Lucy McLean's Cradle

My dad made Lucy McLean this beautiful cradle. As if him building it wasn't special enough, there is a story behind it. The wood that was used to build this cradle, came from a tree that was cut down in my hometown, around the time that I was born. When my dad and his friend were planing the wood, they found a civil war bullet in the lumber. There was also a nail in it. My dad kept both the nail and bullet to show "future generations". The walnut plugs and pins came from logs from the house I grew up in. How awesome is that?! Lucy McLean loves her cradle. What a special gift from a special grandpa! Now we just need a bumper for it. Let us know if you have any ideas.

-Erin

Thank you Grandpa for my cradle! Thank you also for coming up to see me. I had a great time with you loving on me, spoiling me, singing to me and everything else. YOU ARE AWESOME. I LOVE YOU!!!

- Lucy McLean

Aunt Moo Moo's shower

Aunt Moo Moo and Baby Monk had their first shower on Saturday. We had a lot of fun. The key to looking good at your showers, is to have them 3 months before the baby comes! Little late for me now! Megan looks great and we can't wait to love on Baby Monk :)!!!

The "Shades"

On Saturday morning, Lucy McLean got to meet Kristin and Adam Shade for the first time. Of course, they had to buy her some cutie patootie shades! Thank you! LM couldn't keep her eyes off of Adam. We miss you guys and can't wait to see you again soon!

4 Months and Counting!

Lucy McLean is officially (well, as of 8:00 tonight) 1/3 of a year old! I can't believe it. It seems like yesterday that we were meeting her for the first time. Here are some pictures of our fun loving little girl! We went for her check-up this morning. Stats are:
Weight- 14. 4= 75%
Height- 25 3/4= 95% (we are thinking she gets that from her dad)
Head- 16.75= 90% (we think she gets her big brain from her mama)

Favorite things:
Rolling over
Having EVERYONE'S attention
chewing on everything
walking
sleeping (9 hours a night... THANK YOU LORD)
Snoop
Grandparents

Thank you to everyone for your thoughts, prayers, and support over the last 4 months. We feel truly blessed!

Love,

Ryan, Erin, Lucy McLean and Snoop

Cheap vacation ideas needed

So, Ryan and I are thinking, last minute, that we would like to go on a vacation. Our ideal vacation would be laying around and loving on LM with nothin on our to do list! There are only two catches...

1. I have been on maternity leave for 4 months = NO MOOLAH!!!

2. We would like to go like Aug. 9th ish, which is like tomorrow.



Any ideas? Bring them our way.



And even better... if you know how to get us here cheap, call ASAP!

Blogstalking Pays off..

Lucy McLean and I are so excited about what we just got Ryan for his birthday! Through a little addiction of mine, blogstalking, we found the best ever birthday present. Best part is... Daddy has to wonder what it is until August 2nd!!!

Look how big I am?

Our weekend in a nutshell

Lucy McLean continues to grow and amaze us daily. She has now decided that she likes sleeping on her back with her bottom in the air. I have to say that it makes us a little nervous, but she is too stinkin precious. Ryan tried to take pics, but it was a very weird angle.

Today we got to spend the day with Adrianne and Creighton. Adrianne and I were roomates in undergrad. Lucy McLean did pretty well considering she had a very long day. We went out for lunch, to the mall and then back to Adrianne's to hang out. She loved swinging/sleeping on the hammock with her Auntie Adrianne. Here are some pics from our day. Sorry Creighton, we forgot to get any pictures of you.

Updated pics...

Last weekend, we were blessed with the opportunity to hang out with the fabulous Livingstons. We love this family. They are too stinkin hilarious. Jen and Scott are in our Homegroup at church. Below are 4 of their 5 kids (Lyric was in bed)... Dreco, Jacoby, Jazzy and Marissa. We love you guys. Thanks for a yummy dinner and a great time!
Lucy McLean and I have been at my parents since Monday. While it was hard to be away from Ryan, we had a great time with my parents. I didn't end up taking very many pictures. Below is my dad doing "his favorite thing in the world", holding LM while she sleeps. The second picture is of LM ready to swim in her cutie patootie bikini that Aunt Crystal bought her. THANK YOU! She says she feels like a princess in it!

Couch time!

What we have been up to...

On Sunday, we went to Erin Michelle's for a cookout. We had a great time. Thank you for the invite!!!

My mom came in to town on Monday. Ryan taught her how to cut hair. These are pictures from the lesson. Now I know what my hubby will look like if he goes bald in the middle! Hot Bozo!!

