Luke: 5 Months

Luke, you are five months old!

(Sort of...I couldn't decide if I should do this post on 02.28 or 03.02,

but since you will definitely be six months old on 03.30 I decided to go

with 02.28. It's just not right to have two "birthdays" in the same month;)

Here's what you're up to these days:

• You weigh 18 lbs. 3oz. and are 27 inches long...up 10lbs. 13oz. and 7 inches from birth!
• You wear size 3-6 month clothes and size 2 diapers.
• You take four 7oz. bottles each day. You eat two tablespoons of cereal with an ounce of milk around 5:30 each evening. If I'm not paying attention you quickly let me know it's time to eat...and I love it! :)

• You take a bath right after you eat, although you are much less messier than you were when you first started eating cereal with a spoon!
• You love bath time...and you are already trying to sit up in there!


• You are still a great sleeper. I lay you down around 7:45 each night, and you get yourself to sleep. Occasionally I try to rock you, but you don't like it. It makes me a little sad, but I am glad you are independent...and if you ever do let me rock you I take full advantage! =)
• You have been waking up earlier, but you don't demand to get out of the bed. You just talk and jabber while I get ready for work. I come and get you when I'm ready, and you always have the biggest smile on your face. You are definitely going to be a little heartbreaker!
• The previous statements lead me to the biggest news of your 5 month post...you are sleeping in your big boy bed in your own room!
• You are a mover! I lay you down in the bed with your head to the left of the bed (if you're looking at it), but there is no telling where we will find you in the morning! You are constantly rolling from your back to your tummy, but you haven't yet mastered getting back to your back...although you have done it a few times.

• You have the sweetest laugh. It's one of my favorite sounds!

• You still haven't cut any teeth, but you drool a ton and constantly chew/suck on your hands.
• You have had an awful rash on your cheeks recently, and I have tried everything I know to clear it up. Your face stays wet, because you constantly keep your hands in your mouth. Hopefully it will go away once you cut some teeth and aren't gnawing on those hands all the time! :)

• You are absolutely amazing! You are the most friendly, easy-going, laid back baby I've ever known. I am totally in awe every time I look at you...it's still hard for me to fathom that you are mine! I pray that you will always know how much you are wanted and loved. Happy 5 months precious one!

You Gotta Fight . . . For Your Right . . .

to Paaar-ty!

Not really...you just have to be invited to multiple parties in one day. We had a weekend full of friends and parties! =)

Friday night Ashley and Sarah came over for a visit, and we ended up eating at Partners. It was fun, but I am really looking forward to our trip next weekend! We are going to Cottontail's, where we will probably spend way too much money on our sweet babies, and The Cheesecake Factory, where we will most definitely might indulge in a small piece of Heaven in the form of cheesecake!

Sweet girls...who are growing up way too fast!

Sarah decided she needed to play in the jumparoo, ha! :)

Ashley got in some baby time!

Saturday was party day!

Happy Birthday Hudson! We love you! :)

I'm really thinking Sarah needs a sibling...

Next up was Ensleigh's party...

she adores Luke and she's such a good little mommy!

Emma had a blast too...and she made a new friend!

After a long nap we headed to Oxford with Aunt Jana to do a little shopping. On Sunday we had a Bible study from the book of First John...it was really good. I was reminded of a powerful statement that comes from a children's song...Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so! I am so blessed!

When we got home E told me she wanted to sing a song for me...I

I've got peace like a river

I've got peace like a river

I've got peace like a river in my soul!

The Great Outdoors

The last seven days here in the southeast have been absolutely perfect. We have been cooped up the majority of the winter, so we have definitely been taking advantage of the great outdoors. I know we may pay for it with a typical Alabama March blizzard...but we are soaking up all of these beautiful days while we can!

This what the majority of our afternoons this week consisted of:

Saturday we went to Kamryn's "pony party". They couldn't

have asked for a better day. The kids had so much fun!

Look at that view!

Luke was well entertained! :)

Love those open mouths! ;)

This stinker couldn't be left out of the camera action! :)

This sweet lady fed and rocked

Luke so we could play with Emma! :)

Group Shot

After the party Daddy and E were supposed to go work at the barn,
but they ended up at Uncle Russ's! Jared had a fish on the line, so he
let E reel it in and have her picture made with it. Thank you Jared...
you will forever hold a special place in the heart of a certain 3-year-old! ;)

"Mommy, I picked a daffodil for you!"
Those are the sweetest words I've heard in a while! :)

Sunday afternoon we went to the
park for a picnic with the McCollums.

The Book Fairy

Justin says our "poor kids" aren't going to know about fun things such as toys, because for most occasions I get them books. He also gets onto me for buying "boring" presents for other people's children (books, puzzles, clothes, etc.). I guess I'm just practical. I know I would rather my kids get books, puzzles, or clothes anyday over a bunch of new toys...not that toys aren't great, but Emma (like most children) tends to pick out one favorite thing and stick with it. The other stuff just piles up in the many toy boxes we have and collects dust. Anyway, I think my book-giving has been a hit with E. She absolutely LOVES books, and she LOVES playing teacher...she even has "the teacher voice" down pat. I'm sure you noticed that both of my babies got books for V-Day...Emma's books came with puzzles, too! :)

Last night my school had "Family Fun Night" to promote the book fair (or the book fairy as E calls it). I told her she could pick out one book. She told me before we left that she wanted a Dora or Mickey Mouse book. After playing the games we made our way to the book fair. She walked in, spotted a Dora book, and she was ready to go! What a good girl I have...and pretty cute too!

Happy Valentine's Day!

He is good...so good!

Carrie Underwod sings about her Mama's prayer for her (which happens to be a lot like the prayer I pray for both of my babies), but as good as I think my husband is, God is better. His love for me keeps me going, and it allows me to love and appreciate the people and things He has placed in my life.

Although I don't need a special day to tell "my people" I love

them, I did do what all good mommies and wives do...a few

special surprises were waiting for them when they got up! :)

E is the puzzle queen!

Luke got some new books...

...and they are mighty tasty! ;)

Have you ever seen a cuter boy? Really!?!

V-Day Photo Shoot

Emma and Luke had a Valentine's party at Mrs. Elizabeth's. One

 perk of working so close (and having last period planning and great

 co-workers) is that I am able to sneak away for things like this! :)

E ate cupcakes...

...while Luke Man took it all in! :)

Mrs. Elizabeth has so many little ones these days that

she ran out of high chairs! Austin was a big boy and sat with

E until another high chair could be brought in and cleaned up! :)

We had a surprise Valentine visitor!

Papa came bearing gifts...and candy!

I had a pretty good Valentine's Day myself. Justin and I rarely exchange gifts...for any occasion. We are of the mindset that it's all our money, and we basically go get what we want/need anytime we want it...and anything extra we would rather spend on the kids. So, I WAS NOT expecting a thing. I left him a bowl of his favorite candies and a card, but I was totally blindsided when I was delivered 7 red roses at work! The roses were nice, but that wasn't the point...the fact that there were 7 is what made them special. Seven years ago today Justin and I had our "last first date". =)

I am so thankful for that "last first date", which led us here. Who would have thought seven years later we would have two extra special Valentines?...one of whom made me the most precious card ever to have been crafted! :)