6 Months



Happy Food Face

Weight:14.2 pds (15%)

Height: 25in (25%)

Lucy turned 6 months old while we were at Disney last week.  She did a great job being carted all over the place with little to no frustration.  This is largely due to her "go with the flow" temperment.  She even got really good at sleeping just about anywhere, if only for 30 minutes or so.  I finally started solids with her this week and she is doing great with it so far.  Although, I think for now her favorite part is chewing on her sippy cup. 

As far as sleep goes things are getting better.  Her naps are more consistent during the day now, and we are STILL working on nighttime sleep.  I know, I'm a little embarassed to admit that she is not sleeping through the night consistently yet.  I would have not let this happen with Ellie, but since she slept like a dream it never was an an issue. It's partly my fault combined with her persistence (and loudness) at night. I fall into the thinking of it's just easier to feed her and go back to sleep, as opposed to hearing her cry for what could be an hour or so.   It seems like we get to a good place and then something always messes it up, like she starts rolling over, or she gets sick. She will take a pacifier now (at least when she wants to). Oh well, we'll get her straightened out eventually. 

In other news she is starting to sit up pretty well now on her own and is scooting/rolling around to get what she wants now.  It is so fun to see her and Ellie interacting more and more each day.  Lucy absolutely ADORES Ellie.  I love it! 



Day 2: Animal Kingdom

On day 2 of our trip we headed to Animal Kingdom. And, after our Day 1 disaster we were refreshed and ready to have some fun.  Thankfully, this was one of our favorite parks, and we enjoyed every minute of our time here!

All of the kiddos, minus Mitch & Lori's 4 boys, who arrived at the park a little later that day.

We went on this great safari, that turned out to be our favorite thing at Animal Kingdom.  This was the closest we will probably get to such amazing animals.

 Lucy was exhausted, and this is her sleeping on the VERY loud and bumpy safari.  Brad held her head still and she fell right asleep.  Needless to say Lucy learned to sleep just about anywhere during our trip.

 Lucy got a lot of love from all of her cousins all week, and she loved all the attention!

Love the smile on Ellie's face here

One of my favorite pictures of the whole trip!

Lucy loved playing with Ty's head, and he was so sweet to let her.

We stayed to see the Jingle Jungle Parade, and we had a great time

 Ellie getting a high-five from Chip, or Dale, who can really tell the difference?

Later that night we headed over to the Contemporary Resort for dinner at Chef Mickey's with all of the characters.  The food was really good, but a 7:00 dinner reservation and two over tired
little girls do not go together.  Lucy pretty much fussed the entire dinner and Ellie did okay, although she wasn't herself.

Day 1 Magic Kingdom

Our first day at Disney held great promise, we had been looking forward to this day for 6 months now, and it was finally here!  We had expectations of a glorious day spent riding rides, meeting Mickey, and just having a great time.  Unfortunately, things didn't happen as we had hoped...

To start off, we had a seriously over tired little 2 year old who woke up with her bunk mate and cousin, Ben before 6:00 that morning.

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 The we had the rain, that came down harder than we were expecting.  And then Ellie had her FIRST accident before we even got on our first ride!  Things didn't get started out on the right foot, to say the least.  We rode Dumbo, Winnie the Pooh, and the Tea Cups. Then we went to see Mickey's PhilharMagic, and It's a Small World. 

As we continued to ride each ride, Ellie seemed to become more and more miserable, and  as a result so did we.  After she had a total meltdown in line for It's a Small World, we decided enough was enough.  We were not having fun, and this was supposed to be "the happiest place on earth."  So we decided to eat lunch  with the family and head back to the house where Ellie could nap and we could regroup.  To top it all off, while we were waiting for our food, Ellie had ANOTHER accident.  UGH!  I had only brought one change of clothes, so the poor girl had to eat in wet pants. 

It turns out going home for the day was the best decision for our family.  We missed the parade that night and a lot of other fun rides, but it was just what we needed to do to keep our sanity and to keep Disney World fun, like it is supposed to be! 

