The start of a beautiful friendship...

A special friendship is blooming in our house these days! I love my Jacks! (Jack and stuffed little Jack)

What is this fun thing?

So close! This was right after he licked her face, she was just trying to return the favor!


I love this series of photos. Molly and Jack's favorite snack, Cheerios!

Molly: Jack would you like a Cheerio?

Jack: Don't mind if I do!
Mommy: Molly, don't feed the dog!!

Molly: Who me?

I love that these two will have each other growing up! But, boy are they going to be trouble together!

Crawfish baby!!

Our friends Mindy and Blaise are from Louisiana and know how to throw a good party! They have an annual crawfish boil every year and we never miss it! Yummy crawfish! Blaise makes the best crawfish!!
Molly playing with her Poodle Aunt Tara! She loved her necklace!

Little Joseph! Molly's boyfriend! (Well, if the two moms have anything to say about it!)

Molly and Joseph had so much fun playing together. I think this was their second date!

Molly borrowed Joseph's Aggie chair to take a break!

Family photo. I think Molly needs some sunglasses!

Tara and Will

Brandi and Jacob

Jeff with the newest Dallas poodle, Christen!

So mad I didn't get a picture of the host and hostess with the mostess! Thanks Mindy and Blaise for another awesome party!

8 months

Molly,
These months keep flying by! I feel like I just did your 7 month post! You didn't have a well check up this month but we did visit the doc (more on that later) so I know you are 18 lbs! No wonder my arms and back are sore after carrying you around!
I had a feeling you were going to have sensitive skin...but I had no idea what we were in for this month. It started as a few bumps on your leg and I just assumed it was eczema but then it started to spread up and down your leg and onto your tummy. It was really weird because it was just on your left side. It didn't seem to bother you, thank goodness! We made an appointment with a pediatric dermatologist and in the mean time we saw our normal pediatrician. She thought you might have shingles which totally weirded me out! Luckily after we saw the derm, we found out it was just a viral rash that will go away on its own. Way too much drama!!!

You are into EVERYTHING! Anything that is within arm distance or even close you will grab! I bought this play mat for you to play on and all you seem to do is rip it up! At least you are having fun doing it!

You are not crawling yet, but you seem to be able to get around just fine. I don't know how you do it, but if you want something you will find a way to get over to it! I have a strange feeling crawling is right around the corner.

You have mastered the art of grabbing Cheerios and shoving them in your mouth. Ever since, Jack has had a particular interest in you and your high chair. You love it! I swear you let the occasional Cheerio drop just so he can have one! You even gave him a piece of your teething biscuit yesterday! He is now your best friend!

I love you baby girl!

Love,

Mom

Molly earns her wings

This past weekend my mom and I took Molly to St. Louis. She has made many car trips but this was her very first plane ride. I was really nervous about the flight and how she would react. I was so glad to have my mom there for moral support. After soliciting much advice from my mom friends, we were prepared and ready to go! Molly sitting on my mom's lap with all she needed to keep her happy. Grammy, Sophie, her paci and a bottle of water to play with!

She did great! She had a bottle during take off and then fell asleep until right before we landed. She played for a bit and then started to fuss, but have no fear... Cheerios to the rescue. After we landed all the people around us gushed over her and how good she was. Funny how they waited till the flight was over to talk to us! :)

The reason we went to St. Louis was to visit family. First stop was my Grandpa's house. I have so many fond memories of this house growing up and am so glad Molly was able to visit a place that brought me so much joy.

Swinging on the back porch with Great Grandpa Paul. One of my favorite things to do as a little girl.


Since Grandpa doesn't have any baby gear, we had to make do! Eating my dinner at the kitchen table. These chairs worked perfect.

Taking a bath in the big tub! The big PINK tub. I wish I could find the pictures of my sister and I taking baths in this tub as kids.


After a few days with Grandpa we moved on to the next stop, my Aunt Fran's house. My grandmother is in a nursing home after her stroke but she was able to come to the house and spend the evening with us. I am so glad Molly was able to meet her and that my grandma was able to see her great-granddaughter.

We also got to see my cousins. Somehow, I managed to get away without a picture of Molly and Christina or Molly and my Aunt Fran. Next time, ladies!

Molly with my cousin Bobby and his wife Jen. She was fascinated with Bobby. I think he reminded her of her daddy!

The flight back home was a little more stressful for me because we were delayed due to weather. It didn't seem to phase Molly, she ate and then proceeded to sleep the entire flight home. (We even had to stay in the air an extra 50 minutes due to weather and had some pretty bad turbulence.) I had to wake her to get off the plane! :)

All and all, it was a wonderful trip. It was a lot of work and I couldn't have done it without my Mom! Thanks Mom, but I won't be planning another plane trip anytime soon!

