Sweetimers

Sweetimers--(short i sound) a common word in our house meaning the sweetest thing in the world!
Mama Susie and I took little Miss Margaret to the park this week and tried out the swing. She loved it, so peaceful and relaxing. (Considering she hated her stationary swing in our house, it was pretty surprising. Although, this swing was a little different--Mommy pushes it and gives the little cutie attention. She's not stupid!)

I love her closed-lip smile! It makes her eyes look like Daddy's.

Has anyone seen my hair? Granddaddy Bob?

Action shot--those little legs were just kicking away!




We continued to have a very eventful week. Margaret started Monday with a little runny nose, no fever or rash. However, the drainage caused her to cough and gag. Unfortunately, Thursday afternoon this drainage problem really got to her, because the poor thing threw-up all over herself and her carseat. Sweet potatoes completely covered everything! I could have handled a little vomit, but she could not quite clear her throat and continued to throw-up for the next thirty minutes. So we headed straight to the pediatrician's office to investigate. The pediatrician didn't hear any congestion in her lungs (thank-goodness) and said that we better be on the safe side and give her pedialyte for the next 24 hours to make sure it wasn't a bug. (We ended up giving her breastmilk that evening, because she was really distraught without it.) Luckily, she was vomit-free the rest of the night and the next day. So it probably was just some drainage causing her to gag (lovely, I know).
All this to say, we had to take a bath that afternoon and Miss Moo was quite taken with this precious beauty in the mirror!

Who are you?

She tried to reach out and touch her---adorable!

I referred to her closed-lip smile earlier. Well this is her mouth-open smile---just as cute and in my opinion makes her look like Daddaddy.

Finally, I'll end with a video. Mama Susie was trying to keep Margaret happy in Babies "R" Us one afternoon, while I finished shopping for essentials. She found this cute little bear, pulled the legs, put it down in front of Margaret, and this is what happened---

Firsts, Friends, and Family

Over the past few weeks, Margaret has accomplished many new tasks. Here is a great shot of what we are trying to do once or twice a day---eat solid foods, well kind of solid! Margaret has tried cereal, bananas, avocados, sweet potatoes, and peaches. It is hilarious to watch her try to eat. She definitely wants it. However, once it is in her mouth, she is not so sure about the new taste.

For the most part, she likes it!

We have also enjoyed getting together with many friends and family members over the past few weeks. One of my best friends from high school and youth group surprised us a few weeks ago. Ellen spent the last year and half traveling and working abroad in South America, New Zealand, and most recently Sweden (her boyfriend is from Sweden and is studying there). Anyway, she was home for a month, so Margaret had the chance to get to know Ellen and spend some time with her. Margaret was quite taken with Ellen and will miss her this next year! (Ellen is now traveling to Poland to work in an International School as a second grade teacher.)

We also had a wonderful afternoon a week ago with our good friends, Danielle and Crosby! After lunch, we spent the afternoon tax-free shopping in the Cool Springs Mall, until the kiddos could no longer take it. We stopped for a snack (milk) and photo-shoot in the Belk restroom and lounge (what a fabulous space!).

I have to show all of the photos because they are just so precious!

Last Sunday, we enjoyed a wonderful lunch with Grandma and Grandpa Rick--so relaxing and yummy! Margaret loved all of the attention and kisses from Grandma Emmie! She said that next time she wants a cupcake!

A few more firsts . . . I am happy to report Margaret is now sleeping on her back (instead of in the carseat) inside of her crib. It seems like the reflux is decreasing, so she can handle sleeping on her back. Some nights she will sleep until 7/7:30 in the morning, and other nights she is up at 3 am. We are still trying to work out what time to put her down for the night. She seems to sleep later when we put her down later at night, but I just don't think babies are suppose to be up until 9/9:30. We were up at my parents' cabin this weekend, and she slept until 8/8:30 both mornings. I don't get it! Maybe we should just move up there---is that okay, Mom and Dad?

Anyway, Margaret had a wonderful time playing in the mountain house and meeting Mama Susie and Daddaddy's friends. She also did a full roll for the first time this weekend at the mountain house---I love watching her discover new things; she is just so incredible!!!

