This very special and I wanted to share. It is a letter Drew, one of David's best friends in the world, sent today.

5 Years.
Can you believe it?

Five years sure does go by fast. I may be alone in thinking this but it seems like just yesterday that David was here with us. In these past 5 years so many things have happened. Many have graduated college, some have got married, and some have moved away. At first it makes me sad to think that he wasn't here to experience all these great memories. But then, I think back at all of these special times we have shared together and can't help but remember the feeling of him watching over us.

There were a few very special times where I felt like David was watching. Sam and Linnsys wedding was one of them. I remember looking around and thinking David would have loved this. I was wrong. David was enjoying every bit of it. I think we all new who was leading the dancing in spirit. Then there were the several parties and get togethers we have had over the past 5 years on Lake Hamilton and Colby's house. It seemed like every time we go there I really seem to relax and enjoy myself. I remember one party at Colby's where we were all bummed out that it was gonna rain. Everyone had come in town and they were predicting rain. That day, the rain held off until dark fell and I remember at one point thinking, "Thanks, David."

But I believe that there was one special moment that really made me realize that David is watching. It was Amanda's Wedding. It just seemed in my opinion that everything went perfect. Every bride would want a perfect wedding and I believe that's what David provided for his sister who he loved so much. A beautiful ceremony, a beautiful reception, and a beautiful new family started. Amanda and Franklin's son, David Franklin, has no idea how much he is loved and how lucky he is. Lucky for his family, friends, and lucky for his uncle angel watching over him.

After thinking about long and hard of what I was going to write on this day. I realized something.
David WASN'T my best friend, He IS my best friend
David WASN'T my hero, He IS my hero.

It's not a matter of forgetting about him - that could never happen - it's about realizing he is still hear with us everyday and will be for the rest of our lives watching over us. Because that's what angels do and that's what David truly was....an Angel.

I love all of you,

Drew Allbritton

P.S. Also with Amanda's Wedding couldn't help but think David rightly placed the guy with the Nascar shirt in the background of the ceremony to make all of us smile.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Franklin is 29 today. David Franklin gave him a piece of art for his office with his foot prints at the bottom of a birthday cake our friend Ann drew (the footed cake stand)!! He was so surprised and LOVED it! We love you Franklin, more than you can imagine. Happy Birthday!

Look what we've found...

David Franklin has found his thumb! He has broken himself of the paci and will not take one anymore much at all so I thought we were in the clear. His hands are in the mouth all the time and I think he may be teething. All the signs are there; drool, a little cranky, etc. I guess it was just a matter of time until he singled out the thumb. He only does it for a little while when he is almost asleep and once he falls asleep it's out. We don't really mind, and think it's actually pretty cute and sweet. However, I was a BIG thumb sucker and it was hard for me to break. I lasted until about the 3rd grade!! I know, that is really old and embarrassing to admit. I thought I hid it well, but I overheard my teacher talking about it one day and was shocked and devastated that she knew. Sure hope he doesn't take after his mama on this one! It's hard to break that habbit. I have a friend that STILL sucks her thumb "on special occasions" but I will never tell who!!

Let the boys be boys!

Somebody teach me some nursery rhymes quick!!! I don't know how or why this 90's rap song came to my mind but Franklin thought this was hilarious- so did David Franklin!

Yes We Can!

Regardless of your political beliefs and preferences, today is a significant day in the history of our nation. I am holding my baby, rocking, praying along with the pastor leading the invocation, crying, and totally inspired that our nation will be even better and stronger, soon. A better place for our children to grow up full of new opportunities for them.
Hope is here!!

Big-boy toys

We have had a big weekend at the Bass household. Saturday, Franklin and I went to the opening weekend at Oaklawn. It was a lot of fun and got us excited for race season. At the end of the day, the excitement had dwindled because, we lost on every race. Neither of us are very lucky or know what we are doing, so thank goodness, we don't bet much!! That night, we went to dinner at Wesley and Tyler's and it was so nice to just snuggle by the fire and talk.

Sunday, we went to church. Then we met Meme and Grampe and the Vaughts for lunch at the Country Club. David Franklin got lots of new big-boy toys from his cousins. He isn't quite ready for most of them, but he likes his new excer-saucer. We have to pack him in there with blankets, but he likes sitting up and looking at all of the different things and colors. He doesn't want to lie down as much anymore and tries to pull himself up. We also made the switch in the stroller, so he could sit up and check out what's around him. The straps on it are also loose, so we have to add blankets for support, but he was happy. He likes his toys, but his favorite is still playing in our laps. It is our favorite, too, but it's hard to get much done holding him and OOOOHHing all day. We thought we could be more productive if he could entertain himself, so we kind of jumped the gun on these new toys. He looks a lot older because of his size--I think he's 19 pounds (which is a gain of over 4 pounds in a month) 4 pounds shows up in one month on anybody but it really does on him!!

