Lauryn's Crib

After weeks of practically folding this child in half to wedge her into her bassinet, Jeff and I finally got her crib put together.  Lauryn hardly knows what to do with all that space!

She looks so tiny now!

She is our first baby who has actually slept on her back, and once she's out, she pretty much doesn't move all night long! She always wakes up with a smile, too, even from naps. Often, my only clue she's awake is when I hear the tell-tale "shoof-shoof-shoof" of her legs pumping and kicking off her blankets, or the sound of her testing out her new voice by cooing. I have to hurry then, to beat Kaity or Joe to the opportunity of seeing that first huge grin! Selah always announces, "Lauryn's awake!" excitedly ... whether from joy at seeing her sister again, or joy that now she can be reasonably noisy again, I'm not sure!

Lauryn looks a bit skeptical here, but trust me, she loves it!

Christmas With the Pittards

We were all so glad to get to spend Christmas at the Pittards' with no one missing! With Joe being in the Army, we're not always sure he and his family can join us. Joe, Jennifer, Jackson and Raegan made the long drive from Texas; Jason, Paige, Joel, Jacob and Sarah made the short drive from South Carolina, and we all met up at Ken and Cheryl's house.

It's always fun to get the babies together. This year Lauryn (5 months) and Raegan (10 months) really enjoyed getting to know one another:

Although Lauryn doesn't look so sure!

All the grandbabies!

Jacob, Joe, Joel, Selah, Jackson, Lauryn, Sarah, Kaity and Raegan.

Jacob and Joe

Jacob

Lauryn

Joel

Kaity and Sarah

Joe

Just 5 months apart, Jackson and Selah became instant best friends!

Jason, Jeff, and Joe, outside for some target practice.

Jackson: Just like Daddy!

Selah photo-bombing Raegan and me.

Lauryn enjoyed a nice nap on her Nannie!

Papa Ken

Paige and Jason

Paige and Raegan

Jason, Paige and Jennifer

Jeff, Joe and Jason

Carolina Christmas

This year we spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with Grammie and Baba. Before we left, the kids and I made a few treats, including Snowman Cupcakes:

Lauryn was the first one to get to open a present! Kaity and I assembled her bouncer/activity thingy and she loved it!

Selah loved it, too ...

Presents!

Joe and Baba had fun assembling toys.

Grammie and Selah both love their popcorn!

Kaity and Joe wearing their Christmas Eve pajamas and playing with their new tablets ...

Play-doh!

And on another note, today is Grammie's birthday! I am so very thankful for my amazing mom. She is the strongest, most beautiful, amazing woman I know. Happy Birthday, Mom!

Lauryn ~ 5 Months!

And here is how this sweet baby goes to sleep ...

She has to be snuggled closely, blanket wrapped around her, and her hand curled up in my shirt - or my hair if I don't get it out of reach in time!

Our Little Dancer!

On Thursday, Selah's ballet class met at a local nursing home to dance for the residents. The girls were so sweet and took their dance very seriously. I was impressed at how well they did! For some of them, including Selah, it was their first time performing in front of an audience.

"Do you hear what I hear?"

Little sister and big brother, watching the older girls dance.

This was the best "pose" I could get!

And here's an adorable baby!