Home Sweet Home

We spent the last 8 days traveling/visiting in Mississippi. As much as we loved the visits, we were so glad to come back to our home in Little Rock. Alex was so excited when we arrived home yesterday that she squealed with glee as she played with her toys, hustled throughout our familiar house, greeted each of her stuffed animals, etc. We were all so exhausted from the trip that we all napped twice today. Alex missed more naps and night time sleep this past week than in her whole life probably. She struggled getting to sleep while away which is not normal for her especially being a "Babywise" baby. Don't know if it was more teething, sleeping in 3 different places, her increased separation anxiety or a combination of it all. However, Alex must have missed her bed as she went to bed last night (and tonight) without a hitch thankfully.

Update on Anna Cate: The family was initially told that there would be ups and downs through this process. Until recently, there had mostly been ups. However, this past week, Anna Cate was put back on the ventilator which has been a down time for the family. Please keep praying for God to strengthen little Anna Cate (who now weighs 2 lb 5 oz). See pics midway down.

Grandmother loving on Alex and cousin AmberAlex and Amber hanging out
Alex giggled as she woke Amber up from her almost 3 hr nap.
Alex enjoyed seeing Uncle Steven, Aunt Robin, and Amber at Grandmother's house
Alex rocking the baby doll
Grandmother with Alex and Amber
Alex enjoyed seeing Mimi again
Alex loved Uncle Craig as he is great with kids. Also, she was intrigued by the hair on his face.
Alex loved reuniting with cousin Hunter and Grandaddy
Chris' sister, Cathy, has held sweet Anna Cate 3 times now. What a precious picture!
Cathy can touch Anna Cate each time she visits through the port holes if the top of the incubator is not lifted.
The nurse lifted Anna Cate for big brother Hunter to see a few days after she was born. Anna Cate has outgrown the multi-colored hat she is wearing here. Some volunteer women have now knitted her a solid pink hat to wear. :)
This was our first time to see Anna Cate. Notice her waving to the camera. :)
Hunter teaching Alex about baseball
Hunter and Alex riding the conveyer belt in the grocery store
"I've learned how to roar like a tiger, pant like a dog, moo like a cow and hoot like a monkey. Well, while mommy and daddy visited with Rod and Carol Cutrer, Carol taught me how to bock like a chicken." Now, basically everything that looks like a bird (goose, chicken, duck, etc) says "bock, bock." LOL!
"I'm sporting my new bow from Mimi."
"Look at me. I climbed up here all by myself."
Ryan, Tonya and 2 yr old Katie met us for breakfast our last morning in Hattiesburg. What a great reunion with these friends! And yes, they are expecting baby #2 in a few months.
What a joy to attend Christy Carley and Michael Pritchard's wedding! It was an incredible ceremony which glorified our God.
We enjoyed visiting with the Mink Family in Jackson as well. They were so generous to keep Alex while we attended the wedding. Alex especially enjoyed 8 yr old Wilson Mink (above) as he entertained her. :) Thanks again Nancy, Billy, Mary Margaret, Ann and Wilson!!!
We stopped in Vicksburg for lunch on the way home to visit Tim, Cindy, Kailyn and Julia McCarley. Sweet Julia kissed Alex several times.
Alex was so tired that she fell asleep in mid chew of a carrot (notice the carrot in her mouth)! This depicts what we all felt like on the drive home yesterday.