Monday, July 26, 2010

July!

July has been nothing short of CRAZY..... in every sense of the word! Here are a few highlights!!

The Friday before we headed off to Josh's folks for Independence Day we had some company! Uncle Bob, Uncle Rui, Auntie Sue & Ellen all came to have some coffee with Josh and I and to see our house. Unfortunately, it was a quick visit - but, we made the most of it. It is always FANTASTIC spending time with family - always.

One of Papaw Birdies friends painted Carter a picture of Fireman Sam. Carter loves it and we plan to frame it and put it on the wall in his play room.

Mackenzie had her two month brace removal check-up on Tuesday, July 13th @ Duke. Dr. Fitch said her hip appears to be growing as it should. We were told that we don't have to do anything different with her as she learns to crawl, etc. He wants to see her back in 6 months to assure it is continuing as it should. Hopefully, at that point we will only have to go yearly for the next few years.


Carter is certainly behaving like your typical three year old. For the most part he is a very kind and loving little guy. However, when he has his moments - WATCH OUT! I'm fairly certain we will not have to worry about this little guy being a follower..... he shows every sign of becoming a hard headed leader. At this point, I'm not really sure if that is a good thing, or not!?

It is not even an option to leave the little princess unattended -- she is moving all over the place. Right now she is mainly just rolling - however, she tries her hand in crawling and will often succeed to scoot herself a couple feet across the living room. Her sitting abilities are still a work in progress - if she didn't like to pull up onto her feet I think she would have mastered it already. However, every time I sit her up - she wants to pull up!

We were blessed with great sleepers.... period. I've managed to get Kenzie on a great napping schedule during the day. After her 11am bottle I will let her play for about 30 minutes then it is off to her bed she goes. She sometimes will fuss a bit; however, within 5 minutes she is fast asleep and will often sleep 2 1/2 good hours.

In the evenings Josh and I have both kids in bed and sound asleep no later than 8pm. We stopped swaddling Mackenzie a few weeks back and she didn't even skip a beat. I actually think she sleeps better now. She has no interest in a paci and seems even more and more less interested in finding her thumb?! Only time will tell how that will all pan out. Carter has tried a few stall tactics - most of which we have been able to nip in the bud. On average Carter gets me up around 7:20am and Mackenzie will often sleep or at least play in her bed until I get her around 7:45am. The goal during the week is to be out the door around 8:30am..... routine is the key!

Rice cereal has been a hit. Kenzie has sampled it a time or two over the last week. I will start migrating it into our routine more and more over the next few weeks. I'm pretty sure Mackenzie won't turn down much of anything. I'll be shocked if she is a fussy eater ;-)

Things at Merz (Josh's company) have been quite busy; however, Josh does everything possible to be home for dinner. We have really made it a point to eat dinner as a family. We all really like our time together. The kids and I are lucky to have such a fantastic Dad & hubby.


Just last week Mackenzie found her feet and oh how she loves them so!


Carter FINALLY did it... he filled his vase full of fuzzy balls. One thing we have struggled with was getting Carter to not call us and ask us silly questions in the monitor with the talk back feature once he was in bed. It wasn't a huge deal, it was just annoying and the questions were getting more and more. So, Josh's mom suggested a fuzzy ball jar. I had bought Carter a Handy Manny bench that we were saving for the perfect moment. Well, this was the perfect opportunity to have him work for it. It took a while, I don't think he quite understood that once the vase was fully of fuzzy balls he would get the bench.... until it happened. That little dude was soooo proud he couldn't hardly stand himself.


He even helped Josh put it together!

Aunt Leilani modeling the baby Bjorn!

Kenzie snoozing on my lap. Perfect.

Our babies just being down right cute!!


Sunday, July 11, 2010

Beachin' it.

Our first trip to the beach this summer was a BLAST! We always try to plan a beach trip around Auntie Gail & Uncle Paul's vacation.... it was easy to do this year since they were there for two weeks.

Mackenzie took to Uncle Paul right away......

We arrived early enough on Friday to get in a little beach time. Carter and Pep didn't waste any time getting wet.

Carter and Auntie Gail enjoying some quality time on the beach!

