Wade is a swimming fool!
It started with some group lessons back in March. At that point he refused to wear his flotation "backpack" and would climb out of the pool during the lesson. We got kicked out and had to find a smaller class that could handle his "independence". Eventually over the 10 week class he learned to love his backpack and quickly got better and better.
It's also helped that Poppa and Dede have had their pool heated since April and we've spent A LOT of time there swimming. Now lovely friends, family, or sitters have kept him busy at the pool at least once (and sometimes twice) a day.
He's down to 2 out of 4 floats on his back pack and is so close to being able swim on his own. He kicks and swims, comes up for air....but forgets to open his mouth and breath. Oh so close!
He's finally conquered his fear of the big diving board at Atlanta Country Club and now won't do anything else!
Then we just got the kids together for a visit. I've never seen 2 babies so close in age, look so different. Tripp is long and lean like his parents, while Bree is....pleasantly plump. It's like putting a butterball turkey next to a slim jim. 
It's time for our baby girl's first monthly update!!! WOW!
We're still settling in and getting to know this sweet child. Her eyes are open more hours of the day and she's definitely "waking up" a little more. For the most part she's still very easy going, but she does have her crying spells and gassy evenings that make for some stressful times. I've found myself Googling things like "gassy baby remedies" and "reflux" at 3:00 in the morning just wondering what might help her. I have determined that there is a perfect amount of milk for her to drink/eat while breastfeeding or from a bottle, and if you go over that amount...it's just coming right back at you. 
Breastfeeding is finally going great!!! She can nurse on one side for 15 minutes and then be done. Do have any idea how much better that is (for me)? No screaming battle of wills to get each feeding started...I don't dread her hungry cries and look at the clock in despair...We're much more mobile and are getting better at nursing out of the house without our array of pillows...If I have to interrupt her eating when Wade tries to jump on us, she can actually get back on and continue eating! WHAT A RELIEF! I owe our breastfeeding success to the help of my mom. If she hadn't been so patient with me and her granddaughter, we never would've made it. I was able to take all my frustration out on her instead of Bree, and just kept trying and trying. THANKS NONNA!
We're still very much in a divide and conquer mode. Beau entertains Wade while I care for Bree. This picture is the exception I guess. I haven't been able to swim until now, so it made it hard for me to spend time with Wade (considering he's a complete fish and that's all he wants to do). But now I'm back in business and can get a little more one on one time with my boy too!
We owe our sanity to our amazing family and friends (not to mention some lovely hired help!) that have brought us meals, loved on Bree, and taken care of Wade. I don't pretend to do it all myself and I'm EVER SO GRATEFUL to everyone. 
Aunt Sheesha spent the night for some special one on one time with her neice
The Showalter girls with their new playmate
Beau plays in two softball leagues (that's right, 2) and sometimes if the games are early enough Wade gets to go watch his hero play. He's gotten more and more excited every week and now he talks about "Daddy's Softball Game" all week long. It truly is such a treat for him. Oh yeah, and I think Beau enjoys it too.
Rowan and Ellis were able to join us for the fun this week. And while all the boys were playing, running, and rolling down the hill, Ellis was quietly coloring a princess picture. Can I tell you excited I am that I will get to experience raising a boy AND a girl?
After the game (and usually before), Wade gets to go the field with his daddy and be one of the guys. He's getting really good at running the bases. Although, sometimes he takes a right turn at second base and heads to the outfield. He'll catch on eventually.
Wade, Mason and Buie celebrating with the trophy, while Drew continues to show his skills running the bases....
Beau's sister, Nicci, and cousins, Rowan and Ellis, made a surprise visit to Bree this week! We weren't supposed to see them until mid-August, but they were so sweet to come see us early. They were making a day trip from Charleston to Columbia and decided to just keep on driving to Atlanta to meet their newest cousin/niece. It was such a treat and we miss them so much!!! We have to make the most of their visits and go all out. Luckily Bree was a trooper and we were able to have so much fun while they were here. 
Rowan was such a sweet cousin and literally could've sat and held Bree for hours.
AND I'M PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN, WHERE AT LEAST I KNOW I'M FREE!!!
