Olivia is 9 months old

Olivia turned 9 months old about a week ago. She is just so calm and laid back (not anything like Ruthie). She laughs and plays and likes to snuggle too! Check out her pictures first:

excited to be sisters!

joy!!!!

where did that sister go?!?

Olivia is now 16.5 lbs and 26.75 inches long. That is just 12 lbs smaller than her sister and only 1/2 foot shorter. crazy!
She learned this month to get what she wants. She isn't crawling really, but she will reach and reach until she gets what she wants or if she can't get it will just sit back up.
Olivia is coming into her personality. She is calm, cool, and collected, but is also having some separation anxiety with momma.
She is sleeping about 10.5 to 11 hrs a night and taking two 1.5 hr naps a day. She is still breast feeding 4 to 5 times a day and according to the dr. she needs to be eating more solids. We were feeding her 1 to 2 containers of solids and 1 to 2 tbl of cereal a day. Turns out we should be feeding her at least one more container a day and one less breast feeding a day. YAY and an AMEN! less breast feeding means more freedom. I'm not saying I don't love those sweet times, but if you have or do breast feed you probably know what I mean.
Olivia really didn't do much more this month, but she sure is still getting lots of compliments on those big bright eyes and her sweet personality. As for now, we are enjoying watching the girls grow in love for one another!
Olivia loves squash the most of all the foods, but she likes to eat all of it! There's nothing that this girl will turn down. She will also put anything in her mouth including all kinds of paper.


Now for some fun pics from the last month of the girls!

my silly girl getting ready for pee schoo (pre-school for those who don't read/speak Ruthie)

found Ruthie in bed, just reading to herself one afternoon- she takes after her daddy

the girls in their outfits from Gigi

my new wreath I made for the fall season

it may be hot outside, but in my heart and this cup is a little piece of fall!

baby Livie loving some squash!

"cheeeeeeeeeessssssseeee"

Harrison wedding- August 24

So one of my closest friends from college, Scott, got married to Anna a few weeks ago. It was so great to see some of my college friends and their spouses! The 6 of us lived across the street from each other for 2 years of college. We spent many days watching football, movies, and pranking each other. 4 of us are married now that Scott is married and between the 6 of us we have 5 kids (or will once the newest baby arrives in a few months). Laura Lynn even lives in Haiti now and has a little boy she is adopting. We had such a great time catching up. The only sad part was that Matt and Ruthie stayed home b/c Ruthie was sick.

Here are some pics of the evening:

some things never change! 

all 6 of us

Olivia and me

the roomies

we decided to let the bride join in on the fun- We were making room, I could explain the holding our arms up, but it would not be very funny for you so I will just let that one go. 

here we are about 10 years ago and I'm pretty sure it was taken August 23, 2003 (that would be 10 years and one day before the wedding, how cool is that)- we were so young...

this is the day I graduated from college (May 05') - in front of the guys' house. 

the roomies 10 years ago

Deep Creek 2013

We went to Deep Creek in Bryson City NC again this year with the youth and another youth group from Savannah. Here are some pictures of our trip.

Ruthie goes to preschool

This past week, Ruthie started preschool at our church. It's only 2 days a week from 9 to 1, but it is really great for Ruthie (and momma)! While she is there I get to go to bible study on Tuesdays and MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) every other Thursday. Don't worry, I take Olivia with me!

Ruthie loves preschool and acts like she owns the place. She ushered children into the room as they arrived, she would nudge (read: push) them into the room if they did not go fast enough. Then she went around the room showing kids where to sit, making sure everyone had crayons and coloring papers, and was just very attentive saying hello and calling children by name as they came in. She truly lives up to her name Ruthie which means "friend, companion". Here are some pics of her first days of Preschool!

at Preschool Open House

"Cheese" on the ride to her first day of preschool

waiting to go into the church for her first day

making friends

walking to the classroom (somehow this one was put after the one above but was taken first)

first day of school art projects!

second day of preschool!

my baby girl is not really a baby any longer and she is even wearing a bow all day long! 

in other news, I have a great husband who made this amazing baked potato pizza

and brought me this beautiful flower! he is a keeper people!

Summer Lovin'

The theme for our youth group this summer was Summer Lovin'. It was great and we learned a lot of practical ways to love each other. Anyway, here are some pictures from the summer of our family!

Veggie Tales Thursdays!

lookin cute in her new dress

at the pier on St Simons

more cuteness! 

Happy Fourth of July!

Backyard fun

swimming

watching big sis play

cookies at chick fil A

my sweet Livie

beach fun

loving the water

playing drums on the beach

beach bum baby

another Veggie Tales Thursday at church

Ruthie's new book bag

riding in the wagon

baby doll fun

picture of Ruthie on Left and Olivia on Right

Ruthie's baptism on top and Olivia's on bottom- notice the similarities of the cross and how the pastors are holding the girls

rockin out!

playing on the floor

sisterly love

reading a prayer to her baby dolls as she put them to bed

some of my high school/church friends from Martha Bowman and some of our children came to St. Simons for the week so we all got together. There are 8 children and 2 in utero in this pic- we were missing 5 of the children. Crazy that between the 6 of us in the picture we will have 15 children by the end of the year! Love these ladies and miss them so. Miss all the others who could not join us! Thanks for the hour of fun and catching up ladies!