Good-Bye Old Friend

Yesterday was a big day in the Milam house. We had a good-bye ceremony for the nah nahs (pacifiers) and she threw them all in the trash. I have been dreading this day for months because MB loves the nah nah better than anything else in this world. She talks about it all the time and would ask for it whenever we mentioned a nap or riding in the car. It has been our saving grace in many sticky situations and has soothed her better than anything else. Lately, she has been driving us crazy wanting it more often so we decided it was time to give it up. I was really worried that she was going to have melt down after melt down and wondered how she would ever ride in the car or sleep in peace again. Well, the little lady has surprised us and has done really well. She asked for it once before her nap yesterday and we reminded her of the speech she heard at the start of the trashing ceremony that since she is a big girl now, she doesn't need the nah nah anymore. Those are only for babies and we reminded her that she had thrown them in the trash that morning. She asked for it a few more times yesterday but never cried or pitched a fit over it. We are still amazed at how well she is handling it and extremely thankful that it has gone as well as it has. I have been really sad because I feel like she truly is growing up and is no longer a baby. I am not in a rush for her to grow up which probably is why I haven't made her give up the nah nah before now. I want to let her be a little girl for as long as possible. To reward her big girl transformation, we finger painted for the first time. But don't worry, the paint was clear and only shows up on the special paper so I haven't completely lost my mind. She loved it!

The nah nahs in all their glory. We have loved you but it is time to say good-bye.

The procession to the trash can begins.

Three of five going in. I later pulled them out and washed them just in case we needed them (I'm a chicken, I know) but it looks like it is safe to put them up for good.

Enjoying the reward and her first introduction to finger painting.

I hope the paints are safe for kids to eat...

She seems okay to me!

Not too happy about modeling the apron that I made for her. Well, I didn't make the entire apron but I sewed on the M to jazz it up.

Finished masterpiece

New Yankee Workshop vs. Young Southern Garage

Eat your heart out Norm Abrams, you have nothing on Dan Milam!

A few months ago Dan decided he wanted to build a chest since he has not attempted that in the past. A few months later....tah dah! A new piece of furniture! I think it is going to be the new baby's chest and diaper changing station. My pictures do not do the chest justice so you will have to come over and see it for yourself. Love it!

Notice the dove tailed drawer corners, extra points for character and technical difficulty.

It will be perfect for the little fella!

It's a......

BOY!!! Are y'all as shocked as we are? We are soooooo excited to be having a little fella!!! MB is going to be a great big sister but she has no clue how her world is going to change. It's still sinking in that we are pregnant and having this news definitely is going to help make it more real. We couldn't be happier! The best news is that he is growing really well (as am I) and all of his stats look great. I am sixteen weeks and am enjoying checking each week off as the days are flying by. Our pediatrician is awesome and we are so thankful he offered to do an early ultrasound so we didn't have to wait until I was twenty weeks. So fun! We do not have a name finalized but I'm sure we will be sharing once we have one picked out. Until then, I will continue to share stories of the little lady. She needs to enjoy the spotlight as much as she can before the little fella arrives!

She doesn't like to have her picture taken but if we insist, she prefers the squat pose....

Breaking all the rules and getting down

It's just too bad we can't have any fun around here. These are some of our favorite videos from the past few months.


Water was everywhere but it was worth it!


It's never too early to start bad habits. Especially in how to eat soup, aka "poop".


We have a climber on our hands and this is how she prefers to climb into her high chair.



Getting down with Baby Einstein. I'm afraid she may have the Saunders' rhythm.

Do you hear what I hear?

Dear birds, please fly by my house and sing your most beautiful songs. Our little lady loves listening to you and her expressions and gestures absolutely crack us up. As soon as she hears you, she points to her ears and has the combination of wonder, concern and awe in the expression on her face. We have no idea where she got this from but it is funny to us. Thank you.

Can y'all hear it?

Seriously, is it coming from over there?

Or maybe back there?

I'm listening twice as hard now.

My two loves enjoying the beautiful weather and all of the birds singing.

Such a happy little lady!

Holy Hairdo

The best thing about having bed head is that it means that you have hair!!! This is very exciting and something we have been waiting for months to experience. Her hair is still slow to grow on the top buy my dream of pigtails by the age of five is looking promising!

A little groggy from the nap but the hair is looking great.

Showing me a close up of the beautiful locks standing straight up.

Mom, make sure you get a picture of the fullness in the back.

She can't wait to see how cute she looks.

When the cat's away...

I spent a week in December and all of last week working in my firm's office in DC (my old stomping grounds). As a result, MB had the great pleasure of going to south Georgia to visit the Saunders side of the family! My mom is great about sending us daily emails from MB's perspective on life and lots of videos and pictures. Here are a few of my favorites with some of the emails that we received. I work really long hours when I am there so I always look forward to hearing what MB has been up to without us. I hate to say it but she doesn't seem to miss us too much.

From December:


I look sweet today sitting in my chair holding my new friend, Bear. I found it in my room and like it a lot. I am wondering if I can sneak it in my bag and bring it home with me.

It looks like Maga is letting me smoke cigars last night but they are really fat pretzels with candy on the end. Yum, Yum!

Maga got upset with me awhile ago. She had just downloaded these pictures and was writing a note to y'all, when I found an interesting blue button on the computer. I had to push it! How was I to know it would turn off the computer and she would have to start all over again???

I finally got someone brave enough to ride the horse!

Boy, Mom and Dad, this was fun. Maga let me help her bake cookies. I was pretty good at rolling and great at sprinkling. I was busy choosing the right cookie cutter and even found a couple to wear as bracelets! We baked the cookies and they were good. (I hope Sadie doesn't mind that I wore her apron. Mine is at home!)
I am having fun!

From last week:

Last night was so much fun. Maga and granddaddy had a super bowl party...just the 3 of us! Maga put out some dips and chips and boy were they good. They didn't want me to try the one with the salsa but I loved the onion dip. I ate lots of dip and even a few chips.

Today was great! After breakfast Maga thought she would try and paint my toenails. I was mesmerized and let her do it. I am trying to get used to how they look. I could hardly enjoy my bath for looking at them. Every time I see my feet I just stare. I am hoping you will think they are pretty!

Oh Mary Beth, you are such a joy and I'm glad that all four of your grandparents adore you and are always willing to pitch in and take care of you when your parents are pulled away for work (and sometimes some fun)! I love your pink toes and had to paint mine the same color as soon as I saw how cute yours were. You ooh and ahh ever time you see them. So fun! Thanks to Maga (my mom) for being a guest blogger even though I didn't ask for her permission. :-)