Baby Dedication

On March 21st we had Lucy Mills' baby dedication service at Radius. I tried to upload the video from that morning but for some reason I am having a hard time loading it. So instead I am sharing (the few) pictures we took that day along with a snippet from the prayer journal Travis and I keep for her.

Sweet girl made it on the big screen!

Can you see us up there?

Mom was there to enjoy the day with us

Sweet Lucy Mills,

Today was your baby dedication service at Radius Church. I didn't realize it until now but it was one of the proudest moments in my life. To be able to hold my precious baby in my arms, stand next to Daddy and praise God for what He will do in your life.

You were such a good girl today too! You were perfectly content being held in my arms. During the prayer, Daddy put his arm around us and you reached up and stroked his face and grabbed his chin. What a sweet moment it was for me to see you look up to the spiritual leader of our family as you were being dedicated. God has blessed us so much. The three of us are tightly bound together. Lucy Mills, being your mom is an awesome and holy privilege.

Love, Mommy

Sleepin' on the Job!

I can't believe I have not blogged in nearly two weeks! Unlike sweet Lucy Mills I have not been sleeping on the job. Instead I have been busy planning my ten year high school reunion (gulp!), rallying after round 2 of the stomach bug hit casa de Mason, having Lucy Mills' Baby Dedication service, and packing 3 people (well 4...Maggie counts) for the beach. Spring break vacay...here I come! I promise to post our updates in the days ahead. Happy Friday friends!

6 Months & Updated Family Pictures

does it getter any sweeter than this?

my two sweet babies

love these cheeks!

yes, I know I am adorable

...all because 2 people fell in love

March is the Month for Birthdays!

Happy Birthday Sweet Suggie!!

We're gonna party like it's your birthday!

See you soon to celebrate your special day.

We love you!

i love my Shuggs...oh yes I do!

sweet girl loves to stick that tongue out!

Life at Litchfield

Thursday night I started doing my happy dance around the house because a three day beach trip awaited the Mason fam. Lets just say I had the car packed and ready to go by 8:39am Friday morning. With casseroles prepared, sunscreen packed, and flip flops on - we hit the road!

Mommy and Lucy Mills

precious moments with my sweet girl

I found this quote from one of my favorite novels Pawleys Island. It sums up how much I love being on South Carolina's beautiful coast.

I looked out across the dunes and up and down the beach. Another gorgeous day. Blue skies, billowing clouds and the sun rising with the mercury. Eastern breezes rustled the palmettos and sea oats. I could stand on the porch and breathe in with all of my lungs, exhale my troubles in a whoosh, and the breezes carried them away. My shoulders dropped back to their natural position. I moved differently, slowly but with deliberateness. I slept soundly remembering all my dreams....It's a simple retreat for some and a spa for the soul for others. One thing is certain: it's unlike any other place in God's entire creation.

~ Dorothea Benton Frank

Everyone needs a getaway like this to refresh and recharge.

Little Lucy Mills relaxing in the condo

Of course Trav brought his guitar and treated us to some tunes each morning. I am thankful Lucy Mills has at least one musical parent!

Everyday Trav's iphone sends him a "bible verse of the day." Saturday morning I heard him reading it to Lucy Mills and it just happened to be the scripture that Travis and I claimed as our life verse during our first year of marriage. It's Zephaniah 3:17 and the last portion of the verse says that God will rejoice over you with singing. I love the image of God rejoicing and singing over us just as we do over our daughter during guitar time.

blue sky on the beach!

Even though I packed sunscreen, beach towels and other summery items, the weather was not quite warm enough to signal bathing suit weather. So we bundled up and headed out to explore.

Sweet girl enjoying the ride!

some neat creatures right outside our door

the official sign of the lowcountry

One afternoon while Trav and Lucy Mills napped I stole some alone time out by the pool. It was warmer by then and I soaked up some rays while reading in a comfy lounge chair. What a perfect day!

heading out to the beach (wearing my dad's warm, snuggly vest!)

with my darling girl...although she is more interested in her toy!

peeking back at Daddy

love these two!

making funny faces at each other

paradise

We headed back inside to warm up. Lucy Mills seemed to be perfectly content no matter if we were inside or out. Back inside she enjoyed watching TV with Bunny.

What show should we watch Bunny???

Family shot on the beach

When late Sunday afternoon rolled around we packed up to head home. This is what happened when I told Lucy Mills we were leaving the beach...

Don't worry sweet one, we will be back in 3 weeks.

Happy Birthday Grandmother Judy!

"Lucy Mills, do you know what today is?!"

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday dear Grandmother,

Happy Birthday to you!

We love you and hope you have a special day!

Travis, Lil & Lucy Mills

Of course I remembered what today is silly!

I sure hope we sent Grandmother one of these lollipops...

Halfway to One!

February flew by and Lucy Mills accomplished many milestones by her six month birthday. Can you believe sweet girl is halfway to a year old? With each month that comes I find myself saying "I love this age" and "she just keeps getting more and more fun." Lucy Mills' personality is really starting to shine through. She is a very happy girl and usually has a laid back disposition. Having said that, she has also started this fake cry thing. When she doesn't get her way she lets out a cry or two and looks to see if anyone notices. And if we do give in and let her have her way, a little grin comes across her face as if to say "I win." What a stinker!

Lucy Mills loves it when you make kissing sounds with your mouth, she loves guitar time with Daddy, when Maggie kisses her toes, sucking her thumb, sweet potatoes, when I say "mama," playing on her back, touching my face, pulling my hair, bath time, looking at books, holding onto your fingers, her puppy rattle, watching big kids play, baby talk, and her hot pink blanket. Her dislikes include green peas, turtle necks, empty bottles, and having her face wiped.

New this month is rolling over. She has been able to roll from her tummy to her back since she was three months old. But now she can go from back to front with ease too. Her expression is so cute after she accomplishes rolling over - she pushes up on her forearms and purses her lips out as if to say "that was easy Mom."

With every month that passes I am a little sad that my baby girl is getting older and older. But it is so fun watching her grow into this neat little person. She is seeing everything in this world for the first time and it's exciting for me to see her learning. Oh Lucy Mills you have brought so much love into our lives. What a sweet blessing you are!

Does that really say 6 months?!?

Enough of this sitting still thing Mom!

Trying out a new fashion statement...doesn't everybody wear one shoulder pj's?

Showing Daddy my new book

Just being a little princess - in my princess dress of course!