PACKING UP

The end is quickly approaching and we decided to get Finley in on the fun! She makes everything more fun... even packing!!!

"HEY....Are ya'll planning on packing me too?"

Some of Daddy's friends from work gave me this t-shirt. Mom and I don't really understand it but daddy sure thinks it's funny. Must be geek humor!!

Not only is it Finley's 4-month Birthday but......

1 month

2 month

3 month

4 month

She can sit up... but staying up is the problem

Exactly one year ago today Richard and I found out that we were going to have Miss Finley Grace. Oh yes, a day that will live in infamy..... July 19th 2006.

For those who don't know the story, Richard and I were not trying to get pregnant, so needless to say we were in complete shock! I bought a pregnancy test at the drug store when I was there picking up a prescription and came home and took it for peace of mind- (this was not an unusual thing at our house because I am a worrier ;-)) So when the double line showed up I rubbed my eyes immediately and looked again.... still same result. So I called for Richard to come upstairs for a sec- "I'll be up in a few minutes... I'm in the middle of something" I thought to myself... "oh, you have no idea!!!"

So with tears in my eyes I came down the stairs, stopped halfway, sat down, and buried my head in my hands. Somehow I managed to get out.... "We're Pregnant??!?!?!" and I don't even know if Richard knew I was there as he was so buried in his work. I think it took a good 10 seconds for him to put it in the buffer and then a very delayed "say what???" came out and I don't think that deer in the headlights left his face for most of the next 9 months.

But oh what a blessing these last 4 months have been. I fall more and more in love with Finley and Richard every day. There is just something about seeing the man you love get on the floor and blow spit bubbles with your child! She is such a good girl and we feel like we are the luckiest!!!

My 2 NERDS

This weekend
by: Finley Grace Vanhook

I had so much fun hanging out with my mommy and daddy this weekend. Friday night we went and walked around and ate downtown. The weather was so nice and cool. On Saturday mommy and I got up real early... well actually I got up real early and made mom get up too, and we went downstairs and ate breakfast and played. Then we took daddy his coffee in bed and made him get up too. Later that day mommy and daddy kept putting all our stuff in these big boxes??? I don't know why they are doing that cause I really liked where everything was. Oh well, then Sunday we got up and went and ate brunch with Uncle MJ and Aunt Kelly. It was so much fun watching everyone else eat while I only get a stinkin bottle... NOT!!!! Now mommy and daddy are upstairs taking naps before we go to church so I thought I would sneak downstairs to jot down my thoughts ..... I think daddy might get mad if he knew i was munching on this bottle over his new IBOOK. I know my secret is safe with ya'll- shhhhhh! I hope everyone else had a great weekend too.

Moving Home

ARKANSAS OR BUST

Hey Ya'll!

GO HOGS GO!!!
(yes she has very good balance...unlike her mother!)

Well, the time has come for us to leave our metro DC life and move to a slower pace!

About 2 1/2 years ago Richard and I, on a whem, just decided we wanted to move away for a bit while we still didn't have kids. He found a job in DC so here we came, us 2, our dog Oliver, and a giant U-haul filled to the max ready to quickly fill up our tiny apartment. It has been a great adventure and we will never regret the time we have spent up here.

We will be leaving much different people than when we came... we are now a mommy and daddy and we have a much greater responsibility than our wants and needs.So many wonderful memories have been made in just the short time we have spent here.This place will always be special... afterall it is the birthplace of our baby girl and the first place we were a complete family!

Although we are excited to move back home and we know it's time, it will be hard to leave the great friends and relationships we have made up here. The Lord placed these people in our lives for a reason and we are so grateful.
Now for a kinda new adventure..... back to the land of sweet tea, southern accents, SONIC, and 10:00 news!!!

Take me out to the ballgame.....

Thursday night we went to see the New York Yankees beat the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. We went with 2 of our good couple friends who just happen to be from New York and huge Yankee fans. We had so much fun and Finley Grace was such a good girl. She loves being outside and was really into the TV screen we had above our seats. Here are a few pics from the evening.....

I'm ready to go!!

Derek Jeter

Brandy, me and a sleepy girl

Leaving the park

Doesn't dad look cute with the pink diaper bag??

Veiw from the seats

Our little girl is growing....

3 Months
2 Months
1 Month

Happy Weekend!

We hope that all of you had as good of a weekend as we did. We laid low and went to eat at our favorite restaurant in downtown. Finley was a doll!! We had a little photo shoot before we went and here are some of the pics. She was trying to show you her gummy grin!!

Recent Videos

Yes we know to the naked eye these videos are extremely boring and uninteresting; however to grandparents, aunts, uncles, and anyone else who cares this is entertainment!!
(Oh and please excuse the highly obnoxious baby voice I am using in these videos..... one day everyone with children will understand!)

The one-sided conversation:


Finley in her BUMBO:


Happy Girl:

New Finley Photos

Chillin with Otto the Monkey

Drifting off

She is just beginning to tolerate the swing, not like, just tolerate

First night in her new crib... YIPEE!!

Looking at herself in the mirror

Not really enjoying tummy time

Memorial Day Picnic

Today we took Finley on her first picnic to Great Falls Park. It overlooks the Potomac River and the view is beautiful. Finley loves being outside and she enjoyed our picnic thoroughly! Here are a few pics from our fun day at the park.

Finley's Nursery

We finally recieved Finley's crib yesterday. We have been waiting on this thing for 5 months and much drama has gone into getting it. The story about it is so crazy that no one would believe it and I don't have the time to explain but her room is finally complete for the time being. Fin loves her new crib and has slept in it all night last night!!! Here are the pics below.

Last Week in Pictures

The Girls

Finley and Ryan

Aunt Amy

Cousin Abby

Cousin Mary Mills

Photo Session at GrandMary's house

Cousin Megan

Aunt Brooke and cousin Thomas

Uncle Philip

Aunt Shannon

Cousin Lakelan

Aunt Dlyna

Saying Bye to Papa at the airport

GrandMary


Granna

Papa and Granna at the airport