Bittersweet Memories

This is one of Rylee's favorite "toys" now (thanks Jenn). She loves to sit up like a big girl!

Rylee and Poppaw

Mommy and Rylee at the beach

Nana, Rylee, Daddy, and Pappy

My grandpa passed away August 20th. This was the first and last time he got to see Rylee.

I have so many wonderful memories of my grandpa. . . I remember getting up w him on Saturday mornings to go to Hardees. Every Saturday morning he used to go to Hardees for breakfast and coffee w all the other old men. I would always tag along and he would buy me a cinnamon roll. I also remember frequent trips to the Dairy Queen for ice cream. All I had to do was say the words and off we went on another ice cream trip. Although every now and then I had to beg a little harder. . . hahaha! I can still hear him saying "Ah Les" when i would beg and beg. But of course he always gave in. I remember playing catch in the frontyard w him. There was a time when I lived w him and my grandma. During that time he would always drive me to school and be there when school let out to pick me up. I have so many fun memories of him. These were just a few of my favorite. I definitely owe him and my grandma alot. They are wonderful grandparents and have always been there for me when I needed them. And now as an adult w my own family I really look up to them. They were married for 61 years!! I still turn to my grandma at times for "marriage advice". Although she usually just laughs at me! Who better to give out advice than someone who has been married to the same person for 61 years.

Rylee is now 5mo!! I can't believe how time flies. She is definitely developing into her own little person already! She has already started solids and is now onto the 2nd stage of solids. Now this little girl knows how to eat! And don't think for one minute that she's cut back on her bottle. She eats just as much as she always has and now has added even more to her menu! She is sitting up w very little support and can even sit up unsupported for a couple of minutes. She's changing so much I just can't believe it. She no longers takes a bath in her "baby tub". We used to sit her tub in our bathtub and bathe her that way. Well about a month ago she decided she was too big for that tub bc it forced her to lay back. So now she bathes in the sink where she can sit up. Last night while I was bathing her she discovered the knob that turns the water on and off. She was so fascinated by this. It eventually made her mad though bc she couldn't figure out why it wasn't doing anything when she grabbed it. It didn't move, play music, or light up like all her other toys. So then she had a little fit. She balled up her hands into a fist and was smacking the water. Which in turn splashed out EVERYWHERE including all over me! She even knows her bottle now when she sees it. She got mad at me the other day bc it was time for her to eat and she was already fussin a bit so I went and made her bottle and when i walked in w it she stopped and her eyes got real big. Well i had to sit it down so that i could pick her up. Oh my goodness this made her so mad bc she saw me walk in w the bottle and then when i went to get her it was no longer in my hands!! She has developed quite a temper and is not afraid to show it!