Hotty Toddy Gosh Almighty...Your 5 Months Old!!!

~~Happy 5 months John Tanner~~ You have grown so much this month John Tanner!!  We've made so many memories and I'm excited to share them with you.   This is a sad thought.....I guess this will be the last time you will wear the Colonel Reb boy dress.  It definitely will not fit next year, and your dad will DEFINITLEY not let me put you in a "boy gown:)"!!! Soo... I thought it would be an appropriate picture this month.  I also thought this would be  the perfect time to tell you about the team we love...  The Ole Miss REBELS!!!  Your mom and dad met at Ole Miss in the Spring of 2007 in Math class.  Your Pops Sumners graduated from there and Great Grandmother Mary (Pops Mom).  We won't talk about our football record this year, but a new mascot has been chosen.  Let's not discuss if it's our "favorite"... however, it's our mascot and I know someday you will have your arms around the Rebel Black Bear in the grove and I"ll be taking pictures of you with him:)!!  Let's not forget we are The REBELS and we still say... GO REBELS or HOTTY TODDY (not go black bears)!! I feel like you you need to know this and embrace your Mississippi roots while living in this Alabama/Auburn world! ~~~3 Choices for the new Ole Miss Mascot~~~ OXFORD — Ole Miss has released the three designs for the proposed mascots with voting scheduled to begin Wednesday. Online voting will ultimately decide the university's next mascot between a "Rebel Land Shark," "Rebel Black Bear" and "Hotty Toddy." Ole Miss has been without a mascot for seven years since the university elected to remove Colonel Rebel due an  image it portrayed the school wanted to separate from. The university had banned the Confederate flag from its sporting events years prior for many of the same reasons. The Rebel Black Bear was chosen as a finalist because Black bears are native to Mississippi. The term "Teddy Bear" originated in the state when President Teddy Roosevelt refused to shoot a defenseless bear on a hunting expedition in the Mississippi Delta. William Faulkner's influence is also evident in the "Black Bear" mascot due to his "Old Ben" character and his short story "The Bear." "The Land Shark" originated from the late Tony Fein, a fomrer defensive standout for the Rebels. Players would put their "fins up" to celebrate big plays by the Rebels. The celebration grew with Rebel fans and ultiamtely became the nickname for the Rebel defense. "Hotty Toddy" is a concept drawn from the famous Ole Miss cheer. The character is intended to represent a Ole Miss "super fan." The online voting will continue until Tuesday, Oct. 12, after which the mascot committee will evaluate the results and announce the final decision. ~The Rebel Black Bear Won~ olemiss.edu Since it's 2010, it was probably a good call to get rid of a mascot that recalls the Confederacy. Meet the Rebel Black Bear, the softer, gentler mascot of the University of Mississippi. Their previous mascot was Colonel Reb, a Southern planter who was a little too reminiscent of the old South. (See how footballs are made for the Super Bowl.) At first, some students delved through pop culture for a new mascot,proposing the addition of Star Wars "rebel" Admiral Ackbar. But a bear meant to recall Oxford, Miss. resident William Faulkner took the prize. (One of Faulkner's works is "The Bear," in which the animal symbolized strength.)  In a university poll, 62% of students supported the Rebel Black Bear, while 56% approved of the Rebel Land Shark and 42% liked Hotty Toddy, a muscular human who would serve as a symbol of their school's pride. (See the effects of football on players' brains.) Ole Miss went seven years without an official mascot, though they've called themselves "the rebels," which won't change with the new bear. The mascot change represents the university's attempt to portray a modern South — before Colonel Reb got the boot, the university banned Confederate flags. NewsFeed understands the need to modernize, but how cool would it be to have a land shark as your mascot? You could make constantSNL references at every game. 10 things to remember  about this month... 10.  You went on formula for 9 days while mommy was on antibiotics.  While on the formula...your tummy never hurt and you went back to nursing like a "champ."  Your personality is very easy going. 9.  Went to the beach for the 4th time for Thanksgiving.  The whole Sumners family was there... Mama Helen, Pops, Uncle Scott, and Aunt Shea.  You got to see your Great Grandmother Walker (91 years old) for the second time.  This was a special moment!! 8.  I saw your nose run for the first time...you didn't have to take meds and you haven't been sick yet....healthy boy!!  7.  You went to NC for the first time.  Your dad went fly fishing and we hiked the Smokey Mtns.   6. You found your feet this month. 5.  Once you found your feet....You rolled from your back to your stomach for the first time.  You do it every time I lay you down now.  Everyone clapped for you yesterday at yoga when they saw you do it...they said, John Tanner you have grown so much and you are such a BIG BOY NOW!!! I was a proud mommy! 4.  You like to make screeching/screaming noises, but you don't do it very loud. You also blow bubbles with you mouth. You laugh and smile ALL THE TIME!! 3. Mama Helen and Pops built a new room so you (and the 3 dogs) will have somewhere to play. Here's the patio before...... ~~ The new room~~ Bentley enjoys the view too!! 2. Your dad and I have enjoyed you sitting at table with us in your booster seat.  You will be trying food soon....maybe next month??!! 1. You were baptized this month.  Koko, Aunt Becky, Godmother Emily, Godfather Jon, Mama  Helen, Pops and Pappaw Roy were all here to celebrate your special day. By far.... this was the most special day with you!   We love you so much!