Fun With Friends

She is not quite sure what to think about someone else on her toy!

She decided to play with him!

They are watching Mickey Mouse together!

Mallory had fun too! I love her two little teeth!!!!

My friend Jill had a doctor appointment here so she dropped Jackson off to play. I can't believe how big he is! He is almost 3 but it seems like he was just born yesterday. Time flies!!!! It was nice being around a "big kid". It gave me hope for the future. He was able to tell me what he wanted, he listened to what I said and he used the bathroom on the potty!!! We do have him beat in one area - my girls can EAT!!!!!! It took Jackson about 30 minutes to eat 1 1/2 chicken nuggets while Alyssa ate 4 in about 30 seconds! Mallory is also a good eater. When he first got here Alyssa kept trying to give him a kiss but he didn't want any part of that! He kept running out of the room. She finally moved on to something else.

Nothing else exciting is going on here. This is Trey's last week at Schumpert. We are probably going to rent a house in Ruston for 6 months because there is NOTHING for us to buy right now. Well, Mallory is getting a little upset so I better go put her down for a nap!

Growing Up

This is her new smile

My girls in blue. The are watching Trey sing Jesus loves me!

Mallory really enjoyed Alyssa's motorcycle. It sings and lights up!

I just thought I would post some pictures of both girls. It is hard to get a good picture of Alyssa. She is always on the move! Mallory is starting to sit up pretty good by herself. We are really working on having it down by 7 months! Our house still hasn't sold and we haven't found anything in Ruston. I guess that is all that is going on for now.

Ruston........Here we come!

We are moving to Ruston! Trey is going to work for Lincoln Healthcare (Matt Shirley). He was offered the job back in July and it was just too good to pass up. He will be starting September 4th. Our house has been on the market for about a month and a half. We are praying that it sells quickly! We have been house hunting in Ruston and think we have found the house for us. We are sad to leave Shreveport since we have been here for over 6 years but excited about what God has planned for us in Ruston.

6 Months Old!

Mallory is six months old. She is growing but is still in 3 month clothes. In fact, the outfit she is wearing in the picture is a newborn outfit. She is eating more than Alyssa ever ate but she is so active that she is staying slender! Alyssa is 17 months today. She is getting so big! We have been very busy the last two weeks. Trey's Grandfather passed away on the 3rd. He was ready to be with the Lord and his wife. The day after the funeral we went to Indiana to visit Andy and Kelly for the week. We had so much fun! Thanks to the Potter's (Kelly's parents) we could have a date night with Andy & Kelly without the girls. The girls traveled well until the last flight home. It was VERY rough!!! I told Trey I don't want to fly again anytime soon! This is Bryan's last week in Shreveport. We are going to be very sad to see him go!

Mallory's first taste of cereal

I think I can....I think I can

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video Hosting
Here is Mallory trying to crawl but can't quite figure it out.

My new hobby

I bought this pillowcase from Wal-Mart for $2. I think the entire thing cost around $8!

This was my pillowcase from college. I thought it would be cute because of the ruffle at the end!

My mom bought Mallory a pillowcase dress and I kept looking at it thinking I could make this. Even though I had no idea how to use a sewing machine. Well, my friend Christine came over yesterday and she and I made two pillowcase dresses for Alyssa. They are so cute and were pretty easy to make. I am much more comfortable with my sewing machine now. Next I need to attempt to make Mallory one but that is going to require sewing a seam which makes me a little nervous! Anyway, I thought I would share my finished products with everyone. I took them to show to my ladies Bible study group last night and I have been asked to make some for them. I don't know where I will find the time but this is something I really like doing!! The problem is it is addictive. It is just like scrapbooking. Once you sit down and drag all of your stuff out and start doing it you don't want to stop!

Baby Dedication

I love this picture because they are looking at each other.

Mallory talked the entire time!!!

