Lilypie Second Birthday tickers

Thursday, October 14, 2010

6 Months

6 months ago, a precious baby girl entered this world and was happily welcomed into our lives with so much love. And every second of every minute of every day, that love for her continues to grow.

Ainsley, at 6 months you are:

continuing to smile like no other smile I have ever seen;
still wanting to eat around every 3 hours;
eating a variety of baby foods (sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, green beans, peas, bananas, pears, and apples, in that order :) ;
loving everything except the green stuff, but we will get there;
making the "Mmmm" sound almost every time you take a bite of food (this cracks us up!);
showing excitement when you see a baby spoon because you love to eat your food;
showing excitement to Lili when you see your bottle;
a growing girl!;
finishing up your size 1 diapers and moving into size 2's this week;
wanting to be held ALL OF THE TIME, which we love, but can make your momma tired!;
getting attached to momma and noticing "strangers" vs. familiar faces;
starting to want to snuggle by reaching your arms for my neck and grabbing on smiling or when you are sleepy;
always holding on to our shirts or blankets (Lili and I finally went and picked you out a super-soft lovie blanket that I now keep with you at all times and you are constantly holding on to it or rubbing your face with it);
rubbing your eyes a whole lot when you are getting sleepy (I love this);
realizing momma has hair you can grab and pull (you started this last weekend when we were visiting family in Texas);
giggly when mommy and daddy play with you if in the right mood;
following everything and everyone (including Bella) with your eyes;
starting to want to sit up because you try and pull your upper body forward if we are laying you down or putting you in your car seat and bouncy seat;
wanting to be carried around, as opposed to sitting in a lap;
loving using those strong legs of yours to stand and would rather stand than sit;
getting used to your exersaucer, but still not a huge fan;
wearing size 3 to 6 month and some 6 to 9 month clothing depending on the outfit (it varies);
using your hands to reach for everything (including Lili's straw in her drink at Panera, which almost ended up in her lap!);
putting everything in your mouth and still love Sophie the Giraffe and your chew rings, but most of all your Paci (Lili and I decided we are just going to buy you a bunch of pacifiers to play with because that is what you prefer, however we need them to be attached to a clip for convenience and also you like to chew on the string);
still rolling from tummy to back and SO CLOSE from back to tummy (you just cannot figure out what to do with that one arm!);
talking and talking and talking (you could sit there and "talk" nonstop for 20 minutes straight);
sleeping for 7 to 9 hours a night;
typically taking a 1 hour nap in the morning a 2 to 3 hour nap in the afternoon and a 1 hour nap in the evening;
loving bath time;
touching our faces all of the time reaching for our mouths and noses;
fussy when we put you in your car seat, but the paci makes that stop real fast;
only using your paci during the day when you are awake and do not really need it when you sleep;
letting your little personality start to come out and shine;
and last but not least becoming more and more of a momma's girl!

Here are some current 6 month pictures for your enjoyment with more to come later!
(Our little pumpkin "picked" this little pumpkin when we went to Walden Farm.)












Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Happy Birthday to an Uncle


HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNCLE MICHAEL!!!

Friday night (October 15th) was Michael's birthday. We celebrated at Michael and Emily's house and enjoyed some good pasta and visiting. I halfway enjoyed my good pasta and visiting due to Ainsley's complete breakdown soon after we got there. Luckily, it didn't last the entire time and she was in a better mood later on. It was a nice time getting together with family.

I think what she was trying to say was, "Happy Birthday Uncle Michael!"

Having fun with Pop


What is that you ask? Why a volcano cake, of course!


Rebecca, Emily's sister, surprised Michael with a volcano cake she made. He was really surprised. It was incredible! Everyone was amazed at how well she did in creating her first volcano birthday cake.

Uncle and Niece


Visit to Texas

Last weekend we took a quick trip to Dallas. Yes, we drove. Yes, it was long (13 hours). Yes, it was worth it. Yes, it went by way to fast before we were right back in the car on our way home! And will we do it again? Yes! In just a couple of months. We had a blast getting to see Mimi, Pawpaw, and family! They have not seen Ainsley since May when she was still less than 7 pounds, so boy were they surprised when they saw how much she's grown! I could not wait for them to get their hands on her and give her some lovin'. Ainsley did okay on the way there. We were able to stop in Memphis the night before and finish the drive on Saturday. I know that is only a 3 hour head start on a 12 hour trip, but that 3 hours helps a ton when you have a 6 month old with you! Ainsley luckily slept the entire way from Nashville to Memphis. And Saturday did pretty well sleeping a lot of the time from Memphis to Texas. We started off in Southlake at Brantley's Uncle Paul's house. We met Patty (Mimi) and Kenneth (Pawpaw) there for some relaxation, visiting, and very yummy steaks! Mimi and Pawpaw were SO EXCITED to see Ainsley. We spent the evening being entertained by her and catching up. On Sunday, Patti's family came over around lunch time to meet Ainsley for the first time. Also, Brantley's sister, Amanda, came over and got to meet her niece for the first time! We were really excited about that. Overall, Ainsley did pretty well. She had her moments of wanting Mommy, but after a little warming up she enjoyed the company. It was sad to leave because we probably won't be seeing them again until Christmas, but we were glad it worked out that we could spend a little time with everyone while we were there. We miss you Mimi and Pawpaw!

On the road headed to Texas. So far, so good.


Lots of toy choices to pass the time with Mommy in the back seat!

Getting to see Mimi and Pawpaw!


DELICIOUS steak dinner

"Hmmm, I want some of that....

and that!"

Pearce Family Photo



These next 2 of her crack me up!
(Pawpaw, Mimi, and Baby A)


Going for a stroll around the pool with Pawpaw taking it all in...

Finally meeting Aunt Amanda!


Nana (Patty's Mom) and Ainsley


Aunt Colleen and Ainsley


Aunt Rachelle and Ainsley (she's probably laughing at Aunt Colleen)

Can you tell if she got any attention?!?


Back in the car...


Sunday late afternoon we headed to our good friends, Neal and Cindy's, house to meet their baby boy, Camden! (Luckily this was only a 15 minute drive.) Camden turned 2 weeks old while we were there. It was so weird seeing a baby that size after being around Ainsley all of the time. He was so little! It was hard to imagine that Ainsley was half his size when she was born. I can barely remember her being that tiny! We always look forward to getting to spend time with these friends. We actually make an effort to get together at least a couple of times a year. It will be different now that we both have kids, but I hope we are able to continue seeing each other and watching our kids grow up together even though we live so far away. It's a wonderful thing to have such great friends to experience parenthood with. We cannot wait to see them again (hopefully at Christmas)!

Ainsley and precious baby Camden on their first date! Even better it was at Fresco's our favorite Mexican restaurant we terribly miss!



Cindy, Me, and our adorable kiddo's

"On the road again...."


Fun with Great-Grandparents

My Mimi and Papa came in town for a few days not too long ago. I have some cute pictures, so I thought I'd share them! They love them some Ainsley and are always anxious to get back to Nashville to see her again. What a special time they have together.

Play time with (Great) Mimi



I can't get over how big Ainsley looks in this picture!



Swinging with Papa