Toliet Paper & Toy Cars

The other day while Robbie and I were getting ready, I put Lauren on the ground and she took off for thebathroom to hang out with Daddy (her favorite person when Gabbie isn't around). She normally comes in and just sits and doesn't touch anything but on this day, she discovered toliet paper...it's never been the same since...

What in the world is this?? It just keeps coming!!

Look mommy...

I LOVE TOILET PAPER!!

Since Lauren had started crawling and trying to walk on all fours, we have pulled out her push walker...it also turns into a car and she likes to get on it and be scooted around the house. Here she is waving, which is also a new feature she likes to show off!!

Let's Go, Mommy!!!

I think that Lauren had finally worn Gabbie out!! :)

Changes

I am more and more amazed by my daughter everyday. Last Friday, while I was eating lunch, Lauren was playing on the floor and she took off crawling towards the fireplace. Once I got over the shock of how fast she got there I got her away, but until then she had taken one crawl and flipped out crying. Since that time, she has been on a roll. She's into everything. She's learn how to open and close cabinets. She's pulling herself up. AND most importantly, she's learned the word "No". All weekend I kept looking at her and realizing how fast she is growing up. Then on Monday, another milestone. I went to get her up from her morning nap and she was standing in her crib. I realized right then and there that it was time to lower the crib. So when Robbie got home we did that. My baby is growing up so fast. It's so cool to watch :)

We are now on a countdown to leave Jacksonville. It seems like the time has flown by. We have 37 days until we go on leave. I HAVE SO MUCH TO DO BETWEEN NOW AND THEN. The month of June we'll be up in Durham and doing some traveling, so for all our friends and family up there - we would love to see you before we go.

Just wanted to give some updates! Hope all is well and Happy Thursday!

Lauren Crawling

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books

Nana's Visit

Mom had spring break last week so of course she came for a visit. Here are some pics of her time with us (mostly of Lauren)

Waiting for Gabbie to get out of school
Mommy smile with me
Lauren's new thing is that she wants what we have. I had a drink from sonic so she wanted to try it. She loved it (of course) so I was just feeding her through the straw.
When she's being shy, she'll tilt her head to the side. We had to get a picture

In her booster seat :)


I think mom wore Lauren out :)

Ella Grace

Two weekends ago we came to Durham to meet my new cousin Ella Grace. We were supposed to come for her baby shower but she decided that she wanted to meet the world about 6 weeks before she was supposed to!! :) Anyways, instead of the baby shower we just had a family get together. Those are always fun :) Congratulations Josh & Karen!!! Enjoy the pictures!

Robbie & I

My cousin Kristy, Her Cousin Jo (although she might as well be mine too as much time as we all spend together) and me

Dancing around - yes, Lauren was asleep at this point down the hall

More dancing - notice Robbie opted out on this one

Rynal, Tristen and Lauren. Look at Lauren giving them the look

My uncle Jimmy and Gabbie - this was after the UNC game (they made it to the final four)

The grannies and their babies. My Aunt Betsy and Ella and then Lauren and my mom

Gabbie & Tristen booging down

P.S. If you are wondering where Josh and Karen's pics are - they were enjoying taking a breather :) They definitely got a break that night with everyone around!

Spring School Picture of Gabbie

Not only did I get Lauren's pics today, I got Gabbie's spring school pics today. Thought I would share!

7 month Pics of Lauren

We were a little late getting these done. They were supposed to be her 6 month pics. Don't worry Dad, I have copies for you!!! Hope all is great with everyone!

Happy Easter

Sorry these are late. Here are the girls checking out their Easter baskets!!!

Pics of the Week

Sorry for the quality of the pics. With us moving, I just found the cameras and all were dead so I am in the process of recharging.

Lauren has begun to pull herself up with a little help. Yesterday when I went to get her up from her afternoon nap she grabbed my hands and pulled herself up to stand in her crib. She's getting so big.

She has begun to play in the bathtub. It's so cute. Gabbie, I think, has enjoyed it the most though because she's finally starting to play back with Gabbie.

The other day when trying to get paperwork done for our move, we were in an office that had cookies on the receptionist's desk. Lauren kept trying to reach for them and Robbie and I kept trying to get her to stop. The lady said "Here she can have one!" Of course, against my better judgement I gave it to her only because I needed to finish filling out the paperwork and it was the only thing that would keep her quiet! She sucked down the WHOLE THING!!! So on my way home from base, I stopped and got some bitter biscuits and this is Lauren trying her first one! She loved them until both sides were wet, then she became the girly girl that her mommy loves and wouldn't take anymore because it was too messy. Forget the rest of the mess that she had already made!! She's so silly!!!

Updates

I know I know...it's been a while. I'll be surprised if anyone still reads this thing.

A lot has changed though. We finally closed on our house at the end of February. I think it was harder on me than on Robbie. I had to drag him into the lawyers office when we bought the house but he was the first one out of the car at closing and was joking with all the staff. I guess the thought of the extra $$$ we were going to make made it a little easier to part with. I was sad because it was our first plus the house we brought Lauren home too. Oh well... Things change :)

We moved into a rental house. It's a cute house but a LOT smaller than our old house. I guess that's a good thing since I seriously need to slim down the fat on our house before we move to Japan. We started doing all of the military paperwork to get everything locked on as we move to Okinawa. It's a crazy process and so confusing. I am at the point where I am just ready to get there.

I finally quit work. I am now an offical stay at home mom. I am loving it and I know Lauren is too. She has been such a joy to be at home with and is such a happier baby. Although I think she is finally getting some teeth. She's had a little fever, been drooling, and putting things in her mouth constantly for the past couple of days. I'll keep you updated.
Here are some pictures of what we've been up to the past month. I promise to be better about updating now that we are a little settled.


These first pictures are from Gabbie's 8th Birthday Party. She had a fashion runway party, where all the girls dressed up in different outfits and came down the runway, at her mom's house and then all the girls came back to our house for a sleepover. I was so exhausted after the runway party that I don't think I have any pictures from the sleepover. Isn't that sad?

Outfit #1

Outfit #2

Outfit #3

Gabbie said Lauren needed a chance to come down the runway too.

The Birthday Cake

Lauren showing off her walking talent

Lauren helping us move

One of her favorite things to do is play on her blanket with all her toys