Happy Birthday Anne Reaves!

Happy Birthday Anne Reaves!! We went to Tuscaloosa today to celebrate Anne Reaves' 3rd Birthday. Her birthday was actually on June 25th but today made for a great party day. She was so excited about her birthday party and even dressed as Cinderella. The party was a bunch of fun! I cannot believe that my precious little niece is already 3 years old. Man! How time flies!

6 Month Check-up

I cannot believe that my little angel is already 6 months old. She is such a joy. I cannot imagine life without her. She brings smiles to so many people. Matt and I are so fortunate to have such a healthy, beautiful daughter. Laura Elizabeth went for her 6 month check-up today. She had to see Dr. Peters because Dr. Huie is on vacation. Dr. Peters thought that she was absolutely adorable. She said that Laura Elizabeth was perfectly healthy. LeLe weighed in at 16 lbs 4 oz (60% percentile) and was 26 inches long (75% percentile). She said that Laura Elizabeth could officially begin Stage 1 foods. The goal would be to have her up to 3 meals by 9 months. She also mentioned that we could begin introducing a sippy cup. I know...I am not ready for that...so it will have to wait!

Laura Elizabeth has accomplished so much in the past few weeks. She is now eating (actually just playing) with food, sitting up, growing teeth, and trying to crawl. She hasn't mastered the crawling. She does know how to scoot on her belly though. She loves any kind of toy. Especially the furry ones that walk around our house (Sadie and Boomer). I amazed that she can find a tag on any toy. She especially likes putting the tags into her mouth. She loves to stand (with support).

She really ate her food for the first time tonight. Tonight's menu featured oatmeal with peaches. I bet she ate 3 oz! As you will see, she was wearing some too!

Happy 1/2 year Birthday Laura Elizabeth!

Swimming with the Skinners

I took advantage of my part time and took the day off on Friday. I believe that this is the beginning of a beautiful thing. Laura Elizabeth and I went to Tuscaloosa and shared the day with the girls. Laura and I made some tutus for Anne Reaves week of dance class while the girls all took naps.

On Saturday, Matt and I headed back for a day at the pool. We enjoyed relaxing and spending some "staycation" time. Laura Elizabeth also enjoyed relaxing at the pool. Anne Reaves and Saxon were just precious as always. Anne Reaves and Matt became real big buds.

LeLe is getting real good at eating food. So far, she has had sweet potatoes, bananas, applesauce, green beans and carrots. I think she likes the bananas the best though!!

Sitting Up

Laura Elizabeth has been practicing for a while, but today, she became an expert...in sitting!! This morning in her crib, she sat for a good minute or two. I didn't mention it to mother but then when I went to pick her up this afternoon, Bobo said...she can sit! So, tonight we tried it again....she sat and sat and sat. So much so, I had time to go get the camera and then the boot up and format a disk for the camcorder. This has been a very eventful week for little Miss LeLe. She has even figured out how to talk and sit at the same time.

Happy Father's Day

Matt and I had the Skinner family and Bobo and Pappy over to celebrate Father's Day. Daddy is doing great but is still somewhat tired. He felt well enough to come over and let us cook for him though. I think that he really just wanted to see his "girls" (all 5 of us!). We actually took some pictures of all of us with "the man". I think we actually caught him smiling in one or two which is unusual for Dad.

Matt grilled steak and shrimp and they were outstanding! After everyone left, Laura Elizabeth got to enjoy her sweet potatoes again. I decided to feed her these first since Pappy calls her Sweet Tater.

Matt and I also enjoyed spending time with each other. Laura Elizabeth had a present for him...a new tooth. She now has 2 teeth on the bottom. You can barely feel the second one but the first one is very sharp. Especially, when she is chewing on your hand.

I tell you this may have been the Best Father's Day ever! Okay...well, maybe last year ranked up there too since that is when we told everyone that LeLe was on the way! We are so thankful that daddy is doing well. Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers.

Eating Solids

We met Buddy, Pops, Kate, Steven, Jason and Sara Kate for dinner at Wings to celebrate Father's Day. The children loved grabbing and playing with each other. We enjoyed spending time with everyone as well. Happy Father's Day!

I decided that we would try Laura Elizabeth on some baby food. The doctor had said that if I noticed that she was noticing us eat and grabbing at the spoon, it may be time. So, we gave it a shot late last night with sweet potatoes. I am not sure exactly what she thought. She did swallow some of it but also sent some back to me.

Rolling Everywhere

Laura Elizabeth absolutely loves laying on the floor. However, she isn't so great at staying on the blanket. Matt and I were trying to pick up the house when we heard this weird noise. It was LeLe kicking the coffee table. Of course, I ran to get a shot! She didn't think anything of it since she has done this before and ended up further under a chest of drawers.

Pappy Finished Surgery

Pappy had to be at UAB at 5:30 am to start his radiofrequency ablation procedure. He ended up going to surgery around 7:30 and then around 9:00 we found out that he had moved into recovery. Finally, around lunch, I was able to go see him. He looked great and we were all so excited that the procedure is over and he was awake! We had to wait for him to be given a room and then around 4:00 we found out that HE IS GOING HOME!! We were so excited. The doctor said we won't know until July 9th whether or not the surgery was a success. Please continue to pray that it was and that all of this will soon be a distant memory.

Pearly Whites

Today was very eventful. Laura Elizabeth has a TOOTH!! I actually felt it yesterday but you can see it today!! She has not been the least bit fussy and is such a happy baby.

We went to church this morning and then went to Dawson Baptist to a memorial service for Matt's Grandmother, MawMaw. The service was very good and we were able to spend time with Matt's family. We even got to meet the newest addition to the Holland family, Parker.

After the service, we all went to Davenport's Pizza. Every time I eat there, it reminds me of mine and Matt's first date. The pizza was great and the fellowship was even better. Sara Kate and Jason have grown so much since we have seen them last. Alex was as entergetic as always.

When we got home, we snapped a shot of Laura Elizabeth. She was trying to show us her new pearl!! She was so exhausted that she took a bath and crashed at 7:00.

Visiting Friends and Family

Laura Elizabeth has had a very exciting day. She went to Tuscaloosa with Bobo, Pappy and Aunt Laura Jane. She was able to visit with her big cousins. Anne Reaves took care of her of course.

When I got off work, we headed over to my friend Leah's 30th birthday party. Laura Elizabeth talked the entire time through dinner. We had such a great time catching up on lost time. Leah is a dear friend to me even though we don't see each other very often. Happy Birthday Leah!

Upon leaving Leah's, we dropped by Brenda's house. Hall and Adison were thrilled to see Baby LeLe. Of course, she talked to them as well. Adison did a great job feeding her and Hall enjoyed entertaining her.

I am so fortunate to have such wonderful friends and family!

Praying for Pappy

We found out today that Pappy will be going to be having surgery next Thursday. They are doing a procedure called Radiofrequency Ablation. This is where they insert probes into the tumor and burn it. We are very optimistic that this will take care of it. Dad has been a real trooper and has definitely shown great strength. Please continue to pray for dad and a cure for cancer! He will undergo significant tests on Wednesday, June 11th in preparation for the treatment on Thursday. Please pray that these go well and that we will soon have this behind us.

Playing with the Pups

Laura Elizabeth got a Johnny Jump Up from Buddy and Pops on Saturday. She absolutely thinks that it is the funniest thing when the dogs walk right next to her. She has learned to stick out her hand as they walk by so that she get give them a pat. She is talking up a storm. I am not sure who she gets that from. :)