The cure that left us wanting more!

This weekend Shay and I packed up Mary Selwyn and headed to Panama City for a little family beach weekend. We have some friends who own a condo down there and were so generous to rent it to us for an extremely great rate. We got there early Friday afternoon and hit the pool right away. The condo had an indoor pool which was so nice because Mary Selwyn, "fairest of them all," did not need to spend too much time in the sun. I'm proud to say she didn't get even the slightest of sunburn or tan. However, I feel sure I will be washing sunscreen out of her hair for the next month since she refuses to wear a hat. At least I feel like a good mom for not letting her get a sunburn.

I was scared that Mary Selwyn wouldn't like the water. She has been going through this little fraidy cat phase lately and has become scared of things that never bothered her before. I was relieved to see she wasn't scared of the water and she only cried the first five or so times that she accidentally stuck her face in the water. Then she got over it and I even dunked her one good time before we got out. I don't think she loved it but there were no tears. She enjoyed the beach for the most part. She even sat in the waves, I could kick myself for not getting a picture of that but I was busy making sure she didn't wash away. Her favorite part of the actual beach of course was the putting the sand in her mouth. She really enjoyed that salt water taste. I picked her up so she wouldn't eat the sand anymore and she began to lick my arm where there had been salt water. It was gross but I guess when your diet consists of formula and baby food salt water is a real treat!

We had a great time. It was relaxing to just be the three of us. I could have stayed for 10 days. I love the beach so much. Even being in the indoor pool was fun. So the cure to my beach fever was a weekend at the beach....problem is that the weekend wasn't long enough for me and now I'm dying to go back already. I'm not sure I can ever get enough of the beach. Luckily I have several more trips planned to look forward to. Here are a ton of pictures from our weekend.

Snacks by the pool. Oh I almost forgot, Mary Selwyn said her second word this past week. No not Mama but Ju-Ju. Ju-Ju is what Shay and I call "Juice, Juice" I don't know why we feel the need to say it twice but we do. So it took us a couple of days to realize what she was actually saying but we finally caught on. Ju-Ju not only refers to juice but also to cheerios and puffs. I guess the definition of Ju-Ju for her would be snack! Maybe one day I'll get a Mama out of her.

The sun was so bright! She had a hard time looking around outside but she wouldn't wear any sunglasses. This is part of the reason we stayed at the indoor pool most of the time.

This crab float was the cutest thing! Mary Selwyn loved her crab. She kept trying to bite and kiss the crab's eyes. Luckily I was able to keep her from using those little teeth to deflate him.

Out on the balcony watching the waves! You can't see them that well but she has the cutest little curls in the back. There aren't many but they are growing!

Mary Selwyn and Daddy enjoying dinner and some live music.

Ready to hit the beach in her little bathing suit cover up.

So lovable

Mary Selwyn is the most lovable child. I anticipated before I was even pregnant that I would love my child with a love that I had never experienced before or could even comprehend. I'm still amazed how much more I love her every time I look at her. She just flashes that smile or sneaky look and Shay and I both know we are in trouble. What I did not anticipate is how much others would love my child. I'm not talking about grandparents, aunts, uncles and other family. Obviously I expected them to love her. I'm talking about just friends, close and not so close.

I have been so overwhelmed to see how much people adore Mary Selwyn. Our friends from church absolutely eat her up. Our friends Jeremy and Lindsey have even offered to adopt her. Brad and Maile would be willing to take her on too if she ever learned to sleep. I realize that is not a serious offer but I appreciate them thinking that highly of her. We have come to depend on Mitzi and Lori to scoop her up for any long period of time and they are the best babysitters.

What really made me think about all this was the church picnic on Sunday. As soon as we got there someone grabbed her from us and we didn't touch her again until we were leaving. She was passed around amongst the whole church family and she sat on various laps the whole time. Oh and she definitely ate something off of every plate at the picnic. I'm pretty sure she was stuffed and Shay and I got to eat in peace. That has happened very few times in the last 10 months. It was so fun to watch other people enjoy our baby as much as we do.

