and we're up!

You'll find out what the title means at the end of the blog.

Sorry it has taken me so long to update the blog. We have been so busy around here. Thanksgiving was great fun---lots of family, food, football, food, teething, food, and lack of sleep. No, really it is was very special, especially since it was Margaret's first Thanksgiving. Wade and I got up early Thanksgiving morning and walked the 5 mile Boulevard Bolt. Then we gathered at his grandmother's house for our first meal and celebration. Finally, we settled in at my parents' house for our final meal. It was all very delicious and special---so nice to have my sister and her family in town! We think Margaret is getting a few teeth in all at once, so she had some trouble sleeping. However, we made it through and finished the night off with the annual viewing of Christmas Vacation--yes!

We also celebrated Daddy's 30th Birthday . . . a couple of times!

Margaret loves her daddy. She also loved the candles on his cake. We had a smaller version of our grooms cake from our wedding. Delish!

Apple Cake with Caramel Icing

Over the weekend we traveled back up to my parents' mountain house, so Wade could meet with a client. It snowed----gorgeous!

Margaret's First Snow

If only we had a snowsuit . . .

Why do these people want me to smile? I'm cold.

Pretty Sweet

Cheese!

And Daddaddy let Margaret listen to his Ipod.

She was very confused but loved it!

and now what you've been waiting for . . .

Margaret started crawling this week, and over the weekend she really perfected it! It has been so much fun to watch her discover this process. She can even go from belly to sitting up all by herself. I know that once she starts there is no stopping her, but we are just so proud of our little preemie baby. She is such a big girl now. Every milestone just melts my heart! Happy holidays!

Happy Halloween & Mountain Time

Happy Halloween!

One advantage of having a nine month old is you can pretty much dress them up in whatever you like, and they don't care---well, most of the time. I enjoyed dressing Margaret up all last week in multiple costumes. She was a flower (thank you, Tricia) and a pumpkin a few times, and for the most part she liked it.

Hats--not so much!

Although, she thought Mommy's hat was really funny.

Halloween afternoon we dressed Margaret up in her pumpkin costume and visited a few houses. Our last stop was Grandma and Grandpa's house. Margaret loved her bag of board books--thanks, Grandma and Grandpa!

Daddy even tried on Mommy's hat--he made a great witch! When we got home, Margaret enjoyed greeting the trick-or-treaters, and we tried to get a good shot of our punkin' with our other pumpkins on the front step. Not too successful-she wanted to grab the pumpkins and fly off the steps---

Here's a shot of music class earlier in the week. Margaret loves going to class--it's a great time for us to sing, play, and relax together! She loves to tap the drum and shake the maracas!

One afternoon Wade and I had to wake Margaret up from her nap, and we were shocked to find her like this---

bottom completely up in the air! Hilarious! I guess she really is like Daddy--sometimes he sleeps with his knees in the air---weird!

Last weekend we traveled up to Monteagle again to visit my sister and her family. My nephew, Hudson, had his fall break, so we all took advantage of the extra day off from school. The colors on the mountain were beautiful---here's a wonderful shot off the deck!

I played photographer over the weekend and tried to get some good shots of my sister's family for their Christmas card. I won't show any of them just in case she uses one. It was pretty hard to get a 3 month old, a 31/2 year old, and a 6 six year old to look at me and make a pleasant face all at the same time!

I also took some pictures of Katherine in a basket. Don't ask me why--we were just trying to be creative. Margaret decided she wanted to be in them too!

Did I mention Margaret has some teeth coming in right now? Actually, they have been coming in for over a month, but we can really see and feel them now. Look closely and you'll see them.

Hudson is now in Cub Scouts, and over the past few weeks he built a boat with his dad. Charlie didn't want to miss out on the fun, so he built one too. We ventured down to the lake one afternoon to try them out on the water. Very successful--way to go, guys!!!

Then we headed to the dock to do a little fishin'. The boys loved it and even caught a few fish.

The girls hung out on the porch and enjoyed the peacefulness . . .

and another photo-shoot!

Curious Katherine

and true happiness!

Ee-i-ee-i-oh!