Mackenzie enjoyed putting her feet in the sand for the first time.

After a fantastic Italian dinner made by Trish - we headed back to our hotel. What a great set up we had at The Beau (thanks Dad). Carter was pooped.... so tired he didn't give us any grief that we left NayNay at home. Hopefully, we no longer have to drag him along when we travel. Heck, I'd have to guess he isn't even needed in his bed at home any longer. Of course, we will never be able to travel any where with out BearBear & Crocodile (or his special blankets and pillow).

Saturday started off with a little golf cart ride for Carter & Pep!!

Then we headed to the beach!! Jason, Melissa, Madison & Janae joined us on for a fun filled day! All kids got to skip their naps -- surprisingly enough, they were having so much fun it didn't even phase them. Carter was smitten with Madison - so much so he wouldn't leave her side... poor girl. Everyone came back to our hotel and enjoyed beer and pizza for dinner!

Mackenzie enjoying her lunch on the beach with Dad & I. So special.

Auntie Tammy, Sam & Jag joined us on the beach both Saturday & Sunday for a couple of hours. It was so great to see them. I can't believe how big they have gotten.

Chris (one of their friends), Jagger & Samantha!

Mem & Tammy relaxing!

Escaping the birds....

Carter is still talking about how much fun we had.... it won't be long before we go back!!

Be sure to check out Picasa - click here - for all the beach fun!

Monday, July 5, 2010

4th of July - 2010

The tradition continues! A couple of years ago Mike & Marsha decided to start the 4th of July tradition on the lake. On average we have 15 Lipscomb's -- or at least connected to 1 in one way shape or form. This year was no exception. Every year I ask Josh to please not take sooo many pictures, he never listens. Actually, I'm pretty sure I'm just as much to blame as he is this year. Below are a few highlights - be sure to check out Picasa for all of them!

Lots of fun was had by all.

Within seconds of our arrival (after not seeing the kids for a week), Carter had Josh in the pool doing fly baby!

We relaxed by the pool.....


We tubed..... Carter even gave it a try - and loved it!

We drove the boat..... slow.

Some laid low....

Some were surprised!!

Corn hole was played... not quite into the wee hours like last year!

Some talked on the phone!

And the best part of the whole weekend is always the booze cruise to see the fireworks!



Some watched them, unlike last year.....

Others didn't.

Mike & Marsha - as always, you out did yourselves. We had a blast and are already looking forward to next year!!


Don't forget to check out Picasa for all the fun.... click here!

Friday, July 2, 2010

Only Nana!

For those of you that know me well, know that I am NOT the fru-fru type. Well, this is what happens when you tell Nana's to take it easy with the fru-fru stuff. It is a good thing I love her... a lot.

Take a peak at what Nana & Auntie Ramie dressed Mackenzie in for our arrival.







I have to admit - she looks adorable in her very first tutu.

p.s. The fluffy pink thing is still at the lake.... right where it belongs!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Day 6 and 7 at the Lake

Mommy and Daddy,

Your babies have had a lot of fun the past two days. I do believe Kenzie gets cuter each day. She has really enjoyed her time with the girls and her big brother. Ramie and Donna gave her a tubby, she watched a movie with Carter and relaxed by the pool with Kelsey. Nana really enjoys putting her in new outfits (about six changes per day). The Lipscomb women are training Kenzie for her role as the Lipscomb "Diva". Ramie passed her title to Kelsey years ago, and now Kelsey is passing it onto Kenzie.

Carter picked some blueberries with me and ate them for lunch. He couldn't understand why they are called blueberries because they are purple. So we are going to start calling them purple-berries. He sure likes them, whatever they are called. He rode around in the bass boat using the trolling motor (we were very careful), helped me water the neighbors flowers and spent a lot of time in the pool. See you Friday.

Granddaddy Mike

Kenzie rolling over!

Napping by the pool.

Movie night!

Enjoying a tubby.

Spending time with Aunt Donna!

Carter enjoying his lunch!

Watering the flowers.

Swimming like a fish.

Picking blueberries.... errrr... purple-berries!

Learning to drive the bass boat with Granddaddy!