Yard of the Month

So as you may or may not know, ever since the floods in September of last year, we have been trying to figure out how water is getting in to our crawl space. The conclusion was that the grading of the landscape around our house allowed for water to pool up next to the foundation, soak in to the ground and eventually get in to the crawl space. And with all the rain we had in the fall, and really through the winter too, the ground is saturated.

So we decided to have the ground on one side of the house and in the back regraded to allow water to flow away from the house. Additionally, we installed a drainage system of pipes to move the water away from the house.

All of this work was done last week and there's still a little bit of regrading and smoothing out to do this week. Then we'll put down grass seed and straw and hope we have a yard by Summer. :-) If not, maybe we can open it up to be a dirt bike or 4-wheeler track for the neighborhood. ;-)

The best thing was when Emma got off the bus the afternoon after this started, she asked who made the mess. I told her we had some men helping us move some dirt and put in some pipes. She said, "No, the leprechauns did it!" Being the week of St. Patrick's Day, apparently some leprechauns were causing some problems in their classroom - making lots of messes - so she felt the leprechauns had been at our house too. :-)

This is called Georgia Red Clay. Doesn't it look like fun?
Trench through the front yard to the street.The side "yard" after the pipe and drain boxes have been installed.Our back "yard." Now isn't that pretty. This is where we have to visualize grass. :-)There's something kinda fun about having a Bobcat parked in your front yard. :-)

Rachel at 6 Months

Rachel was 6 months old on March 4. My how time flies! She continues to be a very good, happy baby. At her 6 month check up, she weighed in at 14 lbs. 12.5 oz. and was 24 inches long. We are seeing signs of teeth (stuffy nose and drool), but no pearly whites yet.

She is sitting up on her own very well. She enjoys sitting on her quilt in the playroom with her collection of toys. Her flexibility amazes me how she can reach straight out way beyond her toes to reach a toy that she wants. She does a good job entertaining herself - and Heidi always enjoys helping too.We have recently pulled out the jolly jumper and the exersaucer - both of which she seems to enjoy - at least for short periods of time.We have introduced her to rice cereal, oatmeal cereal, peas and sweet potatoes. However, she has not seemed gung ho about any of it. I have been blessed with two very good eaters thus far - maybe she's going to be my picky one (like I was - I've gotten MUCH better!). :-)She's getting a nice layer of fuzz on her head. The jury is still out as to what color it's going to be - but let's just say, it is not getting darker.

She babbles a lot and can be quite loud at times. I wish I had been recording at the dinner table a couple nights ago - it was practically deafening with Rachel "yelling," Heidi singing loudly, and Emma laughing. It was a little overwhelming, but I had to just smile.

I hope to take Rachel to get official 6 month portraits made, but in the meantime, here are some recent pictures.

Our chunky little monkey!Rolling over!So these are called toes.Can I have some of your water, Mom?
Three happy girls in their blue PJs.

Conversations with Emma

Grammy was kissing the back of Emma's neck.

Grammy: I'm going to eat you.
Emma: I'm not your lunch.
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We were out to dinner and received a complimentary dessert - very chocolaty!

Jason: Do you want some ice cream, Emma?
Emma: Uh, no thank you.
Jason: It has chocolate in it.
Emma: OK, I'll give it a try.
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When we were out to dinner, we saw Emma's bus monitor.

Jason: Emma, who is this?
Emma: It's Mr. Lonnie! He's my favorite bus driver!
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Rachel was babbling.

Emma: She's talking to me!
Laura: What is she saying?
Emma: I love my sister Emma.