March!

March is long, but it seemed to fly by! Here are some March highlights:

• Practice, Practice, Practice! Our temple district is preparing for the ATL temple re-dedication on May 1st and President Monson has asked the youth to present a cultural celebration of dancing and singing. As a result, my YW presidency and I have taken the HUGE task to lead our YW in learning a "cheer" dance. Luckily we have help from other wards! It has been a mixture of crazy and fun. It is hard work, but I have seen girls bond with each other who otherwise would not-this is where I feel the prophet was inspired. We have become more unified in our ward as a result. It is difficult to feel close to each other when your ward covers FIVE different counties. Here is the link to what we are doing, if you care enough to look. :) http://www.creativewarehouse.com/atccresources.htmlandhttp://maconstake.weebly.com/
• Kelly and I decided to get our money's worth with our great babysitters and go out DURING the day while Daphne was AWAKE. It was SOO fun. We leisurely shopped, ate, and worked out. I think Daphne enjoyed being in the company of someone other than her mom and dad for a change.
• Daphne and I have been enjoying the nice weather. We've met some friends at the park a few times.

Sia and Daph

Love this thing

This is what greycoat does...

• I re-organized my crazy Office closet. I use it all the time and it was getting on my nerves. I guess that's what you work on when you have a new house, re-organizing closets. Ha ha. We did hang an additional shelf. It was more work than I anticipated, but I really like it now. Kelly is preparing to build a dining room table for us. http://ana-white.com/plancatalog

Before + a little mess

AFTER

• We visited Karl and Janelle at the ATL airport. They were on their way to visit Kelly's brother and wife in London and had a 4 hour layover. It was SO fun to see them. We ate some good southern food and hung out till they had to leave. The older Daphne gets, the harder it will be to live away from grandparents-so this was a treat.

Grandma and Daph

• Daphne turned 9 months old on the 29th. She has 4 teeth and likes to chew on EVERYTHING, including me (and I'm still nursing). I truly find it amusing to watch her discover the world; everything is so interesting to her. Her favorite things are greycoat (she will crawl long distances to get the cat, but the cat is much faster), the vacuum, the broom, trash cans, and shoes...unfortunately all gross objects. I was wondering when she would discover Greycoat's kibble...it didn't take long. She likes that and the rocks in the fireplace, so we've made some adjustments to our home! At this point, she'll eat anything I give her, so I'm bringing on the vegetables and introducing all age-appropriate foods, including ones I don't really like. I love being her momma. Sometimes the two of us just laugh on the floor for no reason.

Holding hands w friend, Caroline (10 days apart)

Happy 9 months!

Just "helping" mom with the dishes

waiting outside Grey's room

• KALLI ANNA returned from Yekaterinburg Russia! YAY! I wish I could be home. I have called my mom everyday to see what they are doing...silly. She was an amazing missionary. I am so glad she is home now. Mom said Carrie keeps looking at her and saying "sorry if I'm staring, I just can't believe your home." Ah, Birday.

• The conflict in Libya. This affected Kelly's work for a weekend, and maybe it will later. I am amazed by the willingness of the armed forces to go over and do whatever is asked of them. It's very respectable. I just hope what they are being asked to do is worth it.
• The earthquake in Japan. What a horrible disaster. I feel bad, but the most immediate effect it has taken on my life is that World Championship Figure Skating has been postponed or cancelled (TBD).

What a month-till April then!

February

The weather in Georgia has been amazing! We have enjoyed 60s and 70s and even 80s with some humidity. I went with my friend to the park one day to swing with Daphne and it was divine. Daphne and I have been riding bikes together since I got my bike and trailer. I love it!

Daphne and her friend Everett in too big swings

The highlight of February would have to be our trip to Charleston. We went over President's Day weekend. We had trouble finding a good deal bidding on Priceline and realized why when we got to Charleston. It was the annual Southeastern Wildlife Expo...must be a hit because it was busy! We stayed downtown to avoid long car rides into town with a baby. We arrived Saturday around 5pm and went straight to Jestines. Last time we visited Charleston with Carrie, we ate there and really liked it. It didn't disappoint. I got their pecan crusted chicken sandwich and Kelly got a Oyster Po Boy. A couple was very nice and let us have the bigger table so Daphne could enjoy herself more.

