A Few Things Happened This Week

Grandpa Boat* came to visit!!



He is teaching me all about the Florida Gators, but for some reason, I'm not seeing them anywhere in the tournament.

We celebrated GrandVicky's birthday!

She loved her new cookware!

I got quality time with Mom when she came home from work:

And I learned how to sleep without being swaddled!! A major victory!

*My cousins Javier and Sara will have to explain the origins of this name to me someday.

Merritt's Facebook Status

Merritt is:
* 17 lbs 7 oz (>97%)
* 25.25 inches long (80%)
* 90th percentile for head size
* learning to sleep without swaddling
* drooling but not necessarily teething
* always wearing a bib
* moderately interested in Buddy the cat and Molly the dog
* very interested in her star that lights up and plays music
* growing out of her 6 month clothes
* grabbing at small items with two hands
* looking with interest at books
* laughing at funny noises, especially those made by her dad
* enjoying spending lots of time with her GrandVicky
* putting up with Mom's kisses

Glamour Shot

Like Father Like Daughter

Go Heels (plus a thank you)

Dear Cora Marie Kirk,

Thank you for sending me your UNC cheerleader outfit. I had to change into it during the game against LSU today because the Heels needed extra encouragement. It worked because Ty Lawson immediately got back in the game and helped the Heels crush LSU! My dad is teaching me that I can affect the game if I FOCUS! And wear a cute outfit. Thanks for thinking of me!

Love, Merritt

Last Day

Today is my last day of maternity leave. Merritt starts school later this month, and my mom will take care of her until then. Many mixed emotions going on here.

Here's a few shots from the past few days. My college friend, Betty, came to visit this past weekend. It was a rainy, cold weekend but we made the best of it - we made some things on the Cricut for Betty's daughter, Addy, went to the spa for facials, and had dinner at the Melting Pot with our friend Michelle. We can't wait to visit the Youngs in Virginia - so glad they are back on the East Coast!

Oh My!

According to our home scale, Merritt weighs 17.5 lbs!

Homecomings, Birthdays and Visitors

We celebrated Doug's return from a business trip with a dinner and an interesting centerpiece:

Then we brought a birthday cake to share with our Bible study group. Everyone was kind and avoided pointing out that my cake looked like a giant chocolate Krispy Kreme.

My college friend, Michelle, and her daughter, Allie, came to visit on Saturday morning:


Our friend, Lydia, from Atlanta, dropped by in the afternoon to visit:

Then we had a Cajun birthday celebration for Doug at Papa Mojo's Roadhouse (Jerry and Stuart are pictured below):

Doug and Scott after a few Abitas:

The whole group (with requisite Mardi Gras beads):

Remembrance

Mom/Martha, we miss you and love you. We know you are dancing with joy in heaven.

for Doug

We love you and miss you!! Can't wait to see you tomorrow!!

A Few Days with GranVicky

Playing on the carpet:



Merritt's First Dress! (Thanks Grandmo!)


A Hot Flash (notice the bare feet)


One of the cards Mom and I created with my Cricut:

Our Favorite Video