My Predictions for UAB Football 2008

Yes, folks, I am going to make some very girlie, uneducated predictions about what is in store for UAB football this fall. You see, the guys start camp this Monday, and while I am already missing my husband and feeling like a single mom, I am getting excited about the season. First of all, though, I want to congratulate our friends, Joe and Nicole Danna who welcomed their second son, Zack (6 lbs 10 oz), into the world today. Good luck, Nic! We'll be thinking of you! Go Falcons! Back to my predictions:

"Player to Watch Out For:"

Swayze Waters

This picture is a little misleading because Swayze is actually our kicker and punter, and a dang good one at that! Swayze actually led the country in kicking last year for the first half of the season and was a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award (which is like the Heisman for kickers). The thing, though, that I like most about Swayze (other than his consistency and ability to get points on the board) is that he isn't afraid to hit, too. There was one game last year (I can't remember all the details) where Swayze punted to the other team, ended up tackling the receiver, causing a fumble, and then ran the ball to complete our first down. He is amazing!! I can't say enough about this kid...he will definitely be playing on Sundays. My favorite story about Swayze, though, involves our child. You see, it 10 pm Jan. 3, 2008, and Tyson was on the phone with Swayze while I was taking a shower. I heard Tyson talking to Swayze about Swayze possibly entering the draft early, and POP!! My water broke. I like to joke that the thought of Swayze leaving us early was so stressful that it sent me into early labor!

"Coach to Watch Out For:"

Coach Tyson Summers

Ok, so maybe I am a little biased, but when Swayze wins the Lou Groza Award this year, Tyson is going to be standing up there next to him shaking hands and kissing babies.

Game Predictions: Like I said, these are my girlie, uneducated predictions...these are not my husband's opinions but my own. So to start, I will quote Coach Callaway from the 2008 Media Guide (which is now available through http://uabsports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/073108aab.html so check it out), "I still think we are a year or two away from being where we want to be." That is a tough pill to swallow knowing how hard as our husbands and these players work, but we are rebuilding and we will get better. I will admit, though, these guys played really tough last year even though we had a major depth issues; they are definitely a team full of surprises. Anyways, here is my breakdown for the first 5 games:

Tulsa-#1 offense in the country, but we almost beat them last year at Tulsa with all our key guys banged up, so I am hoping that home field advantage will definitely be in our favor. This is definitely going to be an exciting game! I am going with UAB on this one.

Florida Atlantic-Ok. I'm not going to lie...I honestly don't know anything about this team. Based off their 2007 season, we only played one team that they played, Memphis. Florida Atlantic beat Memphis 44-27 whereas Memphis beat us 25-9. It is a new year, though, so I am going with UAB.

Tennessee-2007 SEC Champions. This is gonna be a tough one. However, if we can have a game like we did last year against FSU (we should have won that one bust lost 34-24), we might could pull out a win. Like I said, this UAB team is full of surprises! Man, if we won, I would be singing "Rocky Top" all the way back to B'ham!

Alabama State-Again, a team I know nothing about. My girlie instincts tell me, though, that we've got this one. Alabama States leads the series 2-0, but last year, they only beat Alcorn State by 3 whereas we slaughtered them 22-0. My husband is going to be so embarrassed to see how I think.

South Carolina-This one is going to be another tough one, but I am so excited about it anyway (for girlie reasons of course). I'm ashamed to admit that I have never been to the South Carolina stadium, but I hear it has an awesome atmosphere; it should make for an exciting wives trip.

Ok. I'm done for now. My husband is probably going to kill me for doing this if he doesn't disown me first for showing my "lack of football knowledge." Ask me what Tampa 2 is, though, I know what that means. Anyways, it should be an exciting season, but y'all please pray for the Blazers!! There are definitely more important things in life, buy unfortunately, this is our life. If anyone is interested in coming to the games, let me know! Go Blazers!

My New Walker

"Do you like my new bumper car?"
"Look...I can bat like a righty..."
"And a lefty!"

"Aren't I the cutest little ambidextrous kid you've seen?"

