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...

Room For Dessert

One thing is for sure, dinner will always be followed by dessert at my Grandma's house. "Save room for dessert," is a phrase frequently spoken around my grandparent's table. No matter how wonderful the meal you just ate, dessert is a must! Papa thinks there is something wrong with you if you don't accept. It's nice when Grandma reminds you, "save room for dessert," as she piles a second helping of squash souffle on your plate.

While Justin and I were dating, he was introduced to this right of the bat (although his mama makes mighty fine desserts too!). He has grown so accustomed to it, he now claims he has a "dessert stomach." Indicating where his "dessert stomach" is, he motions with his hands, pushing the food he just ate to one side showing he has plenty of "room for dessert."

It's not just the savory dishes or the incredible desserts that make Grandma's table what it is, it's the time shared around the table. It's not uncommon to find everyone still at the table hours after the last bite has been taken, carried off into conversations and debates. Papa is the great story teller. He has had such a colorful life and he loves to tell us about it. No matter if we have heard the story before, we drink in every word. Not only are there stories about him, but of our family's history, politics and religion. Needless to say, the table can get pretty hot! Anyone who joins this table is treated like family. This tradition has passed on to my parents' table, to my sister's table and to my table too.

When you sit down at the table you truly get to know those sitting around it. Growing up we always had family meals, without exception. Mama and Daddy felt it was very important as a family to share and be together. My parents valued this time so much, that Daddy delayed getting his college education because it would have interfered with supper time. This an important tradition that Justin and I will continue. We began from day one, eating dinner together. As Mama taught me, the table is cleared, properly set with "every day" china, and a meal with colorful composition is presented. This is the environment we want to bring Juliet up in, dinner time is family time. This is a time to share stories and ideas, both exciting and mundane and we have as much time as you need. When we have friends for dinner, the same is in store for them. And we remind them to "save room for dessert."

a+b=c

+

Mom doing business on the phone in the kitchen

=

She rolled over and I MISSED it!

Yesterday at lunch Juliet rolled over! I'm so proud. She hasn't done it again though.

I feel like I need to do a weekly update of her developments. Her personality and abilities have exploded this week! It is so much fun!!

We're working on our roll

especially for the grandparents.