Chop!

Is that a 12-year-old child you ask? Nope, it's me! So I got my haircut today. The last time I got it cut was when I was 12 weeks pregnant with Arden, so it was long overdue. I told the lady I wanted 4 inches cut off with a razor. She didn't have a razor, and she cut off more like 6 inches. I don't hate it, but I'm not sure if I really like it yet, either. It's definitely shorter than I was expecting...I really wanted to still be able to pull it back. I guess I should've told her that...oops! We'll see how I feel about it when I wash it and blow it dry.

Video Variety

Some videos of Arden taken over the past week. Enjoy!

Took this video tonight after Arden's bath. As soon as she covers her face, she starts flaling around in anticipation for me to say "Where's the baby?"

She started doing this about a week ago...smackin' them lips!

She loves toes! I can always get at least a smile out of her when I wiggle my toes and sing, "Toes, toes....toes, toes....baby's got toes....mommy's got toes....daddy's got toes....toes, toes..."

She didn't pull herself up like this. I had to sit her up. She likes to peek at me through the crib railing, but she always gets a little frustrated that she can't do more.

Had to get some video of her with the big bow while sucking on her comb. Cute!!!

Cutest Winter Hat Ever!

My cousin Caroline gave me a bunch of clothes that her girls had outgrown. Among them was this cute hat from Old Navy. It also has matching mittens. I know it won't fit her once it gets cold...it fits her perfectly now. I just had to stick it on her noggin and take some pics. So cute!!!

Family Outing

Monday afternoon, we set off to find Flanners Beach. My friend Melissa wrote about it on her blog, so I really wanted to check it out. It's located in the Croatan National Forest, which isn't too far away. It has a large picnic area and a decent-sized beach area. There were only a few people there when we got there, and they were all fishing. I'm not too sure about getting in the Neuse River water...seems kind of gross. It was nice and peaceful, though, unlike an oceanic beach. Turns out there's a camping area there, too! We'll definitely have to go camping there sometime...maybe in the fall when the heat isn't so bad and the bugs are at bay.

On our way back to the car, we ran into the Savitzes from church. They have a little girl just a couple of months older than Arden. They invited us to picnic with them and the Nicolyasens, but we were a bit too unprepared for that. I was hot and sticky from being in the sun on the beach, we didn't have any bathing suits, and Arden just crapped her pants. It was pretty cool running into them, though. We'll have to get together some other time.

Anywho, we went home, changed and fed Arden, and then headed to Ruby Tuesday. I had some very delicious mini bacon cheeseburges...mmm....and the salad bar. We sat Arden in a restaurant high chair for the first time. She is still a bit small for it, but she loved sitting at the table.

Enjoy the pics and video!

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

Arden was being her usual fussy self this afternoon, so we spent some time outside. I thought it would be too hot, but the shade on our back patio was perfect. I just grabbed our two beach chairs and did a little lounging. I'm sure dadoo appreciated it!

Chillin' in the beach chair

A little abstract

And I thought MY feet were small...

Hmm...what's in there?

Nylon Headbands...Finally!

I didn't like how the headbands I have left red marks on Arden's head, so a few months ago I started doing some research. I found that nylon headbands were the way to go, specifically interchangeable nylon headbands. They have a little ribbon you can attach a clip/bow to. I went on eBay and looked for the best deal. A week before Easter, I purchased 24 headbands for $24. I know...a bit excessive. I asked the seller a bunch of questions before I bought them. As soon as I bought and paid for them, she sent me an email saying she was a little bit behind. In the item description, she said most orders shipped within 72 hours of purchase. So I'm thinking what does "a little behind" mean. A couple weeks went by and still no headbands. When I contacted her, she asked for my info again. She said she was having problems because her mother just died. I used to work at a funeral home, so I know the kinds of things she was going through. I took it easy on her and waited some more. Two more weeks passed...no headbands. I contacted her...more excuses. I really do feel for her. I don't think she's scamming me. She claims to have shipped them out to me three different times. This has been going on since before Easter, and I still don't have her headbands. Can someone really have this much bad luck with the USPS? According to her feedback, other people are having the same problems I am. I don't think she's on eBay anymore...I can't find her profile. The last time I heard from her was on Thursday. She said the tracking to my package said "In Transit." Whatever...maybe I'll get three more sets of headbands tomorrow.

Anywho, I went ahead and bought 16 nylon headbands from someone else on eBay. I got them within a week. They're great! I bought all sorts of bows at Walmart, and I even bought some butterflies to make clips with. Now Arden can wear a headband, with or without a bow, everyday without me feeling guilty about her sweet little head.

Check out the cuteness!

The bow is polka-dotted, but you can't tell because of the flash.

Love the big bow!

Cute dress provided by my cousin Caroline!

Four Generations of Lewises

Adam's grandmother, his dad's mom, visited NC this week. We knew they'd be spending a couple of days in New Bern, but we didn't know when. Turns out they arrived the day after Miranda and Jenna arrived. Oops! Amy and the boys reserved a KOA campsite, Adam's grandma and aunt stayed at a hotel, and Adam's parents and Jonathan were supposed to stay with us. His parents ended up staying at the KOA, and Jonathan slept on our couch. Unfortunately, Colby broke his wrist on the first day, and he went home early with Jonathan. Not fun!

We didn't get to spend as much time with Adam's family as we would've liked, but we're really glad Arden got to meet her great grandma.

