Sweet Face

Austin is Here!

Kristin and Mike (Kate's little brother) welcomed Austin Michael to the world last week. Isn't he the sweetest thing you've ever seen? He was born Wednesday and weighed in at 7 pounds 13 ounces.Mike and Austin. Jack is very excited that his Uncle Mike has a baby and he asked to see pictures of Austin almost every day. We can't wait to meet baby Austin!

Best Ten Bucks Ever

We made the big trek to Target last weekend and found the BEST toy ever for Jack. There are batting cages and several baseball fields near our house and Jack has been really intrigued by the big boys playing baseball. So, naturally, when we saw this ridiculous blow up tee ball set we had to get it for him. He freaking loves it!

Here he is batting like a pro.

Ellie obviously made a cameo in that video. In case you need a translation or can't hear what Jack said, that was "Shase yer butt. Hit da bazeball!" I stopped taping before he actually hit the ball. (I had to duck and take cover.)

Here he is actually hitting the ball.

Jack likes his tee ball set so much that he napped with it the day we brought it home.

Petite Sophisticate

Ellie is already so mature... here she is fearing a pinafore dress over boot cut jeans. How stinking cute is this outfit? Seriously. The pinafore dress was made by none other than Sasa and I think Ellie looks quite grown up in her black and white. And those jeans? Ridiculous. She can't wear them again because her thighs are too fat and they are seriously flared - tight through the things and knees and then flare out to show off her socks. I love this picture because E is chewing on Jack (as she does on everything) but he doesn't seem to mind.

Columbia Zoo

This post is way overdue, but I thought I'd add the great photos now. Better late than never, right? We went to the Columbia Zoo several weeks ago and had a great time. We look forward to going back soon.

Elephants! Jack wasn't so sure about the giant turtle.

You know the train ride was a hit.

Our big boy.

Look What She Found

Her feet!

Four Months Old

Elizabeth is four months old. I think I start every monthly update with the line "I can't believe she's already X months old." But, let me tell you, I CAN believe she's four months old. Month three seemed to take forever.

Ellie continues to develop into a sweet little baby girl and, for the most part, is happy and giggly. She is still a more difficult baby than Jack ever was. We'd just started to get a real nap and bedtime routine going until she caught a bit of a cold the other day. Boo to that! It's really sad to see her little nose running.

At her four month well baby last week (a week early), Ellie weighed 12 pounds and 14 ounces and was 23 and 3/4 inches long. The doctor said both were just under the 50th percentile. Of course, when I looked it up online I found charts putting her much closer to the 25th percentile. Anybody know what's up with that? Very confusing.

I took a ton of pictures this morning (a day late) because it was actually kind of sunny after four days of rain and yuckiness.

Her eyes are still blue. I wonder if they're going to stay...Does she look like her Aunt Amy or what?
Edited to add: I'm totally getting teary looking at this post. She looks so big! But, she's my little baby. How did this happen?

The Other Blog

So, I'm sure you've noticed that I have not been updating this blog as much as I used to. I started The Shopping Mama for fun, but it is taking up almost all of my free time. It's defnitely taking more time than I anticipated.

Here's an example of what I squeeze into a nap time for TSM blog: browse around online for things I like, request permission to use images, contact companies to pitch a giveaway, network with other blogs, promote the blog, posts and giveaway sponsors on blogs, Twitter (which, by the way, is totally weird), Facebook, etc. Don't get me wrong, it's totally fun and worth it, but it's strange how quickly it has turned into a total time-suck.

Several people have asked if I'm making any money. And, no, I'm not. I have Google Ads on the blog that pay depending on the number of hits on the site and clicks on the ads (so, yeah, feel free to click away, hint hint), but they are pretty much worthless. So, no cash, but I have gotten a few things from companies to review for the blog that I get to keep. (Jack's C.Belly belts, for example.) The best part is getting to giveaway things. And I also love hearing that people have purchased things I've written about.

So... that's why Adventures of the Lord Family has been lame lately. I'm going to try to at least post pictures a few times a week so you can see what the cutest kids ever are up to.

Jack and the Dump Truck

The weekend weather in Sumter has been less than stellar. In fact, it's been downright yucky. We don't have many options since we don't know too many people and there aren't many places to play indoors. We hit up McDonald's for the playland, but Jack didn't quite understand why I couldn't drag my big butt up the tunnels and down the slides.

Jack had a great time filling up his dump truck and dumping it out over and over again. He filled it with blocks, cars, books - you name it and it was in the truck. A good time was had by all.
We are excited for Kevin to get back from his weekend in Austin and for the weather to improve so we can get outside!

Bad Hair Day

Elizabeth had a bit of a bad hair day yesterday. It might be wishful thinking, but her hair is starting to get to the point where she has to wear a bow. Her hair kind of hangs on her forehead all weird and goofy without a pretty bow or clip.

With her hair brushed out of her face, all curly on the sides.
As you can see, a bath did absolutely nothing to improve the hair situation.

Is she ridiculous, or what?

Getting Ready for the Wedding

Hanging with Stewart

Ellie At Play

Ellie LOVED the bouncy seat we borrowed while we were in Ohio. It was really a lifesaver during the visit and I don't know what we would have done without it. (Thanks, Monica!)

She quickly learned music would play if if she grabbed at and moved the hanging animals. Or, perhaps I'm overestimating her mental capacity and she just flailed as usual and was suprised by the music? Either way, she liked it.

Don't know why these last two pictures are oriented this way, but let's roll with it and pretend I did it on purpose. When her hands are grabbing at things they are in her mouth.

Elmo's Birthday Party

Jack attended Elmo's birthday celebration at a bookstore in Columbus. It was much lamer than we anticipated - Elmo wasn't even there! - but Jack didn't seem to notice and he had a great time.

He decorated a birthday card for the missing Elmo monster,

Listened to stories about Elmo,

And cuddled an Elmo doll.

Jack may forever associate Ohio with birthdays after all the birthdays we celebrated on this trip.

Trip to Ohio

I can't believe how behind I am on updating the blog. Yikes!

Jack, Elizabeth and I went to Ohio for a little over two weeks and we had a great time. We kept pretty busy visiting with friends and family, going to reading group at the library and going to the mall!

The highlight of the trip for Jack was a trip to Chuck E. Cheese with Uncle Mike. He had a blast and is still talking about it. The best part for Elizabeth was bathtime in the sink with Sasa. I don't know what it is about that baby girl, but she LOVES being naked and Sasa could really make her giggle.

Pictures of visits with family:

The computer is SO not cooperating with me at the moment. If you can't see the slideshow, click on "view all images."

Together Again

Everyone is finally home and we are chilling at the Columbia Zoo. We
are all happy to be together again.