7 month old Beauty

Our beautiful girl is already 7 months old!  How in the world did this happen?  I can't believe I already need to start planning your birthday party!

Doctor appointment: none this month

Clothes: You wear size 3 diapers.  You are wearing mostly 9-12 month clothes and some 6 month things fit.  You are loving being in your dresses, bubbles, and basically anything.  I think you need to wear more comfy stuff, but I love having you all dressed up.

Eating: You eat a 6 ounce bottle every three hours during the day.  You are doing well on your new formula. You currently eat a whole bowl of food mid-morning and evenings.  It is amazing how quickly you can take down a bowl of food.  You've only been practicing for a month.

Sleeping:  You sleep OK with a few wake-ups at night.  Most of the time we turn off the monitor because you do wake up for a second or 2 just to scream and then go back to sleep.  You don't have a napping schedule and you need one. It's hard to do with my work schedule.  And school lets you sleep on demand. You also like to sleep on your stomach. If you are asleep and there is a noise you automatically wake up to see what you are missing.  You love to be aware of everything.

Likes: being held while standing up...this is a sure fire way to get you to stop crying...we just stand up, car seat, riding in the car, riding in the stroller, eating, the paci, baths, your brothers, watching people, smiling, knowing what is going on at all times, smiling, and laughing

Dislikes: having something go over your head (clothes), being alone, being put in your bed

News this month: You are trying very hard to sit on your own.  You are still pretty wobbly.  You had your first (and hopefully last) ear infection and croup.  It was just awful seeing you so sick.  You are saying ba ba ba ba and blowing raspberries which is just adorable!

Sweet little girl with croup. :(

Photos were taken on Nov. 23.

Fun with Friends

We've been having fun with friends lately.  Amy and I drove to Natchez on Saturday for the Kelly's Kids $4.99 warehouse sale.  This was something to behold!  The sale started at 8am so we got up and left Shreveport at 5am.  We arrived about 8:10 and every rack was already cleared!  People would elbow you, rip stuff out of your hands, and take EVERY single thing off a rack even if they didn't want it.  They would announce that more racks were coming out and that you weren't allowed to touch them until the racks were in place so you'd have to walk by the rack to get what you wanted.  I tried this once and got pushed out of the way.  It was insane!  It still didn't stop me!  Between the 2 of us we came home with 83 items.  I bought for my 3, Erinn's 3, and Leigh's 2.  Amy bought for Jenny's twins and gifts.  

We spent a leisurely morning and then headed back.  We decided to stop for a nice lunch at Cotton in Monroe.  It was good, but my pancakes were not done all the way.  It was just so nice to not have to rush back to be anywhere.  

killed it!!!!!

Yay!  We had so much fun!

We were all going to go to dinner, but then the Raines' invited us over for a delicious meal of ribs and low key hanging out.  So glad we did this instead of going out to dinner.  I did something to my back the week before so I was barely able to stand up by the evening.

Maddie, Jake, Bennett, Henry, Drew, and Amelie...my baby girl was in her car seat already.

Baby food is so much better with a pretty bib!

Bennett's Indian Holiday and Feast

At Bennett's new school, the parties are about 2 hours long.  I love how they want to make sure every parent/grandparent is invited.  It makes it so special for the kids to have their loved one there and the parents get to see their babies enjoying themselves at school.  It really is a great thing.  Henry's school always says "you don't need to come, we will take lots of pictures."  I realize that on these special days it's a lot to get the kids reined back in, but come on...they are only little once!  They aren't going to want us at these things when they are 15!  I am savoring it now!

For Indian Holiday, each child received a ticket with 6 different stations they had to attend.  Face painting, drum making, necklace station, buckskin drawing, bracelet making, and feather hat station.  I was the face painter!  Each mom would mark off that they went to the station and then they could move along to wherever they wanted to go next.  Such a fun, organized party.  Mrs. F really knows how to get those kids to do just what she wants.  Love her.

so thankful!

