GREAT EIGHT!!!!

Well, its really hard to believe that McCullough is EIGHT months old. I say it every month, but time flies by (and it makes me really sad too). It's just amazing to me that one year ago tomorrow we found out we we're having a GIRL. I never would have dreamed how magical my life would become. We are SO grateful for this precious little girl that the Lord has blessed us with!!! Words really can't begin to explain our emotions and love!!

So...this has been an eventful month! Lets see...

- we went to Donaldsonville for Vera's first birthday! What a party!!

- we celebrate the announcement that McCullough's first cousin will be named Margaret Brooke Moss (due Jan. 2nd)

-we saw of picture of Baby McCullough #2, Bethany is due March 26th

- McCullough has her bottom two teeth and is about to cut two more (or I am going to go crazy b/c this fussiness is out of control)

- we aren't crawling but are getting closer. She lunges for things and is starting to pull up - haven't master that quite yet.

- she most definitely say 'ah da da da' and is working on the 'te te' sound. So cute to watch her explore noises

-lets see foods she eats...avocado, squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, green beans, yogurt, prunes, peaches, plums, pears, apples, banana....

- we also had our first 'stomach bug'. It was terrible and broke my heart...she was throwing up all over me and you could tell she was SO confused!!! We changed clothes three times in an hour.

-oh, she went to sunday school for the first time and LOVED it!!! I took McCullough for her first day and Ben's parting words were "check out the scene and if your not comfortable, then don't leave her" how sweet!! Of course the nursery workers are our friends which helped, so I left her and she never even cried. Like a rookie, I forget to leave diapers so I walked back to give them to JoAnne and I saw McCullough sitting on the floor playing with these toys like a BIG GIRL. I promptly turned around and burst into tears!! Thankfully there were a slew of friends to support me!!

- now she kicks her legs with excited as she nears her Sunday School classroom - I'm pretty sure she is a social one...hmmmmm

Well...it was an eventful month and its about to be real different around Bryker Drive for the next 4 days because Ben and I are taking a little trip to Chicago tomorrow. I am in total denial about how much I am going to miss McCullough (and am trying not to think about it). But thankfully Nancy and Barney are coming down to watch her, so that Ben and I can go to Chicago for a few nights. I have never been and am THRILLED about finally seeing where Ben lived, played football, went to high school and much more!!! I know McCullough is in great hands, but I am really going to miss her. I think 5 hours is the longest I have ever been away from her before now!!! So say a prayer!

And for those that noticed I never posted her seven month pic here it is! We were so busy with Pawleys Island and then our Louisiana trip - that it just got put on the back burner.

But real quick

- she cut her first tooth while we were at Pawleys (bottom right)

- she cut she next tooth a few days later (bottom left)

- she started eating solid foods much more regularly

- she met her great grandmother and name sake Margaret Elizabeth (whom we call Meg)

-transitioned to two naps

- loves to watch the birds

- very aware of her surroundings and much more active

the morning paper and a cup of coffee

I woke up with a migraine yesterday so Ben was great and took care of McCullough after I nursed her. I woke up a little while later to a handful of precious pics. This is what daddy-daughter time looks like. A cup of coffee and the wall street journal.

Now, lets see what happened yesterday....
Hey daddy....
How bout that...Rangers won again!! Way to go Mr. Ray!!
WHAT...all the Chilean Miners are out of the hospital!! AMAZING!!!!
Just a little father-daughter bonding time (you know I wasn't around or you would see a trail of donuts :)))

First Run (with Daddy)

McCullough went on her first run with Daddy this past Saturday morning!!! Look how happy she is... (the only smile larger was MINE since I had the house to myself for 45 minutes!!!).

Of course it was a photo-op
And off they went....

First Kiss....a little young if you ask me

Well as you can see we have a divided family (at least extended family). Ben's dad and cousins are all big Florida fans so of course we had to dress McCullough appropriately for the LSU - Florida game!! Now...we wont bring too much attention to the outcome of the game, but let me say, I WAS HAPPY!!!!

