Where has the time gone? (part 2)

Norah's 6 month stats at her appointment on December 16th:

Weight= 17 lbs
Length= 26 in.

She is hitting her milestones beautifully. She can sit unassisted, has two little bottom teeth, enjoys carrots and green beans. During the week of her appointment, we discovered that she can stand holding on to a table. Such a big girl!

Christmas was spent in the usual form- splitting time between the Hallemeiers in St. Louis and the McIntyres (Brad's mom's family) in Paducah, Ky.

The journey began on Tues. We left Atlanta around lunch time and drove to Paducah. We met our friends Janine and Josh for a quick dinner so they could see Miss Norah. Little did we know they had some exciting news of their own- they are expecting a baby in July! We are so excited for them!

The journey continued to St. Louis, where we stayed thorough Christmas night. If you remember in my entry from last year at this time, I was so excited to experience Christmas with a renewed sense of joy. While she is still too young to know what is going on, she had a blast with the tissue and wrapping papers.

We were pleasantly surprised by the SNOW we received in Christmas morning- I could not have asked for a more fitting way to spend the day- cozy by the tree with my family.



Arriving in Paducah late Friday night, we enjoyed a night of sleep, followed by McIntyre family Christmas on Saturday. Norah was able to meed many great aunts, uncles and cousins, some of whom for the first time.



We left to return to Atlanta on Sunday. All in all, it was a great, albeit short, trip. Norah was happy to be back in her own bed, as were mom and dad.

Road Trippin'

Last month, Norah and I made a trip to Kentucky to visit the Paducah crew...I kept meaning to post the pics, but hadn't gotten around to it. Well, here they are!

McKenzie, Beba and Norah


Mac and Norah


The whole crew at Norah's first little league game


Dinner with "Auntie" Neen

Weekend in Kentucky

The weekend of April 28th marked the 50th anniversary of the Murray State chapter of Sigma Chi, so Brad and I made a trip up to Kentucky for the celebration.

We arrived late Thursday night at Janine and Josh's house in Marshall Co., and on Friday Brad played in a golf tournament and I met some old girlfriends for lunch and to check out the baby boutiques in Murray.

First order of business was lunch at Dumplins with Jen, Harvey and Brittany. Brit had her little girl Aiden, with her and Jen brought her boy Connor and new baby Wilson. It was great to catch up and hear what everyone has been up to, as well as get the low down on exactly what to expect when Norah arrives.

Me, Connor the flirt and Andrea


Aiden, Brittany, Me, Jen and Andrea


The little photographer Connor met some AOPis at another table, and proceeded to flirt with them during the lunch, as well as take photos of all of the Dumplins patrons. Here's one of his "cute girls"!


After lunch, we went to the Plaid Rabbit to check out some baby clothes since this was a whole new shopping adventure which I had not undertaken yet. I got a few cute little outfits for Norah, as well as introduced to Baby Lulu clothes (my husband and wallet thank you, Brit ;0)

Later that evening, after a reception and ceremony at the fraternity house, we had dinner at The Apple (yummy!) with some of Brad's friends.



What was I thinking marrying this guy!?


Me and Prakop comparing bellies...


Saturday evening was an alumni/active dinner and presentation. There were lots of "old guys" there from the 50s and 60s, which was really sweet to see.

Brothers from when Brad and I were in school


Me and Brad (not too bad for 8 months preggo)


Former Sweethearts of Sigma Chi (I still haven't figured out what we're supposed to do while they are singing ;0)


Brothers and wives


Brothers- Cliffy, Marty, Brad and Owsley

Beba's SURPRISE Fiesta

Whew! Being a liar is tough work! I am proud to say that we successfully pulled off the Brenda McDonald Birthday Weekend Extravagnza and it was a hit! Lyndsey, Paul, Brad and I have been planning Brenda's 60th birthday weekend since October and this weekend went beautifully and relatively smooth.

Friday began with a surprise dinner by Master Chef Jules at Chez McDonald. Brenda thought she was meeting us for dinner at a local restaurant because Lynds had to work on Saturday (her actual birthday). Little did she know that we had arranged for her sisters and niece to surprise her and have a relaxed dinner at our house. The Kentucky crew got stuck in traffic in Chattanooga, so we spent the evning concocting one lie after another to stall Paul and Brenda. When they finally arrived, the Ky. crew was just around the corner. While we were upstairs looking at Norah's room, they snuck in the back door, up the stairs and surprised her. It was priceless.

On Saturday, the girls went shopping at Phipps and "waited" for Lynds to get called into work. She was "called in" around 2 p.m. (from my cell phone in the same store- LOL!). At 2:30, I had to leave for a "meeting at Tech". We rendez-voused back at my house to haul our liquor, cake, etc. down to Taqueria Del Sol for her surprise party. The rest of the group (the sisters, guest of honor, McKenzie, Brad & Paul) were meeting me later for a launch and tasting party for Taqueria's catering arm (wink, wink).

Around 6:30, we were joined by 75 of her closest teacher friends, church small group and the rest of her family. Around 7:15, the guest of honor's entourage pulled into the parking lot and walked with me to the party. As we turned the corner, we were met with 75 people staring at us and yelling "surprise"! The look on her face was priceless as it registered that this was no "tasting", but rather a party for her! The night was spent watching the slideshow of her life, eating the yummy Taqueria food and drinking tasty margaritas (virgin for me, of course).

Sunday, the entire McIntyre side of the family came back to our house for brunch before heading back to Kentucky & Tennessee. At this point, we were exhausted, but the work was well worth it!

Me & Lynds Plotting...


Lynds and the belly with legs...


The birthday girl sees everyone and is a little confused...


It sinks in that she knows these people...


I think she's gonna have a heart attack!


She still can't believe it!


Brad, Me and Baby Norah


The 60 pinata and a matching mustache..


The "twins" Judy and Brenda (same birthday, different year)


The McIntyre siblings
Rick, Bubby, John John & Scott
Patti, Beba and Judy