Saturday, November 20, 2010

Future KKG?

Today Mary Ella and I met Lisa at The Inn at Carnal Hall on the Univerity's campus for a Christmas card photo shoot. The Marvins and other Harrimans came too, so we could try to get a shot of all the cousins. I say TRY because you never know with a 6 year old, a 4 year old, two 3 year olds, and a 15 month old. But Aunt Lisa worked her magic and may have gotten the perfect shot! ME did a couple wardrobe changes, and I think we'll have plenty to choose from! After pictures, I decided to take ME across the street to the Kappa house for a few more pics. It was already decorated for Christmas. So pretty!







Woooooo Pig Sooie!



So many good memories in that house! Thanks Aunt Lisa for taking our crazy kids' pictures! And Go Hogs! Daddy got to cheer them on from the stands in Starkville. I'm sure he was what pulled them through the double overtimes!

Monkey Business

Awesome picture, right? Cracks me up! Last night Julie, Rita, and I had a girls' night out at the NWA Boutique Show. It was fun and productive...picked up a few more items, including this adorable sock monkey hat! And I ran into so many friends I hadn't seen in ages! So worth it! Mary Ella had fun with Uncle Mike and the kids while the girls shopped. I can officially say I am in the Christmas spirit!

Hangin' with Papa

Since Papa had his surgery, Mary Ella and I have been handy to nurse him back to health. Well, maybe we're not good nurses, but I have tried to keep him fed and ME has kept him entertained. He got a good report from the doctor this week and seems to be doing great. If he hasn't felt well, he sure hasn't complained about anything. He is the best patient ever! Except for trying to do more than he should...I know he's ready to get out of the house and get busy. He's not one to be lazy, but in another week he should be able to lift and do most things. He can't wait to be able to pick up ME! I know he's glad to have the surgery behind him, and we were glad we could be here to help.


Watching tv with Papa



Talking to Papa

Silly girl

And sometimes we go outside...

just to give him some peace and quiet!

Give Thanks

This week Mary Ella and I visited Trey's school for his Thanksgiving lunch. His class sang a Thanksgiving song, and guess who got to give thanks for the food...

Trey! He did such a good job!

One pilgrim and one turkey

15 Months

Mary Ella one year ago at 3 months old

Now I'm 15 months old!

Oooh face



Twirling



Prancing

She has starting putting her hand over her mouth to show her excitement!

So cute! I think she was looking at Gigi and Papa's kitty cats.