The biggest event this weekend happened last night....he spent his first night away! Franklin has left town and spent some nights away but I haven't and it was HARD! We have a weekend trip planned in February so we thought we (really just me) would need a dry run. Since today is MLK day, my mom and Franklin are off work, so, it was a good time to try it. We went to her house and rocked him and put him down and left. We were back to get him first thing this morning. He slept until 6:30 so we didn't miss much. He didn't even know we were gone! It was so hard for me to leave, but I knew he was very well taken care of and I think it's healthy to have some time away. Not to mention, a good night's sleep sounded wonderful! It was just the separation anxiety/guilt of it all that made me sad. That "mother's guilt" you hear people talk about is no myth! It is silly and you know it's silly to feel guilty, but you just do. Man oh man, I did anyway. I called before we even got home to check on him and texted 3 times in the first hour. It was SO nice of my mother and a real gift to us. Franklin and I took Ny-Quil and got some great sleep--best in months! We haven't let ourselves take any medicine at night, so we can hear him if we need to. I'm glad we had our practice run now, or I would have been a mess to go cross country in 3 weeks. I DID IT!! I bet now it's going to get easier and easier and I will be calling going...oh mom????

Happy MLK Day!

The Kids

Back to work for me this week! I am teaching 2 classes on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. I am only gone about 3 hours and DF is at Franklin's parents so it feels like I am leaving him to run errands or something. A lady named Shelley comes over and keeps him and she is really great. The past few days Mitzi has been home with him when I get back. I think it is hard for her to stay at the office when she knows he's so close :) Me too- I've been running out the door to get my hands on him!! It is really the best situation and I have enjoyed being back in the classroom! Just trying to get back in the swing of things.

No new pics but this one- my mom was babysitting Saturday night when we were at a shower for Adam and Julia Crow. She took this on her phone (explains the bad quality) and text it to us. We laughed and laughed and had to share. Don't worry, she doesn't let him just lay on the couch like that, I promise! It was just for picture sake. She labeled it "the kids". People say the dog gets forgotten when you have a baby, but we still love our doggie! Although she isn't number 1 anymore, that is true.

Have a great weekend!

Playtime

Favorite place to be these days

New outfit from Blaine, Franklin's favorite!

A true man, in his chair with the remote. We have to stop with the props!!

First time in the Bumbo- it's a little sung already!


So when he was first born, Baby Wise said that they need to have feedtime, playtime and naptime. I got the feedtime and naptime but "playtime" as a newborn I quickly learned is simply being awake. But now he really plays!! He loves his play mat and I hear him laughing and cooing and cracking himself up. He also has started fake coughing. I think it is when he wants to talk or laugh he coughs and sort of yells. Is this normal? It's pretty funny and he has started doing it in the mornings when he wakes up. No crying, coughing. It's weird but I will take it!

He will play himself to sleep. The other day I looked down and he was asleep with his hand still holding a ring! Then he wakes back up and I only know this because I hear him in banging around again. What a happy guy! I'm glad he is so easily entertained and loves to play but I am a little concerned at how much he HATES Tummy Time! I try to give him some tummy time about twice a day but he really can't stand it, so neither can I. I'm not very good at the "cry it out" method so I always flip him back over. He's never going to roll over, sit up, etc. His legs are strong and he can stand up for a few seconds but those arms are pretty puny. Sorry DF, we know you're still a bruiser!

We are moving out of our house and into our condo on the lake this week. Although I'm very excited to be moving to Hot Springs and love our condo- moving is hard work and it would sure be nice if we had a house to go to. We have gotten a lot done, but it's been a tough week and we still have some work to do. Franklin has been amazing and although I'm exhausted, I'm so thankful for him!! David Franklin has been helpful too, I can't forget about him. He slept almost 12 hours last night- his best ever! What a huge help.

I haven't taken any pictures lately because my camera is packed up somewhere, I will find it soon :) Thankfully, Alecia had hers so I am borrowing some of her pictures. We got to have a nice break Saturday night and went to Julie Bodemann's wedding. The Albrights kept David Franklin at their house and I think they had a good time together. The girls are in Jr. High and had fun playing with him until he had a dirty diaper, then they passed him off. Haha, that was so me until about...oh, 3 months ago! :)

It was a really beautiful wedding and reception and so nice to get to play for a little while with our friends from out of town that we don't get to see often enough! Uncle Mitch got to get some good lovin' with DF at breakfast Sunday morning. We miss you guys already!! Back to the boxes....did I mention I hate moving??

Talking with Dad

I had to try out the new flip video. I really like it so far, it's so easy!! We are starting to pack tonight but I caught a sweet moment with DF "talking" to his dad. He isn't really laughing big in this one but this is what we are hearing lots during the day. It is SO much fun to have him communicate with us and start to see his little personality. He's a ham already. Wonder where he gets that???

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2009 will be a very big year for Day-Fray. It will be his year of "Firsts". First steps, words, tastes- literally everything. We are really excited about experiencing these 'firsts' with him. Last night we enjoyed the champagne and today the black-eye-peas. Happy New Year Everyone!! It's going to be a good one, I can feel it!