girls weekend

This weekend all the "Gorman Girls" and "mini Gorman Girls" got together at Emily and Craig's in Apex. These girls were my college roommates at NC State and it was wonderful to reunite over the weekend. Along with us was Adaline, Kay, and Laurel (who will be joining the world in October). It is fun to think about us girls having girls of our own that we will watch grow up together.

Heidi, Emily, Anna (Laurel), and me

On Saturday morning we walked to the play area in Emily's neighborhood with Adaline and Kay. We had a nice time walking and watching the girls play a bit in the grass and swing. I took some pictures, but Heidi (the professional :) ) took even better ones...

Adaline and Kay in the strollers



Kay and Adaline playing in the grass

fun in the swing...look at all those teeth (We are up to 6 now!)

The girls got to have lots of fun times together in the playroom, at bath times, and at meal times. The older girls did too, catching each other up on life. It was good to get together, and I hope it isn't too long before we do it again.


Adaline has really gotten better with eating more solid food. She can eat most things now, and we just have to focus on getting the food into her mouth rather than all over the floor. She isn't walking yet, but loves to hold onto our hands and walk all through the house...so maybe it won't be long! Then we will really need a baby gate or two.


Perhaps the next post will come from camp....as we will be spending our next few weekends there until I finish with school. Shane is already there for the season. Cheerio!

The Big Easy

Over Mother's Day, Betty and Jerry were able to fly in from Texas to visit for a long weekend. Ryan and Jennifer (and Dottie the dog) came up from Raleigh as well, and it was a great weekend to spend with family.

Grandma and Grand"poopy" with Adaline

We also took Adaline to another swim class and she again enjoyed the splashing in the pool. She still isn't as interested in kicking much, but we are happy she likes being in the water, and will be excited to keep working with her at camp.


Shane and I had our first long weekend away from Adaline this past weekend for a wedding trip to New Orleans. It was a blast to see all of our friends and party it up in NOLA, but it was a challenge to be away from Adaline for 4 days. She had a good time with Nana and Pops, and we were able to sleep in everyday together well into the late morning. It really had been too long for that! The wedding was for Shane's old camp friend (and one of our first roommates as newlyweds), Scott and his lovely bride, Jamie! Although we had some rain the last few days in town, we were able to enjoy the city, Bourbon Street, Pat O'Briens, dancing, crawfish, beads, Po boys, and of course a few begniets along the way too.

us at Pat-Os / Jennifer, me, and Lauren making friends with the bartender and writing postcards that were never sent :)

The wedding itself was beautiful, at the Cathedral in the French Quarter, and was followed by a fabulous reception at Pat-Os on the River. The best part was getting there. After the ceremony, there is something I have only just learned about called a second line. This is a tradition where the bride and groom (maybe called 1st line????) get a jazz band that awaits them as they leave the Cathedral and the entire wedding party and all the guests follow along behind them in their own personal parade to the reception site. The streets are closed down and everything. All the men wave handkerchiefs and the women get parasols. It was a blast!

Shane and I about to begin the second line/our fun group with Scott and Jamie

Since Shane and Jessee were reunited for the long weekend, they had to do the traditional cribbage match for the Stanley Duck that occurs whenever they get together. Jessee won this time. We have had Stanley in our living room for awhile, so I wasn't too sad to see him take a long visit to Seattle for a bit. Sorry Anita. We kinda miss him though.


On the day after the wedding, Scott and Jamie held a crawfish boil on their rooftop. Despite the rain, our group held strong and had a good time. I even ate 3 or 4, which was a task considering I had to tear off their heads and pretty much pull them apart. After a few, I moved on to a burger...which wasn't looking at me. I think everyone else ate much more, but I am glad for the experience.


Although it was an excellent trip, it was also wonderful to come home to our baby girl. Nana and Pops were tired and even though we were too, we were happy to see Adaline's smiling face.

We're Moving Now

In the past few weeks there has been so much change at the Brown house. Adaline has settled in her new "one year old" class at day care, and I think may be beginning to get motivated by the other kids in class. Adaline is moving like crazy all over the place, and it takes all our effort to keep up with her. She especially likes to go in directions away from where we are, which means a lot of chasing.


Also, she has learned how to pop up a few of the animals on this toy, but doesn't understand pull and push. I tried to capture the way she turns the whole toy around over and over so she only has to pull...but she could not let the opportunity go by to get a close up...


We went to swim class again, and although we are not trying to put her under water yet, Adaline continues to be the first in class to get her whole head wet...from splashing. I think she is still enjoying it.

Shane continues to work in the yard on the drainage...but he is making some real progress. I think we will have a yard again soon. (and I might get a husband again soon :) ) He is actually out there right now in the dark working. What a guy! Perhaps then we can get back to the original landscaping we wanted to do before this problem was discovered. Oh yeah...and the hall that has been on hold...and the broken windows... Oh, the joys of home ownership!