One Year Old!

Happy Birthday to the best little girl I know, our sweet Sylvie Sue. I can't believe it's been a whole year since you joined our family, but it also seems like we never lived without you. I am so blessed to be able to watch you grow up every day...you crack me up and stress me out all at the same time. I see so much of your daddy in you, and then sometimes a lot of me in you, but mostly I see you, Sylvie, a very own version of yourself. I can't wait to hear you talk, so I can know what's going on in that pretty little head of yours. I hope you like me! You're the best thing I've ever done and I hope I'm not screwing it up.

When I think about where we were one year ago, I am so grateful that we've come so far and that those dark days are behind us, leaving us with a healthy, happy, funny baby girl. I hope you know how much we wanted and waited for you, and how exciting it is for us to be your parents.

A year ago today...

This is where we started on the morning of September 15, 2010.
Boy were you a pain to get here!

Then we traveled to Birmingham so you could get well.


You're a good healer and were home in no time!

And here you are today, covered in cupcake, loving life.

A year has gone by in the blink of an eye. We can't wait to know you this year and all the years after. Today we start saving for your college/wedding/whatever you want to be fund, and we know you're going to grow up to be the best Sylvie you were meant to be. We love you, baby girl!

Love,
Mommy & Daddy

Sylvie Stands!!!

First Auburn Game...War Eagle!

What a great way to start football season...taking Sylvie Sue to her first Auburn game! Let me just preface this by saying that I was SUPER apprehensive about taking her to the game, and almost bowed out so Parrish could go by himself. Cooler heads prevailed (that being Parrish's, but he does have less hair than me so his head is always a tad cooler than mine anyway, but I digress) and we decided we could take her. We headed out Saturday morning during nap time, and she slept almost the whole way to Auburn. We made Parrish's brother's house our home base for the day, and had lunch and play time there before the game. Parrish and I braved the crowds at a bookstore for some much needed AU gear (I only own one Auburn shirt, imagine that), so we left the munchkin with Uncle Will. They were both fine when we got home, but Will did take a long nap, so we're thinking Sylvie won. We were hoping for an afternoon nap for her as well, but no such luck. Too much going on and certainly not enough time for her little eyes to see it all.

We headed to campus and tailgated for a short time, just enough to see some very good friends that we never get to see. It is strange to go back to campus and see it through "adult" eyes...I don't remember ever looking as cute as the college girls do now! It's kind of surreal. It will be fun to watch Sylvie grow up there, going to games and enjoying all the traditions. That leads us to game time...we made it to watch the eagle fly, the band come on the field and the Tigers run from the locker room. Talk about overwhelming...Sylvie's eyes were about to fall out of her head! She finally got into the spirit and clapped for the team, the band, the WEGPs that got engaged midfield, and sometimes nothing at all. She shook her shaker with the best of them, and talked about the game the whole time. In other words, she proved Mom wrong, AGAIN. She is always doing that. I thought we were headed for a fiasco, but she was fine, even happy, to be there! She sat nicely in our laps and smiled at the other AU fans behind us. She threw her paci in someone else's cup, but it was no bother to her! She shook her shaker in the woman's hair in front of us, no problem! We made it through the entire first half and most of halftime before we decided she might get fussy soon, so let's make a break for it now. She immediately fell asleep in the car, slept the whole way home and then slept all night. What a trooper. We did have a small meltdown in the church nursery this morning, but you can only expect so much from a baby.

We packed the entire nursery for a day of football, but Sylvie found the most enjoyment in the dog kennel.

Cheering with her new Auburn dolly.


Proof we were there!!

We are thrilled with our little tiger, and can't wait to take her to the stadium again soon this year. It was great to see friends and get to spend time with other families who have little ones just like ours! Hope you all had a great gameday, too!

God Bless & War Eagle!
Katie

Happy Tuesday...happy napping.

After a very fussy day and night, Sylvie Sue has her second tooth! Please tell me it gets better. She was wakeful ALL night, but seems fine today minus a runny nose and interesting diapers. It makes me so sad that there's nothing I can really do to soothe her pain. I'll try to get a picture of the new pearly whites. I'm just thankful she's napping soundly right now, although that's probably where I should be too!

She is also completely weaned this week, which is bittersweet. I've gained independence from her, but she's gained independence from me and that makes me sad! I also scheduled her 12-month pictures and mailed her birthday invitations today. She's growing up too fast!

Our cousin Janna met with her doctor today and got a good report...she will start chemo for her ovarian cancer on September 14. Sylvie prays for Janna every night, and we are so happy to praise God for answered prayer. She has a hard few months ahead of her, but by this time next year, she'll be as good as new!

On a personal note, I have decided to become a Mary Kay consultant. I wanted a way to earn money and get out of the house each week, but also maintain Sylvie as my first priority. My goal is to pay Parrish's student loan payment each month (think second mortgage, people). The company has come a long way from pantyhose and hairspray (I know that's what you're thinking). I will be happy to accept your orders for great skincare and fun makeup whenever! Parrish and I really think the timing is right for me to start earning my keep around here, and this opportunity may just be the answer to many prayers! I appreciate your support with this new venture and am very hopeful that it will provide us with exactly what we need. Call me! Email me! I'll put more information on the blog as soon as I get trained.

We are so excited about football season starting on Saturday...WAR EAGLE!!

God Bless,
Katie

Lazy summer days...

We aren't a lazy family, but compared to earlier this summer, we feel like we're on vacation! It's a nice rest before football season starts, which will find us in Auburn most Saturdays. We've been staying close to home, just playing, working and watching Sylvie grow before our very eyes! She is so big...I think she thinks she's about three years old instead of just one! We are getting ready for her first birthday in a couple of weeks, and the time has flown by. I know it's been a year (I was there through every excruciating minute of it, believe me), but it's hard to believe! Here are some photos of our sweet girl.

Starting to wear shoes, so we won't be so country. So far they've stayed on the feet!

Sylvie loves to unload the pantry...what's a better toy than a can of soup? She actually looks a lot like the Campbell's baby!

Sharing her snack...although she's quite the Indian giver right now.

Recent trip to see a natural spring...Sylvie LOVED the cold water!

New winter coat...surely she'll grow by the time it's actually cold here??

God Bless!
Katie

Sweet Janna

We normally use this blog to keep friends and family updated on the fun things going on with Sylvie, since she quickly usurped us in terms of importance. But I'm also using this as a journal, so that we can look back and remember what was going on in our lives at certain times.

That said, Parrish's cousin Janna is beginning a battle with ovarian cancer. She was diagnosed during a routine exam and has since that time had two separate surgeries to remove both ovaries. She is 22 years old. She now faces recovery and several chemo treatments. I really can't think of a sweeter, happier girl than Janna. Even in the face of a serious health threat, she has a smile on her face and quietly entertains all the visitors that come to her house, even though I'm sure she's tired of talking about her situation over and over. Her resolve to rid herself of the cancer is inspiring, and I'm sure that she's the one that will keep the family in one piece throughout this process. Her faith in God is what is carrying her right now, and she readily attributes her peace about everything to that. I envy Janna for this realization so early in her life.

We are all very optimistic that in a few months, this will all be a bad dream for Janna. There have been many times that we wish we could fast-forward our lives, but I suppose that during the slow, "real time" is when God does his best work in us. Janna has already touched so many lives around her, and her situation will continue to resonate with people for the rest of her life. It's a gift she's received at such a young age.

We are continually praying for healing, peace and comfort for sweet Janna. Hopefully I will be able to include positive updates on her health throughout the fall.

God Bless!
Katie

PS...

We just felt Sylvie's very first tooth! It should be in by the morning. How exciting!!