Afterward we walked around a bit and headed to the hotel room. Daphne was tired and we were ok to head back. We decided traveling with a baby is totally different because you go to bed earlier since there is nothing to do. And we really were ok with that.

The next morning we went to church. It was a nice ward with lots of visitors. Afterward we stopped at 5 Guys to eat a burger before heading back to the hotel to take a nap. The nap didn't happen so we headed out to catch the ferry for Fort Sumter. Well, we thought walking would be quicker and it wasn't. We ended up walking about 2 miles while carrying Daphne just to miss the ferry. It was nice seeing the downtown though. We walked our way back through Market Street and I bought an ice cream. We headed back to the hotel for a little bit before going to Fleet Landing Restaurant for dinner. Daphne was very charming. We walked around the pier and the French Quarter afterward. It was so beautiful outside.

Monday morning I slipped out of the hotel room early to let Kelly rest since he was flying the next day. I took Daphne back to the pier and it was soo beautiful. It was around 7am and the only other people out there were dads or moms in pajamas with their kids. It made me laugh to myself. I picked up Dunkin Donuts on the way back. I ran back to Market Street and bought a few souvenirs. I realized to late I could have haggled more. Oh well.

We checked out of our hotel room and headed to Fort Sumter. It was lovely. The ferry was crowded, but it was a great history lesson. Daphne fell asleep in my arms which she never does. We were getting ready to head home when I realized my phone was missing. After an hours search with a very patient child, we found no phone. It was very sad. A week later I have a new phone-thank heavens for upgrades.

Daphne loves to drink water from a straw. Or to drink water period.

She loves to smile for the camera to. And also for the mirror.

Kelly bathing Daphne in the hotel sink!

Flower garden near the pier

My little darling

There is something magical about that carrier

The pier in Charleston

Fort Sumter

Coming back into Charleston from Fort Sumter

Daddy/daughter who look so much alike!

Our third anniversary was March 1st. To celebrate we went to Ruby Tuesday's without Daphne. Our neighbor watched her free of charge! It was a quiet dinner! I made homemade ice cream in our soft serve machine that I got from Kelly for our wedding. We hadn't done that in a while. I also got out Rockband to play, something else we haven't done in a while. We were too tired to play though...ha ha.

As we settle into March, we are seeing a new Daphne. She is less happy. It makes me kind of sad. I'm wondering if it is related to her constant thick runny nose and watery eyes? She doesn't seem to have a fever. Or, maybe she getting older and knows what she wants more? Either way, she keeps me on my toes! She is crawling all over the place and I've caught her standing in her crib...yikes! She is very precious though and I think I love her most when she is curled up asleep in child's pose...now I know why they call it that.

Kelly is training on the JSTARS now. His flights are intense but he is doing well. He will finish in a couple months and we'll hear more about deployments then. I'm still waiting for him to get his POW training photos developed...hopefully soon.

January

So, we've considered giving up the blog over the last few months. I mean, we never really post. Up until this week, neither computer was working. Our desktop is still a little out of commission. I can't believe how much I need a computer. A little Droid doesn't accomplish much but browsing. Anyway, I don't keep a blog book because I do photo albums, and when I do post, it takes me well over an hour ...but, I do love reading family and friends' blogs so I guess it's not over yet. It's a creative outlet that I can get into sometimes. Plus, I feel so far away from everyone living in GA, and I don't want to! BTW, I really like Georgia.

Kelly is easy going about moving, but I think he'll like it more when his job becomes more fulfilling. He is spending the month at Fairchild AFB in Washington State for Survival School. He spent the last week trudging through the snow living on little calories and sleep. This week he will be tortured and learn the proper way to resist...poor guy. He'll receive good pampering when he returns next weekend. I'm excited for him to see Daphne!

Meanwhile, I've been hanging out with Daphne and some friends and trying to keep busy so I don't miss him too much! Here are some cool things that have happened this month:

Snow in the deep South-very rare. So rare school was canceled for two days! It was canceled up North in Atlanta for a week! Do you see the smallest snowman ever on the windowsill?

