Luke and Lily

Luke is Lily's BFF- best friend or boyfriend. Either way, they love each other and have been playing together since they were puppies.  Lily's Birthday is September 14, Luke's is October 2.  They both just turned 5.  Carla (Luke's Mommy) brought "pup cakes" over for Luke's Birthday last week and the two ran around and chased each other in the yard for a little while. Until they got tired. which took all of 3-5 minutes. they aren't so athletic these two...
Emily was thoroughly enthralled at watching the two of them. Here are some pictures

Another great one in the bonnet!

This is my favorite one with Emily in her bonnet.

This face...I love

bonnet

I got this bonnet last year in a little lace shop in Venice. We weren't pregnant yet but we were hoping to be soon and I wanted something for a baby from that trip (should God bless us with one). The little shop had such beautiful things in it. I asked her for a card but nope... they don't ship. You buy there or you don't buy at all....I am sure glad I did. I was hoping to have Emily wear it for her Christening, but I'm not sure it is still going to fit. We'll see.
These are a few from our little "bonnet" photo session. Such a sweet baby girl.

5 months

I'm having a hard time believeing that you are already 5 months old. I am surprised by how quickly you are growing. You are no longer a small, little infant but rather 14 pounds of drooling, snuggling, nose grabbing-goodness.

You love being handed to people and enjoy smiling at anyone that holds you

{and you are passed around a lot}.

So friendly. So happy. So chatty. So sweet.

• you are 14 pounds and I would guess 25 inches
• your 3month clothes are all but a thing of the past- you are too long for them
• your hair is still thin- but it's growing and thankfully your cradle cap is gone
• we think you are teething - you are starting to drool a lot
• your fist is your favorite toy right now, it stays in your mouth
• you've discovered your feet
• you still don't seem to care about rolling over
• you talk- ALL THE TIME (like your mama)
• you still hate to have your diaper and clothes changed
• you like Sweet potatoes, green beans, peas, carrots
• you don't seem to like bananas
• you are sitting up in your bumbo like a champ- working on sitting by yourself a little
• you are very easily distracted while eating- you look at everything - all the time
• you LOVE your lovie in the bed. It goes over your face when you start to fall asleep. it is the funniest and sweetest thing I've ever seen.

You are our precious girl and we love you more every day. You are getting such a little personality and we can't wait to see what you do next. We love you!- Mommy & Daddy



Miss Megan

My friend Megan is pregnant.  She is one of my eight friends who has either had or in her case is about to have a baby.  What an exciting time in our little circle of friends!  The blessings are abundant in this neck of the woods....so if you don't want a youngin- don't drink the water around here!!  We showered Megan with love and gifts on Sunday.  I love baby showers.  what 's not to love ya know.  I will tell you that the topics of conversation sure have changed over the last few years.  We've gone from movies and football and fashion to diapers and sleeping and breastfeeding.  Oh how life changes.  All for the better I'd say.  We are all very blessed and excited to meet little Ziggy soon (Ziggy is his nickanme).

Rebecca, Megan & Kelly

the mommy to be and me

Megan and Ziggy

weekend

This weekend was a super busy one.  I took half a day off Friday to get ready for my Cabi party (a line of women's clothes) and to spend some extra time with sweet Emily.  I really do hate not getting more time everyday with our precious little girl while her eyes are open.  She is getting so fun and to only get to see her awake for an hour or so a day just stinks.  So I took off early. To hang with Em and to cook. Mom came over to hang out too and to be there with Emily because I had to leave before her Daddy gets home from work. We had a lovely afternoon and I made some yummy Buffalo Chicken Bites and my oatmeal cookies for the party.
 Saturday was crazy busy.  My Aunt Ann treated her daughter Laura, her Daughter in law, Christena, and me to Lunch and Les Miserables at the Orpheum.  SO GOOD!  Oh my goodness SO GOOD.  The lunch was fantastic - as Felicia Suzanne's always is.  But the show....I am a HUGE Broadway girl so I love everything. And I have a confession-   I have seen Les Mis once before.  Kind of.  I used to get opening night tickets for the season and we had this group of girls who would go have appetizers and drinks and then go to the show.  The shows start at 8pm during the week.  I saw Les Mis about 10 years ago- and fell ASLEEP.  (shameful I know).  But I did. I was tired and it was late and I guess I wasn't that into it.  But this time, WOW. B-L-O-W-N away. The cast was amazing. I was sad when it was over and would go again tomorrow. If it comes to your town, go see it!
We had dinner at our favorite place Saturday night for a big family Birthday dinner. Walker's Birthday was Friday and my Uncle's Birthday was Saturday. Everyone was in town for the weekend so after a loooong day for everyone, we had dinner together.  The thing is - I think everyone was exhausted. It was a fun, busy day for everyone and we were all pooped. But it was good to be together - it doesn't happen very often. Emily continues to amaze me at how good she is when we take her out in public. She never made a peep.  She was handed off to just about everyone. She ate her bottle and her dinner and fought sleep- but never made a peep.  Such a wonderful baby girl.
Cousin Camille came over for another visit before they left town yesterday morning- she is a hoot!  She played with Lily and Emily and had a big time. We don't see them often enough!  So back to the grind after a jam packed weekend.  Hope your weekend was good.

