Our Little Reindeer

We've had a busy week. We visited Webster Springs (Corey's mamaw and aunt and uncle) on Tuesday and Wednesday. Libby is always spoiled, but it is SUPER spoiled when we are in a 10 foot radius of Debbie and John. We got there and Debbie had bought her reindeer antlers (which Libby loved to shake) and little bunny slippers. Libby hadn't seen Deb and John and Mamaw for awhile, but she fell in love right away. While Debbie cooked, Libby "made" Cheerios in her pot. She put them in the pot and stirred them with a wooden spoon-occasionally stopping to sample her hard work!
We came back up to celebrate Thanksgiving with the rest of Corey's family - and my mom. It was a really fun day. Libby got an adorable set of miniature Peter Rabbit books from her Aunt Missy-the running joke is that you need a magnifying glass to even think about reading them to Libby. Libby loved all the food-especially sweet potatoes. She played so hard, making new friends with Corey's cousin Britney. Overall it was a really great day! And we are SO blessed.

16 months and I'm still surprised

Libby hanging out around 4:00 AM; I love how she holds her cup with her foot!

Well Libby turned 16 months old yesterday and she celebrated by being up from 2-4:30 this morning. We tried to get her back to sleep, but she wouldn't cooperate, and Corey and I aren't of the "let-them-cry-for-a-long-time" faction. We let her cry for 10-15 minutes, but that's it. So around 3, I brought her downstairs and she played for a good hour and a half. It just goes to show that you never really have a handle on this parenting thing. Just as soon as I think we are in a schedule, Libby decides to go off of it. Just when I think I know what she likes to eat, she spits out cheese (her favorite thing).

But she has done other surprisingly wonderful things too. The other day she crawled over to me with arms wide and gave me a hug-complete with the "aah" sound she makes when she hugs her babies. She has also defied the odds again. We went to the orthopedic surgeon last week and he was so surprised that she is able to cruise around the furniture. He still thinks she will probably need surgery on her right knee, but we are trying some new braces first. She gets fitted for those next week. She's a trooper!

Our Beautiful new Niece

Corey and I left Libby with her Meme and Pappy on Friday and headed down to Charleston to see Sami. Oh my goodness! She is such a cutie; she never cried! We did the Charleston rounds-Casey and Grandma this time. It was nice to sleep at Grandma's without the screaming child Libby can be in strange places.Claire and her "baby"

In other news, Libby is saying more words. It sounds like she says "up" and "play". She hasn't quite adjusted to the time change (thus a post at 7 AM), but I have full confidence that we can get through this too.

She went to the doctor on Friday and she is 17 pounds - slow and steady wins the race right? We go to ortho on Wednesday, so I'll let everyone know how that goes. I'm taking our physical therapist so she can ask better questions than I do.

Samantha Vanderbilt Beachy and other weekend highlights

The baby has a name! Samantha. This name was not even in the running, but Casey has a way of surprising everyone. She is adorable and Casey is recovering well.

The week has been an eventful one for us as well. Wednesday brought Libby's annual review with Birth-To-Three (the program that provides her physical therapy etc). Amazingly enough, Libby has caught up so quickly that we had to say good-bye to her Occupational Therapist Yvonne. Libby is not significantly delayed in fine motor or cognitive abilities. We still see her physical therapist Heather and her developmental specialist Jenny.

We had some good food and friends over on Saturday for Mountaineer Football and it was great. Libby and Elliott rediscovered the bouncy seat and they wanted to sit together. It was so cute! The kids played so hard all day, that it was hard to keep Libby up past 6:00 pm.

Finally, Sunday brought about Libby's dedication. It was our chance to make public what has always been in our hearts-that Libby is the Lord's. And we are going to do our best to raise her the way that He would want. Everything went smoothly and afterwards, we had a nice lunch at Meme and Pappy's!

The-Baby-Who-Has-Not-Yet-Been-Named

My sister Casey is the only person I know who cannot decide on a baby name. She has a heart that really wants to pick the best name for the child-and a couple of sisters who make said choices very difficult.

That said, the little unnamed baby was born this evening weighing in at 7 pounds 2 ounces. She is beautiful so I hear (unfortunately I am not with her!). She has a lot of peach fuzz (If you have seen Casey's head of hair this is no surprise). And I will update with the name as soon as Casey makes a final verdict.

She had to have a C-section which was not her first choice, and only just got to hold little no name a little bit ago. Baby and mom are both doing well!

Figuring out video

I'm taking more video of Libby and as soon as I figure out how, I will post it! For now pictures will have to do. This one is her new "O" face! It is hard to capture because she does it so quickly. She's moving great along the furniture now. She's not straight, but she is determined to walk.

We are all doing great. Corey is home more now that he is done with clinicals leaving us time to hang out - also time to go visit Skylar Addison Mercer (born Oct 22). Congrats Dirk and Jules.

We had a great weekend-Libby was with her Meme and Pappy while Corey and I hung out with Scott and his boss Jim. We all went to the game on Saturday-it was a lot of fun. Saturday night we got to celebrate the return of our friends Curt and Lindsay who have been out west all year. They are only back for a month and then they are on a new adventure to Alaska!

Charleston

Our weekend in Charleston was crazy, but a lot of fun for Libby. She adores her cousin Claire, and they played hard all weekend long. Libby also got to see her Gigi Fontalbert and their dog Abbey-and Libby was smitten with the dog (those pictures whenever my grandpa gets them developed).

We spent the majority of the weekend with Libby's Aunt Casey, Uncle Tom, Aunt Kerri and Uncle Will. Libby will soon have another cousin to love (I will let everyone know the name as soon as Casey PICKS ONE). Baby Beachy is due in early November.

Libby and her friends, her teeth etc.

Libby has been having s good week so far. She took some steps around the furniture yesterday! That is HUGE in her life. It is the first step toward walking on her own, and it is stretching her hamstrings, and other muscles. I attribute a lot of her progress to her friend Elliott. He is teaching her all kinds of things, like how to drink out of a cup, how to scream at the top of her lungs. You know cool stuff like that!

Also, Casey (and the baby-who-has-not-been-named), Tommy and Claire came up this weekend, so Libby got a chance to play with Claire. She said "Hi" a hundred times and waved and waved to Claire. It was so cute to see how attached she is. Unfortunately, she is also teething again-which now translates into less sleep, more drool and tantrums. Lots of fun for mommy!

We're looking forward to this weekend when we go to Charleston to pay everyone down there a visit (including Grandma Fontalbert who hasn't seen Libby for a few months!)

Libby's loving the cooler weather

Libby and I have been somewhat busy this week. She had a playdate with Pappy on Friday and we spent Saturday at the Farmer's Market and at grandma and grandpa's house. But this morning she was up early. And due to the cold temperatures last night, I turned the heat on. Libby already loves the vent, and she really likes the warm air that comes out. She'll sit on it or put her face over it and her hair goes all over the place ( I finally cut the front!). She's getting cuter and cuter by the hour.

In other news, a woman called last week and asked Corey, Libby and I to come to WVAQ and tape out story about Libby for the radiothon that the Children's Miracle Network does in November. I don't know for sure that they will use it, but we think it is a great opportunity to share God's grace with other people. He has been so good.

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.