Not a whole lot going on

We have been amazingly not busy. Libby and Corey and I have fallen into a pretty good routine (if you call good not seeing your husband very much-which I do not). But nonetheless, we are doing well. Libby has begun to really play with her dolls (this one was MADE for her by her Meme's cousin Vicki). She says "Hi" to them and holds their hands... then she has a Libby moment and eats their hands.




The stander is also helping alot. She has started trying to cruise along the furniture and her legs and hips look straighter everyday.

It's a monstrosity I know!

Our family sickness

Somehow in the 90 degree heat, Libby got a cold. And gave it to her parents and her grandma. She seems to be getting better now, although the coughing has made her hoarse (so sad!). But we did go to the doctor and her official weight is 16 pounds-she's gaining! Her illness has helped me make a significant discovery. Puffs tissues make ones with lotion AND Vick's Vapo in them. They smell all mentholly! They have been a life-saver, so I highly recommend them.

Our Little Mountaineer

Libby went to her first tailgate this weekend. Last year at this time, she was still in the hospital-close to the action, but not quite there. This year she was in the midst of it all. We had an eventful day. Our friends the Allens were hosting a tailgate for friends and family that we went to for awhile, and then we visited Cindy and Rick Wilson's and Deedee and Bobby Lewis's (Ashleigh Burdette's parents). After that, Libby was EXHAUSTED. The heat didn't help. So we left and headed for Meme and Pappy's were Libby was staying for the night. I got the opportunity to spend the game with two beautiful baby girls-Eva Burdette for the first half and Ainsley Taylor for the second. It was such a fun day that ended with a victory. It was fun to see Scott and Danie (who decided last minute to drive to WV from TN). And Nick and Betsy Allen (Ben's bro and sis).

Ashleigh and Eva cheering on the Mountaineers!


Me and the three Elizabeths-Betsy Allen, Libby and Liz Allen

Libby's learning to stand

Well, as I mentioned in the last post, Libby got her stander a couple of weeks ago. It is a huge metal contraption, but it seems to be helping. She can now stand with only one hand of support and is starting to take steps when we hold her hands. It's a slow process, but we are more encouraged than ever as we see her progress.

Libby only holding on with ONE hand!

Libby and Grandpa Harold "Walking"

EVA CLAIRE

Corey and I got to meet Eva Claire Burdette last Wednesday (we decided Libby was too germy to go in) and she's a CUTIE! I'm excited to see how Libby interacts with her when we go to visit them. Ashleigh always says "You can bring Libby over and let her poke at her face" That is what Libby does to most of her dolls, right before she tries to chew on them. It should be interesting! Those pictures definitely to come.

Libby's new favorite thing to do is lay on a pillow and play sleep. This is her and grandma play sleeping on the couch.

Grandpa Harold and Libby playing when we stayed there the other night. She is SUPER ticklish.

The Fun Tiger Scrub Hat

At work, Corey encounters a lot of pharmaceutical reps and their promotions. Last week one brought in a bunch of tiger scrub hats that have been so much fun to put on Libby, Aubree and whoever else comes into our house.




In other news, Libby received her stander-a very large metal contraption that is really helping her put weight through her feet. She'll be able to walk before we know it. Also, Eva Claire Burdette was welcomed into the world early this morning (4:45ish) and I'm very excited to meet her. Libby will have to wait given she is a baby and carries a lot of germs (not good for newborns).

Preseason excitement

Kickoff for the Mountaineers is still a few weeks away, but Libby is ready. Grandma Candy got her this adorable ensemble-and I couldn't wait for a game to put it on her. Maybe her first phrase will be "Let's Go Mountaineers!"

She does have a new word-"Didee" which she says as she chases the "Kitty" around the house. She doesn't want to hurt Animal, mainly she just waves at him, but he is not very friendly to her. That does not stop her pursuit though.

Traveling, traveling, traveling

Libby has been going everywhere lately. On Wednesday, we visited Terry-a good friend of mom's and her grandchildren. Libby loved playing with Caitlyn and Luke again. We all (7 adults and 3 babies) went to lunch, which was hilarious! Here is a picture of Claire and Libby with Caitlyn and her cousin Rachel.We also visited Corey's parents on their vacation in Deep Creek. The weather didn't cooperate, but Libby enjoyed the meat loaf that was left over and crawling up and down the hallway. We got to take her in the indoor pool, and she LOVED it! She kicked her feet and laughed the whole time. She's going to be our water baby I guess.


In addition to pools, Libby also loves bath time! She loved it even more when her cousin Claire hopped in too. They played for a good half hour and got Libby all nice and clean before Grandma Candy put her to bed.

Big Libby

This is Libby raising her arms to do "Big Libby!" She is getting big these days. We went to the doctor and she weighs 15 pounds and is 25.5 inches long. Her head is the only part of her that is actually on the growth chart, but she has made her own curve which is great. Dr. Tony is really happy with her progress, and we are too. She's learning so much these days. She even does the motions to Itsy-Bitsy Spider.

