Louisville

I love the memories I have of playing with our cousins. I remember thinking Meredith HAD to be the smartest girl in the world, and Christopher was the coolest guy I knew. Every one of the Parker kids made it fun to do anything, including picking weeds out of the garden. So that's what my expectations are for Samuel, Corrie. No pressure :) He totally lived up to expectations this time. Laney laughed out loud at him every time she saw him, especially when he would start talking. She couldn't get enough of him.

She's still the star of the show, cuddling up to anyone who wants to take her. She fell asleep in Leslie's lap AGAIN (she can work magic, I tell ya). And was a real crowd pleaser.

It was an abnormally beautiful day in the middle of February, so we walked around some familiar streets with shops and restaurants. We stopped in a bookstore and wheeled the kiddos around with Samuel saying "DOG! DOG!" the whole time. Barak did some hard core hanging out and reading; which, evidently are the same thing to some guys?

Barak and I were able to visit Bethany and JC with their new addition! Henry has an amazing story. We visited the day before his due date, but he was already 7 weeks old!


Thank you, Kiels, Davidsons, Mojicas, and Hodges(es?) for allowing this visit to be, by far, the best one we've had.

8 months!

Eight seems so much older than 7. Eight is closer to a one-year-old than I think I'm ready for. Laney still isn't crawling, but stands a lot when propped on something her height. It's like she never tires of it. But, when we put her on all fours, she just reaches out with one hand, then rolls to her tummy while giving you a smile. It's like she KNOWs I want her to start moving and she's just playing with me.


I posted this picture of her 8-month mark because she has those crazy stacking cups in her hands. Since she was little, she doesn't stack them, she doesn't scoop them, she clangs them like cymbals! I think her grandmother taught her that :) It's extremely cute, and she does it EVERY single time we give her two cups. Then she looks at you, like, "ok, I'm doing it, why is this so cool for you guys?"

Here are some other pictures of her just playing... With a frog her same size.

valentime's

I thought for Valentine's Day I'd try some cute girly pink stuff for us to say, "Awww" over. My sweet mother-in-law was the one who suggested the tutu. Instead of only putting that on, like the photographer did (remember? that was NOT what I wanted), I gave her a white onesie and some pink leggings. She tried to eat the tutu the whole time. It was so precious, but I had to move quick, since I wasn't sure if the little hearts would come off and into her mouth.

This one is my favorite. Barak always says something about her ears, but I can't help but see those cute toes and big eyes. Today, as my facebook status says, was the first day she wore a bow. It's been impossible until now, since she pulls off head bands and has had no hair to hold anything with a clip. But now the fuzz is longer and supported the little pink thing quite nicely.

This one makes her look like a dancer, to me. I love it. It's my favorite I think. She was looking at these...
The beautiful tulips my sweet husband gave me! I LOVE them. When he gave them to me, they were closed up, and then, in only a few hours by the window, they magically opened! They make me so happy.

But she wanted to eat them, too. So I had to put them away during the photo shoot. They came back out during her nap and are now on the tv/coffee table by the front window. They still make me happy. Barak makes me happy. He's my valentine.

Charlie and Feet

I just took this video and had to put it up, even though I have already posted a lot already. Laney uses her feet like a little monkey, for real... She scoops up her toys with them and presses buttons and lights. She also still is in love with Charlie. No matter her mood, she will stop what she's doing (eating, crying, playing) and watch him intently and giggle to herself. Even if he is just sleeping in his bed, she adores him. He's pretty good with her, too - mainly ignores her, but at the most playful times has been really gentle with her.

West Side

We celebrated Christmas on New Year's this time with the Wests in Virginia. If you're from my Cutrer side, you need to know there is nonstop action over there. Cousins of all ages, family that live down the road and even on the same driveway, tons of food, and plenty of good memories that get told over and over with a lot of laughing. Laney loved it, even if it was a bit over stimulating. Here's a video of Barak's grandparents on Norman's side.



You can hear them talking about how she's gonna be a preacher because of her hand movements. so funny

This next one is of Delane when she was here last weekend. Laney has started craning her neck to see whatever it is she thinks you're hiding from her. It's really precious. Her laugh is hysterical, too. She doesn't really show it on her face, so it always comes out like she's trying to hold it in.



The last one is of Barak and Samuel. Barak plays well with him and loved the time the Kiels were at our house. Me too. I love that family. Corrie inspires me at being an incredible mom. Jonathan is so loving to her and the rest of our "old" family. It really is like having a brother.

7 months, and first word?

Laney has been very busy, sitting up all by herself, figuring out how to hit blocks together to make music, and keeping that laugh going for us. She turned 7 months, and is just getting cuter each day.
I really love how some of you get to see her only every now and then, because you get to tell me what has changed. So many times it all runs together when someone asks what's different about her lately.

Here's a video of her favorite word... I like to think she knows exactly what she's saying.



However, she only says it when she's hungry, sometimes when she hasn't seen me in a while, and when she's tired.

What do you think? I think Barak's jealous

6 months and snow!

It's really sweet that Laney's 6 month day was Christmas eve. I hope you enjoy the pictures...



and, now we have Laney's first time eating solids(ish)!