What a Week

Poor Mae. What a week it has been. We have been so lucky that Mae hasn't been sick... until now. The poor baby caught her first cold and ear infection. It just so happens she caught this the week I decide to substitute teach for three days. So I should also say Poor Arvidene and Poor Dennis who were left to nurture Mae back to good health. Mae is a fortunate girl to have so many people who love her and want the best for her.Can we say SANITIZER?? We can't get enough of the stuff. The girl has snot... lots of it. We still think she is a cutie though.

After this past week I feel the need to send a shout out to all of the working moms out there. I have a HUGE respect for you... HUGE. Just in the three days I worked it quickly opened my eyes on how fortunate I am to have the choice to stay home. I wouldn't trade that for the world. Working and having kids is tough. I don't know how it is done.

Trouble

Uh oh, can we say t-r-o-u-b-l-e? I just had to post this recent photo I captured of Mae. First of all, you got to love the hat that we now use to play dress-up. Second, look at that pout on her face. It is the pout that I know will work some magic on her behalf in the years to come.... the one that will melt hearts and convince certain people (I won't name names) that she can get whatever she wants. The girl has it down and is ready to work it.

On another note, did you know that St. Patrick's Day seems to follow me wherever I live? In each of the places I have lived since college (Jackson, Savannah, Presho) St. Patrick's Day is the BIG deal of the year and is a huge excuse to go all out and have a parade and party. Even in tiny little Presho, people come from far and wide to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Mae enjoyed her first St. Patrick's Day parade sound asleep in the car. I was bummed that I couldn't capture the memory. However, she did dress the part. Happy belated St. Patrick's Day everyone!

The Windmill

Years ago my father-in-law, Dick, took parts from two old windmills that were on fields. He put these parts together to create one beautiful windmill and placed this on a hill overlooking the farm. This was a birthday gift for my mother-in-law, Arvidene, and a sign that represented his love for her. Each time Arvidene leaves her house she drives down their road and sees the windmill in front of her-a reminder of how much Dick loves her.

I love this story. What a wonderful representation and symbol of love.

Toofies

Recently I was at Hairwest (our local salon) getting a haircut and finding myself in a long conversation with the ladies there about my newest idea. I feel the need to write a book about "things that weren't told to me when becoming a mom". This was as we were discussing my huge hair loss after having Mae and what on earth I should do with the tiny hairs that are growing back (nightmare). That's another story for another time. Anywho, this led to talking about other things that people didn't warn me about when having a baby-- one of the big ones I focused on was TEETHING!

I have been convinced for several months now that Mae was teething... but this time is for real it! This week Mae has two teeth making their grand appearance and boy has it been hard work (for Mae, Mom and Dad). My friend Emily raised the question as to why can't babies just be born with teeth? I want to know why also?? This whole process seems just miserable for Mae (and for Mom and Dad). However, today we seemed to be on the mend so I had to take this video and capture the brightness of Mae's smile and laughter. I guess the teething is just a small hiccup along the way. Mae will be just fine... even better, she will be WONDERFUL (already is!).

Seven Months

We have now made it to seven months! The following pictures pretty much sum up what Mae is up to along the lines of developing. She is sitting up on her own and puts everything she can in her mouth.... literally. The other day I gave Mae a piece of paper to play with. I turn my back for only a couple of seconds, return to Mae to find HALF of the paper missing. According to Mae, paper sure does taste yummy! I am terrified of the crawling stage. Please pray for us (ha!). Happy seven months to my sweet baby Mae.

On a complete different subject- HOLY PHEASANTS! We took a drive out this afternoon and ran into this. I have never seen anything like this before. Those who are reading this post and have any interest in pheasant hunting, this should be a good indicator on what next season has in store.Also, we have been amazed with the population of bald eagles that are present near our house. Today we counted at least six when we were driving around. I had a hard time capturing these on camera because they will not let you get too close. *Sidenote: Mom, do you remember the bald eagle that escaped from the Birmingham Zoo and was found on Stratford Road? That was too funny. I enjoyed sharing that story with Dennis!
Hope everyone is enjoying their start to March.