the diagnosis I looked at the doctor and said, "Does this mean no party today (as my voice started to quiver) he says, "Mom, No Party"....trying so hard to keep it together in the office...I completely lost it in the car. I began to call all of his friends to let them know about the change of events. All of our friends were so understanding and so caring. Made me feel so lucky to have friends that care so much about Walker. I was also disappointed to not attend his best buddy JD's 2nd birthday party. We have "postponed" the birthday party until next weekend. Mom and I tried to freeze most of the food that was already prepared and the rest we have snacked on throughout the day. Both of us were complaining earlier of stomach aches...wonder why??

We had our own little party today once Daddy got home from the Super Regional baseball game. We opened a few presents and watched A LOT of Nemo. Thank goodness Moppy has been here all week. I truly don't know what I would have done without her this week and especially today. We did a lot of cuddling today with the birthday boy. Moppy we love you and thank you so much for taking care of us this week!!

It's always fun to get presents in the mail and he's received some really cool things. Walker is totally obsessed with Nemo. Uncle Matt Matt and Sandra sent him a stuffed Nemo, baseball glove and 2 balls. If you can see the birthday card..yes it's an almost naked girl standing under a shower. Inside the card Uncle Matt Matt said, "I'm going to teach him early about girls." He's so clever:) Thanks you two for sending such cool gifts for Walkman.

Walker loved his truck and tractor books and his new enormous dump truck. I will post more birthday pictures after the party. We are truly so lucky to have such a wonderful little boy. Walker your smile will brighten up a room, your laugh is so contagious, your voice melts our hearts and most importantly Mommy and Daddy love you with all of our hearts. Happy Birthday to our SWEET SWEET baby boy!!

Family, Friends & WKU

Two weeks ago we visited Jules and Pops in Kentucky. We haven't been back since Thanksgiving, so it well overdue visit. We always love going back because we also get to visit campus and see the beautiful landscaping and new buildings. Pops continues to amaze me with his dedication to make WKU a leading university and what a job he is doing to accomplish his goals. WKU is such a special place for us with such wonderful memories. Patrick and I are so proud of WKU and we all are enjoying sharing the tradition with Walker.

We had a very special visit with Moke and Beck, Walker's great grandparents. They drove down to have lunch with us and to play with Walker. Beck had fun learning how to share with Walker. Walker's very good at saying, "Mine, Mine" and Beck fit right in with saying, "Mine, Mine"....she forgot how to share too. Walker thought it was so funny:) Thank you two for coming down to see us. We love you both so much!!

Walker enjoyed feeding the fish in the pond. He wanted to feed the fish a lot more than the fish needed to be fed. I would say the few days Walker was there the fish gained some extra weight. He also was able to see the turtle in the pond. I was very surprised he didn't try to swim with the fish:)

We always love to take a walk on campus. It was so much fun to watch Walker explore around. He loved roaming around down the middle of campus. Patrick and I walked behind him most of the time and it was so rewarding to see him have so much fun. Maybe one day he will walk the same steps as his grandparents, parents and uncle and be a Hilltopper:)

Walker had so much fun rolling around on the South Lawn and listening to the Gutherie Tower Bells.

The second half of our trip was all about FRIENDS and what wonderful friends we have in our life. One of my college roommates and best friend, Emily came over to have lunch with us. Walker flirted with Emily big time and he thought she was so funny. Yea, he talked a big game, but when it was time to get close to take a picture he was so shy:)

We also finally got to meet John Ingle. John Ingle celebrated the BIG 1st Birthday yesterday:) Rachel and I were freshman roommates and still remain great friends. We don't get to see each other as much as we would like too. It was so fun catching up and seeing the boys play together. Walker enjoyed sharing his powder sugar doughnuts with John Ingle:)

Walker taught Pops all about trucks. Walker's favorite book right now is all about antique trucks around the world. Pops and Jules also took Walker on a couple field trips while he was there. They went to the fire station, road the BIG BUS around campus twice and went to the train museum. When I get the pictures from Jules I will post them.

We have looked forward to seeing our college friends and most of us had not seen each other in over a year. Patrick organized a weekend that we would all come back to spend the weekend together and watch some college baseball. All four of these guys played baseball at WKU and were roommates. They have such a close bond and can pick up where they left off so quickly. It's always so much fun to listen to their stories and to hear them make fun of each other. We watched a lot of baseball, laid by the pool and reminisced about the "good ole days".

Walker enjoying Jerry and Katie:)

Walker enjoying Brian and Mary:)

The boys, aren't they so handsome!

We had such a great time and it was so hard to come back home. We are looking forward to seeing our family again next weekend for the BIG 2nd Birthday.

Beach, Beach, Beach

This handsome beach babe just doesn't realize what a lucky little guy he really is. I know when he looks back on these pictures when he's ten he will realize what a lucky little boy he was and probably ask why we can't live at the beach again:) We are very lucky to be able to live only 10 minutes away from the beach and go when we want too. We have been almost every weekend in May and Walker absolutely loves it. He loved it last year, but now he can really take it all in and enjoy it. There is not a day goes by when I load him up in the car and he says, "Beach Mommy, Beach Mommy" and of course I laugh and say maybe this weekend sweetie. His school is only about 3 blocks from the beach, so I some times say, "We're going to the beach"...yea, I know I'm kinda not telling the truth, but I can only listen to him say "Beach Mommy" so many times without it breaking my heart:) Of course I would rather go to the beach everyday instead of work:)

Walker loves to play with his trucks in the sand, build sandcastles with Daddy, build sand turtles and sand crabs. Last year all he wanted to do was eat the sand, so it's a nice change for us:)

He's really not asleep here, but he was tired and ready to go home. Daddy and I wore him out. Time for lunch and a nap when we get home:) just the way we like it!!

