My Girl.

I am lucky to have a best friend who is a photographer.  An amazing photographer.  Thankfully she's been around since I was in second grade so I was not judged for the ridiculous antics I had going on behind the camera in order to keep a certain pretty little girl's attention.  I unashamedly leapt and screamed like a crazy person for a solid forty five minutes.  I'm so very sorry if you were in the park that day.  It wasn't pretty.  But E thought it was hilarious.  Success.  All kidding aside, I love this peanut more than words can say and I will continue to bounce around like an idiot for many many years if it brings this smile.  I am sorry in advance folks.  She is worth it.

                                             Check out courtneydoxphotography.com.

Fripp Trip!

So a month ago we headed out to Fripp Island with Chris' family.  Yes, that is how far behind I am.  And what's worse is that I have yet to unpack.  No, seriously.  Same bag, just adding to and taking out.  Yes mom, I'm doing laundry. But there are some things at the bottom that still haven't been worn.  Not saying I'm proud of that, but hey it is what it is.  When you are on the road at least twice a week the OCD has to jump in the back seat or just be run over completely :)

We had a great week with family, good food, and plenty of golf cart rides.  There are too many pictures in this post, but to be honest I am just to lazy to divide it in to two.  So here goes.

*if you can't tell E has really been into giving kisses

my love

checking out the porch

sweet Hannah

Bath time babies

my funny girl

sharing some love

Showing Opa to the water

this girl loves her daddy

jumping waves

sweet tired girl

nothing better

Seriously Mom?

formulating their plan

they built it. 

the first of many attempts

Hudson showing em how its done

bird chasing

14 months!

I am incredibly late on posting this.  But I wrote it so its getting posted, even if she is almost 15 months... :)

My little sponge! E has been cracking us up this past month with the things she picks up on.  Her personality is out in full force and she is a pretty good little communicator.  She now "runs" almost anywhere she is going and will stop in for quick kisses or a hug around the legs and then she's off again.  We are still trying to figure out the nap schedule for this time so we have been doing a lot of early bedtimes which oddly enough results in later mornings? I'll take it.  My dad "Pop" taught her about hot things, coffee, stove, etc.  She will now pant and hold out her hand if anything is even slightly warmer than room temperature.  I was also telling Chris that she looked like a "hot mess" the other day and I hear little miss panting over in the corner.  Haha.  Love how literal kids are.  She is still all about books and balls and animals.  Her appetite has slowed down to what I would now consider "normal".  We thought we had a college frat guy on our hands.  She is very clear with her "all done" and "more".  And her prayers where she quickly folds her hands and says her rendition of Amen.  To be honest she's pretty clear about anything that has to do with food:) She continues to be my traveling buddy.  I am so thankful for her flexibility but it would be ok with me if the decibel that is reached in the car was slightly lower :) And that's why I never let my ipod leave the car.  My new favorite is the addition of the sign for "please".  She does it with two hands over her belly and it is hilarious.  She has learned to do it at the appropriate times, like if I ask "would you like more milk?"  However, I think she thinks "please" is her magic fairy.  She gets very frustrated with me and Chris if she has used please and we still say no.  She will then sign please over and over getting madder each time.  And then finally bite her hand at us in disapproval.  Oh man :)  We love this peanut!  I still need to post pics from our Fripp Island trip.  Hopefully this week!

Favorite book of the month (along with ole faithful, Goodnight Moon)

A little lunch date after her check up

Just.can't.eat.it.fast.enough.
Cupcakes at Annabel's and Thomas' party

Helping Lolli and Pop pack

A little dress up

Waiting on daddy at work

sick baby snuggle time

People watching at the farmers market

First crayon experience

Lining em up

Wagon rides with daddy

a little chick-fila play time

Hanging out roadside with a flat :)

Midweek Confessions

Let's go ahead and start with the obvious...

-I am ready to be in our house.  I know there is a season for everything but I'm fairly certain I am ready for the one that has us in our space.

ok now that that's out the way

-I finally took my car to get the oil changed today. 4500 miles in 2 months.  That's totally normal, right?

-I am coming to terms with the amount of time I am spending in the car...if I were to run out of gas I think I would be set.  My gear shift is now my jewelry holder.  The center console my bathroom cabinet and the entire backseat E's play place.  Oh and the trunk, my closet.

-I was running errands yesterday and was in and out of a bunch of stores.  I was getting something from the freezer section at Publix and as I shut the freezer door I turned around, pointed my key fab at it and pressed lock?!  Should I be concerned?

-I tried to get Emerson on a one nap a day schedule last week.  Mainly because it fit my  her schedule better.  Yeah not ready for that one.  I conceded to her rants pleas and we are back to two.

- Tears were shed at the Olympic coverage last night.  I am officially a mom because all I could think about was how much pressure those girls were under and how hard it would be to comfort a Jordyn Weiber.

- And now I'm going to have to go to bed because I am dragging from my late night date with NBC.  Pathetic.

13 months!

In sitting down to write this I realized I never did a "baby book" post for one year.  I'll just combine it all here since we just had the one year check up yesterday.  Notice a running behind theme here? E spent the wait at the doctor's office running from one end of the table to the other.  She apparently was very excited by the reptile border? I'm sorry baby girl that is never going in your room.  She got to stand on the scale for the first time was so excited you'd think someone had given her a whole bowl of avocado.  She weighed in at a whopping 20.5 lbs.  She has apparently added 2 back teeth, making 8.  I thought it was her ears that were bothering her.  Some nurse I am :) Her favorite books are Hop on Pop and Goodnight Moon.  She loves to find the mouse.  She is still a huge fan of anything animal related and has taken more of an interest in the stuffed ones.  She will hug them and "rock" them.  She is a pro at giving high fives.  Although she always has to give Pop one first.  He's the one who taught her.  So be careful what you teach my child.  She will tell on you :) She is a talker.  She's got mama, dadda, ball, ba for bath, pop, and up (which she says with each stair she climbs)  My mom taught her little bunny fufu and she will make her hand "hop" whenever she sees a bunny.  Riggs also qualifies.  She can tell you she is one and that she wants more.  Which is often.  She still has a healthy appetite.  She had her first fish and peanut butter this week.  Both of which she devoured. Her newest trick is asking where something or someone is.  She will raise both hands and mumble something in a high pitched tone.  Hilarious. But my favorite milestone is the unsolicited hugs.  She will randomly come up and lay her head on your shoulder or up against your leg.  Baby girl we love you more than you will ever know.  You light up our days.  We are so so thankful for your sweet life!