Mimi and Popy

Grandad

We had the girls dedicated this weekend. Everything went great. Mallory talked the whole time and Alyssa waved at everyone. They had matching dresses that my Aunt Jo made for them. They looked beautiful. All of the grandparents, Aunt Susan, Uncle Ray and Bryan were there.

In other news Mallory has two teeth!!! Her bottom two front teeth have started to come in. I noticed she had really been chewing on her hand lately so Tuesday I rubbed her gums and thought I felt something so I looked and the first one was coming in and by the next day the other one had come in too! She is a little fussy but not too bad. She is rolling all over the place. I can't believe she is almost 6 months!

Alyssa is walking (really running) all over the place. She turned 16 months last Sunday. She is getting so big! The girls are really starting to pay attention to each other. It is so much fun to watch them talk to each other.

MIMI.....This one's for you

My mom and I were shopping at a local children's boutique before Mallory was born and she found this headband for Alyssa. I thought it was WAY too big and would not let her buy it. Well, when I was in the hospital after having Mallory Mom took Alyssa shopping and came back with the headband. I found it today and put it on Mal and had to take a picture. It is bigger than her head!!!! Oh, and lately she always sticks her tongue out. Well, Alyssa is running into the dining room so I better go and catch her!

Random Pictures

Quick Update

Her cup holder! This was last week so her bumper is off because she hurled on it!

We bought Mallory a new exersaucer because we borrowed Kathryn Mizell's for Alyssa and since Gavin is almost 4 months old he will be needing it soon. Mallory & Alyssa both love it. Alyssa walks around it playing with all of the toys while Mallory plays in it.

We are all finally well. It managed to go through all of us last week. Trey & Alyssa had it all week while Mallory & I got it over the weekend. Saturday is our 6 year anniversary so we are sneaking away to Dallas for the weekend. This will be our first time away from the kids! I am sure the grandparents can handle them!

Father's Day

We had a busy Father's Day. Trey's grandmother died on Thursday. We were all sad but also relieved. She has been sick for a while so it is comforting to know she is now rejoicing with the angels in no pain! We were in Carthage Friday and Saturday for that. The girls and I made Trey some pictures with the girls hand prints (NOT EASY) and reasons why they loved their Daddy. It also had a picture of them with him in it. He really liked it!

We had a horrible night last night. Alyssa was vomiting ALL night! There is this illness going around where you start out with cold like symptoms then it turns into vomiting and diarrhea. I am not sure if she has that or if it is a side effect of some antibiotics she is taking for an ear infection unfortunately Trey is feeling bad now. So far so good today but last night was not fun! Trey felt so bad last night he slept on the couch! I am praying it skips over me and Mallory!

We had Mallory's 4 month check up last week. Everything is going great! She is so small though - in the 10th percentile in weight! She is eating and gaining weight she is just small. We will start her on rice cereal this week. We will see how that goes!!!!

I LOVE THE BUMBO CHAIR!

I love the bumbo chair! For those of you with newborns or are about to have a newborn I highly recommend the bumbo chair. They can start sitting in it at about 4 months and it really helps them learn how to sit up. I can bring her all over the house with me and sit her in the chair and still get things done. As you can see here she is sitting on my kitchen counter while I am fixing Alyssa's lunch. Don't worry - it is very sturdy and I had it pushed way back to where she couldn't fall off. I put her on the desk when I am working and on the bathroom counter while I am getting ready. So far she hasn't been able to get out of it and she is VERY wiggly!!!! Don't get me wrong she will not sit in it for a long period at a time but the 15-20 minutes she will really helps me get things done. You can get them anywhere. I think Wal-mart even has them now.