Four Generations

Grandma Lewis with her first Great Granddaughter

Another proud grandma...she loves putting her grandchildren to sleep.

Arden sporting Adam's old man cap

Arden and Jenna being silly on the way home from Golden Corral

A Visit from Miranda and Jenna

We were lucky to have Miranda and Jenna visit us Sunday evening through Wednesday morning. They arrived just a few hours after we got home from Greensboro. Miranda's husband is at Camp Lejeune right now, so they came down from Ohio to spend time with him. Glad we live close by! Miranda and Matt are expecting their second child in January...exciting! Too bad Matt will be in Iraq at the time.

Arden really enjoyed Jenna's company. I think Jenna liked Arden, too, but she didn't like sharing Arden's toys. I'm not looking forward to that phase!

Here are a few pics and videos from our visit.

My cousin Caroline just gave us the zebra bouncer that Jenna's on. Turns out, Jenna has the same one! I'm glad we had something she could play on. Although, she still kept trying to sit in Arden's super seat.

Monday afternoon, we took a walk downtown. We visited the Pepsi store. Miranda's husband Matt works for Pepsi, so she got him some cute stuff to put on his desk. Afterwards, we headed over to the Cow Cafe and ate way too much ice cream. Arden was pretty fussy by this point thanks to a poopy diaper. I changed it at the cafe...quite a juggling experience with a big stroller! Jenna also screamed at the top of her lungs a couple of times (she is nearly 2.) On our way back to the car, we stopped at the toy store. Didn't stay long due to a fussy Arden.



Both girls fell asleep on the way home...how sweet.





We told Jenna to tickle Arden's toes.



Tuesday we went to the aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. I carried Arden in the Snugli. The girls really loved looking at all the fish.

Check out this monster. He's a 150-year-old snapping turtle. He had his mouth wide open before I took this video. Wish I could've caught that!

Cute baby loggerhead sea turtle...he really wanted out of that tank!

This little loggerhead was sleeping...how cute!

I just love Arden's reflection.

"Hi, Jenna!"

Arden was pretty fussy by the time we got through the aquarium. She was hungry and tired. I mixed up a little formula, and she fell asleep after only 1 ounce.

We got the girls matching sea horses at the gift shop. Note to the wise, feather hair is not a good idea!

That evening Arden got her first bath with a friend. The girls had a blast!





Post bath-time fun.


Cuddling with Miranda...how sweet!

We had such a good time together. I was really sad when they left. Hopefully it won't be too long before we see them again.

Adam's First Father's Day

We went to Kernersville Ward on Sunday. Adam didn't really want to go to church, but it was his first Father's Day. He had to go! I made sure Arden looked super cute. I went a little photo-gift crazy. I had Adam pick out his favorite photo of him and Arden, and I created a deck of playing cards with it. I created a tie with Arden's photo on it and a mug with a bunch of photos of him and Arden. Hey, that's what Father's Day is all about, right?! To top it all off, I threw in an old man cap. He loves those things.

I hope you had a great Father's Day, babe! You're such a great daddy to Arden! I love you! I also want to give a shout out to my own dad. You're a great dad to me and a wonderful grandpa to Arden. Love you!

Another Greensboro Getaway

We went to Greensboro June 17 - 21. Adam signed up to be a chaperone on the Pioneer Trek for youth conference, because he wanted to do something with Jonathan before he went off to college. It was so hot! Adam's character died on the second day. He was supposed to still help out, but he and Jonathan called it quits. There just wasn't any relief from the hot sun.

I stayed with my dad, and my mom took the whole week off so we could spend time together.

Thursday, I ate lunch with Kyndal from Hanes-Lineberry and then hung out with Gina and her kids. Arden loved spending time with them and playing with their toys. One toy in particular, the Busy Ball-tivity Center, caught her attention. The next day I took a trip to Walmart and found it. It was a $30 toy, but it was on sale for $15! So I snatched it up. She looks so cute playing with it.

After I got back to my dad's, I sat Arden at one of Jasmine's toys. She was so happy...at first. The poor baby had a little accident, which made her fussy the rest of the evening.

Luckily Jasmine was able to cheer her up! Oh, and everytime I laughed during our visit, Jasmine said "What?" She's so silly!

Friday, mom, Meredith, Arden, and I went to the Natural Science Center. Meredith volunteers there on Mondays, so she was able to get us in for free. Again, it was incredibly hot. I think I started sweating as soon as we stepped foot in the zoo. Arden wasn't as intrigued as I was hoping. She prefers aquariums. I got a few cute pics of the animals, though.

Silly Lemurs

Here she is...about to be eaten by random dinosaurs...hehe

Some pics of the fam

Arden likes to hit her chest and belly. She's like "Yo, yo, yo, Uncle Chris!"

Although Saturday claimed to be the hottest day of the week, it didn't feel that way. It was breezy and overcast. My dad set up the swimming pool I got for Jasmine last year, and we had fun splashing around. Arden liked her new turtle float. It'll be more fun in a bigger pool.

Some splishing and splashing

Catie arrived in town Saturday afternoon. We had dinner with my mom and took my dad to Coldstone Creamery for some Father's Day ice cream. It was just him, his kids, his son-in-law, and his grandchild. If I'd been thinking about it, I would've taken a picture.

I had a really great trip. It didn't feel at all rushed like other trips. Hopefully others will be just as great!