April 11-18, 2010--Standing Up, Bruiser, Boating and Crystal Lake!

On the morning of 4/11/10, I walked in to Lauren's room to say Good Morning and guess what I found! I cute little girl grinning from ear to ear and standing up waiting for me to walk through the door! She has been practicing for about a week and it didn't take long to accomplish this HUGE feat! I feel like Lauren has really grown a lot in the past 10 days...crawling, 2nd tooth and now pulling up. And then there's the exclusive use of the Sippy Cup. I have continued to try different cups and spouts (we now have a collection) but until the other day, she just didn't seem to get the hang of it. But out of the blue, she caught on like it was no big deal and I have put away the bottles that I had been using for the prune juice and miralax. I guess we'll keep using bottles for formula and frozen breast milk until we wean, but for the most part...it's all sippy cup! She has also learned how to press the ON button on her toy train to get it to start playing music (1st cause and effect accomplishment) and will dance most anytime she hears music start or when we sing to her. I need time to slow down so I can enjoy each little step of her growth...even more than I already do!
On Monday, we went to Chipley to pick up Granddaddy's carriage for our photo session on Wednesday. A visit with Ganny and Granddaddy isn't complete without lunch at The Colonial. Once again, Lauren ate so much off my plate that mommy left hungry!!! She is such a good eater! and LOVES almost everything including stewed okra and tomatoes!
We enjoyed the nice pre-summer/Spring weather and strolled outside.
Hard to believe that this carriage is 81 years old! I don't have any proofs to share just yet from our session with Genya at VUE, but I do have a story to tell AND the pictures to follow in this week's blog will tell of my story (Lauren's little right cheek is blue).

So, the 3 of us went for our photo session with VUE Photography... planned it on a day when Eric was in the OR so that we could do it later in the afternoon and he wouldn't have to rush home, tried to make today "easy" for Lauren, she took a good 2 hour nap this afternoon, I painted my finger nails, did a 35 minute blow dry out on my hair, my make up looked pretty good, all outfits were neatly ironed, Eric wore his sear-sucker blue/white striped pants, I wore a one-shoulder fitted dress with the cutest high heels with blue and white pin stripes...we totally looked like a Tommy Hilfiger ad...picked up my granddad's 81 year old wooden and iron baby carriage and had it tucked away safely in the suburban.

Well, 10 minutes before we walked out the door (we were 20 minutes early in getting ready) Lauren falls forward from the crawl position and whacks her cheek into the desk in the play room...immediate blue and red mark right below her eye. Okay, so photo shop can fix it but it was definitely the worst "hurt" she has ever felt.

We get to the studio and start to stroll down the street and start taking pictures when Lauren starts crying...screaming! For the next hour, we keep shooting pictures inbetween sobbing and tears. At one point, I looked at her and saw a booger in her right nostril, tears coming down both eyes, her new black and blue shiner, dirt on her nose and a piece of a puff stuck to the side of her mouth. Poor baby.

We finally just stopped. Genya said that we looked so cute that she wanted us to come back in a few days and we'd try again. Tommy Ad for sure...

Seriously, today was the first time that I truly felt like a parent. Not a mommy, but a parent.

At 8pm Lauren was still asleep in her car seat. She fell asleep in the car and I wasn't about to touch her when we got home.

Okay...moving on! :-) Here is a picture of our front yard in bloom. We have an excellent yard man--his name is Eric Berry. :-)
"Hi, Mommy..."
This particular look is becoming more common. In fact, her personality over the past week has changed into one who has a very distinct preferences and seems to show her disapproval the only way she knows how--crying and arching her back and throwing her head back! Sometimes, I just look at her and cock my head because I have NO IDEA what to do!!! My book tells me to keep my voice calm but instead, my chest is getting very tight and I'm wanting to cry right back to her!! Don't laugh...
Can't you see the look of determination!?!
She has now been introduced to strawberries and REALLY LIKES them...and the fact that I will let her feed herself. Her knew expressive personality can really be seen during meal time. For instance, her absolute favorite food is yogurt (vanilla bean to be exact). If she sees you get mashed potatoes off the plate, she'll whip her head away from you until she sees you dip the spoon in the yogurt container. And then she'll change her mind the next bite and you'll have to figure out what she wants. Seriously! Can this really be happening now?!?! At 9 months? I thought it was called the terrible TWO's!! Look close at the back of the high chair padding...see all the stains from her turning her head?
This was Eric's long weekend, so we took Lauren out on the boat Friday. I didn't mention our boating adventure to any family member until our trip was over. ha! This way, no one had to worry! She did pretty good on the boat ride over the Shell Island. Didn't fall in love with the life vest, but didn't hate it either.
Head to Toe in 50+ SPF clothing protection!
Playing in the sand

Thank goodness she doesn't mind getting sandy!
"Daddy, I'm coming to help ya!"
Grilling hot dogs
"Yay, Daddy! I'm hungry...again!"
Our beach set-up
Walking over to the Gulf side
Daddy and Lauren watching all the boats line up and go down the coast-line on a bright, beautiful mid-day perfect for cobia fishing. Uh, hum...Eric brought his fishing gear in hopes of going cobia fishing but that didn't happen. We think Lauren needs to like her life jacket a little bit more before we attempt to do that. I really felt bad for Eric though, especially when I see the above picture.
We had to leave Shell Island and go back home so Lauren could get ready for her spend-the-night party with Gigi while we went to a fundraiser dinner at WaterSound Beach for South Walton Montessori Academy.

