A Night Out in the Rain

For the past two years, Dave has gone in with his buddies and bought season tickets to the Braves games. We made it to two games last year. This year, not even that lucky. Every time we planned to go, the game would be canceled due to rain. I kid you not! It was so ironic. We planned to go last night. On Monday, I started watching the weather reports. There was only a 20% chance of rain for Thursday night. On Wednesday, the weather channel only called for scattered showers on Friday. As Thursday morning rolls around, it's POURING rain. I was trying to be optimistic, but as it got later in the day, the rain wasn't going any where. Dave and I still took a chance. As we hit the interstate, you would have thought we were driving through a hurricane. It was raining side ways. The Braves announcers were even saying they'd be shocked if the game wasn't canceled. We passed Turner Field and went to one of our favorite restaurants in Midtown. After having a cocktail and an appetizer, we saw on the tv that the Braves game started. It looked like the rain had quit. Dave wanted to try again. We got in the car, and it started raining. Once we pulled into the parking lot, it quit. Throughout the night, it sprinkled off and on. But at least we were able to go and have some fun in the rain. We ran into Danielle and Kirk (who we ALWAYS see at the Braves game - it's so funny). Great to see them!
Not to mention the Braves beat the Padres 9-1!

We got home and the house was quiet as a mouse. I guess Su Su and Sweet Pea had so much fun while we were gone, that they were passed out asleep!

View from our seats. Yes, I'm still a Chipper fan!

Kirk, Danielle, me, and Dave

A "Cooke" Out

On Saturday, Lexie and I drove up to Charleston, Tennessee to see my Tennessee family (as I like to call them). My best friend, Britney, along with her wonderful parents hosted a wonderful summer evening gathering at the Cooke's gorgeous home on the Tennessee River. It was the first time for Mama Janey and Mr. Dan to meet Lexie. Plus, Britney's little sister has an adorable little boy, Tristan, who is only a month younger than Lexie. We were hoping that they would hit it off. Judging by the picture, I think Tristan has eyes for older ladies! :-)

Though it was a super short trip, Lexie and I had a lovely time. The Cooke's know how to host a fabulous party at one of the most exquisite homes I've ever seen!

Tristan has eyes for Lexie!

My sweet Britney (whom I miss dearly)

The magic silver spoon

I started feeding Lexie rice cereal mixed in with her formula right before bedtime a little before she was three months (trying to get her to sleep through the night). Thanks for the recommendation, April! That worked great for about a month. Starting at four months, when Dave travels and then comes home, that throws Lexie off her sleeping pattern. Why? I have no idea. Coincidence? Maybe. When Dave left for Alaska, she was waking up once a night. Then she starting sleeping through the night again. Now that Dave is back from Alaska, she is again waking up once a night. Maybe she's just continuing to go through growth spurts when he's around?

While back in Alabama, I got her cute, little plastic bowls and tiny spoons out for her to start eating from a spoon (recs from her Dr.). It didn't go that smooth. She had no idea what to do. And my parents and I were laughing so hard at all her facial expressions, she got upset. It was quite funny. Some days I'm too tired to fool with the mess and end up giving her a bottle with rice cereal in it. Last night I tried the spoon feeding again. I left all her bowls/spoons at home, but remembered that I have a couple silver baby spoons given to Lexie for a gift. This isn't some ordinary silver spoon. It's a silver pattern that is now 4 generations deep! My grandmother, my Mom, myself, and now Lexie have it. Mabye that is why Lexie did so good eating from it last night? Can we say a southern young lady already? :-)

All in all, she did really well. She grasped the spoon great (which I thought might be the hard part), but she's sometimes was unsure on what to do once the rice cereal was in her mouth. But she started to swallow as you can see from below.

The magic spoon


"Here we go. . . . . ."

"Emmmmm, not bad"

"Yay, I did it!"

"I'm grasping the spoon pretty good."

"I want more."

"Now I want to hold the spoon myself Mommy."

"I got it Mommy"

"Oh no, it's gone already."

Weepublican all the way!!!

On to a political spat. . . . . .

I need to vent for a second. The current situation or shall I say debacle with our President infuriates me to no end.

White House: "The people at the Town Hall meetings don't represent what Americans truly think about socialized medicine." CNN

That is extremely ignorant to believe that. You claim that you're listening to the American people, Mr. President?? I don't think so. . .

These politicians have a rude awakening coming (when? I don't know. But hopefully soon and they won't have Bush to blame for it either). This health care situation is getting absurd. Canada has a Mortality Checklist and if you don't meet the criteria, no health care for you. Did I mention that it doesn't work there nor Europe? The lines are long and the care is poor. They claim it's "free" but with a sales tax as high as 18% and their dollar only buys a fraction of what ours does - how is it free? So why does America (I mean Obama/dems) think we need it?

And what's the purpose for the town hall meetings if the democrats are just going to let a few (and I mean a few) Republicans in the hall to speak their opinions? It's not really a town hall meeting if only a specific group is allowed in (meaning only supporters for socialized medicine).

AND what about non tax paying non citizens???? Socialized Medicine ???? How is it funded? We'll probably be paying for everyone to get treatment not just our families.

