My 7 Month Old

Oh McClain, I am sure you will scroll through these pictures one day thinking "Mom, what's up with all the nakey pictures of me?"  What can I say other than the cuteness just doesn't stop with this little boy.  

Neither does the sweetness.  Super Buddy you are quite the snuggler and I love it.  You already give me hugs and nestle your head into my neck.  

You are still rocking on your hands and knees, and are now army crawling to get from one toy to the next.  I am praying that the actual crawling holds off until we are home from the beach.  No need to have two mobile children on vacation, right? 

You have loved trying new fruits and veggies this month.  I have not found one yet that you won't eat.  

These summer days have worn you and Lucy Mills slap out.  Both of you are taking longer naps and sleeping later in the am.  Love it. 

You have found your voice and I love hearing the little noises you make to communicate.  

The most noticeable difference in the last month has been how active you have become.  While your disposition is very laid back, my mellow fellow is starting to move around more and even sit up to play.  I may need to up my caffeine intake to keep up with you in the months ahead.  The term "all boy" is beginning to make sense. 


McClain, we love, love, love you! 

Come On Over!

Cause we're having a clothes party at our house! 

I'm a little late getting the word out, but our seasonal Shrimp and Grits trunk show is this weekend.  Interested shoppers contact me :)

My dress model has found her calling - she is trying all the petty desses on. 

Lets hope I'm not creating a clothes monster! 

Her First Hair Cut

I bit the bullet this morning and had Lucy Mills' hair trimmed.  While I love that her hair has gotten longer and has sweet curls in the back, I figured it could use a little more shape to it.  

Pictures taken from my phone

Before:

My friend Jenn used to cut hair before she had children.  Now she has a two year old AND 7 week old twins!  Since she isn't busy (ha) I asked her to cut Lucy Mills' hair.  Thank you Mrs. Jenn! 

She put the cape over my sweet girls' shoulders and snipped her nearly two year old locks away. 

Before Mrs. Jenn started, Lucy Mills asked me to "hold hand Mama." 

Much to my delight, her curls didn't fall out.  I'm sure she feels like a new woman now.  :) 

Happy Birthday America!

These barefoot babies had a great time celebrating the 4th.

It was a jam-packed, fun-filled weekend for sure.  Everyone in my house was certainly happy coming off of the week where the Gamecocks won the National Championship (again). 

Giving Cocky some good luck kisses. 

We kicked off the weekend by heading to the lake with some sweet friends (and their snacks!) 

It was McClain's first boat ride . . .

and his first beer.  hehe, just kidding. 

Saturday we joined Suggie, Susu, and Aunt Marian for some pool fun and BBQ.  

Sunday and Monday we did round 2 with Pop Pop. 

My kiddos are still recovering from all the 4th festivities and have been sleeping til almost 9am!  They had a blast. 

I was thankful to have McClain here this year! 

He is one loved little guy.

By both of us. 

How lucky am I to have these handsome fellas? 

Happy Birthday America! We are blessed to live in the good ol' U.S. of A.

Playing Together

There is something wonderful about a baby hitting the six month mark.   He will start to play, interact, and notice all of the activity going on around him.  

For the first couple of months McClain was here, Lucy Mills didn't think he was too interesting.  There is only so many times she can bring him his paci.  But now these two are really starting to play together.  McClain loves his big sister so much and is enthralled with her every move.  

I love the sounds of laughter that come from the playroom when they are in there together.  Lucy Mills talks up a storm and all the while McClain just watches her. He has the best smiles and giggles. 

She has embraced her role as the big sister.  She loves showing him her toys and how they all work.

She exclaims "look baby" when she shows him something new.

So far they are getting along great and I hope that their playing together continues in the years to come. 

June...In a Nutshell

Well here's to a summer not being preggo.

{Geez, someone please take a picture of me when I am not looking like a hot mess. K, thanks.}

I must say that I am enjoying my babies so much this summer.  We have had no agenda, no trips away (yet), and no more sick visits to the doctor.  We are mostly filling up these lazy days poolside. 

Apparently Sweet Girl is part fish because her smile is the brightest when she jumps off the side splashing into my wide-open arms.  

The boys love the pool too.  And each other. 

{Some of these pictures are taken with my phone . . . so handy.}
We are also enjoying the sweet fellowship of good friends.

 Lucy Mills is fortunate to have such precious girls in her life.
{Even though I can't get these kiddos to look at me and say cheese!}

These gals already coordinate matching dresses and bathing suits.  Did you notice? 

We celebrated Father's Day with a super-cool dad.  How many dads enjoy sitting in a girly pink room playing dolls?  My uber-confident manly man loves every minute of playing with his princess. 

Lucy Mills is in a big phase of playing with her dolls right now.

She and Daddy put the babies night-night . . . in the drawer.  Um, ok?  Guess I need to keep a closer eye on McClain to make sure he doesn't end up in there too. 

Oh phew, they let the babies out. 

Daddy reassuring McClain that he won't let big sister put him in the drawer.

And also occupying him with more more boyish toys, rather than his sister's dolls. 

Moving on.  Have I mentioned that Bambi has taken up residence in our backyard? 

For real.  Everyday our deer friend tromps through our backyard to munch on some greenery and have her picture taken. 

Since we are on the subject of new things - our new neighbor is the frozen yogurt shop Yummilicious.  It is delish.  Especially on these hot summer days.  We've probably paid their light bill this month considering the number of times we have eaten there so far.  It's that good. 

Summer is usually my least favorite time of year.  But I am actually enjoying doing some fun activities that come along with these hot months.  That, and I keep telling myself that fall is just around the corner. 

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.