Molly's 9 Months Old

My, my, my. . . I just can't believe Molly's 9 months old!

Molly is 16 pounds, 12 ounces (25th percentile) and is 28 inches long (90th percentile).  She eats well and has warmed up to some finger foods.  She will finally eat some puffs and just has learned she loves cinnamon toast, bananas, cheerios and english peas.

Molly's personality is in full bloom!  She chatters all the time and is quite the little drama queen.  She often fusses and coughs just to see what your reaction will be. 

And my goodness the child is nosey.  She will crane her neck in order to see what's going on around her in a red hot minute!  She is very perceptive and checks everything out.

Some of Molly's favorite toys these days are her blocks, her name puzzle, a musical bear (she prefers the drums) and anything in her little toy box.  She wants everything OUT of her box and will spend all her time pulling things out.

Molly and Ellie are best buds and typically squeal back and forth all day long.  It's the cutest thing to hear them "talk" back and forth. 

We attempted to have Molly's 9 month pictures last weekend, and after no more than 15 minutes, the session was deemed a bust.  Molly was tired, and she was fussy.  But we did get this one gem before rescheduling.

I think that picture's going to be tough to beat in the make-up session!

Happy 9 months, sweet Molly Miller!  We love you to the moon and back!

Sweetest Time

"As (we) were snuggling. . .  I breathed in a little,

'this must be like Heaven.'"

~ Jan Denise

The 6:00 hour each evening is typically my very favorite.  And that's true this Sunday as we find ourselves winding down from another busy day that's been full of family and fun.  Molly's no night owl, so she also heads to bed during the 6:00 hour.  And usually, when she's been down for no more than thirty minutes, I miss her already!  How could you not miss this precious face!

But before she goes to bed, we have lots of snuggle time with her. Tonight I grabbed the camera to capture some special moments we'll want to remember forever!

Molly loves to snuggle with her Daddy!  I'm not sure who enjoys this sweet time more:  Molly, her Daddy or me!

'Cause that?  That right there? That's the good stuff, y'all!

So, what's your favorite time of day?

Thoughts of Spring Blog Party

I decided to jump on board with Lynnette's Blog Party!  I've gotten so bad at posting - or not posting?!?!? - lately, so I figure this will be an easy way to get back into the swing of blogging.  Lynnette's given us some questions to answer, so here goes!

How would people describe your personality? (If they could only use ONE word.) Are they right?
Hmm. . .  probably high strung.  And that's very true.  I wish it weren't so, but I am a very high strung person.


What celebrity/celebrities would create a “Star-Struck” feeling if you saw them in real life?
President George W Bush.  I absolutely adore him.  I think he's a phenomenal man, and I just loved his book and his interview with Oprah.  I appreciated his honesty and transparency and how he didn't mince words.  He led our country through such horrific tragedies with such strength, dignity, and faith.

Who is your favorite blogger? Why?
Hands down, Big Mama.  Melanie cracks me up every single day.  And I always enjoy her Fashion Friday posts!

What is your comfort food/drink?
Oooh, I have several.  We love to order take out from Outback.  Their Alice Springs Chicken with a baked potato always hits the spot!  I also love breakfast for dinner, grilled cheese with tomato soup, and my momma's roast with all the fixings.

Be brave – tell us something very random and weird about yourself.
I despise birds.  They completely, totally freak me out.  To see a flock of birds flying overhead together makes my skin crawl all over!  I'm not wild about hearing them chirp either.  They gross me out!

Do you have a strong desire to do something you’ve never done? What is it?
Lately I've really felt God's put on my heart to share my testimony.  But I don't know where or how or why.

Movies: Action, Drama, Romantic Comedy, Documentary, Comedy? What are your favorite genres?
We're not big movie people.  I'll watch just about anything, but I prefer dramas, romantic comedies and sometimes a good comedy.  Steel Magnolias is my all time favorite movie!

