More Visitors!

Mom made her first trip to Meridian last week to visit with us for a few days. We had a great time shopping, touring the "big city" (ha!), eating out and just spending time together. Abby Kate loved having her Grami here. We even ventured out to a blues festival one night. We thought it'd be a big event downtown, given all the signs we'd seen promoting it. Turns out there were only 100 or so people there, mingling on a street corner, eating and drinking beer. The music was good though - Abby Kate seemed to enjoy it as she got to stay up past her 7 p.m. bedtime.


To our surprise, Dad called and said Brian would be flying him down so Mom wouldn't have to drive back by herself. (Dad didn't come earlier because of work.) I was elated to be able to see not only my mom, but my Dad, Brian, Carrie and William for a day! Carrie and William decided to ride along - just a quick two-hour flight. We had lunch at McAlisters and enjoyed watching Will and AK play and offer their snacks to one another. Too funny.

I like this photo. It's like Abby Kate is saying "It's OK William, don't be scared. I'm right here." But in reality, she's probably thinking, "Hmmm, I'm seriously thinking about grabbing that pacifier right out of your mouth."

And now she's like, "fend for yourself cousin, I gotta hold on with both hands!"

Fourth of July

Mike's mom and dad, his brother CJ with wife, Amber, and 4-month-old son, Luke, all came to our house for a quick visit on the Fourth. It was the first time we met Luke. He is such a cutie, as you can see from the pictures. Abby Kate enjoyed being the oldest for once. She played with his feet and wanted to be right next to him the whole time.

We grilled out hamburgers and hotdogs in classic American style while sipping on Diet Dr. Pepper. It was a great visit, although way too short. Thanks to all of you for coming to see us!






Due to the extreme heat and humidity here, we recently purchased a pool for Abby Kate (and us). She loves it! Junah secretly does, too. He acts like he doesn't want to get in, but then gets closer and closer to the edge like he wants to join the fun. Here's AK enjoying her swim time while sporting her stars and stripes (well, stars anyway).

Yay for swimming! (She's an expert hand clapper now.)

See what I mean about Junah? He teeters all the way around the edge.

Time for a long nap!

We Have Teeth!

Well, the start of them anyway. Abby Kate now has two little bottom teeth (the central incisors) poking through her gums. They seemed to have just appeared overnight! They don't bother her one bit, but I could tell they were coming soon because she had been rubbing her tongue over that spot a lot. I'm not going to even try to take a picture of the little buds because I know it'd be a struggle, so I'll post a picture when they've grown in well enough to see.

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!