Our trip to Disney

Our journey began early (5:30 am) Sunday morning with two awake girls.  One was super excited to finally be going to Disney World, and the other was just wondering what in the world was going on...

We met Tim, Anna, and the kids and headed off for Florida.  We were so thankful and relieved that all 5 kids did great on our 12 hour trip.  Stops for breakfast, lunch, and feedings for Lucy broke up the trip nicely, and thankfully, before we knew it we were in Florida.  Ellie was so excited that she only slept 15 minutes all day!  Lucy was content in her carseat, as long as she had a toy with in reach.  

Sisterly Love

My New Fav Lucy Pics

Apex Christmas Parade

This past Saturday we took the girls to the Apex Christmas Parade, and we had a great time.  For years we have wanted to go, but always had other things going on.  We were excited to finally get to go this year, and we hope to make it a yearly tradition from now on.  Ellie LOVED the bands and dancers the best, but the fire truck was also a big hit.  Lucy was mesmerized by just about everything.  I forgot how fun it is to watch her experience things for the first time.  We had a fun family night together!

Sick Thanksgiving Weekend

I know you wouldn't believe it by this picture, but these girls (and their daddy) were sick with colds this Thanksgiving.  Ellie started showing signs on Wednesday, and Brad and Lucy were sick by Friday.  Thankfully I have been spared thus far; although I am bracing for it to come my way at any moment.  Despite the sickness we still were able to enjoy a nice Thanksgiving day lunch with the Bartholomews in Raleigh.  I went out around 7:30 on Black Friday to Target to pick up a few deals, and it was actually a pleasant experience.  On Friday afternoon we picked out our Christmas tree and Ellie helped me decorate it on Saturday morning. 

After Lucy's first sickness Brad told me one night that "Lucy can not get sick, ever again."  If only we could prevent that!  Needless to say Lucy isn't the best patient, and she is a very high maintenance sick girl. One night we were up with her 6 -7 times...it was rough.  We love our little Lucy, but she is definitely is a little spitfire.  Thankfully, it could have been a lot worse, and although she isn't 100% well, last night was more of a normal nights sleep for her (which still isn't the best, but we'll take what we can get.)  Ellie, the trooper that she is, has a bad cough, but only complained once this whole time.  Thankfully the girls are on the mend now, and if Brad can get rid of his cough maybe we will all be sleeping better again soon. 

5 Months Old

Her new favorite sleep position

Yep, that's right...she's already 5 months old today!  People say that time goes by even faster the more kids you have, and apparently they are right.  This little girl is changing by the minute; and I am so glad I get to see everything.  The past few weeks she has started reaching out for me and now gets excited when we come to get her after naps (melt my heart).  She studies everything very intently...especially Ellie.  She is starting to sit up a little better each day now and she is grabbing everything...I mean everything!

Thankfully, after a rough transition, Lucy is finally sleeping well in any position and can roll as she pleases.  She is still not sleeping through the night, but we are working on it.  Believe me, no one wants this girl to sleep through the night more than I do!  We tried a month ago, but it wasn't pretty.  After 5 nights of less and less sleep we decided to give her another month and try again.  The last few nights I have fed her around 11 and refused to get her until 7.  An 8 hour stretch is very reasonable for her now, and even though she has woken up around 4-5, is going back to sleep on her own until 7-8. 

I tried rice cereal with her today for the first time and she was unimpressed.  I don't blame her...that stuff is yucky.  I am in no hurry this time around and would be just fine waiting until closer to 6 months before she really gets into eating solids more consistently. 

 We are loving this little girl and what she adds to our family.  I am thankful the Lord has chosen me to be her mama!

Thankful

It seems like these days everyone and their grandma is making a list of things they are thankful for.  It is fitting since it's the season of giving thanks, right?   Here's mine...