After about 3 weeks of trying to make my mind up on a walker and 1 return to Babies R Us, Tyson and I finally got Jake a walker. It's definitely not my favorite of all the walkers (I despise bears), but it gets around really well and doesn't leave any marks on the wall (big plus in my book). Jake hasn't made his mind up if he likes it or not; now that he crawls, he isn't really into being confined to a piece of equipment...that or he has ADD...I can't tell. Anyways, he is finally figuring out how to actually "walk" in it; it only took us luring him with our cellphones, food, etc. a few times before he got the hang of it. It is quite a site to see...I think Jake thinks it is a big bumper car! My poor kitchen!!

Door Stopper

"What does "No No" mean, Mommy?

"Doinnngggg!"

After I wrote about Jake playing with the door stopper in the "Touch and Taste" post, I totally jinxed myself. Immediately after I wrote the post, Jake woke up from his nap, played on the floor for a while in his room, and then crawled out into the hallway and found ANOTHER door stop to play with. He was entertaining himself for quite a while, so I walked out of the hallway for like 2 seconds to grab my camera but only to return to Jake waving the door stop in the air and beating it on the wall!! I freaked out for a few seconds when I saw all of the scratches on the wall (just enlarge the picture...you can see them, too!) and realized my "new" house now shows the signs of a little boy living in it. I'm sure this is the first of the bumps and bruises my dear house will endure, but I was not prepared for it so soon! Long story short, the door stopper screwed back into the wall and Jake now checks on it every time he is put on the floor of his room. I have to admit...the kid has a great memory for a soon-to-be 7 month old! Anyways, it's kind of hard to tell from the pictures, but it is absolutely hysterical watching him play with the door stoppers! Well...minus the scratches on the wall!

UAB Football Staff Retreat

Tyson, Jake, and I just returned from the UAB Football staff retreat in West Point, Mississippi at the Old Waverly Golf Course. Coach Callaway is so sweet to let us have one last time with the guys before they go into "lockdown" for the season. We went to this place last year and had a blast again this year, but boy, was it different with a kid! Anyways, it was so good to spend some time with our good friends on staff and just with each other as a family. We are really going to miss Tyson for the next couple of months as he disappears into football season (tear, tear). Only 1 month and 5 days until kickoff! And only 4 months and 4 days until it is over! As you can tell, football season for a coach's wife is definitely a love-hate relationship!! Go Blazers!

Touch and Taste

"This sure does taste good, Mommy!"

Now that Jake can "crawl," he is getting into EVERYTHING!! I literally can't turn my back on him for a second! Funny story...I was putting away some of Jake's clothes in his closet while he played on the floor. Next thing I know, the closet door shuts and I hear a big "Doinnnggggg"...he had found the door stopper!! He has also found the trash can in his room, the lamps in the living room, and the front door! We are in trouble!! Jake's new favorite place, though, is in the living room where the rug ends and the hardwoods begin (right in front of the couch). He will crawl right up to the edge of the rug, feel it and then taste it; then, he feels the hardwoods and then tastes them. And then, he looks up at the red sofa, feels it, and then you can imagine what happens next...he tastes it. He will go on for several minutes "feeling and tasting" between the 3. I know it is apart of his exploring and figuring out things, but it grosses me out! He puts his mouth on the floor where peoples' nasty shoes have been!! He might as well be licking the floor of a public bathroom! Whoas me!

Family Time!

"I love my Pat-Pat!"
Jake loves his new truck that Pat-Pat and Granddad got him!
"I'm trying to get to my Pat-Pat, but this green stuff is so hard to crawl on!!"
"How about a little help down here?"

"Why does she do this to me? Is she TRYING to embarrass me?"

We just got to enjoy having my mom (Pat-Pat) here for the past couple of days, and boy, were we glad to see her!! It had been almost a month since we had seen her last, and Jake and I were really missing her! Of course, though, as soon as she walks in the door, she scans Jake's selection of toys and decided they were less than sub-par, so we headed off to Target with my dad's credit card. Mom and I have a lot of fun with my dad's credit card...especially when he is not around! By the way, thanks for all the toys, Dad! We wish you were here to see Jake enjoy them! And of course we couldn't have done anything without your signature, Mom! Seriously, we appreciate everything y'all do for Jake; Jake would be a very deprived child if it wasn't for y'all spoiling him! Thanks for coming to see us, Mom...we miss you already!!

