Zoo Trip

The weekend following Lucy Mills' eye surgery, we decided that a trip to the zoo would be a perfect way to spend a day after being cooped up inside.  There is only so much video watching . . .

and princess tent playing . . . 

that these two can handle.  So off to Riverbanks we went - and with the beautiful fall weather, it seemed to be just what the doctor ordered.  Remember our last trip there?

:: Um, Daddy this ones not real, right? ::

:: Mommy and McClain - and the elephants ::

:: Hey Mr. Giraffe ::

There is an area where you can feed the giraffes and Lucy Mills walked herself right up to do just that.  

Small child + large animal = nervous mama. 

But the giraffe must have done this a few times because he ate the lettuce right out of my sweet girl's hands.  I'm not sure who was more excited, Lucy Mills or me? 

:: Round two ::

 She also enjoyed walking through the barn to milk the cow. 

Lucy Mills was such a trooper all weekend recovering from her surgery.  She loved being at the zoo and Daddy bought her a little sucker to occupy her so she wouldn't rub her eyes. 

Here we are, sucker in hand, watching the howling monkeys.  Those guys were loud! See him swinging over there? 

By the end of our zoo adventure Daddy was ready for me to stop taking pictures, Lucy Mills wanted a nap, and McClain wanted her sucker.  

We really did have the best day together. 

An Afternoon at the Park

Over the River...

and through the woods to Grandmother's (and Grandaddy's) house we go.  

We enjoyed a trip down to Alabama recently to have a break let Grandmother and Grandaddy love on our littles.  
What a special time it was for us all.

Lucy Mills and McClain had their every need, desire, and wish met that weekend.  From toys galore, to Monkey Joes, to fresh loaves of pumpkin bread awaiting - these kids had it made.


Grandaddy took Lucy Mills to the lake to feed the ducks - she is still talking about their time together. 

Father and son - hanging out.

While Lucy Mills escaped with Grandaddy, McClain got some  time in with Grandmother. 

The weekend was filled with lots of sweet moments like these . . . 

McClain  sure enjoyed his first trip to sweet home Alabama. 

I love both of their expressions here as Lucy Mills checks out her new princess attire in the mirror. 

After raising two boys, she gets to enjoy dressing up a girl. 

Lucy Mills swiped Grandmother's bag and she now carries her "pocket book" everywhere. 

That thing is as big as she is!!! 

McClain hitching a ride on his new wheels. 

Who needs toys when we can bang around with tupperware? 

After a wonderful weekend we loaded up the car to head back to SC.  I am so blessed to have married into this family.  I can remember pulling this same car into this same driveway a few days after Travis asked me to be his wife.  Here we are, a few short years later, bringing our little family here to make more memories together.  

Fun times. 

Fixing Her Eyes

On Thursday Lucy Mills underwent eye surgery to correct the muscles in both of her eyes.  While at first this was a tough pill for me to swallow {letting your 2 year old be put to sleep and having both of her eyes cut on} but Travis and I knew that this was the right thing to do for her.  She is healing beautifully. 

The night before the surgery I was bathing both the kiddos and we were all being silly and splashing around in the tub.  I usually don't let Lucy Mills splash me, but that night I didn't stop her.  The next thing I knew I hopped in the tub, clothes and all, and we had our own indoor pool party.  

It's funny how something like handing your baby over for surgery can make you realize how powerless you really are.  The days leading up to it, I got tunnel vision and worrying about her is all I could do.  I knew she would be fine and I had a peace about doing the procedure, but something inside of me still stirred.  As we were driving to the hospital Thursday morning I felt God speak to my heart, Lil, I love her more.  I've got this.  
And He did.


Here is Lucy Mills dressed in her hospital attire.

Checking babydoll's vitals. 

Doing some cruising around with Daddy to stay entertained.  

Maybe this won't be so bad after all? 

Highlight of the morning - this sweet pup came by to see the kids in the hospital.  Lucy Mills went right up to Levi to love on him. 

And feed him some treats. 

That is where the fun ended.  I later handed my sweet girl off to the doctors to fix her eyes, hopefully once and for all.  She was so brave amongst the confusion and I received a phone call moments later that she didn't even cry and went to sleep fine.  ( If only the aftermath of her coming out of anesthesia had been as dreamy. )


Surgery was a success and Lucy Mills is doing great.  She is still healing and her eyes will be red for another week or two, but she is bouncing off the walls and back to her normal self.
Thank you to all of our friends and family who rallied around us this week.  We are grateful! 
Here she is post surgery enjoying the yummy fruit basket from the Murphys! 

She dove right into it.