One Month Birthday and Baptism

On Friday, July 23 Reese turned one month old! It is hard to believe how this past month has flown by. It was a big day for the whole family not just because she was a month old, but because we took our first out of state trip, and a road trip at that. We packed up and drove to New Orleans to visit our "Cajun" family and to baptize Reese Elizabeth. My parents, Mo and Mimi, made the drive as well and actually took Ashton with them to help entertain him. Both kiddos were rockstars and traveled so well for the six hour drive...it probably helped that we left at 3:30 in the morning both coming and going to ensure they would sleep some and it worked! Casey's parents, Mark and Jacqueline (Reese's Godparents) and Diane also flew to New Orleans for the celebration.
It was a wonderful weekend spent in good company and with some really good food. Friday we hung out with my Aunts, Uncle and cousin, then on Saturday we took Ashton to the Aquarium which was awesome. That afternoon we had a private baptism which was so nice. On Sunday we had a "small" celebration...I say small because it was only family. But anyone who knows our family will know when it comes to first, second and third cousins we had close to 50 people at my Aunts house. It was such a nice family reunion and even better that we were able to gather to celebrate something so wonderful since the last time we were all together it was under tough circumstances, the passing of my grandma.
One of the most touching moments was when my aunt, Nannie Marge (my Godmother) presented me with a quilt she had sewn. It has always been a tradition that Maw-Maw gave each grandchild, and even some great nieces and nephews, quilts that she would sew. As a child I received a quilt with the alphabet on it and when Ashton was born she did a similiar one for him. At Christmas I had picked out the one I wanted for Reese and gave it to her. Maw-Maw was able to separate the threads befor she passed but never got to stitch any of it. Nannie Marge stepped in and made it a labor of love. She spent countless hours working on the quilt so that it would be done in time for Reese's baptism and she of course lived up to the challenge. She wrote Reese a beautiful letter explaining the story behind the quilt and letting her know how Maw-Maw touched each and every thread that is now on that blanket. I don't have a picture right now but will be sure to get on soon because it is so beautiful. All I can say is THANK YOU NANNIE MARGE!!!
To conclude this rather long post there are a few things about Reese's first month I want to remember:

*At 19 days old you were back to your birth weight of 6 lbs 13.7 oz and had grown 1 inch to 20 inches total.
*You love to SLEEP, especially at night :)...normally you sleep for 3-4 hrs then wake up, eat, sleep for 2-3, eat, and sleep for 2-3 more...you are awesome!
*July 22, one day shy of your one month birthday you smiled for the first time
*You are so alert and looking around
*Rarely do you cry, only when you are hungry or just want to be held
*Love outside---the heat is a cure all, if you do get fussy you stop when we go outside
*Nursing around 10 times a day
*Your brother LOVES you....constantly wants to kiss you, has asked occassionally to hold you and loves to come over and say "Hey Reese!" or "Hey Peesee" (its really cute)

Alright that is it for now. Enjoy the pics!

Lake Trip

This weekend we had two firsts...Reese had her first weekend at the lake just two and a half weeks old. My parents drove Ashton up in their car and Casey and I took Reese and our dog. She was a perfect angel going and coming home. Only once in the two and a half hour drive did she even let out a peep and it was just because she was hungry. I guess Reese had two first because she also had a bottle for the first time as well and took it like a champ. That is the one draw back to nursing, I can't just mix a bottle but instead had to do a little pre-planning and had some pumped milk all ready. We met Casey's parents at the lake and it was Grandpa's first time to meet Reese. I think to say he was little smitten was an understatement. It was a great weekend with both kiddos and both sets of grandparents....until Saturday night. Around 8:30 Ashton started crying saying "My ear hurts! My ear hurts!" and was completely inconsolable. I hadn't heard this kind of cry before, nor has he ever said that. So Casey and both my mom and Casey's mom loaded Ashton up to bring him to the ER in Groesbeck. It killed me to send him off but I couldn't leave Reese either. Casey said the doctor was very nice and poor Ashton has a double ear infection. So after a dosage of antibiotics they were sent on their way home. We had planned on staying at the lake a bit longer today but had to cut it short to get home to get Ashton's perscription filled. He seems to be feeling a little better already. Despite the ER visit we had a fantastic weekend full of good times with our wonderful family!

Happy Birthday Ashton!

It is so hard to believe my little boy is 3 today! Ashton, you have been the best part of our lives for the last three years and your daddy and I are constantly entertained by you. You are such a little helper to everyone. You help daddy mow the lawn each weekend, you always want to help mommy make "tookies" (you have a little trouble with the letter C) and now you are always there to help with your little sister. You keep us in stitches with your new word choices and we keep asking where you learn some of the things you say. It is hard to believe that I was worried about your speech development, but just like everything else you do, you did it at your own pace and you are right on track. Ashton we adore you and can't wait to watch you grow even more. I am in awe that three years have really already passed us by, but I can say with certainty they have been the best three years of our lives. We love you and Happy Birthday!

Happy 4th!

It's hard to believe that tomorrow was the date that had been ingrained in my head for the last 9 months as my due date, July 5th...how quickly June 23rd has replaced that day with one I will never forget. It has now been over a week and a half since our family of three expanded to a family of four. I was sitting outside by the pool today watching Casey and Ashton swim while Reese lay in her bouncer snoozing away in the shade...I kept thinking, wow, it doesn't get any better than this. Two healthy and amazing children and a husband I adore! This will be a 4th of July to remember! (PS...I tried to get Ashton to look at the camera for me but he refused, Reese on the other hand is a little young to object so I will leave you with a few pictures of my "Lil' Firecracker") Happy 4th of July!