Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Nine Months

Wow, this age is truly something else. Candidly speaking, they soak up everything they see and hear. It's a miracle that at the mere age of nine months, Margaret knows her name, understands that Charlie is Dada and I am Mama. She produces a little smirk/smile when I show her pictures of Charlie and me from our wedding and just various pictures around the house. She understands turning a page in a book leads to something fun on the next page. She loves peek-a-boo and someone holding her. She stares us down during meal time making sure she won't be skipped on a few servings of whatever we are having.

Margaret has six teeth, yes, six teeth! I'm not sure this is "normal" but what is normal for a baby? They are all so different. She is scooting from corner to corner, but i'ts not quite your typical crawling. She is more or less doing the army crawl with movement from one leg. She hasn't quite realized how to get her left leg up underneath her. I'm so thankful at the age of nine months she is still a sleeper. I know there will come a phase when she may not sleep soundly, but I am beyond thankful she sleeps now. I'll take a full night over little nap times during the day.  

She is eating all kinds of foods and playing with all kinds of different toys. She has made many new friends at school, and I know this because when I drop her off in the mornings she is grunting and panting to be put down, so she can go play with her friends.

I took these images a few days before our trip after her morning nap. The lighting wasn't the best, but I sure love her expressions. Thank you Lord for sweet baby Margaret. 












Viva Las Vegas!

What a fun filled quick trip to Las Vegas! Charlie surprised me several months ago with a couples only trip to the famous Sin City, aka, Las Vegas. Not only would we be sight seeing, taking a guided tour of the desert on our very on ATV, dining at world class restaurants, but also seeing the King of County Music, Mr. George Strait.


Charlie meticulously planned this trip right after Margaret was born, as a surprise for me to have something to look forward too. When he initially surprised me with the trip, he handed me a package that had a paper ticket and a letter. I was so overwhelmed reading the letter in front of family because we were opening Christmas presents, that I clearly missed the sentence that said he was taking me to see George Strait. Needless to say, I soon realized what the concert was and where it was being held!


We had a super early flight out of Charlotte last Thursday, landing us in Las Vegas at 8:45am. We immediately found Uber, and made our way to The Cosmo. Our room, after an upgrade, faced the Belagio Fountain and had a beautiful balcony. It was quite luxurious. My favorite amenity at The Cosmo was the room itself. Thursday morning/early afternoon we enjoyed sight seeing and dining for lunch at one of Las Vegas's world famous restaurant. After a short afternoon nap had my me, we made our way to the Pool for some fun people watching. We celebrated our first night with a dinner at one of Mario Batali's restaurants in the Venetian. (By far, Charlie's favorite Casino/Shops Hotel).


We were up bright and early Friday for a trek through the Nevada desert on our very on ATV guided tour. There were several other couples we befriended on the trip, and enjoyed lunch at the local Good Springs Saloon. It was truly an experience. We even saw Wild Mustangs roaming the Nevada Desert. Friday afternoon/evening we enjoyed a cocktail hour a top the Mandarin Oriental before my first George Strait concert at the new T-Mobile arena. This was a late night for us, as George played late into the night and we hoped Casinos on our way home...


Saturday, after a day of excitement, we lounged by the pool. All Day. It was another fun afternoon of people watching and conversation ease dropping. After a quick massage, at The Cosmo Spa, we enjoyed happy hour at Lago in the Belagio. We made it just in time for our dinner at Strip in Mandalay Bay, where Charlie had wanted to try for months! I was so full from our cocktail hour, that I made Charlie split a steak with me. Don't think it's what he had in mind, but he's always a good sport.


I always feel like I don't take enough pictures. Maybe because I'm trying to enjoy "living in the moment," and trying to stay off my phone, but I did snap a few every now and then. At least we have a few still pics of the trip!









































Wednesday, September 7, 2016

A recap in pictures

I want to compare Margaret's photos over the past eight months. I still can't decide what month I've seen the most change as far as appearance and growth goes. Maybe outlining the photos below will help me determine what month she showed the greatest change.


Recap month by month:






One month - I remember taking this picture on a Sunday morning about 8am. My parents were in town because Charlie flew to Arizona for the National Championship. I didn't want to be by myself, so I requested my parents come visit and take me back to Mooresville, so I could spend a few days up there with family. This was also Cradle Roll at Church, but we missed because I could barely function. Margaret was up the entire night. I was proud of myself for being awake at 8am dressed, ready to get pictures of her for her One Month.

Two Months- Sweet little Margaret couldn't sit up yet, but she stayed put just for a second while I snapped a picture. I was still enjoying maternity leave and spending my whole day with her.

Three Months - Margaret started smiling at this point. She was so loving during this picture session and finally started sleeping through the night.

Four months - I remember taking this picture on a Friday night before we went over to Kathleen's for Happy Hour. She was on a new schedule at this point and couldn't stay up past 8pm. She was ready for bed by 7:30pm!


Five Months - This was taken Mother's Day Weekend, and she giggled all day.

Six Months - I took this the day we came home from the beach with my family. She battled a minor cold at the beach, so I didn't want to take any pictures for her "six months" while we were there.  She is trying to sit up by herself in his picture.

Seven Months - Probably my favorite picture of the month photos, this was taken after church on a Sunday, and she was sitting up by herself at this point. She is a very happy baby!

Eight Months- Her defiant personality is coming out just a bit in this photo scene. She is very aware of her surroundings and who we are.









First infection

The end of Margaret's second week of school was a low point for us. She developed a tummy bug and a double ear infection, all in three days of each other.


Being our first child, we didn't realize she was sick with the tummy bug and double ear infection until she was having full blown symptoms. Margaret, like most babies I assume, is pretty resilient. As I type this, we are still battling a very runny nose, but she is on the mend.


We finished our third full week of school last week, right before Tropical Storm Hermine made landfall in SC. We lost power at our house for a few hours, but I was so thankful for the rain!


A quick trip to Charleston to visit family and friends was planned for our Labor Day Weekend. We didn't plan anything to adventuresome because Charlie and I are headed out of town for a trip, just the two of us. I will be sure to share photos when we return.


Margaret is officially "scooting," and I'm not prepared for this! She can scoot about two to three feet, then she gives up and starts screaming. I'm so bad at this because I go and pick her up. I can't stand when she cries, as I know I'm creating a spoiled little baby, but I can't help it! I promise I will let her be, so she can continue to develop and learn she doesn't have to be with her mama all the time! This mama just loves to hold and give kisses.


Sick as can be on a Saturday morning


After three days of medicine and no more fever, back to school




3rd visit to the doc


In Charleston with my friend, Molly Bullwinkel


Visiting the first Ms. Margaret











Protesting bed time, and scooting around the floor at 8:45pm