memorial day fun

This poor child got no attention... as you can see:

Smiling at Uncle John

Smiling at Nana

Just smiling... what a sweet girl!

poo

Lucy and I were ready for church, on time. As we walked in, I smelled something not so nice.  I looked down, and there was poo... everywhere!  It was all over Lucy and all over ME! I stripped her down in the trunk and did damage control.. this is how we looked when we got home.

This is take two, after a quick wardrobe change and LOTS of wet wipes used (on BOTH of us :) ).    Did I just pass some gross mama rite of passage?

lovely party

My wonderful friends Abby and Keshia threw a lovely party for friends from church and our ESL/ Spanish Bible study to come by and meet Lucy.  It was so much fun!  Here are the pics to prove it:

Lucy and Mama

Abby and Keshia

(AND the lovely food and flowers they got together!)

Lucy thought these cupcakes were great.  Actually, she didn't get any, but I thought they were so tasty, and can you see that they are... Africa and hearts :)  (Abby is awesome!)

Lots of friends came by to show their LOVE for Lucy.  These friends from ESL class and Bible study have been so sweet to her!  What a blessing!

A special little visitor--Landon :)

I think everyone got a turn holding this little social butterfly.  We even made let the guys hold Lucy.  They were great with her!  Everyone was.  God has really blessed me with some amazing amigos :)

Come on by Grace Fellowship Church and meet 'em!

work, laughter, and breaking news

What a cute little giraffe she makes!  (now available at the Paisley Palm) (the outfit, not the baby!)

So, today I went back to work for a half day, and I'll start back on Wednesday full time.  (Well, for 2 weeks, then it's summer break, so this should not be so tough).  I definitely cried last night, but today she seemed so very happy to watch the other little ones, especially her sweet cousin Malley, that I felt pretty good.  I know it's only 2 weeks, but pray for us, that Lucy knows how loved she is and feels secure. 

Tonight she seemed a little fussy, which is very rare, but then we got down to business playing and she laughed several times.  This is very new!  She hadn't really laughed until she laughed Saturday at Susan's birthday party at her Papaw.  Tonight she laughed out loud at the same old repertoire of silliness that I've been doing for a month, hoping for those chuckles.  I think she just found her laugh, and I'm so pleased about it!

Breaking News!

It appears from her relaxed pose that Lucy is finally getting more comfortable with bath time. :)



joy



 



What a BIG girl in her jeans!  :)



So pretty!  I love that she has her ankles crossed in MANY pics.  Such a little lady :)

All tuckered out from days of being adorable...

Happy Mother's Day to me!

My first Mother's day... what a blessing!  I have had Lucy with me for 4 weeks (as of yesterday) and it feels like she's always been here.  She's just lovely.  I have been a little emotional the last few days.  It's like it just hits me in a wave of wonder--she's my daughter.  She counts on me and I count on her.  We just belong together... I prayed SO for God to put just the right child in my life, and He's done it so well.

A few more beautiful moments I found on my camera:

(One of her first days home.  We had her nap on the dining room table so that we could all admire her.)

(a little shell-shocked after the clinic (check out the 5 band-aids!)--but now we know she's a healthy girl!)

(oohh, look at those curls!)

And today on Mother's Day:

(She looks a little skeptical, but I think she loves me!)

feeding frenzy

So, I am definitely a new mama. I think Lucy is fascinating, so I share little things about her.  I regale my friends with fascinating nap-time irregularities, messy diapers, and cute looks that mean that she loves me.

On that note, I have to share this video of her eating her first baby food.  The books talk about this like it's a delicate procedure.  Make sure she's well-rested, try to appear relaxed as you feed her, and read her cues.  A turned-away head signals that she's done, and an open mouth indicates that she's ready for more. 

Lucy's cues here seem to say:  WOW!  I love green beans!  I can't get enough of them--more please!  Sorry to be "that mom" who shows her friends video of a baby eating, but ... I guess I am.  (She's eating with such relish!  At the end, she uses her little arm to lever her body forward to get the food in a little faster!)

firsts

Yesterday was a day of firsts... Lucy sat by herself for the first time (for about 3 seconds!).  What a big girl!  AND... drumroll please.... Lucy slept through the night last night!  No midnight feeding!  (Is it weird that I kinda miss it?).  And today... first baby food!  She's just a mover and a shaker!  Here is a little video, because the pictures are really cute, but they don't begin to capture how adorable she is.  Here is Lucy spending some time in her new bouncer.

Easter!

 I'm feeling so blessed this Easter!  Of course, Lucy has been such a blessing, such a joy, already.  She is precious and I'm so thankful for her.  But more than that, if you can imagine, I'm so very thankful for God's love for all of us, shown in Jesus' sacrifice.  He took all the sin and guilt and shame and pain... he solved our sin problem for us, and gives us the precious gift of freedom in Him, of unconditional love, of grace.  Thank you, Lord!

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?   Romans 8:32