Delilah and Will, Sittin' in a Tree

In addition to being a sports team and a symphonic ensemble, it seems like Team Huntley could also turn into a non-profit housing organization for hurricane refugees. After getting to house our Lousiana friends during Hurricane Gustav, we got to host our Houston friends, the Paceys, during Hurricane Ike. They have a precious son, Will, who was born just two weeks after Delilah. We had a lovely time during their visit, and the two little ones got along famously. Just look how cute they are together! (But between Will and Avari, I'm starting to worry that Delilah is only able to make friends during natural catastrophes...)

5 Months Old!

The peanut is now 5 months old! She enjoys long walks on the beach, candlelit dinners...nah, just kidding. She likes rolling over as much as possible, grabbing everything she sees, and putting everything she grabs in her mouth. Mirrors enthrall her and she's learned how to turn and reach behind her when she's sitting in her Bumbo. She thinks being held upside down is hysterical. Her favorite snuggly toy is her lamb, Winky, and her favorite play toy is her tiny stuffed turtle, nameless as yet. She's still a cuddlebug, like she has been from day one, and she 'talks' all the time.

I know it doesn't look like it, but Delilah now takes up so much room that we had to move the label from the seat to the wall. :) (The top of the bouncer is a lot more curved than it appears, so we couldn't get the card to stick!)
Yoga Baby

Do you like my bow?

And here are the pics from one of her first rice cereal experiences. She didn't get nearly as messy as I thought she would, but I know it's only a matter of time before food is flying everywhere!

The Huntley Philharmonic

I think we may soon be changing from a sports team to a symphonic ensemble. For my birthday last week, Chris completely surprised me with a new piano. I haven't played in years, but it looks like he correctly gleaned that I would love to have one in our home. When I came home, there was a card taped to the door with the sweetest message inside. What he wrote was beautiful and I would love to share the last part, "For your 30th, I give you a gift that is not only for you, but also for Delilah and any others that God blesses us with. I will always love your song and the music we make together." We promptly sat down with Delilah and began to create some of that music.

Hey, Mom, did you hear the sound I just made?!

Okay, Dad, you show me what to do

I think I got it!

Mom's helping me now. Thanks, Mom!

This is kind of fun!

Hey, Dad, are you gettin' this?! I'm a regular Mozart!!

Sweet hand

Delilah's BFF

Recently, our friends, the Hauschilds, evacuated to us from Baton Rouge during Hurricane Gustav. Despite the circumstances, we had a lovely time and I know who Delilah wants to be like when she grows up! Here are some pics of Delilah with her BFF, Avari, and some pics of all of us taking a walk around Town Lake.

Delilah:"You're pretty, can I hold your hand?"

Avari: "I bet I could flip this thing over if I tried"

Delilah: "Hey, I'm not done telling you my story!" Avari:"How much longer do I have to play with her? I'm 10 months older...hello!" We love our baby girls!

Proud mama. (And no, she wasn't exposed to that much sun, I just pulled the shade back for the pic)Avari is so adorable!!!"If Avari's wearing a hat, I want to wear one too, Mom!"

We miss you, Hauschild Family. Can't wait to see you again soon!

Ketchup is Fun!

We recently learned how much our goddaughter loves ketchup. Hope you enjoy the pics of 14-month-old Avari following her bliss.

Ketchup is yummy!

Can I put it on both my french fries and my hamburger bun?I'm worried this may be my last fry!Hey, is that more ketchup over there?

We love you, Avari! May all your days be filled with things that make you as happy as ketchup!

Motherhood Thoughts

I've been doing some reflecting lately and I decided to list of a few things I've learned or noticed during the past 4 and a half months. Not the standard, expected thoughts like "I love when she giggles" or " I never knew I would love her this much"...nope, these are things nobody told me about...things I wasn't expecting:

1. My car feels empty when she's not in it
2. Sometimes I secretly hope she'll wake up in the middle of the night so that I have an excuse to bring her in our bed and snuggle.
3. Sometimes I do things just b/c I know people are watching. For example, if Delilah's pacifier falls on the carpet in her room, I don't always wash it before I give it back to her. But if it falls on the carpet in our living room with guests, I'll get up and wash it. :)
4. Despite #3, when it comes to things that matter, I don't care what anyone thinks...I will do anything to make my daughter happy and comfortable.
5. I cried the first time I made rice cereal for her b/c it meant she was growing up. (This happened this week...pics to come)
6. Lyrics to what I previously thought of as 'love songs' now make me think of Delilah. Like Aerosmith's 'Don't Want to Miss a Thing': I could stay awake just to hear you breathing. Watch you smile while you are sleeping...while you're far away and dreaming. Come on! Practically written for her!
7. I always thought that my baby's cries would annoy me or make me mad...but they don't, they just break my heart.
8. I kinda like my body with ten extra pounds on it.
9. I'm most excited about the features that look like neither Chris nor me...b/c those parts are all her and that's pretty magical.
and last, but not least,
10. I already want to have another one. But we are still planning to wait until she's at least a year old. :)

Presley Update

For those of you who read my 8/29 post, I just wanted to let you know that Presley got to go home on Tuesday. Kele posted a picture of Presley at home and I swear I have never seen a bigger smile than that little girl's. Hooray!!!