Zoo Atlanta

We stayed a little after Jaime and Hope left to let Jackson ride the train. This is me improvising a little bit and taking the picture myself ;)

Can you tell Bailey had a great time!?!?!

The was our FAVORITE part. This is a picture of the lion doing about 10 roars! It was something I will never forget, like from the movies...but WAY better!!!

And this was our one meltdown of the day and sweet Hope is just wondering what he is doing! hahaha

Jackson LOVED the elephants!

are they cute or what?!?!

Here is a picture of all of us outside the zoo, we are so glad Jaime inviting us along and can't wait to go again!

Mimi and Diddy!!

Mimi and Diddy watch the kids for us last weekend while we went to a shower, can you tell they had lots of fun!?!?!

The Hooch!

Last weekend on of my best friends Ashley and I met up at a Chattahoochee Park in Roswell. I used to go there as a kid and I found out that John did too. Jackson and Bailey had one of the best days ever, they were so good for us. I am really looking forward to going back there again, we had such an AWESOME time...next time we will bring a lunch and eat it there instead of going out, it was so beautiful!

Elliot's B-day and more!

Russ and Debbie (Jessi's parents) helped me out so much at Elliot's 2nd birthday party. Here is a pic of Russ holding Bailey while Debbie is making her laugh :)

Tomi, Jessi, and me :) **Jessi is due in 4 weeks!!! I can't believe how fast time has gone!!

Yep, this was the best picture I could get of the 3 boys together, it's getting harder these days!

At the park a few weeks ago :)

My Aunt Mary made Bailey some REALLY cute hats and here is a picture of her in one!

Bailey LOVES her new toy!! It's so fun to watch her in it, she is so little!

Jackson is such a protective big brother. He really does enjoy having Bailey around. Lately when anyone even so much as touches her stroller or car seat he freaks out! He doesn't want basically anyone but me holding her too. Wonder where he gets his nervous nature from?!?!

Happy Valentine's Day

Bailey's 4 month check-up

Bailey has really started getting the hang of playing with little toys.

She played for about 20 min. with this one while I was cooking and then was out! :) So sweet!

Bailey got to start her solids when she turned 4 months. We were in Auburn, so the whole Ballard family got to watch :) It was Janet's, Dan's, and Em's birthdays.

A certain someone got jealous and said he wanted some too! He thought it was ice cream and he acted like he enjoyed it, but I think he just enjoyed everyone laughing and having the center of attention :) This morning when I was feeding Bailey Jackson said, "Dats Baiy-yee's happy to you". He calls birthday cake and ice cream "happy to you" from the birthday song :)

What she looked like after the first bite!

She can hold her self up pretty good...but not for very long!

Weight: 13lbs 14oz (70th %ile)

Height: 28 inches (75th %ile)

I was shocked when the Dr. told me her %ile's b/c I think she is so tiny! I guess I can't compare her to Jackson b/c boy's charts are completely different. I think it's also b/c of how big Jackson is now, it makes her seem EXTRA small! Bailey has a wonderful little personality. She smiles ALL the time! In fact, she won't eat sometimes b/c she is looking at me and smiling! It's hilarious! She still loves the high chair~it's her favorite place to be besides being held! Here is what is going on with her this month...

~she wakes up 3 times a night like clockwork! 11 or 11:30pm ; 2 or 2:30am ; 4 or 5am.

~she ROLLED OVER a few times from her belly to her back

~She wakes up between 8-8:30am every morning like clockwork too

~she could watch Jackson ALL day, she loves to look at him and Cooper too actually :)

~she does not like to eat when she gets up, she has to have a conversation and hang out first anywhere from 30min-1 hr (seriously...she won't eat...she just smiles and talks! Is she a girl or what! I have NO idea where she gets that ;)

~she definitely likes the T.V and could watch Up and Pixar movies for quite a while

~she is very jumpy and is easily scared, John laughs b/c I am EXACTLY like that

~she has gotten better about riding in the car and doesn't hate it so much anymore

~she chews on her hands constantly and loves to look at them and her feet too

~I LOVE to hear her playing with her toys while I am driving...melts my heart!

It is all happing so fast. I am not in a hurry like I was last time. I have my moments of feeling overwhelmed (in fact I did yesterday!), but for the most part...I am much more calm about everything this time around. I don't watch the clock on feedings, I REALLY wanted to know if she was gaining the correct amount of weight because of breastfeeding...but I let it go and trusted my instint and I was right :) She is on a schedule, mainly b/c her brother is...so she just goes with that. She has basically been on one for at least a month now.

Cousins and more!

This is a picture from Jessi's baby shower for Olivia! She is due in March~I can't believe how fast time has past!

The pics above and below are from a visit in January (you can see the snow in the background)

I found Jackson like this when I was trying to clean (that is our broom). I told him he could have that toy he is reaching for as incentive after he went to the potty like a big boy (still working on understanding # 2). Well, he obviously was thinking, "Mom I don't need to potty, all I need is something long enough to knock this off!" Is he like his Dad or what?!?!

The pictures above and below are from the day John got home from an 11 day work trip. Can you tell Jackson needed some "man time"?!?! And Bailey sure did miss Daddy's hugs!

**I wish their was a picture I could post of me hugging John. I missed him more than words can describe. I don't know how I managed without him, he is my rock. He is an amazingly hands on father. I was just telling someone the other day that until John had gone out of town, I think I had only given Jackson a bath and put him to bed 2 or 3 times since Bailey was born~he always does it. He also takes him outside almost everyday when he gets home and I am truly blessed to have him as a husband.

This is from this weekend and it is the 1st picture of all 5 Ballard grandchildren together. I have to say this was difficult to get and I know they don't like to sit still for it, but they will be VERY happy that they have this picture when they are my age :)

Aunt Amy!!

Avery was soooo excited to hold Bailey and she did a great job! Bailey is a lucky girl to have such a loving older cousin, I know Bailey will follow her around everywhere once she can walk ;)