Way Too Long...

Wow. It has been over one month since I've posted anything. Sorry! Here's a little slide show of Sophie from 12 to 16 weeks. She is a mover and shaker these days. 

First Pool Experience

Our neighborhood has a community pool (although we never take advantage of it). Our friends across the park celebrated their anniversary and his birthday with a pool party. It was a little cool so Ron and I didn't get in, but I put Sophie in her little bathing suit so she could put her feet in. 

On the way down...

"Daddy, what are you doing to me?"

"COLD!!"

"No thanks. I'm done."

She did not care for the water. Granted it was pretty chilly that night. She loves baths! She enjoys kicking and splashing water all over Mommy. It's one of her favorite things to do. Maybe we'll get to the pool sometime before the season is over. Headed our way anytime soon? Pack your bathing suit. We can hit the pool!

Ellie

I was kind of excited that Ellie was due for shots this month because I wanted to see how much she weighed. She is no longer a baby puppy that I can pick up and hold in my arms. Although she thinks she is sometimes. Ron and I made guesses as to how much she weighed. He's usually right on when Sophie goes to Dr, but this was not the case with Ellie. Any guesses?

I think it's funny that both babies and puppies attach themselves to certain items. For Ellie it is this blanket. Well, there are two of them, so both blankets. She has chewed holes in them, making them look like swiss cheese. Ellie loves to pull them out of her toy bucket and put one end in your hand so you will play tug with her. If you don't grab it when she gives it to you, she will push it into your hand with her nose. It is so funny! She will grab it with her teeth and shake it so it hits her in the head. She'll take it upstairs with her. She lays on it like a pillow. It's her blanket. I know that puppies aren't human, but the similarities between puppies and children are endless! Oh, I almost forgot. Ellie was a trooper getting 6 shots. She weighed 68.8 lbs, and doesn't have to go back until November.

Our First Strawberry

I was very excited to see that our strawberry plants were growing fruit! Here is our first strawberry. For Christmas, Ron bought me an awesome book called A Slice of Organic Life which suggests growing strawberries in hanging baskets. I especially thought this was a great idea because last year our puppy dug up all of the plants and herbs that I planted. So we're giving it a try.

It wasn't what I expected. The strawberry looks ripe, sweet, and juicy. Right? Well, that's what I expected. Instead, it was sour and juicy. The texture was good, the taste wasn't. Ron said it was because of the dirt. Plants are supposed to grow in the ground, not in a pot. Perhaps, but the book said I could do it that way. I'm hoping that the other strawberries will taste better. Here's to wishful thinking!

The Drive-In

We had tried to have a date night while my Mom was in town, but it didn't work out. On the days that Ron got home from work at a decent time, Sophie was super fussy. Of course that was partly my fault. I just couldn't resist the chicken enchiladas my Mom made for us while she was here. They were very yummy! Since we couldn't make that happen, we decided we would go to the drive-in. You can't beat the price and you get to see two movies! We got to see "Night at the Museum II" and "Wolverine". Both were great movies! I especially enjoyed seeing the back story of Wolverine. It made parts of the X-Men movies make more sense to me. Probably because I've never read the comic books. 

We weren't quite as prepared while at the Drive-In as I thought we were. I should have brought an extra pair of pants since Sophie's diaper leaked on me, and we should have brought blankets so she could lay on the backseat. Instead, I held her through the first movie (should have brought a pillow for my arm!) and we tried to get her to sleep in her car seat for the second movie. She hates her car seat! Next time, we'll be more prepared. And I think I'll wear my pj's, or at least comfy pants. If you've never been a drive-in, I highly suggest going. It was a lot of fun! Oh, but beware of smoke inhalation. I totally didn't think about the fact that since we were outside people would feel the freedom to smoke even though they knew they were parked near a car with a baby. Thankfully they weren't right next to us!

The ticket booth. One guy was running both sides.

Although we were parked behind the concession stand, we still had a great view. The bathrooms were a little scary. I'm glad I wasn't pregnant!

Family picture at the Drive-In.

Look at those chubby cheeks! She's so sweet!!

She took a cat nap before the movie. It was past her bed time!

Visiting with the Joyce's

The weekend of May 16th was quite busy for us. We went to pick up my Mom at the airport and then were blessed to get to visit with the Joyce's. They had spent the day at the race track in Concord, letting M get her first taste of what Race Day at the track was like. We were excited that they thought to come visit us since they were so close! Although I knew that I missed our family back in WF, this visit made me realize how much I miss them. Thank you for blessing us with your visit, Joyce's. We needed it. We love you guys and miss you dearly! Hopefully we'll get to visit sometime soon.

Mr. Chris couldn't wait to hold Sophie. She is irresistible. Just look at those thighs!

Ms. Stephnie holding Sophie while she slept.

M enjoyed having Sophie lay next to her in the grass.

The girls :).

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

Since before we moved to the area we had wanted to visit the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. I had wanted to visit on Mother's Day, but Ron had to work, so we didn't go. To make it up to me, he took a day "off" so we could visit the Garden. (It's never really a day off because the phone is always on and someone always calls.) We started the day eating lunch at Jersey Mike's. I am so glad I can eat lunchmeat again. It was very yummy (but it tastes better in WF - I think their bread is more fresh). When we reached our car I saw that I had been flipped (see picture below)! It's a little game that the Mommy Forum I belong to plays. When you spot someone sporting their Lake Norman Mommies Magnet, you flip it upside-down, or flip and move it. It's pretty exciting to go to your car and see that your magnet was flipped. It's the little things :). 

I was flipped while we were eating at Jersey Mike's off Gilead Road. Still don't know who flipped me.

The Botanical Gardens were beautiful! I'm so glad that we went. It was even better because we had a coupon for a buy one admission get one admission free! I love those deals. We decided that next time we would bring a picnic lunch. It's not too far away, but I wish we lived closer. It was so peaceful. I would love to go out there with my Bible and just sit, read, and marvel at God's goodness.

I just loved this picture!

Sophie loved smelling the flowers.

Beautiful roses.

This water feature was so fun and very refreshing. It was quite warm that day.

I love pink flowers!

Our attempt at a family photo :).

Sophie's first trip out of the beautiful state of NC and into SC. If course we went to walk around the outlet mall in Gaffney. What else is there to do in Gaffney? Although I saw lots that I wanted to buy, we only bought lotion for Granny because they sell it at the stores anymore. But, shhh. It's a surprise for when she and Papa come visit again. It was a long day, but a wonderful day to spend together as a family.