Sitting Up!

Turner decided that 7 months was just the right age to begin sitting up all on his own.  He had been wobbly, but this day decided he was going to do it right!   This picture was from the doctor's office (2 weeks ago - don't worry, we've been back since).  He sat up the whole visit.  Great with me!

This past weekend, Heath's parents came to visit and spoil Turner.  I had to miss Aunt Kelly's bachelorette weekend.  I just wasn't sure if Heath was ready for all Turner all weekend (and neither was Heath!).  Luckily, Kelly stayed with us this past week to do a rotation in Birmingham and we were able to spend time with her.  And she was a great help with Turner!

Anyway, Heath's mom and I went to get Turner's pictures taken, since he had decided to sit up and all!  Here are some samples.  They make me laugh.  Don't worry - they are cheesy.

While we were there, this turkey laughed the whole time.  When the photographer was taking his picture, another woman came up and said, "Ooh, a baby.  I will be here for backup."  My photographer said to her, "No worries.  We have about the happiest baby in the world."  Praise God!  He really is.  I hope he stays this way.  He smiled and smiled and laughed when a 2 year old little girl walked up and put a Teddy Graham in his mouth.  I laughed too, but I was really looking for her mother!!  So was Melissa.  Melissa "MeMe" helped me dress Turner for his wardrobe changes (ha!) and entertain him.  She was also a big help in picking out poses, because wow, there were a lot!  

MeMe and Pap took us to dinner and then watched Turner Bug while we went to a friend's wedding party.  What a blessing!  They also spoiled him with some clothes and toys.  Here they are playing on the floor.

Meanwhile, I think precious Teddy Graham girl helped out in the fever virus that has overtaken our lives since Tuesday.  He has had 103 and 104 until today, when I thought we were in the clear.  But no, we are holding strong at 101.  Kelly and I were amused that when he had to get his temp taken (in the - you know) he smiled and giggled.  Kelly said, "What baby does that?"  He has been in pretty good spirits, with only a few meltdowns.  These have happened when his whole face is pretty much purple it is so red from the fever.  So sad.  Did I mention this is the one week out of the summer that I was working?  Of course he would get sick this week.  From Sunday to Friday I have spent all day at our county in-service center teaching a math class.  Mom kept him Monday and Lee (his wonderful daycare teacher from his short-lived daycare days) kept him on Tuesday.  She was supposed to keep him on Thursday, but you know how that goes.  Luckily, Heath stayed home and worked from here - mostly working with Turner.  He did a great job, and like I said Kelly helped so I could go surprise Laurahelen for her early birthday party!  Anyway, Mom and Heath tag-teamed on Friday.  I guess that is how it goes with a baby.  So this week was crazy busy!  Luckily, we didn't have much going on this weekend, so we're still recuperating.  Here is Sicky Sickerson.  

Next week we head to Fairhope for Aunt Kelly and Uncle Jonathan's wedding.  Pictures (and stories) to follow!

Fourth of July

Happy Fourth of July!  This holiday is one of my favorites.  Ranks right up there with Christmas.  I love it!!  I was able to exploit Turner in a "Baby's first 4th of July" shirt and a star-spangled bathing suit.  Awesome. 

 I really do get too excited about this day, but it is always so fun!  A few years ago I was watching the fireworks and I yelled "These own me!" and my caring sister said, "You are ridiculous.  Get in the car."  

Around lunch time we went to my parents' house to go swimming with family and friends.  The weather was wonderful and we had more food than we knew what to do with - ribs, burgers, hot dogs, brats (not so wonderful to me), but the best were the desserts.  I made a fruit pizza, brownies, apple pie, potato salad and Texas caviar dip all Friday night.  Like I said, a little psycho about our Nation's birthday!  Lindsey made the peanut butter pie from The Pioneer Woman blog.  Oh. My. Goodness.  Amazing!  

We played a rodeo game in the pool (my coordination was amazing) and the boys played bocce ball and cornhole.  Grandad Starr was there to take it all in.  Funny story about him.  Brandon, Heath, Turner, Lindsey (with Blake in her lap) and I were sitting at the table.  Grandad asked Lindsey if she was still nursing.  The 4 of us looked at each other like what do we say here??  Then Grandad said, "Are you still hospital nursing?"  She tried to respond in all seriousness about how she is flexi now because of the 2 children, etc.  But Brandon and I kept saying things in a low voice to Lindsey like "Are you lactating?"  "Do you still feel the let down?"  "How many ounces?" etc.  I am laughing as I type this because it was so awkward.  Luckily Grandad informed us that he only had one hearing aid in, so he probably didn't catch it.  Oh, breastfeeding humor.  Things change so much after you have a baby.

Back to the 4th of July.  Heath and I went to our friends Ty and Meg's house for a great steak dinner.  They have a 17 month old (Charles) that Turner is going to be tight with as soon as he realizes he can.  He went to bed and then Meg went with Heath and me to downtown Homewood to watch the fireworks.  I always love them, and Turner slept right through them.  This year they added some gold fireworks that looked like a waterfall as they fell in the sky.  Wow - it doesn't take a lot to amaze me in the fireworks department.  All in all, a perfect American holiday!  You know that always makes Heath happy!!

Cute Meg.  I love her because of course I was wearing red, white and blue, but she and Ty and Charles were, too!  How festive!  Turner had on those red, white and blue overalls - I couldn't resist.

Anyway, today I have a 7 month old.  That is crazy!!  In his sixth month, he officially began eating baby food and 100 percent formula.  His mother does not like change, so these things were an adjustment.  I never knew watching him grow up would be kind of sad.  However, I believe the cliche that I like every age better than the last.  Though he is not a tiny newborn anymore, he is more fun when he laughs and makes faces and develops his own personality.  Side note - one thing not as fun has been his teething the last 24 hours or so.  He got a bad report in the nursery at church today.  This is his first bad report ever - evidently he cried a lot.  He doesn't usually do this (Praise God!), so his teeth (which haven't shown up yet) must really be hurting.  Thank God for Tylenol and Orajel.

When he eyes his bottle, his eyes get big and he gets excited and grabs it and sticks it in his mouth.  Also, he rolls from one side to the other, flips up and is starting to get in position to crawl.  I said starting.  He doesn't get very far, but he is determined to try as often as possible.  I am okay with him not being too mobile yet.  I don't want to wish the time away where he sits somewhere and I can leave him!