Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time!

With David's family in New Zealand and my brother and his family in Colorado, we had a quiet Christmas with my parents and loved every minute of it. We were probably the only ones who didn't want a white Christmas because of the drive my parents had to make but it was beautiful. (And somehow we have no pictures of it.)

Someone is so over the picture taking!

This seems to be our new camera smile.

Merry Christmas to you and yours and thank you Lord for your Son and little DM.

Little love is 10 months old!

Not quite ready for Santa!

And this was the "best" photo!

Rockin' with Amie and Ro

We haven't had much time to enjoy the holidays, which is really another way of saying we're still adjusting to how busy a family stays with two working parents and a kiddo (and dog and cat). I was in absolute heaven to have dear friends Amie and Rowena come up for breakfast this morning. Okay, they were really just coming to see DM but who could blame them! And DM is in heaven with her new Rockin' Bug! And to top off the day, Mom came down to watch DM while we went house shopping. Heaven! More to come on the house situation (hopefully)!

Thanksgiving . . . Better Late than Never!

We were fortunate enough to get to see David's parents, my parents, and my brother's family over Thanksgiving! Here are a few pictures from the week.

(Photo credits - Brother and Father-in-law, but I'm about to start really working on my photography skills!)

9 Months

DM went for her check-up yesterday. She is definitely growing up (and out)! She came in just under 20 pounds and is nearly 29 inches tall. Unfortunately, our little happy child has been hiding her illness from us well. She has an ear infection. :( Definitely not ONE sign of this but we have some meds now and it should begin clearing soon. As many know, DM doesn't really seem to be interested in crawling still. I think she figures "Why should I move when I can get everyone to come to me?"

DM Works on Holding her Bottle

So I could . . .

. . . ramble on about how I've gone back to work and how it has been good but incredibly challenging for our household (and family and friends who've helped with the transition). Or, I could just be quiet and post some pictures since that is why you're here.

Happy Fall Y'all!

I'm 8 Months Old!

It has been quite a week for an 8 month old. I really feel more like this:
My first week in daycare! Whew! A lot to watch and do. More to come this weekend after I (and my parents) have rested.

September - Where did you go?

In a blink of an eye, an entire month flew by! Like the rest of us, DM could tell early on it was going to be a long season for the Bulldogs! She's already yelling at the TV!
Our Auntie E came to visit us and proved yet again to be a HUGE blessing to all of us. There are few people that one can be completely transparent in front of and know that it is okay. Elizabeth is one of those friends for David and me. Of course, I tend to be "transparent" in front of more people than I probably should but at least I'm honest. The difference is that Elizabeth still loves me even when I'm completely honest.

And we wrapped up the month with a visit from MaMa Pat! We had a fun belated birthday party for her while she was here, too!

DM is 7 months old

Growing baby!

DM loves to eat: bananas, apples, peas, squash, and sweet potatoes.

She has discovered Tahoe and Kitty. We figure Millie doesn't even know her own name so we'll go with Kitty hoping that DM will catch on faster.

The tags on any toys are an absolute favorite of DM's. Yes, I said the tags. You know, the ones that say where the toy was made and how to wash it. Another favorite are her books with pictures of babies in them. No "artwork" yet. Just actual photographs.

DM is even up to "riding" six miles in the jogger stroller.

But, we haven't quite coordinated DM smiling and me getting the picture in focus. We'll try again soon.

Darsey May is looking forward to Grandma's visit!

Dear Grandma: I can't wait to show you around my new hometown!

Little Lady is 6 months!

I'd rather eat Junior than smile!
Oh, look, my toes! My favorite!
Maybe I'll just squash Junior!

From the doctor:
Weight - 16 pounds 11 1/2 ounces / 50%
Length - 26 3/8 inches / 75%
Head - 16 1/2 inches / 25%
DM's weight and head have started catching up a bit with her length.
She has been the perfect baby. DM is so happy and loves her schedule and loves her food!

Amy comes to meet DM!

Amy finally got to meet DM! I never imagined when we left college that Amy and I would eventually live so far apart, but after over 4 years of our own "journeys" away from home, we're back within driving distance of each other and we're thrilled. Amy comes from a long line of outgoing, hilarious people. Seriously, David and I don't ever have to worry about carrying a conversation with any of Amy's family. We just have to laugh and the family carries right on. They're a blast. Amy has promised to help DM w/ becoming more outgoing if she doesn't take to it naturally. Given that her parents can both be pretty quiet folks, we aren't expecting to raise the life of the party, but a few night with the Entrekin crew, and she should be a comedian ready to travel!
(Beautiful Zoey, Amy's daughter, came to visit too, but I couldn't get a picture that did her justice!)

SSI 2010

My 10 favorite things about this year's PEEPLES SSI excursion (good photos courtesy of Gary):

1. Molly, my sister-in-law, was willing to answer all of my "mom" questions. We're as different as night and day but nothing will bring two women together faster than motherhood!

2. My mom has a very distinctive decorating style. She decorates to have fun and I love it - no stuffiness! She'll take any vacation rental home and add her own "fun" touch to it. Mom brought these fun parrot lights to liven up the house.

3. Madeline was a huge help with DM and so, so sweet. Cricket is still working on her babysitting skills but she isn't far behind.

4. Since she isn't my kid, I can embrace it - Cricket has NO fear of water. I love it but again, I wasn't the one jumping over chairs and tables to get to the pool before she jumped.

5. My brother was sweet enough to paint his girls' fingernails! (Sorry - no pic)

6. Again - the Brother. He was kind enough to photograph the week, even as we all cracked up (not sure what to make of David's response and his girls seemed to be the only ones worried) as he nearly fell to the ground after setting the camera timer yet again and running back to join the group. What a trooper!

7. DM exploring the beach. Not a year of my life has gone by that I haven't spent at least a week at the beach (aka: pool with a beach view) and I was thrilled to share this w/ DM.

8. One week without running. This was the first week I've taken off in years other than those taken off due to pregnancy. On this trip last year, I stood in the middle of the road pregnant and sobbing that I couldn't run in the heat anymore. After that, I decided I would never run in SSI July / August heat again. (Well no run = no picture! :))

9. I slept more on this trip than I have since DM was born. Not exactly me sleeping, but you get the picture.

10. A surprise dinner with the Gary crew! They found out at the last minute they were going to be in town for a bit. These two kiddos are precious, Kim can offer so much quality advice, and West, well, I've known him forever and he's always cracked me up. Excuse the awesome tourist trap / shop behind them.

10A. David was finally able to get out and play cheap golf.

These are my people. Our family is not perfect and many know that our political and religious views run the gamut, but we love each other. (I say this in my constant attempt to remain authentic on this blog.)

Cricket hates picture day, DM loves Mimi's jewelry, and Maddy tries so hard to help us out.

Cricket still hates picture day. Do you blame her?

Diapers In The Sand

Anyone who knows us knows we don't really like to wallow in the sand. Rather, we like to see it but not get it stuck to us. We're more of a pool with a great view kind of couple. We're in SSI with the Peeples crew. Below are some pics until we get back! PS - Would be robbers of any of our homes: Our prized squirrel hunting dogs are well protected and no one in this family has a decent tv or electronic!

Hot tubs make the best kid pools.

Relaxin in the sun.

David explaining to DM that we don't stay at the beach all day.