We Need to Re-name This Thing

No longer can we call our blog the "Louisville Branch of the Flora Family Tree." We are moving to Northern KY as soon as our house sells because Chris has been working as the Minister of Students at Hebron Baptist Church for the last few weeks. So far the job is going great, and we love the church. The only thing we don't love is having the church in NKY and our house in Louisville. Please pray that it sells ASAP!

Chris getting his dream job means that I, Mindy, also get my dream job--I am now a stay-at-home mom! I love having taking care of the house and my family as my main focus for the day. We both feel so richly blessed, and it's neat to see how God has provided.

Rylee is doing great and growing big. She has had a cold for a few weeks, but keeps up her cuteness through the snot. She's getting close to walking. Correction: she's getting close to walking the way that most people walk. She's been walking on her knees for some time now (see video). We're just waiting for her to try her feet. This sweet little 14 month old girl has been such a joy and a blessing through the happy and sad times we've had lately. We are so blessed to be her parents.

Rylee is 1!!!

Rylee is now 1 year old! We can't believe how fast the time has passed, and how much she has grown. She is a blessing to both of us, and to just about everyone she meets. She is usually happy, and always curious. At her one year check up, we learned that she is on the same growth pattern, still around the 50%. She has 9? teeth and counting. It is hard to count due to the biting, so 9 is a good estimate. Speaking of biting, watch out when you give her a hug. Mommy found out the hard way that you shoulder is fair game!

Enjoy the video of her first birthday party. She had cake everywhere, lots of presents, and more hugs from her family than one baby should be able to handle. But handle those hugs she did.

Little Drummer Girl

Could Rylee have her daddy's drummer genes? Judge for yourself.

Little Beach Bum

We have passed the 10-month mark, and Rylee continues to amaze us every day. Her crawling gets better and better (which is exciting, yet exhausting), and her play gets more advanced. As she interacts with us more her little socialite personality has begun to shine through. She loves to be around people.

Rylee's first trip to the beach was this past weekend, on a girls-only trip. Yes, I win the World's Worst Wife Award for taking my daughter to the beach on Father's Day without her daddy. She liked the beach okay when she just had her feet in, but when I tried to take her out a little farther, the crashing waves scared her. Since it was incredibly hot, we spent most of the time hanging out inside at Aunt Shelby's house. It was such a nice vacation! But Rylee and I sure were glad to get home to see her daddy.

Another Day - by Rylee Baker Flora

People just don't understand that my needs are simple. Here are some things you need to know about me.

I like to see myself in anything reflective. It doesn't matter what else I am doing! (see video)

I like to eat. A bunch. So keep the food coming!

I like the dog, and his tongue. Please, allow him to lick my face for once!

I like my stuffed dog that sings. Sure, the songs are repetitive, but they are classics!

And the cutest baby is.....RYLEE!!!

Rylee has now been entered into a "Cute Baby" contest. Click on the link to rate her pictures and hope she wins!

http://www.parents.com/photos/photo-contests-1/cover-kid/870200051/?photoId=869900158

Rylee Got Skillz

As we approach the 10-month mark, Rylee continues to develop and practice new skills, such as:

Crawling: it's no longer a lop-sided scoot. This girl is on the move.

Eating: she feeds herself small chunks of soft things (bananas, strawberries, and cheese are favorites), and at least 70% of the chunks now make it into her mouth.

Dancing: she sometimes bounces up and down when Daddy turns on the tunes.

Pulling up: so we don't quite have this one down, but it sure is cute when she tries--she just has to get closer to the top of the ottoman so she can chew on it.

Swimming: rather, playing in the water without being scared. . . as long as Mommy or Daddy is around. I think she likes the way she looks in her swimsuit.

Waving: very selectively. Sometimes she's just not in the mood.

Smiling: she has been good at this for a long time, but she continues to refine the skill. Today she seemed to think she was a Wal-Mart greeter the way she grinned at everyone who walked past. If it wouldn't violate child-labor laws, I would get her a badge and make it official.