22 Months

Am I really posting about my baby girl who is now 22 months old?  22 months.  How swiftly the days on the calendar cruise by no matter how tight my grip on it seems.  I know all moms utter the cliche statement of how fast time flies; but now that I am living in the midst of these fleeting days, I too, ache for the baby who has grown into a toddler right before my very eyes.  

Lucy Mills, I have had a delightful time with you this past month.  You are putting 4 or more words together at a time now and our communication has gotten much better.  I love to hear the things that come out of your mouth, and you love for me to repeat them right back to you - just to make sure I'm listening. 

One of the cutest things you are doing is mimicking when I drop you off at the gym nursery.  When we are at home you come up to me and say "Mama exasize, bye Mama.  See later Mama," and then you give me a big hug and kiss and run off.  You come right back to me 10 seconds later and we do the whole scene over and over and over again, all the while your little laughs echoing throughout the house. 

Since we are on the subject of copying Mommy, you have become quite the little mama to Babydoll.  I gave you a small bottle so that you could feed Babydoll her bottle while I feed McClain his.  You feed and burp her perfectly, as well as rock her, and sing to her.  I love seeing your tender side here. 

Lucy Mills, you are all girl all the time.  I love that about you.  Everytime I dress you, you ask for your pink bow.  One day after I put the usual pink bow in, you asked for the hot pink one . . . and then the blue one, the red one, and the white one. 
 So I went with it . . .

Recently I gave you some crayons and paper and you went to town. Your artwork is now proudly displayed all over the house.

You are right by my side when I am fixing dinner at night.  I'm not sure if it's because you are just fascinated with mealtime coming around again or if you like "helping" me cook.  

We may be signing you up for gymnastics or ballet sooner rather than later.  I've noticed a lot of this happening . . .

Not bad for a not-even two year year old right?  
Like I said, she is all girl.  You just can't teach this stuff. 
Along with ballet in our future, guitar lessons are most definitely on the horizon.  You love to strum along when Daddy plays some tunes. 

Only time will tell if you prefer playing the music or dancing along with the beat.  

There has been a change in your bed time routine this last month.  Typically you just like to be put to bed with your blankies and maybe a book, no snuggling.  Now, to my absolute delight, when I tell you it's bed time you respond with "rock rock Mama?"  Yes, love.  We can rock rock.  So I sit on the edge of your bed, cradle you in my arms while your little body nestles against mine.  I gently rock while softly singing Jesus Loves Me.  At the end of the song you look up at me with a smile and say "hey Mama," at which I respond "hey Lucy Mills."  Our hearts are intertwined. 


Happy 22 months Sweet Girl. 

Saddle Up Partner!

Scrub-a-dub-dub

Two clean babies in a tub!

I know this sounds lazy crazy, but I have looked forward to this picture for 6 months.  Until McClain could sit up I have had to bathe them separately . . . and lets face it, that just takes up a lot more time.  Bath time has now become one of my favorite to-do's of the day.   

I mean who else has a 6 month old that helps wash his sister's hair? 

She sure thinks it's funny. 

Sweet sister.  Baby brother.

Thank you Jesus for the ordinary moments that make my days sacred. 

My Six Month Olds

Here are both of my babies when they were 6 months old.  What do you think . . . any resemblances? 

{I don't see it, but I keep looking for it.}

Oh, how I love these little ones! 

Funny Sayings

Things my Sweet Girl is saying these days:

We went swimming at my dad's house recently, and when he took off his shirt to join us in the pool, Lucy Mills exclaimed:

"Pop Pop na baby!!!!"

{Pop Pop is a naked baby}

She loves to throw trash away in the garbage can.  She is also in a big stage of naming the colors of everything she sees.  Travis handed Lucy Mills a white paper towel to throw away and she said:

"white trash."  hehe

We have been attempting some potty training around here.  Lucy Mills was scared to go #2 in the potty, so I decided to throw in the towel that day and walked into the next room to grab a diaper.  When I came back in the bathroom there was a pile of, well, you can guess what, laying next to the potty on the floor.  She looked up at me and said "Maggie went poop poop" over and over.  Hmmm.  She is not even 2 and is smart enough to blame it on the dog.  

One night I was getting ready to meet up with some girlfriends to grab some frozen yogurt.  Lucy Mills walked into the bathroom and observed me putting on makeup.  She said "bye bye mama." I guess the days that I actually dress and put make up on are pretty few and far between - she knew I was heading out of the house if the make up was going on! 

This week she started calling me mommy, instead of just mama.  So sweet. 

Whenever Travis and I yawn, Lucy Mills would look at us with a puzzled look on her face.  I would proceed to tell her that Mama/Daddy was sleepy.  Now anytime someone yawns she says "Mama binky." {Mama sleepy} Maybe sleepy sounds like binky? 

Whenever she puts a necklace or hairbow on Babydoll, she looks at her and says, "oh, petty baydoll." (pretty babydoll)

I recently went out of town to visit my sister.  Travis told Lucy Mills that mama went bye bye to see Aunt Tutu.  Lucy Mills said "Mama bye bye . . . Mama at work." I guess she associates when someone is not at our house, they must be at someplace called work? 


Her little mind is always at work . . . and it's fun hearing what she is thinking. 

