Family Vacation to Alabama ~ Day 2

The Beach!
After breakfast, we all got ready for the beach. Now I'm not a huge fan about the actual beach. I really hate sand. It sticks to EVERYTHING! Six kids bring back lots of sand. BUT I was excited to get the kids there. The last time we went to the beach, Jasmine was a baby. Jasmine is 8 now so this was a pretty big deal. The kids were very excited. Jacob and Jenna, heck even Jasmine, didn't really know what to expect.

After Oma, Opa, Uncle Boo, the kids and I lugged all our stuff out to the beach where the Missouri family members had set up *camp* on the beach (pop-up shade tents, chairs, etc), the kids couldn't wait to get to the water. Jordan and James went right in of course. Opa and Oma took the other ones down while I sat under the tent with Jaylynn. Thankfully if it got too hot, Janice and Joy's condos were right there for me to seek inside shelter. It was actually pretty nice under the tent so we never had to go in.

The kids had a blast swimming, body surfing, boogy boarding, playing in the sand and everything else kids do at the beach. Thank You to Opa and Uncle Boo (and all the other adults) for their help with the kids. I don't go in the ocean. Scared. Can't do it. But not only helping take them out, making sure Jacob didn't swim away! The boy LOVES the water and you really had to watch him to make sure he didn't go in by himself. Jacob is Jamie through and through. Jamie LOVES the beach. LOVES the ocean.

Sidenote: So glad my daddy survived. Watching his grandkids have no fear in the water was a little rough on him. Made him pretty nervous. The kids can get away with anything but man, he sure is protective of them!



I said I hate the beach. I don't really hate it anymore. Still hate sand but I actually had a great time. Watching my kids have a GREAT time made the beach a great place. Just wish it still didn't have that darn sand...

We even saw dolphins! James was a tad concerned that they were sharks. I reassured him that they were dolphins. I think he believed me.

Family Vacation to Alabama ~ Day 1

I don't remember what time we pulled up to THE HOUSE in Alabama, after our 4 hours of sleep in whatever motel it was we stopped at. I think it was around lunch time or a little after. Here is what we pulled up to. Nice.



Jasmine and Jordan were busy playing Uncle Steve's Cornhole game with Opa when we got there. The kids were so excited to see each other. I think it took all of 5 seconds for Jasmine to rip Jaylynn from me. We quickly got the stuff out of the van, stretched our legs and got the tour of the awesome house.

A bit later, Hope woke up from her nap and got reintroduced to all of her cousins. She was a tad overwhelmed with our large crew. Admittedly though, they can be pretty scary! They hadn't seen Hope in person since she was a newborn. Neither had I! She is such a sweet girl. I wish we were closer so the kids could really get to know one another.

We just hung out the rest of the day, swimming, eating and being together. Nana and the rest of the Missouri crew came over to say hello to everyone! Jaylynn was passed around and around of course which she didn't mind one bit!

Family Vacation to Alabama ~ The Ride There

I'm going to break this up day by day as best as I remember (too much going on during the day to get this done so I'm going to do it in bits and pieces until it's all there).

First, let me say a GREAT BIG THANK YOU to Mom and Dad for this wonderful trip and getting us a gorgeous house to stay in! It was a beautiful house and it was so wonderful having all of us there to enjoy it together. Thank you for everything!!!!!

We had a great family vacation this year to Gulf Shores, Alabama. Sadly, Jamie couldn't join us on our trip. The kids and I really shouldn't have gone for various reasons but Jamie insisted that we go. I will be forever thankful to him for pushing me to go (you'll read why in a later post) and so grateful to my baby brother. Without him, the kids and I wouldn't have made it. For one, I wasn't comfortable riding down alone with the kids (only 4 of them) and he said he'd ride with me. Then before vacation, I took the van for an oil change to find out we need some work done on it and Jamie and I weren't comfortable taking the van 1,000 miles from home for it to break down. Jeremy said we'd ride in his van (scary thought but we made it back and there just fine). Thanks Jamie and Jeremy!!!!

