Top Ten in 2011

2011 was an amazing year. Wow. Sometimes it is still hard to believe. Here is a list of the Top Ten things from our year.

1. Obviously the most amazing thing that happened in 2011 came in the form of a 7 pound 7 ounces little bundle of joy. April 13, 2011 at 8:50 pm was the most amazing time of my life. Sweet Sadie lady made me a momma. She has certainly made the year very memorable.

2. A big year of firsts. Sadie has had a lot of firsts such as holidays, vacations, etc. I think she has enjoyed herself. Josh and I have had a lot of firsts too. A baby sure does change everything.

3. On June 5, 2011 we dedicated Sadie in our church. It was a very humbling moment. The little baby the Lord has blessed us with is our responsibility. Whoa. We know the only way to do right by her is do our best to raise her in a way which honors the Lord. Our number one goal as parents is to see her come to a saving relationship with Jesus.

4. 2011 the Lord provided in a huge way and I was able to quit my full time job. This was a huge blessing. I knew after having Sadie going back for me would be torture. I'm so thankful God gave Josh and I the faith to let the comfort of that job go. I have never regretted it for a second.

5. Along with #4 God showed off even more and provided me with a part time job, close to my home. where I can be with Sadie the entire time. I'm still amazed at the timing and the way He worked it out. Working there has been wonderful. The people are fantastic and Sadie and I both love it.

6. On June 11 I was able to take Sadie to Northwest Arkansas to meet some of my friends. This was so much fun because I was able to see and meet some blog friends too. I had the best time.

7. A year of social connections. :) I have met some of the most amazing friends through blogs and Twitter this year. I've met some amazing friends before 2011 but I think this year really brought us together (ha, sounds so serious) because of babies, motherhood, and life in general.

8. In September Josh and I took Sadie (along with my mom) to the beach. This was an exciting time for all of us. We are so thankful we were able to go. We hope and pray there are other beach trips in the future. Once a year would be nice. :)

9. The Hogs made us all proud and finished in the top 10. Not only that but there was conversation about them playing in the National Championship going into the LSU game. It was wonderful to have SEC WEST representing #1, #2, and #3. Go SEC!

10. Last but not least this month Josh finished his first of 3 Hebrews classes. This is a huge deal. We've been waiting on these classes to come back around so Josh can finish his seminary degree. The end is definitely in sight now and we're so ready for Josh to graduate.

There you have it. These are just highlights of our amazing year. We are excited to see what God has in store for 2012.

Wishing you all a wonderful 2012!

Life of the Party

A New Year, A New Resolution

It is that time of year again. A new year is approaching so naturally there are a few resolutions, I mean goals, I mean objectives that I'd like to accomplish, I mean try.

Yes, I want to lose this nasty baby weight (and lazy weight) but that isn't a goal of the new year. It's just a goal. Period.

Yes, I want to get our finances back in order because I've been lazy since I gave birth but that isn't a new year's goal either.

Of course I want to be more organized and get rid of clutter but again this isn't a goal for the new year. It's just a goal and I always want to organize and de-clutter.

My resolution for this year is a little different.

(This printable was taken from here)

I am making it my goal to send out birthday cards to my family and friends. Smart phones, laptops, etc are taking over the world so I would like to help the post office by sending out some snail mail. I wish I had time and money to buy everyone a gift but I do not. Sending out a card is a small way to celebrate with people I care about.

What are some of your resolutions, goals, objectives?

Christmas Fun

Sadie had a great First Christmas. Her double ear infection limited some of our original plans but thankfully she was much better in time to celebrate.

I have TONS of pictures from the festivities but I know myself and they may or may not get posted so here is a brief recap.

Saturday morning, Christmas Eve, Santa came to see Sadie at home.

She got a few fun things and she loved them.

She especially loved her Learning Kitchen. She has the water faucet down!

After she played with her gifts and napped I dressed her in this CUTE dress and we headed out of town. We traveled to my sister's house so we could spend then night and have Christmas with my immediate family.

We opened presents that night. Sadie got her first baby doll, a purse, and a great activity toy.

She thought the wrapping paper was a toy too.

Sunday morning she woke up to another visit from Santa. Santa had an issue with her Pottery Barn Kids anywhere chair arriving on time so he improvised with a new tub. Sadie LOVES it. She thinks it is wonderful. Her chair should arrive this week and Pottery Barn has been WONDERFUL about it. Since it was their mistake she gets a free slipcover out of the deal.

After Santa and nap time she got dressed and we headed over to have lunch with more family.
They SPOILED her. She got some wonderful gifts. She loves them and so do I.

After lunch and presents we hit the road and headed to Josh's mom's house.

Sadie had a great time and put on a show for everyone. We went to Josh's Granny's house and she continued to entertain.

It was a busy couple of days of traveling but Sadie had a great time and overall did really well. She is very blessed to have so many people who love her.

Merry Christmas Eve

It is Christmas Eve so let the fun begin!

