Nordstrom in Bham?

Apparently, it's a possibility. And all about 7 minutes from my doorstep.

Culture, from the Christian's Perspective

John Piper has written an excellent, short article about a Christian's proper role in the "culture wars," to borrow one of O'Reilly's favorite cliches. He succinctly expresses how to be "in the world, but not of the world."

Pink Shoes

I put Hallie in these shoes for our Girls' Lunch with Gigi the other day. Aren't they cute?

Happy to Be Home Again

We are home, safe and sound. Hallie is resting in Heather's arms at the moment, and we are very thankful that she is doing well. We'll go back to the neurosurgeon on September 28th for a checkup, but he said that she has a linear fracture that will heal very quickly. He reiterated that there is no swelling or bleeding in her skull, and she will most likely be herself very shortly. Thank you for all your prayers!

Update on our Little One

Today was, to put it mildly, not a good day.

This afternoon, while walking outside to meet the Lowe's man who is installing our fence, I tripped up the stairs and fell. I was carrying Hallie at the time, and she too fell, hitting her head on the concrete outside our front door. The rest of the day included a trip to the pediatrician for a physical exam, a trip to Children's Hospital South for skull X-rays, a phone call telling us that Hallie has a small skull fracture, and a CT Scan and X-rays at Children's Hospital emergency room. Right now, at a little after midnight, I'm sitting in an exam room at Children's, where we're awaiting admission overnight. (The hospital is full, and it's looking like we may be spending the night in this very room, equipped with a smaller-than-a-twin bed and some chairs.)

But there is very, very good news to share. The radiologist says there is no swelling or bleeding inside our baby girl's skull. And a preliminary look reveals no other bodily fractures. We are so thankful for this.

We will meet with a neurosurgeon sometime tonight, and they're planning to keep us here for observation until tomorrow afternoon. But, for now, we are resting and feeling relieved at the CT results.

I want to thank all of you for your prayers. God is so good to us.

Play Ball!

Hallie in her Grumpy's cap

Sunday Clothes

We visited Covenant this week, and Hallie wore this adorable outfit.

Jelly Belly

Hallie's latest trick is pulling her dress over her face...a habit that we'll have to end at some point. :)

All Dressed Up

We visited Briarwood this weekend, and Hallie got to wear her cute dress from Nana. She tolerated her first nursery experience well (although I can't really say the same for her father, who spent the service waiting for her assigned number to pop up on the screen, signaling distress).

She's laughing at Jason in the last one--she thinks he's very funny.

An exhausting, wonderful week

A week ago today was Move In Day. As I sat at my kitchen table this morning, I looked around and marveled at the change in our house over the last week. And I particularly marveled at how little it has to do with us.

Since moving into our house, Jason and I have continually remarked that we are so very blessed. But not because of the house or anything in it. We are completely amazed by the willingness of our family members and our best friends to help us move, settle in, and adjust to our new surroundings.

I am grateful for my mother-in-law, who rearranged her schedule to rescue me from my anxiety and came to help me pack before the move. And, what's more, she came back to Alabama the very next week to move everything from Wetumpka to Hoover--and even painted some baseboards for us in the interim! I am grateful for my mom, who helped us paint several rooms before the move, and I'm in awe of her ability to decorate rooms well and quickly--she has unpacked more boxes than I have, I am quite sure. Without her help, I'd be looking at lots of blank walls like a deer in headlights.

I also have such generous grandparents. My Mama Pat spent an entire week taking care of Hallie (the MOST important job) and keeping all of us fed. My grandfather assembled Hallie's crib (no small job, if you could have seen all of the little pieces that came with it!), painted our bathroom himself, and served as the world's best chauffeur all week before the move.

Our fathers loaded everything that we own into a moving truck on one of the hottest days I can remember and then showed up bright and early the next day to help unload it all. Without our dads, we wouldn't have a working washer and dryer, any working tools, assembled beds, an assembled dining room table, a bedroom suite from Cookeville... (The list goes on indefinitely).

Heather has also been here to help paint and to provide entertainment for us during the day--I'm not sure who loves her company more: Hallie, Archie, or me. She and Gray also "helped" by adding graffiti to our soon-to-be-painted closet door.

All of this to say, we are so very thankful. We could never repay any of you--although we are certainly prepared to try if any of you move anytime soon! Meanwhile, please know that you have blessed us immeasurably. We love you.

Talking to Uncle Gray

Uncle Gray is hanging out with us today, and Hallie had lots to say to him this morning.

Nursery!

I am happy to report that we are moved in and are in the process of settling into our new home. And, after months of her changing table occupying the dining room and no real space to call her own, Hallie finally has a nursery! Yea!

Clean Bean

A baby fresh out of the bathtub and wrapped in a hooded towel is just irresistible.

Happy Anniversary!

Amid the craziness of the past week, my husband and I celebrated our third anniversary by eating our first child-free meal in almost three months! (Many thanks to the babysitters...)

Sleeping in Pat Pat's Arms

Mama Pat took care of Hallie while we packed yesterday. Don't they look content?

Pretty in Polka Dots

Moooo

I love these cow pajamas. :)

Incidentally, they're sized at 6 months--the 3 month pjs were too short for our tall girly!

Playing with Gigi

Hallie is learning to reach and grab for her toys! You can watch a short clip here.

(Some of you are thinking, "Wow. New parents get excited very easily." But I just can't tell you how much fun it is to watch her think and learn.)

Packing in Progress

We're getting ready for our big move!

Tummy Time!