He absolutely loves to jump the waves with us. He has no fear of the water and will walk right in with no hesitation.

We met Walker's friends Peyton and JD at the beach for a play date a few weeks ago. Kristy, Abby and I definitely got our work out in walking from the water to our chairs will buckets full of water so the boys could build sandcastles. I believe Walker and JD in their 2nd life will be fish:) They have no fear for the water and Kristy and I had to bare the cold ocean and jump the waves with the boys. Peyton wasn't so sure about it, so lucky Abby didn't get too wet:) The boys play so well together....it sure is enjoyable to sit back and watch them chat and laugh at each other.

Peyton is showing Walker how to use the sand mill. Peyton and Walker have been together at school since infants.

Walker and JD are trying to figure out where all the water went in the bucket. I think it was a trick to get us back down to the water:)

How sweet is this....OMG!! Walker and Peyton holding hands walking down to the beach. I mean if this doesn't melt your heart....I don't know what would.....These two are such good friends. I can't wait for the next play date with the boys. We decided next time we're bringing the Big Boys, so the Mommy's can relax:)

I love you Mommy!

Today is Mother's Day, so I figured I would make a guest writer appearance to explain Walker and my gratitude to a wonder wife and mother. I couldn't ask for a better mother for Walker. Brooke is so loving, caring, thoughtful, attentive and compassionate. I think we all tend to take one another, especially our loved ones, for granted and I am sure I have done my share...but on days like today we can express how truly grateful we are for having special people in our lives.

This Mother's Day weekend was wonderful for the Ransdell's. On Saturday we hit the beach at about 9 and spent a few hours playing in the sand and soaking up the sun. Walker has really taken to the beach. He is beginning to really have fun and enjoy the sand and water; instead of just eating the sand like this time last year. Later on that evening Brooke and I had dinner with 3 other couples at one of our favorite restaurants in Conway. It was a good break for all the mothers.

Today we were able to enjoy a nice morning and Mommy got to sleep in until 8:30 - yes that is late in our house! Then we were off to church. Something strange happened after that - Walker to a world record 3 1/2 hour nap! This is off the charts for Walker but it allowed Mommy to get a nap in and just some lounging time - which is much deserved and very limited these days.

All in all we had a great weekend celebrating the person that means so much to me and Walker. We are very fortunate to have Brooke in our lives. Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's out there.

Sick little baby boy....

Boy it's tough when your baby is sick and it's amazing how quickly things can change. It's been quite some time since Walker's been sick, so I guess it was overdue. We had a such a great Saturday at the beach (pictures to come soon) and then first thing Sunday morning bright in early we were awaken by screams and I mean screams from Walker. Yep, just what we thought 102 fever and a very sick little boy. Turns out an ear infection and a very sore throat. Monday we were sent home with antibiotics to hopefully feel better soon. I can't tell you in Walker's almost 2 years of life has he EVER crawled up on the couch and fallen asleep in my arms. He is such a busy toddler and constantly on the go that he never stops. We've watched a lot of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Sprout. I do have to admit....I hate him feeling so yucky, but I have ENJOYED all this cuddling. Patrick and I have been taking shifts to stay at home with him. I also will admit that I could totally be a stay at home mom:) I have ENJOYED our time at home these last two days so much even with him being sick. We never get to cuddle and just lay on the couch, but man its been wonderful kissing his little fingers, kissing his head, smelling his hair, counting his toes, talking about his boo boos on his knees:) He is feeling much better today, so I think he will be back at school tomorrow with all of his friends. I know he misses his routine and he also needs to get back to school to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week.

We've spent a lot of time inside. He has kept busy by looking out the window and watching the tractors move and clear dirt for new construction homes. Ribbie's even enjoyed us being at home keeping her company.

Moppy, Moppy, Moppy

We are still wondering where did Moppy go? Walker came home yesterday looking all over for her even going upstairs to the guest bedroom. I keep telling him she had to go home to see Papa. Then he begins to look for Papa...LOL!! Moppy was here all of last week and we could not have been happier:) She left on Friday morning after staying an entire week and I know three very unhappy people she left to take care of themselves again...what was she thinking?? We enjoy it so much when Moppy comes to visit us. It's so hard to get back in the swing of things, but we've managed to figure out how to cook dinner again, clean the house, change diapers, bath time, laundry and anything else SUPER MOPPY does while she's here:) We love you Moppy and look forward to you visiting again, hopefully, sooner than later:)

Moppy showed us a new trick while swinging and as you can tell Walker thought it was so hilarious. The new twisting trick is a favorite of his now. I don't think it's so safe, but he laughed and laughed and wanted more:)

Walker also helped Moppy clean around the house. Walker was attacking Moppy with the broom while she was cooking breakfast for us:) In this picture apparently he thought he needed to wear his rain boots while sweeping the kitchen:)

We had a really nice surprise last Thursday when Papa came to spend two nights with us. He came down a day early with a family friend and Walker enjoyed snuggling up to him before bed time.

We love you both and we can't wait to see you again really soon!! Thank you for all you do for us and I can't tell you enough how much we love your visits. We love you!!