Week 18!! This was a busy week. As I mentioned in the previous blog entry, we took pictures at the pumpkin patch and sat naked in a pumpkin for more pictures in addition to some NEW adventures (FSU cheerleader, cereal, trick-or-treat)!Lauren also had her 4 month well check-up this week. She weighed 13 lb 14 oz (50%) and was 25 inches long (75%). We have heard reports that cousin Jackson is 16 lbs!! He is going to be a perfect protector for Lauren!! :-) She received 4 shots and one oral vaccine. We got a good report from Dr. Rachesky and was told that we could start giving her rice cereal. I sat there, holding Lauren in my lap, and wondered "how did we get to this point so fast?!" It was a little sad for me although I'm glad she is developing and growing well. Introducing a SPOON to my little baby seems like a BIG GIRL thing to do! I must have had a shocked/sad/concerned look on my face because Dr. Rachesky said "well, you don't have to be in any rush, but try to start before she is 7 months old".
Mama Lee, Aunt Tami, Mallory and Thomas came by to visit after Mama Lee's birthday lunch, but Lauren was asleep the entire time--"recovering from her shots".
Aunt Nan came to visit and Lauren loved her songs "Swinging on the Shed House Door" and "Gump, Gump went the Little Green Frog". Lauren likes her visits, if we will ever stay home long enough for Nan to drive the 2 minutes to our house to catch us here. :-) Doesn't she look like a Big Girl sitting here?
Gigi also came for her weekly visit to get some sugar and love on Lauren. Can you tell she's smitten? :-) You can kinda see a little bit of her chunky arms and cheeks here, but she is still pretty little and petite.
Friday night was 'Nole Fest at FSU-Panama City and the 3 of us went to do some marketing for Eric's office by passing out bottles of bubbles with his business card attached (thanks to Mary's awesome idea). This was the perfect chance for Lauren to wear her FSU cheerleading outfit! I wonder who will think she looks better in garnet and gold? And who will think orange and blue looks better? :-) This was outside just after sunset and Lauren loved strolling around in the nice weather, listening to a great band play and watching kids play. We even got to see Uncle Dick and Aunt Nan there.
So, 4 days after receiving instructions to start rice cereal, Lauren had her first taste of this delictable, bland, colorless dish while Daddy was right there with the video camera. I did some extra reading and, sure enough, Lauren meets most criteria for starting cereal right now. She did really well with the spoon and didn't seem to mind the texture. The "ameteur mommy" probably needs more practice though. We are going to offer her cereal once a day for now and see how it goes. Next thing you know, I'll be reporting that she loves peas and bananas!
Lauren with Daddy and part of his staff during Halloween Week at the office.
Lauren and Daddy lounging around in her pre-costume outfit and watching the UF/UGA game.
Lauren's 1st Halloween was spent hanging out with her girlfriends (Vivian, Bailey and Anna) at Vivian's house then strolling with Mommy and Daddy that night. The weather was perfect for her warm outfit and the long walk put her right to sleep. To us, she is the most precious, sweetest, cutest little pumpkin we have ever seen!
On Sunday afternoon, we took advantage of the nice pre-winter weather and went to the beach to walk on the pier and eat at Margaritaville. There have been some beautiful sunsets lately and its nice to be so close to the Gulf to enjoy them. 