A Few of Jake's Firsts for the Weekend:

• first time playing in the grass
• first time sitting in the high-chair while out to eat
• first time pooping in the bath tub, which lead to...
• first time pooping in the pottie (it was a mad dash), which lead to...
• first time calling my mom after she hadn't been gone 2 minutes and asking her to come back and help me clean up the mess (literally)

Play-Dates!!

Jake and I have had a lot of fun these past 2 days hanging out with our friends and having our first "play-dates." Yesterday, we got together with our neighbors Ashley and Ryan and Ginger and Brantley at Ashley's house. I don't think the boys got much out of it, but the mamas had fun and that's all the counts (for now!). We are going to try to make this a weekly event; it is so fun to watch the boys grow up together! Here is a picture of the boys in descending order by age of the boys as newborns and the boys now:

Now: Jake 6.5 mos, Ryan 6 mos, Brantley 5.5 mos

Then: Jake 5 wks, Ryan 3 wks, Brantley 1 wk

Can you believe how much they've grown?

Today, we got together with my friend Libby and her son James. Libby and I worked together in Atlanta at Egleston and then she moved to B'ham a couple of years ago. Libby is the first person I called when found out we were moving to B'ham; she has been a lifesaver!! We both now work at the Children's Hospital here (just on seperate floors and WHEN we actually work), but more importantly, we both have little boys that are just 4 months apart. James is such a sweet and handsome little boy, and we can't wait to have more play dates with him! Here are some pics of the 2 boys:

James says, "Hang on, Jake, I've got you!!"

"Want to play with my toys, Jake?"

"Woah, woah, woah! Help me, Jake!"

Jake says, "I've always got your back, James!"
"What do you mean we have to go home now? We're having fun, Mommy!"

Jake's New Trick

"Wanna see my new trick?"
"This is what Daddy taught me that the defensive lineman do at goal line. You stand like this and then you cut the offensive lineman's knees."
"Did you see me do it, Mommy?"
"How's it look from this angle?"
"What do you think? Do I look like a defensive lineman?"
"If football doesn't work out, at least I still have my modeling career."

Jake showed us his new trick last week- he gets on his hands and knees like he is going to crawl, but then he locks out his legs and stands straight up (of course still leaning on his hands the whole time). It is so funny to watch because as soon as he gets up into standing position, he takes a huge propelling leap and lands flat on his stomach. I swear the noise is so horrifying that I cringe everytime; it sounds like it knocks the breath out of him!! He just goes about his business playing, though, and never even wimpers! He is such a tough little boy!! I can't figure out why he does this except that it gets him a lot further than his catepillar crawl. He looks like a little Monkey going after a banana or something. Tyson swears that Jake is just going to stand all the way up one day and just surprise us and walk. Like I said, I think he's just being a little monkey!!

A Not-So-Pool Party

Fall 2008 UAB Linebackers and Kickers
"This pizza crust is SO MUCH BETTER than

those green beans I had for lunch!"

Uncle Zach teaching Jake to walk

2008 Pool Party

Tyson and I were supposed to have his linebackers and specialists over for a pool party today, but the nasty weather here in Birmingham forced us inside. The king and queen of organization (yours truly) forgot a back-up plan in case of inclement weather, and there was no way I could fit all of those big ole boys into our house, so we dined at the lovely UAB meeting room. Jake thorougly enjoyed himself; he nibbled at some pizza crust for the first time and gave lots of "dap" to the players. 1 month 2 weeks and 3 days til kickoff!! Go Blazers!

The Best Babysitter

"Uncle Zach" (aka The Best Babysitter Ever!)

We are nearing the end of Tyson's vacation, so Tyson and I decided to go out to eat ONE LAST TIME by ourselves before the madness of football season begins. I am proud of myself...this is only the 2nd time that I have left Jake with a babysitter who is not a family member. Well...Zach is like family (in fact we call him "Uncle Zach"), but I just had to prove my point. Zach is so good with Jake; I didn't worry at all. Plus it helped that Jake was asleep before we left and stayed that way for the rest of the night. I know Zach appreciated that, too. Thanks, Zach!!

Brusha-Brusha-Brusha!

