Everything Changes

It is so true what they say about everything changing
when you have a baby. I never in my wildest dreams
thought I'd willingly sign up to run a 5k (I am NOT
the runner in the family). Or that Bella would take a
backseat to anyone, not that I love her less! Or that I
ever thought a vacation would be work. Or that I'd be the
least bit excited about seeing anyone at 7:30 in the
morning (please note: I am not excited every morning, but
it is a massive improvement from my prior life). Or that
my mind would be consumed by measurements of ounces
and minutes of sleep or minutes of play or numbers
of times laying on the tummy vs. back vs. sitting up.

But what a privilege it all is!

She adores us!

And the looks of wonderment are priceless!

And the silliness...

And the laughter...

Or pictures that prove there IS a neck under all those cheeks!

I just want to revel in these moments.

My Puppy Dog

I love my puppy dog, Bella.
So I do my best to entertain her and
impress her with my musical abilities.

When the piano doesn't bring her close, I pull
out a real noisemaker! She can't ignore this!

Um, how does this work again?

Sometimes she even helps me push buttons.

She really likes to lay on my blankets.
I don't mind sharing as long as I can pet her.

Shortly after this, I pinched her really hard.

She hasn't gotten near me since!

But she always comes back. I will woo
her with my sweet music and snugly blankets!

Hilton Head Island

I've said it before and I'll say it again...

I LOVE the ocean!

Grandmum and Granddad took us to Hilton Head
in August, and of course, I had the greatest time!
There was just so much to do...

Surfing in the waves!

Entertaining my cousins!

Having a picnic at the beach with Samuel!

Swimming in the backyard pool - in my birthday suit!!!

Wrestling an alligator!

Navigating my yacht!

Going to see Gregg Russell sing under the live oak
tree at Harbour Town. Mommy remembers him
from her childhood summers on Hilton Head!

Swinging with Isabelle!

Loving on Madeline!

Hanging with the cousins!

Going to fabulous restaurants!

Hiding from the paparazzi
in my designer shades!

Wishing I was old enough to eat fruit pizza!

Going on basket rides!

Taking our "outdoor beach" photo inside
due to some stormy weather!

Oma and Opa even came over
from Savannah for a day visit!

And finally, meeting my 2nd cousins
in Charlotte, NC on the way home!

Yes, I am aware that a city
has been named after me.

Thank you Grandmum and Granddad!
I loved my time in Hilton Head and can't
wait for the summers to come!

Playtime with Daddy

I love my Daddy!
He is the greatest guy I know!
I could just stare at him for hours...

But instead, I will show you my certification process!
This is how I verify that he is, in fact, my Dad.

First, check for cavities and loose teeth.
While you're in there, check to see if you can pull his tongue out.

Next... the nose.
Grab and pinch it really hard to make sure it's attached.

And finally, grab a handful of hair and yank real hard.
Then give a quick pop to the face.

And that's how you know he's yours.
Any other man would've walked away.

Lake House

I am so behind on my blogging. I have just
been traveling a lot this summer and I like
to disconnect while I'm on vacation.

The first weekend in August, we went to a
lake house in Virginia with some great friends.
It was so beautiful and relaxing!

I perfected my skills for swimming in the lake.

Turns out I didn't need swimming skills since
I was forced to wear this straight jacket!

All that time spent in the water wore me out!

Uncle Carey was there. I just love him!

There were even some awesome kids to play with!

Sometimes they would hold still long enough for me

to reach out and grab them. But they are SO fast!

Have I ever mentioned that Uncle Carey is a great photographer?
He really knows how utilize the lighting to capture my paleness!

Ugh! Why do they always do this to me!?!?!

6 Months!

I am 6 months old now!

Wow, it goes fast.

I'm into all sorts of things and doing so much more
these days! My favorite new tricks are: passing
something back and forth between my hands,
crossing my fingers, sitting without using
my hands, eating like a champ, bouncing and jumping,
and smiling and laughing A LOT!

I like to play peek-a-boo!

BOO!

I like to find things...

And put them in my mouth.

I like to tell stories.

And holding Harrods hand.

I really do like him, even though I have
to tell him off when he steals my things!

And I really enjoy putting my feet up after a long day!

I didn't grow as much this month, but I guess it's normal
to start slowing down. However, shrinking isn't normal. Somehow
I shrank a quarter of an inch in the last month. Don't ask me
to explain... how should I know what happened!
Mommy thinks I wasn't measured correctly this month,
so I'm going along with her theory. We'll see next month,
apparently, anything can happen!

Height: 27.5 inches = 95%

Weight: 17 lbs. 5 oz. = 76%