Arms Full

We LOVED having the Peppers Family in town to stay with us last weekend! Here is a shot of the guys with their arms full. Everyone loaded up in the back of the truck for a ride through the woods and to go say hi to the cows.
Ben bundled up with Samuel&Lily, Brandon cuddling with Faith&MillaLily and Faith. CHEEKS everywhere!!! Precious little soft baby skin! Milla and Samuel....wonder what they were discussing? It looks as though Samuel says "we need to talk" and Milla says "what do ya need, I'm all ears"Proud Mama...Lana...smiling at her lovely Lily!Faith and Lily... we were laughing because even though Lily is 6 weeks younger than Faith she weighs over a pound more!!! Her rolls are adorable!!! I love it!!! Hugable babies!! Samuel concentrating on his art work!I got to give little Lily a squeeze!

To Let Cry...Or Not To Let Cry

Faith is 6 months old! She weighs 16#11 (60%) and is 26.75 inches long (80%). She is healthy and doing GREAT!!
I am rather ashamed to admit that although I am a nurse at a pediatric office--I haven't been practicing what I preach!! Since Faith and Milla's rooms are right next to each other---when Faith wakes in the middle of the night---I jump out of bed and pretty much run to her room to sooth or feed her---in hopes to catch her crying in time that it doesn't also wake up Milla. Since I have done this I have developed a little nightly routine for her....she has gotten use to eating a couple of times during the night!! We tell the parents of out patients not to do this--and Dr. Cox reminded me at our check up that babies this age are able to sleep 10-12 hours at night!!! My co-workers were giving me a hard time and I really did want to get Faith on a better sleep schedule-- Dr. Cox also said that research shows that sleeping for a long extended period at night is better for growth and development. So, last night I decided to bite the bullet-- I have heard people's stories of how their little ones cried for hours and it was the hardest thing they have ever done. I expected the worse... many sleepless nights laying there trying (for her own good) to let her cry it out and sooth herself back to sleep. We layed her down at her normal time-she woke once and cried for 10 minutes--but other than that--- SHE SLEPT FOR 12 HOURS!!!! Crazy!! We may have just gotten lucky--I am interested to see what tonight holds--we are hoping for a replay of last night!
sweet little chubby knees with dimples!!!Here is Milla right after enjoying a bowl of spaghetti!
She is orange from ear to ear! For her shirt's sake...we have learned to take it off before she digs in!

25 Degrees

We may have to kiss our walks goodbye for a bit. After the groundhog did NOT see his shadow on Feb. 2nd we had high hopes that we would just ease into Spring...but as I type this the weather report says it is 25 degrees!!!

One of my coworker friends let us borrow her double stroller and we have been loving it. We have learned how to multi-task...it takes talent to push the double stroller, hold Hank on the leash, and sometimes even make a phone call!!! ha ha!

sweet little thing...
Faith--flashing those baby blues.
We got a TREAT....in celebration of their baby on the way (who has now arrived!!) we got to go to a dinner to honor the Inmans as they were awaiting their 2nd little boy. We got to go to a new restaurant that was hopping in East Cobb. It is called "Seed"......YUM! http://www.eatatseed.com/
this is a picture of Brandon's meal-- he got Flounder over roasted cauliflower and caramelized brussel sprouts.

This is what I had---the grilled shrimp!

Ed and Sarah--- CONGRATS!!! At this point they were waiting on their little man--but early last Friday morning (Feb. 3rd)-- Lukas "Luke" Michael Inman arrived..7# 6oz!!! He came so quickly that there was no time for an epidural!!! Go Sarah!!

Christian and Becky

Kriya and Beau

Brandon and me

pointing to the belly

Brandon's parents got Milla (and the rest of the family) tickets to go see Annie at the Fox!! It was GREAT! Milla loved it! She sang along and ate popcorn. She did SO GOOD sitting still (for most of it!!) considering she has a typical 2 year old attention span!!! Before we got there she wanted to clarify--and said "I. no. sit by Mrs. Hanagan"!!!

Here is a picture of Mia and Milla watching the ipad. They have the same taste in kid shows....a few of their favorites at the moment are 1. "Peppa Pig"---this show is so cute--it is a British series and each clip lasts 5 minutes--we love little Peppa's voice! 2. Bubble Guppies and 3. Umizoomi. And they sure can get dancing to the Fresh Beat Band singing "Lookin' for a Friend Like You".

Elise gave Milla some matching PJ's for Christmas that they continue to wear. Here they are checking themselves out in the mirror!

Here are the little sisters--- Elise's little sister Annie and Milla's little sister Faith--staying warm in their hats.

Dance Party! Brandon still strums his favorite Allman Brothers and Widespread tunes...but, he is getting awfully good at "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and "If You're Happy and You Know It"!

