Just Playing Around

Here's some pictures of the kids playing around the house. Not a lot going on lately; just getting everyone well for a while. First I was knocked on my backside with an infected milk duct, then Rachel got a head cold, and then William and I got it too. Luckily Joshua didn't get it so he was free to take care of all of us! :) We've been looking into preschools for Rachel because we think it'll really help with her speech delay and I think we might have finally found one for her. I've been running around visiting various schools (which Rachel has loved because she gets to play with the kids in the classes she'd be in). She's SO social; she just jumps right into whatever the kids are doing at the time and tries to participate as best she can. I'm pretty picky because I've worked in some mediocre-to-bad daycares and one really phenomenal preschool (if you're in the Little Rock area I can give you the lowdown if you like) so I know what to look for and pretty clear on what I want. I'm sure I'll have some pictures soon of her first day! :)

Now that William can sit up so much better by himself, they like to play together more (though Rachel's still impatient for him to be able to do more than he can just yet!).

He's a lot easier to bathe here just now, though soon I'm sure they'll bathing together too!

My mom came down to visit a while back; here's Rachel showing off my mom's bracelet she let her try on. Dress up play is getting more and more popular around here...

...and here in my boots

William showing off his solo playing skills


What do you do when the power goes out? Watch a movie with the battery backup!

We officially moved Rachel out of the nursery and into what was the playroom because William finally left his bassinette in our room now that he's pulling himself up. He's so stinking tall (30" at 6 month appt) that we had to put the mattress on its lowest level! Here's a pic of his new room (i'll post pics of Rachel's room when it's ready....it's pretty chaotic looking right now). Note the sweetly sleeping baby on your left :)
Rachel helped her dad with some yardwork this weekend. Not only is she stylin' in her nightgown (it was morning at least), but she has matching shoes....

William's Baptism

Back in August we celebrated the beginning of William's religious life journey with his baptism. I have been so happy with our Anglican church, and I am very glad to be able to give both my children this gift which is more a promise on our part to raise them in the faith (their real decisions come with Confirmation when they're older). There is nothing like having a child to put your faith in perspective, and we have been truly blessed!


William's service went off without a hitch; remarkable because he was one of about 12 children from ages 6 weeks to 10 years participating! (we opted to do one of the twice-yearly services on a Saturday rather than during a Sunday church service). It was by no means a quiet service! But the ministers handled it exceedingly well, and swiftly too. William was incredibly calm; you'd have thought he had water poured on his head in front of a room full of strangers every day! Fortunately, at the last minute I thought to tell Rachel what was about to happen; I realized if I didn't she would NOT like the idea of her baby brother being taken from us for whatever reason! Good thing too, because as I explained it to her, she seemed a bit taken aback. But she reacted very well once things got started. Here are some pictures from our day.

Rachel enjoyed getting all dressed up

Rev. Jeff was one of two ministers doing the service, but he was the one who actually baptized him (they took turns).

Some pictures with Mama and Daddy
This one cracks me up because they were caught with the exact same expression

We celebrated back at our house afterward with some Scottish fish stew (my remake of The best meal we had on our honeymoon)

Rachel celebrated with a big frosty mug of rootbeer :) William's cake (white cake, raspberry filling, and chocolate frosting with ganache accents) :)

Some solo shots of my Little Guy from his big day.

This is the first I've seen this mischevious twinkle in his eye. I think this one would read: "How You doin'?" :)

Peekaboo

If left to themselves I think this would have gone on for hours!