Eat At Ed's

EAT AT ED'S!

The final evening in Chicago and we "Ate At Ed's." Jami and her friend Robert met us at Ed Debevic's, where the burgers are great and the manners are - well -- forget it, they are rude -- and HILARIOUS! Their motto? "If you like what you're eatin', order more. If you don't ­ there's the Door." We put on our Ed's hats, ate and laughed and laughed. A perfect end to a perfect Chicago trip.

Spring Break 2006 Part IV

Spring Break 2006 - Part IV


Day 2 in Chicago and we were rarin' to go.....to the Museum of Science & Industry!! Uncle Scott volunteers there and was nice enough to get us tickets AND meet us there for the official tour. To our surprise, he met us there with his friend & ours, Mike P.! We were happy to see him, since it had been over a year since we saw him as emcee at our wedding reception. The museum was absolutely wonderful - we just wish we had a few more days to spend there. SO many things to see and do in this fabulous museum. Bailey enjoyed the space exhibit, the coal mine tour, saw a real-live German U-Boat, piloted a submarine with her Dad, and Lauren AND Bailey loved the Omnimax movie. Mark and I enjoyed the museum as much as the girls. It



was great to spend time with Uncle Scott. I believe Lauren snuck in a special conversation with her uncle, too. Thank you, Uncle Scott!

Spring Break 2006 Part 3

Spring Break 2006 Part III

From Elwood we traveled to the Windy City - CHICAGO! We were so excited for this part of our vacation. It is here we would see Aunt Jami Schlafer AND Uncle Scott Whitsitt. Mark drove and I read the Mapquest directions - and we are still alive and still married to tell about it. We made it downtown and checked into the Fairfield Inn by Marriott just a block from the Magnificent Mile of shopping. Bailey could hardly contain herself - I think she may have broken out in hives just from being in such close proximity to shopping. She was calculating how much money was in her account the whole way there, despite the fact that shopping was not on our agenda. Ah - preteen girls (sigh). We unloaded the 800 lbs. of baby gear necessary to travel for a week, paid the valet $35 to park for ONE NIGHT and made it to our room. We kicked off our shoes, relaxed and began preparing for the exciting evening we had planned.

Aunt Jami was so nice to us - she found Mark & I half-price tickets to a musical ("I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change!) at the Royal George Theater, recommended Uncle Julio's Hacienda for dinner AND agreed to watch the girls so we could spend the night on the town like unmarried people without kids do! It was WONDERFUL! The meal was muy delicioso! No counting points for this meal, baby! I didn't CARE if I gained the 14 some pounds I'd lost back - this meal was worth it! Did I mention the chocolate flan we had for dessert? MMMMMMMMMMM!

Anyway, Aunt Jami is da bomb - thank you! Bailey was thrilled to hang out with Jami - not so thrilled that Lauren wasn't ready to go to sleep IMMEDIATELY. (See fake smile below). And Jami ordered an extremely cheesy Chicago-style pizza, which Bailey is STILL raving about. The babysitting was a success because Bailey had fun, Lauren fell asleep (after a long fussy period followed by a few big baby belches) and Jami left still speaking to us.

Spring Break Part 2

Spring Break Part II

Next we headed north to Elwood, IL where we stopped in to visit Uncle Pam & Gary "Scoop" Schlafer. SO much fun!!! It really is too bad family doesn't pay more attention to the Whitsitt girls! They were already spoiled by the Decatur side of the family - and now more spoiling by the Schlafer's! Lauren was snuggled, kissed, hugged, bathed, tickled, cuddled and LOVED, LOVED, LOVED by Aunt Pam and enjoyed quiet TV time with Scoop.

Spring Break 2006

Spring Break 2006 - Illinois - here come the Whitsitt's! Mark took vacation the whole week and we started our journey in Decatur where we visited with Grandma & Grandpa Whitsitt and Aunt Charlene and Uncle Lynn Smith. Cousins Troy & Kelley Smith where so generous and let us stay in their AMAZING new home while they were on vacation. Lauren & Bailey enjoyed all of the attention from the Whitsitt side of the family! Lauren bonded with Grandpa Ken very easily (all it takes is a full bottle!) Both enjoyed the feeding. Grandpa Ken was determined to teach Lauren how to crawl. He got down on all fours, lifted her up by her overalls and used every persuasive Grandpa tactic he knew to get her movin'. Just like the other Whitsitt girls though -- she'll move when she's good & ready! ha.

