Ship

Laurie's photo of she, Anna Fair, & I riding in Bebe's ship. I like my crazy long arms steering the ship.

Jane Gray and Sayley

Jane Gray and Sayley Crawford hosted a skating party for their birthdays this week. The kids all did a great job. Laurie struggle with her skates at first, but after they were tightened up, she did a fine job walking in them.







































The little girls finally gave up and enjoyed running.
















Laurie and Anna Fair kept eating cake long after everyone left for skating.















Happy Birthday, Jane Gray!

What is Missing?

Something is missing from this sweet girl. Can you guess what it is?

















Since Laurie turned 3 in January, I have wanted to kick the paci habit (and Will has hounded me), we "lost" them (and there were quite a lot of them) in Febuary, but Laurie is smarter than us. She quickly picked up a new habit, a much less desirable one, thumb-sucking. Yuck. So, we managed to "find" them, hoping to try again in a few more months.

And I know what you are thinking, if I really wanted to, we could get rid of the pacifier, but really. Isn't life hard enough, why ask for trouble?

So, in April, we tried again, I took a different approach this go round. I poked holes in all of them. It started off as just little pin pricks, but when that didn't seem to bother her, I took an ice pick and went to town. It worked beautifully, with each passing day, she was less and less interested, taking naps and sleeping without even thinking of it. Then one day, in early May, she couldn't find just the right paci she wanted (I am guessing the one with the least damage), so she went to bed without it. Will and I held our breath, not really believing this was the last straw. Over the next weeks, Laurie randomly asked where her paci was, but it was all over. I have had to scavenge the house looking for them, in fear of a set back, but there has been no looking back for her.

I had actually quite forgotten about it, then we found this poor little fellow, lost amongst the toys. I held my breath, wondering how Laurie would respond. With a glimmer of recognition, she looked at it, put it in her mouth and pulled it back out. And that was that.
















This is the last photo of Laurie bopping around with her paci, paci-o, paci-ofier.
















From now on, when I take embarrassing photos of Laurie sleeping, they will be with a bare mouth. Farewell, dear friend, you were one of the last remnants of Laurie's babyhood and I will miss you.

Fisherwoman

A few play by play shots of my baby in action. She caught 3 fish in about 10 minutes before she said she was done, threw down her pole, and headed back to the house. I don't blame her it was a million degrees hot. Laurie was petrified of the fish, as soon as she reeled it in, she took off running. We had to do some serious bribing to get our pictures.

My Heart

This child is my heart.
















She is my first born, the one I learned all my first time mom lessons on. I look at her and marvel that I was allowed to become a parent. That she is still so wonderful and we haven't completely ruined her. She is my husband made over as a girl. Her nose, mouth, cheeks and hair color are all Will's. Independent, she breaks my heart every time she takes off, not needing me to hold her hand. Strong willed, opinionated, a memory like a steal trap, serious about every thing she does. I know if we can set her on the right path, with God's grace, we will never have to worry over her, for I believe nothing can change her mind once set.



















Reserved, but very affectionate with those she loves. My favorite sentence is, "momma, I need to snuggle with you."

















I can not count the number of people who comment on what an avid reader she is, I just smile, unsurprised, knowing who her father is. I feel so blessed to be given the chance to raise a version of my spouse and pray I do as fine a job as his mother did.


















What I don't see in Will, and surely not myself, is fearlessness, though I often wish she would learn a little fear. Laurie will try anything and will usually keep at it. No slide is too long or pool to deep. There is no half effort in her either, Laurie runs on full throttle at all times, till she collapses in a heap and begs to go home.

She is growing and changing so fast. I cried a little this week when I asked her name and she replied, "Lawie...Laurie Barbour." Her R as clear as could be, I wanted to hug her close and insist it is Lawie beyond a doubt! She has grown so reasonable and understanding. Her sentences are littered with uhs and uhm. She makes a minimum of 3 wardrobe changes a day, mostly in and out of her costumes. Kind and generous to her sister, Laurie always wants Anna Fair to play with her. Well, ok, so she actually just wants Anna Fair to sit and watch her play, but still. I love this child, she is my heart and it breaks just a little more each day.

Lauries first fish