43 Weeks

43 Weeks Old

So, I'm committed to taking Mary Ella's picture every week on her changing table, because that's where we started. But it's getting hard to get a good one! She has started fussing when I lay her down. She just wants to be on the go, go, go!

I love her in her jean skirt!

Serious, but so cute!

Look at those toofies!

This week felt like the official beginning of summer. We spent time at the big pool and in the little pool in the backyard. And I love it! Wednesday night we went out with our Lifegroup to Bonefish for Jeni's birthday. All summer Bang Bang shrimp is $5 on Wednesday nights- just so you know. It was yummo, and Mary Ella did so good! Even when we stay out too late she just keeps going strong. She has also turned out to be a terrific shopper. She loves to stroll around, expecially outside. So we hit our outdoor mall Thursday in search of birthday presents for Anna Claire and Michael. We went back and forth on Anna, but settled on a Razorback cheerleading uniform at The Toggery. While we were looking at Cupcakes and Caterpillars I saw that a bathing suit I've had my eye on for ME was on sale, so I had to get it. It was the one she was wearing in my last post, and I LOVE it! Anyway, I found out this week that Brad has booked two nights in Hot Springs for our anniversary next weekend. I don't know where we're staying or what we're doing, but I'm so excited! BUT he didn't remember that was Anna's birthday weekend too, so we're missing her birthday party. Hopefully to make up for that, Mary Ella and I decided to take a little weekend roadtrip to Fayetteville, deliver her bday present, and be there for her dance recital. Brad had some catching up to do for work, so it was the perfect time for a girls' weekend...

Friday we arrived in time for lunch with Trey and Julie at Chili's. Then we went to Bella Jack's, one of my favorite kid stores. I found 3 baby gifts for Jeni, Jill, and Dennia, and Trey found this hat! He was being silly! You can see Mary Ella in the background. She only slept for 40 minutes of the 3 hour trip, but she did amazingly well. But after sitting through that and lunch, she was ready to get down and go! She crawled all over the store- I only let her do that because we were the only ones in there. After that we went to Julie's to try to get ME to take a nap which didn't happen. She really went all weekend without a good nap, but she was still her fun sweet self. When Anna got home from school we gave her her birthday gift, played a little, and Hannah came over to get the girl all dolled up for the big night. We enjoyed Guido's and waited on the big reveal...

What a beautiful little lady!

She did every step to her tap routine very precisely and looked so cute in her costume. We are so proud of you Anna Claire! I didn't really think about how ME would do until it got totally dark, and I thought "uh-oh." But the lights came on and her eyes were glued to the stage. She LOVED the dancing and music and glittery costumes. Seriously, I was amazed. She sat on Gigi's lap until she got a little squirmy about 45 minutes into it. After Anna's performace we went back stage to congratulate her, and then we went home at intermission.

Getting a little sleepy

Gigi and Anna

This will be you one day, ME.

Saturday Gigi and Papa took us to 3 Monkeys in Rogers, another awesome baby store. I have been in search of cute sandals for Mary Ella for weeks. If you're a shoe lover, and I am, you've noticed the only ones she wears are the pink metallic thongs. That's because they are the only ones that fit, they stay on, and I can't find anything cuter, but she's almost outgrown them. When summer stuff came out she was still in a 2, and most shoes start at size 3, but now she needs a 3, and all the 3's are gone. What a dilema! I don't like clunky, or too colorful, or lots of flowers. I just want something simple and cute that fits and goes with everything. Well, I found it all right! But not on the huge wall of baby shoes- I didn't like any of those. Right around the corner on an unsuspecting rack, Gigi picked up a pair of bronze, metallic, peep-toe, strap around the ankle, soft, size 3 baby ballet shoes from heaven. She put them on Mary Ella's little foot, and they fit like Cinderella's glass slipper! They were so cute! So perfect! And cost $125! We left 3 Monkeys empty-handed and cried in our salsa at Abuelo's. So sad! Oh well...the search continues. After lunch, we hit the pool with Anna and Trey. Gigi and Papa were very impressed with ME's swimming skills!

Anna is quite the swimmer too! She's in some kind of big girl lane at the Swim Ranch this year, and on her way to earning the coveted "fish" trophy. Saturday night Oma and Opa, Julie, Mike, and the kids came over to Joe and Rita's for supper and playtime with Mary Ella. Rita fixed yummy chicken salad, cucumber salad, and fruit salad. It was a very refreshing summer meal!

Swingin' on the porch before church.

Papa also put the hammock up for her, and they spent some time outside together.

Love my girl!

Papa grilled burgers after church, and then Gigi had a shower to go. So we decided to head back to Little Rock. We made it back in time for our church's VBS kick-off Sunday night. It was a great weekend, but it's always good to be back home with Daddy. He missed us so much!

P.S. Julie and Mike found out they have been approved by their adoption agency. A couple more things have to happen, and then we'll just be waiting on a baby!