Seven Months Old

March 30, 2006 and that means you are 7 months old! Once again, I can hardly believe how time is moving at warp speed and you are changing and growing every single day. You are working on more teeth and are completely miserable with the process. I have to change your shirt and/or bib several times a day to keep up with the drool! You have discovered the joy of entertaining others - look out. When you meet new people or have multiple sets of eyes on you, you know it....AND LOVE IT! You flirt, smile, talk - anything to eat up that attention.

I love listening to you talk. The sweet babbles that only you can understand are so precious to my ears. Your appetite has picked up lately, too. You are MAD MAD MAD when the meal is over (something your Weight Watcher Mommy can relate to).

You are more content to sit on the floor and play with your toys now (FINALLY!) but you still have little to no interest in crawling. When we try to get you to crawl you just lie your head down and suck your thumb. You ARE interested in walking, however. You don't have the balance yet, but when we stand you up and hold your arms, your little feet just take off like they know exactly what to do. Please don't start running before you crawl, ok?

Happy 7-month birthday, Lauren. I love you!!

Mommy

The Best Big Sister Ever

Lauren, you have the absolutely BEST big sister....EVER! Bailey loves you so much. Every day when she gets home from school she can't wait to play with you. Yesterday she offered to babysit you so Mommy could take a nap. Today she couldn't wait to hold you, kiss you, eat your belly, read you books and make you laugh. You don't know it yet, baby.....but you've got yourself an awesome sister. Later in life you'll understand this -- most likely when you are commiserating with her about your crazy Mother.

Love,
Mom

Bad Hair Day

Finally, enough hair for bed head!

Bed Head

Slinging Peaches

Love peaches, Lauren? ...... ummm....not so much.



Today Lauren tried peaches for the first time. After enduring weeks of orange vegetables like squash, sweet potatoes and carrots, I thought it was time for a sweet surprise - a peachy taste treat. Afterall, who doesn't like peaches? Apparently Lauren.

Because she is a big fan of the handful of foods she's sampled thusfar, she didn't refuse them - but her little tongue made every effort to not only keep the peaches out of her throat, but also to sling them back at the loving hand that fed them to her. Luckily, the bib took the brunt of it. Thank you Pioneer for the complementary peach shield.

Weight Watcher Chocolate Muffins

UNBELIEVABLE!!! SINFUL!!! AMAZING!!! DELICIOUS!!! And only 3 points each!! Here is the most amazing diet recipe I have ever, ever, ever tried and I can't believe how simple it is! Two ingredients! TWO! Are you ready for the dessert recipe that will change your life??

1 box of chocolate cake mix
1 can of pumpkin

Mix together. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes. That's it! WOW!

(if this post isn't evidence that I'm addicted to food, I don't know what further proof you need)

Parent Teacher Conferences

Last night Mark and I went to meet with Bailey's 5th grade teacher for parent/teacher conferences. Before we left, I asked Bailey if there would be any surprises, to which she replied, "You already know I talk too much." Oh, great. A repeat of every conference since Kindergarten and something I'm sure my Mom will love for its payback quality. But, after much thought, I've decided that if you are going to have a school issue with your child, being too social is definitely one I can live with. How many world leaders, successful performers, dynamic CEOs were too introverted, didn't participate in class and had too little friends? My guess is not many. Although it is important to listen, follow directions and show respect to others (reasons why we won't completely blow this off), being a likeable and social leader is a quality to celebrate....maybe not as much when you are ten and in 5th grade, but for sure an excellent quality as an adult.

We also learned that Bailey would have a 100% in spelling homework....IF she turned it in. However, we learned that this isn't always happening, despite the "I did it at school" comments we often hear. Hey - what would a conference be without a couple areas for improvement, right? We'll be nipping that in the bud right quick.