My little charging bull.  He came up with his own name.

I just can't believe how big he is!

making his drum

Allie Grace and Bennett

Bennett and Jack...he loves Jack and talks about him all the time

Bennett, Jack, and Carlon

Easton and Bennett

all the sweet boys

The whole class minus Ava

popcorn and apple juice for snack

I left for a couple hours and then it was time to return for the Thanksgiving feast.  mmmmm school cafeteria Thanksgiving food.  Delish.  I picked up Julieanne's for B and me and Dad was not to happy about that.  He said "y'all got Julieanne's and I have to eat this shit?"  ha.  Next time we will bring something for everyone.

I brought B a special orange (his new favorite color) iced cupcake with a turkey on it. 

Henry's Thanksgiving Feast

I am so thankful that my new job allows me the flexibility to be at all of the events at school.  I usually work on Tues, Weds, and Thurs, but this week I had Thanksgiving parties on Wednesday and Thursday so they let me work Mon, Tues, and Friday.  It is just a dream.  I loved not worrying about hurrying them through their parties so I could get back to work.  What a blessing!!!

Dad and I went to lunch and then headed to the Thanksgiving feast.  We got there and all the kids were sitting on the rug watching a Thanksgiving book.  They were being so quiet and had all their little turkey hats on...adorable!  Dad walked right over to Henry to let him know we were there.  Henry then went and sat with Dad in the housekeeping center.

Henry's started out with them sitting on the rug and singing a few songs with hand gestures.  Henry didn't do any of them because he wanted me the whole time.

yay for Thanksgiving feast #1!

And his tongue stayed out of his mouth the entire time.

Each child brought something to contribute to the feast.  Our job was 6 half ears of corn wrapped in foil.  They even made their green bean bundles and pumpkin pies.

Henry and his teacher

Dawson and Henry

Henry's party lasted about 10 minutes and then they all went out to play on the playground.

Henry and the firestation

My MOPS group wanted to tell the firemen in town how much we are thankful for them so they organized a few trips to the fire-stations around town.  It happened to be the same day as Henry's Thanksgiving feast so we went right after. He LOVES the fire-station!  

Trying on the helmet

practicing the fire hose

He had to have gloves while he drove, but then thought it was too hard with gloves so...

He took them off! ha!  This sweet thing just melts my heart.  He is so mischievous and it is just so endearing!!

Beck and Shari came to town!

When we heard the news that Chris Beck was coming in town for some sort of doctor interview we were thrilled!  We know that he is dying to move back to the great state of Louisiana and the even great city of Shreveport.  We will be so excited if they decide to move here...the only city where they will have great friends!! :) hint, hint.

Beck was like our first child...eating at our house 3-4 nights a week and using all our kitchen appliances.  Even gave himself the title of Bennett's godfather.  They arrived at our house after a tour of Shreveport and by tour I mean Beck drove Shari to all the places he lived during his 4 years in medical school.  I'm talking rent houses!  We think it is the craziest thing ever.  haha!

After 6 years away doing residency and fellowship the time has finally come for interviews for actual jobs after being in school for about 25 years.  We were happy to host Beck and Shari for a couple days.  Lots of folks came over to welcome them as well.  It was a great weekend!

We enjoyed a delicious meal at my favorite, Mabry House.  We were sad Nancy didn't come though.

Shari and Beck meet SK!

So glad Shari made herself at home.  I was so glad we got to meet Shari after 3 years..  She was so hilarious and fun to be around.  Hope to be seeing a lot more of Shari!

The Hannas with the out-of-towners

Amy and Daniel drove all the way from Dallas to see them!  

The Allen's came all the way from Bossier to say hello

SK had to change outfits 4 times this day.

Rebecca and her new fellow, Daniel.  And Neil being adorable

Oh yeaaaaaaaaaah!

Doesn't Bobby look fabulous???  Bobby and Beck were roomies.  I set them up.