3/4 of a year!!

Our sweet little Rhodes is 9 months old and full of life! Growing like a weed, moving ALL over the place, standing up, eating new foods, chasing her sister and full of smiles, giggles and thighs to love on! :) She is literally into everything and I realize I say that to her all the time b/c I will hear Ali chasing after her saying "Rhodes, you are into everything!" - too cute. I put her on the ground and she speed crawls towards the outlets, or towards some dirt on the ground (to put in her mouth) or just towards whatever her sister is doing! She feels our life with laughter listening to her sweet chuckles when you tickle a roll on her thigh or her neck or listening to her blowing raspberries or just saying "Ma ma ma" or "da da da" or "na na na", etc. She is pulling up on everything and has endured some head bumps b/c of it (and even a falling off the bed incident - I think it scared her Mama more than her, though!!) She is over baby food and will literally eat any kind of "real" food we put in front of her - which makes mealtime a lot easier! Practically on her 9 month birthday, her first tooth started to make it's way - one of her front ones, on the bottom. (The exact same time big sis, Ali, got her first tooth) Hopefully, we will be able to try more and more foods once the teeth start coming. She has finally started to really sleep through the night. I realize that she is now 9 months old and we have gone in and out of sleeping through the night for awhile (but had been bad and bringing her back to our bed a lot when she wakes up - so she will just go right back to sleep) but last week, she finally started sleeping through the night, in her crib! Hallelujah! She is a true little angel and we love her so very much!

How can these sweet smiles not bring a smile to your face? (As you can see, she is wearing a hand-me-down, but I coudn't resist trying it on her b/c it was one of my favorites of Ali's. Just so happened that she was wearing it when I decided to take her 9 month pictures!)

Happy 9 months sweet Rhodeso! I hope these next 3 go by in slow motion - we love you baby girl!

Happy 4th of July!

We had such a fun Fourth of July weekend - but, I have realized that Fourth of July with children = lots of fun things to do and lots of tired children! (and parents!!) Our weekend was full of activity, but the only pictures I got were from our actual 4th of July and the Marietta parade. We walked in the parade with my dad and it was a lot of fun. Rhodes was passed out in the stroller for most of the parade and Ali was a little grumpy (may be more fun for her in years to come!), but we still had fun. We went straight from the parade to a cookout at our bank with friends, to naps, to pooltime with more friends, to fireworks at another friend's house! We had to skip a few stops we were supposed to make due to naps, etc - only so much you can do in one day! And, boy, did the Patrick crew sleep well last night!!

Here are some pictures from the parade:

Ali, gearing up for the parade, sitting by Hadley

Ryan ran in the Peachtree and then made it back for the parade! He is my dad's campaign manager and worked hard on getting everything ready for the parade and I wasn't 100% sure he would make it back for the parade, but sure enough he did - before our float even got moving!
Our sweet friend Ella Kate - sporting a Tumlin shirt.
Our girls...ready for the parade!

Ali walked a little bit, got on the hayride with the other kids for a little bit, was held by a few different people and rode in the stroller. Wasn't quite sure what to think about the parade!
Towards the end of the parade.... Rhodes is sound asleep and Ali was not so happy. (Walking in a parade can take a lot out of a 2 year old!!)
Happy now at the cookout at NorthWest Bank - with her friend Little Mimi!
Dance moves with Little Mimi
They loved the balloons.... I think we were the last ones left at the picnic at this point.
The only other picture I got - about 10:00 last night - leaving the Bullington's after the fireworks. The girls were so tired!! (Rhodes is already in her pjs!) Ali was not so sure about the fireworks this year, while tired Rhodes just sat back and watched. I'm pretty sure she did not fuss one time yesterday - even though she was lugged from one thing to the next! She really is our little trooper!! Ali did great too - but the fireworks scared her a little!! As soon as they started, she covered her ears and clung on tight to me telling me she wanted to go home - but, as soon as they ended and she knew she could relax without the loud noises, she immediately turned to me and said "Mama, that was amazing!!"
Happy 4th of July!!

Summer sisters

Two peas in a pod playing together....

If only I could get them both to smile for the camera (and look at the camera) at the same time!

I love this one b/c it is Rhodes' constant face at our house - admiring/checking out what Big sis is doing....

We had a fun week this week - Ali went to her first camp! It was a little nursery camp at our church, Tuesday-Friday from 9-12. Ali loved going and seeing all of her little friends every day and Rhodes and I had fun getting a little one on one time (I feel so guilty b/c we never get it) and running errands just the two of us.

