6 Months, plus a little

Just before we left for our Texas trip, Lily had her 6 month check up at her doctor's office. I've already reviewed what she's currently doing and what she's capable of right now, but I failed to report her stats.

Weight: 16 lbs, 9 oz (60th %ile)
Height: 27 in (90th %ile)
Head circumference: 44 cm (95th %ile)

Again, a tall but skinny baby with a head that takes some extra kisses to cover.

Here's some logic for you....
People say Lily looks like John.
John has been told in the past that he looks like Brett Favre.
Brett Favre is a football star who has bobblehead dolls out there with his likeness.
Therefore, Lily looks like a Brett Favre bobblehead?

She was also put on a new meal plan that involves more scheduled feedings with solids.

Breakfast: bottle with a bowl of cereal
Snack: bottle
Lunch: veggie and fruit
Snack: bottle
Dinner: veggie with another bowl of cereal
Bedtime: bottle

This all sounds wonderful but what "if" she doesn't like the cereal? And what "if" she throws things off and really needs another bottle between snack and lunchtime? What about when she "might" have an aversion to fruits? And who's to say she won't ever throw a complete temper tantrum at dinner demanding a bottle? When she's done with the emotional outburst and wears herself out into a slumber with a thumb in her mouth and carrots on her cheeks, am I supposed to wake her up to finish eating? (I mean, "if" she falls asleep while eating.)

These are all of course hypothetical situations. Not that my perfect child would ever have any issues.

I'm just sayin'.

Texas Tot

Lily and I ventured to Houston, Texas to spend a week with my mom, et al and had a wonderful time! Why we went in July is beyond me, but we survived the heat and humidity unscathed. The first plane flight was a little......how should I say.....rough. Last row, full plane, crying, dirty diaper.....it couldn't have been any better! However, it was good to get a taste of what it could be like because the flight home was P-E-R-F-E-C-T. This portion of the trip entailed an empty seat, the realization there's a changing table in the bathroom, sleep and previously prepared bottles. It was a breeze!

Lily has grown so much and it was plainly evident this week. She is able to sit up on her own very well now and when she topples over (as long as it's not on a very hard surface, Nana) she just rolls and rolls and rolls. She's eating well and has grasped the concept of how to eat from a spoon instead of blowing in it. It's incredibly easy to make her smile and laugh which makes things that much more fun and entertaining. SHE'S SO LOVABLE!!!!

Plane ride #1 once Lily finally fell asleep for a whole 20 minutes.

Sitting up and playing with Jake

"Fall down. Go boom. Jake won't let me back up!"

Nana and Lily at the Stones' pool party

Grandma shot

Gigi w/ Jack & Hayes, Nana w/ Lily and LaLa w/ Charlie

We're really moms??? When did this whole grown-up thing start?

Erin, me and Ashlee

Lily having fun in the pool

Maybe we should have eaten BEFORE getting in the pool. What a mess!

Aunt Wendy

Meeting Uncle J.R. for the first time

Loving on Aunt Betsy

Not sure why because it really hurt all parts of my body, but Betsy and I slipped and slid.....not very well.

Missy Moo and Lily Bug

E.T. baby

Night out for some adult time.

Rachel, Fran, me and Ashlee

Sure wished Rebecca was there but we managed to get a grandmother photo at the Murases' home

Mama Lynn w/ Brady

Nana w/ Lily

Lala w/ Charlie

First sink bath

Meeting some of the Yo-Yo's for lunch

Catching up with Erin and Aaron before leaving

Lily with Papa and Nana

We were in Houston during the 40th anniversary of the lunar landing!

Happy anniversary, Papa! We're very proud of you!

What a difference a seat makes

Pooped little girl

Family Fun

This was a rare occasion.....John had the entire day off! No cars, no tennis, no working out, no napping, no football, no NCAA basketball. How was I never aware before now that these days actually DO exist. He always had me thinking otherwise. Anyhow, I digress.

We ventured up to Amicolola Falls in north Georgia for the day and what a beautiful place it is. Very green, very lush and very quiet (minus all the tourists). We can't wait to go back!

Starting the walk up

Seriously? Is this sign speaking to me or what?

"Audra Thompson, approach the trail to the right."

Strenuous is not a word in my vocabulary. I seriously put my foot down, acted like a 7 year old and refused to climb up another 425 steps after conquering 175 already. I needed assistance...

This was my brilliant idea of how to get to the top! John borrowed a fun little car from the dealership for the day.

"But, Lily, the view looks fine from down here."

Lily and John at the "bottom" of the waterfall. This actually required a bit of a walk from the real "bottom." (In case you can't tell, I'm very out of shape.)

This is the creek/brook/whatever that feeds those gorgeous falls.

Another fun day!

Babies and Bananas

Bryson David Applegate FINALLY decided to make his grand entrance yesterday afternoon! He entered the world weighing in at 7 lbs, 1 oz and 19.5 inches long. Kristy did a fantastic job and she and David seem absolutely ecstatic! In shock. But ecstatic. I can't believe he's here! Congrats, to a wonderful family!!!

What a difference just a few days makes!

Here's the handsome boy

And then there were three!

Just another fun video....
Lily tasting bananas for the first time.

Baby Fest '09

Once upon a time, way back in junior high school, I kicked my locker and managed to break my toe. I was expected to play a tennis match against the other local junior high the very next day. The toe was taped and the shoe was on but there was a LOT of pain involved. I walked out onto the court and met my opponent, a beautiful blonde girl with a mega watt smile. Fast forward one year and that girl came over to my out-of-school-for-the-summer pool party. We have been friends ever since; inseparable throughout high school, cried tears of joy at our holiday reunions in college, stood by each other in our weddings and continue to be a main part of each other's lives.

Meet Rebecca.

Once upon a time, way back in junior high school, there was this other girl who had recently moved back to the Clear Lake area who also played tennis. Although I can't remember the exact moment of when our friendship began, I treasure it and can't imagine my life without it. It's because of her that I live where I do which is where I met my sweet hubby. It's because of her that I have so many incredible road trip memories and memories of laughing until we were crying. She's one of the most beautiful, blessed and funny women I know.

Meet Erin.

The three of us were together all through high school and have managed to stay in touch and share each other's milestones since leaving Clear Lake. Being the emotional, sentimental one, I used to dream of the three of us hanging out with our wonderful husbands and children when we grew up. Not that we've grown up much, but we did get to all spend this past weekend together since Rebecca and Kevin made the trip to Atlanta to celebrate the 4th of July. I never would've thought we would manage to have kids at the same time though. Brady is 7 months, Lily nearly 6 months and Charlie is just over 2 months. We couldn't have planned it better.

Quick note: I won that tennis match with a broken toe. Sorry, Bec.

Adorable Brady

So excited to have company!

Happy to meet each other after all this time

Breakfast date

The first photo op of the girls with the babies

Rebecca & Brady, Erin & Charlie, me & Lily

Patriotic Brady

Happy Lily Bug

Charlie

Baby Gamel was the youngest baby of the day

What would a parade be without a beauty queen.
Where do I sign Lily up?

The moms.....together again at last

Hopefully they will be lifelong friends like their mommies are

Brett with a miniature version of himself

Having to say good bye :(