First Steps!!! **Updated**

I posted this from my iPhone in Canada, so I didn't say much. Marlee took a few steps over our vacation...about 3 or so at a time. So not really walking yet, but well on her way. She can stand indefinitely and will occasionally decide she's brave enough to move her feet. Most of the time though, she thinks crawling is more efficient ;)

She can also stand from a sitting position without using furniture or people for help.

Happy Wednesday

I was a bit stressed this morning and was looking at pictures of my sweet girl to cheer me up. This one put a smile on my face...hope it does the same for you!

New Chairs

I finally got some new dining room chairs. For those of you that have eaten at my house, you know my chairs were...um....perilous. We were down from six to three after some of them gave out when people sat on them.

We have a cool $99 Store near us. Yes, you read that right, $99. It works like the 99 cent variety, only with antique furniture and such. I saw these chairs (a set of 4), and saw the potential.

Before

After!

look how great they look with my rug! (not so much the table cloth :))

Now you may all come over and eat without fear. What would you like for dinner?

Birthday Weekend

I had such a wonderful birthday weekend! I was spoiled from start to finish. Thank you to my whole family for making it so fun.

My birthday felt different now that I'm a mom. I bet it means more to my mom than it ever has to me. To me, my birthday is the date I become one-year older and get some extra attention. But Marlee's birthday was the best day of my life. A pivotal day, and I haven't been the same since. Much more of a reason to celebrate.

Music to My Ears!!!

Marlee has been super cranky today...I suspect a tooth is on it's way. She has wanted to be held all day. At one point, I had her on the floor and she was fussing away while I emptied the dishwasher. Then she got on her knees, put her arms in the air, and said..."MAMA!" Now she's been saying it all evening. I love it!

Marlee's vocabulary:
Dada
Hi
Kih =kitty
BuhBuh Kih = Bogey
Tinsoo = Thank You
and finally Mama! Yay!

Not the best video, but I couldn't wait to capture it!

Playdate with Johnny

Marlee and I got together with Jennifer and Johnny yesterday. The last time we saw them, Johnny was Marlee's age! They've both changed so much.

Johnny teaching Marlee how to play with trucks.

Posing

Handsome little man

Kisses!

Road Trippin'!

We just got back from a road trip to visit the family in Florida. Turns out Marlee likes road trips as much as her mom and dad! We loaded up the car Wednesday night so that we could leave as soon as MJ woke up for the first time Thursday. We strapped her in her new "big girl" car seat (an early birthday gift from Grandpa Gregg), and hit the road. We debated installing the new seat as she doesn't technically need it yet, but we were glad we did. It's big and comfy, and Marlee really seems to like it. She slept for another hour, then we stopped for breakfast at McDonald's just south of Atlanta. We ate with a sweet boy named EJ whose mom worked at the Micky D's. He was bored and happy to have some people to talk to. We also met a couple who was driving from Gainesville, GA to Jacksonville, FL. The had an almost two year old, so she and MJ had fun smiling and waiving at one another. After breakfast, we were back on the road! MJ sang to the radio for a while, then settled into her morning nap. When she woke up, we stopped for lunch. We were ordering our food when who walks in but the couple from McDonalds! We ended up eating with them and exchanging info in hopes of scheduling a future play date for the girls. A few hours and another nap later, we arrived in Gainesville. The trip went really well...we are lucky to have such a happy, easy-going baby!

When we arrived at the W house, Kathryn, Steve, and Henry were already there. Marlee had so much fun playing with her cousin! Friday we went to the butterfly museum at the university. It's spectacular, and the kids seemed to enjoy it. Saturday we celebrated David's 19th birthday. Everyone went to the Melting Pot for a fun dinner, but I was sick so I stayed behind :(. When the others got back from dinner, we put MJ in jammies, said our goodbyes, and headed home around 10pm. She slept the entire way home, and-needless to say- is much more rested than Michael and I are today!

We had a great time visiting with everyone. Here are some pictures from the trip!

Steve and Henry at the Butterfly Exhibit

Sally and Theresa

Looking at a butterfly...Do you see it?

Pretty Profile :)

Walking across the bridge (one hand!)

Drooly, but oh-so-sweet!

Stopping to watch the turtles

Hanging out with Aunt Theresa

Cute Cousins in the tub

Sitting with Grandpa

Listening to Uncle David play

Petting Rosie (one of Sally and Theresa's four ponies)

She sat on the pony too! I'll post those pics soon :)

4th of July Weekend

Hope everyone had a great holiday weekend!

We stayed home Friday the 4th to get a bit done around the house...mostly yardwork. We have plans to do some landscaping this fall, but that will require major cleanup of our overgrown and previously unmaintained yard. We made a dent, but there is still much to do.

Saturday morning we headed up to Dad's cabin for the weekend. I didn't realize how great it could be to watch a movie and have someone cook for me! Today we went out on the lake. Marlee LOVED the lake, but HATED her lifevest.

Do I have to wear this?

Enjoying freedom from the vest when we stopped for a swim and lunch.

Driving with Grandpa

We were all so tuckered out that we fell asleep on eachother!

Help a Talented Friend!

My good friend Jennifer's brother Tyler and his bandmate, Erik, are one of the Top 10 Finalists in Kenny Chesney's "Next Big Star" Contest. The winner gets to open for Kenny at Turner Field in July...then goes on the next step of the contest (against other cities' winners) to vie for $25,000 grand prize, a weeked of opening for Kenny and traveling by fancy tour bus, and a chance to audition for a Sony BMG record contract.

Voting ends this Sunday, so please, please, PLEASE vote for them as many times as you can. If you will, please forward this to anyone who can help our cause!!

Watch their video HERE.

To vote, CLICK HERE. Make sure you give them a 10!!!