Baptism Video

Marked as Christ's Own Forever...

Today was Hattie's baptism. It was a wonderful service and our families were in town. Julie (Brad's sister) & Clay (Liz's brother) are the God-parents.

More Christmas Pictures

Grandma Jan & GiGi

Hitting the Gym After the Holidays

Christmas at Orange Beach

Our first Christmas with Hattie has been wonderful. Having this little girl in our family now has given us a new perspective on the nativity story & the incarnation. To think that God became vulnerable and helpless in a little baby, all out of love and trust of humankind, is beautiful. I continue to be amazed at how much Hattie teaches us about life, love, and faith.

Cutest Cousins

Hattie & Nyla have finally had the chance to meet. Christmas at Orange Beach has been wonderful. The babies had more presents to open than all the adults combined. They look like best pals!

Before & After

Please don't call child services. This is just a funny picture. Hattie sleeps just fine with out the aid of Irish Whisky.

Filling Big Shoes...

Hopefully Hattie will never wear a size 13 shoe. As far as expectations go though, she continues each day to exceed what I ever hoped a daughter would be and constantly amazes me. I've said to several people that it's like someone hit the fast-forward button when she was born. Though only two-and-a-half months old, she's growing up so fast. She's found her fingers to suck on, she's really close to sitting up on her own, and with mom or dad holding her hands she can stand up from a sitting position. With her faces and personality, we expect her to start laughing out loud any day now. Absolutely amazing.

Bed-time Stories

I like it when my mommy reads to me. It's so exciting I can't sit down! I have to stand up on her lap and listen.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Do we look alike?

Hanging out at the gym

Friday was Liz's second day back to work, and Brad got to spend the whole day with Hattie. We also got to spend some time with Daniel & Andrew.

Sunday Afternoon

Hattie had a great first Thanksgiving. We were with Liz's side of the family in Columbus, MS. On the way there I mentioned that we didn't bring her swing or anything to put her in (other than her pack 'n play). This was not a problem. She was hardly put down the whole time we were there. She also made it almost all the way through the church service this morning. She fussed a bit during the sermon (sometimes I can't blame her), but loves listening to her momma in the choir!

Caught in the Act

But it just tastes so good!

Head 2 Head

Where've you been?!

All apologies. Life with Hattie is stuck on fast-forward, and we've been pretty busy. So here are some new pictures from the past few weeks.

Some updates: Nyla, Hattie's cousin, is doing very well. Brad went out to Arizona to visit Julie, Pete, Nyla, and Larry (Pawpaw) while Elizabeth and Hattie went up to North Carolina where the Lewallens live.

ALSO, some big news...we will be heading to seminary next fall! We don't know which seminary we'll end up at, but Brad has officially been made a postulant for Holy Orders in the Diocese of Alabama. Hattie's dad is going to be Father Brad!

Can you believe it's been 8 weeks! Yep, after Thanksgiving Elizabeth will be headed back to the "other" nursing job. On the two days a week Liz works, Brad will get to play Mr. Mom.

Cousins

Congratulations to Julie & Pete on the birth of their daughter - Nyla Reese Davinson. Nyla came two days before her due date, and weighed in at 7 lbs. 14 oz. Welcome to parenthood! Brad will go meet his new neice in just a few weeks, but Hattie & Nyla will have to wait until Christmas to meet each other. Welcome to the world Nyla!

Why am I laughing?

Because my cousin, Nyla Reese, has arrived!

Best Friends

Mary Clare is 11 months older than Hattie...a big difference right now. But in no time at all, they are going to be best friends.

Silly Faces

Here Dad & Hattie are mirroring each other. She's starting to impersonate the faces you make at her...incredibly cute.

Roll Over

Hattie has been having tummy time, or "turtle time", as I like to call it. But, the world is just so much more interesting looking up! We can't keep her on her stomach long...she just keeps rolling over!

Big Smile

Big Yawn & Big Sister Brit

Busy Saturday...

Today was a busy day for little Hattie. First she & Dad went to the airport to pick up Grandma Jan & Peter, early in the morning. Then we heard polka music at our favorite German bakery, Klingler's. Then, later in the afternoon after Grandma Jan fed Hattie, we took a trip to the Botanical Gardens...the weather was beautiful!

Smile!

Hattie is starting to be more and more alert, especially after she eats. She seems to be be able to focus a bit more on faces, too.

Awake Time & Hiccups

Eat, Sleep, Poop, and Repeat...

That is a pretty good summary of Hattie's days. She's pretty good at all three of those, with a small dose of crying. Thanks to the Grandparent Babysitting Agency, Elizabeth and I had a chance to get out together for the first time since Hattie was born. It was nice to get out of the apartment and we had a wonderful trek to Panera and then Starbucks.

Thursday

Homeward Bound

Here I am in my car seat getting ready to go home. And I absolutely love my Baby Einstein bouncy seat - thanks Aunt Jewls! It's nice to be in this place my parents are calling "home", but it's an adjustment from the hospital. I didn't sleep quite as well as my parents would have liked last night. I am eating well though - I weigh 7.8lbs - an ounce over my birthweight! I keep seeing this little orange creature running around, but haven't gotten a good look at it yet. So many new things!