What a week!

So I may be a little late in posting, but I couldn't pass up bragging about my wonderful week with my wonderful visitors! Last week, the Peterson household hosted the Rains Family (minus Randy) for an entire week. Initially, what a weird feeling it was to have them at MY house with MY family, instead of me being with them at their house. It has been years that Liz and Randy have hosted Mike and I and it was now my chance. The week was filled with great times together! It was interesting to see the role reversal between Liz and I. Me with the baby now, and her with three grown children. The circle of life......



As always, what better way to depict a week full of activities than with actual pictures!

Day #1 Dinner at the Peterson's : Grilled Chicken!

Day #2 Relax at the Breezy Hill, yummy steak dinner with my parents This exact picture was taken 5 years ago when Mary was a little baby, and the Rains were still living in Ashburn. NOW, I am married, the kids are all grown up and I have a baby of my own....WEIRD!

Day #3 Mount Vernon

Day #5 (Day 4 I had to work, so I slept most of the day) Washington Nationals Game
First metro ride into DC....she was great! Happy to be at the ball park!
Family shot at the game
The whole gang, minus my Dad!

The firework show was amazing! Well worth going to the game, in which the Nats lost!

Our Final Goodbyes
Liz and I rarely have an actual shot together! We are so busy taking pictures of everyone else :) I think it turned out quite nice! Lizzie and the Lil! How wonderful life is with you in our life :)

Side note: In the midst of our busy week, Alicia came to visit with the babes, and I got to spend a short time with my niece and nephew, Savannah and Connor. Here we are, Mommy Peterson's


My sweet niece and loving Goddaughter!

photo shoot..just because she looked so cute!

Milestone!

Well folks, it is the day we have all been waiting for!....

Not ONLY did Kara and Mike get hitched, and it was AMAZING, BUT, Lily rolled over! Yes she did! Belly to back, and she is a champ. Here is the video to prove it....

I swear that she is way more excited than she appears to be on this video. This is after a bath, and she is quite tired, but put some toys near by, or

Back to Kara and Mike...

Wednesday through Saturday was full of events, that as a bridesmaid, I got to partake in. We started Wednesday evening for dinner and drinks at Coastal Flats in Fairfax. It has been a mini tradition for those of us OHS girls to gather for dinner at Coastal the week of the wedding, for a relaxing, maybe drunken night. Because that was the case my wedding week, and some bridesmaids could barely make it through the bridal luncheon and the rehearsal dinner, Kara made the executive decision that she would like to go out Wednesday night for proper recovery time. Luckily, the night was nowhere near as crazy and we all enjoyed each other's company to the fullest! Thursday was a day off, which I used to prepare for a nice summer tan and laid out. THEN, with the gamble I played, I was called into work until 3am Friday morning. I was super excited about the money I would be making, but a little bummed at how tired I would be the next day. Sure enough, I made it through the whole weekend with little sleep, but with the help of adrenaline and excitement it wasn't noticeable. Friday, we got our nails done and had a lovely bridal luncheon where Kara gave us all jewelry and COACH wristlets for the wedding day.

Here are the best captured pictures of the weekend. I thank Mike for following us around.

July 10, 2009-Bridal Luncheon
Bridesmaids: Different family members and friends of all aspects of Kara's life...a great group!

Two sweet flower girls, insisting on going up, then down, up, down the stairs
Yummy, don't want to stop, Chicken Sammies In true 'Father of the Bride' fashion, sporting the right gear!

REHEARSAL DINNER-GRANDALE FARM RESTAURANT

The Bride and GroomMy photographic skills at work.... Ashley and BradJaime and PatOur night out together, alone :)
The three of us...Ashley, Kara, and Lauren

FAMOUS FOR:

1. parties at 11-0-fun
   


2. box o' wine nights



3. sorority sisters



4. laugh until to cry
   


5. roommates
   


6. forever friends
   
   JULY 11, 2009-Wedding Day
   Celebrated the right way
   CHAMPAGNE

No, not naked, just poor picture taking done by Ashley :)

It's official, Mr. and Mrs. McDermott

Our eyes may appear to be closed, and that is because they are. Due to the shiny hot sun, the photographer swears that by instructing us to keep closed eyes until he says so, we will all be looking at the camera together without blinking or squinting. Now I have heard of this tactic, although, seeing that we all can't even close our eyes together, what makes him think we will open them together? The professional pics will be the proof!Counting to three, for a group 'jump shot', totally cliche, but totally cute!

