Happenings in the Wallace Household

I am really slacking at the blogging thing lately. I've had several work projects recently that have taken up all of my computer time. By computer time, I mean AK's naptimes. That's pretty much the allotted time I get each day to get my work done.

So anyway, we've been doing fine. Abby Kate is growing faster than ever. After almost eight months of breastfeeding, I decided to switch her to formula because I didn't think my supply was sufficient anymore. I've got mixed feelings about it because while it's more convenient when we're out just to give her a bottle, I get tired of mixing them up and cleaning them every three hours. Plus, formula is so gross. The smell of it makes me gag. I don't know how she drinks it! But I am enjoying not having to pump. I was happy to stow that monster away! So all is well with her diet. In addition to the formula, she eats baby food (of course) and has tried various table foods, such as mashed potatoes, broccoli, carrots, toast, crackers, Cheerios, and yesterday at Sam's she had a small bite of a sherbet sample they were handing out. (It was cotton candy flavored, and I don't think she liked it.)

Abby Kate has become slightly more mobile. Besides being able to roll around on the floor, she can now pull herself onto her knees... but that's as far as she goes. No crawling just yet. I'm certainly fine with it as I enjoy sitting her down and not having to chase after her. It won't be long - I'm thinking less than three weeks - before she's crawling all over the place. I can tell she knows what she wants to do, but can't quite figure out how to get her little knees going.

Up and ready to go!

As I've mentioned before, AK loves the pool. She not only likes to be in the pool, but also to watch the pool and all the people in it. I swear she could sit out there for hours! I had the opportunity to catch a photo of her slow-growing tresses while out in the sun. It's very short still, but judging by it's texture, I think she's going to take after her mommy and be a curly-headed girl. Hey, at least she gets something from me!

In other news, Saturday, June 16, was our 6th wedding anniversary. Love you, honey! Mike's parents were in town visiting that weekend, so they kindly watched Abby Kate for us. (Thanks, Lee and Ginger.) And of course we celebrated Mike's first Father's Day on the following Sunday. Since his back has been achy lately, AK and I got him a massage at a spa here in town.

Hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa Wallace.

Fun with Grandpa's hat. Turns out it wasn't fun for long...

Just before our anniversary date. Happy 6th Anniversary, Mike!

AK provides dining entertainment wherever we go.

Happy Daddy's Day!

Today (yes, a Sunday) Mike has his first flight in the jet. All this time here in MS, he's been training in the T-45 flight simulators. But today he puts all of his gear on (flight suit, G-suit, a big vest full of all kinds of things, oxygen mask, helmet, etc.) and gets to fly it for real! I see the jets fly overhead everyday here. They are SO fast! It's strange to know he'll be flying one of them today.

Here's Mike practicing putting all his gear on before leaving this morning.

Another Fun Trip Home

I just returned from another trip to Kentucky. I was home for 10 days, soaking up my family and friends. It was a wonderful visit, and a very busy one, as always. I didn't get to see all the people I'd planned to see, because I simply ran out of days. To those wonderful friends I missed, I'm so sorry I didn't get to see you!

Some of the highlights of my trip were...

My nephew's first birthday party; taking AK swimming at my aunt Linda's house - Linda, Lindsay, Cheryl, it was great seeing you guys and all your little girls; taking Abby Kate to the Aquatic Center in Oldham Co. one day - the water was cold, unlike Linda's heated pool, but she liked it just the same; visiting my grandmother; and being part of my best friend Lyndsay's wedding.

I was so happy to have been able to attend all of Lyndsay's wedding events. We celebrated at a bridal luncheon followed by her bachelorette party the day after I drove in. We had too much fun! The rehearsal dinner was a great time, too. I asked Mom to be my date since Mike ended up not coming in for the wedding. Abby Kate joined us, too, and she was an absolute angel the entire night. The next day, we stood in the church's bridal suite and were in awe of Lyndsay in her gown. She was so beautiful! She didn't seem nervous until she stood just outside the sanctuary doors. But her nerves faded quickly as the ceremony went perfectly. Abby Kate was the "honorary flower girl," having been too young to actually take part in the wedding. Lynds is AK's Godmother. So we dressed her as a flower girl - complete with her own little hair ribbons - and Lynds took some pictures with her.

The reception was held in the Brown and Williamson Room of Papa John's Stadium in Louisville. It was a beautiful place. As I approached the reserved bridal party table, I noticed a card with my name on it, laying on top of a cookie cake that read "Happy Birthday Casey." I was standing there by myself with tears running down my cheeks. This was Lyndsay's big day, and with all the planning and running around, she still made the time to remember that it was also my birthday (and that cookie cake is my favorite!). I was instantly reminded of how she is the greatest friend, and why it was such an honor to stand with her as her matron of honor on her wedding day. Lynds, thank you so much for letting me be part of your wedding!

