Meeting Great Grams and A Marine

It turns out Lola had quite the first Grandparents day weekend (is that a real holiday?)… Her other grandparent actually had to inform us of this…. thanks Jammy!

Never the less! Lola got to meet her great grandma!

It was such a special weekend for us all, Lauren graduated boot camp from Paris Island and we were so proud of her! She is officially a Marine just like our granddad- her dream come true!

We had a little mini family reunion and made Lauren dress up in her “blues” for family pics!

The Marines for Lauren is like Alex with technology, after hearing her talk about it…. she was born for the job! I’m so happy for her and this journey she will be on, touring the country and maybe even the world doing what she loves!

Go Lauren!!!

As focused as we all were on her she was so focused on Lola, anytime Lauren was in the room with Lola she would say “she’s just so cute”… it’s safe to say, Lola got pretty spoiled by all the loving this weekend!

Aunt Doreen was ready to take her home to Mississippi!      Grams had to leave shortly after to go to dialysis but as soon as she returned it was back to loving on Lola! She kissed Lola over and over and Lola continued to play with her fingers… I loved this one, grams starred into the lens and I don’t even think she knew she was doing it, she was so content just  holding Lola…. they both were.

Lola was fading fast but I had to get a “generations” pic before we left each other! 

   She isn’t spoiled at all….I think it did all our hearts good to see the oldest member meet the youngest member!  

Alex has more footage on his camera so hopefully he will put together a movie of the weekend for us…..one day..when Lolas 18!

Until then we have our hands full keeping alive and entertaining a almost 7 months old baby girl! One thing we thought we had mastered was traveling with her… ha… ha…. ha.

We try to only travel at night so she can sleep because i feel terrible keeping her busy little self in a car seat during her waking hours but that isn’t always possible with a usually very exhausted mommy and daddy!

So we left bright and early Sunday morning to get back to Atlanta and stopped outside of Macon at the Museum of Aviation as a little treat for Daddy Lou and a break between naps for Lola!

We traveled LIGHT this trip home and go figure… what ya don’t bring ya need….. first time ever going home without a strolller!!!

Lola didn’t mind, she got more personal time with Daddy so he could teach her how airplanes fly and tell her all about them! I think in his next life he will be a pilot!

Bless her heart, she tried to stay interested.. you and me both Lola!

All of Lous loves came together that day!

This drone was blocked off and Alex was so dissapointed… My mam bear “how dare you dissapoint my baby” came out and Lola worked her charm on the sweet volunteer…. acccess granted!

apparently it’s pretty hard to tell a girl with an adorable baby on her hip smiling and cooing at you “no” ;) Your welcome daddy Lou! “Light packing” strikes again… two day old clothes (which were also slept in), and hair that was as hot mess as it comes… I know i know don’t be too jealous!

Lola didn’t seem to mind, at least she was dressed appropriately.. I mean when is a tutu not an appropriate outfit for any occasion?    We had a great time visiting family and congratulating Lauren but I have to say…. We’re looking forward to staying HOME for a few weekends before the madness of weddings begins!

Labor Day Weekend in Hilton Head

  When I say that I have looked forward to this little family vacation for months it would probably be an understatement! In theory I have looked forward to it since before we had Lola! I have always wanted a baby girl to sit and splash in the waves with and this was the first time she was old enough to do that, yet young enough to just sit and enjoy splashing with me!

So we let her practice playing with her new beach toys from gigi in her ”big girl” bath before putting her jammies on and hitting the road!

We arrived late in the afternoon but  that didn’t stop these two girlies…. we hit the beach before dinner!

She is instantly happy taking it all in!

There was about an hour Lola and I spent together just as the sun was going down behind us that was one of the best feelings I have had since she was born…. The beach honestly does something to my child, she takes it all in… the sun, the sound of the waves crashing, the feel of the water and wind, being halfway naked…. she loves it all and almost goes into a trance! 

We eventually made our way in to get ready for dinner and Tara made it just in time to join us once she got off work…. suddenly it snapped for Alex and I! We have a DD! So we grabbed our “to go’s” and ended up tailgating in the parking lot before making our way to the restaurant…. Lola’s face says it all!

  We landed at Shelter cove and I was so excited to not only not be pregnant but enjoying it all WITH a REAL baby!! San Miguel's at shelter Cove is where we had dinner after we finally told all of our family that we were expecting, I remembered being so excited and seeing so many families with babies there and wishing already that Lola was here!

This year it was out turn to be at San Maguels, listening to music on the water with our very own baby girl! I still can’t believe she is finally here!!

Group pic!

No one could have ever explained to us just how interesting dinner gets when they hit 6 months!

The next day Gigi joined us at the beach!!

It was a beautiful day out and Lola was loving it!!

She sat in my lap for hours just splashing in the water! Every once in a while she would turn around as if she wanted me to comfort her from  either water splashing her or pure excitement…. did i mention I LOVED the water splashing her!

Hellllllo cuddly baby! Is it rude to ask a stranger to take “one more” since your baby decided to fuss just as they clicked the camera… ugh!   Lola and daddy had to have “real” water time! 

Have I mentioned how much more relaxed I am about her being in the sun now that she can wear sunscreen…. lets all exhale. Whew!

Love this baby girl! 

Family pic!  Beach baby!!     Lola’s new favorite toy these days is our faces! She loves to grab anything on your face and if nothing is on it she will just test out your nose to see if it pulls off!

Flying baby!

It was truly the most beautiful beach day filled with sunshine and water, that night Lola was so exhausted from soaking in all the sunshine she played and played and suddenly crashed!!

We got all ready for dinner while cheering on the Clemson tigers and then this happened… I’m not going to lie, I couldn’t have asked for a better excuse to stay in and order pizza!

.... delivery!!

FYI: I swear I’m not naked, i was all dressed up with a strapless top!  Our last day there Lola got more brave with how many different ways there were to play in the water….

This was her other favorite way to splash in the water.. well up until I noticed she was picking the sand up and putting it in her mouth… Pacifier help please! Again anything that’s not a “toy” is typically Lolas favorite toy! 

Bob and Jane made it back from Greenville just in time to join us at the beach Sunday!   Lola was so spoiled to have both grandparents in one spot!

Until Bob came to steal her away from us and take her to do the beach in his style…. the shade!

No worries, Aunt Tara was back to the rescue!

Poor Aunt Tara, she continued her tradition of driving and driving! This weekend she was dog sitting and had to drive over to the island each day to visit Lola!

All ready for dinner at the Frosty Frog! So sad to leave this place without a “return date” but it was so nice to have it before our wedding extravaganza starts in a few short weeks!

Our last day there we got an early start to kick off the long process of getting home…. yes i do mean process! We have 3 sets of grandparents who all want to get in one last visit!    

Poor Lola, she was such a trooper!

On the road we go! I have alwaysy known Lola would love grampa and Jammy’s house… so much to see (I will probably hate her love for it next year “don’t touch that!”). Naturally,  Lola loved playing in Jammys “babies” chest…. and making funny faces at grampa!

They got her good and worn out for me, she slept up until our next stop at Alex’s moms house!

Hallalujah!

A little fresh air before hitting the road…. again!    

By the time we actually left for Atlanta Lola had HAD it… she was so over being in the car and wouldn’t you know we hit traffic the exit before we planned to get off to feed her!

I think we learn something new each trip home… thank goodness for Peppa the Pig!

Hope everyone had a fun and safe Labor Day!!