7 months...

Oooooo! I almost forgot what day it was!


It's my 7 month birthday today!


I took my first official walk sitting forward in my stroller today!


Stay tuned, because believe me, tooth #5 will be making it's grand entrance any day now...

a 4 1/2 hour roadtrip survival guide...

First, ensure that your infant sleeps for the first 2 hours of the trip.
At that point you're almost halfway home, and all you had to do was keep your mouth SHUT to keep her from waking up.
Upon awakening, hand her an empty bottle to chew on & flirt with.


When the bottle loses its appeal and/or gets thrown around the car, try putting on Mommy's sunglasses.
Apparently, this is a sure-fire way to really aggravate your little one.
Caution: she may threaten or attempt to punch you.


And as things continue to go downhill, give her a bowl to hold as you attempt to fix dinner.
Nevermind the pureed orange blobs that fly everywhere as you tear off the top of the carrot container. Stay focused.
While your infant is screaming, spoon the soupy green "country vegetables" into her mouth, only to have her close her mouth and spit the green soup EVERYWHERE.
While you're frantically looking for a burp rag or washcloth to wipe everything up, the infant will enjoy sticking her fingers INTO her mouth of green soup and then onto MORE surfaces, such as her clothing and her fabric carseat.
Make sure this is all happening in the backseat while Daddy is totally oblivious in the front seat.


When the joy of one bowl runs out, try two.
She'll love to hit them together like cymbals.
Sure, it might be slightly annoying and loud, but hey-
you've gained another 5 mintues.
And that's worth it. :)

"eat mor chickin"...

While I was at Nanny & Papa's this weekend, I had fun dressing up in my cow outfit!


I was so cute, I could have been in a Chick-Fil-A commercial!




It's tough being a baby cow, you know?


There's just something funny/ironic about this picture...

princess...

Look what came in the mail today!!! Lori, thank you SO much for sending me Olivia's fun hat! We LOVE it and will cherish it! As soon as Mommy & Daddy opened the package, it was on my head and Mommy HAD to start snapping pictures!


Sweet girl...


Isn't it funny what book I was reading when your package came?


Don't hate me because I'm beautiful.

pray...

Meet Mommy & Daddy's dear friend, Shannon! Daddy grew up with her, and she is 33 years old and battling brain cancer. Right now she is recovering from a brain surgery where the doctors were able to remove a tumor the size of a racquetball. Unfortunately, there are still more smaller tumors remaining and as you can imagine, medical costs add up quickly. So we drove down to South Carolina this weekend to attend a HUGE auction/fundraiser that Daddy & Shannon's hometown threw to help the Dodd's. Our family was so excited to see Shannon again, and Shannon was excited to see me, too!


Here's the rest of Shannon's family! Every night before bedtime, our family prays for Shannon, Tom, Jakob and Tae. (who are also adopted like me!) We don't understand why in God's providence this precious family has been so afflicted, but we trust Him and beg Him to bring healing. Won't you join in praying with us?


Nanny & Papa, I had a fantastic weekend at your house! Happy 54th anniversary!


See ya again real soon!

roadtrip...

I'm in South Carolina, guys! We drove down here yesterday and Nanny had a beautiful crib all set up for me when we got here!


Dinnertime...


My Uncle Johnny & Aunt Mimi (Cammie) have become foster parents to a family of 5 brothers and sisters! They came over to visit last night, and Mommy & Daddy instantly fell in love with these kids!


And what's a pack of boys without wrestling?!

fun for our family...

These kids added SO much fun to our family! Here's my Aunt Mimi with the 3 yr. old twins, Madelyn & Maleke


How sweet is she?


Nanny with Jasmine


And since I was already sleeping when they came over, the boys wanted to see pictures of ME!

going bananas...

Still teething... we've had a few rough bouts this round, so come on tooth #5!


Last night I tried bananas for the first time!


Yum! I'll have some more of that, please.


If you're not a banana, get out of my way. :)

scooting...

That's right! A week before I turn 7 months, the day has come! I am slowly, but surely, starting to drag my little body across the floor to reach for toys. I guess the official word is "scooting." Auntie calls it the army crawl. :) It's a workout, let me tell ya!


Up on my hands & knees practicing in my favorite place, my crib... my tummy is off the mattress! Can you believe it?!


I absolutely LOVE reading books now, so thank you Mamie & Auntie & all of you who beefed up my library before I was even born!


It certainly won't be long before I'm crawling! But excuse me, Mommy, I need to run. I've got a bunny that needs chewing...

how to kill a moose...

First, a standoff. Look into the eyes of your opponent and let them know you mean business.


Then, go in for the kill.


Start by eating the antlers. It'll get 'em every time.


See? Sarah Palin is not the only one who knows how to field dress a moose...