Sweet Time

This morning has been such a sweet time with Summer.  The moment I walked into her room she showed such excitement just to be in my presence.  The way she immediately started tossing, one by one, every blanket and stuffed animal over the rail of her crib to impress me.  The way she says mmm as she eats the green, unripe tomato that she picked.  The fact that she is sitting at the table eating tomatoes while I type this and not yelling Mama a million times. 

Thank you God for this morning!   

Taco Night

Taco Night is a big hit at the Martin house!

Who doesn't love body painting with sour cream?

This week I have been encouraged to read the book of Philippians.  It is silly how surprisingly inspired I get when I read the Bible.  I am memorizing Philippians 4:6-7, Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

It is amazing how relevant those verses are today in every person's situation.  I think the "thanksgiving" part is vital to the "peace."  Have a great day...and those of you waiting on babies to arrive try not to be anxious!

Mystery!

Recently I have woken up a few mornings to our guest bedroom looking like it had been slept in.  I asked Chad if he had been in there but he said he hadn't.  Yet the bed was unmade, who could it be?

One day this week, Summer and I were sitting in the playroom to read a book and I heard some rustling in Summer's playhouse...Sissy, is that you?

Sure enough I peeked through the playhouse window and there was Sissy taking a nap inside.  Mystery solved, it was Sissy who has also making herself oh-so-comfortable in the guest bed at night.  If only my Flip had night vision I would video it and send it to America's Funniest Videos.

We ventured downtown this week for a luncheon with an old co-worker.  Summer had to stop and climb up on this bench.

Of course, this is the chair you sit in when the trash men come and it is raining outside. 

Hopefully I will be an aunt by my next post!  Waiting for baby Brody to make his grand entrance!

Preparing for Father's Day

This year Summer is old enough to help color Daddy's Father's Day Card.

 My little lefty, however, had a difficult time keeping the color on the card and off of the table.

 Summer showing me how she smiles at Dada!

 Oh wow, what a sweet-ish smile...you little 2 year old, you.

 Mama is beginning to worry if this smile is going to turn into a growl!

Happy Father's Day Dada...

Dad (Papa)

Doug (Grandad)

Larry (Grando)

Bud (Uncle Bud) who by the way may see his son for the first time on Father's Day(hope-hope-wish)

and to all of the rest of you Dad's - I appreciate you!

Annual Florida Trip

One of the best parts about living closer to family is getting to visit with my Florida cousins in the summer.  Summer loved playing with her big girl cousins!

 This trip she quickly got attached to sweet Ella Katherine. 

 She wanted to GO and DO whatever Ella was doing. 

Playing in the sun wears a girl out!  Interestingly, she decided to sleep horizontal in the crib.

I'm proud to say that I come from a crafty family.  One of the stars below costs $40 and one of them was made for about $4.  Can you guess which one?  You can place your orders in the comment box.

 Mimi, Summer and I spend lots of quality time together.  We love our girls' trip.

 However this pumpkin sure was happy to see her Daddy and give him a big hug.

Summer's second year of life has come with a fair share of double ear infections (7 or 8 to be exact).  So I was actually relieved that she was diagnosed with an ear infection before our big birthday/Florida road trip.  That way she was on antibiotics and surely I wouldn't have to worry about her getting sick.  Ummmm, not the case...she developed a rash the day we left for Florida (more like the first 45 minutes of the drive) and we turned around to go to a Dr. in B'ham.  You see, last year's Florida trip was cut short because of Summer's first ear infection and we didn't want to go down there with a risk of sickness.  After getting a second dose of antibiotics and a good nights rest we were back on the road early the next morning.  The weekend passes and about the time that she saw Daddy (in the picture above) she started to cough.  The cough was more of a hack than a congested one and that night she was having labored breathing.  We have a nebulizer from when she had RSV 3 months ago and I had it with me.  We were up multiple times in the night with a fever and more breathing treatments.  The next morning I called the Dr. and we drove straight there from Chad's parents house (2 hrs away).  Turns out she was having asthma-like symptoms.  It has been a draining week but I think I have kept an upbeat attitude and not lost it (thanks to afternoon coffee). 

In this photo, Summer is about to go to the Dr. for a check-up.  Just because you feel crummy doesn't mean you have to look it!

Summer's 2nd Birthday Party

We celebrated Summer's 2nd Birthday Party at Grammy and Papa's pool in Birmingham, AL.  The birthday girl indulged in ice cream sundaes with a variety of toppings and cake. 

Gramma and Grandad drove from North Carolina for the party. 

 Aunt Bebe wouldn't miss it...even with a temporary handicap foot!

 The pool was packed with Summer's family and friends.

 Marley Rose came to celebrate and they had a great time swimming together.

 Summer loved acting big like Marley.

 Mimi, Gramma, Mama with the Birthday Girl

Aunt Mary Ashley, Grammy and Bebe enjoying the pool 

Marley called Grando, "Uncle Larry."  Too cute 

 Daddy and Summer swimming

 I am always so happy to spend time with my Nicole!

Uncle Bud playing the newest pool game called...throw the ball!  Amazing how funny it can be when someone misses the ball.  Good times.

Aunt Jen and Nicole

Papa and me

Summer opened her presents and absolutely loved each one of them. 

 In addition to her birthday weekend, I also cut her hair for the first time!  She had quite the shhh "rat tail" going on and it was just time.  The other hairs were obviously not going to "catch up" anytime soon.

BEFORE

DURING 

 AFTER

Summer's hair flips out now and no longer is weighed down by that ONE curl.  My little girl is 2 now and a haircut just solidifies it (sniff sniff).

Party Week

Summer and I have been in full PARTY mode all week while Daddy is away.  It all started with an awesome fever followed by a diagnosis of a double ear infection-hooray!

My little pumpkin was so patient as I got my hair done...and she got lots of special attention from the ladies.  She has a winter glove in her hand...obviously I need to clean out my purse.

 Oh and we painted!  Summer can paint up high...

 She can paint her hand

Summer loves painting!

I also want to share some pictures of my great visit from Rachel from Reno!

 I was a little excited that Rachel was in town...Chad was wondering how many cups of coffee I had??

 I gave Rachel a quick tour of downtown Asheville.  We went to our favorite breakfast spot and took her on a heavenly shopping spree at the JCREW warehouse.  She is ready to move here...JCREW sealed the deal.

 Thanks Rachel for making the trip to Asheville while you were out East.  Summer plays with her Rachel dress up doll every day.