Your First Week of School

Baby Girl,

Well, the time has come.  You are going to school.  Before I get too sentimental in writing this, let me say I have found the BEST place for you to go to school.  I am so excited about the things you will learn and the Christian emphasis that will be on this curriculum.  You will spend the next several years here and I couldn't be more excited.

We got to go to Orientation on a Tuesday night the week before school started.  While this made me a little more excited to actually meet who you will be with, I also cried several times.  We weren't really suppose to take you with us, but we did because we had no one to watch you.  You were a perfect angel and sat in my lap the whole time the director spoke to the audience and didn't make a sound.

The Friday after orientation was Meet Your Teacher Day.  Your teacher's names are Mrs. Jennifer and Miss Heather.  They seem super fun and seem to already love you!!  When we got there, literally for the first time ever, you cried when someone else had something to do with you.  This wasn't looking good for my emotions.  This actually happened twice.  MiMi went with us and neither of us really knew what to think or what to do because this was so unlike you.  Then when we were getting ready to leave a little boy came in with his mommy and was very upset.  This made you cry again.  I wasn't sure what I was getting ready to put you through.  I was praying for the best, but preparing for the worst on Monday morning.

Sunday I pretty much tried not to put you down!  I was not looking forward to what was coming.  But Monday morning we got up, got your things together, and headed to school....after a quick photo op.

Needless to say I was a wreck.  I cried all day long.  Sweet Mrs. Jennifer did send me a picture that day with a message that said you didn't want to take a nap but that you finally wore yourself out and gave up.  When Daddy and I got there to pick you up, you were asleep in your crib (hanging half out like you do at home) and we had to wake you up.  Mrs. Jennifer and Miss Heather said you had a good day.  They even said you made a friend named Seely.  Ya'll would just rub each other's faces and pull at each other's hairbows.  This made it slightly better.  When we got home you seemed to be worn out and took a nap with Mommy.  Again I don't think I put you down the rest of the afternoon.

Tuesday was better!  When Daddy and I dropped you off you were so excited to see your friend already there.  This made me realize I couldn't be sad. You were happy and this is all I could have prayed for.  Some time on Tuesday morning I got a picture of you in what they call the Bye Bye Buggy.  

They said you had a great time and just waved at people going by.  You love to stroll so this didn't surprise me.  They said you had a great day again today and were looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.

Unfortunately, Wednesday and Thursday I didn't get a picture.  I am so happy though that you are at a place that they will occasionally send me a pic or text about your day.  What an answered prayer these sweet ladies are to all of us.  On Wednesday they said you pulled up on a crib, but before they could take your picture you sat down.  On Thursday they said you never cry so when you make the slightest face, they jump to figure out what you need because you are a very happy baby.  Each morning you have been excited to see your friends and have had great days.  They were sad to learn you will not be coming on Fridays because you will stay home with MiMi for an Olivia Day!! This Friday Nanny came down to keep you because MiMi wasn't going to be home.  

Needless to say, the week was successful.  Mommy only cried on Monday and you didn't cry at all.  I hope when we send you back Monday you are as excited as you were this past week.

Love,

Mommy

You're Seven Months Old!

Baby Girl,

You are seven months old!! Where is the time going.  I promise you change everyday and it seems like you learn twice as fast as you grow these days!  This month we took you on another long trip to Boone, North Carolina and you were definitely more aware than you were last month of how long you were in your car seat.

Here we are in Boone before Katie and Corey's Wedding.  It was outside and it was beautiful.

You are in to EVERYTHING.  You aren't crawling but you will sit with your legs bent under you and reach out as far as you can to reach whatever it is you want.  If you can't reach it that way you seem to be content with the fact that you just can't have it right then.  One night after I had folded laundry your daddy called me into the living room where I left the two of you (him watching TV and I thought you were playing with all your toys that I pulled out for you).  When I walked in you were pulling all my underwear out of the laundry basket that I had just folded.  Then because you were so interested in the laundry we put you in the laundry basket with the other clothes that needed to be folded.  You thought this was really funny.

 Also this month, after we returned from our trip we decided to have your pictures made again by Mrs. Stephanie.  She took your pictures when you were 7 weeks old and I was so excited when I found out she was offering some mini sessions and I could get them done at 7 months.  She is so wonderful and you looked beautiful.  Before we stopped to get your pictures made we got to have fun with Aunt Kristin, Uncle Clayton, and Micah!! It was so much fun.  Micah loved playing with your toys at dinner and when he dropped one on the floor was very upset until his mommy would let him down to get it back for you.  When the daddies were paying, we sat ya'll on a couch they had in front of the restroom and snapped this cute picture.

Even though you can't see y'all's faces very well because of the sun, it was too cute not to post.  Y'all are holding hands.  Now remember, this is your future husband. And apparently it is going to take less coaxing then I originally thought.  We love Micah and his mommy and daddy.  We only wish we lived closer so we could see them more often.

Once we were finished with dinner they showed us where to go to get your pictures made.  The set up was so cute and you did a great job.  Even though you were sleepy and we had to wake you up to change you and start your photo session you just smiled and were so happy! Here are two sneak previews she sent us.  I can't wait to see the whole CD.

You are trying really hard to pull up as well as crawl.  Next month you will start school and I have a feeling these two things will be accomplished quickly once you see your friends doing it.  Mommy is trying to spend as much time with you as possible these days because I know I am not going to be excited to leave you every day.

