Bring it 2012

I've really struggled with this blog during Lanier's first year, so I am determined in 2012 to make much more of an effort...for my mom if nothing else :).  Lanier is now about 14 months old, babbling, and walking around the house like a crazy person.  She gets into EVERYTHING and i mean everything. We haven't figured out a good way to child proof our cabinets because of the type of doors we have, so she has full access to those.  In addition to the cabinets, I caught her eating out of the trash the other day, she rolled out toilet paper all over our bathroom, and also has started sneaking into the laundry room and turning off my dryer!  I always wonder why the clothes are still soaking wet when I go in there.  She is still a very happy baby, and her new thing is to look you straight in the eye while she babbles and points at everything...sometimes even double points.  Her expressions are just so cute, but I'm sure i'm a little bias!

  We were invited to a friends lake house this weekend and they told us we could bring Lanier which meant YES we can go!  We have gotten a lot of invites like this where they say "If you can find someone to watch Lanier you should come" and if they only knew how difficult that really is!  Anyways, we are not willing to give up on these fun times to hang out with friends, even though sleeping in the same room with your baby is not ideal.  We had an interesting group because some people had kids, and others weren't even married yet, so you never know how "kid tolerant" people will be.  I have to say that Lanier did great and was loving all the attention.  I need to preface this by telling you that for the past 3 months or so, she has been beyond clingy with Daniel and I when it comes to being around strangers.   This weekend, it was like she was a different child!  She was begging people to pick her up and let her snuggle in their lap.  It was actually pretty hysterical because she primarily targeted the single guys who looked so uncomfortable with this baby trying to crawl onto their lap.

Since my last post, we've also moved to a new house and are finally starting to get things together.  The last of our furniture arrived today and our living room at least is starting to feel a bit more cozy.  We are in a neighborhood with hundreds of kids, it's great to always hear them laughing and playing outside.  I was driving out of our street the other day and two little boys had set up a lemonade stand.  How cute is that!!!  That tells you how mild our winter has been!  They basically darted in front of my car so I would stop and buy some but I didn't even have a quarter, and I think they were charging like $2.  Out of my price range anyways.

Now that I'm a mom, I definitely have stopped caring as much about the way I look.  I recently have started exercising more which makes me feel better, but I literally cannot tell you the last time I put on makeup or dried my hair.  I wear stretchy black workout pants and some sort of fleece or long sleeve t-shirt everyday.  I always told myself that I would never be one of those mom's that just gives up on their appearance, but I am now starting to understand how easy it is to do!  We know a lot of people that live in our neighborhood...to the point that I probably run into someone every time I go out for a walk.  I am often ashamed at how greasy my hair is or the fact that I can't remember if I've even brushed it yet that day.  I just have to say that maybe I am lazy, but it just isn't really worth making the effort :).

We have a busy week ahead of us!  I am working at a showroom for the Apparel show this week.  It's nice to have a break from mommy hood but it really does remind me of how lucky I am that I don't have to work everyday.  Packing a bag of everything Lanier needs for the day to get her over to my sister in law's by 8:30 is a challenge, and I know some women do that everyday!  Im so lucky that I get to stay home and be her mom full time, although I know I am going to appreciate the extra money I'll make at the show.

That's it for us!  Hope you have a great week and I will post some pics/ videos soon.

Love,
Lauren

Sewing 101

So as many of you know and I mentioned in my earlier blog, Daniel got me sewing classes for mothers day.  I've had so much fun working on the class projects and now that the class is over, I decided to do some things on my own.  Because some of you have asked what I've been making, I thought I would send you some pictures.  Now don't get used to this multiple blogs in week kind of thing!

Cloth Napkins

Place Mat with a pocket for napkin/ silverware

Pillow with Piping!

Reversible Tote Bag

Reversible Baby Sun Bonnet

Back View

It helps I have the cutest model ever!

6 Months and an Expert Traveler

We have been all over the place with Lanier the past few months.  Let me begin with Uncle Eric's graduation in West Point, NY.  We met the whole family up there and had a wonderful time.  We went to a banquet where we had a great dinner and listened to Michelle Obama speak, then got to the campus at about 5am to watch the commencement ceremony.  The whole experience was perfect thanks to my parents and their careful planning, and overall very touching.  Lanier did amazing, especially considering she rarely got to nap and on the way home we took a train, a bus, and a plane all within a few hours.  At the end of our flight, she had charmed the entire back of the plane with her smile and people were still coming up to me at baggage claim telling me how funny she was!  I couldn't have asked for a better behaved little nugget.

