Gates turns 2!

Lily's friend Gates turned two this past weekend, and we went to his fun birthday party. It was a gorgeous day and so fun to be outside in a nice backyard with some shade from the Georgia sun! You don't really appreciate a backyard until you can actually enjoy someone elses!! Lily and Gates are such cute friends. We are so glad we met them.

Lily spent a lot of time on this merry-go-round. Looks like she might have Andrew's stomach! Phew!! :)

She also loved the little bounce house. She's finally figured out how to 'bounce!'

Wondering where the water went?!

Waiting for cake!! She loved the little party hat...kept it on for a long time!

Finally got her cupcake, in which she consumed all the sprinkes and frosting off the top and left the cake for Daddy.

Someone brought over a Wii, and Lily was rockin' out on the drums.

Classic Lily

This picture captures a classic Lily "moment". Although she had just woken up from a nap and wouldn't smile for the camera, she's got her three favorite things around her: Passy, Monkey and blankie. If you look closely, she's rubbing the monkey's tail on her foot....another favorite thing. Definitely classic!!

Memorial Day Weekend

Andrew had a work meeting at Sea Island, GA over the weekend, and I got to come along! Yipee! We dropped Lily off at MeMe and Poppa's house and we were "kid free" for a couple of days! Although the weather stunk and Andrew had work obligations in the mornings, I enjoyed sleeping in, watching mindless TV and reading my book. This is the view from our balcony; we were facing the marsh.

One of the only pictures I took of our room..sorry it's so dark.

Sunday we went and picked up Lily (my in-laws live only about 15 minutes away) and brought them and Lily back to Sea Island for the afternoon. Sea Island is a private island for residents and guests only so it was fun to show them around. The Cloister Hotel is amazing...there's nothing else that compares!

Checking out the birds in the "Solarium"


Sitting in George Bush's seat from the G-8 Summit table

Out on the beach Sunday afternoon...we actually had a little bit of sun!

Lily had a great time playing in the little tidepools on the beach. I wasn't expecting the sun so we didn't come very prepared. This outfit ended up completely drenched and we had to go buy a Sea Island T-shirt that was way too big and looked more like a dress...but atleast it was dry.

28 weeks!

I'm officially in my last trimester! WOW! And I feel huge!!

Everything is going well other than having a harder time trying to keep up with little missy cuz my belly gets in the way. I can't hold her on my lap anymore, which makes me sad, and she's having to walk a lot more...but that is probably good for her. This baby is so much more active than I remember Lily being...I'm hoping that is not a bad sign of things to come! :)

My little shadow snuck in to the bottom of this picture...didn't want to be left out, I guess!

Mother's Day

I don't have many pictures of Mother's Day, but I will say it was a wonderful, relaxing day filled with sleeping in, my favorite foods, an afternoon at the pool, and my husband taking care of Lily all day. Sounds pretty nice to me! It is definitely nice to feel spoiled for an entire day just for doing your "job". Being a mom is definitely hard work, but I am so thankful I am able to stay home and be a full-time mom! I wouldn't trade it for anything! I am also so lucky to have so many great role models that I can look to for advice and tips on becoming a better mom. You have no idea how much you influence my life. Thank you! And how lucky I am to have a wonderful husband to support an help me on this journey. Honey, you are the best partner I could ever ask for!

I've been whining about my pillow for a while now...so Andrew got me a new pillow!

And Lily got me a cover for my ipod since she enjoys playing with it...and dropping it...

A busy Saturday

Saturday morning, we brought Jen back up to Atlanta and had brunch with her mom and great aunt.

That evening, we took my mom (and dad) out to dinner for Mother's Day. The food was great, but the toddler...not so great. Unfortunately, Lily is no longer the well behaved child, sitting quietly in her chair while out to eat. Thankfully, we had a large booth, because she was all over it! Oh well.

She obviously had a good time!

Strawberry Pickin'

My friend Jen came to visit us in Macon for a couple of days while in Atlanta and we had SO much fun having her here!!! Lily loved "Auntie Jen". Friday morning we went to Elliott Farms with our friends Wendy and Gates to pick Strawberries.

Lily doesn't really like Strawberries, but she was a great "bucket holder"

Jen's showing her what a good strawberry should look like.

What a sad little face! She's definitely learned how to "pout"

They had all sorts of farm animals there; goats, chickens, cows, horses...and peacocks!!

Lily and Jen enjoying the delicious homemade strawberry ice cream.


Relaxing on the porch swing with her buddy, Gates

And going in for a kiss! (I was in the bathroom, and I hear there was a lot of prompting to get this picture, but it is pretty darn cute) Lily and Gates are great little buddies.

Kentucky Derby Party

We attended our first Kentucky Derby Party this past weekend. One of our neighbors has quite a get-together every year...our Mayor and Congressman were even there! The house was very crowded so I spent most of the party outside with Lily and the other moms with kids, while Andrew got to schmooze with some folks and watch the race. His horse didn't win though...maybe next year.

Here are a couple pics we took on our way out the door....it was "casual attire, hats optional", so we went pretty casual.

Our little copycat!

These next pictures make me smile. She's such a little copycat these days. So Andrew and Lily take a walk most evenings after dinner. He always wears a hat, and she always wants one too. So I found this funny little camo hat the other day...and she LOVES having a hat like daddy for their walks.

Another picture of the hat....

Reading the morning paper....like daddy....

Pushing her stroller...and pulling her grocery cart...in my shoes with my purse on her shoulder.

Here's my little "poser" with the shoes and purse. How cute!

Washington Park

We've been visiting our little local park a lot lately; there isn't a playground, but it's within walking distance and has WATER! Lily loves to play in the water and drop leaves and sticks in to watch them float down the path. It sure is nice on these warm afternoons. This particular day, Andrew was home from work a little early, so we could all go together!

There's one part she can walk in...with some cool rocks to climb too!

Here she is thinking she's taking a picture of me...or maybe of herself...I'm not sure. She's even saying "cheese".

It's always more fun when Andrew can join us! We love it when daddy is home!!!