Pat-a-Cake, Pat-a-Cake!

During breakfast at Bebe & Gramps' house on Memorial Day (even though this picture is from later that night at dinner back at home) Marlee started examining her hands after banging on her tray...and then started banging her hands together to clap!  We all clapped & she went back and forth with us clapping then her clapping.  Of course after we got the camera, she wouldn't do it again til later in the day.  She did it for Gama & Papa while hanging out at the lake after swimming that afternoon though. 

And love swimming she did!!!!  She had a little froggie pond to swim in by the lake and a float to sit/float/swim in that looked like an elephant.  Not scared of the waves at all, and she acutally danced to the motor sound of the boats driving by.  It was a very busy weekend, even though Dave had four days off it flew by!  We stayed with Gama & Papa the first two nights and Bebe & Gramps the last two nights.  We took MJ to visit Grandma in the Nursing Home on Saturday since her b'day was Monday.  Then the Grandparents came over for ribs!  On Sunday we got some time in the lake, then had cake & ice cream to celebrate Maw Maw (Levon) & Gramps' (Larry) birthdays.  His side of the family came over to join in.  We had to leave on Monday, but not before grilling some hotdogs & hamburgers, playing in the lake, and hanging out with family some more.  This was Beverly and Case's first trip to Centre with Carly as well...not even a month old yet and it seemed like she was doing really well.  I got to hold her for over 45 mins Sunday night after they got into town.  Bev is doing great!

Marlee is already clapping and saying "mo mo mo" for more food during meals.  She is such a good eater and tried so many new foods this weekend: strawberries, cherries, biscuit, whole peas, turkey, hotdog, cake icing (just a fingertip's worth), and apple juice.  She's a pro with eating finger foods and still working on feeding herself with a spoon.  Hope we get to swim or play in the water outside more soon....it's sooo hot...90's all week!

9 Months Old...Marlee J is Today, Hooray!

Growing up so fast!  It's like she's starting a whirlwind of milestones.  Her two top middle teeth are poking through her gums...can't believe she's got 4 teeth.  I heard some grinding during lunch the other, and I hope she doesn't make a habit out of it...that kinda makes my skin crawl.  She's crawling (mostly still army crawling, pulling self with arms), pulling to standing (did that in her crib for the 1st time yesterday instead of napping...the crib is now officially lowered all the way down), walking on the floor holding on to our hands (loves it!), eating lots of food with her fingers (Cheerios, banana, toast, veggies pieces like sweet potato, etc), feeding herself some with a spoon (starting w/ banana pieces...load up the spoon & give it to her), and the cutest thing ever is her DANCING!  When we sing or especially if music is playing...she starts wiggling and bouncing whether she's sitting or standing...it's soooo cute!  She did it the 1st time in her portable high chair out to dinner at the GridIron in Centre with David and my parents, there was live music playing. 

And the sweetest thing happened Friday night...after dinner we got Marlee ready for bed as usual, then went to the front porch to hang out talking and rocking.  David held MJ and rocked while we talked...she played at first, looking all around and up at Dave every now and then.  Being out there awhile, she never got fussy once, she loves outside, she just got more and more still.  She was facing Dave sitting in his lap...done playing with her toy, she started leaning against her daddy's chest.  At first she just would lay against him for a few seconds...getting longer and longer til eventually she fell asleep.  We let her sleep on him for a while longer while we continued to hang out, talk and enjoy the nice night outside.  Plus, she hasn't actually fallen asleep on us for months...it was PRECIOUS!!!!  He put her to bed and she slept all night...it was the first night without her blanket as well. 

She is growing so fast and gets more and more precious everyday!  We're going to Centre again this weekned for Memorial Day (and MawMaw, Great Grandma, and Gramps' birthdays).  Beverly and Case are bringing Carly for the 1st time (their baby girl was born healthy on May 4th).  I hope the weather is good so that we can hang out at the lake...and Marlee can wear her swimsuit for the 1st time!

My First Mother's Day!

I've been trying to capture my wonderful Mother's Day in a blog all week...it's been pretty busy! 

It was THE BEST DAY!  Marlee slept until almost 11am!  I woke up after 8 straight hours of sleep (which hasn't happened in a while), to David cooking breakfast and just finishing arranging beautiful purple, pink and white flowers for me.  When Marlee finally woke up, David went to get her and brought her to me...she was holding a Mother's Day card in her hand...ADORABLE!  We had a great brunch, then spent the rest of the day outside under our shade playing, and I got to read when MJ napped.  I had a nice view of my hunky hubby doing yard work as well.  ;)  He was just finishing up what he and his parents didn't get to when they were here the 1st part of the weekend.  They helped make it look so good in our yard!  They also took us out (my mom's day gift from them) for a yummy dinner at Coco's Italian Restuarant near Sylvan Park.  They helped me clean and prepare for the brunch I hosted for my friends and former coworkers on Saturday...which went great and was so fun!  It was a great weekend!  I love being a mom to my beautiful, sweet, wonderful daughter Marlee, but I wouldn't be the person or the mom I am today without my wonderful mommy! 

The puppies are officially 6 weeks old, and we're heading to Centre this weekend.  Going to be an adventure!