We took a family trip last weekend to Gentry's Farm in Franklin. It was a gorgeous Sunday, and a perfect day for some pumpkin pickin'! We met our friends, the Malones, out there for some afternoon fun! (Unfortunately, the pumpkin patch was closed due to weeks of wet weather.)

Here's a great shot of our little lamb and her Alaskan mountain climber, Crosby, in the corn maze! I don't think they really understood the concept of the corn maze; they were a little bored with the rows of corn (maybe next year).


Next we stood in line for the hayride . . . for about 20 minutes! It was a long line (see below).
We have such good little babies; they waited patiently for the ride without too much fuss.

It was well worth the wait--such a peaceful ride over the beautiful farm.

Perfect day!

Got milk? Miss Moo was a little jealous.

Comfy in her Daddy's arms

Family photo on the hayride

Then on to a photo shoot with the pumpkins . . .

I just love those baby blue eyes and that curious expression!

Crosby was hilarious--he kept throwing his hands up in the air. It was so cute! I think Margaret felt a little jealous, because her pumpkin didn't have a stem.

Don't you just love their matching outfits?

Or maybe Margaret was just amazed that she saw a few more stars. Nicole and Keith (yes, we're on a first name basis) were standing just a few feet away from our photo shoot--pretty cool!

Where did my stem go?

Sandy the goat meets Margaret.

Margaret enjoyed staring at her boyfriend and his mom through the rooster pen.

In the mini-maze with the moms. . .

(Notice the full diapers--I think it was time for a changing.)

On the antique church pew

I love this next one. Margaret is saying, "Mommy, please stop taking pictures of me. I am cold and want to go home!"

All in all it was a great afternoon. It definitely got us in the mood for fall. I can't wait to make pumpkin bread, carve our pumpkin, and sit by the fire. Every adventure now is so much sweeter, because we have Margaret Belle in our lives.

This Little Light of Mine

A year ago this week I started this blog to share the story of our little man, James Walter. To celebrate him. To remember him.

I was reminded today from my dear friend, Danielle, that today is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. A day set aside to honor our precious ones.

Wade and I don't really need a special day to remember James. We think about him constantly. Actually, I thought about him just a few hours ago when I was shopping for Margaret. I wandered over into the boy aisle and admired some of the adorable 18 month Christmas outfits. What would he look like now? What would he be able to say? I guess I will do that the rest of my life.

One thing I do know for sure is that James was a gift from God, and he will continue to shine his light in our hearts. And I know that some day we will meet again. . .

To James Walter
Tonight we light this candle in remembrance of you.

Love, Mommy and Daddy

9 Months Old

Our little punkin pie turned 9 Months Old last Friday morning! I can't believe we actually have a 9 month old ---crazy!!! Sometimes I stop and think about it and tears start streaming down my cheeks. We are so blessed to have this little miracle here; she has stolen our hearts with her love and precious personality. I just wish I could slow things down; it's going too fast!

As a 9 month old, Miss Moo is full of wonder and curiosity. She really studies people and their faces. You know you have passed in Miss Moo's book, when minutes later she rewards you with her beaming smile and bright eyes. Sometimes you even get a raise of the eyebrows, and that's when you know you are really special.

These last two weeks have been filled with many challenges and changes. Margaret turned into a different animal, always irritable and clingy. She would not let me put her down, and she wouldn't sleep in her crib for more than 20 minutes. So she slept the last week in a half right in between mommy and daddy---not ideal and not a habit we want to start. Don't get me wrong. I love cuddling with her and waking up right next to my baby, but I do need some time alone every once in a while. Plus, I think we all sleep better when she is in her own bed.

She either had a little cold plus teething or growth spurt. I really don't know, but (knock on wood) I think this little phase is starting to pass. (She took a wonderful afternoon nap today (2 1/2 hours). Plus, she went down for the night in her own bed, and she's still there!)