BANANAS

Margaret meets solid food! First, we tried cereal by itself. She was not too thrilled with it, so we added a little banana. She definitely liked the sweet addition. It's hard to remember that this spoon/swallow thing is totally foreign to her. We'll see--hopefully in a few weeks she'll be eating like a champ! Enjoy!

Meeting Cousin Kate

Well . . . they haven't quite settled on what they are going to call her, but Cousin Kate sounds pretty cute! Her name is Katherine Mae, and she arrived on her due date, July 26. She weighed 6 pounds 14 ounces and was 20 1/2 inches long. My sister, brother-in-law, and nephews are so excited to have her here and join the family.

Wade, Margaret, and I were very lucky, because we were actually traveling through North Carolina last weekend. We were on our first long road-trip with Miss Moo to Wilmington, NC to attend the wedding of Wade's fraternity brother, Chris. Therefore when we heard the wonderful news on Sunday morning, we headed straight to Morganton to meet Miss Katherine. Wade stayed for a few hours and then continued on the long journey home back to Nashville. Luckily, my dad was there and agreed to drive us home later in the week.

The new baby girl is precious and so tiny. You forget how small 7 pounds is! Wade and I could not believe Margaret actually came home 2 pounds lighter than Katherine. We know Margaret and Kate will have so much fun in the future. I am sure they will be the best of friends!

Our first niece

Charlie really missed Mommy!
He was so happy to see his parents and the new toys.

The New Family of Five

I see many more girly photo-shoots in our future!

Kate and Margaret

Wearing the same precious outfit---just in different sizes!

Holding the newest blessing

Hudson was thrilled to hold his new baby sister and love on her!

We both love babies!

You can really tell how much bigger Margaret is in this picture.

I think her hair might actually be turning lighter---we will see.

Daddy and Daughter at the Wedding

Girl Shot

Wonderful Family Photo

On the charts!

This is how I found Margaret this morning after sleeping an amazing 12 hours!

I think she had a great night!

Yippee-Margaret is actually on the charts for a six month old! We visited Dr. B. last week for Maggie Moo's six month check up, and she weighed in at 12 lbs. 14 oz. (5th percentile). She was 23 1/2 inches long (almost on the charts--she's grown 8 1/2 inches since birth-amazing)! One of the most impressive numbers was her head circumference, 43 cm (55th percentile), so I guess she has a pretty incredible brain in there (and a family history of large noggins).

What a beautiful child! She continues to impress us with her growth and development. She has wonderful head control, plays with and reaches for toys, knows her name, coos and sings for us, sucks on her toes (very impressive and limber), and most nights sleeps like a champ. We are so in love with her and honored to be her proud parents.

She loves her exersaucer---very busy girl!

And that smile--we could just eat it up!

Fresh out of the bath tub

Baby Bird

Last week was very exciting, because cousins Charlie and Hudson were here. We were going nonstop all week--- Adventure Science Center, the zoo, Ice Age 3D, and swimming at GG Ma's house. We also had delicious meals at Mama Susie and Daddaddy's house. The boys love Margaret and were so sweet to her all week. They are going to be good big brothers to their new baby sister coming later this month; we can't wait to meet her!

Hudson is swimming like a pro!

Charlie is a little fish too.

I caught Margaret smiling at herself in the exersaucer's mirror yesterday. It was precious and so much fun to watch her discover! Have a good week!

Happy 6 Months, Margaret!

Happy 4th of July!

We had a fun-filled week celebrating my brother's birthday (I need to get those pictures from my dad), relaxing by the pool, and gathering at G G Ma's pool house for a 4th of July BBQ! Here are some adorable photos from this week. I love this first one because Margaret is obsessed with her hands. She has been in love for quite some time, but this week she can't keep them out of her mouth!
We had our friends, the Wackerlins, over for a cookout one night, and they brought their precious Molly (2 1/2) and Cooper (10 weeks).
This picture cracks me up, because both daughters look a lot like their dads.

Pool-time

Don't you just love the hand pose?

I think Margaret was done with the photo-shoot at this point.

She looked like she was going to beat me up.

Precious--I love that bottom lip!

Have a great week-we will be 6 months on Thursday-wow!