Things I'm thankful for:

• Another sweet girl to celebrate the holidays with this year!
• A smooth and successful VBAC with said sweet girl.
• That Lucy's sleep issues are only temporary (at least they better be.)
• A 2 year old that is finally using the potty!
• Hugs and kisses from said 2 year old.
• That Ellie's whininess is only temporary (at least it better be.)
• The blessing of being a mommy, and being able to stay at home with our girls. 
• Financial decisions we made early on in our marriage that allow us to live off of one income today.
• My amazing husband who strives to be a servant leader in our marriage and who is always looking for ways to make my life easier. 
• Brad's love and patience with me...and his ability to make me laugh!
• Chocolate
• Our super comfy bed
• Our van
• The Super Target just a few miles away
• Our health
• Our Church and the people there that are like family
• The God who has so graciously given me all of these things and so much more.  His love and mercies that never end...and for that I am beyond thankful!

Finally!

We are so glad that Ellie is finally using the potty!  It all started a few weeks ago when we told her the new box of diapers we bought her were special "sleep" diapers.  I bought little surprises for her and on Saturday morning we went to work.  Thankfully Ellie is doing a great job and after a few days started going unprompted!  We are so proud of our big girl and so thankful to not have two girls in diapers anymore. 

Halloween 2011

Our Halloween festivities started out this year with a "parade" and fall party at Ellie's preschool on Friday morning.  When we got there she decided she didn't want to put her costume on, but thankfully I was able to convince her otherwise.  I stayed after the parade and did a craft with the kids for their fall party.  It was fun to get a glimpse into what Ellie's class is like on a daily  basis. 

On Saturday afternoon Brad and Ellie carved our pumpkin.   Ellie really enjoyed helping dig out the pumpkin.

Little Doggie

Sweet Lady Bug

I missed seeing Ellie trick or treating this year because Lucy was beyond tired and needed to go to bed early.  She was so excited to go and Brad said she kept on saying "one more house, Daddy!"  At one point she was given the choice of candy or an apple, and she actually chose the apple.  Brad also said when given the opportunity to pick her own candy she always went for a little box of candy ( like Nerds) as opposed to the bigger candy bars. 



Roll On

Recent videos of the girls

One of the things I love most about blogging is being able to keep a record of the girls growing and changing.  If I want to see what Ellie was doing at 4 months old it's easy to go back and see, because it's all right here in one place.  Here are a few recent videos I'm sure we will enjoy looking at someday in the not so distant future...  

Lucy was so happy before bed this particular night that I had Brad get it on video, and I'm so glad I did.  We are so thankful for yet another happy girl! 

Ellie came home from preschool on Friday singing this "Slippery Fish" song that I have never heard before.  I just LOVE the way she says "oh no" with her hands over her cheeks!

Four Months Old

Oh Lucy girl, you are such a blessing!  We love that you are so smiley these days.  It's a good thing because that makes the nights a little easier to handle.  You still aren't sleeping through the night on your own, but the doctor said today that you don't need to eat anymore.  Sorry little one, but I'm cutting you off starting tonight.  You are growing healthy and strong and we are so thankful for that.  At your four month check up today the doctor said you are 50% in everything.  You weigh 13.14 pounds and are 24 1/2 inches long.  You love to play in your exersaucer, roll onto your belly, and most of all you love watching your big sister Ellie.  I can't wait to see you two running around together and I know you can't wait either!  Thanks for being such a laid back girl...we really appreciate it.  Whether you are sleeping through the night or not, laid back or crazy like your sister, you are so loved little one!

Fun at the Fair

Lucy catching a little nap 

Having fun at the PBS kids tent 

 The highlight of the day for Ellie was getting to hold the baby chicks.  She would have stayed there all day if we would have let her!

It rained on us off and on all day, but thankfully it wasn't too bad. 

Our girl LOVES the rides. 

 We were so surprised that she got on this ride all by herself...and she had the best time!

 On the Ferris wheel

The best way to end a trip to the fair is with some NC State ice cream :)!