How to win friends and influence people....

Libby's newest and best new trick is showing sheer delight to inanimate objects, strangers, and her own reflection. I love it and I know that soon she will be onto the next quirky milestone...but I would be happy if this one stayed forever...Because with expressions like this who wants them to change?

Along with this facial expression comes a funny exhale that sounds much like a small furry creature (no words to explain it really).

A little stuck...

Books are full of fiber...yum...

Gumby conforming to the shape of Dad's shoulders...

The past few weeks have been flying by. It is so hard to believe that Libby is seven months old. So much has happened lately.

Libby got baptized in February and I also left her for the first time which was very tough to do. Jeremy did a great job while I was gone and I came home to a clean house and a happy baby. Mimi and NaNa helped out some while I was away. I know Jeremy appreciated it. Needless to say, I don't want to leave Libby again any time soon...she seemed to grow up so much in just a few short days.

One of my Christmas presents this year was a girl's trip to NYC. It was a ton of fun. We did so much shopping that not one picture was taken...so the only proof I have is some purses from Soho and lots of new clothes. It was nice to have some girl time and get some shopping done...any and everything I wore last summer was maternity or quite flowy - so my wardrobe was definitely in need of an update.

A long weekend in the big apple makes me appreciate southern hospitality, good food, and the cost of living in Memphis!
We are tired of this crazy weather and ready to be able to enjoy some time outside...hopefully we will get some sunshine this week and this snow will melt away.

Just before the big event, the girl can work a camera (when she wants to)...

All Bundled up!

Studying Papaw

with Mimi & Pop

Mary Lampton was very sweet and excited about her baby sister on the way.

Being social is tough work...

Apparently, my blogging habits are lacking and comments on my lack of blogging is the only thing that gets me in gear sometimes...especially lately.

Life seems to be 200 mph these days. Whoever said the month of February is the dull days after Christmas was not living in our household. Jeremy and I have both been busy at work. Jeremy has also began renovating our upstairs bathroom. Right now we are in the demo phase of it, and it's not pretty.

Libby is growing and changing everyday and she is so much fun. We recently had her six month vaccinations and check-up. She is in the 75th percentile for height...and 50th percentile for weight. We also experienced our first ear infection, which was not fun. On the up side, Libby loved the amoxicillan (pink bubble gum medicine) so medicating her was not an issue. On the down side, our sleeping through the night regressed a bit and she has been waking up for a little love from Mom and Dad

Trying my best to get a profile shot of this sweet face.

Check me out in my awesome new hat, its all the rage at my playgroup.

Sitting up like a big girl...

Mimi and Mom played beauty shop with me the other day.

no words necessary for this cuteness...

relaxing in my bubble bath after a long day of eating, sleeping, playing, and being loved on...its a hard knock life.

Practicing my couch potato skills...

Working on my heel-stretch and hamming it up for the camera.

Our snow day in Memphis

Miss America 2026~

Introducing Libby Given, contestant for Miss America 2026.

She enjoys sleeping on her stomach, Goodnight Moon and Gerber pears.

Evening Wear - a little ditty by Janie and Jack and gift from our friend Ansley Miller

Her platforms are:

~squash and carrots should be outlawed

~all moms and dads should have a repertoire of songs to sing to their children

~every kid should have a dog

~and who wouldn't love world peace?

Swimsuit - if you are wondering how I got these impeccable thighs, I must thank my Fisher Price Rain forest Jumparoo.

Talent - prepare to be amazed.

*Disclaimer - I do not support toddlers in tiaras, just thought since Miss America is on tonight we would get in the spirit...

Busy as a Bee-

We have been so busy this week and now I am really feeling the aftermath...exhaustion, a cluttered house and an overdose of fast food because I have had no time to cook. Jeremy is enjoying the last weekend of duck hunting and Libby and I are finally enjoying our Saturday with absolutely nothing on our calendar - I love that feeling...

I am only six months old and I have mastered multi-tasking, I think I got this skill from my mom. I made a new friend this week, Lizzie. She was so sweet to me that Mom is re-thinking the breed of our next puppy...don't tell Hagan though.

Mom and I had dinner with Aunt Katrina, I let her hold me and I was such a sweet girl at the restaurant...I know one day I will enjoy fine dining - good thing they are showing me the ropes.

Is it spring time yet?

It is very very hard to believe that our little Libby is coming up on 6 months of age...it seems like just yesterday I was in the first trimester of pregnancy toting around wheat thins and ginger ale because you never know when that nauseous feeling would hit...and now I am brainstorming for her first birthday party. Not only that I welcomed the big 2-8 into my life last week and I have already started thinking about baby #2. And by that I mean just THINKING...I don't foresee a sibling for Libby in the near future...but seeing how time seems to sneak up on me, I would hate to forget to have another child while I am thinking about what food for Libby to try next or what to do for her birthday...

I am almost 6 months old today and its doing a number on my mom...I mean look at me - would you want this face to grow up and start talking back?

I like to watch Hagan attempt to eat the mailman daily - its one of the highlights of our day

Mom gets herself ready and leaves my hair a hot mess...

Dad is tracking the ducks this season and keeping up with MSU football recruits, I am updating the blog on my vtech laptop, thank goodness for wireless...

it's never to early to start embarrassing your children - Jeremy gave Libby this awesome hairdo after a bath one night

Peace out!

Libby's First Christmas

This post is quite overdue and Jane has even awarded me the blog slacker award...so in order to put that title behind me I thought it was time for an update...

Christmas came and went and what a whirlwind wind it was.
Does anyone ever relax over the holidays? I think Jeremy got in one quiet day over the week of Christmas but other than that it was non-stop...

Robert, Zoey, the boys and Martin all came in town and Libby finally got to meet her Uncle Robert and Uncle Martin. We also spent time with Jonathan and Nathan which was lots of fun...they have gotten so big and it was fun to get to see them almost everyday.

Jeremy got in some duck hunting and we celebrated our first Christmas with Libby and it was great. Also everyone was healthy and things seemed to go pretty smoothly this year. We are very thankful for that since our Christmas last year was consumed by the stomach bug and it was no fun at all.
We are very grateful that everyone had safe travels and we all stayed germ free!

Santa found us all on Christmas morning.

On the 23rd we celebrated with the Sides family - Above are all the great grandchildren (minus Julia & Maggie - they were missed!) Left to Right - Hugh, Bel, Mary Eliza, Elizabeth, Holden, Katherine, Ella, Matthew & Libby. Obviously we have a shortage of boys in the family.

Libby playing with Michelle, Mary Eliza & Jana

Libby finally got to meet Robert - or as she will call him "Uncle Buzz"

Uncle Martin gave Libby her first Raggedy Ann doll.

Chewing those fingers while waiting to open presents with Pop...the suspense was almost too much...

Soon I will have a crush on my uncle Russell like my cousins do, I just don't know it yet.

Chubby Cheeks and Nathan did some bonding...

Mimi and Libby excited about all of the Chico's boxes under the tree...Mimi must have been really good this year.

Mom and Lu Lu got to eat lunch with the girls - she was dying to wear her new Christmas present from Maggie and Julia...

Libby, Nathan & Jonathan very happy about what Santa brought...

Libby is trying on her first pair of high heels from Crystal...like most shoes its all about style, not comfort - she is learning that early in life...no one said being a girl was easy...

Nathan & Jonathan going off road...

Na Na & Papaw with the grand babies...all of them in one place is a rare event and a great Christmas present!