The bachelorette party.

Mom, just want to say thank you (again and again!) for helping me with Abby Kate all week. I don't know what I'd have done without you. I wouldn't have been able to do everything I wanted to do for Lynds without your help in caring for AK leading up to and during the wedding. THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

William's first Birthday! Held at Chuck E Cheese. He had a great time digging into his cake and opening all his presents. AK enjoyed it, too. So many fun things to look at there!

Abby Kate's first swim! She LOVES the water. That's my cousin, Lindsay,
with her daughter, Amber, born last July.

Will and AK, playing with one of his new birthday presents - a fire truck!
Thanks, William, for sharing all your fun toys with your little cousin.

Headed Home

I've been meaning to post about my last trip home to Kentucky two weeks ago, and now AK and I are getting ready to make the trip again on Friday. Living a bit closer to home is so nice! I can drive home in less than 8 hours with my baby and my pup, no problem! If we had been told we had to live in Corpus Christi (a 20-something-hour drive), I don't know what I'd have done! Flying with a baby is the worst. Flying with a baby and Junah is unimaginable.

So anyway, I went home a couple of weeks ago to throw a bridal shower for my friend, Lyndsay. I then stayed for a wonderful 10-day visit with my family and got to go to my grandmother's 80th birthday just before I left. I had such a great time at home, as always. William and Abby Kate got to play (er, look at each other), I met up with several different friends to do some catching up, Mom and Dad got to babysit AK, we all went shopping a few times, and Brian, Carrie, William, AK and I had our own little Derby party at Hometown Pizza.

The shower. Lynds got some great gifts! She gets married June 2!

AK at her first bridal shower. Everyone loved her dress, courtesy of Grami. Thanks, Mom!

Lyndsay, getting some help opening her shower gifts.

William was quite the helper. After he assisted in gift-opening, he headed out to mow Pawpaw's lawn.

Grami pushing AK in the swing. She loves to swing! During our visit next week, she'll get to swim for the first time!!!

Kids start driving so early these days.

Mesmerized by Pawpaw's glasses. (She's most likely wondering what they'd taste like.)

Pawpaw gives her a taste of something else instead. Sweet potatoes, I think.


William was planning to run for the roses, until this chick got on.


Yay! A night out with my buddies. I can't remember the last time I was up until 4 a.m. At least not by choice, anyway! I had a blast. Thanks guys! From left: Nikki, Ellen, Maggie, me and Tracy.

Mawmaw turned 80 May 4. We attended a luncheon in honor of the birthday girl. So many people came. Some from her high school cheer leading squad. It was so cute, they even did a little cheer for us.


This was the gift my cousins, Kristy and Holly and I gave Mawmaw. I designed a collage with some of our baby pictures and recent pictures with her. I think she really liked it.


Kristy and Abby Kate, enjoying the party.

I'm looking forward to going back next week!

Great News!

The Tuckers are moving to Meridian!!! Chad was selected to fly jets (way to go, Chad!), and he, Sommer, Griffin and their Lab, Maggie, will all be moving here soon. I'm so excited we'll get to live close for another year. They are in the process of getting checked out of Pensacola and deciding exactly where to live here in Meridian, but they should be here in just a few weeks. Congratulations guys! Can't wait until you're all moved in.

Never Leave Home Without Them

Keys, that is. Duh, right? Well I thought my garage door opener would work just as good as I put it in the cupholder of Abby Kate's stroller and took off this afternoon. Not so. I was out for no more than a half-hour, I came back, pushed the button to open the garage... and nothing. Dang thing, I thought. I angled it a different way and pushed again. Nothing. For the next 10 minutes I wore that little device out. I walked up and down the driveway, pushing it up high, pushing it down low. Pushing it upside down, pushing right side up. Pushing it and holding down for a few seconds and pushing it real quick. Pushing it standing on my head and pushing it hopping on one foot. Ironically, it was the hopping that worked. Ha, kidding.

I was certain the stupid thing was accidentally reprogrammed or maybe it was out of batteries. But the little green light was lighting up each time I pushed it, sooooo, who knows! All I know is that I was stuck outside with my infant daughter under a dark, cloud-filled sky with no way in and no way to drive anywhere. Mike wasn't scheduled to be home until after 7, and this happened at 1:30! I tried to call him about five times or so, then sent him an urgent text. He didn't receive any of them because he was in class and his phone was on vibrate in his bag.

