Lexie's 1st Georgia Trip

Saturday, January 24th we drove the 5-6 hour trip down to Tifton, GA. Lexie loved looking out the window - she just enjoyed the whole trip! Jenna kept an eye on her from the back seat and sang to her whenever she would start to get upset, and Lexie would just get quiet and stare and her big sister singing. Jenna is such a wonderful big sister! She really takes good care of her little sissy.

On our way to Tifton, we stopped in Macon for dinner at Erich Peschel's apartment. He's one of my best friends and he's also Jenna's Godfather. When she found out we were going to Uncle Erich's for dinner, her face just lit up! Thank you so much Erich for the delicious burgers and for playing with Jenna! She was so sad that we couldn't stay longer. She had so much fun pretending that Uncle Erich's room was a "Ballerina Shop/School". She made Uncle Erich buy a LOT of pretend ballerina stuff and tried to teach him how to dance and twirl throughout the living room. ha ha!

We got to Tifton around 10:30pm and Grandma Arlene was waiting for Lexie's arrival at the door! She wasted no time - in seconds Lexie was out of her carseat and in her Great Grandmother's arms, which is where she stayed about 70% of the trip! Grandpa and others only got the baby if Grandma was either sleeping or cooking! ha ha! Everyone loved her and was very sad when we had to come home on Tuesday.

While we were there, Eric got to enjoy Grandma's homemade blackberry jam AND homemade blackberry cobler (Let me add that even the blackberries were hand picked by her and Grandpa!). Eric didn't leave ANY left overs! Grandpa showed us some slides on his projector of where they picked the blackberries; they also picked oranges and peaches!

Mary Jo, Ron, and Aunt Bea also came over and got to meet Lexie. Jenna had so much fun showing off her baby sister and having new people to play with. She made Grandpa Bob, Grandma Arlene, and Mary Jo all play dolls, ponies, and tea party with her any chance she got!

On the way home from Tifton, we stopped at the Bass Pro Shop to look around and Jenna bought herself a pink toy gun. Eric and I saw some things we really liked and wanted to save up for. :) And we all enjoyed the beautiful aquarium they have there - and took pics with our heads in the shark's mouth! ha ha!

After that, we stopped in Dacula, GA for dinner with my cousin Robin, her husband John, and their 3 boys - Michael, Stephen, and Ryan. We had pizza at their house and everyone really enjoyed seeing Jenna & meeting Lexie. Ryan and Jenna played and played - Jenna slept the whole way home thanks to Ryan wearing her out! Thank you Ryan! It was so good to see all of them - Eric is really hoping to plan a hunting trip in the fall that he can take Michael and Stephen on up in Virginia and I'm really hoping to get Jenna and Ryan together for more play dates! Hopefully 2009 will give us the blessing to make this happen - we all have so much fun when we are together. :)

We were really sad to see our Georgia trip come to an end. Everyone just loved Lexie and Jenna so much and we had so much fun seeing everyone. We miss everyone already! We would have actually stayed 1 more day, but Lexie Noelle had her 1 month check up today with Dr. Harris. She weighs 10lbs now! She is very healthy from head to toe...next check up is in one month on Feb 27th when she gets her first round of shots! :( Luckily, that's a Friday and we will have the entire weekend to recover from them.

Lexie Noelle is 1 month old!

How did this happen? That month flew by... She and I went in for a half day today at work. :) she slept while mommy worked...and I just can't believe that she's a month old already...and I'm already starting back to work.

Funny thing that Lexie does- is she can't flip all the way over yet, but can flip onto her back (just not back over). And she can "scoot"...in her own way lol- i put her on her belly for tummy time, and she just puts her arms back, and scoots with her feet and pushes until she gets off the boppy and across the floor.... I've never seen a baby crawl without using arms! As Jenna says... "Silly Baby Sister!" (Jenna seems to say that every time she looks at the baby these days!...Which might I add, Jenna sings to Lexie with made up songs and Lexie just calms right down whenever she hears her big sister...it's so very sweet!