Mom (Grammy) did a great job of spoiling/loving on Lucy McLean and Snoop. They miss her already!!!
Ryan's mom (Nana) is at Lutheridge for the week. Mom and I decided to go surprise her today. This is of her and Miss Wide Eyes!
And updates on Lucy McLean...

1. She is smiling and laughing at us all the time ... well when she isn't hungry!!!

2. She is still totally in love with her daddy. She is rolling over now (first time on Tuesday). This is of her looking at Ryan after she rolled over! He is such a good coach!

3. Notice anything missing? Yep, little miss is holding her bottle/praying! This doesn't last long, but she tries. We have tried giving her cereal once/day and the spoon IS NOT working AT ALL. She just gets mad that she doesn't get to eat fast enough. So... we put it in a bottle and she goes to town. Miss INDEPENDENT! Any ideas on starting the cereal.. bring them on!

It is amazing how time flies. She is getting to be such a big girl. We feel totally blessed and amazed at what the Lord has allowed us to experience with becoming parents. Thank you to all who have lifted us up in prayer over the past 3 months. This is the greatest journey!!!

Video of Jessie

At our small group Bible study tonight, I learned about an amazing podcast that told Jessie's story. Please feel free to visit the site. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_BpQTm9I1M Jessie is an amazing young woman. The Lord is good and is in control. While we all know that, you can't help but have your heart cry out for this family. I can't imagine being such a light for Him at such a young age. Please continue to pray. Today was a very difficult day for her, as she is experiencing a lot of pain that they can't seem to medically control.

Two praise reports...
Luke is off oxygen. YAY!!! Please continue to pray that he grows strong and can go home with Mom and Dad soon!

Beth Aspray, a friend that you may have seen on our our blog earlier this year, had a great report today. Continue to pray for her and her family. She is a single mother, fighting a courageous battle against cancer.

Prayers Needed

Dear Friends,
Today, I am asking that you stop and pray for two families that are very precious to me and Ryan. Jessie Garren (seen in the picture below, being baptized by our music pastor and her dad) is a 17 year old who we go to church with. She was diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer and has been fighting a courageous battle for over a year now. She is having an especially difficult time right now. She is currently in Boston, receiving treatment. Please feel free to visit her caring bridge site at...http://www.caringbridge.org/cb/viewHome.do . I hope that is the right link. If not, you can search the site using her name (no spaces). Please pray specifically for
* The Lord's will to be done in Jessie's situation.
* That she be protected from the side effects of the new medication and chemo that she is receiving.
* That her family (Kit, Marilyn and brother Robert), as well as Jessie, feel God's presence and that they would have a peace about the mighty work he is doing in their lives.

Prayer Request #2-
While living in Alabama, I was blessed with the opportunity to work with Sarah Martin. She is an amazing woman and friend. Last Thursday, she delivered this handsome little man 5 weeks early. Luke is doing better, but has a lot of work to do before he can come home with mom, dad and brother Ford. Please pray specifically that:

* The Lord would comfort Sarah and Joseph as they journey through a very trying time both emotionally and physically.
* That he continues to progree and is able to soon nurse.
* That he becomes healthy enough (VERY SOON) to come home with the rest of the family.
For more info, you can visit their blog...http://jandsmartin.blogspot.com/

Thank you to all of you sweet friends who are willing to pray for these two very dear families. I know that they will appreciate it. Our Lord is an awesome God. It is amazing how he works in each of our lives. Ryan and I definitely felt each of your prayers as we went through our week in the hospital with little miss Lucy Mac! We couldn't have done it without them! As these stories unfold, I will try to keep you updated.

In Him,
Erin

Like Mother... Like Daughter!

"Hey Nana, I am a little milk drunk right now!"
"NO WAY"
"Mama and Daddy, did you hear that?"
"Please, tell me more!"
"OH MY"
Last night, Ryan's mom called. Anytime a grandparent calls, we like to let them talk to Lucy McLean on speaker phone. She usually gets pretty excited to hear voices and "talks" a litte. Tonight, we were glad we were ready with the camera. She grabs the phone and seems to be "having a conversation". We cracked up forever!

Chuckie's 4th of July "Surprise" Birthday Party!

My tasty hands!

I love to eat my hands! My mama shot some pictures of me in action tonight. I hope everyone has a great 4th of July. I am going to bed to be ready for all of the festivities my mama has planned for me!