Milestones: Violet turns 3 weeks!

Violet at 3 weeks!

Time is flying by with our little Violet. We cannot believe she is already 3 weeks old. She has changed so much and is growing so fast. She is more alert during the day and her facial expressions are hilarious. Everyday is a new adventure and so much fun.

Peek-a-boo!

First trip to a restaurant: Buffalo Grill with David and Summer

Daddy gives lots of good kisses.

Mommy gives lots of kisses too!

Hanging out with Aunt Serena and Cousin Hallie.

Family Living: Violet's first Bath!

Mommy and Violet after her first bath.

Violet had her first "real" bath on Friday. The bathtub was the bathroom sink and she was not sure about the whole bath thing, but she didn't cry or scream (thank goodness). Hopefully, she will warm up to the bath idea and enjoy it!

Our little Princess!

Not sure about the whole bath thing....


All clean in my footed pj's!

Violet Photo Montage by Roscoe P. Ward

Sleepy Time

Macy as Violet's bodyguard

Violet's first Church Service: Mommy, Daddy, Violet, Brother Will and his wife, Audra

Who wants some Southern Fried Chicken?

First Hog Game with Wade, Laura and Jake

Hammock Swingin' with Mom

No more pictures please!

Milestones: Wes turns 31!

Wes' 31st birthday was today and it was so wonderful having Violet here to share in the fun. She wasn't due until September 15th with a potential to arrive as late as September 20th, so having her here for his big day was great and her daddy thinks she is the best gift ever. The furry kids and Violet surprised Dad with an Amazon Kindle book reader. He was so surprised and excited! They always pick out great Dad gifts. We had a wonderful burrito dinner and followed up with ice cream and cookies! It was a nice, relaxing evening with the family and that made it so wonderful.

Milestones: Violet turns 2 weeks!

It has been such a wonderful journey the past couple of weeks with Violet. She is more alert now and bobbing her head around to the sounds of our voices. It is so comforting knowing she is familiar with her mom and dad's voices. Her umbilical cord finally fell off, so we have a little belly button now! Stay tuned for pictures from her first bath. She is sleeping through most of the night and is up to a whopping 6lbs4oz.

We went to visit our friends Joe and Becky on Tuesday and they celebrated Violet's two week birthday with us.

Joe, Becky and Violet

Violet is such a joy and blessing and we love her more every day (if that could even be possible). Thanks to all of our wonderful friends and family that have come to meet Miss Violet. If you haven't yet, please come see us! We would love to see you and have you meet our girl.

Columns: What to do the weekend before you have a baby.

The weekend before I was induced, I had to "take it easy". I wanted to go visit Hallie once more before Violet's arrival, so my wonderful husband Wes took me to Conway and we took Hallie out for cookies (because that's what the cool aunt and uncle do).

Yummy...cookies!

Hanging out on Violet :).


Chillin in shades with Unkie Wes.

After Conway, I spent the afternoon "resting" as the doctor ordered. Then, Drew and Sarah brought Lucy by for a visit. She is so precious! We headed over the Chris and Su-Lauren's for a short time for Chris' 30th bday party. It was much fun and I finally got to meet Rob, his lady Sarah and their adorable Sydney.

Drew, Lucy and Wes

The birthday boy boiling some shrimp.

Sunday was a wonderful relaxing day. Who knew that the next day we would be going to the hospital to start our journey to have our wonderful little Violet.

Restaurant Review by The New Ward Times Food Critic, Macy J. Ward

Before the arrival of my little sister, Violet, Mom and Dad decided that they were going to have one last date night. It was River Cities Restaurant Week (which helps out Arkansas Hospice) and they decided to go to The Copper Grill. Personally, I did not understand why they couldn't take myself, Roscoe, or Miles, but something to do with no pets, health code, yada, yada. When Mom and Dad arrived home, we were so excited hoping that we would get some treats. They went on and on about how delicious the meal was and how full they were and how they hadn't eaten that much in a long time. So, according to Mom and Dad, The Copper Grill is a great place for dinner, but I cannot give you my honest opinion since they so rudely forgot to bring some grub home for me and the gang. Oh well, I guess they made up for it with extra scraps and then we got burgers and fries for Roscoe's birthday. Stay tuned: In my next article, why you should always bring home scraps for your pets.

Outdoor Living: Summertime Mowing

Here I am at 37 weeks.

One of my favorite things to do during my pregnancy and over the summer was to mow our yard. Wes, of course, always had a watchful eye and always wanted to take over the mowing duties, but it was something that I enjoyed, and he knew he couldn't argue with the pregnant lady. (Also, my doctor said it was ok.)

Enjoying my new self-propelled mower. Thanks honey!

Milestones: Violet turns 1 week!

Violet had a busy first week of life. It has been absolutely wonderful and she is such a joy. Wes and I feel so blessed, lucky and happy to have such a wonderful, spectacular daughter. For her birthday, we had angel food cake (Mommy's favorite), Chai latte drinks (a favorite of Daddy's) and Dad bought Violet a Burt's Bees baby care kit (our little organic gal). Stayed tuned for more Violet milestones.

Photo Montage by New Ward Times photographer, Roscoe P. Ward

Violet's favorite thing to do...snooze.

One week appointment at the pediatrician. We have a healthy girl!

Getting ready for our first walk.

Hanging out with Dad.

Four generations of Milholens.

Violet taking a nap. She is a professional napper.

Miles on guard for Miss Violet.

Milestones:Roscoe turns 2!

Roscoe, our youngest furry child, turned two on Monday. To celebrate, Roscoe and Macy had cheeseburgers and french fries and he got a new toy! It was fun.

Happy Meal Time!

I love my new toy!

Social Events: Friday Family Day!

Violet had some family visitors on Friday. First her Uncle Tony and Aunt Serena brought Cousin Hallie to the house to introduce her to Violet.

Hallie loves Miles!

Violet, Aunt Serena and Cousin Hallie

Uncle Tony, Daddy and Violet

Before they left, Uncle Bruce, Aunt Rana, Cousin Emma and Cousin Gavin arrived for their first visit with Violet and our first visit with Gavin.

Wes and Gavin

Emma, Wes and Violet

It was a fun family Friday! Violet enjoyed seeing and meeting her family.

Breaking News: Miss Violet Jean Ward makes her debut!

First Family Photo.

As you can imagine, we are elated. Thanks to everyone for their love, support and prayers through our pregnancy and Violet's arrival. We are all well and finally made it home today. Momma had to be induced two weeks early for her health but doc said Miss Violet was ready to come out and she was perfectly healthy! Please feel free to give us a buzz and come to meet our girl.

Wes and his folks (Grammy and Papaw).

Violet with Grammie and Popi.

It had been an intense day so after we moved to our room, it was time for rest. But, of course, we just stared at Violet all night with a couple of cat naps in between the bouts of staring. We ended up staying an extra night and had a couple of special visitors on Wednesday.

Aunt Serena, Uncle Tony, Violet and Mommy

Aunt Serena, Uncle Tony and Violet


Day 2 Family Photo


Daddy and Violet


Violet and our minister (and friend), Brother Will


Sweet smile.


Looking like Mom?

Mommy and Violet

Time with Daddy (Wes is the most awesome dad! We are so lucky to have him!)

Stay tuned...there will be several hundred more pictures in the future. Haha. We feel so blessed that our girl is here and healthy and we are totally in love with her.