Lexie's 1st Virginia Trip

We left early Friday morning to go to Pound, VA, so that Lexie could meet all of her family up there. We all had a great time - Jenna loved the snow most of all! I must tell you that I have never seen temperatures so cold! At night, it was in the NEGATIVES! Can you believe that? I took the pick of our car showing 1 degrees, and we weren't even in Virginia yet- we were still in North Carolina!

Our first stop was to Pound 66 - The Station. Eric's Papaw owns it and the whole family helps run it! :) Papaw Pilkenton, Mamaw Pilkenton, Uncle Mark Pilkenton, and Pappox Arvil Pilkenton were all there and got to see Lexie Noelle for the first time.

Lexie's little chin shivered when we first stepped into the cold air - but we had plenty of blankets and warm hugs that warmed her right up ( I don't remember her shivering again the entire weekend!).

Everyone loved Lexie so much and Jenna was so proud to show her off. It was really sweet to see how excited Jenna was (though sometimes she was a bit overwhelming, and occasionally felt the need to demand some attention, lol). And I found myself lost in playing with Jenna so that everyone could enjoy the newborn a little. Jenna is such a good big sister; her excitement is overwhelming! It also didn't help that there was snow everywhere. Jenna has been begging for snow since the first day of winter - and she got more than she bargained for while we were visiting in Virginia. She played and played until all the adults were too frozen to play with her... ha ha!

We also stepped over to Pizza Plus, just next door to the station, to visit Eric's brother Nick at work. Nick says that he starts as manager soon! :) Everyone got a kick out of meeting his two nieces, Jenna & Lexie.

When we came back over to the station, Mark was putting on these really tall rubber pants- someone's truck had fallen into the creek and froze overnight! It's a good thing he had those pants- that water looked cold!!! Eric's brother Justin was also there to go with them to help tow the truck in.

We passed them on our way to Mamaw and Papaw VanHuss' house - the truck was frozen solid from the inside out! I'm thankful that I didn't have to help pull it out. I'll leave that to the Pilkenton men... ha ha!

We stayed at Mamaw & Papaw VanHuss' house. Lexie and Jenna were both showered with love and affection - especially from Uncle Dougy, who I must say definately tells the truth when he says he has the grandkid's all trained! As we pulled into the drive way, Jenna started screaming for Uncle Dougy before we got out of the car! An Lexie never had to cry much as there was always someone anxious to hold her and feed her.

Both of our girl's were spoiled slap rotten this weekend! Uncle Dougy had to play Guess Who at least about 5 times and had to chase Jenna around the yard in the snow before she would let him come inside and see the new sister. Jenna, by the way, was so funny in the snow. She would throw snowballs at anybody who dared to come outside; she made so many snow angels until she was too cold to do anymore; and not only did she catch falling snowflakes...her daddy caught her just eating handfuls...don't worry, he made sure she knew how bad of an idea that was, ha ha!

Uncle Billy also came by to meet Lexie. Jenna met him at the door and wrapped her arms around his legs insisting that he play with her first - he practically had to drag Jenna with him to get into the room where the baby was!

Uncle Junebug was a life saver - he seemed to be able to calm Lexie faster than anybody. Lexie just loved for her uncles to hold her and Uncle Junebug was quick to just snuggle with her on the couch. He did have to fight Mamaw VanHuss for her first- she just had the biggest smile on her face when she held Lexie. It was hard to steal away the newest Great Grandbaby from such a proud Great Mamaw!

Eric, his brother Justin, and I went hunting on the top of the mountain at Mamaw & Papaw VanHuss'. Eric says I must have been good luck because after hunting without me all morning...just minutes into hunting with me, they had shot themselves a squirrel! Eric first shot at the squirrel and injurred it from what I understand, but it is Justin that gets credit for the kill. The squirrel leaped from way up in the tree and landed not far from me, only to run into a hole at the base of a tree a little ways down the mountain. It was funny because all of us were staring into the top of the trees looking for him for about 10 minutes before finally realizing he was in the hole just at the base of the tree we were all standing around. ha ha! And so, Eric says that I must always hunt with them simply because I am good luck!

