Go big GTOWN!

So, I'm not ordinarily a big Georgetown fan, but they were playing the enemy last night, and I did have them knocking out the Tarheels on my bracket...so, yes I was pulling for the Gtown last night! We had some friends over for the game, and for once, I was happy to have my Tarheel fans included! (Actually, I'm always happy to have them included, but I was extra happy this time! ) What a fun game and comeback...at least about half of us thought so. That really messed with Ben's brackets considering he had them winning it all, so I might actually pull ahead of him--I do have 3 of the final 4 left! Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures last night, so I'm posting more of Emma--since she seems to be the only thing on the camera these days! Here's our laidback child chillin' on her boppy; she stretched way out to get comfortable and pass out. The other picture is her still puckered up after her mean mom stole her pacifier for a picture. She still loves to suck! By the way, she is now 12 lbs and 11.8 oz....and somewhere between 23 and 24 inches. It makes me so sad to see her growing up so fast, but we're having lots of fun exploring the world around us!

Let Me Out!!

Emma has gotten really good at pushing up into a standing position when we let her grab our hands. Ben called me in to look at her this week-end bc she grabbed onto the crib rail after he helped her up and stood there looking around. After a while she started pushing up on her toes more and just about figured out how to get out of the crib...Fortunately for Mom and Dad, she can't get to the rail unassisted for quite some time still! Well, I don't have any pictures, but we spent the week-end out in the yard trying hard to get it presentable. Time and money didn't permit us to do much of anything with our yard as we moved in, but we are at it now. We hauled wood chips around the yard to the natural areas, got the yard aereated, the mailbox moved and a planter area started around it. That all took much more time than we realized it would, but we got back to Home Depot for some more project materials. We're hoping to get grass seed, fertilizer, flowers, and stepping stones out this week and hopefully get started on the shrubs this week-end. My cousin is getting married this week-end, though, and there's something being said about turkey hunting, so we'll see if the yard gets worked in any! Emma is such a trooper; she just chills in her stroller talking, looking around, or napping while we work around her. Her parents are having to work really hard to remember she's not supposed to be working on a tan yet...we're so used to trying to get sun it's a big change to think of keeping someone out of it!

Strange to put this picture up, I know...this lizard was on my deck this morning as I was putting some things out to dry. I had dumped some water, and I could actually see his tongue licking it up, which is why I went to get out the camera...of course, he was camera shy! Random I know, but I love nature pictures...and I am so very happy that Spring is here! It is so nice to take Emma on walks without bundling her up and so great to be able to walk out barefooted! By the way Beth, I don't think I turned over a blogger leaf...I still am slack about it! : ) It just takes too much of my day to do more often, but I am trying! I have some cute videos that I will hopefully figure out how to post in the near future so you can all hear my baby girl talk--boy is she a talker!!!

Family Happenings

So, I'm not sure what happened with my photography! I thought I took more pictures, but this is the only one I had! We had a bridal shower at Mary Matheson's house Sunday for our cousin's fiance. Morgan is the one on the left; I'll have to do better with my pictures at the wedding in two weeks! We're all excited she will soon be officially joining the family...no way out of those crazy family vacations anymore!! : ) We also celebrated my Aunt Susan's birthday afterward since most of the family was together. I don't guess we post birthday numbers past 25! : ) (I am just realizing I didn't put ages for Rick or Heather either...not that they're over 25 or anything! ; ) )

Aunt Heather's Birthday!

Here is Emma with her Uncle Michael and Aunt Heather! She was so happy to see them! We went out to the Howell's to celebrate Heather's birthday over the week-end.

It's Official

Elizabeth is now officially at home! We are searching for health insurance, so please keep us in your prayers in this endeavor! We are all excited to have Momma at home, and the stress level has really dropped since making the decision! Now, I am working on getting organized and becoming a homemaker rather than just being at home. I am working out a cleaning schedule and have made a cooking goal for myself since I hate cooking so much! I am going to attempt one new recipe a week and see how that goes. Maybe I'll end up liking it and do more. : ) Hopefully the organization will help me manage time better and allow more goals! I am really praying about what ministry/ministries the Lord would have me in as I'm available in the daytime too. I just feel like I need to settle in and manage things at home well before I commit to new things so that I don't end up overcommitting. These pictures were from last week when we took lunch to Daddy at the Kimbrell's house. What a beautiful home it's going to be!

Uncle Rick's Birthday

We took Emma on her first "long" road trip at 8 weeks for her Uncle Rick's birthday. After a day full of running around to watch church b'ball games, we headed down to Blythewood to celebrate 29 years! At Macaroni Grill, we had the waiter serenade Rick (he was at a different table with MM, Will and his parents). He stood Will in his lap and stared at him the whole time trying to play it off...what a wus! ; ) He did, however, enjoy the chocolate cake with Will! Back at their house, we had singing and cake from the family and enjoyed hanging out. Rick hasn't been able to see Emma since meeting her at the hospital her first day, so that was a treat for both of them. Momma was too busy chowing down on cake when Uncle Rick was holding her, so no pictures of that, but I did catch her with her Aunt Mary.

Go Bluedevils!!

This is Mommy and Emma on the big "game day" of Duke vs. UNC. Unfortunately, this has not been the best season for us, but we are optimistic for the tournament! Some good friends of ours made this shirt for Emma...it reads "I'll be the deciding vote in this house"...don't ask me how I married a Tarheel fan or how I have become close friends with such fans (I do have to forgive them; I'm sure they were brainwashed while attending UNC)! Emma, of course, sides with Mommy on this one...I'm the one with her all day brainwashing her : ) and I've been too long outnumbered (since her dad likes to invite Tarheel fans over to watch the games!). Our poor children will be pulled in so many directions...hope they like sports!!!

Growing like a weed

What a bittersweet responsibility and privilege parenthood is! We love all of Emma's changes and new accomplishments, but it's sad to see the baby side leaving...of course, she's still plenty baby, but everything comes so fast! She is learning new sounds everyday and keeps talking her head off! The top picture is Emma talking away, the middle is of a smile she frequently gives especially when her face is played with or she makes a new sound, and the bottom is one of her napping in the sun on the back deck while Mom and Dad did some work outside.

Family

"Gran" is getting some quality time with Emma (even though she's sleeping!) on a Sunday afternoon. She hasn't gotten to hold her much until recently...seems like she was too busy telling everyone to go ahead bc she could anytime she wanted...then she rarely got a turn. Now that Emma's finally awake more times of the day, she's catching the lively child at times she can talk to her some now. The other picture is of Emma with her other cousins she was finally able to meet! They came to stay with Ben's parents and came to visit one day. Emma was so happy to finally meet her other cousins...even if she didn't say much! : ) Matthew and Mikayla were so sweet with her and were happy to meet her as well.

PJ Party!

These are pictures from a pajama party/lingerie shower we had for a childhood friend who's getting married on St. Patty's day! We had a great time reminiscing and "showering" Julia with love, gifts, and prayer!

Catching up...

Yes, I still love pictures! I don't post often, so I figure I'll post a lot when I do. : )

These pictures of Emma are of her first time in a dress, the first nice outfit (the sweet white w/ pink flowers one) we put her in for church (the first few times, we took her in what she slept in), and then a couple of her in "big girl" outfits. I think she looks so much older in pants and a shirt, so I call them her big girl clothes. I was actually kind of sad the first time I put her in a real outfit instead of a onesie or sack. The las picture is of Emma lifting her head over Daddy's shoulder-one of her favorite things to do. She seems to like this exercising of the neck and loves the view! We love to see her little beady eyes pop over the shoulder.