Love & Family

I have had quite the week. Each of the major events over the past week have had common themes: love & family.

Those two girls in the picture with me above are married to my brothers. They, along with my other sister-in-law, took me out for my birthday on Saturday night. We had a blast. It was fun to get out and have a girls night with no boys.

Sunday was my 29th birthday. Twenty-nine...sheesh! I can't believe that's how old I am. I don't feel a day over 21.

Sunday was an extra-special day. Aside from being my birthday, we had baby Claire baptized that morning. Look at my little angel:

Whenever I tell people about Claire's baptism, the majority of them are curious about our religion. For the majority of my life, I have attended United Methodist churches. In the United Methodist church, we baptize infants as a symbol of the parents' pledge to nurture the child in faith. Later in life, around 11 or 12, children go through confirmation where they make the decision themselves. Okay, lesson over :)

After church, we had about 20 of our closest family members over to our new home for lunch. Oh the stress! This might come as a shocker but I am sort of a perfectionist. I so wanted everything to be perfect and for everyone to enjoy themselves. I wasn't 100% pleased with the way my meal turned out so that did not help with my stress-level. Add that to the fact that I was really missing my grandma that day - I was a wreck! Luckily, my momma was there to help me snap out of it! I really was missing that Hallmark greeting card signed by grandma, though. All that being said, I am very thankful for the family that shared in our special day. It was lovely.

Later that night, after everyone left, my hubby took me out to eat to finalize our celebrations. I definitely dig that guy.

Final thoughts on love: yesterday, October 20th, 2011, would have been my grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary. Fifty years. How amazing is that? My parents' 30th anniversary is coming up in November. Darren's parents have been married almost 40 years; his grandparents almost 60. We are truly blessed to have such great examples of marriage in our lives. The relationships are by no means perfect. But, it certainly says a lot about the love they all share. I can't wait to celebrate fifty more anniversaries with my amazing husband.

That's all, really. Just mainly missing my grandma this week. My birthday, the baptism, and their anniversary really has had her on my mind even more than she already was. Be sure to hug all your loved ones when you have a chance. They'll be happy to know that you care.

Love,
Lindsey

FOUR months!

My blue-eyed baby girl is four months old! She's a big girl too. At her most recent checkup, here were the stats:

• 16 pounds 3 ounces (up 7 pounds from birth)
• 26 1/4 inches (5 1/4 inches from birth)

How would you like to nearly double your weight in four months? She's so cute and pinchable though. I love it! Look at those cheeks! Those legs!

Cool things she's doing:

• Smiling the second you start talking to her. Really, she smiles so big it's as if you just told the funniest joke ever.
• Trying to put any and every object into her mouth. You can place something like a baby rattle she will grab it with both hands and pull it to her mouth.
• Never, ever crying...unless she's really, really hungry or tired. Who could blame her?
• Spitting up much less than before. I had dubbed her the "Spit Up Queen". We have been seeing some improvement in this area, which is appreciated. 
• Being the best baby ever. Seriously, she is the BEST. BABY. EVER. I'm not just saying that either. Ask anyone who's met her.
• Trying to roll over. She's getting very close, but can't quite make it. Check out the cute video of her attempts.

That's my girl Lyla asking all the questions. She's pretty cute too.

My blog posts have been more infrequent. I know you have probably been waiting at the edge of your seat waiting for my next one. Not. Since my return to work about 6 weeks ago, my life has become super chaotic. My day begins at 5:45 and doesn't really slow down until the big girls go to bed at 8ish. I know, cry me a river, right? Just thought you should know so you could feel sorry for me. :)

Hopefully I'll update this thingamagig more frequently than once per month. We shall see.

Peace out.