Pretty soon, young people will be forced to pay for housing and clothing for everyone - and we'll find the same failure as the USSR found when they tried this. Universal health care is not the same thing as quality and timely health care. Bureaucrats are not the most effective decision-makers when it comes to distributing any form of service. All socialism does is spread misery equally - and the wealthy in these nations just travel abroad or to private hospitals while the very poor the left claims to be saving suffers worse health care than ever. Remember: doctors leave these nations or practice less or don't go into the field at all! Like so many things, folks, socialized medicine sounds very good and compassionate but it's not. I hope you young people are listening, because you're going to be buying drugs for millionaires and all those greedy Baby Boomers if this stuff passes. -TLI

NOTE: Just because I disagree with the President and don't support what he stands for does NOT make me a racist. I'm entitled to my own opinion. At least for now. . . . .

So in honor of this glorious Obama administration, I only stand more proud to be a Republican as well as my sweet pea. Thanks to Corey Hall (Dave's good friend from college). It's one of the cutest onesies I've ever seen!

I stand Weepublican all the way!!!!

Sweet Home Alabama

Lexie and I had a great visit at home with Su Su and Papa John. We did a lot of fun things like swimming in the back yard, shopping, napping, dressing like an angel, playing with Belle Belle, and trying new foods. . . . .

Aunt JJ came by to see us

"Uh oh, what are you about to do Mommy?"
"I don't know about this Mommy."

"Not liking it Mommy. . . ."

"Alright, it wasn't that bad."

Papa John is already giving me flowers!

Dipping toes in the pool before changing into swimsuits

Su Su's angel (can you see the wings?)

Playing with Belle Belle

Holding the bottle by myself

4 Month Check up, shots, and teething. . . .

Today we went for Lexie's 4 month check up and shots. She weighs 17.05 lbs (94th percentile), her length was 25 3/4" (93rd percentile), and her head measured in the 92nd percentile to which my Mom said "room for a smart brain." Her doctor said that she is doing great in terms of head strength and motor skills. Lexie is doing things normally a 5 or 6 month old does. That was good to hear.

Looks like we are going to have to convert to another car seat soon. Although the one we have now can hold up to 30 lbs, it's her length that the Dr. was concerned about. Any suggestions for a convertible car seat?

After the Dr left the room, the nurse came in to give the 4 shots. 2 in each thigh and one oral. I think the entire Dr.'s office could hear this poor baby girl. It was so sad to see. Dave and I left nearly in tears. Thank goodness the shots were given about the time she usually naps. So she was out like a light by the time we got to the car. She also continued to sleep during the airport drop off - (Dave left for his annual Alaskan fishing trip today) and for the hour and a half drive to Opelika. This Mama was very relieved. My biggest fear is having to pull off the interstate in the middle of no where due to a very upset baby. . . .

I've been giving her infant tylonel every 4-6 hours. That has helped so much. Hopefully that will keep her from being as fussy as she was at the 2 month shots. That was awful!

Lexie is also in her beginning stages of teething. Can I say FUSSY??? Oh my goodness - this child has been the definition of fussy. Even when she is not whining, I hear her in my mind. I wish the teeth would hurry up and come through. I cut my first tooth at 4 months. I'm crossing my fingers the tooth (or teeth) will hurry up and come. . . . .soon!

We are in Alabama. Su Su can spoil sweet pea rotten while I can hopefully get some rest. . . . :-)

4 months old and a fun playdate

Today is my precious baby's 4 month old birthday! I know it sounds crazy, but I CAN'T believe she is already 4 months. Time really does fly by.

My dear friend Mandy invited Lexie and me over to her house for lunch with her 6 month old, Zarin along with Stephanie Nalley and her 6 month old daughter, Taylor. We had a wonderful time (we would have had more fun if sweet pea wasn't so fussy - one of those days). I think we got some cute pictures. I have a feeling these little girls are going to have a fun future together ahead of them.

A and Z

Taylor, A, Zarin

Zarin, Taylor, and Lexie

Alexa, Zarin, and Taylor

Birthday Weekend

I'm late posting this but last weekend was Dave's birthday. I asked him what he wanted to do and he said go to the lake. We invited the Benner's to join us. It turned out to be a gorgeous weekend. And thank goodness my parents came up for the day on Saturday. They watched Lexie (and Grant was taking his nice, long nap) as the other 4 adults had some fun in the sun!

The adults with a new toy! My parents bought Dave this float (the Blue Lagoon) for his birthday. It was so cool. It had 12 cup holders, a mini cooler in the center with 4 individual chairs. So much fun!

Grant, the cutie!

Jake and Grant enjoying some waves

Su Su and Lexie (chewing on anything she can get in her mouth)

Lexie, Grant, and Courtney

My balding baby. . . .

Happy Birthday Dave!

Discovery of Toes

Lexie has a new hobby. . . . sucking on her toes. Dave doesn't like when she does it but I think it's cute. It's really no different than sucking on her fingers. It's not like she is walking so her feet aren't dirty. I tried to get some pictures but she would always take her toe out of her mouth when she saw me pull the camera out.
Also, she loves rolling over on her tummy, but she gets stuck and can't get back on her back.
This is such a fun stage and I love seeing her personality develop more and more each day!