Nashville Girls’ Trip

Brandy and I decided to treat our girls to an experience for a Christmas gift to each other instead of a new toy, etc. We all loaded up in her van this past Saturday (Nov. 19th) and headed to Nashville for the day. We had lunch at the Rainforest Cafe at Opry Mills, and the girls loved sitting next to the tigers and seeing the thunderstorm come through the restaurant. Then, we walked over to the Grand Old Opry to see “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” musical (it was a great show- actors, costumes, songs were all wonderful), and afterward, we walked over to see Opryland Hotel’s Christmas decorations (where HG served as our tour guide). Around 5:30, we were all worn slap out, so we got back in the van, changed into pajamas, drove through Chik-fil-A for dinner (and got one of practically everything on the menu), and then hit the road for Memphis. The girls all played so well together, and Brandy and I enjoyed the time to catch up. We had fun getting in the Christmas spirit too!

Daily is quite the little mama.

The Graces

Ready to see the Grinch!

Afterward, HG walked and danced like the Whos for hours.

Exploring at Opryland Hotel

Daily was scared of the escalator (heights), but she was brave with HG holding her hand.

Pic by HG

Under the tree with one of my best gifts

“We’ll take one of everything, please.”

Lake House

The first weekend of November, we struck off on our annual Arkansas lake house trip with the Bakers and Blackmans. We think this is our fourth year to do this, and I’m so proud of us for continuing to carve out time for time for both mamas and little girls to foster and nurture our friendships.

HG insisted that Cressey come along, and who can say no to such a sweet sister plea?? So I agreed. She actually did as well as could be expected on the 2.5 hour car ride. She only slept about 30 minutes each way and a dirty diaper made her mad as we arrived at the lake, but generally, she was content and entertained by the Baker girls in the car with us. She hated the pack n play the first night (and kept me awake with her groaning), but we both slept better the second night. Naps were nonexistent, but the house was a little wild with all those little ladies. And it made for a quiet, nap-filled week when we got home!

The big girls had the best time running around the basement and making videos. They really pick right up where they left off the last time we saw each other, and it’s so good for the mamas to get to catch up too!

Ready to hit the road, packed to the gills!

When the {lack of} nap situation got a little dire, Jen and I hopped in the car and just drove! Anything for a few minutes of peace.

Oh yeah, Daylight Savings Time hit while we were there. Cressey was up and had a nap before the sun rose. Zzzzzzz

Our first trip in 2013

CMT: Seven Months

At seven months old, Cressey can sit up like a champ. She’s even reaching way forward and to the side and 90% of the time can pull herself back up.

Ever since she could hold her own head up, she has not been one to lay her head on your shoulder. While she always wants to be on my hip, she’s just one to really snuggle. BUT I have noticed her a few times lately lean into me and put her head on my shoulder for a few seconds- maybe the start of a hug???

On Nov 11th, her first tooth (on her bottom right) broke through.

She holds up her arms for you to pick her up. Mama is such a sucker for that!

She’s gotten much better at eating baby food and isn’t tongue thrusting so much. Still would rather have her milk though.

She has started opening and closing her hand- perhaps working on waving?

She has become a side sleeper. Still takes two long naps (after school drop off and after noon) and then a shorter one around dinner time.

We’ve been spoiled that she’s been such a good sleeper and a laidback baby, but this teething has thrown a kink in things. This past weekend, she was really fussy all day and night. The nights were rough, as she woke up several times and was inconsolable. In general, she wants to be held, then doesn’t want to be held; wants to eat, then doesn’t want to eat. She’d just sit in the floor and cry. At one point in the early morning hours, she even threw up. I finally took her to the doctor (she weighs 24 pounds), and there was nothing wrong. Maybe an ear infection starting, maybe a virus, but most likely teething. Please let this next tooth come in and give me my easy going baby back!

CMT: Six Month Photos

Cressey’s six-month session by Cassie Bousson, October 23, 2016