6 months old & "dada"

Today was Emma Grace's 6 month birthday and not only has her little personality come out, but so have her vocal chords! She has finally found that the little noises that can come out of her mouth can actually become big noises when she raises her voice. Her little sweet coos are now very loud, deep screams making us quite noticeable in all places public. Not only is she now screaming, but her official first word is now "DA DA", making Dusty's head even bigger and causing him to be quite hard to live with. You would think that her saying "Da Da" made him father of the year-and maybe it has, for her anyway! He just glows when she says it, making mommy even more jealous. It is not as if I haven't tried to make mommy her first word, afterall, I've been working with her for 6 months!!! However, as it is supposed to be, she is very much a daddy's girl and I am proud for Dusty that her first word is definitely "Da Da". She even looks right at him as she says it and with the sweetest little voice, too! She's madly in love with him, and I can't say that I blame her. The best thing is that Father's Day is next Sunday and this is all the gift he could ever want! I can't wait to see how she is at church tomorrow, we have a guest preacher that I'm afraid no one will ever hear over Emma Grace! Oh well, maybe God speaks through loud baby noises, too!

Proud Moments

HOLLYN BEFORE HER HAIRCUT


HOLLYN AFTER HER HAIRCUT


HOLLYN PROUD OF THE 12 INCHES SHE GAVE TO SOME LITTLE GIRL WHO NEEDS IT

Today was a proud day in my family. My cousin Brooke's little girl, Hollyn, told her mommy that she was ready to get her beautiful LONG hair cut and while discussing this with Hollyn, Brooke told her about Locks for Love. Locks for Love is an organization where long hair (Must be at least 10 inches in length) can be donated to make wigs for those suffering with cancer. After losing our Aunt Carolyn in March to cancer, the subject was quite fresh on her mind I am sure. Making the moment that much more special for all of us. As a hair stylist and educator, it makes me extra proud that this sweet little girl would do what most women would never do. Afterall, a woman's hair is generally more important to her than most things and for Hollyn to give her's away with such joy and dignity should be an example for all of us. Just look at the smile on her face as she holds up her hair! I am so proud of her!

Beach Bums!

Yes, it has been nearly two weeks and we are STILL at the Beach! Dusty left this morning for home and arrived around 3:30pm. But Emma and I are still here doing absolutely NOTHING and loving it! Sorry there are no photos of Savannah or Amelia Island, but I have posted some photos from Hilton Head Island below. This LONG trip away from home has really caused me to realize how truly blessed I am to have such a wonderful baby girl. It doesn't matter what I do with her, she is just Always happy! I pray that one day Emma has a baby girl as wonderful as she is. I know some moms tell their children that they hope they have a child to pay them back for their bad behavior, but I don't think I will wish that on any of my children. Emma is a wonderful child who truly deserves a baby as wonderful as she. The beach has been a blast! I have enjoyed spending all of the quality time with the fam., but I am ready to get home. Especially after I learned that my cat (Harley) just about "bit the dust" from dehydration while we've been gone. The miscommunication of WHERE he drinks water almost lead to his demise. Dusty and I are pretty clear as to where he likes to drink his water (the toilet), however, my sister thought we surely would have his water jug full in his automatic feed/water, so she decided she would close the lid to the toilet when she moved out of the basement the week before. Thankfully, before she left for Amelia Island she thought she would check on him and to her surprise, he was deathly ill from dehydration. She got the situation under control and headed down to the beach. Anyway, he's fine, but I would really love to get home to the little rascal. We'll be home Wednesday night with lots of pictures to post. We love and miss you all.

Emma at the Beach

Busy Bees...

Yes, I know it has been quite a long time since my last blog posting, and believe me I've heard about it from our many friends and family who check the blog, but never leave comments so that I know you're reading!!!  May has definitely been busy with the end of year school activities, my birthday, mother's day, graduation, vacation, night classes, trying to fit in all of my hair clients in the middle of just being mommy to a growing little almost 6 month old little girl!  Emma's personality is changing every day.  Her little jibber-jabber has turned into almost words.  We really think she says "hey" and "dada" and maybe even "bee", "bubbles", and "papa".  I really think these people only hear what they want to hear because my continuous attempts to teach her to say mommy has yet to happen!  Anyway, I'm glad that these folks actually think that she is saying their names, it gets them all excited and it's funny watching them freak out when she does it.  She's already trying to walk!!  Well not really, but I always said she would walk before she crawled.  The little girl just hates being on her tummy so bad that she refuses to roll over on it.  However, if you let her stand on those little feet she just loves it.  I know that it's probably terrible that I let her do that.  My brother even had to have braces on his legs from walking to soon, but she just loves it.  What to do?  What to do?  Your opinions are welcome!  As you can see in her photos, she's definitely growing in every way. I used too dread her growing up, but I am finding that I love it more every day!

Special Olympics

Emma putting on Sunscreen before her big parade performance.


Uncle Brian praying


Emma, Mommy, and Papa


Brian kissing Emma


Emma and Mommy
Friday was Special Olympics for our school system and since I only teach one block in the mornings, Emma Grace, Aunt Bee, and I all went to watch our dear friends. The parade was fun to watch. Emma's Papa Gailey was in the parade representing the Chamber of Commerce and he asked if he could stroll Emma around with him. The two almost stole the show as her favorite Kay Kay announced her in the parade. Emma's uncle Brian said the opening prayer which was delightful as always. I bet God loves it when Brian prays! Then we stayed to hear Cool Cat Carter Cruce sing the National Anthem. -Go Carter!- The two are members of our church, while Carter is a student in my Ninth Grade Academy Cosmetology class. (You should see him do hair and nails-you'd switch hair dressers if you could). The day was great and I can't wait until next year.

It brings me joy to know that Emma Grace will have a lifetime of Love and Enjoyment out of her uncles Brian and Carter, who love and adore her.

Golf Banquet

Emma Grace with her favorite golfers!
Emma Grace after a LONG night at the banquet!
Another golf season has come to an end, and Piedmont honored our atheletes with a banquet last night. Emma Grace and her boyfriend Hagen joined the fun at the P.U. dining hall. Since the boys' team crumbled this year, due to grades and finances, the girls were the only ones there to get a picture! As you can see, P.U. likes to have beautiful girls on their team. I hope Emma Grace grows up to be as beautiful as these girls are inside and out! I am going to miss my girls this summer, but I am sure I can talk them into coming over for a haircut or two! Be safe this summer girls, we'll see you next Fall! Love, Kim & Emma