Books: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Romance, Biographies, True Stories, Self-Help, Devotional/Study? What are your favorite types of reading material?
I tend to read mostly non-fiction, Christian books.  I enjoy a good fiction novel every once in a while, too.  Tim gave me a Kindle for my birthday a few months back and I've thoroughly enjoyed it!  I just started reading Heaven is For Real this morning and love it!

Music: Funk, Rock, Country, Jazz, Classical, Film Score, Blues, Classic Rock, Crooner, Alternative, Heavy Metal, Techno? What are your favorite types?
I prefer Christian music.  I always listen to KLOVE while in the car.  I also have fast-paced worship music on my ipod to run to.  I love running and jamming out with some David Crowder Band!  Nothing better!

If you inherited a million dollars, what is the first thing you would do with your money?
Give Give Give!  I would give some to family, our church, and other local ministries that are dear to us.

Name one weakness of yours (confession is good for the soul).
Ice cream.  Oh how I miss it!  We determined when Molly was 5 weeks old that she was lactose intolerant.  So I've avoided all dairy since then.  Lately, I've added a little bit at a time back into my diet, but I'm still not drinking milk or eating ice cream or anything like that.  While I am not at all wanting her to grow any quicker than she already is, I would be lying if I said I wasn't ready (at least a little bit) for her to be a year old and no longer nursing.  I've just about planned out my first meal of a pizza with ice cream for dessert! 

If you could live anywhere at all (and take all your loved ones with you), where would you go?
St Simons Island, Georgia.  Easily my favorite get-away in all the world.  I grew up going there with my family, it's where Tim proposed to me, and it's where we go often for great family trips! 

Strange Talent? Can you juggle basketballs, put your legs behind your head or perform some other strange feat?
Hmmm. . . I don't think I have a strange talent!?!?!  I used to be able to remember phone numbers really easily.  But now with cell phones, I hardly remember any phone numbers.

What’s something you consider yourself to be good at? (Don’t worry, it’s not bragging, it’s acknowledging a God given gift).
I've been told before I have a servant's heart, and that's one of the best compliments I've ever been given.  I do believe God's given me the heart for serving others. I just hope I serve to the best of my abilities!

What is one of your favorite things to catch a whiff of?
Molly Miller!  No doubt about that!  I love snuggling with her right after a bath and rub-down of yummy lavendar lotion! 

When you leave a social gathering, do you wish: You would have talked more or You would have talked less?
I fluctuate.  Sometimes I leave wishing I'd opened up more and chatted more.  Other times I wish I had shut my trap and kept some things left unsaid.  But I think most of the time I wish I'd chatted more.  I'm always amazed at people who can strike up conversations with anyone and everyone.  I definitely wish I were better at that.

If money wasn’t a factor, what stores would you shop in?
Restoration Hardware, Anthropologie and Ballard Designs for our home. The Loft, White House Black Market for me. 

What is your greatest fear or strange phobia?
I am terrified of heights.  Absolutely terrified of them.  I hardly will stand on a stool without being scared.

What is your greatest accomplishment?
Hmm. . .  physical accomplishment?  Giving birth without any pain meds at all ranks pretty high up there!  I am also pretty proud of the fact that my best friend and I participated in a 3-Day Walk a few years ago where we walked 60 miles in three days. I'm also pretty proud of running a half marathon with Tim!

My greatest accomplishments in life are definitely my marriage and Molly.  But neither of those have I done on my own!  God has blessed me beyond measure!
What are your favorite animals?
We are dog people for sure!  We love our pups!

Are you a hopeless romantic?
I honestly don't know that I am! 
What movie or book character can you most relate to?
What a great question!  I'm not sure. . . 

Wow, this was fun!  Have you joined in on this?  I can't wait to read your responses!









Come back on March 1st to link up your party post!

Molly is 8 Months Old!

Molly turned 8 months old this past weekend!  EIGHT MONTHS!  Goodness gracious!

Molly celebrated by starting to roll over from her back to her belly, belly to her back!  And, she's gone from chanting "Da Da" constantly to alternating between that and "Bye Bye"!  Molly waves a lot and usually has the biggest smile on her face while waving. 

