Things I don't want to forget

1. Saylor talks a mile a minute. That child has no lack of words and she is a complete trip. Just yesterday, she dropped something, and instead of saying her normal "uh oh," it was "oh gosh!" I was so taken off guard, I laughed! When she learns a new word, I'm quite certain she repeats it atleast 20 times. In the last few weeks some of her new words were "accident," "bathroom," "outfit," "elephant," and calling daddy "Sean!" Haha! That one tripped us out. She is talking in small sentences and I just cannot believe how big she is getting. Each morning after breakfast, Say says "come on mommy, come sit down." It just might be the cutest thing ever.

2. Baker loves tv! It is hilarious. Saylor never liked it and still doesn't. She won't sit down and watch anything longer than 5 minutes. Baker, on the other hand, will sit on my bed and watch for 30 minutes plus. This is especially helpful in the mornings when I'm trying to get Chloe off to school!

3. This season of life is really a crazy one. Filled with so much rushing but so many blessings. I'm currently in two bible studies, both of which have reminded me to slow down and take the interruptions and craziness as small joys. To wake each morning with the prayer that I will allow today to happen, whatever that may be. The blessings. The shortcomings. The joys. The trials. Just allow. To set my head and heart to just allow. This is such a fleeting time in our lives, and I want to hold on as tight as I possibly can to the moments and the memories, while still allowing my children to be individuals, to learn, be creative, take chances and give them wings, little by little. To plant roots and know they have a solid foundation. And to teach them what is really important... to show kindness, to love, to be brave and to seek first his kingdom.

Happy Friday, friends.

6 months!

Happy 6 months, sweet Baker!

And just like last month, your sister couldn't bear not to join you for your pics ;)!

She even, so sweetly, clobbered you with a hug! Just showin' the love, I guess!

You are such a big boy and we just love you to pieces!

We went to the doctor today for your 6 month well check and here are your stats!

Weight: 21.88 (98th %)

Height: 27in (65th %)

Head: 18in (98th %)

Needless to say, you are a big fella! You haven't been eating well at all lately, but doc didn't seem worried at all, judging by how much you have grown! You won't nurse very well or take a bottle and you will not eat baby food. You don't like it at all. You will eat some baby oatmeal or rice cereal, and occasionally I can sneak a vegetable in if I mix it, but other than that, it's just not your thing. Maybe you're just working on that beach bod! Ha! 

You talk, laugh and smile constantly. You think your daddy is SO funny. Your new favorite thing to say is "babababa" and it makes you giggle. You love your play mat and especially love your bouncer! When I picked you up from the church nursery the other day, they told me you bounced your little heart out almost the whole hour!

You can sit up all by yourself now, although I don't feel totally confident walking away just yet, as we still have a little wobbling going on from time to time. You love to sit and play with toys! And you love your Sophie the giraffe. You have decided you don't love being on your tummy and roll over shortly after I put you down. 

You are one handsome little boy! You wear size 4 diapers and 9 month clothes. I am buying 12 month clothes for the fall/winter, because at the rate you are growing, you'll be out of everything we have soon :)! You are such a happy baby and so easy going. And did I mention you are your sister's very own baby doll? What a trooper you are B!

You still love your swaddle and your basket, although, you are now back in your crib! You have had 2 ear infections lately, and ever since have taken to waking up once a night to eat. You go to bed at 8 and get up around 7 each morning. You are still a wonderful napper, usually going down around 9am and 2pm, and sleeping for 2 hours each. Although this momma is tired getting up with you at night, it's nice to have a little bit of quiet time with just you. I cherish our sweet moments together. At the doc today, he said your gums were looking swollen, so I am wondering if we have teeth on the horizon as well. We also have an ENT appointment for you next week, so hopefully we can get this ear thing worked out for you!

We love you so much, darling boy. I cannot believe you are 6 months old. It seems like just yesterday I held a sweet, sleepy infant to my chest, feeling as though my heart just might explode. Your sisters love you to death and your mommy and daddy are loving watching you grow so much. Your smile is infectious, your laugh is a delight, and you look just like your daddy. What a great combo!

I love you, sweet baby boy. So very much. You are such a perfect addition to your family!

Happy 6 months, my love.

Wordless Wednesday

Catch up!

We're alive, just moving at such a fast pace lately I haven't had a minute to unwind! School is back in full swing, which also means the resuming (and adding) of evening activities. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday are filled with school, soccer practice, tumbling, bible study, among other things. We rush home, Sean and I usually passing somewhere in the kitchen, throw dinner together and rush through bed time routines. By that point, we are toast! We sit down to watch a tv show and usually end up watching through one eye because we are both so tired.