Later that day, we attended Michael Ollerton's (Eric's cousin Matt's son) 7th birthday party- he has the same birthday as my dad, which was Friday, January 16th. I must tell you that my dad turned 50 years old this year! It's ok because I cooked him his birthday dinner the night before- I got to serve him his last dinner at 49 years old! ha ha! Happy Birthday Dad and Michael! At the party, the twins Eli & Ben, Michael, Samantha, and Jenna all teamed up to wrestle Eric to the ground. That's one heck of a handi-capped match! Poor Eric was wayyy outnumbered!

We really had a lot of fun everywere we went- from playing Scene it with Kinsley and Dad to wrestling with the kids at a birthday party. We love you and already miss everyone! Below are just a few more pics- the rest are on dropshots! You will see in one of the following pics...that Jenna Jade got ahold of Lexi's baby powder. A picture is worth a thousand words...and perhaps a laugh or two!!!

Mamaw VanHuss & Lexie Noelle "Bubba" (Dakota) & Lexie Noelle

Margie & Lexie Noelle

Jenna Jade & THE BABY POWDER

Kayla & Lexie Noelle

Nick & Justin (& Kinsley and Pappox's dog, Pedro)

Brian & Eric

Michael, Samantha, and Lexie Jenna playing Guitar Hero in Aunt Kinsley's room

Aunt Rosie, Sam, and Lexie

Tummy Time! (Stole from Marcia)

My cousin Marcia took pictures of her baby boy when he was doing tummy time and it made me remember how funny Jenna Jade was when she would have tummy time. So, I decided to copy Marcia and post some pics of the "faces of tummy time"! Enjoy! :)

Annual Christmas Tree Burning

Every year - during the first week in January, Our church and the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, get together out back of our church to have a pot luck dinner and a bon fire where we burn all the Christmas trees. Eric is usually in charge of tossing them in (which by the way makes this church service his absolute favorite one of the entire year ha ha)...and we sing Christmas carols around the fire until all the trees are gone.

Jenna played with some of the girls from the other church -- they were older girls and as I walked with her out of habit - Jenna stopped me and said "Mom- you need to go over there to that side of the fire, these girls are "cool" and you have to be mom over there".

hmmm. I was unaware that I couldn't be both cool and be mom. I learn something new every day I guess! ha ha!

A Visit From Charlie

On Sunday, January 4 - My cousin Marcia and her husband Scott came over to meet Lexie and I got to finally meet their baby Charlie! I feel so bad that I am just now meeting him- and I really enjoyed our short time together that Sunday! Charlie is so sweet and I'm sure he and Lexie will be great friends someday! Jenna was so excited about Marcia's visit and was the first to bounce off the couch with excitment when they finally arrived.

It was quite an experience keeping a 3 year old from kid napping Marica to her bedroom to play! Jenna did calm down enough to play a little with Charlie, Jenna Jade really loves babies and had fun making him laugh while Marcia played with Lexie.

Thanks for being such a sweet girl Jenna Jade- Mommy is proud of you!

Lexie meets her Godmother

On Friday, January 2, 2009 - Lexie met Aunt Donna Rocker for the first time. Aunt Donna is Lexie's Godmother and we were so excited about them finally meeting! What made it extra special, was that Saturday awas Aunt Donna's birthday. Lexie got to be our Christmas present and her birthday present! :)

New Years Day at Nana's!

We spent New Years Day at Nana and PopPop's house in Columbia! Lexie absolutely LOVED the idea that there was always someone there willing to hold her. Jenna Jade and her cousin Bradley ran through the house with more energy than I think all of the adults put together! ( I know I was exhausted from up all nights with Lexie and only recall blurs of Jenna and Bradley whizzing by me from time to time...ha ha). They did stop long enough to help unwrap all of Lexie's Christmas presents from Nana and PopPop - we got some beautiful clothes and also some toys and teethers that I know will come in handy very soon. Thank you so much Nana and PopPop!

Jenna put on some of her dance "shows" for everyone--- a must see on my dropshots lol. ( www.dropshots.com/pilkentonpearls ). As well as other pics from our day at Nana's.