Wedding Weekend

We had a wonderful time at the wedding. The girls did great traveling. They both slept most of the plane ride. We stayed so busy during the day that they both slept without a problem at night. I was worried because we were all in the same room. The girls slept in pack in plays side by side but it didn't bother them! We had sitters for part of the weekend so Trey & I got to enjoy the rehearsal dinner, wedding ceremony and reception (part of it) without worrying about screaming kids! I think the best part of the weekend was all of the good food we ate! Not only was it good but it was all free!!!! This is a picture of the whole Smith family minus Trey's Grandparents. They just weren't able to make the trip.
Alyssa loves her Uncie. Bryan adores her too. We are so lucky to have him come and live with us for the summer. The girls and I are really going to enjoy having him around! Trey will have a golfing buddy for the weekends! Alyssa had a weekend of many firsts. She flew for the first time, staying in a hotel, went swimming and danced! She was worn out by Sunday!
Mallory is now 4 months old!!! I can't believe it. Time is really flying by. This was her first time in the bumbo chair. She sits up really well! We also put her in the exersaucer for the first time. She liked it for a little while but would much rather be held!

Just an update

Just a quick update. We are getting ready for Andy's wedding. I am starting a list of what I need to take. It is a big deal going out of town with two infants!!!! Especially when you are staying in a hotel!

Mallory loves to be on her belly. Anytime we lay her down the first thing she does is roll over on her belly. She finally figured out how to sleep on her belly and suck her thumb! We had a few nights of getting up in the middle of the night just to flip her on her back so she could suck her thumb. Life is getting to be so much easier. We finally have her on a schedule so we pretty much know what to expect. Alyssa is doing great. She is still not walking without holding on but she is so close. She is just so careful she won't let go!!!

I guess that is all for now. I will post pictures from the wedding next week!!!

Showers and such

I can't believe Mallory is 3 months old already. Time is flying by. She is so great! She is laughing and cooing. She is sleeping through the night (9pm-8am)! Life is good! She can roll over and hold her head up pretty good. She is paying more attention to Alyssa. She will look over and smile and coo at her.
This weekend was Andy and Kelly's shower in DeRidder. We had so much fun visiting with both of them. I HATE that they live so far away. They are both so good with the girls! This was a picture we took at the shower with Trey's mom's sisters. This was their first time to meet Kelly and to see the girls. We will be going to the wedding in a few weeks.

Me and My Girls

We decided to take a few pictures yesterday of me and the girls. Alyssa was all smiles but Mallory was not in the mood! We are all doing great. We are still waiting on Alyssa to walk. Mallory is growing like a weed. She changes everyday. At first she looked just like Trey but now she is starting to look like me. She is smiling and laughing all of the time now. She is starting to flip over in her crib. She is sleeping okay. There are still nights she wakes up at 2am and 6am but mostly she sleeps until 6am. She will only take naps in the car seat or the swing. Oh well, at least she sleeps!!!!!

I'M AN OFFICIAL SOCCER MOM!

Well, I am proud to say I am an official soccer mom. I LOVE my van. We have so much room. We bought a Chrysler Town & Country. It has everything we need in a vehicle. It even has a DVD player! Alyssa loves that part. As you can see she is proud to have a soccer mom!!!

Fun Times

Alyssa is getting to be our big girl. She is so close to walking. I am watching her every move because I know she will walk any minute. She will walk as long as she has something to hold onto. She is eating big girl food and not drinking out of a bottle anymore.


We are having so much fun these days. Mallory is smiling when we talk to her. I don't mind getting up at 2am if I can get one of these smiles! She is getting so big. She is 9 weeks now and weighs over 10 pounds and is 21 inches long. She has almost doubled her weight. We moved her to her own room about a week ago and she slept through the night!!! Unfortunately it is not on a consistent basis. Once a night is not so bad! :)

LOVE

As I look at this picture I find myself overwhelmed with love. Love for my God for giving me such a precious gift. Love for my husband because she is part of him. And an overwhelming love for this child who I have only known for 8 weeks!

I also find this picture a little ironic. She is sucking her thumb while there is a pacifier in the background. I give her the pacifier and Trey takes it away. I am constantly telling him it is easier to get rid of a pacifier than a thumb!