Old, new, newest

Ainsley Reese Taylor

We visited our friends in Tennessee over the weekend, and meeting their new baby was wonderful. Ainsley is beautiful and pleasant. She is very laid back-like her parents. I loved holding her; I think it reminded me of Libby. Although Ainlsey sleeps way better than Libby did when she came home.

But thinking about Libby when she was small reminded me that I wanted to post these pictures together. When Libby was first born, this was the picture that really captured just how small she was-Corey's hand being the reference. So when we were camping and I snapped a couple of pictures of Corey and Libby sleeping, I thought that they should be posted together to show how far she has come. She has multiplied her weight by 7, and doubled her height. It's all so amazing to me!

Our crazy life

Libby made two new friends this month. Caitlyn and Luke (twins!) came over to meet Libby. They are my mom's best friend's grandchildren and they are too cute. Libby is excited to meet other new friends recently born-including Ainsley Taylor and Seth Iliff (born just yesterday).

This is Libby loving here new chair! It is just her size. I think she feels like a really big girl in this chair, and she is getting to be pretty big. Last check we were around 15 pounds.

We have been in and out all week it seems. Last Saturday, Corey and I got to go with his family to Pittsburgh-we had some good food and went to a Pirates game. Libby got to hang out with my parents, so everyone was having fun. When we picked Libby up, we left for Charleston to celebrate my grandma's birthday. It was a whirlwind trip since Corey had to work the next day, but it was fun. Since then we have been home, and anxiously awaiting our Knoxville trip.

Another Party, Another "Campering" trip

Over the weekend, Libby had another birthday party-this one shared with her good friend Elliott. Elliot turns one on July 20. The party was for our friends and it was a lot of fun. The cake eating was hilarious. Elliott ate longer, but he got off to a rocky start. Libby dug right in!

We also celebrated the end of Corey's clinical by going to Summersville to visit Mamaw, Aunt Deb and Uncle John. Corey's parents were also there-so quite the crowd! Libby got to play in the water in her turtle boat-which she loved! But it was really hot during the day-and like her mother, Libby does not like to be hot, so we went shopping. We decked Libby out in her "Auntie's Shopping Buddy" shirt and went to Wal-Mart. She got some camping clothes (including a pink flamingo skirt) and a fun chair that she likes to sit in. Overall it was a good trip, but Libby didn't sleep very well so we came home a little early.
This is Libby splashing water in her face-she loved doing it. It was really cute.


Lots of floating was done by both Pappy and Daddy. It was perfect weather for it.

Libby is doing wonderfully! She is growing (a lot now that she gets to eat real food) and changing everyday. It's a real treat to watch her grow up.

New pictures

I had some pictures that I took of Libby's first spaghetti experience and some more from her party that I wanted to share, so this is a bit of a hodge-podge, but enjoy.
Kerri got Libby a frame that says "Aunt-like mom only cooler", so this picture will be in it soon.
I thought this was a good picture of our spread. It was a lot of fun


We've had a fun week-on Wednesday, Libby, Corey and I visited the NICU to take the nurses some goodies. It was really fun to have them see Libby and how far she has come since her NICU days. We're getting ready to have another birthday party today-this one with Elliott! So look for those pictures to follow!

Here is the birthday girl looking adorable as usual. What a CUTIE!



Libby celebrates her first birthday tomorrow, but we had one of her parties on Sunday. Both sides of the family came in to celebrate the miracle baby turning one! It was so much fun and she was so good. There wasn't a major theme (just polka dots like always), but there was good food and lots of laughing. Last year we were so glad to have a healthy albeit small baby, and now it is so wonderful to see how she has grown. Enjoy the pictures!!

This is Libby pre-cake. She actually didn't get too messy.

Libby with her cake! She was reluctant to eat it at first, but after that first bite...

She wasn't so reluctant anymore!

Libby in the midst of presents.

Libby opening one of her many presents. She was enthralled with the paper for about 2 seconds and then played with the ribbon while I opened the rest.

Claire got Libby the cutest party hat and Libby ate it-that's her way of saying she likes it!

Libby waving "Hi"-or is she saying "No more pictures" ? I love that she is surrounded by tissue paper. She received SO many awesome presents.

The party spread was lovely. I hope Libby likes polka dots as much as I do!

Libby eating her cantaloupe. She's a lover of all things fruit. Watermelon being a particular favorite.

Standing Small

Libby standing all on her own. Her legs still aren't straight, but she is determined.
Her reward for standing was getting to play with the lens cap to the camera. Whatever makes 'em happy!


Libby can stand up all on her own. She still needs help positioning her feet, and she only stays for a minute or less, but she is doing it. We had a doctor's appointment last week and she weighs 14.5 pounds. She is growing! And now she eats real food-which means I have to really cook!

Also, our friends in Tennessee (the Taylors) had their little one a little early. Ainsley Reese was born July 1 at 4 pounds 13 ounces. She is doing well, and hopefully will go home soon. Their blog is linked on the right so go see really cute pics.

Finally, as we near Libby's first birthday, I hope all of you who see this still know that she wouldn't be here without your prayers.