Play Hard, Sleep Hard!

Rebekah is just learning how to reach for and hold things- for just a few seconds, though- long enough, however, to get frustrated that she can't stuff whole toys in her mouth...


Here she is checking out her toys at eye-level in her Bumbo...


Tummy Time is much less traumatic now that she can push up on her elbows...




We call this one Sleepy Bunny (I call Rebekah Bunny more than anything else...it got shortened from Honey Bunny, which I picked up from my friend, Amanda here...). I think she looks huge here! (she really only is 12-ish pounds, tho...)

Aunt Sarah's Visit

Josh's younger sister, Sarah, is back from central Asia to raise support for her long-term mission to Turkey. She blessed us with a visit this week and here are some of the pics so far. Unfortunately, Rebekah contracted her first cold, so she is just now starting to be her sweet self again.

Rebekah and me on our way ou to pick up Sarah.

Sarah and Rebekah hangin' on the couch....

We vivisted the Amana Colonies on Monday- it uwas a communal living spot for German immigrants until 1932. Now, it's kind of like Fredericksburg, TX and is fun for strolling, shopping, and German cuisine.


Sarah feeding Rebekah in one of the shops.

Eating My Toes & My First Giggles

Well, Rebekah has officially developed her oral abilities...she discovered Josh's hand by pulling it to her mouth and vigorously sucking on his finger...then, what do 'ya know- she saw her feet! Too delicious to pass up even clothed, she progressed from gnawing on her shoes to her naked toes!!



These are my faves!! We now know that we heard her first giggles as she adoringly laughed at her dad! Josh was man enough to change an explosion of a poop, but was not really excited to get her litle wiggly body into a sleeper...so he used what he had...a diaper, shoes, and a hat! They both thought it was hilarious!

Make-Up for Labor Day

A bunch of us were supposed to have a potluck for Labor Day at our mutual friends' place. A family emergency deterred those plans until this afternoon. It was so fun having all the babies together at one time- these are pretty much my closest friends here...

The babies go from oldest to youngest...almost all are awake and semi-happy!

David 2/14, Willa 2/21, Grace 4/1, Josiah and Abigail 5/22, Rebekah 7/12, & Carter 7/17

Cold Weather Fun

Well, it's October 12th, which signals 2 things- Rebekah is 3 months old and we had our first flurries of snow last night!

In other news this week, Rebekah rolled from her tummy to her back again, laughed for the first time, and chatted us up for an hour...we are having a blast!

Just wanted to show you what we're doing here in Iowa to stay warm...



This was in the midst of chatting...which was only interrupted by grinning...






Fun indoor activities include swinging...always a favorite...(in fact, Rebekah kept making noises until she had our undivided attention! I think we have a Diva on our hands...)

...and flying as Super Baby!

More cute pics of Rebekah

Just some fun ones from the last few days...

Rebekah with her friend Carter (they are 5 days apart)

This is seriously how she wakes up- all smiles!!

Fall in Iowa

So, apparently, there are actually 4 seasons in Iowa...we are enjoying the prettiest fall I have ever seen! The leaves are ripe with color and Rebekah and I are loving taking afternoon strolls in our fall clothes- in fact Rebekah is enjoying her new fall duds, now that she is barely fitting into her 3-6 month clothes (she is such a peanut)!


Our house...picture pumpkins on the front porch!


Our backyard- my dad designed and built the stone patio the week of Rebekah's arrival.


Our neighborhood...



Across the street from us...


From the church parking lot...


Us at the U of I Homecoming Game- 35-yardline, 9th row- very fun! Strangely, Rebekah, who would have sat in my lap, couldn't go unless we had a ticket for her (we were only given 2), yet the obese man and his wife next to us, who took up at least 3 1/2 seats, only supplied 2 tickets...

Rebekah in her new fall clothes...

The Malone Family at a wedding of a new friend...her first experience in tights and shoes...at least the tights stayed on for more than 3 minutes!


She loves her dad, but I think she's looking and smiling at me!

Dallas Visit

As many of you know, Rebekah and I visited Dallas last week for the first time since she was born! Josh had a pastors' conference in Minneapolis, so we decided to visit family. I think I brought Iowa weather the first 2 days because it was so beautiful and cool- actually felt like autumn! Then, much to my lamentation, Texas heat and mugginess returned and I learned that Rebekah is pretty hot-natured (like her father) and does not appreciate missing out on the ac in the hot car!

We had a fantastic time!! My wonderful and much-loved in-laws, Mike and Phyllis Malone, even came up from south Texas to get in on the fun. It is so awesome how well our 2 families get along- all 4 grandparents were very gracious and allowed the other 3 to hold and love on my little one. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen 4 adults act sillier than those 4 did to earn Rebekah's tickled little smile! We think (I emphasize think) that Rebekah rolled from her tummy to her back for the first time- we know she did it, but Josh claims it had happened before- who knows? Anyway, we were all so proud of her that our loud praise startled her and I believe Rebekah will think twice before performing such an amazing feat again!

As for me, I simply enjoyed having less responsibility (in that I was warned in no uncertain terms that I was to feed her and hand her over, thus relinquishing my usual role of entertaining and playing with Rebe), seeing much-missed family, and eating great Texas food, including favorite haunts and my dad's grilling and mother-in-law's cooking!

Here are some fun times we had...

Leaving Iowa for Dallas- Rebekah's first plane ride- of course she was a model baby!


My mom holding Rebekah

My dad holding Rebekah



My brother holding Rebekah...somehow I am very sad to say we didn't get a picture of his wonderful wife, Becky!! :(


The McCord men with her...


All 4 grandparents with Rebekah who refused to look at the camera!


A great friend and previous student, Meredith, loving getting her hands on Rebekah!


My parents live in the house my mom grew up in and they have both loved it through the years...this is their yard, which was bare when my gp's bought it in '52 and my dad has transformed it into a virtual rain forest! If you look closely, you can see his rock waterfall!