Royal Treatment

On January 25, some of the Kansas City Royals players visited Bentonville, and we were fortunate to be able to go. John Mayberry, an All-Star first baseman from the 1970s Royals teams, was there, and so were outfielders Joey Gathright and David DeJesus from the current team. They were all nice enough to sign a baseball for us and have their picture taken with Lori and Caroline. Then the Royals mascot Sluggerrr arrived, and he took a picture with Caroline while the other adults standing around oohed and aahed at how cute they looked together.

Half a Year

We have been parents for half a year now. On one hand, we feel like we have developed a routine, but on the other hand, every day has its own new challenges. We appreciate all the interest and care that everyone has shown the three of us. Caroline has doubled her birth weight; she is up to 16 pounds and 8 ounces. She is also 27 inches long, and it seems like she grows a little bit more each day. The next big adventure will be to welcome her new teeth, which her doctor thinks might come soon. We all hope so!

Ringing in the New Year

We are happy to be back at home after a long but very memorable Christmas trip. Caroline was good for Lori on their flight out to North Carolina, and then when we drove up from there to Philadelphia for Galen's conference and after that on back to Arkansas, she rode well too. So we are very thankful, and we know that all the relatives are grateful for the time they were able to spend with her. About the time we returned to our house, Caroline started to begin her teething, so we're glad to be off the road when dealing with that. The highlight of the trip besides seeing family was posing with Caroline in front of the Liberty Bell. But we also had fun visiting Galen's old stomping grounds at Princeton, where there were other photo opportunities. All in all our 5-month-old daughter has now visited 14 states! Now it's time to unpack and get ready for the new year and the new semester.

Merry Christmas

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." (Luke 2:11,14)

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE

FROM LORI, GALEN, & CAROLINE!

Five Months Old

December 10th was Caroline's fifth month "birthday." This month she saw her first snow, and she was dedicated at church. Her weight is up to about 16 pounds, and she is very active and likes to laugh. She has a big Christmas trip ahead of her, including not only plenty of time with the grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins in North Carolina, but also a drive up to Philadelphia, where Galen has a conference, before we all return home to Arkansas on New Year's Eve. We are anxious to see how Caroline will do through all this, but she has been very good at home recently so we are hopeful that she has grown up enough to do okay through all the upcoming excitement.

Thankful

At her last checkup, Caroline weighed 13 lbs., 13 oz., and was almost 25 inches long. We are very thankful for her good health, and the three of us hope that you have many reasons to be thankful too. Happy Thanksgiving!

Lucky Charm

The Wake Forest University football team, for which Galen was once the equipment manager and Lori a ticket salesperson, now has a record of 9-1 after defeating Florida State 30-0 on November 11, 2006. This is the best record after ten games in the history of the team's football program, which dates back to 1888. But this is also the first year in which Caroline has been around to root for the Deacons, and she does so in style with her WFU outfit. Coincidence? We think not.
Caroline also pulls for the NFL's Indianapolis Colts, the team for which our friend and former Wake Forest head coach Jim Caldwell is the assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach. Once again, Caroline is doing her part by trying on her Colts cheerleading outfit. The Colts have raced out to a 9-0 record, currently two games ahead of all other teams in their conference. We're sensing a pattern here.
Caroline also pulls for our nearby college, the Arkansas Razorbacks, which are having one of their best years ever too. So maybe football teams who want to do well should send some gear to Caroline since she seems to be a lucky charm so far! Go Deacs, Colts, and Hogs!

Four Month Milestones

During Caroline's fourth month, she has experienced some of those milestones of infant development that are no less cute just because they are expected. For instance, she has learned how to suck on her thumb.

She smiles when you tickle her. She can grab her foot with one hand while putting the other hand in her mouth.She handed out candy at Halloween for the first time.

And she has been in the audience for a speech from the President of the United States. In other words, all the usual stuff.It was a little difficult for Caroline to hear President Bush through her cap, though, so she had to turn her head to the side to be able to pick up everything more clearly. Then the President came up to the crowd, shook Lori's hand while she was holding Caroline, and left the Northwest Arkansas airport on Air Force One. To be so young, Caroline sure has experienced a lot. These photos will help us to remember how blessed we have been.

Glamour Girl

Caroline is looking too cool in her stylish shades, and when she's not taking a little cruise around the neighborhood and catching some rays, she's cooing and babbling about her strolls back at the crib.

Three Months Old

Caroline turns three months old on October 10. She really has grown, it seems like she keeps getting cuter too. She is starting to giggle a little bit, to grab onto objects, and to learn how to put her hand in her mouth. She is calmer as she gets older too; some days she doesn't cry at all, and when she does, it's usually because she is fatigued. She took her first mini-vacation this month--a two-day trip to Branson, Missouri. She traveled well, which hopefully is a good sign for the long Christmas trip that will be coming up. Our van was completely packed with things for Caroline just for a short trip, so we have no idea what it will be like to pack for several weeks on the road with her in December! Lori and Galen are glad to be settling into a routine again, even though we know that there will be plenty of readjustments ahead. Enjoy some of the newest pictures from the past few weeks, and thanks for stopping by.

Two Months Old

Caroline turned two months old on September 10, and she has really grown. She is already up to 12 pounds, which is at the high end of the healthy weight class for her length of 24 inches. She also had her first vaccinations this week, which were definitely a shock to the system! The hardest thing for us now is that we are still trying to find the right formula that is easy on her stomach. Probably the biggest blessing is that she sleeps six hours or more most nights. It has been a big adustment for Galen to go back to semester classes and leave Lori and Caroline alone during the day, but thankfully his office is only one mile from home, and his schedule has some flexibility in it. We already have learned how demanding new parenthood can be, but Caroline is so beautiful too, and we can't wait for giggles, hugs, and first words. Until then, we are pleased to share some of our favorite pictures. We really appreciate everyone who has shown care for us and who tells us that you enjoy the blog. Thank you to all for your love and prayers!

Caroline meets the (future) Governor

Asa Hutchinson, candidate for the Governor of Arkansas, made a campaign stop just north of Siloam Springs in Gentry. Hutchinson is originally from this area and, after an appointment by President Reagan as U. S. Attorney, became U. S. Representative for our district in Congress from 1996-2002. He has also headed the Drug Enforcement Administration, been the Undersecretary for Homeland Security, and led the President's Board to Protect American Civil Liberties. He was extremely kind to us and took time from his busy schedule to talk with us about our families and his vision for the state of Arkansas. We really like and appreciate Asa. And if he advertises the picture below with Caroline, how could he lose?

Caroline meets an Olympian

Our family recently took a short trip up to Rogers to support the Northwest Arkansas Run for a Child. Appearing at the event was Apolo Anton Ohno, the Team U. S. A. speed skater who won a gold and silver medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and a gold medal and two bronze medals at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. Apolo was happy to meet Caroline, sign a Wheaties box cover for her to appreciate in the future, and provide the picture below for our album. I think the woman behind him is jealous! The Springdale Morning News ran an article on Ohno's visit that mentions Caroline; you can read it by clicking here: http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2006/09/05/sports/0905ohno.txt

The Hat Collection

In preparation for cooler weather and the approach of fall, Caroline has been trying out some of the trendiest baby hats for the new season. What do you think?