Since Eden was born, Mama II has been beside herself to "see that baby." We were so thankful for the opportunity for them to finally meet.
Eden had a great time talking to Mama II about what she'd been up to since her birth ...
She also had some much-needed tummy time due to all the car time.
After Mama II had some QT, the Great Aunt Denise and the Great Uncle Bob came over for a visit.
For those of you who don't know Uncle Bob, you should. He is a wonderfully funny man with a big heart. Eden took right to him.
And we concluded that they both really know how to pose for a picture.
The Great Aunt Denise is equally wonderful. She not only has the most energy of any person I've ever met (how could you not in order to raise 4 children and run a hardware store?), but she is our connection to everything Auburn. She keeps Eden looking good in her Auburn threads, something that is about to be even more important given our new address.
Evan Sullivan Tisdale Brooks is the youngest of the Brooks children. At 16, he is also perhaps the most accomplished. He's been around the world and back and is currently in Washington, DC for a leadership conference (invitation only) where he was just elected Speaker of the House ... should serve him well in his run for the White House in 2027. I suppose Eden could sense how special he is since she took to him so well ... and apparently his shirt tasted good, too.
After a wonderfuly dinner, everyone gathered in the family room for some entertainment a la Eden.
The next day, Eden was pooped from all the fun meeting the Brooks Family. She took an hour-long nap in Mama II's lap.
After her nap, we decided to give Eden her first "real food." A mushy bowl of rice cereal is what the doctor ordered ... the day before Eden began eating like a teenage boy. She consumed nearly 8 ounces of breast milk before bedtime and was eating at least 4 ounces every hour and a half. Plus, Eden's doctor gave us the go ahead at her last visit since her head control was that of a true 4-month old, good enough for eating from a spoon. We figured now was as good a time as any to start.
Taking to the spoon was a little difficult, but she started getting the hang of it toward the end.
After eating, Eden had some more visitors. Friends of the family (Sylvia and Bill Meeks and their daugthers Kathy and Becky) as well as Diane Pate just could not get enough of Mama II's new greatgrandbaby.
Mama II goes to lunch with a group of ladies every Friday. The next round of visitors included Mama II's friends Betty Sue McInnish and Helen King who are part of this group.
After all the visitors had left, and the cable man (Robert) had run a cable line to the den, I set up Mama II's computer for easy blog access. 
The next day, July 25, was time to start the trip back to Indiana (for the last time).
Before leaving Andalusia, we stopped by Brooks True-Value Hardware for some pictures. The "hardworking store" as I used to call it is a staple in our lives. W. R. Tisdale (my great-great grandfather) owned a mercantile shop in Andalusia for years then went into business with Samuel Douglas Brooks (note: I get my middle name from him) to open Tisdale-Brooks Hardware in 1913; it became Brooks Hardware when Mr. Tisdale retired. Robert Tisdale Brooks, Sr. (my Big Daddy) took it over after World War II. It is currently owned and operated by Robert Tisdale Brooks, Jr. (Uncle Bob of local television fame) and Denise Huggins Brooks. 
Here is Eden in front of the picture of "Tisdale and Brooks Hardware" ...
and in front of the old cash register
and being weighed in the old nail scale
Just a fun picture 'cause we thought it was funny...
This is what the front of the store looks like ...
and an explanation of what the Hardware carries (if you can't find it at Brooks Hardware, you don't need it.)
Overall, a great first visit to Andalusia. We hope to come back soon.
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