The weekend we got back from West Point, we drove to Charleston, South Carolina for Daniel's cousins wedding.  I had never really experienced Charleston as a city and so we spent the majority of our time when we weren't at the wedding just walking around and looking at all the old houses.  It is such a well preserved city with lots of historical sites.  I kept telling Daniel I think I should have been born in the early 1800's as I pictured myself lounging on one of the huge porches in my hoop dress.  The wedding was held at a really old plantation called Boone Hall.  They have filmed many movies on this plantation, one being my favorite, "The Notebook".  The drive down to the house was breathtaking.  Everything was in great shape, and they also still had all the slave houses preserved and lining the entrance to the property.  Everything just made me want to read "Gone With The Wind" all over again.  We decided to take Lanier to the wedding with us, and she slept during the ceremony, thank you Lord, and played on a blanket through most of the reception.  Overall it was a fantastic weekend and we came back to 95 degree weather in Atlanta.  Hot as Hades here and I realized it is not fun to walk or exercise in that type of weather.

Updates on Lanier.....well she is rolling over...FINALLY!  I really think she just wasn't interested for awhile, but when she realized she could get to toys and such, she started moving all over the place.  She gets up on all fours and can scoot backwards.  I tell ya, anytime now I think she'll be crawling.  Daniel bet me by the end of next week, I think in another month or so.  Lanier also tried carrots for the first time.  She loves her solid food and gets so excited when we she see's me with the bowl, like she knows what's coming.  I gave her water the other day from my straw at a restaurant and she made the most hilarious face, hated it.  It was kind of like..."well this doesn't taste like anything!"  I know it feels like i'm always bragging on what a perfect baby she is, but to me, she really is perfect.  She is so easy and loving, and reaches for me which really melts my heart.  I know I am so blessed to have her, and hope that we aren't making her too crazy with our extensive traveling. 


That's it for now, I promise I'll get better at posting but thanks for the reminder Rachel!  Love to you all!

After some cereal, she loves it!

Pretty much a classic Lanier face

If you can't see...it say's that's it, I'm going to Grandma's!

Hair washed...check!

At our hotel in Charleston

Hitching a ride with Uncle Adam to the reception

The driveway to the plantation...beautiful isn't it?

Lanier and the oaks...can't get much prettier

Family Picture

Daddy and Lanier checking out the horses...I know mom...she's not wearing socks or shoes.

Pic with mommy

Playing at the wedding

Sitting with Aunt Sarah

Solid food...here we come

5-1/2 months old now, I can't believe it.  Oh how the time flies.  We had a wonderful Easter with Daniel's family down at the beach.  Lanier had a lot of firsts that weekend.  It was her first time in the swimming pool.  She loved to just kick her feet and put her hands through the fountains they had going.  I have to say it was tough with her schedule to be at the pool for more than 30 minutes, but we eventually started setting up a shallow baby pool at the house, and she loved it!  Lanier also sat up for the first time over Easter, something I definitely wasn't expecting.  She hasn't even rolled over yet!  I think the point of view from a sitting position has opened up a whole new world for her.  She is much more aware of what is going on around her, and gets better everyday at her balance.

We had a wedding last weekend in Kiawah Island, South Carolina.  It was beautiful on the beach and we couldn't have asked for better weather.  My sister in laws were there with their babies as well, and I have to say we looked like a circus walking down the beach with our big colorful Bob Strollers.  We had a great time and I celebrated my first Mothers Day while we were there!  Daniel got me a precious card from Lanier, where he wrote me a long message from her, and then got me sewing classes!  I'm so excited, I went to the first one yesterday and made a cloth napkin.  I already feel like i'm learning so much.  I can't wait to hopefully get into making some cute things for Lanier.

Last night we took a major step and gave Lanier her first taste of rice cereal.  I was worried because I'd heard so many mom's say how awful it tastes, and that their baby just hated it.  Lanier has always been a very good eater, and is starting to get to the point where I see her watching me eat, and even at our playgroups watching while other mom's feed their babies.  I just feel like she is really ready.  We undressed her down to her diaper and just sat her on a towel.  I was so surprised how quickly she picked it up.  She used her hands to kind of shovel the spoon and food into her mouth, and was anxious to get the next spoonful in!  Overall, I think it was a great success. 

We are still getting lots of laughs, especially when I accidentally tickle her while getting her dressed.  She has so much personality now and is just such a loving, cuddly baby. We fall more in love with her everyday.  I can't even tell you how much Daniel adores this child.  Today he came back in the house 3 different times when he was leaving for work, just to make sure she was still looking at the door as he left to say goodbye. He just can't get enough of her, and I am so glad that he feels that way.

Love to you all.  Here are some pictures and a link to a video of her first feeding!

Smiling

Liking this pool thing

Snuggling with Daddy

Playing with Chappell

Sitting up!

Cousins

First Taste of Food

What am I wearing

Sitting up Started like this...Going

 

....going...

...and she's down.

cranky pants won't sit with Chappell

But she sure looks like an angel here.

Yay food!  I did it!


 
Here is the link to a video: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ntl_5qigPoE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 Months!