We went over to watch the game with Bob and Elizabeth Boone, and their son Robert! Sadly, he had already changed out of his LSU attire, but isn't he a cutie!! He certainly caught McCullough's eye!!!
Notice that she started going after Robert. She can't crawl yet - but she is still quick!
All of a sudden --- A KISS!!!
Looks like Robert was trying to get away but McCullough had a firm grip!!! Good thing we like Robert and his sweet parents!!!
FUN NIGHT!!!

Whitney's Baby Shower

All of Whitney's sisters and her two cousins Blair threw a baby shower for the arrival of my sweet niece Margaret Brooke!! It was such a wonderful day with delicious food, adorable decorations and fabulous people!! We can't wait for this little girl to be here!!!

Date night - Ben's 35th birthday

Barney and Nancy came in town to celebrate Whitney and Spencer's baby shower weekend so

, that's a good enough reason for Glo to throw a party. Mom had "date night" on Friday night and hosted a fabulous dinner party.

Of course, it started with a little bit of cousins love!!

Have you ever seen a cuter skeleton? I don't think so!!! My precious niece!!!!
McCullough's getting some sugar from aunt syd.

Cousins learning to play well together....

Then the party begins!!!

Whenever Ben and I have our families together in the same room...it turns into a party...and this occasion was no different~~
No telling what was so funny, but Nancy was blushing pretty quickly.
The "dates" :

Clint and Bethany
Sydney and Wes
Nancy and Barney
Austin and Katherine
Glenn and Glo
Ben and I
After dinner - Whitney, Spencer, and Whit's mom Stephanie joined us for cake as we celebrated Ben's 35th birthday!! What a fun blessing that when Spencer is with his in laws and Ben is with his in laws...they are only about 5 miles apart...it sure makes it fun!!!

My preggo sisters discussing the ins and outs of pregnancy (can I say I am THANKFUL not to be there right now :)

Whitney is having a girl and is due Jan. 2nd

Bethany doesn't know what she is having, and is due March 26th.

Whit and Spencer announced that they are naming their daughter Margaret Brooke (after their grandmothers and her sister)
Then the storytelling began...and of course Clint was ready and waiting. Miss Stephanie is certainly one of his biggest fans and a pro storyteller herself :))

The birthday boy!!

What a fun night-- thanks Glo for ALL your hard work to make it a very special time!!!

Sip N See

My mom and her sweet friend Jeanette hosted a little sip n see for McCullough while we were in BR. It was a great chance for some of my mom's dear friends to meet our little one. Here is the precious rhyme they used for the card.

this southern belle has cowboy boots,

born in Texas with Louisiana roots

drop on by for a sip and a sweet,

mccullough moss you will get to meet!!

Momie, and Miss Jeanette

cousins!!
Miss Bicki and Miss Claudette
more sweet friends

Miss Janis!!!!!

Sliding into Fun, Vera's turning ONE!!!!

McCullough and I headed to Louisiana for a few fun events this past weekend, starting out with VERA'S FIRST BIRTHDAY!!! McCullough and I spent Saturday night in Donaldsonville blowing up balloons (72 to be exact), gluing pictures, making food and most of all... squealing at our cousins Samuel and Vera. McCullough LOVED being there as you can see from the pictures.

McCullough was SO excited to see Vera Sunday morning :)) They are five months apart....fun times ahead.

Vera standing and looking for applause after she pinned her little cousin :)
The balloon garland that we made...it was SO cute hanging all around the pool.
The party wasn't complete without a little sliding with McCullough and Samuel.
We really didn't plan this...
Singing to Vera - looking at those delicious cupcakes.
McCullough isn't interested in smiling, she just wants to know what Vera is eating and why she isn't able to have any....look at that stare!
THE HEBERTS!!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday Vera Claire...you are the most wonderful, joyful little girl - you light up our lives so much and we love you very much!!!!