Another small snowman, but bigger than his brother. Since school was canceled some of the YW came to my house to hang out with me and play with Daphne. It was so fun! The house was full of noise which was a nice break from just me and Daphne. Plus, they built these two snowmen.

Daphne ready for church in her cape from her daddy. Church without Kelly is an interesting experience. He usually takes care of her for me so I can run around doing stuff...absence makes the heart grow fonder, and it also makes one realize how helpful their spouse is! Also, pat on the back for parents at church with young kids.

"We seek after these things" theme for New Beginnings complete with this beautiful cake made by Tallie Bell!

And-I recommend "Minute to Win It" for a church activity or family game. It is soo fun! We played as a family at Christmas, courtesy of Katie and Melissa. I decided to do it for the Joint Mutual this month and everyone loved it. Even the ones who usually come because they have to got involved for at least the Oreo one and were laughing...yay!! Prayers are answered.

The Holidays

I don't blog enough to ever get the picture loading thing right! It's all in reverse order just so you know! But it goes back to Halloween. Thanksgiving we spent with Kelly's parents here in Warner Robins. Yes, I cooked my first meal, but Janelle and Karl did most of it and they did great! I loved having them here (and Kelly and daphne did too of course). Christmas was spent in Las Cruces. Some other pictures of the cabin with the Hakes family are on FB. New Years we spent back home in good ol GA. Enjoy!

Nutella and banana goodness please!

Crepes on New Years Eve! Yum yum. Our new tradition. "Traditiooonnnnnn! Tradition!"

Kelly took these when I wasn't home-I found about 15 different photos. That's less than last year. :) I love my hubbs.

Love this little hat made especially for Daphers by her dear Aunt Carly.

Lighting luminarias at the Woods' home

Dear Grandma Wood is so good to Daphne!

Dear Grandpa Wood with his granddaughter. He found someone who likes TV more than he does!

Us with dear Grandpa McCuistion

The Hakes gang

Kelly did a great job on the Chrismtas lights-it took him all day. He put the lights up very evenly with plastic hooks. I was very impressed. I insisted on the red light (a Kim Hakes specialty) and wanted to put a green one in too but couldn't find one-next year.

Christmas tree-right before our flight to New Mexico

Family photo 2010

Momma/daughter

Daddy/daughter-he only let me take this one picture

Peach ice cream and cobbler

Southern Lanes visitor Center

The whole cat family + Elvis. Kelly had to buy this last year for squadron initiation when he was in Vegas. We're just getting our 80 bucks worth.

As you can see, she just loved her headpiece!

Cute Video

Daphne has gotten so big and grownup! She is 11 lbs 7 oz as of last week's doctor appointment. She is also 23 1/4 inches. She falls at the 10-25%ile for both of these, although nearer the 10th for her weight. Even though she is little, she has more than doubled her weight since birth! Yay!!

She is laughing all the time now and we are crazy about it. She is also a big thumb sucker. It is so cute to find her in her crib after he naps sucking her thumb. She is taking a bottle really well on the nights I am gone for church, which is a blessing. She loves our attention so much it is getting harder and harder to nurse her! We'll keep at it, though. She will probably enjoy Thanksgiving Day with a bit of rice cereal. Last Friday Kelly and I went out to eat at a place called Firehouse Subs. It's very good. While there, we let her lick a piece of our bread and she liked it! Oh, how fun it is for a dietitian to begin feeding her child. :)

I am staying super busy with my calling-which is so fun-and some friends I've made here! Kelly began training (finally) for his new job. He is learning how to detect dots. Just kidding-that is what he told me and then I made him explain. It's much more complicated than that. To make it short, he is learning to detect unusual activity on a map and then send the intel to other units in the Air Force/Army. It is something he will to in Afghanistan when he deploys next year. :(

We are having our first babysitter come this weekend. We're not sure what to do-maybe just take our time doing whatever.

Below is a cute video of our little girl.

I Love this German Apostle

Listen if you have time...it's about 20 minutes.

Yep. Another growth spurt. Although I know it is good and important for Daphne to have these, it's kind of tiring for me. We're glad it came now so she can bulk up for her four month appointment in one week....yay for Daphne!

She's pretty cute though.