Mamaw Gresham

Juliet was able to meet Mamaw Gresham recently! This was such a sweet visit. It was precious. Mamaw cannot see or smell and her hearing is almost gone. Sometimes her memory isn't good, but she knows Juliet!

She will list two of her greatgrands and then say, "there's one more..."

Then her nurse (who also happens to be her niece) will prompt her with "Romeo and..."

"Juliet!" Mamaw will say.

When we arrived at the nursing home, Pops told her that he brought a special visitor today. She immediately said, "You brought the baby!" Justin and Pops sat on each side of her and Justin held Juliet. She kissed Juliet's hands and feet. It was so sweet. Mamaw tired after about a thirty minute visit. I was taking pictures the whole time. There are some really sweet ones we will all treasure! Juliet will not remember this visit, but Juliet has a few tokens of Mamaw's handwork, crochet blankets and a quilt.

Centro de Actividad

On Tuesday Justin put together an activity center for Juliet. It was hilarious. She wore herself out. Leigh compared her to a person sitting at their desk with a million things to do, answering the phone, writing, typing, faxing, emailing, you name it. Juliet was so busy and loved it! At dinner she was pooped. Granddaddy was holding her and she fell asleep in his lap with no prompting.

What next?

Skinny legs!

I didn't realize how busy Juliet is until last Sunday. She sat through her first cradle roll class. It was precious. Juliet's hands were everywhere and everything was in her mouth. Everyone else was chillin' sitting back enjoying the show. Granddaddy thinks she'll be like Justin and Deda...always busy, never resting. Of course, I'm the opposite, I know how to relax! As Juliet becomes more and more mobile, it should be fun!!

Juliet in her ballet pose

How I found her after her morning nap

Love Me Some Family!

Juliet loves her family. So much so, she licks them. Whether they are here or not. The next few posts are dedicated to family. I've gotten really behind on this area, so we are going to go all the way back when Juliet was born.

Juliet and "Aint" Leigh looking through her photo album.

Geems and Papa

A few days later Juliet met her second set of great-grandparents, my Grandma and Papa (my mom's parents). They were able to stay for a few days. They were a great help while they were here. Grandma of course cooked some wonderful meals and especially the cherry pie!! Grandma also shared with me how to care for baby Juliet, from bathing, keeping her warm, and all they things they "used to do!" It was a very precious time and I will always treasure it! We got a ton of 4 generation pictures because either Mama or Geems had their eyes closed or mouth open! We finally got a few good ones. By-the-way, Geems is a hoot and Leigh gets her into all sorts of trouble. She rode in the grocery cart from Leigh's house to ours...


We also spent Easter with Geems and Papa in Tallahassee. Tallahassee is so beautiful, especially in the Spring. Easter is a great time to go. Juliet and I were able to spend a few extra days with them following Easter. Grandma enjoyed holding, reading to and bathing Juliet. Juliet loved sitting with Papa too! He got in a good bit of holding and played his banjo for her and even got down on the floor and played!

GiGi

Juliet is so fortunate to have 4 great-grandparents! GiGi (my Granny and Daddy's mama) was the first great-grandmother to meet Juliet. Aunt Kathy was sweet to bring GiGi up from Florida for the visit. Juliet was just over a week old. We were able to get some great 4 generation pictures. Some think I look a lot like Granny. In one of the generation pictures, you can see where I get my cheeks from!




We also were able to see GiGi again Mother's Day weekend. A bunch of the Brannan's got together for my cousin Amanda's graduation from nursing school. It's not every Mother's Day that a mother gets to have her son, granddaughter and great-granddaughter all together! GiGi is moving to North Georgia soon, so hopefully we'll get to see her more often.

The whole group!

Granny with Aunt Kathy, Daddy and Uncle Kenny

Granny, Aunt Kathy and Juliet

Granny with her girls Me, Amanda (the grad!), Leigh and Juliet

The Laney's

This was Juliet's reaction when I told her she was going to meet the Laney's :)

I can't tell you how excited we were that we were able to see the Laney's while in Tupelo!! It's been a year since we had seen them and we've both made additions to our family. It was so crazy, the last time we saw Audra and Andrew, it was for Drew's baby shower. I remember telling Justin, "I am glad it's them and not us. I don't think I'm ready for months of no sleep." Little did I know, I was pregnant at that time! HA!! We broke the news that we were expecting 5 days before Drew was born. I can't believe we have kiddos the same age!

I am so thankful for blogs. It didn't seem like it was the very first time I got to see Drew. He is such a happy little guy, it's infectious! It was so fun watching him take steps by himself and become more and more confident in his walking abilities, just in the short time we were together. Babies are amazing! It's great the we are going through raising children together. It makes our bond even stronger! We both understand time limitations, frustrating car rides, spit up and diapers. I look forward to spending more than a few hours with them next time. I cannot wait to make some chocolate chip cookies and play Hand-and-Foot!! We love and miss you like crazy, Audra, Andrew and Drew!

Some Cuteness

I've got to get on the ball and catch up! Anyways, I know we could all use a dose of cuteness, especially Juliet! Here's my little darlin'!

In her Zutano outfit. We had to go shopping for a bow the day she wore it because I didn't want to get questions~boy or a girl? (if you have a shower gift to buy and don't know the gender of the baby Zutano Baby is a great option). I wish Juliet would smile for the camera. She's so stinkin' cute when she does!

L-o-v-e the froggie jammies. Look at her cute little feet! When I read to her, I have to give her another book so I can finish what I'm reading. She gets so excited, she wants to lick the pages! This little book from Aunt Kama seems to do the trick. It is amazing to see her hold it like she knows what she's doing.