Eric and I watched with sad eyes as both of our teams lost their bowl games- however, I must say that from what I have heard and read, both South Carolina and Clemson got along great with the other teams fans and everyone had fun. :) Nebraska fans were even posting on the Tiger Board after the game about how nice everyone was! so- for all you Husker fans out there--- GOOO Corn Huskers! :) It was definitely a great game!

The Ups and Downs of 2008

I must post this- as it really means something to me and I don't do this often. When I'm really emotional- I write poems and I know that sounds cheesy...but it gets things off of my mind, out of my heart...onto a piece of paper that I later read back and can really let it go for good. That is the best lesson in life to learn- everyone has a unique way of letting go, and once you learn your way ... life's harder lessons are 100 times easier.

Well.. as I said in the previous post, 2008 was very emotional for both Eric and myself. And on our way down to visit Eric's family in Columbia... I found myself lost in my notebook and the following poem is what I later read back to myself:

The Ups and Downs of 2008
by: Stephanie Pilkenton

The blessing of the year two thousand eight
Was it started with an "up"
We decided to get pregnant
As we drank a toast from our cups.
But shortly came our first "down"
Cancer took our family pet away
But an "up" came just as fast
When our Godson was born on a Sunday.
And so it continued...
The "ups" and "downs" of two thousand eight
These "downs" would be terrible
But the "ups" would prove to be great.
And so here I write
This first day of two thousand nine
And I am writing down these "ups" and "downs"
To get them off of my mind.
"Up" when our new puppy was born
"Down" in March our unborn baby that we lost
"Up" as our daughter celebrated her third birthday
"Down" again when her best friend, the Leukemia cost
"Up" as we soon learned we were pregnant again
"Down" as our daughter struggled the loss of her friend
"Up" when our niece Tori was born
"Down" again when finances cost us our home
"Up" as our loved ones took us in off the street
"Down" when our marriage was falling apart, our faith growing weak
"Up", more like uplifting, when we reconnected and fell deeply back in love
"Down" as a friend of ours sick neice, 3 days old, left us for the Heaven's above.
"Up" , more uplifting than before,
We heard the precious cry of our new baby girl, Lexie Noelle was born.
And even more "Ups" - we are healthy, and home on Christmas Eve
So many answered prayers, how could anyone not believe?
And I thought back to each "up" and "down"
As I watched the drop of the ball...
And for each remaining second,
A single tear seemed to fall.
And with the strike of one,
Two thousand eight was no more
That beautiful, blissful, yet so painful a year
I felt all those moments, ache right down to my heart's core.
And so I thought, perhaps a resolution for two thousand nine
No - this time something better if I can
To cherish every moment -- both "ups" and "downs"
And know that I'm blessed, and a part of God's plan.
So, during those last seconds of two thousand eight
I found myself reliving each emotional time,
The fond memories of two thousand eight...
As I embrace the start of two thousand nine.

New Years Eve Party at The Edwards'!

My friends Ashley and Steve Edwards had a formal party for the New Year's Celebration. We got to dress up and even Lexie got to go. She wore her onesie that says "This is my Little Black Dress" and her gold bow to show her formal wear and she was definitely the youngest lady at the party so I know she had fun. We didn't stay the entire time, we came home so that we could continue our routine of trying to get Lexie to sleep at night.....and Eric and I watched the ball drop together on the couch...it was nice, really nice, to just be with him at the close of such an emotional year in our life.



It was a bittersweet moment when the ball finally stopped-- and I admit I had tears fall as I said goodbye to 2008. We went through so much in the past year that I was both anxious and terrified of moving on...but we did it and here we are hoping that everyone has a blessed 2009 and cherishes the moments that 2009 is to bring.

Our Farewell to Daily

Eric and I spend part of New Years Eve with Eric's best friend Mike Daily. He was back for just a short week after his boot camp training for the U.S. Navy and as of Friday, January 2, 2009 - he was back in Mississippi awaiting his deployment.

We believe he is going to be gone at least 7 months to a full year and we will miss him terribly while he is away. We hope you continue to write to us Daily and keep us posted as to how you are doing! We will be praying for your safe return home some day!!!

Below is a pic of Eric, Daily, and Bubba; Below that is a pic of Eric, Daily, and myself. :-)