So much has been going on that it's been hard to find the time to write blogs!! Here are some pics from the reunion of Eric's family. Hopefully, we will take more pics this next week. Enjoy! :)

Summer Lovin', Having a Blast!

What an eventful weekend!! Delaney and I started it off by going to the doctor on Friday. She received her vaccinations for her 2-month visit and all the nurses gushed over her. Of course they would, she IS the cutest thing ever. :) Delaney's doctor came in and began going over the progress she has made. Let it be known, I have the upmost respect for Dr. M. and her laid-back outlook on raising healthy children. I only want the BEST for my daughter. Being a mommy of three herself, Dr. M. understands the "ins and outs" on all things mommy, and doesn't get side-tracked with the doctor jargon. I have been there, done that with one of her doctors. Never again.
First, she asked me about how I feel so far. I really love that question. I tell her the 2 hour feedings through the day and night are getting to be a bit much for us. I asked about filling Laney's breastmilk with cereal supplements. She explains that all babies have a certain amount they need to eat in one-day period in order to be satisfied. The only way to "fill her belly" the healthy and natural way would be to increase her 6 oz. feedings during the day. This would allow her to sleep longer during the night. She also gave me a new feeding schedule that would put her to bed a little earlier. Eric and I are still working on this new schedule.

I also found out that Delaney is a healthy 11lbs. 3 oz. and 23 1/2 inches long. Dr. M. went over the percentage charts for Delaney's weight, head circumference, and height. She scored in the average range for her weight and head circumference, but her height was a different story. She ranged in the 90th percentile! The doctor stated, "Well, it's better to be tall than short. Believe me!" I know I shouldn't have been...but I was a little shocked. I didn't realize the difference between Delaney's height compared to other babies her age. Our family knows she'll be tall, so this only proved all speculations to be true. :)

Saturday, the three of us met Eric's mom, nephew and his friend at Alabama Adventure. Junior received free passes through his work. Eric and I were able to ride a some rides, while Delaney sat under a huge umbrella with her grandmother. She took a nice nap surrounded by the sounds of water and several conversations around her. Before we left, we all sat there and "people-watched." Believe me, you feel REALLY good about yourself after you have been to that water park.

After lunch at Zaxby's, we went home to rest. Later that afternoon, Delaney spent the night in Hueytown with her grandparents, while Eric and I had a date night of sleeping. We missed her like crazy, but I knew she would have a ball. Delaney showed off her new smile while visiting them. Apparently, Junior got a BIG smile. :)

For father's day, Eric recieved a three-framed picture sequence of Delaney holding up a "D-A-D." It took a while to create, but it was worth it. It turned out super cute. After church on Sunday, Eric went to see his dad for father's day. Delaney and I went to Trussville to visit her grandparents (my parents). We are blessed to have the support of both sets of grandparents. I really don't know how anyone survives without it. Before we left, Laney also visited with Oscar. They love each other so much!

Now, we are worn out from the weekend. I think we will rest for the day and think about what we will do NEXT weekend. :)

"Is that a smile or do you have gas?!"

I am happy to announce that Delaney is now smiling. Not ALL the time, but on very special occasions, which is fine by me. Everytime she smiles, it makes Eric and I so happy. First, I check to see if it's gas, and if it's not we get the biggest thrill. We're officially obsessed with trying to make her smile. This morning was no exception.

Today, Laney and I leisurely woke up and decided to watch our new favorite thing...Playhouse Disney!!! She loves Goofy's voice. This cartoon usually makes her smile. If not, Eric sings the song that comes on at the end of the cartoon called "Hot dog, hot dog, hot diggity dog" on his way out the door in the morning and she will atleast give us a little glimpse of an "upward motion" on her mouth. If no smile from her, it atleast makes me laugh. You might think she is probably mesmerized with the colors on the t.v., but I'm just going to go on thinking she's a genius. Hehe. :)

Today is also special because we go to Lulu's two-month doctor's visit. I have been told that this visit will involve vaccinations of some sort. Great! It's quite possible that we might both be crying by the end of it. Fun times. I will update info on that visit later.

Weekly going-ons include our Tuesday with Memaw visit, eating at Local Color (Springville restaurant), shopping, an eventful early Father's Day lunch with Laney's grandparents and aunt, and a trip to design her christening gown with her other grandmother (pictures to come). Whew! What a week! We also went to Kindermusik this week. It was very hot that day, but once inside, Delaney was awake for most of the class! Yay for awakeness!

Delaney loves Jesus!

Today was Delaney's first day at church. Church starts at 11, which had always seemed late to us before we had a baby. But now, it is just perfect. Eric and I got ready, and then put on two outfits on Laney before deciding on a blue smocked dress with sailboats on it. My mom purchased it on the mymessymonkeys.com website. I recommend this website to any mommy looking for really cute clothes for affordable prices. Love it!

When we arrived at the church, Eric and I took turns taking pictures holding Laneyloo. All the folks stopped to look at the "youngun", and then went on and on about their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It was rainy today, so we hurried in without taking a family shot! :(

The older lady in the church nursery loved her. As soon as we walked in she reached out her arms for our girl. There is only one other baby in the nursery, so I think she was thrilled to actually be rocking in her chair for a reason. :)

I have to admit I was not focused during the sermon. It was very hard to concentrate on his words becauseI kept thinking about what was going on in the nursery. Eric and I whispered about what she could possibly be doing in there and if she was okay (although the old woman probably never put her down from her arms).

