A lot has happened in the two months since I lasted posted to our blog. At the end of May, we welcomed baby Robbie into our family (Brian & Jen's newest addition). Daniel worked at Bonnaroo again this year selling ice, so Mom and I went up to visit Brian, Jen, and the kids in SC.

Here is Gram Gram amongst all her grandchildren at the peach farm. You know she's in heaven! Unfortunately, we couldn't get a picture with everyone looking up, but the peaches sure were delicious!

Lacey and Ellie are such good big sisters. Kate has a blast just watching them frolic and twirl in their skirts. We are very excited that they will be moving closer to us later this year.

Kate has started crawling in the last couple of weeks and simultaneously been cutting her bottom two front teeth. One tooth has broken through and is very sharp. I know because she bit my back the other day. She loves fruit, especially apples, watermelon, and peaches.

We also had VBS at our church at the end of June. I taught the 2 & 3 year-old children, which was truly a learning experience for me. The theme was "Rounding up Riders for God." Here is Kate decked out in her cowgirl regalia.

Kate doesn't like to read her books as much as she likes to read mine. Here Kate is "reading" an Agatha Christie mystery. I am currently devouring Christie's books in between studying for my exam.

We have been very busy these last few months, but God is truly blessing our family and for this we thank Him.

My First Mother's Day

This past Sunday I celebrated my first Mother's Day as a mommy. On Saturday, I was pleasantly surprised with beautiful daisies from Mom and Dad. Then on Sunday, Daniel did an excellent job making the day extra special for me, taking me out for lunch at the restaurant of my choice, Moe's. Then, we went to Books-A-Million where he let me pick out a book: I chose Flaubert's Madame Bovary, a classic I still have not read. Finally, after shaking down the Triple Lindy burrito with some walking around, he treated me to icecream at Baskin' Robbins. And if the day wasn't perfect already, Kate took a nice long 3-hour nap, and I had some time to read.

I feel very blessed to have such a wonderful husband and daughter.

I'm 6 months old!!

It is hard to believe that our little Kate is already six months old! Yes, I can still vividly remember the day she was born and how little she was. She is getting so big! She is now 14 lbs. 11 oz. and 26.5 in. long.

Here's Kate modeling her OshKosh overalls. We think she's a little doll!

Kate is starting to dabble with food. We've tried rice cereal, applesauce, sweet potatoes, and bananas, but she really seems to prefer to pick up the foods herself. Here she is eating (and spitting out) her yummy rice cereal. I totally don't blame her for not liking that stuff!




This week we have started something new: baby-led weaning. Basically, I offer Kate a variety of finger foods rather than pureeing veggies and fruits or stirring up rice cereal and water, which she doesn't seem to like, and expose her to different foods that she can hold in her hands. She doesn't eat them yet but feels their textures and kind of sucks on them. I'll let you know how it works!

Mayes Family Vacation

We have just recently returned from a wonderful trip with our family in Young Harris, Georgia. As I was telling Daniel the other night during our reminiscences of the trip, I accomplished everything I wanted: I ate a lot of really good food, I hiked up the highest point in Georgia--Brasstown Bald, I rested and relaxed, and I spent some great quality time with my family.

Kate had a great time with her cousins, Lacey and Ellie, especially looking at books.

Brian's birthday was Saturday, so of course Mom had made him a birthday cake, which we devoured.

Now that we are home, Daniel and I are once again on our diet. Because we had been doing a fair job of eating a gluten- and dairy-free diet, the indulgence in these foods really hurt!

A Visit to Granny & Pop Pop's

On Sunday we went up to Bon Aqua to visit Daniel's grandparents.

Kate loved bouncing on Pop Pop's knee . . .


and was all grins in Granny's arms!

We had such a great time and hope to see Granny and Pop Pop again soon! We love you!!!

Some thoughts...

Today, Kate and I went down to visit Gram Gram, Papa, and Mema Garner while Daddy went to work on his Granny's new house and shoot skeet with some buddies. Gram Gram has rocked Kate to sleep, and I have the unusual luxury of time to myself to read and write, my two favorite pastimes.

Life as a new mom is challenging, adventurous, and fun! Each day brings with it exciting new discoveries. One challenge for me is having to learn to be flexible in my plans. I may want to go for a walk at the park, but Kate may need to take an extra long nap instead. My house is usually a mess, but it's either clean or play with Kate and I know which I would rather do. That isn't to say I don't ever do any housework. Each morning I make a list of my goals for the day (i.e., household chores, errands, dinner plans) and highlight or star those goals that I really need to accomplish that day, knowing that the others may have to wait until the next day or the next. But Kate and I have to get out of the house and go somewhere everyday even if it's just to the park to walk. We cannot be cooped up in a house all day!

When I think about where I was and what I was doing a year ago, even two years ago, I am amazed at how completely my life has changed in such a short period of time. Last April I was three months pregnant and finishing my third semester of doctoral work at MTSU. Two years ago Daniel and I were preparing for our wedding day and looking forward to traveling in Europe on our honeymoon. Time flies! Now I think about where we as a family will be and what we will be doing next year at this time, and I am excited at the possibilities because they are so many. God has truly blessed us!