Such a great shot! This is just a glimpse of the smile and happiness that Kara showed throughout the day. My love!

A continuous celebration of our marriage and commitment to one another!
Mike and Kara, the fantastic Garth Brooks duo, our all time favorite, the most famous and memorable dance..."I've got Friends in low Places" It truly wouldn't be a party without the two of them dancing together to this very song!

All together the weekend was fantastic. I enjoyed the time with my friends, my husband and most of all Kara. Her company will be truly missed when her and Mike embark on their move across the county to San Diego. Kara and I have meshed so well together over the years, and I was looking forward to being a big part of their new life together. I couldn't be happier or proud for the two of them. I hope they know they have the utmost support from Mike and I. I look forward to traveling and visiting San Diego, and I look forward to the many more years Kara and I have to share!

So, the summer is in full force and I am sure feeling the stress of it all! We have, so far, enjoyed ourselves immensely partaking in activities EVERY weekend, although I feel the time is ticking by all too fast! A quick catch up...

Lately, I have been working almost every Friday. It has seemed to work out well due to the fact Saturday Mike is usually home to help me out while I sleep, AND most importantly I get a bit of the weekend pay in my pay check...$chuching $....ok, so it's not that great, but any extra cash is a plus! Throughout the week I am also working a day or two, it just depends when I am needed, or quite frankly, when I can get the hours. I do love being PRN because of the flexibility, although I am beginning to feel the reap of little or no sleep after work....here is why...

Lily is talking up a storm and Mike and I are loving it! She has shown true form of her loud Momma, but I will not detour her from it. Some days I know she just wants to sing along with me. Her latest thing is, mouth wide open, big grin, but suddenly no sound to come out. This is her laughing, and I am quite confused because I know the true pitch of her voice. We think she looks a bit like an old women with no teeth, but SUPER CUTE!

Her motor skills have also taken a leap in development. Although I admit she still refuses to roll over, she can completely sit up on her own, and she even strains her neck up as I lay her down for a diaper change, etc. Within the past few days I have noticed a huge improvement in her standing while in your lap. She can stand longer and those thunder thighs have grown stronger. Today in the pool she even stood in between my legs while I help her arms. What a big girl!! It wasn't until now that I realized how big she is getting. Before, she cuddles, you are holding her, and you don't get the full effect of the length of her body until now when it is stretched out and she is actually standing.

For Mike, work is work, he slays away during the hours of 7am and 7pm everyday. Summer is now an even busier time for Enterprise as people take their vacations, and with Mike being in the city he sees all the tourists. We are grateful for his job, but to say it ever so lightly, I wouldn't mind a change for him. We are trying so hard to take advantage of our family time alone, but lately it is so little. I am striving to be supportive and patient and look forward to upcoming activities we have together. It is so important to me, Mike and to Lily that we keep our spark alive!

To quickly overview some of our most recent weekend adventures, but to surely not down play the fun we had while there, here are some pics...

June 21 Robbie's Pool Party/Mike's First Father's Day

The Dowlings hosted their annual pool party in Purcelville. The day couldn't have been better. There was perfect weather, and great food to go with it. The Sierra Nevada keg flowed so smoothly, there was great games of volleyball played, and as always the night ended with unforgettable memories!

June 28 France in Baltimore/Jurgens Birthday
Christie and Jurgens hosted and prepared the most amazing dinner! It was all perfectly planned by Christie from the Champagne starters, the crown of lamb, the delectable blue cheese ice cream, and the summer table setting, and Jurgens enlightened us into the world of wine pairing and tasting. A few bottles deep and before you knew it Christie and I passed out with Lily in their bed and the boys carried into the night with some poker....typical!


June 29 Lily and Lauren Visit Lynchburg

With a few days off, Lily and I ventured to Lynchburg for a great visit with the Reel Family. Mr. Walker is getting oh so big and walking around everywhere. Lily was fascinated with his mobility and I believe at times she was jealous. Liz and I took advantage of time alone and received some spa treatment. I opted for the 60 min. massage which I only payed $50 for. UNBELIEVABLE, I know! Got to love Lynchburg!

Baby or Giant

To me, Lily is a tiny precious little baby...but after recent visits with two newborn babies, the insanity of her growth over 6 mos is amazing! This seems to be a common theme of blog entries, but I am in complete awe!