I tried to see if I could find an unlocked window with no luck. So there I sat on the front porch, holding Abby Kate, watching the pouring rain for almost two hours. Once the rain let up, I walked up and down my street, knocking on doors to see if I could switch batteries with someone else's opener just to see if it worked. But most everyone must've thought I was some sort of solicitor. There were three cars in one drive, one of them a police car. Oddly, no one was home? Riiiight. Or maybe they saw me being all weird hopping on one foot in my driveway and decided to keep the crazies out. The teenager across the street tried to help me, but he didn't have the right battery.

Anyway, I continued on until I came upon a very nice neighbor who not only opened his door, but let us come in while he searched for a battery for me. His wife, still in her pajamas (at 2:30 p.m. - I know, right? I NEVER do that. [grin]), had jumped behind a wall in the kitchen as if her floor length, long sleeve, terry cloth, zip-up robe was going to flash me an ankle or something crazy like that. She was super nice though. While her husband was digging through his battery collection, she was asking me where we'd moved from, how old AK was... and then she stopped mid-sentence, her face lit up and she yelled "Oh! the electricity's out! That's what it is!"

Ah-ha! I said. That explains it. She went on to tell me that it had been out for the last hour and "they" say it'll be off until 4 p.m. As soon as I was about to blow steam out of my ears, a little florescent desk light behind her started to glow. You'd have thought I'd just won the lottery. I squealed and thanked them, then turned toward my house and pushed that stupid button one last time. The deafening screech of the garage door going up was now music to my ears!

I'm glad I didn't pound that little piece of crap into the ground like I considered so many times. However, as many times as I pushed that button, I'm sure the battery actually is running low now.

The moral of the story: Don't trust your garage door opener. Always take a key! OK, I may very well be the only one who didn't have this particular wisdom. But whatever. :)

First Mother's Day

Mike and Abby Kate gave me a wonderful first Mother's Day yesterday. I was surprised with two beautiful, thoughtful cards (one from AK, one from Mike), and was also given a gift card for a spa pedicure and manicure. Just in time for the summer months! We spent the day shopping for household things and then enjoyed an early dinner out at Outback. Mike and I ate a big plate of cheese fries (Mmmm, my fave!) and fed Abby Kate some tasty banana puffs in her highchair.

Thanks to my family for such a special day!

To all the moms I know (and especially to you, Mom): Hope you had a great Mother's Day, too.

Welcome to the World

Braewyn Faith Brooks

Congratulations to my cousin, Matthew, and his wife, Kim, on the birth of their daughter! Braewyn was born May 2, 2007. Weighed in at 8 lbs, 12.7 oz. and 21 inches long.

Six Months

Abby Kate turned six months on April 26th. Time is flying and she's growing so fast, both physically and mentally. At her 6-month wellness check-up, she weighed 15 lbs and 10 oz. and measured 26 inches. Our new pediatrician, Dr. Price, said she is doing great.

Her developments, to list a few:

- Speaks all sorts of gibberish, including consonants. "Da-da-da" is her favorite (which is Mike's, too, of course).

- Smiles and laughs at everything.

- Sits up very well.

- Reaches for toys and to be held.

- Waves.

- Rolls both ways.

- Holds her own bottle/sippy cup.

- Beginning to teethe.

- Eats everything I give her!

Since our move, she hasn't been sleeping so well. We think it's a combination of being in new surroundings and the fact that she's teething, which has given her a bit of congestion and a runny nose. We look forward to her getting back to her 10-12 hours stretches at night that we used to enjoy!

The House

Since Wednesday, we've been unpacking more boxes, arranging stuff, hanging wall decor and trying to get our washer fixed. (The lever thingy broke off during the move. I filled it with our sheets and towels and turned it on yesterday. It then filled up with water only to shut off completely without starting again. I can't locate our extra set of king-size sheets so we are sleeping without right now. The people are coming out tomorrow afternoon to fix the dang thing! Meanwhile our laundry pile is reaching record heights. And record stink. Ha,ha.)



Anyway, all is well here. I found a gym and joined for a trial month. It's about an 8-minute drive. I went this morning to try out their kickboxing class. It kicked my butt, and I'm so happy about it! It was fun and made me sweat like crazy, so I'm in love. Plus they have daycare which just makes me break out into song and dance every time I think about it. AK did pretty good in there today. She was sound asleep when I came to get her.

Mike is spending today on the base doing his check-in procedures. He's looking forward to getting into one of those jets as we see them fly over everyday. They're so fast. Before we came down here, Mike had to go out to California to take a "G-test". That's not what it's really called, but it makes more sense to me, and probably you. He had to get into this big machine that spins you around at jet speeds to see how your body handles the G forces. Mike had to go up to 7Gs. That's something like feeling 10 times your body weight. Mike said it literally felt like an elephant was sitting on him. He got to bring home a video. As he goes up in Gs, his face sinks in from the force. It's weird-looking!

