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

And the Weddings Begin!

Our first wedding of the year was this past weekend and all in all it was a success.  The wedding was in Greenville, South Carolina and it just so happens that Rachel and Katherine had a wedding in the same hotel where we were staying.  Coincidence?  I think not!  As my mom would say, "it's not odd, it's God."  We decided to take Lanier with us, and after numerous phone calls and recommendations, we hired two high school girls to watch her while we went to the wedding/reception.  I have to say, I was pretty nervous to leave my sweet baby.  I knew she would be fine and that the girls would take good care of her.  It must just be part of being a mom...your heart aches a little every time you have to leave your child.  We went to the wedding, which was absolutely beautiful and very personal.  They described the bride and groom, their families and how they met.  I love weddings like that where you walk away feeling really excited for the couple's journey to come.  Anyways, in between the wedding and reception we stopped by the room to feed Lanier and try to put her to bed for the night.  I knew it would probably be difficult considering both the lights and TV were on in the room, and she was in a strange place with people she'd never met.  After not having much luck, I left her to the sitters and wished them good luck.  On to the reception we went, and I admit that I wasn't much fun.  I couldn't stop thinking about Lanier back at the room.  Was she missing me and Daniel, or wondering if we were ever coming back?  Did she think I was a mean mommy for leaving her and letting her cry hours on end?  I know this all sounds crazy and way over the top, but I promise these thoughts all passed through my head.  At about 11pm, I begged Daniel to let us go back to the room.  He ended up going out for the evening which left me with my little love bug.  I couldn't wait to "accidentally" wake her up so I could pull her into my bed to snuggle with her and reassure her that I was there.

I have such conflicting feelings when it comes to Lanier's attachment to me.  I want her to know that I"m her mom and will always be there.  I can't get enough kisses and snuggling time in a day.  However, I don't want to smother her so much that she doesn't want to go to anyone but me or that makes it hard to leave her with a babysitter.  All I know is I do not believe you can hold your baby too much, or spoil your baby.  I feel so lucky and blessed to have her...and the 50 smiles she gives me a day reassure me that she does know i'm her mommy and that she loves me too! 

Here are a few pictures I took today!

Napping with Daddy

Daddy giving her an evening bottle...she's holding it all by herself!

Out to lunch with Mommy and a friend

Loves those rings

Outfit from Aunt Audrey, so cute

Just got this summer outfit in the mail and even though it's too big I had to try it on her!

Also, here is a cute video that I couldn't get to post, so click on the link.  Sorry for my annoying voice in the background...sometimes I get carried away!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxeabbbaJLA

Beach with the Babes

Last week was just what I needed.  A change of scenery, beautiful weather, and great company!  I went to the beach with a friend of mine who has a baby 2 days younger than Lanier.  We actually had the same due date and were in the hospital at the same time when we delivered!  She's a Landscape Architect and needed to be at the beach for some installation that was taking place at her in-laws house.  When she asked me to go with her, I was so excited to get out of town!  It was great to spend time with her because we really do have so much in common.  She is now a stay at home mom as well, and we can relate to each other on how much our lives have changed in the past few months.  The first day we were there, we went for a walk on the beach, ate a great seafood lunch, and actually were able to lay by the pool in our bathing suits!  The husbands joined us for the weekend and we had a great time hanging out at the beach club, playing cards, and eating good food!  That is one thing about the south that I love...the beach is just hours away and always accessible for a long weekend.  The only issue we had was Lanier did not sleep well at all in her pack n' play.  She was up about every hour during the night and I was having to feed her at 3 am to get her to go back to sleep.  Hopefully we can get her back on track this week!

One last update, Lanier has made some huge milestones this week.  She is lifting her head up really well when we do tummy time and even beginning to roll from her tummy to her back, and from her back to her side.  She has found her hands and always has them in her mouth.  More than ever now she is interested in hanging toys, especially those that she can put in her mouth.  She is now able to hold and chew on her new favorite toy, Sophie the Giraffe.

Here are some great pictures from the beach!

Getting better at tummy time

Lanier and her friend Mathes

Look how little she looks napping in our big bed at the beach!

Please look at those cheeks!

Just laying out by the pool

Hunter with the girls

Have you ever seen a better looking man in a baby bjorn

?

Both dad's running away, they didn't want pictures of them with the baby carriers!

Lanier's new favorite toy, Sophie the Giraffe.