Rhett's Birthday and more...

This was taken July 24, 2006. Louisa is 4.75 months old in this photo. Em is very proud of this picture because she took it herself and because it captures one of Louisa's many sweet, little smiles. Papa Jim claims Louisa had a bashful, sideways smile and that this is almost it. Louisa is still growing like a weed (weighing in at 14 1/2 lbs and measuing 25 1/2 inches at her 4 month check-up, which is 75th percentile for weight and 90th percentile length). She is rolling around from her back to her side but not quite over onto her tummy. Our theory, (since she has always strongly disliked playing on her tummy) is that she refuses to roll the rest of the way just to avoid the tummy time. She is also quite the "talker" and will almost daily surprise with her delightful laughter. Her cousins are especially good at getting her to laugh.

Of recent development, Em has taken a bow-making class so that

she can make bows like the one Louisa is sporting above. (That one was made a by a friend from church.) Em loves her new, simple hobby and is finding it quite addicting. It's a good thing we live close to a discount sewing supply store where the supplies are cheap! Em is also attempting to revive her love of jogging in an effort to lose the last of the pregnancy pounds. With the 100+ degree heat we have this time of year and with Louisa occassionally still waking up around 3:00 a.m. it is a challenge but not impossible.

Also, we just recently celebrated Rhett's Birthday! This one was the big 30th. As a family we took in a matinee and a tapas dinner. The following Sunday we had all of Rhett's extended family over for dinner and birthday cake. Everyone pitched in and we bought him a device that takes the footage directly from our camcorder and burns it onto a DVD. We've been up late this past week watching everything he's transferred. It's been one fun trip down memory lane as we watched stuff from our honeymoon to Louisa's first days home. In this picture you might notice (how could you not?) the bright, teal t-shirt. This is Rhett's summer boy-scout uniform. He is the 11 year-old scout leader and does a terrific job.