Happy Birthday

Today is my half birthday, yep, that's right I'm 6 months old today. It seems like just yesterday mom and dad were bringing me home from the hospital. But today I've reached half of my first year. 

Yeah, I'm big stuff now!

This summer was pretty fun I guess, although it seemed like every four or five nights mom and dad were putting me to bed in a different spot. I used to sleep through the night (I'm talking 10-12 hours people!) but I decided I'd had enough of that so now I wake them up at 5am (or sooner), after all sleeping is for babies and I'm a big girl.  

You probably can't tell from this photo but I now have two teeth now. Pretty great stuff. Who knew teeth could be so good?!

I'm sure I don't have to point this out to you but I can now sit up on my own, that also happened this summer. Talk about a whole new world! There are so many new things to see, explore and experience from a sitting position, how did I manage before? 

Since mom and dad decided to drag us all over Washington (and Oregon and California) I met a lot of  new folks. I mean A LOT of new folks. I never knew we had so many relations. Best part is they all wanted a piece of me so I hardly ever had to sit on my own or entertain myself. I sure wish they'd come 'round again, it's pretty dull without them. 

Did I tell you I'm thinking about crawling soon? That's right I can get up on all fours. Moving my legs is no problem, but I can't get my arms to cooperate. I've tried and tried but just end up doing a face plant. Good thing daddy passed along a nice sturdy(aka big) head for me. I'll keep you posted on the upcoming changes. Mom and Dad have no idea what they're in for (wink, wink).

4 months

Precious girl, Happy 4 months! You have made us both a little sappy these days. We are pretty sure we'll be moving to a new house in August but before we decided to move we first had to mourn the loss of our first home together, our first home as three. Mushy business I know, it's just 'cause you're so special.  

You have become your own person for sure! Your own person with a will and a desire. Most often I witness your will being opposed to mine during nap time. Yikes, girl, you've got some lungs. I'm pretty sure Tom Petty wasn't talking about parenting, nevertheless his song kept coming to my mind, specifically; 

"I will stand my ground, and I won't back down, 'cause baby there ain't no easy way out." 

You've since come around to my way of thinking concerning naps but I'm sure our desires will clash again and I'll have to reference this song once more.

You can now roll and stand with help. You really love to stand, I think you'd do it all day if we had energy to hold you there. Good thing we are calling in backup and travelling to Washington for a little vaca. I'm sure we'll find lots of folks willing to help you stand.

 You've grown so much, you now sit up in your stroller, that was a milestone that caught me by surprise and yes, it did make me a little sad, pathetic I know!

You've always been a good eater but these last two months you grew three inches. You are now 26in tall. Good work! We love you baby, there might not be an easy way out but we are happy to walk it with you.

The land that time forgot

You've wondered if time travel is possible and we're here to tell you that yes, yes it is. Travel back with me will you?

(Disclaimer: This post has doesn't have any baby photos, so if you're a baby junkie stay tuned.)

An hour south of Tuscaloosa is the sleepy little town of Greensboro, AL or if you prefer the Catfish Capital of Alabama; home of the Pie Lab.

We went for one reason: Dessert. Well, pie, specifically. It seems this is probably one of the only things this town has going for it, or at least it appears that way from the looks of Main St.

Sometimes you just need to stretch out, to break free from the confines of Tuscaloosa and savor something different, maybe a slice of coconut cream or chocolate bourbon pecan. Yep, this was just what Saturday ordered. Complete with farm tables and exposed brick, this restaurant brought Pinterest to life. 

Bonus: If you are looking for a place to shoot your next 1950s flick look no further than our very own Greensboro.

Hale County Library: reminds me of something from the set of  Pleasantville

Confessions before month three

Time flies when you're having fun or when raising babies. I mean really, where did these last weeks go? Week 12?? Are you kidding me.

Confession: I've come to enjoy middle of the night feedings. Now that you are sleeping through the night (well sleeping through the night in your rock n play, you have yet to master a complete night in your crib) 3am feedings have become a thing of the past, almost. There are the sporadic nights (when we put you in your crib) where you wake and need me and while I do my best to make them boring and quick (cause we all know you don't really 'need' me) I love our time together. I never thought I'd linger in the rocking chair at 3am but I find myself rocking you for a few more minutes than necessary just because I can. 'Cause it's just you and me, and nothing else is demanding my attention, and if this last month is any indication pretty soon you aren't going to need me at all in the night. Don't get me wrong, I love sleeping for a solid 8 hours but I also really love our time together.

Are you kidding me mom? Another blog post photo, really?

You seem to have graduated from newborn to full on baby this month. You have so many skills that you didn't have at first. I'm amazed that you've caught on so quickly, amazed and also a little sad. 'Cause was 8 weeks really long enough to be so small? I was emotional and sore and in a fog for most of those 8 weeks, couldn't we go back now that I am more alert? Confession: I wasn't ready for you to grow so quickly.

You  I survived your first time to stay with a non-family member and your first time in the church nursery. You were great of course, and kuddos to me: I didn't check up on you/stalk you while you were away. I've been mentally preparing myself for a while now but confession: leaving you is harder than I imagined. Leaving you with grandma/grandpa is way easier than leaving you with someone who isn't related to me, I'm not sure why but it just is. But now that we have the first time under our belt I think the next time with be a touch easier.

We love you so very much and look forward to the adventures that lie in month three.
Loves 

Sing/Talk

My life has become a musical. Yep, that's right, a musical. And not just any musical mind you, not the ones with lots of talking and then the characters spontaneously break out into song. No, think more along the lines of the latest Les Miserables where Hugh and Anne "sing-talk" (very technical term) their way through their lines. 

Here at the McCurry house we "sing-talk" about all sorts of things, finding parking spots, eating, changing clothes, pooping (yes, pooping). 

I told Dan I feel like Jan Levinson from The Office. No, not the crazy side of Jan (although there is some of that) but the mommy side of Jan, and I hope you're not thinking "Son of a Preacher Man". Think the "sing-talk" side of Jan.

Why do we "sing-talk"? 'Cause we're in love. Of course with each other but also with our daughter. You do stupid stuff when you're in love; like first boyfriend kind of love. Head in the clouds, deliriously happy, sing your way through the day kind of love, even if there are a lot of bodily fluids, it's still worth singing about. 

Baby Girl 9 weeks old

Entertain Me

The MANY faces of baby:

Two Months

This precious girl slept for the fist half of our photo shoot

Two months, where did those last 8 weeks go? It's so special to see you grow before our eyes. I watch your eyes and just know you are absorbing all the information you can and learning something new. 

 You have discovered your hands this week, bringing them to your mouth after going cross eyed with concentration. We also have a new babysitter for you; the ceiling fan. Good thing we have two in our house. You spend hours, and I do mean hours, cooing in delight at something so big that you can finally see, moving or not you seem to get excited about it. 

Speaking of moving your dad and I are thinking of starting a series of workout dvds based on your movements. When we lay you on your back you spend almost the whole time thrashing your hands in the air and against your belly, all while your feet and legs are suspended in the air (talk about strong abs) and then simultaneously move your head from side to side. I wonder how many calories you're burning? 

The many faces of baby

Happy Two Months!