Walking Everywhere

Laura Elizabeth has decided that walking isn't quite as fast as crawling but it sure is fun! She gets so tickled at herself when she walks long distances. We get tickled at her because later in the day...she is very clumsy. She will walk almost anywhere and loves carrying her dolls, high chair, books and anything else with her.

She isn't liking milk though. We have added strawberry and chocolate but neither one really appeals to her. If anyone has advice, please send it my way! She goes to her 1 year doctor's appointment next week so we will have to talk with Dr. Huie about this one. Of course, I would love for her to drink plain milk (since it is readily available at all restaurants). But she just opens her mouth back up and lets it pour back out. :)

She is still playing with all of her precious baby dolls that everyone sent her for her birthday. She also loves the rocking chair that PawPaw (Matt's granddad) gave her. Mr. Bear is still her favorite though.

She is growing like a weed...repeating almost anything. She likes throwing things as well. Everytime we get into the car, she proceeds to take off her socks and shoes and throw them.

Occasionally, she slows down enough to fall asleep on her daddy (which he still loves). Otherwise, she is going..going..going.

Visit from PawPaw

PawPaw dropped by this morning to wish LeLe a HAPPY BIRTHDAY! It was such a wonderful surprise. He also dropped off another present for Baby LeLe from Matt's aunt Newana and uncle Billy. We really enjoyed visiting with PawPaw.

We are trying to wean LeLe off of the bottle...but we aren't having much success.

Happy Birthday LeLe!

I cannot believe that Laura Elizabeth is already one! Man! How time does fly! I also cannot believe how much I have learned over the past year. I am going to share some of these things for all of you fellow MOM'S TO BE!

1. When making a crib skirt, don't worry about making sure you get the exact measurements to the floor. The crib is going to be on the lowest setting most of the time so it is going to be crumpled up on the floor regardless.
2. Everyone MUST have a bouncie seat! We still don't know how we could live without the ole Rainforest Bouncie.
3. Don't dry any kids clothes...they grow out of them fast enough without shrinking.
4. Don't bother buying 3 types of bottles. If your child has reflux, she is going to scream regardless of the bottle. :)
5. Don't bother dropping the crib to level 2 and 3. Go from level 1 to level 4! Save yourself some type of sanity!


Okay..I am sure that I will be remembering some more...but on to my little baby. I cannot believe that this time last year she was making a visit to NICU!

This morning, we met Bobo and Pappy to eat breakfast for LeLe's birthday. She absolutely loved the Cracker Barrel pancakes. She also enjoyed walking around with Bobo as neither one of them could sit long enough to eat.

When we got home, it was warm enough for LeLe to try out her new swing set. Thanks to Backyard Adventures for installing it in the freezing weather on Monday! She loved it!

For dinner, the Hollands came over to the house. LeLe enjoyed spending time with them as well. She had no problem opening up their present...as she is now a professional gift unwrapper. LeLe enjoyed her cupcake much better tonight. She really liked chocolate!

Happy Birthday Laura Elizabeth! We love you so very much!

LeLe's First Christmas Day!

Believe it or not, Santa came to visit LeLe. We were in doubt that he would come due to her being such a Hurricane but...he made it! She got a new swing set, several books, several movies, an oversized golden retriever but her favorite gift was a $2.00 Dora ball that Matt got for her!

After we opened presents with our little family, the Hollands and Allens joined us for Christmas Lunch. We then opened more presents! LeLe got the hang of opening presents by the end of the day! She really enjoyed playing with Sara Kate and Jason. They were precious as always.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Christmas Eve at the Skinners

Tonight, we all headed to Laura's to celebrate Christmas. Anne Reaves was singing at the church at the Christmas Eve service so we joined Bobo, Pappy and the Skinners for the service. Anne Reaves was absolutely precious! While she was the front of the church singing, she decided to start waving at all of us. She didn't know all of the words but continued to move her mouth. She was a hit and even displayed some of her ballerina moves while on stage.

Afterwards, we went to Laura's house where we opened presents and ate our traditional prime rib, potatoes and salad. The Skinner's gave LeLe a Bitty Baby doll. She was in love before Laura could even get it out of the box. Anne Reaves loved her flashing Sleeping Beauty shoes. She had to run go put on her dress to go with them before she could open another present. Saxon got tickled at Pappy putting Anne Reaves' helment on his head. All of the girls were precious and we enjoyed the fellowship as always.

Hanging with Lauren and Joel

LeLe slept until 9:30. I believe that she is still worn out from her birthday party. I had a doctor's appointment on Monday. So, my cousins, Lauren and Joel, kept Hurricane while I did some last minute Christmas shopping, renewed my license (that expired 58 days before), and went to see the ole doc.

Laura Elizabeth fell in love with Joel. She was so in love, that she didn't even take a nap...all day long. I have to say, this is the first for her. When they brought her back to the house around 5:00, she ate dinner and fell fast asleep at 5:30. She ended up sleeping until Bobo came on Tuesday morning around 8:30. Thank you Lauren and Joel!