The trip down there was long but thankfully not too hot. After getting to Mom and Dad's house, me and Boo moved everything to his van. Kids went to the bathroom and we were off. We made it to Gainesville before Jacob asked "if we were there yet?" Uncle Boo told them before we left that whoever asked that question that they were there and the rest of us would keep trucking to Alabama. So Jacob had a nice vacation in Gainesville, VA. ;-) Despite being asked "Are we there yet?" about 417 times, the kids were actually great in the car. We did stop at a hotel about 3 in the morning. Boo couldn't drive any longer and while I attempted to drive, Jaylynn wasn't having any part of it.

Here's a picture of the happy children stuffed in the back of the van when we were taking off. The kids handle going to the mountains and I think they thought that's how long the trip would take. It takes 3 hours to get to the mountains....

Jaylynn's 2 Week Check-Up Stats

Jaylynn had her 2 week check-up today. Everything went great and she is growing wonderfully!

She is above her birth weight, which is wonderful. She weighs in at 6 lbs 11 oz. She is 19 inches already and her head measured in at 13.25 inches.

We saw a different doctor today than last week so we had to tell our story again of how she came into the world. It is marked in her chart so I guess we'll be going through this each time we see a new doctor. I guess it's a pretty cool story to tell and I have to say that I'm pretty proud to tell how awesome Jamie did.

So Miss Monkeybutt is growing great and doing great. She's a keeper!

Happy 2 Week Birthday Jaylynn!

I can't believe you are already 2 weeks old! Happy 2 Week Birthday Monkeybutt! That's your new nickname from Jacob. He gave up on calling you Venom.

Jaylynn's First Bath

Jaylynn's cord fell on her 1 week birthday but it wasn't completely healed up yet. We had to wait a few more days before the first official bath. She did great. Not sure if she loved it but she wasn't screaming until she got out. Once she was dried off and wrapped back in a towel, she was fine.

It's not the greatest picture in the world but she's covering up her *goodies*.



A few other sweet pictures we captured today

Too cute not to share

I got a couple of adorable pictures this morning. Way too cute not to share them! Enjoy!

Happy 1 Week Birthday Jaylynn!

Already a week old Jaylynn? In case you didn't get the memo, you aren't allowed to grow up. None of your brothers or sisters have listened to me about this. Maybe you will. Mommy can hope, right? For your 1 week birthday, your cord fell off! Yay! It was really bothering Jasmine and Jenna. :-) You are such a great baby. So relaxed and easy going. You don't keep Mommy up at night. Just eat once or twice and back to sleep. You are such a blessing in our lives. We love you Chipmunk! That's your nickname that Jasmine has given you. We'll see if it sticks. With those cheeks, I can't imagine it not!

July 4th, 2009

What a great 4th of July we had! We went to the mountains as usual. Love being there! Oma and Opa came with us for the weekend. Carl, Becky, Chad and Brandon came over. David, Michelle and Bradley all came as well. We grilled burgers and hot dogs and set off fireworks. Everyone had a great time. It was such a nice and relaxed day.

All of the kids loved the fireworkds. Chad enjoyed them from inside since he doesn't like loud things whatsoever. Somehow he did do some sparklers and really enjoyed those. It was great to see him do those. I'm not sure who had more fun ~ Jamie setting them off or everyone else watching.

Jaylynn Grace

Jaylynn Grace Combs
June 28th, 2009
Approximately 6:29 am
6 lbs 7 oz, 18 inches
Born at the Bergton Fairgrounds; Delivered by Daddy.




It says "home" but they said they always put home when it's outside the hospital, no matter where.

Jaylynn Grace is a true Combs. She came fast and furious into our family. 25 minutes from the first contraction and she was in this world, born at approximately 6:29 am at the Bergton Fairgrounds (that's what it officially says on her birth certificate as well). Bergton, VA is where her Papa was born. She was brought into this world by her Daddy. All by himself.

