St. Paddy's Day

Auntie Robin (& Uncle Jeff & the Temple Basketball team) had to fly back to Philly on Saturday morning. Since AK had had a pretty fretful night after the game (I think she was just as upset as everyone else at the Owl's early exit from the Tournament!), we decided to head back to Atlanta a day early. We did stop off at the Country Music Hall of Fame before we hit the road - AK really liked all the shiny things at the museum, but it was fairly crowded so we didn't linger.  She slept for three hours and screamed for one hour on the way home - could have been worse!

We made it home in time to watch the CATS win on Saturday night meaning that they will play in Atlanta on Friday - I can't wait!

Nashville

Our trip to Nashville didn't go quite as planned.  We had a great time hanging out with Auntie Robin & Uncle Jeff before the game, but Temple played a horrible game and was eliminated from the Tournament a little early.

Two of AK's favorite things - day drinking and TV - GREAT!

At long last, we returned to the scene of the cookie dough egg roll. Delicious.

AK started out the game in her pack (10pm EST)

It was VERY loud with all the cheering and the band and such...

It became clear she wasn't going to sleep, so she spent most of the first half hanging out with Auntie Robin

She finally fell asleep in my lap around halftime & slept through the devastation that was the second half

Meeting Uncle Jeff

We came to Nashville for the weekend to watch Temple play in the NCAA Tournament. Here is Anna Kate with Aunt Robin and Uncle Jeff.

Nashville or Bust

In just a few minutes we are headed to Nashville to cheer on Uncle Jeff and the Temple Owls. The game is at 9:50 eastern time tonight (yikes!) and is on TNT - be sure to tune in. Go Owls!

Helllloooo

Assorted Cuteness

Saturday

Yesterday was a big day for the Lawder-Freeman household.  In addition to the walk we took using the big-girl stroller for the first time, we also cheered the Cats to victory in the semi-finals of the SEC Championship tournament and set up the outside swing that AK got for Christmas.

AK was fairly neutral on the swing, but we think she'll grow to like it.

New Modes of Transportation

Now that she is over 15 lbs and able to sit up by herself pretty well, we were able to try out a few new modes of transportation.  In addition to the Beco we have fitted to Mommy, Daddy can now get in on the action with his Boba.  Fun!

We also tried out our new (to us) umbrella stroller yesterday for a long walk on the Alpharetta Greenway - AK seemed to like it (she slept for most of the walk).

Restaurants

AK loves going to restaurants with us - she is really well behaved and loves to observe all the action.  We know this phase won't last forever, but we are taking advantage of it while we can.

AK's first trip to Waffle House:

Trying a new Indian Restaurant:

Spa

Although she seems to be over it now (FINALLY!), for the last few months AK has had a cough that wouldn't go away so Dr. Wilburn suggested that we do some steam treatments where we let her sit in the bathroom breathing in steam from a hot shower for 10 minutes a day.  Both Daddy and AK really enjoyed their trips to the Baby Spa!

DUMC

Since "school" was closed and Mimi was busy, AK stayed at the nursery at Ben's Dad's church on Wednesday and Thursday last week.  She was a huge hit - everyone there loved her and she was very well behaved.  Even though they were supposed to close at 2pm, they kept calling to say that could keep her longer - the last time they called they said they could take her until 9:30pm!  We did eventually pick her up...

Sleeping

We've been trying to get AK to sleep in her crib instead of her swing.  Although these pictures are from her Pack 'n Play, she is sleeping all night in her crib in her room now.  She wakes up once or twice a night in her crib rather than not at all or once in her swing, but she can't sleep in her swing forever (right?), so we had to do it!  She loves to sleep with her arms over her head which I think is adorable!

Mimi comes to babysit

Anna Kate's "school" (daycare) is closed this week for spring break so Mimi (Ben's mom) offered to stay with her yesterday and today. Anna Kate had a blast! Thanks Mimi!

Traveling Grandparents

Messages to Pop Pop in Uganda and Neni and Pops in Italy!