The next day, we met back up at Crystal Lake for Spring cleaning and yard work. Our cage idea worked great! She could watch us walk back and forth and still be contained with all of her toys.
It worked until she tried to escape! You can kinda see the calluses that she's developing on both knees and feet from crawling. This girl is a crawling machine!! I need to try to keep pants and socks on her more often.
Enjoying the lake.
George visiting with the neighbors boxer
Watching Pops smooth out the beach
Visiting with Gigi
Riding on the Mule
Seeing Aunt Kay for the 1st time that day. Lauren has really gotten attached to Aunt Kay. Her entire face lights up when she sees her and you can say "Where is Aunt Kay?" and she'll look right at her and smile.
Rocking on the porch with Granddaddy


You can really start to see the bruise under her right eye
Testing the water
"Aunt Kay...you make me laugh so hard!"

"I don't know why mommy thinks this water is so cold!?"
"I love it!"
Wow...what a busy week! We'll hope that Lauren's bruise doesn't get any worse, but I have a feeling it will go through the full gamut of colors before it goes away, and look forward to getting our proofs from VUE.

So glad that warm weather is here...experiencing new outdoor things with Lauren is going to be so much fun! Even if it comes with a little temper flare...

April 5-11, 2010--Beach, Anna's Party and Sunday School Promotion!

Lauren started her week with a trip to Panama City Beach with Aunt Sarah, Aunt Stacie, Ethan, and Lucas. It was a beautiful day with high's in the mid-70's and we set up our umbrella amongst all the Spring Break Families in front of Schooner's. There were children everywhere and Lauren loved watching them play...and of course, Ethan was there so Lauren was thrilled!
Ethan playing in the sand
So, I thought a one-piece with big hat would be the appropriate thing for a new mom (and I still do) but I can't seem to love it...I'm going to vote against wearing it again! :-)
Aunt Sarah and Lauren visiting.
Lauren still loves the sand. It doesn't seem to bother her at all...by the time we left the beach, she and I were covered in it!
Lucas lounging and enjoying the warm breeze and the sound of the gulf waves.
Lauren had a blow-out while we were on the beach...thus the missing bikini bottom. Something I had never thought about happening before. Girl Scout mommy to the rescue but Lauren ended up sand in places she probably didn't want it to be. But that didn't stop her from playing with Ethan. :-)
Later that night, Mama Lee, Thomas Jay and Aunt Tami came over for a visit and dinner. Mama Lee spent the night so that she could fly out bright and early the next morning for her trip to Indiana. Thank you guys for coming to visit with Lauren!
On Wednesday, Aunt Kay and Mitchell came by for a visit and helped Lauren get ready for work as our Marketing Associate. She wore her Panhandle Pediatric Dentistry t-shirt to deliver pies and ice cream to dental offices around town with Mommy.
Sporting her new shoes from Aunt Kay.
"Mitchell, what do you think of my bow?"
Working is hard work. Brittany, from Eric's office, went with us to each office. On this particular day (we did this 3 days) we went to six offices. I took her out of the car seat at each office and took her inside to introduce her to each office's staff. Most of the people said that they remembered me going by this time last year with cookies and a big pregnant belly. That seems like yesterday!!
Later that day, Tyler came by for one last visit before his big move to Ohio.
Mommy and Lauren "cooking" in the kitchen. She likes to watch me cut up veggies and put up dishes. Big Girl Stuff.
Lauren and Emma continue to be very fond of each other. Emma always keeps a safe distance away from Lauren but is always interested in her. She has never shown any signs of aggression towards her and I hope it stays that way. Don't worry, there is an outlet cover where Lauren is playing in the picture above.
"Emma, I'm coming to get you!!"
"If only I could jump up there..."
She is becoming a very good crawler, picking up and speed balancing with turns.
On Thursday, Gigi and Pops came by for a visit. Plenty of showing off and attention...
This is our version of baby proofing the house. We bought a corral gate and stretched it out straight across the door threshold. We figured that we'd be able to take it to the lake and use it there too. She is trying very hard to pull herself up to standing. It won't be very long! I hear that once she starts to pull up, she'll start walking soon thereafter. OMW!!
See how talented she's getting balancing and changing positions? She is also becoming more and more curious and inquisitive in EVERYTHING.
On Saturday, Pops, Daddy and Uncle Gabe went fishing in the bay. They caught a lot of sheep head.
That afternoon, we went to Anna's 1st Birthday party at her house!! Anna is such a sweet little girl and is growing fast. Lauren seems to watch what she and her other friends are doing and absolutely loves being around them.
Bailey and Lauren playing
All 3 girls

This picture is blurry from all the jumping action of Lauren. See how excited she gets?
Anna and her Mommy opening gifts
Sunday was a big day for Lauren. We went to church and told that Lauren is now crawling...so she was promoted to the next Sunday School Class! Thank goodness I had my camera to capture such a big moment! Ha!
After church, we went to the Outdoor Expo to look at boats, planes and Airstream RV's. It was a gorgeous day and Lauren really liked being outside.
We ended up at Pier Park for a little shopping. Lauren entertained herself in the mirror and "talked" and waved to everyone that she passed. Big, Big day for little Lauren.

We are looking forward to staying at home all next week and finishing up our marketing for Eric's office with more pie/ice cream deliveries.