When I got the first pain that morning, I didn't wake Jamie yet. I didn't think it was a contraction. Just very uncomfortable. By the third one, I knew and told Jamie and he told me to get in the truck. The hospital is an hour away from our place in the mountains. We knew that we wouldn't make it. At the bottom of the mountain is the Bergton Fairgrounds, where the volunteer EMTs are located. Well we found out very quickly that no one stays there. Once 911 is called, they are dispatched there. So after we got there and found no one there, Jamie drove to a house next door. He woke up a very lovely lady (who actually knew Jamie's family) who let this crazed man use the phone. He told them what was going on and he'd meet the EMTs back at the Fairgrounds.

We drove back over and I had to get out of the truck. I couldn't be cramped up. I got out and went to the grass. My water broke and I laid down. Jaylynn starting coming on her own (my body just pushes them out). Her head was out and Jamie helped the rest of her into this world. He laid her on my chest and I cleaned her mouth out. He took his shirt off and covered her up.

The EMTs arrived about 2 minutes later (I thought it was 10 but Jamie assures me it was only 2 or 3 minutes). They loaded Jaylynn and I up in the ambulance while Jamie went into the building and cleaned up his hands.

We arrived at the hospital about 45 minutes later where everyone was in shock and awe of what just happened. I think I was the calmest throughout it all. Jamie was amazing. He wasn't scared. Just more worried that something could still go wrong with either Jaylynn or I.

Jaylynn was a little cold when we got there so they got all her stats, wrapped her up and put her under the lights to warm up. After an hour, she was nice and warm. Her blood sugar was a little low which concerned them but I assured them all of my kids have low blood sugar when they are first born. By the afternoon, her blood sugar was just fine like I told them it would be.

Jamie and I could NOT think of a name for her. You'd think only picking J names would make it easier. I don't know how the rest of you go through the entire alphabet! I was on the phone with Jamie and the kids. Jasmine got on the phone and started giving me her list of names. When she got to Jaylynn, something just sounded right. All morning, the middle name Grace kept coming to me and they fit together so well. I had Jasmine ask Jamie what he thought of Jaylynn Grace and he loved it. So Miss Jaylynn was named by her big, proud sister.

I should mention that Jacob has named her Venom. He calls her Venom, asks to hold Venom and loves his Venom.

She was and is perfect. She is a simply amazing and relaxed baby. Daddy couldn't be more proud of her and he should be. Welcome to the family Jaylynn!

Don't chew like a cow...

Jenna likes to chew her gum very loudly. Here is today's conversation with her and I....

Me: Jenna, don't chew your gum like a cow.
Jenna: MOOO!!!!!!

Everyone thought it was hilarious. Me? Not so much. OK, a little bit. Well maybe a lot but I can't let her know that, right? She's a Combs ~ would I expect anything else but a smart alleck (how do you spell that anyway?) comment?

It's Report Card Day!

I always love report card day in this house. The kids always do their best in school so it always shows in their reports.

Jasmine and James' report cards came today. They both did awesome!

Jasmine got all O's and 2 S's. Of course her behavior was perfect, as usual. She was actually disappointed that she got two S's. Little Miss Perfect! :-) She can't wait for 3rd grade report cards and "real" grades.

James got all A's and one C. The C was in Science. When we asked him before what he thought he did, he actually thought he was going to get all A's and thought he did poorly in Science. He said the end of the year was hard in Science. I'm so proud of his report card. He did great. His average for the year was all A's and two B's. He also brought up his behavior grades as well.

We aren't sure when Jordan's report card will be coming. We checked Culpeper County's website and it doesn't say when they will be sent home. I'm sure he did great as well. He is worried about his Science grade as well. He said it was hard.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Update: We finally got Jordan's grades from his dad. He got all A's and 2 B's. He got the B's in Science and Art. How exactly do you get a B in Art if you do all of your work? I guess Art in Middle School is objective. We're very proud of his grades.