I know I have said this before but God has truly blessed us with the most wonderful friends here in Dothan. This was just another reminder. They are so good to us and so good to Mary Selwyn. I don't know why I am so surprised by the love they have for her. I mean I love my friends children like they are my own too and would do anything in the world for them. I guess I just didn't anticipate how the way they love her would make me feel. My heart just swells to know they care for her so much. As you can tell, I can't even put it into words really. I'm extremely thankful for the blessing of our friends. I know they do not limit their love and adoration to just Mary Selwyn but they sure know how to make us feel special!

I'm not sure that any of what I just wrote made much sense but here are pictures from the picnic with Aunt Maile and Uncle Brad and some of Mary Selwyn and Brayden Hardy. Brayden and Mary Selwyn are becoming great friends! I wish I had taken more pictures.

Tagged

I've been tagged....I should have known my time was coming...so here it goes...

What were you doing 10 years ago?
I had just turned 16 and gotten my drivers license and was cruising in my mustang, '85 yellow mustang that is! I had a terrible boyfriend...but don't worry a couple months later I went on a blind date with Shay and the rest is history. I can't believe that was 10 years ago!

5 things on my to do list today?
1. Continue to entertain Cohen and Mary Selwyn.
2. Finish the laundry for the rest of the week and for the beach.
3. Make a Walmart run for supplies to take to the beach on Friday.
4. Exchange Shay's new bathing suit at Kohl's.
5. Make some baked potatoes for dinner, yummmm.

5 Snacks I enjoy
1. Sweets, Sweets and more SWEETS!
2. Sour Patch Kids, especially at the movies
3. Chips and Salsa
4. Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream from Baskin Robbins.
5. White Cherry or Blue Raspberry Icee's from any gas station...I cannot resist them, definitley an impulse buy every time.

5 Things I would do if I was a billionaire?
1. Tithe of course, lots and lots.
2. Donate a large chunk to the Autism Society in honor of my sweet little Ford Carter!!
3. Buy my parents a huge house and support them for the rest of our lives.
4. Build our house in Autaugaville, nothing too fancy but on the family compound we will start one day, hopefully soon...billionaire or not.
5. We would really give away a bunch of money but here is my list of selfish things I can indulge in because I'm a billionaire: set up Mary Selwyn's Auburn fund and wedding fund. We would have two beach houses, one near, one far. I would have a personal trainer and chef so I could be super skinny, fit and cute. I would also hire someone to wash, dry and style my hair everyday, and what the heck do my make up too so I could look nice without having to do it. And a maid would also be a necessity.

5 Bad habits?
1. Some would say biting my nails but I refuse to believe that because I love to bite my nails!
2. I become way too attach to people, animals, cars, things ect. ect. ect.
3. I'm way too emotional also.
4. I can be very obsessive and have a really hard time letting things go. If something doesn't sit right with me I will think about it, dream about, talk non-stop about it ect. I do not have the ability to let it go and put it out of my mind. Luckily I am a strong believer in prayer so God gets to hear me talk about things over and over and over. I'm pretty sure even He is screaming at me...LET IT GO!
I'm not sure if those last 3 are bad habits or bad character traits!
5. I tend to leave things out that I shouldn't, like my shoes that Mary Selwyn likes to play with and put in her mouth...yuck... and I never put my stuff on the bathroom counter away...for example my blow dryer, straightener, brushes, make up. It really drives Shay nuts.

5 Places I've lived.
1. Victorville, California. I was born there and lived in this area for almost 13 years.
2. Prattville, Alabmama. Moved here in the middle of 7th grade.
3. Auburn, Alabama.....for the most wonderful 4 years! Oh how I loved living in that pink house!
4. Nashville, Tennessee. Fun city, not my cup of tea!
5. Dothan, Alabama. Love it here!

5 Jobs I've had.
1. Gold's Gym in high school.
2. I've worked retail too at the Gap and Express
3. Patient Relations for a family medicine practice in Nashville
4. Patient Relations for a Chiropractor in Dothan.
5. I ran a Nextel store for some family of mine while I was pregnant to fill some time before I popped!

I added a category just for fun!

