Happy Home x2!

Well, we all survived week one of visiting Babysitter City! J.J. even took some pictures of Lily to share and probably to make me feel better. It worked! Lily has received a report of "happy" each day (other than day 1, but I wouldn't have either so we won't talk about it). She even got to have her very first Deb & Lily Thursday with my friend Deb. I will post the cute photo from that fun time on Monday.

She's a loved, happy, little girl! She wakes up with smiles and gives you smiles throughout the day that can melt your heart.

"I like it here! Thank you, J.J.!"

"These boys are fun!"

"What are you doing with my blankie?"

"Uh oh. I can see where this is going."

"Peek-a-boo, Lily!"

Both babies enthralled with baby crack.....Baby Einstein video

New World

It's that time. Lily has ventured out into the great, big world without her mom and dad to Babysitter City. The first day was a little rough for all three of us. The second, harder for John and me but we were relieved to receive a report of "very happy" for Lily. Now I see why a lot of people live near family because it was a lot easier leaving her last week with my sisters and then my mom. However, I'm truly grateful for J.J. (the babysitter) and I know Lily (and I) will adjust to this new world........eventually.

Family Visitors

The time has arrived for me to go back to work. As much as I love my job and have missed all of my co-workers, I could stand to continue maternity leave for a little while longer. Nine weeks just isn't enough. Lily is interacting more and more and staying awake for longer periods of time. How am I supposed to leave her for an entire day?!?! In order to assist in the transition, Wendy, Betsy and Morgan came for a long weekend and stayed home with Lily during my first two days back at the office. However, prior to D-Day, we went out to lunch, shopped and ventured down to the Georgia Aquarium to check out the fish. As they were leaving, my mom flew in to finish out the week. Lily will start going to her babysitter's house on Monday morning. I'm hoping I'll be okay. Each day this week has progressively gotten worse when I get home; I have actually started to ache when I see her after being separated all day.

2 Month Check Up

We went to the doctor yesterday for Lily's two month check up and she's doing great! She even did well with all the shots she received. Five pokes and one oral vaccine. (I did well, too, by the way.) Here are her stats......BIG GIRL!

Weight: 11 lb 14 oz (80th percentile)

Length: 23.75 inches (90th percentile)

Head: 40 cm (85th percentile)

So it appears she's a tall, fat baby with a big head. Just the way I like 'em! Some things she's doing these days:
Smiling and cooing
Two naps a day
Sleeping from about 7pm to 1am to feed and then until 5am. (MD suggested to let her cry at 1am to see if we can get her to sleep through that feeding. Hmmmm....is she trying to tell us something? Should we mix in a salad?)

Today we're getting ready for our special visitors who will be arriving tomorrow. We can't wait to see Aunt Wendy again and to finally meet Aunt Betsy and cousin Morgan!

Around Town

People have been mistaking Lily for a little boy. I have actually had to bite my tongue and sit on my hands to keep from letting out a smart ass remark and a little punch. Anyhow, I thought I would put one of her bows to good use.

I don't think she likes it.

I can't believe I didn't get any pictures of the beautiful snow day. We ventured down to Georgia Tech to watch the women's tennis team play Baylor. We took a little detour to get Lily her first little Yellow Jacket outfit so she could be the unofficial mascot of the day.

Today we drove down to the hospital to visit the gang at work. Lily loved everyone and seemed to enjoy herself. We still have a lot of other people to meet, so we'll make another trip very soon.

Talking to Baby Boy Applegate

Looking forward to Deb and Lily Days!

Girls' Weekend

Lily and I hopped in the car and headed north to Boone, North Carolina to spend the weekend with our friend Jana. The drive went very well until someone decided she was tired of being all cramped up in her carseat. The last hour or so was a little rough, but once we arrived Lily was nothing but smiles! We had a great time visiting with Jana, taking walks with Moose and, of course, shopping with Daddy's money.

I think she likes Boone!

But she doesn't appear to enjoy the shopping.
Moose checking out who his momma is holding

Snuggle time

Such a good boy with Lily all weekend

Just pictures

46 week belly!

Colin visited

Smiles are happening more and more often!

I do NOT want to go back to work

Happy Anniversary!

WOW! These past four years have flown by! I can't believe John and I have been together for about eight years total but it seems like yesterday he was falling down the stairs after sharing our first kiss. (He hates that story but I LOVE IT!) I now understand what people mean when they say their love grows day after day. I'm a lucky gal to have such a wonderful man by my side! Here are some pictures from our wedding and honeymoon:

Shopping Spree and Smiles

Over the past few days, I've been hoping to see Lily smile. I think I caught one the other day, but I want her to do it while looking at me or at least while I'm staring at her. Of course my digital camera takes 5 years to actually click a picture, so I think I caught the tail end of a gummy smile yesterday. (See below.) Thinking I could REALLY make her smile, Lily and I ventured out of the house yesterday for a little shopping. I figured it's never too early to introduce the little one to bargain hunting. I was able to get a few larger shirts to help cover my persistent baby belly and Lily got herself her first pair of jeans. (Little girls have the best clothes out there! It was difficult to avoid buying more.)

Admiring her new outfit

Does this count as a smile?

Lily's first pair of jeans
Check out the "shoes!" They're really socks that are part of a set sent by our friends Katie and Lachlann.

Erin and her little peanut who is due to arrive in early May.
I'm thinking she might be tired of me taking pictures of her.

Road Trip!

We got to go on our first road trip out of state with Lily! John was invited by his buddy Andy to assist with an adult tennis camp up at Keowah Key in South Carolina. In addition to their own three kids and two dogs, Andy's family very graciously took all of us in for three days! We had a lot of fun getting to know them better and playing with Lily.

And we're off!

Yes, this means I was in the back seat.

He's soooo sweet!

"You don't look like my mom."
Evan holding Lily.

Thomas, Lily and Evan

Monday was spent in Greenville. Lily and I on the suspension bridge. Lily sleeping, of course.

Wingin' It at Clemson. Kristen, Andy, John and I

Yes, that is in fact a cocktail in front of me. Yum!

We had fun, and boy are we pooped!