Easter

We had a wonderful Easter weekend. We went to church on Saturday so we were able to spend Sunday with my family and the Easter Bunny!

This is Molly's Easter basket from the Easter Bunny at our house!

We opened a fun box from Grandma and Grandpa Brand and Aunt Katie. Molly loved the books and puppy dog, but her favorite thing was the bow!

Molly hanging with her favorite person...Daddy!

Another Easter basket from Grandma and Grandpa G. Everything was so tasty!

That little chick didn't have a chance!

Bunny ears from Aunt Jenny! Mom couldn't resist making her wear them. They were so darn cute.

Molly taking a break from her Easter dress and getting hugs from cousin Dylan.

A wonderful weekend celebrating our Lord and special times with family.

7 months

This month was full of firsts...

Your first fruits and veggies. You love bananas, pears, sweet potatoes, carrots and corn. You hate anything green! Your little face puckers up and you refuse to open your mouth. Luckily you don't seem to notice when I hide them with something else. Your favorite things to eat our these Ella Organic pouches. You shovel them in and can't seem to get enough!

Your first cheerios! You love them but haven't quite mastered getting them in your mouth by yourself. They usually end up on your chin or chest! But you gobble them up when we feed them to you! You also really like the Gerber puffs in banana flavor and the Mum Mum wafers. These are so great when we are at a restaurant, they keep you busy while we eat! Your first teeth! Two beautiful pearly whites popped up on your bottom jaw. This explained why you were so fussy and why your sleep was so messed up. As soon as the first one popped through the gum, you were fine. I am kinda dreading the next two, but hopefully the first are the worst. Sophie the giraffe sure has come in handy!

Your first sick visit to the doctor. You weren't really sick but you had a funny rash on your cheeks and some really bad diaper rash. The doc diagnosed you with having eczema. So, with a little change in soap and lotion, and some cream for your rash, you were good as new! It looks like you are going to have really sensitive skin like your mommy and daddy!

You are able to sit up all by yourself and play. Since this new development, you hate to be on your back for any period of time. You laugh when you fall backwards or to the side but then you want up immediately. This makes you not so fond of diaper changes anymore which is not so fun for mom! You are reaching for everything!!!! When you reach forward and fall you are almost up on your knees. Crawling is just around the corner, Lord help us!

You love to play with household objects. You like the remote, my phone, Tupperware, measuring spoons and any piece of paper you can get your hands on. I love these indestructible baby books, they won't rip or tear and are safe for you to put in your mouth. You love the way they crinkle like paper but they aren't a choking hazard!

We spent a lot of time in Houston last month and you loved the time with your Grandpa outside. Too bad it was the same weekend you were cutting teeth, not much sleep was had by anyone that weekend!

You are fascinated with your Aunt Katie's long hair. You stare and stare and then grab! You don't get to see much long hair at home with mommy!

This month flew by and I have a strange feeling they will continue to fly until your first birthday. I would love to press "pause" for just a little while! I love you baby girl!

6 months old

I can't believe you are half a year old! You have changed so much this month and I wish you would slow down just a little. This is such a fun time and I am afraid it is going to be over before we know it. You went to the doctor today in your St. Patty's Day outfit and preformed for all the nurses and staff. Those big blue eyes are hard to resist. You got gold stars from the doc and are 17 lbs 4 oz and almost 27 inches long. I wonder how much of that weight is kept in those cheeks of yours. You are rolling over both ways, but only when you want something or are upset with your current position. You found your feet this month and haven't stopped playing with them since! They are your new favorite toy and by far my favorite thing you do!

You love your Bumbo seat and you can sit up by yourself for about 20 seconds before you fall forward or to the side. You think it is hysterical when you fall over and I love that giggle. You have learned to make a razzing sound with your lips and it works well with all the drool that is coming out of your mouth. You are definitely teething, they just haven't quite popped out yet, but I can feel them underneath. It won't be long now! Thank goodness, because you have been a little cranky.

We went to visit Grandma and Grandpa Brand in Houston and you got to eat in the same highchair your daddy used to eat in. Your Grandparents got you a beautiful crib and you must have loved it, because you slept through the night both nights!!

The main reason we were in Houston was for you to meet your Uncle Robert. He is back from Afghanistan and we are so glad to have him home safe. You loved just hanging out with him!

I love you little stink!! You light up my life everyday and I can't wait to see what the next 6 months have in store.