5 of my favorite things.
1. My Peanut Christmas ornament that Brooke gave me. I love this gold peanut. It is by far my favorite ornament on the whole tree.
2. Sun dresses and skirts.
3. The beach.
4. Auburn football. I love almost all sports really.
5. Reality Television....ridiculous, I know!

A Happy Birthday

Monday was my 26th birthday. It was kind of sad saying goodbye to 25 but I guess growing older is inevitable. On Saturday my sweet friend Mitzi had mentioned that we should go to lunch for my birthday and see if anyone else would be able to come. I invited Lindsey because she is on spring break and I was excited she could go. I was thinking it would be a fun little lunch with the three of us. I was so surprised that Mitzi put together a party of 8 made up of the sweetest women I know. I don't know why I was surprised....if anyone can gather a last minute group it is Mitzi. Anyway, we had a great time eating and visiting and Mary Selwyn loves to be out and about. I felt really special. I told Shay it was like my own little birthday party. It definitely made my day. It was also just another reminder of how blessed we are to be in this town. I am so lucky to have these amazing friends and christian women in my life. They have been so sweet to us and really taken us under their wing. They have loved us, supported us, mentored us and become our family. I know I can call any of them anytime for anything! That is such a luxury since we are away from family. I am so thankful for these amazing women the Lord has brought into my life. They have taught me so much, especially how to love your friends with such a sweet, sweet love.

The night ended with a nice dinner with Shay. It was a very nice 26th birthday. I couldn't have asked for a better day. I'm sure I will be shocked at just how quickly this year will also go by and I will be writing about birthday number 27!!!

Beach Fever

I know this time of year everyone is talking about Spring fever. I do love Spring and long for it to get here every year, however this year I'm experiencing a different kind of fever. I have beach fever. I'm dying to pack up my munchkin, my husband and a cooler and head to coast! I even ordered a new swim suit last week, which I feel sure I will be disgusted at the sight of myself in it but I still can't wait for it to get here. This proves just how bad I truly want to make that trip if I am willing to put on a swimsuit!

I love the beach, it is my favorite place to go. I love that we live so close to the beach and knowing that I have the opportunity to at anytime pick up and head down there. We do not do this as often as I wish we did but to know that I can makes me feel good. I can't wait to take Mary Selwyn this year and let her walk in the water, experience the waves, chase the birds and feel the sand in her toes and her mouth I'm sure. I am looking forward to beach trips with family and friends this year....I'm ready to cure this fever!

These are pictures from our beach trip last October....Mary Selwyn was just a little over 3 months old and the water was a little too cold for her. I think this year will be much more fun for her!

9 Months Old

Mary Selwyn is now 9 months old. It is so hard to believe. We went yesterday for her 9 month appointment and the doctor's office was so impressed with her. They couldn't believe she had been walking for a month already. The nurse made her walk to the scale so everyone could watch her walk. It was cute and it made me feel really proud!

Minus the shots and Dr. Barron looking in her ears, Mary Selwyn loves to go to the doctor. She loves to be in places with lots of people and she loves all the kids running around in the waiting room. Yesterday she was toddling around the waiting room with baby in hand and walked right up to a little girl, probably 8 years old, and plopped the baby and her arms in her lap. The little girl giggled but was super shy and didn't know what to do. It is so neat to see how much Mary Selwyn enjoys other kids.

We got a good report from the doctor. She weighed 20 pounds 13 ounces. She's actually only gained 13 ounces since her last appointment. I guess all that walking has kept her weight gain to a minimum. She was also 29 1/4 inches. Turns out she gets that Shackelford height and is in the 95% of height.

One last exciting moment of this week, on Wednesday Mary Selwyn said Da Da. She has been saying mama, dada and all kinds of other sounds for several months now but she was just talking to hear herself talk. Wednesday she said it with recognition. We were looking at pictures and she found one of Shay and said "da da." Then when he walked in the door yesterday she looked right at him and said "da da." She knows her daddy and can now call him by name. You should see Shay light up when she says it. It is so sweet and erases any jealousy I might have.

Nine months old....I can hardly wrap my mind around that!