Morgan reads to Mary Alice

Such a sweet big sister! Morgan is reading Mary Alice a book after bathtime.

Frustrating Photography

So we had a family friend take some pictures of the girls recently. Morgan absolutely does NOT like posing and having her picture taken. I've been debating for a while whether to shell out the money for a fancy formal photo session. I'm glad I decided to test the waters with a good family friend. Morgan tested all my patience, but we came through it smiling. My goal was to capture my girls at these stages in their lives. Morgan and all her fun, quirky, silliness and Mary Alice still in her beautiful baby sweetness. The first picture below actually captures that perfectly. Not exactly hanging above the mantel material, but super cute and super appropriate.

Can you see the pitiful look in her face at having her picture made???? So pretty, but so sad...

Poor Mary Alice, we had to wake her up from a nap because it was raining that day and there was finally a break in the weather so we wanted to dash outside while we could. She didn't know what was going on and maintained a very serious face the entire time. She's still precious as ever though!

And this is what Morgan does when you say "Morgan, don't pick your nose!" She responds with a two finger nose pickin'! What can you do but laugh and love 'em to pieces.
It seems Mary Alice is applauding her disobedience. Let's hope I don't have two trouble makers on my hands!!!

Lovely Girls

Morgan and Mary Alice continue to grow closer with every passing day. Mary Alice stays in entertainment watching her busy sister. And Morgan continuely wants to help with Mary Alice and love on her. They are on the road to being besties, I just know it.
Morgan was a little bored the other day and tried to see if Mary Alice could balance flash cards on her head.

Morgan took nearly 4 years, but she has finally discovered the peaceful joy of swinging. She used to get bored with swinging after about 15 seconds, but at Cee's she could swing all day.

And like her big sister, Mary Alice has grown a fondness for our four legged friends. She was fascinated with Cee's big dog Buddy this weekend and giggled in delight every time he gave her a kiss. She kept trying to put his head in her mouth...

Blue Eyes

The girls and I went to visit some family and friends this weekend for Cee's big birthday. We had a blast hanging out at Aunt Linda's pool and having a big ole spend the night party at Aunt Cham's. Morgan and Bentley, as well as Mary Alice and Hollice, are on the road to BFF's like their mom's and grandmom's. Thanks everyone for the fun times!

Morgan helps Cee blow out her candles.

The girls gather round for a video at the table. Hollice giggles when she gets dried off from the pool. Morgan decides to have her refreshments in a champagne flute. Uncle Andy takes Morgan for ride in the wagon. Mary Alice loved kicking in the baby boat. Bentley zipped all over the pool with the motor boat. No fear! Mary Alice takes her bottle pool side. The girls get dirty at Hottie's.

Mary Alice is 6 Months Old!

Mary Alice is 6 months old today! She got another glowing report from the doctor. She weighs 19 pounds and is 26 inches long - that's 90th percentile folks. I don't think Morgan weighed 19 pounds until she was 18 months old. These two are so different but so fun. Morgan wanted to sing happy birthday to Mary Alice this afternoon and we treated her to a cupcake.

Morgan blows out the 6 month birthday candle...

Baby sister gets a small taste of hot pink icing...

And big sister devours the cupcake...

Tea Parties and More

Morgan's new thing is tea parties. Mary Alice got invited this morning along with Dressy Bessy and Ariel.

Mary Alice needed a little help drinking her tea...

I was getting ready for church this morning, and I looked down to see Morgan feeding Mary Alice a bottle. I had left an empty bottle on the table from her previous feeding. Morgan decided MA needed some more. I kind of felt bad for Mary Alice, being tempted with an empty bottle. But both sisters seemed to enjoy it.

Morgan before church. Me: "Morgan let's go outside and take your picture". Morgan "OK". Me: "Will you smile for mommie?". Morgan "YEAH!". We get outside. Me: "Morgan, say cheese and smile!". This is what I got.

MA's First Bug and The Help

Well, it happened. Our first illness as a family of four. Poor Mary Alice came down with a stomach bug early in the week and then wouldn't you know it Morgan got it too. Why do stomach bugs only hit in the middle of the night? When Morgan got it, she decided to get out of bed and proceed to Mary Alice's room to do her actual vomiting. So we had both kids up in the middle of the night... it was a long week. BUT I was treated this weekend to a private screening of The Help. Cee scored us some tickets and we got to go mingle with some celebrities. I played it about as cool as you would imagine - made a fool out of myself with Octavia Spencer in the bathroom. I'm such a dork! Anyway, we made it through so hopefully Matt and I will be spared!

Both my girls getting to hang in the big bed while they didn't feel good.

Another interesting reading position for Morgan, the baby doll bed.

Big Sis reading to little Sis - so sweet!!!

Cee and I at The Help!

Mary Alice - 5 Months!

Mary Alice is 5 months old today. I've been a terrible picture taker lately, and I had a moment this morning realizing my baby is getting older every minute and I'm not recording it properly. I tell you, she gets prettier with age too :)

Morgan still remains against posing for pictures. So I just have to snap what I can get. Below is her reading position of choice - balancing between the glider and ottaman. Morgan absolutely loves her baby sister. She thinks holding her is the BIGGEST treat. She just squeezes and loves on her all the time. So sweet!

Mary Alice serioulsy smiles about 80% of the day. But my camera has a stupid delay and they are so hard to catch! Every where we go, she just smiles and charms the pants off everyone she meets. She has the best temperment!

Christening gowns - beautiful in person, difficult to photograph. We put the gown back on for a quick photo session this morning since MA was in a good mood. Well, the good mood didn't last long. It really is hard to take a picture of someone who can't sit/stand in a really long gown. But she looked so darn beautiful in it, I wanted to capture the moment! At least I can say we tried!

Mary Alice Christened

We had Mary Alice's christening this weekend. She did great! We didn't get many pictures due to all the craziness, but I'm going to try to commit myself to getting some pics of her in the gown later on this week. We had a great time with all the fam, and we were so pumped to show off the new house. I will say that I'm glad Monday was a holiday b/c the rest was appreciated. Morgan and I hung out in the baby pool and sprinkler this afternoon. She finally warmed up to the water and had a ball running in and out of the water. Dad and Mary Alice came to watch all the excitement for a few minutes and sat in the shade. While we haven't done much celebration this Independence Day, I have to say it's been quite enjoyable!

As always, Morgan had a ball hanging out with her cuz John Reed. She must have gotten out every single toy she owned to show him. We are so glad they have fun together!