Cousin #5 - Lila Belle

Clara has some friends at church and school, but other than Chloe the little people she really loves the most are her cousins.  I was never close to my cousins growing up, but it's so fun for me to watch how my girls have girl cousins so close to their age on both sides and the bonds that they are forming.  My brother, Trey and his wife, Jennifer were expecting their third child in April and since they don't find out the gender until the baby is born, I was so excited to get the call and find out that it was their third girl.  Girls, girls, girls everywhere.  Introducing Lila Belle Davis, Davis grandgirl #5 and Clara and Eloise's fifth girl cousin (all under five years old).  Sweet blessings.

Here's our first time meeting her.  Clara loves loves loves her some babies and since Eloise was getting big and wiggly by this point, she was pretty excited to get her hands on a newborn.

The Dedication of Lila Belle

So, the problem with this whole working backwards from June thing is that it's like some strange reverse narrative.  This is the dedication of Lila Belle Davis, but I'm realizing you might not know who that is.  Davis niece #3 was born in April and is a delightfully squishy bundle of baby love.  And at the end of May we all went to Raleigh to be there for her dedication service at First Baptist, where my brother serves as a minister.  It was a great joy to celebrate with their congregation as we pledged to stand with Trey and Jennifer as they raise Lila to  know the love of Jesus.  Here are some photos of the special day.  

 

 And all God's people said,

"Thanks be to God!"

Mama Wore That: Newborn Cream Smocking

Of all the newborn dresses of mine that Sweet Mama saved, I think that this one might be my favorite.  Eloise wore it to church the first Sunday we took her, but I didn't manage to get any photos of her in it.  Put it back on her this past week for these shots and am so glad I did because she's already just about outgrown it.  If only they stayed little longer.  I love this precious vintage dress and the sweet new thing with wide eyes who is wearing it.