Sadie actually had a visit from Santa this morning but I will wait and share those pictures later. Let's just say she LOVES Santa. :)

For today I want to wish you all a wonderful time with your families. This morning I was thinking how today and tomorrow are not happy celebrations for everyone. Josh and I each have a grandparent who is still grieving the loss of their spouse, a friend remembering her sweet daughter who is in Heaven, a friend with a broken heart, and a number of friends longing for a baby or a husband. With all the JOY this time of the year brings I know not everyone feels it.

So for today I pray above all the GOD OF PEACE will touch your heart and bless your family.

Merry Christmas!

I leave you with some pictures I took of Sadie before church last week. We have some before and some after pictures. :)

I Spy

Yesterday while Sadie was playing I took a good look at her "toys" and there is quite a variety of things she plays with.

I Spy...

A parent's choice diaper box (she blows raspberries on this)

A bulb syringe (don't worry, we don't use this one in her nose)

A post-it note holder

An orange storage bowl

Plastic lids

A stuffed frog with a teething toy around its arm

A Christmas serving tray (she LOVES this)

Empty water bottle

A mirror (I have an entire post to write about this)

A few rattles, including a diamond ring

A few teething toys

And a few rings

Not pictured is a set of measuring spoons, the boogie wipe container, another Christmas tin and more water bottles.

Who needs real toys??!!?

Double Trouble

My sweet little baby has had a rough few days. Monday morning I was feeling her gums and to my surprise I felt the top of a little tooth. Glory. You couldn't see it but you could feel it. Sadie could definitely feel it. A couple of days later I noticed she actually has both bottom teeth trying to come through. Bless her little teething heart. Luckily though, after this afternoon, I think the worst part is over as far as these two teeth are concerned.

As if cutting two teeth weren't enough yesterday Sadie felt hot so I took her temperature. 100.7. Teething? That's what it seemed like. By the time she went to bed last night it was better. It was also better this morning. Before her morning nap I noticed she felt hot again. I took her temperature and it was 101.7. Hmmm...that seemed a little high for teething. I decided to go ahead and make an appointment. Since Christmas is coming up I wanted to make sure it wasn't something else besides teething. I went to get her up so we could go to her appointment and she was burning up. She had a fever of 103.1 and she was PITIFUL. It broke this momma's heart. I quickly dressed her (and yes I put her in a Christmas shirt and put a bow in her hair) and we headed out to the doctor.

Here she is sleeping in her car seat while in the waiting room. Sweet baby.

I'm so glad I decided to take her in. She registered a fever of 104 at the doctor's office and we found out she has a double ear infection. I had a feeling it might be an ear infection but she had been sleeping and napping relatively well (only gotten up once the last two nights) so I wasn't sure. She never really pulled on her ear any more than normal and she had been eating just fine (until today). She is now on an antibiotic and I'm sure she'll be back to herself in no time.

The ONLY "good" thing about her being sick, I use that word loosely, is that she has wanted to cuddle with her momma. My girl is not a cuddler so I have spent a lot of my time holding her today. I hate she feels bad but I love having her in my arms.

Luckily, ibuprofen is such a wonderful thing that not all day was full of pitiful tears. After getting her medicine she has been very happy and has enjoyed playing.

Her double trouble has changed our holiday plans just a little bit but we're obviously more concerned with having a baby that feels like herself.

Reason for the Season

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

I concur. I agree wholeheartedly. You are right.

Christmas really is so much different with a baby (or a child). I am so much more excited about Sadie getting fun things and experiencing fun things that I don't care if I do or not.

There's something else though. Now that I have a little baby in my presence the pressure to make sure she "gets" Christmas is a big deal.

I love she'll get new toys and enjoy playing with boxes and wrapping paper. I love she'll get to spend time with family. You all know I love she gets to wear cute holiday outfits and get her picture taken. I love that we get to start new traditions with her including Santa Clause.

All of these things are great but more importantly I love she'll be able to learn about Jesus, the reason we celebrate. I want more than anything else for her to want and desire to celebrate His birth. I want her to think of this season as a season of giving to others, not gifts but of love and time. I want her to recognize and be thankful for the things she has while reaching out to others who don't have those things.

Ok, I know, what some of you are thinking. This all sounds great on paper but in reality as she gets older she's going to be just like every other child and be more concerned about herself than anyone else.

Maybe so.

I hope not.

I pray not.

And as her mother I'm going to do my best to teach her differently. I want her to have fun but I don't ever want her to forget the reason for the season. You know what though? It starts with me (and Josh). Do I really spend this holiday season celebrating the birth of Jesus or am I too busy? Or too tired? Or too worried about buying the perfect gift? I'm pretty sure if I put this holiday season in line with where it should be then my children will naturally follow suit.

On that note, while shopping this weekend I saw this at the store and told Josh Sadie HAD TO HAVE IT. It was a Christmas gift but more like a Christmas tradition.

Each year I want her to enjoy playing with this while hearing the story of Jesus.

Obviously, this year she doesn't get it but she sure thinks all the toys are great to chew on.