talking with Uncle John

chillin with Aunt Lala

showing Nana my hand eye coordination

Listening

jumperoo

talking to Camille

sitting in Camille's lap

the Birthday boys

Why didn't I think of that?

Blog trolling- like I like to do...I ran across this FREAKIN awesome product...got. to. have. some!   Chew beads!  rubbery silicone beads that are stylish- but that that baby on your hip that is drooling down your shirt and grabbing at your necklace- is actually a teething product.  HELLO - genius.  Wish I could come up with some cool/ stylish idea that helps moms out (and makes money) ha!  check them out, they are awesome. I can't decide between blue or black but they come in tons of colors!
http://www.chewbeads.com/index2.php

Parenting- This is really hard n stuff (borrowed)

I am not complaining. In fact, so far- and I know it's still early yet...I am in awe of my beautiful, sweet,  precious child. Now I am not forgetting those early days. Those scary, sleepless, overwhelmed days. BUT, I fall more in love with Emily EVERY DAY. She is so sweet, and so good, and wrapping me furthur around her little tiny fingers more every. single. day.
So this blog post, is not a warning or complaint of any kind.  It's just true- and I couldn't say it better- so I will just re-post.


from a blog I love- Made By Munchie's Mama - you can read her here:
http://madebymunchiesmama.blogspot.com/2011/09/and-then-i-was-like-this-is-really-hard.htmlSo for all of you out there who are "trying" or are already knocked up here's the truth.  Are you ready for it...are you sure?

Being a parent is like the hardest job you will ever have.  You will never feel good enough, smart enough, prepared enough, or ready enough.  
Sometimes you won't know what to do with the crying baby..."I tried everything?!!!"
Sometimes your child will throw a silver screen worthy tantrum in the most public of places.
Sometimes you will be too tired to read them a story and sometimes you will feel like watching your T.V. show instead.Some most nights you won't get your precious 8 hours of sleep.
Sometimes you will get pooped on.
Sometimes they will test the strength of your marriage.
Usually they ignore your request to put that down, take that out of your mouth, stop eating the dog food, get out of the toilet and quit using their little brother as a step stool.

After hearing all this are you wondering why you never see looks of pitty when you tell them you are "trying"?

Here is why you don't:Sometimes their first word is "mama"
Sometimes they run up to you and give you a big hug for no reason and once in a while it will come when you need it the most.
Sometimes your husband will never look as attractive as when he is holding your sleeping little one.
Sometimes they will make you a better person than you could have ever become on your own.
Sometimes you will wonder how on earth you could have been so blessed to call this child yours.
Most importantly, you will never, not for one second regret signing up for job that it is to be a parent and you will wonder how you could ever go on living without them in your life.


Congratulations to all you out there who are getting ready to take the journey...it's going to be a wild ride ;-)

Never Forget

I will never forget where I was and what I was doing, and who I was talking to.  I will never forget the images of that day and those after- those are burned into my memory forever. I will never forget the hope that turned to dread that turned to deep sadness.  I will never forget my friends and coworkers that were lost or the other 2000+ souls either.  I will never forget the workers who traveled from far and away to try to help. I will never forget the members of our armed forces who have fought and died for our freedom and safety and those who serve to protect us everyday. I will never forget the overwhelming sense of community that came after even if it didn't last.

