The sweetest sound...

Ok...this post was written Thursday night (Aug. 21) but Blogger wasn't cooperating with me and I couldn't get it to post that night. So...better late than never!

Turner is 9 months old today! She is crawling all over the place, pulling up on anything she can touch, and is so interested in God's handiwork outdoors. While we have some beautiful still pictures of her, I decided instead to share this video showcasing what Mark and I believe to be the sweetest sound we've ever heard. We just can't get enough of this, and we are amazed at how our moods change when the laughing starts. These last 9 months have been filled with moments that redefined joy for our family - what a precious gift from God!

Hail, dear old State!

Ok, all you Auburn people pick your jaws up off the floor. Yes, I titled this blog with the first line of the Mississippi State fight song. No, I am not a traitor; I have not lost my mind. We are a "blended family" when it comes to our collegiate loyalties, and all but one weekend of the year it simply provides us with two teams for whom to cheer. And after what I saw Turner do today, I just can't help but know that she's figured out our double loyalties early in her life! Turner crawled across her room today to get her miniature cowbell and then proceeded to ring it like a true Mississippi State Bulldog! I am convinced that Mark has been secretly training her how to do this when I am not around.



Let it be known, until I married Mark this sound was one that made me cringe. Love makes you endure strange things...and I have learned over time that this sound is only bothersome when you are not the team wearing Maroon and White. It's pretty awesome when you are a Bulldog fan! Again, pick your jaws up off the floor.

We are only two weeks away from the madness that is college football - and I can't wait! WAR EAGLE and Go State!

Worth 1000 words...

A few pictures and scenarios that have occured here in our house over the past couple of weeks:

Friday night was no fun for any of us - Turner was obviously sick and miserable and we all slept about 2 hours. We took her to the pediatric clinic on Saturday morning and she had her first ear infection. What a praise - she was almost 9 months old before ever taking an antibiotic! While the medicine helped, she had a pretty high fever for most of the day and was quite fussy. I was inside and I knew Mark had walked outside with her...about 35 min later I went to find them and this is what I saw...

...he realized she was calmer outside than she'd been all day (she even fell asleep in his lap sitting the grass) so they were finding things to explore and watch outdoors. Brilliant daddy.

Sweet daddy.


Then he discovered that Turner found it quite fun to "slide" down the small hill in our front yard...


...then I suggested that it would be much more fun if she had a "sled". So we took a piece of cardboard and let Tootsie and Pop slide her down the hill. Turner thought this was marvelous and just smiled and laughed! (Seriously - she's this sweet and she has an ear infection??)


Sunday night I put Turner down and although she was fighting sleep a little more than usual, I figured she'd settle down and doze off fairly quickly. She fussed a little, but then quieted down and I thought to myself, "Success!" I stepped in her room to put up some clothes and this is what I saw...if only this picture showed motion. She was literally jumping on the bed and laughing when I rounded the corner. All I could do was laugh!


I have no words for this...she'll thank her Daddy one day I am sure.

One of my least favorite emotions...

...is disappointment. As one who likes to be "in control", I don't like it when things don't go the way I had hoped/planned...and certainly when I don't have the ability to change the unfavorable outcome. Mark and I are big fans of the Chicago Cubs and each summer they come to Atlanta to play the Braves, we make a trip over to see a game. Tonight was the big night and we've been looking forward to it for months. Mark emailed me earlier in the day to tell me there was a 90% chance of rain, but we hoped for the best and headed out right after school today. We were driving beside the Atlanta airport when they announced that the rain didn't appear to be leaving the area for a while and the game had in fact been canceled for the night. There it was...disappointment.

After we'd both had a chance to feel down and out about it for a minute, my ever so hilarious husband brought humor to the situation. Seriously - in one of the worst seasons of drought the South has even seen, we go to Atlanta in February and in August and both times it is a torrential downpour!!?? Seriously - Georgia's Governor is trying to "steal" water from Alabama!!?? HELLO!!???

We continue up I-65 trying to determine our best course of action - do we just turn around and head for Auburn, or do we continue and try to find something to eat before we make the trip home? Then Mark remembers that there is a pretty famous Atlanta eating establishment where I have never eaten...The Varsity. So, we decide to brave the traffic and continue toward this Mecca of grease. Bye-bye Weight Watchers, hello chili dogs and onion rings!

Oh the grease...


Go Cubbies!!


Turner loves her Daddy!


Turner's first drink of diet coke! (Ok...not really...but it was a funny picture.)


Fact of life: sometimes "plan A" doesn't work. But, I can always count on Mark coming up with a creative and enjoyable "plan B". And a night away from Auburn with my precious hubby and my sweet baby girl...what more could I ask for?

And she's off!

Turner has been working on some new skills for a couple of weeks and we couldn't wait to share these with our blogging audience! For quite some time now she has been more interested in standing than sitting and she has become quite skilled at pulling herself to a standing position and standing/walking while holding on to objects. Last week we were surprised to watch her "walk" from couch to a toy without assistance - walking may not be far in our future! Then, in the last two days she's gotten pretty good at crawling from place to place! It's still wobbly at times, but tonight she was really doing well and we just had to video and share. This is such an exciting time and she's gaining new skills so quickly! We are loving every moment! Also, pay attention to the last few seconds and note her reaction to seeing the video camera pointed her direction. Such a ham. :)

Worn out!

On Sundays, I have to stay and play piano for both of our morning church services. My sweet husband takes Turner home after Sunday School and feeds her and takes care of her. When I got home this Sunday I found them in our bedroom, Turner napping. Mark waved me to be quiet, but to come on in and look at her. This is what I saw...sound asleep...sitting straight up!!


And the crazy hair that was the result of sleeping in such a manner was just too cute not to share!

Hot fun in the summertime!

Turner and I have had a marvelous time at the beach with Tootsie, Pop, and Aunt Rebekah. It was just the break that I needed before I return to work next week, and I will look forward (as always) to the next time I can come and relax at the beach! Thank you to Mark for understanding my need for a mental break, and for giving me my amazing camera which helped me capture beautiful moments during our time here. We missed you!

Here are a "few" pictures...enjoy!