Simply Pearcy: July 2010

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Family Reunion in Gatlinburg!!

This past weekend was our first family vacation to Gatlinburg. This was the longest roadtrip we've taken with Leona and she did FANATASTIC (all caps is the most enthusiastic way I can describe it)!!!! We caravaned with Joe's family on the way down, which made for a long drive but, it was still fun! Once we arrived we checked in and made our way up the mountain to the beautful 8 bedroom cabin Joe's grandmother reserved for all of us. By all of us I mean 22 people in total!!! It sounds like a lot of people, but the cabin was so huge, there was literally a floor for everything. Pool table and big screen in the basement, living room, hot tub, and kitchen on the main floor, and fusball and air hockey table on the third floor. The first night we stayed in and got aquainted with the idea of living with 22 people for 4 nights. Leona came down with a cold a few days before we got there, and on top of being in a strange place she didn't sleep very well for the first few nights.

Ready for the roadtrip to Gatlinburg in her new carseat

Front of the cabin

You would never know by looking at her morning face that she slept like crap the night before

She gets her morning side from daddy

The first day there I was all about going white water rafting and ziplining. So a group of us spent the day rafting a five mile stretch of the upper Pigeon Forge River followed by 6 ziplines. While on our rafting trip, there was a small part of the river where we could get out and swim for a bit. Getting out of the raft is the easy part; getting back in...easier said than done. Joe's cousin Ashleigh had such a time getting back in the raft that she briefly lost the bottoms to her swimsuit. Once everyone was accounted for, we finished our trip with on last Class IV rapid. After the day was spent, I would have to say that my most favorite part was the ziplining. We started out with a few practice trips. The tower was 54ft tall and the zipline was probably equally as long. However, the greatest feat was climbing nearly 270 steps throughout the entire adventure. The last zipline was 1200 feet long and ran 125 feet above the Pigeon Forge River. Although you would never know that when you launch off the platform because it starts in the middle of a mountain. Top speed on this zipline was 30 mph!! They called it the glove melter because your breaking glove gets so hot from riding the cable so long. No damage done, thank goodness!!!

Waiting for our daylong adventure

We decided to kill some time playing volleyball

The next day we celebrated the arrival of Joe's newest family with a baby shower. And, I should mention that this is the first baby shower I've been to that the father attented and participated in the festivities.

David participating on his own baby shower!!

Later that afternoon we went Hillbilly Golfing. I would just like to clarify that the name of the place was "Hillbilly Golf." We did not turn it hillbilly! I came in second, just 8 over par!!

Getting ready to ride up the mountain to the golf course. It was the first time I've every putt putted down the side of a mountain.

Family Photos

We celebrated Joe's grandma's birthday at the Old Mill Restaurant. YUMMY!!!

The last time Joe and I had our picture taken in front of this sign I had just found out I was pregnant. This picture brings back so many memories of our first trip (the 3 of us).

We decided to spend an extra day in Gatlingburg and made our way to the aquarium.

Starting out strong!

Shark tank

We found Nemo!!!

Making our way through the shark tank tunnel. There was a moving sidewalk that guided you through this underwater tunnel. I was so cool to see all the fish in there "natural" habitat.

Blurry, but this is a saw shark laying across the top of the tunnel.

"Too much fun for me, mom."

4 generations of family squeezed into one picture!!

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Josh & Amanda's Wedding

We had such an amazing time at a good friend's wedding this weekend. Josh and Joe go all the way back to grade school and enjoyed sharing their love for sports. It was such a beautiful wedding and we are so glad to be apart of their beginning. Leona was such a well behaved girl! WARNING: the content of these photos is poor! I forgot my camera and had to use my iPhone instead.

Groom

Daddy and his girl

Best Man speech

Cake cutting

Such a pair

Leona and her BFF Aubrey

Pool Time!!!

Trying out the new baby pool

Swimming over at Grandpa Pearcy's

Mommy and Leona going for a dip

Swimming Lessons

Leona had her first swimming lesson course starting at 6 months at the Plainfield Aquatic Center. Although, they didn't learn the butterfly, she did learn how to frog kick on her tummy, splash with her hands and feet, reach for underwater toys, and kick on her back. Since swimming lessons were during the work day so daddy couldn't be there to take pictures. The only one I have is this one; taken after her first lesson.

Wiped out!!!!

6 Months and growing...

Here's some updates on what Leona's into these days and how she's growing...

6 Month Birthday = June 3, 2010
Height = 27.5" (96th percentile)
Weight = 19lbs. 15oz (98th percentile)

Sleeping patterns: For the most part, she's sleeping though the night. On occasion she will wake up and just need some cuddle time with mommy or daddy. Teething is such a bear.

Eating Habits: We started giving her baby food shortly after her 6mos birthday. Her first experience was with green beans and she promptly puked that and the 5oz of formula I gave her just before. That was fun! She loves sweet peas, sweet potatoes, bananas (makes her constipated), carrots (stains her butt orange), applesauce, peaches, pears, mangos, avocados/bananas (homemade), plums/bananas (homemade), spinach (homemade), corn and sweet potatoe casserole.

New Discoveries: She's really exploring her feet and toes. She can finally get them into her mouth and she chomps on them ALL the time. Diaper changes are becoming more of a challenge. She also is interested in faces, expecially noses. She's tried to pick mine a few times! Also, she's discovered her ears which has prompted one visit to the pediatrician. Ears have checked out great so far!!!

Accomplishments: Houston, we finally have FULL head control!!!! After 2 months of PT Leona can finally hold her noggin' up all by herself!!! Once she started having better head control she became a rolling machine. She's now rolling EVERYWHERE. I laid her on the living room floor with some toys while I went to the kitchen to do dishes, and when I came back, she had rolled to the other side behind the couch. I about lost my lunch when I came back to check on her and she wasn't where I put her. Needless to say, the pack n' play is back in action and the baby proofing has begun. She can also sit-up with support, transfer objects from hand to hand, and drink water from a sippy cup.

Baby babbles: Giggles all the time, especially when we sing "The Itsy Bitsy Spider." She's ticklish on her back, neck, legs and feet. Daddy loves to get her big laugh going when he blows zerberts on her belly. Also, she says "dada" but has no clue what it means yet.

Fun Times on Lake Michigan

So, I realize it has been since Mother's day that I have posted anything new and I have tons to catch everyone up on. But, in the interest of saving time, I'm just going to start fresh with the most recent activities, beginning with Leona's first trip to Lake Michigan (South Haven). She did so well; slept through the night, no motion sickness, no sunburns! I was a fantastic time!!!