I will never forget September 11, 2001. 

I will forever miss those who we lost and I am thankful everyday for the life I have and continue to have.  Everyday- but especially this day, I know I am a blessed, and proud, and thankful American.

ready for football

Look what came in the mail this week...just in time for the game tonight! Thank you Kelly for getting this done and and to us do quickly!!! Sean & I love football and I hope Emily grows to at least tolerate it if not share our love of the game. It's Fall Y'all! Geaux Saints!

39

So my Birthday is tomorrow...the BIG 3-9- UGH.  For anyone who knows me, they know I LOVE my Birthday.  I celebrate the entire week (I would make it the month if I could get away with it). But this one, this year, this END of my 30's...Not lovin it. Not looking forward to being 39.  Glad I'm alive and kickin, but there is something about the "9" birthdays that always get to me. I don't like the end - so I prefer to look on ahead to the future.
 People have asked me what I want this year- and the answer really is NOTHING.  Short of a bigger house - that WILL happen one day, and my pre-pregnancy weight ( a work in progress)...I have EVERYTHING you could want in life.  A wonderful husband who loves me, a beautiful daughter with whom I fall more in love every day, and a still loving, loyal if sometimes neglected pooch who still shadows my every footstep.  And my sweet mama- who still thinks I do no wrong (or at least who loves me even when I do).  Also I have a good job and wonderful friends and family :)

So my wish for tomorrow is simple...a seemingly short day at work (just don't FEEEEL like it takes 20 hours to get through 9.5).  a mani, a cupcake, a slice of pizza for dinner while watching a ridiculously sappy chick flick on the tube, a baby who sleeps well tomorrow night and possibly a hubby who might get up Saturday morning to feed the sleeping baby so I can sleep in past 5:45.... 

Happy Birthday to me :)

A Few Firsts

We had a very busy and exciting weekend full of firsts for Miss Emily Claire...

She went to Oxford for her first Ole Miss Football weekend- but she did not attend the festivities. She spent the day with her Nana, Mrs Linda and Mrs Linda's Grandchildren and it sounds like they had a big time. Sean and I went to the game- a heartbreaker (what else could it be for the Rebels).  We tried cereal for the first time - and boy was it a HIT! I couldn't even get another spoonful before she would lurch forward and try to grab my hand with her mouth open or catch the excess without her starting to get upset for more! She hasn't gotten the hang of the whole real eating thing but she is excited about real food.  She wore her first pair of blue jeans today and took her first trip to the zoo. We went with Auntie Amy and Davis and met Abby Crane and her parents on the way in. We also got to see Aunt Carla - WOO HOO!  WHEW...what a fun, full weekend!

The Rebels take the field

First football photo of the year

Jack Black leading the "Are You Ready"

Emily checking out the baby in the mirror with mommy

First Cereal

I think I like this stuff

I realllllly like this stuff

the zoo

fraught with anticipation

meeting Abby Crane

About to hit the zoo with Auntie Amy and Davis Cate

mom's favorites

the bears were playing

Emily's excitement over the bears

Davis and Amy

giraffes

4 months

Em turned 4 months old on August 29th!  We had our check up that day with Dr. Miller.  She weighs 13 pounds, 5.5 ounces and is 25 inches long. 

• Emily is putting EVERYTHING in her mouth- watch out!
• she will try to hold her bottle (sometimes) but mostly still death grips your thumb and pinky finger as you feed her
• she smiles all the time now and it just melts my heart. 
• she will "talk" to you - especially if you sit her on your lap facing you and talk to her
• she is eating formula but we've been given the okay to start solids
• she is mesmerized by the tv.  her Daddy is a little concerned but I think it's just the vivid colors and movements - especially on the high def.
• she likes her Bumbo seat now and is warming up to the jumperoo
• she is wearing 3-6 month clothes - except the good stuff, then 3 months still fit fine. 
• 3month pjs are starting to get too short...good thing she sleeps with her knees bent and feet together
• she goes to bed around 7:30- we wake her up for a last bottle at 9 and then she sleeps until 5:30/6am
• she's had cradle cap but it seems to be going away
• she is drooling - A LOT
• she grabs her clothing, bib, burp cloth- whatever she can hold on to
• she has only rolled over from tummy to back twice- doesn't really seem interested.