Wedding Weekend

Our college buds:

Kat, Allison, Me, and Kathy

The rehearsal dinner

The morning of the wedding

Wedding Day!!!

This past weekend, I travelled out to Pagosa Springs, Colorado to be there for my friend Allison's wedding. The entire weekend was so wonderful! Allison looked fabulous, and the ceremony was beautiful (not a drop of rain in sight). Allison and I had not seen each other in over two years, so, we had a blast catching up. There is definitely something to be said about missing two years of a friends life, and picking right back up where you left off.

Edisto Beach Trip

Baby swim suits

First day on the beach

My Mom, and her grandbabies

Preston with Amelia

Amelia (6 1/2 mo.), Markham (5 mo.), and Callie (8 wks.)

Preston, Amelia and I went to Edisto Beach for the week with my family. This has turned into an annual trip, and has become something that we look forward to all year long. This year, we stayed in the beach house that I grew up going to with my family each summer. This house has many memories that I cherish, and it was really special to be able to stay there. It was a tight squeeze however, with our family of three, Logan, Meredith, there two children, Suzannah, Eli, and there two children...that's six adults, and five children in a three bedroom house!!! My mom and step dad stayed at their condo just down the road, and Meredith's parents and sister join in on the fun each year as well. They were fortunate enough to dodge the chaos with there own place they rented not too far from us. It was such a blast! Amelia, after some coaxing, loved the water and the sand. She looked so darn cute in her swim suit! I did the usual first-time parent thing, and took way too many pictures of her, and videoed everything we did. It was great to see her reaction to the ocean as we took her into the water. I cannot wait until next year when she will really be able to play on the beach with her cousins.

4th of July

Hope everyone had a good 4th!!!

Proud Grandparents

Mamaw and Papaw had a special time with the babies. They beamed from ear to ear with joy!

Babies Galore!!

Preston and I went to visit his youngest sister, Deborah, her husband Will, and their darling baby girl, Catelyn. Catelyn is 6 weeks old already, and this was our first time to see her. She's precious! Preston's other sister, Sarah, her husband Graham, and their 5 month old boy, Clayton were there as well. It was so much fun to be with all the babies. To see how they have grown, and getting to know their little personalities was priceless. Preston's parents also had a great visit with the babies. It was so cute seeing how they all are so different. Catelyn, being so little still, is very watchful and peaceful. She also is experimenting with her smiles. Clayton is really finding his personality with big smiles, and lots of charm. He is gentle, and so sweet. Amelia has a big personality, and shows it through noisy verbalizations, and lots of curiosity. She grabs at EVERYTHING (including other babies within reach).

Amelia's 1/2 Birthday!

Amelia turned 6 months on Saturday! We didn't do anything out of the ordinary, but it was a special day regardless. Preston and I didn't even realize the date until about 2:30 in the afternoon. We went for a great hike off the parkway that afternoon. We had a great time just talking, and being with each other while Amelia hung out in the backpack. It is so nice to be able to reconnect every so often. After a while at home, we decided to go get ice cream...to celebrate her 1/2 birthday, of course. It was a good day, especially after such a rough week.

Lately, I have been trying to "encourage" Amelia to fall back asleep at night in ways other than by nursing. It took me a few nights (and a call to the pediatrician, lactation, and some chapters out of my book) to be convinced that she was not waking up wanting to nurse because she was hungry. Once I knew that, it was my will against hers...first of many to come, I'm sure. There were several nights in a row spent holding her, rocking her, bouncing her, as she furiously cried herself back to sleep. Some nights were easier than others, and some nights, I gave in. It is hard to have her crying in your arms when you know exactly what she really wants. I wonder if she still needs that middle of the night nursing. I know she doesn't "need" it, but does she want it because she is still so young. Anyway...my book said that feeding them solid foods during the day, and helping them to break that association with nursing and falling asleep should lead to a more restful night. The day feedings have actually helped. I notice a significant difference on the nights that follow the days in which she has taken in solid food 2-3 times a day intermittently. So far, she loves plain rice cereal, carrots, frozen bananas to gnaw on, avocado, and sweet potato. She hates pears, and I can't imagine why. She is also sitting up on her own now. She is so happy and healthy, and I need to remind myself that more often when I start questioning my choices for her, especially at 4 am when she has been crying in my arms for nearly an hour wanting you know what.

I am hoping that Amelia is sleeping better through the night before our trip to Birmingham this next weekend to visit Preston's sister, Deborah, and her new little girl Catelyn. Sarah, her husband Graham, and their little boy Clayton are coming along with his parents. It will be the first time we all are together with the babies. We are so excited to see them! This will be first of many gatherings with them in order for all of the cousins to see each other. There will be many pictures taken, I'm sure of it.

Amelia and Memaw

Preston's mother, Joyce came to stay with Preston to help take care of Amelia while I was away at the conference. They had a great time, and are quite comfortable with each other! I know that Preston was happy to see me and all when I got home today, but I had the feeling that he was really ready for me to get home to take over the baby duties. It was great to see everyone today. I felt like I was away for weeks!