Lots to update on, including our sweet boy turning 6 months (post coming Thursday after his well check), Chloe's first soccer game and an update from our new church and how it has already been such a blessing in our lives! God is good, all the time.

Our hearts are full and we are so grateful for the place we are right now, just a wee bit tired :)! Happy Tuesday, friends!

Thankful Thursday

Thankful for...

1 - Saylor loving preschool so very much. I miss her during the day, but man, what a relief knowing I don't have to worry about her because she is having such a great time. Each morning I walk her in, and without hesitation, she says "bye bye mommy" and in she goes. Love that sweet thing.

2 - My new Bible study. A group of us from my neighborhood have gotten together and are doing a 6-week series on Wednesday nights. Titled, "There has to be More," we are walking through the journey of where we put our treasure and our heart. 

3- My husband. We are busy these days. Very busy. And he has been so wonderful to jump in and help  anywhere he can. He drug 3 kids to the soccer field last night so I could go to Bible study. He comes home from work and jumps right into helping me cook, holding a child, or playing with them so I can get dinner ready. He really is a special man and a wonderful daddy. I think i'll keep him :). 

4 - Friendships. Each friendship brings different things but adds such rich blessings to my life. I am thankful for the sweet gals that allow me to be me, right where I am in my journey. 

5 - 2 days a week with just one baby. Can I get an amen? :) Who knew how much I could get done with just one kid in tow. I love the time I get to spend with just Baker. I love our special play time and the one-on-one attention I can give him on these mornings when both girls are at school. 

6 - I'm beyond thankful that our church search may be coming to an end. As longtime goers to a church across town, we finally realized we cannot be near as involved as we would like to be, with a 35 minute commute to the church. We have visited a number of churches in the area, and this past Sunday, may have found our new church home. I loved the church. The music. The mission. The people. I walked away knowing that those people are the real deal (I have a fantastic story to share about our first Sunday there, and will do so, as soon as our mission is complete!). 

And a few pictures from our week!

Happy Thursday! 

Wordless Wednesday

Rock star.

Our very own rock star hit the big screen last night on The Voice. This gal is a dream chaser and beautiful, inside and out. And man, one heck of a beautiful crier ;)! So proud of you, Jess. We love you and are rooting for you!

Preschool: Day 2

Yesterday was Saylor's second day of preschool. She will be going Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9-1.

We pulled up in the church parking lot and she immediately said, "school, yay!". My once won't-leave-her-mommy's-side child has suddenly found her wings and loves school.

She carried her bag right into her classroom, gave it to her teacher and proceeded to sit in her seat at the table. She might not have even said bye to her mommy if I hadn't walked over to her to kiss her bye.

She had another great day, so much so, when I got there to pick her up she had her blanket and her paci and was asleep in her teacher's lap. I guess preschool is hard work for a little girl.

Labor Day Weekend

My Labor Day post is coming a day late, since Saylor's first day of preschool obviously trumped the blog (read: I still can't believe my girl is growing up so fast. Sigh).

Labor Day was spent at home. For once. And it was pretty darn great. Our family has traveled so much this summer that I put my foot down and decided we were staying home for awhile. Well, that lasted all of about two weeks, and I was on the road again. However, this time, I was on the road sans-kids which is a whole lot easier (and quieter!). My sweet hubs took a few days off work to wrangle the troops and I headed to Atlanta with my mom and Nana to see a play. My cousin was the lead role in the play, "Frankenstein," so we headed south for Opening Night. We had a fun time together, three generations of women, and have some pretty funny memories from our trip.

Friday we met my dear friend for lunch and shopping. Lunch with these fine gals always lasts hours.

We hit the road back to Columbia and on the way back, said dear friend, called with the news that her and her family were coming to visit for the weekend. Friendship reunited times 2! We had a great time with a house full of kiddos and then everyone crashed Sunday night before 7:30pm.

Monday... we recovered.

Happy Labor Day weekend.

She loved it.

Saylor had a great first day of preschool. Daddy and I dropped her off this morning and much to my surprise, NO tears. Could not believe it. She did great, it was momma who was melting down. I called the school about an hour after I left and they said she was doing fantastic and no tears at all! 

I peeked in the classroom at pick up and she was playing and having a good time. So proud of my girl.

Mommy sure missed her today, but I am thankful for sweet teachers and new friends!

Saylor's 1st day of preschool

Pictures for now, while she's at school and mommy is missing her! Be back later with a full report :)