He has Risen!

"In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Then they remembered his words." Luke 24:5-8

We spent Easter weekend with Hidee and Joe Pa in Arkansas. We left Thursday night.

Friday, we went to eat lunch with Meemaw and Papaw. Miles at a lot of cheese dip. I think it was one of the first times he ate it, because he dipped his cheese quesadilla in the dip along with some chips and eventually his fingers. Matt and I put a stop to that, though.

That afternoon we went to Hidee's school so that Miles could ride on the school bus that my Papaw drives. Miles loves buses....HOWEVER....he did not like this bus. He was grabbing onto Hidee and didn't want to get on the bus. So, we didn't ride the bus this time. Maybe next time?

That night, we grilled out burgers at Hidee and Joe Pa's house and just relaxed. The next day we dyed Easter eggs. Miles was way more into it this year compared to last year.

That evening, Hidee and Joe Pa took Miles to the park to play while Matt and I went to Memphis. It was his high school friend and college roommate Alex McCulloch's 30th birthday party. It was held at Ernestine and Hazels in downtown Memphis. We had a great time!

The guys

Magen, Joanie, me and Rachel

Love getting to see these beautiful, sweet ladies! Wish we could see each other besides when our husbands get together!! (thanks to Magen for the pictures)

The next day, Easter Sunday, we got up, got dressed, and headed to Hidee and Joe Pa's church--First United Methodist in West Memphis.

Doesn't he look dapper in his bow tie?

After pictures and church, Miles got to open his Easter basket.

The Easter bunny brought him some candy, cars, a Mickey fire truck, a bubble fan, some clothes, and some books.

Next, up was hiding and hunting eggs.

Miles enjoyed this more this year, too.

Waddle It Be?

It's official...I'm outnumbered in the Cleek household.

Miller Cannon Cleek it is!

On Saturday, April 5th, we held a gender reveal party with our close friends and family. The theme...Waddle It Be?

After our fetal assessment on the Tuesday prior to our party...I gave my bestie Julie a sealed envelope with a picture of our little one's gender inside. She created this egg for me...

If it was a girl...she would put pink feathers, a pink duck, and a pink letter inside.

If it was a boy she would put blue feathers, a blue duck and a blue letter inside.

Well..you all know the outcome of the egg.

We had cupcakes...a BIG thanks to my friend, Emily, for making them.

We also grilled out burgers, as well as dined on fruit, veggies, and chips and dip.

Guests could vote on their choice of gender. Then they got a ribbon in the color of their choice, and a peep.

Team pink

Team blue
(Hidee voted twice b/c Elaine and Darrell were there via FaceTime and they were team blue. They even had on blue shirts!)

Getting ready to find out baby #2's gender.....

we were so excited!

Ready....

....set....



....open....



...sesame...



Matt said, "You were wrong..."



"I was right..."



"Yessssss!"



It's a BOY!

I was thrilled that my partner in crime, Cara, got to come this time. It wouldn't have been the same without her there.

Miles is excited about "Milner".

Thankful and extremely blessed to have this amazing woman in my life. I can't believe Julie and Todd kept the gender a secret for almost 5 days.

Miles better get ready....Miller will be here before we know it!

Our fetal assessment went great. Miller was 12 oz during the ultrasound. Matt said, "He's as big as a beer!" Lol! 

Miller was very active, just like his big brother. (I have a feeling I'll have some rowdy days and nights in my near future, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.) Miller had a four chamber heart. We got to see his brain, spine, and limbs. They all looked perfect.

It is simply amazing the way God creates something so small yet so miraculous. It amazes me. Miller's heart rate was in the upper 150's. The ultrasound tech says he is measuring 2 days ahead of his due date. Miles didn't want to come out of the womb, so, we shall see what baby brother has in store. I love this little guy already. I thank God every day for giving us this wonderful gift.

**A HUGE shout out to Hidee, NeNe, Cica, and Meemaw for helping me set up for the party. I can't get by without them. Also, thanks to all who came in person and via FaceTime and phone call. We enjoyed the company!**

I've Got My Toes in the Water....

In March, the Cleek's went to Naples, FL to stay with Mimi and Papa. We left on a Saturday morning really early and had Joe and Randi to join us on our long quest for the beach.

The backseat gang-Miles, NanNan, and Joe-...all snoozing.

Miles slept a total of 45 minutes or maybe an hour collectively on the 15+ hour car ride, but surprisingly he did well.

When we arrived in Naples on Saturday night, we had birthday dinner for Papa b/c it was his birthday. Miles even told him happy birthday.

We woke up the next morning and Miles and Joe played with some cars, we ate breakfast, and then we headed for the sand and sun!

**Funny side note...a woman on the beach thought that Matt was Joe's dad. Lol!! She was discussing with Joe about something she saw in the water. She said, "It was over there by your dad." So for the whole trip Matt called Joe and NanNan his "kids".**

Miles enjoyed playing in the sand.

It was a perfect first day on the beach.

The next day we went out on a boat (BIG thanks to Mimi and Papa). We boated over to Port Royal where we saw some multi million dollar homes and some dolphins. Then, we went to a private island called Waterscape. We ate lunch, saw some wild hogs (we tried to get Randi to call them), and went to a private beach.

Miles got in the ocean, 

walked around with Mimi, 

and went hunting for shells with Daddy.

The next day...we did pretty much the same....beach bumming! Wednesday of our trip was spent at the park and shopping b/c it was way too cold to get out on the beach. That night we went to watch the sunset and took some pictures.

Daddy helping Miles take off his shoes.

Such beauty in a sunset.

Miles loved chasing the birds on the beach.

Mimi didn't get to go with us on the beach b/c she was golfing, but we did get to snap this cute pic of Miles and his Mimi.

The last day was cloudy,

 sadly, 

but it didn't stop us. 

Joe and NanNan soaking up the sun....or trying to with all of the cloud cover.

Miles loved kicking the ball on the beach with Dada and Uncle Joe. 

Miles absolutely loved every minute of our beach trip! Here's more video proof of his love for the beach:

All good things must come to an end....so, we headed back to Tennessee on Friday very early, once again. The drive this time took longer b/c we got stuck in traffic outside of Atlanta. (imagine that!) Surprisingly, Miles did exceptionally well, despite the lack of sleep. I don't know why but he just won't sleep when we go on long trips in the car. I think he likes to see what's going on or maybe he can't get comfortable. Who knows? Maybe Miller will be a better sleeper. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed! :)

Cheetos anyone?