A New Reality

When I wrote my last post I fully expected to be next updating the blog with pictures of my new baby girl--pictures of us in the hospital room while I was in labor, the first family picture of the new 4 member Arledge family, coming home, Mary meeting Annabelle...the list goes on and on in my head. But it wasn't to be. Instead I'm posting pictures of her and writing this post from a new place. A new reality. Somewhere I've never been before and never planned on being. But here I am. As my mom says, we are in "new territory". I had just about given up on this blog, but I think I may rethink that. It feels good to talk about Mary, even if no one is really listening, or reading. She was here. She was beautiful. She is my daughter and I miss her.

Soooooooo, it's been a while...

Okay, okay....I know. I guess I seem to be a spurt blogger. I'll get all excited and put a bunch of info up at once, and then take a break. I guess I have an excuse this time--it's been 150 degrees in Atlanta and I am very pregnant. I haven't felt like doing very much, even if it only involves moving my fingers! Anyway, I thought I"d post a few pics to keep everyone updated on how Claire is growing and so you'll all stay interested in our happenings!! I promise, come this fall, there will be LOTS more to post and I'm sure I won't be able to stop myself! :)

Patiently holding her ticket until it's our turn to go in...

Dancing her little heart out at the Wiggles show!!

Silly girl waiting to go in to see "Winnie the Pooh"--her first time in a movie theater!! Of course she had to bring Tigger and Pooh to experience it with her :)

Mary's nursery in progress!

More nursery :) Lots of decorating in the works...

Here's where the princess will sleep! Of course we have lots more decorating to do...I'll upload pics of this wall with her vinyl monogram if we can ever decide on a middle name!!

IT'S OFFICIAL...

Lee is going to be outnumbered 3 to 1....we are having a

GIRL!

Easter!

Easter 2011!! Here's a glimpse into some of the fun we had during the week surrounding Easter. The pictures are not in chronological order--in fact, I believe they are exactly backwards!! But enjoy just the same :)
Daddy showing her how it's done

Look at her go! Boy, what a swing :)


Starting the big hunt in the front yard...

Off to a good start!

Getting a little help from Annabelle

Enjoying Donald--her favorite surprise from Ahni



Looking for what the Easter Bunny brought!! Where could it be??

WOW! Look what she found!

So excited!

She got lots of things to help her plant a garden!

Looking for eggs in the neighborhood with Daddy

Showing Mama what she found :)

Sweet girl!

Patiently awaiting the green light with Gracie for her preschool egg hunt!

Where are the rest of them??

Listening to the Easter story and waving her palm branch..."Hosanna, Hosanna!" "Jesus is Alive!"

Praying hands...I love to watch my baby love Jesus

PREPARE to be bombarded!!!

I've just uploaded a TON of pictures from the past month or so. I have lots of birthday, Easter, and everyday pictures to share...so beware: there are MANY, MANY pictures coming!!!

I'm going to start with Claire's last day of preschool for the year (which was today). They had "fun day" with a bounce house, games, and fun snacks. She enjoyed being with her friends and loving on her teachers. A special thank you goes to Ahni, for going and taking pictures in my place, since I have strep throat :(

Claire and Ms. Shannon

Claire LOVES Ms. Erica!


Picking rubber duckies for prizes!

Bean bag toss

Snowcone...yum! And even better when shared with a buddy :)

Popcorn!!

Patiently waiting her turn with her best buddy Gracie :)

Claire-isms

I thought I'd share a few of Claire's latest verbal inventions:

1. 'I hurt my pups!'....exclaimation after she fell and hurt the palms of her hands
2. 'too-quips'.....what one needs to get food out from in-between teeth
3. 'Come on booty, get happy!'....the pep talk she gave her backside when she had a stomach virus

She never ceases to amaze me! What a bright, fun, hilariously creative little angel. How was I cast to play the role of her mother??? I am not deserving....

More catch-up!

Here's a flashback to our Christmas celebration with the Kings (AKA 'Gramma' and 'Pop'). For those of you not familiar with Lee's very large family, Mr. and Mrs. K are his brothers' grandparents. They were, and still are, very important to him. We are very blessed to have them as part of our family and love that they are part of Claire's life. Here's a glimpse into our after-Christmas fun!!

Claire helping Gramma open her gift

Lee showing off his new sweater (which he wore today, actually!)

Claire reading her beautiful new pop-up book

It's Pop's turn!

Claire loves her new laptop!

Gramma sure helps Claire stay well dressed!! She wore this gift--a new dress--yesterday to church. Pictures are coming soon :)

Claire sitting in mama and daddy's bed "working" on her new laptop. She said she was working on "e-mail like mama." SO CUTE!

Superbowl!!

Okay, I got called out today for not keeping my New Year's Resolution (thanks, CP!). So, here's my latest news! I"ll go back to playing catch up tomorrow :)

This year we decided to have a low-key get together for the Superbowl. It was just family and lots of fun! Of course I think I saw all of 2 minutes (that's actual minutes, not on the clock minutes) of the game. The rest of the time I was reading books, playing dolls, going to the 'cummoom' (playroom), and doing potty duty. But I loved it nonetheless!! Here's a few snapshots from our family night of fun!

Two peas in a pod!

Claire is sporting the cheesehead hat her daddy brought her from Green Bay last year

Cheering with Papa and Daddy

Getting Annabelle "pumped up" for the big game

My sweetheart!

"Gooooooooooo football game!!"

This was her cheer throughout the night :)