First Bites!

Rachel's first bite of sweet peas.

Yummy!
Daddy wanted to help too!

I'm a happy eater...

... and a messy eater!

Rachel had her first bites of baby food today. She ate sweet peas. She seemed to like them. She opened her mouth every time the spoon came close to her mouth. After we would put a spoon full of peas in her mouth, I would put her paci in her mouth to help her swallow it. She did pretty well. I guess we'll try again tomorrow.

Charleston

Rachel's first night in a hotel

Bubba Gump Shrimp Company . This picture is ironic because I don't even eat shrimp.

Rachel and Nana

Wedding Reception

"Can we go home now? I'm ready for my bed."

Wes came and picked Rachel and I up on Friday and we headed down to Charleston for a wedding. Of course it was bike week down at the beach and traffic was horrible. After we finally made it down to Charleston we met up with Wes' parents. Nana and Pops drove down to Charleston from Apex to watch Rachel while we were at all the wedding events. We were so glad that they could come and help us out. We dropped our stuff in the hotel and went to the wedding rehearsal. The wedding was in an old church in downtown Charleston called the Circular Church. After rehearsing we went to dinner and Ansons. We had the best meal! It was wonderful!

Saturday we got going around 9:30 and headed out to the market. Wes' mom and I looked for bargains while the men pushed baby around. After we were shopped out there we went to Kings street and meet up with some friends and strolled around. The weather was great and Rachel was doing so well that we stayed out until 2:30. We zipped back to the hotel where Wes got dressed up and went to the church. He always looks so handsome in a tux! I followed a couple of hours later. The wedding was beautiful, it was a very pretty setting. The reception was held in a museum across the street. It was outdoors and the weather was perfect. We ate and danced the night away.

While we were attending the wedding, Wes' parents (aka: Nana and Pops) were watching and taking great care of Rachel. They even ventured out to a restaurant with her on Saturday night. They said she did very well. I was very impressed. We were so glad to have Wes' parents with us. Thanks Nana and Pops for taking such good care of little one!

We had a great time in Charleston. I hated to leave, I wanted to see some more of the city. Maybe in the future we can take another trip there. The trip home went pretty smooth with Rachel. We were all glad to be home and we can't wait to sleep in our own beds. Especially Rachel!

Beach Babies

"My shirt says it all."

This was a moment of first. This was the first time I had used this carrier, the first time Rachel was at the beach, and the first time Rachel was happy all day.

(She's asleep.)

Just call me Martha Stewart!

Kodak Moment! Susan, Maddie, Lizzie, and Rachel

Wes came to pick Rachel and I up from the beach. Then we headed off to Charleston for a wedding.

Rachel: "Hey Maddie! What should we do today?" Maddie: "Let's stretch!"

"Do you like laying on your stomach?"

BIG MOMENT: Maddie rolled over!

"It just got really dark in here! Maddie is that you?"

Bring on Bike Week!

This past week Rachel and I went to the beach with our good friends Susan and Maddie. We had a great time! This was Rachel's first trip to the beach and our first trip without Wes. We sure did miss him by the end of the week. While we were at the beach we took care of the little ones, shopped, watched a movie (after the girls went to bed), and sewed burp cloths. Susan has become a master sewer and taught me how to make fancy burp cloths. We took turns sewing burp cloths while the girls were napping or playing. We had a lot of fun working on them. Maddie and Rachel played on the floor together. They like to look at each other and smile. I hope these girls grow up to be great friends like ther moms. Thanks Susan and Maddie for inviting us to the beach!

Beach Bound

Rachel and I are headed to the beach with our friends, Susan and Maddie. We are looking forward to getting away but we'll sure miss Wes. Wes and Rachel and I will meet up on Friday and drive down to Charleston for a wedding. This will be Rachel's first trip to the ocean. I will take lots of pictures and update later.

I wanted Wes to see Rachel in her bathing suit before we left.

All-American Baby

Looking at Tyke

"Why must they take so many pictures?"

"I'm ready for my close-up!"

Rachel and Tyke

Everyone asks, "how are Rachel and Tyke getting along?" Well here are some pictures that tells it better than I can. Rachel smiles when she sees Tyke. She always turns to look at him if he's in the room. She become very interested in touching him now. We're trying to teach her how to pet him. Tyke has been very good with her. He is also very curious about her. He sniffs her a lot. When Rachel is in her room sleeping, he opens the door and checks on her.

Indian Girl

Rachel is pretty vocal these days about her future career path.

Rachel and Maddie

Susan, Maddie, Me, and Rachel

Rachel and Maddie

Just laying around

We can almost do it

Maddie and Rachel with their Grandma's

Tonight, Rachel got to hang out with her new friend Maddie. Maddie and Rachel were born 4 days apart. Maddie's mom, Susan, and I grew up together and were roommates in college. We really have been great friends for a long time. Susan's husband Paul is in the military and is away this month so Susan decided to come visit her parents while he's away. It is always great to see her and her family and catch up on things.

Sleepy Girl

Last Night Wes was trying to wake Rachel up to finish off her bottle. We had just finished giving her a bath. As you can see she was fading fast. Too cute! She went to sleep around 8:15 and didn't wake up until 6:45! YEA!



10 seconds later.... Rachel was out cold.

Miss Rachel

All Smiles!

Holding my passy and sucking my thumb all at the same time. What tallent!

Have I (Lizzie) been replaced?

Tyke and Rachel

My little Pumpkin Pie!

Rachel is really growing these days. It's hard to believe it's May. I didn't know if we'd make it to May but we have. Rachel is on a schedule now and pretty predictable. She sleeps about 10 hours at night (I'M SO HAPPY, SO, SO HAPPY). I really never knew how important sleep would be to me. Rachel is almost ready to turn over. She gets really frustrated trying. I think she's ready to start moving. Of course when she does start rolling around my life will become a bit busy.