Maren is 5 Months Old!

Here are some pictures of Maren. She turned 5 months last weekend. She is such a happy baby! A few weeks ago I noticed that she had her first tooth coming in on the bottom. It seems early to me, but it's already cutting through!

Weekend at Home

Here are some shots from last weekend. We went shopping for Michael's Mexico trip and ended up buying William some new tennis shoes. Whenever he gets new shoes I'm amazed by how big they look and how much older they make him look. I broke down and finally bought shoes with Velcro. It's such a big help that he can put them on himself in the morning. I know his teachers are thrilled that they don't have to tie his shoes a million times a day!

Maren is getting so strong. She is going great in her exersaucer. I love watching how her coordination improves a little more everyday.

Everyone knows we are a baking family. We may not be able to celebrate Mardi Gras in New Orleans, but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy King Cake! Michael and I each made our own. As you can see below I had some help with mine. The King Cake pictured is the one Michael made. It came out great!

We got snow!

We were caught a bit off guard earlier this week and got a small snow shower. William was so excited when it first happened. He couldn't wait to get outside with Michael. The problem was that the snow was blowing so hard he kept hitting him in the face. He didn't stay out for long.

This is how William blocked his face from the snow.

Where would he get this idea from?

William was talking to his Meme and Papaw the other night and decided to take a ride on his tricycle. I guess if you see something done enough you start to repeat it!

Maren's First Week of School

This was our first full week of "normalcy". (Normalcy? What's that, right?) Maren started attending Primrose and I'm back to work full time. Needless to say, I am completely exhausted. Maren is doing great and William is loving that his sister is at his school. The owner of the school, Lisa sent Michael and I this picture of her. Looks like she's adjusting just fine!

I snapped this picture of Maren yesterday. She started off under her toy looking at the lights. I peeked at her and saw she was on her belly. I expected to here her whining after a little bit. When I didn't hear any fussing I went to check and she was absolutely passed out!

Exersaucer

We decided that Maren was ready to start using her exersaucer so Michael and William put it together last weekend. I don't know who was more excited to have it all put together William or Maren?

My Sweet Godchild

My oldest and dearest friend, Lesley gave me a wonderful gift years ago by naming me her daughter's godmother. I don't get to see my goddaughter, Sydne very often since we moved. I had a great visit with her while we were in town. Lesley didn't tell Syd where they were going after school so when they arrived at my parents house she was so surprised to see me. She still doesn't really understand how far her Nanny lives from her now. She was even more thrilled to find out I was going to her basketball game. There is nothing like having a little one love you like that! I couldn't get too many good pics in the gym, but look at these little ones and scrawny legs.

(Syd's the last one on the right.)

Lesley, Sydne, Me

Geaux Tigers!

Michael and I are LSU season ticket holders so we were able to get tickets to the National Championship game. We had a great time! Thank goodness it wasn't a nail biter. Our whole section was full of LSU fans except 2 Ohio State fans behind us. They paid $1100 per ticket! They were very good sports and there were no obnoxious tiger fans near us to bother them.

We were so excited to head to the game.

The kids were dressed head to toe LSU. Our babies have been brain washed from the start!

Maren started rolling over while we were in town.

Meme & her girl!

It was like Mardi Gras downtown. It was packed and everyone was in such a great mood!

We were trying to take a picture of ourselves, but finally asked the guys behind us.

A sea of purple and gold!

A kind of successful "self portrait".

VICTORY!

Our Trip to New Orleans

We went to New Orleans for the BCS Championship game. We were able to spend some great time with family.

Maw-Maw had a great time cuddling with Maren.

Uncle Mike & Aunt Christy had a chance to give William his Christmas present.

William couldn't wait to open the trucks Uncle Mike gave him. They came with paint and stickers. Everyone enjoyed the fun!

William & Maren Clare love their Dede time!

(Do you notice the short sleeves. It was January in the 70's)

I had a chance to finally catch up with my cousin, Holly.

Michael and I had a chance to have brunch at Commander's Palace. I used to work at CP and weare always treated wonderfully when we go back.

There are never enough desserts!




I couldn't get too many good shots, but I love these. We were visiting Michael's family. When Maren was sitting on Gran's lap she couldn't take her eyes off Deanne's hands. She was watching those Italian hands go a mile a minute!

Maren Clare and Phil