After Mike gets home today, we plan to shop for a big rug. The first floor is all tile, so we've got to get something for Abby Kate to play on.

This last picture is dedicated to Sommer. She jokingly gave me this T-shirt before we left Milton. I'm wearing it proudly, Sommer, just for you. Go Milton! If you knew how small Milton, FL is, you'd totally be laughing right now. Ha, ha. Sommer - I miss you so much already!!! I hope to see you soon.

We're Home

The move was pretty painless, I must say. Mike might not say, though. He has a huge headache and a backache today! But we are slowly getting settled with only a few more boxes to unpack. I like the house better than I originally thought I would. I'll upload some pictures when we get everything in place.

Abby Kate doesn't seem disturbed by the move as she slept quite peacefully in her new nursery last night. It's much bigger than her previous room. We'll have plenty of space to get down and play on the floor here. However, the upstairs carpet is blue. Blech! Definitely doesn't go with our decor. Maybe we can persuade the homeowners to change it for us.

Junah is loving all the windows in the front, but DID NOT like it when we left him here for the first time while grocery shopping. There is this dog next door that he chases. I know, unbelievable, right?! If you know Junah, you know he usually doesn't even run to food.

From the small amount of time we've spent driving around town, there seems to be some decent shopping and a few nice restaurants. We plan to drive to the base later today to check it out. I'm excited to see the workout facility they have. I hope it's nice so we don't have to pay for another gym membership. The base also has a pool. I'm so excited for it to open so I can take Abby Kate swimming! She love, love, loves bath time, so I imagine she'll take to the pool pretty well.

Anyway, we have sailed on. More to come on our new surroundings...

Moving Days Ahead

I'm blogging to you today amid household clutter as we prepare for our move this week. The movers come tomorrow to box up all our possessions and then they'll be moving them to Mississippi on Tuesday. We'll also be making the move ourselves on Tuesday night. I can't believe we only have two more days here in this house.

We traveled to Meridian last weekend to find a place to live and to see what the town and base was like. The base is nice, and the town is bigger than I thought it would be. However, there are a lot of things missing. Target, for example. How will I survive?! Ha, ha. We found a house. It's OK. It's yellow. I mean YEL-LOW. We decided to keep our house here in FL and rent it out. So we will be renters of this yellow monstrosity in MS. If we were owners, I'd be getting out my ladder and paint rollers immediately! It's only a year. I'll survive, I suppose.

We're going to be sad to leave our beautiful neighborhood, our wonderful neighbors, and our dear friends, the Tuckers. But there's still a chance Chad and Sommer are going to be moving to Meridian soon after us, so I'm trying not to be so down about it until we know for sure.

I'll hopefully be able to post soon after our move as long as I can get my office set up fairly quickly. Stay tuned!

Easter in Florida

Mike's parents came up to visit last weekend for Easter. They drove their beautiful, new RV from their home in Texas and first met up with us in Meridian, MS. We traveled there (only a three hour drive) to pick out a house. They were kind enough to watch Abby Kate while we drove around frantically searching for a place to live in a matter of hours. Thank you both for entertaining her for a couple of hours!

We had a nice Easter holiday even though the temperatures took a dip. Abby Kate had to wear tights under her Easter dress and a little sweater. We went the morning service at our church - AK to the nursery - and then enjoyed a delicious brunch at a place called "eat!" in Pensacola. It was really good. I wish we had known that restaurant existed when we first moved here.

We enjoyed the Wallaces' company and were glad they could spend some time with their granddaughter. Thanks again for coming to visit!

Sausage, Anyone?

Saturday, the Tuckers and the Wallaces packed up the babies and drove for an hour to get to a sausage festival in Elberta, Alabama. It's an annual festival held by the local firefighters to raise money for the town. We didn't stay long because some huge storms rolled in, but we did have fun. We were on a mission for some delicious, but oh-so-bad-for-you grub. And we were successful: we enjoyed some tasty sausages, funnel cakes and ice cream sundaes! Mmmmm! There were lots of tents filled with crafts and such. We strolled from tent to tent, then ended up taking shelter in one from a brief downpour. Abby Kate and Griffin had a great time people-watching and didn't cry until the drive home. I think they were both extremely tired and ready for their naps!

Two happy kids on the way there.

I know it looks as if Mike is not enjoying his sausage, but he was concentrating hard on taking this self portrait. :)

Sommer and Chad. Thanks for joining us!

Abby Kate loves being outdoors with lots of stuff to look at. I know, you can say it. We look nothing alike. She's 100% Daddy! But you can lie to me and tell me we do look a little bit alike if you want to make my day. haha.

A bit of southern Alabama advertising for your enjoyment. We spotted this at a stoplight on the way to the festival.

And on the way home... not so happy.