Introducing..

Memphis Addison Pope, born 1:11 am on Thursday, July 17th, 6 lbs, 5 oz and 19 inches long. I loved meeting my new cousin!Isn't she beautiful?!Mommy enjoyed snuggling with her new niece, just like she did with me.

And Memphis snuggled right back! Congrats to the wonderful parents, Heidi and Andre! We're so happy for you two! Sorry we had to leave so soon, but Key West, here we come!

Our little devil

Now that my hair is getting a little longer, Mommy likes to have some fun with it in the bath. I like it- what do you think? I can now open the cabinets, take out the cereal I want and start to enjoy it myself without having to ask Mommy and Daddy to get it for me. I like to take it out to the living room also and eat it in my castle. I really don't see anything wrong with this- I am just trying to help Mommy and Daddy out- I know they are busy people.

I have a new cousin!!

Welcome Memphis Addison Pope to the family! Check out Uncle Andre's blog to see pictures and information about her. Good job, Aunt Heidi, on an awesome delivery and thanks to Uncle Andre for sharing the beautiful words about the experience. Now, when can I meet her? Mommy and Daddy are taking me there this weekend- woo-hoo!!
P.S.- This might be one of the last pictures you see of me in my old car seat because Mommy and Daddy bought me a new one yesterday! I haven't even gone for ride in it yet, but we'll get a picture of me soon for you to see. Lots of love to my peeps!

Happy 10th of July!

Well, I wanted to share with everyone that I am now 15 months old! Where does the time go? I guess it's true that it flies when you're having fun. Now that I'm walking, I can get to things quicker and don't like it when Mommy and Daddy try to stop me sometimes. It's my way or the highway in our house! Here's some pictures from our 3rd of July celebration in Downtown Rock Hill with some friends. Also, we met Ethan Weil last Thursday- he was 3 weeks old in the picture! Isn't he adorable? Ethan and Eleanor sitting in a tree.... (just kidding!)

One more thing- it's best to leave your hat on if it's hot outside or else you may end up with hat hair like mine!

Things I Love...

Hanging out by the pool with Daddy

Reading in my stroller on my walks

My new "castle" from Grandma & Grandpa Gette

Whee!

Reading in bed

Fishies!

My new chair from Grand Daddy Pope and Grandma Teresa

Chillin' on a bench that's just my size with a snack

PEACHES! Yummy!

Monday Update!

Another exciting weekend here in Pope-ville. And a holiday to boot!

Our 4th was pretty calm. We went shopping, actually. I had to pick up a desk that I ordered from World Market. It's now assembled and awesome! World Market is in the same shopping center as Babies-R-Us, so we dropped in there to look at car seats. Eleanor is almost 20lbs and ready for a new one. We talked with a salesman who was very helpful in an obnoxious sort of way (it bothered me, but not Sarah) and poked, prodded, and sat Eleanor in a bunch of seats. We went being almost all set on a Britax Roundabout, but they were out. And the salesman did his best to sell us on the Marathon. So we left without getting anything.

(Lest you think we were merely consumers, not patriotic, we did go to Red White and Boom on Thursday).

Saturday we had some friends over for a cookout. My gaming friend Dustin brought his wife and 4 kids over, so Eleanor had plenty of playmates. We ate burgers and hotdogs and had a good time. All those kids led to everyone being tired, so Eleanor passed out and Sarah and I watched Elizabeth, the Golden Age.

Sunday was supposed to be a normal restful day, but my dad invited us to meet him in Asheville for lunch and we were glad to go. We ate at The Stone Ridge Tavern, then walked around the farmer's market for a bit. They doted on the granddaughter. Eleanor's cuteness and polite manners led her to a free peach from an admirer. Sarah and I had the idea to take US 74 back, though Chimney Rock and Lake Lure. Bad idea, given the storm that came up and everyone's declining temperament. We made it back much later than we wanted to. Eleanor took a quick bath and passed out. Sarah and I just vegged on the couch and watched "Million Dollar Celebrity Password."

A good but unexpectedly tiring weekend. We need to make sure we get some rest before we go on vacation!

The things you don't think you'll miss

(This is cross posted from Professor Pope.)

Eleanor is stirring now, at 6:45 AM. That's sleeping late for her. I got up close to my usual time, so I had some quiet time alone in the morning. As I made my tea, I was thinking I used to make my tea even earlier, after getting her back to sleep at 5:00 AM or getting up WITH her at 5:30. Some part of me missed that.

Sarah felt the same way yesterday. We visited our friend Jeannie, who just had a baby three weeks ago. Little Ethan fell asleep in Sarah's arms. When we got home, Eleanor needed a nap, so Sarah let her fall asleep in her arms in the rocking chair and held her while she slept. That's something we've been weaning her from for months. There was a time when Eleanor would ONLY nap in our arms. That got old pretty quickly, but Ethan reminded her that it's also nice once in awhile.

You don't think you will miss getting up at 5:00 AM or being chained to the couch while the baby naps, but you do.

Check out my new trick

First, put your snacks and reading material in the seat with a friend (George!)Then, turn around and slowly place your bottom into the seat.

Make sure to hold onto the sides or else you could fall out!

And finally, chill because you made it in!

Show off those little piggies and cute grin!