Perfect Age...

Every parent has a different "favorite" age...so many people have told me that 6-12 months is the "best" age. Well I must admit, when 6 months came...I felt a little let down. The positives about 6 months for Brinlie was that she could now sit up and entertain her self with toys, this is a BIG plus, however the negatives...TEETHING...bad and she became very NEEDY. So to me...6 months, well it was not my fave! We are now approaching 8 months...and well we have arrived at my favorite time so far...(I know you are thinking...just wait...there will be better time ahead, yes I get that, but so far...this is it). Why you might ask? TWO word... PLAY DATES...

Anyway, I loves this! She is just at the right age to not fight with her friends and she can't move to fast yet that I have to chase her. What this means is I can sit and visit, drink beer, socialize, and all the other things I did before child, but now...even better! As anyone who knows me...I am a social butterfly, I love to be having adult play dates, so this is great Brinlie and I can do it together now. Here are a few recent play dates:

Brinlie and Mallory Aley...

We spent some time at the park with our friend Amber and her 2 girls...well Andie Reese slept through most of this! I guess lunch wore her out! We still had fun!

Mallory and Brinlie played...at the park!
This play date happens very often...this is Curt (my nanny's son) pushing Brinlie in her walker! They are having fun!
I am so excited for the future play dates!! For the adult time as much as seeing my sweet girl interact with other kids!!

March of Dimes Walk!!

What a GREAT day to dedicate your time and money to such a special fundraiser! I must admit I didn't know much about the March of Dimes and what this wonderful organization did for premature babies, until my dear friend Christy delivered her twins at 25 weeks gestation. I will never forget the phone call I got around 7:30 that morning from her telling me she delivered the twins that night. I was in shock...just like she was. However, they are so wonderful now! Healthy and Happy! This is a pic of this wonderful family at the MOD walk!!

Well... let me go back with the story and tell you that Christy and I went to high school together. We were both pregnant and due September 2, 2008...how exciting...we had the exact same due date. Since Christy already had one child, I called her just about every other day (sorry Christy to bother you so!!) to ask questions about how I was feeling and what to expect next. Why...b/c she was going through the same thing I was, but she had a little girl and boy in her belly! We grew very close during this Awesome bonding experience, I cherish her friendship. Anyways, my precious friend delivered very early and she now has 2 miracles, gifts from above that are 11 months old!!

So, this is who we were walking for...Maddox Aaron and Mallory Hope...

The walk was 6 miles, however we chose to participate in 4 miles (it was getting hot in SC)- we socialized for a bit and then were on our way! Christy arranged for us all to have shirts that matched and the kids too. It was a wonderful time and a great opportunity to see many people from Lexington! Of course, you know I have to include Brinlie in her March of Dimes "get up"!!

Almost there!!! You can Do it!!

If you had to ask me today, I would say Brinlie will be an "early" crawler. If you know me...that is not what I secretly want. Call me lazy, but it is so much easier now that I can stick her on a blanket in the living room and she not move. Once she starts crawling I will no longer be able to do that. I am not sure how long the time spans between when they figure out how to get on the hands and knees and start rocking back and forth until they actually move their legs. (my guess is a few weeks??) I am really not sure, I need to ask around to all you Mommy's who have babies crawling!! This is what I am talking about...

Brinlie finds herself in the weirdest spots...she moves backwards...

She will move clear across the room, but scooting backwards. It is funny how she does it. Anyway, we can find her under chairs, tables, and other places she does not need to be!!

Snow day

Well this post is a tad late, but things have been busy in the Hoover household. BUT...I could not resist sharing some photos of the snow that we got 2 weeks ago. The snow started falling around 6 pm Sunday night and it covered our deck within 10 minutes. It was so pretty. However, b/c it was night time, we could not enjoy watching the snow fall. However, when we got up the next morning...everything was covered. We received about 4-5 inches of snow. So we quickly figured out who was staying home with Brinlie (I did) and took her out quickly for a photo session.

Happy Eating

Have I told y'all how much my child loves to EAT...well we all know she has always been a big girl, but nothing is slowing her down now...she still love to eat. So we are now onto food and she is SOOOOO ready. We waited until she was 6 months b/c of possible food allergies. She is liking everything so far. This is a pic of her taking down some sweet potatoes!! More to come...

So far she like sweet potatoes, applesauce, and HATES sweet peas. The first time she was eating the peas, she ate the first 10 bites...then decided that she does not like them. She tried to spit them up. Very funny. Well...it's a first...something that my child will not eat! We will try them again in a few weeks!

Swimming!!

Okay so I promised some pics of swimming lessons...Check out his hot bathing suit. Too bad there is not "adult" version of this, we would be hot...Just kidding. The worst part about taking Brinlie to get in the pool is that I have to put my body in a bathing suit...I HATE it!!

But we are learning lots...she is so funny when she sticks her face in the water. She kicks her feet around too. Now we just need her to work on the arms... Well my goal is that she will be comfortable enough to be in the water and on the boat this summer!

Happy 6 months!!

Happy 1/2 birthday my precious little girl. I LOVE you so much...more and more everyday!! It is truly amazing how your love for a child can grow stronger everyday...so amazing. I feel like Brinlie is such a special gift to us... our entire family. I wanted a baby so bad and I feel so blessed to have her in my life and I never take one day for granted. I know all you moms know the feeling, we are lucky...huh! It is just amazing, that is all I can say...

Brinlie is getting so much fun. I think this is my favorite age so far, she is sitting up all by herself now so she can play with toys better. I think she can sit up so good because she has a chubby belly, check her out!