LeLe's First Birthday Party!

Tonight was LeLe's first birthday party! Man! I cannot believe how fast this year has come and gone. I cannot believe that my little angel is already almost one! We invited several of our closest friends to come and join on the festivities. Due to the time of year, I invited several different families mostly folks who didn't even know each other. The party turned out to be so much fun (if I do say so myself). I wasn't really prepared for the chaos though. I had everything planned out (I know...you probably all ready knew that!). Festivities were to start at 5:30. Eat and paint ornaments until 6:15, Sing Happy Birthday around 6:20, Santa arrives at 6:45 and then concluding around 7:30.

Okay...well, let me start off saying that there was a miscommunication and the pottery painting lady didn't get to the house until around 6:20. So, all of the guests (all 64 of them) hung out upstairs. Around 6:25, we all headed downstairs for the festivities. Santa appeared around 6:45 and was HUGE hit! After Santa made his exit, we sang Happy Birthday (where LeLe screamed bloody murder).

LeLe was not at ALL interested in her birthday cake. She was more concerned about all of these folks singing and looking at her. So, she screamed and screamed and screamed. So much so, she had to go upstairs to cool down while the other children ate the precious cake.

Special thanks to my sister who helped me put everything together, Lauren for helping with LeLe and my good friend Mark who took pictures!

I hope to add some more pictures soon! Happy Birthday my little angel!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Visit from Aunt Lisa

Aunt Lisa came over tonight to help watch LeLe. Laura Elizabeth absolutely adored her. When I came home, Lisa was crawling after LeLe and she was belly laughing. She also brought over LeLe her birthday present, Dr. Seuss books. Thanks Aunt Lisa for watching baby Lele!

Busy Busy Busy

We are running around these days trying to make sure that we get LeLe's birthday party in order AND get everything on our shopping list. I hope that you enjoy some more random shots of my growing little angel.

Laura has come up several times to help me get the party in order. Dad is doing much better these days. Thanks everyone for their prayers! LeLe continues to add new words to her vocabulary. The most recent word...WOW! She has taken several steps by herself but since she too is always in a hurry...she prefers crawling. I will say, she is very proficient in crawling. She can now even crawl with a dress. She sticks one leg out and the uses it to maneuver herself. She LOVES being chased. She will start laughing when you start stomping your feet. She also loves helping sort clothes. We have finally taught her to actually put them back in the drawer after she pulls them all out.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Visit with Santa

Today was the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Christmas Festival. Laura Elizabeth had seen a Santa before at Brookwood Mall and wasn't scared at all. However, that was NOT the case today! She was petrified. I am not sure if it was because she was in need of a nap or not. But, she would not let us leave her without crying. At one point, I just sat by Santa and got my picture made too. I did forget to tell him what I wanted though.

While we are at Blue Cross, we ran into the Welborns. Adison and Hall were as sweet as ever. Adison's friend, Eva Katherine, was also with them. LeLe was so excited to see them and is so calm around them. She even sat in Adison's lap which she doesn't do for anyone very often. She also sat by the reindeers. At one point, she was petting Mr. Reindeer.

New High Chair and Nascar Racer!

Laura let us borrow her high chair since LeLe decided to climb out of her very nice wooden one and hang by the lap belt. It was a site to remember! I had run to the laundry room (which is right outside the kitchen) to start a load of laundry while she was content eating her bananas. The next thing I know, I round the corner and she is belly laughing, hanging by the lap belt over the side of the chair. Sadie (our oldest golden) had laid on the floor to break her fall and LeLe was petting her. I about had a heart attack!

Anyway, Baby Saxon has outgrown her high chair so Laura sent it our way! I am so fortunate to have such a wonderful sister!

Laura Elizabeth seems to love it! I am sure that the cushions are nice compared to the hard wood of ours. Moral of the story....for all of you moms to be...get a regular high chair and not a fancy wooden one!

Laura also let us borrow Anne Reaves car! While it doesn't have any Nascar stripes or numbers, it should. I had to work on Thursday night so LeLe stayed with her daddy. When I came in, there were skid marks all over our hard wood floors. For those of you that know Matt, he is a very neat freak. Anyway, I could not believe that he didn't stop when he noticed that the car was leaving marks. Okay folks, I am not talking like one or two...I am talking HUNDREDS! He said that while I was gone, LeLe and he played Nascar for about 30 minutes. As you can see, she VERY much enjoys her new car. Thanks Aunt Laura! You are the best!

On the Go!

Tonight, I brought up a car that Laura let LeLe borrow. She couldn't really get the hang of it at first but I believe that once she does, she will LOVE it! I can remember when Anne Reaves was about LeLe's age. Laura would stand on one side of the hallway and I would stand on the other. We would push her as fast as we could and she would belly laugh. I cannot wait to do this with our little LeLe!