Here We Grow Again!

Our family just keeps getting bigger - and, no, I'm not refering to the size of my body these days. We found out two weeks ago that Grammy is getting married to Wayne in March, and couldn't be more excited. He makes such a good grandad (soon-to-be Papaw Wayne!) that I'm sure he will make a wonderful husband, too. He is so sweet to my mom, and she is so happy - what more could you ask for? If he would only stop feeding Maelie pickles, I don't think I would have even the slightest complaint :) Seriously, Mom and Wayne started dating right around the time Maelie was born and it was a little while before we met him, but he has basically been Maelie's other grandad her whole life. She definitely has him wrapped around her finger - I've seen him sit in a kiddie tent, a Little Tyke playhouse, push her all over the house in a babydoll stroller (with a broken shoulder), and countless other things that make me thank God that she has someone so much fun who loves her so much in her life. They are so funny together! Oh, yeah, and he and Mom make a cute couple, too...

I know having a "step-parent" has tons of stereotypes associated with it, but I really don't understand it. I have never seen my Mom so happy. It is so nice to know that she has someone who loves her and that she loves, someone who accepts her just for who she is and that she has someone to "take care of," too. She is good at that and needs someone to share it with! I love that our family is growing again.

Nothing Like a Friend!

This weekend Lauren and I took a quick trip to Fredricksburg under the guise of Christmas shopping, but I think we really only bought things for our babies! It was so much fun. I told Kyle the most fun was all the uninterrupted talk time - I think we talked for about 30 hours straight, minus just a few hours for sleep! I was thinking about it the other day, and I met Lauren when we were around 12 or 13, so I have really had her in my life longer than I haven't, and I can't think of a greater blessing. She is one of those rare, true friends who you can be just who you are around, tell everything that's on your heart (the good and the bad). I have always marveled at the number of people she can have in her life and still make each person she comes in contact with feel like they are precious and important to her. My life would definitely not be the same without her! I am praying already that my girls are friends and have precious friends in their lives like the ones the Lord has blessed me with.

Finally getting a little baby bump!

Showing off all of our finds - that's Cam's picture frame. He is lucky to have such a fun Mommy!

This is Cam and Baby Girl talking to each other - we were both surprised when we pulled out the same outfit to wear for the day!

What's in a name...

A lot, if you don't have one. I am so ready to name this baby!! Kyle and I have a definite difference of opion when it comes to names. Here are the rules:

No double names (Mary Jane, etc.) per Kyle
Nothing too "out there" (weird, I know, coming from the people who came up with Maelie)
Preferably something more oldfashioned/classic.

Kyle's top choices are: Mary, Alice, Margaret and Lucy
Emily's top choice is: Lorelai (pronounced "Lore a lie" for you Gilmore virgins)

Neither one of us is willing to bend to the other's direction at this point and we haven't come up with any others that both of us like/love. (To pat my own back I was willing to compromise with Mary Alice, but that violated the no double names rule, apparently)

If you have any ideas, I'd love to hear them!!! There could even be a Bosses' pizza in it for you...

Elizabeth for President!

Today my conscience got the best of me and I decided to go ahead and brave the lines and vote. I thought maybe if we got there early enough we could beat the lines. Maelie got dressed really quickly and easily when I told her we were going to vote (and that she could have a piece of candy while we waited). She talked about it a lot on our way to the voting site, so I thought it would be a great opportunity to explain our great democratic process to her, two year old style. I finished up and was patting my own back a little bit at the great expaining job I had done when she asked "Am I boting?" I told her that yes, she was helping Mommy vote, but who would she like to vote for. She looked up and smacked her lips and said "Um , I bote for....Elizabeth!"

I think it's a great idea! She's sweet, she's a good friend, she loves God, and I know all of her secrets and they're not that bad. I wonder if it would confuse anyone if I wrote her in...