Now, on to the good stuff... "Bailey is a GREAT kid and I really enjoy her." "Bailey is developing into an excellent writer." "She is a fun kid and very bright." WOO-HOO! Despite my parenting, she's turning out alright! She'll have to think of different material to complain about someday on Oprah - but this ain't it!

We are very, VERY proud of this kid and love her so much. All we can do is hope and pray that she knows that today...tomorrow...in middle school, high school, college....always.

Don't hate me because I'm right, Bailey - just love me because I'm proud.


Love,
Mom

Halfway to ONE

Lauren Elizabeth - 6 months old

Well, I had high hopes of documenting your every month in great detail , but as you can see, your Mommy is just now getting started and you are halfway to ONE already!

You are no longer an infant, but have grown into an active and happy baby possessing the ability to entertain us all and bring even more joy to our lives.

You have your first tooth now - bottom front - and bring everything directly to your mouth...toys, unsuspecting fingers and more. Since last month you've been sticking your tongue out to feel that little nubbin' of a tooth. Not occasionally, not just when it is bothering you - but CONSTANTLY. Cute at first - but now I'd like it if you would please stop that. I'd much rather have pictures of you smiling. A Mommy has enough to feel guilty about, so I'd like it if you would kindly put your tongue back in your mouth and blow me sweet baby kisses instead. Understood?

You are exploring the new world of baby food. You love rice cereal carrots and squash, but could do without the sweet potatoes and pears. You haven't tried green vegetables yet and have just begun with fruits. Your appetite seems to be the only identifiable trait you've inherited from your mother. You are a delicate and beautifully feminine version of your Daddy. But seriously, could you look MORE like him? geesh.

Your ability to sit up has opened up a whole new world for you - the world of PLAY! Toys are now fun for you, and thanks to Mommy's friend Kathy Anderson who has kids older than you, we have a TON. You also love to play in your exersaucer - but not as much as you love to be held. Good thing you have a Mommy who loves doing that!

You are babbling up a storm these days too. Baa bah is your trademark. Happy? Bah Bah. Sad? Bah Bah. Hungry, Tired, Mad, Curious? Bah Bah. I love you, Mommy? Bah Bah. We love hearing your sweet voice and imagining what it will sound like when you are talking in phrases and sentences. When you wake in the mornings, we can hear you Bah bahing away on the monitor. Such a happy baby!

Let's see - what else are you up to at 6 months...hmmm. I'm so afraid I'll forget something important. You LOVE to sleep. It is common for you to sleep 12 hours at night and take 2-3 naps during the day. Sometimes I feel guilty for not playing with you more - like I should wake you so we can have some fun! But, as my friends and Dr. Jon remind me, you'll be sleeping less and less as the months go on and I should enjoy the free time while I have it. Especially since you have figured out how to get up on all fours. It won't be long now before you figure out how to move in a crawl-like fashion and then Mommy will be in trouble!!!

You love Sadie - that goofy hyperactive doggie sure makes you smile. Glad someone likes her. Sometimes I think your first words will be "Sadie, shut up!" or "Sadie, CORNER!"

Your sister, Bailey lights up your life and you hers. You think she is so funny and I can already see in your eyes that you can't wait to tag along, worshipping the ground she walks on. Right now, she thinks that will be fun too.

Oh - and you've started opening your arms to reach for us! Daddy, Bailey and I just LOVE that. It doesn't take much for you to melt our hearts. That sweet look of sad puppy eyes combined with the open outstretched arms. Yes, Lauren -- you can have WHATEVER you want.

You also have a temper that rears its ugly head every now and then. But what's worse is the sadness that follows. If we ignore your temper tantrum, soon you are broken-hearted. Here's what THAT looks like.

And then to comfort yourself, you find that thumb - that thank you God she knows how to soothe herself thumb. And here's what THAT looks like.
When we lie you down for naps or for bedtime - you might fuss for, oh...MAYBE three seconds - then in goes the thumb and the other hand wraps around the back of your head and you sweetly caress your head. I imagine when you have more hair you'll be twirling it - but for now you just caress. You are such a sweetie!

Well, my little 6-month-old....I love you so much. I thank God for you every day. You brighten my days and give me my greatest purpose.

Love,
Mommy