Has it really been a month since I last posted?  I have so much to update you all on.  First off, Lanier is now 4-1/2 months old!  Wow how the time has just flown by.  We went to her well check up at the pediatrician and she is doing great...still in the 75-95 percentiles for height and weight. (25 inches long, 15 pounds).  She is sleeping pretty well...still waking at about 5 every morning but goes right back to sleep.  I feel so lucky after talking to other moms that Lanier is still the snuggliest baby ever.  She loves to tuck her head into the crook of your neck and just lay quietly.  I rock her before putting her down for a nap now, not because she needs it, but because I so enjoy this time to snuggle.  She is fascinated by faces and is constantly reaching to touch your eyes or nose.  Whenever I go to get her out of her bed after a nap, she is so excited I can barely hold her, she's jumping and kicking so much! She is laughing now, especially when we tickle her or make loud, high pitched noises.  I recently got out the doorway jumper just to see how she would like it, and she is really getting the hang of it and loves to hop around!  She is talking more, and really is starting to notice everything around her.  It's hard to keep her from getting distracted when I feed her because she always has her eye on something! She sits still now when I read her books or sing her songs..."The Wheels on the Bus" being her new favorite!  Daniel and I are really enjoying this stage with her.

I have been so blessed to see my family so much the past two months.  I was in Michigan for a week and then 2 weeks later Rachel and Katherine came down for a girls weekend!  We had so much fun.  Daniel watched Lanier the whole weekend so we could go to movies, out to dinner, and shopping of course!  It was too cute walking in the house from a shopping trip and hearing Daniel giving Lanier a bath and getting her ready for bed.  He took her everywhere with him, even to a party for the Master's he had planned to attend.  Daniel is such a great dad.  I know he loves Lanier so much and I feel lucky that he is my partner in raising her. Rachel also did the most adorable photo shoot of Lanier.  I'll share some of those pics in a minute.  I am positive she could be a professional photographer!

This week we have been busy!  I hosted a playgroup on Monday and our group has grown so much, that I was forced to set blankets outside just to make room for everyone!  I have realized that this group is definitely more for the mom's than the babies.  In fact, Lanier was so fussy by the time everyone arrived that I put her down for a nap and enjoyed the time just catching up with the other moms.  One of the perks of hosting I think!  I also went to a consignment sale and got an awesome deal on some name brand clothes for Lanier.  It has been hard to keep up with her growth spurts and to explain to her dad that shopping for Lanier is not going to end anytime soon.

Tonight, Daniel and I are going on a date!  I am so excited to get out of the house and spend some alone time with him.  We are getting a babysitter for Lanier, a high school girl that we know from Young Life.  I'm actually excited for the babysitter to come and even decided to have her come earlier than normal so she could spend some time with Lanier while she is awake.  My hope is that she can become a regular sitter for Lanier, will learn her quirks and cries, and begin to love her just as much as we do.  I think it is so important for Daniel and I to continue our date nights and I will feel much more comfortable planning these nights out if we can find a consistent babysitter.

Here are some pictures from the past few weeks!

At the Doctor

Playing Dress up

We really need to work on manners in a dress!

Beautiful Weather

I know I've mentioned this many times but one of my favorite things about living in the South is getting to enjoy the fabulous weather.  I'm not just trying to talk my whole family into moving down here, it really has been wonderful.  Here we are in the beginning of March and we have had many 70 degree days that have made staying at home with a baby that much more joyful.  I've been able to walk to the library, the grocery store, to Starbucks, and just around our neighborhood for some much needed exercise.  I feel like spring is definitely here to stay and it is one of the best seasons here in Atlanta.  This weekend we really took advantage of the great weather and went to Piedmont Park.  We laid out a blanket and cuddled and rolled around with Lanier, who by the way is on the verge of laughing!  I've included a video of some of her initial giggles but I'm hoping the big belly laughs are just around the corner.  Then we walked to a frozen yogurt place near our house and had a delicious snack before dinner, which is way against Daniel's rules but I really put the pressure on.  I mean who doesn't like ice cream in the middle of the day!  Sunday, we went on a really long walk and ate outside on the patio at a restaurant we love.  This honestly is when it feels really fun to have a baby.  It gives you a reason to get out and do stuff...because of course she needs fresh air and sunshine.  I've attached a couple of pictures from the weekend.  I put Lanier in a dress on Sunday that she is just about to grow out of and still hasn't had a chance to wear!  It's a hand-me-down from her cousin Chappell, and looked so cute on her.  I stood her up in the mirror so she could look at herself and she just smiled like "I look so pretty!"  We had to get some great shots of the outfit, but I do think she needs some lessons on how to be a lady in a dress!  Love and miss you all!

smiles

Kisses from Mommy

Love the Park!

Lady-like picture

Un-lady-like picture

Link to video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hHrCE_9JbU