First Cold

You have your first cold. It is awful. You are so stopped up, can't breathe, have watery eyes and make this "I feel awful sound." You hate when I even pick up that blue syringe to put in your nose. Remember I only do it to help you breathe a little better. We hope you get to feeling better baby girl. The picture is you making the awful I don't feel good sound.

3 months old

On Thanksgiving Day you turned 3 months old. You are doing so much. You are holding your head up so well. You are actually trying to sit up. When you are in your car seat or leaning up against our chest you start trying to pull yourself up. You constantly want to see everything that is going on around you. You smile, coo and babble all the time. You are trying really hard to turn yourself over. You are doing well sleeping at night. The day after Thanksgiving you slept until 6:45. I am sure you were worn out from all the excitement. Since you are still being breastfeed, you usually eat every two and half to three hours. You are wearing 3-6 months clothes. You are truly growing like a weed. We love you baby sugar and we look forward to the next exciting month with you. Love, Mom and Dad

First Thanksgiving

Blakely we celebrated your first Thanksgiving at Grammy and PaPaw's this year in Hot Springs Village. You were definitely the center of attention the whole time we were there. You finally got to meet Darby and Zach, your cousins. Darby was such a big help to me. She helped me take care of you a lot. I know that you will always be close to her. You were able to see Zach and Colby. They helped out a lot too. They always wanted to stroll you around everywhere and play with you. Uncle Kenny and Aunt Terri just loved all over you. Anytime your Uncle Kenny came around you, you started talking to him. It was so cute. Grammy and PaPaw were so excited to see you again. I think that wanted you to stay longer so they could enjoy you even more. Granny Liz was so happy to see you too. She just wanted to love all over you. We did a lot of exciting things while we were there. You shopped all day with us on that crazy Friday. You went to see your first movie- Harry Potter - even though you slept most of the time, you were still the perfect angel. We went to watch Darby ice skate. You were really into all the ice skaters - especially ice skater Santa. I was so glad that you had such a fun first Thanksgiving. Blakely your Dad and I want you to know how thankful we are for you. You have blessed us in so many ways and we are truly thankful that God gave us you. We love you baby girl!

Conway Visit

This past weekend we went to Conway to see some of Mommy and Daddy's friends. I went to school in Conway at the University of Central Arkansas. I have many great memories from there that I can't wait to share with you. We had such a good time being able to see everyone. First we went to Tambrey and Benny's and there son Kole. Mr. Jim and Mrs. Gina were there with Parker. Mommy grew up with Tambrey and Gina in Helena. Also Mrs. Tambrey and I were sorority sisters in college. Then we went to Celeste and Jimmy's - their kids Audrey and Walt. Rhonda and Scott were there with Abigal and Brady. Wendy and Joe brought their kids Reid and Riley. Also Mollie was there with Ayden. Gina, Jim and Parker came over too. It was chaotic crazy fun - with 10 kids under the age 4. Next time the kids might have to have a baby-sitter so we could actually be able to visit. Thanks everyone for such a good time. We truly enjoyed being able to see all of you.

Grandpa and Nana Visit

Your Grandpa and Nana (your daddy's parents) came to see you this weekend. They loved playing and holding you. You smiled so much this weekend - I am sure that your mouth is hurting. You are really starting to coo, babble and smile a lot. Your grandparents really enjoyed seeing you this weekend. Thanks Nana and Grandpa for the visit.

First Time Leaving You

Today was the first time we left you with someone. Auntie Debbie and Mark couldn’t go to the Razorback game so we got their tickets and Debbie watched you while we went to the game. It was kind of sad leaving you for the first time. I called Debbie a lot to make sure you were OK. She said you were really good and that she had such a good time with you. We are so thankful to have great friends like Debbie and Mark.

Happy Halloween

Unfortunately your first Halloween is rainy. It looks like it is going to rain all day long - no trick or treating this year. We hope that everyone has a safe and Happy Halloween!

Meeting Aunt Michelle

Blakely you got to meet Aunt Michelle! She was so excited to finally meet you. She had to come to Fort Smith for work. We got to spend the afternoon with her. When we went to Chili's you weren't very happy while we were trying to eat. You were tired and just couldn't get comfortable to take a nap. Finally, you were better after some food and a little nap and then you were able to play with Aunt Michelle. I think that Darby and Zach (your cousins) were a little upset that their mom got to meet you first and not them. You will get to meet them at Thanksgiving. Thanks Aunt Michelle for a great afternoon.