Mary Ella,
At 15 months you are such a happy and busy girl! You have your moments of trying Mama, but you have been cutting teeth and have been away from home alot this month so I think some of it may be your circumstances. You are learning so much now! I am afraid I won't remember everything new this month, because it seems like you're doing something new all the time! You bring joy to everyone around you. So many people comment on how cute and sweet and happy you are. We love you to pieces and are so proud of your sweet personality and all you do! I know this post is late, but here's what you've been up to:
  • You weigh 26 pounds and are 31 inches tall.
  • You are still a chunk, but I think you may be getting a little slimmer and taller. You had this little crease on the inside of one of your thighs. You've always had it, and I wished it would never go away. But I have noticed it fading.
  • You are still a good eater. There was about a week this month that your teeth were really hurting, and you didn't eat well. I didn't know what to do with you! You have discovered your love of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. You still love berries and Yo Baby yogurt. Other favorites: taco soup, chicken strips, tator tots, pizza, crackers, apple juice, and anything sweet.
  • You now have 4 molars and new teeth on top and bottom. You have 12 in all!
  • I think you may be ready to go to one nap a day or maybe we just haven't time to get in 2 good ones. You have been sleeping 12-13 hours at night until 8 or 9 because of no afternoon nap. I still try to lay you down in the afternoon, but sometimes you don't go to sleep. You just sing to yourself and suck your paci, but atleast you are getting a little rest time. I would try one nap after lunch, but you still really seem to need to take one in the morning too. Who knows?
  • You love watching and playing with your cousins. You also love playing at Nana's with the big kids. Trey cracks you up and gets you so excited. He made you discover a new very high-pitched squeal.
  • You love to be outside: on the porch, at the playground, on the farm, on a walk, outside is your favorite place.
  • You also love bathtime more than ever! You try to crawl in on your own and sometimes don't want to get out.
  • You have thrown a few big fits this month. Like I said, I think you have been cranky because of your teeth and being so far from your normal schedule. But kicking, flailing your arms, and banging your head on the ground is never okay. You have been spatted more than a few times for this, and for hitting...what in the world?
  • You have the biggest and funniest expressions- good and bad. I wish I could get you to stop the squinty ugly face you have when you don't like something. Like when you're told no, or to chew your food, or to take a nap, or if you just don't want someone messing with you. But you make up with it for all your sweet faces. Your "oooh" face and putting your hand over your opened mouth when you're excited. You still stick out your tongue for your funny face, and you have the sweetest smile.
  • Your giggles are the best. I really need to record someone tickling you!
  • You love to be chased and take off running and squealing if you even think someone is coming after you.
  • You will bring me book after book to read to you. This makes my heart sing! You know so many words! I am amazed by how many things you can point out in your 100 words book!
  • You can act out "Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed." You jump, bump your head with your hand, and shake your hand for "no more monkeys jumping on the bed."
  • You love Daddy's Frank Sinatra CD. Your favorite song is "High Hopes" with the kids singing with him, and you get upset everytime it is over.
  • You are adding to your dance moves. :)
  • You really get into your Baby Einstein DVDs. I love listening to you laugh and squeal in the back seat watching it.
  • You have started really playing with your baby doll. You like her to be wrapped in a blanket, and you like to carry her in the little carrier. You just hug and kiss her, and recently you have been pretending to give her drinks from your cup. So cute!
  • You like playing with balls and your kitchen stuff. You pretend to stir and taste with your spatula. You like to give everyone in the room tastes and drinks.
  • New words: Papa, Juju (Julie), moo, no, go, te (tree), chee (cheese for pictures), bebe (baby) owsi (outside), num num (when something tastes good), and you have tried to say Anna, Trey, pig, and 1, 2, 3
  • You can sign "more," "please," and "eat."
  • Gigi taught you how to put your hands up and shrug your shoulders for "I don't know."
  • You put your hands up to call the Hogs and follow it with your version of "Sooie."
  • You sing and talk to yourself all the time, but when I try to get you to say something specific you usually won't do it. Mia is dying for you to say her name, and everytime she says, "Say Mia," you say, "Gigi." Drives her crazy!
  • You blow kisses with the back of your hand instead of your palm.
  • You love shoes and know when you are dressed up and looking cute. :)
  • You can turn circles and try to jump. You also love to play ring around the rosies and fall down.
  • You love to slide and swing at the park.
  • You are getting really good at mimicking what you see us do: putting on lotion, where to put the Q-tip, shaking your head yes and no, trying to eat with a spoon, pouring water in a cup...you're so smart!
  • Really if you are down and have some room to roam, you are happy wherever we are, whatever we're doing, whoever we're with! We love you baby girl! Happy 15 months!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

First Razorback Tailgate

On Saturday, Arkansas played its last home game in Fayetteville. I thought it would be a great time to take Mary Ella to her first tailgate party. She loved it! We played UTEP (woo hoo), so it wasn't very crowded. It was the perfect day to just let her run wild. Julie and I sat and chatted while the kids played. ME ran around with the big kids, played football, ate lots of good food, and took in all the Hog sights and sounds. The game wasn't until 6:00 and it was cold, so ME and I went home to watch the game with Gigi, Papa, and Oma, while everyone else went to the game. We won big...setting our sights to win out against Mississippi State and LSU. Go Hogs!








Trey sharing his cookie.







I want to ride it!

Bud Walton Arena in the background


And we got to see Tusk!