Today I got to see another neat restaurant. We got together with friends to celebrate with Elizabeth as her (and Austin's) baby boy is due March 30th. They have chosen the name "Emmett Charles". The shower was held downtown Atlanta at "Empire State South" http://www.empirestatesouth.com/ -- I got their late so I just go a little appetizer--it was a cute little jar of pimento cheese topped with bacon marmalade served with toast--delicious! Some of the other popular dishes that people got that looked awesome were-- Shrimp & Grits and the Jalapeno & Bacon Biscuit. In the picture is beautiful and tasty chocolate cake that creative and talented Audrey made.

PRAISE!!
I randomly googled the work Praise and this picture popped up under images! LOVE IT!

Wrapping Up 2011 and Welcoming 2012

Happy New Year!!!

Milla and Faith
Faith is now 5 months old.
At her 4 month check up she weighed 14# 10.5 oz
and 25 3/8 inches tall

Milla is 2 years, 5 months old.
She weighs 34#.....

(and of course wants to be carried while Faith is being carried!!)

We entered 2012 with a bunch of new baby friends!!! Lots of sweet little ones!!
Here is Milla holding Faith along with friend Elise and her new baby sister...
*Annabelle "Annie" Josephine Hershey* born Dec 11 to Adrienne and Derrick

* Brayden Jeremiah Weathers* born Dec 12, 6# 10oz

to Aja & Gabe....sibs Davis, Keris and Noah

*Grant Henry Spiva* born Dec. 19--8# 6oz

to Jill & Jonathan--and big brother Hudson

*Laney Jo Habeck* born Dec 21-- to Audrey & Ben and big brother Asher

*Hayden Patrick Allen* born Dec. 30--8# 8 oz to Carrie&John and big brother Houston

Goodbye to the pacifier--COLD TURKEY! Milla was a pacifier LOVER!!! Our Pediatrician gave us the OK to let her continue to use the pacifier only in her crib until the age of 2 years old. So, Milla turned 2 and then Faith was born 1 week later--so, in the craziness of things we didn't want to take it away. I was hesitant about going through the long process of weaning her from her pacifier...so, it was much to my surprise when I came home from work on a Sat. in early December and Brandon reported that Milla had stopped using her pacifier!! Brandon told Milla she was getting big and he asked her if she wanted to stop using it and she said YES and helped gather ALL (and she had a lot in her crib as seen in the picture!!) her pacifiers and put them up--and that was the end of the pacifier!! WOW!!! Every time I hear someone say "cold turkey" I think of one of my favorite Hank Williams Jr. songs "Old Habits"...one verse says "I chew lifesavers to help me get off cigarettes, but you know for your love I ain't found no lifesavers yet. and I've gone cold turkey, cause there's not even one kiss a day. Old habits like you are hard to break"

We got to spend time with all of our families around Christmastime. We went to Christmas Eve service with my Mom (Cappie got sick and couldn't come!!) at Church of the Apostles. The music was great! A highlight for all of us was Milla belting out "Oh Holy Night" along with the soloist during the service. She didn't know the words---but attempted all the high notes just the same! It was so sweet!

Cute Tree surrounded by gifts with fun surprises at my Mom and Cappie's house.

My Mom is such a good gift wrapper! She makes everything look pretty--always adds little touches that make for the perfect addition.

another cute package

My Dad and Grandma Dunnington came over on Christmas morning. Here is a picture of Grandma holding Faith. Grandma looks forward to any opportunity to have this little lady in her arms!

Brandon's family came over for dinner on Christmas evening.

Brandon and Me....had to include this one because we laugh that we never have pictures of the two of us together anymore--we are constantly taking pictures of the girls or one of us with the girls.

Brandon, Mr. Crim, Granddaddy, and Brian with Milla

We got to get together with my high school friends to celebrate Christmas and decorate gingerbread houses. Here is Milla really concentrating on her decorating!

Gracie icing the trees

Here is Max showing his personalized apron that Blakeley got for everyone!!

Blakeley, Brittany, Allison and Me
(Blakeley is pregnant with TWINS due in June and Allison is also pregnant due in June!!)

Here are the Grandmas with the Grand kids-
My Mom holding Milla, Mrs. Brook holding Max, Mrs. Biter holding Faith, Mrs. Davis holding Gracie

Made our 3rd annual trip to Bass Pro Shops to sit on Santa's lap!!! We drove an hour to get there and when we arrived they said "sorry, we are out of Bass Passes"...so we weren't going to be able to sit on Santa's lap!!!!! Milla was going to be heart broken! Somehow Brandon was able to sweet talk one of the elves and they gave us a Bass Pass!!! Thank Goodness! He saved the day!

Brandon and bright-eyed Milla as we waited in line for our turn.

can't resist those chubby cheeks!