Two Months Old

Blakely today you are 2 months old. It is hard to believe that you have been with us for two months. It seems like yesterday that we brought you home. You have really been a true blessing to us. We have so much fun with you and can’t wait for more exciting times to come. Today you had to go to your 2-month visit. Dr. Cheshier says you are doing great. He said that you are growing so much and doing everything a 2-month old should be doing. You smile, kick your legs, move your arms all around, focus on moving objects and are turning your head to sounds. You are truly a happy baby. Here is how much you have grown.Weight: 11 pounds, 2 ouncesHeight: 23 ½ inches long You also had to get your first round of shots. You were so brave. I think that I cried more than you did. I didn’t think it would upset me that bad, but I hated seeing you scream and cry like that. I know it will be better the next time. Baby Blakely we love you and look forward to seeing you grow even more.

What a View!

Yesterday we took a trip to Fayetteville to eat with Debbie and Mark. Happy Birthday Mark!! We decided that we would take Old Hwy. 71 to see the fall colors. Unfortunately the trees haven’t really turned yet or we just haven’t got enough rain. We stopped at Artist Point (10 miles or so north of our house) to look at the view and take pics. I know one day you will enjoy going there to look at the beautiful mountains. While we were there you had your first accident and hopefully your last. Someone hit our car in the parking lot. Luckily they were just backing up and it didn’t hurt you or anyone else. Your dad was so funny! He got out and started snapping pictures of the car. I just had to include them. I think that he took at least 10 pictures. He was so funny and maybe a little mad.Blakely-one day when you read this ask me about the Target trip – you will get a great story about your dad and the lovely managers of Target. Love you baby girl!

Daddy Showing you Off

Finally, we are getting back to normal. Blakely, your dad and me were both under the weather this week. Mine was a cold and your dad had problems with his wisdom teeth being pulled. I think we are all finally feeling better. Yesterday I took you to your dad’s work for a shower that they gave us. It was fun showing you off. Your daddy was so proud. He smiled so much that his mouth hurt a lot after the party. Of course you were the perfect angel. We got a lot of great gifts. Thank you everyone at Simmons for such a good time. Monday you get to go to the doctor for your 2-month visit. I am anxious to see how much you have grown. I can really tell in your diapers. The velcro doesn’t go over as much as it did a week ago. I think that you are going to have to have some shots when you go see Dr. Cheshier. I don't know if I will be able to watch them do it. Hopefully your dad will be able to go with us to help us get through it. Check next week for Blakely's 2 month up date.

What a Week

Well this week has been interesting Blakely. First, I want to thank you for celebrating my 31st Birthday with me. YOU were the only gift that I wanted or needed. I love you! Your dad and I call each other Bubby so that is why the cake says Happy Birthday Bubby! We also went to Van Buren to the Fall Fest. Your dad and I had a really fun time with you! Then, I got sick! Mastitis!! It was horrible. I felt so bad because I couldn’t take care of you as well as I would have liked. Luckily that only lasted 2 ½ days and then I was pretty much back to normal. Next, your Grammy came up to help us out because your dad had to get his wisdom teeth pulled. Well she came a day early and we went crafting in NWA. We went to War Eagle with Auntie Debbie. Debbie-that chocolate covered cheesecake on a stick was awesome! We had a really great time! You were so good the whole time and never cried. The only thing is you had on the blue fish outfit and everyone thought you were a boy! It even has an orange bow on it with an adorable hat. We ended up taking it off because you got too hot. So today when we took Dad to get his surgery I made sure that you had a pink bow in your hair. Grammy we want to thank you for all your help. We love you! Hopefully next week it will be back to normal at the Pope household, but both your Dad and I feel like we are getting a cold. Ughh!!!; Pictures are the week in review!

Starting To Smile

Blakely you are such a great baby. I put you in your bed so I could do some things around the house and you were just talking and looking all around so I had to go and get my camera. You SMILED when I took your picture. It was so wonderful. You are starting to have that gorgeous grin and that makes us smile so much. We love you Blakely!! Mom and Dad

Family Pics

I wanted to add some pictures of some of your family that you have met. They all love you so much!* 4 Generations - I am so happy that your Granny Liz was able to meet you. This picture means so much to me.* Grammy and PaPaw (my parents) They are so proud!* Grandpa Rick and you - Happy Grandpa!* Nana and You - She is so happy to have a little girl!* Aunt Terri- You were four days old when Uncle Kenny, Aunt Terri and Colby came to see you.* Your Cousin ColbyBlakely you still have lots of family members to meet. We can't wait for the holidays!