Our recent visits were to two of the worlds newest babies :) Last Friday, we visited with Allison and Kenley. Kenley was a doll! She was nice enough to let Lily squirm around on her play mat and get a good swing in. And in true Lauren/Allison fashion, the baby girls tagged along for a shopping trip to Fair Oaks Mall. Kenley

Today, we visited with Cousin Savannah and Cousin Connor. Savannah, 1 year older than Lily enjoyed pouring water over Lily's face. Lily is a big fan of the pool/water/bath so she didn't mind at all. Connor, merely 3 days old, laid in the sun while the girls splashed around. He had doctors orders to get some sunlight due to being a bit jaundice.

These photos exemplify the largeness of Lily in comparison to newborns :)

Here, Kenely, is 3 weeks old, weighing in about 10-11 lbs. For such a young baby she fills out the car seat quite well....

Here, Lily, 6 months old 17 lbs, also fills the car seat out quite well!

Side-by-side in the same car seat, only 5 mos apart, Lily is a Giant.

It gets even better.......

Connor is 3 days old, weighing the same Lily did when she was born...Lily is a monster, a pale white monster, but most importantly, my baby monster!

Pampers or Huggies

Yup, I went there...I am now comparing diapers! Who do I chose? The winner is Huggies! How did I make such a big decision?

• cheaper
• I receive TONS of coupons for HUGGIES which is why they are made cheaper
• hold 'it' all in

Really, anything that helps lower my monthy expenses is going to be better in my book!

Enjoyable article....

I must say that I have enjoyed the resources Huggies has provided me with. Not only have I become a big fan of the diapers themselves, their website is very informative! And just like facebook, I could spend quite sometime surfing their site.

Now I know there are Pampers snobs out there and I will support Pampers and their wonderful wipes, but for now Huggies Diapers takes the cake! I encourage those who think Pampers is the best to explore the world of Huggies and they may come to an aggreement with me :)

Am I a real blogger?

Since creating this blog, my intention was to journal about Lily. Instead I realize I have become a 'regular blogger'...not only do I mention Lily's progression in life, but I have begun to spout about personal things in my life and my personal feelings...this is what I call a 'regular blogger.' Maybe I didn't realize some of the relief there is to typing excessively about nothing. On top of it all, I spend the majority of the day by myself. What else am I suppose to do?? take care of my baby or something? :)

I promised myself I wouldn't complain about my working situation/staying home situation, BUT there is something to be said about having adult stimulation all day. A typical day includes....AND this is all on top of me possibly working that night or the night before...

• vacuuming



• making our bed (b/c Mike doesn't know how)



• breastfeeding



• cleaning the kitchen
  


• unloading the dishwasher
  


• laundry
  


• breastfeeding
  


• cleaning the kitchen again



• talking like a baby



• breastfeeding



• watching reruns of 90210 and One Tree Hill!

Really, I am OH SO GRATEFUL for the things in my life and everything about it, but this is me just 'blogging' :) In all honesty, these are the things in life that are now glamorous, and it's simple....i love it! Because I get to watch a baby grow and learn how to sit up on her own, see her smile and giggle when I get her from her nap, play with her, sing to her, and THEN it all becomes so rewarding, and I know I have a purpose! Sometimes my purpose is to buy the cutest clothes and the next best dress for the next event, look for cute shoes, do my make-up, buy new make-up, wish I had latest Coach purse, etc, etc my materialism could onnnnnnn, BUT in reality I will always revert back to Mikey and my Lil!

Right now, Lily has had dinner, bathed, been read to and now asleep, Mike is still not home and I have begun making our adult dinner. Until Mike walks through the door what else is there to do but facebook, blog, stalk other peoples blogs then blog some more. After proofreading the past paragraphs, I am DEF a blogger..I'm ok with it!

Back to Lily....She is 5 mos 2 weeks old. Where has the time gone? Tonight, she ate broccoli for the fourth time and she has yet to give me grief about it. I fully expect grief from a toddler who I force to eat broccoli for it's nutritional value. Until then, Lily seems to enjoy it! Tonight, I also introduced Mango for dessert.
(side note...i make all Lily's food and it is super rewarding!) She, also, loved the Mango! I am very proud of this broad rage food eater I have on my hands, but I know things could change! Research actually says that babies have to eat things up to 13 times before they decide they even like it or not.

Broccoli....YUMMMM

Today, Lily also went to 'My Gym'. There Lily gets to explore colors, activities, and interact with other babies. It is amazing to see how she has developed over the weeks, and even the other Mothers mentioned it to me today. Lily is sitting up on her own (not yet rolling over still), reaching for things and slowing beginning to walk on her feet (obviously with me hold her arms). I look forward to the many more things Lily will surprise me with!!!