Surprise! (well, not really)

I figure it's time to make this little announcement, especially since this year's Christmas cards gave away our secret. 

Randy was taking this picture and I guess Halley was feeling a little left out!  Too cute.  Anyway, this was about two weeks ago and I'm on my way to 18 weeks now.  I've felt different, I look different, yada yada yada.  Needless to say, we're thinking it may be a boy this time.  I would love for Halley to have a sister but I'd be surprised if it's a girl.  And the eternal debate...to find out or not?  We didn't with Halley but I'm not sure I can do that this time around.  We'll see.  Sooooo, yay for babies!  Coming sooner than I realize...May 23.

Children's Museum

This week Randy got the chance to take Halley to the Children's Museum in Atlanta.  Halley had so much fun! I wish had been able to go but I think we'll be getting a family pass after their experience on Monday.

And these are just a few of my recent favorites!

Big Girl Halley

Well it only took me four months but we're baaaaccckk! We might as well come back with a birthday celebration, right?

As always, life has been busy. Summer came and went, work kicked into high gear for me, and Halley started the not-so-lovable two year old tantrums early. Randy was running a race in Savannah the first week of November so we decided to have her 2nd birthday party there and make it easy for all (most) of the extended family. There were some others runners so we decided to have a pasta party, let the kids run around in the backyard, fill them with sugar, and send them home.

 

 

I know all parents love their children but man, I could just eat this little girl up.  Thankfully, her "My playground" "My elbow" "My shoes" phase has lessened so I can like her a little more too.  ;)

Some updates on Miss HJ....

-she weighs 26 lbs and is 33 3/4 inches tall (looks like she'll be pushing 5'8"!)
-she is learning to sing her ABC's (they go like this "A B C R L O P...")
-her favorite movie is Sound of Music which she calls "Doe a Deer" (which is also her favorite song)
-we moved her to a "big girl bed" about two weeks ago and she's adjusted like a champ (she's also sleeping in my bed as a child which is a real circle-of-life moment)

-she loves to get dizzy and fall down
-she's big on leaving the room and announcing "see ya yater....ha save trip"
-she is obsessed with coloring with markers (including her hands, face, and legs)
-when I tell her "I love you" she responds with "I yuv you moooore"

What can top that?!?!  I actually have some more pictures to post so check back...maybe even as soon as next week!  Shocking, I know.

Happy Hump Day.

Look What Daddy Bought Me

(Despite the lack of smiles in any of these pictures, she really does like it!)

Fourth of July

Wow! It’s been a busy week.  Randy’s parents came in town on Sunday to hear him preach (he was great, in case you were wondering) and then stayed with us for a few days.  We celebrated the 4th on the square in Marietta, watching the parade & visiting with friends at church. 

Happy couple, distracted toddler!

 

You think she’s excited about the parade but it’s actually a puppy just out of sight.

Halley takes her patriotism very seriously.

Randy’s parents…Sandy especially had a great time.  Apparently she knows everyone in Marietta because she waved & called to every person in the parade.

Our Colorado Rockies were in town to take on the Braves so we had tickets to the game on Tuesday and Wednesday.  We were pretty bummed because the Rockies got swept but we had fun anyway.  Halley went on Tuesday night and had so much fun.  It was hot but Halley was in a good mood and she entertained herself by climbing a gazillion stairs. 

Dressed for the Rockies

Sportin’ the boot

Large open spaces to run = one happy Halley

We kinda like each other. 

 

Halley going with the flow…meaning cheering for the Braves.

Silly faces

Around 9:30, Halley finally was tired of stair-climbing and actually sat down for a few minutes. 

We have had a busy week and it just keeps going.  Tomorrow we see the doctor to see if Halley needs tubes in her ears.  Sunday we head to Jacksonville to visit a friend and pick up my mom, and Monday we head to Daytona to meet Randy and the kids for summer camp.  (I might be more excited to see Louis Giglio and Chris Tomlin than they are.)  Mom will be entertaining Halley for us, Randy celebrates a birthday while we’re there, and then we head back on Saturday.  Whew-just tired thinking about it!  It will be great though. 

Until next time…

Beach Week 2011

I’ve recently been reminded by a dear friend that it has been way too long since I updated this blog so this one’s for you Lynda!  I have plenty of pictures from the past few months but we’ll take care of the most recent first.

Each June tons of Randy’s family members converge on Tybee Island.  It all started a few years ago when we gathered to celebrate Jama ‘s (his grandmother) 90th birthday.  Since then it has become a tradition and everyone is invited!  People come from Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Louisiana, California,  and New York and, in years past, there have been up to 50 of us enjoying the beach together.  Jama rented four different beach houses on the same block and we all convened to share dinner together in the evenings.  It was her way of giving all those she loved a great excuse to get together!  It is a little chaotic but always fun.  By now, Jama has nine great-grandchildren so you can just imagine.  Much to our sadness, Jama left us to be with Jesus on May 1.  We still enjoyed our time together but she was very missed. 

As usual, Halley was very uncooperative when it comes to taking pictures.  At some point, you’d think the odds would be with us that we could get one…just one…with her looking at the camera.  (And I did but it really is only one!)  When we first got out of the car after arriving at Tybee, Halley, who was in my arms, pointed at the ocean, and with eyes wide, said “Whhooooaaaaaa”.  It was so cute.  She loved all the birds, the Coast Guard helicopters flying overhead, and the space to run as far as she wanted while screaming as loud as she wanted. 

We were only able to stay a few days (darn that j-o-b) but here are some pics.

       

Saying bye to Daddy (he came down the next day)           

  

It’s hard to read in the car with shades.

(I love that she doesn’t take them off, just pushes them up.)

Playing with cousin Emmie on the beach

This girl LOVED the water.  She might need swim lessons to put my mind at ease.

Notice you haven’t seen her eyes yet?

HJ has a weird fetish with wearing big shoes.

Some of the gang

I love this picture with Aunt Meg. 

Remember how I said I got one?  This is it.

Chasing cousin Hudson—guess who’s faster?

Don’t worry, this isn’t in the running for our Christmas card.

Playing with (second) cousins Savannah & Cole

“Why do you people take so many pictures of me?”

(I guess this makes two.)

This one isn’t from Tybee but she’s so stinkin’ cute.

And just for reference, this is HJ & Emmie last year at Tybee.

Just starting to crawl and no teeth—what a great year it’s been!

Thanks for checking in!  Now that I know people, besides my mom & sister, (not that I don’t love you!) are reading, I’ll try to be better about updating.    Happy Saturday.