Mini Reunion

Last week one of my dear college friends came in town from TN with her adorable boys (and husband) and we were able to get a mini reunion going with another college friend that has recently moved to Atlanta with her also adorable baby boy.

It's so fun to catch up on life and see everyone's little ones in person. Our conversations may have changed in the last 12 years since we first met (gasp... has it really been 12 years!?!?) We now cover topics on spit up and toddler antics, but always feel like we can pick up conversations right where we left off the last time we got together.

Lydia was having a blast playing with all these little boys. Can't believe she's the only girl with all these boys... So excited Betsy is having a girl soon to help even things out for future reunions!

We tried to get a few pictures of all the babies and mamas. Think we got a few good ones of most everyone looking at the camera. (Oh how my definition of a good picture has changed)

 Sweet Asher!

 Take 1 with Lydia not looking

Take 2 on the move

One with the mamas (and 1 papa)

Mama's and their babies

Might be our winner!

18 months and counting

How in the world has it been 18 months already? I cannot believe we are six short months from TWO! We went to the doctor last week to get the official weigh in and last shot until she's 4 (isn't that crazy?)

Our little peanut is growing up and moving up on the growth chart. I've even been told a few times that she's tall!!

Stats:
- 21lbs 13 oz (15%)
- 31in tall (31%)
- 18.25in head circumference (45%)

Our little girl is still our little social butterfly, greeting everyone with a wave and "Hey" whether it be someone she knows or a complete stranger. She's recently learned to blow kisses and just melts my heart to get a sweet kiss.

She's talking more and more and I just love her sweet voice. I tried to make a list for the doctor and came up with about 15 words, but now that list is no where to be found. But going to try and record the ones I remember here so I can remember.

- Baby (Her FAV)            - Nana (Banana)
- Sadie                              - Papa
- Dada                              - Onnie
- Mama                            - Duh (Done)
- Nose                              - Nigh Nigh
- Ball                                - No no no
- Blay (Blake)                   - Ey-ee (Ellie)
- Hi & Hey                       - Yay Yay!

I also feel like we are starting to have a true toddler on our hands complete with a few cries when things don't go her way, busy busy girl always on the go - climbing stairs, on the fire place hearth, walking and getting into EVERYTHING. Kyle just asked me the other day if this is normal! HAHA!

We are just loving having a little girl and watching her personality emerge more. She loves to pat and kiss on her baby dolls, feed them a bottle (which she samples as well) and requests they come with her to bed and asked for them again first thing in the morning.

Can't wait to see what the next 18 months bring! Happy year and a half birthday baby girl!!

Summer activities

Summer is suppose to be full of relaxing and taking it easy, but ours has been quite and adventure. I can't believe its almost September and I haven't blogged about our summer yet.

But I have a good excuse... and no I'm not pregnant! Kyle and I have been hard at work behind the scenes to open our own optometry practice this fall. We are getting so close to our GO date and its getting real.

In between meals, naps and playing with Lydia I've been helping with the LONG list of to do items to get our business opened up. So now that the cat's out of the bag, I'm going to blame my lack of blogging on this. It's sort of like having a job, but without the nice paycheck to go with it.... maybe one day!

But enough about work... here's a few summer highlights from our vacations and summer fun...

 Lydia's Baby Dedication in May

Father's Day

Swimming!

Beach trip to Perdido Key

 Loving cousin time at the beach

Annual family pictures at the beach

 Little golfing with Daddy

Falling off the blogging train

Wow! I've really fallen behind on blogging. I never even did a 15 month stats update for Lydia.

Poor Lydia has had 2 ear infections between Memorial Day and July 4th, but has bounced back.

She also has taken the plunge and let go to walk on her own in the past few weeks. She's so cautious and would prefer to hold on to a hand, furniture or crawl and not risk falling. She's getting braver every day. For some reason this mainly applies to walking. She's quite the daredevil when it comes to climbing - up stairs, the fireplace hearth, ottomans, etc...

She also is becoming my girly girl. She loves her baby dolls and is so entertaining watching her carry around anything she views as a purse and most recently her sunglasses. She likes to put them on her head like mommy - so cute!!

Here's our little mommy in action.

Lately...

Feel like I haven't had enough time for a full post lately, so I'll just list off the latest happenings:

1. My social butterfly says "hey" or "hi" to everyone we come in contact with and sort of comes out with a little southern accent already. She combines this with her little toothy grin and she can't be ignored. I end up talking to almost everyone we pass at the store - it's sort of hilarious! Tell me this happens to everyone!

2. Its official - I have a little mommy in the making. She has really taken interest in her dolls lately and squishes loves on them, shrieks talks to them and gives them an enthusiastic greeting when she sees them. Think we have a girly girl on our hands already.

3. I always kidded that my metabolism would stop working when I turned 30, but now the joke is on me! Can I blame the baby over a year later?

4. Confession - Because of #3 above, I did a 10 minute glutes workout on my On Demand and couldn't walk for DAYS!

5. Counting down to some much needed beach time!! Thinking it won't quite be as relaxing as last year when Lydia would just lay under the tent all day, but that's what grandparents are for, right? :)

"Say-Say"

Should I be offended that my child says our dog's name more often than mine? The only name she might say more frequently is "da-da", but really I don't mind. She sounds so darn cute, I just get a kick out of listening to her.

It actually took me a while to realize "Say-Say" was Sadie. I finally got it one day when I was outside watering and had Lydia in her wagon. The dog was running around all crazy and every time she would run by the wagon, Lydia would point and yell, "Say-Say".

I think Sadie gets a kick out of it too and loves all the attention. She also is very patient with Lydia when she wants to pat her and doesn't run away like she usually does with the cousins. But she also has her own form of revenge -- licking!

Should have known one of her favorite words would be that of her beloved "Say-Say"! Best Friends for life!!

A Year Ago Today...

We were finally able to bring our daughter home!!

It was Easter Sunday and nearly every day that week we were hopeful that THAT would be the day, but something always prevented us from getting the OK from the doctors... usually having to do with Lydia eating her bottle fast enough and without any breathing issues.

We went to an outdoor Easter service at the church we attended before moving south and that was extremely close to the hospital. From there we raced over to the hospital in hopes of hearing the magic words. The nurse thought she was ready and had us watch the required car seat video - which is boring anyways, but we could hardly stand it as we waited for the Doctor. to do his rounds.

That afternoon we finally got clearance to go home with our darling baby girl! Can't you just see the excitement on my face??!!

I remember when we got home, we gave her a bottle for the first time without all the fancy machines - with only an apnea monitor to tell us if something was REALLY  wrong. We were both so scared something would go wrong, but we made it through the first day and the round the clock feeds somehow.

My little 5 lb cutie is now almost 19 lbs, on the verge of walking, climbs on anything and everything (if given the chance), pats the dog sweetly, talks non-stop -- sometimes real words, but mostly just babble, has the cutest little toothy grin and has a touch of sass!

Happy Homecoming Little Girl! We love you very much!!!