Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Just a swingin'





Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Autism Awareness Weekend 2008




This past weekend was the 2nd Annual Autism Awareness Weekend in Northeast Arkansas. Our family participated "For Sam's Sake" (the name of our team). A special thanks to everyone who donated money on Sam's behalf. This is a cause that is so close to our hearts and it really means alot to have the support of our family and friends. This year's event raised over $60,000 to go towards education and awareness of this puzzling disorder. Another very special thank you to Grammy & Papa, Grandma Jo, Uncle Brett & Landen, Jenny & Caleb, and Scott & Sarah for taking the time to come out and participate in this year's event. Words cannot adequately express my appreciation. My heart overflows...

Georgia's First Bite





Georgia got a taste of her first real "food" last week - rice cereal. She really wasn't too sure about it, but gave us a big smile anyway! Of course, I think most of it ended up on her face, rather than in her mouth!

Who stole the cookies from the cookie jar?



Looks like we have a little "Cookie Monster" on our hands! This was all that was left of the Oreos when I awoke last Thursday morning...

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Georgia's 4 Month Update

Today we went to the doctor for Georgia's four month old well-child check-up. Everything went smoothly and the doctor said she was perfect (of course, we already knew that!) She currently weighs 13 lbs. 8 ozs. (55th percentile) and is 24 inches long (50th percentile). She is the perfect size for her age. The doctor also verified that she has reached all of her appropriate developmental milestones thus far. The nurse couldn't believe how healthy she is, without so much as a cold all winter long, and no medicine at all - not even tylenol! It was such a quick and easy check-up, just the kind we like! Here are some of the things she doing right now at four months old....

Sleeping: Georgia, you are such a good sleeper!!! You go to sleep around 9 p.m. every night and don't wake up until around 7:30 each morning! You sleep straight through the night EVERY night! I couldn't be more proud (and relieved!). Of course, the only down side to this, is that you don't nap too much during the daytime (leaving mommy very little time to get things done!) You usually lay down around 10:30 each morning and sleep until 1:30, and then catnap in your bouncy seat again from around 5:30 until maybe 7 p.m. Come 8 o'clock your ready for a bath and a bottle!

Eating: While the doctor says that you are gaining weight at the appropriate rate, you still worry me with your eating. You are such a lazy eater and don't really care much for your bottle....of course, your usually too busy trying to see what's going on to eat! You even try to crane your neck to see the television if its on! You are currently taking 5-6 oz. at a time, for a total of about 20-25 oz each day. We haven't tried any solid foods yet, but maybe sometime within the next week or so, we'll let you have your first taste of rice cereal - yummy!

Playing: You LOVE your exersaucer! And have even discovered how to turn a complete 360 degrees in it! We can't put you in your bouncy seat anymore, you simply try to roll over out of it every time we place you in it awake! And you never cared for your swing.... You are putting everything in your mouth these days and drool is everywhere! You are constantly gnawing on something (especially your thumb!) and I can see the beginnings of two little teeth on the bottom! You love to stand on my lap (supported, of course!) and hate to be held like a baby, unless taking a bottle. You are getting too big for your britches! You definitely think your a much bigger girl than you really are!

You are so alert - and I get told that by EVERYONE who sees you - you don't miss a thing! And if someone dares to walk by you without speaking to you in the store, you'll cough or coo at them until they do! You jabber all the time and love to try to imitate different sounds and mouth movements!

Your hair is starting to thicken up and is really looking dark. In certain lights, in kind of looks auburn, however, the older you get the more you look like your daddy (which tickles him to no end!) I love your little eyebrows and long eyelashes! Your eyes are a dark blue with a little bit of hazel around the middle. They are so pretty, but don't seem near as light as Sam's.

You are such a joy and your daddy and I often say that if the rest were as pleasant as you and your brother, we'd have a couple more! Your daddy's nickname for you is "pumpkin loaf"! And I just call you "sweet girl". You adore your big brother, and just light up when he looks at you! He loves to make your toys light up and play music, and won't go in anywhere until he makes sure I get you out of the car to go with us!

We love you sweet girl and look forward to each new discovery and milestone along the way!

Monday, April 7, 2008

Flower Child





Playing dress-up....