Last weekend we went to Lemonade Days. It is a festival/fair a little over a mile away from our house. Last year, we walked there, got a funnel cake, and walked back. I was pregnant then, and on our walk we couldn't help but think of all the future Lemonade Days we would take our little one to. Well T, I think you take after your dad on the liking the rides thing. We went on the carousel and you were not exactly a fan. I got some really good hugs out of it though. :) You never cried, just got really red-faced, and preferred to be facing me. You were actually tall enough to go on more rides, but I was too tall to go with you and you aren't exactly the age to be sending you on rides by yourself...but based on our carousel experience, I doubt you would have gone for it anyway. I'm already looking forward to next year and seeing if you like it any better. Here are some pictures of the fun.
Our sweet girl, you've now been in our arms as long as you were growing in my tummy. It is crazy how quickly time passes. Along the way we've often wished time could stand still, but with each new stage comes something else really fun. And you are one sweet and fun little girl. You are officially on the move- crawling, pulling up, and grabbing anything that is not a toy. You of course grab your toys too, but it is funny how you find my makeup bag or the remote just as entertaining. You showed us your beginning signs of crawling and that you could pull up on lower surfaces right when you turned 8 months. Then about 2 weeks later you were getting really good at it. You also added sitting up from your belly to the fun. You've continued your sweet claps but just started clapping when you hear music. Oh my sweetness.
Wouldn't you know, you said "mama" during your Dad's birthday week and then you said "dada" on my birthday. You've got things a little confused my dear. Unfortunately "mama" was here and gone, but your "baba" and "dada" have stayed around. You even stood up in your crib (another first!) reached out your arms and said "dada" to your daddy. He of course got you right out of that crib to give you a snuggle. How could he resist?!?
Your crib has now been lowered to its lowest setting after we heard the monitor fall (it has also been mounted to the wall now), ran into your nursery, and saw you smiling proudly at the fact that you had pulled up. Bedtime was pushed back a little more that night after we took you out of your crib and let you play on the floor as your dad and I got the tools out to lower your crib. oh my. You might think your crib is a play-pen too...not that we've ever encouraged that idea. It has always been for sleeping, but as soon as we lay you down you roll all over the place. Remember the little girl that used to hate being on her tummy...yeah, you even sleep on your stomach some now. We still put you down on your back, but you will sleep in just about any position. In fact, after you learned how to sit up from your tummy you even sleep sitting up (like your greatgrandma Leona) and then fold into what we've called termed "the Hea" after your Aunt Hea who likes to sleep the same way. (video of that fun-ness later)
You've just developed a cough within the last few days. We're not sure if it allergies or a minor cold. The doctor said it is probably not allergies at this age, but it also isn't anything to worry about right now since you haven't run a fever at all...might be just a minor cold that needs to run its course. Not sure which is better-maybe cold because if you already are experiencing allergies we've got a long road ahead of us living in Georgia.
Well, you've had formula for the first time now. The first brand we tried you absolutely hated. You even threw the bottle and would shudder in disgust. We've tried another brand (Target...don't judge) that seems to be a lot better. You are still getting 4 oz of momma milk and only 2 oz of formula with each bottle. We'll see how long we can do that before we have to scale down some more. you.love.your.puffs. Oh my goodness, those things are like magic! You smile this huge squinty grin when we pull those out....and we may use them to get you to smile for pictures. ;) You also like to eat just about anything else that we'll let you try. You're still rocking 3 naps most days. I was all concerned because the "book" says that you should be down to 2, but the doctor says it is perfectly fine.
9 month firsts and fun
Lunch date with sweet Maggie Rose...first time seeing them in a long time!
first crawl "steps"
first big kid birthday party...crazy 'Uncle' Bill turned 30
first bathing suit season :)
first time brushing your little teethies! You look a little unsure in the picture but you actually love it.
First snow!! Ha, so seconds before this there were huge flakes. We quickly ran outside, but by the time the picture was snapped they weren't showing up. It lasted maybe 10 seconds.
first Easter
This isn't what you actually wore on Easter...but the bonnet was too hilarious, so we had to snap a picture of it.
Sweet little story about your Granny that I don't want to forget: We went out for dinner and fro-yo while in Columbia, already pushing it with your bed time. We drove Granny home, and she asked us if we wanted to come in. She wanted to show us how she had put up all the pictures in her den that we've given her. She had also bought you 2 toys so you'd have something to play with when you visit. We decided that night that bed time could wait just a little longer. Your great Granny loves you a whole lot T. When we left, you waved and said bye bye. :) (after being so stubborn when we tried to get you to do it for other people) It was all such a sweet moment.
T, your sweet content smile melts me.
First Easter service. You made it through most of it before we were scared you'd be a distraction, then your dad took you in the lobby.
First taste of formula...YUCK!!!
having fun at Mrs. Stacey's
turning the pages in your favorite book-Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You?
first trip to the beach!
first time playing in the pool...you loved it!
And for some videos of your fun self...
You like to mimic the sounds that we make. Love this little way of communicating with you.
After much anticipation, Spring Break finally arrived. If you are a teacher, you know that the stretch from January to April can be a realllly long one. This year we went to Hilton Head for 3 nights with my family. Unfortunately Clemson has a different spring break, so Lauren wasn't able to join us...and Daniel ran the Tough Mudder that weekend (way to go!) and wasn't able to be there either. Patrick's parents have some friends that live in Hilton Head, so they were able to come down for a couple of nights though! It is a long drive from Atlanta, but T did pretty good with the trip. The weather was a little too cool for being on the beach, but it was perfect for sitting by and playing in the heated pool! The kids had a blast...and we did too. A little vitamin D always feels nice. Here are the pictures that sum up the trip.
doing a little reading on the ride there
We walked to lunch once we got on the island and this little girl was loving it.
first beach/pool day.
We'll probably look back on all this pictures and laugh at these silly sunglasses and how ridiculous they look...but that probably won't be much different than what we do now. I mean don't they just make you laugh?!
LOVING the water!
she was loving this...she kept kicking up her legs for more!
We've found a new favorite restaurant in Hilton Head. Actually it seems like every time we go, the restaurant has changed to something new, but one thing that stays the same is the panoramic view of the intercoastal waterway.
Harbour Town
Listening to music with her dad
Cayden walked up to the top of the lighthouse with Papa and got a sticker and a miniature lighthouse!
...and this is what we did while we waited on them :)
Caroline's face...oh my!
Who's the unimpressed one now?! ha, total role reversal if you know both of these little ones. :)
Puffs break :)
melts my heart.
Same playground that we played on as kids...sweet memories!
Hilton Head, we look forward to seeing you again in June.
