Green Bean Queen

Today me and my green bean queen washed, cut, blanched, and froze some green beans which will eventually be turned into some yummy pureed' green mush for the little lady. We've decided to use organic beans (and as many organic foods as possible for that matter) for Chesney and were able to get these from an organic farm in Milton. They look delicious but I honestly didn't try any. I think I was too overwhelmed by the mass of green taking over my kitchen.

We had 6 1/2 pounds of beans to process but thanks to some good napping and playtime, we were able to get it all finished. And we even managed to find some time to Skype with Grammy and Grampy.

Those are some fine looking green beans if I do say so myself!

About 3/4 of the way done washing and cutting the beans.

The official green bean queen (also know as "the helper" and "the beneficiary")
Keeping busy with her rattle.
The final result!

We are now ready to make pureed' baby food. I'm going to wait to make that for a few weeks as she won't start foods until late September. Then the mess begins!

5 Months Old

Chesney you have changed so much in the past month. You are so alert now and love to play. Your little personality is just so amazing! And it is very clear that you know who your mommy and daddy are!

Working on your sitting skills in your Bumbo seat!

Here is what you are up to at 5 months:

• Weight: 13 pounds 12 ounces (about 25th percentile)
  
• Length: 24.5 inches (about 25th percentile)
  
• Clothes: You are now wearing 3-6 months clothes. But, you went through a growth spurt last week and now your sleepers are starting to get short on you already.
  
• Shoes: Your newborn shoes are starting to get tight. We don't put shoes on you too often but when we do, you don't kick them off as much as you used to which is very nice!
  
• Diapers: size 2 but we recently switched you over to Bumgenius cloth diapers and you wear those most of the time.
  
• Food: You are eating both breast milk and formula and not nearly as much as you ate last month. You now eat more at a time (about 4-6 ounces) and can go longer between feeding (3-4 hours).
  
• Development: You are a very active little girl these days. You love to play under your gym. When you are under the gym, you grab and shake the toys hanging from it. You rolled from your front to back for the first time on August 21. But you would much rather get around by arching your back and pushing with your feet. And you love to put things in your mouth now, especially your fingers. My new favorite thing you do is laugh and giggle when I make faces at you..it is just to cute for words.
• Words: None 
• Sleep: You are such a great sleeper. You go to bed at about 8 every night and wake up between 6:30 and 7:00 am. You take a 1 to 1.5 hour nap in the morning and a couple 30 minute naps in the afternoon.
  
• Teeth: None yet
• What I love about you: You are so full of energy and just light up when you see me or daddy. You laugh out loud when I play peek-a-boo with you which I can't get enough of. I love snuggling with you and giving you hundreds of kisses a day. You are one amazing little girl!

That smile is just contagious!

My little peanut you have blessed our lives, and I can't imagine my life without you. You are so loved!

Going to the Chapel

We had such a blast this past weekend celebrating my sister's wedding! She was the most beautiful bride ever...I'm not biased, I just speak the truth!

We started the weekend festivities by decorating the reception hall for the majority of the day on Friday, and then hit the rehearsal and a good ole' rehearsal dinner. Chesney fell asleep at about 6:45pm during the rehearsal and didn't wake up until about 6:30 the next morning.

Wedding morning we headed out early to get our hair done.

The nervous bride before her up-do was finished.

Mandi already looks good at 8 am with her hair half done.

Brynna even had her hair curled and pulled back. A little Cinnamon Toast Crunch and chapstick kept her busy long enough to complete the look.

Almost there...wait for it, wait for it...

Getting her vail placed. We actually had to run to Wal-Mart after Kate had her hair fixed to get some sparkly clips for Brynna's hair. It was so embarrassing walking through the store with Kate in her vail. I told her "do you have to wear that thing every time we go shopping!"

Lacing up her dress. Chuck had to complete the knot at the end because it is tied like a neck tie, and he was the only one there with those skills.

Looking so beautiful and a little nervous.

A little pre-wedding snack. She worked this off or should I say sweat this off in about 30 seconds because it was so hot out!
Brynna had a shopping bag on as a bib to keep her dress clean.

My mommy and little princess ready for the wedding.

The ceremony was outside and was absolutely gorgeous. It was about 90 some degrees with the sun beating on us. But I loved every second of it. Sadly when you are in the wedding it is hard to get pictures of the wedding itself. Fluffing Kate's dress was more important than pictures. But my sister in law Kim caught a few good ones.

Awww

The area the wedding was held was beautiful!

I missed Kayla and Kyle's first dance because a certain little lady needed to be put to bed. Thankfully she slept all night, and the babysitters just had to watch TV. And luckily Chuck got some nice pictures of their first dance.

And then we danced the night away!

My niece Brynna danced to almost every song.Brynna after asking me where baby Chesney was (she was sleeping).

Tossing the garter. If you look close, a number of those guys are already married, but they decided to join in anyways.Bouquet toss. Notice the guys in this photo also.

And Kayla smoked Kyle in the dollar dance! It may have had something to do with the lady collecting the money (me)...I'm just saying.

Brynna's favorite person in the world, grampy.My aunt and cousins are the best! Love you guys!My brother was trying to show Brynna how to slow dance but she insisted on dancing fast all night.

What an amazing day. Thanks for having such a wonderful party for us to share in your special day! And Kyle always remember that Kayla is my baby sister so take her, love her forever, and take care of her for life!

Congratulations Kayla and Kyle! We love you so much!!!