Molly has two teeth, and I am pretty sure she is working on more teeth as she has been constantly chewing on something lately.  And she's a wee bit fussy!?!!?  Molly's still crazy about bananas, apples and pears, and she's not particularly wild about blueberries.  She loves squash, corn, and sweet potatoes.  She will hold a "puff" in her hand, but she will not put it to her mouth for anything!  When I try to give her a tiny bit of the puff, she gags like it's the worst thing ever!  So, we'll keep trying to introduce finger foods!

Molly Miller, we are crazy about you, sweet one!  We thank God every single day that He has chosen us to be your parents!  We love you!

Feeling Better and a Wagon Ride

Whew, what a week!  Last Wednesday, Ellie came down with the flu.  I was keeping her, and when her fever was over 103 at lunch, I knew she was sick, sick, sick.  I also knew Molly was probably well on her way to being sick.  By Friday, Molly had a slight fever and was just a little fussy.  After calling the doctor and explaining her symptoms plus the fact that we'd been exposed to the flu, we went in to see the doctor.  Molly's flu test was negative then, but she was diagnosed with an ear infection.

Saturday and Sunday were pretty rough.  We rotated Tylenol and Motrin as directed, but Molly just wasn't feeling any better.  So, Monday I called the doctor again.  And we went back.  To find out that Molly did indeed have the flu. 

At which point I teared up in front of the doctor.

Momma doesn't do well with a sick baby.

At Molly's age, there's nothing they can give her, so he directed me to continue with the antibiotic for her ear infection (her ears looked much better Monday) and the Tylenol and Motrin.  Thankfully, we'd pretty much seen the worst of the flu by then.  Tuesday Molly smiled a little and even chatted a little.  She played with her toys some and was generally happier than she'd been the last few days.

It was also Tuesday morning when Tim woke up sick.  And a quick early morning visit to the doctor confirmed he also had the flu.

Greeeeeeaaaaatttttt......

That began the Great Slocum Quarantine of '11.  Tim stayed in our bedroom while I kept Molly out in the rest of the house.  I would run in to refill his gatorade or apple juice, give him toast or oatmeal, and immediately exit only to Lysol everything and wash my hands like a mad woman.

Which apparently worked.  Since as of now, I'm still standing!  Praise the Good Lord!

Today, with everyone feeling better and the beautiful sun shining outside, we decided to take Molly on a short little wagon ride up our street. 

She warmed right up to it immediately as evidenced by her parade wave. . . 

and her big grin!

The sun was shining brightly....

Molly checked out her new wagon

And she explored everything outside her wagon, too!

We had a grand ole' time on our first wagon ride!

Even if it did wear us out....

7 Months Old ~ A Much Improved Picture

Because this picture is world's better, I wanted to share it, too.  Here's another shot of Molly at 7 Months....

And, because this is one of my very favorite pictures to date, here's one of Molly and Ellie....

Love love love these precious girls! 

Molly Miller ~ 7 Months Old

Molly is 7 months old!  Already!  We cannot believe how fast she is growing!



*Please excuse the pitiful quality of this picture*

Molly is such a sweet baby!  She eats well, and loves bananas, apples, sweet potatoes, squash, prunes and peaches.  She does not like carrots, sweet peas, or green beans.  AT ALL.  She gags big whenever we try to sneak in either of those three veggies!?!?  Even if I mix them in with some apples, it's a no-go. 

This month, Molly started chatting more and more.  On New Years Eve, she started saying, "DaDa" and has continued to say it over and over.  It's way too precious!  I have tried to teach her "MaMa", but to no avail.  She just stares at me while I chant "MaMa", and when I stop, she responds with a loud "DaDa"!  Ha Ha!  She jabbers, squeals, and laughs a good bit, and it's so much fun to us! 

She's also started smiling this smile where she squishes up her nose and squinting her eyes at you.  It's hilarious!  I hope to catch that on camera really soon. 

We continue to love every minute of life with Molly, and we thank God for entrusting her to us!  What a blessing!