We've all seen the trends, wearing your jeans backwards, wearing your hat backwards, or even your shirt. Juliet is working a new trend in babyland, wearing her bib backwards. Or she could be a superhero! "Drooliet!" Her super power is drool! She even has a sidekick, Mr. Toucan.

Crazy Weather

Our weather has been crazy here! Last week we had flooding and now it's the 18th of May, high 60s and a breeze! I cannot believe it, but I am so thankful. After 3 years of drought and super hot summers (Summer 07 we had 20+ days over 100 degrees), this is a welcome change. Ha ha to "global warming." The joke is on all the suckers who actually believe in it.

It flooded here on the 7th. We received 9 inches of rain! Thankfully our home was not affected. Some in our area were though. Because it was such a huge amount of water in a relatively short amount of time, draining was the main issue.

It began raining at 6 a.m. About 8:30, I heard Lucy yelping. I knew something was up. When it rains, she'll go in her house in her pin and camp out. She doesn't mind. The path to her pin always floods and gets super mucky, but she's never had a problem with that before. As I looked out the window, she was trying to jump over the fence and then she was trying to dig out. Unfortunately she was just treading water. The rain had begun to rise quickly and starting flooding her dog house. It was pitiful. I rescued her. She spent all day in the house until Justin got home.

This video was taken after I got Lucy in:



Justin took her on a boat ride! The rains had cut back considerably, so Justin and Lucy decided to survey the flood waters in our neighborhood. Of course Justin had a great time; I think Lucy did too. I took pictures and then posted them on our local news website. Justin titled it "Man, dog, boat." It got tons of hits and we received emails and phone calls from friends saying they had seen the picture.

The waters quickly receded. Our neighborhood is at the top of a huge hill, so the water was gone within hours. That evening we were able to take a walk. Since then we've had even more rain. This Saturday we received an inch and it rain/sprinkled all day yesterday. Today though, it's chilly, windy and sunny. Juliet and I are about to take a stroll. Have a lovely day!

My First Mother's Day

I can't believe that I'm the one being celebrated on Mother's Day. It was a weird because I am so used to planning secret goodies for Mama with Leigh, but this time I couldn't be in on all the plans! Justin, Leigh, Daddy and Juliet did a great job!

We were all in Augusta, GA celebrating my cousin's graduation from nursing school (yay Amanda!). Mama and I woke that morning to a beautiful breakfast, yummy fruit, pastries and banana chocolate chip bread. Juliet and Justin are treating me to a day of shopping! After church with most of the Brannan Family, we all headed to Bonefish Grill. It was so yummy! I know it was fun for Granny to have 3 of her kids with her this year to celebrate.

Being on "this side" of Mother's Day certainly puts it in a totally different perspective. I have always been so thankful and grateful for my mother. I know she (and Daddy) has sacrificed a lot. But, now that I'm a mother, I am beginning to learn the extent of the sacrifice that "mother" truly means. I've always known Mama (and Daddy) loves me and would do anything for me. I know how much I love Juliet and words can be put to it. Now I know how much Mama loves me! *tearing up*

Mother's Day is a great day to celebrate and now I truly know why!

"You Justin Lookin' Thing"

That's what Mama (Deda) says when she sees Juliet. And almost everyone else. I've always had trouble being able to put a label on her. I can see features, like her feet and build, that are exactly like Justin. During her 4 month photo shoot, I got a shot that looks just like Justin to me. It's in the mouth and eyes.

4 Months

Can you believe Juliet is 4 months old?? Even though its going by fast, it seems as though she has always been part of our lives. Isn't neat how that happens. I remember saying the same thing about Justin. I feel like he has always been with me. I love feeling that way.

Juliet is growing by leaps and bounds. Her 4 month appointment was Tuesday. She weighed 12 lbs. 10 oz., 25 1/2 in. long, and her head measured 16 1/4 in. around. Her head is average, her weight is in the 25th percentile, but she is in the 90th percentile in height! Once again, a long lean baby! The doc is impressed with her skills and muscle tone.

Her development is jumping right along. This girl can get loud! She might be developing a smidgen of a temper too. Especially when it comes to eating, she does not like being interrupted nor does she like it when I'm too slow. She is spitting up a good bit, which is not fun. She always spits up on her freshly pressed clothes as soon as they go on. She not in pain when she spits up, so the doc said not to worry about it. Spit up is at it's peak at 4 months and should be gone by 9 months.


She's liking tummy time for 5-10 minutes. While on her tummy she holds her head up so well, looks around, and plays with toys. She's grabbing for toys now. She loves her raspberry teether the most. She grabs it the fastest. Even though the doc said there is no sign of teeth, she is drooling like crazy and she really likes her gums being rubbed. It is so funny to stick your finger in her mouth or the raspberry and she starts cooing. It's like your pressing a talk button!

She rolled over back to tummy for the first time the Friday after Easter and I missed it. She did it again that Sunday, twice. Two times and now she's not interested. She rolled from her tummy to back for me and Justin this week. She is so fast about it. You have to watch to make sure you don't miss it.

We are reading a singing a lot. Juliet still loves Brown Bear and Dr. Suess's ABCs. She gets so excited with Brown Bear and pats the book. Her eyes get so wide when I read it to her. She loves singing too. Any song with hand motions, she gets so excited about.

She's starting to show she's ticklish. She likes it when I "eat" her neck and she's ticklish on her chest right below her chin. It's so cute. She even likes it when we bounce her in the air lightly or if we hop around with her in our arms.

We have one more trip and then I should be getting back into the blogging groove.

Photo sessions are getting more difficult as you can see...