After church, we drove to Pell City with the mom-in-laws. I wanted them to meet the lady who will be caring for Delaney when I go back to work. Eric hadn't met her, and I was eager for him to fall in love with her as I did. It would also put me at ease if everyone was happy with the decision I had made. Of course they were happy! She is the sweetest woman who has a heart of gold. I am lucky to have found such a caring and compassionate lady to love Delaney while I am away. We left with smiles on our faces. :)

FYI-Delaney is now 1 day short of two months old!! I can't believe it! It seems like yesterday that I was wearing the oh-so-lovely maternity clothes (windsuit pants? what was I thinking?)while waddling down the school halls. I never imagined such a beautiful baby inside me. She is everything I imagined she would be and more. She goes to the doctor this week, too. I will post updates when I get a chance.

Lazy Summer Days

Today is Thursday and we have been busy ALL week!! From visits with Memaw to eating with friends, Delaney and I have been "on the go." Today was especially fun because Laney was able to meet the Bedsoles and Wallaces. This includes my aunt Mary Beth, uncle Kenny, cousin Terri Lynn, and her husband, Erol. We ate yummy food, talked, and passed around the baby. :) I love when we get to visit with them! She enjoyed her nap at Macaroni Grill, the sound of the rain, and all the attention she was receiving. Yes, she is spoiled. ;) She was so sweet during our lunch, that later when she became fussy and stubborn, I couldn't believe it! Where was my sweet thang?! She didn't want to take a nap at all! She's such our little diva and just didn't want to miss out on anything. After a while of crying, she did manage to take in a little retail therapy (of course, she takes after her momma). What a fun day!!

She is also looking forward to a spend-the-night party at her grandparents' house and maybe another trip to Pepper Place.

On another note, we have decided to start trying to give LuLu formula ONLY before bedtime. This is the result of many restless nights of ME (half asleep and cranky) trying to feed HER(sweet and innocent, but crying uncontrollably). More importantly, this may extend her sleeping hours. Thus, resulting in a more happy and refreshed state of mind for both of us :). Everyone wins. However, I will ask the doctor about my idea next week to see what she thinks.

Yesterday was a fun family day! The day started off with Delaney and I going to Pepper Place with Nannie and Pops (my mom and dad). We ate breakfast and visited with Wally, a friend of the family. Delaney was interested in getting in her morning nap, but she enjoyed the sights when her eyes finally opened.

Later, Eric and I took her to the Summit. We browsed the stores and ate at Newk's. We bought her 2 new pairs of sandals for the summer and a Father's Day shirt from Old Navy. She is such a bargain hunter!! Delaney had a good time until her mid-morning hunger pain came upon her. She ate a little bit and we moved on.
When we arrived home, Eric and Delaney headed off to Hueytown, while I went and had a much-needed pedicure. She enjoyed spending time with her grandparents. Eric said she "took a siesta" with her granddaddy, which I'm sure they both loved. Then she ate a litte bit more :). Needless to say, it was a busy and exhausting day. But it sure was worth it.
On a side note, Eric and I took some pics with Delaney. I think as she grows older she is becoming more photogenic! I do have to say that she doesn't really look like either one of us that much. Everyone has their own opinion, so I will let you decide.

Future Rock Star?!

Yesterday, Delaney and I attended our very first class together! It was Kindermusik. It is a combination of many things, including one very artsy lady, various little "diddies,"and home-made musical instruments. I thought you might be interested in reading about our day (during your lunch or something).

My friends and I decided to go these classes for many reasons. One reason being we become bored by the end of the summer season

Our Thursday outing would be something to look forward to each week. My friends' babies are a little older than Delaney. She is the one on the far right in the picture, too.
I told everyone at the class that I was sure Delaney might not get anything out of the class, but I would... a "mommy talk" day. The instructor assured me that, although she was young, she would hear the music and respond better than I would imagine. Delaney was asleep, lady.

When the class started, we began with a song about meeting each other. Everyone was told to create an action for their introduction. The whole class would copy them. The lady had an amazing voice and sang about Delaney introducing herself by swaying. That was about all she could do at that point.

After Kindermusik, we ate at Olive Garden. She slept through it. We both were very exhausted when we came home. Thank goodness GG came to take over while Eric and I had an outing to Outback and where else,but Babies-R-Us. :)

The cuteness that is Delaney!!

I have started this blog to keep family and friends updated on lil Laney Roo. I will try to post some pictures that have been taken of Delaney from birth-7 weeks old. She is growing by the minute!! She now weighs in at 9lbs 6oz, maybe more now!! She is learning how to pick up her head and "baby talk." She and daddy do "aerobics" at night, and we read to her after bath time. Some popular books are Goodnight Moon, Mommy's Best Kisses, and Love You Forever. She LOVES the song "Inch worm." It is her favorite. She doesn't really care for upbeat tempos such as "She'll be coming around the mountain," though. We are going to Kindermusic classes during the summer. She loves it! (Or atleast mommy enjoys getting out with her friends and their babies). I hope it becomes easier to leave her by the start of school!