Daddy's Girls

But doesn't that face make it worth it? She's been asking for a hamster for about 2 years.  Allie had one that she loved to play with but I'm not real big on rodents and knew I would be the one taking care of it.  Lately Matt and I have been talking about it and I decided I could handle it so today we up and decided to go get him.  We went with a guinea pig because they don't gross me out like rats and gerbils and are more of a "real" pet.  They get attached to their humans like dogs do.  As of right now his name is Little Pokey but we'll see if that sticks. He's going to live in her room and she's going to feed him but I think we all know who will clean the cage. :) 

Katie is getting very close to sitting up in her own. She can sit in a "tripod" position for quite a while and this is opening up more things for her to do.  She can now ride in the stroller without having to use the car seat so walks are much more fun  She can swing in the backyard. Lilli loves to push her and they both crack up the whole time. It's so neat to watch them starting to really interact and play.  There are a lot more toy options now too

Some of my favorite things happen this time of year... Cooler weather, playing outside, and spending time at the camp which means more time with family. This was the fourth weekend of hunting season but the first time we have been able to join Matt up there. It stormed Friday but that front brought cooler weather which made for the perfect start of this season. Of course we didn't let the rain bother us Friday either. There is more than enough room under the porches to stay dry while enjoying watching the rain and Lilli loved running around in it. Saturday was a great day of visiting with the family while we watched the kids play.  It was the first time all 4 cousins have been together and they really had fun. Lilli and Austin played together all weekend and they both loved talking about the babies. They got to go on plenty of rides and really had fun when Ella came over to play too.  And of course we had to get decked out for the LSU game that night too.  Katie hit a new...

Today is the first day of fall and it feels like it too. It's the kind of day that has you wanting to spend it outside and that's what I'm doing. As I write this Lilli is playing and Katie is enjoying tummy time on a blanket in the grass.  What made today this most beautiful was we were all there to share in the blessing of Case at his baptism and thank God for him and the wonderful family that loves him. It was a beautiful ceremony and we couldn't have asked for a better day to celebrate this occasion. 

This picture was taken about a month ago. It was the first time I put her in her activity jumper. She pretty much just chewed on the side of the seat and her feet barely touched the highest level.  This one was taken today. She spins herself around now and plays with the toys and loves it.  It is crazy how much they change in such a short time. She's 4 1/2 months and before we know it she'll be sitting up, crawling, walking, talking... I think it hits you a lot more with your second child. I couldn't wait for Lilli to hit the next milestone but now I wish Katie would just slow down. :)  I wouldn't mind Lilli slowing down too. My "baby" has become such a beautiful little girl. 

   Whoever made up this phrase was not referring to a young baby. Well, ok, maybe the first week or two when that's all they do but, in my experience, sleep is hard to come by in stretches of more than a few hours for the next few months. But not anymore! For the last couple of weeks Katie has finally been sleeping. It was a long road but we finally got here.  Some people may not agree, but I don't think you can spoil a baby under 3 or 4 months old. So, for the first 4 months of Katie's life, that is exactly what I did at night. She would start off in the pack n play in our room, but the first time she woke up I put her in bed with us where she happily cuddled with Mama and nursed as often as she would like. There are several pediatricians that recommend this "co-sleeping" for well beyond only a few months but our pediatrician says she should be able to sleep through the night (6-7 hours) at 4 months so that's when we moved her to her crib. The first night we ...

Lilli started her first day of Pre-K 3 at First Friends yesterday. Our baby is growing up! She has gone to Mother's Day Out there for the last couple of years so it wasn't totally new but it is more structured. It's now 3 days a week instead of two. She has to raise her hand to talk and they have more lessons instead of just learning through play. She loved her new teacher, Mrs. Jill, and some of her friends from last year are in her class too. I'm looking forward to seeing how much she changes this year. I started back to work while she was there too. Katie is just coming with me so hopefully that will work out. It was so nice to be around so e adults again.  Of course we had to do something to celebrate her big day so I surprised her with a trip to Chuck E Cheese for lunch and playing after we picked her up. She's been asking to go for weeks so was very excited.  Her friend Gregory came to play after that and then we went to church for our Wednesday dinner and con...

While Matt was with the guys at the deer camp, me and the girls made a trip to Baton Rouge. It's become a tradition to go there during his first hunting weekend. Friday night Lilli got to spend some time playing with her cousins while I got some time catching up with my sisters and Ryan.  Then Saturday morning was Piper's Hello Kitty birthday party at their neighborhood park. There were lots of kids so Lilli had a blast and the whole family was there so we all got to celebrate with the birthday girl and ooh and aah over Katie.  Saturday night was another birthday party for my two aunts that also had birthdays last week and LSU football. Lizard made sure all the kids were decked out in Tiger gear. It was kind of a late game so not everyone made it to the end. ;) Saturday, Dad made sure everyone got to get together again by cooking a big meal after we got done taking the kids to the Arts and Science Museum.  Since Monday was Labor Day and everyone was off work we decided to...

Labor Day weekend... Two very important things start on this weekend each year... LSU football and hunting season! Matt has been waiting for this since the end of January and the weekend did not disappoint. Our Tigers beat TCU and Matt had one of the best hunts of his life. Even though it doesn't feel like it outside, it always starts to feel like fall to me. I'm looking forward to watching games on the porch, sitting by fires and just enjoying the outdoors over the next few months. Lilli cant wait to spend whole days outside and help her Daddy clean everything he brings home. I think we all love this time of year.