Margaret went for her 9 Month Check-Up today, and she received a great report. She weighs 15 lbs. 11 oz. (8th percentile--up from 5th) and is 26 inches long (also 8th percentile--finally on the charts in this measurement). Her head continues to thrive with a circumference of 45 cm (75th percentile--up from 55th). She is pushing up (see above), sitting independently, reaching for objects, rolling with a purpose, picking up tiny objects, smiling, laughing, playing, and eating solids. She falls developmentally somewhere between 7 and 9 months--right where she should be, so we are very proud of her!!! Hopefully, we will master crawling or scooting soon.
Waiting for dinner

My family came over last week to celebrate Mama Susie's birthday. Here is a great shot of Miss Moo with Daddaddy and Uncle Josh (that's what the nephews call him, even though his name is Jonathan).

You can't tell, but they all have beautiful blue eyes!

Happy Birthday, Mama Susie!!

Miss Curious in action!

Wade celebrated his 15 year reunion last weekend at Ensworth. Here is a sweet shot of cousin Mac holding Margaret. Mac was celebrating his 10 year.

Later that evening some of Wade's classmates gathered for a fiesta, and cousin Sinclair was there. Margaret gave her a little lovin'!

Daddy reading to Miss Moo---precious!

Trying out her new fleece--should we go with the hot pink? or pale pink?

Her likes me!

Last night I was cooking dinner, and Wade was playing with Margaret on the kitchen table. I took a break and saw Wade placing his hat on Margaret's head. It was one of the sweetest moments I have ever seen! Usually, she hates hats, as you will see in the next photo, but she was so honored to have Daddy's hat on her head--Daddy's little girl!

We tried on the Bailey family pumpkin costume last week, because Miss Katherine is probably going to need it in about a month. The hat was a little snug, and Miss Moo didn't really know what to think about it. We could tell she was a little nervous.

This weekend we traveled up to the mountain house again to spend some time with my sister and her kids. It was the first time that we were all together since Katherine was born. She is now two months old and just adorable. She has a very calm personality so far and a great tolerance when it comes to her brothers kissing her and climbing on top of her.

Precious

Hudson just loves babies--especially his sister and Miss Margaret. He did a great job holding them, reading books to them, and keeping them entertained.

Margaret enjoyed showing off her new tricks and her variety of smiles.

Aunt Lolli just loves her!

Charlie is also a fabulous helper. When I finished changing Margaret's diaper, I would ask Charlie to please take the used diaper to the trash can. He would grab the diaper and say, "Thank you."I would then say to him, "You're welcome and thank you too!"

Charlie is also the one that keeps saying, "Her likes me!"--what a cutie pie!

Margaret and Katherine had many photo shoots this weekend. Margaret definitely has more fat rolls than Katherine, but they are almost the same size. It's going to be so much fun to see them grow up together and become best buddies.

Miss Moo was so proud of herself when she grabbed Katherine's hand.

Daddaddy and Mama Susie with all of their grandkids!

8 Months in the Highlands

8 months old and still teething . . . maybe we'll get those two front teeth in time for Christmas!

We took our first official vacation with Miss Moo last week. We were planning on a beach vacation to Ponte Vedra. However, at the last minute the weather looked bad, and we really didn't want to drive 10 hours with a baby. So we split the time in half and traveled to Highlands, North Carolina. What a beautiful place and so peaceful!

The weather was wonderful--70 during the day and 50 at night!

The spa (yes, we took our baby to an inn and spa) had a beautiful salt water pool that was heated, so Margaret went for a dip. She loved the flower float--thanks, Tricia!

At night, we enjoyed the rocking chairs . . .

and watching the sun set.

We even enjoyed a fancy dinner at an Italian restaurant (at 5:45).

The girls

Daddy kisses

I love this one--I finally captured her adorable smile!

Can't you just hear her laughter?

A little Frank Sinatra and dancing!!!

A little giggle time with Daddaddy!

We split the trip up both ways by staying at my parents' mountain house.

Margaret sat in a highchair for the first time this week--what a big girl!

Can she get any cuter?

Finally, did you know Margaret attracts the stars?

When she was only a few months old, she met Naomi Judd down in Franklin during a lunch in the square.

This week in the grocery store a certain country music singer married to Tim McGraw admired Margaret and even made her daughter look at Miss Moo.

Here's a shot of Miss Popular after her star encounter!