Family and Friends

We have had a busy, but wonderful week! Thursday night and Friday, Suzanne and her family were able to come and visit. For those of you who don't know, Suzanne is my cousin whom I've not seen for about 7 years. We spent a lot of time together when we were young--while my aunt and uncle lived here in the States. Suzanne now lives with her husband and three young boys in France where they are serving as missionaries in a church plant in Lyon. They have been in the states raising support and while in Huntsville, Alabama, made a point to come down to Tallahassee for a visit. It was so good to see her after all these years and to share our families with each other!

Sunday night during Fellowship Group, the kiddos had some time to play together after worship--we caught some cute pics of them interacting--well, as much as they can at this point! The other two boys are both about 6 months old, but Maddy wasn't gonna let the age difference stop her from participating! :)

I can do new things!

Hello Again!
Here are some pictures of Maddy's new and emerging skills and talents...I still need to get a picture of her standing up w/ help--will come soon!

I like to grab my toys!

I pull on them and sometimes get frustrated that I can't get them in my mouth!

But I can get this in my mouth! I hold it in place with my hands and feet!

Check this out...I can almost get the whole thing in there!

My new rattle fits in there pretty good, too!

A long-overdue hello!

Hello All!
I apologize for the delay in posting...I've been having issues with getting videos up and so I just abandon postings all together following the frustration...I'll get that figured out eventually (if anyone can offer help, please do!!).
Anyhow, we are all doing well! Maddy is so much fun these days! She is so much more alert and interactive lately. She has found her hands and loves to suck on them--she often tries to stick her entire fist in her mouth--it is the funniest sight. She is starting to play with some of the toys we have. She'll grab on to things, pull them towards her, or try and put them in her mouth. All we had were a couple of plush dolls that played music, so we bought a cheap plastic rattle. She's not as amused, but its better for the slobber...easier to clean :) She is able to bear her weight on her legs if you hold her up. She loves to "talk" to us, especially after feedings. The biggest news comes this week--she laughed for the first time! She's only done it a few times, but it has got to be the best sound in the entire world! Other big news is sleep--she is getting better and better!! In fact, she's sleeping for 6 and 7 hour stretches now!!! We just need to get bedtimes earlier. She's falling asleep about the time we get to bed--around 11:00, sleeping through to 5 or 6 and then going back to sleep after she feeds--and will sleep for another 4 hours or so. It has been such a blessing to have that sleep!!! We're waiting for it to become a bit more consistent and then we'll see about moving her from the bassinet in our room to the crib in her room. She has such a pretty room and she hardly ever uses it!?!?! :)
Maddy had a chance to meet her Uncle John (Rosemary's brother) for the first time in the last couple weeks (unfortunately due to a visit to see our grandmother who is in the hospital). They both had a great time getting to know each other!
Mom and dad are doing well--Lance continues to do well in school. Balancing all his new fatherly duties has been a challenge, but he is doing a great job. Rosemary is working to integrate all her new responsibilities as Mother with those of Wife and Student as well (returning to school part-time in Jan, but getting some work started ahead of time). We are just so happy to have Maddy in our world now, and couldn't imagine it any other way.
We'll try and get updates up more often!
Love,
Lance and Rosemary

Reading with Daddy
Tummy time with Mommy...look out for the cat.

I tried to eat my rabbit that plays a lullaby and lights up...not so good.

I may not look thrilled at this precise moment (I smiled just a second later!), but I love my Uncle John!!!

I'm just cute!