I am having so much fun these days watching these two play together and laugh together. Rhodes literally laughs any time Ali pays attention to her. It is the sweetest thing. Now that Rhodes is a crawling machine and loves to pull up, I am really starting to see their personalities come out together and it reminds me of how my mom used to talk about how I would terrorize Ty growing up. Ali is definitely the Miss Priss and likes to be the center of attention and Rhodes is Miss laid back/instigator and she completely adores her big sister! If ever I say, "Oh look at Rhodes, she's crying/clapping/fell down/fill in the blank", Ali will immediately respond "Look Mom, I'm crying/clapping/fell down/etc, too!". All of a sudden, Ali prefers to play with Rhodes' toys over hers and will happily push Rhodes to the side so she can play with them. (although she would never want to hurt her sister) Rhodes, in turn, cracks up as Ali gives her a little nudge, elbow, pushes her over, etc. (as I see it all go down and jump up to help Rhodes, only to catch her cracking up as she gets tossed around instead of crying!) Rhodes now also loves to play with anything and everything her sister touches and it drives Ali crazy! I hear Ali going "No, Rhodes!" or "Mama, Rhodes is playing with MY toy !!" from the other room as she tries to play with something Ali is playing with, and again, Rhodes cackles!! Little instigator. These are just funny little things, but they are also so very sweet to eachother. If Ali starts crying or gets her feelings hurt about something, Rhodes will start to cry too for her sister and immediately stop when Ali does. Melts my heart. If Rhodes wakes up from a nap and starts to cry in her crib, I sometimes find out she is awake b/c Ali will say "Mama, I need to go check on Rhodes" as she runs into her room. These are precious little moments and I am loving watching their little relationship form as they play together. I love these two for their opposite personalities and their sweet demeanors. Ali told me today, as she drank her milk "to make her bigger" that I also need to drink milk to get bigger b/c I was WAY too little. Way to win over points with your Mama, Ali! I pray that these two will grow up to be the best of friends and always love, protect, care and want to be with eachother as much as they do today!!

PJ sisters playing with Rhodes' new favorite toy - and Ali's too! (as long as Rhodes wants to play with it, that is!) Rhodes loves to stand now using her very muscular thighs!

First day of camp for our big girl!

Rhodes getting to play with her toy all alone for a little bit!

Happy Friday!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all of the Dads in our lives!! Ali and Rhodes love their daddy with all their heart and think he is the greatest daddy in the whole wide world! (Reminds me of how much I love my own dad and am grateful for him!!) Thank you daddy for all of your hugs, love, silliness and fun we have with you!! We knew from day one that you were the best dad we could ever ask for!

Ryan becoming a Dad - holding brand new baby Ali 11/8/06
Being silly with newborn Ali

Becoming a father of two - with brand new baby Rhodes 10/2/08
Bonding with newborn baby Rhodes
Our first picture of Ryan with both of his baby girls!

We love you, Ryan!! Happy 3rd Father's Day!

Feeling hot, hot, hot!

Man, it is hot out there! And, it's not even officially summer yet!! There will probably be a lot of pictures like these the next few months.... We are LOVING the pool and there every chance we get!!

Ali ready to hit the pool!

Rhodes and Papa relaxing in the pool - she LOVES splashing in the water!

I had to get a picture of this little bit pulling up and ready for a bath! Love her!

Fun with friends!

I love these pictures above!! Three little amigos! Our little family feels so blessed for Ali & Rhodes to have such fun little friends since zero, but even more blessed that we love their whole families. It is always such a treat to get together with close friends like the Holles & Tidwells - we not only always have fun hanging out with their parents, but the kids love being together, wear eachother out and play so well together! (and give their parents lots of time to talk as they entertain eachother!) We are so grateful for such fun friends!!!

I have been bad about taking pictures of anything lately so had my camera out finally last night to catch some pictures of everyone....


The daddies and their littlest babies. We can't wait for baby Brittain to get here to even out the group!
Rhodes and her friend, Beau!

These three...
Ali and Bennett in deep conversation

Mayor-etta

It's official! My dad is running for Mayor. Let the campaigning begin! I feel like I have heard my dad talk about his desire/dream to run for mayor for as long as I can remember and we are so excited for him. His love for the city of Marietta is strong and (if elected) I know he will serve the city well - we are so proud of him & behind him 100%!

http://www.mdjonline.com/content/index/showcontentitem/area/1/section/15/item/134829.html

My girls

I love these two little girls with all my heart!

Having fun playing in the kitchen - Ali is telling me which box I need to get in here. (notice she has already put Rhodes in her designated box (lid - or as Ali calls it "lib) behind her.)

Big blue eyes!
Sweet girls in a box - who knew how much fun a few boxes could be!


Hey sister!
Sweet Ali
A shot of all 3 babies... (Baxter sneaking in the background)