We have spent a lot of time swimming lately.  You LOVE to swim.  We will hold your belly and you just kick and throw your arms.  You are not afraid and you love the water.  You have no problem with it being in your face or us splashing you. You are so much fun and just play!!  Here is a picture of you and your daddy at Aunt Reagan's pool (which is beautiful).

Well, I told you in last months post I was afraid I would have to tell you you weren't sleeping with us or in the same room with us anymore.  This is partially true.  When we got back from North Carolina we decided it was time for you to try out your crib at night.  We also felt that you might sleep better having your own space.  This is somewhat true.  Honestly, starting you in your crib is pretty easy.  We give you a bottle, rock you a little, and lay you down. We use our wonderful video monitor to watch you throughout the night.  However, around 2 o'clock you start that kicking business and rubbing your paci against your crib so it makes a loud noise over the monitor.  Typically I just come get you because I know at this point you are awake and I want you to go back to sleep and not think that it is time to get up.  So we have been partially successful!  I am counting it as a success.  I think at this point you have made it until 6 o'clock one time.  But that's ok. I do enjoy cuddling with you in the bed and do sleep better I think with you next to me.  I know it is time for you to start growing up though and this is just part of the process.

Here are few other things about you this month...

* I am not sure what you weigh or your height but you are definitely growing.

* You wear a size three diaper.

* You wear 6-9 month size clothes.

* You wear a size 1 shoe.

* You are still eating 6 oz bottles 3-4 times a day depending on how much food we give you throughout the day.

* You drink 4 oz. of apple juice or pear juice which you really like.

* You love a bath.

* You love Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and are starting to like Jake and the Neverland Pirates.

* You love to stroll.

* You like to sit in the floor and play with your toys better than being in your exersaucer now.

* You do not crawl.

* You are still drooling and chewing, but no teeth.

* We started giving you yogurt, which you love.

* You are VERY talkative.

* You love to have us sing to you.

* You take naps in your crib at least 2 times a day.  Most of the time we are able to lay you down awake and you will put yourself to sleep.

* You love our phones and the remote and get very upset if we take them away from you.

* You are starting to have a temper when you don't get what you want.  For example, there is a picture behind your head when you lay down to get your diaper changed.  You will roll over and try to get the picture and I will tell you No.  The first several times you will laugh and continue to do it. But the more I tell you No the madder you become.  Eventually this results in a lot of tears.

* You are not still anymore! You roll over when we change your diaper and you squirm out of our laps.

* You are definitely a Mommy's girl! But you do love to play with your Daddy.

This time at home has been super sweet with you and I have truly cherished every moment I have spent with you. Next month when I write you will have started school and Mommy will have gone back to work.  Our time may be more limited now, but I love you more than ever and each day I love you a little more than before.

Love,

Mommy

Boone, North Carolina

Baby Girl,

This month we took you on another long trip.  This time we went to Boone, North Carolina for another wedding.  This drive was shorter but you were definitely more aware and did not like being in your car seat for that long.  We left on a Thursday morning and met up with Uncle Dusty and Uncle Bogan in Chattanooga.  I think they were excited to see you.  The last time they saw you you were only 2 months old.  You have definitely grown and changed since then.  After lunch in Chattanooga we hit the road again.  Aunt Reagan had to stop and pee more than your diaper needed to change.  You offered her one of your diapers but she didn't take it.

Once we got to North Carolina and unloaded we decided to get back in the car and head up the road to a Mexican Restaurant that Uncle Dusty had scoped out on an earlier visit.  It was very good!!  After this, it was time for bed.  Mommy, Daddy, Uncle Dusty, Uncle Bogan, and you all slept in the same room.  Lucky for us we got to sleep in the bed while they had to sleep on an air mattress.  Unlucky for us the bed was very uncomfortable.  You also slept in the bed with us because you haven't been sleeping well in your pack-n-play.  After a good nights rest the next morning we hung out at our cottage.  Daddy, Uncle Bogan, Uncle Dusty, and Aunt Reagan went zip lining.  They had a blast!!!  Then we went downtown for a little shopping.  Aunt Jenelle bought you a cute cat lunch box and Mommy bought you a few books.  Then it was time to go back to the cottage to get ready for the rehearsal dinner.  We got lost and went 20 miles out of the way but finally found it and enjoyed an evening out together.  Everyone thought you were precious.

The next day MiMi, Aunt Jenelle, Uncle Bogan, and Uncle Dusty had to help put together flowers for the wedding.  So Aunt Reagan, Mommy, and you went down to the outlets to see if we could find you some school clothes.  I ended up finding some, but we couldn't really find you any :(  After we finished it was time to come home and get ready for the wedding.  It was outside and we were really afraid it was going to rain but it ended up being very pretty.  Here are a few pictures of you with the family at the reception.  Oh....during the wedding your daddy had to walk you back up to the inn to sit with Ry because you kept talking.  You could see the wedding from the deck of the inn and even then during the ceremony MiMi and I could hear you talking!!

Daddy was so sweet and ended up bring you back early so you could go to bed but let Mommy stay at the reception and enjoy some time with my family.  When I got home you were sound asleep and I was ready to cuddle up next to you to do the same.  

The next day we decided to head out a little and go to some cute shops downtown.  We found some really interesting things and enjoyed getting to walk around such a cute little community.  This is where your bird painting with "You are my sunshine" came from.  This was such a great find since I sing this to you a lot when you get upset.

Finally on Monday we decided to cut our trip a day short and head back home.  Again you weren't a big fan of the car trip but you handled it pretty well.  I know you were glad to be home.  Two long trips in one summer so close together was a lot!  

Daddy and I have loved making these memories with you this summer.

Love,

Mommy