Happy Half Birthday Little Man!

McClain turned 6 months old on June 10th.  

We are loving him more with each passing day - didn't know that was even possible.

McClain, your spirit exudes joy and happiness nearly every moment of the day.  Your smile is contagious to everyone in your presence.

Check out June's monthly picture of my happy little man. 

You inspire me to choose joy my precious. 

At six months old you love to play with your toes, are waiting on those first teeth to pop through, have dropped your third nap during the day, are getting up on your hands and knees to rock, and are sitting up on your own for a second or two. 

While I am ready for you to sit up, I'm not so ready for the mobility that comes with crawling.

You are beyond ready to play and keep up with your sister, so I suspect that you will be on the go sooner rather than later. 

You had a great six month check up with Dr. Delaney.  Being a preeclampsia baby you were on the small side the first couple of months.  Since your last appointment you have grown from the 8th% in weight to the 30th%, but Daddy was pumped about your growth in the height chart.  You went from the 17th% to the 70th% tall man! 

I have caught Lucy Mills playing and interacting with you a lot more lately.  You laugh and laugh when she comes around.  Your eyes track her wherever she goes.  My heart is the fullest when I see the two of you playing together.  

Everyday with you McClain is a pleasure.  Thank you for adding so much to our lives these past six months.  My cup runneth over. 

This Is What I Saw Today . . .

when I walked into the playroom.

Yep, that is her sitting on top of the changing table! 

Lucy Mills managed to shimmy the toy bin next to the changing table, climb up and sit on top, and then pour the liquid soap all over herself.  Of course that was after she put the headband around her forehead.  

She thought the whole incident was hilarious. {I must admit, I thought it was a funny photo op.}  But I was stunned not only that she could climb up there but that she thought it was ok to do so.  

I was wondering when she would start getting into mischief like this.  Such a stinker! 

Greenville Girls

Susan, thank you for SUCH A FUN TIME this weekend.  It has been a few years since we have enjoyed some good sister time with just us two.  

Dinner out on the town Friday night was a delight and waking up Saturday to facial and massage appointments was a dream.
  I loved our time together and am beyond blessed to call you not only my sister but my best friend. Love you! 

The Sweetest Sound

Potty Progress

So how is potty training going? you might ask.

I think we are having more fun playing with the potty than actually using it.  While we have some successful days here and there, mommy we needed a break for a while.  I don't want to pressure her in this issue, so I figure she will go back to using it when she is ready.  The little potty hasn't been totally abandoned though . . .

Lucy Mills has been a very good trainer to Babydoll.  She checks to see if she is dry . . .

And then puts her on the seat.

I guess Babydoll had enough potty training too?

Here's to a summer still in diapers!

The Stevens Girls

My freshman year of college I met the most incredible family.  In the summer of 2000 I traveled to Colorado with the Stevens to help take care of their daughters while they ran a camp for Athletes In Action.  At the time the girls were 3 years old and 6 months old.  I continued to babysit Faith and Sarah over the years, and eventually Susanna when she arrived a few years later. My time spent in their home and with their mother, Jennifer, gave me great insight into what a godly home, a strong marriage, and a joyful journey of mothering looks like.  For that, and so much more I am thankful.  It blows my mind that the Stevens girls are so grown up now and are able to play with my babies. 

Faith wasn't much older than Lucy Mills when I met her. 

Lucy Mills loved hanging out with the big girls. 

And if Susanna could come over everyday and play,  I probably wouldn't lay eyes on Lucy Mills for hours.  These two played so well together. 

And you know how McClain is . . . show him a pretty lady and he will show you a smile. 

Sarah and Jennifer playing with McClain.  Sarah was exactly the age McClain is now when we left for Colorado all those years ago. 

She is such a beautiful mommy. 

Praise God for these sweet, sweet girls. 

A GRAND Time

Last week we enjoyed spending several days with Travis' family.  We haven't seen Uncle Daniel since Christmas, but that didn't stop Lucy Mills or McClain from loving on him.  In fact, Lucy Mills was pretty sad that he had to leave us again so soon. 

McClain was just happy to spend time with his favorite uncle . . .

and be included with the guys. 

{Daniel left Memorial Day for a month long mission trip to China. We are praying for you Uncle D.}
Grandmother and Grandaddy arrived and both kids ate up every bit of attention they offered.  I don't think they had even been here five minutes before Lucy Mills swiped Grandmother's bling.

Waving goodbye to Daniel. . . still sporting Grandmother's bracelet. 

Both of our Roberts enjoying some time together. 

Grandmother and Grandaddy are always so thoughtful to bring each us the perfect gift.  

It looks like Christmas morning after they have been here! 

I have to say, that Lucy Mills found something even more entertaining than the presents. . .

Tucker! 

Lucy Mills had a ball playing with him and feeding him.  Sorry Maggie! While Lucy Mills was obsessing over Tucker, McClain got some one on one with Grandmother. 

I think he was a little bit happy about that :) 

It looks like we may have another bookworm in our house. 

Lucy Mills was eager to get behind the wheel, so Grandaddy gave her a few pointers about driving his truck. 

I think she is ready to hit the roads now. 

We loved our time together.  Lucy Mills hasn't stopped saying Tucker, red truck, and Monkey Joe's since y'all left!