Cherry Blossoms

I woke up this morning, at 11 I might add, thinking about how to spend the expected gorgeous day and all I could think about was how badly I wanted to see the Cherry Blossoms. At first, I thought it would be too complicated a trip by myself, but after finding out no one could go with me, I decided it wouldn't stray me from taking on the adventure just me and the Lil! Getting to the city...no problem, parking....no problem, good baby....no problem, sunshine...oh yea! The trip was looking great, and boy did it turn out to be one!

I couldn't have asked for better weather, and the Cherry Blossoms are almost at their peak. Today made me feel like a true Washingtonian and very proud to be one! The city was so beautiful! We are so lucky to have the convienence and easy access to our nations Capitol and I hope to show Lily what an amazing city it is. Washington, D.C. stands for so much, and it is on days like today when you stroll the tidal bason in the presence of the Jefferson Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the War Memorials, and the Washington Monument, that I can reflect upon our freedom and liberty that which we live!

My pictures prove the beauty of the city and the Cherry Blossoms! I was lucky enough to run into another gal strolling her little baby all in her lonesome. In a persuasive manner I said, "I'll take a pic of you and your baby if you take one of me and mine :) ?!?" She, of course, took me up on my offer and then we both talked of how bummer we were our husbands couldn't take part in the beautiful day with us, and then we went on our merry ways. Thank you, girl in the purple shirt with the cute 6 mo old daughter! It is a great shot!

Work Work Work

Well, I am officially back to work. Although it may be the night shift, I am happy to be back with my crew and again in the midst of all our staff drama. Who likes to be out of the loop when it comes to middle aged women drama? I'm sure happy to be a part of it (I say with a smirk on my face) Needless to say, I have missed my work friends a whole bunch, but I have not missed our mismanaged work place environment! Thank goodness for only two shifts a week! I still manage to see my baby and make a little mula. Being a nurse is a complete blessing and wonderful opportunity for any woman out there!

In the meantime, Lily is growing like a bean sprout and changes day to day! I have noticed that she is looking much more like Mike with only a few Mommy characteristics, my nose....and uh my nose. That's about all I can think of. Her skin tone is snow white like Mike's, her eyes are blue, like Mike's, she's a little chubby, like Mike (wink wink :) ) and most of her facial expressions remind me of Mike. Although Mike's sister may say it is a bad thing to look like a Peterson, I think she is totally beautiful! (this is suppose to be a joke :) )

I feel as though her talking and cooing has been put on hold. She still only makes a few sounds. Her smiling on the other hand is one of her best aspects. I love her reactions to my sounds and facial expressions. I also LOVE to see how she reacts to Mike when he comes home from work. I think it is so amazing that she can respond to his presence so easily when she only sees him 2-3 hours out of a day. I can tell she has a special bond with Daddy, and Mike would say the same. He loves his little "Daddy's Girl" ! Lily, can hold on to things real well now, grabs for her hanging toys, and lately she is really enjoying a late afternoon snack of her t-shirt/clothes. I have noticed she is grabbing her clothes and sucking on them. I thought at first she had lost her paci and needed something else, but I think it is the texture of the fabric that she is enjoying. Babies = weird!

I can't help but take TONS of photos of Lily, so I must share my products.

She is quite the Duke fan, according to Mike, and will cheer for them all the way through March Madness!

She also enjoyed her first St. Patty's Day with her grandparents. I hosted the family for some traditional corned beef and cabbage, along with homemade Irish Soda bread! It was very enjoyable, and our little lass looked quite cute!!!!

Mary learned "You are my Sunshine" and enjoyed singing to Lily.

FIRST VIDEO UPLOAD

Mom Mom and her 17th great grand baby, and I am sure there will be more to come. At this point, she has more great than grand children. What can I say, the Torbett's must like making them :)

Liz missing time with little babes

Lily loves her little momma Anna!

Bo and a sleeping baby...the way he liked it!

Mary loves her baby cousin! In the words of the little tiny mouse Mary "She's so cute!"

FIRST VIDEO UPLOAD!

I took this video 2 weeks ago when Lily got real good about holding her head up. She is even better and talking a lot more!!! Enjoy!

The ATL

Atlanta...
Trip #2 = SUCCESS!!!

I could have not asked for a better baby! Lily rode the plan with complete ease. While Mike was taking us to the airport on Sunday I was extremely nervous for the unknown. Would she cry? Would I have a jerk next to me who hates babies?...etc Well, from the moment I checked in at the Air Tran desk, through security, on the shuttle and all the way to the gate, all by myself, I must have looked like a pro :) Things couldn't have gone smoother, and I give most of the credit to my dear little one, who caused no trouble at all! The airline staff was so accomodating and I felt so comfortable being on the plane on my own. I do think that I chose a great time and day to fly, because the plane was practically empty and I had a row all to myself. Lily slept the whole way and sucked on her beloved paci. If the pressure affected her ears at all, I didn't know.

It felt good to land safely in Atlanta, and it felt good knowing I was going to be in good company! Atlanta was experiencing an unexpected snow storm, and luckily I was the last flight by Air Tran to land that day. I was hoping to get to Atlanta and feel a little warmth, but apparantly I brought the snow and cold with me.

The three days that Lily and I spent in Roswell, were fantastic!! We had a great visit with the Rains family (my cousins). I miss them terribly already. If Liz had not given up wine for Lent, we may have caused a little more ruckus, but I must say it felt good not waking up with a hangover :) We were in bed by 11 every night, woke up to coffee and sending the kids off to school.

Lily was lucky enough to even meet her great grandmother, MOM MOM. It was a surprise to me that she was willing to get in a car with my Aunt and Uncle and drive half way from Greenville, SC and meet us in GA. Her will power and strength was put in full speed so she could meet Lily. I feel so blessed and lucky that Lily will have had this visit. I got pictures and videos to prove it.

Wednesday came quick, but I was so excited to get home to Mike. I know that he missed us dearly, and I so wish he was able to come with us. He was able to flex from work and he picked us up from the airport! It was great knowing that we would have the rest of the day with him!