"NOW what's this crazy lady doing?"
"I could get used to this!!"
"Your turn, Daddy!"

Tyson and I were watching TV Thursday while Jake played on the floor in front of us. We must have not been watching Jake very closely because before we knew it, Jake had crawled over to Tyson and BIT HIS BIG TOE! After laughing my head off for a few minutes, I realized how absolutely disgusting my child's mouth must be. I love my husband, but the man doesn't even wear flip-flops in public showers!! Gross!! So I ran out to the store yesterday and bought the rubber-finger-thing for brushing babies' teeth and WENT TO TOWN ON THOSE BAD BOYS!! The whole teeth-brushing thing is probably something I should have started sooner, but I had no idea his teeth had gotten that big. Anyways, it is now part of our daily regimen, and Jake surprisingly LOVES IT! Maybe he will get his mommy's good hygiene and not his daddy's! I hope everyone has a great weekend! Remember to brush your teeth!

**In case you are wondering what is wrong with Jake's eyes...it is his eczema. It is flared up right now, but we are working on it.

6 Month Check-Up

"Who needs friends when I can just talk to crab float?"
"What's up, crab? Gimme five!"
"Can't a guy just relax in the pool without

getting his picture taken over and over again?"

We just got back from Jake's 6 month check up, and everything went well. Jake measured in at 28 in long (90%) and was 18 lb 11 oz (75%). Dr. Dudgeon wasn't too concerned with his weight since he is still in the 75th percentile, but Tyson and I expressed our concerns about our child's stubborness with bottles. Long story short, he said it may be "silent acid reflux," so we are going to try some Zantac to see if it helps. If the Zantac doesn't work, our child is just plain being stubborn and fighting bottles, but I pray it works!! Every bottle is a fight with Jake! Other than that, Dr. Dudgeon was impressed with how well Jake's eczema is looking and with his ability to crawl. He also noticed that Jake's upper gums were swollen, so he might be cutting his upper teeth, too, really soon!! It's kinda crazy since those aren't supposed to come in until 9 months! Anyways, that's about all I have to report for now. I'm sorry to have to post these older pictures from a couple of weeks ago (I can tell because Jake barely has one little tooth in these pictures), but I have been working like crazy lately and haven't snapped any pictures. I'm back on as mommy now, though, as Tyson's vacation winds down, so I will hopefully do a better job with pictures. We hope everyone has a great weekend!!

Happy 4th of July!

"Happy 4th of July!"

"The chicks really dig me in this hat and my car!"
"Check out what I can do! Splash-Splash-Splash!"
"You wish you could look this good in a hat, Daddy!"
"Remind me again WHY we walked to the pool in this heat?"

We had a very uneventful 4th of July this year, but we still had a great day. I was coming off of working several night shifts, so I got some much needed rest. We did get a chance to go to our pool and grill out, and we had a blast! Jake tuckered out early and missed seeing the fireworks, but there is always next year! We hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday!

Six Months Old!

"This bathtub is so cool! How about letting me

out of this seat so I can go for a swim!"

"This best thing about the bathtub is all my new friends that I have to play with (and eat!)"
"Hey! What's this thing? Is it another new friend?"
"Oh I know she didn't just get water in my ear!"

"Alright, mommy. Time to get out...I'm starting to prune!"

Jake turned 6 months old yesterday! To celebrate, we let Jake take his first bath in a bath tub. He had already played a while in the pool, so I didn't know if he how he would do. Surprisingly, he loved it!! In honor of his 1/2 birthday, we also officially retired the bouncy seat FINALLY; we probably should have done this a long time ago, but we all loved that thing! Note to self...when the bouncy seat is bent all the way back to the floor, you might be a little too big for it! Other than that, things are really coming right along. We go to the doctor Thursday for his checkup, so I will update you on his stats once we get back. I have a feeling, though, we are in for a disappointment. When we got back from vacation, I weighed Jake, which I haven't done in a while, and he had lost weight since his 4 month checkup. I had a feeling he might have not really grown much since all of his clothes were fitting a little more loosely and his body just looks overall more thin, but I had no idea he had lost weight! I've said it once, and I'll say it again, the boy just doesn't like to eat! We'll see what the doctor has to say about it all. Wish us luck as we endure another round of shots!