A beautiful bride...

We went down to the beach for Bopey & Gene's wedding. It was wonderful. The weather couldn't have been better for an outdoor ceremony and reception overlooking the inlet. As you can see, she looked amazing.

my 5-month-old!!!!!

OK, so 30 or so to go...

Well, she decided to cut another tooth on Monday. Who ever knew a 4-month-old with 2 teeth? Its been a tough few afternoons around here with Maren acting fussy and cranky due to the teething thing.
On the upswing, she's really taken to the bottle. She gets excited when she sees me making it and is gulping the thing down! Also, I took her to the drop-in today again and again she did great! NO tears! She just likes to hang with her friends! The past few nights have been better sleep-wise. She has not woken up much fussing, and she's slept 7 or 8 hours straight. Now, if I could just figure out how to make those hours between 10 and 5 or 6 am, that would be great. Now she goes to bed somewhere around 8. I just don't know how to keep her up when she's miserable and ready for bed!
Me & Maren went to visit Julie & Rhett the other evening. It was a nice visit...got to see Julie's wedding gown-gorgeous! Kathy & Al came into town and Kathy came over for a visit yesterday. She came bearing gifts...beautiful clothes for Maren! Then we also stopped in a new children's boutique and she got Maren ANOTHER cute outfit! We're spoiled.
Kathy & Al are coming over for supper tonight. Me & O are making Chicken Parm. It is pretty much jam up, people. I can't wait. I think we'll also open this bottle of red that's been sitting up in the rack for a year & 1/2.
O'Hara has joined a dove club and he'll be hunting Thursdays for a few weeks. That's where he is now. Mare bear is sleeping. I'm going to finish up painting the kitchen.

First tooth down, 31 or so to go!

We had a great weekend at Pawleys. Maren cut her first tooth while we were on a walk on the beach. She was really good during the stay, and FINALLY is taking a bottle. She even took 2 from me today. Thank you, Jesus!

I got my hair cut just before we left town. It feels so much better. Also, Maren had her first experience at the drop-in nursery. She didn't cry and surprisingly, neither did I! It must have been good timing! I feel so free. I can go and do, she will be fine.

We're heading back down in 2 weekends for Bopey's wedding and then the following weekend for a friend weekend with O'Hara's buddies and their sig. others. Should be really fun. Maren will be going with us, but I still think I'll get to hang out some, too!

Where are the teeth?

She's drooling and chewing and putting everything in her mouth, but no sign of teeth yet. She's got tough little jaws, though. It hurts if she gets your finger in her mouth! (Imagine me breastfeeding!) Ouch!

She won't take a bottle. I want her to take it now and she won't do it. Isn't that something? I FINALLY am ready to make the switch and she pitches a fit!

Wednesday will be her first visit to a nursery--- the drop-in at Eastminster. I have to get my hair cut.
I am upset about it. But it has to be done. I'll fill you in on how that all goes down.

This past weekend I stayed at mom & dad's. O'Hara went to Charleston and I was afraid to stay alone. It was a nice time and it sure is great to not have to really pack anything to go over there! There's already a crib, diapers, wipes, toys, baby towels & washcloths, clothes, a swing, highchair, meds, pacis, bottles, formula, baby food, bowls, spoons, cereal....I could really go on and on! Mom just buys what I buy so she'll have it all at her house, too. (She also has some stuff from Chasie & Parker.) It's wonderful!

This upcoming weekend we are headed to Pawleys for Labor Day. I am excited because Maren will likely enjoy this visit more than the last times. We will be able to take her out on the beach a little more. Yay!

Listening to David play the guitar! She loves this! One day a couple of weeks ago, David played a Phish song called "Sleep" and she fell asleep while listening. It was so cute.
















She's starting to drool a bunch!












First time in a highchair. She looks so tiny in it! But she did great and played while we ate.




















All dressed up for church!

Baby gear PART 2

The Summer Infant HANDHELD Video Moniter. Need I say more? I really don't know how people survived with just sound on these things. This thing gives me SO MUCH PEACE OF MIND. I can even zoom in on her chest or mouth. It can move around the room. It has night vision. You can adjust the volume and brightness. I love it.

Homedics Sound Machine. Another genius invention. It has 6 settings, but the waterfall and the rain block out the most background noise. I cut it on and cut it up. She sleeps. We watch TV. BTW, be sure and put some black electrical tape over the lights on these gadgets because somehow they get stimulated by them! PITCH black is best for baby.

This picture sums up 2 different works of greatness. 1. The bubble. (or any other one-piece outfit that snaps at the bottom.) what's great about it is that it doesn't get all bunched up when you're holding or playing with the baby, and there's such easy diapering access. I don't really like to put Maren in any other stuff, unless it's a onesie with some really cute shorts or skirt over (hints the lack of bunching issue.) 2. Prettymuch anything Kissy Kissy. 100% pima cotton and SO cute clothes. My favorite brand. Buyer beware: Kissy Kissy runs small. If your baby is 0-3 months old and is in the 50th percentile for height and weight, she'll be wearing 3-6 mo. stuff.)

Last for tonight, the one-piece footed, zippered pajamas. Keeps toesies warm, easier to get on at night after the bath when you have to be quick for your fussy, hungry baby. It really does cut that time after bath/before nighttime feeding. I do like the snap nighties too, (and they usually come in cuter designs) but the zipper ease wins.

Goodnight for now!