Santa Baby

We took Sadie to see Santa today at the mall. We didn't have to wait in line so I was thrilled about that. Sadie did great. She didn't smile easily but she did smile and never got upset. At one point I think she got tired because she leaned back against Santa and relaxed. I wish they would have let me buy all the pictures they took without first having to sell an organ on the black market. My, my it is expensive to see Santa. I justified our purchase because we got two free Shutterfly gift cards. Besides, it's her first Christmas, right?! :)

Actually this wasn't her first picture with Santa. While grocery shopping on Saturday they announced Santa was there and you could get a free 5x7. I hurried up our shopping, put a bow in Sadie's hair, wiped some "stuff" off her nose and sat her in Santa's lap. She LOVED him but would only smile at him and not for the camera. And this is a picture of a picture because I haven't scanned this in yet so it isn't the best quality.

Motivation

Someone around here isn't crawling yet but the Christmas tree has become her motivation.

She might not be crawling yet (she's close) but she always manages to get to the tree. She loves to shake the branches to hear the ornaments rattle.

8 Months

December 13, 2011

Sadie, you are 8 months old. Life is passing by before my eyes. Before I know it you'll be graduating from high school.

You sure are changing. You are my pretty baby and I could look at your sweet face all day long.

You have quite the personality.

You smile and laugh all the time. Let's be honest, you do get fussy when you're tired or scared but most of the time you're very happy. You even crack yourself up.

You love when people sing to you. I for one am so glad you don't know I can't carry tune.

Here are a few other things going on with you this month...

You still love your jumperoo. At night you jump so hard and get so worked up you sweat like you've been to the gym. You could jump all night if I'd let you.

Your favorite toys are empty water bottles and you've recently really started playing with the empty diaper boxes. You love to move it around the floor. You also love anything that makes noise or things you can bang together. You are so proud of yourself when you can make noise.

You love to play on the floor but you still aren't crawling. You are very close though. You will "crawl" in your bed without realizing it. On the floor you scoot backwards and get on your knees but you can't get it all together. You'll get there and I'm not in any hurry for you to be mobile.

You don't have a tooth yet. Your pediatrician says the bottom two are ready to pop through but no such luck yet.

You "talk" all the time now. You still say "momma". At times I know you're saying it because you want me but sometimes you just say it because you like to talk. You still use "da, ga, and na". You have added "ba" sounds to your vocabulary. You can repeat "bye-bye". You are also getting better about waving at appropriate times.

You still take 4 bottles during the day although you are becoming less and less interested in them. Luckily you are now on cheaper formula and I am thrilled about that. You eat 3 meals a day of food and sometimes you snack. You are much better at feeding yourself puffs, crunchies, and yogurt melts. You've had bites of real food (bread, crackers, nutrigrain bars thanks to Mrs. Ria at school) and you've decided you love it!! You start licking your lips and opening your mouth.

I don't know your exact weight but I'm pretty sure it is between 19 and 20 pounds. You're still petite and that's ok with me!

You wear a size 3 diaper

Your clothing sizes are quite the variety. 3-6 and 6 month pants fit the best in length but most of your clothes are 6-9 months. You have several 12 month things that were bought so you could wear all season.

You're still a great sleeper although you've had your moments. You go to sleep around 7pm and get out of bed at 7am. You wake up around 6:30 most mornings but I don't get you out of bed until 7. Sometimes you'll make a peep at 5:30 but go back to sleep.

You take a short nap in the mornings and a 1.5-2.5 hour nap in the afternoon.

You still love going to school. You're engaging with the other kids more and it is fun to watch.

You love Sunday School and being in the nursery on Wednesday nights. You have the best time playing with all the toys.

Sadie, you are a blast. You learn something new every day and it is so much fun to watch. I'm so thankful I get to spend all my days with you. Your daddy and I adore you. We still look at each other in total shock that we have a baby. You are our baby and we couldn't love you more.

Family Photos

Thank you for all of the sweet words about our Christmas card. I think Tricia did a great job and I think Sadie looks so sweet.

My friend Ashley took our family/Sadie's pictures in November. I was so thankful Sadie was happy as a little lark and did great the entire time. She really does smile a LOT (she gets mad too though so don't be fooled). I love her smile.

Here are a few pictures Ashley captured.

Christmas Card Wishes

It's Christmas card season again.

Oh how I wish I could send each and everyone of you a Christmas card in the mail. I love blogging and I love that you all take time to read my blog. I have loved "getting to know" so many of you over the days, months, and years.

From my family to yours, Merry Christmas!

*Card design by Tricia.

All Aboard

Today Sadie and I had a great time meeting friends for lunch. We met up at a neat restaurant in our area. All Aboard is a local place with trains that circle around the dining area and drop off your food. Sadie thought it was really neat but the big girls REALLY loved it. Very entertaining for children so if you're in the area check them out.

The kids get conductor hats because, well, why wouldn't they get conductor hats? Sadie wore hers for the longest time. She loved it.
That is until she hit the bill on the table and it scared her. Bless it.

Niki, Jill, and Amelia.

You can tell what Amelia was more interested in and who can blame her?!

Ryanne and Leah

Addi and Ashley

These girls did so great and played together like they have been friends forever.

I can't wait to have lunch again our friends.